Pros and Con(vention)s
Every once in awhile we get to perform in a non-traditional venue. I like the term “non-traditional venue”, it’s so descriptive, isn’t it? It could mean anything from Aunt Addy’s drawing room to a Pot Belly’s to a college lecture hall and quite a few more that I can think of and performed in or at.
In this case, I’m talking about the AHR Expo 2012 coming up Monday through Wednesday for Taco, Inc. at McCormick Place. Now you might think that’s a strange place for an a cappella quartet to sing, but it’s a great time and a great gig. We get to interact with people all day, sing for them, talk to them and just be fun and a bit goofy and we get to stretch too. We re-lyric a song and we dress in themed costumes and work the booth. We meet and greet and talk with people and then we sing for them, which is usually a surprise to the people. And the most unexpected thing is, it’s really intimate. Every performance is new and different and in the moment. It can’t be any other way, in a cavernous convention hall. The point of focus is ever changing and it’s a fun challenge to keep that focus.
What will we be dressed like this year, you ask? Well, I’ll try and get some pictures and maybe a tweet or two while at the convention. and if I don’t get any while at the convention, I’ll post some after the convention.
Better yet, if you find yourself at the convention, come and take a picture with us, we’ll be at Taco, Inc. booth, booth 5400 and hard to miss.
Here’s a video of what last year’s Expo was like. And this year promises to be just as fun.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Oh, one last thing. I don’t really have an Aunt Addy and I don’t know anyone who has, so I’ve never sung in her drawing room. Just wanted to let you know.
Pros and Con(vention)s originally appeared on 4-AM on 20 January 2012.
On Haitus
It’s that time of year again for me. I usually take a quick break from the podcast during the month of January. Time to recharge and do a little forward planning (though there’s usually not much of that (c; ).
I don’t think I’ll take the entire month of January off, but It will at least be the next couple of weeks before the show is back. I hope to do some writing for this site and the others for which I write. (That’s right, I said “for which”, I can write goodly, you know.)
I’ll let you know when the show’s coming back, it may be a quick “Hey you! The show’s back in 15 minutes” or it could be more. Hopefully more than that, but I’ve lived with me a long time now, I know how I am.
Talk to you in a couple of weeks or so, until then, “Bye for now.”
Keeping Vocally Fit – preface
This is not the Medical Doctor you're looking for.
I am NOT a Medical Doctor.
Who I am is a professional singer with a Masters Degree in Vocal Pedagogy (Teaching Voice) and over 25 years of professional performance experience.
Having said that, I’m currently in my busiest time of year as a singer. Which means that I’m pushing myself as hard as possible. And that means I’m concentrating on taking care of myself and my voice to make sure that I perform to the best of my ability.
That includes a lot of things that I have learned over the years through training and experience that I can pass on as tips to you. So I’m starting this series – Keeping Vocally Fit. I’ll try to keep them short and I can’t guarantee a set schedule for posting them, but they’ll be here.
These tips aren’t meant to take the place of advice from a Medical Professional, if you need to see a medical doctor, see one!
Photo Credit: The Local Tourist
Why don’t we see Jim & Tim this holiday?
Well, the biggest reason is because I’m off being a crazy caroling madman with the Merry Maskers and performing in the show A White Christmas Holiday Revue. That’s because that’s what is most requested at this time of year.
And we love that. We love the time of year and we love the music too.
That doesn’t mean we stop making music. Far from it. We understand that there are many events and parties that aren’t holiday related. You know we’re there for those whenever and wherever they may be. And we’ll even do a holiday song or two when they’re wanted/requested by popular demand.
It just means that in December you’re less likely to see something like this in your Twitter stream:
Just keep watching, these will start popping up again very soon and we’ll be having a great time doing what we do best. Singing for you.
Happy Holidays from Jim & Tim.
Photo Credit: mikecogh
Why don’t we see Jim & Tim this holiday? originally appeared on Jim & Tim on December 1, 2011.
Is it too early for Christmas?
Not if you’re Arthur Christmas!
For the Holiday season, 4-AM returns to our roots with The Merry Maskers Carolers singing holiday carols and having a great time getting into the spirit.
Well, last Saturday, November 12th, at Woodfield Mall was the earliest I’ve ever caroled. But it was all a part of the 12 Days of Arthur Christmas, a new holiday film from Sony Pictures and we were caroling and having pictures taken with anyone who asked. There were Arthur Christmas activity books for the first 100 kids to visit Santa in the Ice Palace, a speed wrapping contest and prize wheel in the Grand Court of the mall. Oh, I almost forgot the cookie decorating there as well. I think they may have been tipped off ahead of time, because I didn’t get to decorate any cookies…Which is probably better for everyone all around, now that I think about it.
It was a great time. There were lots of smiles and wide eyed kids, replete with cookie frosting all over their faces, pictures taken, flying wrapping paper and people singing along. I guess it’s never too early for Christmas.
But here’s a not so secret ‘Secret’.
If you go to the 12 Days of Arthur Christmas Calendar and choose Chicago, IL from the drop down list and you look at the 11th Day of Arthur Christmas, you’ll see this:
O COME ALL YE CAROLERS
Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago | River Walk
401 N. Wabash Ave. | Chicago, IL 60611 | 2:00PM-4:00PM
Spot the ARTHUR CHRISTMAS Carolers for your chance to learn a Christmas carol and receive a prize
…And I bet that if you look hard enough and long enough on the internet (are you done looking yet?), you just might be able to find a picture of the Carolers you’ll be looking for Tuesday.
Happy Holidays and Good Hunting from 4-AM!
Is it too early for Christmas? originally appeared on 4-AM on 15 November 2011.
