Week 2: DAY FOUR

So today was the day that was going to be spent completely on the UCI Campus. The students went about their morning routine of breakfast, Creative Expression and then Arts Workshops.

From there, they went to lunch where once again, they were joined by Symphony musicians who ate with the students and talked with them. From there, the musicians gave the students an Instrumental Spotlight Workshop. Here, the students got to make music with each other and show off their music to their fellow arts-X-press friends.

A short bathroom break, then the students had time to do some final preparations for the Talent Show which would follow the Parent Presentation.

Then it was time for our Dance Spotlight Workshop with Kristine. The students had a blast getting to interact with each other as they danced their hearts out.

It was time for dinner. Everyone sat with their Arts Workshop, a little time to discuss their presentation which was quickly approaching.

At the Parent Presentation, we had amazing performances from all the Arts Workshops and some very impressive works from our Creative Expression groups!

But that wasn’t the end of our night because it was time for the Talent Show! With counselors in charge of running the Talent Show, the students all presented some amazing acts. We had singers and instrumentalists and dancers and jokes and actors, etc! So much talent in one room!

It was then time for a little arts-X-press party! Time for the students to just hang out and have a little fun with each other, staff and counselors! Once the party was over, everyone went back to the dorms to get some sleep.

arts-X-press Week 2- DAY THREE

arts-X-press students woke up this morning early with the help of their counselors. All the counselors have their own way of waking up the students. Whether it be with loud music blasting over the stereo or if it be a nice little knock on the door and a sweet voice saying “time to wake up.” All the students did eventually get up, get ready and make their way to breakfast.

After breakfast, it was time for our normal morning activities consisting of Creative Expression and then Arts Workshops. The students are continuing to work on their amazing presentations for friends and family on Tuesday. It was time for lunch then before everyone was going to hop onto the bus and head off to Laguna.

Once we arrived in Laguna, all the students received a backstage tour of the Pageant of the Masters. They got to walk on the stage and see how three dimensional objects are given a two dimensional look. They also got to tour the costumes and makeup areas where the performers get ready every night. When everyone had finished their tour, the students got the opportunity to do some activities at the Festival of the Arts. There were three stations each student got to go to: Raku, printmaking and mixed media. Family and friends, your students are so creative! You will have an opportunity to see their work when they come home to you.

We walked then to a park in Laguna and spent some time playing more games, prepping for the talent show and then Pacific Symphony’s Conductor, Carl St.Clair, joined us again and got to talk with us once more! We ate our dinner at the park, which overlooked the Pacific Ocean. Once everyone’s stomachs were full, it was time to head back to the Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters. We toured the art with our family groups for a little bit then headed in to see the show!

The Pageant’s theme this year was “All the Worlds a Stage.” As the lights went down, the students were in awe. They got to see all the fun tricks they learned about on the backstage tour come to life onstage.

Once the show was over, everyone got back onto the bus. It had been a long day and everyone was exhausted. So they all got ready for bed, excited for tomorrow’s Parent Presentation.

Goodnight from arts-X-press!!

Day 2 By The Counselors!

Behind the Scenes:

We counselors are here to let you know the extra things that are happening behind the scenes at arts-X-press. Your children are still having problems adjusting to the three minute showers. Our current record for the fastest shower is 45 seconds, if you call that a shower. For the first time this session, we did our room checks to evaluate how clean your children are. Some of the rooms looked excellent and others looked as if a tornado had hit. You can decide which category your child falls into. Your children are so sweet, some of them even tucked their teddy bears into their beds for the day. At lunch and dinner, the students rush through their meals that include something grown and a glass of water, so they can eat some delicious sweets and ice cream treats. Lastly, your children are excellent at getting ready for bed. NOT! :) Actually, your students are quite mischevious with us sneaking around and whispering with their roommates. However, we are all trained professionals and have experience these areas. The students' PASSION for the arts is growing minute by minute and they are taking countless risks whenever possible. We are so proud of each and everyone of them. Currently, the boys and girls are sleeping and dreaming of the excitement to come tomorrow. Good times!

