Acelebration of Chinese artists and culture dominated the minds
and sight of South County residents this week. Beginning with a
welcome reception of Mr. Wencheng Li, a Bejing interior designer
and president of the Winston Group, at the stunningly beautiful
Gilroy residence of Jeff and Pam Martin, the Year of the Rooster
was toasted with glasses of red wine and food prepared by
everyone’s favorite Italian chef, Maurizio.
Acelebration of Chinese artists and culture dominated the minds and sight of South County residents this week. Beginning with a welcome reception of Mr. Wencheng Li, a Bejing interior designer and president of the Winston Group, at the stunningly beautiful Gilroy residence of Jeff and Pam Martin, the Year of the Rooster was toasted with glasses of red wine and food prepared by everyone’s favorite Italian chef, Maurizio.
The Martins and Anne Shipley of Morgan Hill recently returned from China as guests of Mr. Li where they toured his company and were escorted through the shops of Bejing.
Mr. Li proved to be a wonderfully accommodating host to veteran shoppers Pam and Anne, dutifully playing the human shopping cart piled high with Bejing market finds. Mr. Li came to South County by invitation from the Shipley family to design architectural wood carvings for the Shipley home.
Guests to the Martin reception included Patty Filice, Fran Chiala, Andria Habing, County Supervisor Don Gage, and the self-described best new engineer in town, Max Cheng (also the evening’s best interpreter).
The evening carried on with a plate full of Maurizio’s bubbling lasagna accompanied by another glass of red wine in front of the warm, cozy fire. I was late for symphony rehearsal but Ravel goes great with a buzz!
Nursing a rehearsal hangover the next day, I stumbled across the new Jumpin’ Juice and Java store on the corner of 5th and Monterey in Morgan Hill. Actually, I almost didn’t make it across the main drag as I parked near the Ciao Bella Salon (heard a terrific new stylist, Kelly Gish, gave up her Los Gatos customers in favor of her hometown) and took great risk in the crosswalk no driver on Monterey respects. Maybe some flashing lights would help? (Thought I’d try. My friends say the paint color on the Morgan Hill Inn is much more respectable after a mention).
Speaking of city influence, Jay Jaso was at J,J&J meeting with associates and highly recommends the Starbucks alternative. Comfy couches, a library of books, smoothies for the kids and a friendly greeting (you don’t have to say tall, grande or venti either) await the survivors of the crosswalk. They also sell Marich chocolates and specialty truffles (think hostess gift she will actually love).
Friday night found the season ticket holders of the Ballet again hosted by John Fry at the downtown San Jose Marriott ballroom. A more select guest list (I made the cut!) made for a more intimate gathering and lo and behold Mr. Li made the list too. Fellow native Bejingians Wei and Leishing Kang of Morgan Hill and the ballet’s composer Phil Young found the New Year to be full of fortune at the buffet and open bar. Pad Thai to die for and the most melt-in-your-mouth sea bass filled the warm chaffing dishes.
In this dream-like state, I witnessed the birth of a wonderful collaboration between our own regional Ballet Company and the Chinese Performing Artists of America. Lush colors floating on imported silks accompanied by the magnificent cinematic score of Mr. Young – I can only say heng hao!
Moving from audience to performer took some effort on Saturday but the delight of a young audience is always a motivator.
Bringing music to the youth of South County, the South Valley Symphony opened its children’s concert with two prodigious prodigies on violin and cello. Oshagan Merjanian played the Saint-Saëns “Concerto No. 1” for cello and Jaime Pak played “Tzigane” by Ravel.
“Tzigane” means “gypsy,” and I hope you all noticed the effort by musicians to get into the mood by gluing diamond studs to their noses to give a nomadic tribal people look. Mine fell off into my dinner. Oh, what I won’t do for theater!
The imported prodigies were followed by local youth talent in the South Valley Suzuki Students of Audrey Gray, Lori Franke and Marilyn George. The newly renamed South Valley Ballet, directed by Juliet La-Pointe Smith, closed the concert with dancing selections from “Sleeping Beauty Suite.” Beautiful children, all of them.
Ciao for now.
