Benicia Old
Town Theatre Group Newsletter
Every
second Tuesday of each month, join us for the open to the public general
membership meetings-
707 746-1269 for directions.
All are
welcome!
September
15, 2008
There were a few days where it felt like Summer did not want to give up
her hold on Benicia. I don't know why anyone would want to, but you
sure could cook pancakes on the sidewalks of First Street. Yet, the
unmerciful heat did not stop the BOTTG team from getting into the NEW
SHOW SPIRIT. We are all having a wonderful time getting Bottoms
Up! into production. We can't do it without you. Your
talents and skills are very much welcomed. Please feel free to
volunteer for one (or two) of our many projects for this hilarious
show. We need people who like to build, paint, sew, bargain hunt for
props, decorate, slice cake, serve drinks, manage a house full of
theater-loving patrons, wash table linens...You name it, we're looking
for someone to do it. Please visit
www.beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com to volunteer.
AN IMPORTANT
NOTE FROM ELIZABETH PATTERSON
From Elizabeth Patterson: If you want a Benicia Cultural Commission, get
involved.
"We need all BOTTG members to please attend a special meeting in the
City Council Chambers at City Hall from
6:00-7:00 pm
on SEPTEMBER 16. You don't have to do anything, but show support for a Benicia
Cultural Commission."--Paul
"This is vital to our existence. We
should get on board and vocalize our interests. Dan [Clark] has spoken
on this issue several times to the commissions. People in the city
[Benicia] know us and expect us to participate in this process. Please
be present and expect to show a hand of support to keep cultural arts,
like live theatre, in town. It is a beginning to the building of a
performing arts building in the future. Arts Benicia did it right years
ago and stepped forward to become the art presence in Benicia. It will
continue to receive financial support and backing from the city as a
result.
This is important."
---Dyanne
From:
Elizabeth Patterson
Date:
September 13,
2008
Subject:
ALERT!
Cultural
Commission Discussion
This study session is to have Council provide direction to staff
about the nature and composition of the proposed Cultural Commission.
Staff has prepared three choices
1. Expand the existing Human Services & Arts Board. Several
people (including members of the Board) have expressed concern about
using the Human Services as the city's cultural commission for several
reasons: a) the functions of the Board are not in alignment with the
purposes of the proposed cultural commission; b) the skills required for
one are not aligned with the skills of the other; c) does not foster a
dialogue BETWEEN the cultural community.
2. Use an existing non profit group and have city staff assigned
as a liaison. Some support this approach for mostly budgetary reasons
(i.e. little additional staff work). This is somewhat like what has
been in existence since the mid 1980s. Arts Benicia (a 501(c)(3)) was
formed to function in this manner. However, they have never had the
capacity to bring other cultural organizations into the fold. It is one
of the reasons that a City Cultural Commission be formed.
3. Establish a stand-along City Commission with staff and
budget. The budget funding and staff for this body would be new, and
the source would need to be identified. It his option is the preferred
model, staff recommends that the best approach would be to appoint
members from the existing boards and commissions that already have a
relationship or potential involvement with the mission of a cultural
arts commission For example, the commission could include
representatives from the Library Board of Trustees, Parks and Recreation
Commission, Human Services & Arts Board, Economic Development and
Historic Preservation Review Commission.
What is needed from members of the cultural community: support
one of the above recommendations and provide modifications. For
instance, if the choice is #3, how can more members of the cultural
community be added to the commission? Should there be a temporary
committee based on #3 be established to draft the ordinance and identify
the membership?
Below are my notes from last year.
Purpose: To act as a catalysts
for interaction among artists, art institutions, local governments,
universities, and state and federal agencies (Arts in the City,
National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies).
Value: Partial City funding and involvement in arts programming
renders the City eligible for state funding to supplement art and
culturally-oriented activities.
Definition: Culture is the communities' concepts, habits, skills,
art, instruments, and institutions. Art should include all of the
arts: visual, performing, auditory, history, and literary.
(1984) Recommendation 1: That the City of Benicia establish a
civic arts and cultural commission similar in structure and authority to
other Existing City advisory commissions.
"It is time to create a Cultural Commission that will have the
responsibility to assure that the community's divergent interests in
culture and the fine arts are fostered and developed. ...our studies
indicate that the group should be a policy setting and administrative
commission having representatives from the community of professional
artists as well as other business people. . . . would ensure quality
based on the expertise professional artists [to] bring a more balanced,
broader point of view brought by interested community members.
