CAB- Pittsburg, CA

CAB in the News:

PUSD elementary students donate 3,500 food items to help PICES

Students at Pittsburg’s eight elementary schools donated 3,500 food items to the PICES (Pittsburg Community Emergency Services) emergency kitchen to help needy families during the holiday season.
The contributions will help PICES supply Pittsburg residents with three-days’ worth of food.
Heights Elementary was the school leader donating 1,388 items.
Seni Natagh’s fifth-grade class at Foothill Elementary was the individual class leader with 367 items.
Other top classes were Tammy Hayes’ second-grade class at Heights, Carmen Belt’s fourth-grade class at Highlands, Emma Flores’ third-grad class at Los Medanos, Angela Zygsczenko’s second-grade class at Marina Vista, Melissa Ortuno’s first-grade class at Stoneman and Rocio Charles’ second-grade dual emersion class at Willow Cove. Parkside’s contribution was made as a school.
“Wow,” said PICES president David Ward. “We are blessed by the generosity of the children and their families. We thank them very much for supplying food that will help families in need.”
The contributions were tied to a contest sponsored by the all-volunteer nonprofit Pittsburg Creative Arts Building Corporation and Black Diamond Ballet Theatre, which will present the Nutcracker at the Creative Arts Building on Dec. 18-20.
All members of winning class at each school received free family tickets for a performance of the Nutcracker. In addition to the free tickets, Natagh’s class will get to visit the set and meet the dancer’s before Friday’s sold-out Opening Night performance and will also be introduced to the audience.
All Parkside students, staff and their families received free tickets as a reward for compiling the highest increase in state testing scores.
“We are proud of Pittsburg students and their families for their willingness to give to others and are pleased to invite them to be our guests at the Nutcracker,” said Sharon Sobel, who is both the President of the Pittsburg Creative Arts Building Corporation and assistant director of Black Diamond Ballet Theatre.
Food barrels will be available for addition food donations to PICES at each Nutcracker performance. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday’s performance is at 2 p.m. Each performance will be preceded by a brief “curtain talk” discussing the performance 20 minutes before the curtain.

Pittsburg ballet company offers preview of 'Nutcracker"

PITTSBURG — Almost on cue, a collective gasp came from the Parkside Elementary School cafeteria.

Second-graders Damilare Aguda and Aaliyah Mercado were among the dozens of students sitting cross-legged on the floor who let out a loud "ohhhh" Wednesday morning when a ballet dancer with a large wolf head quickly vaulted from behind the curtain onto the stage during a performance of selected scenes from "The Nutcracker."

"It was awesome," Aguda said. Though her friends liked the sugarplum fairy, Mercado insisted that the wolf was her favorite character.

The reactions meant a lot to the dancers of the Pittsburg-based Black Diamond Ballet Theater, which bills itself as the first professional ballet company in East Contra Costa County. Later this month, the company will perform "The Nutcracker" at the Pittsburg Creative Arts Building, 250 School St.

"It was very humbling. We're so worried about the steps; it's nice to be reminded by the audience how much they enjoy it. It's cool and fun to be a part of," associate director Sharon Sobel said.

After performing, company members talked about how taken aback they were, she said.

The company also handed out free tickets for their upcoming "Nutcracker" performances to students and staff at Parkside as a reward for the school's improved test scores.

Black Diamond Ballet Theater was formed in May after artistic director Michael Lowe parted ways with Peninsula Ballet Theater, which previously had performed "The Nutcracker" in Pittsburg. Black Diamond includes 15 professionals and two apprentices.

Lowe's relationship with the board of the Creative Arts Building and the available space for rehearsals led to the creation of the company.

"There are a lot of resources and a lot of good talent. We felt we could make something out here," Lowe said.

Pittsburg natives Sarah Hernandez and Ricky Navarro, who play Clara and The Nutcracker, said the company gives East Bay kids a means to perform without having to go to bigger cities as they did. About 40 local teen dancers participate in the ballet.

"A lot of people believe in the final product, and bringing the arts to a community that might not go into a city to see it," said Sobel, who is also president of the Creative Arts Building board and owns an Antioch ballet school.

Black Diamond strives be more "up close and personal with the community" than a touring company, Sobel said. The company plans to visit five more area schools before performing Dec. 18 to 20.

