THE YEAR I WAS GIFTED ~ REVIEW

I was able to attend Monica Bauer's much anticipated one man show "The Year I was Gifted" written, produced and performed by Monica Bauer.  After meeting and speaking with her on Wednesday during my one on one meeting with Monica I was impressed by her kindness and wit.

I eagerly anticipated Saturday when I could finally see her show.  I was joined by 15 or 20 people and we sat with rapt attention as she began her show.  I can only say how deeply personal and touching it was to hear of how she managed to "escape" Nebraska to make her way to the Interlochen Arts Academy.  It was a wonderful story about life, friends, family and choices.

I laughed at the funny parts, loved the determination and FELT a great deal.  Words cannot describe the range of emotions which coursed through me during the show.  I am not sure if another performer would have the magnitude of power which Monica expressed sharing this deeply personal story of her time at the school and her life saving friendship with Bill Sherwood and her gay/straight love affair with him.

I was just a small child in the 60's when Monica was living through her Year.  Times were different and the views on Homosexuality were much harsher than they are now.  Monica's exposure to homosexuality and the unfair expulsion of boys for kissing other boys (in an Art school) was a turning point in her life.  

At the young age of 15/16 I don't know if many young ladies would have made the stand that she did during these times,  which turned out to be a major turning point in her life.  I am pleased with her show and look forward to her writing workshop on August 3, 2014 after her performance at the Whitney Center for the Arts from 3:30 ~ 5:30 with free admission to attendees of her show or $15.00 if you haven't seen the show.

Monica currently a Writing Fellow at Quinnipiac University and has a long list of Awards, Productions, Plays and Publications to her credit.  She also does Conferences and Workshops on top of being an International success.

For more in depth detail about Monica and her life and writings feel free to check out her site at 

http://www.monicabauer.com/index.html

OPERA NIGHT AT THE WHITNEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

On Friday evening I was invited to attend my first Opera Notte at the Whit.  I was excited to
be attending and eager to see what a night of Opera would be like.  I am a fan of many
styles of music and enjoy Classical and Opera although I am not educated and
knowledgeable about composers, songs and such, I got a bit of an education that
evening, along with  wonderful memories!

I walked into the Whitney Center of the Arts which I am used to going to Art Shows and
Receptions in the recently converted Women's Club.  A project co-created by Lisa
Whitney and Ghazi Kazmi with a main Gallery and a smaller Colt Gallery with an office or
two thrown in upstairs, which was transformed that evening into a nice little Cafe with
round tables set up, the piano pulled out into the room  and people getting settled in with
their wine and munchies awaiting the performance.

The building in itself is charming and beautiful and with the hustle and bustle of activity
and people it felt very comfortable and welcoming.  The crowd was there and I was seated
with two people I didn't know and the wonderful Rudy Sacco ~ so I felt I was in excellent
company for a wonderful night!

They have a nice little menu which was on the table with food and beverages ranging from
an Italian Specialty Plate, Mediterranean Platter, Chips and Salsa and even a dessert of the
day and Coffee, Tea(s), Cava and White and Red Wines by the glass or bottle depending
upon your needs and a selection of Domestic and Imported Beers and a non Alcoholic
beer as well as Perrier and various Soft Drinks.

The servers flitted around getting the crowd set before the performance.  The wine flowed
and the conversations were plentiful as we all waited for the show to begin.  Lillian Strums
Collection was adorning the walls and the lady herself was also in the house!!!

 
We were treated to a wonderful and eye opening performance by Amber Naramore, Kara
Demler, John Demler, Joseph Sicotte, and Ron Ramsay.  Joe and Ron were on Piano as
well as singing during the evening.

Ron began the evening by instructing us on the correct responses for Opera Etiquette for
showing our appreciation for the performers and encouraged responses followed by a sip
of wine to show our love!

• bravo! - Bravo is the Italian word for expressing appreciation to a male performer.
• 
  
• brava! -  Bravo is the Italian word for expressing appreciation to a female performer
• 
  
• bravi! -  Bravo is the Italian word for expressing appreciation to two or more performers.

I was mesmerized by a wide range of music from Carmen by John Delmer, followed by
Daughter of the Regiment by Amber who is amazing and, sadly leaving for Hawaii after a
wonderful season at the Whit which began in February.

Kara and John Delmer sang a beautiful Romantic Duet followed by an Aria by Joseph
Sicotte.  Kara and Amber followed with a beautiful Duet   I sat back and enjoyed every
note!

Amber Star Naramore

Kara and John Delmer

Amber performing

 I think my ultimate favourite performance during the evening was an Aria from La Boheme
by Kara Demler who really included the audience including one of my table mates!  As she
scolded him in Italian I was really taken in by the powerful song and her rendition!

There was a special guest performer as well.  Lily Lothrop a 15 year old Sophomore from
Taconic High School made her debut at the Whit.  She has a beautiful voice and a wide
range and she delighted the audience.

