Jazz & Swing from A to Z: The Story of America's Music

Six Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
beginning January 30, 2014

The USC Emeriti Center cordially invites you to participate in this free six-session class, Jazz & Swing from A to Z: The Story of America's Music taught by DR. THOM DAVID MASON, the Founder of the Jazz Studies Department at the Thornton School of Music at USC. The weekly sessions will cover:

January 30: The Early Days of Swing
February 6: Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing
February 13: A Duke Named Ellington
February 20: Sing a Song of Ella
February 27: Jazz and Swing on the West Coast
March 6: Jazz and Swing Today

Thom Mason was chairman of the department of jazz studies at the USC Thornton School of Music from 1983 to 1996. During that period he created the bachelor of music, master’s of music and doctor of musical arts programs in jazz studies. Currently he teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses and serves as academic advisor for all jazz studies DMA students. Dr. Mason has appeared as a soloist at jazz concerts throughout the world. As a sideman he has played with such notable artists as Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Shelly Berg, Steve Houghton, Jack Sheldon, Louis Bellson, Ndugu Chancler and Ernie Watts. He is a saxophone, clarinet and flute specialist. He has recorded four jazz albums under his own name and has appeared as a sideman on several other jazz and pop music albums. In 1996 he received the Jazz Educator of the Year Award from the Los Angeles Jazz Society.
Dr. Mason's multimedia presentations are filled with musical examples, rare photos, film clips, humorous stories and live demonstrations that stimulate, educate and entertain. And it's all free at Crowell Library! But registration is required so please call the library to reserve your seat: (626) 300-0777. The class will take place in the Library's Barth Community Room.

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Tea-One Tasting!

Wednesday January 29th, 7:00 p.m.

Begin your lunar new year celebration a little early and taste some fabulous teas from Taiwan while learning all about tea preparation. THOMAS SHU, the Ambassador of Taiwan Tea, will demonstrate tea basics in this hands-on workshop at Crowell Public Library Wednesday, January 29th at 7:00 p.m. Volunteers will be selected from the audience to prepare four different teas in six steps. Everyone will witness "The Agony of Leaves" live and in color, and learn to savor and appreciate teas like fine wines. Come and explore the aromas of an array of teas that can soothe or stimulate, but always tantalize your taste buds and elevate your well being.

Thomas Shu has presented tea workshops for almost every university in California and other institutions, such as Princeton, Duke and Harvard. He is a third-generation tea specialist from Taiwan, where his family has been conducting tea business for more than sixty years. He works with many major tea companies and importers from Asia, Europe, and the United States. In 2007, Mr. Shu received an honorary title, “Ambassador of Taiwan Tea,” from Taiwan Tea Manufacturers Association in recognizing his dedication and contributions for the industry. He is one of the founding members and board directors of American Premium Tea Institute, now known as Specialty Tea Institute.

Thomas Shu and his wife, Josephine Pan, are founders of Taiwan Tea Institute in Los Angeles, Taiwan Oolongs Study Tour, as well as hosts for Azusa Tea Club, a monthly tea meet up.

Start the new year off on a refreshing note!

LA Opera Talk: Britten’s Billy Budd

Sunday, January 19, 2:00 p.m.

A powerful tale of innocence and betrayal on the high seas based on Herman Melville’s classic American novella, Billy Budd tells the story of a young sailor whose unwitting actions compel his captain to make a fateful decision. At the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, baritone Liam Bonner will lead an all male cast as Billy Budd, with tenor Richard Croft as Captain Vere. The presentation is part of the celebration of the Benjamin Britten centenary. Paul Griffiths of the Los Angeles Times has said of Britten:

“Here was a composer who produced almost a hundred major works, 11 of them full-length operas, and who ranged in his central concerns all the way from pacifism ("War Requiem") to the pleasures of childhood, who enjoyed writing not only for international virtuosos (Rostropovich in his cello suites) but also for the choral groups of his hometown, and who could respond in his operas to the social comedy of an English village ("Albert Herring") or the stark tragedy of a Japanese Noh play ("Curlew River").”*

