Multiple Day Events:
Friday, February 12th through Friday, April 23rd
The Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno is sponsoring a six part film series that explores what has happened to our nation’s food supply. Films will be shown the 2nd and 4th Friday starting February 12th, from 7-9 p.m. at the UU Church at 2672 E. Alluvial Ave. in Clovis. Here is the line up of films:
February 12th The Future of Food
February 26th The World According to Monsanto
March 12th King Corn
March 26th Food, Inc.
April 9th Foodmatters
April 23rd Fresh.
These screenings are free and the Church is wheelchair accessible. For more information e-mail profilesplus@sbcglobal.net or call David or Glenda Roberts at 291-1590.
Thursday, January 21st through Saturday, March 13th
Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater presents “The Producers.” This Tony Award record-holder is a side splitting musical. Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater is located at 1226 N. Wishon, at Olive & Wishon. There will be shows Wednesday through Sunday, with 2 shows most Sundays. Prices and times vary with day and week. Call (559) 266-9494 for times and prices or go to www.gcplayers.com.
Saturday, February 13th through Saturday, March 20th
On six consecutive Saturdays, Encourage Tomorrow presents “Kids’ Turn.”
These events will be held from 9:30am to 11:30am at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), 5241 N. Maple Avenue, in the Peters Building. Kids’ Turn is a whole-family approach to dealing with the difficulties associated with divorce or separation. Kids’ Turn helps children understand and cope with the loss, anger and fear that often accompany separation or divorce. Kids’ Turn awakens parents to the need to support their children during this crisis in their lives, so that at-risk behavior by children is averted. Kids’ Turn enhances the lives of these children through improved communication and the knowledge they are not alone. The Kids’ Turn program is recognized by the family courts as a co-parenting approved course. Registration fee is based on gross annual household income. Partial scholarships are available for eligible applicants experiencing financial burden. For more information call Sandra Jones at 559-233-2880.
Thursday, February 25th through Sunday, April 18th
The Good Company Players present February 25 and running through April 18: “Twelve Angry Men,” a thought-provoking ultimate trial drama. When personal prejudices threaten the verdict, a high-pressure collision course is set in the jury room as ordinary men are asked to make life and death decisions. Good Company Players 2nd Space Theatre is located at 928 E. Olive, at Olive & Van Ness. Performances will be held Thursday through Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. Performance times vary with day of week. Call (559) 266-0660 for times and prices or go to www.gcplayers.com.
Thursday March 4th through Saturday March 13th
The Rogue Festival is a non-juried arts festival that celebrates the independent performer and artist. This annual celebration is made up of theatre, music, dance, film, performance art, puppetry, spoken word, storytelling, visual arts and more. O.K., it sounds like a Fringe Festival but with a 21st century sensibility. For more information, see roguefestival.com/info.
Friday, March 5th through Saturday, March 13th
Fresno City College will bring a powerful and poignant play to the FCC Theatre when “The Exonerated” opens March 5. The Exonerated is the true story of six people who were wrongfully sent to death row and later exonerated. Performances dates are March 5, 6, 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and March 6, 7 and 13 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 general, $10 students/seniors and $4 each for groups of 10 or more. Call the FCC Theatre Box Office at (559) 442-8221 to purchase tickets. The March 7 performance is a benefit for student scholarships. Following the performance there will be a special “talk back” where audience members will be able to discuss the play with the actors and director.
Thursday March 12th through Saturday, March 13th
The play “Heathen Valley” by Romulus Linney will be performed at the Dennis & Cheryl Woods Theatre at Fresno State. All Performances begin at 8:00 p.m. except on Sunday when it begins at 2:00 p.m. Closed on Monday. Ticket Prices are $17 general admission, $15 for Fresno State Faculty/Staff, Alumni Association Members*, Seniors (60 +) & Non - Fresno State Students (Under 5 not admitted) and Military, and $10 for Fresno State Students with ID. For more information call 278-2216 or go to www.csufresno.edu/theatrearts.
The Month of March:
Fresno County branch libraries and other community sites are launching the
fourth Big Read, a national effort to restore reading to the forefront of American culture by encouraging communities to read and discuss the same book. The featured title for Fresno County is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Throughout the entire month of March, more than 50 free programs will be offered countywide to inspire discussions exploring the book’s themes of censorship, critical thought and media saturation and to highlight the popularity of science fiction. A complete schedule of events is online at www.fresnobigread.org and available in print at all Fresno County branch libraries. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
Thursday, March 18th through Sunday, May 16th
Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater presents “Oklahoma.” This American classic tells the rollicking story of settling the Old West, with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s amazing score including songs like “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning,” “People Will Say We’re in Love,” and “I Cain’t Say No.” Roger Rocka’s is located at 1226 N. Wishon, at Olive & Wishon. Shows are Wednesday through Sunday, with 2 shows most Sundays. Prices and times vary with day of week. Call 559-266-9494 for times and prices or go to www.gcplayers.com.
