Yelping Under The Stars: MUSE/IQUE

I rarely take advantage of the Unilocal Elite perks as my work and travel schedules often hinder me. When I saw this particular event, I cleared my schedule and jumped on it. A jazz concert at CalTech with the indication that «*Each confirmed guest will receive 2 seats at a reserved Unilocal table and a picnic basket.» Sweet!
Soon after securing a prized spot on the guest list, I had a sinking feeling that there would be no picnic basket. I’m an overzealous planner and had being «hangry» at concerts, so I knew to grab dinner to-​go at Zankou nearby and pack a picnic basket of drinks and dessert.
Thanks to the wonderful VIP parking, we quickly got a parking spot and headed to the concert. Once we found the Unilocal Elite tables, we quietly hid our picnic basket and Zankou take-​out. We found out that others at our table were still expecting to get food and a picnic basket. Thirty minutes later (right before the show started), we were all informed that there was no picnic basket for each Unilocaler. Frantically, some rushed to the food vendor for sandwiches and cheese plates (which sold out quickly). We pulled out our food and ended up sharing our food with others. It was kinda sad to see but also helped us bond over limited food options. Good thing several of us brought bottles of wine. Others munched on the free snacks and coconut water.
The performance overall was great. Awesome backdrop of CalTech buildings. Nice lighting. Good vibes. We noticed a few Unilocal tables emptied out just after the show started (and once we were informed of the «no picnic basket» debacle). It’s too bad that they skipped out as the event was pretty cool.

WOO HOO!!! VIP FOR THE EVE!!!
BACKGROUND:
We are a counter conventional orchestra. Our live events bring together musicians and vocalists from all manner of genres, creating uninhibited connections between artists and audiences. We inhabit improvised venues-​warehouses, public spaces, iconic locales — and we explore performances that are just as surprising.
Maestra Rachael Worby is the visionary force behind an energetic gathering of great artists — a deconstructed orchestra made up of virtuoso musicians, artists, creators, and stellar guests the likes of Jessye Norman, Flea, Patti Austin, Rickie Lee Jones, Charlie Haden, Arturo Sandoval, Mary Wilson, Angela Bassett, Double G and his Pocket Nine-​Net, and many more.
— See more at:
STATS:
Free VIP Parking
Short walk to tables and chairs situated on the lawn
Excellent view of stage from all seats
Two large screens with surround sound
ESSENTIALS:
An ear or two for interruptive music and a history lesson
A picnic basket of food and beverages/​libations
EXPERIENCE:
Turning onto the CalTech campus I was immediately treated like a VIP. Parking guides yelling VIP! VIP! WE’VE GOT A VIP COMING!!! Awww!!! What a way to start the evening with fellow Unilocalers, listening to lovely music on a beautiful summer eve. Life doesn’t get any better than this.
Met up with my +1, Liz O. and we were escorted to the seating area where we were able to choose which Unilocal table to sit. Like a chicken without a head, Nitar L. was all smiles and took a few moments to welcome us to the event.
Shortly after the rest of our party showed, the music started and went on and on for over an hour. Amazing how Symphony Conductor Rachael Worby was able to go for so long. She brings a whole new meaning to the Energizer Bunny. Kudos to Rachel and her phenomenally graceful arms of direction.
Meandering through the music performance, Rachael provided a little background/​history lesson of the time period of which they were playing.
What a pleasant experience, with great people at a wonderful venue. Thank you Katie B. and Nitar L. for all that you did to create and offer this event to a select few Elite Unilocalers. Also, thank you Liz O. for being my +1 and especially the ever so yummy Tiramisu (love a +1 who knows me well), Tim C. for the extra scooby snacks, and James for letting me taste your Coconut Water.

Lovely as always! Katie and Nitar really know how to put on a fantastic evening for us elites. From the VIP parking to the premium seats, to the lovely little snacks, it was really a great evening. I had no idea this event even existed out in pasadena, and it was a great surprise. It was really the definition of cool — intellectual but not over-​the-​top, interesting but not esoteric. Lovely! Thanks Unilocal

I knew I had to try and get on the list for this event for when my boyfriend was in town. He loves all things music and I usually don’t want to go with him. However, I figured I would enjoy the sponsors enough to have fun.
We had a late lunch so we were already super full but brought snacks with us as well. The outdoor venue is gorgeous and our seats were great. It was fun looking around to see the fancy picnics the other tables had brought.
The show was great, I really appreciated the slideshows and notes about science and nature and the little snowing demonstration. My boyfriend loved the music and had a great time as expected.
The snacks were great and my boyfriend said the wine was good.
Tickets are a little pricy for us to be going on a regular basis but I saw some people sitting off to the lawn on the side which might be an option worth exploring!

I was waitlisted for the event but I was also very fortunate to be a +1 for this event. Sitting at table 61, I saw a few familiar faces and a few new ones. Before I knew I was able to take +1 spot, I had a few snacks at Urth Café, then I had a few more at the table. Looking around at other tables, every table had their own snacks and meals brought in, so what is the better idea of making a taco run to listen to great Muse/​ique being played by a full orchestra.
As the performance begins, the sun is still setting in the distance behind a few palm trees in between Beckman Institute and Keck Center buildings. Started with the Star Bangled Banner by the guest singer a Capella was riveting as you see many stood to listen. I do appreciate a little bit of history lesson involved in some of the introductions to the next number as well as when the Mayor and others say Cal Tech on the West coast and the school on the other coast. As darkness descends, the stage illuminates in bright colors on Beckman Auditorium. Next to the stage are two giant displays in case you wanted a closer look as the camera guys zoom in for a close-​up.
Did I also mention that I made a taco run so I got to munch on tacos and sipping on the wine while taking a few pictures The challenge is don’t get the red or green sauce on your devices. I’m just grateful for the chance to make it to the event to enjoy great company and listen to great music. Thank you to Unilocal LA East.

