Dining at La Caille

19 May 1985

As we’d done when my family visited the previous year, we took Mui’s parents to La Caille for dinner, but first, a quickie visit to Temple Square in Salt Lake City (where Mui tested some of his fancy lens filters).

Mui Becomes a Naturalized Citizen

1 April 1985

If you’re married to a US citizen, or if you’re serving in the armed forces of the US, you do not have to wait five years to become a citizen.  You can do so in three years instead.  Being two for two on that score, in January 1985 Mui took the necessary classes, passed the requisite tests, and initiated the required paperwork to change his status as a green card holder.

And so it was that on this date Mui became a citizen of these United States.  The ceremony was short and sweet, and was held in a Salt Lake City courtroom.  Presiding over the proceedings was Judge Aldon J. Anderson.

First Mui said his piece about why he wanted to become a citizen, ...

... then he took the oath.

The guest speaker was KSL TV’s anchorman, Dick Nourse.

congratulatory Letter from President Ronald Reagan.

Abdallah: Thank You from Ballet West

25 February 1985

As was the case when I worked on the 1984 fundraiser, Ballet West showed its appreciation by presenting us with a pair of complimentary tickets to a ballet performance.  This time, we were invited to see Abdallah, and attend a post-performance reception thrown in our honor.

The invitation.

The cover of the program.

The performance sponsorship page of the program.

Below is an article I found on the web that includes the story of the ballet …

DANCE: BALLET WEST REVIVES BOURNONVILLE’S 1855 ‘ABDALLAH’

By ANNA KISSELGOFF, Special to the New York Times
Published: May 3, 1985

WASHINGTON, May 2 - Thanks to Ballet West from Salt Lake City, a little-known Romantic ballet by the celebrated Danish choreographer August Bournonville has come to life for the first time since 1858.

Created for the Royal Danish Ballet in 1855, ''Abdallah'' is typically Bournonville in its charm and moral preaching but also a splendidly vivid example of 19th-century Orientalism - a European infatuation with the Near East.

In short, it is a fantasy - and it is as a fantasy that the newly reconstructed version of ''Abdallah'' emerged with delightful detail at its East Coast premiere Wednesday night at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Its prime interest is as a genre ballet, more to be enjoyed than pondered. The stage effects, with entire palaces going up in smoke, have a ''shazam!'' quality that are irresistible. Bournonville was a great entertainer and this tale of a magic candelabrum akin to Aladdin's lamp banks as much on spectacle as on choreography - a point that Ballet West's version brings out clearly.

If it seems odd that a ballet company from Utah would take the initiative in resuscitating a ''lost'' Danish ballet, such suppositions do not take into account the craze for Bournonville's choreography that has swept American ballet since the 1970's.

Moreover, Ballet West has been headed since the mid-1970's by Bruce Marks and Toni Lander, the Danish ballerina, who are Bournonville experts. Together, they set out to revive as much of the original choreography of ''Abdallah'' as possible. Mr. Marks purchased Bournonville's own copy of the scenario. Miss Lander, who is responsible for most of the choreography on view, with the help of Flemming Ryberg of the Royal Danish Ballet, consulted Bournonville's choreographic notes on a score of ''Abdallah.''

The result was the revival seen in Salt Lake City on Feb. 20 and Wednesday's gala, which attracted an international group of critics and dancers, including a past and future director of the Royal Danish Ballet - Flemming Flindt and Frank Andersen, respectively. The evening was dedicated to Miss Lander, who is seriously ill and who could not be present.

But certainly her sense of style was pervasive, and this was seen repeatedly in the women's choreography - in which technical precision was obvious but covered by the veneer of modesty and gracefulness that Bournonville contrasted with male bravura.

The story is not complicated. Abdallah, a cobbler under the Ottoman Empire, is considered too poor by Fatme, a rich widow, to wed her daughter, Irma. Irma is known as the Gazelle of the Basfora for her love of dance, and like Paris offering three goddesses a golden apple, Abdallah offers an orange to three girls for the best dancing. Naturally, Irma wins and she gives Abdallah a locket as a love token.

The deus ex machina is the local sheik, pursued by Turkish troops. Saved by Abdallah, he rewards the youth with the candelabrum. Each candle will grant a wish. But preaching moderation, he warns Abdallah not to be greedy - lighting the fifth and final candle will make him lose all.

The fantasy of Act II is the ballet's core. The exquisite harem scene, with the corps not sensual but suitably chaste in true Bournonville style, could come straight from his version of ''La Sylphide.''

Apparently, much of the choreography is by Miss Lander rather than really by Bournonville - although some dances closely follow the notes. In this respect, it is interesting that when Hans Beck, Bournonville's disciple, used music from Act I of ''Abdallah'' in ''Napoli,'' his dances looked more buoyant than those seen here to the same music. This raises the question whether the characteristics attributed to Bournonville should really be attributed to Beck.

