Summertime Means MUSE/IQUE

Who loves torch songs, jazz, al fresco dining? Me! (And so will you if you come to MUSE/IQUE.) 

This month, MUSE/IQUE highlights cinema noir. Treat yourself, and your friends to "Moving Pictures" with Matt Haimovitz, Saturday, July 27th, a celebration of music and movies. This event features the movie Deception (1946) scored by Korngold. Not to experience this would be a "terrible mistake".

But what is this all about? If I told you the story of how I first discovered MUSE/IQUE, you would think my life was like a movie. Suffice it to say, MUSE/IQUE is where counterculture meets the future in beautiful Pasadena, the Rose City. 

Pasadena has a rich artistic heritage where theatre and symphony are well-supported. MUSE/IQUE is the kind of quirky, outdoor, event that exemplifies this understated and delightful community which is the home of Caltech. Specifically, the lawn of Beckman Hall is the home of MUSE/IQUE. Here, music takes on a big-screen feel on an expansive campus that is known for space exploration.

MUSE/IQUE makes me feel as though I am living my life backward. I get to experience life as a bon vivant, (OK, well, I am a bon vivant); the scene is classical music, great food, great friends, it is almost the life of a retiree, but I am too young to be one. But one is never too young, or too old, to experience the good life where music is soul food for one to savor and devour. When life presents such beautiful moments one must be present. Why not pause for whimsy?

How fitting that a science institute is the venue for this delightful melange of string, brass, and beauty. I call your attention to Pasadena's answer to The Greek, or The Bowl. For me, it's all MUSE/IQUE and it is not to be missed.

Break out the pretty floral-print dresses, the edgy sequins, the chocolate-dipped strawberries and Champagne. The beautiful campus of Caltech is where artistry and intellect meld and artlovers come to praise the stars. 

Last month at MUSE/IQUE, I got to experience the vibrant Patti Austin with a crowd of-wishers, artists, industry-people, educators, musique lovers, and others. This event first began in 2011 and has a a faithful following. When you combine expert vocalization, a full orchestra, and a delightful artistic director, Rachael Worby, you get the epitome of chic, musique.

A Summertime serenade, MUSE/IQUE is Pasadena's outdoor artistic soiree where you can bring your own picnic basket, or pre-order a catered meal, and vino is permitted. 

I was so pleased to have attended the season opener last month featuring Patti Austin, and Maestra and Artistic Director Rachael Worby. Thanks to this wonderful event, my summer got off to a bubbly start as we listened to the sounds of:

• Brubeck - "It's About Time"
• Clark - "Way Up There"
• Coslo - "You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)
• Gershwin - "Lady Be Good," "Slap that Base" 
• Lennon and McCartney - "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
• Lewis - "How High the Moon"
• Mercury - "Bohemian Rhapsody"
• Paganini - "Concerto Number 2 Movement 3"
• Weill - "Lost in the Stars," "Mack the Knife," "September Song"

What a wonderful time I had and how I look forward to attending the next MUSE/IQUE. See you under the stars.

Tribute to Space Shuttle Astronauts and NASA at MUSE/IQUE with chanteuse Patti Austin, and Maestra Rachael Worby conducting the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra.