It's here! It's back! It's the latest and greatest in interpretations of Shakespeare plays--Shakespeare Santa Cruz!!
Okay, so it hasn't exactly just arrived. The festival commenced its 2008 season July 15, almost two weeks ago...but to me, this summer's season won't begin until my two favorite things in arts and entertainment intersect: my love of classical music and of all things Santa Cruz. Now technically "Bach at Leipzig," one of the four plays at SSC, illustrates said intersection--and it opened July 18. In my mind, however, the intersection won't be complete until Aug. 6, when a group of true Bach experts precedes the performance concerning the composer.
A little Bach-ground: "Bach at Leipzig" is a farce concerning a bunch of German organists who all have one thing in common: they desperately want to become organmaster at Thomaskirche in Leipzig, an esteemed position that could catapult any musician's career. They're willing to pull out all the stops--er, no pun intended--to get the gig. The play is set in 1722, during Bach's lifetime.
So what's different about the Aug. 6 show? It is preceded by a concert of pieces composed by the play's namesake. I think it was a fantastic idea to get the Palo Alto Players over the hill for this pre-show concert, because it will remain short (one can only listen to so much Bach before requiring some Romantic-era music to balance it out) and it will also give perspective to some of the struggles the characters face: the discord between religion and music (should composers sacrifice their potential for the money they make writing commissioned pieces for the Church?) and the question of how low one should stoop for a respected position before it isn't worth the antics anymore.
So. August 6, 6:30 p.m., mainstage theatre lobby. The concert is free; play tickets range from $12 to $40. Go to www.shakespearesantacruz.org.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Eine Kleine Summermusik
It may be because I've never lived in the SF Bay Area, but somehow the Midsummer Mozart Festival always escaped my notice. But not this time.
I've always wondered why there were so many Bach festivals around and never any annual celebrations of Mozart's greatness. I respect the genius of Bach, but between you and me, I've always liked listening to Mozart better. Imagine my delight, then, at finding out about such a Romantic-era indulgence as this one, and so close to home!
The Oakland Tribune made last week's concert at the lovely Santa Clara Mission sound pretty spectacular, and I'm sorry to have missed it. But there are still plenty of opportunities to catch the program, which includes a performance of the Prague Symphony (K. 504, one of my favorites), including at the Herbst Theatre in the city July 25 and at First Congregational Church in Berkeley July 27. Tickets range from $30 to $60--ouch. I guess that's a sacrifice I'll have to make to hear my beloved Amadeus.
Visit the festival's web site for more information.
I've always wondered why there were so many Bach festivals around and never any annual celebrations of Mozart's greatness. I respect the genius of Bach, but between you and me, I've always liked listening to Mozart better. Imagine my delight, then, at finding out about such a Romantic-era indulgence as this one, and so close to home!
The Oakland Tribune made last week's concert at the lovely Santa Clara Mission sound pretty spectacular, and I'm sorry to have missed it. But there are still plenty of opportunities to catch the program, which includes a performance of the Prague Symphony (K. 504, one of my favorites), including at the Herbst Theatre in the city July 25 and at First Congregational Church in Berkeley July 27. Tickets range from $30 to $60--ouch. I guess that's a sacrifice I'll have to make to hear my beloved Amadeus.
Visit the festival's web site for more information.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
What is art?
I forgot to mention it, but on the last page of last Friday's Datebook section in the San Francisco Chronicle was a series of letters readers wrote in response to a critic's take on the previously-blogged-about Dale Chihuly exhibit at the de Young. I'm glad the Chron published it, because I'm pretty sure it sparked hours-long debates in households bay-wide.
Here's the gist: the critic who reviewed the exhibit slammed Chihuly and the de Young for choosing to feature his work; in his opinion, the museum didn't choose to recognize the best modern art there is to see but rather the most colorful. He said art has to give the audience a message; it has to be intellectually stimulating and reflect on society or something equally intelligent and if it doesn't, it errs on the side of knick-knacks.
To me, this review shows we've lost sight of what art is and why it exists. Time and time again, we hear people applaud movies, music and works of art that show us something profound and/or hidden about our society. But what about stuff that just makes us feel good?
Art exists because it communicates things we can't communicate verbally, so if you can discuss art and conclude exactly what it means verbally, it's not great art. The best art is the kind that inexplicably stirs something inside us, that makes us feel something we can't explain. Claude Monet does that to some, and so does Vincent van Gogh, but neither of them were trying to send us a deeper message--they just wanted to paint the way they felt or saw. Why, then, do we call them artists and not Chihuly, who creates stirring feelings and scenes with glass-blown forms? Why do modern artists have to pack a lecture into a piece of art?
Answer: they don't. Chihuly's work is art because it makes people feel.
