Monday, December 8, 2008

Oom-pa!

If you've never heard a bunch of tubas (in our case this year, 340+) playing Christmas carols, it's time you rectify that situation. It's called Tuba Christmas, and it began in NYC 35 years ago and has grown to now being performed all across the US, as well as a couple of events in Canada, and one in Switzerland. Believe it or not, it is very mellow and quite beautiful - and lots of fun. My son has played tuba since he was 9 (he had to hold it sideways on his lap then), and he first played in the DC event in 1986, when we came to this area.
It is held in the grand lobby of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the audience sit on the floor (all very well till time to get up! lol) If you look closely, you can see an example of the tubists' bow - holding the BIG brass up in the air. With that many people with huge horns, there's no place to put the tubas if all the players try to bend in a real bow! It was a great time once we got there - I don't drive into DC at night much any more; and the Kennedy Center is very easy to find, but it's a bit tougher to find the entrance to the parking lot. So we parked in the Watergate (yep, that Watergate) across the street.
Check the locations - if there is a Tuba Christmas performance near you, try to catch it - you'll have fun.
http://www.tubachristmas.com/

9 comments:

Shelley said...

What a neat event to go to! I like the sound of a well played tuba!

DeniseinVA said...

That sounds like so much fun and those were lovely pictures Helen. I have been to the Kennedy Center but not for many years. Need to rectify that situation. You know I would like to pop into your shop one day and say hi. We're so close. Maybe after the holidays when all has settled down? Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Have a great week.

Eve said...

So many fun things to do this time of year! Thanks Helen!

June said...

I've heard of french horns but never tubas. I'll have to check out the link and see if they're playing in south Florida.

Jayne said...

I'll bet that is a load of fun Helen!

Dave Coulter said...

Cool!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Helen... I haven't had the privilege of seeing the Tuba concert---but I've heard them on CD... One never thinks of tubas as being mellow and beautiful--but they really are!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Helen: It looks like you had a good time. I understand that getting up part but sometimes sitting down is hard, which way do you go.

Mary said...

Tuba Christmas is one of my favorite things and unfortunately ours was while we were driving back from Ohio and I missed it this year! I played a baritone in school and low brass are my favorites. Tubas and baritones playing Christmas songs just can't be beat! Do you have Jingle Bones, too? That is coming up here soon...trombones.