Mr. Jacktastick

Happy Holidays to all you arts-X-press bloggers out there!

This is the one and only Mr. Jacktastic. For those of you who don’t know who I am……why don’t you?

Well, anyways, my name is Jack I am an arts-X-press alumni from session 2 back in the summer of ’02, and also a session three Counselor for summers ‘06 and ’07.

Aside from working in the summer, I also help out at the Musical Carnivals for the Pacific Symphony.

As all of you know, arts-X-press isn’t just a summer program that you go to once and then soon forget. It’s an experience that will stick with you for the rest of your life. I still tell my friends about what a wonderful week I had as a camper and that was over 5 years ago!

But you don’t know the real Mr Jacktastic. Outside of the Pacific Symphony I’m just your average 19 year old college student. I go to Orange Coast College where I’m currently a History and Religious Studies major.

My goal is to transfer to UCI and get my degree and become a High School History teacher while continuing my education all the way till I get my PhD in Eastern Religions, and then move on to becoming a University Professor teaching religious studies.

I currently work in a escrow office in LA county answering phones, pulling and putting away files, and making my daily energy drink run. When I’m not working, I love to go to the gym and work out, watch TV, or grab a bite to eat with some friends. On the weekends, which start for me on Thursday and end on Sunday, I enjoy going up to Hollywood with some of my friends to the clubs or down to the beach for a bon fire.

I spend a lot of time with my 6 year old godson Jason, who is the love of my life, watching him play on his baseball team or taking him to his favorite place in the world - Chuck E Cheese - and just enjoying every moment I get with him while he’s still a kid.

I try to learn something from everyone I meet. I even learn things from you guys at arts-x-press. Every summer the groups are different and every summer I learn a new lesson.

So before I go, I just want to tell you all one thing:

Reach for more then the stars. Your life has no boundaries and your possibilities are endless if you take advantage of them.

And don’t forget, arts-X-press really does make your life better!

Happy Holidays from the one and only,

Mr Jacktastic

Anthony Conducts Music Masters!

Hello arts-X-press alumni!

I hope you are all still remembering the arts-X-press magic and taking creative risks at school and at home. Have you tried something new this year? Maybe you made a new friend or tried out for the school band. If you haven’t tried something new yet, remember your experience from arts-X-press, the hardest part is trying the do something new. Once you were involved, you found out how much fun the new art or activity could be!

One arts-X-press alumni member who has definitely been trying new things and spreading the arts-X-press magic all over Anaheim is Anthony (arts-X-press Summer 2006).

The Pacific Symphony was so thrilled to have members of the Music Masters program and Orangeview Junior High perform at the last Musical Carnival! As you probably saw from the MusicalCarnivalPictures , there were quite a few arts-X-press alumni in that group. This past Wednesday I had the pleasure of visiting Holder Elementary School to see this same group perform in their annual holiday assembly for the school students.

The musicians did a great job and it was fun to see some arts-X-press alumni friends again. One of the best moments of the concert was when Anthony got up to conduct the entire orchestra! His teacher, Mrs. Reyes, explained how Anthony is involved in Orchestra and Chorus and even has started composing music. Anthony is so interested in music; Mrs. Reyes encouraged him to give conducting a try. I took a video of his performance and I think you will agree Anthony did a great job!

Keep up the great work, Anthony, we look forward to seeing you become a world-class musician!

Do you have a neat story or experience you would like to share with other arts-X-press alumni? Maybe you saw an arts-X-press alumni member do something cool and you would like to praise him/her for it. If so, just e-mail Carrie at artsXpress@pacificsymphony.org and she will put up a post about your story! Be sure to send pictures too!

Warmly,
Rachel

Volunteer with Us January 12th!

Hi Everyone,

Our next volunteer opportunity to help out at a Musical Carnival is coming up on Saturday January 12th. This concert will feature the Magic Circle Mime Company performing "The Listener" along with the Pacific Symphony. Click on the link below to find out more about the Magic Circle Mime Company:

MagicCircleMime

We would love to have you volunteer with us. It's a great way to connect with other arts-X-press alumni and meet lots of other people who have a passion for music and the arts.

If you are interested in finding out more info, please email us at:

musicalcarnival@pacificsymphony.org

Volunteers receive credit for volunteer hours, which many of you need for your schools and other organizations you are a part of, and snacks are provided as well.

Let us know if you would like to join us!

Carrie

Stage Manager Shannon's Slideshow!

Hey Everyone,

I have been very busy this semester with my first stage management at the university level. I stage managed a show called "The Cripple of Inishmaan," written my Martin McDonagh.

If you guys are interested, there is a slideshow of some pictures of the production of my show. Sorry there are none of me ... still like to be behind the scenes! Just click on this link:

TheCrippleofInishmaan

Also, I am currently working on The Nutcracker Suite in Bare Feet, a modern take on the classical Nutcracker Ballet.

I hope you are all having a great year!

Sincerely,

Shannon

arts-X-press Coordinator

See Shanti & Edward in The Nutcracker!

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share with you that this weekend and next is the Southern California DanceTheatre's production of the Nutcracker:

Sat. Dec. 8th & 15th at 7:30pm

Sun. Dec. 9th & 16th at 2:30pm

It's at the Downey Civic Theatre which is a beautifultheatre located at 8435 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA

Tickets: Call (562)496-1766

The 1st weekend, Edward and I are dancing as theSugarplum Fairy & Cavalier and for those who know any or all of the following people: Steph Balmer is dancing as the Dewdrop Fairy, Raquel (Cordova) Flores(from LACHSA) is dancing as the Snow Queen, and Tammy Lei is dancing as Spanish & Chinese. It should be a really good show this year, the Clara this week is alovely dancer and the cast is pretty good this year ona whole.

The 2nd weekend Edward and I are dancing as BOTH Sugarplum & Cavalier as well as Snow Queen & King(exhausting, but lots more of us :)), Raquel will beDewdrop this week and Tammy will be in Snow. And again it's a lovely Clara this week.

If you get a chance to come it would be awesome!! Please stay around afterwards to see us, we'd love to see that you came.

Thanks. Hope to see you there!

Love,

Shanti

Thanks to our Dec. 1st Volunteers!

Thanks to all our arts-X-press alumni that volunteered at our Family Concert on Dec. 1st. What an exciting concert it was and everyone was in the Holiday Spirit!

Here are some pictures for you all to enjoy!

Keep checking for the next volunteer opportunity!