4/29-5/1: City Dances
“City Dances sells well,” box office cashier Lynnette Brown-Morris said, and she was right to say so. The dance production features choreography performed by students and faculty alike. The dancers practice all semester and then drill for 10 days straight. Students sign up for the class and then audition for the concert. Faculty then selects students based on talent and work ethic.
Michele Ainza, artistic director for City Dances, told the Rampage, “it keeps getting better and better. More students sign up which brings more people to watch. . . . City Dances is pushing the envelope. We’ve been breaking the Fourth Wall, dancing into or starting a dance as part of the audience. I fully support risk-taking.”
City Dances was held in the Fresno City College Theatre from April 29th to the first of May at 7:30 PM, and then at 2 PM from May 1st and 2nd.
4/30: Woodwind Choir
Larry Honda directed this collection of musicians playing woodwind instruments. Woodwind instruments are instruments that use a wooden reed to produce sound. Examples of woodwind instruments are the piccolo, flute, oboe, and the bassoon.
The Woodwind Choir performed classical pieces by William Byrd, George Frideric Handel, and Manuel de Falla. They played at the Fresno City College Recital Hall at 7:30 PM and there was no admission charge.
5/8: The Magic Flute
“The Magic Flute”, a romantic-fantasy opera written by Mozart in 1791, was performed at the FCC Recital Hall this last Saturday and Sunday. Box office cashiers stated that the opera sold well, which was verified by the nigh full audience during the Sunday performance. Melissa Wolfman, director of the opera, said they prepared for the performances “since the beginning of the semester.” The Magic Flute was chosen for this semester’s opera, but different operas are performed each semester.
The Magic Flute is about two men, Tamino and Papageno, on their quest to save a princess and find true love. To help them on their quest, the Queen of the Night, whose daughter was kidnapped, gives them a magic flute and a magic set of silver bells to protect and aid them. On their way, they are helped by friends and spirits who guide them to their destiny.
5/10: Jazz Combo/Jazz Ensembles
Larry Honda directs several jazz ensembles in performing for students and staff, and then heading out to town to play at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre. The four bands to play, in order, are Shaw ‘Nuff, Millbrook Marauders, Herndon Hellraisers and the Blackstone Buccaneers.
“I think the students are ready,” Honda told the Rampage. “What’s exciting is that they’ll be improvising in jazz styles.” An emphasized portion of the performance is that the musicians will create new pieces to play as they go. “It’s different from concert music. You make things up on the spot.”
The Jazz Combo at 2 PM is a warm-up for the show at Roger Rocka’s. “It’s a way to get the nerves out.” The gig at Rocka’s begins at 7:30 PM.
5/12: Rams Jams II/Six-String Showcase
Dr. Kevin Cooper, guest musician Shea Welsh, and 120 student guitarists will assemble at First Congregational Church of Fresno (Big Red Church) at 7:30 PM and set off a storm of musical prowess. Chris Saldana, a guitarist to perform, said, “This is going to be the most amazing thing that Fresno City College has ever seen, ever, times five hundred.” This is the second annual Six-String Showcase and it seems full of promise.
The performance will be split into several works by beginning, intermediate and advanced guitarists. A mariachi band will perform there, as well as a few soloists including Carlos Vazquez, Matt Pevelich, Nam Duong and Anson Brown. Shea Welsch, a studio guitarist based in Los Angeles, will join the ensemble and host a workshop at 1 to 2 PM that same day.
The finale will be something to see. Dr. Kevin Cooper, director of the Showcase, says there will be “approximately 120 students playing at the grand finale.”
Anson Brown, a soloist who will be playing a piece by Vivaldi, encourages people to come. “For every person who goes, an angel gets their wings.”