''Abdallah'' reserves most of its classical dancing for the wedding of Abdallah and Irma in Act III, arranged by the sheik. The mime sometimes seems to coincide disconcertingly with dance music, and the dancing occasionally has a sameness about it. As for the beautiful sets and costumes by the Danish designer Jens-Jacob Worsaae, they range from pastel lyricism to Delacroix-style Orientalism.

Varujan Kojian's conducting made the thin and sentimental score by Holger Simon Paulli sound lively. But the evening belonged to the dancers. Miguel Garcia's Abdallah was appealingly acted and terrifically danced with the right Bournonville verve, especially in his high and precise leg beats. Lee Provancha Day's Irma was subdued but very cleanly danced and Odette Millner's harem favorite was pure in her dancing if a bit pale in her acting. Mr. Marks was a wonderful operetta sheik and the men, keeping their arms down, Bournonville fashion, were attentive to the niceties of the right style.

''Abdallah'' suggests the original had some flaws, and the current version has some dead spots and a notable lack of irony. Yet it was well worth the effort. Only a truly Classical company, which is what Ballet West has become, could carry this feat off.

An Evening of Elegance: Magical Lights & Enchanted Nights

16 February 1985

Somehow I found myself once again working on the Ballet West fundraiser … An Evening of Elegance redux, if you will.  Knowing in advance that our efforts would be in support of a performance of Abdallah, the theme of the evening was selected accordingly: Magical Lights and Enchanted Nights.

So, on a cold February night, we donned our glad rags and drove to Salt Lake City to attend the event, which was held at the Westin Hotel Utah.

the invitation

The pre-event article in the Salt Lake Tribune.

pages from the program.

An Elegant evening gown for an elegant evening.

Our photo was taken for the Salt Lake Tribune.
[with Suzanne and Gregg Simper]

The post-event article in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Thanks for a job well done.

Christmas Season: Parties & Gifts

December 1984

The ‘84 Christmas season was a busy one …

On December 9, we went to Green Street, a private club in Salt Lake City, for a fundraiser called “Glass Slipper” …

This was our Christmas Tree …

… And this was the tree our landlord put up.

On December 13, we attended a Christmas party at the Maxfield residence …

With Robyn and her son, Taylor.

As was our tradition, we opened gifts on Christmas Eve, December 24 …

Electric footbath/massager from Mui.

This glue gun has served Mui for 27 years.

An appointment book from Mui (L); and an apron from Aunt Lorraine (R).

One of my gifts to Mui was a sweater to keep him warm.

A Christmas Eve photo from Turkey.  My paternal aunt and her family always visited on December 24 to help my mother and sister celebrate their Christmas Eve birthdays …

On Christmas Night, we were invited to the home of Connie and Rudy (Robyn’s parents) …

Here I am with Mr Christiansen … or as he was fondly known, Mr C.

Andy Gibb in Concert

7 September 1984

When we heard that Andy Gibb — yes, the one of Bee Gees fame — was going to perform a series of dinner concerts in Salt Lake City, we bought tickets and went to one of the shows.  It was a fun evening, and we enjoyed singing along during the performance.

Andy died in 1988 from myocarditis, (an inflammation of the heart muscle) due to a viral infection.  He had celebrated his 30th birthday just days before his death.

Family Visit: Hogle Zoo

30 August 1984

After my dad returned to Turkey, mom and Aylin stayed on for a few more days before they went to New Hampshire to spend time with my grandmother.  Before they left, we had one last outing … this time to Hogle Zoo.

Saying hello to the African Elephants.

First encounter with a polar bear.

Feeding the giraffe.

The ladies are on the fence!

Mom just loves (not!) having her photograph taken.

Is this a coke advertisement or what?

Family Visit: Hats Off to Hollywood

21 August 1984

One evening found us at a performance of Hats Off to Hollywood at the Triad Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

Ballet West: Working Rehearsal

19 July 1984

One of the advantages of working on the fundraising committee for Ballet West’s An Evening of Elegance was that our name was put on a list to receive invitations for special events.

No photos I’m afraid; but here’s a scan of the invitation.

It was interesting to see a working rehearsal for a professional ballet company.

Swan Lake: Thank You from Ballet West

13 April 1984

In early March, I received a letter from Ballet West, thanking me for my efforts on the fundraiser — An Evening of Elegance.  (Click here to read the post.)  The letter was accompanied by an invitation to attend the performance that was being sponsored by the funds that we had raised in early February.

It was our pleasure to accept the offer of tickets for the opening night of Swan Lake.  Our evening included a special, on-stage reception following the performance.  If I recall correctly, we concluded our night out with a midnight-breakfast at Denny’s.

For those interested in the story of the ballet, here’s a synopsis I took from the Ballet West website.

