Wedding and Party Ideas:

At the beginning of June I had started talking to my neighbors about the possibility of having a get-together and described having a potluck where everyone could meet over food and that there would be a performance of the Elegant Music Quartet. This suggestion was received with enthusiasm.

A Good Idea

Then I got a call from one of my favorite cellists Cathy Biagini who has both her very talented children Violinist Sarah Biagini and Cellist Seth Biagini in town/home for the summer. She said that she had been invited to perform on the front lawn of a beautiful home in La Canada and invited Sheila and I to also perform. This performance was entitled “Biagini Bowl with Elegant Music” named after Hollywood Bowl concerts and in fact, we were featuring motion picture themes.

As it turns out Pastor Michael Mahoney of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley was in attendance and “just like that” we were then invited to perform on the following Thursday June 25th at Grace Community Church. The performance was very well attended and several attendees thanked us warmly for performing saying “that this was needed.”

Invitation

I went door to door talking to my neighbors about the party, handed them an invite and talked about what food they would like to bring. I told them about the successes of the other performances and again, the idea of having a neighborhood party of our own with a performance was very well received.

Here is the copy of the invite.

In addition to the Elegant Music Quartet with the Biagini family, Harpist Elaine Litster also joined the group forming a six piece ensemble of: Flute, Violin, Cello 1, Cello 2, Harp and Piano. Here is the program of what we played:

Elegant Music Summer Concert 

Motion Picture Themes

Sunday June 28, 2020

3190 Crestford Drive, Altadena, CA. 91001 323-270-3650

 

Somewhere/Tonight from West Side Story, Leonard Bernstein

Cafe Music, Paul Schoenfield

Concerning Hobbits, Howard Shore from Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring)

Prelude from Cello Suite #1 in G Major, J.S. Bach

The Kiss from Last of The Mohicans, R. Edelman & T. Jones

Summer from The Four Seasons, A. Vivaldi

Game of Thrones – Main Theme, Ramin Djawadi

Schindler’s List, J. Williams 

Siciliana, Italian Lute Composition, 16th Century Traditional

Por Una Cabeza, C. Gardel

Married Life from Up, Disney Pixar

Motion Picture Medley

Out of Africa, John Barry

Thorn Birds, Henry Mancini

Hymn To the Sea – James Horner

Southhampton – James Horner

My Heart Will Go On – James Horner

The Throne Room from Star Wars, J. Williams

 

Most everyone brought lawn chairs and took care to maintain a safe environment.

Throughout our performance children danced improvising “ballet moves”. During “Por Una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardel they did a tango!

After the performance Sheila and I received many compliments. One woman said that she was inspired to write music. And, just today I was given a painting by one of my neighbors artist Karen Johnson who, inspired by our performance, created a watercolor entitled “Elegant Music.”

I got what I wanted:

I got people out of the house.
I got people together and they let each other know that they are all right.
People enjoyed themselves.
I enjoyed performing with some amazing musicians.
Inspired, guests were moved to express themselves through art.
And, 2 weeks before I fixed my lawn sprinklers and now have a green front lawn just in time for the  party!

It was a Summer Concert. “A Pop-up Pops Concert.” It was a Block Party. For my immediate neighbors was “a night out” to “eat dinner on their front lawn and enjoy music.” A Hollywood Bowl style Concert without the traffic!

Isn’t It Time?

Can you do this in your neighborhood? You betcha!*

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

• DJ

• Master of Ceremonies

• Pianist

• Bandleader

• Host of Wedding & Event Podcast

Elegant Music 323-270-3650

Google Dictionary

*bet·cha /ˈbeCHə/ informal contraction
verb: betcha
1. bet you (used to express confidence or certainty that something is the case or will happen).
2. Sentence: ”I betcha 98% of your neighbors would love an event like this.“

Phrases
“you betcha” — used to express certainty or as a strongly positive response.
Sentence: “Had she pictured herself in a Broadway role? You betcha!”