tonight we went to see star wars in concert, featuring a live symphony orchestra and chorus playing the music from all six films along with specially edited footage on a giant led screen. the orchestra was awesome and hearing the familiar music played live just brought the scenes to life! anthony daniels (c3po) appeared in person and narrated throughout the night. there were also some displays out on the concourse...

i'm a huge fan of Rush drummer Neil Peart who has just recorded his own version of The Hockey Theme on TSN. check out the video below, which is also avialable on iTunes on january 19. his custom drum kit used to record "canada's second national anthem" will be donated to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

sunday night was my friend jo's cd release party, held at blackberry bistro in steveston. i had an assortment of beef jerky behind me, but managed to resist the temptation and concentrate on the songs. i did, however, enjoy my hainanese chicken rice dinner and strawberry slush bubble tea.

the american idols live tour came through town last night, and i was able to catch the show. it was great! band was hot, great variety of songs and performances, and each of the idols did their own thing with lots of energy. i think this was only their third concert in a long list of dates over the summer.

the highlight for me was probably adam's set, particularly his rendition of "mad world". it seemed like most of the teens and moms who were there came out to see adam, cuz the screaming was definitely louder whenever he took the stage or showed up the big screens (see the pic of the security guy in front of me who plugged his ears during adam's set!).

this was the set list from the show:

FIRST ACT

Michael Sarver
I Just Want a Girl, Gavin DeGraw
Closer, Ne-Yo

Megan Joy
Put Your Records On, Corrine Bailey Rae
Tears Dry on Their Own, Amy Winehouse

Scott MacIntyre
Bend & Break, Keane
A Thousand Miles, Vanessa Carlton

Lil Rounds
Be Without You/Just Fine, Mary J. Blige
No One, Alicia Keys
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Beyoncé

Anoop Desai
Always On My Mind, Willie Nelson/Elvis Presley
Mad, Ne-Yo
My Prerogative, Bobby Brown

Matt Giraud
Hard to Handle, Otis Redding/Black Crowes
Georgia on My Mind, Ray Charles/Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
You Found Me, The Fray

Production Number
Megan & Lil: Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, Four Seasons/Andy Williams
Scott & Matt: Tell Her About It, Billy Joel
Michael: Suspicious Minds, Elvis Presley
Anoop, Matt, Scott, Michael, Lil, Megan: Beggin’, Four Seasons/Madcon

SECOND ACT

Allison Iraheta
So What, Pink
Cry Baby, Garnet Mimms/Janis Joplin
Barracuda, Heart

Danny Gokey
P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing), Michael Jackson
Maria Maria, Santana
What Hurts the Most, Rascal Flatts
My Wish, Rascal Flatts

Adam Lambert
Whole Lotta Love, Led Zeppelin
Starlight, Muse
Mad World, Tears for Fears/Gary Jules
Slow Ride, Foghat (with Allison Iraheta)
Life on Mars/Fame/Let’s Dance, David Bowie

Kris Allen
Heartless, Kanye West/The Fray
No Boundaries
Ain’t No Sunshine, Bill Withers
Bright Lights, Matchbox 20
Hey Jude, The Beatles (with several other Idols)

Group Idol Finale
Entire Group: Don’t Stop Believing, Journey (with a chorus of Steam’s Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye)

we were row 8 for the chris tomlin "hello love" tour in kent, wa this past sunday, featuring kristy nockels on bgv and isaiah houghton and new breed for the opening act. an incredible time of worship as usual with chris tomlin.

some of my first D40 shots, too, hee hee! i must have taken a million, but only a few turned out. how do you use this thing?!