Category Archives: Entertainment

MY DAY: Midway through Spring Break

Posted on April 1, 2020 by

I am so grateful for the kind hearts who check on me and for Nicole Melin’s delicious homemade soup deliveries. Seriously, the woman needs to have a bistro in The Oregon District! I keep getting questions, “How are you holding … Continue reading →

Posted in Darin's Career, Dayton, Disney, Every day life, U.S. First Ladies & Families, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Uncategorized, World History, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: “Carol Channing” by Jeffrey Carter

Posted on January 16, 2019 by

My dear friend, Jeffrey Carter, always impresses, and teaches me, how to find the most vital, beautiful words in both written and spoken communication.  Once again, I was moved and lifted by his tender tribute to Carol Channing. Thank you, … Continue reading →

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MY DAY: Students journeying through the performing arts

Posted on January 7, 2019 by

This is my busiest time of the year in the studio. The studio is busy with 90% of my 57 private students (four new students will begin this week, too) are preparing for big moments, many of which for my … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Broadway, Darin's Career, Entertainment, Music - Band, Music - Choral, Music - Marching Band, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: High School, Theatre: Professional, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

MY DAY: Rudolph makes his debut in 1964

Posted on November 18, 2018 by

It’s been a semi-productive day but one mostly taking it easy and pacing my strength. I did rake/blow the leaves in the front yard as the day was gorgeous with the mild weather and sunshine. 54 years ago, tonight, RUDOLPH … Continue reading →

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O, FOR HISTORY: Teddy Roosevelt visits Indiana in 1902

Posted on September 11, 2018 by

While doing some research for one of my writing projects I discovered President Theodore Roosevelt visited Indiana in 1902. While passing through a Massachusett’s city, a trolly car ran into the president’s horse-drawn carriage.  The president was propelled from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Elwood, Indiana, Family Ancestry, History Channel, PBS, Politics, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Uncategorized, Washington, DC | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

O, FOR HISTORY: Andrews Air Force Base… reminders

Posted on August 30, 2018 by

A short while ago I watched the ceremonial arrival of Sen. John McCain’s remains at Joint Base Andrews, formerly known as Andrews Air Force Base just outside Washington, DC.. The senator’s remains were transported on a plane from the presidential … Continue reading →

Posted in Barak Obama, History Channel, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, U.S. History, Uncategorized, Vietnam War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

O, FOR HISTORY: Nixon resigns

Posted on August 9, 2018 by

August 8, 1974, my family was vacationing in Myrtle Beach. I was in the pool that evening when Mother came to the rail of our second-floor motel room, “Darin!  Hurry!”  I am certain I asked the reason and an exchange of … Continue reading →

Posted in First Ladies, Gerald Ford, History Channel, Museum of the US Air Force, PBS, Politics, Richard Nixon, U.S. First Ladies & Families, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Uncategorized, White House | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dayton Old Case Files

Posted on August 5, 2018 by

Saturday evening, August 4, I attended Dayton’s Old Case Files sponsored by Dayton’s very own Carillon Park and Dayton History. Outstanding!  Terribly fun! Upon arrival, my former student, Laura Jacobs, and I, attending to see my student, Tommy Cole, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Carillon Park, Entertainment, Human Race Theatre Company, Miami Valley of Ohio, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MY DAY: Friday Funday surpassed all my expectations!

Posted on July 20, 2018 by

It was a damned good day, to say the least. Due to a rough night with little sleep and rain beginning by 6:50 AM, I almost elected to remain home.  I am so glad I went forward with my spontaneous … Continue reading →

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Lady America & The Ball State University Singers

Posted on July 4, 2018 by

While growing up in Central Indiana I always attended the spring event, SPECTACULAR, a dynamic, two-hour theme park style concert presented by the internationally known, Ball State University Singers. Several times, I heard the theme song in the medley, “Lady … Continue reading →

Posted in Ball State University, Ball State University Singers, David Letterman, Disney, Music - Choral, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, Performing, U.S. History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Olivia de Havilland

Posted on July 2, 2018 by

Happy birthday to the legendary actress, Miss Olivia de Havilland who turned 102 years old today. Ms. de Havilland is the last surviving cast member of GONE WITH THE WIND in which she portrayed Melanie Hamilton Wilkes. This lovely woman … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Civil War, Entertainment, Movies, Performing, Theatre, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”

Posted on June 30, 2018 by

Tomorrow evening, my friend, Nicole, and I will get to see the new movie about the life/work of Fred Rogers, more endearingly known to millions as, Mister Rogers. As a young boy, Fred Rogers was not on my radar. Once … Continue reading →

Posted in Television, Uncategorized | Tagged , , ,

MY DAY: It’s a Sunday

Posted on February 25, 2018 by

It was a restless night, but a return to bed after feeding the dogs and my self-seemed to cut the edge of tiredness. The sinus infection seems to have abated and my infrequent cough is productive. The rain, which has … Continue reading →

