Week Two Day One

The first day of arts-X-press has now ended, and all the students are busy sleeping preparing for another fun day!

After getting to UCI, via the arts-X-press Party Bus, the students all carried their luggage to the dorms then had an arts-X-press Orientation. Here, the students got the opportunity to meet and learn the names of the staff and counselors that would be with them all week. Once everyone was introduced to the program, it was time to have some real fun! Led by their counselors, the students got the chance to play some fun games with fellow arts-X-press students. All the fun and games definitely built up their appetite which was wonderful because then we were off to lunch at Mesa Commons. Here, everyone was given many choices for food and everyone had their glass of "H2Ohhhhhhh...ya!"

After lunch, the students found out which Arts Workshop they would be participating in. From there, they went to Arts Workshop for two hours where students were dancing, singing, playing music, creating amazing works of art and , acting. There was a chance for a small bathroom break and then went straight on to Creative Expression, where they got to spend time reflecting on the day so far and learn more about the students around them.

They had already done a lot in the day but they weren't done yet! All the students walked back to the dorms, received an arts-X-press Tshirt, changed into it and hopped back onto the arts-X-press Party Bus. We were on our way to our first excursion of the week, Symphony in the Cities Concert in Mission Viejo. When we arrived to the park, we were given a backstage tour and students were given an opportunity to think about what they were going to do for the talent show. We ran into one of our alumni, Kelly. Before the concert began, the students all got to meet Carl St. Clair, the conductor of the Pacific Symphony. The sun was setting and the concert began. We enjoyed the performance and saw some of the musicians that had eaten lunch with us earlier that day. All the students enjoyed the show and after a long day, it was time for 3 minute showers and then all the students hopped into their beds and fell asleep.

It had been a busy day but the students were all excited to go to Creative Expression and Arts Workshops then go see the theatrical performance of "Smokey Joe's Cafe."