Show Buzz #2

D34!

A week at home or to go sightseeing is always such a treat for us since we have only been home for about a total of four weeks in the last year along with doing over 500 shows!

Still pushing through though, it was time to start the West Coast tour!  We definitely hit the ground-running opening the day after most of us arrived in Kansas City, Missouri. 

So many simple things were greatly appreciated coming back from Mexico such as the coolness of the arena, large make up rooms, and house ice!  Not to mention the area was great that we were in.  The Kansas City Power and Light District has a little bit of everything for everyone.  Not only were there places to eat like Bar Louie, the Flying Saucer, and the Yard House, but there was also a place for outdoor concerts and we were lucky to catch a little bit of two after the shows.  Hard to believe we were able to see the Eli Young Band and a classic rock band perform. 

Before we knew it, the week had finished and the tour was underway.

Bringing up stop number two, we were literally doing the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  It was only the second city and we already had a 12-pack! 

Somehow though, we did manage to find some time to enjoy ourselves in the city whether it was playing giant Jenga, making post cards in the Town Center, going to an Indianapolis Indians game or the Arcade, or shopping at the mall literally two minutes away, or taking a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  It was also a pretty busy week for families to come visit as well, so seeing familiar faces at the beginning is a nice way to start things off.

And then it was time to say goodbye and hit the road again. 

This time we wound up in OKC!

And with some luck it just so happened to be the same time that the state fair was going on.  So, if you weren’t happy with our laser tag matches in Bricktown or testing your bowling abilities in Midtown at the Dust Bowl, or seeing how many goals you could score in our soccer nights at the hotel, you were bound to find something to entertain yourself at the fair. 

From the carnival rides, to the animal stables, to the dart throwing or fishing games, to the food stands and piggy races; there was literally something there for everyone.  I have never seen a fair this size; it just kept going on and on in every direction.  I mean there was even a petting zoo, a western show, and a RAM truck driving course!  Too bad there wasn’t something similar to this every week because no one would get board being at the arena all day on a three show day then. 

But, like any other time, we were back on the road and heading towards The King.  Yes, I mean Elvis Presley.

Beale Street, B.B. Kings’, Bass Pro Shop, Rendezvous BBQ, the Mississippi River, and the Memphis University vs. Cincinnati football game were all in for a treat.  We were headed in their direction hot and heavy and ready to take on the easiest week we have seen on tour with only ONE three-show day and a total of SIX shows!  That is literally unheard of with this show.  No one knew how to take it.  Not even a multiple three-show day?  It was a weird concept to grasp.  However, we managed and just as we could get settled in, we were retracing our steps right back to OK.

Round number two in Oklahoma went a little like this –

MMMMMOOOOOO, BBBBAAAAHHHHH, NNNNNEEEEHH

Haha – We were back on state fair grounds, the very place that Disney On Ice opened 75 years ago and here we are 34 shows later, officially opening our show here and still going strong. 

And even though we were kept pretty busy with the shows during the week, there was some time for a little fun. 

Along with Opening Night Party, there was time for soccer in the park and a big game of laser tag.  Luckily not in that order though and by the time the week had reached its end, we were all ready to see a change of scenery. 

Off to the Lone Star State.

After two short flights and a long layover we found ourselves in El Paso, Texas and it definitely was a mirror image on Mexico.  However, we were strongly advised not to cross the border into Juarez, Mexico; one of the most dangerous cities in the World. 

So, most of us stayed in the states and were able to find plenty to do in what little free time we actually had.  Some went shopping as usual while others went hiking in the state park or walked around The Plaza.

And of course we were all gearing up for Power Skating; which kicked all of our butts, not to mention we started into a nine-pack the day directly preceding the class.  Talk about not being able to sit down, walk up stairs (where are our make up rooms were), or lift our legs (i.e. kick-line in In Summer).  But, if we can make it through over 550 shows, we can keep pushing now.

Heading back further into American soil, it was time to explore what the great state of Arizona had to offer and until next time… See you down the road.

Place to see:

Kansas City, MO – Flying Saucer, Bar Louie, Kansas City Power and Light District, Chipotle, Constantino’s, Jimmy John’s

Indianapolis – P.F. Changs, Steak N’ Shake, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Victory Field, Luca Oil Stadium, the Coliseum, Rock Bottom Brewery, Buffalo Wild Wings, Circle Center, Panera Bread

Oklahoma City – Performed and rehearsed on the OKC State Fairgrounds while it was going on, Mid Town, Brick Town, laser tag, Marble Slab, Earl’s BBQ, Dust Bowl

Memphis – Beale Street, Mississippi River, Bass Pro Shop, B.B. King’s, Hard Rock Café, Graceland, Gibson Guitar Factory, Rendezvous BBQ

Tulsa – Tulsa State Fair, Laser tag, soccer – Veteran’s Park, Mix Co.

El Paso – The Plaza, El Paso Zoo, Camino Royal, State Park