Review: Pink Martini at SF Jazz

The Inna purchased tickets for the 2024 Holiday Tour of her favorite band - Pink Martini. The concert was scheduled for Saturday, December 14 at 19:30 in SF Jazz in San Francisco.

The band features the following members:

• Thomas Lauderdale - piano (founding member)
• China Forbes - vocals
• Antonis Andreou - trombone

In addition to the prominent members, there were a few new additions, including:

• Edna Vasquez - vocals (from Mexico)
• Jimmie Herod - vocals

Today's set included the following songs:

• Bolero
• Ocho Kandelikas (Eight Little Candles)
• Kikuchiyo to Mohshimasu
• Hang on, Little Tomato
• Joy to the World
• Hey Eugene!
• Sympathique (Je ne veus pas travailler)

The band sang songs in multiple languages, including:

• English
• French
• Romanian
• Japanese
• Thai

I enjoyed the concert and the professionalism of the band. They were all excellent musicians.

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Review: Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley

As written by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley:

Following its hit stage adaptations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, TheatreWorks returns to the Regency with this Pride and Prejudice sequel that is perfect for the whole family. This charming romantic comedy full of festive fun stars a different Bennet sister: bookish Mary, who is tired of being in the middle of her sisters’ romantic mishaps. A new guest’s arrival at Pemberley for the holidays offers Mary the chance to take control of her story.

Directed by TheatreWorks Associate Producer of Casting & Literary Management Jeffrey Lo, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley will be presented December 4-29, 2024 (press opening: December 7) at Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

Sunday, December 8, 2024 19:00

Today, we saw Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley at the Lucie Stern, Palo Alto. Inna purchased excellent seats B105/106 in the center of the second row.

The TheatreWorks production centers on the middle sister Mary and her unexpected romantic interest in Arthur De Bourgh, during Christmas at Darcy's Estate in Pemberley. 

It follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice with language (and plot lines ) that mimics Austen's. I found it to be amusing and enjoyable.

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Review: My Grandson Benjamin at Herbst Theater

Today, we saw Lia Ahedjakova, a famous Russian actress, playing Esther in a famous play "My Grandson Benjamin" at Herbst Theater in San Francisco.

English:

"My Grandson Benjamin" is a surprisingly piercing story of family relationships. The main character Esther lives with memories of the past, in her memory traditions and orders from childhood. Domineering and accustomed to deciding everything for others, she unsuccessfully searches for the right bride for her son. And then one day he decides to take an important step - he goes to his native Bobruisk and brings from there a young beauty, the heiress of a "proven" family. It would seem that everything is going well, but the clear plan for arranging a new world according to the old order suddenly collapses. Esther's son opposes the forced marriage, and the bride turns out to be not quite what she seemed... The classic resistance of "fathers" and "sons" in the play is strung together with a funny and at the same time touching story about a mother's love, capable of both creating something beautiful and destroying everything around.

Russian:

«Мой внук Вениамин» – удивительно пронзительная история семейных отношений. Главная героиня Эсфирь живет воспоминаниями о прошлом, в ее памяти традиции и порядки из детства. Властная и привыкшая все решать за других, она безуспешно подыскивает своему сыну правильную невесту. И вот однажды решается на важный шаг – отправляется в свой родной Бобруйск и привозит оттуда юную красавицу, наследницу «проверенной» семьи. Казалось бы, все складывается удачно, но четкий план обустройства нового мира по старым порядкам вдруг рушится. Сын Эсфири противится навязанному браку, а привезенная невеста оказывается не совсем той, кем казалась… 

Классическое сопротивление «отцов» и «детей» в спектакле нанизано на смешную и одновременно трогательную историю о материнской любви, способной как созидать что-то прекрасное, так и разрушать все вокруг.

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Review: iPad Pro 13" M4/256GB

To help practice guitar and piano, I purchased a new Apple iPad Pro 13"/M4 256GB model (on Black Friday sale at Costco for $1099 in Lihue, Kauai). Fortunately, Hawaii has a 4.5% sales tax vs. 9% in California (so it's cheaper to purchase items in Hawaii).

The larger screens make it easier to read notes and do my music lessons and are better for viewing videos. The screen is much brighter/better than my previous M1 iPad 11".

I also purchased this Logitech Combo Touch iPad Pro Keyboard Case:

• Logitech Combo Touch iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)(2024) Keyboard Case - Detachable Backlit Keyboard with Kickstand, Comfortable Typing, Multi-use Mode - Midnight Black

I had difficulty installing the iPad in the case as the magnets had shifted. After a small repair, I installed the iPad in the case. I like being able to detach the keyboard.

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Buying Honu Bondi 8'8" iSUP

Over the past few years, I have surfed various stand-up paddleboards. Unfortunately, the paddleboards available to rent in Oahu and Kauai are not designed for surfing, so I am constantly frustrated by the poor, oversized boards I am forced to ride.

I recently read a review of an inflatable surfing-focus paddleboard from an Australian Company called Honu. Their Honu Bondi small portable surfboard SUP can be easily transported on an airplane and has sufficient performance to surf in small to head-high waves.

The SUPboarder magazine did a thorough review and was impressed by the quality of the board. Since there was a Black Friday sale, I decided to purchase the following gear from Honu:

• Honu Bondi 8'8" SUP - $801
• Eva Bamboo Carbon Paddle (3-piece) - $208.25
• Super Hand Pump - $38.25

I plan to use the Honu Bondi at Oahu, Kauai, Lake Tahoe, and Punta Mita (and anywhere else where surfing is possible).

After ordering the board from Honu's website, I received it via FedEx on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Everything fits in the backpack, but I hoped that the backpack had more pockets.

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