Life in Manteca 33: concert review, two movie reviews restaurant review.

This is a review of the past couple weeks.  Sheri and I went on a Saturday dinner date to ***Denny's.   This is not the Denny's we would frequent when the kids were young.  They had the $1.99 grand breakfast which was more than a feast.  Now I think the same meal is $9.99.  It was one of the few restaurants we could afford to take the family back in those days--at least the only sit-down restaurant.  The kids thought they were in hog heaven.  As for the Denny's of today, which is on Main street and 120 in Manteca.  It has grown up somewhat, but still has some of the old traits.  Sheri had steak and shrimp   I insisted she get he shrimp so I could eat it.  It was the shrimp cocktail kind, grilled on a stick.  Sheri;s steak was excellent, I finished it off the next day for lunch.  I had a patty melt, which I feel is one of my favorite sandwiches.  It didn't pass the calorie test from their enclosed calorie brochure.  I only ate half, so as to save a few calories.  Caleb ate the other half for dinner.  Denny's is an old favorite, and we will probably frequent there again.

Last Friday we had the privilege of attending the *****Gladys Knight Saints Unified Voices Choir.  All I can say, if you ever have a chance of attending this concert, it is a must see.  The music is Gospel rather than traditional Mormon music, but is and enjoyable evening all the same.  We attended with our neighbors.  "Jesus Loves Me" was a favorite.  Also the solo by a choir member "Via Dolorosa."  which reminds us that Jesus went all the way down the road to Calvary.  Gladys Knight with the choir sang "Blessed Assurance."  They also sang a song about not putting off until tomorrow what we should be doing today, as tomorrow may be too late. I last time I saw them Gladys Knight sang "I am a Child of God."  I missed that song in this program.  The highlight of the program was the testimonies.  A brother told the history of the restoration of the Church.  Gladys Knight told her story, starting by letting the audience know we are all brothers and sister. 
http://inthedoghouse.hubpages.com/hub/Gladys-Knight--Lost-the-Pips-But-Gained-The-Saints-Unified-Voices
http://www.suvchoir.org/

***Puss In Boots  We went a date knight to the movies.  Miranda and Tony went to see "Chipwrecked", and I went to Puss In Boots. Tony wanted Miranda for a date, and I didn't look forward to the high note singing, so was good with seeing a different movie.  Both movies were at the $3 Marketplace Theater.  So as for "Puss In Boots"--this movie had betrayal, love and villains.  The cat dancing was the thing that most made it unique.  However over all I found it just above so-so.  The mother goose and baby goose were fun.  The city Puss was defending, and his loss honor, which was restored in the sight of the people, but not in the sight of the law.  The movie also added the usual twists on common nursery rhymes. 

****Chipwrecked  As I mentioned above I did not see this movie.  My four star rating is based on Tony's reaction.  He came out of the movie talking about the stories and having really enjoyed himself.  He talked about the chipmunks all fighting over the food on the island. He also liked the slide on the boat.  He liked the songs.  "Firework" is one of his favorite.

Music I Like: ***Gladys Knight, Before Me

This C.D. I checked out of the library this week and have enjoyed.  It is dated 2006.  Gladys explains the reason for the title.  "The songs that I did for this album were favorites of mine from yesterday.  As I was getting this music together, the title, BEFORE ME, just rang in my head.  I was moved to pay tribute to those glorious performers who came before me and paved the way for me to be a part of this industry."
This is a selection of jazz songs.  I enjoy jazz music, but it isn't what I normally listen to.  I can usually listen for a while before moving on to something else.  I must admit, I admire Jazz musicians because the chords seem so intricate.
On this album there are two lovely things, Gladys voice, and the band.  We are privileged to hear piano and guitar riffs, saxophone and trumpet solos, as well as an accomplished band in general.  Gladys explains that jazz music was part of her life since her high school days in Atlanta.  Some of my favorites on the C.D. are Stormy Weather, God Bless the Child and Good Morning Heartache. 
Gladys gives thanks,  "My most heartfelt thanks goes out to my Father in Heaven for this most precious gift of song.  And to my brother, Jesus Christ, for his sacrifice that I might live once again in the kingdom of heaven and further use by gifts and blessings to glorify them."  May we all have that same attitude, and I am grateful for talents such as Gladys' that make the world more enjoyable.