May 2nd, Friday, 10am (be there by 9.15am) National Geographic Live presentation by Jody Cobb at Broad Stage in Santa Monica

If you have a middle schooler or a high schooler interested in photography, photo-journalism, or just travelling the world with a curious mind, this live presentation by renowned photojournalist Jodi Cobb is for you and your student.  Please join my educational group if you are able to arrive at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica by 9.15am on Friday, May 2nd, 2014 for the 10am performance as we will enter as a group.  Free parking is available and you will need print out a permission form to join this fieldtrip which I will email you when you RSVP with your name, cell contact, and the name and grade of your student.  This performance with many photos to illustrate her stories from her long career will be an inspiration to budding photographers, photojournalists, journalists and anthropologist :)  Please note that I have been assured that middle-schoolers are welcome to this performance.

For a brief preview of her voice and style of presentation, you can hear Jodi Cobb in this brief discussion of a geisha photo at this link:

http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/speakers-bureau/speaker/jodi-cobb/

If you cannot come to this live performance, here's a link to an insightful interview given by Jodi Cobb with the Photo Society which deals with the technical as well as the business side of being a photo-journalist and story telling with photos:

http://thephotosociety.org/blog/interview-with-jodi-cobb-national-geographic-photographer/

This is one of many photos by photo-journalist Jodi Cobb.  If you can come, please RSVP by emailing me ASAP at reallykf@gmail.com and please note again that you will need to give permission to your child to see this live performance and I will email you the permission form promptly.

Date:  Friday, May 2nd, 2014 - please meet at 9.15am for check-in for this 10am matinee performance.
Venue:  The Broad Stage, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica
Free parking

National Geographic Live

Stranger in a Strange Land

Jodi Cobb - Photographer

Join veteran National Geographic photographer Jodi Cobb on a whirlwind retrospective of a distinguished career that has spanned four decades. Known for breaking through barriers and going undercover to reveal hidden societies, Cobb has captured fascinating glimpses of worlds such as Japan’s secret Geisha culture, and the cloistered lives of Saudi Arabian women. Her landmark story “21st Century Slavery” exposed a wide range of human trafficking, generating more reader accolades than any other story up to that point in the Geographic’s history. Travel with this inspiring woman as she chronicles her public—and private—path from young photojournalist to world-renowned photographer. 

To read more about Jody Cobb, check out this links:

http://www.jodicobb.com/index.php#mi=1&pt=0&pi=2&s=0&p=0&a=0&at=0

to see some of her amazing photos on various subject matters.

https://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/speakers/2014/05/12/stranger-tor1/

has the following photo and text:

“There are stories everywhere—in your own house, your backyard, your town. You need to find out what you’re interested in, what you’re passionate about, what you want to change, celebrate, illuminate, interpret. It’s right there.”—Jodi Cobb

By nature curious and adventurous, Jodi Cobb has had a career that has taken her to over sixty countries in search of the raw humanity in some of the world’s most complex, impenetrable environments.

As a photojournalism student in the 60s, Cobb recorded American counter-culture, including some of rock & roll’s biggest names—Bruce Springsteen and Grace Slick among them—at pivotal points in their careers. Her first documentary project covering a commune in the Ozark hills garnered numerous awards, establishing her as a new young star of the photographic world. In the mid-70s, Cobb left newspapers to join National Geographic magazine—its first female photographer in what was then very much a boys’ club. She would go on to shoot some of the most pivotal stories in the magazine’s history, including the shocking and poignant “21st Century Slavery,” exposing a wide range of human trafficking, child, and slave labor.

Known for breaking through barriers and going undercover to reveal hidden societies, Cobb has brought to light fascinating glimpses into Japan’s secret Geisha culture and the cloistered lives of Saudi Arabian women. Whether using her camera to capture the experience of being a twin, exploring what is considered “beautiful,” or depicting the phenomenon of love, Cobb takes on challenging photographic assignments and invites us into her inquiring and adventurous life’s work.

