Pastimes with a PellaPusher: Henderson Hijinks Day 2

Rockapella in Henderson

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Henderson, NV

Remember how I couldn't figure out the TV in our hotel room? I also couldn't figure out the shower. It had all of these different things to turn and I was confused. Somehow I got the water to come out from the showerhead, but I never could get the handheld one to work. I felt like there was some kind of secret combination.

Wendy had already gone downstairs to get something to drink with her now-breakfast sandwich. I took advantage of the hotel breakfast offerings and also somehow spilled stuff which is just so elegant of me. I didn't see any Rockapella guys at breakfast, so I went upstairs and ate breakfast with Wendy. I told her that the 2nd floor had a community area, so we went downstairs to check it out before going to find the venue.

This would be a fun place to hang out with at least 5 other people that sing well. Also a good hangout for the Posse. But definitely should include those 5 other people.

Sitting Area and Conference Room

Conference Room

We had seen that the venue was supposed to be at the next block from our hotel. We saw the arena where the Las Vegas Knights practice, and I liked the cool decor they had with the giant pucks and hockey sticks.

Wendy on a Puck

I like their logo

It seemed like the area outside the arena could be used as an amphitheater, but it didn't look big enough for the guys to perform. Not that we've not seen them on smaller stages. But it didn't seem right. We saw people decorating for the night's festivities, which seemed kinda last-minute. We also saw chairs and a trailer, but didn't know what that was about. We also saw steps leading up to City Hall, and decided to go in. We asked the security guard, who said that he wasn't sure what all would be happening. He said that the tree would be lit in front of City Hall, but the area in front of the steps seemed like an odd place for the guys to perform. So we decided that he didn't really know much about anything going on that night.

So we strolled a little more down the main street, and saw the Antique Rose Florist shop, which had a cart in front offering free hot cocoa. We were still full from breakfast, so we went inside to check out the florist shop. The lady talked to us for a while, and we learned that her son had died at the shooting at the outdoor concert in Vegas. Her daughter made really nice bracelets, but I wanted a different color than what she had for sale. She offered us free cocoa, and Wendy and I split one of the cookies, which was yummy. Thank you, Florist Lady!

She had told us that the evening would be a big mess, as it always is. She advised us to make sure we would be in town a couple of hours before tomorrow's parade started because the traffic would be a nightmare due to blocking the streets for the parade. We told her that we didn't know where the guys would be performing, and she wondered if they would be in the amphitheater, which was not the place Wendy and I thought.

So we made our way back to the square, and on the way, we saw this guy. I hope the residents didn't care that I was standing outside their building to get in a photo with Bumble.

I need a star. And a hat and scarf.

We arrived at the square, and saw that between City Hall and the arena was the amphitheater. Like, with actual numbered seats and a stage and everything. Why in the heck didn't the security guard mention it as a possibility? Did he not know it was there? Was he looking at us through the security camera at the moment and laughing at us? There was a bunch of stuff on the stage, though, so we still weren't sure if Rockapella was going to perform there.

Stalker photo of the amphitheatre

It soon came time for my friend Sapira to meet us at the hotel for lunch. I used to work with her before she moved to Vegas to work at UNLV's art department. Since then, she's become quite the accomplished artist and curator, working to educate new artists on obtaining grants for their work. But to me, she's the very-talented foodie that I worked with back in the day. She chose a place just a short walk away, called " Chinitas Tapas and Sushi". Delicious!

My Paradise Roll:
Inside: Salmon, Avocado, Cucumber
Outside: Yellowtail, Ponzu, Lemon, Yuzu Cilantro Aioli, and Furikake

Snoop Dogg was there, too. I don't know why.

We happened to be hear a little art museum that Sapira wanted to visit to tell them about art grants, so we looked at the different art there, and I also bought a couple of Christmas coasters. We also went to a candy store across the street from our hotel, and they had freeze-dried Jolly Ranchers! I was really excited when I saw them, and I insisted on them trying one each after I bought some. We also bought ice cream because it was Thrifty, and the guy had the cool Thrifty ice cream scoop! Also, the price was really cheap, like we had gone back in time for $0.25 ice cream. Maybe it was $0.50. I don't remember much except that it was super cheap. The guy there told us that he would be selling kettle corn outside during the parade, and we made note of it. He had a LOT of bags of kettle corn in that place.