Here's the gist: the critic who reviewed the exhibit slammed Chihuly and the de Young for choosing to feature his work; in his opinion, the museum didn't choose to recognize the best modern art there is to see but rather the most colorful. He said art has to give the audience a message; it has to be intellectually stimulating and reflect on society or something equally intelligent and if it doesn't, it errs on the side of knick-knacks.
To me, this review shows we've lost sight of what art is and why it exists. Time and time again, we hear people applaud movies, music and works of art that show us something profound and/or hidden about our society. But what about stuff that just makes us feel good?
Art exists because it communicates things we can't communicate verbally, so if you can discuss art and conclude exactly what it means verbally, it's not great art. The best art is the kind that inexplicably stirs something inside us, that makes us feel something we can't explain. Claude Monet does that to some, and so does Vincent van Gogh, but neither of them were trying to send us a deeper message--they just wanted to paint the way they felt or saw. Why, then, do we call them artists and not Chihuly, who creates stirring feelings and scenes with glass-blown forms? Why do modern artists have to pack a lecture into a piece of art?
Answer: they don't. Chihuly's work is art because it makes people feel.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Nostalgia overflows at Cabrillo Stage
As I was driving through Seaside this morning, I saw a big truck parked on the side of the road that said "Jesus Christ is our savior, not a swear word". If you're a member of that camp (highly unlikely if you live on the Central Coast), you might enjoy Cabrillo Stage's main summer production, "Jesus Christ Superstar," which begins Friday night.
Personally, I've never been one to enjoy a glitz-and-glamor interpretation of stories or events that are in actuality very dark and serious. (I mean, how weird would it be to watch a slapstick comedy based on the plot of Les Miserables?) But if you like the liveliness of musicals no matter their plot line, go ahead, go see "Superstar," one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most successful musicals. (Other Webber concoctions include "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera".)
I will say this: no matter what production Cabrillo Stage puts on, it’s never bad. The plays usually star one or more Equity actors and draw other talented people from all over the country. If you’re into theater and you’ve never seen a Cabrillo Stage production, splurge on a good seat a few rows back from the orchestra pit and rest assured that your money will have been well spent.
Where: Cabrillo College Main Stage, 6500 Soquel Drive, in Aptos.
When: July 11 to Aug. 17. Sun. performances are at 3 p.m.; Wed-Sat. performances are at 8 p.m. Go to www.cabrillostage.com for the complete performance schedule.
Cost: Ticket prices range from $15 to $31, depending on seating and age. Call (831) 479-6154 to order tickets in advance.
Personally, I've never been one to enjoy a glitz-and-glamor interpretation of stories or events that are in actuality very dark and serious. (I mean, how weird would it be to watch a slapstick comedy based on the plot of Les Miserables?) But if you like the liveliness of musicals no matter their plot line, go ahead, go see "Superstar," one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most successful musicals. (Other Webber concoctions include "Cats" and "Phantom of the Opera".)
I will say this: no matter what production Cabrillo Stage puts on, it’s never bad. The plays usually star one or more Equity actors and draw other talented people from all over the country. If you’re into theater and you’ve never seen a Cabrillo Stage production, splurge on a good seat a few rows back from the orchestra pit and rest assured that your money will have been well spent.
Where: Cabrillo College Main Stage, 6500 Soquel Drive, in Aptos.
When: July 11 to Aug. 17. Sun. performances are at 3 p.m.; Wed-Sat. performances are at 8 p.m. Go to www.cabrillostage.com for the complete performance schedule.
Cost: Ticket prices range from $15 to $31, depending on seating and age. Call (831) 479-6154 to order tickets in advance.
Monday, July 7, 2008
DO NOT MISS Dale Chihuly @ the de Young
Do you hate modern art? Does the bustle of the city annoy the hell out of you? Think glassblowing is boring? I don't care.
It doesn't matter who you are, what you do or where you're from--as long as you like looking at colors, you're almost guaranteed to go weak at the knees when you see Dale Chihuly's glass masterpieces at the de Young museum in San Francisco. Whether you live in Big Sur or a block away from the place, the trip is well worth it.
No question about it, Dale Chihuly is the very definition of a modern artist--he has changed the medium of glassblowing forever with a unique twist that no other artist could possibly duplicate. He's nationally recognized, and like Monet, his works will probably go for $80 million a pop in 200 years.
Also like Monet, Chihuly is best known for his nature-inspired creations: flowers, shells, vines. But something unusual about his plants and animals is their eye-popping colors, which aren't quite so vivid in nature. With the right light, the colors and the shapes are the only thing the eye can focus on; everyhing else dulls in comparison. (At least, that's how it felt when I saw some of his work on the Bridge of Glass and inside Union Station in Tacoma, the artist's birthplace.)
