WHY WE LIVE HERE – PART THREE

I started this morning intending to write one of my gloom-and-doom stories about the sad condition of the state of California, with its out-of-control taxes, homeless epidemic, crime, and mass illegal immigration.  But then I happily remembered … I don’t live in California.  Well, I guess I do … sort of.  But I actually live in the mythical State of Jefferson.

And I’m happy about that.  Up here we don’t worry much about Taylor Swift’s skipping Travis Kelce’s Chief’s game against the Vikings.  We’re more worried about what the state will do to us next.

So … why do we live here?  Among the many reasons is the Red Scarf Society for the Performing Arts.  Bless their hearts.  A mission of this nonprofit group is to support the performing arts in Siskiyou County.  Three weeks ago, Ann and I attended one of their shows, the Take3 Trio.

The performance blew me away.  The Take3 Trio consists of three extraordinarily talented (and beautiful) ladies who play the cello, violin and piano.  I’m not really a classical music guy … more into old fashioned rock and Outlaw Country.  I can listen to The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, and Willie Nelson all day.

Take3 Trio performed at historic Preservation Hall (formerly the Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church) in Yreka.  If you haven’t been there, you need to go.  The architecture is classic.  And surprisingly, even though the entire interior is made of wood (to look like a ship’s hull) the acoustics are excellent.

Some 68 people were in attendance and were enthralled, as was I.  68 people, you say?  There should have been 6800.  Over the years I’ve been blessed with having attended performances from internationally-known musicians (Jimmy Buffett twice, may he rest in peace) but this threesome captivated the audience with their arrangements of pop hits, Americana, and their signature classical mashups.  Lindsay Deutsch, the violinist, obviously the group’s leader, was all over the church’s sanctuary with her violin, strutting up and down the aisles, definitely with an attitude.  It was wonderful.  She began her career as a classical soloist performing with symphony orchestras around the world.

The ticket price was $30.00.  You can pay up to $11,000 for a ticket to see Taylor Swift.  I think I’ll pass, thank you, and consider myself lucky to live here in the State of Jefferson.

Last Friday Ann and I went to a double-header.  The first event, at 5:00 PM was at the Liberty Arts contemporary fine art gallery on Miner Street.  It was the opening reception for “Ancient Whispers” displaying amazing art pieces by local artists Christos Spontylides and Roger Davis.

Then, at 7:00 PM we attended our second event of the day, the Yreka High School Drama Club’s stage production of Clue.  As an octogenarian I’m not sure my heart can handle this much excitement.  It was wonderful.  Based on the classic board game (Is there anyone reading this who didn’t play Clue?) the show was a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery.  Yreka is fortunate to have Eric and Melanie Seiler to bring out the best from exceptionally talented high school drama performers.

But wait!  There’s more to come.  Get your tickets now for the next Red Scarf presentation, Kinga and Alexander this Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 7:00 PM, at Saint Mark’s Preservation Hall.  Kinga Augustyn, concert violinist, and Alexander Tutunov, pianist and Artist in Residence at Southern Oregon University, will present an evening of classical selections of composers including Brahams, Tchaikovsky, and others.

Kinga Augustyn is a versatile New York City-based virtuoso concert violinist and recording artist.  She has performed as a soloist with orchestras in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.  She has toured China and has performed at China’s most prestigious venues.  In the USA she has appeared at Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Aspen Music Festival, The Chicago Cultural Center, and many more.

Dr. Alexander Tutunov maintains a busy performing schedule in Europe, China, Mexico, and the United States as a recitalist, soloist with orchestra, and on radio and television.  

This isn’t the first time these world-class artists have performed here in the State of Jefferson, thanks to the Red Scarf Society and specifically to Dominic and Joan Favero who have been instrumental (no pun intended) in arranging their appearances here.

We are lucky to live here.