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	<title>JosephBurke.com &#187; Blue Man Group</title>
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	<link>http://www.josephburke.com</link>
	<description>My Life, My Story, My World...</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:08:35 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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	<copyright>2010 </copyright>
	<managingEditor>joe@josephburke.com (Joe Burke)</managingEditor>
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	<itunes:summary>My Life, My Story, My World...</itunes:summary>
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	<itunes:category text="Arts">
		<itunes:category text="Performing Arts" />
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	<itunes:category text="Music" />
	<itunes:category text="Arts">
		<itunes:category text="Visual Arts" />
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	<itunes:author>Joe Burke</itunes:author>
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		<itunes:name>Joe Burke</itunes:name>
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		<item>
		<title>One Year Anniversary of Joe &amp; Alexandra 10-10-11</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/10/20/one-year-anniversary-of-joe-alexandra-10-10-11/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=one-year-anniversary-of-joe-alexandra-10-10-11</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/10/20/one-year-anniversary-of-joe-alexandra-10-10-11/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:05:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anniversary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emeril's Tchoup Chop]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Florida]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Orlando]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Orlando World Center Marriott]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wedding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wedding cake]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=18500</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Joe and Alex celebrate one year of marriage together, and revisit where they exchanged vows at the Orlando World Center Marriott. With a romantic dinner at Emeril&#8217;s Tchoup Chop, followed by a show from their favorite performers, Blue Man Group, the day was magical and fun. The following day, we drove up to St. Augustine, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4o5RJn7scvA?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Joe and Alex celebrate one year of marriage together, and revisit where they exchanged vows at the Orlando World Center Marriott. With a romantic dinner at Emeril&#8217;s Tchoup Chop, followed by a show from their favorite performers, Blue Man Group, the day was magical and fun. The following day, we drove up to St. Augustine, FL and climbed the world famous St. Augustine Lighthouse with our friends Tina Verduzco and Femi Oyewole.</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Joe&#8217;s Vlog #10 for Sept. 9th, 2011</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/09/09/joes-vlog-10-for-sept-9th-2011/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=joes-vlog-10-for-sept-9th-2011</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/09/09/joes-vlog-10-for-sept-9th-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:07:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexandra Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Las Vegas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Monte Carlo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirit Seekers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vlog 10]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=18390</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A short update about things in m hectic and crazy life including an upcoming house purchase, moving, new album release, autobiography and travel dates for the Blue Man Group Insiders to Viva Las Vegas in 2012! I also briefly discuss what exactly our ghost hunting team Spirit Seekers is all about, and why we like [...]]]></description>
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<p>A short update about things in m hectic and crazy life including an upcoming house purchase, moving, new album release, autobiography and travel dates for the Blue Man Group Insiders to Viva Las Vegas in 2012! I also briefly discuss what exactly our ghost hunting team Spirit Seekers is all about, and why we like doing it! All this and more, so check it out. </p>
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		<item>
		<title>20th Anniversary Fan Meet (A Night of Bliss)</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/08/03/20th-anniversary-fan-meet-a-night-of-bliss/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=20th-anniversary-fan-meet-a-night-of-bliss</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/08/03/20th-anniversary-fan-meet-a-night-of-bliss/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Aug 2011 03:54:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Astor Place Theatre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group 20th Anniversary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fan meet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fun]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John's Pizzeria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[laughs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Soup & Burger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Times Square]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=18234</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Going into this fan meet, many fans didn&#8217;t realize all the planning, hour long phone conversations with NYC over the past several months and the ups/downs. Let me be the first to express that this fan meet wasn&#8217;t an easy one to plan, but the fact we did, and the outcome was so much more [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><img alt="Fans Gathered in Times Square for a group photo." src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5999130473_354ef5d2e8.jpg" title="Fans Gathered in Times Square for a group photo." width="500" height="333" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Fans Gathered in Times Square for a group photo.</p></div><br />
Going into this fan meet, many fans didn&#8217;t realize all the planning, hour long phone conversations with NYC over the past several months and the ups/downs. Let me be the first to express that this fan meet wasn&#8217;t an easy one to plan, but the fact we did, and the outcome was so much more amazing than any of us had ever dreamed is a true testament to the power of this awesome online community of fans. We&#8217;ve been meeting up in cities for so long now, many of us consider ourselves more than just friends, rather more of a family feel. We&#8217;re all very close.</p>
<p>The fan meet began outside of John Pizzeria in the middle of Times Square around 3:30PM. Fans were walking up and introducing themselves, old friends were reunited, and new friends were made with open arms. I kept thinking to myself, &#8220;Is this really happening? Are all of these great people of which I&#8217;ve talked to for years online and have met previously here right now?&#8221; I had to pinch myself to make sure this all wasn&#8217;t a dream. To say my brain circuitry was on overload is an understatement. We all just couldn&#8217;t stop smiling. It was like time stood still for these few hours, and the focus wasn&#8217;t on ourselves, but everyone and everything around us. It was an awesome intense feeling of euphoria and bliss.</p>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><img alt="Fans at John&#039;s Pizzeria enjoying a delicious dinner and connecting with others." src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5999132747_6eab022f24.jpg" title="Fans at John&#039;s Pizzeria enjoying a delicious dinner and connecting with others." width="500" height="333" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Fans at John&#039;s Pizzeria enjoying a delicious dinner and connecting with others.</p></div>
<p>During the dinner, fans indulged on some delicious Italian cuisine of NYC style pizza. I paused many moments, stopped and looked around at all the smiling faces as they were carrying on their own table conversations and breaking the ice with new fans. It was an pretty powerful thing to see everyone from all walks of life focus on one thing that we all have a passion for in life, Blue Man Group.</p>
<p>The show itself, wow, what more can I say that already hasn&#8217;t been noted online? I am so blessed to have been there and have been a part of this momentous occasion. As the show began, I had another one of those moments where I stopped, looked around at all the fans, and as they looked back at me with smiles bigger than their faces, I realized that something truly remarkable was about to happen on stage.</p>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><img alt="Blue Man Group founders bald and blue for the fans one final time." src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5999106351_bd417a0f7a.jpg" title="Blue Man Group founders bald and blue for the fans one final time." width="500" height="333" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Blue Man Group founders bald and blue for the fans one final time.</p></div>
