Glendale Arts to launch new music program
Glendale Arts is slated to launch a new music program next year as part of its Pop Up! series, and it is looking toward the community to help make it happen.
The organization will hold a special open-mic night and fundraiser at the Famous bar in downtown Glendale from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. The event will benefit the upcoming Intro to Music series that is expected to start in January and will provide music-education opportunities for local teens and young adults.
Attendees are encouraged to donate their gently used guitars or ukuleles. They can also make financial contributions or sign up to volunteer for the music classes.
Join the conversation on Facebook >>
Jess Castillo, special events coordinator for Glendale Arts, said the night is a part of a national effort called Giving Tuesday. Held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving since 2012, it’s a day where nonprofit organizations, schools and other organizations ask their local community to give back during the holiday season.
“We want to really harness that message and see how we can give back to the Glendale community here,” she said.
Castillo said the organization is looking for at least 20 guitars and 20 ukuleles in order to have enough instruments available for participants who might not have their own. She also said any financial donations received on Tuesday will go toward sustaining and building the series for future years.
The night will be hosted by October Crisfasi, who will teach the classes, and will feature a raffle for free music lessons taught by her. The Famous will also donate 10% of its proceeds that night to Glendale Arts, which manages the Alex Theatre.
Castillo said the series was created as a way to offer free music education in the city.
Lessons will be held at the Brand Library and Art Center. While the classes are initially geared toward teenagers and young adults, Castillo said she hopes Glendale Arts can expand the student base further in the future.
“It’s for the entire month of January ... The first workshop is for ukuleles, the second for guitar and the third is for the blues,” she said. “The final event is our final concert which will give attendees the opportunity to perform at a community-wide event.”
The Famous is located at 154 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
Visit glendalearts.org for more information.
--
Andy Nguyen, andy.nguyen@latimes.com
Twitter: @Andy_Truc