*It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

We’ve had two snowstorms already, the trees are covered with lights, the presents are being shared, chocolate and homemade cookies proliferate every corner of the home and office, and it’s time to take a look back at the past 12 months of craziness we’ll call 2003 in the future. This week’s column is the final for 2003 so let’s take a look back together.

Among the commercial highlights of the year were, literally, commercials: the paid television advertisements that were so annoying once they were overplayed, yet a few really struck my funny bone when they first began airing. The Sprint/PCS commercial with Little Richard in the bowling alley. “Who took that picture of Little Richard?” and that weird singing of his. I laughed every time that commercial came on.

Another favorite was the one for Walt Disney World that featured a little girl struggling to get into her Cinderella gown – in preparation, in turns out, for meeting the real Cinderella when she goes with her parents to Florida – who was told by her father “You look beautiful.” It was a sweet commercial.

There was also a commercial for Osteo Bi-Flex that featured Frankenstein, who, we learned, has been suffering all this time with painful joints. This was the commercial that began with black-and-white scenes of Frankenstein rising painfully from his bed, only to then be seen gardening, jogging, and even playing guitar and singing for a group of children.

And perhaps BEST in the television advertising department: Snapple’s television ad campaign of spring/summer, including “Bachelorette” (a commercial with dancing male bottles at a bar hosting a bachelorette party, complete with one male dancer in quite an outfit...) and its sequel, “Wedding” – with the groom’s boyfriend breaking up the ceremony.

(In a self-created subcategory, Snapple.com presented “outtakes” from the commercials, screen tests and other fun miscellanea.)

*In March, the safe return home of kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart was one of the best stories of the year.

Also in March: Proof-positive that as Americans we are allowed to say whatever we please about our President and while we may be persecuted in the media, we don’t have to fear federal punishment.

  While The Dixie Chicks were performing in London during the middle of the month, lead singer Natalie Maines told the band’s audience that she was “ashamed” of President Bush, reportedly saying “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.”

  Angry phone calls and emails to country stations across the US quickly urged radio programmers to boycott all music by the Chicks and two Dallas-based stations did just that. Country 92.5, based in Hartford, did not. Hooray.

  Maines may have made a gaffe on an international level, but she was correct in her apology that while her “comments were made in frustration ... one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view.” Bravo.

*In August, Dave Matthews Band played a fantastic concert in Central Park that was easily one of the best concerts of the year.

*On September 2, my nephew Cory started kindergarten, and his sister Danielle took the step into second grade. (I don’t know how my niece and nephew have aged this quickly because I certainly haven’t aged while they’ve around.)

*Two of my favorite films: Finding Nemo (and its recurring seagulls/“Mike! Mike! Mike!” joke, which kills me) and Freaky Friday.

*Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” is one of the year’s most overplayed songs, yes, but its probably the happiest-sounding songs about good love gone bad any of us may ever hear.

*And finally for this year, the MLB American League playoffs. My heart was broken in Game 7 but it was still a super series… even if I did have to watch from home while my friends Kristen and Sherri headed into the city and had nearly front row seats for Game 6!

Until next year I’ll be seeing you… on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141.

Shows listed at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING CONCERTS

DECEMBER 26 — The Colbys with special guest Jeff Pevar at Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues Café, Hartford; Close To Fate featuring Mike and Eddie at The Colorado Brewery, Danbury; Dr Mudd at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Strike The Colors, Parasprinter, Noisette, Dead As Dreams, et al, at The Empress Ballroom, Danbury (all ages); Darik & The Funbags at Toad’s Place, New Haven, Green Inside, Liplok and Sector 7G opening;

December 27 — Debbie Davies Band at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Jigsaw at The Colorado Brewery; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction; Last Dying Wish, Redefined, et al at The Empress Ballroom (all ages); Mighty Purple at Toad’s Place, Rigby (formerly Starside), Pencil Grass, Tuesday Night Jam Sessions, Renata and Lisgallhorn opening;

December 28 — Boys Night Out, For Dire Life Sake, et al at The Empress Ballroom (all ages);

December 29 — Locals Night at Toad’s Place featuring Doozer, Kennesaw, Treephort, Elvis McMan and The Halo Jump (all ages); Catch 22, Bigwig, Fallout Boy, Punchline, et al at The Webster Theatre, Hartford (all ages, doors open at 3);

December 31 — Hat City Blues Band at Ives Manor, Danbury (part of First Night Danbury celebrations); Psychedelic Breakfast at Toad’s Place (all ages); The Johnny Rawls Revue with The Nutmeg Horns at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Draught at The Colorado Brewery; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction; Red Chester, Treephort, I Voted For Kodos, et al at The Empress Ballroom (all ages).

JANUARY 3 — James Taylor at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; SideShow at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; The Slackers, Bubba’s Friend, Yes Please and Me & The Fat Kid at The Webster Theatre, Hartford;

January 7 — Sevendust and Ill Nino at The Webster Theatre (all ages);

January 9 — Hat City Blues Band at The Georgetown Saloon, Georgetown; Girlyman and We’re About 9 at Acoustic Café, Bridgeport; Postcards and Clickers at The Empress Ballroom, Danbury (all ages); Rock For Human Rights at The Webster Theatre featuring Early Flight Home, Alkatraz, Eve Of Destruction, The Marty Isenburg Trio, Current Flow, Another Day Wasted, and others TBA;

January 9-10 — B.B. King at Foxwoods’ Fox Theatre, Ledyard; Clarence Clemons’ Temple of Soul at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville;

January 10 — SideShow at The Thirsty Turtle, Stamford.