Listen & Be Heard Network Arts News

July 26 and 27 for the first Benicia Fine Art & Jazz Festival. The event will be held on the FIRST STREET GREEN. The event will be family oriented with a children’s activity alley. Children under 12 will be admitted free and there are weekend family passes available. Come and celebrate a truly American art form. Performers include THE LUCAS PINA QUARTET, RAY OBIEDO AND MAMBO CARIBE, MAD AND EDDIE DURAN QUARTET, WALKUP, BYRNES AND MCGEE, THE BABATUNDE LEA QUINTET, PALINDROME, THE NINA SHELDON QUARTET and THE MIMI FOX TRIO. The event will include an Antique Wooden Boar Rendezvous and coincides with the NORTH BAY SERIES, a premiere sailboat event. For more info call THE BENICIA MAIN STREET PROGRAM at 745-9791.

July 27 will be the 101^st celebration of the Holy Ghost Festa. This celebration dates back to the 13^th century, when Queen Isabel d’Aragon staged a feast for the poor of Portugal. She designated one peasant girl to wear her crown for the day. Ever since each year a young lady is chosen to be the queen. Festivities begin with a parade at 10:15 AM, Mass at ST DOMINIC’S at 11:00 AM, Lunch at the BDES HALL at 1:00 PM, an auction at 2:00 PM followed by live performances of Portuguese Fado music at 4:00 PM dinner at 5:00 PM and dancing through 8:00 PM. Benicia has been celebrating this Festa since 1907 and this year will be treated to the appearance of RAMANA VIEIRA and her ensemble to entertain attendees. Admission is free.

July 23 ALOHA KEIKI HULA will be at the Summer Show in the Gazebo in CITY PARK at 11:30 AM. Children will learn about Hawaii through dance. SHAWNA BRESSLER and her dancers bring a touch of Hawaiian culture to Benicia. The Summer shows are brought to you by the BENICIA PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. Ticket sales begin at 11:00 AM and are $1 per child. The show begins at 11:30 AM and lasts about 35-45 minutes. For more info call 746-4285.

July 23 at 7:00 PM THE BENICIA PUBLIC LIBRARY will host Nancy from NANCY’S BAKE SHOP in the DONA BENICIA ROOM. Nancy will be demonstrating some delicious breakfast ideas and samples will be available. The event is free. Call 746-4343 for more info,.

If you take in the Wednesday Night Celebrations on Georgia Street in Vallejo, TONY MIMS , co- publisher of LISTEN & BE HEARD, will be available to give personal readings. He can otherwise be contacted at www.new-life-center.com .

You put the REACH OUT BENICIA supporters and WILL DURST together and you have a great evening out at STONE HALL in the BENICIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM on July 23. REACH OUT is a local grass roots program that helps teens and young adults over come drugs and alcohol. The special guest is ALVON, an R&B guitarist. Tickets are $20 and are on sale at BOOKSHOP BENICIA or online at www.reddragonflyproductions.com . Call 747-9286 for more info.

July 24 is the BENICIA KNITTING CIRCLE’S Charity event. Bring a chair , knitting needles, and yarn and the knitters will teach you their craft for free. Show up between 6-8 PM . For more info call 746-5800.

July 24 THE MEL MARTIN QUARTET will be at THE SHORELINE RESTAURANT from 5-8 PM. Behind the namesake saxophonist are JEFF MARS on drums, BRAD BUETHE on Guitar and ROB FISHER on Bass. These artists have played with the best and it shows. Call 745-3364 for more info.

July 24 you will be able to tap your toes to the music of KEITH LITTLE AND JIM NUNALLY as they pick and strum their country, bluegrass, and folk music for your delight. They will take the stage at the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ at 7.30 PM No cover. Call 745-1400 for more info.

Local Artist, JOANNE CORBALEY, has a show at the BENICIA PUBLIC LIBRARY. treat. You can still get a chance to watch Joanne at work. She will also be painting July 24 from 7-8:30 PM. Stop in and check out this talented local artist. The show of her work runs through August 6.

Friday, July 25 DOUG HOUSER is back at the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ. He will rock in your weekend in style. He takes the stage at 8:00 PM No cover. Call 745-1400 for more info.

