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Tuesday, July 4, 2006 :
Members of the Malaysian Association of Southern California celebrated the Fourth of July at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Bearing a sign advertising MASC's appearance at the event, we received some puzzled looks from ushers, but our enthusiastic singing and clapping during national anthems assured everyone that we are true red white and blue Americans.
At "Americafest 2006," the Pasadena Pops played Independence Day standards--Sousa marches and military anthems--as well as "West Side Story" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" themes. Director Rachael Worby infused old music with new passion and spirit, and those with binoculars praised her energy and "take charge" attitude as conductor. Young guest pianists "The 5 Browns" played pieces by Leonard Bernstein and Irving Berlin. Curly haired Kevin Brown stole the show, donning leather biker's gloves for a smoking piece inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis.
After the concert came what everyone eagerly waited for--a firework display put on by the Souza family, advertised as "the biggest fireworks display in California". A fifth-generation fireworks family, the Souzas simultaneously put on similar Fourth of July fireworks displays in Boston, New York, and other major cities across the United States. In case the audience had forgotten, a video explaining the significance of the Fourth of July played in coordination with the fireworks. the video included snippets of speeches from Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush promoting freedom and democracy around the world...but Martin Luther King Jr.'s appearance on the video screen received a standing ovation. His commandment--"Let our children not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character"--is one of the central values of 21st century American democracy.
A big welcome to new members Keng Hong, David and family, who joined us to celebrate American freedom. We hope to see you next time to makan makan and enjoy upcoming MASC events.
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