We first saw Benise “Nights of Fire” on PBS a couple months ago during the station’s membership pledge drive. We fell in love with the music, which is an exotic blend between rock and flamenco. Last night, we saw this spectacular show live at the Center of Performing Arts in San Jose. It was a sold out show, but we were lucky to secure two great seats at the Orchestra section.

One would not have suspected a guitar/instrumental show to be so glitzy and extravagant, but it is the theatrical aspect of the show that really makes it successful. Nights of Fire presents Spanish Flamenco alongside with Cuban Salsa and Brazilian Samba that’s exuberantly performed by Benise’s ensemble; on stage they’re abetted by a fleet of talented dancers. The main star is supposed to be Roni Benise (the long hair guy on guitar), but the violinist (the woman with the red skirt) really stole the show, in our opinion. She was absolutely incredible! Her music, at times, was romantic, seductive, almost heart-rending, and at times, exhilarating and intense. Benise Nights of Fire is certainly more than just guitar music, it is a spectacle of lights and dancing, a celebration of music, love and life. What a memorable night!

We purchased this painting from artist David Wang at the Union Square Art Show today. The energy that exudes from this painting caught our eyes immediately. The artist told us that he was inpired by a 12th century painting depicting the carefree lifestyle of the Mongols.

The best hot chocolate we’ve ever had!

Spanky is an Alaskan Brown Bear that was brought to San Diego Zoo in 1986 along with his sister Sheena when they were 8 months. They were orphan cubs born in the wild. Spanky was really sweet and calm when we were there. He has a unique way of drinking water by scooping it with his paws, and he likes to scratch his back against the rock

A random bird that flew really close to us, and was not afraid of us at all. He wanted his picture taken.

Bai Yun or “White Cloud” was born in 1991. She was sleeping peacefully when we visited her. She is the mother of the famous Hua Mei, the first giant panda that was born in the Western Hemisphere. We learned that Bai Yun enjoys anything scented with cloves or pine, and men’s cologne!