a pretty cool Christmas present, right down to the Pudding

Since we're part of the Advent Conspiracy (and were even before discovering it) we don't do trinkety stuff for Christmas. Instead, we use the money we save to support causes that might actually help those in need (like Samaritan's Purse and World Vision), and hubby and I often take some kind of trip.

This all came together beautifully after a flight cancellation earlier this summer. We still had funds left in our Southwest account, Phoenix prices dropped considerably, and we decided to go for it, heading to the desert December 12-14 for Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding fundraiser to support Solid Rock.

We got off the plane at Sky Harbor Friday, grabbed the rental and headed straight for Cooper'stown for lunch. We once visited the Cleveland location before they closed up, but this was our first time here. Great food. Great atmosphere. We actually came back again for lunch the next day. They were nice enough to give us a Pudding poster. Here's some pix:

We had some regional fun. Friday night we visited Glendale's Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights, admiring Christmas lights on palm trees and feasting on chocolate covered cheesecake (never again). Saturday morning we spent some 2.5 hours in North Mountain Park wandering the desert, climbing up and down a mountain, getting some sun and snapping some pretty sweet scenery, just soaking in a different angle of God's creation.

Somehow there were a lot more hours in this weekend, especially Saturday, than I anticipated, which was pretty nice considering we were only in AZ mid Friday to mid Sunday, and came home to Midwest temps about 50 degrees cooler than Phoenix. And ice. Yay.

Saturday night it was off to the Pudding venue. We scored some free street parking and wandered around the Dodge Theatre trying to figure out where the VIP entrance was and studying the Solid Rock vehicles by the celebrity entrance. Some kind folks showed us to the line and we waited in the cool (not cold) breeze until they let us in just past 5:30 p.m.

Once inside we got our VIP lanyards and were shown down to the tables on the floor, jazzy Christmas tunes playing in the background. We had table 19, three rows from stage and toward center. Might have got closer, but we didn't want to sit to the side, plus there was a little back and forth communicating with the office. Either way, this seating was excellent.

It was amusing that everyone at our table was new to the event, all Pudding first-timers. We had representation from Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, plus some local color. I had a chance to meet a few folks I know only from online, one of whom just happened to be at our table.

Dinner was excellent, and catered by Cooper'stown, so that was three meals from them in one weekend. We started with a salad, followed by a plate of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce. And for dessert, pumpkin cheesecake. Good stuff.

Emcee Brad Perry of their local Channel 3 came out to work the crowd for a while, as did comedians Craig Gass and Mike "Blackjack" Wilson, before they called out the meet and greeters, which included Robby Krieger and, of course, Alice and Sheryl. Alice was immediately mobbed, as someone who'd been before warned might happen. So, since they were right by our table, we just got up and joined the fray.

I really, really hate being pushy at things like this, so even though I was standing right by I held back until the guy with them kept insisting it was time to go back stage. Clearly Alice really didn't want to. He'd rather stay out and sign everybody's stuff and say hi and tell stories. One guy had a great photo he shot at the Nebraska State Fair, so Alice launched into a tale about a squall line coming at them right outside the venue which caused him to drop his jaw. Naturally he brings up severe weather, another of my favorite topics. God truly does have a magnificent sense of humor.

After about the second time he was told to go, I finally took my shot to get a photo and the only thing I really wanted autographed—"The Last Temptation" album cover. I told him it was brilliant. He said it's one of his favorites too. That wasn't a surprise.

Funny, every single person I've spoken to who's ever met Alice (including another at a local mall just last week) said, "He's so nice." Truth is, he literally exudes a calm you can feel. All this chaos around, and he's simply the essence of laid back, looks you right in the eye and tells you how he kept on performing despite a possible tornado.

Once he moved on, I was stuck. Couldn't move for the throng, so I just stood and waited until they finally convinced him to go, and he told some folks, "I'll have to do this while walking." As I walked the other way (since everyone's asking...), I felt a brief tinge of emotion in that, while this obviously wasn't the "meaningful conversation" I'd really like some day (whenever), we did cross paths after all. Sounds silly to some, but I admire him in a way that transcends all the celebrity nonsense. Yeah, God's got him on a way different course in life, but he's my brother in Christ as well, and that's huge. (More on that later.)

Afterward, I ran out real quick to purchase a Christmas Pudding fleece scarf (in the desert) and talk to some of the Solid Rock volunteers, then ran back in before the rest of the seats were filled. It wasn't long after that the show began.

Serving One started with Alice onstage as Scrooge telling a horrible story to some children, then yelling at them to get out of his house as he knocked over a Christmas tree and sat down to sleep through Christmas. Some "Christmas fairies" (Sheryl and the girls) suddenly appeared to wreak havoc on him, and straighten up the tree. They also filled his hand with whipped cream, which he promptly plastered all over his face upon waking, yelling at them to get out of the house too. Then laughing, asked, "Where's my towel?"

