The Festival features live art demonstrations, local artists, art workshops, food, shopping and live performances on three stages for visitors to enjoy.

“The 2011 Arts Festival is the ideal event to discover creativity, acquire inspiration and be entertained,” said Community Services Coordinator Nathan Hunt.

Visitors can expect over sixty visual art booths with art available for purchase, live art demonstrations and hands-on activities for kids. The Festival also has three stages with live performances by Street Beat, the Michael Sullivan Band and Duende Flamenco. Displays of musical theatre, Shakespeare, dance, acrobatics and cultural showcases are also at the Festival.

The Fontana Arts program facilitates concerts, art shows, theater and other artistic events for residents to enjoy throughout the year. For more information on the Fontana Arts Festival and other art activities, please visit arts.fontana.org or call (909) 349-6900.

Fontana, California – The Mayor and City Council invite the public to enjoy Fontana’s art events for January. Events include performances, live music and visual art in Downtown Fontana.

This month, the artwork of Dodd Holsapple is on display at the Art Depot Gallery. Hollsapple’s artwork often features natural themes and elements.

“I find inspiration in organic arrangements, color and patterns found in plants, animals, soil and rocks,” Holsapple said. “I blend these interesting visuals into environmentally conscious presentations to spark the viewer’s curiosity.”

Holsapple’s show begins on January 4, and will run through February.

At the Art Depot this month there will also be Fusion Friday, which features an evening of music, entertainment and live art demonstrations. It will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on January 7.

The Art Depot Gallery also offers Open Studio classes where, for a $3.00 material fee, participants receive instruction on various artistic styles and techniques such as pop art and watercolor. Open studio classes are Friday from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Art Depot Gallery is located at 16822 Spring Street, near the intersection of Arrow Boulevard and Sierra Avenue in Downtown Fontana.

This month the Steelworkers’ Auditorium at the Lewis Library has several free events. The first performance is a solo Spanish Flamenco guitar performance by Rob Reynolds. The performance will be in the courtyard of the Lewis Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on January 18.

The next event is a performance of “Ferdinand the Bull,” the classic tale of a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight matadors in the ring. The show is by Creative Playground. It will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on January 25, in the Steelworkers’ Auditorium.

At the Center Stage Theatre, there will be several events this month. Dancing on the Ceiling is a night of dance featuring songs from the seventies and eighties. ABBA Gold will offer a live recreation of ABBA’s concerts. There will also be Noches con Ritmo, featuring Latin music, dance lessons and live entertainment. For tickets and show times, please call the box office at 909-429-7469

All venues are located in Downtown Fontana, off Sierra Avenue between Arrow Avenue and Spring Street. The Fontana Arts Program focuses on enriching life through the arts in the Fontana Community. For more information about these events and other events in the City, please visit arts.fontana.org or call (909) 349-6900.

Visual & Performing Arts Events in December

Fontana, California - The Mayor and City Council invite the public to enjoy Fontana’s performing and visual arts at the many free venues in Downtown Fontana.

The Festival of Winter will be held on December 11, at Miller Park. There will be holiday performances at the Steelworkers’ Auditorium. At Miller Park, on the main stage, the band Soto will perform Latin music, which the band says contains “Soulful ballads, Latin rhythms, hot dance grooves and high energy choreographed stage shows.” There will also be many vendors and other activities at the park.

This month the Steelworkers’ Auditorium at the Lewis Library will hold several free events on Tuesday evenings. The first performance will be by Ballet folklorico Orgullo Mestizo called “Raices Y Bailes de Mi Tierrad,” on Tuesday, December 7, from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. This performance is presented by Latin Expression.

The next event will be a live piano performance by Vince Torbey that will be outdoors at the Lewis Library’s courtyard. The performance will be on Tuesday evening, December 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This month at the Art Depot Gallery, visit Downtown for Fusion Friday, December 3, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Fusion Friday features an evening of music, entertainment and live art demonstrations.

There will be DJ and vocals from “Alter Egos” and there will be a chalk artist and other hands on art opportunities.

The Art Depot Gallery also offers Open Studio classes where, for a $3.00 material fee, participants receive instruction on various artistic styles and techniques such as pop art and watercolor. Open studio classes are Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Art Depot Gallery is located at 16822 Spring Street, near the intersection of Arrow Boulevard and Sierra Avenue in downtown Fontana.

All venues are located in Downtown Fontana, off Sierra Avenue between Arrow and Spring Street. The Fontana Arts Program focuses on enriching life through the arts in the Fontana Community. For more information about these events and other events in the City, please visit arts.fontana.org or call (909) 349-6900.

Fontana, California –

This month at the Art Depot Gallery, bring the family for Family Art Day on Friday, November 5 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Family Art Day features an evening of music, entertainment and live art demonstrations for the whole family. This month artist Tony Caltabiano will show and discus his exhibit “Wilderness” inside the gallery. Also present will be Lisa Mozzini-McDill who will have a live oil painting demonstration. Artist Randall Williams will also be at the depot doing chalk art. Also, don’t miss an acrylic urban art demonstration by Joshua Valencia along with a mixed media art display by Robert Cortez.

The Art Depot Gallery also offers Open Studio classes where, for a $3.00 material fee, participants receive instruction on various artistic styles and techniques such as pop art and watercolor. Open studio classes are Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Art Depot Gallery is located at 16822 Spring Street, near the intersection of Arrow Boulevard and Sierra Avenue in downtown Fontana.

