lmillegan's blog

Hey everyone-

In the spirit of embracing new technology, my blog will be hosting a national online conference that you can participate in! I'm live-streaming the first National Summit on Arts Journalism this Friday Oct. 2 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The conference takes place at the University of Southern California but people around the country will be participating through chat, Twitter, etc.

The conference features 10 projects in arts journalism from around America, and each has something to say about the future of how journalists cover the arts. Watch and participate in the conference below.

Thanks-

Lisa Millegan
Bee arts/entertainment writer

Watch it here:

Just learned that the Modesto Symphony Orchestra is inviting people to live tweet and blog their concerts!

I have mixed feelings about this. In one sense, it goes against everything we've ever been taught about concert ettiquete. You're supposed to give the music your entire attention. Is this maybe sending a bad message to kids? Don't we get mad at them for texting during class and other situations like this?

Then again, if it gets people excited about the symphony, maybe live tweeting and blogging isn't such a bad idea. The audience for classical music is graying and something needs to be done to interest young people in this art. I said I would try this out by tweeting from iPhone at a November concert. The orchestra said it will provide a separate section for tweeters so other audience members won't be annoyed by the flashing lights of our phones.

Any thoughts? What do you think?

- Bee arts/entertainment writer Lisa Millegan

Looks like there was a big mostly female turnout for "American Idol" finalist Jason Castro at the State Theatre Monday. Check out the photos here:

http://www.khop.com/Article.asp?id=1512169

Performed with a six-member all-male cast, "Tap Dogs" is an aggressive show designed to prove that dancing isn't for sissies.

The touring show, which opened its two-day run at the Gallo Center for the Arts tonight, features a lot of kicking, stomping and manly showing off.

There's no story, dialogue or anything to watch except tapping for 80 minutes with no intermission. While Friday night's audience gave the show a rousing standing ovation, the show was a little tedious at times for me. I mean how much tapping can you really take?

The guys were all fit and looked good in their casual dress of jeans, plaid shirts, baseball hats and boots. They tapped in water, up and down ladders, up and down a pyramid of platforms and even upside down. They tapped in spotlights and tapped in the dark with flashlights. They also tapped with welding sparks flying across the industrial stage.

Jason Castro, the third place finisher from "American Idol" Season 8 (dreadlocks) guy, is appearing for free at the State Theatre Monday Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. It's part of the KHOP Fresh Face Showcase. Read more at:

http://www.khop.com/Article.asp?id=1501576

Natalie Wisdom, who just starred as Polly in Modesto Performing Arts' "Crazy For You," has been tapped for Broadway. She'll be a swing (understudy) for the ensemble in "Billy Eliot the Musical." Other MPA alums on Broadway now are Jeremy Stolle in "Phantom of the Opera" and Colleen Hawks in "Shrek the Musical."

- Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra's annual Picnic at the Pops concerts have always been fun but the group has really stepped it up the last few years.

Saturday's concert at E.&J. Gallo Winery featuring Broadway veteran Michael Cavanaugh (Piano Man in "Movin' Out") was a blast. Cavanaugh sang all our favorite Billy Joel hits like "My Life," "Only the Good Die Young," "Just the Way You Are" and "Uptown Girls." The music was so good that more than a few people had to get up and dance along to the songs. Cavanaugh also did a great job of getting the audience involved in singing the songs with him.

The person I attended with was grumpy earlier in the day and wasn't that excited to come. But within the first 15 minutes, he was singing a long to the songs too and bopping to the beat. The fireworks finale was a bonus.

Thanks Modesto Symphony Orchestra and the Gallos for providing a wonderful gift to the community!

- Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan