The Boulton Center & Lisa Loeb, Bay Shore, NY

^{Photo Credit: Brennan P. Regan}

My husband and I very rarely get to be alone. So as soon as The Boulton Center in Bay Shore, NY releases their concert listings, we immediately book any concerts that we want to go to. Then, we add our "Date Nights" to the calendar, and beg someone to watch our kids for us.

Thankfully, The Boulton Center is right around the corner because "Date Night" never goes as planned. For example, we had tickets to see Lisa Loeb this past week, and in our attempt to get out the door, my daughter barfed all over my freshly showered body. With no time to spare, I just washed it off with some soap and water and ran out the door.

Sounds gross, right? But our last "Date Night" was back in March – and throw-up or no-throw-up, I wasn't missing this show. I heart Lisa Loeb, and her glasses. She made nerdy girls like me feel a whole lot better about ourselves, and I've been a loyal fan ever since!

^{Photo Credit: Juan Patino}

Anyways, The Boulton Center is a really cool place to go if you prefer a more intimate setting like I do (big crowds make me nervous). We've seen several shows there, but by far, our favorites have included The Gin Blossoms, The Bacon Brothers, and now, Lisa Loeb.

Lisa Loeb performed an incredible acoustic set, but her warm and friendly personality was the real showstopper. She made the audience feel like she was their best friend, and her ability to poke fun at herself was refreshing; while forgetting some of her older lyrics, she begged the audience to sing them for her – and they happily complied!

In between songs, Lisa chatted about the randomness of her life while she tuned her guitar. We learned that she now has an eyewear line, Lisa Loeb Eyewear(TM), and that she was performing her second acoustic StageIt Show on August 3rd, live from her home in California.

^{Photo Credit: Juan Patino}

Lisa also took some time to talk about her daughter who was back at home with Dad & Grandma. She was quick to apologize to everyone for not booking more East Coast Tour Dates, but admitted that her daughter could now say, "Mommy Working" and "Mommy Plays Guitar", and it was difficult to be away from home for long periods of time. Lisa's struggles with balancing family and work is an all too familiar conflict, and her ability to be a "real person" is what makes her so gosh-darn likeable.

However, after moment's reflection, Lisa quickly steered the conversation back to her live StageIt Show on August 3rd, and threw out the possibility that her daughter might make a guest appearance. But then she laughed, and said, "Well, probably not. We keep her on a really tight schedule…and that's bath time. But, we'll see." Truly, Lisa has nothing to worry about – she can balance work and motherhood just fine!

Lisa played an eclectic mix of songs at The Boulton Center, and although the list below is not complete, nor in order, it's gives you a good idea of how the night played out: 

Tails: Do You Sleep?, Sandalwood, Stay (I Missed You)
Firecracker: I Do, Furious Rose, Truthfully
Anywhere But Here Soundtrack: I Wish
Hello Lisa: Underdog
The Way It Really Is: Diamonds
Camp Lisa: Woodchuck #1, Best Friend, Granma's in the Cellar, The Disappointing Pancake, Love Is A Rose

Overall, Lisa Loeb put on a great show, and was kind enough to do and Meet & Greet with her fans afterwards. Naturally, I made a fool of myself, and prattled on about how much my kids & I love singing "Little Red Caboose" (Catch the Moon) together. Lisa took it all in stride, and even asked how old they were. Then she autographed her new CD, Camp Lisa, for them, and even posed in a picture with me.  Whoo-hoo!

 
Things To Know About The Boulton Center:

Info: The Boulton Center is a branch of the Great South Bay YMCA and hosts "theater performances, concerts, film screenings, cabaret, jazz, student productions, children's entertainment, YMCA cultural arts events, lectures and seminars".

Miscellaneous: The theater is incredibly comfy, clean and cozy; when you attend a performance here, you can actually see the people on stage!

Location: 37 W. Main St. Bay Shore, NY
Web site: http://www.boultoncenter.org/
Phone: 631-969-1101

Things To Know About Lisa Loeb:

Official Web site: http://www.lisaloeb.com/

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/lisaloeb#!/lisaloeb

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/lisaloeb4real

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisaloeb/sets/

Thanks for reading,
Denine

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