CHOREOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE

SPECTORDANCE brings another innovative program and major talent to their studios in Marina this weekend. Click our CALENDAR.

PERFORMING ARTS PEOPLE

ESTELÍ GOMEZ, young Watsonville concert soprano is on a roll worldwide and up for the challenge. Click HERE

$1 MILLION RISE IN CAL STATE ARTS GRANTS

NOT MUCH but better than nothing, and specifically targeted. LA Times reports. Click HERE

NEW CD FEATURES BACH FEST PLAYERS

ACRONYM, a baroque string band, including many Bach Festival players, explores “Oddities & Trifles: The Very Peculiar Instrumental Music of Giovanni Valentini.” Born a century before JS Bach, the prolific Venetian probably studied with Giovanni Gabrieli and definitely had a big court career in Vienna under Emperor Ferdinand II. His music is startling and fresh and unpredictable, played here on period instruments. Musicians from this year’s Bach Fest include Edwin Huizinga, Johanna Novom, Adriane Post and Karina Schmitz.

HOW TO MAKE A SMARTER TEEN

NEW RESEARCH finds music lessons produce neural benefits in kids who don’t start formal training until high school. Tom Jacobs explains. Click HERE

HERB SHERMAN FUND FOR JAZZ CAMP

LONGTIME FRIEND and jazz lover Herb Sherman died in late May from complication of diabetes. His survivors dedicated his estate to the Monterey Jazz Festival where he was a faithful fixture for 44 seasons. The fund will support summer jazz camp students in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties. Click HERE

FRESH CRITIQUES

MARY POPPINS on the Cabrillo Stage. Click HERE

TWO MORE Bach Festival concerts. Click HERE

Scott MacClelland, editor