The Music Academy of the West

The Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara has been the training ground for many fine classical musicians. Generously supported by the local art community only a few gifted students are chosen to participate in a series of Summer Master Classes led by Marilyn Horne. Ranked among the best, this world renowned program prepares young vocal and orchestra talent for an international career in music. 

This is great news for me!!! I no longer need to travel to a major metropolitan city to hear quality musicians do what they love. And watching opera has never been easier with the NY Met HD live streaming performances in Hahn Hall featuring some of the worlds most accomplished divas.

Opera is full of drama and the tales told are fiery with unrequited love, betrayal, tragedy, and revenge. Now add a big budget, lavish costumes and beautiful set design, and you have a true musical masterpiece that would rival any Academy Award winning film. Today, projected translations makes singing in the original language more practical so one doesn't need to speak Italian to appreciate opera. Generally most operas are sung in Italian, but one can also hear French, German, and English scores. Female operatic roles fall under three major vocal categories: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, and Contralto. While the gents roles require voices of Tenor, Baritone, and Bass range. Operas are broken down into three spell binding acts that can last four hours or more. Ultimately the orchestra reaches the final crescendo where operatic drama is resolved and the prima donna ignites the stage in a flurry of coloratura. Jubilant the audience cries... Bravo!!!

TOP TEN OPERAS
The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart
Don Giovanni by Mozart
The Barber of Seville by Rossini
Rigoletto by Verdi
La Traviata by Verdi
Die Walkure by Wagner
Aida by Verdi
Carmen by Bizet

La Boheme by Puccini

Madame Butterfly by Puccini

Music Academy of the West Calendar of Events

http://www.musicacademy.org/

Don't miss this event...!!!

Best Montecito Rummage Sale

May Madness, the 40th annual treasure and estate sale benefiting the Music Academy of the West’s full-scholarship program, will take place this year from 9am to 3pm on Saturday, May 7, 2016 on the Music Academy campus, located at 1070 Fairway Road in Santa Barbara.

May Madness

http://www.musicacademy.org/shop-and-rentals/may-madness/

Things That Go Boo!

I let the rattly skeleton

In my closet out

Once a year to go

Trick-or-treating and shout.

My skeleton is made of bones

Lots of them, I know

They're in my arms and legs

My ten fingers and my toes.

My skeleton holds me up

So I can dance and run

And do lots of other things

That are so very fun.

My skeleton keeps growing

Right along with me

I never want to lose it

Cause then where would I be?

Each Step a New Beginning

Really and truly there is no one "right way" to hike, there are pitfalls along this seemingly easy path too. Also, there is built in mindfulness here, so beware of the poison oak which lines this walkway. There is much to be seen along this path; light, color and shadow are virtually changing in stillness. Covering ground on foot always unfolds out of the uniqueness of the present. And if I hike a trail ten times, I'll solve the problem of each footstep differently each time. Each moment can be fresh, each breath a new beginning, a letting go. And when you take your long time dog friend with you it's heavenly. "Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, it's off to Oprah's house we go!"

 San Ysidro Creek Trail

Montecito Hot Springs

A blanket of pure white fog spreads out moistly shrouding the ocean coastline making it the perfect day for hikers who crave sunshine to climb into the canyons seeking warmth and healing energies. Always a topic of conversation are the many wildfires that have scorched this vista. Still Mother Nature is confident in her skills to transform even the most deeply scarred landscape or human spirit. Feeling the delicate balance of life as I climb up out of the fog and into a lush oak lined canyon, croaking frogs and the occasional pungent wafts of sulphur let me know I'm nearing the healing mineral springs. Banana trees shelter vibrant turquoise colored water inviting me to sit and reflect how very lucky I am to know about this hidden medicinal gem. Ališhawi ‘O’ - is the traditional Chumash name for this thermal spot when once this was the commonwealth. Mother nature is doing her best to make me forget all about holiday shopping and the work a day world. As I sit in silence I can feel the vast emptiness of meditation tugging at my heart telling me things will be set right in the world and everything is still under Mother's divine control.

Save the Hot Springs

Gumby at Shark's Cove

Tide was low today so I jumped at the chance to view retro aerosol art at Shark’s Cove, a small bay nestled between Montecito and Summerland coastlines. I've walked here a few times before and now the creeping changes of erosion have become even more evident. Colors once vibrant are now chipping to reveal the gray concrete seawall, soon these graffiti relics will be ancient history forever. Rapidly disappearing images include a 1968 California black and gold license plate and a once dapper Pink Panther. Who painted these? Where's Pokey? And why did they choose to immortalize these particular images? We may never know the real story.

http://www.gumbyworld.com/gumby-characters/pokey/

Tramp at Butterfly Beach

Wow! Happened upon these gymnasts doing their jumpy talents at Butterfly Beach today. These kids have coordination! Youzer's... tripple gainer!!!  They probably were on the school gymnastic team and have done this a million times before. "Watch out you don't break your neck!" I shout!  Fun in the sun for the young!

Locals Only Secret

This colorful painted pedestrian tunnel under the 101 Frwy (circa 1956) is a well kept secret of Montecito natives. It offers a good way to get from Coast Village Road to Butterfly Beach. And if you're going to the beach in Santa Barbara, then Butterfly Beach is probably the best place to go! This is my favorite beach in the area, because it's well-maintained and generally peaceful. The views are breathtaking and the sand is pristine. One of my best memories ever was one particular afternoon at Butterfly Beach - watching the dolphins swim by, lying in the sun with friends, taking a dip in the warm water and actually not getting covered in tar. A great place for a romantic sunset stroll!

http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?nid=38688

Pierre LaFond

This upscale deli grocery in Montecito is a wonderful place to stop for a bite of lunch and do a little shopping. Two unique dress shops next door will satisfy a California ladies clothes obsession. Upstairs features Santa Barbara easy living style home accessories anyone would love to receive as a gift.

Montecito Shopping