Tag Archives: music

Jul30

Groovy Movies: Hadestown: The Musical Edition

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Groovy Movies: Hadestown: The Musical Edition

Hi! Over three years ago Johnny and I saw Hadestown at Playhouse Square and it will forever be one of my favorite memories. This show was a light in an otherwise very dark period of my life and it moved me so deeply. The music, the story, everything about it we loved and Johnny and I still talk about our night at the theater like it was yesterday. I was incredibly excited to learn that the live recording with the original primary cast at the Lyric Theater in London was coming to theaters and just had to go. I have had it marked in my calendar for months for a date night! We went this Friday at the Cinemark with my dad as a surprise guest and had the absolute best time. I am so glad he got to share in the magic of Hadestown with us!

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Hadestown tells the love story of Hades and Persephone and Orpheus and Eurydice set to the tune of jazz, gospel, and blues. It is breathtaking, heart breaking, and one million percent awe inspiring. It was such a delight to see those who originated the characters that I adore so much perform and I have been waiting for it for a long time. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cast recording. However, it is so crisp and pure that it almost sounds like a Disney album and I wanted that grit that only comes from a live performance. Hadestown: The Musical is a must see for anyone that feels the same way and it was so refreshing to hear the music like it was meant to be heard.

I know this is going to ruffle some feathers but Johnny and I wholeheartedly agree that the cast we saw at Playhouse Square was better than this one. It’s just a true statement because they were lol. Our Orpheus had a much stronger falsetto. Our Hermes commanded the show in true vaudeville fashion. Our Eurydice and Persephone had far more oomph. And, don’t even get me started on our brooding Hades because holy WOW. And, listen, that’s not to say that the OG cast isn’t wonderful too and maybe my sentiments would be different had I been in the audience for one of their shows. My expectations from our cast are just too high that anything else seems less than.

All of this sounds like I’m bashing the OGs but I’m simply stating my opinion and that also includes how much we enjoyed the live recording anyways. It really was fabulous and I was elated that my dad came with us because what he did the following day will tell you everything you need to know… I met up with my parents and nieces for an outing to the local library for a tea party and when I got there my dad proudly showed me the cast recording CD in his hands to check out. He had the biggest smile on his face and thanked me and Johnny again for our fun night on the town. And it sure was! Amazing music, amazing company, and an amazing experience to have altogether. ❤

I am going to award Hadestown: The Musical with the coveted ten out of ten stars. If you are a theater enthusiast then you are not going to want to miss this limited showing. RUN don’t walk!!!

What are your thoughts on Hadestown? What is your favorite musical? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul4

5 Below Clothing Haul

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5 Below Clothing Haul

Hi! Johnny and I are the Fun Aunt and Uncle and have been looking forward to taking our nieces to see Toy Story 5. Taking them to the movies is one of our favorite things because it’s just pure fun. Loading up on snacks, determining what movies to see next from the previews, and taking in the movie magic altogether. Because I am the most extra aunt on the planet, simply going to see Toy Story 5 isn’t good enough. I have to dress the part and knew just where I needed to go – 5 Below to shop their Toy Story collection. I walked away with Toy Story toys for the girl squad and some treats for me too:

^^^ Lol, it’s not Toy Story themed but I wasn’t going to not get a Sean Paul T-shirt!

The Toy Story collection has been at 5 Below for a while and I kept thinking to myself that I had to buy the adorable Jesse crop top and hoodie but never did. On Monday, I visited the best 5 Below in my neck of the woods to make the purchase and was so disappointed to be too late. They were all sold out! I didn’t have high hopes for the other nearby 5 Below because it’s way smaller and not as good but I was close to it on Tuesday and decided to check it out. It was the definition of a GREAT SUCCESS because they had one left of the crop and hoodie and they were both in my size. Freaking SCORE!!

