A place that never ceases to amaze me is Torrey Pines State Beach! It is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California and approximately 1.5 miles West of Interstate 5 at Carmel Valley Road in San Diego. Here is a cool visitors guide for Torrey Pines State Beach including parking rate information from the San Diego Tourism Authority as well as information about the Torrey Pines State Reserve. Daily rates: $10-15 Monday-Thursday; $12-20 Friday-Sunday and Holidays.Click for info on Annual Passes.
#TorreyPinesStateBeach is my ‘go to’ place to walk for fitness, stroll, socialize, observe the #artinnature and #natureasart. I like to visually capture interesting images.
Here are a few of my photos from yesterday’s walk.
Beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach! Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Sandstone Cave-Like Area! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Amazing Sandstone Rocks! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
A very lovely shell amidst the rocks! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Heart Rock Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
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Update: As of 12/16/17 at 4:32 p.m. p.s.t, SJF Communications has a winner for the Family 4 Pack to “Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas” (San Diego)!
Thank you to those who responded! We will let you know if anything opens up for more complimentary tickets.
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS, is a flying, singing, and swashbuckling holiday show performed in the style of British panto. Pirates plan to kidnap Peter Pan as a Christmas present for Captain Hook. Can Peter, Wendy, and Tinkerbell foil their scheme?
And look who is starring in it!!!
ASHLEY ARGOTA OF ABC FAMILY’S “THE FOSTERS” (Tinkerbell)
RILEY COSTELLO OF NBC’S “HAIRSPRAY LIVE!” (Peter Pan)
CLARICE ORDAZ OF FOX’S “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” (Tiger Lily)
MARK RYAN OF STARZ’ “BLACK SAILS” (Captain Hook)
DAVID F.M. VAUGHN OF BROADWAY’S “SHREK THE MUSICAL” (Smee)
AUDREY WHITBY OF NICKELODEON’S “THE THUNDERMANS” (Wendy)
How do I win?
Be the first person to:
1. Click on and complete our Contact Form ( between 9 a.m. p.s.t. Saturday, December 16th and no later than 11 a.m. p.s.t. Sunday, December 17th) to WIN a family 4 pack of tickets for Opening Night, December 21st at The Balboa Theatre! Add name, email , phone and then comment: Peter Pan and Tinker Bell Tickets. Thank you!
The catch:
Winner must post on Social Media
that they attended the Opening!
More info below:
Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas is Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Mario Mosley, with book by Kris Lythgoe, Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor, and Andy Street serving as Musical Director. Chris Wood will serve as Associate Producer and Chris Wilcox will serve as Lighting Director. Casting is by Executive Producer Becky Lythgoe. This will be the second holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in San Diego, and their first in this larger venue.
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS is a flying, singing and swashbuckling holiday adventure performed in the style of a British panto. Step into the Balboa Theatre and embark on a wild quest with Tinker Bell, Wendy and Peter Pan, as they try to put a stop to the plot of some dastardly pirates who plan to kidnap Peter as a present to Captain Hook. Filled with big laughs, magic, dancers and contemporary songs by everyone from Taylor Swift to the Bee Gees, this family show has a little bit of something for everyone.
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS will play a strictly limited engagement of 12 performances from December 21 through December 31, with the official press opening on December 21, at the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Avenue, San Diego CA 92101.
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased in-person at San Diego Theatres Advance Sales Windows located at 1100 3rd Ave (corner of 3rd & B St) across from the Civic Theatre, via phone at (619/760/858) 570-1100 Mon-Fri 10a-6p, or anytime online at http://sandiegotheatres.org/peter-pan-tinker-bella-pirates-christmas/. Golden Tickets, which allow the ticketholder (children ages 4 – 12 only) a special on-stage experience during the production, are available for an additional $60.00 each.
“I am so excited by the great cast of Broadway and television performers we have assembled for our second San Diego production,” says Kris Lythgoe, the show’s author and President of Lythgoe Family Panto. “San Diego is a huge supporter of the Arts and we are proud to once again expand panto productions with San Diego Theatres.”
“We are thrilled to be expanding to The Balboa Theatre this season allowing even more families in San Diego and the surrounding communities to share in the magic of Panto!” says Becky Lythgoe, Producer and Co-Founder of Lythgoe Family Panto. “Ages 3-103, children, parents, and grandparents all coming together to sing, dance and share in the joy of LIVE theatre. This for us encapsulates the spirit and beauty reflective of the holiday season!”
Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids.
The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. This December, Lythgoe Family Panto will offer their largest season yet, with 4 different productions playing concurrently in Laguna, Pasadena, San Diego and Houston.
