Berkeley composer Gabriela Frank spent a year learning about the Modesto area as the Modesto Symphony Orchestra's composer-in-residence. Her new valley-inspired compositions "San Joaquin" and "Two American Portraits" debut at this weekend's Modesto Symphony Orchestra concerts at the Gallo Center. Hear what she has to say about the pieces at this online video interview:
http://videos.modbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1867665
If you're a U2 fan, don't forget to check out their latest concert film in 3D now at the Riverbank Galaxy Theatres. It's something you won't soon forget.
Some friends and I went yesterday and enjoyed the sensation of feeling like the band was playing right to us. Bono looks like he's reaching out to hold your hand when he's singing. The Edge thrusts his guitar inches from your face. The cheering fans pump their arms in their air right around you.
It takes a few minutes to get used to the glasses but after that you forget they're on. Every song is good so the concert flies by.
Showings are at 3 and 7 p.m. daily at 2525 Patterson Road. The cost is $15.
- Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan
The producer of the Bellydance Superstars told me their show was eclectic but I didn't know just how eclectic he meant.
Their fabulous show tonight at the Gallo Center for the Arts' Rogers Theater was a mishmash of the best of Middle Eastern and Western music set in a Las Vegas format.
These ultra limber women combined hip hop moves, gymnastics and traditional bellydance hip shaking to global beat music. Rap and electronic music was mixed into the Arabic soundtrack.
Making the show even more entertaining, big screen projections of temples, ancient art and other exotic images played in the background.
The show drew a packed house of all ethnicities and ages with a big helping of people of Middle Eastern descent. Women let out loud ululations (high-pitched trilling) to show their appreciation for the dancers.
I joined the hordes of people at the merchandise table to check out the glittery jewelry, jingly coin belts, flowing skirts and huge CD collection and I ended up buying one of the albums.
I wonder if any of the people who attended “Love Letters” at the Gallo Center for the Arts Friday night felt a little bit scammed.
Barbara Eden of “I Dream of Jeannie” and Hal Linden of “Barney Miller” sat at a desk reading letters for the whole 2-hour show. That was it- there was no set, no costume changes, no moving at all. The program was story time for adults.
I’m aware that this is the way the play is typically performed. I’m also aware that it garnered the author A.R. Gurney a nomination for a 1990 Pulitzer Prize. Eden and Linden were both charming and engaging actors. But the ticket prices of $20-$45 seem a bit steep to just see celebrities read.
Still, the story is entertaining. It traces the relationship between responsible lawyer Andy and unstable artist Melissa, from the time they were in second grade through middle age. It’s a credit to Eden and Linden that the audience gasped, laughed and cried in response to their reading of the twists and turns in the character’s lives.
Hot young conductor Vladimir Jurowski led the Russian National Orchestra in a riveting program of Brahms and Tchaikovsky tonight at the Gallo Center for the Arts.
I was lucky enough to sit next to Stockton eye surgeon and huge classical music fan Dr. Henry Zeiter, who provided me with helpful commentary before and after the program.
The first work of the night- Brahms' weighty Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat Minor - is an abstract, multi-dimensional work that is often underappreciated, Zeiter told me. Brahms gave equal attention to both the orchestra part and the piano rather than having the piano dominate everything. Garrick Ohlsson, winner of the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition, offered a bold, aggressive performance while never breaking into a sweat.
The Prospect Theater Project, a 70-seat art house on Scenic Drive, has been having a hard time filling its seats in the last few months.
Interim Artistic Director Kathleen Ennis said the company is struggling to pay its bills and might not even be able to finish its season, which is due to end in the summer. Without going into specifics, she told me last weekend that attendance has been down since the Gallo Center for the Arts opened in September.
That's really ashame. While I haven't always given individual productions good reviews, I've always respected Prospect for bringing an alternative voice to the area. Most theater groups in the area stick to more conventional fare like "Sound of Music" and "The Odd Couple." As much as I love those shows too, it's nice to have other options.
Want to learn more about the Modesto Symphony Orchestra's Feb. 8-9 concert at the Gallo Center for the Arts?
Click on the link below to hear some snippets of the music and watch a short talk about the program by conductor David Lockington:
http://videos.modbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/video/1696853
- Lisa Millegan