Thursday, April 22nd through Sunday, August 8th
The Good Company Players’ 2nd Space Theatre, 928 E. Olive, at Olive & Van Ness, presents “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” This smart, funny and honest Tony-winning musical tells an interactive story of competitive spellers who soon learn that winning isn’t everything- and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. Shows are Thursday through Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees. Performance times vary with day of week. Call 559-266-0660 for times and prices or go to www.gcplayers.com.
DAILY CALENDAR
Saturday, March 6th
National Network in Action’s 3rd Annual African American March for Justice & Awards Ceremony continues with a march and rally beginning at the Pam Kincaid Center, 1026 Mariposa and B Street in Fresno. Marchers will assemble at 9:30 a.m. with the rally at 10 a.m. and the march at 10:30. Guest speaker will be All Williams, with Paul Boden, Executive Director of Wrap San Francisco. The Awards Ceremony and program begins at 12 noon. For more information call 559-803-0286, or e-mail xyfloyd@aol.com.
Saturday, March 6th
The Unauthorized Rolling Stones, considered the leading Rolling Stones Tribute Band, will be performing a first-rate tribute to the Rolling Stones at the West Side Theatre, 1331 Main Street in Newman, CA. Doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8. General admission tickets are $19 with reserved seating for $22. For more information go to www.westsidetheatre.org or call (209) 862-4490.
Saturday, March 6th and Sunday, March 7th
The San Joaquin Valley Quilters Guild and Doll-Emma Cloth Doll Club will be presenting their semi-annual "Springtime in the Valley" show. The show will include over 200 quilts, wearable arts, and cloth dolls made or owned by local San Joaquin Valley residents. There will also be vendors, raffles and craft sales. The show will be held at the Clovis Memorial Building at 453 Hughes Avenue in Clovis. Show hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 6 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 7. General admission is $7.00 dollars. For more information call the Guild at (559) 455-0621.
Sunday, March 7th
There will be a second performance of REGENERACIÓN: Ricardo Flores Magón and the Mexican Revolution of 1910 by El Teatro de la Tierra. This one takes place at Arte Americas, 1630 Van Ness Ave. in Fresno at 3 p.m. (See March 5th listing for more information.)
Sunday, March 7th
Fresno Reel Pride Gay & Lesbian Film Festival will present its 2nd annual “An Evening at the Oscars” featuring a live telecast of the 82nd Academy Awards along with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a “Guess the Winner” contest complete with door prizes. This special event will be held at the Landmark Restaurant at 644 E. Olive Avenue in Fresno’s Tower District. All proceeds will benefit
Fresno Reel Pride’s 21st anniversary season. The event begins at 4:30 with red carpet arrival and the telecast begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.reelpride.com for $35 per person and $60 per couple. Cocktails will be provided and guests are encouraged to dress in their best Hollywood finery and
one lucky couple will win the designation of “Best Dressed” and take home one of the prizes for the evening. The event will be catered by The Painted Table, a local catering company. Ticket availability is limited. For more information or to purchase tickets online visit www.reelpride.com.
Sunday, March 7th
Dr. Vida Samiian Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities at C.S.U.F. will be the Speaker for Women of Spirit. The event takes place from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at 7319 No. Fourth St. Fresno. She will speak on: "Women and Leadership." March is womens' herstory month. Dr. Vida Samiian has served as Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities and Professor of Linguistics at California State University Fresno, since 2004. She joined the faculty of the Linguistics Dept. at Fresno State in 1984 after receiving her PhD from UCLA. Dr. Samiian was born and raised in Iran, where she returned and taught at Tehran's Free University in 1979. She has been involved in the women's rights movement in Iran and the United States. She is an advocate against apartheid and for self determination. There will talk, guided meditation and light refreshments. This event is free. For details call (559) 435-2212.
Sunday, March 7th
Kancoon will be celebrating International Women’s Day with Guest Speaker: Sohila Vahdati, at 2:00 p.m. at the Woodward Park Regional Public Liberary at Perrin- Fresno. For more information go to www.kanoonca.com.