<p>The culmination of ten years have for me as a fan and Insider come down to this, I finally get to see the iconic three original founding Blue Men, get bald and blue one final time for us the fans. I can tell you, emotions were bubbling within me I hadn&#8217;t felt in years. I felt a exuberance of life burst through me, and I was instantly reminded of the glory days of fan meets between 2002-2007 in Chicago and beyond. I had &#8220;the feeling&#8221; all over again. And then, just when I didn&#8217;t expect it, during gumballs and marshmallows, the lights came on, and standing before us was the founding members Chris, Matt and Phil. I&#8217;m sure by now you&#8217;ve seen the video Part 3 to the NYC series, as the whole theater erupts with cheers of joy and accomplishment. It was at that moment, I Joe Burke, an almost 32 year old man, teared up.</p>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><img alt="Founders playing PVC IV." src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5999103741_aef26f1927.jpg" title="Founders playing PVC IV." width="500" height="333" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Founders playing PVC IV.</p></div>
<p>I was immediately catapulted back to my old days of running the Blue Man Library, and doing my best to capture Blue Man Group on television for the fans. Finally, after watching old video clips dozens of times, and seeing them only in 2 dimensional space of a computer monitor, there they were standing before us, bald and blue, and completely in character. There is no word in the English dictionary to remotely describe that feeling at that moment, but I&#8217;m sure it was palpable by everyone in that theater.</p>
<p>And then, the moment that really clinched my heart, was when the founders graced the stage one more time for PVC IV, one of their most noted pieces of the show. I was instantly taken back to that cold brisk November night in 1999, my old bedroom in Kentucky watching the &#8220;Tonight Show with Jay Leno&#8221; and experiencing Blue Man Group for the very first time. And who was it that performed on Leno? The founders of course. All of this was rushing through my head, and then I felt something cold run down my cheek, and I then realized I had tears of joy. My experience as a Blue Man Group fan had finally come full circle, and the efforts we put forth in planning this meet had all payed off.</p>
<p>Another highlight was the merging of fan groups. We&#8217;re delighted and overjoyed at the fact that we&#8217;re now working more closely than ever with our European fans and their site BMGFans.com. As I write this almost with misty eyes, it gives me such a wonderful accomplished feeling to see Hans, Marco and Brett carrying the fan base torch not only for Europe, but for the world Internationally. I gave up BML because I could not afford the server costs and expenses. They stepped up in a time I could not, and for doing that, BMGFans.com, I&#8217;ll always be indebted to you. As all the leaders of the fan communities embraced in a hug, and opened our hearts, we all began to realize the bigger picture.</p>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><img alt="The Insiders Joe and Alex with Marco, Hans and Brett of BMGFans.com" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/5999636888_97671c9ba2.jpg" title="The Insiders Joe and Alex with Marco, Hans and Brett of BMGFans.com" width="500" height="333" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Insiders Joe and Alex with Marco, Hans and Brett of BMGFans.com</p></div>
<p>Blue Man Group is what led us here, and Blue Man Group is the driving force behind ultimately what we do. We follow our bliss, and we as &#8220;family&#8221; gather not only to see shows, but to reconnect and be in familiar company. This has been the past ten years of my life. It&#8217;s what I know, it&#8217;s what we do, it&#8217;s who we are. We are fans, always have, always will be.</p>
<p>The Insiders,<br />
Joe &#038; Alex Burke</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Excess Baggage</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/06/29/excess-baggage/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=excess-baggage</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/06/29/excess-baggage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 04:14:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[baggage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BounceRadio.net]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DrummerConnection.com]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[evaluate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Florida]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gospel music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kentucky]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[singer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Summit City Lounge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Switchback]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Whitesburg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=18030</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you ever notice how life sometimes grants us open doors that seem remarkable, unbelievable and just awe inspiring? Life goes well for a few months or years, everything is going smooth. And then, all of a sudden, something happens&#8230; That new thing in your life no longer is new and it then becomes an [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/6565980-a-woman-holding-a-suitcase-with-global-international-flags-300x200.jpg" alt="" title="Excess baggage" width="300" height="200" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-18031" />Do you ever notice how life sometimes grants us open doors that seem remarkable, unbelievable and just awe inspiring? Life goes well for a few months or years, everything is going smooth. And then, all of a sudden, something happens&#8230; That new thing in your life no longer is new and it then becomes an extra bag for us to tote through this whimsical world of life. Something happened from A → B in this open door. But what was it?</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3203956680_73983a3623_m.jpg" title="DJ&#039;ing on WMMT" class="alignleft" width="240" height="160" />I&#8217;ve had several of these instances in my life. Some lasted just a few months, one has lasted over ten years. There&#8217;s things in my life that when they were present, were the pinnacle of my world. Take for instance my former disc jockey role at WMMT 88.7 FM and BounceRadio.net. For that 8 year time period, I devoted myself to the cause and diligently tried to improve myself and keep raising the bar. Even though I left on a respectable terms, and it was hard to give up, at the time I had no choice. I had to drop the bags and move on to the next terminal of life.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/switchback-logo-150x150.png" alt="" title="switchback-logo" width="150" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-18036" />I used to be a noted podcaster for several years from 2006-2009. The podcast was syndicated on iTunes worldwide, and for a period of months, we were ranked in the top 20 always under the Performing Arts category of podcasts. The show was called Switchback, and during the 3 year run, I interviewed hundreds of Blue Man Group fans, noted rock musicians ranging from Todd Rundgren, Tom Shipley, Jason Isbell, Mark Knight and even the founding members of Blue Man Group. But like everything else in my life, it got stale. The shows became a burden instead a labor of love. I had to drop of this bag at the terminal as well.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2874547542_deaca5a704.jpg" title="Gospel Singer" class="alignnone" width="500" height="333" /><br />