Lythgoe Family Panto established their reputation with productions at Pasadena Playhouse including A Cinderella Christmas starring Lauren Taylor, Alex Newell and Morgan Fairchild, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas starring Sabrina Carpenter and John O’Hurley, Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight starring Olivia Holt and Lucy Lawless, Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Jordan Fisher, and Ashley Argota – and A Snow White Christmas (the original of this production) starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris.
Thanks and hope to see you at PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS!
Meet Max Cadillac. I have known Max professionally for the past five years in San Diego. Our paths have crossed with me providing public relations & marketing, and with him either performing in professional theatre productions, choreographing and/or costuming…and most recently modeling as my photography subject for an action-packed, fun editorial shoot, as Max embarks on his new journey – the sky’s the limit – and seize NYC – a.k.a. The Big Apple!
This past September, our photo shoot (for his new modeling “look book”) with Max took place during the day at a cool park as well as a suburban cul-de-sac and street in the Rancho Penasquitos area of San Diego. Max posed. I snapped away.
Take a gander at Max’s photographic versatility (and read our interview Q &A which follows)!
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Q & A with Max Cadillac
SJF: Max, please give us the run down…tell us where you have performed professionally
MC: I have a true love for musical theatre and have been working hard throughout my field of choice – performing, choreographing, and costuming in San Diego. I’ve performed with Cygnet Theatre (Pageant, Gypsy), Moonlight Stage Productions (The Wizard of Oz, Music Man, Big Fish), San Diego Musical Theatre (White Christmas, Sound of Music, Cats, West Side Story), and most recently in The Tragedy of Carmen with the San Diego Opera.
SJF: Besides being a dancer, you’re also a choreographer. Where have you been the creator of all things dance?
MC: Over the last year, I have expanded into costuming under the wing of costume designer Janet Pitcher.
SJF: Why NY? Does it have a special meaning for you?
MC: Though I am proud to be a native San Diegian, I’ve always felt like my home town was ‘Broadway to Bloomingdales’ in The Big Apple. My parents and family are from the tri-state area and having growing up bi-coastal going to summer camp in the Poconos, I have always loved New York the most. Not only that, but there are so many more opportunities for theater in New York than Southern California. The fantasy of moving to the city and booking the first audition sounds splendid, but the reality of planning his move to New York has been a long awaited plan since high school.
SJF: Tell us about your performing and where you have studied
MC: The drive to perform has always been there. I have attended performing arts schools since middle school. I first attended Children’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy before transferring to Coronado School of the Arts for high school. It was there I learned his passion could become a career, and I pursued a degree in Theater. I attended a California State University to pursue my degree, but he realized within the first month this was not the right program for me. So within that first semester, I applied, auditioned, and was accepted into AMDA in Los Angeles for musical theatre. It was a program that mainly focused on acting, singing, dancing, and allowing their students to explore many aspects of the performance world on and off stage.
SJF: What was one of your favorite roles?
MC: Everyday is another chance to create and perform, but I really enjoyed my most recent performance as Lillas Pastia in the San Diego Opera’s The Tragedy of Carmen. The creative team wanted to make a whole new vision for the classic opera, so with only six cast members, sets and costumes spanning many different decades, and direction like no one has seen before, It was a true collaboration of artists working together to feature the best of their talents. And although my character did not have any songs or dialogue, I threw myself into the physicality of the character. To quote the lead of Carmen herself, she wrote me a lighthearted opening night letter saying “Thank you for stealing my show. Now own it” and that is exactly what I did. The recreation of a classic role is something I am extremely invested in, always trying to adapt and tell a relatable story for the audience, and one day I hope to originate a role in a musical, play, opera, or film. Any medium that gives actors the freedom to shape and mold a character like that sounds like a dream role to me, and I would even love to write my own musicals and movies in order to ensure true artistic freedom.
SJF: Dream roles?
MC: I have many! Aldolpho from The Drowsy Chaperone, Molina in Kiss of The Spiderwoman, Dr. Frank-N-Furter from Rocky Horror Picture Show, and an all time favorite from the first musical I ever saw on Broadway one day playing Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast.
SJF It’s been a pleasure Max. Anything else you’d like to share?
MC: On a personal note, I’d would like to thank you, Susan for all of your support, love, and laughter working together over the past 5 years and would like to leave your readers with this thought; If you love something, Do Not let it go! Hold onto whatever drives your passion, and love what you do. Theater, like the world can seem very small at times, but never limit yourself within your chosen field and always remember it is much more fulfilling to focus on the journey than the finish line.
SJF: Best wishes on your journey to the BIG APPLE!
Special thanks to Emmy Farese for photoshoot assistance!
