music . . . .and 2 reasons to bike! . . . a show of support

since the building of a sports center in santa cruz, the civic auditorium has become more of a location for events; music is one of the prime events!

each year, santa cruz is the host for the cabrillo festival of contemporary music (finishing its 52nd season).  outstanding musicians, great performances, and world-class music fills the air for about two weeks!  lucky us!!

one of the great best-kept secrets is the open rehearsals where you can just go in and sit quietly to their practice time ... nearly as exciting as the concerts themselves!

marin alsop has been conducting here for years; she serves as the music director for the baltimore symphony orchestra, and the sao paulo symphony orchestra.

i had the pleasure to sit in on the rehearsals for two pieces; brett dean's u.s. premiere of 'fire music' -- a powerful piece that included the main orchestra (including three percussion sections!) with three ensemble groups set around the auditorium.  very exciting indeed.  the other piece was a world premiere and festival commission of gabriella smith's 'tumblebird contrails' -- an awesome piece; and gabriella was on hand to help make the piece the best it could be!

funny enough, i went to a celebratory lunch out-of-town for a friend of mine on monday who was honored for his 15 years working for at&t; another guest at this celebration was the partner of one of the percussionists!  to say it is a small world would be an understatement!
  

returning to church on tuesday, i discovered our fellowship hall filled with young-adults who had biked cross country to raise money for affordable housing -- a most worthy commitment.  'bike & build' have done this for years, and end their time in santa cruz, staying in our fellowship hall, as they fly back to their respective homes ... this morning, one of the bikers left for his home in germany!

what a sense of dedication to raise funds for others!  what a sense of service; and a healthy way of doing it as well.  i'm honored that the united methodist church of santa cruz can help end their journey with a place to stay as they prepare to return to their day-to-day activities.

this is a reminder of how important it is to be able to share a part of who we are with others.  these folks stand as a reminder to all of us; each one of us can have something we believe in and are committed to outside of ourselves that 'gives back' to others in our world; what do you do in your daily lives that helps to make the world a better place each day?

if you haven't had an opportunity to physically do something for another today (of this week, or this month, or this year), let me offer an you another reason to bike.  and even if you have done something for someone else to help make their lives better in some way, here is another opportunity!

there is a young couple in our congregation who are both going to school; they help to coordinate our weekly efforts with the faith community shelter in our community -- a traveling shelter for up to 18 folks who are homeless; our day to supply dinner, overnight shelter, and breakfast is on fridays.  we are working to provide folks in the shelter a 'step-up' program; offering resources to settle into permeate housing, schooling and job resources, and community support.

not only do jonathan and jen work, go to school, and coordinate our program, they also bike everywhere ... and they are biking to support and raise funds to find a cure for aids!  such a worthy effort could certainly be a way to show support for others; simply hop onto the links below to extend yourself into the cycle of support . . . .  won't you join me in helping to make a difference . . . . 

jonathan's donation page:  http://encompasscs.donorpages.com/SurfCityAIDSRide/JonathanBruce2014/

jen's donation page:
http://encompasscs.donorpages.com/SurfCityAIDSRide/JenniferBlack2014