Congrats, music and `Help for Everyone'
Ukiah Community Concert Association, now in its 75th season, has been presenting nationally acclaimed talent since 1947.
This all-volunteer nonprofit's mission is to build and maintain a permanent concert audience and cultivate an interest in fine music of all genres among the citizens of the community and surrounding area. It is also their goal to encourage music appreciation in the schools of the community.
With thanks from a grateful community to all the volunteers over the years who have kept UCCA alive and well.
More great music coming
Ukiah Community Concert Association presents Le Vent du Nord (“the north wind”), blowing in from Quebec for a muchanticipated concert Sunday, March 26, 2 p.m. at Ukiah High School.
Award-winning, beloved by audiences worldwide, and highly acclaimed, Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Quebec's progressive francophone folk movement. With over two decades of experience, 11 albums, over 2,000 live performances and numerous prestigious awards, it is no surprise that the musicians of Le Vent du Nord are touted as “Quebec's Folk Heroes.”
The group's vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, delivering a broad range of global influences with harddriving rhythms, strong voices and great harmonies.
Tickets for non-season subscribers are $30; $35 at the door. Advance tickets are available online at www.ukiahconcerts.org and Mendocino Book Company in Ukiah; Mazahar in Willits.
As part of their ongoing educational outreach program, free tickets are available to youth 17 and under when accompanied by an adult, and to full-time (12 units) college students. Free tickets must be reserved in advance by calling (707) 463-2738 with name, phone number and email address. For more information, contact the UCCA at 707-463-2738 or email info@ukiahconcerts.org
30th Annual Professional Pianist Concert in retrospect
The gift that keeps on giving — Ukiah Community Concert Association gave a huge gift to the world — and to our area — when they picked up sponsorship for the 30th Annual Mendocino County Professional Pianist Concert.
Having watched both Youtube videos, hubby and I can attest to the wonders of live music, interaction of artists on stage, that nothing was lost in the translation of recording this group of super-talented musicians.
I whooped and hollered and clapped at home right along with the live audience. What better thing to do on a cold, wintry day than to watch uplifting, fun music?
Concerts were at Mendocino College on Saturday-sunday, Jan. 21-22. Through the magic of technology, you can experience these uplifting concerts again and again.
Players for this year's first of two shows (Saturday) were: Spencer Brewer, Wendy Dewitt, Chris James, Frankie J, Elizabeth Macdougall and Barney Mcclure. Link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nudazddpko0&t=1848s
The second show, held on Sunday, featured a different group of talented players: Spencer Brewer, Elena Casanova, Tom Ganoung, Ed Reinhart, Ben Rueb and Charlie Seltzer. Link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw-ppuvbyca
Amazing show
From Les Pfutzenreuter: “I am music director for `Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' this summer at the Raven. Joe Gellura is directing, and we have a great choreographer. We need a large cast of both guys and girls which cover quite a few different characters. Lots of ensemble work. We had one round of auditions and have only cast the Narrator and Joseph. We will be filling out the cast through the month of March.”
If you are interested, Les said, “lots of Ukiah area folk in shows at the Raven in the past and lots of carpooling. The show runs from June 30 for three weekends.
“It feels good to be doing something again, as retirement is not very busy !!!!! ” Les is a renowned musical everything, former head of the music department at Mendocino College.
Boogie Woogie at the library
An hour of fun featuring world class pianists: Sue Palmer, Ricky Nye and Wendy Dewitt will be playing favorite tunes, sharing stories, and inspiring toe-tapping.
Thursday, March 16, noon, at the Ukiah library, there will be live piano music, conversation with renowned performers, and you can learn some of the fascinating history of the music that spawned Elvis Presley and Rock and Roll.
Sponsored by Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library and Mendocino County Library, for more information, visit: www.mendolibrary.org or contact the Ukiah Branch Library at (707) 4634490.
News from League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters of Mendocino County sent this:
“'Help for Everyone … when they need it' by Cindy Plank. You are invited on March 21 at 6 p.m. on Zoom for a sneak peek at an important resource coming soon to Mendocino County.
“Brandy Maxwell, Recruitment & Training Coordinator for CASA, will share exciting info about the soon to be launched 24/7 Help website & app.”
What is CASA? A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained volunteer appointed by a judicial officer to provide advocacy for a child who is under the jurisdiction of the courts due to abuse or neglect.
A CASA volunteer serves as the “eyes and ears” of the judge for children in foster care. Volunteers spend time with children, monitor needed services, and provide child-focused recommendations to the court based on the best interest of the children they serve. The CASA organization has been training, matching, and supporting these volunteers since 1994. Now CASA has taken on another community project to fill a need long felt by youth, families, individuals and agencies: a 24-hour referral service.
The new website, called 24/7 Help, will also have an Android/ Apple application that lists all the resources for youth and adults in Mendocino and Lake Counties.
This app will be easy for all to use. It will also assist service providers in giving clients resources immediately through their phone or email and has features for providers such as producing a pdf record of the referral.
Maxwell explained: “24/7HELP is a community information and referral service that helps Mendocino and Lake County residents. We operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, every day of the year. We help individuals and families find resources that are available to them locally and provide connections to critical services that improve and save lives.”
Link to meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82319138585PWD=ODJQVKTRDEQ3WEXWWVU3mcttchgwut09#success
The League is especially interested in all young people in the county, and is happy to promote all information and interaction it can to help our youth participate in, and be recognized by, the whole community.
“As usual, we encourage those who can, to gather in safe groups and attend the meeting communally. Please note, this meeting will take place on the third Tuesday of the month.”
Cheer-i-o!