Monday, February 27, 2006

Winter: Best Time for Concerts & Theater


** 2006 Air Force Band Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Guest Artist Series
with Spyro Gyro, a well known jazz group http://www.usafband.com/article01.cfm?title_id=73

Founded in 1974 by alto saxophonist Jay Beckenstein, Spyro Gyra has been one of America's most successful pop-jazz-fusion groups. Their first major commercial hit, "Morning Dance," became a Top 40 single in 1979 and went platinum.
American Revolution Constitution Hall, 18th St. between C and D Streets NW, Washington, D.C

** Metropolis Trombone Quartet in Concert
Spencerville Evensong Concert Series http://www.evensongconcerts.org/information.html

The members (Steve Dunkel, Barry Hearn, Gus Mitchell and Craig Mulcahy) formed the group to explore the exciting tonal possibilities of their instruments. The concert featured original works and transcriptions.
** Noor Wodjouatt Ensemble at Kenndey Center
Noor Wodjouatt Ensemble performs authentic Afghan music and Kathak dance. The group’s music can be heard on the CD City of Love.
** Shakespeare Fest 2006 at University of Maryland
http://www.crbs.umd.edu/shakespeare/schedule.html
This one-day, mini-symposium focused on acting, directing, movement, dance, music, and scholarship taught by theatre professionals in a format designed to inform and engage. Participants imaginatively, physically, and vocally investigated how a performer discovers and manifests Shakespeare’s hidden clues to characters’ choices and actions. (I practiced some court dances in Shakespeare's Plays)

Tought the choreography of safe, effective stage combat for theatrical productions ranging from Shakespeare tragedies to musical comedy.
Basic armed (sword) work was taught by introducing basic cuts, thrusts, and parries, while incorporating the basic footwork.
Football Stadium of Maryland Univ.

Monday, February 06, 2006

Chocolate Festival & Chinese New Year Parade

City of Fairfax Annual Chocolate Lovers Festival
hundreds of the finest chocolate sensations: sampling cakes, candies, brownies, fudges and other delicious concoctions
Chocolate Caper in Fairfax Court House: a mock trial based on the nursery rhyme "Little Miss Muffet" to explain the justice system
Glass Harp Musical Performance — Listen to music magically produced on glass "harps."

Celebrate the coming of the Year of the Dog 4704 in Chinatown's festival: lion and dragon dances

lighting of a five-story-high firecracker
parade

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

First Night Alexandria & hike Sky Meadows State Park


First Night Alexandria
After the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2005 on the steps of the Masonic Temple, hundreds of people in Alexandria watching the firework. http://www.firstnightalexandria.org/



A moderate 10 mile hike starting in Sky Meadows State Park, climbing up to the AT, and along the AT.



Water-Skiing Santa & Christmas Lights


Location Lady Bird Johnson Park & Columbia Island Marina, viewing from Lady Bird Johnson Park on the Virginia side between the 14th Street and Memorial Bridge to see the Waterskiing Santa and his Kneeboarding Reindeer, the Flying Elves, the Jet Skiing Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman in a dinghy.




Christmas Lights in my neighborhood

Monday, December 05, 2005

Scottish Christmas Walk parade


Scottish Christmas Walk parade on Saturday throughout Old Town Alex, with more than 100 Scottish clans dressed in tartans and playing bagpipes, living history units, dog clubs and antique cars. I was so cold (30-40 F) that my nose was almost froze off.




It was warmer on Sunday so I walked 5 miles in the Great Falls National Park.

Sunday, October 09, 2005

My 1st performance in Kennedy Center with 250 drummers


On Saturday, I planned to check out the October China Festival at Kennedy Center and listen to the drumming extravaganza featuring 250 drummers, but accidentally become one of the 250 drummers, rehearsal, and took home the drum as a gift from the Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra as a gift!!!

I could not be closer to the stage to listen to four high-energy works including Worship of the Phoenix, Lion Dance Drum Music, Flying Dragons Jumping Tigers, and A Poem on the Drum.

I also checked out the market place in the roof level, which featured handicrafts made on-site and for sale, including Chinese knots, cloth arts, kites, pinwheels, calligraphy, and painting.

There are other indoor and outdoor events showcase the Chinese culture, including: Peking opera, orchestral music, folk music, Ballet, modern dance, theater, puppetry, and acrobatics, Contemporary film, photography, fashion, and visual arts. http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/festivals/05-06/china/home_noFlash.html

Before the drumming, I visited the US National Arboretum to attend the National Capital Orchid Society 58th Annual Show see thousands of orchid plants in bloom. http://www.usna.usda.gov/


The only disappointment was the Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope™ Grand Finale Festival to be held in the White House Ellipse but got cancelled. It’s a pity that I got soaking wet but could not see the Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope Team and Lance Armstrong. www.tourofhope.org.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Duluth, MN


Day 1: drove along the North Shore Scenic Byway-- Duluth-Two Harbors-Beaver Bay-Silver Bay-Little Marais-Tofte-Lutsen-Grand Marais-Hovland-Grand Portage; 154 miles. Had smoke white fish for lunch picnic. http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/11185/places/

Stayed at Clearwater Canoe Outfitters and Lodge on the Gunflint Trail (35 m away form the byway) and saw the most amazing sky in my life, least ever light pollution.

Day 2: Canoed in the boundary waters for 3.5 hrs, and declared a tiny island in the middle of a lake as “Jenne’s Island”. More sate parks with water falls and great views.

Day 3: Rushing Rapids Parkway
-- Carlton; 9 miles. Highway 210 from Carlton to Highway 23. Skyline Drive
-- Jay Cooke State Park-Duluth; 38 miles; Highway 56. Had smoke sugar-cured salmon for lunch picnic.