week two day one!

herrrrrrrrrrrrrro parents.

so the first day of arts-x-press is officially over. your sweet little angels are dreaming dreams of what tomorrow will bring. after the long bus rides we finally arrived at our home for the next five days. vanguard university. we broke the ice with some new games such as telephone. human knot. chief. and many other games.




after that we had some great lunch at the dinning commons. on the menu for lunch included pizza. hot dogs. vegetables. h2ooooooooooooooh yeah. and a lot of ice cream.


from there we were able to break into our arts workshops and get right down to business. we dont waste much time here at arts-x-press. after two hours we were able to get our creative minds a flowing in creative expression. another quick meal and then we made our way onto the 55. then the 73. and finally reaching our destination of bonita canyon sports park where we were able to see love labors lost. the play was amazing and very well done. we were able to meet some of the cast and ask questions and one of our counselors jacob was selected to participate in a preshow dating show. what a lucky guy. seeing a theater show in the park was an amazing experience. oh. and it was hilarious! make sure to ask your kids about it. well this sums up the first blog experience of week two.





make sure to keep checking in. tomorrow features a theater spotlight work show. a pacific symphony youth orchestra presentation. and a pacific symphony orchestra concert.





ps. sure to enjoy your vacation :)

garret (guava) and jacob (jacoba)
best guy counselors of the century.

Day 1 has Begun!

Day one of session two is well underway. We started the day with introductions and "New Games" (ice-breakers). Then we had lunch!

Lunch was delicious- especially the frozen yogurt!More blogging coming soon! :)

ATTENTION SESSION 1 STUDENTS! Correction, we will be at the Irvine Concert (NOT Mission Viejo)

Hello! We hope you all are enjoying being back at home. There was an error in your last day packets and we wanted to let you know that the session 2 students will be visiting the IRVINE Symphony in the Cities Concert and NOT Mission Viejo. Sorry for the confusion! For more information about the Irvine Concert, click here!

We hope to see you there- wear your t-shirt and come say hi!

Parent Presentation

Does it seem like only 4 days since you dropped your arts-X-presser off at the bus stop? We've had WAY more than 4 days worth of fun. See what it's all about at tonight's Parent Presentation:

6:45 pm

Vanguard University

55 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa

The presentation will be in the events tent which is between the Cove and Heath Academic Center. Click here for a Vanguard campus map. Parking is free, and the closest parking lot to the tent can be accessed by entering on Civic Center Dr. (from Fair Dr.) and staying to the left. We hope you'll be there to see what we've been up to!

To tide you over until tonight, here are some pictures of yesterday's excursion to the Festival of the Arts.

The Ever Amazing Counselor Blog: Part 2

Hey AXP parents this is counselor Sara with a rundown of our days activities! We had a fun filled and tiring day at Laguna today which left the kids excited about all the live artwork they got to see and they went off to bed tonight tired and exhausted from the days activities.

We started the day with another amazing meal at the Vanguard Cafeteria which got the kids energiezed and ready for the day. The kids then enjoyed a morning of creative expression and arts workshops where they prepared and practiced for our parent presentation tomorrow. They have been working hard to give you the best presentation possible, and I think you will all be impressed to see the work they have put together in such a short period of time.

We followed our classes with lunch, as usual, and prepped for our excursion to the Pageant of the Masters. Our bus ride to the Laguna was filled with fun, laughter, and songs. I'm sure your kids can't wait to show you all of the songs they have learned these past few days at camp. Its amazing to see how even the shy ones will come out of their shell to sing their favorites like; Three Chocolate Eclairs, Jack Sparrow, and Boom Chicka Boom. Once we arrived at the Pageant of the Masters the kids jumped into fun arts and crafts and created Raku pots, prints, and drawings. The kids will get these back the last day and will be able to keep them as a memory of arts-X-press and the fun, amazing, "sicknasty",and fabulous time they had learning more about their art forms and making new friends. However camp is not over yet, and they still have a day and a half left, so keep checking for nightly updates about the amazing experiences and opportunities your kids have had.

Food, Wonderful Food!

