Alex Ross, music critic for the New Yorker, has a blog. Cool.
And, thanks to his article of October 22, I now know about the site of the Arnold Schoenberg Center. And the blog of Jeremy Denk, concert pianist. Not to mention Keeping Score, maintained by our own San Francisco Symphony (I guess I think of myself as an honorary citizen of San Francisco, even though I've never actually lived there). This last web site should be bookmarked by anyone interested in educating their children about music, homeschooler or no.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Science Link
I don't know if this counts as a field trip, but it's a project we've started -- a journey through the periodic table of the elements, one element per week. Our first element is number one: hydrogen. We're going to increase our knowledge of atoms and molecules gradually as we work through this, and our first stop is this web site, which introduces children to atoms.
Wow! Great event on Saturday
Lifted directly from my e-mail:
The internationally acclaimed concert pianist Wolfgang Wortberg will
give two concerts - A Coat & Tie Candlelight Concert on Friday
evening, November 2 at 7:00 PM, with a post-concert "Meet the Artist"
no-host Champagne reception, and a more casual Matinee Concert on
Saturday, November 3 at 1:30 PM, also with a post-concert "Meet the
Artist" reception. In the program entitled "The Life and Music of
Ludwig van Beethoven," Mr. Wortberg will perform three piano
sonatas: "The Tempest," "The Farewell," and the "Appassionata."
Both concerts will take place in the Parish Hall at St. Mark's
Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto, CA and benefit the
Waldorf School of the Peninsula.
As a school in which the arts and music are central to the
curriculum, the Waldorf School of the Peninsula would like to share
the gift of Wolfgang Wortberg and his music with our broader
community. A special arrangement with the artist allows us to make
this exciting and moving experience affordable for families. The
admission charge is only $20 for adults, and $5 for children.
Children are welcome at both concerts, but the Saturday Matinee is
designed specifically to provide a time that may work well for
families with younger children.
Please call Jennifer Britton-Hanlon in the WSP office at 650 948-8433
to register, and mention Event Code HO.
NOTE: Mr. Wortberg will also be offering Master Classes on Sunday,
November 4 in Los Gatos. You can get more information about this
opportunity at the school web site at
http://waldorfpeninsula.org/media/pdfs/Wortberg_Master_Class_Flyer.pdf
_____________________________________________________________________
Wolfgang Wortberg: What The Critics Say
"In listening to Wolfgang Wortberg's concert with piano sonatas by
Ludwig van Beethoven, it was apparent what it means when only the
music is present. The pianist and even the piano seemed to dissolve
into sounds, as Beethoven perceived them. It was the original music.
A pianist who can serve music to the degree that he himself becomes
invisible is a true musician. The words in between the piano sonatas
were spoken with poetical power thereby leading his audience to a
deeper perception of the music. It was an incredible evening."
~P.deJong, after a concert at the Gasteig, home of the Munich
Philharmonic, June 2005
"Wortberg and Beethoven, this is more than a secret tip. Here
technical brilliance and the highest artistic impetus are combined."
~Alois M. Kramer, Schongauer Nachrichten, April 2004
"What distinguishes Mr. Wortberg is his ability to create a timeless
and completely absorbing listening experience. He is one of those
rare musicians who is no longer confined to just `playing an
instrument'. His thoughts, passions and physical mastery all coalesce
to create music, unencumbered inspirational music."
~Harvey Felder, Music Director, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra,
Tacoma Washington
"There was absolute delight in his music. People were jumping out of
their seats, shouting bravos, or simply standing in awe. We
experienced quiet moments, when at the finish of a nocturne you could
hear a pin drop – there was not a sound and the silence grew until
all were held within it!
Wolfgang Wortberg delivered not only a portrayal of Chopin through
his music but also through biographical notes and reflections from
his respected colleagues. By the end of the evening many felt as if
they had known Chopin directly. Wolfgang gave us so much and yet the
gift that may be most unique was his ability to become a vessel for
the music. He said that he feels he is played by the music rather
than being the player of the music. This is a gift that artists dream
of and he delivered this gift to us that night."