I honestly can’t get over how cute both the crop and the hoodie are as well as the price. Combined, I spent twenty dollars and you simply can’t beat that. I couldn’t imagine how much a similar item at Disney World would cost! I have several crop tops from 5 Below and I absolutely love the way they fit. The crop will be perfect for this summer and I can’t wait to bust the hoodie out in the fall. Although, I have a confession to make… I haven’t seen Toy Story 3 or 4. *Gasp*. It might seem silly to buy clothing from a franchise that I haven’t seen in its entirety. However, I am the extra aunt and I knew the girls would get such a kick out of it. I think Johnny and I will have to backtrack and watch 3 and 4 after we see 5 just so I can say that I have seen them all. 🙂

And, finally, the Sean Paul T-shirt lol… This shirt geeked me out because me and my sister were literally addicted to his song Temperature when it first came out and we still are. It is our jam! The song we quote, dance along to in the car, and sing at the top of our lungs to. Temperature is our past, present, and future and I wasn’t about to slap the 5 Below gods in the face by not adding this beautiful keepsake to my cart. I am SO excited for my sister to see it!! 😀

As always, 5 Below is the best. Stay tuned for my Toy Story OOTD coming soon!

What is your favorite discount store? What is your favorite Toy Story movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul1

Glow Sticks Mini Golf

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Glow Sticks Mini Golf

Hi! Johnny and I freaking LOVE to play mini golf and we visited an ultra cool new indoor course in Chagrin Falls called Glow Sticks this past weekend with my brother, Andrew. Several months ago I saw on Facebook that Glow Sticks would be opening and it was themed around music from the 1950s to the 1990s. I made a mental note of it because it combines our two great passions, music and mini golf, and I just knew it would be a blast. It sure was!! Glow Sticks was absolutely amazing from start to finish and we cannot wait to go back! Take a look at these many MANY pictures and let’s discuss:

So I might have gone a little picture crazy but, in my defense, how could I not?! There was so much awesome artwork, golf puns, and excitement that I wanted to capture it all! The Glow Sticks course consisted of different rooms set up for different decades where we started in the 50s and took a musical tour into the 1990s. Each room played the music of the times and the walls were adorned with the icons of that era. The murals were totally and completely fabulous and we really appreciated all of the golf humor! We are very partial to Stevie Nicks encouraging us to putt your own way and and KISS letting us know that they want to putt and golf all night. Lolol, we were in stitches!

As if all of the music and art weren’t enough, we were delighted by the unique and challenging play through of the Glow Sticks course. As you can see, one of the holes was a literal loopdiloop which we have never seen before! We learned that you had to whack the ball really hard for it to go all the way around. When it was my turn, I told Andrew and Johnny to stay far away so they don’t get a concussion lol. Other noteworthy parts of the course include hitting the ball through a giant Rolling Stones tongue statue, playing on Freddie Mercury’s stage, a skateboard half pipe, and even a 1970s style camper decked out in peace and love decals.

We were simply blown away by the creativity of the Glow Sticks course and everywhere we looked featured something fresh and exciting. Johnny’s favorite part was the mural of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards on the putting green. I was a huge fan of the of the Roy Orbison “pretty putter putting on the green” portrait and Andrew enjoyed the statues of The Beatles. Glow Sticks was the perfect tip of the cap to the music that we all know and love and we were singing along to the rocking tunes the whole way through. What a fun afternoon!

If you are in the greater Northeastern Ohio area or are visiting, a stop in at Glow Sticks is a must. You will have a ball!

What is your favorite era of music? Do you prefer outdoor or indoor mini golf courses? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun25

The Strokes Concert

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The Strokes Concert

Hi! Mine and Johnny’s birthaversary this year brought us the gifts of video games and concert tickets. We each got each other a new game for the Switch 2 as well as tickets to Blossom Music Center to see The Strokes, Josh Groban, and Billy Idol this summer. The first up in our concert lineup was The Strokes and I could not have been more excited. I have been a huge fan of them since the early 2Ks (Not aging myself whatsoever!) and they have always been a band on my concert bucket list. I genuinely couldn’t believe it when I saw they were playing in little old Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and purchased our tickets immediately. They were worth every penny and then some!

