Tears welled in my eyes during the first few measures of symphonic fullness as it graced my ears. I was 29, and this was my first time to hear a live orchestra, to attend a concert, such a late start at appreciating music in it's fullest, watching the artists pick, tap, strum, drum, and slide. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming longing for music. A longing to become a real musician, not just a woman who picks at the piano with a mediocre singing voice. I wanted an awesome talent-one that could send chills down the spine, one that could evoke an emotion in another's soul. As a bird perched in the mezzanine, I regarded these very artists who had such a talent. 
It was the perfect date. Mommy got to play dress up in a vintage blush tulle dress, topped with a simple black cardigan, a cluster of blush flower pins (by me), and a vintage black purse. Mr. à la parisienne looked pretty sharp in his "Italian" shirt, purchased in Rome during our traveling days. (Too bad it's so hard to find such GQ men's clothing around here.)
top left photo: Bass Hall in Forth Worth, TX; China Forbes posing with a fan; Thomas Lauderdale giving his autograph; other Pink Martini band members-the guy with long hair is the awesome trumpet player
The concert was extraordiary. The pianist, Lauderdale above in the cute bowtie, has such an entertaining personality with fingers that literally dance across the keys. China Forbes' voice is a beautiful powerhouse-a true talent who can stand before a grandiose audience and sing perfectly on pitch.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them share the stories behind their songs and how they love to infuse classical music into their internationally flavored melodies-salsa, big band, new orleans, jazz, French, and opera. Where the lyrics in some of their songs may be a little simple, their music compensates with energizing rhythms, moving intstrumental solos, and astute blends of various music genres.
The concert was topped off with a surprise conga line during the song "Brazil." Imagine a group of people sitting below innocently watching a concert in an opera hall, and being snagged to join the conga line??? For a moment, I regretted the mezzanine seats! But it was quite a view watching them inch along and around the rows bobbing their heads and kicking their feet.
Too bring an end to this lengthy post, I leave you with a list of my absolute favorite Pink Martini songs:
"Everywhere"- Will always be my favorite. Around two years of age, Amelia could sing this song with me. And she literally brought tears to her Paw's eyes when he heard her sing it for the first time.
"Over the Valley," "Sympathique," "Où est ma tête?," "Hang on Little Tomato," "And Then You're Gone," "Tempo Perdido"
Click here to listen to Pink Martini.
GIVEAWAY:
There's still time to enter my pink giveaway! Click here to enter, where you will have a chance to win a Pink Martini album of your choice, along with some other pink goodies.
image #1 by Reflections of a Lifetime {my SIL}; remaining images by à la parisienne
I have no doubt that many of you love pink just as much as I do, so in celebration of my favorite color and one of my favorite bands-
1st place winner chooses one of Pink Martini's albums.
Pair of beautiful vintage-inspired clear rhinestone and blush beaded earrings by 
Parisienne Correspondance No. 5 - "I Will Always Love Pink"