It's (Almost) Rodeo Time!

I'm in the midst of my third year on a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo committee. This year is the 75th anniversary year, commemorating "The Year of the Volunteer." They're adding a bunch of new stuff for the anniversary year, two things in which I'll be involved.

1) Singing the National Anthem! Yes, ladies and gents, I will be singing the National Anthem at the Rodeo. I had to audition for a part in the choir, and 10 of us were chosen. What they're going to do is make a recording of our ten voices to play nightly, and I think they're going to add members of various committee on the staging area to sing along with our recording (as a guide of sorts). They're still working out the details, and I think we'll be out there many nights as well. Like I said, the details are fuzzy on my side, but I get to sing the National Anthem at the Rodeo!

2) Show Pride. Last year, the Rodeo had some special displays, showing scenes from the Rodeo throughout it's 74 years. This year, as an added bonus, they hired an outside source (she calls herself the "hired gun") who owns an acting troupe. She held auditions for "living characters" and again, I was chosen! So many times during the livestock show, if you're in the arena, look out for me - I'll be one of the ones in period costumes (either a person in Texas history or Rodeo history) and I'll be acting that part for 4 hours at a time. I'll be dressed in period costume, put on the persona of the character and mingle with the audience in character. This type of acting is seen mostly in museums and Renaissance Festivals.

Fun! Fun! Fun!