San Benito Magazine March 6-13, 2020

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OF SAN BENITO COUNTY

MARCH 6, 2020

A supplement to the Hollister Free Lance

Hovering Breadcat will perform at Crédo Studio in San Juan Bautista.

Rockin’ Spring A guide to upcoming arts and events P4

OPEN STUDIOS P12 | NEXTGEN 2020 P14 | REAL ESTATE P19

Submitted photo

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ART TOUR SanDee Adams will be showcasing her mosaic work along with

33 other artists during the San Benito County Open Studios Art Tour.

MAGAZINE

64 W. Sixth Street, Gilroy, CA Mailing address: P.O. Box 516, Gilroy, CA 95021

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Phone: 408-842-6400 Publisher

Dan Pulcrano Associate Publisher

Jeannette Close Editor

Erik Chalhoub Calendar Editor

Tia Sundberg Contributing Writers

Jenny Arbizu, Wallace Baine, Kimberly Ewertz, Laura Ness, Susan Rife, Kate Russell Advertising Account Executives

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Carrie Bonato, Scott Harvey, Eileen Katis, Cynthia Runyon Design Director

Kara Brown

Production Operations Manager

Sean George

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Cover Story

7

Crush

10 Calendar 12 Art MARCH 6, 2020

14 Music

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15 Wine 16 Theater

Editorial Production Manager

Katherine Manlapaz

Published by New SV Media Inc., Gilroy, CA Entire contents © 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

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Welcome to Cinequest!

Enjoy a feast of exciting new films, live performances, star actors, creative experiences, social events, and a joyous time. All are welcome and celebrated at Cinequest. It’s affordable and a whole lot of fun.

MARCH 6, 2020

Century Downtown 20 Redwood City

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S P RIN G IN G into the

season T

A preview of upcoming arts and entertainment events

he weather is not the only thing heating up.

South Valley and San Benito County’s entertainment scene is in full swing with the return of spring. From theater and band performances to art openings and beer tastings, we’ve compiled a list of some of the region’s many events happening this spring.

‘CELEBRATING LANDSCAPES’ The Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St., will host “Celebrate Landscapes,” featuring the watercolor work by Elissa Nesheim. The exhibit runs March 7 through April 26 Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 4pm. Nesheim’s watercolor landscapes are internationally collected by both public and private folks, institutions and publications. Her work can be found at numerous locations throughout the Bay Area.

GUEST PERFORMER

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BACH TO BLUES Gavilan College’s annual faculty concert with special guests will take place March 14 at 7pm at the college’s theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd. in Gilroy. Bach to Blues is a fundraising concert that showcases regional talent, and features Gavilan College faculty and students. This year's guest performer is the Kaye Bohler Band. They will be joining Maria Amirkhanian, Dahveed Behroozi, Albert Marques, Sam Sotelo, the Gavilan College Ensemble, the winner of the Marian Filice Youth Piano Competition and other special guests on stage. VIP tickets are $25, general admission is $15 and seniors/students are $10. All proceeds benefit the Gavilan College Music Department. For information, visit gavilan.edu/events/bachtoblues.

ST. PATRICK’S SUNDAY AT CRÉDO STUDIO Submitted photo

MARCH 6, 2020

Dahveed Behroozi will be one of the performers during Bach to Blues at Gavilan College on March 14.

Hovering Breadcat will perform at Crédo Studio, 1 Polk St. in San Juan Bautista, on March 15 at 3pm. The band will perform St. Patrick's Day party songs, as well as originals and covers. The event will also include corned beef ➝6

Photos credit xxxxx

SPRING ACTIVITIES Top left and inset photos: The San Juan Bautista Art and Craft Festival returns March 28-29.

Top right: The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival expands to San Benito County. Bottom right: Natalie Ciccoricco will be showing her work at Gallery 1202.

Bottom left: Mosaic work by SanDee Adams will be part of the San Benito County Open Studios Art Tour.

MARCH 6, 2020

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SPRINGING INTO THE SEASON

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Art & Play in the Pre & K! March 11, 9:30 am

Submitted photo

Summer Camp Programs start July 13 • CAIS & WASC accredited • Nonsectarian, independent, nonprofit school • Bus transportation

ST. PATRICK’S DAY Hovering Breadcat will perform at Crédo Studio

in San Juan Bautista.

and cabbage stew. Tickets are $15.