I was once a gospel singer, musician and traveled with my mother and father all over the tri-state Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee area singing the good news of the Lord. I met some amazing saints of God along the way, saw some awesome churches and ate some killer food (southern women know how to cook at church homecomings.) I done this from 1993-2009, and the run ended when I moved to Florida. Even though I don&#8217;t regret my life&#8217;s choice to move and relocate, I felt bad for my family that I left behind to be on their own again. I will admit, I didn&#8217;t like the fact of getting up at 5:30 AM on a Sunday morning, to bath and be fully clothed in church attire and out the door by 6:30 AM to drive 2-3 hours in a mini-van loaded with sound equipment, instruments and merchandise. That got old, fast. I missed out on hanging out with friends on Saturday nights, because I had to be in bed by 9PM to be up on time the next morning. Not all singing appointments were like this though. Some were local, and some were a blast. I still love to sing and praise my God for what all he&#8217;s done for me, and I enjoy playing my piano and composing/recording melodies. But like the rest of my life, this bag too had to be dropped off at the terminal gates. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/MLF8350-150x150.jpg" alt="" title="Joe at Summit City" width="150" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-18038" />I was once a MC at a local coffee shop in downtown Whitesburg, KY called Summit City Lounge. It is a happening little place on Main Street and they have a delicious menu. The owners, a husband and wife team, approached me about doing a weekly event at night called &#8220;Open Mic.&#8221; I would run it, organize the list of performers and engage the crowd with some silly antics. I even gone as far as being the sound guy for all the performers on stage. Now this was a cool little gig. It even blossomed into a pay job, as I started branching out booking bands for the very busy weekends. It was one of the funnest times of my life, and l met some of the most talented individuals that could stand behind a microphone. But, with life, and a new found interest in the state of Florida, I had to resign my role as MC of over a year. I never will forget Joel and Amelia and all the done for me. This bag sadly had to be escorted with tears and a long face at the terminal. </p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3689436509_a315cd455f_m.jpg" title="Joe in the Studio at DrummerConnection.com" class="alignleft" width="240" height="160" />Did you know I once worked at a place that all the employees were reputable rock musicians? DrummerConnection.com was such a place, and for a period of 5 months it became a new passion for me in 2009. I love the people, I loved the fact I could use my musical skills in the piano and I loved my boss and his work environment. I got to meet some pretty stellar people in the drum circle world, and make connections that to this day I still keep. But, things happened in my life personally that I could not control, and again, I got that all too familiar stale feeling. Needless to say, this case was left at the terminal door to. </p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5396314051_e8d7667062_m.jpg" title="Joe and Alex in Atlanta" class="alignleft" width="240" height="160" />So, here I am, 2011&#8230; I&#8217;m wide eyed at the world around me, and examining my arms for baggage. There&#8217;s a part of my life that has been on the teeter totter for some time, and it all started in 1999 on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I saw a group of 3 bald blue guys that captivated my heart and soul. It infused with me inspiration to create, and a passion to be artistic. That was in 1999-2000. In 2001, I founded Blue Man Group&#8217;s official first fan base web site called the Blue Man Library, (BML). It ran for a long time, all the way to Feb. 2010 when I finally pulled the plug on the site due to overwhelming costs of server space and bandwidth. I never will forget that day&#8230; I must have cried for weeks. It&#8217;s like nurturing a child for 10 years and then letting it die right before your eyes, and there&#8217;s nothing you can do about it. I was heart broken. But, it came with accurate timing, because of recent evens within the company and myself, I was able to merge with Blue Man Productions and become an Insider. Man, what a run. I&#8217;ve seen cities I could only dream about before. Skylines towering, street lights on every corner, the brisk cold Rocky Mountain air hitting your face in December, the sweet aroma of The Venetian in Las Vegas to the hustle of New York City. All because of one group, one company and one web site I made. Phenomenal it is.</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2331/2325223041_1fe3fe1f90_m.jpg" title="2007 Chicago Monster Fan Meet" class="alignright" width="240" height="160" />In recent months, my attention has been lacking in the realm of the Blue. I&#8217;m not sure why to honest. I&#8217;m surely not jaded to the shows, company or being an Insider. It hurts most when no one seems to listen. It hurts most when something you&#8217;ve planned and conceived has been downsized to a mere former shell of itself. It hurts most when I scream, and no one listens. It hurts most when you&#8217;re on the inside looking back. It hurts most when you&#8217;re promised bells and whistles, and all you have in your pocket is lint. It hurts&#8230; This bag I&#8217;m holding with a light grasp of the fingertips. I&#8217;m standing at the terminal of my own life, watching the train go by and wondering if I should let go of this bag and move on down the line, or keep it. God grant me wisdom in this situation. Maybe this is my problem, I talk too much, I don&#8217;t know&#8230; Maybe I should mind my own business and just let it be what it is meant to be, &#8220;business.&#8221; I just don&#8217;t like pacified to get by.</p>
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		<title>Joe&#8217;s Vlog #9</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/04/02/joes-vlog-9/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=joes-vlog-9</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/04/02/joes-vlog-9/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 03 Apr 2011 03:28:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexandra Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bella]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chihuahua]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christ Church of Orlando]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spirit Seekers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wedding]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=17236</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In this Vlog, I talk about my recent marriage, my new job for Blue Man Group as an &#8220;Insider,&#8221; reveal our new pet Bella in all her sweetness, The Spirit Seekers paranormal research team that both Alex and I founded, the return of the Blue Man Message Boards online community and finally I talk about [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><center><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/srRdtDCELqU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
In this Vlog, I talk about my recent marriage, my new job for Blue Man Group as an &#8220;Insider,&#8221; reveal our new pet Bella in all her sweetness, The Spirit Seekers paranormal research team that both Alex and I founded, the return of the Blue Man Message Boards online community and finally I talk about our favorite place in all of Orlando, our church at Christ Church of Orlando.</p>
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		<title>Insiders in Atlanta Pt 2 &#8211; Props/Prep &amp; Random Acts of Kindness</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/01/30/insiders-in-atlanta-pt-2-propsprep-random-acts-of-kindness/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=insiders-in-atlanta-pt-2-propsprep-random-acts-of-kindness</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/01/30/insiders-in-atlanta-pt-2-propsprep-random-acts-of-kindness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Jan 2011 16:24:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Bende]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Atlanta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[backstage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CNN Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fox Theatre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prep]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[props]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rotcav]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World of Coke]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=16722</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Blue Man Group Insiders go back stage with Alex Bender, Supervisor for the props department on the Blue Man Group NAT. We shadow him to watch prep for the show and gain some useful insight into the tasks needed before each show. We round out the video with our favorite segment, Random Acts of Kindness. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><center><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19280531?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;color=ff9933" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></center><br />
Blue Man Group Insiders go back stage with Alex Bender, Supervisor for the props department on the Blue Man Group NAT. We shadow him to watch prep for the show and gain some useful insight into the tasks needed before each show. We round out the video with our favorite segment, Random Acts of Kindness. See you on the Inside!</p>