If you can’t make it to the Music Center or you’d like to broaden your understanding of Britten and his music, come to Crowell Library on January 19, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. for this special LA Opera Talk. Community Educator LARRY VERDUGO, who presented our LA Opera Program on Britten’s Turn of the Screw back in 2011, will reveal some fascinating facts in a multi-media presentation in the Library’s Barth Community Room. The program is free and open to all opera aficionados and first timers.
Opera is not just magnificent music, dance and theater with astounding sets on a beautiful stage; opera can sweep you away to foreign lands, take you back in time, dazzle you with pageantry and bring history to life. It is literature, social studies, cultural diversity, multiple languages and most of all, it is exciting! Come explore the world of opera which has something for everyone.
Mark this date on the social calendar as Crowell Library celebrates LA Opera’s 2013/2014 season. Light refreshments will be served.
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*http://articles.latimes.com/2013/mar/08/entertainment/la-ca-et-cm-benjamin-britten-100-20130310

Dolce Melodie: chamber music

Thursday, January 23, 7:00 p.m.

Enjoy a fine evening of chamber music featuring such composers as Mozart, Schumann, and Ravel, as well as more contemporary numbers on Thursday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library’s Barth Community Room. This special performance is part of the Library’s new series of free quarterly concerts, featuring a range of musical styles and instruments, brought to one and all by the Friends of the Crowell Public Library and the San Marino Music Center. Dolce Melodie features founder Elizabeth Walker on flute, Desiree Hazley on violin, Jonathan Wang on clarinet and Susanna Sujin Kwon on cello.

Elizabeth Walker has traveled through the U.S., the Bahamas, and Australia playing flute. She graduated from Azusa Pacific University with the Bachelors in Music Flute Performance and was a member of the Symphony Orchestra. Since graduation she has performed throughout Southern California and has been a part of the Inland Valley Symphony, Orange County Wind Symphony as well as Dolce Melodie. She has been teaching for many years.

Desiree Hazley graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Violin Performance at Azusa Pacific University. In 2012, she had the opportunity to study music with the concertmaster of the Heidelberg Philharmonic for three months in Heidelberg, Germany. Desiree has worked on many projects with artists including: Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart and she is the violinist of the gypsy jazz band, Aux Amis. She teaches violin and plays in the Claremont Symphony and Riverside Philharmonic.

Jonathan Wang started his music career at Citrus College where he was the lead alto sax in the Blue Note Jazz Orchestra, and lead clarinet in the Sierra Wind Symphony. Jonathan has performed throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii and is also a graduate of Azusa Pacific University and plans to pursue his teaching credential. Performance groups include University Choir and Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble & Wind Ensemble and Bodhi Rock.

Susanna Sujin Kwon has been a cellist in the hit show Glee and is currently the main cello instructor at San Marino Music Center. She is pursuing her Bachelor's degree at Azusa Pacific University in cello performance, studying with Marek Szpakiewicz, as well as a Bachelor's in sports psychology. She plans to continue studying for her Master's in both fields, and a Doctorate's in psychology.

You won’t want to miss this blissful evening of free music at Crowell Library. Light refreshments will be served. For more information on the San Marino Music Center, visit: http://www.sanmarinomusiccenter.com/index.html.

coming to Crowell Library: Dakim Brain Fitness

Trial Use for the Month of January 2014

Everyone’s heard the old adage, “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,” and that is not only true of our muscles, but our brains. They need exercise too. Dakim is a computer based program designed to provide a fun, comprehensive brain workout in just 20 minutes a day. It features vivid graphics, music, humor, movie clips, stories, and trivia to keep the program interesting, engaging, and fun. The touch screen environment makes it easy, even if the user hasn’t used computers in the past. No keyboard, no mouse are used. The user just listens, watches, and touches the screen to select a response.

