CalArts Weekend 2011: Beatrice Lawluvi teaches African drumming and dance. | Photo: Steven A. Gunther
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More than 300 guests—family and friends of current CalArts students—attended the first-ever CalArts Weekend on Oct. 21-22. The weekend provided parents of current CalArts students an opportunity to sample the Institute’s rich learning environment, immerse themselves in CalArts culture and meet with faculty, administration and other parents.
The program included a Welcome Luncheon hosted by Tom Lee, co-vice chair of CalArts Board of Trustees; a Parents Circle Wine Reception with Parents Circle Co-Chairs Edie Baskin Bronson and Marta Kauffman; state of the Institute remarks (with a Q&A session) by CalArts President Steven D. Lavine; and an alumni panel on work and life after CalArts moderated by LA Stage Alliance CEO and Alumni Association Board Chair Terence McFarland (Interschool MFA 03, Film/Video BFA 00). Panelists were Solid Media advisor Robert Jacobson (Music MFA 00), Dreamworks Lead Lighting Artist Gina Lawes (Film/Video MFA 95), Disney Imagineering intern Laura Youngkin (Theater MFA 10) and art director and designer Chi-Chi Bello (Art BFA 05).
In addition to receptions and discussions, CalArts put its own spin on the traditional college parents’ weekend by offering families the opportunity to attend select Friday classes like African drumming and dance, filmmaking fundamentals and MFA acting, among many others, while setting up special workshops on Saturday that included screenings of the 2011 Character Animation Producers Show, tours of the campus, art galleries and costume shop, as well as hands-on sessions in Tai Chi, percussion and even DNA isolation through household products. Other guests were able to attend the CalArts School of Theater production The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek.
The weekend culminated with a food truck festival and a Wild Beast Concert Series performance of George Antheil’s Ballet Mécanique (1924) and Igor Stravinsky’s Les Noces (The Wedding, 1923) with alumni pianists, faculty vocal soloists, the CalArts Choir and numerous percussionists. The concert proved to be a high note in a nearly pitch-perfect weekend.
We’ve posted a few photos from CalArts Weekend in the above gallery.