For information, visit brownpapertickets.com/event/4524410.

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MARCH 6, 2020

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Gallery 1202, 7363 Monterey St. in Gilroy, presents Natalie Ciccoricco's art in her solo show, "A Thread of Color." Ciccoricco is a Dutch mixed media artist who lives in San Carlos. The show will feature her newer works from her "Color Hole" series using found images and embroidery thread. The show opens on March 19 and runs through April 30. A free reception will be held on March 28 at 4pm.

CRAB CRACK Sake Bombs featuring The Voice contestant and Hollister native Johnny Sanchez will perform at the Hollister Exchange Club Crab Crack on March 21 at the San Benito Fair Pavilion, 9000 Airline Highway in Tres Pinos. The event offers an all-you-can-eat crab dinner featuring Monterey Pasta ravioli covered in the Shipper family marinara sauce, green salad and garlic bread followed by ice cream treats. The gate and bar open at 5pm. Admission is $55$60. Parking is free. The Hollister Exchange Club donates all profits from fundraising to the youth of San Benito County. For information, visit tinyurl.com/ut3p4ns.

CASINO NIGHT San Benito Stage Company, a

non-profit organization, will host a Casino Night fundraiser on March 21 at 6pm at the Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. in Hollister. The purpose of this fundraising night is to raise money to help the San Benito Stage Company continue to provide community theater events and encourage the growth of the organization's offerings. Tickets are $25-$35. For information, visit tinyurl.com/wvq8og5.

FLAMENCO PERFORMANCE Gallery 1202, 7363 Monterey St. in Gilroy, will host the performance of Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes, who will be accompanied by a musical duo from Spain, Diego Amador Jr. and Carlos de Jacoba, on March 21 and 23 at 7pm. This is Fuentes’ second tour at Gallery 1202, and the last performance was sold out. Doors will open at 6pm, and the hour-and-a-half performance will begin at 7 pm. There will be refreshments, free wine tasting, and food. Tickets are $30 before March 13 and $35 to the date of the performance. For information, visit tinyurl.com/tacgoc7.

SBC MUSIC FESTIVAL The San Benito County Office of Education presents the SBC Music Festival 2020 on March 24 from 7-8pm at the San Benito High School Mattson Gym, 1220 Monterey St. in Hollister. For information, visit www.sbcoe.org. ➝8

&

OUT & ABOUT

SAFETY SPEAKER The public is invited to learn

about mountain bike safety, sharing multi-use trails and more at a mountain biking safety clinic in Hollister, Mar. 7.

HOLLISTER

RECREATIONAL SAFETY Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area’s Safety Speaker Series features safety clinics for each of its recreational opportunities. Ethan Moorhead, Global PR Coordinator and Equipment Lead for Specialized Mountain Bikes, will speak on mountain biking safety and sharing multi-use trails. The latest models of Specialized bicycles will also be discussed. Saturday, Mar. 7, 11am-noon at the Hollister Hills OffRoad Association Training Building, Lower Ranch Day Use Area, 7800 Cienega Road. Park day use fee is $5; the event is free. For information, call 831.636.2065.

MONTEREY

JAZZ BASH Experience a full weekend of vintage jazz and swing at the 40th anniversary of Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay. The festival highlights Dixieland, traditional jazz, swing, gypsy jazz, ragtime, blues and zydeco as dozens of guest bands, artists and youth bands perform throughout the weekend. Friday-Sunday, March 6-8 at the Monterey Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey. For tickets and information, visit jazzbashmonterey.com.

MORGAN HILL

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION Visit Coe Park for “Raincoats and Rubber Boots.” Participants are advised to bring rain slickers and boots to play in the creek, float rubber ducks and boats and hike along the creek on a scavenger hunt to discover plants and animals that exist there. Kids are encouraged to bring bikes and helmets to ride the obstacle course under supervision of experienced mountain bikers. Saturday, Mar. 7, 10:30am-3pm at Henry W. Coe State Park, Hunting Hollow Entrance. For information, visit coepark.net.

WATSONVILLE

JAPANESE JAZZ

MARCH 6, 2020

World-renowned drummer Akira Tana will bring consummate musical mastery into congruence with his deep Japanese cultural roots as he performs with his group, Otonowa in Watsonville. Guests will be treated to unique melodies as Tana and Otonowa perform Japanese jazz. Proceeds will benefit the Watsonville Buddhist Temple and City of Watsonville Kawakami Sister City Program. Saturday, Mar. 7, 3-6pm at Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St., Watsonville.

