Delores shows the Tracy-Tip-Toe-Through-The-Tulips Ballet Company a few moves as they prepare for a special mother's day performance.

May 13, Tracy, MN

Delores Syverson decided it was time to add some culture to the Hard Times Farms School of Music.  She'd about had it with all the Tuba Solos and Spike Jones Studies.  So  this past January, she talked to Hard Times Farms Crisis Management Specialist and Music School Dean, Roy Syverson, about bringing in a special Ballet Program for her Mother's Day present.

At first, Roy wasn't sure that was such a good idea, he was hoping to give her a set of wrenches and a bag of bolts (as is his usual custom), but he eventually gave in to the idea.  So Delores formed the Tracy Tip-toe-through-the-tulips Ballet Company  to perform her original work: "Swine Lake". 

"Swine Lake" is a beautiful ballet set in a feed lot next to an old barn.  The main characters are dressed up as pigs, of course, except for the lead character, Harriet the Hog Caller, who is dressed in overalls and Rubber boots and an old Pioneer Seed Cap.  The plot of Swine Lake  is somewhat reminiscent of Charlotte's Web with a touch of the classic pig blockbuster "Babe"....it's a real tear-jerker. 

The performance will be held in the old block barn where they used to raise hogs... if Roy is able to find a place to move all of his tool benches.  They feel that the authentic "hog odor" which still penetrates the nostrils when entering the old barn, would only add to the "Swine Lake" ballet experience. 

Delores held try-outs for the ballet and was planning just to direct the crazy thing.  But when people saw her moves (see picture above), they insisted that she play the part of Harriet the Hog Caller.  They were also very impressed by the way she said "suuuuu-eeeee" (a very important qualification for the part).

The Tracy Headlight Herald reports that this event may be the all time greatest cultural event in the history of Tracy, MN (with the possible exception of the performance of The Man Who Came To Dinner back in 1980 or so).

She has so enjoyed the directing experience that she is now planning to bring a new major to Hard Times School of Music, "Ballet Studies".  Roy is allowing the major, but is very concerned that it could take away students from the three most popular majors: "Spike Jones Studies", "Weird Al Studies" and "Gregorian Chant for Tuba". 

Other future plans for the ballet company include a world wide tour.  Delores is excited to take the company on the road to bring "Swine Lake" to greener pastures. 

By the way, Happy Mother's Day, MOM!

After the Election:  Whatever Happened to Jefferson and O'Brian?
Jefferson and O'Brian After the Election

Las Vegas, May 12, 2001

After conceding the hard fought election, Jefferson and O'Brian have left the political arena for more familiar territory: the have taken their comedy routine on the road.  Currently playing in Las Vegas at the Liberace Museum, they have taken their political speeches and transformed them into a new comedy routine that has audiences in stitches everywhere they go.  "After a few days of reflection after the election and our disappointment in not winning the election (despite our best attempts to tamper with ballots), it hit us, politics is a big joke", said Jefferson.  O'Brian added, "Then we got to thinkin', maybe we could just take our speeches and turn them into a comedy routine. And sure enough, we had enough material for years of good comedy routines."

Currently the former presidential contenders are playing before packed audiences at the local Liberace Museum and Theater. "We are so excited to be playing in such a "classy" place." says O'Brian. Jefferson added: "We always enjoyed playing with Liberace back in the days when we had those "Sing along with Liberace" benefit concerts for the Depends for the Dependent  Foundation.  But after Metzenbaum retired from the senate, there just hasn't been anyone to keep the need in front of the people and the whole thing just kinda lost it's steam."

"We're enjoying the comedy circuit, But don't worry", says O'Brian, "we are gearing up for another run for the White House...Oh wait, that sounds like exercise... maybe we'll have to reconsider that.... well, I mean to say that we haven't ruled out running again in 2004."
 

For Those who may have forgotten the annual event.  Here's an earlier story (courtesy of the Jefferson and O'Brian Alternate Reality Webpage).
 

Here we have Jefferson, O'Brian and Wheezer at the annual "Sing-Along with Liberace". The event is for charity, raising donations for the "Depends for the Dependent" foundation. A charity that Liberace himself, is rumored to have founded. Each year, thousands of cases of Depends are contributed and distributed to the needy, mostly to the Howard Metzenbaum Home for the Mentally Insane.  Yes, a grand time was had by all. Jefferson & O'Brian sang most of their favorite Dew-Head songs while Liberace tinkled on the ivories.

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