Listen & Be Heard Network Arts News

November 8 is your last chance to see the BENICIA OLD TOWN THEATRE GROUP presentation of “ Bottoms Up” at the BDES HALL. This comedy by GREGG KREUTZ takes place in the Hotel Grande on the Caribbean Island of Santa Pequena. I found the first performance of the group’s 44^th year adorable. The timing was right on . There were familiar faces and new comers and all gave polished performances. PAUL ZILL gave us an interesting set which served as a double stage with activity on several levels. DANIEL MORGAN kept us laughing with his antics in this, his third Benicia performance. CASSANDRA METZ made her acting debut and held up her end of the play with boundless energy. Other new comers include JOSH CLARK, PHIL OLOCCO, and SEAN WEST all added to the fun of the performance. Local favorites, DAN CLARK, LAINA PERRY, SARAH ROZETT and RACHEL OBRESTAD didn’t disappoint as they each brought their strengths to the play. All worked under the apt direction of MICHAEL SCAHILL. Be ready to chuckle, giggle, and belly laugh as you enjoy this comedy. Friday and Saturday shows start at 8:00 PM . Tickets are available for “Will Call” at www.beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com . Doors open one hour before the curtain and tickets are available at the door. They also have special group rates for groups from 10 to over 100. Local theatre is such a wonderful treat so come and share a laugh as you support our own local theatre. For info call 746-1269.

 

November 5 the BENICIA MIDDLE SCHOOL is having a fundraiser at DREAM DINNERS. Go in between 5 and 8 PM and order what you like. There will be no minimum and DREAM DINNERS will donate 15% of sales to the school. For more info call 747-0977.

Thursday, November 6 SAUL KAYE will bring his smooth guitar and vocal styles to the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ. He takes the stage at 7:00 PM. No cover. Call 745-1400 for more info.

November 7 the BENICIA YOUTH COMMISSION will be having a Youth Fall Festival at COMMUNITY PARK beginning at 1:00 PM. All Jr. and Sr. high school students are invited. There will be a DJ, free food, a rock wall, carnival games, a bungee run, obstacle course, bouncy boxing, bowling, and a Police Car Driving Course (With a signed permission slip). There will be a free shuttle from Benicia Middle School. For more info call 746-4283.

MAGNOLIA has a gathering Called Magnolia’s First Women that meets on the First Friday from 6-8 PM. They are also giving away a design consultation with $500 of furnishings. Bring a one page essay with Name Address, and Contact information to the store on Friday, Nov. 7 and a $20 contribution. Essays will be judged by an independent panel and the winner will be announced on the First Friday in December. For more info call 745-3647.

Friday, November 7 will be another DOUG HOUSER night at the UPSTAIRS venue at THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ. Come and see why he is a local favorite and is asked back again and again. He takes the stage at 8:00 PM. No cover. Call 745-1400 for more info.

November 8 the SAN FRANCISCO SCOTTISH FIDDLERS will make their third appearance in the BENICIA MUSIC SERIES. Doors at the COMMUNITY CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST at 7:00 PM and the show begins at 7:30. This performance is a blend of fiddles, flute, piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion, cello and harmonica that will guarantee toe tapping and dancing in the aisles. A $10 donation is requested for adults and children 14 and under are free. For more info call 745-0674.

November 8 your are invited to join the VALLEJO MUSIC THEATRE and the VALLEJO SUBURBAN KIWANIS as they host “Putting in the Ritz–a 1920’s Speakeasy” at the VMT BUILDING. You are invited to come in costume and play black jack, craps, Roulette and more. (no poker or pai gow). There will be live and silent auctions, prizes, and a No Host Bar. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Admission is $25 and you get $10 worth of chips to get you started. Tickets on line are available at www.vallejomusictheatre.org . For info and reservations call 649-2787.

November 8 SYRIA T BERRY will bring his wonderful energy, great guitar style and lots of fun to the UPSTAIRS venue of THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ. He takes the stage at 8:00 PM. No cover. Call 745-1400 for more info.

November 8 THE HOUSE OF FLOYD will take its tribute to Pink Floyd and a laser show to the VACAVILLE PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $20 for students. Tickets are available by calling 449-6217 or online at www.vpat.net .

November 10 THE BENICIA WOMEN’S CLUB will meet at 11:00 AM at the STONE HALL at the BENICIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM. Bring your lunch and the club will furnish dessert and drinks. LOIS FLOOD , the founder of the DIABLO DANCE will be the guest presenter and will demonstrate her interpretation of the works of Isadora Duncan. After the meeting the new Industrial Exhibit and the SPENCER MEMORIAL GARDEN will be open to attendees. For more info call MARY at 746-6368.

November 11 is Veteran’s Day and I would like to take a moment to say “Thank you!” to all who have served. Freedom isn’t free and many have paid the price for the life we enjoy today.

November 11 THE BENICIA YACHT CLUB will have a Veteran’s Day Celebration at 5:30 in the downstairs hall. There will be a Spaghetti Dinner and all Vets eat free others are $10. The club will provide entertainment by the JAZZBREWERS. For more info call 746-0739. RSVP.

November 13 the VALLEJO MUSIC THEATRE will host a reception with Vallejo Mayor, OSBY DAVIS at 6:00 PM. The mayor will discuss Vallejo’s Bankruptcy, redevelopment district and public/private partnerships. Reservations are required and seating is limited. Call 649-2787.