For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/srhvkf4.

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SPRINGING INTO THE SEASON COOPERATING TOGETHER 5

ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL More than 100 art and craft exhibitors will line downtown San Juan Bautista on Third Street between Franklin and Muckelemi streets March 28-29 with unique items, food, face painting, animal rides, The Patty Kistner Band and more.

The festival runs 10am to 6pm on March 28 and 10am to 5pm on March 29. Admission is free. For information, visit sanjuanbautistaartandcraftfestival.com.

POPPY JASPER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL The festival runs April 1-8 at various locations in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Juan Bautista and Hollister. Film screenings, workshops and more are offered throughout the festival. For information, visit pjiff.org.

MARCH 6, 2020 FEBRUARY 21, 2020

tells the story of a seedy nightclub in 1930s Berlin—overseen by the strange, omniscient and gender-bending Master of Ceremonies, “the Emcee”—where a young English performer strikes up a relationship with an American writer.

For information, visit svct.org.

SAN BENITO DANCE WEEK San Benito Dance Week 2020 will be celebrated April 25-May 2 and will kick off with a free outdoor performance from noon to 2pm on April 25 at McCarthy Park in Hollister. The week-long event highlights the many dance studios, styles, students and partners in the community through an open invitation to the public to participate in free movement-based classes, workshops, performances and events throughout the county. For information, visit sanbenitoarts.org.

Volunteers from Rebuilding Together and TEAM EFFORT WINE &theBEER ART, WINE, Sharks Foundation spent a day sprucing up theSTROLL Galtman home.

BUBBLY, & CHOCOLATE LOVERS' AFFAIR

8 6

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Sharks wanted TheIf the annual Art,Foundation Wine, Bubbly, & to do something for a veteran, Chocolate Lovers' Affair takes they over certainly right 4family. downtownpicked Gilroy the on April from Dave earnedand sixchocolate merito1-5pm.Galtman Local wineries rious medals during World WarGilII, will be featured in downtown then settled down raise a family roy businesses, and to local artists highin Gilroy, house lighted at originally the Gilroybuying Centerafor the at Eighth andWine, Church.

Dave’s&service Arts.

A $40 Bubbly Chocolate ticket aincludes souvenir which glass, established family tradition, one-ounce pour and pieceOldest of chocohis four sons all followed. son late at the 20joined pour stations.

For inforEmmanuel the U.S. Navy as a mation, visitintinyurl.com/yx5wrz7k. radio man the Vietnam era. Son David was also a Navy man, serving in Korea during theAND Vietnam War. ‘BEAUTY And Bob is a Navy vet as well, servTHE BEAST ing on aircraft carriers in JR.’ the Pacific San Benito Company Marines presents which wereStage transporting Beauty and the Beast Jr. April 24-May into Vietnam.

9. The performance is based on theI “I actually joined because original I Broadway production hoped could link up with that my ran forbrother,” more than 13 Bob, years 69, andwho was older said nominated Awards, and lived with for hisnine dadTony at the Rosanna the Academy Street houseAward-winning for the last 11motion years picture. visit of Dave’sFor life,information, and will now livesanin benitostage.org. the house alone. “I was walking down the street (in Gilroy) right after I signed up, and I see some‘CABARET’ one walking toward me, and it was South Valley Civic Theatre’s Cabmy brother Emmanuel. He said, ‘I aret, running April 24-May 16, just got out,’ (and I told him), ‘I just

The Hollister Downtown Association hosts the seventh annual Downtown Wine & Beer Stroll on May 2 joined.

I wanted to get on Hollister. the same from 1-5pm in downtown ship as you.

Son of a gun!’”

Downtown businesses along with Bob’s niece is also Navy vet,will as featured wineries and abreweries are three of his grand-nephews.

In come together for an afternoon of his David’s house, there is winebrother and beer tasting.

Participants awill wall devoted to photos of family receive a tote bag, event map, members wristbandthat andserved. a commemorative “We all getto a big kick out of that,” tasting glass sample a variety of Bob localsaid. wines and craft beers at 20 Dave Galtman purchased the locations on and near San Benito Rosanna Street Queen Anne back Street. Tickets are $35 through in 1996, when it wasupalready April 16 (price goes to $45more after than century old the (Bob’s April a19) and $45 dayrecords of the indicate that the was built event, subject to house availability.