Tuesday, March 9th
There will be a General Meeting of FCASH (Fresno Coalition for Arts, Science and History) from 8-10 am at Arte Americas. The James Irvine Foundation Arts Regional Initiative (ARI) recipients Eva Torres, Fresno Art Museum; Don Reinhold, Fresno Philharmonic; and Ron Eichman, Fresno Grand Opera, will share their insights and the lessons learned from participating in the ARI. For more information call 559-485-1100 or visit www.fcash.org.
Wednesday, March 10th
The Second Wednesday Video at the Fresno Center for Non-Violence will be "People to People: Pastors for Peace," directed by Consuelo Elba. It was filmed during the 2008 caravan, and released in Havana in July, 2009. Discussant will be John Waller, Pastors for Peace Caravan Coordinator. This documentary, co-produced by the Cuban Film Institute and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, tells the story of the epic campaigns in which hundreds of courageous women and men from the United States and other countries have played a leading role. Waller will answer questions about the 2010 caravan to be held this July and will explain how to become a caravan participant. The event is free to the public and wheelchair accessible and takes place at 1584 N. Van Ness (S.E. corner McKinley and Van Ness). Showings are at 12 noon and 7 p.m. (with the evening show beginning with a potluck at 6:30 p.m.) For information contact Gerry Bill at 227-2133.
Friday, March 12th
Cineculture presents Oscar Nominated Short Films: Live-Action & Animated. These films will be shown at CSUF/McLane 121 at 5:30 p.m. For more information, see: http://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, March 12th
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker Mike Rhodes, editor of the Community Alliance, speaking of his work advocating for the homeless in Fresno. The event takes place at the Fellowship Hall, First Mennonite Church, 1208 L St. (between 12th & 13th Sts.), in Reedley, and begins with a light potluck at 6:30 p.m., and the program at 7 p.m. It is free, and for more information call 559-638-3091 or e-mail Don Friesen at dfriesen0@gmail.com.
Friday, March 12th
Food for Thought, a film series sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Church, will show the movie: King Corn at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E. Alluvial Avenue in Clovis. For more information, email profilesplus@sbcglobal.net or call David or Glenda Roberts at (559) 291-1590.
Friday, March 12th
As part of its Centennial Celebration, the Episcopal Church of the Saviour, 519 N. Douty St. in Hanford, will be hosting its 42nd annual Lenten fish fry with proceeds going toward the Church Preservation Fund. It will take place from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The traditional menu will feature crispy fried fish, french fries, coleslaw, and soft drinks. The cost is $15.00 for adults, $8.00 for children ages 6-12, and children 5 and under are free. Beer and wine will be available for separate purchase and sales from the dessert table will benefit Haiti relief.
Friday, March 12th and Saturday, March 13th
El Teatro de la Tierra Inc. presents REGENERACIÓN: Ricardo Flores Magón and the Mexican Revolution of 1910. This is one of the greatest untold stories in the history of U.S.- Mexico relations. Through the voices and guitars of Agustin Lira and Patricia Wells Solórzano, the show celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution and reveals the story of a man who gave his life so that his people would be free. Lira, 2007 NEA National Heritage Fellow and cofounder of El Teatro Campesino collaborates with Patricia Wells Solórzano of musical group Alma, to produce this one hour and fifteen minute performance utilizing narrative, song, and theatrical dramatizations by Teatro Inmigrante. These performances take place at the First Congregational Church, 2131 North Van Ness Blvd. in Fresno at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 General Seating; $7.00 for Senior & Students, and $3.00 for children 12 & under. All venues are wheelchair accessible. For more information call (559) 237-3016.
Saturday, March 13
There will be a Water Forum, “Making Sense of Our Water Crisis: Our Lives Depend On It!” The forum takes place at Fresno City College Social Science Bldg., Forum Hall & SS classrooms from 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. A morning plenary will address topics that include whether our water supply is sustainable, water and land use issues, whose water is it, water and jobs, and water quality. After lunch and the breakout workshops, the event will end with a moderated debate on the pros and cons of the water bond issues. Participants include Dr. Jeffery Michael of UOP, Lloyd Carter, Chris Acree of Revive the San Joaquin, Community Water Center/Aqua of Tulare County, Dan Bacher, Farmers of Restore the Delta, Mark Arax, (not confirmed yet), Food & Water Watch, David Cehrs, and others. The Forum will end with a debate of the pros and cons of the water bond issues. There will be one legislator and one environmentalist speaking for each side. For more information on the event call (559) 313-7674 or (559) 439-0280, and check the Revive the San Joaquin website for registration forms at www.revivethesanjoaquin.org. This event is free but registration is required since seating is limited to 200. Lunch (an optional $6) and free child care is available through pre-registration.
