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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/12/2012 - City Arts Commission - 02 Staff Report Cultural Arts Activities Activities Report from Cultural Arts Office, July 12, 2012 Shakespeare by the Sea Returns The City Arts Commission is planning to welcome the troupe of Shakespeare by the Sea to Newport Beach again this summer with free performances for the community on Saturday, July 7 with “Romeo and Juliet” and on Sunday, July 8 with “Two Gentlemen of Verona”. This group has been traveling to Newport Beach for 11 years now, and has since begun performing in neighboring communities and throughout the Southern California region. It is always exciting to see the actors that come out from year to year, and the way the shows are staged (one set, altered for two shows). This year’s performances will again take place at Bonita Canyon Sports Park. The group does a preshow, with introductions by the City Arts Commission at 6:45, with the “curtain” at 7pm. Attendees should plan to bring beach chairs, picnic dinners and sweaters for the evening; however, no alcohol is allowed in public parks. Scene from “Romeo and Juliet” Sunday Musicales and Family Concerts Staff has been procuring classical and instrumental music ensembles for the Library’s Sunday Musicales and Family Concerts scheduled for the fall – through March of 2013. It is a difficult task, as there are so many excellent soloists and ensembles to choose from. We have a wealth of extremely talented musicians in Orange County, Los Angeles and the Bay Area. So far the ensembles Triple Entendre, Joseph Yashar, The Krechkovsky/Loucks Duo and Natur Early Music Ensemble are on the schedule. Classical Guitarist Joseph Yashar (Performing October 7) The Search Continues The Searching for Democracy program at Central Library will continue through the Presidential election on November 3. The next component will be a cultural exhibit, dedicated to the Literacy Learners who are writing memoirs on being an American. This exhibit will be installed in September and will culminate a seven-month program dedicated to all ages and persons interested in the meaning of democracy. Plays Coming Up… Two Gentlemen of Verona and More… By July 7 and 8, after the sparklers have gone out and the parade is long since over, pack up a picnic, grab your lawn chair, and try a little free culture in Newport Beach! Once again, the City Arts Commission is hosting Shakespeare by the Sea at Bonita Canyon Sports Park. This year’s offerings are Romeo and Juliet and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Typically about 2000-3000 people come out for these performances over the two days that they are staged. The City pays the troupe, and provides the stage, generator and sound enhancement. The actors drive in with their equipment in a rental truck, build the set, act out the play, dismantle the set and do it all over again the following day with an altered set and new play. Many thanks to our City staff for tackling all of the park and parkway issues that come up and for maintaining the park during and after the events. We also want to thank the Police Volunteers for assisting with parking and any special situations that may arise. A little background on the two actors pictured here…. Proteus - Valentine's supposed best friend and one of the title gentlemen of Verona, though he behaves in a most ungentlemanly fashion. He is Julia's sweetheart at the beginning of the play, but when he joins Valentine at the Duke's palace, he falls in love with Silvia and attempts to steal her away from Valentine and Thurio. Julia - Proteus’ beloved, and mistress to the servant Lucetta. Desiring to travel to Milan to visit Proteus, Julia disguises herself as a high-class male page in order to avoid lecherous advances along the journey. Calling herself Sebastian, she does Proteus' bidding, delivering the ring she had earlier given him to his new beloved, Silvia. Scene from “Two Gentlemen of Verona” Concerts Coming Up… Concert in the Park Sunday, July 22, 6-7:30 pm Bob Henry Park, 900 Dover Drive Featuring the Bracken Band The City Arts Commission presents 2012 Concerts in the Parks featuring The Bracken Band. Bring your friends and family for a fun evening of Celtic music. With influences from The Chieftains to the Cranberries, The Bracken Band delivers high energy Irish songs, jigs, reels, with a little bluegrass and contemporary Irish tunes tossed in, too. Save the Date for More Concerts in the Parks Sunday, August 5: The U.K. Beat at Bonita Canyon Sports Park Cultural Arts and Arts Commission Meetings & Events Calendar, 2012 2012 Arts Commission Meetings: January 12, February 9, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8, December 13. Events: Central Library Exhibitions Through 2012/civic center Lenahan collection Concerts in the Parks July 22 - The Bracken Band, Bob Henry Park, 6-7:30pm August 5 – The U.K. Beat, BCSP 6 -7:30pm – Field 4 Cultural Arts Grants Cultural Arts Grant Completion Report due 09/28/12 Grant funds must have been spent or encumbered 09/28/12