For sometime in the The house information, visit1880s). downtownhollister.org/downtown-wine-beer-stroll. was built before central heating and a furnace was never installed (nor air conditioning). The Galt‘EVENING WITH mans rebuilt the kitchen and made aELVIS’ side patio into an interior room.

The house’s eccentric“An nature, Donald Prieto performs Evesaid Bob,Elvis” reflected father’s ning with at the his Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St. character.

The“My May 9 event 6:30-11pm. dad was a runs real free spirit,” Prieto he said.will perform from 7-9pm, andRebuilding the Elvis film “Blue will Hawaii” will Together set up a be screened after for thequalified performance. personal interview appliTickets $25, and proceeds cants forare their service, and assessbenthe efit theofarts center. Forhome. information, needs the applicant’s visit gilroycenterforthearts.com.

“Then we determine which

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O& A CALENDAR CALENDAR

LEPRECHAUN LEAP

MARCH 6, 2020

Hollister Recreation invites adult and youth runners to celebrate the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green and participating in the 1K Leprechaun Leap and Doggie Dash Fun Run. An obstacle course at Dunne Park will be featured and responsible dog owners are welcome to register dogs on leashes for an additional fee. The 1K Leprechaun Leap Pet Show will follow the race, featuring prizes for best trick, pet and owner look alike and most festive. Saturday, Mar. 14, 11am at Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St., Hollister. To register, visit tinyurl.com/rvlgcw3.

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SAN JUAN BAUTISTA LIVING HISTORY Meet mountain men, Civil War soldiers, Victorian

ladies, and more while stepping back to the early days of San Juan.

Attendees can take part in craft and cooking demonstrations and see historic horse-drawn vehicles and

Victorian furnishings. Saturday, Mar. 7, 11am-4pm at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, 19 Franklin St. For information, visit sanjuanbautistaca.com.

OPEN MIC Credo Studio invites talented community members to join its Open Mic Night, a part of Credo’s monthly First Saturday community events. Share music, poetry, comedy and more.

Coffee service and dessert will be available for a donation. Saturday, Mar. 7, 7pm at Credo Studio, 1 Polk St. For information, visit tinyurl.com/vph98e6.

TRIVIA NIGHT Vertigo Coffee Roasters holds Trivia Night hosted

by Quizmaster Miguel Silva each Thursday. Teams are limited

to six people, and prizes will be awarded for first and second place.

Also enjoy $1 off all draft beer.

Thursday, Mar. 12, 6:30-8:30pm at Vertigo Coffee Roasters, 81 Fourth St. For information, visit vertigocoffee.com.

GILROY MARCH MIXER Soul Kiss Band will perform at The District Theater March Madness Mixer.

Soul Kiss performs a variety of top pop, rock, country, hip-hop, old school, classic rock and R&B hits from today and yesteryear.

Saturday, Mar. 7, 9pm-midnight at The District Theater, 7430 Monterey St. For information, visit soulkissband.com.

BACH TO BLUES

Bach to Blues 2020 is Gavilan College’s annual faculty concert with special guests. This fundraising concert showcases regional talent with performing artists including the winner of the Marian Filice Youth Piano Competition, Gavilan Performance Ensemble and guest artists. All proceeds benefit the Gavilan College Music Program. Bach to Blues 2020 will be held Saturday, March 14, 7pm at the Gavilan College Theater, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy. For information, visit gavilan.edu/bachtoblues.

MORGAN HILL PURIM CELEBRATION All ages are invited to connect with the Jewish community and celebrate at the Grand Purim Community Celebration. This celebration will feature a New York style deli dinner, Megillah reading, magic show, Hamentashen Bar, music, children’s activities and more.

Participants are encouraged to arrive in costume. Suggested donation is $15 for adults, $10 children and $40 families.

Astronomy docents will share the view during an evening under the stars at Starry Nights March. Attendees are advised to dress in warm layers and bring drinking water and a sense of wonder for the night sky; telescopes will be provided. Space is limited; registration is required. Saturday, Mar. 14, 8:1510:15pm at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, 4289 Casa Loma Road, Morgan Hill. Please arrive before the gates close at 9pm to allow for undisturbed viewing. For information, visit openspaceauthority.org.

