WEEK THREE-DAY TWO

This morning the students woke up pretty early in arts-X-press fashion. They got ready quickly and visited the artsMart and had the opportunity to purchase sweatshirts, tshirts, waterbottles, cameras, etc. Then it was time for breakfast! So many options to choose from…cereal, fruit, eggs, pastries, etc…the students didn’t go hungry!

From there it was time for Creative Expression. The students are already starting to make greater connections with their peers and spending time expressing themselves and opening up.

After a short bathroom break, they moved on to Arts Workshops. Its amazing getting to see the improvement they’ve all made in just a day! Every Arts Workshop is busy preparing for the Parent Presentation so they can share with you what they’ve learned.

By the time Arts Workshop was ending, all the students were hungry again so we went to lunch. After lunch we got on the bus and went to our second excursion of the week. We saw Evita at The Chance Theater. The students loved getting to see this production in such an intimate space. After the show ended, we even got the chance to talk with the cast and crew!

Then it was time to head back to the UCI campus, where we would spend the rest of our night. When we first got back, we had dinner and then went off to a Theatre Spotlight Workshop. Every student got the opportunity to express themselves in this workshop. It was so fun!

Then we had Bonding, a time when we sit down and share with each other one person we appreciate at home and one person we appreciate at arts-X-press. It was great to see how every student has made a connection with someone here already. They are all amazing people and we are so thankful to have them spending the week with us!

When we wrapped up bonding, everyone was exhausted so we headed on back to the dorms to get some sleep because tomorrow we will spend a great portion of the day in Laguna at the Festival of the Arts and seeing the Pageant of the Masters.

We've definitely got an energetic group of students this week....just look at what they've done to some of our counselors!

WEEK THREE-DAY ONE

Session 3 has begun! The students joined counselors and staff at their bus stops early this morning and made their way over to University of California, Irvine on the arts-X-press Party Bus!

Once greeted at UCI, they dropped their luggage off in the dorm and it was time for an orientation session where the students learned about Cole Carsan St.Clair and how arts-X-press came into being. After some time getting to know a little more about arts-X-press and getting to meet the counselors and staff of the week, the students joined the counselors for some New Games! These games were an opportunity for the students to meet each other and start to connect with their peers.

With a little prep about our meals, like students must have something grown on their plate(fruit or vegetable) and must have a glass of H2Oooooooh yeah! with each meal, it was LUNCH TIME! The students had a variety of choices on what to eat and had the opportunity to sit with some of our Symphony musicians.

Once lunch was complete, students were divided into their Arts Workshops: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Dance, Theater and Visual Art. Although students may not have received their first choice of workshops, the students are all taking risks! From there, it was time for Creative Expression. This is the opportunity for our students to express themselves through their writing. From writing “I am” Poems to Journaling…the students got to know one another even more!

After our daily activities were complete, it was time for our first excursion! We went to the Symphony in the Cities Concert in Irvine! We got to meet with Carl St.Clair and also got a backstage tour. Then it was time for the concert! As we enjoyed our picnic dinner, we listened to some great music by the Pacific Symphony and even heard from pieces from “The Sound of Music.”

When the concert ended, we made our way back to UCI and got ready for bed. Yes, every student took a 3 minute shower!

Tomorrow is going to be a long day so for now, good night from arts-X-press!!

From a Counselors point of View pt.1

Hello you all you bloggers out there, this is the one and only Mr.Jacktastic and my sidekick Ruthie (She doesnt have a kool name like i do. If you come up with one please let me know) Today well it was one for the books. All your Kids are GREAT their energy is off the wall they have yet to run out. You will be very happy to know that they are all getting along really well. Staff is very excited to be working with such wonderful kids. In the past three years that ive been a counselor for Arts X Press i have never seen a group of kids start off so well. I know i can speak for my boys when i say that they are each others new BFFN's (Best Friends For NOW) When we got back to UCI from the concert they could not stop laughing they were making jokes and telling stories and better yet just how much they love the best counselor ever you know who im talking about. He's tall funny had short black hair brown eyes and is in the dance workshop.....I wonder who they are talking about....Oh ya how could I forget is ME (They dont call me Jacktastic for nothing) My side kick no kool name Ruthie wanted me to point out that her girls are enjoying every moment on this CrAzY aDvEnTuRe. Of course tho you and i know who their favorite counselor is too right....Lets just say Ruthie cuz shes reading this but we all know it me. Well its 11:14pm i unlike your kids I dont have an endless supply of energy. Im 20 for heavens sake im not as young as i use to be. I need my Beauty sleep to keep this WONDERFUL face of mine. Night Night much love from Mr Jacktastic and No Kool name Ruthie and the rest of the Arts X Press Crew. We shall be back tomorrow for another wonderful recap of "From a Counselors Point of View".


PS
Please comment on ANY and i mean ANY ideas you have for my side kicks nick name. No Kool Name Ruthie is kinda long to write.

The Last Full Day

Brought to you by the counselors:

We finally had fast food today... a fast food rap! The students got really creative at the talent show after the Parent Presentation. We had guitar solos, comedy skits, elegant instrumentals, and a whole bunch of cheesy but enjoyable jokes. As we sit here in our delirium, we realize that in less than seven hours, we will be waking your kids up to prepare them to come home to you. Just for future reference, your kids love fruit with every meal and three minute showers. In short, we really enjoyed being counselors this week and we hope you continue to encourage their involvements in the arts. PASSION! And remember, "You can not possess what you will not pursue."

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!