Saturday, March 13th
The Visalia CROP Hunger Walk takes place at 8:30 AM, beginning at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 120 N Hall in Visalia. Organizers have set a goal of 50 walkers and hope to raise $10,000 to help stop hunger and poverty here in our community and around the world through self-help initiatives. A portion of the funds raised here in Visalia will go to Foodlink. Last year walkers raised more than $8,000 dollars and this year Visalia and some 2,000 cities and towns nationwide are joining together in interfaith community CROP Hunger Walks around the theme "Enough for all". For more information about The CROP Hunger Walk contact Richard Pieart @ 559-786-2109.
Saturday, March 13th
Fresno natives “Radagun” perform live at the Tower Theater, 815 E. Olive Ave. Tickets are $15 and available at the Tower Theater box office, online at towertheaterfresno.com or charge by phone 559-485-9050. Doors open at 6:30. Radagun is a husband and wife team consisting of Aimee Ortiz Low and former Bulldog Beat drummer Todd Low. They have been featured on MTV, Fuse, and Alternative Press magazine.
Saturday, March 13th
The Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club will be offering a session on Cross Country Skiing for Low to Intermediate Skiiers. Contact the group leader at (559)435-2818 for trip details such as where to rent equipment, what to bring, carpool meeting point and time.
Sunday, March 14th
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Visiting Scholars Committee at California State University, Fresno presents bestselling author, scholar and cultural critic, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, one of the nation’s most influential and renowned public intellectuals, speaking on the “State of the Union.” The event takes place at 7:00 p.m. in the Satellite Student Union, and is free and open to the public.
Monday, March 15th
There will be a Civil Rights Panel Discussions Series – “Big Brother Is Watching,” including video surveillance and radio frequency identification. This event will feature local community members with expertise on this subject and will be moderated by mediator, Jackie Ryle. It is co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Fresno County Library. This event will take place at the Woodward Park Library, 944 East Perrin Avenue in Fresno, beginning at 7 p.m.
For more information call 488-3856.
Monday, March 15th
The Fresno City College Speakers Forum presents Taking Stock: Contemporary Issues with Gender Equality, a Women’s History Month panel discussion. Join us as our panel of distinguished professional women reflects on the issue of Gender Equality as it relates to their careers and their personal lives. Dr. Dympna Ugwu-Oju, FCC Journalism instructor, will serve as moderator, and the panel includes Dr. Cynthia Azari, FCC College President, Sheriff Margaret Mims, Fresno County Sheriff, Faith Sidlow, Anchorwoman – KSEE 24, Dr. Edythe Stewart, Hanford General Surgeon and Linda DeKruif, FCC Women’s Studies Instructor. This presentation will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the FCC Theatre. Admission is free. For information call the College Activities Office at 265-5711.
Tuesday, March 16th
The Fresno Historical Society at Kearney Ranch presents a panel discussion, in connection with their annual meeting, at the Bonner Auditorium at the Fresno Art Museum. The panel will be looking at the history of water in the Valley to provide a better understanding of the current controversy and dilemma. A dessert and wine reception will precede the discussion beginning at 6:30 pm, with the panel discussion at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for members of the society and $20 for non-members, and are available on line at www.valleyhistory.org or by calling 559-441-0862.
Tuesday, March 16th
One hundred years of Fresno City College history will come center stage as FCC continues its Centennial Celebration with “History Night.” History Night will be held in the FCC Theatre beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. The program will feature four panelists discussing the history of the College and how it was affected by the events going on in the city, state, and nation. The program will also include the recognition of additional Centennial Honorees who are part of the college’s 100 Stars for 100 Years. The panelists for the event will be Walter Brooks: Civil Rights and Ethnic Studies, Sara Dougherty: Women’s Perspective, Don Larson: History of campus/nation/world, and Franz Weinschenk: Academics. They will cover such topics as the significance of FCC being California’s first community college, influential times and historical events of the College, national historical events the College has seen and thoughts on the future of FCC. For more information contact the Public Information Office at 559-442-8258.
Wednesday, March 17th
The US Small Business Administration is offering a free workshop on “How to Apply for a SBA Loan.” In this workshop, you will learn about specifics of SBA loan programs from small loans for the home-based businesses to multi-million dollar real estate and manufacturing transactions. If you want to apply for an SBA loan or have ever considered applying for one, this workshop is a must and will be presented by an experienced SBA Loan Officer. The workshop will provide you with the tools and information that you will need for a successful loan application. During the Q&A portion of the workshop, you will have the opportunity to ask general questions. The workshop will take place at 2719 N. Air Fresno Drive, Suite 200 in Fresno. Registration is from 8:45 am to 9:00 am and the workshop is from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Reservations are required as seating is limited. To make a reservation, contact William Hori at (559) 487-5791 or at william.hori@sba.gov.