~Linda Delman, Summerfield Messenger, Santa Rosa, CA, after a
concert on September 21, 2002 in Sophia Hall
The internationally acclaimed concert pianist Wolfgang Wortberg will
give two concerts - A Coat & Tie Candlelight Concert on Friday
evening, November 2 at 7:00 PM, with a post-concert "Meet the Artist"
no-host Champagne reception, and a more casual Matinee Concert on
Saturday, November 3 at 1:30 PM, also with a post-concert "Meet the
Artist" reception. In the program entitled "The Life and Music of
Ludwig van Beethoven," Mr. Wortberg will perform three piano
sonatas: "The Tempest," "The Farewell," and the "Appassionata."
Both concerts will take place in the Parish Hall at St. Mark's
Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto, CA and benefit the
Waldorf School of the Peninsula.
As a school in which the arts and music are central to the
curriculum, the Waldorf School of the Peninsula would like to share
the gift of Wolfgang Wortberg and his music with our broader
community. A special arrangement with the artist allows us to make
this exciting and moving experience affordable for families. The
admission charge is only $20 for adults, and $5 for children.
Children are welcome at both concerts, but the Saturday Matinee is
designed specifically to provide a time that may work well for
families with younger children.
Please call Jennifer Britton-Hanlon in the WSP office at 650 948-8433
to register, and mention Event Code HO.
NOTE: Mr. Wortberg will also be offering Master Classes on Sunday,
November 4 in Los Gatos. You can get more information about this
opportunity at the school web site at
http://waldorfpeninsula.org/media/pdfs/Wortberg_Master_Class_Flyer.pdf
_____________________________________________________________________
Wolfgang Wortberg: What The Critics Say
"In listening to Wolfgang Wortberg's concert with piano sonatas by
Ludwig van Beethoven, it was apparent what it means when only the
music is present. The pianist and even the piano seemed to dissolve
into sounds, as Beethoven perceived them. It was the original music.
A pianist who can serve music to the degree that he himself becomes
invisible is a true musician. The words in between the piano sonatas
were spoken with poetical power thereby leading his audience to a
deeper perception of the music. It was an incredible evening."
~P.deJong, after a concert at the Gasteig, home of the Munich
Philharmonic, June 2005
"Wortberg and Beethoven, this is more than a secret tip. Here
technical brilliance and the highest artistic impetus are combined."
~Alois M. Kramer, Schongauer Nachrichten, April 2004
"What distinguishes Mr. Wortberg is his ability to create a timeless
and completely absorbing listening experience. He is one of those
rare musicians who is no longer confined to just `playing an
instrument'. His thoughts, passions and physical mastery all coalesce
to create music, unencumbered inspirational music."
~Harvey Felder, Music Director, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra,
Tacoma Washington
"There was absolute delight in his music. People were jumping out of
their seats, shouting bravos, or simply standing in awe. We
experienced quiet moments, when at the finish of a nocturne you could
hear a pin drop – there was not a sound and the silence grew until
all were held within it!
Wolfgang Wortberg delivered not only a portrayal of Chopin through
his music but also through biographical notes and reflections from
his respected colleagues. By the end of the evening many felt as if
they had known Chopin directly. Wolfgang gave us so much and yet the
gift that may be most unique was his ability to become a vessel for
the music. He said that he feels he is played by the music rather
than being the player of the music. This is a gift that artists dream
of and he delivered this gift to us that night."
~Linda Delman, Summerfield Messenger, Santa Rosa, CA, after a
concert on September 21, 2002 in Sophia Hall
Game Day
November 3, Saratoga Library
This event is organized by Stephanie Hood, who is an active and prominent spokesperson for homeschooling. It was originally a chess day, and she will be bringing her several chess sets, but people are encouraged to bring other games as well.
$1 donation is requested, because she is paying rent on the room.
This event is organized by Stephanie Hood, who is an active and prominent spokesperson for homeschooling. It was originally a chess day, and she will be bringing her several chess sets, but people are encouraged to bring other games as well.
