That Big Organ? It Played Beautifully

 

The Mistress has just been all over lately, and I must say,  I do enjoy I good mix of interesting things to see and do. Yesterday, it was just beautiful and warm, what a better day to have the visiting Capital Street Duo back for the Wanamaker Organ Day. You know I enjoy listening to a big organ play beautifully!!! After being on vacation, I'm still a bit relaxed.... so a nice laid back summer look ruled the day........

 

And no shaving....I've been getting  very nice comments about the five o clock shadow...... and yes, a messenger bag is a must for me, for sunglasses, two cameras, cell phone, wet wipes......

Then it was out the door and hit the train to the Wanamaker Building for the concert.

The Wanamaker Grand Court Organ, here in Philadelphia, is the largest operational  organ, let me clarify that, pipe organ in the world, located within a spacious 7-story court at of the Wanamaker's Building in Center City. The Wanamaker organ is played twice a day, Monday through Saturday, and more frequently during the Christmas season. The organ is also featured at several special concerts held throughout the year, including events featuring the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ Festival Chorus and Brass Ensemble, which today it was, as we heard the two part concert. What a glorious sound in the cavernous court.

In its present configuration, the Wanamaker Organ has 28,604 pipes in 463 ranks. The organ console consists of six manuals with an array of stops and controls that command the organ. The organ's String Division forms the largest single organ chamber in the world. The organ is famed for its orchestra-like sound, coming from pipes that are voiced softer than usual, allowing an unusually rich build-up because of the massing of pipe-tone families. The artistic obligation entailed by the creation of this instrument has always been honored, with two curators employed in its constant and scrupulous care. You can read more about the history of the organ here, it's quite interesting.The eagle is also a delight to see, which we sat right next to. Loved this shot......

 German sculptor August Gaul’s 2,500-pound bronze bird came to America for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904. When John Wanamaker purchased it for his famous department store, he had to strengthen the floor with extra girders. Soon “Meet me at the eagle” became a catchphrase for Philadelphians as well as suburbanites who came downtown to shop.  And all those feathers you see are all hand pressed using real feathers for the detail, all 5000 of them!!! Though the store has since been acquired twice, first by Lord & Taylor, and now Macy’s, the eagle still rules the Grand Court.

After a great concert, if was off to my favorite Cuban joint to eat....Mixto!

 If your ever in Philly try it! All the waiters are scorching hot, very personable and provide great service, all while wearing painted on Levi's,  and Mixto makes, by far, the best mojitos in the city!!!! After par taking in ,well, I have no idea how many mojitos... we went to the historic Giovanni's Room.....

 the oldest gay bookstore in the nation to get some beach reading rags, like Attitude, and my good ole DNA, and for more serious reading Quentin Crisp's The Naked Civil Servant. Another must if your in the gayborhood. The staff there is ever friendly, and if you can't find what your looking for, it can be ordered. After such a lovely day with the Capital Street Duo, it was time for them to hit the road, so hugs and kisses were given and then the Mistress had  45 minutes to kill before hitting the local rail back to my fair hamlet, so why not hit the Loews Hotel....

 for some more libation, and keep the mojitos rolling......

 

And the bar tends were great and fun to watch..... what talent......

 

 

I don't know what he was making but he looked good....... I mean the drink looked good....

 

 

It was a lovely rail ride back to the Casa.