Friday, March 19th
Cineculture presents “The Lemon Tree” with discussant: Ibtisam Barakat. This film will be shown at CSUF/McLane 121. Barakat will also give a talk from 2-4 p.m. in Peters Business 191. Parking is relaxed in Peters Business lot. The title of the talk is "Growing up Palestinian/Healing the hurts of war through literature.” For more information, see: http://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, March 19th
The Reedley Peace Center presents speaker: Dr. Akira Tajiri, Reedley optometrist, talking about his foundation, Precision Vision Enhancement, whose mission is to provide free prescription eyeglasses to the world's needy. The event takes place at Fellowship Hall, First Mennonite Church, 1208 L St. (between 12th & 13th Sts.), in Reedley. It begins with a light potluck at 6:30 p.m., with the program at 7 p.m., and it’s free. For more info, call 638-3091 or e-mail Don Friesen at dfriesen0@gmail.com.
Saturday, March 20th
The Fresno Folklore Society brings to Fresno the winners of the 2009 Prairie Home Companion Duet singoff. This will be the first time in Fresno for Anne and Pete Sibley--a marriage of harmonies. This concert will take place at the Fresno Art Museum’s Bonner Auditorium. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $15 in advance; $20 the day of the show. For more information call 431-3653.
Saturday, March 20th
There will be a Seed and Plant Exchange hosted by Local Motion Fresno at the Pamela Kincaid Neighborhood Center at 1026 Mariposa in Fresno starting at 12:00 noon. Let's get together and GROW some of our own food, flowers and medicine! Bring saved seed, leftover seed, bulbs, cuttings, seedlings plants or trees to exchange with other growers. New growers welcome, and all present will leave with seed. The event is free and there will be a potluck lunch for all present. You are encouraged to bring home baked food with wholesome ingredients. For more information e-mail localmotionfresno@gmail.com.
Saturday, March 20th
The Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club will be offering a session on Cross Country Skiing for Low to Intermediate Skiiers. Contact the group leader at (559)435-2818 for trip details such as where to rent equipment, what to bring, carpool meeting point and time.
Sunday, March 21st
The Peace and Justice Festival (9th Annual Rally in the Valley) will be held at the Fresno Fairgrounds, Jr. Exhibit Hall from 12:30 to 5 p.m. The Peace and Justice Festival will be the largest convergence of peace activists in the Central Valley on the day that marks seven years of U.S. war on Iraq. Fresno Center for Nonviolence will join people all over the U.S. in calling for an end to war, and will celebrate the richness of our local peace and justice community. They ask all peace, social justice, environmental justice, and progressive political groups from this region to co-sponsor, support, or endorse the event and to table and inform the public about their issues and actions. The festival will feature speakers Kathy Kelly of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Iraq Veterans Against War leader Rick Reyes, and actor/ musician Thomas Ian Nicholas as Abbie Hoffman, music – by Blake Jones and the Trike Shop, Ibice, Thomas Ian Nicholas, the Sanger Academy Charter School Guitar Ensemble, and the Raging Grannies, muralists, and local peace and justice organizations showcasing their work (last year 50 groups tabled). For the first time, vendors are invited to sell handcrafted goods, health & wellness products & services. The Jr. Exhibit Building is located at 1121 S. Chance Ave. and there is free admission and parking. For more information or to register for a booth go to www.peacefresno.org/ritv10/ritv10.html or contact Dan Yaseen by e-mail at danyaseen@comcast.net or by phone at (559) 251-3361.
Sunday, March 21st
The Unitarian Universalist Town Hall in the Sanctuary will discuss Ansel Adams, with daughter-in-law Jeanne Falk Adams presenting images and discussing the "Enduring Impact of Ansel Adams." The event takes place at 2672 E. Alluvial Ave. in Clovis, from 9 - 10 a.m. For more information call (559) 322-6146.
Sunday, March 21st
The Kings Symphony Orchestra presents a Young Artist's Concert at 4:00 p.m. at the Hanford High Presentation Center. Leonard Ingrande conducts the Kings Symphony Orchestra in a fun-filled program for children. The concert includes young violinist Haunnah McIntosh performing Kreisler's "Praeludium and Allegro," a presentation of "Peter and the Wolf" with Burl Walter, Jr. as the Narrator, and the Pioneer String Orchestra. Tickets are available at the door: $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for high school and college students. Children under 12 are admitted free with an adult. Visit www.kingssymphony.org or call (559) 583-9511 for more information.
