Stand By Me and Hold My Hand

 Rockapella in Santa Cruz

Monday, July 21, 2025

Santa Cruz Shakespeare

Santa Cruz, CA

After our respite at Starbucks, we made our way up the hill to the grounds of DeLaveaga Park, where the Shakespeare stage is located.  There weren't a lot of signs, so I turned into the wrong lot at first.  Once we found the area we should be, I waited a few beats before driving in because it seemed that they weren't ready to take people in yet.  I had read on the website that they are supposed to direct us how to park because they assign spaces according to the size of the car, so I didn't want to just park in the lot myself.  Also, there were no lines because it wasn't paved.    But then I really didn't have another place to park, so we went inside and I drove around a couple of trees before we spotted people coming out of the box office, and KP asked about parking.  I contemplated just telling them we were with the band; all they had to do was look at my license plate.  But I refrained.  They were ready a couple of minutes later, and had me park in the corner of the lot.  The view was really pretty from the parking lot.

Don't you wish your local parking lot had this view?

As we were getting everything situated for the show and the ride home, we could hear familiar sounds.  Ooh, sound check!  We walked toward the entrance, and could see them by looking between the trees.  So, of course, I took stalker photos, and we hoped that they couldn't hear us talking and laughing because we were so happy to see our guys again.  I realized that my mints weren't in my purse, and went back to the car for them before joining KP in our sound check watching.

That unmistakable blond hair

John!  Armand!

Hi, JT's...um...shorts!

Sound check through the trees

K is Ginger on the hill

darn, another song

Then I heard a familiar voice say, "Is that Sherry?"  It was my friend June!  June was my best co-worker friend when we both first started at our jobs.  She is now retired, and I'm still with the same employer but at a different location.  I've missed her!  She knew it was me because my car was the only other one in the lot when they arrived.  We all decided to go into the venue, but they weren't quite ready setting up the food booth, so we stood around and listened to more sound check.  Oh, darn.  More songs.  :)

Sher and June

I was about to take photos of them during sound check, but then saw a sign that said "No Photos or Videos", which I read out loud and the guy running the place said that the stage was proprietary and would be used for the next 3 plays.  Oh, bummer.  The backdrop of the trees is just so lovely that it deserves publicity, but I get it.  JT saw KP and said that he could see a "Ginger on the Hill".  

When their food booth opened, I got a Caesar Salad, which ended up being very garlicky, so I'n really glad that I had gone back for my mints.  I caught up with June and Dene while KP talked to the stage manager.  

Ruby manages

the stage charcuterie board

ceasar garlicky 

VIPs were allowed to sit down an hour before the show, but we only had to wait 15 more minutes to get to our seats.  It wasn't really a big deal anyway, because we had assigned seating.  I could have brought my salad to my seat to eat it there, but it was more comfortable to eat at the table and chat before using the facilities and going to my seat.  I had a DESK!  It was perfect for me to take my notes!  I was very excited about that and I'm surprised I didn't take a picture of the desk itself.  I was in seat A10, front row center, with KP in A9, and June and Dene in row B.  

Then it was time for Armand to start the show: "1,2,3,4, tell me that you love me more..."

Rock Around the Clock

Uh oh.  JKB had a mis-step.  Pretty sure he choreographed most of the dances for these songs.  That's OK, JKB.  Scott sometimes forgets his own lyrics.

CSL4:  "To sing, or not to sing?"  "I think 'sing'."

Jailhouse Rock

They don't have any mic stands to lug around laboriously.  KP said it's in the rider, but I'm thinking this venue just doesn't have mic stands because they do plays?  The venue director told me before the show that Rockapella is the inaugural act of a series they're doing on Mondays while the plays are dark.  They have such a beautiful performing space, why not?  He said that he had become friendly with one of the band members, and I guessed to myself that it was JT.  (I was right, BTW).  Anyway, that would explain the lack of mic stands.  Perhaps someone could donate some.  

JT and Armand used the cool set as jail bars, which made me laugh.  Armand also mimicked CSL4 from behind the ladder by lip synching his high note.

CSL4:  "Who here has seen Rockapella before?"  Big whoo from the 4 of us.