(1984) Responsibilities:
1. To encourage programs for the cultural enrichment of the citizens.
2. To coordinate and strengthen existing civic Arts and Cultural
organizations.
3. To propose methods of obtaining annually renewable private sector
funding support (individuals, groups, businesses) to facilitate local
arts programming.
4. To establish and maintain ongoing relationships with state and
federal level cultural commissions and organizations which would assist
Benicia in taking advantage of all available outside resources to
further local cultural pursuits.
5. To advise and consult with individuals and cultural groups and their
representatives within the community.
7. To devise programs and methods of encouraging quality cultural
activities in the community, as well as to bring about increased public
understanding, appreciation, participation, and enjoyment of cultural
activities.
8. To review and make recommendations on any works of art that may be
in the City's possession, and those that may be acquired or donated to
the City, and the appropriate location for that art.
Initial tasks of the future Commission should be to develop a work plan
and schedule to fulfill these and other responsibilities as assigned by
the Council.
(2008) The future Commission could be staffed by Director of the
Library.
(2008) The future Commission would also be responsible for
reviewing proposed projects for consistency with the existing public art
ordinance to ensure compliance.
(2008) The future Commission should include dedicated chairs for
the Portuguese Heritage, historical museum and historical society
(recognizing the separate functions) as well as the qualifications
listed above.
From Donna's
Desk: The Treasurer's Report
Things look good, folks! We made a net gain of $7,790.82. That's very
good for a community theater. The funds we get from the City of Benicia
really help us out. So, get involved. Don't let Benicia forget that
we're here.
Donna will begin working on a new budget soon. Kimball Goodman will
work along side Donna because Kimball will be taking over the
treasurer's role in the near future. Donna has done an awesome job over
the years making sure our financial business was in fine order. She has
volunteered an innumerable amount of hours to BOTTG. She is one of our
most faithful, selfless members. I'm sure she will enjoy her time with
those two beautiful babies.
Play
Selection Committee
Sarah, Scotty, Dyanne and Terri are currently pouring through scripts in
search of our next hit. If you have any suggestions for a play or
musical, please contact Dyanne. She is heading the play selection
committee, and would like your input.
What's Going
On With The Play?
It is reported that Michael Scahill, our director for
Bottoms Up!, is busy
developing the script into a fun and exciting play. Rachel is right
there adding new interpretations of the script. We have a fantastic
group of actors. This is going to be a big seller!
Mailing
Party: September 16 ---Be There, Or Be Square
The board members will meet at the theater to hold our traditional
mailing party. Basically, we all get together and label addresses to
those wonderful postcards we send out to our patrons right every show.
We will meet at 6:30 pm. Refreshments will be served. Nothing fancy.
Just a few goodies. So if you have nothing to do that night, come on
over. We can use your help.
Work Party:
September 21 -- Get Your Work Gloves Out
Paul would like to extend the invitation to anyone who would like to
help him at the shop on Sunday morning at 9:00 am. He doesn't plan to
work more than a couple of hours cleaning up and organizing all the
tools that he needs in order to build the new fabulous set. Please email
him at
pdzill@yahoo.com if you would like to join in the help.
THE 2008 ARTY AWARDS
Arty Award winning actor Dan Clark and the lovely Sarah Rozett were
invited as presenters for the 2008 Arty Awards Ceremony. This clever
and witty duo reprised their roles of Tito and Maria from
Lend
Me A Tenor. Dan and Sarah return to the BOTTG stage in
Bottoms Up! this fall.
The performance of the night went to Ms. Jeanne Maxwell. Let me just say, you
should have been there.
Her eye-popping scene from
Social Security left everyone speechless, then rolling in
aisles with laughter. It is a shame that the Arty judges did not
recognize this daringly dedicated actress.
Shirley King's Arty Award nominated play
Geography earned Jonathan Grout the Best Actor Award.
Congratulations to Jonathan for bringing to life the character
Shirley lovingly created. A heartfelt thank you goes to Shirley for
providing Jonathan the three dimensional character that was destined to
win him a much coveted award.
DATES TO
REMEMBER
Tech Sunday, October 12. Dinner will be served at 5:00pm
Opening Night Gala, October 17. Come for the show, stay for the party.
One final note: I will send a notice a week before our next general
meeting in October. Thank you to all who provided sweet treats for
everyone's enjoyment at the September meeting. Until then, take good
care of yourselves.
Copyright © 2001 [Benicia Old Town Theatre Group].
All rights reserved. Revised:
12/26/08.
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