03/31/2011 - The Independent

Art & EntertainmentTHE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011 9form may be found at www.livamsymph.org Applications must be postmarked byApril 11, 2011. Questions may be directedto (925)447-8789.YoungArts, the core program of the NationalFoundation for Advancement inthe Arts (NFAA), the signature nationalprogram that recognizes and supportsAmerica’s most talented young artists inthe visual, literary and performing artsis accepting applications for its nationalprogram starting March 15, 2011. Theapplication will be open online (at www.youngarts.org/apply) until October 14,2011, and early applications will be acceptedthrough June 30. All high schoolseniors or 17-18 year-old high schoolgraduates demonstrating excellence inthe literary, performing and visual arts areeligible. Winners are eligible for financialawards and scholarships through theNFAA Scholarship List Service, once ina lifetime opportunities to participate inworkshops with master artists and performwith their fellow winners and access toa nomination for the title of PresidentialScholar in the Arts, the highest award thatcan be given to any artistically talentedhigh school senior. Eligible studentsshould visit www.youngarts.org to apply.The application will open at 9:00 a.m. onMarch 15, 2011. Registration will closeOctober 14, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. EST. Ifstudents have any questions, they canreach programming staff at 305-377-1140or info@youngarts.org.Sunol Spring Wildflower Festival, Sat.,April 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hikes, crafts,music, slide shows and nature exhibits.Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness.Events Planned DuringSexual Awareness MonthIn recognition of Sexual AssaultAwareness Month, which is observedin April, Tri-Valley Havenis hosting a series of communityevents designed to raise awarenessabout sexual violence in the communityand beyond.The Haven will begin the monthwith its annual V-Day performanceof Eve Ensler’s “The VaginaMonologues.” Performances willbe April 1 and 8 at 8 p.m. andApril 10 at 2 p.m. at the BankheadTheater in Livermore. Directedby Dublin resident Kristi Grand,the Monologues are a celebrationof female sexuality and bring tolight violence perpetrated againstwomen both in the US and aroundthe world. Tickets are available atwww.livermoreperformingarts.orgor 373-6800.On April 5, the Haven willhost “A Day to Get Involved” atLas Positas College in Livermore.According to the Rape and IncestNational Network, one in sixwomen will be sexually abusedduring her lifetime. Social mediasavvy participants are encouragedto participate by taking a pictureof themselves holding a clock andusing the photo as an on-line avataror profile declaring, “It’s time toget involved.”Sexual assault month concludeswith the annual Candlelight Marchin downtown Livermore on April30. This silent walk down FirstStreet brings together all facets ofthe Tri-Valley to signify that thereis unity in efforts to end sexualviolence says Ann King, executivedirector of Tri-Valley Haven. Themarch will begin at 7 p.m. at LizzieFountain, corner of First Street andLivermore Avenue.In addition, the Haven is partneringwith Livermore DowntownInc. to present the second annualWomen Helping Women Month.This event both celebrates thegrowing number of women ownedand women managed businesseslocally, but also recognizes theneed for business owners and communityleaders to come together tosupport the Haven in its missionto end violence against women.Participating merchants and restaurantshave identifying flyersin their establishments, as well asdonation jars for the Haven.For more information about Tri-Valley Haven, visit www.trivalleyhaven.orgor call 449-5842.Dublin to Host 'April Foolery'Workshop at Heritage MuseumDublin will present a workshop entitled Poisson d’Avril / AprilFoolery on April 2.In France, the day known as ‘Poisson d’Avril’ or April Fish is a dayof pranks and fun. The French, not surprisingly, also celebrate the daywith food and their Boulangries and Chocolatiers offer fish shapedpastries and chocolates in honor of the day.On April 2, the Dublin Heritage Museum will explore the French traditionsand April Fools from 2:00-4:00 pm. This will be an afternoon of‘poisson d’Avril art projects’ and fish shaped treats! “Bingo Schmingo”will provide the musical fun. The fee is $5 per participant.The Dublin Heritage Museum is located at 6600 Donlon Way.Festival is free, $5 parking fee. Info 510-544-3249 or www.ebparks.org.Rosalind Creasy, author of "Edible Landscaping,"April 17, 2 p.m. LivermoreLibrary, 1188 So. Livermore Ave. Authorsand Arts Series. Creasy’s expertise onedibles and how to incorporate them inbeautifully designed outdoor environmentswas first showcased in the originaledition of Edible Landscaping, hailed bygardeners everywhere as a groundbreakingclassic. Books will be available forsale and signing. No admission charge.373-5505Museum on Main, 2011 Ed Kinney LectureSeries. Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m.,Strike it Rich: The California Gold Rush.Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 RailroadAve., Pleasanton. No reservations arerequired. Tickets are available at the dooron a first come first served basis. TheFirehouse Arts Center is located at 4444Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton. Ticketsare $10 general admission, $5 membersand seniors, $3 students/teachers withID. Information, contact Jennifer Amiel,Director of Education at (925) 462-2766or education@museumonmain.org.David Rakoff, two-time recipient of theLambda Book Award for Humor, DavidRakoff is a regular contributor to PublicRadio International’s This American Lifeand The New York Times Magazine. Hislatest book of sharply-observed essaysis entitled Half Empty. Thurs., April 28,Chris Ayles, a founding memberof Role Players Ensemble Theatre,returns to RPE to direct a hilariousfarce The Foreigner, at The VillageTheatre, Danville, April 15-May7, 2011. Chris, who has acted anddirected for many years in professionaltheatres in both the UK andin the East Bay, appeared in theEnsemble’s premier production- Loveliest Afternoon of the Year,in 1983 in the International VillageCourtyard (now the Town andCountry) in Danville.The Foreigner tells the story ofCharlie Baker. He’s been chainedto his proofreader’s chair forever.He’s boring. Bit of a milquetoast.Poor gent’s pathologically shy. Tofend off conversation at a ruralGeorgia fishing lodge, he pretendshe doesn’t understand English.Best-laid plans farcically go awrywhen “the foreigner” mingles witha devious menagerie of locals.Laugh out loud as comedy entersfront and center in this hilariousromp.Chris said, “There is no betterentertainment than farce donewell. The Foreigner is a classicfarce with all the elements ofpeople caught up in ever increasingabsurdity. Absurdity that startswith a perfectly rational set ofcircumstance.”The Foreigner received twoObie Awards and two Outer CriticsCircle Awards as Best New AmericanPlay and Best Off-Broadwayproduction. Playwright LarryShue’s career was cut short at theage of 39 when he died in a planecrash in Virginia. Commenting onthe effects of his comedies (he alsowrote The Nerd) Shue is quoted assaying, “You have tired, neuroticpeople filing in and you have kidscoming out giggling and flirting.”Appearing in The Foreigner areJerry Motta as Charlie Baker. Jerry,a multiple Shellie award recipientfor Role Players, last appeared forRole Players in Incorruptible andLast of the Red Hot Lovers. SylviaBurboeck, who was criticallyacclaimed for her role as Eleanorin RPE’s, The Lion in Winter willbe Catherine Simms and JaniceFuller Leone, returns to RPE asBetty Meeks, following her roleas Grandma in Lost in Yonkers.The cast also includes Fred Sharkey,(Froggy LeSueur), VincentFaso (David Marshall Lee) KyleGreen (Musser) and Ben Oldham(Simms).The Foreigner completes RPE’s7:30 p.m. Rae Dorough Speakers Series,Bankhead Theater, 2400 First St., Livermore.www.livermoreperformingarts.orgor 925.373.6800.Artist Flea Market, Sat., April 30, 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. DeLucchi Park, First Street atNeal, Pleasanton. Information, www.pal-art.com.Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, sneakpeek, Sat., April 30, 1 p.m. For ages 5 andolder. Pleasanton Library, 400 Old BernalAve. No registration required. Scenes fromthe upcoming live theatrical productionat the Firehouse Arts Center, and meetthe cast members & professional staff.For more information, call the children'sdesk at 925-931-3400 x8.Role Players Present aComedic Farce, The ForeignerPictured are (clockwise) Janice Fuller Leone, Kyle Green, SylviaBurboeck, Ben Oldham, Fred Sharkey, Vincent Faso with JerryMotta in the middle. Photo - Robert Allen Shattuck.2010-2011 season under the leadershipof new artistic director, EricFraisher Hayes of Danville.Performances are Thursday,Friday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.at The Community Center, 420Front St., Danville.Tickets are $15-$25 at www.villagetheatreshows.com or (925)314 3400For more information call 925820 1278: or mail@danvilletheatre.com