Performing and Visual Arts

Jazz Café at Stanley Middle School
 
The much-anticipated annual Jazz Café returns to Stanley Middle School on Friday, May 12 at 6pm. Lamorinda residents have long flocked to the popular “Jazz Café” event for a fun (and free) evening of jazz, coffee and dessert. There will also be a taco truck on hand. This year’s Café marks the debut of Stanley Middle School’s new music director Todd Minson. For more information, please contact dalianishimori@gmail.com.
 
Date:  Friday, May 12
Time:  6pm
Location:  Stanley Middle School
Performers include:

• Stanley Jazz Crusaders
• Stanley Jazz Messengers
• Stanley Chorus
• Campo Jazz Ensemble
• Acalanes Jazz Ensemble

Admission Price:  Free

ACALANES SPRING CONCERTS
Come celebrate the last month of the school year with Director Lauren Gibson and her talented groups of musicians as they perform two magical nights of music!
 
Dates:  Tuesday, May 2 and Thursday, May 4
Time:  7pm
Location:  AHS Performing Arts Center
Music Groups:

• Tuesday – Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble
• Thursday – Jazz Band, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble

Admission Price:  Free
 
 
AHS CHOIR POPS CONCERT
Date: Friday, May 5
Time: 7pm
Location: AHS Performing Arts Center 
Featuring: Harmonix, Innuendos, Octet
Admission Price:  Fre

JAZZ CAFE
The much-anticipated annual Jazz Café returns to Stanley Middle School on Friday, May 12th at 6:00pm.  Lamorinda residents have long flocked to the popular “Jazz Café” event for a fun (and free) evening of jazz, coffee and dessert. There will also be a taco truck on hand.  This year’s Café marks the debut of Stanley Middle School’s new music director Todd Minson.  Performers include Stanley Jazz Crusaders, Stanley Jazz Messengers, Stanley Chorus, Campo Jazz Ensemble and Acalanes Jazz Ensemble. For more information, contact dalianishimori@gmail.com.

5th Annual AP Art and Independent Art Exhibition
Acalanes students, teachers and the community are cordially invited to the 5th Annual Acalanes Art Show exhibiting our AP Art and Independent Art students’ artwork!This show culminates 3-4 years of hard work and dedication.
 
Please celebrate the accomplishments of these young artists by joining us on Friday, Apr 28 from 6:30 – 8:30pm at the ArtRoom (91 Lafayette Cir, Lafayette). There will be live music and food/drink. Admission is free! We’d love your support!  It will be a great show of spectacular work and a lot of fun.
 
Robert Porter and the AP and Independent Art students

The First Ever DramaDons’ Short Play Festival  
The DramaDons are excited to announce our first ever DramaDons’ Short Play Festival! The 5th period DramaDon’s will be presenting four student directed short plays, two of which were written by Advanced Drama Honors students Natalie Costales and Anie Heffernan.

The DramaDons’ Short Play Festival runs on Thursday, Apr 27 and Saturday, Apr 29 at 7pm in the AHS Little Theatre. Admission is free!

AP Art/Independent Art Exhibition Coming Up! Drop by to view and celebrate the Acalanes fine art students! 

• Apr 28, 6-8:30pm
• The Art Room- 91 Lafayette Circle

Kyle Athayde Dance Party Concert with Acalanes Jazz Ensemble: If you love great, toe-tapping music, then you must attend TODAY’S concert by the renowned Kyle Athayde Dance Party, featuring some of the finest musicians from NYC/SF. You will also hear our illustrious Acalanes Jazz Ensemble play alongside this band. It takes place at 2pm in the PAC. Admission is free (although donations are welcome)!

The First Ever DramaDons’ Short Play Festival  
The DramaDons are excited to announce our first ever DramaDons’ Short Play Festival! The 5th period DramaDon’s will be presenting four student directed short plays, two of which were written by Advanced Drama Honors students Natalie Costales and Anie Heffernan.

The DramaDons’ Short Play Festival runs on Thursday, Apr 27 and Saturday, Apr 29 at 7pm in the AHS Little Theatre. Admission is free!

