Clyde Alves

Ode

A little getaway in the depleted state can feel like the day before a 
hike up mount everest
You know that when you get there you gonna feel like a million bucks 
but that bag needs to be packed, the car service needs to be booked, 
and arrive on time for your 6:30 am flight outta JFK. Your airfare is 
too expensive to fly direct so you opt for the Buffalo flight, then a 
dollar rent a car over the border to Toronto. You are also aware weeks 
beforehand that you gotta do it all over again in reverse the next 
morning to get back for the all important work day you've worked so 
hard to be so fortunate to hold down.

My travels where as expected above but no matter what you know your 
obligations to be or what experience has suggested, you're still taken 
by the human element. The part when you look into someones eyes and 
though contact has been frequent over the years, you know this to be 
unique.

In a day of long distance telephone plans, iChat, Skype, facetime, 
facebook, twitter and YouTube it's easy forego that moment.

I'm crossing the border for the zillionth time
I know the drill but a fresh perspective's mine
The girl beside me keeps her cool but radiates like the morning sun to 
a jewel

The idea flows that through the chaos is an underlying tone of things 
being just right
It's the saving grace of an almost sleepless night

I open the door to my closests
It's the most heightened casual
A special norm
A sweet crawler, not too far from just born

The past takes over and in an instant we are working
This time together
Better than ever

Puffballs and streamers
Wine glass stemmed pipe cleaners
A mic, a guitar
This reaches far

The music plays
Speeches made
We joke but today's your day

A laugh infectious
Courageous, boundless
Attention rivaling the best of artists

Our ode to you

Happy 60th Mom!

 

A Portuguese/ Canadian Thanksgiving

It's very easy these days to get caught up in the world you create for yourself. A world in which every now and then you come to believe is so important that one weekend apart from it might be to your detriment.

Robyn and I took a road trip to Brampton (Canada) last weekend to visit with the family. It's been twelve years now since I left home to pursue a life as a performer. As much success and excitement as it has brought me, I've also made sacrifices in some areas I hold very dear to me. Like family. Caught In the whirlwind of a life this actor thing has presented me, it just occurred to me last weekend that I hadn't been home (Brampton) for Canadian Thanksgiving in over a decade... Due to the heavy Portugueseyness of my family we actually had three thanksgiving dinners. The idea of this alone was the first thing I was thankful for.

Dinner # 1 was held on Sat, Oct. 9th at the Pinarreta residence in Toronto. Other than the food (which was amazing) we had a little tour of Tony's Cellar. We took in a little portuguese herrittage with his lesson in wine making. His home made grappa was just perfect.

Dinner # 2 was the following day at my fathers place. Maria once again cooked up a feast that for lack of a better explanation extends the boundaries of your previous body. It was also pretty awesome when we taught the family about shaky face that night. (Tony didn't do it but we'll get him next time)

Dinner # 3, Mon, Oct 11th, was at my pregnant sisters house for the Lopes side of the family (Moms side). I hadn't had my mothers Thanksgiving turkey in a very long time and I think it was even better than my very high expectations of it. Robyn ate so much food that let's just say, she wasn't feeling very well by the end of it... In wrapping up the eating session I guess a new tradition has started on this side of the family. A good old fashioned drum circle... You find out a lot about a person in a drum circle... 

During this trip I got to see my sister Tessa perform in Toronto's production of Rock Of Ages. Twice! The second time she was on for Sherrie (The female lead). When she made her entrance, it was all I could do from not breaking into a steady sob. When she tore through the song High Enough by Damn Yankees, I almost broke my seat. All I could think was "Wow! She's taking this one by the cajones!" She is quite a force with a genuine rock voice!

By our last night in Brampton both Robyn and I were so far away from the stresses of achieving our personal goals in New York that in some ways we were closer. That day we both randomly received some promising calls and opportunities that we usually work so hard for pounding the city pavement. Sometimes you've just gotta step back and live for a second. Take in the life around you and spend some time with the things and people you love. Live in the space of things you are thankful for and the world keeps on giving. This I was reminded of this Thanksgiving. 

