Alabama Jones and the Lord of the Thing (aka Music Camp here in Layton)

You can tell it's summer in Layton because there is another music camp in the Layton Amphitheater by none other than our Bishop's wife, Carol. Kids from all over the neighborhood can participate. There is a nominal fee to cover costumes, sets, rental, video recording services, etc. The kids, parents, friends, and families all have a good time. Even the parents get into the act helping out with sewing, equipment, corralling kids. 

They're on for two nights where they repeat the performances on each night. First they go through a music review. This year's theme was Beach Party, hence all of the hip shorts, capris, and sandals. Besides seeing all of the kids in the neighborhood put on fun show, Jordan and Jared, Shawn's youngest brother's kids, were in the show. They're really having a good time. 

You can see Jared's having such a good time (he's the kid in the blue shorts on the right side of the shot) he wants to stop and enjoy the show like the rest of us :-) But they were so diligent in all of their practices. And we drove Jared home from dinner the other night and he has his CD (Carol and team made for the kids to learn the music) and asked us to play it for him -- that's dedication. Way to go Jared!!

His older brother Jordan (in the center with the green shorts and pink lei) is clearly more involved. 

We took a few videos (just quick ones with our camera, so the quality isn't the best) so you can get an idea of the talent but mostly the cheering and screaming from the audience. 

Cole wasn't so sure about the whole thing. But perhaps he's really distracted by all of the long hair waving around on his head.

After the music review, there's no going home (we know, we tried ... just kidding) more entertainment by a musical play. Not only does our Bishop's wife help plan and coordinate the camp, she also wrote and directed the whole production. I won't lie - there's a lot of camp and corn in the play - but we're not there expecting broadway, just to see the kids and spend a nice summer day in the park. 

This year's production, in case you can't tell from the title is a mix of Indiana Jones and Lord of the Ring. So our hero is Alabama Jones in search of the special ring but he keeps getting overcome with another persona, so he refers to the ring as his 'precious' (if you haven't seen or read Lord of the Rings, you'll have to just imagine). And he's pursued by 'dorks' (also known as Orcs in LOTR), and instead of the all seeing eye there was an all smelling nose... 

We think they did a great job and we've decided our neighbor Caiti, who we've know for more than 10 year, has found her calling as a villain!! And of course Carol and her whole team are a little nuts - she really devotes herself to these kids and this production (and nearly every high school production over the last 10+ years) and still has young men in high school / junior high - so she's likely not done any time soon. 

It's not completely clear from the picture, but the 'dorks' are bowing down to the thing (aka as the all smelling nose). I regret not having enough battery because I couldn't get a video of the 'breathing', which suggested there was a little bit of congestion up there.   Cole having not seen Lord of the Rings isn't laughing and cheering like the rest of us - but he's really enjoying himself, really!

It's hit or miss on getting the finale video to load (you can try accessing directly via You Tube - search utah, layton, or music camp) or just imagine either of the above pieces with  times as many people singing, dancing, and lots and lots of Jazz Hands!)