Posted in Darin's Career, Every day life, Family Pets, Miami Valley of Ohio, Music - Band, Music - Choral, Music - Show Choir, Performing, Private Students, Teaching, The Haasienda, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: A visit to Salzburg

Posted on February 17, 2018 by

Friday night I got to see one of my favorite musicals on stage at The Schuster Center, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. This is one of those musicals that can either too dramatic that it feels like painful constipation or too … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Broadway, Darin's Career, Dayton, Entertainment, Movies, Musical Theatre, People: Joshua Logan, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Playwright, Playwrighting, Theatre, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

THE FAMILY ALBUM: Generations

Posted on February 12, 2018 by

“Love and comfort to you and your family as the last member of this generation passes.” – Alice Kay Lovelace noting the passing of my last great-great uncle. When I was born in 1964, I was blessed with many generations … Continue reading →

Posted in Ball Family, Barmes Family, Clary Family, Daugherty Family, Family Ancestry, Forestville Cemetery - Madison County, Indiana, Greenlee Family, History Channel, Jones Family, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: Oscar Nominated Shorts

Posted on February 10, 2018 by

This afternoon, Nicole and Ian Melin and I watched the Oscar-nominated live action and short animated features. What a great collection of movies. The 2018 nominees for Best Short Live Action Film: DeKALB ELEMENTARY MY NEPHEW EMMET THE SILENT CHILD … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Entertainment, Humor, Movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

O, FOR HISTORY: The Kalb Report: “Writing History” – Woodward and Bernstein

Posted on February 2, 2018 by

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein have been my favorites since the early 1970s.  The interview was conducted three years ago but is still an incredible episode.

Posted in Gerald Ford, PBS, Richard Nixon, The History Channel, U.S. First Ladies & Families, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Uncategorized, Vietnam War, Washington, DC, White House | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

O, FOR HISTORY: Art on The White House

Posted on February 2, 2018 by

I have a deep passion for presidential history and White House history.  I tripped across an old article of an artist’s take on various rooms in The White House. An Artist Visits The White House Past Another artist captured the Blue … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, Colonial America, Documentaries, First Ladies, History Channel, John Adams, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, PBS, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. First Ladies & Families, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Uncategorized, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

MY DAY: The country needs you, Harry Truman

Posted on January 30, 2018 by

When I was in 5th grade, my maternal uncle, Ron Barmes, gave me an 8-track tape player and several 8-track tapes.  My favorite was CHICAGO’s Chicago VIII, 1975. “Harry Truman.”  That was my favorite song and I listened to it … Continue reading →

Posted in Elwood, Indiana, Entertainment, Family Life, Harry Truman, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

O, FOR HISTORY: “Slipped the surly bonds of earth…”

Posted on January 28, 2018 by

I had my general music students in the high school’s library to complete a project. I caught several teachers gathered around the television in the audio-visual room.  After investigating, I called the students over to watch the event. “I can … Continue reading →

Posted in PBS, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: Dayton Theatre Guild’s STELLA AND LOU

Posted on January 28, 2018 by

All I knew about Bruce Graham’s drama, STELLA AND LOU, was that television great, Rhea Perlman starred in the original 2013 Northlight Theatre production in Skokie, Illinois.  My reason for going to see Dayton Theatre Guild‘s production was to watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Broadway, Entertainment, Playwright, Theatre, Theatre: Community, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: Muse Machine’s HELLO, DOLLY!

Posted on January 15, 2018 by

As the song goes, “there’s no blue Monday in your Sunday clothes” and let me tell you this was no blue Monday after seeing Muse Machine’s production, HELLO, DOLLY, this weekend. I was proud of my students Tommy Cole as … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Blogroll, Broadway, Entertainment, Musical Theatre, Theatre: Community, Uncategorized, Wright State University | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SPOTLIGHT: THE POST

Posted on January 12, 2018 by

Thursday night, Mark Monroe and I went to The Greene to watch the newly released, THE POST, a political drama set in the early 1970s starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, … Continue reading →

Posted in Acting, Actors, Documentaries, Gerald Ford, Movies, Politics, Richard Nixon, Uncategorized, Vietnam War, White House | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

MY DAY: Saxophone Dessert

Posted on January 1, 2018 by

It was the first time both the seventh and eighth grade bands would play together and I was quite nervous.  I was comfortable with my fellow seventh grade band students, but today, I would be meeting the eighth graders for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Darin's Career, Drum-Major, Elwood, Indiana, Friends, Music - Band, Music - Marching Band, Teaching, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

MIAGD: Atta boy, Clarence….

Posted on September 26, 2017 by

MIAGD: Make it a great day I love windchimes. Five windchimes surround my deck so I can hear them when I am outside, inside my study which looks out to my deck, and up in my bedroom which looks over … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Life, Inspiration, Movies | Leave a comment