Ten things I experienced being a “stage mom” for daughter Phoebe, who performed for the Indianapolis Circle of Lights before a live crowd of thousands. Phoebe, along with four extremely talented Anderson University student-musicians, made up the Celebration Worship Band.
No. 10. Although I didn’t actually count them, I learned there are 52 strands of 4,784 light bulbs are making up the Circle of Lights around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.
No. 9. The genetic makeup of Hommel Mangas hair is not conducive to holding curl for 10 hours outside no matter how much hairspray is involved.
No. 8. It’s faster to pack and carry a full drum set a block and a half to the parking garage, rather than wait out a festive and enthusiastic crowd of nearly 100,000 people to pull your car up close.
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No. 7. A 1:30 sound check with a live show at 7 actually seems like 30 minutes.
No. 6. A mom can train her 20-year-old college daughter to prepare for minor emergencies — like bring two pair of tights in case one gets a run or hole — but a tiger mom will still fight downtown Black Friday shoppers to find a pair of replacement tights when her daughter admits on stage during early rehearsals over the microphone: “Mom you were right, I should have brought an extra pair — these are ripped.”
No. 5. Johnson County people are the best. Thanks to Adam Trotter, the worship pastor at Stones Crossing Church, for taking his precious time and allowing the Celebration Worship Band to pre-practice at 11 a.m. before heading to rehearsals at the Circle of Lights.
No. 4. While my youngest daughter Phoebe was being extraordinary on stage, my eldest daughter Alex was quietly being extraordinary backstage for Victory Sun PR, as she had done for the past five years. The first two years, she worked as an intern with Indy Downtown. This year she was most proud that although she encourages everyone to audition, not one person knew that Phoebe was her sister until after the final five acts were chosen by the judges.
No. 3. When one of the performers is on stage, the four other groups sing along in the tented backstage. Alex Mangas said, “If you hear loud cheering from the tent, it’s because all the artists are congratulating the act that just walked off-stage into the tent after their performance.”
No. 2. After their afternoon rehearsal on the outdoor stage in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, all five Circle of Lights acts and WTHR-13’s Chuck Lofton, who was the live TV emcee, circled up and prayed together after their afternoon rehearsal.
No. 1. You can still watch all the performances from WTHR-13: “Circle of Lights: Celebration Worship — YouTube.” But puh-lease watch it without your “mom-eyes” which will notice that I did not iron Phoebe’s red coat one more time — ughh, those wrinkles.
I am attending downtown Franklin’s Holiday Lighting today and look forward to checking out the Live Nativity at the byTavi Boutique from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the lighted holiday parade at 5:30. You may not really notice me. I’ll be the mom taking in all the festivities and looking totally relaxed.
Janet Hommel Mangas grew up on the east side of Greenwood. The Center Grove area resident and her husband are the parents of three daughters. Send comments to [email protected].