Featured as one of National Geographic’s Women of Vision in a recent book and exhibition, Jodi Cobb takes audiences on a moving and at times humorous journey. Travel with her as she chronicles her public—and private—path from young photojournalist to world-renowned photographer.

Recommended for grades 9–12. Curriculum connections: Social Studies, Global Studies, Human Cultures, Women’s Studies, Anthropology, Geography, Photography. Open to middle schoolers too.

If you wish to register to attend this free performance on your own, here is the link to do so:

http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/special-events/2014/05/02/stranger-student-la/

On Sunday, April 13, 2014, come and enjoy two free events on UCLA campus: Nigerian Talking Drums at Fowler Museum 2-4pm and American Youth Symphony at 7pm at Royce Hall

Once in a while, there are multiple events on UCLA campus for families that make the $12 all day parking all the more palatable.  Fowler Museum hosts a family dance jam program from 2pm to 4pm and the practically professional American Youth Symphony will perform at 7pm at Royce Hall. Details for both events are below.

To get an idea of the kinds of cultural histories exhibited in the museum from home, see the video gallery:  http://fowler.ucla.edu/multimedia/video-gallery and don't miss checking out the globally sourced gift shop with some amazing well-priced souvenirs that everyone can afford.

Family Jam: Nigerian Talking Drums with Francis Awe

Feel the beat with your whole body in this interactive dance class and performance. Presented in conjunction with Fiftieth Anniversary Gifts, II, featuring recently donated works of art from across the African continent.


 

EVENT DETAILS

Family Jam: Nigerian Talking Drums with Francis Awe
Sunday, April 13, 2014
2–4 pm  
Free family program

Fowler Museum closes at 5pm, and I suggest families pack a nice picnic 

dinner to eat at the Shapiro Fountain at the top of Janss Steps just one building away from Fowler.

Here is an interactive UCLA map link:  http://maps.ucla.edu/campus/?locid=86155 where you can search for Shapiro Fountain near Royce Hall.

Enjoy the great program below - reserve your free tickets online and pick up at WILL CALL tables.

Nigel Armstrong, violin

THE ALUMNI PROJECT SUNDAY 13 APRIL 2014 ROYCE HALL 7 PM CONCERT reserve now ALEXANDER TREGER conductor / NIGEL ARMSTRONG violin DEBUSSY An Afternoon of a Faun CHAUSSON Poème, Op. 25 SAINT-SAËNS Introduction et rondo capriccioso Op. 28 STRAUSS An Alpine Symphony, Op. 64 Alumni return to join forces and perform one of Strauss’s largest non-operatic works: the score calls for 125 players, and depicts the spectacular climb up an Alpine mountain-top, from twilight to dusk. Soloist Nigel Armstrong, who trained with the American Youth Symphony from 2008 to 2011 while studying at the Colburn Conservatory, won Fourth Prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 2011. He continues his ascent to international fame sharing his many talents in tango, bluegrass and classical music performances around the world.

Be Part of Royalty at Getty Center's Family Festival this Saturday, April 12, 2014, from 10am to 6pm

One of the best things about living in Los Angeles is catching the free family festivals at both Getty Center and Getty Villa.  The only cost is your parking.  Even though the festival begins officially at 10am, my recommendation is to arrive at 9am when the trams start running and enjoy the quiet before the crowds arrive.  You might want to go to the LA Opera performances at the museum lecture hall a little early.  The new thing in this festival relating to the photographic exhibition about Queen Victoria is the "snap yourself" activity where you can take photos of a royal you and create an album ... or send your photos as postcards to your "subjects' in the far reaches of the British Empire or to family and friends wherever they are.  Don't forget to bring all your addresses to mail your photos as Getty Center will mail your postcard photos anywhere in the world.  I can assure you that this is true and my international recipients confirmed that they received their postcards :)  So this is one festival that you might want to dress up royally for the photos!   Enjoy the musical performances, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado performed by Pacific Opera Project and LA Opera singing parlour songs!  Don't forget to see the amazing exhibits at Getty Center, its architectural beauty and its beautiful gardens.  There is a separate succulent garden high within the building that is somewhat hidden, overseeing a beautiful view of the city.

