Home Alone & Charlotte Symphony Orchestra @ Belk Theatre

Because where not going to watch every version a million times over the next month, we also head uptown to see Home Alone on the big screen, with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra playing in the accompanying sound track.

We did this a while back with one of the Harry Potters, and it was a great night.  This would prove the same for Home Alone.  We had great seats on the main floor.  This was good for me, as the orchestra played directly under the screen, it the line of sight.  It was as good to see them perform as it was to see the movie.  At Harry Potter we were on the balcony, and I tended to forget the orchestra was playing because your first sights were the big screen.

I'm hoping they'll do this again with another movie next Christmas.  We'll be back for it for sure.

DLM&B, Home Alone at Belk Theatre, Charlotte

Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets & Charlotte Symphony Orchestra @ Ovens Auditorium

One of the joys of parenthood is seeing what your kids get into.  Of the boys,both started reading Harry Potter, but B has taken his interest into an obsession which rivals their love of all sports.  So when Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets was to play with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, it seemed logical to get tickets for the family for Christmas.

We originally planned to go on Friday night, and had tickets for it, but an 8pm start would've seen the boys not last the night.  Luckily we sold them to neighbors and ended up with better tickets on the Saturday.  

Barry Potter

B had to be dressed as Harry Potter, and while only a few kids were dressed up, there were plenty of adults wearing scarves or shirts to show their allegiance to houses.  L was too cool to do such fun stuff.  The matinee show was announced after the Friday show sold out, so I'm not sure if people knew about it, but Ovens wasn't 2/3 full.

We have a deal with the boys that they must read the book before they get to watch the movie.  We are currently reading the Prisoner of Azkaban and have already seen  Chamber of Secrets.  The full orchestra sat under the screen and played the John Williams score.  It was definitely a fun concept, but so many times I was so taken by the movie I completely forgot about the live music right in front of me.

I have enjoyed the movies so far.  (Have yet to read the books myself.)  But the joy the boys got out of it was purely magic.  Will keep an eye out for future movies with live orchestras.