November 14 GAYLA REITER will host a Past Lives Regression Workshop at 240 Baker Street at 7:00 PM. Gayla is a certified Hypnotherapist and proceeds from this workshop go to NORTHER CANLIFORNIA SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYDROPME Programs. For more info call 745-0105.

Friday, November 14 there will be a kickoff pot luck dinner for the Shellmound Peace Walk at 6:00 PM at the INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP HOUSE located at 523 International Blvd in Oakland. The guest speakers of the evening will be WINONA LADUKE and AGNES WILLIAMS. The actual peace walk will start November 15 at the Glen Cove Sacred Site in Vallejo at about 8:00 AM. For more info call 510-575-8408.

November 16 THE MC CUNE COLLECTION will hold its last in its Fall lecture series. KATHLEEN BURCH will present “Tiptoe through the Tarot”. She will discuss the history and design of Tarot cards. Sharing her extensive knowledge she will give an introduction to card games and divinatory systems in the context of this printed medium. All lectures are free to the public and begin at 2:00 PM. For more info go to www.mccunecollection.org .

November 16 and 17 at 7:00 PM the VALLEJO MUSIC THEATRE will be holding auditions for “The Fantasticks”. Auditioners are asked to bring music for a song not in the show. Call backs will be on November 20. For more info call 649-2787.

November 19 will be another of the popular Wine Wednesdays at THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ. Every wine is stock is ½ price.

Thursday, November 20 will be the next Benicia Community Blood Drive. Donors can show up at the FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH on Southampton Road from 1-7 PM. All donors names will be put into a drawing for a gift certificate from PEDROTTI ACE HARDWARE. Sandwiches are provided by KAUFMAN CHIROPRACTIC OF BENICIA. Juice and other refreshments are available to donors. Donors must be 17 years old or more , in good health, and weigh at least 110 pounds. For more info call 428-6001.

November 21 will be the “Willy Wonka Friday Night Supper Club Preview. Following performances of “Willy Wonka will be at the FETTERLY PLAYHOUSE . Evening performances will be December 5,6,12,13,19,and 20 with the curtain at 7:00 PM. Matinee s will be December 7,14,and 21 with the curtain at 2:00 PM. General Admission is $16 Fixed income and Military is $12 and Students are $8. Call 649-2787 for more info.

November 22 GAYLA REITER and DR. WALTER SERNKIW will host a workshop on Reincarnation and Past Life Regression at SOLANO COMMUNITY COLLEGE at the Fairfield campus. The class will begin at 9:00 AM and run through 5:00 PM. Bring a pillow, blanket or pad, as well as a light bag lunch. You can register at 864-7115.

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).

November 29 and 30 THE BENICIA BALLET will present “The Nutcracker” at the HOGAN HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM. Saturday, November 29 the performances will be at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.. Sunday, November 30 the performance will be at 2:00 PM. Admission will be $20 for adults and $15 for Seniors and Students. Tickets are available at the BENICIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SHIRACO’S, or at the Ballet School. The professional guest dancers will be DAVID FONNEGRA and CONSTANSE AN. For more info Ca;; 746-6757.

The BENICIA LIBRARY FOUNDATION has its 2009 Calendar on sale at the BENICIA PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Calendars are $10 each and with each purchase you get a chance to win a $20 Benicia Downtown Dollars Certificate which can be redeemed at many First street businesses.

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF BENICIA is looking for women they can help. The first is their VIOLET RICHARDSON AWARD. This is an award given to a young woman aged 14-17 who is striving to make the world a better place. They can do this by identifying a problem and working on a solution or she can demonstrate noteworthy volunteer accomplishments. Deadline for applicants for this award is December 1. Contact leslie.Sullivan@valero.com for more info.

The second is their WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY AWARD. This goes to a single Woman who is the head of a household and has returned to school to better the life of her family. The deadline for this award is December 15. Call LESLIE SULLIVAN at 826-2005 for applications to both programs and further info.

THE FIRST STREET CAFÉ is taking reservations for its New Year’s Eve Party in its UPSTAIRS venue. Dinner will include appetizers, salad, entrees, dessert and two glasses of wine as well as a FSC surprise. There are only 40 reservations available and there will be an early bird discount. So call 745-1400 for more info.

December 7 at 2:00 PM the BENICIA BALLET will present its Annual Nutcracker Tea. Get out your Holiday attire and come enjoy tea and crumpets with your favorite Nutcracker Ballerina. Admission will include finger sandwiches, desserts, a picture with a Nutcracker Character and a Dance demonstration. The event will be at 938 Tyler Street Suite 204. They haven’t told me the admission price yet., but for more info call 746-6757.

December 7 will be the VALLEJO MUSIC THEATRE’S 23rd Sing-a-long Messiah. The event will take place at the FIRST COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH on Amador St. in Vallejo. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the VMT , online at www.vallejomusictheatre.org or at the door. For more info call 649-2787.

Benicia will be getting its own RELAY FOR LIFE in 2009. The date has not yet been scheduled, but May or June are looking like possible dates. More info to follow as it becomes available.

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF BENICIA is working with THE BLUE STAR MOMS in putting together 30 Christmas Stockings for women soldiers. They are looking for travel sizes of food items, personal items and fun things. Please remember to keep them small. For more info call CHERYL SPENCE at 746-6618 or TERRY BALDWIN at 746-7876.