by Christina Waters | Apr 25, 2013 | Home |
Is it just me? or do you find it irritatingly smarmy when salesfolk at local import stores greet you at the door, shove a basket into your hands and invite you to “Enjoy!” Do I look like a Kardasian? Shopping is probably an adventure sport for some, but I just wanted to come in and see if the store had any more of those square dinner plates I love. “Enjoy?”
The takeaway for me was that I was being aggressively nudged into spending money. No one today—well maybe with the exception of Richard Brandson or Gwyneth Paltrow— “enjoys” parting with their money.
Okay, if you can’t relate to that, try this:
Last month I had a wonderful, accomplished, (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 25, 2013 | Home |
The glistening tension of cascading diminished fifths, augmented fourths, and other ways of saying “tritone” will fill two halls this weekend as the combined vocal expertise of four choral groups takes on Benjamin Britten‘s challenging War Requiem.
Rarely performed, this ambitious collaboration of the Monterey Chamber Orchestra, the Cabrillo Symphonic Chorus, Cantiamo!, Cabrillo Chorale, and the Cabrillo Youth Chorus—one hundred+ voices—performs a piece Britten composed to honor the re-dedication of England’s Coventry Cathedral. Heavily bombed during WWII, the cathedral became a symbol of spiritual hope against all odds. Britten, one of the masters of modern symphonic composition, used poems by World War I pacifist Wilfred Owen set to key moments of the traditional requiem mass.
In this masterwork, war and peace drive the words and music of loss, despair, hope, and ultimately consolation.
It is a thundering, whispering, utterly difficult and gorgeous piece of music—and under the guiding genius of Cabrillo’s Cheryl Anderson, the choirs are up to the challenge. All you have to do is show up and be moved to tears. Tenor Jake Williams and soprano Tanya Harris are among the soloists sure to create lasting impressions.
The War Requiem by Benjamin Britten – under the direction of John Anderson – Saturday April 27 8pm at the Sunset Center in Carmel; Sunday April 28 7pm at the Crocker Theater, Cabrillo College in Aptos.
Cabrillo College Box Office — 831.479-6154.
by Christina Waters | Apr 15, 2013 | Home |
Mt. Lassen trout on a bean ragout—even better than it looks.
Avanti for lunch. A delicious idea.
by Christina Waters | Apr 10, 2013 | Food |
The Dinner Parties: Art & Agriculture, is the title of a new collaborative exhibition about to unfold at the Sesnon Gallery, at 5pm today, April 10.
The opening reception—replete with gorgeously prepared foods—for this intriguing interweaving of cuisine, ideas, and documentation begins at 5pm today, and the displays featuring social vignettes, dining strategies and agricultural communities will remain on exhibit through May 11.
The adventures of Jim Denevan, founder of “Outstanding in the Field,” Chez Panisse chef Jerome Waag, and SF-based artist Chris Sollars will be documented, as well as works by EG Crichton and Susan Working, Chelsea Wills and Leif Hendendal.
Admission is free! but best make plans early—the parking lot at Porter College will fill up fast! Be at the Sesnon @ 5pm today.
by Christina Waters | Apr 10, 2013 | Home |
 Valdo Prosecco – two words worth remembering. A dry, fragrant bubbly that Rita Bottoms first tasted in Venice, fell in love with, and asked her wine merchant at Shoppers Corner to stock. Having done this, Bottoms provided the sparkling beverage at the book soirée held on Ingalls Street for a new book celebrating paintings by Tom Bottoms and words by Rita.
Festive to the max, the charming event spilled forth on the patio of host emporium, La Sirena—loaded with gorgeous antiques, jewelery, and humans all gathered to give thanks for Venice (the title of the new book, published by Cafe Margo, and priced @ $20), the Bottoms duo, and old friends among Santa Cruz literati who lingered long over good conversation and the highly drinkable Valdo Prosecco. Eleven dollars and change. Can your prosecco do that?
