After-school programs planned

Enrollment is now open for the Arts Outreach Winter After-School Arts program. Two separate eight-week classes for students in grades 1-8 offer a choice of theater on Tuesdays or fine arts on Thursdays. All classes will be held in the multi-purpose room at Oak Valley School, 595 Second St., Buellton, and begin Jan. 22.

The theater workshops will be taught on Tuesdays by Nicky Shane, who has experience with directing, screenwriting, and stand-up comedy. He also holds the Guinness World Book of Records “Fastest Harmonica Player in the World” title.

Beginning at 2:30 p.m., students in grades 1 to 3 can learn various theater techniques using games that give the student more confidence. Older students in grades 4 through 8, beginning at 3:45 p.m., will learn similar skills, as well as stage presence and comedy. The final session will be held Mar. 11.

“How to Draw Outside the Box” and “Draw It, Paint It, Sculpt It,” will be taught on Thursdays from Jan. 24 through Mar. 13 at the same times. Nadine Mitchell will teach the younger group and Melinda Weymouth will instruct the older students. Mitchell has a degree in fine art and is a special education assistant. Weymouth has taught at Wildling Museum, Arts Outreach and for the Santa Ynez Charter School.

The fee for all workshops is $80. Scholarships are available. Class sizes are limited to 15 students and early enrollment is recommended.

All programs are sponsored by Arts Outreach, a local nonprofit arts education organization. Programs include after school and summertime arts, summer youth community theater, semi-monthly elder arts for the seniors, and a performing arts youth group as well as classroom workshops at all Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos elementary schools, and an on-going arts curriculum led by artists-in-residence.

For more information or to register for classes, call Arts Outreach, 688-9533 or email Catherine@artsoutreach.com. 

 

Musical auditions announced

Valley Community Theatre will hold its auditions for “Working,” a musical about the American work force, on Jan. 31 from 6:45 to 9 p.m. and Feb. 2 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at The Father Stacy Parish Hall of St. Mark’s-in-the-valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos. The show will be presented Apr. 18-26.

In the production, based on Studs Terkel’s book of interviews, “Working,” the cast plays multiple roles. Vocals for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone are available, with featured songs by Stephen Schwartz, composer of “Wicked,” “Pippin” and “Godspell”; James Taylor; Craig Carnelia; Mary Rogers; and Miki Grant.

Those wishing to audition should be prepared to sing a show tune or a James Taylor song and present a short monologue. An accompanist will be provided for those who bring sheet music. Also, the tenor role of Roberto requires fluency in Spanish. A perusal copy of the script and a compact disc with selections from the show are available at the Solvang Library. Call Linda at 688-7423 for more information.

 

SLO trip planned

As part of its adult recreation program, the Solvang Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled a trip north to San Luis Obispo’s Farmer’s Market on Jan. 24 from 4-8:30 p.m. The travelers will enjoy the fresh produce, gourmet treats and unique atmosphere at the market.

There also will be time to stroll downtown San Luis Obispo and enjoy dinner at one of the nearby restaurants. The cost of $10 is for transportation only. Participants must pre-register with Solvang Parks and Recreation or call 688-7529 for more details.

 

Rock band workshop scheduled

A “Rock Band Live” workshop, open for drummers, guitar and bass players, keyboardists and singers, will be held Jan. 27 through Feb. 3 at Song in My Heart Studio, 485 Alisal Rd., Suite G2, Solvang.

Co-hosted by Kathryn Imani of Song in My Heart Studio and drummer Tompeet Frederiksen, the four workshops will focus on guiding students through three styles of rock, including blues, classic and contemporary. Workshops will be four hours each, with a final performance planned the evening of Feb. 9.

Frederiksen, a local drum instructor, will lead the sessions. “With all the video rock band games out there, it will be fun and rewarding for kids to actually play live, with other players,” he said.  “This is a great opportunity for pianists especially to improvise, something we don’t often do when we’re learning classical repertoire and figuring out how to read exactly what’s written on the page,” Imani said. “In rock, you read chord charts and make up your own part. It’s a whole different kind of playing, and very fun.”

Each session has openings for 10 musicians. Students must be familiar with reading chord charts. For more information, call 680-4986 or 708-3235 or visit www.simheart.com.