Then he called out my name.  "I see Sherry over there.  Sherry, how many times have you seen our show?"

S:  (blanking out because I haven't updated my spreadsheet in a while) -- "Um, over 100?"

Big oohs from the office, except KP, who remembers exactly how many she's been to, and how many days it's been since she's last seen them.  

CSL4:  "It's gotta be more than that.  We've been coming out here for a lot of years."

S:  <blushes, shrugging and speechless>

CSL4:  "We love seeing Sherry at our shows when we're west of ... Nevada.  Thank you, Sherry, for coming to see us again."  (or something like that.  I was still busy blushing and freaking out that he called my name from the stage).  I mean, I wasn't going to shout out to everyone at that moment how much I loved them, because this isn't my show.  I will blush and beam in silence, and giggle a bit with KP.

They see us and smile

seen rockapella before?

Jeff's hair is purple

CSL4 introduced the guys, and said that he was Puck, after looking at them for validation that he picked the right play.  

Dancin' in the Streets

Go, John!!!  He sounded great, and reminded me when Kevin used to come out to the audience during this song and start dancing with people.  Good times.

Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown

I love those doggie sounds!  

CSL4 marveled at the beauty of the venue: Each place they go to "is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're gonna get."  

Satisfaction

Armand is so funny telling CSL4 not to dance like that, and showing him how he should.

Cupid

JKB talked to Rider and Celeste, because Celeste pointed to Rider, and JKB wouldn't let her get away with it.  Ooh, Armand, that high note!  He made a heart shape with his hands.  Hey, I don't think I heard JT's bow and arrow sound effect.

CSL4 talked about JKB subbing for Manny tonight, and how grateful Rockapella is that JKB knows everyone's part. "I think he can probably do Shakespeare as well."

On a not-so-smooth segue, CSL4 then talked about singing at the Andy Williams theater, and asked if anyone had been to Branson.  There were maybe 2 people who had been there. "I don't know why anyone wouldn't leave Santa Cruz to go to Branson".  Much laughter.

Moon River

CSL4:  JT has been with the group for 30 years.  "He started as a toddler.  He was a novelty act.  We used to dress him up."  I mean, I guess they did used to dress him up on Carmen, right?  But then the other guys dressed up, too.

When Cal introduced CSL4, he tossed his lovely blond locks and yelled, "FORSOOTH!!"

CSL4:  "The long-time fans like to hear their old songs sometimes, so here's one most of you don't know, but they will."

I Am Your Man

My goodness, I love this song, and Scott just rocks it, while Cal is just buttery goodness.  That baritone part sounds so good on him.  (Elliott, I still miss hearing you sing, though.)

Rock the Boat

CSL4 gave us a funky beat to repeat after him, and the audience delivered!

"Wow, you're the first audience to actually do it.  SANTA CRUZ IN DA HOUSE!!!"

OK, I love how he says "Santa Cruz" with the Spanish accent and the rolling 'r'. 

I haven't heard this one in awhile, and pictured all of us on the cruise while I listened, so much that I almost forgot to say "Do the hustle!" when it came time for us to join in again.  KP had the "Do it!", so it was cool to have the two of us singing different parts.  

CSL4's dance is called "The Santa Cruz - in".  See what he did there?

Armand sang the James Bond iconic tune during his solo, and made a gun shape with his hand.

<Intermission>

Eventually, Stage Manager Ruby walked around the theater, ringing a hand bell, telling folks that there were 5 minutes left for intermission.  I looked at the stage, and saw CSL4's hand with his microphone, getting ready to take the stage.

The purple gels of the stage lights turned JT's hair purple, matching his suit.  It was purty.

L-O-V-E

Armand: "Hey, baby!"

Middle Medley

Armand tried to get the others to join them upstage.  They would not.  Not until it was time for them to all get stuck.

CSL4 about a guy in the audience responding that he was having a good time:  "Well, I hate to bring you down, sir.  You've got your drink, though.  We should all do the same."

Commercials

When CSL4 talked about sacrificing themselves for the corporate buck, somebody yelled out, "YES!!!"

