Artists
Bay Area Artists Backstage at the San Jose Ballet
This week we take a look behind the curtains to learn how a ballet is born. We’ll meet Local Ballerina Karen Gabey, conductor George Daugherty and chat with choreographer Jessica Lang as she rehearses her new ballet,Eightyone. We’ll even learn some fun facts about ballet shoes. In between we’ll meet some visual artists. First, Susana […]
This is Us: Surfing Safari
For this episode we went aboard the O’Neill Sea Odyssey in the Santa Cruz Harbor. It’s a 65-foot catamaran on which kids get to take a field trip they’ll never forget – a science cruise on Monterey Bay. You’ll learn more about this educational adventure during the show. We also met the man behind the […]
This is Us Visits California Artists
This is Us visits the studios of four Northern California artists; Kirk McNeil, artist/blacksmith who works with white hot steel and really big hammers to create unique art; Beth Gripenstraw, she’s best known for her original ceramic jewelry and large ceramic murals but it is her paintings about life with vertigo that are drawing attention […]
Profile: Karen Gabay, Ballerina
Karen Gabey of the San Jose Ballet – after 28 years as a leading ballerina in San Jose, the 47 year old dancer is turning her attention to choreography.
Profile: Irene Dallas, Opera San Jose
Profile of Irene Dalis – Up until her retirement in 1977, she was the principal artist at New York’s Metropolitan Opera for 20 consecutive seasons. She founded the Opera San Jose and is currently its General Director.
Profile: Eddie Gale, Musician
Eddie Gale is a trumpeter known for his work in free jazz, especially with the Sun Ra Arkestra. Gale has also performed with Cecil Taylor and John Coltrane. In 1974, Gale was named San Jose’s Ambassador of Jazz for his efforts to bring jazz to the city.
Profile: Lisa Fraboni
Lisa Frabone is a Board Member and one of the driving forces of the San Jose Youth Symphony. Frabone has two children that are among the 250 member orchestra that make up the SJYS. The orchestra has been playing classical music for 57 years in San Jose and next summer they will tour in Chile […]
Profile: Roy and P.J. Hirabayashi, San Jose Taiko
Roy Hirabayashi and his wife, P.J., helped found San Jose Taiko (SJT), a drumming ensemble and one of the earliest taiko groups in the United States. Under the leadership and artistic direction of the Hirabayashis, SJT recently celebrated its 35th anniversary.They have been keeping the beat in The Valley for 35 years. Update: Since we […]
Profile: Luis Valdez, Playwright
Luis Valdez is the founder of the El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista and is called the father of Chicano theater. His play Zoot Suit was the first Hispanic American play to reach Broadway. He followed the landmark show with the popular 1987 film La Bamba.
Profile: Annie Morhauser, Glass Artist
An artist and the founder of Annieglass, Annie Morhauser’s handcrafted glass pieces are on display in the Smithsonian and the White House, and are in many private collections including those of Bill and Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, and Barbra Streisand. The Annieglass studio is located in Santa Cruz.
