NCTA

PICNIC BY THE BAY

September 1, 2009 | by Yves
by stefano nicola mura
A marvelous and sunny day greeted our annual summer potluck picnic and barbecue on Sunday, June 21 at the breathtakingly beautiful Tiburon Peninsula in Marin County.  Many NCTA members, families and friends gathered at Paradise Beach Park, not only for the delicious food, but also to assist and take part in the Talent Show which followed the barbecue. A number of talented members took the stage at the spur of the moment, encouraged by the excitement.
I introduced the idea to NCTA board members some time ago, so I opened the show myself with a couple of instrumental songs played in the ‘finger picking’ style on my acoustic guitar.  The pieces were “In Christ there is no East or West,” a beautiful hymn written in the early 20th century, and “Hey hey,” a Blues piece by the great Blues master Big Bill Broonzy.
Then Marc Weber took the stage and finally resolved the almost 400-year adage of the Zen Buddhism discipline: What is the sound of one hand clapping? And indeed, he showed us all the sound… of one clapping hand up in the air!
Eric’s monologue of the reclusive wizard Tim, the Enchanter, from the 1975 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail was… well, just enchanting.  He put on his best Scottish accent and there he was, addressing King Arthur and his Knights, encouraging them to continue searching for the Holy Grail, and leading them to the Cave of Caerbannog.
Young Stefan Moskowitz, 11 years old and with a great passion for soccer, beat his previous record of 91 juggles with the ball, alternating feet and thighs, with an outstanding 121 juggles.
Marina Kopinec and Lisa sang ‘a cappella’ the beautiful and haunting old Russian folk song, “Ochi Cherniye” (Dark Eyes), dancing passionately at the end of the song.
Finally, Mehram Sheikholeslami exhibited his still life acrylic painting, Leek and Green Onion in Basket. Mainly a portrait painter, Mehram is the gold medalist at the 6th Annual International Open Exhibition of the Pastel Society of the West Coast for his astonishingly beautiful portrait, Mrs. Giti Bozorgi.
Everybody had lots of fun and the day seemed perfect to showcase our NCTA members’ artistry spontaneously. We most certainly have to repeat the event next year!a

BY STEFANO NICOLA MURA

Marina Kopinec and Lisa sang the old Russian folk song “Ochi Cherniye” (Dark Eyes).

Marina Kopinec and Lisa sang the old Russian folk song “Ochi Cherniye” (Dark Eyes).

A marvelous and sunny day greeted our annual summer potluck picnic and barbecue on Sunday, June 21 at the breathtakingly beautiful Tiburon Peninsula in Marin County.  Many NCTA members, families and friends gathered at Paradise Beach Park, not only for the delicious food, but also to assist and take part in the Talent Show which followed the barbecue. A number of talented members took the stage at the spur of the moment, encouraged by the excitement. I introduced the idea to NCTA board members some time ago, so I opened the show myself with a couple of instrumental songs played in the ‘finger picking’ style on my acoustic guitar.  The pieces were “In Christ there is no East or West,” a beautiful hymn written in the early 20th century, and “Hey hey,” a Blues piece by the great Blues master Big Bill Broonzy.
Then Marc Weber took the stage and finally resolved the almost 400-year adage of the Zen Buddhism discipline: What is the sound of one hand clapping? And indeed, he showed us all the sound… of one clapping hand up in the air!
Eric’s monologue of the reclusive wizard Tim, the Enchanter, from the 1975 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail was… well, just enchanting.  He put on his best Scottish accent and there he was, addressing King Arthur and his Knights, encouraging them to continue searching for the Holy Grail, and leading them to the Cave of Caerbannog.
Young Stefan Moskowitz, 11 years old and with a great passion for soccer, beat his previous record of 91 juggles with the ball, alternating feet and thighs, with an outstanding 121 juggles.
Marina Kopinec and Lisa sang ‘a cappella’ the beautiful and haunting old Russian folk song, “Ochi Cherniye” (Dark Eyes), dancing passionately at the end of the song.
Finally, Mehram Sheikholeslami exhibited his still life acrylic painting, Leek and Green Onion in Basket. Mainly a portrait painter, Mehram is the gold medalist at the 6th Annual International Open Exhibition of the Pastel Society of the West Coast for his astonishingly beautiful portrait, Mrs. Giti Bozorgi.
Everybody had lots of fun and the day seemed perfect to showcase our NCTA members’ artistry spontaneously. We most certainly have to repeat the event next year! SNM