Additionally, don’t miss out on the free performances scheduled for Tuesdays at the Steelworkers’ Auditorium. On November 9, at 6:00 p.m. Folklore Mexicano Del Sur De California will perform “Ventana al Inframundo.” The performance will have dancing, acting, and storytelling from the Chiapas and Veracruz cultures. On November 16, at 6:00 p.m. experience “Lima” and the gracefulness and ease of Polynesian Dancers. Then on November 23 at 5:30 p.m. listen to a live acoustic pop rock performance in the Lewis Library courtyard from solo guitarist Kurt Hoover. Lastly, on November 30 at 6:00 p.m. bring the whole family to the auditorium for “The Many Faces of Chemistry.” Learn about chemistry through entertaining and educational physical experiments and hands on displays.

Noches con Ritmo continues at The Center Stage Theatre on Thursday, November 4 with the Jim Munoz Latin Orchestra, playing salsa, cumbia, merengue, and latin music. And on Thursday, November 18, with Son Mayor playing salsa and latin music. Both shows feature dance and dance instruction. Appetizers and beverages are available to order. Dance Instruction starts at 7:00 p.m., followed by live music and dancing at 8:00 p.m. Admission is open to adults 18 and older for a $5 entrance fee. The Center Stage Theatre is located at 8463 Sierra Avenue.

All venues are located in Downtown Fontana, off Sierra Avenue between Arrow and Spring Street. The Fontana Arts Program focuses on enriching life through the arts in the Fontana Community. For more information about these events and other events in the City, please visit arts.fontana.org or call (909) 349-6900.

Fontana, California - The Mayor and City Council invite the public to attend the various activities provided by the Fontana Arts program in September.

At the Art Depot Gallery, Open Studio classes continue every Friday from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  For a $3.00 materials fee, participants receive instruction on various artistic styles such as pop art, watercolor and other techniques. Also at the Art Depot Gallery, Fusion Fridays continue September 3 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Activities include art demonstrations, live music, food and other hands-on art activities.

If you love visual art, visit the various art galleries throughout the City this month.  Bill Coxon’s exhibit at the Art Depot Gallery runs September 7 through September 24.  Coxon’s masterpieces offer a look at the galaxy through acrylic paintings.  At the Fontana Community Senior Center, Mark T. Rush’s beautiful landscapes and portraits are also on display through September 24.  Don’t forget the art on display at the Lewis Library available for viewing every day.

Also at the Lewis Library, “tot activities” for children ages 10 and younger are held every Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and “emphasis art” activities for children ages five to 10 are held every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Finally, if you enjoy performing arts, the Steelworker’s Auditorium and Center Stage Theatre are the places to be this month.  “Performance Tuesdays” return September 7 at 6:00 p.m. with a “Leyendas de Mexico” folklorico dance performance.  These amazing performances continue with “Kickin’ it Up!” on September 14 at 6:00 p.m., “Music of the Caribbean” on September 21 at 5:30 p.m. and “River Otter Circus” on September 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Back by popular demand, the Tony-Award winning musical “Five Guys Named Moe” returns to Center Stage September 24.  Performing classic songs like “Let the Good Times Roll” and of course “Five Guys Named Moe,” this musical is sure to be exciting musical entertainment for audience members of all ages.  Call the box office for more information at (909) 429-7469.

Also at Center Stage, “Noches con Ritmo” continues every first and third Thursday of every month.  The evening will consist of the best Latin bands and instruction as well as food and beverages available to order.  Dance instruction begins at 7 p.m. ending with live entertainment and an open dance floor at 8 p.m.  The event is open to anyone 18 and older for only a five-dollar admission fee. On September 2^nd “24^th and Lake” perform. Then on the 16^th, Fontana favorite “Yari More’” is on stage.

The Fontana Arts program is focused on enriching life through art events and activities in the Fontana Community. For more information about these events and other events in the City, please visit www.arts.fontana.org or call (909) 349-6900.

Wake the Bard to play at the Knickerbocker Mansion

The Arts Council of Big Bear Valley proudly presents its Celtic and Irish Program for “Music at the Mansion” on Sunday July 11, 2010 at 3 P. M.

The featured artists “Wake the Bard” have been playing Celtic Music since 2003 at the Redmond’s Irish Pub in Running Springs. As their Celtic music gain momentum they began to play all over the Inland Empire. The repertoire of the Wake the Bard consists of traditional Irish and Scottish jigs and reels, as well as traditional Celtic Ballads and early American songs in the Celtic tradition. The Line up consists of Pat Huckaby, Sandi Huckaby, Stephanie Adams, Mike Adams, and Clare Bellefeuille-Rice. One fan said “Their music is like being in Ireland! The harmony is fabulous and their dulcimer, guitar, drum and fiddle music is wonderful.”

“Music at the Mansion” welcomes the audience to a delightful dinner prepared by Chef Thomas, assisted by Sous-Chef Robert to be served in the Knickerbocker Mansion’s famous dining room at 5 PM.  Ticket price Concert Only – $20, Special Menu Dinner – $20 (Tax and Gratuity Not Included).

Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended.

The ticket sells will start at 2:30 July 11th at the door and the show starts at 3 PM event presented by the Arts Council of Big Bear Valley held at the Knickerbocker Mansion.

Please call the Arts Council at 909-585-5916. Credit cards accepted.

Submitted by:

Elaine Trei
Publicity Chair