2009 Gold Rush Concert Tour - Updates from the Road!
We will do our best to post daily Gold Rush Tour updates. It will depend on the availability of an internet connection and our tour itinerary. The updates will most likely be posted in the late evenings West Coast time. Please check back for status reports, photos, and hopefully some video from the tour!
Updates Will Be Posted Here
June 18 - (posted 6/18, 8PM EST) - Tour bus one (red tour) is checked into the Doubletree Hotel and enjoying the pool, while we wait for tour bus 2 (yellow bus) to arrive. The first leg of the flight to Minnesota was a little bumpy at times but, all in all, everything went very well. It was an early morning for everyone at Cleveland Hopkins Airport and most Angels were able to catch up on some sleep on the plane. The tour buses picked us up from SF airport, with a stop at a local mall for a bite to eat...then the two hour drive across the San Joaquin valley to the Doubletree. Tonight we have a picnic dinner in a nearby park and watch the local group Moband. Here is a Modesto Bee News Article on the Singing Angels Visit.
Here are some photos from our first day - June 18 Tour Photos (Red Tour Bus only so far!)
More June 18 - (posted 6/20, 4AM EST) - The yellow tour bus arrived late afternoon and all the Angels gathered for a quick vocal tune-up session prior to heading off to Graceada Park to enjoy the Moband concert. The Angels were given a warm welcome by the people of Modesto! Blankets were laid out on the park lawn and the Angels were treated to a delicious picnic style dinner. We can not say enough about the wonderful hospitality and friendliness of the residents and officials of Modesto. Thank you Modesto! Tomorrow we are off to Yosemite!
More June 18 Tour Photos - All Angels in Modesto
Another great follow-up article in the local Modesto newspaper: Angels in the Park - Modesto Bee.
June 19 - (posted 6/20, 10:30AM EST)
June 19 Tour Photos - Yosemite & the Hard Rock Cafe
Yosemite National Park
Sacramento Hard Rock Cafe
June 20 - (posted 6/21, 10:15AM EST) - The Angels traveled to Chico for a joint performance with the children of Theatre, ETC. After the show, our hosts treated the Angels to a pizza lunch, where everyone had a chance to meet and hang out together. What a great opportunity it was for our Angels to meet the girls and boys of Theatre, ETC and Make Music, Make Friends, and Make a Difference! After some relaxing downtime at the hotel, it was off to the Sacramento River Cats baseball game. The Angels performed God Bless America for the 7th inning stretch, and received a huge response from the crowd...very cool! And the River Cats won!
June 20 Tour Photos - Theatre, ETC & the Sacramento River Cats Baseball Game
Theatre, ETC
Sacramento River Cats
June 21 - (posted 6/22, 3:30AM EST) - Our motel is situated right next to Old Sacramento. The group walked to Old Sacramento and were treated to a horse-drawn carriage ride through the old town. The Angels then gathered for a video and photo shoot with the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau for their youth group promotional video. After some relaxing time exploring Old Sacramento, the group boarded the bus for the evening event with the North State Symphony, stopping along the way for a buffet dinner at the Gold Country Casino and Hotel. The performance with the North State Symphony was at a scenic location along the river in Oroville. Everywhere we go in California, we are struck by the hospitality of everyone we meet, and their communities' strong support of the arts.
June 21 Tour Photos - Old Sacramento & North State Symphony
Old Sacramento Website
Here is a link to information about the Singing Angels and the North State Symphony.
Here is another story about the North State Symphony event.
A Chico Enterprise Record article covering the event... Music Fills The Air.
June 22 - (posted 6/23, 4:00AM EST) - The Angels performed upon arriving at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and were able to unwind and enjoy the park and rides for the day. Our buses then took us to our motel at Fisherman's Wharf, where the group had an all-you-can-eat dinner of soup, salad, pizza and pasta at North Beach Pizza on Pier 39. The Angels took in some shopping on the pier and were entertained by the famous Pier 39 sea lions.
June 22 Tour Photos - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom & Fisherman's Wharf Pier 39
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Fisherman's Wharf - Pier 39
June 23 - (posted 6/25, 2:30AM EST) - We have been fortunate in having beautiful weather throughout the tour, and today was no exception! The crystal clear skies made the walk across the Golden Gate Bridge even more spectacular. Our buses took us from the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods. There, we strolled through peaceful quiet and took in the fresh air of the giant redwood forest. From the giant redwoods on to the Pacific ocean, where the Angels had some fun and got their feet wet on Ocean Beach. A surprise addition to our tour was a stop at the beautiful St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral for a quick song. Our busy day was capped off with a joint performance with the internationally known award winning Voices in Harmony men's a cappella chorus. What a tremendous opportunity it was for the Angels to watch Voices in Harmony, perform for them, and then meet the men in the chorus. It was quite a memorable evening.
June 23 Tour Photos - Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Ocean Beach, St. Mary of the Assumption, & Voices in Harmony
Golden Gate Bridge
Muir Woods National Monument
Ocean Beach
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption
Voices in Harmony
June 24 - (posted 6/25, 3:30AM EST) - Our last full day of the tour began with a boat ride to Alcatraz. The group toured the famous penitentiary by self-guided audio tour and took in the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline. Once back to the shore, we were taken by bus to the high Twin Peaks to view the city from above. The Angels visited Chinatown to sing at the gates of Chinatown and then shopped for deals! We had a delicious dinner at the Buca di Beppo restaurant, and performed a few impromptu songs for a couple birthday dinner parties. Everyone boarded the historic cable cars for a scenic ride back to our motel for the evening. The Angels begin packing for their return home Thursday!
June 24 Tour Photos - Alcatraz, Twin Peaks, Chinatown, Buca di Beppo, & Cable Car Ride
Alcatraz
Twin Peaks
Chinatown
Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
Cable Car Ride