Sunday, October 12, 2008

Aiken, Fans Celebrate Inclusion


MAKING A DIFFERENCE -- Clay Aiken and hundereds of his fans will gather in Raleigh Oct. 18 for The Bubel/Aiken Foundation's 2008 Champions of Change Gala. Graphic by cindilu2.

Champions of Change Gala

Aiken, Fans Celebrate Inclusion

The place to be next weekend is Raleigh, NC, as hundreds of Clay Aiken fans gather to celebrate the inclusion of people of all abilities at The Bubel/Aiken Foundation's 2008 Champions of Change Gala on Saturday, Oct. 18.

The 5th annual
TBAF Gala at the Raleigh Marriott City Center will include dinner, silent/live auctions, and a program that will recognize this year's Champions of Change honorees and feature a special performance by Clay.

The evening will promote awareness of the benefits of inclusion and support The Bubel/Aiken Foundation’s programs which give children with disabilities the opportunity to experience life with their typical peers.

TBAF 2008 Champions of Change honorees include CVS Caremark, Dan Habib and Betsy McNamara, and Rich Donovan. Their contributions to inclusion are outlined at the Foundation's website.

Auction items, as well as guidelines for
online bidding, are previewed at this TBAF link.

Montage Accents Stage Door Meets

Because of the gala, Clay's understudy will handle Spamalot performances Oct. 18-19. Otherwise, huge crowds of longtime and new fans continue meeting the singer in Shubert Alley for autograph sessions following each show's final curtain.

What could be better than the late Eva Cassidy singing "Songbird" with video of these stage door gatherings? Here is a special
stage door montage by LovesClaysVoice:



Songbird by LovesClaysVoice

WIDTL Leads Top 11 Countdown

"Where I Draw the Line" is currently the #1 video in the
AOL Top 11 Countdown. Streaming the five On My Way Here Sessions performances is still in vogue with many Clay fans. If you would like to join, begin with Ashes and continue through "Everything I Don't Need," "WIDTL," "OMWH, and "Something About Us."

Don't forget the Q&A portion, one of which has been featured on AOL's front page and is on the video countdown, too. Check out
What is the difference between performing theatrically as opposed to performing in concert?

On My Way Here is the second most played song at AOL Music.

Kai Trains for Bottle Dance

In the Carolina and OFC blogs, my one-year-old grandson's "fan mail" has been running neck in neck with Clay's comments. We aim to please, so this section is for Kai's fans. Spoken like a grandmother, right?

As CA supporters know, one of the most strenuous aspects of Sir Robin's Spamalot role comes in the famous "Bottle Dance" scene.


Animation by ClaytonAikenFan86

Grandson Kai celebrated his first birthday on Sept. 17, and one of his favorite gifts was a LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table sent to him by his "fairy godmother" Sally.

Although his practice threads are a bit skimpy, Kai has been working on his own dance steps and just might be ready to sub for Sir Robin soon.


Kai's Bottle Dance Routine

For now, a birthday hat and snazzy red trousers make up his Bottle Dance wardrobe.

As shown in these clickables, Kai is still full of mischief, mugging for the birthday camera and climbing up on the dishwasher door to help his mother put up the dishes. LOL, so he says!

Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!

Caro

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12 comments:

Ashes said...

Oh goodie! two of my very favourite guys on your page today!

Clay with his mix of Spam & BAF..what a guy :) I looked at both pages of Gala auction things, of course there are Clay things that made me drool, like the JBT jacket & the signed CD collection. The other items are most enticing too. If only I had a mattress stuffed full of money, LOL.

Kai! What a sweetheart, he sure is a natural born ham, and little imp by the looks of it.

Thanks for another great and entertaining entry.

SueReu said...

Kai is TOO CUTE!!!!

Can't wait for the gala!!! I'm not able to attend, but SO looking forward to hearing all about it!!!!

Anonymous said...

Great blog Caro! Kai is adorable! Thanks for including my montage. I can't wait to hear all about the gala!!!!

Unknown said...

Oh how I wish I were rich and could afford some of the stuff at the auction.

I look forward to seeing the honorees and hearing Clay Aiken sing to us again.

Kai is adorable. I've only known one other child named Kai and he is a sweet intelligent child.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful Blog Caro as usual!!

Wish I could go to the Gala, as I'm sure it will be a great success!

and Kai is so very cute!

Deona said...

You write the best blogs. And Kai is adorable!

Unknown said...

Kai's outfit looks like "Bottledance" gear! LOL!
The table is pretty noisy, I wonder if momma and grandaddy will ever speak to me again; it would drive me crazy!

I've never attended a BAF auction, & I remain grateful to other fans for the reports and pics.

Thanks for another awesome blog.

Anonymous said...

Looks like Clay will have some competition for 'dressin' up and dancin' in the near future! What a cutie Kai is. The guy in the lead story isn't bad either!

Great blog, Caro!!

Truth Rules said...

Another great blog.

Kai is adorable.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Caro, Kai, is SO ADORABLE!!! So glad to see him back in your blogs....I do think Clay will have some competition, when it comes to dancing!!

Thanks for all the Gala info....now I'm off to check out the links.

Have a great week!

Hugs,
Marlyne

Anonymous said...

Hi Caro,
My sister was visiting for a week from New Brunswick and I am so far behind!

Just a few words until I get caught up...beautiful video, beautiful pictures and as usual a wonderful blog. I always know where to come to get caught up.

What a sweetheart Kai is! His red pants cracked me right up!

I love the love that Clay is getting at the stage door and can hardly wait for the big Gala this weekend and to hear his wonderful voice once again!

Have a great week and one more thing...thank you so much for the beautiful Thanksgiving card!

Hugs,
Sandy

Aspiegirl44 said...

Hi Caro. Love Lil Kai's bottle dance. He is so cute. I saved the pictures for his next feature film. :)

I am looking forward to hearing how the Gala goes and hope those who go have a great time. Love the video to Songbird. There are many pictures in the montage I have not seen before. She did a wonderful job.

Hope you are well and I miss you bunches. (((HUGS))) Kathy