$1 donation is requested, because she is paying rent on the room.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Updated Upcoming
Halloween Stuff:
October 27 -- Monterey Bay Aquarium Halloween Dance Party
October 27 -- Calero park Halloween afternoon
October 27 -- Almaden Library Halloween festival
Dias de los Muertos stuff:
October 27 -- Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History: community altar celebration (11-3)
October 27 -- Alma Gifts & Culture (Santa Cruz): Sugar Skull Workshop 831-425 2562
October 27 -- Dia de los Muertos Creative Exploration Workshop
October 29 -- Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History: celebration (11-3)
November 2 -- San Francisco: Rescue Culture Collective Parade (7PM)
November 2-3 -- Crissy Field: Legends of the Night Walk (4-7 PM)
Ongoing -- Oakland Museum of California special exhibit
Other Stuff:
Through October 31st -- Maize at Ardenwood Farms
Ongoing Second Sunday of the month -- 4H birdwatching project
contact: banachfarm@sbcglobal.net
Through December 31st -- Metreon exhibit Leonardo DaVinci
October 26-28 -- San Francisco Farmer's Market Harvest Festival
November 9, 10, 11 -- San Francisco Green Festival
November 10 -- San Francisco Farmer's Market Pear Tasting
November 17 -- Marine Science Institute: Family Discovery Voyage
October 27 -- Monterey Bay Aquarium Halloween Dance Party
October 27 -- Calero park Halloween afternoon
October 27 -- Almaden Library Halloween festival
Dias de los Muertos stuff:
October 27 -- Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History: community altar celebration (11-3)
October 27 -- Alma Gifts & Culture (Santa Cruz): Sugar Skull Workshop 831-425 2562
October 27 -- Dia de los Muertos Creative Exploration Workshop
October 29 -- Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History: celebration (11-3)
November 2 -- San Francisco: Rescue Culture Collective Parade (7PM)
November 2-3 -- Crissy Field: Legends of the Night Walk (4-7 PM)
Ongoing -- Oakland Museum of California special exhibit
Other Stuff:
Through October 31st -- Maize at Ardenwood Farms
Ongoing Second Sunday of the month -- 4H birdwatching project
contact: banachfarm@sbcglobal.net
Through December 31st -- Metreon exhibit Leonardo DaVinci
October 26-28 -- San Francisco Farmer's Market Harvest Festival
November 9, 10, 11 -- San Francisco Green Festival
November 10 -- San Francisco Farmer's Market Pear Tasting
November 17 -- Marine Science Institute: Family Discovery Voyage
Monday, October 22, 2007
Someone to keep an eye out for
Here is a link to a man who does Greek shadow puppets. He gave a show yesterday at the Mountain View center, but we couldn't go. Now, of course, all I want to do is find another performance so we can see him. Well, maybe not badly enough to go up to San Francisco on Halloween.
Greek Shadow Puppets
Greek Shadow Puppets
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Mountain View Community School
This venue has great free performances. I'm putting the link here, but eventually I'll try to get it into the sidebar.
Community School of Music and Arts
Community School of Music and Arts
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Upcoming October/November
Halloween Stuff:
October 20, 21 -- Bay Area Discovery Museum Goblin Jamboree Fundraiser
October 27 -- Monterey Bay Aquarium Halloween Dance Party
October 27 -- Calero park halloween afternoon
Other Stuff:
Through October 31st -- Maize at Ardenwood Farms
Ongoing Second Sunday of the month -- 4H birdwatching project
contact: banachfarm@sbcglobal.net
Through December 31st -- Metreon exhibit Leonardo DaVinci
October 27 -- Dia de los Muertos Creative Exploration Workshop
October 26-28 -- San Francisco Farmer's Market Harvest Festival
November 9, 10, 11 -- San Francisco Green Festival
November 10 -- San Francisco Farmer's Market Pear Tasting
November 17 -- Marine Science Institute: Family Discovery Voyage
October 20, 21 -- Bay Area Discovery Museum Goblin Jamboree Fundraiser
October 27 -- Monterey Bay Aquarium Halloween Dance Party
October 27 -- Calero park halloween afternoon
Other Stuff:
Through October 31st -- Maize at Ardenwood Farms
Ongoing Second Sunday of the month -- 4H birdwatching project
contact: banachfarm@sbcglobal.net
Through December 31st -- Metreon exhibit Leonardo DaVinci
October 27 -- Dia de los Muertos Creative Exploration Workshop
October 26-28 -- San Francisco Farmer's Market Harvest Festival
November 9, 10, 11 -- San Francisco Green Festival
November 10 -- San Francisco Farmer's Market Pear Tasting
November 17 -- Marine Science Institute: Family Discovery Voyage
Triple Play
Well, we actually managed to go to all three events today.
