Summer Reading (#34)

Feature.

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (#33)

Top: Guest conductor Grant Cooper

Middle: Opera soprano Laura Aikin, performing "Ophelia's Mad Scene" from Hamlet

Bottom: Cooper leading the violin section of the CSO

Song Service Feature (#32)

While shooting the Sacred Song Service last night, I caught this little girl peeking over the bench behind her. I'm not sure if she was watching me take photos or interested in something else going on, but I couldn't help snapping a couple frames.

CTC birthday (#31)

The Chautauqua Theater Company celebrated its 25th anniversary/birthday this summer and last Thursday the Friends of Theater held a block party to celebrate. Cake and champagne were served and a couple of Opera students (right) led the crowd in singing happy birthday to the CTC.

Co-Dependancy - Pas de Deux (#30)

I wish I could do a post for each of the dances in last night's Pas de Deux in the Amphitheater. But that would be way too many, but this dance deserved it's own post. Titled "Co-Dependancy," this piece was tribal, sensual, shocking and beautiful. I loved everything about it. The dancers are Anna Gerberich and Joseph Watson of the North Carolina Dance Theatre.

Pas de Deux (#29)

Chautauqua dance instructor Mark Diamond choreographed a night of duets featuring the North Carolina Dance Theatre. It was beautiful. The dances were extremely diverse, each telling its own story. I have several friends who are in school for dance. Getting the chance to see professionals perform was a fun experience.

Reckless (#28)

Last Friday, I had my first opportunity to shoot for the Chautauqua Theatre Company. It was dress rehearsal for their second production, Reckless. Reckless is a comedic drama about a woman, Rachel, whose husband hires a hit man on her (on Christmas Eve) and must go on the run. She ends up living with a strange man named Lloyd and his deaf, paraplegic wife, Pooty.

The play goes from extremely funny and quirky to eye-opening and very intense. I had never heard of this play before and really enjoyed having the opportunity to see it and shoot it.

Viola (#27)

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Pops (#26)

So I've been shooting the Orchestra a lot lately. Tuesday was a pops concert, featuring John Phillip Sousa music. It was pretty funny hearing something familiar from the orchestra for once. I really think my grandparents would have enjoyed it.

Mah Jong (#25)

The other day I shot a group of women playing a chinese tile game called Mah Jong. Exciting, I know. But these women were a lot of fun and didn't mind myself and the reporter being there. They called the operation "a floating game" of Mah Jong.

Michael Sandel (#24)

Harvard philosophy professor and author Michael Sandel spoke at the Chautauqua Amphitheater during the Institution's week on The Ethical Frontiers of Science. Sandel's lecture was titled "The case against perfection: What's wrong with designer children, bionic athletes, and genetic engineering." Sandel encouraged debate with the audience by proposing real and hypothetical situations and letting a few voice their opinion to the crowd.

Water Olympics (#23)

Last week, the Chautauqua Boys and Girls Club held the 2008 Water Olympics. Events such as the watermelon pull, sponge relay, and hula hoop relay for the younger kids and kayak races, water polo, and basketball shootout for older kids.

Duke Ellington Orchestra (#22)

The Duke Ellington Orchestra performed in the Chautauqua Amphitheater Friday evening. It was great to hear some real, good jazz.

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (#21)

Top: Music director Stefan Sanderling at the end of the CSO's first piece Saturday evening.

Middle: Principal cellist Chaim Zemach looks over his music before the concert.

Bottom: Principal harpist Beth Robinson practices some notes before the concert.

Chalking (#20)

Feature hunting.

Joyce Carol Oates (#19)

Author/playwright Joyce Carol Oates spoke at the Chautauqua Amphitheater this morning during the Institution's week On Writing. She joined Roger Rosenblatt on stage as part of a two-way discussion before reading an excerpt of her writing.

Music School Festival Orchestra (#18)

Top: Kuok-man Lio, 2008 David Effron Conducting Fellow

Middle: Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra music director Timothy Muffitt

Bottom: Violins

The Speedbumps (#17)

The Speedbumps played a Fourth of July show at Musica in Akron. The guys played right before the fireworks were shot off over the interbelt.

Good news for Speedbumps fans -- they are currently recording and will release a new album in November of this year (as of now).