After tailgating a bit in the parking lot of Blossom, Johnny and I made our way into the venue just as the first opener, Hamilton Leithauser, was wrapping up. At the time, I didn’t recognize the name, however, I definitely recognize it now and regret not seeing his full performance. We used to play him ALL the time when I worked at PacSun back in the day and I really enjoyed his music. Hindsight is 20/20 and after he left the stage shortly after we took our seats, we made friends with the people sitting behind us while we waited for the next opener, Thundercat, to play.

Thundercat came on shortly afterwards and it was neither here nor there. I didn’t love it or hate it – it was just a very average band with very average songs. I will say that the sound quality when Thundercat performed wasn’t great and that might have improved my lackluster review. However, I don’t think I would go out of my way to listen to them again either way it panned out. I was there for The Strokes and The Strokes alone and it was kind of painful waiting around with all of that anticipation while a subpar band played!

Finally, around nine o’clock, The Strokes took the stage and opened with Ize of the World and all was right in my world. Their performance was a true celebration of their impressive discography and was filled with nonstop bangers and lesser known favorites. I was simply thrilled to hear so many of my alt kid anthems like Juicebox, Hard to Explain, Take It or Leave It, Heart in a Cage, and You Only Live Once. It took me back to evenings spent in the basement with my siblings playing video games and listening to The Strokes’ early albums on repeat. It was a blast of nostalgia from over twenty years ago that made my modern self so happy. ❤

Seeing The Strokes live was an absolute whirlwind. The light show was awesome, they sounded incredible, and the atmosphere couldn’t be beat. It was one big party where we were singing and dancing our hearts out in unison and it was so beautiful to experience. Going into the show, Johnny had only heard a handful of songs by The Strokes and was there for me. By the end of it, he was a super fan too and said he never realized how good they were. I could have told him that years ago but I’m glad he came to the realization now. I would have been worried if he hadn’t because this was one of the best live shows I have ever seen. Best night EVER!

On a totally opposite note from The Strokes, we are seeing Josh Groban next and I cannot wait for more summer nights at Blossom with my main squeeze!

What is your favorite song by The Strokes? Who is one of your favorite early alt bands? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May10

5 Below Finds

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5 Below Finds

Hello! As you all know, I am freaking obsessed with 5 Below and go there fairly frequently. It’s the perfect spot to pick up treats for my nieces, myself, and honestly anyone when I see something that reminds me of them! The prices are just too good to pass up and I’m genuinely amazed by the quality of everything that I have purchased from there. During one of my last trips, I couldn’t resist a new K-Pop Demon Hunters crop top for myself as well as a Britney Spears T-shirt for my sister. Unfortunately, the shirt didn’t work for her but it SO works for me! Check it out:

The K-Pop Demon Hunters crop featuring Rumi is basically the same K-Pop crop I already have from 5 Below with a different pattern. That was A-okay by me because my other crop top is just the best. It fits like a glove, is soft as can be, and shows off my shape without being too tight. I was so excited to find the Rumi one because I already knew that it was going to work and I loved rocking it on a mini golf outing last weekend. I always have to rep my Huntrix girls and 5 Below is the spot to find all of the K-Pop swag. They are constantly releasing new clothing and I am constantly SO there for it! ❤

And, of course, we have Queen B. My beloved Britney Spears. The sweetest angel in all of the land. My sister and I grew up on Britney Spears and she was and always will be our favorite. There is nothing toxic about this T although it features lyrics from her banger! It is just pure pop amazingness! I am so blessed to add another Britney Spears top to my wardrobe as I only have one other one and it was lonely lol. While I am sad that this top didn’t work out for my sis, I am sort of happy that it wound up with me… I was kicking myself in the butt for not buying two of them so all’s well that ends well. 😀

Need a pick me up? 5 Below. Need to find what you didn’t know you needed to begin with? 5 Below. I love that damn store!!

