Fun with Fatherhood – First Concert

I remember it as a rite of passage of sorts when I was a kid…my first concert.

It’s been a long time but I can still recall how fun it was, and part of that fun was that I got to go with my Dad. Granted, I was a belligerent/trying to be independent teenager at the time and it was MC Hammer performing so I’m sure he wasn’t exactly thrilled about seeing the show – but it was a memorable experience regardless 🙂

Fast forward a few decades and that brought me to Winter Jam last night. This is  a collection of 10 artists and is billed as a high quality, ministry-focused concert experience that is the world’s most attended winter tour. Judging by the crowd last night, I believe it. It was packed!

I wasn’t actually expecting the boys to be joining me but another day of school being cancelled due to Antarctica-esque weather meant they were going to be staying with me during the day today and so they met me at the arena about halfway through the show before spending the night.

They were so excited. Both of the boys were mainly interested in seeing Lecrae. He’s awesome…they’d heard him before on my iPod and were fired up to see him in person.

Needless to say, he did not disappoint. What a great show and on top of that, a great message.

Lecrae spoke several times about how he’s made some mistakes in his life, how he used to live a life he wasn’t too proud of, and how he didn’t deserve to be standing on the stage performing…but how God’s love and mercy has made all the difference in his life and has gotten him to where he is now.

My oldest son noticed that. He was asking me about it today and I could tell during our conversation the message got through to him. Happy Dad here. I am really hoping my boys don’t take some of the wrong turns I’ve taken in life in the past, and positive experiences like last night are real blessings to me as a father.

Seeing people like Lecrae on stage in front of a packed house, taking no credit for his success and having absolutely no ego was very cool. He was genuinely humble, which is something you almost never see from ‘celebrities’ these days.

If you have a chance, check out Winter Jam. There are still plenty of concert dates left on the schedule and it is a diverse lineup of artists and music types. It’s a lot of fun and you might even get something extra out of the experience in addition to the great music.

Colton Dixon: Concert with a Cause (Backpack Peoria)

It’s time for a Concert with a Cause in Peoria!

Dream Center Peoria is hosting rising star and American Idol finalist Colton Dixon at Riverside Community Church Friday, July 26th for a night of worship. In the process, everyone who attends will be supporting the annual Backpack Peoria campaign.

If you’re not familiar with Backpack Peoria, this is an event that provides free backpacks (3,000 of them) filled with school supplies to kids in the Peoria area as well as offering other back-to-school information and services for families. It’s an amazing day of caring for the people of this community and your $15 ticket to the concert will help make it happen.

So please come out July 26th. Enjoy a great show and help send a kid back to school with the supplies he or she needs. Click the Colton Dixon photo above for a link to buy tickets or get more information here: http://www.dreamcenterpeoria.org/news.html.

Should be a great night. Thank you for supporting this great cause!

kaleidoscope: an a cappella experience

Hey Peoria! Here’s something for you to enjoy this weekend.

(click on the photo for more info)

Acaharmodies! brings together vocal talents from all over central Illinois to create a unique a capella sound. The group combines refined harmonies with elegant melodies to make beautiful music. Their experienced voices perform both religious and secular classics, offering a wide range of entertainment.

From their event description:

This charity concert is going to be the most extensive multi-genre show we’ve performed yet! You’ll hear opera, classical, vocal jazz, R&B, secular night club music, barbershop, and many more ALL through the vein of a capella!

The best part of this show is that the artists will be donating a big portion of the proceeds to Dream Center Peoria’s ‘Freedom Arts Project’ which is about to kick off its fall semester.

Freedom Arts Project aims to change the community by teaching young people lessons in the arts in a safe environment. Junior and senior high students participate one night a week in an 8-week course. The classes encourage young people, who otherwise would be unable to attend art classes, to pursue old and new passions in the arts.

It’s a winning combination this weekend at DCP. You’ll be helping a great program, while enjoying some talented performers.

You have two chances to see the show. Friday, August 19th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 21st at 2:30 p.m.

Be sure to check it out. Thank you for supporting the arts!