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		<title>Atlanta Booty Shaker Fun</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/01/26/atlanta-booty-shaker-fun/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=atlanta-booty-shaker-fun</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/01/26/atlanta-booty-shaker-fun/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:32:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexandra Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Atlanta]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mike Ippolito]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Insiders]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=16716</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Insiders hang out with close friends Mike Ippolito and his two children Michael and Alyssa. We had so much fun with the kids shaking our booty, dancing and having a blast in downtown Atlanta before the Blue Man Group show at The FOX Theatre.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><center><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19193781?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;color=ff9933" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></center><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/bluemangroupinsiders">The Insiders</a> hang out with close friends Mike Ippolito and his two children Michael and Alyssa. We had so much fun with the kids shaking our booty, dancing and having a blast in downtown Atlanta before the <a href="http://www.blueman.com">Blue Man Group</a> show at The FOX Theatre. </p>
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		<title>Another Year, &#8216;What A Dream&#8217;</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/01/07/another-year-what-a-dream/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=another-year-what-a-dream</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2011/01/07/another-year-what-a-dream/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Jan 2011 23:47:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[10-10-10]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CO]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coco Beach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dallas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Denver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Disney]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Florida]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TX]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wedding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[year in review]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=16680</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Since 2006 I&#8217;ve been putting together these annual &#8216;year in review&#8217; video clips that sort of document the highlighted moments that happened throughout the year. But, this year is very different. My life has been endlessly documented on film all year long, so what&#8217;s the need for creating a long and boring 15 minute year [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Since 2006 I&#8217;ve been putting together these annual &#8216;year in review&#8217; video clips that sort of document the highlighted moments that happened throughout the year. But, this year is very different. My life has been endlessly documented on film all year long, so what&#8217;s the need for creating a long and boring 15 minute year in review clip? </p>
<p>2010 brought many great things my way, and I do mean great things. It all started when Alex and I were asked to come NYC for a new job that would let us travel the States, and perform &#8216;Random Acts of Kindness&#8217; to deserving individuals, who otherwise wouldn&#8217;t be able to see a show or afford merchandise. It&#8217;s an idea that spawned from the mind of Blue Man Group co-founder Chris Wink, and brought to light in April 2010. The following month, we were invited to NYC to go over the details of this amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity, and brought into the family and world of Blue Man Group officially for the first time. Since then, The Insiders &#8216;Joe &#038; Alex&#8217; have traveled on NCL&#8217;s Norwegian EPIC cruise ship, Fayettville, AR, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Las Vegas, NV and soon to be in 2011 Atlanta, GA. The Insiders adventure has been an ongoing blessing, and seeing people&#8217;s face light up with excitement is all the reward we need. </p>
<p><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/17749003?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;color=969696" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
The Insiders in Denver, CO handing out complimentary merchandise, and greeting the fans of Blue Man Group before the show.</p>
<p>Another milestone event this year locally here in Orlando was the opening of &#8216;The Wizarding World of Harry Potter&#8217; at Islands of Adventure theme park. Both Alex and myself being huge fans of the books and previous films, were mind blown when we got experience the world of Harry unlike any other. Trust me, there&#8217;s nothing like sipping on a cold butter beer while sitting on a bench in Hogsmeade. The grand opening on June 18th was celebrated with fanfare, the stars from the films were on hand, and like the troopers we are, we had to have our fix as well. Enjoy the video!<br />
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14247462?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;color=969696" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Another huge even for us in 2010 was addition to a member of our family, Bella Burke. She is a 3lb bouncing Chihuahua, and loves to play with her ball, snuggle with mommy and daddy on the couch or in bed, and loves to ride around in the car. She&#8217;s a wonderful pup, and we&#8217;re so blessed to have her as a part of our home and family.<br />
<img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5281/5328720378_c81e786d99.jpg" alt="Bella Burke, 5 months old" /></p>
<p>One milestone I have to mention was having my mother and father in Orlando over the Summer. My dad has been to Orlando twice, but mother has never been in Florida. Having them here was almost like a dream come true. For the first time, I got to introduce them to Mickey Mouse, Magic Kingdom and most importantly, the ocean. Neither of them had seen the beach or ocean before, and as my parents waded out into the warm tropical water off Coco Beach, FL, my heart felt so blessed that I was able to show them this awesome experience. My family returned to Orlando 2 more times in 2010, and rounded up their stay over Christmas with us here at our home.<br />
<img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4738701636_7a7f273dd4.jpg" alt="Joe &#038; Alex with his parents, Tony &#038; Sondra Burke" /></p>
<p>Finally, the momentous event of 2010 was of course my wedding. Never before in my life have I anticipated one event so much, and dreaded to see the day end so fast. My wedding was like a dream, I remember everything I done that day, but it went by so fast, it felt like I lived my life outside of my body. The surreal feeling of marrying your soul mate, partner and best friend is overwhelming, and proudly I married the love of my life on 10-10-10 with a host of friends and family. We were married on the grounds outdoors at the &#8216;Orlando World Center Marriott Resort&#8217; and our reception was just inside from the wedding location in one of their ballrooms. I don&#8217;t like to brag, but our wedding went off without a single glitch. I prayed so hard for nothing to go wrong and everything to work according to plan.  I didn&#8217;t want one of those candid &#8216;America&#8217;s Funniest Home Video&#8217; moments to ruin the biggest day of our lives. Luckily, nothing bad happened. We had a fairy tale wedding, went on a romantic Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon and now we&#8217;re happily married and enjoying every day together.<br />
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15899714?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0&amp;color=969696" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
The wedding of Joe &#038; Alexandra Burke, 10-10-10 &#8216;Orlando World Center Marriott Resort&#8217;</p>
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		<title>Las Vegas Part 2 &#8211; Grand Canyon Air Tour</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/11/26/las-vegas-part-2-grand-canyon-air-tour/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=las-vegas-part-2-grand-canyon-air-tour</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/11/26/las-vegas-part-2-grand-canyon-air-tour/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Nov 2010 05:02:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexandra Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Boulder City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grand Canyon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grand Canyon Airlines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hoover Dam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Las Vegas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nevada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sin City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Venetian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vegas Strip]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=16424</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[An amazing tour of the Grand Canyon from a different ground level perspective. This tour is in the air just a few hundred feet above the massive Canyon. The Colorado River, Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon are the highlights of this spectacular video.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>An amazing tour of the Grand Canyon from a different ground level perspective. This tour is in the air just a few hundred feet above the massive Canyon. The Colorado River, Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon are the highlights of this spectacular video.<br />
