The Theater with Elder Nelson

Monday evening, all the seniors went with the Nelson's and Hallstrom's to a little Mongolian theater nearby (you can see Elder Nelson and Elder Hallstrom in the fourth picture down). It looks as if it has been around for a long time! It is really quite a fun little place. And we really enjoyed the show. Many forms of Mongolian music and entertainment were presented and it was really educational as well as entertaining.

The first number was really interesting. By way of background, there are a lot of people who feel that the Mongolians are descendant from Lamanites who came across many years ago on a ice bridge at the far end of Alaska. One of our Elders is a Lamanite from America and he felt certain he was teaching his own people. And, indeed, he was usually mistaken as a Mongolian. Well, the first number in the show was a old Mongolian traditional song. And as I sat there, it sounded very much to me like an old Cherokee chant. It would be easy to make that kind of connection.

The Mongolians have also developed a somewhat unique and amazing talent of using their throats to make sounds like an musical instrument might. I have included a video of a young man demonstrating that talent. It is really something. If you listen carefully, you can hear the rather constant sound of the Morin Khuur (the string instrument). All of the rest of the sounds are made in his throat.

There were also singers, dancers, a contortionist, and actors. We'll show more pictures -- when we return in 2010!

All in all, it was a most enjoyable evening.