Tuesday, Mar. 10, 5:45pm at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road. For information and to RSVP, visit jewishmh.com/purim.

WATSONVILLE YOUNG EAGLES Kids ages 8-17 fly free at the Young Eagles Rally.

Young aviation enthusiasts will get the chance to ride the skies on a safe and enjoyable flight and gain new perspectives on the world.

Participants will receive a free 15-

to 20-minute flight and follow the basic steps in the flight pattern.

Saturday, Mar. 7, 9am-noon at the Watsonville Aviation Education Center, 60 Aviation Way. For information, visit eaa119.org/ youngeagles. To register, visit youngeaglesday.com.

EVENTS HISTORIC HACIENDA Castro Adobe State Historic Park presents its public open house “Luck o’ the Castros.” Learn about the ➝ 13

MARCH 6, 2020

DRUMMING WORKSHOP Barbara Borden, percussionist, teacher, composer and subject of the documentary Keeper of the Beat: A Woman’s Journey Into the Heart of Drumming, will lead a beginning drumming workshop at the Gilroy Library. Borden aims to introduce women to the restorative and transformative nature of drumming and music. This special program is part of the Silicon Valley Reads programming. Sunday, Mar. 8, 2-3pm at 350 W. Sixth St. For information, visit sccld.org.

STARRY SKY

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ART

Opening their doors

Submitted photo

ART TOUR SanDee Adams will be showcasing her mosaic work along with 33 other artists during

MARCH 6, 2020

the San Benito County Open Studios Art Tour.

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Nearly three-dozen San Benito County artists participating in tour

By ERIK CHALHOUB

F

or most people, unintentionally breaking a dish results in one of two emotions: sadness, if it was a valuable plate handed down through the generations, or apathy, if the dish was a mass-produced object that would have eventually found its way in the trash.

But SanDee Adams sees opportunity in the accident.

The Aromas mosaic artist uses recycled and found objects in her mosaic work, among other things.

And yes, broken dishes are a big part of that.

“I love dishes,” she said. “You can only have so many dishes in

your kitchen cupboard. If you have a broken piece, you can reuse it. I have a lot of people that give me dishes that they break, and I make pieces specifically for them.”

Adams will join 33 other artists who will open their doors to the public during the San Benito County Open Studios Art Tour, which runs April 18-19, from 10am to 4pm both days. The Open Studios Preview Exhibition will be on display at the ARTspace ANNEX, 217 Fifth St. in Hollister, from March 6 to April 4. A kickoff party will also be held there on March 20 from 6:30-8:30pm.

The Open Studios, organized by the San Benito County Arts Council, is also made possible by the

California Arts Council, Aromas Hills Artisans, Sally Street Studios, Jane Rekedal Pottery, Gayle Sleznick and Vertigo Coffee Roasters.

Arts Council Executive Director Jennifer Laine said the tour is welcoming a number of firsttime participants this year, including muralist David Gutierrez and teaching artist Victoria Murray.

The 34 artists will showcase works in painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry and more throughout Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Aromas.

Laine said she has seen the tour grow in the decade she has been with the Arts Council. In 2010, the tour had 20 artists participating, and last year it hit a record number of 50.

This year’s 34 is about the average number of participants, as Laine said many of the artists participate every other year because of the amount of time it takes to get their studios prepped for visitors.

The tour sees a mix of people attending from San Benito County as well as from neighboring counties. Laine said visitors on the tour will also check out local establishments while they are in the county.

“Not only is it a great way to showcase the talent and diversity we have here in the county, but it is a great event to support tourism in our community as well,” she said.

Adams, who is a member of the Aromas Hills Artisans, will be welcoming eight other Aromas artists into her Carpenteria Road studio to show their work during the tour. With Aromas artists spanning a large geographic area, concentrating them in one space makes it more convenient for visitors, she noted.

Her neighbor will also host four artists.

“I invite as many as I can to my studio to share,” Adams said. “That has been so much fun.”

For information on the Open Studios Art Tour and a map of artists, visit sanbenitoarts.org/ open-studios.

O& A CALENDAR

11 benefit for Peace Officer Wives of California. The benefit includes wine, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and raffle items and fellowship in a winery setting with proceeds benefiting first responder families.

