Bierce was famous for his “Devil’s Dictionary,” but more famous for disappearing in Mexico in 1913, after saying he was going to fight alongside Pancho Villa. The event is free, but attendees must register to reserve a seat at www.wclibrary.org. Both concerts will feature diverse music from around the world. Friday evening’s program features music from Cuba, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Japan and America, and concludes with Caldwell & Ivory’s “Hope for Resolution,” a lyrical European chant melody combined with an uplifting Zulu anti-apartheid song.
Previn reveled in stories about the personalities and absurdities of Hollywood, While arranging and conducting music for the Lerner and Loewe musical “Gigi” (1958), one of his Oscar-winning assignments, he said director Vincente Minnelli ordered up 24 black swans to swim on a lake in Paris, Instead of the word for swans, “cygnes,” Minnelli in muddled French accidentally requested “singes,” monkeys, kmart ballet flats “Try setting that to music,” Previn recalled years later..
Insight Meditation South Bay: Overcoming Obstacles to Meditation, a practical series for people trying to establish or deepen their meditation practice. Thursdays through July 2. Westhope Presbyterian Church social hall, 12850 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga. By donation; no registration required. imsb.org. Survival Hikes: Hike safely on moderately paced local hikes (4-6 miles) in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Group discussions may include local history, geology, safe hiking practices, weather conditions and wildlife habitat. Come prepared with clothing to spend 3-5 hours outdoors including sun protection, lunch, snacks and water. A trail map, gear list and driving directions will be provided. Calero County Park, May 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, June 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Los Trancos Open Space Preserve, June 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $36, $48, $60. lgsrecreation.org, 408-354-8700.
Then last month, while the whole world was riveted by climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson making their historic ascent up Yosemite’s Dawn Wall, something clicked inside Smith’s head, “I read where one of those guys said everyone kmart ballet flats has an El Capitan inside them, a private dream just waiting to be tackled, “And that’s why I came to audition today,” Smith said, “‘America’s Got Talent’ is my El Capitan.”, So what would he wow the judges with?..
— Jim Harrington, Staff. Richard Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen” is one of the world’s towering artistic achievements. An epic tale of gods and mortals, betrayal and redemption, the composer’s four-opera cycle, comprising “Das Rheingold,” “Die Walküre,” “Siegfried” and “Götterdämmerung,” adds up to an unforgettable musical and dramatic experience. This year, San Francisco Opera will present three complete “Ring” cycles, reviving director Francesca Zambello’s acclaimed “American Ring” productions, which set the operas in a contemporary landscape scarred by environmental destruction. Donald Runnicles — one of the world’s great Wagnerians — will conduct the operas, with casts featuring such stellar singers as sopranos Evelyn Herlitzius and Karita Mattila, mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, tenors Daniel Brenna and Stefan Margita, bass-baritones Greer Grimsley and Falk Struckmann. For music lovers, it’s the event of the year — one that will attract Ringheads from around the world.