Monday, March 22nd
There will be a Civil Rights Panel Discussion on Privacy Issues, Internet, and the Patriot Act. This event will feature local community members with expertise on this subject and will be moderated by mediator, Jackie Ryle. It is Co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Fresno County Library. This event will take place at the Woodward Park Library, 944 East Perrin Avenue in Fresno beginning at 7 p.m. For more information call 488-3856.
Thursday, March 25th
The St Paul Newman Center Peace and Justice Ministry will host a panel discussion on Bio-Ethics in Cardinal Newman Hall, 1572 E Barstow Ave., Fresno. Admission is free and it takes place from 6:30 - 8:45 p.m. Panelists include Fr. Michael Lastiri, Graduate Certificate in Catholic Health Care Ethics, and Dr Maria Pallavicini, Dean of the School of Natural Science, University of California Merced. For information contact: Bill Simon at simon72811@sbcglobal.net.
Thursday, March 25th
Ballet Folklórico de México of Amalia Hernández Celebrates Mexico’s Anniversary Year at the Roosevelt High School of the Arts Auditorium, 4250 E. Tulare Street, Fresno (Entrance Cedar Ave). Sponsored by Dance for Power, a Stockton-based organization specializing in the presentation of world arts events, this performance will take place at 7pm at the Roosevelt High School of the Arts Auditorium, located at 4250 East Tulare Avenue. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com . Seat purchases by cash, check or credit card can also be made by phone or in person through Arte Americas (266-2633), located at 1630 Van Ness Avenue in downtown Fresno. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm. To learn more about the Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández, visit www.danceforpower.org or www.balletamalia.com.
Friday, March 26th
The Fresno Folklore Society presents Patrick Contreras on acoustic violin and the Music of Steve Ono, at the Brick Wall from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for FFS members and $12 general. The Brick Wall is at J A Photography, 2003 N. Van Ness Ave. in Fresno, and there are only 60 seats available. For more information call Steve Ono at 559-307-3610.
Friday, March 26th
Cineculture presents “ William Saroyan’s Will” with discussant Barlow DerMugrdechian. This film will be shown at CSUF/McLane 121at 5:30 p.m.
For more information, see: http://cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, March 26th
The Sequoia Foothills Chamber of Commerce, along with more than 30 participating member businesses in Three Rivers, Lemon Cove and Sequoia National Park, will be celebrating their 4th Annual Hero Appreciation Months during January through March 2010. The February event will be honoring law enforcement/peace officers. The event features speakers and refreshments, is free and open to the public, and takes place at 7:00 p.m. at the Three Rivers Art Center, 41763 North Fork Drive, in Three Rivers. For more information, contact Leah Catherine Launey at (559) 561-4270 or the Sequoia Foothills Chamber of Commerce at (877) 530-3300.
Friday, March 26th
Food for Thought, a film series sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Church, will show the movie: Food Inc. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E Alluvial Avenue in Clovis, at 7 p.m.. For more information, email profilesplus@sbcglobal.net or call contact David or Glenda Roberts at (559) 291-1590 .
Friday, March 26th
Tim Z. Hernandez, a central valley native, will be releasing his highly anticipated novel, “Breathing, In Dust,” with a community celebration from 7-8:30pm (with a pre-reception at 5:30) at the Orosi Memorial Hall in the town of Orosi. Breathing, In Dust, a coming-of-age tale situated in the fictional town of Catela, is described as “…a harrowing depiction of the drug abuse, poverty, and desperation that play out in the lives of a humble farming community in California’s heartland.” With the release of this novel Hernandez aims to address issues that plague many valley towns, and hopefully shed some light in the communities of Cutler and Orosi, which he notes, “Mostly receive attention for their negative activities.” As part of the book release event, the author has teamed up with local non-profit agencies, including: C-SET, Family HealthCare Network, the Tulare County League of Mexican American Women, and Colegio de la Tierra to raise money for a new scholarship fund that targets teens who live in these rural areas and are interested in pursuing the arts as a career. As a part of this effort, in February and March, the author will be visiting five Tulare County high schools to speak and offer workshops for students interested in becoming writers. The Orosi Memorial Hall is located at 41645 Rd. 128. The event is free and more information can be obtained by e-mailing breathingindust@yahoo.com, or calling Tim Z. Hernandez at 303-437-9435.
Friday, March 26th
There will be a Cesar Chavez Vigil at CSU Fresno (central location to be announced). Come and enjoy local poets, musicians and art from the central valley who dedicate their talents to the legacy of Cesar E.Chavez and the social movement of that time. For more information call Luis at 559-816-7045 or contact MEChA at mechadefresnostate@yahoo.com. The event is free.