What is your favorite discount store? Who is your favorite pop princess? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr19

Random 5 Below Finds

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Random 5 Below Finds

Hi there! Johnny and I delight in being the fun aunt and uncle and love spending time with our nieces. This past weekend we took our middle niece out for a special morning before meeting up with her big sis, mama, and their Uncle Andrew to see the new Mario movie. Our little was so sad she couldn’t join us for her sister’s birthday treat day and we promised to take her on a solo outing ASAP. Before the movie we shopped till we dropped at 5 Below, visited the animals at Petsmart, and went to Mickey D’s for lunch and Play Place time. It was a blast!

At 5 Below we let her pick out anything and everything and got some treats for ourselves and her sisters too. It was a full fledged shopping spree! As you all know, I loves me some 5 Below and just couldn’t say no to the following:

I saw the freaking hilarious Pitbull shirt the last time I was at 5 Below with a client. I was going to purchase it but they only had extra larges at the time. Am I a huge Pitbull fan? Isn’t everyone secretly? Lol I will be the first to admit that he has some straight BANGERS! During this shopping trip I was so happy to see that the sizes were restocked and I just had to get it. How could I not when it was only five bucks?! Mr. 305 happens to be coming to my neck of the woods in September and I am SO trying to go. I already know exactly what top I’ll be wearing! 😀

And, of course, the K-Pop Demon Hunters sticker went into the cart immediately to decorate my laptop with. My nieces love that movie so much and I do too! We are always listening to the soundtrack together and singing and dancing like crazy. It’s just pure joy and I honestly tear up every time I hear Golden because it makes me think of them. I adore the Huntrix girls and now I get to see them every morning when I work from home. This was the very last K-Pop Demon Hunters sticker on the shelves so we visited 5 Below at the perfect time. Great success!

These Random 5 Below Finds featured two very different musicians for sure. Future Mr. Worldwide/Huntrix collab? I think YES!

What is your favorite song from K-Pop Demon Hunters? How about Pitbull (lol)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov24

Funko Pop Haul

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Funko Pop Haul

Hi!! A few weekends ago I attended Akron Comicon with Johnny and my big bro. It is our tradition to go together and we look forward to it every year! Akron Comicon is the place to be to celebrate any and all fandoms, meet new friends, and shop til you drop. From walls of Lego Minifigs to outstanding artwork and collectables of all kinds, it is so much fun to walk through the vendors peddling their wares. One of the stands was selling Funko Pops for half off which was SUCH a steal and we ended up walking away with four more to add to our collection. Check it out:

Our haul definitely erred on the side of Christmas with a side of music for good measure. I was absolutely elated when Johnny found Luke Spiller, the front man of The Struts. This is one I have coveted for a while as they are one of our favorite bands and we were lucky enough to see them in Cleveland this past August. Experiencing The Struts live was one of our bucket list concerts and it was unforgettable. I still can’t quite believe it and our new Funko is such a fantastic nod to our big night out. ❤

On a polar opposite note, the remainder of our haul paid homage to our all time favorite Christmas movies. Ever since Johnny and I started dating, it is our tradition to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol together every Christmas. I am treated to a concert starring Johnny as he knows every song by heart. I must say, last year’s performance was probably the best one yet and we were both impressed with his character voice work lol. There is nothing humbug about our new Scrooge Funko, though! How cute is that?! It even comes complete with his first gift he received – a red scarf. :*)

Last but not least was our little pride and joys from Jingle All The Way. This is not just a Christmas movie to us but a year round flick and we must watch it at least ten times per year. We love an Arnold Schwarzenegger vehicle and this one holds strangely sentimental sentiments. When Johnny and I had our first conversation on Facebook Messenger, I scrolled through his page and saw that the only thing he posted in literal months was a video of the “Put the cookie down – NOW!” scene. It really humored me and I knew he was a keeper! Also we just LOVE that Howard As Turbo Man is holding a little Turbo Man Funko!! 😀

This Funko Pop Haul was a collection of a few of our favorite things and we got them for a steal. You can’t beat that!

