The arts make the world a better place for me, whether it’s through theater, movies, literature, music or visual art. Nothing moves me more than a powerful actor, a story that’s well written, a song by Bruce Springsteen or a painting by Van Gogh. Throughout my life, the arts have played a strong supporting role.
As for my working background, I taught English and other courses for 28 years at Castle Park High School in the Sweetwater Union High School District. During that time, I thoroughly enjoyed our band under Del Bangle, which performed at the Rose Bowl, and plays by outstanding directors Robert Eubanks, Susan Stratton and Kate Trongale. I’m retired from the district, but still teach reading at Southwestern Community College.
My husband, photographer Ron Becijos, and I are required by marriage contract to attend at least one movie per week. I’m involved with three book clubs, including one at the Bonita County Library. I regularly attend theater about twice a month. I also like art shows and music performances.
During the past 30 years, I’ve written a dozen educational workbooks. My sideline as a playwright began with the 2004 production of the musical “Cyrano and Roxana,” which was produced by the Sweetwater district at the Eastlake Ruth Chapman Performing Arts Center. For the musical, I wrote book and lyrics, while Jeff Williams, guitar teacher at Chula Vista Middle and high schools, composed the music and co-wrote lyrics.
William Virchis was our director, along with Charlene Dibelka, a Montgomery High School teacher at the time.
In the past few years, I’ve had several short plays produced in New York City and San Diego. This summer, I had two plays in the San Diego International Fringe Festival held downtown, which was a blast. Susan Stratton directed my play “Heartquakes.”
As an arts columnist for The Star-News, I’d love to share my picks with readers. Attending performances or shows can add poignancy, adventure, contemplation, knowledge and joy to your life. It certainly has to mine.
Filmfest
The Palm Springs International Film Festival, which I chronicled in my debut column (Jan. 9 edition), ended in a blaze of celluloid as I watched four films in one day during the Best of the Festival showcase on Jan. 12. I saw “Tangerines” (Estonia), “The Nightingale” (China), “The Search” (France), and “Wild Tale” (Argentina), all of which were given Audience Awards based on audience voting between Jan. 2-11.
My favorite of those was “Tangerines,” the Estonian entry shortlisted for the 2015 Oscars. In “Tangerines,” a man attempts to establish a zone of peace in the midst of war. “Selma,” the story of Martin Luther King Jr., won the top Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.
Other festival winners included USA’s “Keep On Keepin’ On” (Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature); Russia’s “Leviathan” (FIPRESCI Prize), which also won a Golden Globe last week; “Flowers” from Spain (Cine Latino Award), and Serbia’s “No One’s Child,” (New Voices/New Visions Award). A complete list of the awards is listed at www.psfilmfest.org/festival/news/.
