by Christina Waters | Jun 1, 2010 | Art |
Yes, the opera by Donizetti — sung by skilled young stars of the UCSC Opera program. I saw the dress rehearsal last night and was blown away by the gorgeous voices, polished stage direction (thanks to Brian Staufenbiel) and sheer charm of this Italian meringue of an opera.
And only two hours long. This is not Wagner, it’s Donizetti. And the tale of snake oil (the elixir of the title) and the gullible lovers who consume it, never gets old.
Easily the most delightful time (more…)
by Christina Waters | May 29, 2010 | Art |
A visit to Carmel is always a good idea. Make sure you drive down by June 13, so you can catch the gorgeous exhibit of new large-scale multimedia work by Miriam Hitchcock at the Carl Cherry Center. Her new show, wittily entitled Suburban Tempest, shows Hitchcock stretching even further in her visual inquiry of restless loss and personal metaphysics.
The new works are the most ambitious of Hitchcock’s recent creations, loaded with visual surprise, mastery of unexpected materials and perfumed by a sophisticated meloncholy. Don’t miss a stop to the beautiful arts and crafts landmark, the perfect setting for Hitchcock’s work. Through June 13.
by Christina Waters | May 24, 2010 | Art, Home |
Dirty Dozen: Amy Boewer, one of the twelve Irwin Scholars for 2010, puts the finishing touches on her military industrial altar site in time for the exhibition opening and reception, this Thursday May 27 at 5pm.
Filling the gallery’s three studios with innovative (don’t miss Carrie Ferguson‘s high-tech hygiene installation) and haunting (Cahill Wessel’s anime-meets-graffiti illustrations) artworks, the show includes pieces by Rosie Chesney, Calen Barca Hall, Nathan Dickersin-Prokopp, Leonel Diaz, JJ Campanaro, Kenny Srivijittakar, Bridget Ho, Laurel Maha and Martha Rodriguez.
Come see what the new wave looks like; reception and awards ceremony, May 27. The show runs through June 12 at the Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery, Porter College, UCSC.
by Christina Waters | May 13, 2010 | Art |
Destined to be THE major event of the outdoor food, wine and music season, this Sunday, May 16 2:30-5:30pm, the gala New Music Works Garden tour and musicale unfurls at the gorgeous garden estate of Sam and Terry Wright.
You will savor flowers and music, while tasting wines and finger food from Salamandre, Windy Oaks, Alfaro, Silver Mountain, Storrs, Avanti, Gabriella, Ma Maison and cooking queen Mimi Snowden.
You’re wondering about the frog. (more…)
by Christina Waters | May 4, 2010 | Art |
Join music lovers and amphibiophiles Sunday afternoon, May 16, from 2:30 to 5:30
at the17-acre Mt. Madonna estate of Sam and Terry Wright for a gala New Music Works al fresco concert. Among the highlights will be NMW founder Philip Collins’
Frog Requiem, a piece for 11 instruments, soprano and narrator, dedicated to
those frog species which have succumbed to extinction in recent years.Â
 The benefit concert—performed in a bona fide frog pond—will be preceded by a tasting of wines and hors d’oeuvres from top restaurants and winemakers , combined with a tour of the Wrights’ English garden. A donation of $100 per person is requested, 100% of which will go to support the New Music Works non-profit founded by Collins 31 years ago. Tickets may be reserved by calling Barbara Burkhart at 335-1429.
 Composer Collins was moved to write (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 27, 2010 | Art, Home |
The Nikolaihoff Grüner Veltliner now on the chalkboard at Avanti is one of those stunning Austrian varietals that gives white wine a good name.
Light and loaded with flint and chalk, this light alcohol beauty also packs tones of jasmine and nectarine into to its ultra-dry mix.
While sampling this goes-with-anything varietal I learned that Katy Cater has a new show of atmospheric black and white photographs at Riva on the wharf. Another reason to hit the waves.
