Open Solo Division at SYMF 2011

SYMF (Southwestern Youth Music Festival) winner
Nicholas Echeverry in the Open Solo division

Congratulations to Nicholas Echeverry, student at Long Beach School of Music, for his 2nd place win in the Open Solo piano competition at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival this past weekend! "Open Solo" division is a pretty competitive category- nice work, Nick!

-- See Nick Echeverry's Piano Blog --

Philadanco! Passion and Precision at Cerritos Performing Arts Center

Cerritos Performing Arts Center photographed by Lisa Kato Fitchett, 3/13/2011.

The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) founded by Joan Myers Brown in 1970, is a modern contemporary dance company that tours nationally and internationally. For 34 years, the company has traveled the country and the world, performing before sold-out audiences of diverse people of all ages, creed, ethnicity and cultural traditions. PHILADANCO has a history of being a trailblazer.  They were the pilot dance company to be part of the State of Pennsylvania, Comprehensive Education Training Act, arts training program, one of the first companies to hire our dancers on a 52 week salary, the first to own housing for the dancers and the first to own a debt-free facility. Philadanco is also the company which founded the International Conference of Black Dance Companies and International Association of Blacks in Dance which addresses the special needs of the African American dance community in a supportive environment, and produces an annual conference.

Lula and Irwin Washington with Mark Fitchett at CPAC.

Mark and I caught up with Irwin and Lula Washington (both big fans of the Philadelphia Dance Company) at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center on the night of Philadanco's performance. Lula Washington is the founder of Los Angeles based Lula Washington Dance Theatre.

After The Storm, Part 5

Oakhurst, California - A great afternoon of hiking and photography the day after a large snow storm blanketed the entire area surrounding our friend's family cabin.

After The Storm, Part 4

Wintry landscape in Oakhurst, CA photographed by Lisa Kato Fitchett.

We interrupt this week's bad news (Japan, tsunami, displacement, death toll) to bring you more photographs of the landscape the day after a big snowstorm in Oakhurst, California.

Potatoes Au Gratin

One of my favorite foods when I was a teenager was potatoes Au Gratin, so I am thrilled to present my version of this recipe here. This version is similar to making lasagna in that the key is layering.


Ingredients:
4 russet potatoes, sliced thinly (1/8 inch slices)
1 whole yellow onion, sliced into thin rings
1 stick butter
6 Tablespoons flour (or Wondra)
4 Cups milk
3 Cups shredded Mild Cheddar cheese
2 slices well-done toast (for breadcrumbs)
Salt, pepper to taste