This non-profit organization is devoted to seeing law enforcement families thrive in all aspects of their lives, and provides support and education to help decrease divorce, suicide, depression and PTSD among peace officers and their families. Saturday, Mar. 7, 2:30-5pm at Lightpost Winery, 900 Lightpost Way, Morgan Hill.

For tickets and information, visit faithwifehero.com/events.

MURDER MYSTERY Friday the 13th is a fine night for a murder, and Gilroy Sunrise Rotary Club invites guests to don their most fabulous 1920s attire and assist in solving “Murder on the Boardwalk: A 1920’s Mystery.” Tickets are $60 per guest, and space is very limited. This murder mystery dinner also features a cocktail hour. Friday, Mar. 13, 6:30-10pm at Old City Hall Restaurant, 7400 Monterey St., Gilroy. For information, visit tinyurl.com/ tmhhuo3.

MAKERS’ FAIR

The public is invited to participate in the art of bringing wool from the sheep to the shawl, with all the steps in between, at the Sheep to Shawl Fair. Participants will be guided through all of the hands-on steps to turn sheep’s wool into clothing, toys and accessories by experts, local businesses and organizations. Enjoy fresh, local food and drinks, booths demonstrating sustainable crafts and face painting at this zero waste event. Saturday, Mar. 21, 10am-2pm at Live Earth Farm, 1275 Green Valley Road, Watsonville. For tickets, visit farmdiscovery.org.

7, 11am-3pm at Castro Adobe State Historic Park, 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville. For information, visit tinyurl.com/ v55vofv.

CORKS & COPPERS The community is invited to attend “Corks & Coppers,” the inaugural

AGRICULTURAL HISTORY The Agricultural History Project presents Spring on the Farm, a free family event. Attendees can fly kites, snuggle baby animals and visit baby chicks and lambs. Other activities include crafts, a puppet show, tractor driving and hayrides.

Saturday, Mar. 14, 11am-3pm at

VETERAN’S APPRECIATION American Legion Post 69 is presenting its annual Veterans’ Appreciation Dinner. Attendees will enjoy a menu including tri-tip or chicken, beans, salad, dessert and a beverage. Veterans may attend free of charge; friends and family tickets are available for $20 per person. Saturday, Mar. 14, 6pm at the Hollister Veterans’ Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St., Hollister. For information, call 831.637.7011.

KICKOFF PARTY San Benito County Arts Council will host its Open Studios Kickoff Party featuring a sneak peek of artwork from all 34 artists on this year’s Open Studios Art Tour.

The community will have the opportunity to view artwork, enjoy food and drinks and celebrate this year’s group of talented artists. The kickoff party is free and open to the public Friday, Mar. 20, 6:308:30pm at ARTspace Annex, 217 Fifth St., Hollister. The special Open Studios Preview Exhibition is also free and on display through Saturday, April 4. For information, visit sanbenitoarts.org.

COMEDY THEATER Limelight Actors Theater will present its first show of the year, Tigers Be Still. Follow the misadventures of Sherry Wickman, who recently moved back home after earning her master’s degree in art therapy and retreated to her childhood bed until an unexpected employment opportunity gives her a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Guests are invited to bring their own dinner and wine to performances Fridays and Saturdays, Mar. 20-Apr. 11 at Limelight Actors Theater, 7341 Monterey St. For information, showtimes and tickets, visit svct.org/limelight.

MARCH 6, 2020

fortunes of this historic hacienda and the family that once called it home at this free event. Attendees can also learn about an unexpected connection to Irish immigrant history in the New World in the form of Saint Patrick’s Battalion.

Parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged. Saturday, Mar.

ENVIRONMENTAL DAY Recology San Benito County is hosting its March Environmental Day event. Residents of San Benito County are invited to securely shred important documents on site, drop off unwanted e-waste and receive up to 32 gallons of compost while supplies last. Proof of residency is required, space is limited and all services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, Mar. 14, 9am-1pm at San Juan School, 100 Nyland Drive, San Juan Bautista. For information, visit recology.com.

Agricultural History Project, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. For information, visit aghistoryproject. org or call 831.724.5898.

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MUSIC

Journey through Oz

Submitted photo

NEXTGEN The winners of the Navaroli Young Musicians Competition, Sanjay Gollipudi and

Issabella Romo, will perform on March 7 at Gavilan College.

