Our Fourth of July Karaoke Street Party

Someone asked how our Fourth of July party turned out. We had a GRRREAT time!  First of all, the weather was very pleasant after months of a colder than normal spring.  We even had to dig out the sunscreen.

We prepped a bit the day before so when the clock hit 12 noon, we blocked off the street on either end and took over the road.  Since my house is on the corner of a nice wide residential street intersection, with a neighborhood park exactly opposite my house, it’s ideal for having a street party.  Even if it had rained, we would have just tarped the whole area.  As people who live in the Seattle area know, you don’t cancel an event just because it’s raining J

We put up a canopy for our karaoke host, Michael Coleman, to set up his equipment under and another canopy to cover our food tables.  I had fun decorating the music canopy with some inexpensive flower leis from the dollar store that I restrung into one long strand.

We put up our umbrella from the back patio to shade the singers at the microphone in front of the monitors so we didn’t melt in the sun and could see the words on the screen.

We had over 75 people show up for the 8 and ½ hours that we were out there.  The songs were continuous and we got a few people up singing karaoke for the first time –think the youngest one was about four. 

Our host was fantastic.  He kept track of the rotation and as our turn got closer, he’d come and ask us what we were going to sing.  Michael has hosted for us before (years ago for my son’s high school graduation party with all his friends from theatre – BEST PARTY I EVER GAVE) and he prefers to do shows outside of the bar atmosphere.  He’s affordable, has state-of-the-art equipment and has every song you can think of. 

Since the sound was amplified, we had neighbors show up who don’t usually join in a neighborhood function.  With the karaoke group invited, we had quite a few of them bring their entire families so we were guaranteed singers at the microphone for all those hours.  It was nice to meet them because since we sing so much in bars, later at night, it was a rare opportunity for them to be included.

While the singing was going on, we had a constant variety of food going – the BBQ was pretty busy  and I made a ton of food to add to the potluck items friends brought.  I made a red, white and blue jello/angel food cake triffle, three platters of Tex-Mex dip, 50 Rice Krispy bears, a potluck pasta salad, and my son even made some jello shots for the late afternoon, early evening.

The kids and adults were entertained by my standard picnic past-times – seven bubble wands to make three-foot round bubbles, or a stream that would cross the whole road and 200 water balloons.  You can NEVER have enough water balloons.  We didn’t get around to playing water balloon volleyball but we did have several distance tosses and a competition with the gals and then the guys to see who could throw their balloon the farthest.  They are always a HUGE hit with the kids.  We also had badminton set up on the front yard but it was too breezy and too hot for me to play this year. 

As we were winding down, Chuck got up and sang the “Electric Slide” by request and a group of friends were out in the street dancing.  As soon as I saw Brent had his video running, I knew it was time to hide out.  And yes, he posted it on Facebook.  Dancing is not one of my strong points, especially when I’ve had a few glasses of wine. 

With so many hands, we were able to clean up quite quickly at the end and disperse to go watch all the legal fireworks shows in the area.  Chuck and I ended up at Angle Lake with Mark out on his brothers’ dock watching the display over the lake on the balmiest of nights.

The feedback was 100% positive and we’ll be doing it again next year.

Have you sung lately?

It's easy to find a place a karaoke show close to home - the internet is the first place to start. 

Karaoke definitely has some hot spots around the world - the Japanese are famous for loving karaoke, every major city in the US has it (it's a popular bar activity and name a city without numerous bars), and it's a big hit in college/university towns. 

Lots of areas have actual karaoke publications.  Here in the Seattle area, there's the Karaoke and Entertainment Guide at http://www.nwkaraoke.net/. 

With Facebook, it's easy to start a local group, such as I did, with 50 members so far.  Viewers can find out where the shows are each and every day, in Renton, where I live and love to go singing, seven days a week.  What's so nice about our group, is we all know each other.  Check it out at www.facebook/karaokerenton.com.  In addition to the postings, there is a document listing all the venues in Renton and a few popular ones outside Renton. 

I believe in supporting these local shows because they are closest to me and I want to continue to have great choices close to home where I can have a great time with friends.  Yes, sometimes we'll leave our town of about 93,000 and go to a neighboring city (Seattle, Belleveue, Kent) - there are virtually over 100 venues with karaoke within a 50 mile radius here and we've been to lots of them.  But in Renton alone, the number of shows varies from about 16 to 23 places. 

It's always important to call before you head out to verify a show is on for the night.  Shows come and go and you don't want to be waste your time and gas to find out there's nothing happening that night.

You'll also come across some amazing kj hosts that you'll be willing to follow around to where they have their shows because they are so dynamic and entertaining.  Sign up to their facebook page and check out their info page because the savvy ones list their shows there so their fans can find them easily.

If you can't find a karaoke show close to home, maybe it's time to think about starting one yourself.  Lots of people are upgrading from older systems to newer computerized ones so there some bargains to be found on http://www.craigslist.com/ or on http://www.ebay.com/.  If you are serious about doing this, be sure to do the research as to what laws and regulations apply to running a show so you don't get in trouble with copyright laws.  One major supplier of karaoke songs is http://www.soundchoice.com/.  They spell out what is necessary to use their songs. 

There is also information on the internet as what kind of equipment will help you provide the best show - what you need at a minimum, what would be ideal.  Since the shows usually run into the night, you should be a night-kind-of-person.  If the up front costs are too much for you to handle, maybe you can get a bar/restaurant to buy the equipment and you only host their show. 

