Isabel's UCSB Graduation

Here is the album I made of photos from this event. Isabel's hood represents her study abroad in Chile. Enjoy!

Mariza: Fado at the Rio

V. and I went Tuesday night to the Rio Theater. Having purchased the tickets months ago, we were seated in the seventh row, toward the center. We arrived just before the performance began. The house lights dimmed to electric blue on the stage, as the three guitarists (guitare portugaise, guitare classique, contrebasse)and the drummer took their places in the darkness beneath. (They were later joined by a keyboard artist who also played excellent jazz trumpet).
As the anticipation built, out came the diva, singing : Mariza, 6' tall, rail slender, in an intricately-tucked deep blue full-length silk dress with huge collar framing her face, platinum blonde hair cropped close to her head, and eyes reflecting the color of the gown. Her arms were closely covered by transparent black silk, shot through with subtle sparkles. Throughout the concert, she held the microphone in her right hand, gesturing in great sweeping motions with her expressive left. She was a sight to behold. But most of all, the glory was her VOICE: alternately mellow, deep, strong, clear, husky: with incredible ranges, both tonal and emotional, flowing against the instruments like a ship on an ocean.
Between both traditional and new numbers from her album, Terra, Mariza spoke with us in Portuguese, in English, and in a little Spanish, engaging us with her warm personality and her powerful presence, so that, about two-thirds of the way through the evening, we were completely in her hands. Her compelling energy and willingness to open to us through the music had us so enraptured that Mariza was able to leave the stage, come down into the audience, and sing there for one number. Then she turned back to the front row, leaned down, and began to shake the hand of every person she met, thanking them for coming to her concert! It appeared that she did this with complete gratitude and humility, moving along the aisles for about six rows before she returned backstage. I was staggered by the courage it took to do this - to leave the relative "safety" of the stage, to come into the crowd, and to trust that no one would hurt her - the emotional tenor of the moment was her safeguard - for all her power as a performer, she also emanated a truly human fragility.
Born in Mozambique, at the age of five Mariza moved with her parents to Lisbon, where they settled in the neighborhood where Fado music was born. Encouraged by her father to excel at the local music, so as to better "fit in," Mariza began performing very soon after that. We are all the beneficiaries of her dedication, her talent and her exquisite gifts as a performer.

November Sunday

Well, I've felt under the weather, so I've lain low this weekend. The nights are now very cold (high 30sF), so we have to squeegee off our cars in the morning - IF we drive, which I haven't for two days. But the days are clear and bright. (When I went to a store today, I walked in the sunshine across the bridge to town.) Spending the weekend very quietly at home, preparing for my Board Certification interview this coming Thursday: V. very kindly provided me with a "mock interview" yesterday morning, using the proposed questions from my board and playing the "tough interviewer." Thus I could have some recent experience with that! This past Thursday my colleagues also each asked me a question in a mock-interview situation - I am grateful to all.
Did a little light gardening this afternoon, watering plants and gathering tiny flowers for little arrangements in the house. Read Marianna's friend Leah's blog from the Peace Corps in Paraguay, saw photos. I will stay with Marianna's mom and dad the night before my interview.