Page 69 - Sonoma County Gazette Juy 2019
P. 69

   Cures for summer doldrums
Imagine yourself watching an Imaginists show... and enjoy the rare treat of ensemble-devised theatre meant to entertain, engage, and empower you, with timely topics— all for free in Santa Rosa parks during July.
Founded by Brent Lindsay and Amy Pinto, The Imaginists have been in Santa Rosa for nine years, intentionally pushing boundaries and providing original theatrical art that interacts with community in new and exciting ways. Satirizing society or current events, the shows are accessible and collaborative and raise the bar for relevance. Bilingual and inclusive, the work aims to re-think how and where theater happens, yet also deliver an entertaining and thoughtful performance.
Imaginists Awarded California Arts Council Local Impact Grant
to support arts projects fostering equity, access, & opportunity
Each summer brings a new chapter of their production, El Show el Arte es Medicina, traveling to city parks by bicycle caravan. This year a classic from Aristophanes gets remade in PEACE: the Redacted Version / PAZ: la versión redactada, an absurd satire for an absurd time,” performed in Spanish and English. The plot:domestic workers clean up Dump Tower as President Corn’s cabinet happily imprisons Peace, Liberty, and Democracy. The future depends on the rescue efforts of superhero hopefuls, if they can make it in time...
The California Arts Council announced a grant award of $9,000 to The Imaginists as part of its Local Impact program to support community- driven arts projects for small and mid-sized arts organizations to foster equity, access, and opportunity in historically marginalized communities* by centering the arts as a vehicle for building strong, healthy, vibrant, and resilient communities.
Did I mention it’s all free?
The grant will support The Imaginists’ 11th annual, free, bicycle-powered tour to city parks throughout Santa Rosa. This year’s show, Peace (The Redacted Version), is inspired by Aristophane’s classic comedy Peace,
and touches on current events and timeless truths. The shows, performed in Spanish and English by an intergenerational ensemble of professional, emerging, and community artists, are for all ages.
Imaginists regularly earns coveted grants from State and local sources. Treat yourself to something different this summer and discover this
theatrical treasure in our own backyard.
Performances in July include: (more dates to be added)
Friday, July 5, Juilliard Park, 7p; 227 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa
Friday, July 12, Bayer Farm, 7p; 1550 West Ave, Santa Rosa
Sunday, July 14, Andy Lopez Unity Park, 4p; 3399 Moorland Ave, Santa Rosa Friday, July 19, Juilliard Park, 7p; 227 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa 95401
“We’re honored to be chosen for the California Arts Council Local Impact award,” says Imaginists’ Artistic Director, Amy Pinto. “This funding is critical to the survival of our annual El show el arte es medicina/The Art is Medicine Show, which is a cornerstone of our programming and the one in which our most radical “re-thinking theater” theory is put into practice. El show el arte es medicina takes theater out of the theater and to our community free of charge. It also invites participation from community members, and local high school students through our paid summer internship program.”
For more info, see the website at: theimaginists.org or write info@theimaginists.org The Imaginists 461 Sebastopol Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 • 707-528-7554
Summer Repertory Theatre is back!
After a year-long hiatus due to the remodel of Burbank Auditorium on the Santa Rosa Junior College campus,
Summer Repertory Theatre has
resumed its mix of musicals & plays,
The award was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council, with grant funds totaling a projected $24,508,541 for 2018-19, the highest investment in statewide arts programming since the 2000- 01 fiscal year.
 combining students and professionals on two stages in five productions.
“Arts and culture are inextricably linked to our humanity,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “They serve as a universal touchpoint for understanding and addressing our societal issues—dismantling inequity, healing trauma, reframing justice, inspiring truth and shaping futures.
This year’s program has already started, with The 39 Steps, a hilarious homage to Hitchcock on the Newman Auditorium stage thru July 31. Mamma Mia! beloved ABBA musical, runs in the Performance Pavilion through August 10, soon joined by the tale of outlaws Bonnie & Clyde, through August 8. Sylvia, the sweet comedy about a man and his dog, plays on the Newman stage July 9 through August 4, and the fantastical musical Pippin goes up in the Pavilion July 12 to August 7.
The Council is humbled to support the vital work of the Imaginists and its passionate efforts to make a better California for us all.”
These crowd-pleasing shows are
time well-spent. Go to the website at summerrep.com/ for specific calendar dates and times of each show, and either single or subscription tickets. Summer Rep Theatre Festival, Santa Rosa Junior College, 1501 Mendocino Ave,
the summer tour visit www.theimaginists.org
The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California’s diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services. *Historically marginalized communities may include but are not limited to African and African American; Arab; Asian and Asian American; Latinx; Middle Eastern; Native American and Indigenous Californian; Pacific Islander; lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-variant people; people with disabilities; women; low-income, rural, or immigrant and refugee communities.
Santa Rosa • Box Office: 707-527-4307 Tickets: $25-28; Subscriptions $69-100 Performance Pavilion, Near SRJC campus center, off Armory Drive on Scholars
Drive, Park in Bech parking lot (kiosk payment required) Santa Rosa Newman Auditorium SRJC Campus off Elliott Ave. Park in Emeritus Circle
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parking lot (kiosk payment required), Santa Rosa
To view a complete listing of all Local Impact grantees, visit
arts.ca.gov/programs/program_files/1819/CurrentGrantees/FY18-19_Project_ Descriptions_LI.pdf.
The Imaginists is a theater company based in Santa Rosa, CA. They completely re-think theater; who participates, where it happens and what it is. The Imaginists honor the power of live performance to create vital spaces for participation, imagination, and freedom. INFO on programming and details of





























































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