STOMPing Success!

Cast of STOMP performing at Taft Elementary

During last week's successful visit at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the cast of STOMP not only thrilled Center audiences with its high energy creative performances but also engaged with the community and helped to make a difference.

Thanks to the generosity of our great patrons who brought in canned goods during STOMP Out Hunger, we collected more than 500 pounds of canned food items that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.

STOMPing Grounds at Founders Hall

Another great success was STOMPing Grounds, the pre-show activity taking place at Founders Hall. Audience members were able to become STOMPers themselves by jamming out with items similar to props used in the show. Urban percussion performer and Segerstrom Center Arts Teach artist Andrew Grueschow led each session of STOMPing Grounds and depending on the night, actual cast members would visit and help lead sessions as well.


STOMP and DHH Students at Taft Elementary

Nearly 300 students from Taft Elementary in Santa Ana, including deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) as well as hearing students from third through sixth grade classes assembled for a special outdoor performance as STOMPers used every day items to showcase how vibrations create sound waves. Following the performance, 40 DHH students participated in a workshop led by STOMP cast memebers.

So the next time you find yourself tapping your toes or drumming on pots & pans, just smile knowing you are celebrating your inner STOMPer.

Center Partners with CSUF in Teacher Training Program

 © Joesan Diche

Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ education department is partnering with Cal State University, Fullerton’s Department of Education. This program, “Arts: Avenues to Learning,” is training 80 student teachers and 30 classroom teachers in the arts and how to connect them with other subjects.

This is one way to be sure that the arts will continue to be taught in elementary public schools and in more integrated and creative ways as part of the regular curriculum. This program is part of the CSUF student teachers’ coursework requirements.  More than 2,400 enthusiastic students are expected to benefit from this program next year alone.

Post-Performance Hob Nobbing at Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge

There’s no reason to rush home when the show’s over this Friday and Saturday night. Following performances of the Mariinsky Ballet’s Swan Lake and Jane Monheit and John Pizzarelli, stop by Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge and treat yourself to selections from their new Appetizer and Small Plate menu.  Top your evening off with their crispy mushroom risotto fries or house made beef and veal meatballs braised in pomodoro sauce.  And there’s much more to sample and enjoy. You might even spot some of the performers. Leatherby’s is located in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. They’re also be open for dinners before every evening performance.

Verdi Rules in Concert Hall

© Doug Gifford

Segerstrom Center presented the inaugural LA Opera Off Grand on October 1 with a special concert performance of Verdi’s The Two Foscari in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The performance featured the same cast as in LA Opera’s fully-staged production, with Plácido Domingo starring as Francesco Foscari and James Conlon conducting the LA Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

During the post-performance cast party hosted by South Coast Plaza at Marche Moderne, Center President Terry Dwyer said, “Through the years, there have been many wonderful performances at the Center by both Plácido and his marvelous company, and it is always a pleasure to welcome them back.”

Byrne and St. Vincent are “Wonderful” – “Sensational”

That’s what critics have called David Byrne and St. Vincent in their Chicago and Boston performances. Byrne and St. Vincent arrive at the Center October 12.

Here are links for show & tell:

http://www.wbur.org/2012/09/25/byrne-st-vincent-orpheum  

http://www.mxdwn.com/2012/09/24/news/watch-david-byrne-st-vincent-perform-burning-down-the-house-and-cruel-in-minneapolis/  

http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/09/live-review-david-byrne-st-vincent-at-the-chicago-theatre-918/   (this one has set list and photo album) 

http://lovethisgiant.com/media/  

STOMPPORTUNITIES

STOMP returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts (October 9-14, 2012) bringing its unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy.

To heighten the STOMP experience, there will be two great ways to become further involved: STOMPing Grounds and STOMP Out Hunger.

Patrons can become unofficial STOMPERS by participating in the pre-show activity STOMPing Grounds, 75 minutes before all performances at Founders Hall. Those participating are given the opportunity to jam out with found items similar to props used in the show.

Another great opportunity while doing some good and helping out right here in Orange County is to join the fight and STOMP Out Hunger. As part of the STOMP Out Hunger initiative, patrons are encouraged to bring canned goods with them which will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.

For more information please click here.

YOU’LL NEVER DANCE ALONE!

The Little Mermaid © Holger Badekow

 

Swan Lake © Gene Schiavone

There are 3,000 seats in Segerstrom Hall. Chances are, we’re not always the only one there solo. So if you love dance and ballet and for whatever reason cannot gather up your family and friends for a night-out, why not Join the Corps?  Members of the Center’s new Dance Corps  are subscribers to the Dance Series who purchase subscriptions for one. You’ll be seated with other Center ‘soloists’ who share your passion for dance. You meet new friends and see them throughout the year. You can find out more by calling the Center’s box office at (714) 556-2787 or visit www.scfta.org/dance. If ever there was a reason to pirouette with joy!

Ashley Werhun, John Michael Schert, Travis Walker
Trey McIntyre Project © Lois Greenfield

Rodin © Gene Schiavone