MARCH 6, 2020

0

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World premiere, young musician performance part of symphony’s concert

By SUSAN L. RIFE

C

hristopher Niemann is no stranger to composing. His first work was premiered by the South Valley Symphony in 2013 while he was still a student at Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill.

“I was writing music and one of my former scout masters, who also plays in the orchestra, had heard that I was writing music. I told him about a piece I had finished,” said Niemann, who is working on his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Humboldt State University after earning associates’ degrees in music and psychology at Gavilan College.

The orchestra member connected

Niemann with Anthony Quartuccio, music director and conductor of SVS, who liked what he heard. Niemann conducted the composition, “Staircase Into the Unknown,” at the symphony’s 2013 NextGen concert, which highlights work by young composers and soloists who have competed in the Navaroli Young Musicians Competition.

“Really it is at the graciousness of the music director that I was able to keep bringing pieces for his consideration,” Niemann said.

His latest work, nearly three years in the making, is “Ozian Symphony: A Geographical Narrative.” It will receive its world premiere on March 7 at Gavilan as part of the symphony’s

NextGen 2020 program. The concert also will feature performances by winners of the Navaroli Young Musicians Competition, Sanjay Gollipudi, viola, and Issabella Romo, flute, as well as the Ann Sobrato High School Wind Ensemble.

The symphony is a six-movement composition “that takes us on a journey through the different compass points of Oz,” said Niemann, who was inspired by Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked,” which was the assigned reading in a reading comprehension course Niemann took at Gavilan.

“So I started reading the book and I was absolutely blown away by the amount of depth the author went into. Each of the regions of Oz had different religions, different ideologies, different stereotypes for the people who lived there,” he said.

“So I wanted to create these different movements, a little glimpse into the different places in Oz.” Niemann found himself captivated by the subtle religious and spiritual references in Maguire’s book, which became Stephen Schwartz’s Broadway hit “Wicked.”

Each region of Oz has its own peoples, politics and religion, which Niemann conveys, for example, through hymn-like music that devolves into a cacophony of chaos and noise.

Niemann has no formal training in music composition and has no plans to pursue a career in music.

“I want to enjoy writing music as a hobby rather than something I want to kill myself over,” he said. “I want to continue to enjoy music for what it is and not have the stress associated with mass production.”

Ozian Symphony: A Geographical Narrative will have its world premiere at the South Valley Symphony’s NextGen 2020 concert at 7:30pm March 7 in the Gavilan College Theater, Gilroy. Tickets are $25; free for children under 16, students with ID and Gavilan College faculty and staff. For information, visit southvalleysymphony.org.

WINE

Submitted photo

VERDE VARIETALS Verde Vineyards’ 12 acres of grapevines

yield fruit for wines of all shades.

Lush Life Acres of green at Verde Vineyards

By LAURA NESS

I

Lynda’s favorite is the chardonnay, while George tends toward the 2015 Sophie’s Blend. Seriously good is the 2015 estate merlot, and if the barrel samples of the Malbec and the cabernet franc are any indication of the prowess of vintage 2018, the resulting wines are going to be killer good. If you get a chance to buy futures, don’t hesitate. But, be warned: George and I might drink that cab franc before it sees a bottle! We were also mightily impressed with the 2018 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, with its gutsy cranberry and raspberry core.

No matter what your political persuasion, this place should be your green new deal. Open every weekend, noon-5pm. Bring shades! For information, visit www.verdevineyards.com.

MARCH 6, 2020

t doesn’t get more green and lush than this Gilroy spot out on Buena Vista Avenue, directly across from colorful Satori Cellars. George and Lynda Green, who met and still work in the medical field, bought this property for its tranquil setting and views, not really thinking about vines, but then life introduced them to the possibility of vineyards as landscaping with benefits.

And, the benefits! They’ve built a welcoming space for enjoyment of their excellent wines, live music and the endless green vistas that restore calm and purpose to this hectic life.

Their 12 acres of vines at Verde Vineyards, predominantly Bordeaux varieties, are made into wine by consultant Jeff Ritchey (San Saba, Sycamore Creek, Pichetti).

15

THEATER

Back in the Limelight

Elizabeth Mandel

MARCH 6, 2020

JOINING FORCES Limelight Managing Director Robin Bezanson ( from left), Gilroy Arts Alliance President Marianne Eichenbaum and Limelight Executive Director Peter Mandel.