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“Susan Farese, SJF Communications helped Westwind Brass double the size of our audiences at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. She also helped us to double the number of participants at our 2017 Summer Brass Workshop at San Diego State’s School of Music and Dance. She is savvy with all forms of media; print, TV, and radio. She is also very proactive on social media. She is willing to think, and work, outside of the box, and isn’t afraid to say what she is thinking. I highly recommend SJF Communications to all arts organizations in the San Diego area.”
-Bryan Smith, Tuba; Director of Educational and Outreach Programs
I decided to stroll around Balboa Park last evening with my camera in hand…and what a treat it was! Take a gander at some of the cool flowers, architecture, and more!
You can click on each photo for more detail!
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Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
California Tower, Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Orange Umbrella, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Casa Del Prado, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bridge at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Orange Umbrella, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Umbrellas and Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Check out these gorgeous flowers! Go ahead…click away to see the full images! Spectacular colors!
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
…Plus…some snapshots of this cute bunny posing and feasting!
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Finally, couldn’t resist taking photos of this beautiful fountain!
Fountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF CommunicationsFountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF CommunicationsFountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Westwind Brass Ensemble. Left to right top: Elizabeth Howard, Karl Soukup, Barry Toombs, Dr. Eric Starr; Bottom, left to right: John Wilds, Bryan Smith
The Westwind Brass, San Diego’s premier professional brass ensemble, and Ensemble-in-Residence at the San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Music and Dance, announces their exciting interactive ‘Summer Brass Workshop’ at SDSU, July 10-14, 2017, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. followed by a free afternoon concert with participant ensembles, Saturday, July 15 at 1 p.m.
The Westwind Brass Ensemble, includes Elizabeth Howard, John Wilds and Karl Soukup (trumpets), Barry Toombs (horn), Eric Starr (trombone) and Bryan Smith (tuba).
The Westwind Brass Ensemble Left to right: Dr. Eric Starr, Bryan Smith, Elizabeth Howard, Barry Toombs, John Wilds, & Karl Soukup
“After more than 30 years, Westwind Brass Ensemble remains committed to serving the diverse communities that make up this great city of San Diego. We pledge to serve not only the San Diego that we know, but also the San Diego of the future.”
– Westwind Brass Executive Director: Barry Toombs (French Horn)
“This workshop is open to brass instrument players of all ages and ability levels. Participants will have the opportunity to play a lot, and explore a wide range of ensemble types and musical styles, such as brass quintets, trios, and solos, in both the classical and jazz styles. Each day will close with a large brass ensemble. An emphasis will be places on fun and harmony!”
– Westwind Brass Director of Educational and Outreach Programs: Bryan Smith
Activities will include: Master Classes, Sectional Coaching, Ensemble Playing, Individual and Group Performances. Private lessons will be made available during the mornings for an additional fee.
In addition to the more traditional brass instrument training and ensemble experiences, this workshop will feature these mini-seminars:
“How to Start Improvising”
“Who Has the Time? The Road to an Efficient, Sustainable Practice Routine”
“How to Learn and Perform a Solo”
“Using Technology to Make Your Music, and Get It Heard”
Plus: “A Tour of the SDSU School of Music and Dance Facilities”.
Price Information for Summer Workshop: Students/Military: $150.00; Adults: $175.00.
The Westwind Brass exists to broaden and enrich the musical legacy of local, national and international audiences through performance and educational services featuring brass instruments and music. Westwind Brass musicians perform in various configurations of featuring the unique timbre of brass instruments and performing the brass repertoire at a high artistic level. Westwind Brass is a 501(c) (3) Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit Guidestar.org.
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Why? Because it is always different, each time I visit. I always seem to “see” art in nature…
The sandstone bluff rock formations and cliffs are majestic and magnificent. The amazing ocean with constantly changing tides speaks for itself. Nature abounds with animals and birds. I just marvel at the beauty. I also try bring my camera and snap away at what I see before me. Plus the extra added value of exercise as I stroll along the beach.
Last week, I spotted a few treasures which I captured photographically. I saw the blue Velella Vellela jellyfish (also called ‘by the wind sailors’ due to their resembling a sailboat), the pelicans continuously flew by back and forth in formation (although there are always a few stragglers ‘doing their own thing’), an egret graced the sand at the shoreline and then flew away (which I was fortunate to take a few photos of). Also of note, a peregrine falcon which was perched high above (several photographers had their long lenses prepped and were telling me how the falcon “Dad’ was so greedy and wouldn’t share food with his partner for her and the babies). I certainly hope this changes and those ‘babies’ thrive soon and the female gets more nourishment!
