Enjoy The "Fun" of Chris's Personal Concert Experience!

When we were all standing up at the stage at the end, as the orchestra was leaving the stage, (and… just wishful thinking…wild imagination…or not?)

I caught eye contact with Teun and Andre as they each passed! Whew!!!

It kinda took my breath away! Teun has big Dutch Chocolate Brown eyes!

(But I still can’t say his name, even though Sonja & John coached me on it repeatedly. Yeeees, John, I hear ya – they’re married! …well, not to each other)

Another thing that was a bit of a thrill, was when they were playing their opening song “Voices of Spring”, during a part in the middle that I really, really like, I gave a little “woo hooooo” and it made Andre SMILE!!!! On the “Andre Rieu in Concert” CD, that part is at minute 2:35 and again at 2:50. Throb, throb! It’s insanely flirty – makes me crazy, but it’s not always included when they play that.

I tried a whole bunch of times to get even an average shot of Marcel, like I have before. But darned if they didn’t ALL turn out blurry – not even usable! During one of the shots, Bobbie leaned over my shoulder and said she thought he was obliging my camera ;-). Taking pictures is so much a part of the fun, and then comparing with everyone else to see who got the cleverest one. I sure hope Andre keeps allowing it! My very favorite in my slide show is slide #25. I think it was either during Vilja Song or Komm Zigany – no explanation needed!!!

Back a few weeks ago, there was chatter about extra tickets at either Atlantic City, or Kansas City. It was so tempting, because we would miss their tour in the west this year, so, even though I had just seen them in October, I took the plunge and bought an extra KC ticket that Maggie had – I’ve never been there before. I couldn’t have been more blessed. We started corresponding right away and found a lot we had in common and exchanged poetry and life stories. My, that gal is quite a prolific writer – and it’s really good stuff – magazine worthy! A short story series she sent about her grandmother really tugged at my heart. If you haven’t met her yet, and ever get the chance, introduce yourself and you’ll feel like a part of her family right away. Meeting the others there, too, was such a privilege. Sonja, of course, who has provided the platform for so many of us to become friends over the years; John & Bobbie, who have helped provide many of the translations; Dimitri & Vasilia are a delightful couple with a cute sense of humor; Maggie’s high-school friend, Marian (Toots) was there; as well as Bobbie’s sisters and several others that I didn’t have a chance to get to know as well.

It was a terrific weekend, it was a birthday splurge for me, and worth every penny!!!

~ Chris T.