PROLOGUE

The time is years before our story begins and the place is unknown. Young Princess Odette is playing quietly with her handmaidens and friends when a strange creature—half man, half bird of prey— appears at her window. He envelopes her in his wings and transforms her into a swan.

ACT I - The royal grounds in front of the castle

It is Prince Siegfried's 21^st birthday. His best friend, Benno von Summerstein, and Wolfgang, the Major Domo of the court, have organized a party. All the courtiers, young and old, have come together to celebrate. The Prince only half-heartedly partakes in the festivities. His mother, the Queen, arrives to wish him happy birthday. She presents him with the signet of her late husband the king and gives him the gift of a crossbow. The Queen reminds Siegfried that eligible princesses from around the world will be attending his birthday ball and that he will be required to choose a bride to ensure his future as monarch. This makes Prince Siegfried uneasy. Siegfried is a romantic who does not want any part of a political marriage nor does he welcome the responsibilities of the throne. As dusk falls, Wolfgang tells the story of an evil sorcerer who lives in the ruins by a lake. Filled with hate because he has never been loved - this evil bird creature abducts young women, transforms them into swans and holds them in his power. Only the true love of a human man can break the spell and free the women. At that moment, a flock of swans flies overhead. Prince Siegfried gathers Benno and some friends and goes off in search of them.

ACT II - The Lake

It is late and the moon is high when Siegfried and his friends arrive at the lake where the swans have alighted. The men take no notice of a strange owl who stares at them malevolently from his perch in the ruins by the lake. The owl is in fact the sorcerer, Baron von Rothbart, who is jealously guarding his domain. Prince Siegfried aims his crossbow at the flock. Suddenly one swan flies forward. He is fascinated and attempts to capture it. As the swan frantically tries to escape his grasp, she undergoes a startling transformation - and before his eyes, turns into the most beautiful woman Siegfried has ever seen. She tells him that her name is princess Odette and because of the spell cast on her years ago she must remain a swan by day only to become human by the light of the moon. She implores Siegfried and his men to spare these swans as they too are enchanted young women and she is their queen. As the men retreat, Odette disappears into the mists and Siegfried goes off in search of her. Confident with the success of his manipulation, the sorcerer swoops down from his perch and bids the swan maidens to dance for him.

Siegfried finds the beautiful Swan Queen, and just as he is about to swear his everlasting love, the very words that will free her, the sorcerer pulls Odette away with his magic. As the dawn rises, Odette reverts to her bird form, forgetting Siegfried and leaving him in the mist.

ACT III - The great hall of the castle

Royalty from around the world gather to celebrate Prince Siegfried's birthday. The Queen is confident that her son will choose a bride, but as each princess is introduced, Siegfried is polite but uninterested. His thoughts are solely on Odette. Two strange guests appear unannounced. They are the mysterious Baron von Rothbart and his beautiful daughter, Odile. Odile looks identical to the Swan Queen, Odette, except that she is dressed in black and her manner is wickedly seductive. Believing that Odile is his beloved Odette, Siegfried takes her by the hand and leads her off. The Queen, equally enchanted by this exotic pair, instructs Wolfgang to commence the entertainment. The Matadors from Spain, the Neapolitan dancers from Italy, and the elegant lords and ladies from Hungary all perform until von Rothbart interrupts the action and introduces his daughter Odile once again. In front of everyone, she captures the heart of Prince Siegfried.

The prince is certain that this woman is his beloved Odette. Despite the disruption of a swan frantically beating its wings against the castle windows, he swears to Odile that he will love her forever. The Queen is delighted until von Rothbart triumphantly reveals himself to be the evil sorcerer. Everything was a ruse designed to get Siegfried to betray Odette. As von Rothbart and Odile depart in a burst of black magic, the prince is horror-stricken by his mistake. Benno tries to reason with his friend but to no avail. Siegfried runs from the castle, not knowing what to do, but knowing that he must set things right.

ACT IV - The Lake

The swans anxiously await the return of their queen, Odette, hopeful that she has saved them through the love of Prince Siegfried. When she arrives, she tells them of Siegfried's betrayal. Now all is lost.

Prince Siegfried rushes out of the mists. He has been running all night. The swans gather around their queen to protect her but she steps forward. Despite it all, she still loves him. Siegfried begs forgiveness and she grants it. In a fury, von Rothbart swoops down to separate the pair. Odette sees that her only escape is to take her own life. She runs off while Siegfried and the sorcerer battle. Taunted by von Rothbart, Siegfried realizes that he too must take his life. It is the only way to prove his true love and save the swan maidens. He runs after Odette, and the swan maidens heroically block von Rothbart. The lovers hurl themselves onto the rocks below, thus breaking the spell. The sorcerer melts into nothingness.

As the sun dawns on a new day, young maidens appear out of the mists freed forever from the sorcerer's evil magic. Odette and Siegfried are united eternally in heaven.