Do you collect anything? Do you have any Funko Pops? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct1

Polka Premiere

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Polka Premiere

Hello! My Johnny and I absolutely LOVE Polka music and are lucky enough to be dear friends with the singer and accordionist from the Chardon Polka Band, Jake. For those of you who are not hip, the Chardon Polka Band is one of the best touring Polka parties all across America. Johnny used to play shows with them way back in the day and I have known them through work for the past decade. It is so exciting to watch them live out their Polka dreams and we just adore them!

The Chardon Polka Band has a phenomenal show that airs nationally on PBS called The World According To Polka and its third season premiere was this past Friday. Over one year ago, Jake contacted us asking if Johnny might play some tunes on their very first episode that revolves around trains. We were thrilled and took a drive to a historic village in Burton, Ohio to record his part of the episode. Take a look and be sure to peep my TikTok for some snippets:

As it has been a phat minute since then we honestly kind of forgot about it lol. Until we received an email inviting us to the season premiere party at the PBS station in Kent, Ohio. The festivities were this past Thursday and it was a blast!! Johnny and I went out for a celebratory dinner at a super cool restaurant down the road from the station called Mike’s Place. We enjoyed every bite of our meals and rolled into the shindig both stuffed with food AND feelings!

At the party, we got to mingle with all of our friends from the Chardon Polka Band, PBS employees, musicians, and diehard Polka enthusiasts. There were pretzels and pierogies, dancers, and Dyngus Day Festival character actors and the station was radiating with pure joy. After we got settled into the auditorium, it was time for the show to begin. It started with some clips of all of the great work that PBS does in our local community and then Jake took the stage to speak about what the Chardon Polka Band has been up to and presented a larger than life trailer of The World According To Polka. We were then treated to a viewing of the first episode of their new music education show on PBS and the season premiere of The World According To Polka with my Johnny.

The Polka Train episode was so wonderful from start to finish. The Chardon Polka Band visited several train related locations in Northeast Ohio. This included a model train museum, a one eighth scale train ride in a Metro Park, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and the last stop in Burton where we filmed. Seeing Johnny on screen was simply amazing and I was so incredibly proud of him. He gave extensive knowledge to the two songs they were performing together and why the train motif was so popular in music upon its invention. Johnny played guitar and sang in both songs and when each of them were over the whole audience went wild. Everyone sitting by us acted like they were sitting by a celebrity and it was just so freaking cool! ❤

Being able to take part in this season premiere party was such a gift. The Chardon Polka Band does so much good everywhere they go and we are so thankful that Johnny got to share in that. Be sure to tune into The World According To Polka every Friday on PBS and give the Chardon Polka Band a listen. You will love them as much as we do!

Has something exciting happened to you recently? What is your favorite show on PBS? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep19

“Weird Al”: Bigger & Weirder Concert

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“Weird Al”: Bigger & Weirder Concert

Hello! “Weird Al” Yankovic is a beloved favorite to me, Johnny, and my big brother Andrew and has been since childhood. Whenever he comes to the greater Akron area, it is an absolute must for us to see him and we were lucky enough to be at his Bigger & Weirder tour at Blossom Music Center this past Saturday. This is the third time I have seen “Weird Al” live and this was my favorite show, hands down. His opening act, Puddles Pity Party, was hilarious and Al’s set was a celebration of all of the fun and laughter he has gifted to the world for so many years. I’m still on cloud nine from it! Let’s discuss further:

Our night at Blossom began with the traditional long journey from the parking lot to the venue. Once we arrived, we had time to snag some shirts and make our way to a good spot. At Blossom you can either be in the pavilion or posted up on the lawn. I always like to go to the barricades that separate the two areas for the best view and we got ourselves a spot there smack dab in the middle. It was perfect! By the time we were settled, it was about seven fifteen and Puddles Pity Party promptly took the stage at seven thirty. We had no idea who or what this act was going to be but were hooked as soon as he made his entrance.