I really like live music and while I do love small venues like the Troubadour where you are ten feet away from the band, I also love the relaxed vibe of outdoor venues like the Greek and the Bowl. With that said, this outdoor venue (aka the Beckman Mall Lawn in the middle of Caltech) has the feel of a small venue but with the added bonus of nice weather and ample space. The « Unilocal tables» were right in the center so we had a good, unobstructed view of the stage.
This performance was different than any performance I have seen before primarily because I have never seen a female conductor and I have never seen the entire orchestra stand. I always thought the singer or the soloist stood, but all the musicians (with the exception of the cellists) stood while performing. The audience wasn’t the most diverse group of people but considering the program, the location and the regular price of a ticket, I wasn’t surprised by the demographics.
There was no picnic basket brimming with goodies (much to the dismay of a few Unilocalers) but there was a bottle of red wine and random snack/​baked goods waiting for us on the table when we got there. A lot of coconut juices and mini baked goods were left behind though, so I am guessing people were either allergic or not interested. I brought a small cooler with bottle of sparkling rose and my +1 brought some fruit and desserts. We also bought a $ 10 roast beef sandwich, which was sort of bland and dry but not terrible. (It could have used mustard/​horseradish).
The music was really good, but I thought there would be a lot more singing and more of a tribute to Ella. I wouldn’t have known about this outdoor music experience if it weren’t for Unilocal so I am grateful for Katie, Nitar and the Unilocal lottery.

WOW! I came to MSE/IQUE’s performance last night that was in honor of the classic breakthrough artist, Ella Fitzgerald. It was crazy awesome!
How have I lived in Pasadena for so long and never heard of this! What a shame– everyone should know!
First, its a beautiful outdoor venue at Cal Tech where they set up tables and chairs and you can bring your own picnic baskets and wine– or order them there! There are vendors set up that sell cheese plates and sandwiches or other assorted snacks. There’s also a bar set up where you can order a variety of cocktails, wine or just get some refreshing watermelon water. You hang out on the lawn enjoying your dinner and friend’s company and then the show starts.
The show was beautiful and was full of music and fun interesting comments about artists, science and the nature of life. You can tell that the orchestra is very passionate about what they do and that they do their best to communicate music and musical styles to those that don’t really understand music (that’s me! I’m tone deaf!). They combined classic symphony music with jazz, and explained the rise of jazz music to its elevated level today.
Absolutely everyone was blown away by the show!
Afterwards, the orchestra and many of the audience members went to celebrate with a champagne toast, where we had a chance to speak with the conductor, the singer and the orchestra members. It was an honor to meet everyone. I have a new found respect for musical concerts!

E = mc2 was part of Einstein’s theory of relativity and while he wasn’t from Caltech, the intelligentsia of this storied campus has produced equations resulting in Nobel Prizes and other accolades.
To the best of my knowledge, there’s no official formula for a successful YEE ( Unilocal Elite Event), but word-​of-​mouth has it that it’s FFD=FFF (Free Food+Drink= Fun, Fun, Fun).
Unilocaling Under The Stars: MUSE/​IQUE was one of the exceptions to the rule; we were introduced to Pasadena’s idea of an Elite event, which meant having a world class performer such as jazz recording artist, Nnenna Freelon flown in, who together with Pasadena’s orchestra and performance ensemble of MUSE/​IQUE created music under the stars in what might be Pasadena’s ritziest «back lawn.»
No six hour block of #dinnerandaconcert with a roundtrip drive to DTLA for the residents here — Pasadena denizens brought creature comforts such as BYOB and their favorite picnic dishes and didn’t have to deal with the usual headaches of parking because it was included with the price of admission. I spied at another table that someone brought a huge fresh dessert tart/​pizza using a pizza wheel to cut slices.
There were 2 Pasadena Unilocalers at my table who knew the local drill and toted their own meals, supplementing their portable feast with the «good eats» provided via Unilocal sponsors such as baked goods, complimentary wine and coconut water etc. I was an outsider coming from West LA and wasn’t as prepared, but went to the catering tent to purchase a $ 10 sandwich box; another Unilocaler went on a taco truck run and brought back tacos.
I hadn’t been on Caltech’s campus for 15 years since I last attended a conference for non-​profits. However, the norms of Pasadena’s high society such as «reading between the lines» and aversion to openly discussing the subject of money were still ever-​present. Perhaps that’s why Unilocal chose not to advertise the $ 250/​per non-​member ticket value of each Unilocaler’s seat in the «Muse Circle.»
The Who’s Who of the Pasadena community was in attendance including city hall officials. The new president of Caltech, Thomas F. Rosenbaum and his accomplished spouse were introduced to the crowd; the concert served as his first large public event since taking office on July 1, 2014.
I wasn’t «wined and dined» in the sense that many Unilocalers usually buzz about, but was nonetheless given «Elite treatment» I’d otherwise not have an opportunity to enjoy. Thanks to MUSE/​IQUE, Katie B. and Nitar L. of Unilocal LA East and also to Unilocaler Stephanie P. for inviting me as her +1.