On the Town: ‘Red, White and Blues’ head outdoors
Just in time for the Fourth of July weekend, “Red, White and Blues — The Star Spangled Rhythms of America” was performed by the Glendale Renaissance Orchestra. Thursday marked the second concert of the orchestra’s “Season of Pops” at the Americana at Brand’s outdoor concert stage in the park. The concert was presented by New West Symphony and Glendale Arts.
The evening began with a special award presentation for the recipients of the 2010 Spirit of American Youth Scholarships. Launched in 2009, the scholarships are offered to high school seniors in Glendale and the surrounding communities. More than 300 students applied by submitting applications and essays. The $10,000 scholarship winners were Yasamin Azarakhsh and Alexander Kazandjian. The two runners-up, Amanda Borland and Shaun Mehra, each received $2,500 scholarships. The four seniors were honored for their outstanding spirit, leadership and social responsibility.
Grammy Award-winning arranger/pianist Victor A. Vanacore conducted the concert with aplomb. The patriotic program included the Star Spangled Banner, Disco at the Pops and Stars and Stripes. The crowd favorite was the King of Pop Michael Jackson Tribute.
Glendale music lovers attending included Glendale First Lady Darlene Najarian and 13-year-old son Christopher Najarian; Kiwanis Friday Noon President Cathy Keen and husband Bob; Monica and Jose Sierra; Dave Greenbaum, Val Morehead, Olive Warner, Joyce Morrissey, Shawna de la Cruz, Erin Balderson, Glendale Healthy Kids’ Camille Levee and Glendale Arts’ Barry McComb and Elissa Glickman.
The finale ended with a fireworks display. The Americana never looked so beautiful.
More visitors to the Americana on Saturday headed straight for Gigi’s Farmers Market on Caruso Avenue. Shoppers were treated to some relatively new features — Giddy Up Ranch and the mellow sounds of the trio “Terry Medeiros with Playback.”
Kids got to say “Giddy up!” on their own ponies for $5 a gentle ride. Three-year-old Alex Haroian did just that on his own steed, while Mom Maral Haroian took photos. A small petting zoo was available for those a little too timid for the ponies.
The trio added a musical background for shoppers. Eighteen-month-old Emelia Von Ancken rocked out to the faster numbers. Mother Keri Von Ancken, who said she and her daughter come for the music every week, stayed close at hand.
Fruit and vegetable shoppers got down to business buying their food for the Fourth of July weekend. Glendale resident Sheri Ford was spotted at the fresh corn counter with bargain basement prices — three ears for $1. Ford was accompanied by her silky terrier, Avery, who got past the “No Dogs Allowed” signs.
Gigi’s Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
La Crescenta artist David D. Gilbaugh showed up for the reception of his own ceramic sculpture exhibition at Whites Art Framing and Restoration in Montrose on Friday. His “Tectonic Forms in Clay,” the title of the exhibit, featured unique clay sculpture, including one-of-a-kind teapots.
Whites owner Miguel Perez provided a comfortable space in which art patrons could chat with the artist. Gilbaugh’s art class students Cinthia Joyce and Christine Campisi were proud of their teacher and were all attention as he described his “tectonic” technique as “hurling and stretching clay.” Gilbaugh also textures his sculptures with brushes, cuts and applies force to match the tectonic forces in nature.
The show continues through July 30.
RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.