JENNIFER K MAHAL -- IN THE WINGS

Not a word was spoken about the American flag, resting on an

eagle-topped flagpole slightly off to the right of the Founder’s Hall

platform stage. It wasn’t necessary.

When, in mid-set, jazz pianist Dave Brubeck played a solo rendition of

“Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” sniffles and sighs could be heard

from near-capacity audience. It was no ordinary concert, no ordinary

week, no ordinary opening of the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s

season.

The unthinkable events of Tuesday have made the arts insignificant in

comparison. It’s hard to think about enjoying yourself, or even smiling,

with images of the World Trade Center collapsing and the Pentagon burning

stuck in your mind.

But arts can be a solace, an emotional outlet, a window, a place to

find humanity, a way to reconnect. It can swing us out of our dark places

for a few moments and allow us to spill the tears we feel inside but are

afraid to let fall in case we cannot stop the flow.

Brubeck almost canceled his Thursday performance. His quartet --

clarinetist Bill Smith, drummer Randy Jones and bassist Michael Moore --

were stuck, but safe, in New York. The 80-year-old jazz musician was in

Stockton, dedicating the Brubeck Institute at the University of the

Pacific.

“I decided to cancel,” Brubeck told the audience. “The people here

decided I was going to play solo. That would have been a first.”

Instead he gathered his son, drummer Danny Brubeck, and two others --

saxophonist Andy Suzuki and bassist Bob Hurst -- and put on a bravura

performance with less than two hours rehearsal time.

The effect was magical. From the “St. Louis Blues” to “The Crossing”

and “All My Love” (which will be on his next album), Brubeck and company

proved the power of music to uplift, surprise and delight.

For a moment, cares were lifted. For a moment, hearts were light. For

a moment, in this small corner of the United States, we won the fight

against our unknown enemies, because terror faded away.

And though memory returned with concert’s end, and though the heart

took its weight back again, something was gained by everyone in that

small theater. It was a reminder that no matter how awful things get,

there is happiness out there.

The goal of any terrorist is to strike fear in someone’s heart. To

keep them from being able to function. To keep them on the edge. To keep

them from joy.

The people who journeyed out to the Orange County Performing Arts

Center’s opening did more than just see a wonderful performance. In a

small way, they sent a message -- the showwill go on. And it does.

o7 Dave Brubeck will play at 7:30 tonight in Founder’s Hall at the

Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Call (714) 740-7878 for information as the show is nearly sold out.

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* * *

Do you know a local artist, writer, painter, singer, filmmaker, etc.,

who deserves to get noticed? Send your nominee to In The Wings, Daily

Pilot, 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, by fax to (949) 646-4170 or

by e-mail to o7 jennifer.mahal@latimes.com.f7

* JENNIFER MAHAL is features editor of the Daily Pilot.