<center><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nW0LQMY-m1Q?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nW0LQMY-m1Q?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></center></p>
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		<title>Las Vegas Part 1 &#8211; The Gondola Ride</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/11/25/las-vegas-part-1-the-gondola-ride/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=las-vegas-part-1-the-gondola-ride</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/11/25/las-vegas-part-1-the-gondola-ride/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:57:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexandra Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gondola ride]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joseph Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Las Vegas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nevada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sin City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Venetian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vegas Strip]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=16416</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Joe and Alex get a second honeymoon of sorts in Las Vegas, NV. Staying at The Venetian, we had a private Gondola ride ready for us, and the night began with a romantic ride through the water canals of the luxurious Venetian.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Joe and Alex get a second honeymoon of sorts in Las Vegas, NV. Staying at The Venetian, we had a private Gondola ride ready for us, and the night began with a romantic ride through the water canals of the luxurious Venetian.<br />
<center><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XL9wnD-olWw?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XL9wnD-olWw?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></center></p>
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		<title>Fayettville, AR &amp; Blue Man Group NAT Launch</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/09/06/fayettville-ar-blue-man-group-nat-launch/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=fayettville-ar-blue-man-group-nat-launch</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/09/06/fayettville-ar-blue-man-group-nat-launch/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:34:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Irick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arkansas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fayetteville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NAT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[theater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tour]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=15500</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s always hard to put into words what exactly it is we just witnessed whenever we&#8217;re attending any Blue Man Group venue. How do you explain it? What is ever more difficult is attempting to explain the National American Tour to new and older fans alike. Everything that we know, or have seen about Blue [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s always hard to put into words what exactly it is we just witnessed whenever we&#8217;re attending any Blue Man Group venue. How do you explain it? What is ever more difficult is attempting to explain the National American Tour to new and older fans alike. Everything that we know, or have seen about Blue Man Group has been totally redone, re-imagined and brought to new life in a way that only the latest cutting edge technology can deliver. In other words, this show is unlike anything you&#8217;ve seen before, period!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="560" height="317" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/430042939163" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="317" src="http://www.facebook.com/v/430042939163" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a title="Fayettville, AR (Blue Man Group NAT Launch) Sept. 3rd, 2010 by rotcav, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4960236820/"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4109/4960236820_02bc693257.jpg" alt="Fayettville, AR (Blue Man Group NAT Launch) Sept. 3rd, 2010" width="500" height="333" /></a><br />
Banner at the Walton Arts Center</p>
<p>Before I go any further, I have seen dozens of people assuming this production is like The Complex Tour, MegaStar Tour, brace yourselves folks, IT IS NOT! This is a traveling theatrical show of Blue Man Group&#8217;s current and most updated content, many of which the company itself had yet to see until the night of Sept. 3rd in Fayetteville. So there is no VIP backstage pass, or sticker to wear at the end of the show to go backstage. This is a theater style tour, so the lobby will be your main source of photography with the Blue Men and band. Same rules that apply to NYC, Boston, Chicago, Orlando &amp; Las Vegas apply here. Lobby only! If you want pictures with the blue men, you&#8217;ll have plenty of time to roam the lobby, take as many photos as you want, and have ample time to interact with the performers. One more time, there is NO VIP treatment here, especially on this tour as different rules apply to different theaters and so on.</p>
<p>The show starts off with a new scrim, much like that of the older Luxor and MegaStar shows, but with dueling strobe effects that let you see two blue men at one time as the strobe effect switches. It&#8217;s kind of hard to describe, but this is a very new element, and the song is brand new. It combines fragmets of TV Song with elements of Above, and the new track just hits hard and rocks. Before the curtain goes up, and we see the stage for the first time, a strobe effect that is synced with the music adds to the heightened anticipation as the music builds, curtains fall, and then, bam we&#8217;re in the Blue Man&#8217;s world!</p>
<p><a title="Fayettville, AR (Blue Man Group NAT Launch) Sept. 3rd, 2010 by rotcav, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4959641937/"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4959641937_353c26cc1f.jpg" alt="Fayettville, AR (Blue Man Group NAT Launch) Sept. 3rd, 2010" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Merch Booth at the NAT</p>
<p>There are the tride and true skits that we Blue Man fans have come to know and love. Gumballs and Marshmallows, drumbone, Capn&#8217; Crunch, Klein, Utne, PVC IV, Time to Start etc&#8230; But this particular new production, each skit has been totally re-imagined to fit the concept of this new cutting edge show. For example, not only is there Capn&#8217; Crunch, but now, the stage illuminates and you see the live sound waves as each blue men chomp down on the cereal. I won&#8217;t spoil what happens with the louder Right Blue Man, you&#8217;ll just have to see it.</p>
<p>Signs has totally been redone, all new with digital screens that are crisp, clear and in HD. The sign&#8217;s wording is not the familiar &#8220;Naked Mermaid&#8221; material, but all new clichés with modern pop culture. For example there is a reference to Twilight on the left illuminated sign that pokes fun at teen vampires satire.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rods and Cones is re-imagined, and with a new melody from the Zurich production that most of the US fan base has never heard. Even right down to the backpack tubulum has been paid close attention to as the tubes now illuminate in sync with the music as the Blue Men are playing them. It&#8217;s visually one of the most wildest things I&#8217;ve ever seen on a Blue Man Group stage. The wording has changed too, and new animations help convey the use of rods and cones in our eyes. A definite highlight.<br />
<a href="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/6.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-15503" title="6" src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/6-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><br />
Rods and Cones</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A totally new concept with this new production stems from the idea of gifting people with something special, as a token of friendship and remembrance. The following quote is emphasized heavily within the whole body of the show from start to finish, and is even displayed on the big screen during seating.<br />
