Author Archives: Kiera C.

Mark Your Calendar for Mission Viejo’s Arts Alive Festival

Posted on by
Reply

arts_alive_logoMission Viejo’s upcoming Arts Alive Festival, scheduled for May 4 and 5, is an amazing event that is worth looking forward to every year.

It is a family-friendly art festival that features chalk art, local vendors, different types of entertainment, and a variety of food booths. The chalk art, drawn by both amateurs and professionals alike on the blacktop in the parking lot of Norman P. Murray Center, is awe-inspiring and is an example of how great art can bring a picture to life. But don’t worry if your drawing skills aren’t up to the main artists on the street– you can practice your skills on little open space tiles available for purchase with a pack of multi-colored chalk. Your art might turn out better than you think!

The theme of the event varies every year and influences the subject of the art. This year it is the 1960s. In addition to the wonderful art, there are booths from local vendors that feature unique goods that you aren’t able to buy everywhere else. There are is also different types of featured entertainment, including dance and music. Lastly, an event wouldn’t be complete without lots of good food and there is always a great variety of food options available. The Arts Alive festival is an awesome event that makes art accessible and introduces it to a whole new generation. It isn’t to be missed!

The Arts Alive Festival happens May 4 from 12pm – 8pm and May 5 from 12pm – 5pm at the Norman P. Murray Community Center at 24931 Veterans Way in Mission Viejo. A shuttle runs from the Civic Center on both days. Visit the official Arts Alive website for more information and to get a look at the Festival’s previous years.

-Kiera C., 12th grade

Event Recap: Oh, What a Beautiful Evening!

Posted on by
1
rodgers and_hammerstein

Composers Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II

Although this blog is focused on teen literature, even the most avid reader takes their nose out of a book eventually, right? If you like the performing arts, there are many opportunities to appreciate a variety of arts and culture in Mission Viejo.

“Oh, What a Beautiful Evening! The Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein,” presented by the the singers of the Orange County School of the Arts and Timeless Melodies at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in January, was an enjoyable tribute to the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, though not without flaws.

The selection of Rodgers and Hammerstein music was wonderful and the host presented each set of songs with an informative introduction. Unfortunately, as someone very familiar with the musical selections, I found that there were a lot of technical vocal issues in several of the performances. In addition, there sometimes lacked a balance between the singers in the group numbers as some were much louder than others, thereby making the performance sound out of tune.

Nonetheless, there were a few performers that were very talented and have a lot of potential. These singers filled their songs with emotion and heart and were a lot of fun to listen to. Overall, I enjoyed myself as I always get excited when I see singers with a lot of talent and potential, but I have to say the event was just mediocre as there was a lack of performance quality. Thus, although “Oh, What a Beautiful Evening!” was a mixed experience, there were a few stars that shined bright.

– Kiera C., 12th grade