With love,
Session Two Counselors

DAY TWO Session 2

The morning started bright and early. No need to sleep in when the students can be out having fun!

The students woke up, took a trip to the artsMart where they had the opportunity to purchase sweatshirts, tshirts, water bottles, cameras, etc. From there, they had a small morning meeting with the Program Director, Darci, then headed up to breakfast.

After a quick meal, it was time for Creative Expression again. The students were getting busy on fun projects and socializing with their peers. They’ve all made friends so quickly! Then it was time for a short bathroom break before Arts Workshops. All the Arts Workshops are busy working on their presentations for the Parent Presentation on Tuesday. They all seem to be having fun and learning more about the arts!

A quick stop for lunch after Arts Workshops and then it was off to Orange County Performing Arts Center to see the American Ballet Theatre perform. It was the West Coast Premiere of a new ballet by Twyla Tharp with music by Danny Elfman. After the show we had the opportunity to talk with some of the dancers! What an amazing opportunity!

When we got back from our amazing performance, we went to dinner then went over to one of our first Spotlight Workshops. We had Leslie lead a special vocal spotlight workshop with all the students together. The students jumped right in and had a blast!

Then the students had some time to prepare their act for the talent show. With counselors there to help them, we have some amazing acts developing! We can’t wait to see what they will bring to the stage. Then we had bonding. A time for each student to share with the group someone at arts-X-press who they appreciate and someone at home they appreciate.

It was a long and busy day and tomorrow, we will be spending a lot of the day in Laguna! So it was definitely time for some 3 minute showers and then hop into bed to get a good nights sleep.

Until tomorrow, goodnight from arts-X-press!

arts-X-press Week 2- DAY ONE

Our morning started off early with all the arts-X-pressers saying “See you soon” to their friends and family and hopping on board the arts-X-press Party Bus!

Once all the students arrived to the UCI campus, they spent their morning checking in and then playing New Games, an opportunity to break the ice and get to know one another and start to have some real arts-X-press fun! After new games, it was time for their first arts-X-press meal! Eating at UCI has so many options! Don’t worry parents, we try and make sure they’re all eating a balanced meal and drinking a lot of their H2Ooooo yeah!

After lunch, it was time for their first Arts Workshops. Students broke off into their groups: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Visual Art, Dance and Theater. They spent 2 hours in their workshops before breaking and heading to Creative Expression. Creative Expression is the opportunity for the students to express themselves through creative writing.

By the time that was done, all the students changed into their arts-X-press Tshirts, hopped on the arts-X-press party bus again and headed off to Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre to see the Pacific Symphony Concert. Before the show, the students had the opportunity to go on a backstage tour and meet the Conductor, Carl St.Clair. Everyone enjoyed their night spent under the stars listening to the beautiful music of the Pacific Symphony.

Once it was over, it was time to head back to UCI, get unpacked and get ready for bed. They all survived their first 3 minute shower! It was a great day and everyone’s getting rest for another big day tomorrow!

arts-X-press Session 2 TOMORROW!

Hello all you arts-X-pressers,

Session 2 starts tomorrow! We are looking for a great week full of fun, excitement and immersion in the arts! We're so excited to see you all at the bus stops in the morning!

Sincerely,
arts-X-press Staff

Week 1 Parent Presentation Info
Don't forget that our Parent Presentation is Tuesday night:
Date: Tuesday August 5
Location: Winifred Smith Hall at UCI
Time: 6:45 pm
Parking: $7 at the Mesa Parking Structure (off Mesa & University)
Here are directions:From the 405: Exit at Jamboree. Proceed West on Jamboree. Turn left onto Campus. Turn right onto University. Turn left onto Mesa Drive. Proceed to the first stop sign and turn right into the Mesa Parking Structure. We will have volunteers to guide you to the performance location.From the 73: Exit at University. Go East onto University. Turn right onto Mesa. Proceed to the first stop sign and turn right into the Mesa Parking Structure. We will have volunteers to guide you to the performance location.Below is a link for a map of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UCI: http://www.arts.uci.edu/uploads/files/Directions%20Map%2011.06.pdfPlease feel free to call our hotline is you have any further questions.