Go see this crazy-famous genius' best work at the de Young, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive in San Francisco, before it all goes away on Sept. 28. Art appreciators are coming in droves, I hear, so it's advised you book tickets in advance at www.chihulyatthedeyoung.org so that you don't get turned away.
It doesn't matter who you are, what you do or where you're from--as long as you like looking at colors, you're almost guaranteed to go weak at the knees when you see Dale Chihuly's glass masterpieces at the de Young museum in San Francisco. Whether you live in Big Sur or a block away from the place, the trip is well worth it.
No question about it, Dale Chihuly is the very definition of a modern artist--he has changed the medium of glassblowing forever with a unique twist that no other artist could possibly duplicate. He's nationally recognized, and like Monet, his works will probably go for $80 million a pop in 200 years.
Also like Monet, Chihuly is best known for his nature-inspired creations: flowers, shells, vines. But something unusual about his plants and animals is their eye-popping colors, which aren't quite so vivid in nature. With the right light, the colors and the shapes are the only thing the eye can focus on; everyhing else dulls in comparison. (At least, that's how it felt when I saw some of his work on the Bridge of Glass and inside Union Station in Tacoma, the artist's birthplace.)
Go see this crazy-famous genius' best work at the de Young, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive in San Francisco, before it all goes away on Sept. 28. Art appreciators are coming in droves, I hear, so it's advised you book tickets in advance at www.chihulyatthedeyoung.org so that you don't get turned away.
Freaky Films
If you're afraid of marshmallows like my roommate at school, or if you fear the entirety of the 1980s like me, you probably believe "Ghostbusters" is truly a horror movie. The majority of the population, however, will probably rejoice at the fact that Carmels "Films in the Forest" series picked this crazy comedy to show Wednesday night. But if you're also part of said majority and you're not in the mood for laughing or spending money, the Monterey Public Library is probably more your scene Wednesday--there, they'll be showing the very real horror that is "Jesus Camp," a documentary about evangelicals in North Dakota. However, attend either at your own peril: one might bring back too many memories of bad synthesizer dumbeats, and the other may have you packing your bags for Canada or Mexico.
Where: Films in the Forest is at the Outdoor Forest Theater, where Santa Rita St. meets Mountain View Ave., in Carmel; "Jesus Camp" is at the Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., in Monterey.
When: "Ghostbusters" is at 8:30 p.m.; "Jesus Camp" is at 6:45 p.m.
Cost: "Ghostbusters" is $6; "Jesus Camp" is free.
Where: Films in the Forest is at the Outdoor Forest Theater, where Santa Rita St. meets Mountain View Ave., in Carmel; "Jesus Camp" is at the Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., in Monterey.
When: "Ghostbusters" is at 8:30 p.m.; "Jesus Camp" is at 6:45 p.m.
Cost: "Ghostbusters" is $6; "Jesus Camp" is free.
Forget Black Beauty. THESE are the cool horses.
Unless you went to Watsonville to celebrate Independence Day this year, you've probably never seen any hooved professional dancers. But trust me, they exist: at the Monterey Fairgrounds, a troupe of stallions perform what has been called "equestrian ballet" with awe-inspiring synchronization and rhythmic integrity. They're better at dancing than I can ever hope to be--not that that's saying much. Just a word of warning: don't think too hard about the methods their trainers use to teach them the steps; it's probably not something animal rights activists like to mull over.
Where: Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd., Monterey.
When: 7:30 p.m. July 8 and 9.
Cost: $23 to $30. Call (831) 372-5823 to pay or inquire.
Where: Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd., Monterey.
When: 7:30 p.m. July 8 and 9.
Cost: $23 to $30. Call (831) 372-5823 to pay or inquire.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A Taste of Scotland...without the kippers.
Tartan kilts. Bagpipes. Weird accents. You know you love it.
OK, the Celtic culture isn't everyone's cup of single-malt whiskey, but places in the Central Coast--most notably Santa Cruz--have a big Celtic following. If you're one of those people who just can't get enough of Scottish culture and wool skirts, head on down to Stevenson School in Pebble Beach tomorrow night at 7 for some authentic bagpipe and drum playing accompanied by traditional riverdance. Right, lads!
Where: Robert Louis Stevenson School, 3152 Forest Lake Rd., Pebble Beach.
When: 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
OK, the Celtic culture isn't everyone's cup of single-malt whiskey, but places in the Central Coast--most notably Santa Cruz--have a big Celtic following. If you're one of those people who just can't get enough of Scottish culture and wool skirts, head on down to Stevenson School in Pebble Beach tomorrow night at 7 for some authentic bagpipe and drum playing accompanied by traditional riverdance. Right, lads!
Where: Robert Louis Stevenson School, 3152 Forest Lake Rd., Pebble Beach.
When: 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
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