I'm not the best person to give you the guidance you need to try and get a show up running.  But if you can't find a karaoke show, look a little harder. 

The love and joy of singing is addictive.  It bonds people together in a common interest, even if the songs one person likes is exactly the songs another person doesn't.  If you've seen rap done well, you'll be impressed - it takes real talent.  If you see a unique version of an old standard, hear a new song that delights you, hear someone sing who sounds like a foghorn, or sounds like an angel, it's entertainment.  And it could be you next!

Whatever feelings you have inside you are attracting your tomorrow

This isn't my original but it's profound, just the same. 

Worry attracts more worry.  Anxiety attracts more anxiety.  Unhappiness attracts more unhappiness.  Dissatisfaction attracts more dissatisfaction.

AND ...

Joy attracts more joy.  Happiness attracts more happiness.  Peace attracts more peace.  Gratitude attracts more gratitude.  Kindness attracts more kindness.  Love attracts more love.

Your job is an inside one.  To change your world, all you have to do is change the way you feel inside.  How easy is that?

Why are so many of my friends addicted to karaoke?

It’s got to be the endorphin rush.  I have a few hobbies but nothing compares to the feeling I get from singing.  Perhaps you’re a sky-diver – I’m sure that would be thrilling but expensive.  Even skiing would cost an arm and a leg J

Karaoke is close to home and free (discounting all the drinking that seems to happen simultaneously, for most, anyway).  And the crowd is full of familiar places, more often than not.  So it’s like party time, most nights. 

Every so often, we’ll venture a little farther from home.  It always add something extra when the crowd hasn’t heard you doing one of your better songs and people work their way over to your table throughout the evening and tell you how much they enjoyed your performance. 

What’s especially cool about karaoke is it’s all about songs.  Some are from way back when and bring back lots of happy memories.  Others are brand new and you’ve never heard them before and you just have to find out what it was.  And you learn so much about your friends through their taste in music.  I stick mainly to the sappy love songs and they all tend to be a bit mellow.  I’m trying to find some that are a bit more cheery and upbeat so that’s my focus here for the next few months.

But my friends cover everything else – the rocker, the shocker, the old-timer, the little-bit country….  Some have amazing stage presence and are so thoroughly entertaining, others voices blow you away – sort of like Jim Nabors voice coming out of Gomer Pyle. 

I can hardly wait til it’s time to head out again tonight to let the show begin. 

Here are few good reasons for loving karaoke!

Who wouldn't like to live a longer life, doing something that everyone on this earth still with a voice box can do (I actually know one who mimes his recorded songs now that he's lost his voice box!), and reap the numerous benefits that come from letting your emotions flow?  Pick songs you love and let the world know your taste (or lack of taste) in music.  It's such a rush and the crowds will clap and cheer and you'll feel like a million dollars, all for the price of a beverage! 

Natural chemical high/endorphin rush (the sacculus inside your inner ear responds to low frequency, high intensity sound) – best painkiller there is & it’s free

Deep breathing – increases the oxygen & airflow to your body, decreases upper respiratory tract germs, preventing colds and flu

Lose weight – increased oxygen flow throughout your body, making cells burn more energy

Oxygenated blood cells boost levels of Immunoglobulin A & cortisol, signs of a strengthened & enhance immune system

Increases longevity – having & pursuing a passion makes you live longer

Creates sense of being part of society, connection with others & environment, increases civic engagement

Singing is visceral, helps us to be more in tune with our bodies, with intonation, crescendo, feeling

Singing creates vibrations that stimulate chakras throughout your body, resonating in your sinuses, activating your “third eye”.  This brings about a catharsis, an emotional cleansing of your body, bringing your body’s vibrations into alignment with the universe.

Improves self image, self esteem, causing a feeling of well being, enhanced feelings of relaxation, mood & confidence

Contentment means you’re less likely to encounter physical problems (“Contented cows are happy cows”) – best painkiller there is & it’s free

Exercises major muscle groups in upper body – tones up your intercostal muscles (between ribs) & diaphragm, improves posture, straightens your back, strengthens your stomach, abdomen & bladder

Promotes better health – less depression, fewer medical problems, need less medication, fewer accidents & injuries

Reduces sense of pain – especially those suffering from chronic pain

Aids in development of motor control & coordination, resulting in higher energy levels, increased alertness, & improved neurological functioning

Boosts the memory muscle, slows dementia

You’ll share emotions, build new friendships, alleviate feelings of isolation & anxiety

Helps you live in the present moment, forgetting worries

It’s FUN!

Hope to hear you singing soon!

Depressed? Discover Karaoke!

My first posting!  An awesome guru told me I should start blogging so here goes...

I'm addicted to karaoke.  If you are already into karaoke, I'm preaching/singing to the choir (love the pun).  If you have to be addicted to anything, karaoke isn't a bad thing.  In fact, it's a grrrreat thing. 

My mission is to get you, all your friends, everyone, out and singing.  The health benefits are enormous and I'll be listing them all here soon. 

I thought I had to get a stylized page created before I even start but that seems to be slowing me down so I'll eventually have a work of art to share but for now, it's just this pared-down visually boring page.  But watch and see, it's going to pretty by the time I've been using it a bit and get familiar with all the bells and whistles. 

Stay tuned.  (Or out of tune, as the case may be.)