Hello, everyone. In a nutshell, things are happening. We’re merrily coasting. And before too long, we’ll be picking up even more speed. For now, hang on to your hats – here’s the latest.
1. LAST AUDITION REMINDER. Don’t get left out! If you’ve never experienced touring with the Sinag-tala Theater Ensemble – or if you have but don’t want to miss out on another exciting season of entertaining audiences at the Pacific Rim Street Fest, California State Fair, Filipino Fiesta and many other venues – then don’t miss the upcoming touring ensemble audition. It’s going to be at 1:30PM tomorrow, Saturday, April 4 at the Sinag-tala Studio, 8275 Florin Road, Suite 180. No prior experience or training required – we’ll teach you! Members of last year’s ensemble need not audition but must drop by and register. If you’re interested, be prepared to sing any song of your choice. You may sing with or without accompaniment. We’ll provide a CD player. The first touring ensemble bookings are on May 3 (Order of the Eastern Star, Elk Grove); May 17 (Pacific Rim Street Fest, Old Sacramento); and May 22 (Maria Fabionar Retirement, location to be announced). Training and rehearsals begin the week of April 20. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. And spread the word!
2. IT’S HERE! THE ST2008 DVD! The much-awaited DVD of last year’s Theatrical Revue is now available! As is the SFTPAA tradition, we’re giving last year’s performing company and crew that first-ever chance to be their own audience for once! And for the rest of us, it’s be another great reunion after the last cast party. The ST2008 Premier Showing will begin at 1:30PM this coming Saturday, April 18 at Marcy Basila’s residence, 9506 Village Tree Drive, Elk Grove 95758. To help raise funds for SFTPAA, and make it possible to concentrate on having fun by not needing to prepare a potluck dish, there will be a $5 charge for the viewing, food and drinks. And, of course, those who have already ordered and paid for copies of the DVD may see Lenny Kaulupali to get their copies at that time. If you need directions, please contact Marcy Basila at 916-821-8819.
3. AN AFFORDABLE FORMAL DRESS, ANYONE? What a cool tongue-twister for singers and actors to practice with. But more than that, it’s a stress-reducing invitation to a super bargain opportunity for the ladies and girls out there who may be getting ready to doll up (do they still say that?) for that prom night or that wedding or formal anything. Formal wear retailer Aida Brewington is liquidating her inventory because she has moved her business to Southern California. So she’s selling racks and racks of beautiful, otherwise pricey gowns at unheard-of prices, starting at $40! And – get this – generous and longtime Sinag-tala supporter Aida will be donating a portion of the proceeds to SFTPAA and the Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity, Inc. The gowns will be displayed at a fashion show at 11:00AM tomorrow, April 4 at the Kapitbahay Center at Seafood City on Mack Road, Sacramento. Dresses may be purchased before or after the fashion show. Then on Sunday, April 5, the dresses will also be available for viewing, try-ons and purchase from 10:00AM to 2:00PM during the FCSV Annual Brunch at the Jose P. Rizal Community Center, 7320 Florin Mall Drive, Sacramento. The brunch costs $15 for adults and $8 for children (proceeds to go towards the Community Building Fund) but admiring, touching and wearing the dresses is free! Look good for good causes!
4. THE “LOVE ‘EM OR HATE ‘EM” ON MEETINGS. Often, you can tell how robust and dynamic an organization is by how much humming is going on within its inner workings. Yes, we’re talking about Board, production, FAST, TAAG and other meetings. There’s definitely a lot going on, so like it or not, there’s going to be a bit of sit-down talking that needs to take place as well. And sometimes, to streamline things, we combine meetings. That’s what’s happening this month. On Sunday, April 19, a combo of Board, production and TAAG (Twentieth-anniversary Alumni Advisory Group) meetings will become a SUMMIT! This will make up for the difficulty of balancing Spring Break with doing business. The schedule that day will be as follows:
4:00PM – SFTPAA Board Meeting
5:45PM – ST2009 Production Meeting
6:15PM – Joint Board/Production/TAAG Meeting
All of the above will be held at the Sinag-tala Studio. Please confirm your availability for any or all of these meetings via e-mail ASAP.
