05/16/2013 - The Independent

THE INDEPENDENT • THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013 5JUICE NEWTON(continued from front page)around the country. “Wehad no clue we had a hit onour hands,” Juice recalls,“but it sure made the nextconcert a ball to do, andthe next one and the nextone.”They began recordingfirst on RCA, then CapitolRecords, then again withRCA for a string of top10 country hits, including“Cheap Love,” “Both ToEach Other,” “Old Flame,”and “Tell Me True,” toname a few.The freshest serving ofJuice is “American Girl,”her most recent albumwith Renaissance Records,produced with OthaYoung who joins her at theFirehouse show. “I wantedthe title ‘American Girl’because, like America,this project offers a lot tochoose from,” Juice says,“and like the changingrole of American womenin business and society,I wanted to re-define theterm. The American girlisn’t so predictable anymore.”Husband Tom Goodspeedis a nationallyranked professional on thepolo circuit and manager ofthe San Diego Polo Club.Juice rides and plays poloin many charity events,often singing the NationalAnthem before mountingup. Her idea of a goodtime is raising family,including keeping up withdaughter Jessica, 13, andson Tyler, 10. “Actually,I’m always ‘on the road’even when I’m supposedto be off,” Juice laughs,“driving to school, soccer,piano, drum, and horse ridinglessons.”A music critic said ofher, “Newton remainsone of the most rivetingperformers in countrymusic, rocking on stageand playing each emotionfor what it’s worth.”Juice credits her enthusiasticperformances to thephilosophy of “owing youraudience more than justgoing through the motions.I go out there wantingto have a good time, andmaking sure the audiencedoes too.”The show is one nightonly. Ms. Newton will beavailable after the concertto sign CDs and chat withaudience members.Tickets are $40, $45,$50, with group discountsavailable. Tickets can bepurchased online at www.firehousearts.org, by calling925-931-4848, and inperson at the Box Office,4444 Railroad Avenue,Pleasanton. Box Officehours are Wednesday -Friday 12:00 noon-6:00pmand Saturdays 10:00am-4:00pm, and two hoursprior to the performance.Self Guided Garden Tour to RaiseFunds for Valley Humane SocietyFollow the love of animalsdown the garden pathduring the eighth annualHidden Gardens of the Valley,a benefit for Valley HumaneSociety (VHS). It willbe held on Sunday, May 19from 10 am – 4 pm. Theself-guided tour offers a privateglimpse into ten lovelygardens across Pleasanton.There is an opportunityto explore beautiful flowers,trees and shrubs, decorativefountains and statuary, andarchitectural elements suchas gazebos, decks, outdoorkitchens, and more. Find outjust how that garden doesgrow from Buzz Bertolero,the Dirt Gardener, secondgeneration nurseryman andTV personality. Buzz willbe planted along the routeto meet tour participantsand answer gardening questions.Other hidden gemswill be revealed along theway, including working artistsand the Animal Lover’sBoutique.Tickets are $35 per personand include program,map, and directions. Ticketsare available now at www.valleyhumane.org or ValleyHumane Society, 3670 NevadaStreet, Pleasanton. Admissionto this rain-or-shineevent is non-refundable.Show a ticket at Redcoatsor Handles Gastropub indowntown Pleasanton, andthey will donate portion ofthe bill back to VHS to helpthe animals.Tickets are also availablefor purchase with cash orcheck only at the followingTri-Valley locations:in Pleasanton at Town &Country Veterinary Hospital,923 Main St., TowneCenter Books, 555 Main St.,and Western Garden Nursery,2756 Vineyard Ave; inDublin at Armstrong GardenCenter, 7360 San RamonRd.; and in Livermore atAlden Lane Nursery, 981Alden Ln.For more informationon sponsorship opportunities,please contact MelanieSadek at (925) 426-8656.All tour proceeds benefitthe programs and servicesof VHS.Acts One performers rehearse for opening of 'Alcatraz Realty Company'Trinity Presents Faith Based PlayTrinity Church’s dramaministry, Acts One, willpresent a faith based springplay entitled “Alcatraz RealtyCompany” on May 31st,June 1st and June 2nd.Alcatraz prison, “TheRock," was closed when theState of California, mired ina budget crisis of catastrophicproportions, seized theopportunity for additionalrevenue by selling the islandto the Petralucci family. Inthe play, the family convertsthe rusty old cells into oneof-a-kindluxury apartments.Home, Sweet Home. . . .Or is it?A crooked real-estateagent convinces severalprospective tenants aboutthe glories of living in a convertedprison, including themaximum security benefit –which unbeknownst to themrestricts their ability to leavethe island. They develop aplan that will set them allfree, but first they must getpast the guards. One bravevolunteer makes the firstattempt, but is captured andreturned to the prison, beatenand scarred. They soonrealize that they can’t escapefrom this place, not withouthelp from the outside.Will they make it outalive before it’s too late?- - Don’t miss this play’sconclusion.“Alcatraz Realty Company”is directed by SaraStoebe who has a 30 yearhistory in community theaterwith many SouthernCalifornia and Bay Areacredits. Featured playersare Hannah Peacock, EmilieWiedenmeyer, Scott Ault,Joseph Rojas, Sarah Dane,Scott Miller, Matthew Zareel,Cynthia Zareel, ConnorLayton, Rodney Hale, MattStoebe, Lorin Jensen, DebbieJalanivich, Tina Jensen,and Evelyn Lawson.Performances are at Trinity,557 Olivina Avenue,Livermore on May 31st at7 pm, June 1st at 8pm andJune 2nd at 6pm.Admission is free andeveryone is welcome. Formore information call thechurch at (925) 447-1848.