The Decemberists

December 2013 was a fun and busy month of us

12/3/13 - We attended our second Preds game of the young season together tonight with our friends, Chris and Tarryn.  We had great lower bowl seats behind the defend twice goal.  Beforehand, we had a yummy dinner up on the Patron Level before the game.  It was a tough loss to a talented Vancouver team by the score of 3-1.


12/8/13 - In further preparation for the Oscars season, we caught a showing of Dallas Buyer's Club with our friend, Carolyn, this afternoon at the Green Hills Theaters where I am pretty sure we witnessed the winner of the next Best Actor statue.  That actor goes by the name of Matthew McConaughey.  His gripping portrayal of and staggering physical alteration for the role of an 1980's AIDS patient was amazing  He's definitely come a long way from Fool's Gold (which we love, by the way) and Magic Mike!

After the movie and a great dinner at Ted's Montana Grill, we headed downtown to collect a par of tickets to the Brian Setzer Orchestra 10th Anniversary Christmas Show at The Ryman which I won off NowPlayingNashville.com.  Thanks, folks!

We had seen this show several years ago (see below) and loved it, but I don't remember it being this good.  It was great from start to finish (a finish that included snow falling).   Setzer is a great entertainer and his band/orchestra are some of the best musicians around.  Thanks again, NPN.com, for the free center row, balcony tickets!

Collage Blast from the Past

 Our first time seeing the Brian Setzer  show was the 3rd year it came to the Ryman way back in 2006 with our friend, Carolyn.  Our seats were down on the main floor and we actually paid for these.

12/15/13 - We took in a showing of the holiday classic, White Christmas at the newly-restored Capitol Theater here in Lebanon this afternoon.

Not only were the tickets a bargain at $5 each, the concessions are dirt cheap too in the beautifully-restored facility.

12/18/13 - We were back at The Ryman for  a benefit concert hosted by Brendan Benson that included one of our favorite performers, Butch Walker, plus appearances by Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers, Jessie Baylin who we've seen at Bonnaroo before, Jack White, Ricky Skaggs and several others.

A great night of music for a greater cause to benefit military veterans.  100% of all proceeds went to the cause.  In our biased opinion, Butch Walker, stole the show with his two song performances, but Jack White was impressive as well, as was Jakob Dylan with a great cover of The Rolling Stones' "Loving Cup."  All performances were accompanied by the talented master of ceremonies, Brendan Benson, who's a great musician, songwriter and overall person for putting this event together.

12/19/13 - Saw another possible Oscar contender tonight in Saving Mr. Banks, an almost perfect film with great acting from the entire cast (Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks and Colin Farrell were outstanding) and an interesting true story of how Mary Poppins came to life in books and finally to the screen under the Disney moniker.

12/23/13 - It was back to The Capitol Theater for an impromptu viewing of  the modern classic, "Christmas Vacation" on the big screen tonight.   It was hilarious as usual.  What a great addition to our town this lovely restored theater is!

12/26/13 -  We got a BOGO offer from Zanies Comedy Club for tonight to go see actor/comedian Steve Rannazzisi (aka "Kevin"  from the hilarious TV show "The League").  He was pretty funny despite having a wicked head cold given to him when his 5-year-old reportedly sneezed in his mouth on Christmas Eve...ewww.  Opening for Steve was Cort McCown who's also been on "The League" and was pretty funny as well.  A surprise guest comic set was done by actor/comedian Ahmed Ahmed as well but he didn't do a lot for us in his short 10-minute stint.

12/30/13 - Our good friends, Amy and Jeremy, flew in today from Nebraska for a New Year's vacation and visit.  Amy used to live in Nashville and Jeremy had never been here before, so we showed him the sites downtown and we showed Amy the changes going on in Nashville since she's been gone.  We ate at The Slider House which is funky new little restaurant over by Vandy with great food and a good beer list.



12/31/13 - We held our first-ever New Year's Eve Party tonight with Two Fat Men Catering providing delicious food and a photo booth for some goofy and fun entertainment.  It became an "epic night" with most of our core group  of friends staying late with lots of fun and frolic including a rousing game of the hilarious "Cards Against Humanity."  Let's just say that "being a [RADIO EDIT] sorcerer" has never been funnier.

 

To be continued....(see next entry for After Midnight)