Hello again, everyone. We have fewer than usual items to broadcast this time around, but they do deserve special focus. Here they are:
1. WE WILL WORK OUR TAILS OFF AT THE FIESTA TO RAISE MONEY. There’s no clearer way to put it. As announced earlier, one of our fundraisers this year will be the Sinag-tala Food Booth at the annual Filipino Fiesta on June 8 at the Rizal Community Center. And as also announced, raising funds requires smiling volunteers. In short, we need you, dear friend – even if you can only smile an hour or two that day. Here are some of the tasks for which we need volunteers:
a. DRIVERS – to transport supplies, materials and equipment to and from the Fiesta site on Saturday afternoon (June 7) and as early as 5:00AM on Sunday morning (June 8). Drivers will also be needed to haul things away around 5:00PM on Sunday. All vehicles are welcome but pickups and vans are preferred.
b. CASHIERS – to handle money.
c. COOKS – to cook at one of 6 indoor and outdoor cooking stations, including barbeque grills.
d. KITCHEN/COUNTER ASSISTANTS – to take orders, assemble combo plates, assist cooks, manage supplies, serve as runners, etc.
e. CREW – to help unload transport vehicles, make and put up signage, decorate the booth, operate our power supply, set up tables, help with clean-up, etc.
And if you can’t volunteer, at least plan to buy a lot of food from us or make a generous donation upfront to help us defray the cost of ingredients and supplies. With longtime professional caterer and restaurant owner (for 25 years) Aida Encarnado supervising things, we know the food will be irresistibly and knee-shaking delicious, very Filipino and reasonably priced. To stay competitive, we won’t openly announce our menu just yet. But if you’re really dying to know – email me. By the way, the volunteers will get to eat for free. PLEASE volunteer.
Also, if you would like to volunteer but cannot attend the mandatory vendors’ meeting on Wednesday, May 28, just let us know. We encourage everyone to attend this meeting because it will greatly help reduce the chance of being assessed fees by health inspectors for non-compliance with the long list of regulations we must observe. But if you absolutely can’t make it, we’ll schedule a separate “in-house” briefing for our own volunteers later. Please confirm one way or the other if you can volunteer. Again, PLEASE volunteer.
2. CALLING ALL ALUMNI AND NEWCOMERS. Our first official Reunion and Kick-off Picnic is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, from 10:00AM to 4:00PM at Elk Grove Park. This will be the first “salvo” in the build-up to our 20th Grand Anniversary nest year. So one of the first orders of the day is to gather as many, if not all, of the performers, artists, volunteers and supporters since 1990 who have been members of the proud Sinag-tala Family. So if you fall within this category (as most of you do) or know someone who does, please don’t procrastinate – contact Raul Bernaldez, ST 2008 Production Manager, with contact information immediately. Of course, this event will also be a huge welcome celebration for anyone joining the Family for the first time, so we’ve got our binoculars trained on the newcomers out there also. And do you have fun, fresh ideas for making our picnic Sinag-tala worthy? Raul is looking for volunteers with creative imaginations to serve on the picnic committee. Raul may be reached at raulbernaldez@aol.com . Keep watching for more details.
3. AUDITIONS FOR SINAG-TALA 2008: A THEATRICAL REVUE. Come on, we know there’s potential in everyone to be either a theater or performing artist. And we know many of you already are artists but just haven’t stepped forward. And we know that many of you don’t think you have what it takes, yet wish you could step on the Sinag-tala stage. Well, we’ve got just the thing for you. Singing, dance and acting auditions for Sinag-tala 2008 will be held on July 10, 11, 12 and 13. The exact times and venues will be announced soon. But do keep in mind that our auditions are not meant to weed out people. In fact, it’s our way of opening our doors to everyone and anyone who’s interested in being part of our programs, whether or not you’ve had prior training or experience. Since 1990, we have never turned anyone away yet and look what we’ve managed to do. The shy and nervous gained confidence and skills; the experienced got even better. We’re looking for participants of all levels and interests who think they can benefit from the free training we offer. Repeat – free training. We’re also looking for those who already have backgrounds in the theater or performing arts and wish to increase their experience or, if appropriate, would like to volunteer as teaching or resident artists. In short, we have room for everyone – including non-Filipinos. We are also especially interested in young adults, parents, aunts, uncles and grand parents joining us. In fact, parents and seniors are exempt from auditioning. All they need to do is fill out our application form. What could be easier? So keep these dates open.
That’s it for now, folks. We hope to see everyone at the Fiesta! And remember, if you didn’t find any typos in this bulletin, you may not have read closely enough. Enjoy the crazy weather and stay happy!
Sonny Alforque
CEO & Artistic Director
Sinag-tala Filipino Theater and Performing Arts Association