They switched from Opera and broke into a series of different songs including one of my
favourites by George Gershwin "Summertime" sung by Amber which was amazing!  Joe
sang Adolpho   which required audience participation and I do believe everyone got into it!

Time flew and before I knew it Amber, Kara, John, Ron, Joe and Lily were singing the finale
from La Traviata and people took their leave.  I took the opportunity to introduce myself to
Lillian Sturm whose amazing Art Collection adorned the walls all month long, in order to
thank her for sharing!

She surprised me by telling me that she had noticed me during the show and could tell I
loved every minute of it.  I had to agree!  My first Opera Night was an amazing experience
which I hope to repeat!  Lillian was warm and friendly and has amazing taste in art so I was
amazed that she had noticed me at all!

I spoke with Lily Lathrop's Dad as I was heading for the door who told me that Lily will be
singing at The Colonial Theatre in the near future!  I cannot wait to see how this your
performer will develop over time!

One of the goals of the Whitney Center for the Arts is to bring Opera to the masses and
for everyone to have a great time!  I can agree that the masses got together indeed, on
Friday evening and everyone left after having a great time!

SHARING MY GLIPHO BLOG ON MY MEETING WITH MONICA BAUER WRITER/PERFORMER OF "THE YEAR I WAS GIFTED

It has been a little bit more than a while!  I have been very busy and encourage you to check out my most recent blogpost at this link ~

http://glipho.com/gclawdia/stormy-to-special

I would love to have it not come in link for and apologize ~ I am just too tired and unskilled ( I really wish I knew how to have it be text!)

Hope you enjoy it and I promise to write my Blogger blog just as soon as I can ~ I don't want to make any promises that I will do it tomorrow cuz that is too much pressure!

You know I am always writing on here first and it has been more than 8 days since I wrote on Glipho ~ so they won out ~ sorry and I still love you my faithful Blogspot readers!

You do not want to miss the above blog ~ I had a great time at the Whitney Center for the Art and had a one on one with Monica Bauer who is performing her one Lady Show which she wrote "The Year I Was Gifted".

Thanks (as always) for reading!  

TANNERY FALLS, SAVOY, MA.

I had an Art overload over the Fourth of July, so when my friend Scott invited me out for a hike to check out one of his favourite things ~ waterfalls ~ I was 100% in.  After a short ride through Pittsfield and Dalton we climbed up past Wahconah Falls (one I am very familiar with) and continued North.  The last thing I recognized was the General Store at the top of the Mountain(?) right before we took a left.

I recognized bits and pieces of the landscape here and there from previous rides over the years, but only slightly. I really enjoyed being once again on the open road absorbing the beauty of the countryside.  After various rights and lefts and through woods and up mountains and down another steep washed out road we were pulling into a parking lot and walking into the woods.

The nature was tranquil and I was in awe of the place I found myself.  I love water ~ lakes, oceans and until recently I have lived next to a river just outside my door ~ so close I have mistaken the sound of it for rain ~ I have been in total withdrawal of the sights and sounds of running water ~ add not one ~ but two waterfalls with a well made path and some decent stairs and I am in heaven!

The first set of pictures are of the walk in and the water that feeds Tannery Falls.  I was a bit of a daredevil and went over the fence to get some of those angle shots down to show the path the  water has carved out over the years to create the beginning of this natural masterpiece!

 Finally the top of the waterfall was before us!  Notice how calm that pool is!

 Looking down my breath was taken away!

 The path wound away from the water for a second, but these stairs were cool.

 I was on the stairs when my friend said ~ oh yeah, there are two waterfalls ~ and over to my left this is what I saw!

 We continued down the path and this is the Tannery Falls from the side.

 It is hard to pick my favourite view ~ I like them all!

 More cool stairs.

 We went over to the other - Parker Brook Falls ~ it was a bit tricky since we had to jump some rocks and cross a fallen tree ~ in the end we made it ~ this is Scott on a rock in the middle of the water.

 Always a fan of cool rock piles ~ this one could have been closer up!  It is in front of the tree.  They were behind us while we were looking at the Fall ~ notice that tree in the back ground with the bend in it ~ looks are deceiving as it looks level to the ground.

 This is the view from the tree ~ a very steep drop that took my breath away when I stood next to it to take pictures of the river below ~ far below!!!

 
Before we crossed back over to the trail we walked up another stream ~ I think there were three in all ~ possibly four ~ there was another pile of rocks.  I was at peace!  I seemed to float back across the river.

I wish I could say the ascent was as easy as the decent, but in life all good things take effort.  The hike back up the hill after seeing this spectacular 100 foot water fall nestled in the hills of Savoy was well worth the muscle aches!

We headed back to the jeep and found our way back out and decided to journey straight across the intersection with a devil may care attitude.  I was game.  It has been many moons since I have just gone down a road to see where it may come out.

Worried I was not and we both made guesses as to where we would come out.  It was a fun way to spend the Sunday after a holiday.  It worked very well to even out my Art Overload and absorb some of the energy from our wonderful Mother Earth!

One of the benefits of being spontaneous and open is that you never know where you may travel and what you may see!