singing in the rain umbrella

This week has been overcast and drizzly which reminds me of the movie, "Singin' in the Rain." I love Gene Kelly. In honor of the movie and because the weather inspired it I thought I'd transform a plain red umbrella into something more personalized and unique. 

First thing I had to do was remove the branding on the umbrella. Luckily there wasn't too much to remove and it all peeled nicely off the nylon. 

Next, I wrote a short portion from the "Singin' in the Rain" song lyrics and repeated it around the bottom portion of the umbrella using black permanent marker.

Last, I drew raindrops on the top portion of the umbrella using metallic silver permanent marker. That was it!

for my mom

Happy birthday to my mom! Today she turns 63 years old. We can't celebrate together because we live in different states but in her honor I'm listening to Les Misérables (the original London cast) today. She has a love for music and particularly for singing. When I was little my parents took me to my first musical, Les Mis, and when the 10th anniversary concert aired in the 1990's on PBS my mom and I were glued to the TV. I haven't seen the motion picture version but I think I'd rather watch this concert instead. There can only be one Jean Valjean and his name is Colm Wilkinson.

Sidebar: Can you recognize the Japanese Jean Valjean at the end of the concert?

i won't give up

Jason Mraz definitely has a knack for writing love songs. I think almost every wedding I went to in 2011 had "Lucky" playing at one point (including mine!). My prediction is that "I Won't Give Up" will be the "it" song for 2012. Almost more than Jason himself I am mesmerized by the woman accompanying him in this video. I mean, how many different instruments can one person play? Keep an eye on her foot when she lifts and drops a tambourine off the ground with only her foot while keeping time. Crazy.  

never gets old

This song makes me so happy.  I don't know what I love more...the singing or the dancing.  What a classic.

sara bareilles + single ladies

I really like Sara Bareilles and what I respect is the fact that she writes her own music, she can actually sing without the help of auto-tune, and she's an artist.  It's really awesome to see great talent amidst so many bad music "artists" on the music scene today.  Here's a neat reinterpretation of "Single Ladies."

art & music fundraiser

WIN A FREE IPAD!!! OMG!

Ok, having said that....join me on Saturday, August 7th at Paradise Perks in Irvine for a Mission: India fundraiser! I'll be performing and selling some small stuff there. All the proceeds are tax deductible and will be going to help support a school and orphanage in India. Here are the details:

Paradise Perks Coffee House (15475 Jeffrey Rd. Ste 450, Irvine, Ca)
6-9 PM

Live music, handmade jewelry, accessories, art pieces, and raffles for a chance to win an iPad, gift cards, movie tickets and more!

See you there!

alphabeat