"Cavalia" offers exquisite

equestrian theatrical fantasy

Two exciting and dramatic productions cry out for your attendance this next week. First, the exquisite French-Canadian "Cavalia," a brilliantly conceived, artfully executed equestrian theatrical fantasy, is an exciting and exotic experience. This production, billed as "Magical Encounter Between Horse and Man," blends the most exquisite troupe of horses, acrobats, equestrians, aerial artists and dancers into an elegant tapestry of images, music and motion. The show is running for 11 days at Golden Gate Fields.

"Cavalia," a Cirque Nouvelle if you will, conceived and created as a bonding of horse and man in an ethereal theatrical enterprise, is a combined venture melding the magnificent horsemanship of Frenchman Frederic Pignon, his wife Magali Delgado with the entrepreneurial skill of Normand Latourrelle, one of the principal creative minds and original guiding lights of Cirque du Soleil.

In "Cavalia," horses cavort and fly at full gallop across a raised 160-foot earthen stage accompanied by acrobats, aerialist and riders in front of a constantly changing virtual projected background of fantastical images. Unfettered and unbridled, these horses bend only to the will of the whisper and the gentle nurturing voices of their trainers and riders.

Pignon is known in his native France as a "horse-whisperer," a man who treats horses with respect and tenderness in all his working relationships with them. His mindset is that of a playful father, gently guiding them through their training process. He and Delgado exhibit their great love and compassion for their magnificent animals in every touch, in every persuasion, in every form of communication, speaking to the horses in nearly imperceptible commands.

I had the good fortune to meet with the creators of this show and get a grand and unhurried tour of the facilities at Golden Gate Fields, beginning with the magnificent and spacious Big Top. As I entered the tent, I was immediately impressed with the grand size, openness and lack of central (vision blocking) support poles you normally find in tent-like structures.

This specially designed tent is built to accommodate the stage first, the horses second, and the patrons third. There are 1,800 seats designed so every member of the audience can see the horses' hooves and the dancers' feet, no matter where they sit. They have to bring 2,500 tons of material to build the special stage and ramps for the show. Forty vehicles carry the show from location to location, making the entourage larger than many of today's huge rock concert entertainer extravaganzas.

All of the horses are stallions or geldings, as these animals are the most muscular and masculine and exciting to watch. The horses consist of Lusitanos, a Percheron, a Spanish-Frison, Belgiana, an American warm-blood, quarter horses, an appaloosa and a Paint. Templado, the oldest white stallion, has such a grand mane that it takes over an hour to braid it after each show.

Dao is a lead white stallion that Delgado rides in a dressage exhibition. At the end of the routine, she takes off the reins, bit and saddle and goes bareback with just a small rope under his neck, using voice commands and body movements to get the horse to do everything that she was able to do with all the normal riding paraphernalia.

"This is a playground for the horses," says Latourelle, "This is our philosophy, if the horses say they don't want to come, so we leave them there. Sometimes they tell us they have had enough, so we reduce the amount of show per week for them. That is why we have so many horses; many are cross-trained to fill in when one wants the day off. Most of the time they come here because they want to play. We want to keep them in a playful situation."

If you have ever thrilled to see horses running at full gallop, or thrilled to see the high-stepping, prancing of exquisitely trained horses, imagine these grand sights in this fanciful, free-ranging environment and you will absolutely want to see this most unique of horse and man theatrical experiences.

This show begins this Thursday, Aug. 5, and continues Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., with Saturday performances at 3 and 8 p.m., with Sunday performances at 1 and 5 p.m. through Aug. 15. Call 866-999-8111 for ticket sales and reservations or visit their website at www.cavalia.net.

Tickets range between $44 and $79 for general admission. Seniors and students get a reduced rate. There is a special package that will give you an exclusive visit to the stables after the show, give you preferred seating, special access to the Rendezvous tent, special parking next to the big top tent, hors d'oeuvres and refreshments including wine and sparkling wine and a special souvenir. This package costs between $125 and $165 per person.

This is an exciting show that you will never forget. I highly recommend it!

Local playwright

opens new play

The second show is a terrific new play titled, "Straight Laced: A Cantata," by local playwright, Kathy McCarty. Based on factual stories, this play explores the pain and prejudice and pressure of attempting to live life as a young gay. It opens at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts on Aug. 8.

When I first met McCarty, she was directing "Godspell" on the basketball court of a church across the street from Todos Santos Square in Concord about 12 years ago. Over the years I have reviewed many plays she has directed. She has won critical acclaim, including Shellie Awards, for best director for her direction of "Falsettos" and "Making Mary."

She asked me to attend a workshop premiere this past weekend at Contra Costa College and I was absolutely blown away by the powerful, thought-provoking messages and outstanding performance of the entire cast.

"Straight-Laced" is how perilously religious dogma and society's pre-conceived and prejudiced belief systems can affect the lives of those in our social structure. While it is a collection of stories gleaned from real-life experiences, as told to the author, this is a fictional drama of how one young man's life and that of his best friend were destroyed in an attempt to purify and sanctify his soul by his church.

When Michael (Adam Harrison) admits to family and friends that he is gay, all the good he has done is forgotten, the good person that he has always been ceases to exist and he becomes the object of his peers ridicule and persecution. It is the story of how a psychiatrist is called in to "cure" Michael, to purify and cast out the evil within this young man, but the church overlooks the basic fact that homosexuals do not choose to be gay and they cannot simply "wish" their sexual proclivity away.