	Pacific Opera Project. Photo: Martha Benedict

Family Festival celebrating A Royal Passion: Queen Victoria and Photography

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Admission: Free; no reservations required.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Her royal majesty Queen Victoria invites young and old alike to journey to her 19th-century realm via the magical world of photography and the excitement of a family festival. Visitors can enjoy the majestic bagpipe sounds of the Queen's beloved Scotland, sing along to boisterous English music hall tunes, revel in the topsy-turvy world of Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and have pictures taken to create a personal "carte de visite." Girls and boys can even make their own royal crown at a hands-on workshop. Kids of all ages can remember the day for the rest of his or her reign with a photo album of this royal visit to the Getty Center.

MUSEUM COURTYARD STAGE

Ian Whitcomb and The Bungalow Boys — 
British Music Hall Tunes
11:00–11:45 a.m. and 2:45–3:30 p.m.

These wide-ranging entertainers will present a program of songs, stories and monologues, as heard in the British music halls in their heyday of the late 1890s to early 1900s. The Bungalow Boys are a floating all-acoustic band specializing in classic American and British songs and have been performing with Whitcomb for 30 years.

	Photo: Adam A. Lohnes

Ian Whitelaw
12:15–12:45 p.m. and 4:00–4:30 p.m.

A world-renowned musician of 47 years, Ian Whitelaw brings his passion for highland music and dance to the Getty. Playing the Highland Bagpipe, Whitelaw and friends will present this remarkable instrument along with highland dancing for audiences of all ages to enjoy. Whitelaw will also be playing bagpipes throughout the day in various locations.

Pacific Opera Project (POP)
1:15–2:00 p.m. and 5:00–5:45 p.m.

Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular operetta, The Mikado, has been delighting audiences since its premiere in 1885. In typical POP style, this classic is transported from the days of Japanese royalty in elaborate silk kimonos to gritty, modern-day Harajuku costume. Bold colors, eye-catching patterns, exotic garments (cut 'types') and interesting piercings abound to give this beloved classic a POP-worthy twist. POP brings eight singers to the Getty for a shortened version of this crowd-pleasing production. Perfect for all ages! 

Snap Yourself
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Have your photo taken and then share them with your friends or subjects, much like Queen Victoria did in her day. Each picture will be printed with six images of the same photo so that you can also use them in the Festival workshops. 

	Photo: Aaron Paley

MUSEUM LECTURE HALL

At home with LA Opera: 
Songs from the Victorian Parlour
Noon–12:45 p.m. and 2:15–3:00 p.m.

LA Opera artists invite you to "join them in the parlour" for an afternoon around the piano as they perform popular and beloved songs of the 19th century. As the Victorian era progressed, more families were able to afford the luxury of a musical instrument and training. Families often enjoyed recreational music-making together before the arrival of the phonograph and radio. Some of the earliest parlour songs were adaptations of operatic hits and older folk ballads, inspired by love and nature. Later in the 19th century, composers such as Stephen Foster began to specifically compose and publish songs intended for amateur performance. Ironically, these very popular parlour songs were soon taken up by professional singers for public recitals!

"Home Sweet Home," "Beautiful Dreamer," "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair," "Vine, Vine and Eglantine," and "After the Ball" are a few of the delightful songs that will be performed...just don't be surprised if you are asked to sing along! 

WORKSHOPS
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Want to be Royal?
Girls and boys can make fun or elaborate tiaras and crowns, and imagine what it would be like to be Queen or King of the Getty.

Make a Photo Album
Participants can organize their Snap Yourself photos taken in the courtyard into a miniature photo album to remember their time as rulers of the Getty.

Portrait Postcards
Children can use one of the photos taken at Snap Yourself in the courtyard and turn it into a postcard to mail to family or friends.