Center Thanks Local Schools

Staff members from the Center’s education and development departments visited Sonora Elementary School in Costa Mesa and McFadden Intermediate School in Santa Ana to thank students in-person for providing musical entertainment during the 37th annual Candlelight Concert fundraiser, which raised more than $1 million for the Center. During Candlelight Concert, Sonora’s Hand Bell Choir and McFadden’s Vocal Ensemble performed at the reception, reminding guests the funds raised from the evening positively impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of students who take part in the Center’s education programs each year.

To show the Center’s appreciation for the students’ talent, dedication and hard work, staff members presented each school with an honorarium to be used towards their music program.

A big thanks to Nick St. Royal and his students at Sonora and Greg Ellis and his students at McFadden for helping to make Candlelight Concert a huge success!

Photo above: Sonora Elementary School’s Hand Bell Choir performing during the school’s 2010 holiday concert.

Photo above: McFadden’s Vocal Ensemble during class

Photo above: Sonora Principal Christine Anderson, Mesa-Newport Unified School District Board of Education VP Walt Davenport, Mesa-Newport Unified School Disctrict Board of Education Member Katrina Foley, Center VP of Education Talena Mara, Sonora Music Director Nick St. Royal, Stephanie Jernigan and Aimee Cherie from the Center

Desperate for Peter Pan

This past weekend, Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy and their children took a trip to Peter Pan’s Neverland at the Center. The photo above shows the two Oscar®-nominated actors (center) backstage with cast members. There are only a few more weeks left to catch threesixtyº entertainment’s Peter Pan in Southern California before it travels to its next stop, Atlanta. The show ends January 2, 2011.

Grammy Noms for Center's Jazz Series Artists

Nominations for the 53rd Grammy® Awards were announced last night and a couple of artists popular with the Center’s Jazz Series were selected: Esperanza Spalding and Freddy Cole. Esperanza, who sold-out her engagement here last year, is competing in the Best New Artist category and Freddy is up for Best Jazz Vocal Album with Freddy Cole Sings Mr.B. Freddy returns to the Center May 13 and 14 with the Bill Charlap Trio. Congratulations and the best of luck to Esperanza and Freddy! The Grammys will air on February 13 on CBS.

ABT's Cuban Adventure

CBS News traveled with American Ballet Theatre on its recent trip to Cuba. The trip marked the first time in over 50 years that ABT performed in Havanna. The company honored former ABT dancer and the Founder and General Director of the National Ballet of Cuba (coming to the Center in June) on the occassion of Alonso's 90th birthday. Bravo!

Peter Pan Magic Comes to CHOC

Nate Fallows (Peter Pan), Shannon Warrick (Mrs. Darling and Neverbird), Beth Tiffon (Jane and a mermaid) and Lee Turnbull (Slightly, a Lost Boy) took a bit of time away from Neverland and the production of Peter Pan at the Center to visit with youngsters at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Some of the youthful patients painted their faces while Elliott Towfigh of Corona challenged them to air hockey. They also went from room to room visiting a number of the children who are being cared for with great skill and attention at CHOC.

Photo above: Cast and friends at CHOC hospital.

Photo below: Elliott Towfigh, front, with cast members Lee Turnbull, Shannon Warrick Nathan Fallows, rear, and Beth Triffon.

Idina Menzel to star in new ABC musical drama

Wicked's Tony winning Elphaba Idina Menzel recently wowed Center audiences in her Center debut.  Next Fall you can catch the star in a new musical drama on ABC.   You can read more here.