What Happens in Vegas...

On the same weekend as the Las Vegas Highland Games, Momma Troy lived out a dream....although in Vegas, she was NOT there for the highland games (shocking, I know!) but there to see one of her favorite musicians, Elton John. He's on his last performances at Ceasars Palace (sharing the stage with Celine Dion on alternate nights), making way for Bette Midler. Cher is also next to come...Mom HAD to see Elton live and Vegas was the place to do it. 

 

Elton John's The Red Piano was directed and designed by David LaChapelle, photographer and video/film/commercial director...best known for his humour and surrealism. He has worked on videos for The Dandy Warhols, Robbie Williams, Joss Stone, Norah Jones and of course, Elton John - and his photos are really amazing.

Mom and her good friend, Jo thoroughly enjoyed the concert and cried like teenage girls in between the whistling, catcalls and yelling. Two costume changes, imagery designed by David LaChapelle, brilliant band and songs such as Tiny Dancer, Candle in the Wind, Bennie and Jets and Your Song, it couldn't have gotten any better for Mom! 

Ever walked around the Bellagio? Remember all of the glass flowers on the ceiling? That is the work of Dale Chihuly, originally born in Tacoma, Washington. His works of art are seen all over the world, including in his hometown where the walkway to the Museum of Glass houses his Bridge of Glass. As I spend a lot of time in Tacoma, I have seen this bridge up close and personal and let me tell you, it's outrageously gorgeous. 

Ever seen anyone blowing glass? Spending time in the Hot Shop at the Museum is an awesome way to see guest glass blowers or the Museum of Glass team form chunks of glass into beautiful objects and a great way to appreciate the methodical process of glass blowing. 

Dale Chihuly, interestingly, works with a team of artists, choreographing and directing the outcome...in the late 1970s, he was in a car accident where his face was severely cut by glass and was blinded in his left eye. After dislocating his shoulder in a bodysurfing accident years later which left him no longer able to hold the glassblowing pipe, he started hiring artists to do the work. Today, Chihuly lives and works in his studio on Lake Union. I'm hoping I run into him on the streets of Seattle or Tacoma one of these days...

-JLT