16

South Valley Civic Theatre takes over management of theater company, presents first show in spring

By SUSAN L. RIFE

W

hen word started going around last summer that Kevin Heath was shutting down his 10-year resident theater company at the Gilroy Center for the Arts, the theatrical community and audience let out a collective gasp of dismay.

While there’s no shortage of community theater in the South Valley, Heath had carved out a specific niche of tightly-focused productions of family dramas and comedies that used small casts and simple sets to great effect.

Heath built up a stable of solid, reliable actors from the area who were as devoted to the craft as he himself was.

Heath’s decision to retire as

executive director of the Gilroy Arts Alliance and its resident theater company and relocate with his husband Alan Obata to the Sierra foothills at the end of November unleashed a torrent of well-wishes and tearful hugs from patrons.

But by the time Limelight’s final production, “The Hallelujah Girls,” opened in November, Heath was thrilled to be announcing from the stage at each performance that Limelight would continue on, under the auspices of South Valley Civic Theatre. It will be called Limelight Presented by SVCT in Gilroy.

“It was a very personal and effective way to get the word out,” said Robin Bezanson, the new managing director for Limelight. “The audience reaction was sheer delight.”

SVCT is a long-operating community theater organization about to enter its 52nd season at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. Its board of directors saw an opportunity in Gilroy.

The move has two dimensions, said Bezanson.

“When people in the theater community heard Limelight was shutting down, they were so sad,” she said. “We were looking for a way to stop that. They had a formula that works. And at SVCT, we only get the flexibility to do one non-musical show a year.”

SVCT’s roster each season includes a children’s musical, a teen musical, two mainstream family or adult musicals and one straight stage play.

“The playhouse is a little too big

Elizabeth Mandel

TIGERS BE STILL South Valley Civic Theatre’s first production as manager of Limelight is advertised on the Gilroy Center for the Arts’ marquee on Monterey Street. back of the house sold wine and soft drinks along with killer rocky road candy made by actress Rosalind Farotte.

In its new iteration, Limelight will extend the stage area out into a thrust formation, with the audience seated cabaret-style at small tables on three sides of the action.

“This way you’ll never be more than two rows away” from the actors, said Peter Mandel, executive director and liaison to SVCT. Mandel has frequently appeared on the SVCT stage and in other regional productions as an actor.

Working in such close proximity to the audience “is a different style of acting, a much more realistic style of acting.”

And while actors can be more distracted by the closeness of the

audience, “as a performer you endeavor not to be affected,” he said.

“The actors like it because they feel like they’re pushing their acting skills a little bit broader,” Bezanson said.

And the organization has acquired a special liquor license to serve beer, wine and a selection of specialty cocktails. Each show will have a signature drink.

In turn, Limelight directors and actors will be able to tap into SVCT’s enormous warehouse of costumes, props and sets.

“We can scale it up,” Mandel said.

Limelight’s first show under the new organization will be “Tigers Be Still,” a comedy by Kim Rosenstock. Andrew Cummings, who

holds a theater degree from UC Berkeley and has directed multiple SVCT shows, will direct.

“Tigers Be Still” will open March 20 for 10 performances. Also on the calendar is “Ripcord,” a comedy by David Lindsay-Abaire, Aug. 14-Sept. 5, and “A Nice Family Christmas” by Phil Olson Nov. 23-Dec. 20.

“We made an intentional decision to figure out how to run this for a year, and then we’ll assess,” Mandel said.

Limelight Presented by South Valley Civic Theatre in Gilroy will open with “Tigers Be Still” by Kim Rosenstock March 20-April 11 at the Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St., Gilroy. For ticket information, visit www.svct.org.

MARCH 6, 2020

for a six-person show,” Bezanson said. “So for South Valley to have a second venue that is better sized for non-musicals and comedies” made sense for the organization.

The playhouse, in a renovated church building in downtown Morgan Hill, seats 172 in a traditional auditorium of stadium seating and a proscenium stage.

By contrast, Limelight, in a loose black-box space carved out of an old Salvation Army store, seats just 49. During Heath’s tenure, the audience members were invited to order in or carry in dinner picnics, and were seated at long tables perpendicular to the stage, which was raised just a foot above the main floor, or at barheight tables at the rear of the seating area. A small bar at the

17

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