5. GRACE MADARANG DOES IT AGAIN. Sinag-tala alumna Grace Madarang is excited to let everyone know that after a 3-year hiatus from stagework, she’s back doing some choreography – for the CSUS Pilipino Culture Nite “Nawawala” (Lost) production. The show will have one performance on Friday, April 24 and two on Saturday, April 25 at the 24th Street Theater, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento 95818. The evening shows will be at 8:00PM and the Saturday matinee will be at 12:00 Noon (so have an early lunch). Tickets are $15. Call Grace at 916-337-5564 for information or tickets. By the way, alumnus Dennis Perez is also assisting with the show. Break a leg, Grace and Dennis!
6. LET’S GO WITH LORRAINE DE ARCO. Nothing can be better sounding than the news that Sinag-tala artists are busy out there, making a presence where Filipinos are still not seen often enough. So goes it for Lorraine De Arco, who will be featured in the Pepper Von production, Let’s Go! All genres of music and dance, with Pepper Von choreography of course, will be offered, including country, rock, R&B, gospel, hip-hop, jazz, latin, tap and lyrical. The production has four shows coming to the Crest Theatre on K and 11th Streets in downtown Sacramento on May 22, 23 and 24. The evening shows are at 8:00PM and the matinees on Saturday and Sunday are at 2:00PM. Ticket prices have not yet been announced but if you contact Lorraine at rained@hotmail.com, she can get back to you.
7. ATTENTION SPRING CLEANING AND GREEN -PHILES! SFTPAA is going to do its part to help you. The date has yet to be set, but the SFTPAA will hold a parking lot sale soon, probably in May. If there’s anything cluttering your garage that you’d rather someone else recycle so it won’t clutter the environment – and if it will sell – let us know ASAP. Please keep in mind that this will be a fundraiser – one of several that SFTPAA will be holding so that we can pay our many bills. So all donated items should be easily “sellable” and of reasonably good quality. Unfortunately, some of the things we cannot accept are exercise equipment, large appliances, large furniture, and Christmas items. Unsold items are generally donated to charitable agencies such as Goodwill, but even they have policies about what to accept or reject, and generally the said items tend to be among them. Clothing and household linen must be clean and in good condition. We will announce a date for drop-offs at the Studio as well. In the meantime, please keep us in mind before you haul anything off. Oh, and another tip: check the “Free Items” listings in Craigslist from time to time. You might find someone in your neighborhood who has something good to give away. By the way, we also need volunteers to help receive, sort, sell and take away. Don’t be shy – let us know immediately.
8. HELP US HELP YOU TO SIMULATE THE ECONOMY. If there’s anyone who knows about the importance of spending, it’s the SFTPAA. We’re keenly aware of what supporting retailers, food establishments, grocers, suppliers, print shops, rental businesses, warehouses, hardware stores, insurance companies, utility companies, bookstores, moving companies, clothing businesses and other establishments mean to the country’s economic stability. Because that’s precisely what SFTPAA does. That’s because SFTPAA spends money – not without good judgment but wisely and carefully. No executive bonuses, not even executive pay. In short, for TWENTY YEARS now, we’ve provided services for free to help a lot of young people learn about the arts, but that costs money. Our budget is comparatively small but the outcome – the inner growth and self esteem that children, teens and young adults experience as they learn to sing, dance, act and express their pride under our unique programs – are lifetime gifts that, as the saying goes, are priceless. So give these participants, who might otherwise not get much exposure to their heritage and Filipino art, some thought and support. Why not help us by donating generously? And if you’re already a donor, how about raising the level of your support? As long as you need to spend a little in order to boost the sagging economy, let us help you do it. Don’t wait for our show in December – the economy and the Sinag-tala kids need help now. Make checks payable to SFTPAA and mail them to 2241 Arliss Way, Sacramento, CA 95822. Since the SFTPAA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, you contribution will be tax-deductible. Thanks.
And that’s not the last of it. There’s of course so much more to come. So stick around! Take care and thanks for your continued interest and support.
Sonny Alforque
CEO & Artistic Director
