I didn't watch the VP debate last night. Instead, I was reveling in some top-notch entertainment at the Majestic Theatre. There was sword swallowing, some impressive feats of magic, burlesque, vaudeville, a live chicken, confetti galore, and lots of lovely singing. It was a hell of a good time, and my voice is still a bit raw from all the shouting.In fact, I want to make the case for turning vice presidential debates into performances like that. Have the candidates square off with their best strip teases, magic tricks, song and dance numbers, or side show skills. Now that would be something worth watching, and I'd argue you might be able to discern more about the candidates from that sort of thing than you would from the muddy obfuscation that typically goes on during debates. No talking points. No notes. Just gloriously entertaining one-upsmanship.
The United States of Sideshow Freaks. It's gotta be better than what we've had.
UPDATE TO ADD: Photos! I didn't take many, because I was just having too good of a time to really think about photography (and I'm not sure it was technically allowed).
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It was a tossup and I ended up watching the vp winking show. I am confident I made the wrong decision. I wish I had gone to the Majestic.
Well, I won't say "wrong" but you did miss a mighty good show. I was looking around for you at one point, but then I realized that I have no idea what you look like, so went back to ogling the scantily clad people on the stage. :)
And was there truly a woman playing the accordion?
There was! And she was really good - and she tap-danced.
Now you're piling on.
Hey, I'm just sticking with the facts, man.
Really, I am weeping at my desk.
I regret the heck out of it. I promise to take your next recommendation and run with it. Also, I am looking for a local review of the show and, alas, none can be found. Was it full? Did everyone dance? Were there animals involved, aside from the chicken? Was the accordion 120 bass? Did you shoot out the lights? Did you dance on the bar? Dang-it.
I sat right next to Katjusa Cisar, so I wouldn't doubt that she'll have a review up on her 77 Square blog at some point.
The crowd was decent sized, though less than I'd hoped for (maybe the VP debate had more draw in Madison than I thought!). The floor was pretty full, but almost no one up in the balcony - which was a shame. We stayed mostly seated throughout, but made up for it by being quite boisterous. One of the band members commented that we "sounded like a crowd double our size", so that was nice.
We did get up and dance during the high-energy encore, though, which was a lot of fun.
The chicken was the only other live animal, no one shot out any lights, in retrospect I should have danced on the bar, I don't know what "120 bass" is/means, and there was one spectacular Indian headdress.
Emily, if you think watching the likes of Dick Cheney do a striptease is a good idea, then you have problems. ;)
Palmer - You make a compelling counterpoint.
I'm absolutely gutted that I do not live in the Madison area. I will go cry into my cat now.
Alas, I didn't review the show. It was a night off for me.
How did your pictures turn out, Emily? Are they posted anywhere?
The show was mindblowing. The whole chicken thing -- oh my God. I've been inspired to take up the accordion. I haven't yet put my twelve years of piano lessons and ten years of recorder lessons to use in my adult life. This is my chance. I want to run away and join the circus.
(I'll never be able to tap dance AND play accordion. Or sing, come to think of it. I'm not that talented.)
What a shame more people didn't come out for the Yard Dogs. I even tried to hawk free tickets on my blog, but no bites.
VP debate? That's what YouTube is for. I can't take Palin in more than one minute snippets, anyway. Well, I might be able to take more of her if it was part of a drinking game. Beer goggles and all that.
berryjo - Soggy cats are the saddest of all cats.
kat - Photos!
Katjusa via Emily: There can never be too many accordionistas, so welcome. And now you and Emily independently confirm someone at the Yard Dogs event tap-danced AND played the accordion at the show. Crying into the cat? That's an interesting euphemism. I always learn something here.
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