DANA POINT : City OKs $27,500 for Cultural Groups

The Dana Point arts community received a boost from city hall recently when the City Council awarded $27,500 to six local cultural organizations.

The Orange County Marine Institute and the Capistrano Valley Symphony were given the most money--$10,000 each. South County Senior Services was awarded $3,000; the Dana Point Coastal Arts Council/Friends of the Dana Niguel Library got $2,500; the Coast Ballet Theatre received $1,500, and the Dana Point/Capistrano Beach Historical Society was given $500.

The Marine Institute will use the funds to expand the activities at its annual Festival of the Whales, held in Dana Point Harbor. Last year’s festival drew 60,000 people over three weekends, and organizers will add a concert and several other events. The festival will be held between Feb. 17 and March 3.

A series of free concerts will be given by the Capistrano Valley Symphony. Plans include a Big Band show at La Plaza Park, a classical concert at the Ritz-Carlton hotel and a music program for children.

South Coast Senior Services plan to produce a video history book, using senior citizens reminiscing about life in Dana Point 50 years ago. The video will be shown to elementary school children in the Capistrano Unified School District.

Other events scheduled by funding recipients include a youth literary contest by the Dana Point Coastal Arts Council and the Friends of the Dana Niguel Library; a ballet demonstration for area youths by the Coast Ballet Theatre, and a project to restore historical items by the Dana Point/Capistrano Beach Historical Society.