A gift of energy, wonder, and joy

I didn't take any photos at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra performance in Cleveland yesterday afternoon, for several reasons. First, we were sitting up in the nosebleed section, so if I'd fumbled and dropped my phone, it would have gone plunging so far down that I surely wouldn't have seen it again--and I'm enough of a klutz to do that. Second, plenty of more sure-fingered people in our family party were taking photos and videos, and they all have nicer phones than mine. But mostly I was so caught up in the elaborate spectacle that I couldn't have looked away long enough to press the shutter button.

Wow what a show. I don't believe I stopped smiling once for two and a half hours, except when I felt moved to let out a joyful whoop. Joy, in fact, was the overwhelming feeling of the event, accompanied by wonder and awe evoked by both the music and the effects. Up in the cheap seats we had a great view of the stage from above, and my son the percussionist was especially impressed by the drummer's ability to play complicated beats while his platform was being lifted into the air or surrounded by lasers or fireworks or, occasionally, actual fire. Lasers! Flashing lights! A giant snow globe with a woman inside, singing her heart out! It was like nothing I've ever seen before.

Or heard, for that matter. We've listened to Trans-Siberian Orchestra's holiday music for years, but even familiar tunes have a fuller, fresher sound in person. And when the performers are playing while dashing around the stage or being raised aloft on a column or surrounded by fireworks, you just can't stop the energy. In fact, all the performers threw so much energy into the afternoon show that I wondered if they'd have anything left for the evening crowd.

And they infused us with energy too. All evening the grandkids were humming and singing, and at bedtime I had trouble calming my brain down enough to sleep. I kept closing my eyes and seeing the colors, hearing the music, feeling the joy. A gift of energy--what a great start to this busy holiday weekend.

(My son took these photos.)

Here we all are after the show--so many smiles!