<a href="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Untitled-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-15505" title="Untitled-1" src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Untitled-1-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><br />
Blue Man Group opening screen before the show starts.</p>
<p>“When you first meet people from a foreign culture, a great way to break the ice is to offer a few gifts as a gesture of friendship. It’s always good to choose items that reflect your personal interests, and it’s even better if it’s something you have created yourself. You also need to show a genuine curiosity in <em>their</em> interests and <em>their</em> culture. But ultimately, the very best way to forge a lasting friendship is to create something together: Whether it’s a meal, an art project or just a spontaneous dance party, when you create something with others, you build a connection that lasts a lifetime.”<br />
<strong>-International Diplomacy for Dummies</strong></p>
<p>You&#8217;ll find this quote a lot on this tour, and referenced multiple times by The Insiders and Blue Man Group on stage. The act of giving away something is the Blue Man&#8217;s way of connecting with his audience. So one thing you&#8217;ll see after Paint Drumming, Gumballs and Marshmallows is the Blue Men physically walking off the stage and handing the spin art and paint art to audience members. It&#8217;s a home run and we know you&#8217;ll like this new element to the show.</p>
<p>On a quick note, the staple skits like Feast, Tributes and Time to Start have been re-imagined as well. Without giving too much detail away, just look for the subtle changes in the feast table, background scenery behind the table etc. Tributes also now features multiple revamps as PVC House is now partially played to introduce the Vibra Slap, which leads to Ozzy Osbourne&#8217;s &#8220;Crazy Train.&#8221; Also, you&#8217;ll even hear Lady Gaga&#8217;s &#8220;Bad Romance.&#8221; Let that one soak in for a while, on PVC at that!</p>
<p>After Rods and Cones, the show switches pace to Utne Texting Man, I think that&#8217;s what they call it. But it shows two of the animated figures texting back and forth, saying various random and funny things. The underlying melody of Utne Wire Man is there, but the song is practically redone, and a sense of hype is built up going into &#8220;Stomp Your Feet, Clap Your Hands&#8221;. The visual aspect of this piece can be seen in our video footage from the Fayetteville, AR show, but sadly translates poorly to the real thing. What you don&#8217;t see in the video is the animated figures changing and rotating rainbow colors, and their wand-airpoles creating a rainbow wave effect as it swooshes through the air. It&#8217;s pretty clever.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-15506" title="2" src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><br />
Utne Wire Texting</p>
<p><a href="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IMG_1088.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-15507" title="Back Camera" src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/IMG_1088-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" /></a>Klein has always been the pre-finale staple the Blue Man Group experience, and the NAT production is no different. Typical scenario, Blue Man goes out, combs over the crowd in search for the perfect participant to invite on stage. From here, things switch up, The sound waves from the drums are now visible on the transparent LED&#8217;s on the band lofts and the massive backdrop screen. You visually see the drums which is a great addition. The Klein video is all new of course, and is very similar to that of the cruise ship Klein video on the NCL Epic. The newest addition is the pink spray paint that is used to outline the person&#8217;s body and form. It makes for a trippy effect, and a more colorful Klein canvas.<br />
<a href="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-15508" title="5" src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/5-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And now, the sensory overload moment of the night comes to a massive climactic ending as every part of your brain is triggered. The Zygote Finale is one of the most innovative new concepts we&#8217;ve ever seen. It&#8217;s also an eco-friendly gesture towards the removal of paper products since Blue Man Group do their best to support &#8220;Go Green&#8221; efforts. You&#8217;ll want to climb out of your seat and shake your &#8220;Money Maker&#8221; as this catchy new track encourages a lot of butt shaking going on. The highlight is the Ethereal moment when the music calms, and an enchanting, melodic sound is played as the Zygote Balls float and hover over the crowd in almost out of body surreal moment. You glance around, massive orb zygote balls floating around, people bouncing them around, paper flying everywhere, the band are doing some sort ritual dance, and the lights changing vibrant colors will make one feel surreal, and trust me, that&#8217;s a good thing!<br />
<a href="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-15509" title="3" src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/3-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><br />
Zygote Finale</p>
<p>It all ends with Paint Drum Finale, and same as the staple skit, but with an added video effect behind the blue men. It&#8217;s kind of a blurred visual effect that as the Blue Men are drumming, you see the colors of their drums as the paint splashes upward on the massive LED screen behind them. It&#8217;s an wonderful, subtle touch to something that all fans signify with a show finale. Then we cut to lighted stage, and the band members and crew come out for final stage bow. We are left the DNA image as the Blue Man&#8217;s silhouette is all you see behind the screen.</p>
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		<title>The Insiders (Random Acts of Kindness)</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/09/01/the-insiders-random-acts-of-kindness/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-insiders-random-acts-of-kindness</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/09/01/the-insiders-random-acts-of-kindness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:21:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alex Irick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CityWalk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Corey Smith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Florida]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gifting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Orlando]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Universal Studios]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=15458</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Insiders Joe &#038; Alex now have the privilege to gift fans with all sorts of Blue Man Group love, including free show tickets. To show the world what this is all about, we met up with one of our Facebook fans and got his reaction live on camera of him getting free show tickets. Look [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><center><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u7kL1Uai9IU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0xe1600f&amp;color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u7kL1Uai9IU?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0&amp;color1=0xe1600f&amp;color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></center><br />
Insiders Joe &#038; Alex now have the privilege to gift fans with all sorts of Blue Man Group love, including free show tickets. To show the world what this is all about, we met up with one of our Facebook fans and got his reaction live on camera of him getting free show tickets. Look for Joe &#038; Alex, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bluemangroupinsiders">The Insiders</a> at National American Tour stops all across the country starting this weekend for more Random Acts of Kindness. Special thanks to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Man-Group-at-Universal-Orlando/118572141494645">Blue Man Group Orlando</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/UniversalOrlandoResort">Universal Studios</a>.</p>
