Hey, Mom! What's an LP?

The other day I was meandering through Bed, Bath and Beyond (or as I call it, Bed, Bath and Beyonce), when I overheard a girl who appeared to be 14 or 15 years old ask," Mom, what's an LP?" (the girl was looking at the box for a turntable that would put your LP's onto a CD.) I was saddened to think we are now at a place in time where people won't know what an LP is; they won't become nostalgic when they hear the 'scratch-scratch' of the needle being placed on vinyl; or treasure the moment you remove the cellophane from your new Xanadu fold out LP soundtrack. (yes, I do have that.)

I’ve always loved music and as a child I had a very strong attachment to my record player. It was not just any old record player mind you, but a Hardy Boys record player.  I know, right! It even had a microphone.  I guess you could call it early 70’s karaoke.  The reason I had the Hardy Boys record player was, of course, due to my adoration of Shaun Cassidy. 

He’s looking right at me!  Singing right to me!  You know I was the one he met on a Monday and his heart stood still, right?  I know, I know.  The luck continues.

Anyway, when I wasn’t getting my Da Do Run Run on, I wore out 2 other LPs……well, a ’45 and an LP.  Sigh……’45’s. 

I would spend an inordinate amount of time singing along with Paul McCartney and Wings’s,” Listen to What the Man Said” wondering just who was this "man” and can anyone tell me please what he said?  ( I was about 4-5 years old at the time, so I was not terribly skilled with interpreting lyrics.)  Another album I wore out……..get ready……the soundtrack LP to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.   
No.  I’m not kidding.

“Oh Chitty, you Chitty, pretty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you….”  (God bless my mother who had to put up with me “singing” all the Truly Scrumptious songs).

Why am I telling you all of this?  Because THIS WEEKEND (oh, I can hardly stand the excitement, I kid you not!) is the first time they will be showing the SING-ALONG Chitty-Chitty-Bang Bang at the Castro theatre! 
I know.  It’s almost too much, isn’t it?!  My mind is spinning.

Saturday and Sunday, August 3 &4, 2pm only.  If you’ve never been to a Castro Theatre Sing-Along, well, they are so joyful and fun and everyone has such a great time I can't recommend it enough.

And remember, "…… A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain softly blows o'er lullaby bay.
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting--waiting to sail your worries away."

Other Upcoming fun things:

Oakland’s Art and Soul Festival!  August 3 &4.  http://www.artandsouloakland.com/

2013 Summer Gardening Fair at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.  
http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org/events/sgf-2013.html 

12^th Annual Peace Lantern Ceremony, North end of Aquatic Park, Berkeley.
http://www.progressiveportal.org/lanterns/

Music:  Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Saturday night August 3^rd, San Rafael. 
http://www.fenixlive.com/music/calendar