Friday, March 26th
Square Peg Concerts presents the Indigo Girls with special guest Coyote Grace. The event takes place at the State Theatre of Modesto, 1307 J Street. Doors open at: 7:30 PM and the concert begins at 8:30. ITickets range from $38.00 to $48.00 in advance, and all seats are $3.00 higher the day of the show. For more information call (209) 527-4697.
Saturday, March 27th
This year marks the 17th annual Cesar Chavez Celebration. The Co-Ce-Cha committee will be hosting a celebration at Holmes playground located at 212 S. First Street in Fresno to commemorate Cesar Chavez’s role as one of the founder of the UFW and his contributions to social justice. The march will be dedicated to the health and well being of our community. The gathering for the march will start at 9:00am and the celebration at 12:00-3:00pm. The event is free of charge, come and enjoy local musicians, performances, food and prizes. For more information, e-mail liset10@hotmail.com.
Saturday, March 27th
The Sequoia Foothills Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Picnic Fun Day with an exciting Bathtub Race to be held at Lake Kaweah starting at 11:00 a.m. Predetermined teams of 5 will be given a set amount of time to make their bathtub buoyant using only the supplies provided. When the time is up, teams will load 2 team members into their tub and race across the lagoon. 3 team members will remain on shore to assist in retrieving the bathtub "boat" once the race is over. Whoever remains afloat, or comes closest to making it back to shore when all other teams have sunk, will be deemed the winners. The winning team gets to donate their prize money to the charity of their choice. For more information, contact Leah Catherine Launey at (559) 561-4270 or the Sequoia Foothills Chamber of Commerce at (877) 530-3300.
Saturday, March 27th
The Tehipite Chapter of the Sierra Club will be offering a session on Cross Country Skiing for Low to Intermediate Skiiers. Contact the group leader at (559)435-2818 for trip details such as where to rent equipment, what to bring, carpool meeting point and time.
Monday, March 29th
As part of the Civil Rights Panel Discussions Series there will be a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 and the Bill of Rights. This event will feature local community members with expertise on this subject and will be moderated by mediator, Jackie Ryle. It is Co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Fresno County Library. This event will take place at the Woodward Park Library, 944 East Perrin Avenue in Fresno, beginning at 7 p.m. For more information call 488-3856.
Thursday, April 1st
The Kings River Arts Council will be holding an Earth Day Repurposed Art Exhibit. The submission deadline is March 26th. This Art Exhibit will be on display for the month of April at the HandsOn Central California building located at 734 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, Ca. Opening night and the artist reception will be held April 1st during ArtHop night from 5:00 until 8:00pm. City Councilman Perea will be attending and will be speaking that the reception. A winery, chocolatier, and a catering service will be providing the refreshments for the artist reception.
Information and submission forms for this event can be downloaded from www.kingsriverart.com or www.fresnoarts.net or can be picked up from Shinn Photography Studio at 1015 G Street or from the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce offices located at 1633 11th Street.
Thursday, April 1st
Gallery 25 will hold an arthop from 5-8 p.m. featuring the work of Ed Gillum, a G-25 member and professor of art at CSUF. The Gallery is located at 660 Van Ness Ave. (at Mono in Downtown Fresno), and it will be showing Gillum’s work for the month of April. For more information call 559-298-2651 or visit www.galler25.org.
Saturday, April 3rd
“Women of Wisdom: Gathering Spiritual Leadership,” will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 2672 Alluvial, Clovis, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sister Veena Kapoor, Rev. Natalie Chamberlain, and Abbess Myoan Grace Schireson will discuss Women’s Leadership in their faith tradition, followed by a panel discussion together with representatives from the UU Church and the Jewish community. There will be a requested $10 donation to cover costs. For more information contact Grace Schireson at grace@schireson.com.
Tuesday, April 6th
Faith And The Muse will be bringing their new Eastern inspired show to the Starline, with The Shroud. The concert is a spectacle mixing music and theatre. In addition to the principal players, the event includes Taiko drums, a string section, butoh dancers, and elaborate costumes. The band just returned from their European tour of The UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain which garnered breath taking reviews. Doors open 9:00-9:30, Showtime 9:30-10:00. The Starline is located at 831 E. Fern in Fresno. For more information call (559) 485-7517 or go to starline1.com.
Thursday, April 8th
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, Scottish fiddle master and talented American cellist, will be performing at the West Side Theatre, 1331 Main Street, in Newman, CA. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $19 General Admission and $22 for Reserved Seating. For more information go to www.westsidetheatre.org or call 209-862-4490.