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		<title>Blue Man Group Insiders First Video footage from NCL Epic</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/07/20/blue-man-group-insiders-first-video-footage-from-ncl-epic/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=blue-man-group-insiders-first-video-footage-from-ncl-epic</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/07/20/blue-man-group-insiders-first-video-footage-from-ncl-epic/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:47:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Bahmas]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group Insiders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Library]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Joe Burke]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.josephburke.com/?p=6428</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ten years ago when I started out on this path to follow the show, actors and performers, never did I dream my ambitions would land me the role of Insider. Attending countless tour stops of The Complex Tour, MegaStar Tours 2.0 and 2.1, I&#8217;ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the show, mechanics, behind the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><center><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GXIyuVz96HA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?color1=0xe1600f&amp;color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GXIyuVz96HA&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1?color1=0xe1600f&amp;color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></center></p>
<p>Ten years ago when I started out on this path to follow the show, actors and performers, never did I dream my ambitions would land me the role of Insider. Attending countless tour stops of The Complex Tour, MegaStar Tours 2.0 and 2.1, I&#8217;ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the show, mechanics, behind the scenes and more importantly, I&#8217;ve kept the mystique surrounding the Blue Man and the world he lives within intact. There really is nothing like <a href="http://www.blueman.com">Blue Man Group</a>, and truth is, there never will be.</p>
<p>My involvement with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=135526763132924">Blue Man Group</a> has completely changed my life in such an incredible way. Two years ago, at a Fan Meet gathering from the online community, an event that I planned and hosted at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Man-Group-at-Universal-Orlando/118572141494645">Universal Studios Sharp Aquos Theater</a>, I met my future wife. Alexandra Irick came into my life sharing the same passion that I had for Blue Man Group, and together we became increasingly involved with the company. Little did we know, our love for the show and company would be put to proper use this year with the announcement of an exciting new era in the Blue Man World, The Insiders.</p>
<p><em><strong>ABOUT THE INSIDERS</strong></em><br />
Our exciting new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=135526763132924">Blue Man Group Insiders</a> will bring you first-hand news, buzz, and information from the front lines of the Blue Man experience. They&#8217;ll be traveling backstage at shows and events, roving through audiences to find the &#8220;Ultimate Blue Man Fan,&#8221; and providing audience members with a bunch of cool surprises along the way.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=135526763132924">The Insiders</a> are no strangers to <a href="http://www.blueman.com">Blue Man Group</a>. Joe Burke, previously the head of the long running fan-site <a href="http://www.bluemanlibrary.com">Blue Man Library</a> and web entrepreneur along with Alex Irick, Blue Man fan since 2007, will be hitting the road to bring you behind-the-scenes action and access to exclusive content. It&#8217;s fresh, fantastic and an exciting new way to engage yourself in the realm of all things Blue Man Group!</p>
<p><em><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Man-Group-Insiders/135526763132924"><img src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/JOE-600x600-150x150.jpg" alt="Blue Man Group Insiders" title="Joe Burke" width="150" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-5305" /></a>Joe Burke was hosted by Norwegian Cruise Lines on board Norwegian Epic for a short two-night preview cruise.  Follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rotcav">@rotcav</a> on Twitter for live reports, photos and videos and check here on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Man-Group-Insiders/135526763132924">Blue Man Group Insiders</a> official Facebook for more details and answers to your questions for all things blue. For more photos from the NCL Epic, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/sets/72157624342811015/">visit my flickr page</a>.</em><br /></p>
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		<title>An Epic Moment in Miami Florida</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/07/07/an-epic-moment-in-miami-florida/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=an-epic-moment-in-miami-florida</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/07/07/an-epic-moment-in-miami-florida/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:03:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alexandra Irick]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[sailing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ships]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Tomorrow is the beginning of a new journey in mine and Alex&#8217;s life. Tomorrow marks our first official travel assignment as Blue Man Group Insiders, documenting their new shows, entertainment venues and touring productions nation wide. Tomorrow we leave Orlando, FL at 8pm Eastern, and should hopefully arrive in Miami by 11:30-Midnight. If you&#8217;re one [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tomorrow is the beginning of a new journey in mine and Alex&#8217;s life. Tomorrow marks our first official travel assignment as <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Man-Group-Insiders/135526763132924">Blue Man Group Insiders</a>, documenting their new shows, entertainment venues and touring productions nation wide. Tomorrow we leave Orlando, FL at 8pm Eastern, and should hopefully arrive in Miami by 11:30-Midnight. If you&#8217;re one of the few lucky press associates to be on board this exclusive inaugural cruise, you can catch me and my lovely fiancé roaming around the <a href="http://www.blueman.com">Blue Man Group</a> side of the ship, filming guests, talking to audience members and asking your thoughts on the new production. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Man-Group-Insiders/135526763132924"><img src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/BMGInsiders.jpg" alt="Blue Man Group Insiders" title="Blue Man Group Insiders" width="560" height="296" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3987" /></a></p>
<p>Look for full videos and photos up on the official <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Man-Group-Insiders/135526763132924">Blue Man Group Insiders Facebook</a> next week. If you haven&#8217;t clicked the like button on the page, please do so and stay up to date with me Alex as we begin our many travels together between now and Summer 2011 for <a href="http://www.blueman.com">Blue Man Group</a>. It&#8217;s going to be an amazing ride, and we&#8217;re inviting you to hop along with us for the fun and excitement. </p>
<p>Here are some fun facts about the newest Norwegian cruise ship EPIC.<br />
    *  Gross Tonnage: 153,000<br />
    * Length: 1,068 feet / Beam: 133 feet<br />
    * Passengers (double occupancy): 4,228 guests / 1,690 crew<br />
    * Maiden Voyage: June 21, 2010<br />
    * 7-NT East &#038; West Caribbean Cruises from Miami, FL &#8211; Sails July 2010 through April 2011<br />
    * 7-NT Mediterranean Cruises from Barcelona &#8211; Sails May through October 2011<br />
    * 20 Dining Options<br />
    * 20 Bars &#038; Lounges<br />
    * The Aqua Park / Main Pool<br />
    * 1 Kid&#8217;s Pool / 6 Hot Tubs<br />
    * Exclusive Villas Complex<br />
    * Spa Suites &#038; Spa Staterooms<br />
    * Studios &#038; The Living Room<br />
    * Family Accommodations<br />
    * All Oceanview staterooms have Balconies<br />
    * 2 Bowling Alleys<br />
    * Climbing &#038; Rappelling Walls<br />
    * Epic Casino<br />
    * 4 Adult-Only Clubs<br />
    * Mandara Spa &#038; Beauty Salon<br />
    * Pulse Fitness Center<br />
    * Entertainment featuring Blue Man Group &#038; the Second City Comedy Club</p>
<p>Follow my Tweets and check-ins <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rotcav">@rotcav</a><br />
All content and media for the Norwegian EPIC and future travels will be posted on our official Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Man-Group-Insiders/135526763132924">Blue Man Group Insiders</a>.<br />
To track the live coverage of this event on Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23nclepic">#NCLepic</a> or <a href="http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23EPICmiami">#EpicMiami</a>.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.josephburke.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/joe_alex_bmg_nyc.jpg" alt="" title="joe_alex_bmg_nyc" width="500" height="333" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3988" /><br />
Look for us, who knows, you could be picked to be an exciting part of the show!</p>
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		<title>New York Aftermath, Blue Man Welcoming</title>
		<link>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/05/29/nyc2010/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=nyc2010</link>
