NACA turned 50... In case you missed it.

Hey there blog-worlders!

It's been a while since we've blogged about our experiences, and I know you've all been desperately missing out on it. Sorry we didn't keep it up for the first few nights of the Conference... NACA takes a lot out of you and when you're shopping for Dinner on Night 1 at 1:30AM at a 24hour Shaw's.. You know it's time to immediately go to bed after you eat your delicious sushi.... because that's normal.

So, a few important things to note before getting into the NACA show antics themselves.

1. Like the title states, it IS NACA's 50th birthday... they celebrated this by letting you know every turn you take here, whether it's on the phampletes (i love that word, even though i probably spelt it wrong), projected onto the walls with multiple big waste-of-energy lighting, or displayed in between every, single, artist, sometimes in the middle of their set, and also made shirts with a too-big-to-have-on-that-spot-on-your-chest logo, cause hey, why not NACA... I like to let everyone know it's my birthday to, so our warmest Happy Birthday Wishes to you NACA.

2. Mattie J. Millionaire is really going to make millions, probably on giving in to his life-long dream of becoming a Boston Tour Guide... perhaps on the Red Trail Thingy? .. At least he will have a chance as long as Megan Ryan keeps on rapping for him.

3. I still hate escalators and public transportation.. especially with luggage... except when Matt gets stuck on a too-small escalator with too-big bags, that is the only exception.

4. Probably more things, like Heel Kicks, Rozz, Michael Miller in general, and Oh The Places You'll Eat (Boston ed.) but who can remember everything all at once..

SO! Now.. on to the NACA part of NACA..

1. Regionals and Nationals are kind of a lot different because Nationals over-laps a lot of things... like there will be a showcase (music/comedy/etc) at the same time as the lecture series... so how do you pick and choose! it's too hard. and because a lot of people have southern accents Y

Saturday Night Showcase - 8:20 - 10:35

Derek Hughes was the Emcee and SO Funny.. he was a magician/comedian.. but so funny, he mooned the audience at the end of his set to reveal the "hidden card," which was actually a really sweet trick.. and I'm not sure why I "quoted" hidden card, because that's exactly what it was, but it's late so, that's okay.

Steve Byrne was HILARIOUS. I think we might bring him? We'll have to set Kelly on that one. His comedy was very man-omedy.. talking about farts and things, but nevertheless, hilarious.

The Carter Twins we're anything spectacular, a couple guys singing their songs and jamming out.. not bad, but definitely nothing too outstanding that I can remember.. although they were good looking.

Shanielle Gabriel does spoken word and I loooved her. She suffers from Lupus (House fans?) and was on a few different shows, but I'm a sucker for anyone who does spoken word, so I'd definitely bring her.

Jay Mattioli is a Magician, who is good.. and definitely entertaining, but the amount of cheese he puts into his show is almost overwhelming.. we only had to watch 15 minutes of his show.. I can't even imagine what he can do in an hour..

Arvin Mitchell was another Comedian, and another funny guy.. he did awkward faces and noises and maneuvers... and held them for an abnormally long time.. which just made them thattt much funnier.

Quietdrive closed out the Showcase.. they are definitely above our price range for our typical performers ($7000 was the NACA Price) but they sang Time After Time by Cindy Lauper, and who does love a throw back to the oldies... and they made me want to take a drive and pop them in the CD player.. which is always a good quality especially for someone who thoroughly enjoys her long drives.

The next day was a treat! Sunday we didn't have to be in session until 10:15!

Sunday Lecture 1 - 10:15 - 11:30

I went to a session on "Living Life with More Time and Less Stress" and I can honestly say the session was basically a waste of time. There was really nothing about time-issues. We did some breathing/relaxation at the end and it really put me asleep so, eh, I wish I would have learned a little more. They did discuss a rule of 8's thing; 8 Hours to Sleep, 8 Hours to Work (school included), and 8 Hours for Leisure.. I want to know who they got this from.. because that is NOT what my schedule looks like.. at all.

Then I think it was lunch time? Meals are so weird here.

Sunday Club Showcase - 1:20 - 3:20

The Emcee was TERRIBLE. I had to leave at one point because the sound of his voice was killlllllling me.. he kept saying things like "OH WELL ADULTS THINK I'M FUNNY.. ADULTS LIKE MY JOKES," great for them buddy.. sorry we're not old weirdos. His name was Ryan Stout and I did not like him

Barefoot Truth - Pretty good,

Joberg & Gurner - Awful, we left.

George Watsky - Slam Poetry.. He was great.. very different vibe than some other poets, but I appreciated it.. He was funny and talked about being a virgin and Star Wars (in the same sense), but I liked him I would definitely like to see him at Bridgewater ($1500 NACA Price)

Megan James - Singer, didn't really care for,

Cristela Alonzo - Girl Comedian.. enough said,

Nathan Angelo.. Singer, I think he was good.

Then we went to Dinner with Jenn the GA, our favorite :)

Sunday Mainstage Showcase - 6:20 - 8:55

The Emcee was Johnny Cardinale, he was a guitar-comedian who started the show by saying his girlfriend dumped him a week ago so he decided to buy a guitar to showcase his emotions.. or something.. Meg immediately criticized him because he's clearly been playing for a long time. He mostly made fun of songs, but he was good at it, and I liked it.

SafetySuit I can't remember particulars, but I did like them.. They are $10,000 though, so I don't think Bridgewater is their best venue.. our PPP (price per person) would be sky-high, most likely.

David Hall is a Magician.. He is the only Magician I know that likes to go by Magic Dave.. if you were one of the unluckly orientation-goers this summer, you got to see him.. if you were lucky you got Magic Pete (just don't call him that to his face). Laura Scalley loves him.. but I do not. He does have nice eyes though.

Maggie McClure who knows. She must not have been awful.. but she must not have been great.. if I go back through my NACA CD's and find hers, I'll update this accordingly.

Hanne Hukkelberg... Okay so NACA is doing this international/cultural/everyone is diverse thing.. and.. Norwegian is notttttt the best way to go. I think "omg awful" is written down in several NACA guides.

Ryan Cabrera.. I just don't get it... but his back-up singer was amazing.

Tommy Johnigan was a comedian and opened up being like "NACA clearly doesn't think of the order they put people in.." and I agree.. why was the Cabre in the middle? he was definitely funny and worth the YouTube ganderings.

Saving Jane, sorry, not impressed

A Monday/Tuesday Combo post will be tomorrow!