SPRING MUSICAL! Legally Blonde
Wednesday, Mar 22 through Saturday, Mar 25 – 7pm

The Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters proudly presents this year’s Spring Musical: Legally Blonde. Venture with the Acalanes performers to Harvard as Elle Woods (played by Lux Downing Griggs), a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner (played by Sean McNeil). With the support of her vivacious sorority sisters, she serves as a lawyer in a murder trial and, in the process, meets her pensive and charming boyfriend, Emmett Forrest (played by Cameron Zener). Prices: Adults/General: $25, Students/Seniors: $16

PURCHASE TICKETS:
https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/72096

ahsperformingsarts.org

SPRING MUSICAL! Legally Blonde
Wednesday, Mar 22 through Saturday, Mar 25 – 7pm

The Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters proudly presents this year’s Spring Musical: Legally Blonde. Venture with the Acalanes performers to Harvard as Elle Woods (played by Lux Downing Griggs), a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner (played by Sean McNeil). With the support of her vivacious sorority sisters, she serves as a lawyer in a murder trial and, in the process, meets her pensive and charming boyfriend, Emmett Forrest (played by Cameron Zener). Prices: Adults/General: $25, Students/Seniors: $16

PURCHASE TICKETS:
https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/72096

SPRING MUSICAL! Legally Blonde
Wednesday, Mar 22 through Saturday, Mar 25 – 7pm

The Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters proudly presents this year’s Spring Musical: Legally Blonde. Venture with the Acalanes performers to Harvard as Elle Woods (played by Lux Downing Griggs), a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner (played by Sean McNeil). With the support of her vivacious sorority sisters, she serves as a lawyer in a murder trial and, in the process, meets her pensive and charming boyfriend, Emmett Forrest (played by Cameron Zener). Prices: Adults/General: $25, Students/Seniors: $16

PURCHASE TICKETS:
https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/72096

Accolades for Acalanes Jazz Band Students
Huge congratulations to the Acalanes Jazz Ensemble and the Acalanes Jazz Combo for their award-winning performances at the 34th Annual Folsom Jazz Festival held on Saturday, Jan 28. This event is one of the largest jazz competitions in California with middle school and high school jazz bands, vocal jazz choirs, and jazz combos from all over Northern California participating.

The Acalanes Jazz Combo of Lucas Chow, Tommy Gallagher, Nathan Joseph, and Spencer Tantameng took top honors with 1st place in the Combos A Division.
Acalanes Jazz Ensemble received an impressive 4th place in the Band A Division, directed by Laura Gibson.

Congrats again to our amazing students!

For an excellent overview of all VAPA classes, listen to the Dons Dialogue recording from Friday, Jan 20 (see here)!

CONGRATULATIONS ACALANES JAZZ!
The Acalanes Jazz Ensemble performed at the 34th Annual Folsom Jazz Festival, Saturday, January 28, one of the largest jazz competitions in California, and it was an exciting day of entertainment! Middle school and high school jazz bands, vocal jazz choirs, and jazz combos from all over Northern California competed.  

The Acalanes Jazz Combo of Lucas Chow, Tommy Gallagher, Nathan Joseph, and Spencer Tantameng received 1st place in the Combos A Division and the Acalanes Jazz Ensemble received 4th place in the Band A Division. Directed by Lauren Gibson. 

BAND MEMBER RECOGNITION
We are very proud to recognize and honor our talented Acalanes musicians who were accepted into these distinguished ensembles this year!

• CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HONOR BAND
  Serina Eun, Melina Galacatos, Miles Garcia, Zach Garcia, Zero Hill, Nathan Joseph, Monique Khouw, Sabrina Koo, Daichi Nannen, Cole Ruebner, Aya Watanabe, Koto Watanabe, and Adelina Zheng.  The CCC Honor Band concert is Saturday, Feb 4, 7 pm at Alhambra High School in Martinez. 
  
  
• CALIFORNIA ALL-STATE JAZZ ENSEMBLE
  Spencer Tantameng
  
  

For an excellent overview of all VAPA classes, listen to the Dons Dialogue recording from Friday, Jan 20 (see link above)!

Band Student Recognition
We are very proud to recognize and honor our talented Acalanes musicians who were accepted into these distinguished ensembles this year!
 
Contra Costa County Honor Band
Serina Eun, Melina Galacatos, Miles Garcia, Zach Garcia, Zero Hill, Nathan Joseph, Monique Khouw, Sabrina Koo, Daichi Nannen, Cole Ruebner, Aya Watanabe, Koto Watanabe, Adelina Zheng
 
California All-State Jazz Ensemble
Spencer Tantameng
 
More details to follow on the exact times of their public performances later this year.
 
Upcoming Lafayette District Band Festival Events

• District Band Festival 1: 

Monday, Jan 23 at 7pm in the Stanley Middle School Gym.
Springhill and Happy Valley Elementary, Stanley Symphonic and Silver Bands, and Acalanes Wind Ensemble will be performing.

• District Band Festival 2: 

Tuesday, Jan 24 at 7pm in the Stanley Middle School Gym.
Lafayette and Burton Valley Elementary, Stanley Cadet band, and Acalanes Symphonic Band will be performing.

• District Orchestra Festival:  

Wednesday, Jan 25 at 7pm in the Stanley Middle School Gym.
Combined Elementary Strings, Strings Intermezzo, Stanley String Orchestra, and Acalanes Orchestra will be performing.