Cocoposts

Swingin' Circus Tricklock

Regulars at the Reptilian Lounge don't need to be told - the Tricklock Theatre Company features great talent.

As a certifiable sucker for the circus, I couldn't miss their fundraiser last night at the Albuquerque High School Lofts - The Swingin' Circus Sideshow Lounge. 

The company performed favorites, like Catgut Strung Violin, and new bits from recent and upcoming shows - like Quality: The Shoe Play opening April 8th. 

Food, drink and sideshow stuff before the performance and during intermission included fortune telling, snake charming and arm wrestling with a strong man. 

OK, I'm making up the part about snakes.  But there was a monkey.  And belly dancers, clowns, swingin' trapeze artists and Miss Albuquerque, who sang It Had To Be You.  She was not on the trapeze - though that would have been interesting.

:Sociable!:

Great Grace

California Pianist Grace Fong performed Sunday in a solo recital for Chamber Music Albuquerque at the Simms Center.  

She spoke to the appreciative audience frequently, telling us about herself and describing each of the pieces she played: Prokofiev's first piano sonata, five pieces by Chopin, Liszt's second Ballade, Mozart's "twinkle twinkle little star" variations and a stunning sonata by modern Australian composer Carl Vine. 

After a standing ovation with boisterous bravos she played an encore so elegant I wept. You can hear it on her website "Schedule" page and I'm listening to it over and over.   Not crying.  Update:  It is Schumann's Träumerei.  

Grace hadn't been to Albuquerque before.  As she was introduced it was noted that her first actual performance in town was at Presbyterian Hospital where she played for patients and families immediately after her flight arrival. 

She is modest, personable and a true virtuoso not to be missed.  Best of all, she'll be coming back December 6th to play with the Santa Fe Symphony at the Lensic.