We LOVE the dining commons at Vanguard!!

The Ever Amazing Counselor's Blog: Part 1

Yo yo yo dawgie fresh! This is the amazing and FABULOUSLY awesome counselors James, Laurel, Kit and Tim, writing to update all you new AXP Artist Parents! I know you're all concerned on the status of your creative children. As of 20 minutes and 27 seconds ago, your artists are now in full sleep mode, getting ready for a full day of of Laguna antics and fine Vanguard dining. Oh yes, it has been declared unanimously that your artists LOVE the food over here at our new home. The artists are also excited to meet Marvin, our cafeteria buddy here at Vanguard. (Ask your kids about Marvin later.)

Your artists had an exciting day full of bonding, art making, shakespearian insults, and crazy high fiving actors. After a hearty meal at breakfast, (complete with PANCAKES!), the budding artists got to experience Creative Expression and then their Arts Workshops, all with riddles in between provided by us wonderful counselors to keep them on their toes. After another fantastic meal for lunch, we all got treated to an awesome theater workshop with the director of the Shakespeare production we were about to see. Us counselors now know that your artists have mad rapping skills. word.

Next, we had a "crazy sick" bonding activity where we got to really think about who we appreciate in our own "crazy sick" lives. Finally, the artists were all excited for the highly anticipated Shakespeare By The Sea production of "Love's Labour's Lost" in Laguna Niguel, the big LN! Your own artists can fill you in on all the details about the amazing production ;)

And here we are now, getting ready for our new day with our 50 new homies. Catch you on the flipside G! (That's arts-x-press talk for "See you Tuesday night G!")

-The amazing counselors,
James a.k.a. Chinchilla, Kit-Kat, L Money, & Tim Geezy

Fun with Theater

We had a great day yesterday here getting to know each other, learning Arts-x-press songs, and attending workshops. Last night we went to the Barclay theater in Irvine for the National Choreographer's Initiative! We enjoyed seeing original dances by four different choreographers. Today we have a theater spotlight workshop with the director of the production we'll see tonight: Shakespeare By the Sea's Love's Labours Lost.

Pictures: First day games, arts workshops and a pyramid of arts-X-pressers in front of the Barclay Theatre.

We have had such a fun-filled day today that we didn't have enough time to blog! Pictures and stories coming very soon...stay tuned!

What to Bring to AXP

OMG! The first session of arts-X-press starts this Saturday!
In case you've misplaced your packing list, here you go:





WHAT TO BRING:
**All clothing should be clearly marked with your name**
Enough comfortable, casual clothing for five days, including:
At least one pair of long pants or jeans
At least one long-sleeved shirt
Two pairs of closed-toed shoes (sneakers and another comfortable pair)
At least 3 pairs of socks
A sweater or jacket

Soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Deodorant
Comb/ brush
Feminine products (if needed)
Medications and medication form

OPTIONAL:
Musical instruments (a secure storage space will be provided)
Items for talent show (costumes, music, props, dance shoes, etc.)
Bedding and linens will be provided, but students are welcome to bring their own pillow, blanket and/or towel
(Optional) $25 or less spending money

See you soon!

Excursion Spotlight: National Choreographers Initiative

The 6th annual National Choreographers Initiative began this rehearsal this week. For three weeks, teams of choreographers and professional dancers will engage in an intensive creative effort to produce new dance works which will culminate in a public showing of NCI Discovery at Irvine Barclay Theatre. arts-X-press students in week 1 will attend the performance.

Under the direction of Molly Lynch, NCI provides an opportunity to engage outstanding choreographers from around the U.S. in the creative process. There is a need nationwide to have a workshop setting where choreographers can create works of their choosing and have time to experiment and develop their craft without the pressure or constraints of a commission. Through this project, NCI provides this opportunity and therefore supports these national choreographers, dancers, and the greater dance community. Each choreographer is given complete freedom to choose the style and theme of the work. For more information, visit www.nchoreographers.org.

Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters

This summer, all arts-x-press students will have the opportunity to attend the Pageant of the Masters and the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. The Festival of Arts includes an art exhibition of original paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and ceramics. It also includes daily art activities like workshops, hands-on demonstrations, and musical entertainment. A highlight of the Festival of Arts is the Pageant of the Masters. It features an interesting display of real people posing as famous works of art. This year's theme is The Muse. The displays will focus on the inspiration and creativity of artists.

AXP Partner Spotlight: Laguna Playhouse

As part of its mission to enrich lives through the magic of live theatre, to provide educational opportunities for children and adults, and to create experiences that stiumulate cultural and social interaction and inspire our community, the LagunaPlayhouse has been bringing music and theater to California since 1920.

Thanks to the generosity of the Laguna Playhouse staff and supporters, arts-X-pressers in Week 3 will have the opportunity to attend a performance of "My Way" at the Playhouse this summer. The Pacific Symphony is grateful to its cultural partners for helping make it possible for arts-X-press students to attend high-quality performances as part of their immersion experience.

Summer Orientation

Don't miss the Summer Orientation, where you can meet your counselors, sign up for bus stops, and more!

Saturday, June 13, 10 am
OC Dept. of Education
200 Kalmus Dr., Costa Mesa
Building D (way in the back, behind buildings A and B)

See you there!

View Larger Map

Congrats to AXP 2009 Counselors!

We had a record number of amazing counselor applicants this year, and are pleased to welcome back 11 veteran counselors and 13 new recruits!

Week 1
Sarah Beth Arroyo
Tajia Ayers
Kit Bean (vet)
Jamie Lee
Laurel Morris (vet)
James Suazo (vet)
Darlene Tieu
Tim Walton

Week 2
Leah Espinoza
Yolanda Galvez (vet)
Stephanie Garcia (vet)
Taylor Lane
Vannie Luong
Jacob Sanders (vet)
Garret Wehrman (vet)
Claire Yee

Week 3
Aileen Blumenthal (vet)
Kelly Casassa (vet)
Claudia Feghali
Mohammad Jaffrey (vet)
Timothy Mathiesen (vet)
Lexi Medina (vet)
Allie Redmond
Ellyn Risueno

(Photos at right: 2008 counselors)

AXP Alumni News

Check it out! Three arts-X-press alumni are in the upcoming Lagunatics production of “Just So,” based on the stories by Rudyard Kipling:

Pacific Symphony Staff member Mollie Fry Gilmore (counselor, 2001&02) and Gabrielle Crivello (student, 2008) will be part of the show which directed by Noah Plomgren (student, 2003).

The show is at the No Square Theater in Laguna Beach from June 19-28. Tickets can be purchased at www.nosquare.org

Eddie Oliver

Meet the staff: Eddie "It's all good" Oliver

2001

2009

Eddie has been with arts-X-press every year since it began in 2001. He he has been with AXP longer than any other staff member! His primary artform is instrumental music. He resides in Rincon, GA and is also part of the faculty for Boston Symphony's Days in the Arts. Look for Eddie on staff this summer during weeks 2 and 3.

Counselor Interview- Available Times

Updated 05/18/09 2:37 pm
If you have received an invitation to be interviewed, please choose from the available slots:
Wed., 5/20- FULL

Thurs. 5/21
3:15
5:50

Wed., 5/27- FULL

Attention all counselor applicants

Thanks to everyone who sent in their applications to be counselors for AXP 2009! All applicants should have received an e-mail notifying you whether you have been invited for an interview. If you have been invited for an interview, please call the hotline to schedule a time. Available times (updated 5/8/09 11:25 am):
Wednesday, 5/20- all slots between 2:45 and 6 pm
Thursday, 5/21- all slots between 2:45 and 6 pm
Wednesday, 5/27- all slots between 3-4 pm

If you sent in an application and have not received a notification in your e-mail, please let us know.

AXP Alumni News

AXP Alumn Jacob Sanders (AXPer 2005, counselor 2008) is giving a recital on May 13th at 7 pm in Segerstrom High School Theater.

Got updates? We love to post news about what our alumni are doing. E-mail us your news at arts-x-press@pacificsymphony.org