Friday, April 9th
Cineculture presents “Japanese Americans: Untold Stories: WWII to Today,” with discussants Bob & Toshi Sakai, Aiko Ueyoka, Blanca Katsura, Marion & Saburo Masada, Kamal Abushamsieh. This film will be shown at CSUF/Peters Education Center Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. For information go to cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Friday, April 9th
Food for Thought, a film series sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Church, will show the movie “Foodmatters” at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E Alluvial Avenue in Clovis. For more information, contact David or Glenda Roberts at (559) 291-1590 or email profilesplus@sbcglobal.net.
Saturday, April 10th
The Friends of the Cedar-Clinton Library in Fresno are having a book sale from 11 am until 4 pm. Books of all kinds and more will be on sale to benefit the Cedar-Clinton Library. Stop by for non-fiction, fiction, children’s, music, and videos. Prices range from 10 cents to 3 dollars per book. The Sale is located inside the library at 4150 E. Clinton, on the southwest corner of Cedar and Clinton. For more information contact Will Cooper at 442-1770.
Saturday, April 10th
The West Side Theatre presents the Daniel Castro Band, playing scorching, no holds barred blues. Doors open at 7p.m. with the show at 8 p.m. The Theatre is located at 1331 Main Street, in Newman, California. Tickets are $15 general admission and $18 reserved seating. For more information call 209-862-4490 or visit www.westsidetheatre.org.
Sunday, April 18th
Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour with Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Russell Malone, Kurt Elling, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, and Johnathan Blake will be performing in Modesto at the Gallo Center for the Arts, Mary Stuart Rogers Theater, 1000 I Street in Modesto. The show begins at 7 PM and tickets are $27 - $55. For tickets or information call (209) 338-2100 or visit www.galloarts.org.
Monday, April 19th
The Junior League of Fresno is hosting its 29th Annual Senior Girl Athlete Awards Banquet which will take place at Central High School - East Campus at 6:00 pm. Tickets cost $25 per person and include dinner. The Senior Girl Athlete Awards Banquet is an exclusive event honoring female athletes from 20 local high schools. Each honoree is recognized for her outstanding contributions to athletics, academics and citizenship and awarded a scholarship and medallion at the event. Guest speaker will be Adrian Williams-Strong, a retired professional women’s basketball player in the WNBA. For tickets and additional information, call the Junior League office at (559) 221-2646.
Friday, April 23rd
Food for Thought, a film series sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Church, will show the movie “Fresh” at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2672 E Alluvial Avenue in Clovis, at 7 p.m. For more information, call David or Glenda Roberts at (559) 291-1590 or email profilesplus@sbcglobal.net.
Saturday, April 24th
There will be an Earth Day Celebration from 1- 5 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, with workshops, demonstrations, exhibits, children's activities, and refreshments. Come have fun while learning useful skills for protecting our beautiful planet. It is co-sponsored by the Green Sanctuary and the Social Justice Coordinating Committees of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, and will take place at 2672 E. Alluvial Ave. (between Chestnut and Willow). For more information call the church office, 322-6146, or email Connie Young at cyoungrn@sbcglobal.net.
Saturday, April 24th
There will be a 5K Fun Run along Oak-Lined Trails to Celebrate Earth Day, at the Kaweah Oaks Preserve and sponsored by the Sequoia Riverlands Trust. The
preserve will open at 6:45 a.m. for event-day registration. Sign up by April 15 for early registration for $20. Early registration ensures that you will receive a commemorative KOP 5K Earth Day Trail Run t-shirt in your requested size, as well as a finisher’s medal. Registration after April 15 and on event day is $25.
The 5K course will take you along two of the four flat dirt trails (Sycamore and Swamp Trail) that make up Kaweah Oaks Preserve’s 322-acre oak woodland. The course is primarily flat and will be mostly single-track with some double-track trails. Medals will be awarded to all participants. Refreshments will be provided after the race. The race will take place rain or shine. The Kaweah Oaks Preserve is located approximately seven miles east of Visalia. Take Hwy. 198 east and make a left (heading north) on Rd. 182. You’ll find the preserve entrance about ½ mile up the road on the left-hand side (west) of the Rd. 182. Event-day parking attendants will help guide you to park your vehicles on the preserve. We request that you please carpool. For more information call 559-738-0211, ext. 108, or go to www.sequoiariverlands.org.
Friday, April 30th
Cineculture presents “Nanking” with discussant Robert Wilson. This film will be shown at CSUF/McLane 121 at 5:30 p.m. For information go to cineculture.csufresno.edu.
Saturday, May 1st
There will be an Immigrant Rights march and rally. Details will be available soon.