Sometimes I get to relive my glory days through the sounds of the music I grew up with (now considered “classic” rock) and watch the transformation of slouching, indifferent teens into rock stars. This weekend was one of those times.

Our daughter has been part of the Commercial Recording Arts or CRAD (now known as Music, Media and Entertainment Technology) (MMET)Department of the Academy of Performing Arts (APA) during her four years of high school. APA is a magnet program of Huntington Beach Union High School District, students must live in the school district and audition for inclusion in the department of their choice. Besides CRAD, which of course is the coolest department because it’s rock n’ roll , there is Theater, Musical Theatre, Dance, Orchestral Music, and Technical Theatre. Learn more about APA here.  Auditions are being scheduled now, in case you have a child who loves drama, music, shooting movies, or wants to learn about entertainment technology.

An exhibit of Fernando Botero’s paintings and sculptures opened on Saturday at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.  If you’re not familiar with this artist, he was born in Columbia and is considered Latin America’s most famous and beloved artist.  A painter, sculptor, and draftsman; he is renowned for his extravagantly rounded, and robust forms that are recognizable around the world.  Watching the video, “The Rebel“,  at the exhibit offers valuable insight into how he arrived at his unique style of “voluminous” portrayal of political figures, interpretations of paintings of the Italian and French masters, as well as depictions of everyday life in Medillin. 

Don and I saw; no, not just saw – experienced, the Moody Blues last night at the Orange County Fair. I don’t want to say it was awesome because that’s such an overused superlative and lacks the impact that hearing their unique symphonic rock, psychedelic sound had on the collective audience. Ah, the audience – filled with fellow graduates of the 60’s and 70’s, it certainly is a grim reminder of how much we’ve aged, but it can serve as a scorecard for ones attributes as you take note of the shiny pates, very wide posteriors, middle-aged paunch, misguided attempts at looking young and “what not to wear” attire. Regardless, we became one in our fervent adulation of the glorious sound emanating from the stage, lost in solitary memories triggered by long-forgotten lyrics, “I’m just a wandering on the face of this earth, meeting so many people who are trying to be free…”

Chloe and I saw “Grease the Musical” at the Orange County Performing Artscenter last night. It was fun, vibrant, and nostalgic. what’s not to like? Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel received top- billing for what is really a minor part, but as an American Idol winner (2006) he is definitely box office draw and was perfectly cast. Hicks reportedly helped design his outfit, a midnight blue Elvis number studded with rhinestones, and he added a few horn lines to Teen Angel’s sole number, “Beauty School Dropout.” He also performed one of his new singles, “What’s Right is Right”, after the cast took their bows. Hicks’ self promotion aside, this is a thoroughly enjoyable bit of escapism especially for those of us who loved the 1978 movie with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. For more read Paul Hodgins review in the Orange County Register.

Don and I saw; no, not just saw – experienced, the Moody Blues last night at the Orange County Fair. I don’t want to say it was awesome because that’s such an overused superlative and lacks the impact that hearing their unique symphonic rock, psychedelic sound had on the collective audience. Ah, the audience – filled with fellow graduates of the 60’s and 70’s, it certainly is a grim reminder of how much we’ve aged, but it can serve as a scorecard for ones attributes as you take note of the shiny pates, very wide posteriors, middle-aged paunch, misguided attempts at looking young and “what not to wear” attire. Regardless, we become one in our fervent adulation of the glorious sound emanating from the stage, lost in solitary memories triggered by long-forgotten lyrics, “I know you’re out there somewhere..”