An amazing find of the day, I almost stepped upon. It was my first encounter with a juvenile eared grebe. It was sitting alone on the beach near the shoreline. Its striking orange eye captivated me. It was just sitting there…It looked healthy yet something didn’t seem “right” since it was ‘picking’ at it’s feathers every few seconds. Before I left, I called the ranger station and reported it. They arrived and said they would not be able to do anything themselves, but would call the “bird people”, I hope they did…
Pelicans on Parade
Wild Wingspan
Pelicans Flyover
Another Pelican Formation
Torrey Pines State Beach
Rocking in the Ocean
Velella Velella
Velella Velella
Jelly on a Rock
Torrey Pines State Beach
Peregrine Falcon Mama
Egret Taking Off!
Egret Beauty!
Egret Coasting!
Egret Alignment!
Eared Grebe at Torrey Pines State Beach
Eared Grebe at Torrey Pines State Beach
Do you see art in nature? Do you enjoy breathing in the ocean air? Do you reflect on how fortunate we are to be able to see so many wonderful species and celebrate gifts of the earth? I highly encourage you to if you can.
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I continually marvel at hummingbirds…such tiny magnificent magical creatures!
Their stunning colorful beauty, their speed, their zest for the “hummingbird life”….
It beats watching the news these days. It inspires my creative spirit and hope!
I’ve combined some poetry (Haiku), video footage and photographic images just for you!
Hummingbirds: A Haiku:
by
Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
1. Fluttering about
Zooming, oh, so rapidly
Marvelous colors!
2. Hummingbird magic
Unique, beautiful creatures
Don’t fly away, stay!
Here is a short video from today. See these lovely hummingbirds in action as they fly continuously over to the feeders and enjoy nectar, hover, and then dance away!
And now…some photographic images!
Hopefully these hummingbird images will captivate you and yours too!
Enjoy!
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Red-headed Male Anna Hummingbird looking up at the nectar!
Beautiful aqua and green coat Anna Hummingbird
Anna is almost at the nectar finish line!
Anna Hummingbird on a twig
I see the flower!
Male Anna hummingbird enjoying the afternoon!
Circling the nectar feeder
So hungry!
Love this wingspan!
Doesn’t this male Anna hummingbird look like a halo above his head? Wings!
I can taste that nectar already!
Two hummingbirds negotiating!
Just another nectar break!
“Here’s lookin’ at you, kid”, said the male Anna hummingbird!
Headshot! Male Anna hummingbird
Fluttering away!Feathered friend!
Which way did they go?? Male Anna hummingbird
Male Anna hummingbird looking up to the sky!
I was there first! No, I was! OK, let’s eat!Blue skies!!Colors!Time for more nectar!
Male Anna hummingbird on a palm leaf!
See? A palm leaf! Told you!
Hope you enjoyed the poem, video and photos from SJF Communications!
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I recently spent some time strolling on the beautiful campus at San Diego State University (SDSU). Our daughter is enrolled for Fall, 2016 and we love taking the time to explore every chance we get!
Here are some photos I captured that gloriously beautiful day! I wish I could have photographed the entire campus! Perhaps I will visit again soon to capture much more! Feel free to click on each photo.
Subscribe and leave comments and let us know if you have any links, photos or blog posts about SDSU as well! Enjoy!
Hepner Hall with the Hardy Memorial Tower in the Background
Capturing another view of the Conrad Prebys Student Union
SDSU’s Love Library
SDSU’s Love Library
SDSU’s Love Library
SDSU’s Love Library
Between Performing Arts area and Hepner Hall
And here is some of the gorgeous foliage seen that day. Click on each photo to enlarge it. Such vivid color and so many beautiful varieties of trees and flowers!
And a few more images of the “bench art” and more!
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After 16 years of waiting in the wings, Nobel Prize winner Samuel Beckett’s absurdist masterpiece WAITING FOR GODOT returns to San Diego stages with the fruitlessmoon theatreworks 2016 production at White Box Live Arts, Produced and Directed by fruitlessmoon theatreworks’ Artistic Director, Aimee Greenberg.
Award-Winning San Diego Musical Theatre ‘glams it up” for their upcoming production of La Cage Aux Folles on Friday, September 25 (preview) with Opening Night on Saturday, September 26th and running through Sunday, October 11th, 2015 at the beautiful historic Spreckels Theatre “on Broadway” in the Gaslamp District of Downtown San Diego.
Book by Harvey Fierstein with Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman.
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES SYNOPSIS
The musical that inspired the movie The Birdcage (starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane), La Cage Aux Folles tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely St. Tropez, and his partner, Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse, Zaza. When Georges’ son brings home his fiancée’s ultra conservative parents to meet the splashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test! La Cage is a glittering and fast stepping extravaganza mixed with a touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together, stay fabulous and above all else, stay true to themselves!
