Braaazeeel…ta da dum da dum dum da daa daaaa

I’m still humming and sometimes singing that song this morning (much to Sam’s dismay–he really hates my singing). Diane and I went to see Pink Martini last night. What a great band. I probably should have posted something sooner in case folks on Maui weren’t aware they were doing a show. Pink Martini is a Portland-based band with a tremendous international following. Diane was in Provence a few years ago and was introduced to a friend’s french husband who didn’t speak any English. When he heard she was from Portland he got very excited, rattled off a long paragraph of which the only words she really understood were “PEENK MARTINI”.

If you’re on the Big Island then you’re still in luck, they’re playing in Waimea tonight and tomorrow, and on to Oahu the next day. After that you’d have to catch them in Tokyo.

I’ve been a fan of them for a very long time. Thomas, the pianist and band leader is a huge talent. China Forbes, the singer, is superb, and the band is pro to the very core. Fabulous music and very, very fun. They had a dance floor set up in front of the stage and it was packed all evening. Ari Shapiro from NPR did a couple of numbers with them–he’s got a fine voice.

Pure fun. The only person I recognized in the audience was Giampaolo–I ran into him walking out after the show. he obviously enjoyed the show as much as I did. He was smiling and humming when I walked up to him.

The only thing that could have improved the show would have been to have the Lions of Batucada there as well. I saw them together one time and it was simply amazing. the video is kind of lame–it’s one of those things that you have to see live. Do notice though that the samba dancer women are all very tall-taller than the guys playing drums behind them, and the lady on the far side of the stage with the blue headdress is far taller–her legs come to the waists of the other ladies even though she’s further from the camera. I met her dancing with the group at the opening of the Ron Tonkin motorcycle shop in Portland–she towered over me and I’m 6’2″. The most imposing semi-naked woman I’ve ever seen.