June 3, 2005

NEWS BRIEFS

EVHS to host its first ‘Relay for Life’ Aug. 13 – 14

Teams, committee members needed

The American Cancer Society will hold its signature event—Relay For Life—at Evergreen Valley High School, Aug. 13 – 14. This community-based and volunteer-organized event is a 24-hour walk designed to empower communities to take up the fight against a disease that has touched so many.

Last year, Relay For Life raised $2.9 million in the Silicon Valley/Central Coast Region, $23 million in California and more than $300 million nationally. This summer, Relay For Life will be the Evergreen community’s first such event.

The Cancer Society is looking for teams and committee members. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society’s local Special Events Manager, Trenton Turner, by phone at (408) 688-0108 or e-mail at trenton.turner@cancer.org.

Children’s Musical Theater San Jose awarded NEA grant

Children’s Musical Theater San Jose (CMTSJ), the nation’s largest theater company for youth, recently received a grant for “Access to Artistic Excellence” from the National Endowment for the Arts.

CMTSJ is one of 15 arts organizations in the United States recognized with this award, and the only organization recognized by the NEA dedicated solely to theater for and by youth.

The prestigious award for Artistic Excellence will support CMT’s Mainstage summer production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” July 29 –Aug. 7. Kevin R. Hauge will direct and choreograph the popular rock-opera, presented in present day and staged based on contemporary themes and issues.

CMT’s Mainstage performers are 15-20 years old. Many of them choose to continue their studies in Performing Arts at some of the nation’s top theater programs including NYU Tisch School of the Arts, New York School of Music, Boston Conservatory and UCLA. CMT alumni have also been seen starring on Broadway and throughout the Bay Area with other local professional companies.
 
CMTSJ continues its policy of casting all children who audition for their productions or register for classes. For more information on Children’s Musical Theater San Jose, visit the Web site at www.cmtsj.org or call (408) 288-5437.

Alum Rock Park: YSI’s Summer Science day camps—June 13 to Aug. 12

Youth Science Institute’s Summer Science Camps were voted “Best of the Best” in 2004 by “Bay Area Parent” readers. These fun-filled camps, located in beautiful Alum Rock Park in San Jose, combine hands-on activities with the inspiration of science.

Children ages 3 through 12 may choose from camp topics like Animal Friends, Mighty Forest, Bird Brains, Bugology, Creek Week, Wild Wonders, Indian Summer, Science Sleuths, Phunky Physics, Curious Chemistry, and many more.

Weekly half-day camps are scheduled from June 13 through Aug. 12. Fees are $105-$115. Scholarships may be available. For a free camp schedule and descriptions, call (408) 356-4945, or visit YSI’s Web site on-line at
www.ysica.org.