My favorite is the Chocolate Malted Krunch,
seen at lower center of photo

Sapira needed to get back to her office, so we said our goodbyes, and Wendy and I got ready for the show. I let Auntie Rose know that we would be there early, and that they should try to do so as well because of the traffic and the parking.

We walked over to the square for Winterfest, and that's when we saw the stage. It was that trailer thing! And they had the chairs set up! And the guys were doing sound check. So we stood over by the side, but they saw us anyway and waved. They were done with sound check shortly afterward, and came over to say hello and give hugs. I introduced Wendy to Manny and Armand. JT said that we looked like Santa's Little Helpers. He better not have meant the Simpsons' dog.

Sound Check

Santa's Little Helpers

There were already some people sitting in the front row, and because we needed to save seats for Jenny and Auntie Rose, we sat at the front right corner so that we would have room for Jenny's wheelchair. I tried to get them to come early for the opening act, but it was cold, and they didn't want Jenny to get sick. So once they did arrive, they stayed in the car for a little bit.

The opening act was the Coronado High School Madrigals. They were quite good! I loved seeing the guys enjoying performing on stage, and they added some humor to their show. I mean, they sang "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas", so they might have won me over even if they weren't good. :)

ROCKAPELLA

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

The stage was a bit small, but the guys did great. I was also kind of distracted because Auntie Rose was trying to call me, but you know I wasn't going to answer that phone. I did text her to tell her where we were seated, though.

CSL4 introduced himself as Wayne Newton.

The Hope We Hold

CSL4: We're from New York City so it doesn't really feel like Chirstmas yet, not like it feels like Christmas in Henderson.

You know, it did feel Christmas-y, now that everything was decorated and kids were singing, and it was cold.

Dreidel

Manny: You didn't like my dancing, man?

Get Happy!

Dreidel Spinning

It was around this time that Auntie Rose and Jenny arrived. The choir kids had been sitting on the ground next to us, but they kindly moved when they saw the wheelchair. Those kids were so nice! I love choir kids. Jenny sat next to me, and I think we were holding hands the entire time, we were so happy to see each other! I mean, maybe not when we were clapping for the guys, but you know what I mean.

Silver Bells

The choir kids were getting really involved in Armand not coming in with his "Silver Bells" on time. It was cute. Yay, JT sleigh bells!

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

They didn't really have most of the banter that I'm used to hearing between songs, I think because they wanted to make sure they did their whole set before the next item on the agenda. I also felt like the songs were at a faster pace, but maybe that's because I just didn't want them to end the show. I mean, I wanted to get out of the cold, yes, but I would have sat there until my nose had icicles dangling from it. Hmmm, what an image, Sher.

Glow Worm

Manny (I think): We call this next one "Shoo de doo wop".

They do?

Winter Wonderland

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

CSL4 said that he tried turning on the show last Tuesday. But it's on NBC tomorrow, you can still catch it!

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

Cal reminded Manny that he's supposed to be sad. The T-bone!

Don't Be Late

GIMME THAT THING! Armand wants "Oreos and Fried Twinkies" for Christmas, because he saw the food truck that was part of the whole festival.

Jingle Bell Rock

CSL4: That was silly.

Please Come Home for Christmas

CSL4: "Election Day was excruciating." "You can even Venmo me...or Zelle. I don't know what that is."

Scott could not get someone to tell him what she wanted for Christmas. "Well, I don't care what you want anymore."

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

The little girl that he brought on stage was dressed all Christmas-y, and she would like Sunshine the Care Bear for Christmas. JT wanted her stockings. She even had bells! Adorable.

Grinch

The choir kids loved Armand's low notes. They've got good taste.

Angels We Have Heard on High

All I Want for Christmas is You

Afterward, we rushed to the back of the trailer so that we could talk to the guys. I'm glad we did, because they had red-eyes that night, and needed to go. We didn't really get to talk to CSL4 or Armand, but JT did sweetly call Calvin over to say hi to Jenny and us. I was glad that Manny was there, and so was some of his family who were there also.

We said goodbye to the guys, as well as Jenny and Auntie Rose. We walked around the different booths. We got free hot dogs because they were closing up and just wanted to finish cooking all of them, so that was cool. Somehow I refrained from buying some cute Sanrio stuff at one of the booths. I did want deep fried Oreos or Twinkies, but they had a long line right after the show and I didn't want to deal.

The drone show was really neat! They had an "orchestra" play, which should have really been called a quintet, because that's about how many people were performing. The music they played was the soundtrack from "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", so I was happy. I had never seen a drone show before, and I quite liked it.