|
Saturday night, we went to the theater at Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) to watch Mikaela (top-right) sing. She's a freshman there. Every year, one of the math teachers (Shap, originally from Massachusetts), who happens to be handy with a guitar, lets students choose a song they want to sing and he accompanies them. It's a big event (called "No Suits Allowed"). 16th annual. Sold out every year. In fact, we had to procure our tickets from a 9-year-old scalper, who drove a hard bargain. Proceeds benefits the Senior class graduation trip. Immediately after graduation ceremonies, the school busses seniors to an undisclosed location (so undesirables won't drop in). This lets graduates celebrate and have fun while preventing them from drinking & driving. They don't know where they're going until they arrive. 30 or 40 students sang different songs. Mikaela sang In the Arms of the Angels, by Sarah McLauchlin. Of course, she was the best one. Her mom was so proud. Mikaela said she was nervous, but didn't look it. It's not easy to stand up in front of an auditorium full of people and sing solo in the spotlight. People were standing in the aisles. ••• continued ••• During one song, another student on stage took out his cell-phone and started waving it over his head to the rhythm of the music. Next thing you know, *everyone* in the audience took out their cell-phones and did the same, waving them over their heads in unison. Of course, *everybody* in Laguna has a cell-phone, even the kids. So it was quite a sight, seeing all those glowing indigo-blue screens and key-pads light up the dark theater. Reminded me of the days when people used to light their Bic lighters at rock concerts. This must be the new hi-tech version. I'd never seen that before. I heard Matthew Perry was in the audience. He plays Chandler on Friends. Altho I didn't notice him myself. His brother, who sang the last song of the evening, attends LBHS, which has an award-winning drama department. The plays they put on are better than some professional productions I've seen. It's not unheard of for the more-talented drama students to have their own agents. In addition to the celebs in the audience, Wendy drove down from LA & Evan took the train down all the way from Santa Barbara, (where he's studying Electrical Engineering) .. all to show our support. |
|