CSL4 put a hand on his hip, and admonished them, saying, "Santa Cruz!"

Cal had a goofy face when toasting CSL4 with their invisible Dr. Pepper.

Then CSL4 said he felt a connection with someone in the audience, and walked toward the front row.  Not the people sitting in front of us on their blankets, but the FRONT ROW.  I figured he wasn't talking to the lady next to me because her leg was in a brace and on the chair next to her.  He stopped in front of me.

CSL4: "And she's writing something.  Hi, Sherry."

I put my notebook behind me as I said hello, lest he ask to read something, which, come to think of it, he can't really see much without his glasses.

CSL4: "Who is your pen pal?"

Sher:  "You."  Last time he made mention of my notes during a show, he asked if I was writing a ticket.  I told him that the ticket was for him singing too fast.  I later gave him a full-page ticket during the meet and greet, checking off boxes.  I wonder if he still has that thing.  

We have a connection

You.  You're my pen pal. Really, I should have said, "The Pella Posse".

Back to Sher being flabbergasted.

CSL4, offering his hand to me:  "Come on over here with me."

Like I'm gonna say no.

But um, to KP, I loudly whispered, "NO!"

KP said, "Yes!" and I flashed back to the moment I became a Pretty Woman on October 17, 2002, when it was Kevin bringing me to the stage, Angela was the one to say "YES!" to my "NO!".

But this time it was the Mighty Blond One holding my hand.  I didn't want to let go.  It was like a dream.

Proof of Scott Leonard holding my hand

Scott is Sherry's man

he asked who is her penpal

She said NO!?! but Yes

CSL4:  "Where are you from, Sherry?"

Sher: <thinking, should I say, 'LA'?  Because they might know Pasadena, but I don't know...>

KP, seeing me go completely blank while I was thinking the above:  "MONROVIA!"

Sher:  "Monrovia.  Near L.A."  (Thanks, KP!)

And where are you from?

Sher forgot Monrovia

K answered for her

Me, not knowing where I'm from I should have said, "Your dreams". Yeah, right.  He's in YOUR dreams, ya goofball.

I don't think he even introduced me to the guys, seeing as everyone probably assumes I know all of their names by now.  Or maybe he did.  I was reeling.

CSL4:  "So I heard that you are a terrific singer, and you would like to sing for everyone here."

Sher:  "Um, OK."

The ones that know me cheered me on.  Well, the audience cheered me on, but I could hear them the loudest.  Thanks, guys.  It gave me courage.

They started "Stand By Me".  I had the husky, alto voice, but whoo, it was a low key.

CSL4:  "Is that too low?"  

Sher nods.

CSL4:  "Let's start it again".  <blows pitch pipe>

The key was too low

Scott started the song again

she sang stand by me

"When the night has come..."

Stand By Me (featuring Sherry)

Well, my posse, I sang it.  I even stood up at one point for "Darlin, Darlin!", and then remembered it wasn't my show and sat down on the stool to finish the song.  How?  How was the dream of singing with Rockapella happening again?  I was in some kind of shock, thinking that I should do like I did in 2002 and go sing back up instead.  But Scott kept prompting me with lyrics as he does, and we finished the song, me and Rockapella.  For the 3rd time.  I tell you, it does not get old.  Scott asked if I had done that before, and I said yes.

"Stand By Me"

My apologies go to the venue now.  Some folks took photos and video of these moments.  I have their permission to share, and I hope you don't mind that the stage is included.  But I can't keep this video to myself when I wished that all of my two readers (OK, maybe 4) and everyone that new about my love for Rockapella had been there as witnesses.

JKB thanked me after I did my bow, and kept me there for the next song.

John escorts off stage

I know you want to leave me

Armand lost his mind

Ain't Too Proud to Beg

You know it's not a bad day when 5 handsome men serenade you.  It's also not a bad day when they happen to be members of your favorite band.  Triple that feeling knowing that they just might like you a little bit, too.  It was so much fun and I almost did the choreography from my stool as if I was sitting down with the audience, because I can't usually help it.  But I danced when I was supposed to, I took it all in, and two days later, it actually hit me that the whole thing wasn't a dream.  I will cherish this day forever.  Somebody led me back to my seat.  Was it Scott?  I don't know.  The people around me clapped for me and congratulated me, and I told them I was out of breath -- maybe from adrenaline, maybe from dancing, maybe nobody should take my blood pressure right now.  So yes, Rockapella took my breath away. 

patted John's head

took illegal video

do the bump with blond man

Getting Funky

"Don't you...go!"