July 26 Blues guitarist, STEVE FREUND will be at the 851 MUSIC STUDIO for a presentation of a guided guitar tour of the evolution of modern blues. Admission is free. Seating is limited to call 747-0851 for reservations.

Saturday, July 27 HANS YORK & FRIENDS returns to the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ. German born and Seattle based, Hans plays many instruments. In his first American album “Inside Out” he “breaks down the walls between pop, folk, jazz, and acoustic music. He takes the stage at 8:00 PM. No cover. Call 745-1400 for more info.

“The Music Man” continues at the VALLEJO MUSIC THEATRE. All the performances through July 27 will be $20 per person. For more info call 649-2787. The VMT now has teamed up with VENDINI TICKETS and has their 2008-2009 season online. You can print out your confirmation and tickets will be waiting at the box office will call. To check it out go to their home page at www.vallejomusictheatre.org .

July 27 will be the start of and a reception for the seventh annual “Cream–from the top” exhibit at ARTS BENICIA. The work of top art students from colleges and universities around the Bay Area will be showing their work. This is a great chance to view the cutting edge of the art world today. The reception will run from 3-5 PM, but the exhibit will be around through August 31. For more info call 747-0131 or go to www.artsbenicia.org .

July 31 will be the meeting of the BENICIA FRIENDSHIP CLUB at the BENICIA YACHT CLUB. The meeting begins at 11:00 AM. They will hold their monthly meeting and host author, NICK TAYLOR . Nick is a Professor of English at the SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY and will be discussing his new book, “The Disagreement”. The book is a Civil War novel. Call MARYANNE at 751-0388 for reservations.

July 31 TJ will be back at the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ. If you haven’t enjoyed Karaoke Night with TJ you are in for an evening of fun,. He brings over 35,000 songs to choose from. There is no cover, but for this event there is a two drink minimum. Call 745-1400 for more info.

The BENICIA OLD TOWN THEATRE GROUP is looking for volunteers interested in working on it’s Fall production of “Bottoms Up”. This group has been supplying our community with live entertainment for 44 years. They need everything from costumes, set building, and painting to all the little jobs that make a successful production. For more info call 746-1269.

August 1 BOOKSHOP BENICIA will be having a midnight release party for STEPHANIE MEYER’S 4^th book in her Twilight Saga, “Breaking Dawn“. The party starts at 9:30 PM and there will be book discussions, costume contests a raffle and scary movie viewing. Then at 12:01 the books will be brought out. The only way into this party is to pre-buy your copy of “Breaking Dawn”. For more info call 747-5155.

August 2-3 is the 2008 Relay for Life at the ST. PATRICK-ST. VINCENT Athletic Track. This event has blossomed and each year it gets bigger and better. Beginning at 9:00 AM with a Cancer Survivors Lap, the 24 hour event kicks off. Then business and organizations provide a person to walk the track for the remainder of the event. You do not have to be a walker to enjoy this event. There is music, and booths selling all sorts of things from food to clothing and donating proceeds to the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. My favorite part is at 9:00 PM Saturday night when they light the Luminaria. These bagged candles each have the name of a survivor or a victim of cancer. These can be purchased for about a $5 donation. As darkness falls these lights of hope are very touching as they ring the track and the words “hope” and “cure” are spelled out on the empty bleacher seats as well. Locally HAMANN REAL ESTATE on East H Street has signed on to take donations.

August 2 GAYLA REITER , local certified Hypnotherapist, will lead a Hypnotic Group Regression to explore Past Lives. The regression serves as a catalyst to insight in karmic patterns. The Regression will be at 4:00 at 240 Baker St. Pre-registration is required. Call 745-0105 for more info.

August 6 the BENICIA PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES will wind up its Summer Shows with the return of its End of Summer Carnival. The afternoon of fun begins at 11:30 AM. There will be an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, contests, cotton candy, snow cones and more. Tickets are $1 per child.

Mark August 9 on your calendar. The 45^th Annual Benicia PEDDLER’S FAIR will take over First Street . Collectors, Antique lovers, and bargain hunters will be on hand to see what the approximately 300 venders have to offer. Leave all pets behind although service animals will be allowed with proper paperwork. A free shuttle will run continuously from the BENICIA HIGH SCHOOL parking lot to First street. Local restaurants and shops get into the spirit too with their own specials. So grab that wagon and stroll on down.

