Alley to be renamed Theatre Arts Courtyard
Three arts groups are organizing a celebration of the arts in
recognition of the unveiling of the Theatre Arts Courtyard on
Saturday.
Shakespeare At Play is joining forces with Media Dance Centre and
Renaissance Art to present a day of fine art, live theater and dance.
The event marks the christening of the alley between the three
businesses as the Theatre Arts Courtyard. A sign will be displayed
naming the alley off Palm Avenue between Third Street and San
Fernando Boulevard, said Debbie Gates, executive director of
Shakespeare At Play.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony begins at 2 p.m. There will be
Renaissance dancing at 2:30 p.m., followed by the play “Romeo and
Juliet” performed by members of Shakespeare At Play at 3 p.m.; the
ballet “Romeo and Juliet” danced by members of the Media City Ballet
Company at 4 p.m. and a children’s performance of “Romeo and Juliet”
by students of Shakespeare At Play at 4:30 p.m.
Also planned are sword-fight demonstrations, free art classes by
Jim Shendel, whose studio opened Feb. 15, silent auction and
refreshments.
The event is to introduce the community to these new arts
organizations in town, Gates said.
For Gates, her dream has come true, to open rehearsal and class
space in Burbank.
Her Shakespearean company of professional actors has been
performing for 25 years.
In 2001, Gates founded Shakespeare At Play, a nonprofit performing
organization. Funds to cover the rent of the new rehearsal/class
space came from a private investor over three years, and the company
moved in Jan. 7. Classes are offered for 5 to adult at the space.
Gates will continue to run the administrative offices out of her
Burbank home.
Her hope is to initiate an annual Shakespearean festival at the
Starlight Bowl that will be presented to the community without
charge.
A big festival is good economically for the community, she
said, because it brings people here to support restaurants and other
businesses. Plus, the event is something the whole family can
attend.
Gates is a Shakespearean actress who has trained and performed all
over the world.
She is employed as a writer of children’s songs for Disney’s Buena
Vista Records.
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A Burbank author will join two other authors known for their stand
against intolerance in a lecture presentation “Three Faces of
Tolerance,” sponsored by the Friends of the Glendale Public Library
at 7 p.m. March 5 at the library’s central branch auditorium.
Stephen Veres’ memoir, “A Light in the Distance,” tells his story
of survival and triumph at the beginning of World War II in Budapest,
Hungary.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson of Glendale is the author of two
award-winning books. “This is the Place” and her new release
“Harkening” explore the corrosive nature of subtle intolerance.
Alicia Ghiragossian, also of Glendale, is an internationally known
poet who was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Of Armenian
descent, she often writes of the Armenian Genocide.
The event is co-sponsored by the Glendale Human Relations
Coalition. The library is at 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale.
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Fritz Coleman will perform his stand-up comedy during a variety
show presented by the Burbank United Methodist Players at 5 p.m.
March 16 at the Burbank First United Methodist Church.
The event is titled “An Evening with Fritz Coleman” and features
the KNBC-TV Channel 4’s weekday weather forecaster.
Also performing are pianist Steve Hall, Ann and Brooks Gardner,
Catherine Davis-Cox, Bobbie Norman, Wendy Lashbrook, Philip McNiven,
Russ Harr, Marilyn Strong, Steve Kirwan and Sue Stamper. Brad Steed
is musical director.
All proceeds will be donated to the Glendale-Crescenta Valley
Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Larry Stamper Scholarship
Fund. Tickets are $20 and are on sale at the church or at the door
the day of the event.
For reservations, call 848-2091. Burbank First United Methodist
Church is at 700 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502.
The players are also sponsoring a blood drive for the American Red
Cross from noon to 6 p.m. March 17 at the church. To sign up to
donate blood, call 845-1531.
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Burbank artist Rae Wilder is organizing an art show of works by
senior citizens from noon to 4 p.m. March 16.
Senior artists are invited to enter up to five pieces of work like
sketches, pen and ink, oils, acrylics, watercolors, sculptures.
Artists are invited to come see the display space at 2 and 7 p.m.
Saturday and Monday. For more information and location, call
955-9405.
* JOYCE RUDOLPH’S column appears Wednesdays. For events happening
this weekend, read her 48 Hours column Saturdays. Reach her at
637-3241.