Crushing Walnuts

 Rockapella in TO
Friday, February 11, 2022
Scherr Forum Theatre
Thousand Oaks, CA

Dad and I went to Bro's house early so that we could avoid Friday afternoon traffic.  We tried to be quiet while V finished up all of her Zoom work meetings, and waited for the kids to come home from school.  Once everybody was ready to go, Bro drove us to Moqueca for dinner.

We got lots of food and drinks, and enjoyed our dinner.  Look at the happy people with their drinks!

Cheers!

I ordered plantains.

I also ordered empanadas.

I think this is a capirinha.  Maybe.

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts plaza was a very short drive from there, and we showed our proof of vaccination before getting our tickets scanned.  Our seats were in the front row!  Thank you to Bro for buying the tickets so quickly when they went on sale!

D'Saints with Dodie and Karla

I didn't tell my posse who was performing in the group today, because I didn't want to spoil the surprise.

I'm going to title each song here today as it is printed on the setlist I photographed before the show.

ROCK AROUND

Hi, guys!   Guys:  Calvin, Scott, Mitch, Jeff, and Armand.

JAILHOUSEROCK 

Yes, that's how it was typed.    

Cal:  "WHOO!!"

I like those train whistle sounds.

The water was safe from CSL4 tonight, due to the cap staying on the bottle.  

DANCING IN THE STREET

CSL4 called out JT for his dancing.

LEROY BROWN MEDLEY

SATISFACTION / SATNIGHT / CUPID

Mitch came so close to the edge of the stage that I could touch his shoes.  I did not, though.

Cal started singing with Men of Note at the age of 13.  Wow.

MOON RIVER

CSL4 talked about not doing a show in 2 years.  We're happy to host you, CSL4!  He asked JT how his embouchure feels after 2 years off.

JT:  "I can crush a walnut."  JT's been walking around in his PJs, just practicing his technique.  Maybe he crushed walnuts.  Maybe he tried almonds.  I don't know.

I AM YOUR MAN

The woman sitting next to me was excited.  I tried to tell her how excited I was, too, but she didn't care.  I decided that she is definitely not welcome to join my PellaPosse.  Yes, I will shun you if you try later on.  You only get one chance.

Anyway, Mitch didn't know the words.  What happened the other day? Did I not notice?

I like how CSL4 shakes his whole body when he sings "Body shaking like crazy".

ROCK THE BOAT

CSL4 frogot some words, too!  Uh oh.  Armand did the 007 theme during his bass solo.  Go, Armand!

<Intermission>

V shared that she is loving the arrangements.

Usher: "These guys are fun to watch."

Other usher: "They're really good, too."

I complimented a guy in his Gumshoe outfit but he didn't seem to want to have a long conversation with me.  I wrote down his name, but I'm not going to write it here because I'm nice.

Maybe I'm just being sensitive because I was so excited to see the guys and talk about their marvelousness, and when people don't talk to me about it, I feel unworthy of their presence somehow.  Or maybe COVID isolation still has people stuck in their shells.  Whatever it is, I was glad that my family and the true posse were there to share in my joy.  Because ROCKAPELLA!!!!

L.O.V.E. / SAY SAY SAY

My notes say "CJ Choreography".  I do not know if that means he was extra good or if he messed up a little.  

MIDDLE MEDLEY

Hey, hey, hey!

Mitch slapped Cal on the back and I think Cal had forgotten how heavy Mitch slaps him.

COMMERCIALS

Armand remember to sing "Budweiser" and "Milk Chocolate".  Yay!  

CSL4 before jumping off the stage: "I am maskless.  Save yourselves!"  

He talked to Misty, who said that she is naturally peppy.  They sang "Stand By Me".  It was not on the setlist.

AIN'T TOO PROUD

They called Armand "A-Man".  

Hmmm...they're not giving CDs to the girls.  

Scott started to sing some "Misty".  Nice!

MACKLEMORE

CARMEN SANDIEGO

Encore

UPTOWN FUNK

I just plain love this.  LOVE.  Don't believe me?  Just watch.

UP ON THE ROOF

Sigh.  I love sitting next to Bro and V when Rockapella sings this.

Afterward, when I got out of the restroom, the blond one was having a not-really-meet-and-greet!

Hello, Blond Man!

He was out there because a family friend was in attendance.  He was kind of enough to stay and talk to fans, too!  Aw, sweet.  We got hugs from him, and I tried not to cry.  I re-introduced him to my dad.

Dad told him how much he enjoyed the show, and he patted CSL4 on the shoulder, saying, "You're so GOOD!"

CSL4: Laughed, saying, "Thank you.  I try my best."  

V thanked him for singing "Up On The Roof", telling him that Rockapella's rendition was the song for their first dance (technically "Wonderful World").  CSL4 was touched and thanked her.

I asked him if they received gifts when they were in Livermore.  He said, "The cookies!  Yes!  Thank you."  Phew!  I was worried when he paused to think about it.  

We didn't want to monopolize his time as there were others that had stayed to talk to him, like Gumshoe guy, bu at least the posse got to take this picture with him first.

Wishing this was a full Posse & Pella pic

D'Saints left, and I took this photo before we got to the car.

Got 4 out of 5

As we were driving away, KP was walking to her car and she said that JT came out to the lobby and was looking for me.  Darn.  Sorry, JT!  Thanks for noticing I was there!

I asked the family their favorite songs of the show, and it was difficult for them to decide because they loved all of it.  I mean, I can't decide, so how dare I ask others?  Most of them loved Calvin's voice the most.  Dad asked when the next concert was going to be, because he wants to go again.  I hope they come back soon, too, Dad.

I don't know when I'll get to see the guys again, but I hope that we'll all be safe from dangerous viruses soon so that we can see all of them, have a proper meet and greet at that time.  But even if it's still with masks, at least we got to see them live and in person again!

Thanks for coming to California, guys!  We love you!