THE CALIFORNIA MARITIME ACADEMY has filled out its Summertime at the Maritime Concert Series for 2008. The Series of FREE CONCERTS will continue with the one on August 9 THE HOUSE OF FLOYD will be doing the entire bill. September 6 DR. LOCO’S ROCKIN’ JALAPENO BAND will be opened by the RAYMOND VICTOR BAND. The series will end up on October 4 with CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE. It looks like quite a line up and some of these opening bands could well be headliners in their own right. All concerts are free and open to the public, but donations are welcomed. Bring lawn chairs, jackets, and a picnic dinner to enjoy as you sit on Morrow Cove watching the sun set over the Marin hills. Gates open at 5:00 PM. Opening Act starts at 6:00PM. Call 654-1550 for more info.

SPINNING WHEEL will be performing at the BENICIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM in the STONE HALL on August 16. Come ready for a good time because you will be singing along, clapping your hands and stopping your feet to their delightful mix of bluegrass and Irish Traditional music. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Museum, BENICIA MAIN STREET, BOOKSHOP BENICIA or online at www.beniciahistoricalmuseum.org .

August 17 12-4 at 601 First Street and August 18 7-9 PM at the BDES HALL. The BENICIA OLD TOWN THEATRE GROUP will be holding auditions for its October presentation of “Bottoms Up”. For more info go to www.beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com .

Those who would like to take part in the SUSAN G. KOMEN 3 day Walk for a cure. The Bay Area walk is scheduled for September 5-7. You can register by calling 800-996-3DAY or by going on line to: www.The3Day.org .

The BENICIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM AT THE CAMEL BARNS is planning quite an event for September 6 and 7. The H.L. HUNLEY will make a return visit to the museum. This is the actual Confederate Civil War Submarine. I saw the Hunley on its last visit and the ingenuity of the operating systems is remarkable. The Museum will also open Building 7 which will be dedicated at the SILAS P CASEY HALL which is dedicated to an industrial exhibit. You will also get to see the dedication of the new PAUL AND CATHERINE SPENGER MEMORIAL GARDEN that stretches out behind STONE HALL. Tickets for this event are available at BOOKSHOP BENICIA, BENICIA MAIN STREET, online at www.beniciahistoricalmuseum.org or by phone at 745-5435.

ARTS BENICIA, THE BENICIA-VALLEJO BRANCH OF THE AMERICAN ASSICIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, and THE LEGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS will hold the 5^th Annual Creativity Symposium Sunday, September 14 at ARTS BENICIA. From 3-5 PM. “Creativity–Culture at the Crossroads of the Abstract and Concrete” will be the theme this year. Presenters include RUTH SAXTON, Professor of Literature at Mills College; KIM ANNO, Professor of Painting and Department Chair at California College of Art in Oakland; and MAESTRO DAVID RAMADANOFF, Conductor, of the Vallejo Symphony. The Symposium is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5.

The “Jokers of ACE “ was such a success last year that this Fall it is coming back to the HAYLEY HORN AUDITORIUM at the BENICIA HIGH SCHOOL. September 27 the series will kick off with DON FRIESEN , A TWO-TIME WINNER AT THE San Francisco International Comedy Competition. He will be joined by DAN ST. PAUL and proceeds will go to the Adult Literacy Program at the BENICIA PUBLIC LIBRARY. General admission is $20 for adults, $10 for Seniors and youths. There is also a season ticket for $70. Tickets are available at BOOKSHOP BENICIA or online at www.reddragonflyproductions.com

Getting a new cell phone? What do you plan to do with your old one? Two kids in Massachusetts started by raising money for a soldier they read about with a huge phone bill from calling home. CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS is now a 501c3 program that collects 15,000 phones each month. They sell the phones and use the money for phone cards for soldiers and their families so they can keep in touch. You can go on line and print out a pre paid shipping label to send in your old phone at www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com .

On the third Saturday of each month through November the Young Eagle Flight Program is available to youths aged 8-17. A group of generous volunteers take part in this FAA program at the NUT TREE AIRPORT. Flights begin at 7:30 AM and continue until everyone who registered has flown. At least one parent or guardian must be present and sign the registration form. For general information call GERALD GORDON (446-8532), DUKE SCHOELL (448-0604) or HOWARD GUNN (448-0589).