This gallery is a sampling of some of the photos I've taken over the last 3 months. It's a thankyou for all the love and support I get from so many wonderful people here and around the world.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SUMMER 2011:_ MUSIC – My Summer isn't complete without the Music Academy of the West. Their 64th Summer Festival was my 15th and featured some of the hottest young up-and-comers. The Festival Orchestra, led by Peter Oundjian, Daniel Hege and Leonard Slatkin, played a wide range of works with a verve that only the young can bring to a concert hall, and a level of skill way beyond their years. The Chamber Players did the same with a wide variety of chamber orchestral pieces in more intimate settings, under the direction of Larry Radchleff and Nicholas McGegan. For more adventurous fare, the Picnic Concerts were the place to be, where patrons got a second desert in beautiful Hahn Hall. These kids know how to entertain! The annual fully-staged opera was a really top-notch and hilarious production of The Barber of Seville directed and conducted con molto brio by Bruce Donnell and Warren Jones, respectively – Bravo! All in all, a very rewarding festival! __Chris Smither returned to Sings Like Hell for an evening of his laconic humor, gritty, bluesy songstering and dexterous fretwork. In August, Peggie Jones brought us two great shows. First - John Elliott's fine opening set warmed everyone up for Calexico's multi-genre auditory feast. Coming the next night were some down-home originals by David Cowan & Claude Hopper followed by the red-hot border gumbo of Del Castillo. For the September edition of SLH, Lynn Miles' impassioned singing and songcraft delighted, and The Gourds had 'em dancin' in the aisles. _ Camerata Pacifica's season opener was a bang-on bash running the gamut from Rachmaninoff to Reich, with some Crumb and De Mey for added spice. _DANCE – Some challenging publicity photography for State Street Ballet's 16th season with Christina Giannini's wonderful costumes. The subjects were Bill Soleau's "Starry Night," a multimedia take on Vincent Van Gogh, based on letters between Vincent and his brother Theo, and a new ballet of "The Secret Garden" set to premiere in February 2012. It is being choreographed by Josie Walsh and will feature an original score by Paul Rivera Jr., and all digital scenery created by yours truly. Going to be an even busier than usual next few months. ___ THEATER – Ensemble Theatre Co.'s season opener is "Underneath the Lintel," a fascinating play by Glen Berger. Noted actor Tim Bagley, star of "Monk" and "Will & Grace," plays an uptight Dutch librarian who wants get to the botom of who returned a book 113 years overdue. ____ODDS & ENDS: Flags on State Street, the ribbon cutting event for the new Luria Education Center at the Music Academy of the West, the SB Symphony Board, and a house concert/fundraiser for Camerata Pacifica.

Photos are arranged chronologically. Check back again for the newest photos, videos and music in October, January April and next July. Hope you enjoy it!

MORE NEW MUSIC! More new short compositions by yours truly sprinkled about the site.