Kaleidoscope: from the Greek kalos, beautiful and eidos, form. A noun meaning a succession of changing patterns or colors; a succession of changing phases or action.
Aptly named, Musi-Kaleidoscope is a series of programs showcasing professional musicians from the South Valley who not only perform, but also describe their instruments and share stories about the music they present. The free Saturday concerts are a joint project of Gilroy United Methodist Church and The Music Academy. All concerts begin at 2 p.m. in the church sanctuary at 7600 Church St. At intermission, the audience can enjoy refreshments along with displays and interact with the musicians.
The second concert of the series Saturday will celebrate American music, cinema and the piano. We will be transported back in time as Candace Fazzio’s live piano music accompanies the feature-length silent movie, “The Kid Brother.” Fazzio, a Gilroy resident since 1987 and director of the Music Academy, pianist and lecturer of piano music from the American Continents, graciously shared the story of how she developed the score for the film.
“Several years ago I was approached to create an accompaniment for a silent film and perform it at Sherman Clay in Santa Clara,” she said. “I chose Chaplin’s signature film, ‘The Tramp’ and used music by Scott Joplin, combining the king of comedy and the king of ragtime. Finding it interesting and challenging work, I did a little research on silent film stars finding Harold Lloyd’s comedy and acting skills even more engaging than Chaplin’s.”
Fazzio has completed musical accompaniments for three short features by Lloyd.
“’The Kid Brother’ is the first feature-length film I’ll have scored,” she said. “Scoring involves stringing the music together with improvisations and transitions in a way that reflects the mood of each scene. Most of the music I have adapted for this movie comes from the works of American Romantic, Edward MacDowell and Joseph F. Lamb, one of classic ragtime’s big three, but other tunes are added for a bit of musical humor, including Handel’s Water Music. The extra tunes have been chosen because of the action in the scenes they accompany. It is fascinating to consider movies before sound and without color film; they are an art form of their own. Being able to enhance the story with my musical selections is a satisfying and an enjoyable pursuit, which I am happy to share in this concert.”
Musi-Kaleidoscope continues April 28 with brass instruments in the spotlight as the Sobrato Brass performs. On May 19, we’ll tap our toes to the Ragnolia Quartet featuring ragtime pianists Chris and Jack Bradshaw. The final program of the series on June 9 will color the air with the sound of woodwinds as the Santa Ana Winds take the stage.
Give yourself a treat, dust off your Saturdays and support our local artists by taking advantage of this free series.
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Berthold Auerbach
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Another treat available until April 20 is the art exhibit in the Gilroy City Hall Gallery, which features the art of Gilroyan Dan Craig. Craig was a fine arts major in the ’70s but took a 30-year hiatus to raise a family and pursue other careers. He moved to Gilroy in 2008 and began painting again. He loves the freedom of colors and forms they produce and has found that Gilroy has endless scenes to capture.
Color and texture were the first things I noticed as I walked through his exhibit. I enjoyed his portraits and self-portraits, especially the preliminary sketch and the completed portrait of “Blaze” with cigar. His surrealist time lapse of downtown and his Cezanne-style painting of a cherry orchard caused me to linger a little longer as I walked through a second time. Visit the exhibit and enjoy Gilroy scenes you are sure to recognize.
– Sound Tech Training Workshop for Volunteers
Open to adults and teens
$5 non-members, free for SVCT members
Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, Monterey at 5th Street
(408) 842-SHOW
– Seussical, Jr.
April 13, 14, 15, 20 21, 22; Friday & Saturday evening at 7 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. Matinees at 3 p.m.
Gilroy High School Theater, Princevalle at 10th Street
(408) 846-0449
– Gilroy and Christopher High School Spring Choir Concert
April 18, 7:30 p.m.
St. Mary Catholic Church, First Street at Monterey
April 19, 7:30 p.m.
Mission San Juan Bautista, 406 Second St., San Juan Bautista
$5 at the door
– Weekend Comedy
Fri & Sat., April 27 through May 19 at 8 p.m.; Doors open at 6:30 for “bring your own dinner”
Matinee May 6, 2 p.m.; Doors open at 12:30 p.m. for “bring your own brunch”
$18
Gilroy Center for the Arts, Corner of 7th & Monterey Streets
(408) 472-3292
www.LimelightActorsTheater.com
– “Pageant, the Musical Comedy Beauty Contest”
April 20, 21, 27, 28, May 4, 5, 11, 12 at 8 p.m.; April 29 at 2 pm.
8191 Swanston Lane, Gilroy
(408) 337-1599