For more close-up photos from the venue's official photographer from where I got these, click here.

Thanks for the reminder, KP.  My butt touched CSL4's butt.  I mean, we had clothes on, but still.  We were butt to butt.  Little does he know that earlier on in the show, I quietly yelled, "Scott's PANTS!"

Videos are from two vantage points, one is a tiny bit longer than the other.

Macklemore

I don't know what happened during this song, as you might imagine that I was still a mess and a half.

"DO IT ROCKAPELLA!!!"

CSL4:  (to us) "I knew you knew it." (to the rest) "They knew what it was, but you didn't all know what it was."

JT:  "She's right over there!"

The artistic director (?) was dressed as Carmen San Diego.  KP had talked to her before the show, and she wasn't sure if she should just wear the hat or the whole outfit.  KP told her to wear the whole outfit, and it paid off.

Carmen SanDiego

JT stopped his solo:  "I can't help but do it to Carmen.  There will be autographs after the show."

Encore

CSL4:  "Do you want to hear another song?"

Sher:  "5 more songs!"

He didn't hear me.  Again, not my show.

Uptown Funk

Somebody told us to get up and dance, so we did.  That was fun!  

Should we sing one more?

Armand said get on your feet

Hallelujah Whoo!

(off mic) Up On The Roof / Wonderful World

The acoustics of this place are gorgeous with all of the trees surrounding us, and the ocean air. 

Afterward, Cal walked to KP to get a hug from her.  So sweet.  He had arrived the night before, which explains why they seemed so rested, unlike other times when they're exhausted from the time difference.  They talked for a little while and she forgot all about the cards we had for them.  Thankfully, I had recovered by then and remembered, so we waited for the other guys to come out while Cal went backstage to change.

Calvin came off stage

because he misses Karla

Put that in classroom

Cal and KP

I talked to a guy named Brad who said that he was going to try to get Rockapella to join in their annual music festival that occurs in the Spring in Michigan.  I want to go!  

I also talked to the person who worked the sound booth.  We knew that Nate wasn't there because Fred had told KP that he was asked to work this show, but declined because he and his wife were about to go on a trip to Hawaii.  CSL4 had said that the guy sang with the Manhattan Transfer.  As I talked to him, he said that he was a co-founder of another band I listen to called M-Pact.  Hey!  I like those guys, too!  I now remember when Trist was named as the replacement bass for MT.  Very cool.  He said that he was nervous about doing the sound up until the start of the show.  Thanks for being there, Trist.  I needed you.  :)

I talked to "Carmen", and she said that she had grown up watching the guys on "Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego" and had a huge crush on "the guy with the braids" and JT.  I asked if it was her idea to have them here, and she said kind of, but it was also her husband's idea (her husband was the guy I talked to earlier about the Monday series of shows).  So when the guys came out to say hello, I teased her every time JT talked to her, like she was one of the Posse.  She was so excited, and I loved it.

I asked Armand how he was feeling, and he said that he felt great.  I reminded him of how tired he was when I saw them in Hawaii, and he said that yeah, he was exhausted then, but today felt good.  

I told JKB that I was happy to see him, and wasn't sure what he'd be singing today.  I also told him that my friend Cindy thought for a moment that she would join us when she heard he was coming, but couldn't.  He said that he understands.  I asked him about his lovely family, and his youngest is going to college.  OK, I'm old, because I remember JKB missing a show I attended because he was present at the birth of this very son of whom we were speaking.  