6 Weeks of San Diego...

 

 

Day 1

I stand at the baggage claim and start to make eye contact with a few possible cast members. I give my nod and half smile to a few which is all I can muster without feeling like a total creep. I struggle with this every now and then… It’s a fine line. I did get started on the right foot however when to my pleasure I picked the right people to greet. We loaded our luggage into one car and rode in another provided by our company managers. Upon our arrival at the Park Manor Hotel, we discovered that most of our rooms would not be ready for a few hours. No problem, they were being very nice and how bad could it be? We were in San Diego. 1^st stop was a Trader Joes a few minutes away. This was a first for me in more ways than one. 1. Never been to a Trader Joes. Hehe. 2. Never attempted to shop with the goal of cooking every meal at home. I’m not going to deny the fact that I felt a little pressured considering I had no idea what the *%$ I was doing! It turns out I did pretty well as I started preparing meals that night and have been ever since. Cooking is something I’ve always had an interest in but have never really tackled till now. It’s been a real discovery for me. Really loving it.

 

Day 2 was our first day at work. We did a read through and learned a good amount of music. I realized from that day on we were in for a special time due to the people involved. I also realized that I was going to need some form of transportation other than my own 2 feet. I’ve been toying with the idea of purchasing a fold up bike for quite some time now so immediately after rehearsal I took a stroll to a local bike shop. I saw a black and grey Dahon with my name on it and bought it within a couple minutes. I got on the bike and was instantly brought back to the time when I lived on that little red BMX with the whole world in front of me. I’ve been riding that bike everyday, everywhere! I especially get some strange pleasure out of riding to the Ralph’s and doing my business. After I’ve raided the place of all their current deals, I load the groceries up and dash home on an improved road/ sidewalk rout! It’s the little things.

 

There are a few surfers in the cast and I have taken advantage of their almost daily trips to the water. I’ve tried surfing a few times in the last 2 years with not very much success. My buddy Alex (from Hawaii) took me out the first day and with a few pushes, got me up about 5 times! The next time we went out I tried tackling the ocean solo. Success! I can now officially call myself a surfer as I use Alex’s friend’s board who let me use one of his for the summer! He also lets us use his place for a little rinse after catching some waves as he lives right off Pacific Beach.  The feeling of waiting for a wave, turning around to paddle your ass of, and just as you feel it start to lift you spring up onto your 2 feet and are instantly on a ride with no other thought in your head other than the miracle you are standing in the middle of. It’s become a sort of church out here for me.

 

The show continues to be the icing on a cake so much richer than expected. Just started previews for audiences who seem to be into it! Very exciting to see what works… and what doesn’t!

 

Other than that, I’ve been writing a few new tunes that are coming along and just started on the first recordings I will be putting together for an album. Stay tuned for rough mixes!

 

   

Let's take a walk

I took a walk a couple of days ago that got me thinking. Thinking about where we are, where we want to be, and where we've been. Feeling very blessed with our current situation I decided to take a stroll with the wife and dogs through an old neighborhood. East Harlem!

Some momentous moments have taken place in the last 6 months like coming off tour, moving to the upper west side (a mile stone for Robyn and I), gigging in New York, and becoming a permanent resident. Even so, things have slowed down enough for us to be able to reflect on all that's gone on for us since moving into our first apartment together on 207th street (Inwood).  It was the first of many clear and decisive decisions we've made in the past 6 years. So many warm feelings of that apartment, neighborhood and time in general come to mind when thinking of our first go at making a home together. Minus the time I broke my jaw outside the local bar...

 Since then we've moved 3 times. Each new place brought on a whole new New York with new sets of pros and cons. Gotta say, every move has been so informative and helps us narrow in on our dream situation. 

 After our first place we decided to upgrade due to space issue and try out an "up and coming neighborhood" in East Harlem with lots of new young families moving in.  The apartment itself was awesome. 3 bedrooms, exposed brick, a little closer to work, and cheep! It was one of those things that wasn't meant to be. I guess for us "up and coming" meant a good old fashioned mugging for my wife and many an uneasy night with "references" I didn't know people still used. 