Students at Parkside Elementary School received both a treat and a reward Wednesday when members of the Black Diamond Ballet Theatre, Pittsburg’s first professional ballet company, visited the school.
          After treating the students to highlights from their upcoming production of the Nutcracker, Black Diamond Ballet Theatre invited all the students, faculty, staff and their families to attend the opening night performance on Friday, Dec. 18 at the Creative Arts Building for free.
          The free tickets were offered as recognition for Parkside’s improvement in state test scores. The school had a 716 score in 2008 and set of a goal of improving to 730 in 2009. Student scores for 2009 were 748.
          “We have a good school culture,” said principal Jeff Varner. “It covers teachers and families. We all believe in our kids. It’s all about believing in kids. But it’s the kids who deserve the credit. It’s them and their families.”
          “We work really hard to achieve our goal,” said fifth-grader Keila Balajavic. “Some of us have been here a long time.”
          Dr. Barbara Wilson, superintendent of the Pittsburg Unified School District, said, “Parkside is to be congratulated for its high test scores. It’s nice that they can enhance their education with this cultural opportunity.”
          Sharon Sobel, a Pittsburg High School graduate who attended Parkside and is the assistant director of Black Diamond Ballet Theatre, said the company, which will make the Creative Arts Building its home, is pleased to treat the Parkside students.
          “We are happy to continue the tradition of rewarding students for their hard work and congratulate Parkside for all the improvements it has made,” she said.
          Students and faculty were captivated by the performances in their multipurpose room and surprised by the special announcement.
          “I’m so excited we’re getting to go,” said fourth-grade teacher Jeanette Shearer.
          “I dance, too, and this will be fun,” said fifth grader Kira Byrd.
Black Diamond Ballet Theatre under artistic director Michael Lowe will perform the Nutcracker as its premier production Dec. 18-20 at the Creative Arts Building. Tickets, including special packages with dinner at La Veranda Restaurant, are available at La Veranda, Raley’s and State Farm Insurance, 130 E. Leland Rd., in Pittsburg, by calling 427-4CAB (4222) and at the Black Diamond website, www.blackdiamondballet.org.

          PITTSBURG – A three-celebration is planned for the 50th anniversary of Creative Arts Building on May 24, 28 and 29.
          The Creative Arts Building, Contra Costa County’s largest theater located on the Pittsburg High School campus, opened on May 28, 1959.
          The Lowrider Band, original composers of such hits as “Lowrider,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends” and “Cisco Kid,” will headline the 50th Anniversary Headliner Show on Thursday, May 28, at 7:30 p.m. The show is presented by USS Posco.
          Joining the Lowrider Band that night will be Curtis Ohlson’s “Pittsburg All-Stars,” including Ohlson, a bass player who toured with Ray Charles for five years; Terrence Brewer, voted the Bay Area’s top jazz guitarist by SF Weekly; drummer Pete Riso and keyboard player Frank Mercurio, who toured with jazz legend Cal Tjader; and special guest Pete Escovedo. Comedian Johnny Steele, a winner of the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, will also appear.
          On Sunday, May 24, more than local 20 bands and performers ranging from hip-hop to opera will appear at an all-day event, including an afternoon street faire on School Street. Sessions begin at noon and 6:30 p.m.
          Dance will be in the spotlight on Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. with a variety of dance troupes from the Pittsburg area.
          “We are thrilled that the Lowrider Band will headline our anniversary show,” said Sharon Sobel, president of the all-volunteer nonprofit Pittsburg Creative Arts Building Corporation organizing the event. “Their music is reflective of the styles we in Pittsburg enjoy so much. We are also honored by the response of local musicians and dancers who will be appearing throughout the week as we celebrate the music and dance of Pittsburg in this wonderful building.”
          Tickets for the Headliner Show on Thursday are $50, $25 and $10. Tickets for the Sunday (Music of Pittsburg) are $10 per session or $15 for an all-day Sunday pass. Tickets are only $10 for Friday's Dance of Pittsburg. Tickets are available by calling (925) 432-4992, going to the PCABC website at www.cabconcerts.org and at Raley’s, 1369 Buchanan Rd., Pittsburg. Special $25 dinner-shuttle packages at La Veranda and Liberty Hotel are available on Thursday and Friday.