They introduced the board of Solid Rock and one of the men led the prayer. I admit thinking how cool it was to be there praying with Alice. (Not too him, people. Let's get it right.)

Opening was Proof is in the Pudding winning band No Longer Together, followed by the winning soloist, Destinee Quinn, who I think has a ton of career potential.

Alice's son Dashiel's band, Runaway Phoenix, came on next for a few songs, including their new Christmas Pudding theme song, then were joined by "Survivorman" Les Stroud, who sang a tune and wailed on the harmonica in front of a couple of his own cameras. He said he'd been in the jungle vomiting something just a week before. Nice.

More comedy from "Blackjack" and then Michael Nitro's band took the stage, followed by an appearance by the 93.3 KDKB Phoenix staff. (Which we learned too late actually plays Alice's show at a reasonable time. Duly noted.)

ICON and F5 rocked the stage, followed by Marty Mitchell, who completely changed things up with some mellow guitar tunes. (Naturally, this was about the time we started getting tired. Remember, we were an hour behind.)

Then Bob Welch came on for a few, including "Sentimental Lady." With Roger Clyne he performed "Ebony Eyes," "Oh Well" and threw in "Great Balls of Fire" for good measure.

And the show was only halfway over.

At intermission, Alice and Sheryl came back out to tell us Mark Tarbell provided Christmas pudding for everyone, so we got bonus dessert in a small plastic cup. Then two autographed guitars were auctioned off for a sizable chunk of change to go to Solid Rock.

For Serving Two, Whiskey Falls hit the stage for a few. I enjoyed their version of "Seven Bridges Road."

After yet more comedy, Robby Krieger came on, and Alice and band filled the gaps for him. It was interesting to see Alice in character as Jim singing "Roadhouse Blues," joined by Les Stroud on harmonica, and "Riders on the Storm." Robby filled the room with that classic guitar sound. They were followed by a few from Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers.

Then, after some humorous attempts to fill time by the emcee and entourage, Alice took the stage as, well, Alice. Sort of. It was Alice with pretty much no props, except the cane he threw out to the crowd, and he was quick to point out how long it had been since he'd performed without something dying onstage. So between songs he was more himself and less the character, quite a switch from the show we've so often seen.

They actually played "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Under My Wheels," "I'm Eighteen," "Billion Dollar Babies," "Only Women Bleed," "Be My Lover," "Lost in America," "Elected" (at which he said, "Whatever you do, don't vote for me. I can't take the pay cut.") and "Poison."

For the Grand Finale, all the guitarists, and quite a few others, came back out to take turns on "School's Out" as confetti cannons showered them all. Quite a sight to see. Fun stuff.

We also learned about a new website, bulbstorm.com/therock on which you can sign up to share your ideas about the teen center. For every sign up Solid Rock gets $1, so go and tell everyone you know!

We were invited to an after party, but I was about done at this point. I think it was 12:30 a.m. by the time we were back at the hotel (1:30 to us), and I wanted to get at least some sleep since I was determined to get up for worship in the morning.

Sunday we got up, packed up and headed out to church. (Yup, it was the Cooper's church. And, no, they weren't there. Take it easy.) But since I actually work at a church, and everything I've seen of this one looked somewhat similar too but larger than ours, I wanted to check it out. We actually stayed for both the modern and historic services. Same sermon, apparently the second in a three part Advent series and solid in the message of Jesus as Savior, but stark contrast in the worship.

I was excited during modern service to sing "My Savior My God" by Aaron Shust, which I'm just learning thanks to Pandora, and "Who is this King of Glory" by Chris Tomlin, who is rapidly becoming a favorite artist of mine. The historic service featured a full choir, bell choir and organ. That is a big place built for a big sound.

Everyone there was incredibly friendly. (Heck, everyone in Phoenix seemed super nice). We were even given a tour of the facility between services, and spoke a long time to a friendly couple, one of whom wanted to get us to move out there and sell us some real estate.

Truth be told, we did contact Solid Rock about the ministry a few months ago. My current top three ministry spots are youth, outreach and music, and this combines all three. Since hubby teaches music, we asked if they plan to hire or seek volunteers once the building goes up. At this point, we definitely don't feel God calling us away from where we are (don't anyone panic), but the past year seriously opened us up to possibilities as He leads.

So what a Christmas present. Practically seamless, other than learning our way around. During the show I just kept thinking this was probably the most worthwhile concert I've ever been too. I said I wanted to see what Solid Rock was up too in person before and after the building goes up, and I'd definitely consider doing all this again, even if December is a crazy and unpredictable time to fly. It's pretty clear the Lord was, and will be, in control of it all.

Merry Christmas!

a pretty cool Christmas present, right down to the Pudding