week two day three! pageant of the masters!

hey everyone! we hope you are all enjoying your extended vacations at home! today was a very busy day here at arts-x-press. we had another early wake up today at 715. we headed down to breakfast. had a quick meal. and then went on our jolly way. the kids have been doing a lot of work in their creative expression classes as you have read before. but i know you are all dying to know what the cool counselors do during creative expression. but you are going to have to come back tomorrow to check it out.

so after creative expression we were able to participate in our arts workshops again. and i can tell you that from what i have seen that the kids are really making a lot of progress in the short amount of time that they have been here. the parent presentation tomorrow is really going to be something great. we had a quick lunch and then we made our way down to laguna beach where we spent the day at the festival of the arts. after a long bus ride filled with songs that included baby shark. jack sparrow. and boom chika boom. when we arrived at the festival we were able to take a back stage tour of the pageant of the masters! we got to see the cast members hair and make up area. we also got to walk around on the actual stage and see a lot of the sets that were actually used in the show we just saw!

after our tour we were able to do some small art activities at the festival. we were able to glaze some raku pots. create some scratch art. and even do some print making. all the kids are going to be able to take home their work so make sure you take a look at it when you get it a chance.

from there we walked on over to our dinner destination. while we were waiting for our pizza we were able to play some more new games. the kids also got to hear their room check scores. and well. ill just say they werent too happy with their results. we had some pizza for dinner and then we got to talk with carl st clair and were able to meet his wife susan. and his two children sienna and cade. the kids were really excited to be able to ask him all their questions.

from there we headed back to the festival and were able to walk around a little bit before the show to take a look at all the local artwork. some of the things that we saw were just jaw dropping. then we were able to see the pageant of the masters. AMAZING! it is just one of those things you have to experience for yourself. and thus. after a long day. a lot of the kids passed out on us on the bus ride home. yay! here are some other pictures from today.

that is all for now. we hope to see you tomorrow at the parent presentation! wahoooo!

garret.

ps. im really good at slide.

week two day two with a gagillion pictures!

guten tag! kann hier jemand deutsch?!

day two is officially done. weve had a very busy time so far at arts-x-press. we started off today with an early morning wake up which involved using trashcans. tweetie birds. and megaphones. we started breakfast off with some eggs. french toast. and a lot of syrup. on EVERYTHING! like tator tots. after breakfast we went to creative expression. the kids were able to work on some things that you can all see at the parent presentation on tuesday! we then headed over to our arts workshops. next came lunch. we had a nice international meal today that included some spaghetti and tostadas! our meal was a lot shorter today and a lot of kids missed out on ice cream. sad face.

after lunch we headed to our theater spotlight workshop which was led by amy lousie who was the director of the theater show that we saw yesterday! she was a blast and full of energy. we did some warmup games and then everyone was able to recreate a scene from the play including the counselors (which in opinion were the best. but some may say i have bias.)

after our great spotlight workshop were able to listen to two great young psyo members. one of which was tim who is a counselor next week. yay! your kids got some information on how they can become members so make sure to ask them about it if they are interested! after psyo we did an activity that we like to call bonding. make sure to ask your kids about it! (i dont say that phrase too oftern. do i?!) we then went back to the dorms. changed into our fancy arts-x-press shirts and then headed off to heritage park to see the pacific symphony orchestra preform! we were able to take a backstage tour.

we ate dinner at the park and were finally able to meet carl st clair. we were able to talk to him and ask him questions. after that we enjoyed a wonderful preformance by the symphony and then headed on the bus to go back to vanguard. after some three minute showers the kids were able to go off to bed.

and now im done. ich heiße garret. tschüs.

ps. i guess vannie and yolanda kinda helped. wahoo to them! jacob may claim he did. but he really didnt :)

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.