Under the direction of openly gay performance artist/Director Clay David, this play and its never ending staccato of buzzwords delivered by Michael's sister, known simply as "Poet", is a riveting experience. Poet, played by Ranae Klein, is terrific. In fact, there is not one single performance that is weak in any fashion. Eric Burns portrays an "old (queer) queen" who brings levity into the play at just the right times to break the seriousness of the subject matter. He is simply superb. This is a spellbinding play, one that everyone should see. This play cannot help but provide greater insight for all who attend.

Call 943-SHOW (7469) for tickets. The Galatean Players Ensemble, of which Kathryn McCarty is the artistic director, will present this play at 7:15 p.m. through Aug.12. Tickets are $13 each.

August Special Events sponsored by the Rossmoor Recreation

Aug. 1 - SUNDAY NIGHT SHOWCASE. Vocalist Jennifer Lee, 5 p.m., Fireside Room, Gateway. Tickets are $5 at the door

Residents have art work on exhibit in county building

Two Rossmoorians, Angela Cheng and Ruby Chow, were invited to exhibit their paintings by the Art and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County Administration Building. Their paintings were hung in the main lobby and on the 6th and 11th floor at 651 Pine St., Martinez. The exhibit will be there until Sept. 10.

Ruth Bancroft Garden Jazz Fest will feature Rossmoor resident Al Hart

Rossmoor resident Al Hart, legendary voice of San Francisco radio for more than 35 years, will co-produce and headline the Ruth Bancroft Garden Jazz Fest at the garden in Walnut Creek at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7.

Chamber Music Society's new season begins early

The Rossmoor Chamber Music Society's 2004-2005 series will have an earlier start this season with the first concert on Monday, Sept.13, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room at the Gateway Clubhouse.

"Cavalia" offers exquisite

equestrian theatrical fantasy

Chat Board Club is an official Rossmoor club 

The yourrossmoor Chat Board Club has recently become an official Rossmoor organization and is registered with the Recreation Department and the Activities Council.

Community Chorus summer concert coming up

The Rossmoor Community Chorus, under the direction of Frank Ryken, will present its summer concert on Sunday, Aug. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Fireside Room, Gateway. Refreshments will be served after the concert.

Barney Graves Band to perform at Recreation dance

This month's dance on Saturday, Aug. 7, in the Sierra Room at the Del Valle Clubhouse will feature music for dancing and listening by the Barney Graves seven piece band.

"Don Juan De Marco" is Friday movie

The 1995 romantic comedy, "Don Juan De Marco," starring Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway, will be shown on Friday, Aug. 6, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. in Peacock Hall at Gateway. The showing at 1 p.m. will feature language captions.

Another driving course offered in August

The mature driver education course sponsored by AARP, 55-Alive, will be offered again in August in Rossmoor in conjunction with the Recreation Department.

Experts to discuss finds at excavation site

The Rossmoor Historical Society will host a presentation by experts about the natural history of native Bay Miwok and Ohlone Indians on Saturday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Vista Room at Hillside. The panel includes a historian and an archaeologist who will bring artifacts and exhibits.

"The Freshman" is Saturday movie

The 1990 comedy, "The Freshman," starring Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick, will be shown on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. in Peacock Hall at Gateway. The showing at 1 p.m. will feature language captions.

Hospice offers ice cream social and fashion show

The second annual ice cream social and fashion show, sponsored by Rossmoor Friends of Hospice, will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Dollar Clubhouse.

Latin Show at Regional center 

Adrian Flores presents "The Latin Show" on Friday, Aug. 13, at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek. The performance is from 7:30 to 9 p.m. with open dance with live bands from 9 to 11 p.m.

MEICOR to showcase three Israel universities 

The Middle East Information Council of Rossmoor (MEICOR) will present a symposium of Ben Gurion and Technion universities and the Weitzmann Institute.

Movie Short Takes

Documentary shows a

New social club being formed for single men and women 

A new social club for single men and women who were born in the 1930s and '40s is currently being formed in Rossmoor. The name of the club is '30s/40s Singles Social Club and it is registered with the Recreation Department. Meeting dates have not yet been established.

Jack Pollard and Joyce Grant kick off concerts in the park

The Jack Pollard Jazz and Blues review featuring Joyce Grant will kick off the Summer Concerts in the Park series on Sunday, Aug. 8, at 3 p.m. at the Dollar picnic grounds.

Razzmatazz Players to perform at Lions fund-raiser 

The Razzmatazz Players will present a nostalgic musical extravaganza on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 27 and 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Del Valle. The show will include song and dance acts and witty dialogues in vaudeville style. The musical will also include jokes and skits and dancing by the Dolly Dancers from Napa.

Sign up for Excursion to Scottish Games in Pleasanton

Rossmoor residents can visit the Scottish games at the Alameda Fair Grounds in Pleasanton on Sunday, Sept. 5, on an excursion planned by the Recreation Department.

Sing for Joy! is on its summer schedule

Sing for Joy!, Rossmoor's recreational sing-a-long, will meet each Thursday in August at 2 p.m. in the Las Trampas Room of Hillside Clubhouse.

The lobsters are coming to Rossmoor for the third year

The lobsters are coming, for the third year in a row, to Rossmoor on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Gateway Clubhouse. All residents of Rossmoor are invited to attend this gala lobster feast. Advance reservations are a must.

Wednesday ballroom dance classes offered 

A new Wednesday ballroom dance class series will begin Aug. 4 at the Del Valle Fitness Center.

Bonnie Weiss takes a last look at Stephen Sondheim

Popular presenter Bonnie Weiss will present part eight of an eight part series titled "Sondheim and the American Musical" on Tuesday, Aug. 10, from 1 to 2 p.m. in Peacock Hall.