We hope to see you there!

Day 3 Session 1

Arts-X-press had an awesome Laguna Day! We kicked it off with a delicious and nutricious breakfast. Everyone was in a great mood and ready to go!



They then went to CE, arts-Workshops, lunch and right after that loaded onto the bus and headed for the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach. The students got a backstage tour of Pageant of the Masters then worked on their own pieces of art!





Finally, before Pageant of the Masters, students walked down to Heisler Park for some pizza and new games.

At the park, we had some very special friends join us.

Carl St.Clair and his family visited and hung out with the students. We then headed back to the Festival of the arts to see the show.

Supper Time!

Wow, Monday already! Time sure flies when your having fun. Today I think we should discuss the proper form for arts-X-press meals. First it is important to sit respectfully and wait in the Mesa quad for your camp director to inform you on the day and send you into the commons. Next remember to maintain an orderly line while approaching the food counters so as not to spook the kind women who have prepared your delicious morning consumables. Once you have chosen your desired meal (making sure you have something green and a glass of H2-Oh-Ya) you will wait patiently for your friendly administrative staff to assign you a seat. This is so that you get to meet new members of camp you may not have spoken with yet. Once arriving at your selected table try and eat with some decorum so as not to cause sickness in your table mates. Finally remember to always smile for the camera. Next stop Laguna for a day of Visual Arts and the world renowned pageant of the master. Hope you all have as great as day as we are.

Hi!!! Welcome to your next installment of our first session of art-X-press 2008 Blog. When we left off all the children had headed of for a refreshing nights sleep. Since then everyone has participated in our favorite activities of delicious Mesa commons meals and arts/creative expression workshops. This afternoon we were given the opportunity to see a production of Evita at the Chance Theater in Anaheim. It was a beautiful performance of such a prolific piece. We then returned to UCI for a presentation from some of the youth orchestras finest and are about to embark on a wonderful drama workshop. Later on this evening we will get some time to prepare for our up coming talent show and of course the wonderful 3 minute showers we have all grown to love. Till next time stay tuned, same arts-X-press time, same arts-X-press channel.

First Day Workshop Pictures

Here is a photo overview of what arts-X-press students worked on today.

DANCE WORKSHOP

VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOP

INSTRUMENTAL WORKSHOP

VOCAL WORKSHOP

THEATER WORKSHOP

Garret & James Counselor Post

Greatest Blog Ever

Yo yo yo dawgie fresh. This is James and Garret bringing you an inside scoop on the nightly procedures of AXP. We just put your boys to bed and we have word from the girl counselors that the girls are doing fine. But anyways, let us get back to the big story of the night. They survived the three minute showers! That’s right, it was a rough, tedious journey between making their beds, brushing their teeth, and showering in under 15 minutes. We had a busy day so the showers were much appreciated. =] While one was in the shower, another was their brushing teeth, and yet another was making their bed and preparing their clothes for tomorrow's busy day. This may seem chaotic to you parents, but don’t worry, we are experienced counselors and are extremely time efficient; basically we are the best in the entire world. Period. But enough about us, we can have a whole blog dedicated to how great we are in a few days. We have exactly seven hours to recharge, replenish, and revitalize our bodies for an exciting day at the theater. Until next time parents, this is James and Garret leading the way to greatness. Over and out; peace!

arts-X-press Session 1 Day 1 "THE FUN BEGINS!"

Session One has kicked off to a great start. All the students arrived at UCI safely, some more awake than others, checked in and then headed to New Games! Students got to know each other as counselors led them in icebreaker games. Students got tangled in knots, learned to count as a group, and memorized each other's names!

After students broke the ice, they prepared for tonight's concert by listening to staff member's presentation about concert etiquette. Students and staff then headed to lunch where we got to know each other by mixing it up at the tables! After lunch students found out what arts workshop they had been assigned to and headed to their classrooms.