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[Chicago Astronomer Joe]

Cosmic Adventures Symphony Concert
at the University of Chicago

31 October 2009

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I try to attend the University of Chicago's annual Halloween concert at Mandel Hall in the great Gothic environment of the campus. This year, the Music Dept had a space theme...and we astronomers had to attend.

But first, my astro buddies had a surprise for me.....

It was Chicago Astronomer Joe night for this Halloween concert, and John, Bill and Hongxia dressed up like me - mustaches, white shirt and Adler Planetarium ID badge...even mannerisms.

Really quite cool and so much fun.

I have never had such light hearted impersonations of myself and was taken by such surprise that it set me in a great mood.

Quen es mas Macho.....Juan or Jose...? Jose of course!

Some time was spent trying to look like me, finding 'staches, white shirts, black shoes...and Bill re-created the ID badge Holder I use...

By sheer serendipity, I had my Adler ID in my jacket pocket from the last Adler activity.

And this rather blurred image of Bill.....it DOES look like me...

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Joe jokes were the call of the evening, referencing all Joe...all the time, including Chevelle, ex-Fiance, CPD and other Life of Joe jabs. It was four ply Joe or Joe Quad... ;D

I wore a plaid comfortable shirt this evening, (Thank goodness I didn't wear a white shirt!) I think I must revisit my image....

Afterwards, the Joe gang and other astronomers went to dine in a local eartery...

The mustaches also served a second life as Unibrows and Vulcan eyebrows.

This was a great treat for me, humbled and a good feeling to have such friends in my close circle.

Now....the Concert....

[Chicago Astronomer Joe]

Cosmic Adventures Symphony Concert
at the University of Chicago

31 October 2009

Part 2

After the great surprise of the three Astro Joe's, we find our way to our seats to catch this wonderful evening of Space Themed symphonic music...

Shown are: Myself, John, Bill, Hongxia, Carmen , Linda and Alfred

It was a full house for this second show of the evening at 9:00 pm...and the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra were all in great costume..

Dig the Cello section - all dressed in Star Trek TOS uniforms.

Barbara Schubert was our Maestra, and she always makes an great entrance for each year I have attended. This year, she dressed as a Space conductor...entering in a silver flying saucer...ala "Balloon Boy"...

With that, the evening started off and interweaved with a rhyme - pertaining to the works about to be performed ... Holst: The Planets...with Star Trek and Star Wars melody themes. All seven movements of "The Planets" were played beautifully, (With Mars being my favorite and Linda digging Jupiter).

The Orchestra was joined by performers from the University of Chicago's Women Chorale and The Hyde Park School of Dance/Tyego Next Generation - who did a great an exceptional job in both interpreting the music and adding ethereal layers to the Holst work.

Orbs, glow sticks, undulating bolts of cloth and dance gave the orchestral performance extra dimensions and entertainment.

I enjoyed the Star Trek melody..and although the "TOS" was most inspiring and filled us geeks with familiar pride of nerd, the "Voyager" theme was the most beautiful and haunting...I always liked it - but hearing it live was too cool and emotional. DS9 & TMP was also played ...and TNG - which brought a smile to my face.

After the performance, I tracked down our Maestra and Barbara was nice to take a pic with us after the concert...

(My batteries died just as we were waiting for the timer and a lame moment for the Chicago Astronomer legend - but soon recovered... )

It was a great evening of music, friends and laughs and we plan to attend more of the concerts together in the future.