Art Event #3: Vocal and Jazz Ensemble Joint Concert

It is always great to see fellow classmates displaying their talents on stage! At these event I recognized some familiar faces singing and playing instruments. The first part of the concert was a vocal performance, I recognized Christopher from my GESS class and MUSC class, and Kelsey I met at the dorms. The following part was a Jazz performance, with David and Christopher again on the mic. And they did such a great job!

This event took place today, December 7th 2009 in Arts 111 at 7pm. I felt really happy after seeing this event. The singers sang classic songs like "Stand By Me" and a song by Steve Wonder. 

During this time in my life I really am getting into instrumental music. So hearing the Jazz performance felt like I was listening to my iPod. They played some songs that I recognized by the accredited John Coltrane. 

Seeing this event really reaffirmed my appreciation for the Arts and wish more people appreciate the Arts and what it can produce. 

There was a few technical difficulties with sound, and a few off keys from some singers, overall I enjoyed the performances. 

I learned about a pioneer of bee bop I believe his name was Dizzy. I could be wrong, I forgot to write it down. But I'll be googling it! 

Art Event # 2: Poetic Justice

No not the movie with Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. This event was also right here on campus, (CSUSM), with acclaimed poets like Sharon Elise (Professor here at Cal State) and Ant Black (CSUSM Alumni), known for their rhythmic messages of personal accounts and harsh realities. 

This event took place in the Clarke Field House in the Great Salon, Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 7pm. This fourth annual event had sponsorships from Mondo's and Mission Bank. Which means free food and notebooks for attendees :) yay!

Hearing these poets left me thinking about my own expression abilities. And thinking of possible classes or places were I can perfect my craft of expresssion. Maybe it will help me in the professional world. 

A lot of the poets reaffirmed the things that I am learning in my SOC 313: Race and Ethnic Relations class with Professor Elise. White supermacy, silencing of people of color, color blind racism, and colonization. 

My only criticism is that more people should have attended. Last year it was a totally different atmoshpere, and I was excited to see that same feelings in the air. But was a little let down, but I took home some burritos, so too bad for those who missed out. (LOL)

And I learned that events like this one excite me to learn and know more. And possibly find my area of study to go into seeing as I'm really undecided at the moment. 

Art Event #1: Art Exhibition VSAR 180

This event happened right on campus, CSUSM that is, in the Arts Great Hall (Arts 180). An art exhibition using negative and positive, construction paper-like imagery. Bring back memories of my own childhood of craft time in preschool during the afternoon, right after nap time. But these figures in this piece showed a different emotion. Emotions of grief, agony, and even mortality as the figures that start out as students turned into zombies. Walking towards what looked like a "Big Business" type figure, cigar in the mouth and all, the antagonist of this tale. 

Overall, the display fostered familiar feelings of agony and grief. Specifically about the recent budget crisis, that ironically seems to be occurring much to quickly. But it is not the first time an event like this occurred.   To read more about that go to SaveCSUSM.com. 

The usage of the negative and positive space to foster emotions and it was only two toned. Seeing that definitely inspired me work for the next project coming up. (Stay tuned :))

The only criticism that I'd have to say is, I want to see more. Students on campus need to be aware of the events that are going to effect them. And more artistic voices need to be heard on this subject matter. 

And I learned that I'm not the only student that has those feelings.