Happy Hump Day! I watched March For Our Lives Saturday and I was impressed with the pop stars who came out in support of the demonstration, providing their support through song. So was Don Durito, who wondered what song to post in the comments to Midweek Cafe and Lounge, Vol. 57 at Booman Tribune. I responded with “I’d try any of the songs performed by the singers at the rally in Washington, DC. I would post ‘Be Alright’ by Ariana Grande, but I’m planning on using that for No. 58 this coming Wednesday.” As promised, here is my favorite, Ariana Grande singing Be Alright.
This isn’t the first time she has performed this song at an event against violence. She used as her entrance at One Love Manchester, a benefit concert for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund in coordination with the Red Cross in response to the bombing of her previous concert in the U.K. city.
Following along with the image I used to illustrate this entry, I present Miley Cyrus singing The Climb.
Miley Cyrus performing singing The Climb Live At March For Our Lives.
Continuing along the image, the next singer is Demi Lovato performing Skyscraper.
Its time. Change is happening. Let’s go save our lives!
This was the first performance I saw and I was impressed.
I conclude with the other performance I mentioned in response to Don Durito. “How about ‘The Times They are a Changin” by Bob Dylan? Jennifer Hudson sang that today…I’ll have Jennifer Hudson’s rendition on Wednesday so long as it’s still up on YouTube, along with videos of the rest of the performers.” Here it is, D.C. choir sings with Jennifer Hudson, ‘The Times They Are A Changin’ at March For Our Lives Rally.
Once again, I’m concluding the diary proper by quoting Don Durito.
For those of you wondering how I and Neon Vincent are circumventing Sucuri to embed videos, here is an example of the embed code we use, so that you can replicate as wanted:
Just remember that each unique 11-digit video code in YouTube needs to be pasted in two separate locations within the embed code in order for your video to show up properly. So easy that I can do it!
With those instructions, feel free to post your favorite music videos in the comments.
For a change, today’s drink is not a cocktail from Tipsy Bartender. Instead, it’s Ariana Grande Frappuccino | Starbucks Secret Menu.
That looks like it tastes better than a unicorn frappucchino.
The Bartender is taking requests.
Usually, I just get regular coffee from Starbucks or maybe a redeye. I don’t frequent those outlets very often, but when on the road or in an airport, that’s the only game in town. Will have to give this a try, though.
Happy Easter on April Fools Day! To celebrate, I’m sharing three Easter-themed drinks from Tipsy Bartender to make up for my not posting any recipes the past three days (I was busy and the national days didn’t lend themselves to it).
First, an Easter Egg Cocktail.
Next, some Easter Egg Shots
!
Finally, the Peep Shot.
I might have some music here later today. In the meantime, surf over to my personal blog to watch and listen to a drum corps playing Bernstein’s Mass, which is both real and an April Fools Day joke.
For the ABBA fans in our community – the title track to their final studio album together. The lyrics to some of their track were a bit more topical, which was a bit of a departure from their prior efforts.
I was reminded of this track while watching Atomic Blonde, an adaptation of a graphic novel, The Coldest City which is set in Berlin right as the wall was about to crumble. Nena’s big hit was a few years before that, during a time when a nuclear war seemed like a very real risk. Of course, history does have a way of rhyming.
And a remix (also part of the Atomic Blonde soundtrack) – has much more of a dirge-like quality. Fitting for the times.
Here’s another cover from the same source, HEALTH – Blue Monday (Atomic Blonde Soundtrack).
“Atomic Blonde” had a great star, a great soundtrack, and an interesting premise, but it ended up being kind of a dud. I was expecting it to earn a nomination for Best Action / Adventure Film Release at the Saturn Awards, but it got beat out by the obscure film “Hostiles” and the musical “The Greatest Showman” in addition to all the films I expected to be nominated, “Baby Driver,” “Dunkirk,” “The Fate of the Furious” (in which Charlize Theron also starred), and “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.” “Atomic Blonde” couldn’t get any respect from the people who honor films the Hollywood professionals don’t respect!
I have two songs for today, one for each holiday I’m celebrating. First, April in Paris by Count Basie and his Orchestra.
Next, Judy Garland & Fred Astaire – Easter Parade (Easter Parade, 1948).
No, I never do stray too far from movie music. That will be the theme of Midweek Cafe and Lounge, Vol. 59, which I will post the day after National Film Score Day. Look forward to movie music all week!