CSL4 read the card we gave him as we were standing there, which always makes me blush a bit, but then I was embarrassed because when I was writing it, I had forgotten that JKB would be there and we wouldn't hear any of the new stuff that I wrote I was looking forward to hearing.  Oh, well.  He didn't say anything about that, but he liked the photo on the card, which was of a purple sky over Santa Cruz.  We asked him if he saw it the night before when they arrived, but he hadn't.  I told him that it was something that he would probably write lyrics about if he saw it, it was so gorgeous.  KP reminded him of his "apricot sky" lyric, and he said, "Oh, yeah, that was a good one!"  Also, "Shakespeare, my dear, I taught him how."  He said that I was in good voice tonight.  <blushing!>

JT was talking to a lot of people, but when it came time to talk to us, he said, "FINALLY!" as he hugged KP.  JT said I sounded great.  He told KP that there would be a rotation of people.  So maybe they're doing a Thank You to the Loyal Fans thing now?  

I think we were interrupted when Rockapella was asked to take a photo with the crew.  

We gave them the cards

Jeff hugged Karla "finally"

Selfie with Ruby 

KP and Ruby

We said goodbye to the guys and then we were going to use the restroom, but it was locked.  "Carmen" said that we could use the one at the box office because she knew we had a long drive ahead of us in our car with the cool license plate.  I said, "You saw my license plate?"

She said that everyone did.  Oh, wow, OK!  Oh, that's right, because we were the first ones to arrive.  Thanks for letting us use the restroom!  I know that KP felt at home in the box office while she was waiting for me.

Rachel is Carmen

Everyone knows Sherry's plate

We are super fans

the bathrooms are locked

honorary crew I guess

last car left in lot

As we left Santa Cruz and made our way to Highway 101, there it was: the purple sky again!  It looked more pink in KP's phone again, so I asked her to use mine.  Still pink.  But it was purple, I tell ya.

Sher's Camera

KP's camera

Our drive home was mostly us excitedly shouting things to each other, with KP writing haiku in the dark, her little notebook only illuminated by the headlights of the other cars on the road.  I had no problem staying awake, that's for sure.   We stopped at Lost Hills and thought we might be able to get McDonald's, but it had closed.  Thankfully, the conveneince store was open, and I got some Soru Patch Watermelon for sugary sustenance.  We also still had our snacks, and I actuallly was craving Mary's Gone Crackers more than the Chester's Puffs that I brought.  Another thing happened that was yucky and there will be no haiku about it because ew.  Let's just say that I'm thankful for all-night coin-operated / app operated car washes, one of which was near my house.  I made sure we did that before we got back to my place.

coyote crossing

bought superman for Edgar

lane ends. cone carnage

There's only two lanes

but the 3 right lanes are closed

math is hard I guess

One of the members of KP's newly acquired "Auntourage" picked her up to take her home.  You know somebody isa genuinely good person when they'll do that at 3:30 in the morning for someone they haven't known for at least 10 years.  Thank you for preventing me from driving even more that night!

Thank you, KP, for being my Haiku Co-writer and for being there with me to share yet another Rocka Road Trip Adventure!

After a couple of hours of sleep, I worked from home because I didn't want to be a sleepy danger to anyone on the road.  The following day, though, as I drove to work, my Rockapella playlist was active in my car.  I thought about not just that Monday night, but also of a lot of different moments from so many shows.  I cried with happiness, now probably endangering all the people I saved from my fatigue the day before.  

I am truly lucky to have found such a wonderful group of guys to fangirl over.  They have brought so much joy to my life, and I am grateful for every moment of their time they've shared with me: the "Moments of You" on stage, off stage, on my birthday, on the cruise, every smile, every hug....everything.

Thank you, Rockapella, for choosing me this day.   The third time was the charm.  But then again, so were the 1st and 2nd. 

Forever your Superfan,

Sherry

p.s.  Scott Leonard held my hand!  (I realize I've written this already.  I needed to say it again.)

p.p.s.  I sang with Rockapella!  For the third time!

p.p.p.s. For the record, this was show #142

p.p.p.p.s. One more haiku:

Show one forty two

Stand By Me and Hold My Hand

Thanks, Rockapella!

p.p.p.p.p.s.  If I ever forget about my PellaPusher days, please make me read this blog or have a nice robot read it to me to remind me.  I don't think you'll need to, but if it happens, I'll need the smiles.