Puddles Pity Party is a one man show where he is dressed as a clown and sings the most gorgeous operatic music you will ever hear. It is such a strange juxtaposition but it works so very well. His performance also included excellent media including a “Cry Cam” and a moving montage of Kevin Costner as Puddles belted My Heart Will Go On. His set featured renditions of Come Cry With Me, Crazy Train, and Estoy Sentado Aqui. Our favorite had to have been Let’s Give ‘Em Pumpkin To Talk About because funnily enough, I just purchased wall art with the exact same sentiments! He was such a fabulous opener for “Weird Al” and when we got home, Johnny and I watched Puddles Pity Party perform on America’s Got Talent. It was so crazy to watch that when we literally had just laughed and cried with him!

After Puddles Pity Party got us all warmed up, we were ready for the big show and “Weird Al” didn’t disappoint. In fact, he played SO. Many. of our personal favorite songs that it felt like he made the set list exclusively for us. He opened with Tacky which was really cool because that’s what he started the show with the first time we saw him live. From there, he continued to deliver heavy hitters like Fat, Eat It, Dare to Be Stupid, eBay, Everything You Know Is Wrong, Like a Surgeon, Word Crimes, and so much more. His performance was high energy and everyone in the crowd was laughing, dancing, and singing our hearts out. It was the most amazing night and we still can’t quite believe we got to be there and hear a set that felt like we planned it. ❤

If “Weird Al” ever comes to your area, seeing him live is a complete must. I can’t wait for him to return to Akron so I can experience the magic for the fourth time!

What is your favorite “Weird Al” song? What was the last concert you went to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug29

Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

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Why Do Live Performances Hit Different Than Streaming?

Live performances are among the most unique and exciting adventures you can have. No matter what you enjoy, from stage plays to rock concerts, no streaming channel can match what being there offers. From sensory engagement to unpredictability, here are some examples:

Adventure and Experience:

With the rise of streaming services, it’s easy to forget the unique experience of attending a show. What’s better, relaxing on the couch and pressing a button, or planning, booking with Broadway.com, and venturing out on a trip? The convenience of streaming has its benefits. But there is nothing like experiencing a live performance, even if you do it only once. Nothing compares to the overall adventure of seeing musical idols, stunning plays, and comedians right before your very eyes. And, of course, we can’t forget the amazing magicians who leave audiences wondering just how in the world they did that. Magic shows are a delight to the senses and can provide for a totally unique experience. If you are interested in seeing fantastic feats beyond slight of hand, simply enter a search for “Pigeon Forge Magic Show” (or your local area). An outing like this will be just as fun for children as it is for adults and will certainly be a show that you can’t stop talking about!

Engaging the Senses:

Just being in the same space as a performer you love creates a tangible experience that brings the senses to life. The sound, sights, and even smells of a packed auditorium are like nothing you can get at home. Adding to the excitement is the energy of the crowd, which makes a significant contribution to the experience. Through light, sound, and smell, your brain creates powerful memories connected to emotions that will typically last for the rest of your life.

Live Performances Feel More Connected:

In 2024 alone, Ticketmaster sold 637 million tickets. It’s safe to say live performances are alive and well, and whether you enjoy stage plays like Hamilton or want to rock out at an AC/DC concert, you can only get the connection you crave from a live show, and not a TV channel:

  • Performers will usually interact with the audience in a direct manner.
  • The experience feels more personal and conversational because of this.
  • Being among an excited crowd provides more energy and electrifies a performance.

Unpredictable and Organic Performance:

While stage shows and artists might tour with a set of performances, every show is unique. There are many variables that can impact a show directly, making each experience different from the last. Improvisation, audience participation, and surprising moments can make a show memorable. Singers might begin to sing in a different key than usual, actors can bring an audience member on stage, and an unexpected event can cause the show to change to a once in a lifetime memory.

The Emotional Impact:

The vivid sensory experience of a live performance is unlike anything else. Because of this, the emotions attached to it while you are there become much more pronounced, and this forges solid memories. More than a studio production, a live show has the power to evoke an even deeper emotional response due to the unfiltered energy that a band, singer, or actor exudes over the crowd. What makes it even more special is that that moment will never happen again.

The adventure and experience are why live performances deliver something no streaming platform can. Go to a show and have the time of your life!

Featured Image By: Pexels