There were times we would come home late at night after a cocktail (or 7) to a pitch black building entrance. 3 glorious flights of stairs in the dark, unable to see our hands in front of our faces and hoping by the grace of God nobody was waiting for us in the stairwell. God did grace us with this about a half a dozen times. Oh, there was also the time when we came home once again late at night to a strange figure sadly crumpled in front of our stoop. I approached the figure, slowly so as not to startle it. We got all the way to the door (inches from the person) and paused briefly. I considered asking if they needed any help and then took the silence for the sad conclusion that they were probably on some trip and just wanted a building front to take it on. After all, I had recently discovered our new home was once the popular place for this stuff. I cautiously opened the door for m'lady, let her slip past our friend and followed her in only to glance back and see the door slowly but surely creeping back at me. Oh, oh. Our friend wanted in! My brand new black cowboy boots were christened that night when without hesitation I used them to kick the door shut like something out of a Cops episode. Our buddy then pops up, inches away from my face on the other side of the glass opening and protested with "HEY MAN!" Of course he had the most crossed eyes I have ever seen for extra effect! He wasn't happy but it was ok. We were safe inside our beautiful new apartment and he was outside...

 We decided not to be pioneers anymore and get out of that up and coming place, as it was getting us down!

 As fate would have it, Robyn met a broker/angel at a party. Stuart didn’t turn out to be just a great broker, he’s now a great friend. He rescued us from that situation and facilitated a move to an awesome skyrise condo building on 42nd street called the Atelier. The Atelier gave us the sense that the only way was up for us and it’s interesting how this became our reality. Got engaged there, then off on tour together, then married. We now live in an upper west side dream on West End Avenue.

 Couldn’t help but think of where we’ve been throughout this walk. In the beginning when we (happily) sat on our living room floor for 6 months because we couldn’t afford a couch, to now. We were curious to see how far our old place in East Harlem has come in our absence… What was extraordinary was to see how far we’ve come. Life is good!

 

Up for air

Just finished our run of Anyone Can Whistle last night and I'm breathing some fresher air this morning. Fresh air inspired by a special couple of weeks at the City Center in New York. Just a couple weeks before I was floating in an endless cycle of waiting for government approval. Well, I was approved in time to be a part of this great New York experience. Last time I worked here was with a Star studded cast of Follies. An experience I did not think could be matched. Well it was... To watch these Actors at the top of their field work together with as much passion for each other as they do for the material is an experience so invaluable for an actor such as myself. There really is no better way to learn than to sit in a room with such experience and creativity at work. When and where else do you get to literally spend days with the Great Stephen Sondheim? A Living legend. We were watching the show from stage right on Saturday. Side by side. Stephen and Clyde. I thanked him for the opportunity once again. He said... "You are very good in the show". Who knows exactly what he really meant by that but what I do know is, it was enough. 

Tanning Doggie Style

So, I've made it home! Green Card and all. It's taking me a bit to reacclimate to my life again but what I do know is it's pretty awesome! 

Just made my gig at The Cove Wed. night and it went very well. My new tunes felt really good! The time I've had with my music has taken me forward. The new show has been a pleasure to work on. Feels great to be cleaning out the system with some good old fashioned song and dance. Look forward to meeting the rest of the cast Tomorrow! 

This city fills me with a potent energy I've been missing and craving very much. To be here with my wife and dogs is something that just feels right. Around every corner and on the other side of each wall is a new bit of happiness to be discovered. One little moment that felt right was running into Sophie in the hallway of our apartment. Catching some rays doggie style!

P90X

Working out in front of the tv always seemed a little funny to me. I tried it today though with my bro in laws P90X! We did plyometrics Tony Horton style! I gotta say, this stuff is not for the weary. It is true that you get out what you put in but being a guy who's always up for a physical challenge, I did get to that red zone a few times. The deal is you do these DVD work outs, follow the schedule for 90 days and you are fit. I don't doubt this claim if you have the courage to stay the course. Workout was great but the added heavy breathing in such close proximity to my bro in law I was not ready for. I mean, you've gotta take that kind of thing into consideration when planning to workout in front of the tv with your buddy. Just my advice... Doing the abs tomorrow.