The TSO Experience

We saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra last night here in Portland.

Interestingly enough, blogger Brian Buriff saw them last night as well, but in Cincinnati, Ohio. How is that possible? Two teams, of course.

Here's what Brian said:

"I was Wowed...The only way to describe the concert is to just string together some words like lightbulbs on a Christmas tree. Here goes: Brilliant, cool, awesome, dazzling, breathless, magical, meaningful, heart-thumping, tasteful, creative, beautiful, surprising, whimsical, inspirational, dazzling, and entrancing. For a few short hours, I was able to lay aside things that otherwise vex my mind and enjoy a perfect night out with Amber, the love of my life."

Brian made it describing this experience easy on me. I can just echo what he said, substituting my husband for Amber, of course.

My husband didn't really want to go. I have been asking for years, and he always said he didn't think it would be worth the money, it didn't really interest him, it wasn't his idea of a concert.

This year for our anniversary (Nov. 2nd) I asked him again if we could go, and I guess he got tired of me asking every year and figured I would shut up if he would take me just once.

Afterwards, he said not only was it better than Ozzy (!), it was akin to seeing G3 (!!) If you knew my husband at all, you'd know G3 was probably the coolest thing since sliced bread.

I have to confess I cried during much of the first half, during Christmas Eve and Other Stories. I guess maybe that's just my winter depression talking (more on that later) or maybe it was the depth of the thought that there are so many people out there who are alone, which especially touches me this time of year. I don't know and I can't explain it, it just moved me more than any event in a very long time. It helped that so much of the message was Godly; it helped me reconnect with Him on a really primal level.

Ok so much for that blathering.

I was especially touched to learn that TSO gives $1 from every ticket to a local charitable organization. This year it was the Community Transitional School, a K-8 school here in Portland that provides continuity of education for Portland's homeless children, providing transportation and meals to these children, allowing them to attend the same school no matter where they are living, even if they move around during their school years.

So last night, if I remember correctly, TSO gave $9600 to the school. Awesome!

I highly recommend this event, really highly. I think you will be duly impressed, whether you are into exceptional musical talent, instrumental skill, lights and lasers and loud, complete with pyrotechnics; or whether your into a profoundly moving message about the real meaning of Christmas.