McWilliams House activities: lace-making demonstration in the front room of the house, cornhusk doll craft out back, fiddlers playing old-time dance music in front, rope-spinning by the front door.
Audubon Wildlife Education Day activities: bug world, featuring silkworms and hissing cockroaches to handle, large models of many common insects, and lots of information about why bugs are so essential to human survival; guinea pig exhibit with many beautiful specimens that could be petted but not picked up (apparently someone had dropped one earlier in the day); reptile exhibit with lots of different snakes that could be petted and picked up, and also a rather shy skink; a large craft area that we bypassed since I just wasn't in the mood today; a cool map of the watershed that you could stick a pin in to show where your house was; a salt marsh harvest mouse survival game; many other things that were not sufficiently alluring for me to guide the kids over to them.
Book Art Jam activities: hands-on edible book making, large exhibit hall featuring hand-crafted display and sale items that were staggeringly beautiful but perhaps a tad pricey.
Ziad's favorites: making rope and holding snakes
Maya's favorites: petting the guinea pig and seeing all the animals
My favorite: the book art exhibit hall
What did we learn today that we hadn't known before?
Ziad -- that there is a snake called the Black King snake which is actually something like the Incredibly Deadly Viper in that it looks mean and scary but is actually kind of friendly
Maya -- that big snakes and little snakes can both be friendly
Me -- that John Brown's widow and several of his children moved to California, settling at various places in the state, and that his widow and daughter are buried in the Saratoga cemetery.
Activities to follow:
Ziad -- report on black snake; narrative description of our day
Maya -- report on guinea pigs; narrative description
McWilliams House activities: lace-making demonstration in the front room of the house, cornhusk doll craft out back, fiddlers playing old-time dance music in front, rope-spinning by the front door.
Audubon Wildlife Education Day activities: bug world, featuring silkworms and hissing cockroaches to handle, large models of many common insects, and lots of information about why bugs are so essential to human survival; guinea pig exhibit with many beautiful specimens that could be petted but not picked up (apparently someone had dropped one earlier in the day); reptile exhibit with lots of different snakes that could be petted and picked up, and also a rather shy skink; a large craft area that we bypassed since I just wasn't in the mood today; a cool map of the watershed that you could stick a pin in to show where your house was; a salt marsh harvest mouse survival game; many other things that were not sufficiently alluring for me to guide the kids over to them.
Book Art Jam activities: hands-on edible book making, large exhibit hall featuring hand-crafted display and sale items that were staggeringly beautiful but perhaps a tad pricey.
Ziad's favorites: making rope and holding snakes
Maya's favorites: petting the guinea pig and seeing all the animals
My favorite: the book art exhibit hall
What did we learn today that we hadn't known before?
Ziad -- that there is a snake called the Black King snake which is actually something like the Incredibly Deadly Viper in that it looks mean and scary but is actually kind of friendly
Maya -- that big snakes and little snakes can both be friendly
Me -- that John Brown's widow and several of his children moved to California, settling at various places in the state, and that his widow and daughter are buried in the Saratoga cemetery.
Activities to follow:
Ziad -- report on black snake; narrative description of our day
Maya -- report on guinea pigs; narrative description
Friday, October 19, 2007
October events
Saturday, October 20
Audubon Wildlife Education Day -- McClellan Ranch, Cupertino
Book Arts Jam -- Foothill College
Historic McWilliams House Grand Reopening -- Saratoga
Friday, October 26
Homeschool Day -- Oakland Zoo
Halloween Trail -- Hidden Villa
Audubon Wildlife Education Day -- McClellan Ranch, Cupertino
Book Arts Jam -- Foothill College
Historic McWilliams House Grand Reopening -- Saratoga
Friday, October 26
Homeschool Day -- Oakland Zoo
Halloween Trail -- Hidden Villa
With a single step
We are a homeschooling family who put a lot of emphasis on field trips. I am starting this blog to document our outings. We'll have pictures to share and stories to tell. We'd love to hear your stories, too, and know about any places you like to go. We live in a wonderful area, with so much to do and see. We'll never get to everything, but we'll definitely give it our best shot.
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