First, I’ll acknowledge that things are looking a leeeetle bit different around here. I’m still tweaking things and will eventually design my own background, but I’m hoping that these changes will make reading my blog just a little easier on the eyes for you guys. Please do feel free to let me know what you think (Even if you hate it- tell me! I’m not a delicate flower and your feedback is helpful).
So, I’m actually cheating a little with this whole, “Images from the Fourth of July” business. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to get to attend the Boston Pops rehearsal for the Fourth of July and lo and behold, I had tickets for front row seats! Every year, the Boston Pops performs, accompanied by various celebrity guests, at the Hatchshell on the Charles River. This year is the fortieth anniversary of the tradition. I suppose you could say that the birthplace of America likes its traditions.
Evidence! The only thing between us and that stage? A guardrail and some concrete. Primo seating! You can see the Hatchshell really well.
The Pops run through the concert just as if it was the “real” Fourth (short a couple of songs), do the sing-a-long, and Keith Lockhart, our beloved conductor, charms the hell out of all of us (how many symphony conductors do you know of who will playfully step back towards the crowd and do a jig while continuing to conduct over their shoulders?).
Keith Lockhart dances a jig while the Pops perform “I’m Shipping up to Boston” by none other than the Dropkick Murphy’s (who just so happen to be a Boston band)
This is our first HUGE event since the Marathon, so you can bet emotions were high and somehow, it seemed just a little more meaningful to be a part of the tradition this year. So, happy Fourth of July and here are my pictures from the 3rd (and then some)!
From top right: Ayla Brown, Ellis Hall (first and only performer ever signed to Ray Charles’ record label), Howie Day, and Susan Tedeschi
Here’s the stage all lit up- complete with the Tanglewood Chorus
SURPRISE! The flag came down and the confetti cannons rang out.
We knew we weren’t getting the crazy fireworks display and the cannons they shot during the 1812 Overture (which is GLORIOUS and usually the background for the fireworks) were more “give you a freakin’ heart attack if you weren’t watching the TV screen and didn’t know it was coming” than fun, so it was a pretty cool surprise, when the confetti rained down!
Despite the fact that I was fishing confetti out of my dress when I FINALLY got home, it was incredibly worth it. It was way less insane than it will no doubt be for the real thing, but the spirit of the occasion was still very much present!
As for today, the actual Fourth of July? I picked a whole bunch of these with my mom:
Black and red raspberries!
So, I’m going to scrub the stains off my knees (yes, I knelt down in some that had fallen on the ground- classic Jenny move), figure out what the heck to do with them, and eat some veggie burgers. Tomorrow kicks off a busy weekend of celebrating with friends. Happy Fourth of July!
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