Philip Glass' Day and Nights Festival in Monterey is Underway

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After a rousing opening night, the Days and Nights Festival is now in full swing and all the preparation has paid off! The excitement of the gala event is propelling us forward into an action packed weekend of wonderful chamber music as well as the inimitable John Moran + Saori.

I had a chance to chat with John and Saori yesterday. The relax atmosphere felt like the perfect place to discuss the experience of being at the festival. With the remote location nestled in the hills of Carmel Valley, the fresh air and natural surroundings created a sense of openness to the conversation. We were joined by Tim Fain, violinist of the festival players to find out Tim and Saori are neighbors in New York.

It's a small world and the Days and Nights Festival has just that sort of feel, intimate, welcoming with a air of accessibility to the music you just don't find anywhere else.

But wait, the musicians performing here are world class. John Moran is a critically-acclaimed and enigmatic composer and choreographer. Tim Fain electrified audiences at his New York concerto debut at Alice Tully Hall with Gerard Schwarz and the New York Chamber Symphony, and at Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. YOA Orchestra of the Americas will be lead by Plácido Domingo. The festival also has the Molissa Fenley Dance company, poets Eleni Sikelianos, Jerry Quickley, Francesco Levato and Maria Teutsch.

In any other setting these stars in the art world might seem daunting, or aloof. But here at the Days and Nights Festival there is a sense of approach-ability that draws you in - makes you part of the experience.

I'm here all week, so there will be lots more updates and experience from the FIRST Days and Nights Festival

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