Dakim can help people stay mentally engaged and improve memory skills. Recent retirees or seniors may find Dakim to be a great way to spend part of the day while giving their brains a little workout. There are five different levels, so users can find the one that suits them best. People who have already experienced some memory and cognitive loss may find that participating in the Dakim program improves their ability to focus.

Crowell Public Library will have a one month trial period in January allowing patrons to come to the Library, try the program and give their feedback to help decide whether the Library should offer Dakin Brain Fitness on an ongoing basis. Patron participation is crucial in this process. The Library is now setting appointments for those wishing to try the program through January 31. Patrons are welcome to come in for multiple sessions as the makers of Dakim recommend its use three to five times a week for 20 minutes. If enough patrons like using it, the Library hopes to subscribe to the service.

The Library will offer brief orientations in the computer lab to demonstrate Dakim. Call (626) 300-0777 and ask for the Reference Desk to sign up. After the initial visit, patrons can sign up for more sessions.

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Rose Pruning Workshop

Saturday, January 18th, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Former City Parks Division Manager, RON SERVEN is now with San Marino’s Planning Department, but his expertise with roses is still visible throughout the city, particularly at Lacy Park. Ron has conducted this workshop at Crowell Library on a yearly basis for many years and many rose lovers have benefited and attended repeat performances.

Ron will demonstrate optimum rose pruning techniques and answer questions from the audience, such as what to do in cold weather, and dealing with other special conditions such as irregular rainfall. Those who attend will be ready to go out into their own yards the very same day to get the job done. Ron will give everyone a better sense of how Mother Nature works. You’ll soon be spending some enjoyable time in your home garden, armed with the knowledge to keep it thriving and beautiful.

This workshop is free and reservations are not required, but if you have questions, please call the library (626) 300-0777, extension 579.

Three Local Authors, One Special Evening!

Monday, January 13, 7:00 p.m.

Three local authors will discuss the writing process and read excerpts from their latest bestsellers, when Crowell Public Library presents, Three Local Authors, One Special Evening, on Monday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m. The evening will be an escape into fantasy, mystery and comedy…

DESIREE ZAMORANO's mystery, Human Cargo, is set mostly in Glendale and Altadena and stars a smart, Latina detective named Inez Leon. A skilled private investigator with a tortilla chip on her shoulder, Inez lives for truth, justice and the Mexican-American way. In Human Cargo, Inez gains access to Pasadena's Russian community in order to find a missing family. She uncovers a culture of underground nightclubs and virtual slavery, as well the high price of a passage into this country. A playwright, Pushcart Prize nominee, and novelist with a deep understanding of and affection for Pasadena and Los Angeles, Desiree Zamorano is also a fan of krav maga and vodka, but not at the same time. She lives in Altadena and teaches at Occidental College.
MARGARET FINNEGAN's The Goddess Lounge, set in Altadena and Los Angeles, is a hilarious story about a divorced mother coming to the edge. Margaret Finnegan's work has appeared in Salon, LA Times, FamilyFun and other publications. She lives with her husband, her two children and her dog, Scout, in South Pasadena, California. She is partial to all of them, but must admit that the dog gives her the least grief, for which she is grateful. Margaret teaches writing at Cal State LA.
PETREA BURCHARD’s Camelot & Vine, begins in Hollywood and continues in Dark Ages in Britain. It's about a failing Hollywood actress who loses everything, flies through a gap in time and saves King Arthur's life. Petrea Burchard studied writing and acting at the University of Illinois where she received with a Bachelors Degree in Rhetoric and a double minor in Theater and French. As an actress she has performed in the National Touring Company of Second City, a plethora of plays, television shows, feature films, commercials and voice over work. Her writing took off in 2004 when she began writing a column in NowCasting.com’s newsletter, ActorsInk.
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