		<comments>http://www.josephburke.com/2010/05/29/nyc2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 May 2010 14:32:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>JoeBurke</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Joe's Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[American Idiot Musical]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Astor Place Theatre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Group]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blue Man Productions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Broadway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Central Park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Little Chinatown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NYC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. James Theatre]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Subway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Times Sqaure]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[The trip to NYC this time around was probably the most humbling experience I have felt as a person to date in my 10 years plus relationship with Blue Man Group. It&#8217;s interesting how retrospective your life can evolve, given the right motivation, good fortune and willingness to cooperate and make a fresh start. Such [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The trip to NYC this time around was probably the most humbling experience I have felt as a person to date in my 10 years plus relationship with Blue Man Group. It&#8217;s interesting how retrospective your life can evolve, given the right motivation, good fortune and willingness to cooperate and make a fresh start. Such is the case with me now. I won&#8217;t say much about my position with Blue Man Productions until they make the official announcement on June 10th, but rest assured, it&#8217;s going to be something that&#8217;s been long overdue and just in time to rejuvenate the audience relations perspective as a whole. Never before has Blue Man Group marketing entered this territory of relations, and the eye opening reality that this exactly what needed to happen next with the company.  I am just in awe to be a part of this change, process and yes, I can officially say part of the BMP family now. To certain friends who read my blog up in NYC, you know who you are, blessings to you, and thanks for keeping up to date with me and my world. </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4649396095/" title="IMG_6522 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4649396095_2a75d46c5a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6522" /></a><br />
With Blue Man Group co-founders Chris Wink on left, and Phil Stanton on the right.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4649399307/" title="IMG_6532 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4649399307_fa3f3d966e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6532" /></a><br />
Documenting the Lips &#038; Eyes Shoot at BMP&#8217;s 3rd Street &#8220;Playground&#8221; space. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4650026794/" title="IMG_6572 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4650026794_3d4ddd273b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6572" /></a><br />
With Blue Man Group at the Astor Place theater. This is senior blue man, Randall Jaynes.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4650027156/" title="IMG_6573 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4650027156_d8c0995fd0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6573" /></a><br />
Alexandra with senior blue man actor Brian Scott at Astor Place Theatre.</p>
<p>This trip was mainly focused around a business aspect, but there was some down time to enjoy the sites and sounds that this great city has to offer. NYC has a heart that will never stop beating, a conscious that will never be altered and a spirit unlike non-other. There is bad in NYC, but the good most certainly outweighs the bad in retrospect. Alexandra and I got the chance for the first time to hang out in the most somber places in the city, Central Park. Not only was the romantically invigorating, but peaceful at the same time. Watching the ducks, turtles and geese swimming around the pond calmed me right down and gave the chance for me and my lovely wife to be to take it all in, slow down and think about all the blessings that has just been granted to us in life. Count your blessings, daily, it will motivate you to keep fighting the good fight. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4649430227/" title="IMG_6622 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4649430227_7677b85c0d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6622" /></a><br />
Me and Alexandra at Central Park on the corner of 59th. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4650061702/" title="IMG_6662 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4650061702_2bbc173e3f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6662" /></a><br />
Central Park bridge, noted in many movies and NYC landmark.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4650030542/" title="IMG_6584 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4650030542_509f286e55.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6584" /></a><br />
Alexandra loving every minute of riding the NYC Subway</p>
<p>We also got the chance to to see our first official Broadway musical, &#8220;American Idiot the Musical&#8221; inspired by the rock band Green Day. Sitting there, watching the songs of the album by Green Day &#8220;American Idiot&#8221; come to life on stage gave new meaning to me in the times we&#8217;re living in. Green Day are geniuses when it comes to the concept of this album, and really speaks as a rock anthem to the society when you study the lyrics closely. Not many artists/bands compose such masterpieces these days, and the whole album is really a reflective glimpse of society and living life in a post 9-11 era of New York City. Overcoming drug addiction, being recruited by the military and living life as a deadbeat was the underlying themes for this production, and it was grounded by phenomenal acting, harmonic singing and a rock atmosphere that was just as electric as a concert performed by Green Day themselves. There were scenes of the production that almost tugged at your heart and made you emotional when reflecting back on the events of September 11th, and Green Day&#8217;s song &#8220;Wake Me Up When September Ends&#8221; flowing beautifully into this selection. Wow&#8230; I highly recommend you see and experience this production at Times Square in New York, and here&#8217;s two little tips for those of you planning to see it. Tip #1, As you exit the theater, take the time to add your signature to the hallway leading into the lobby, make your mark, say something, and you&#8217;ll be a part of Broadway history. Tip #2, As you exit the theater entirely, hang by the barricades outside and be patient as the performers come out of the theater to sign autographs and take photos with their beloved audiences. The actors are so polite and considerate, they really make you feel appreciative, so don&#8217;t by shy in asking for a photo and signature on your PlayBill.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4650081084/" title="IMG_6734 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4650081084_aebddba186.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6734" /></a><br />
The &#8220;Fan Wall&#8221; of guest signatures which covers the entire entrance hallway to the St. James theatre. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4650085122/" title="IMG_6749 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4650085122_1fe55fe02d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6749" /></a><br />
Alexandra signing the &#8220;Fan Wall&#8221; after the show.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4649471515/" title="IMG_6758 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4649471515_473d3803cd.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6758" /></a><br />
Alexandra with 2010 Grammy Performer and American Idiot cast member Rebecca Naomi Jones.</p>
<p>There was so much more things that happened on this trip that I would love to talk about, but I&#8217;m holding back. Another time, another blog another chapter. Blessings to you all!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4649480159/" title="IMG_6795 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4649480159_126b092c00.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6795" /></a><br />
Me and Alexandra, taking it all in before we ended our night at Times Square.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/4649481449/" title="IMG_6801 by rotcav, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4649481449_718f4aed71.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6801" /></a><br />
View from Times Square, and how we rounded up our NYC travels on day two.</p>
<p>For more pictures from this trip, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rotcav/sets/72157624159676618/">click here to visit my Flickr page</a>.</p>
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