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Sonoma's 20th Annual Salute to the Arts
Celebrates the 1920s with the Bounty of Sonoma County

Benefitting Organizations

As Sonoma's aesthetic centerpiece and most dynamic fundraising vehicle for the arts, Salute to the Arts generates proceeds for numerous non-profit arts, cultural, and educational organizations. The Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance, the festival's non-profit sponsor, contributes net proceeds to participating organizations each year.

Through Sonoma's annual Salute to the Arts, the Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance also funds scholarships for high school seniors interesting in pursuing careers in the arts. The scholarship fund, established in 1998, provides awards for music, visual art, theater art, and literary students. In 2002 awards for promising culinary and enology/viticulture students were added.

See also (below): Quotes

Benefitting/Participating Organizations

Arts Guild of Sonoma
Presents: Member artists
See Art Tasting
The Arts Guild of Sonoma, a non-profit visual arts organization since 1977, provides a local gallery for artist-members; sponsors annual student art shows, and other community oriented events.
707.996.3115

Ballet Folklórico Torres Jaliscienses
Presents: Traditional folk dances from Mexico by local school aged children
See Performance Schedule
Affiliated with La Luz Bilingual Center, a non-profit organization that promotes the independence of non-English speaking people through education and orientation to community life.
707.996.3114

Cinema Epicuria
Presents: Cinema Paradiso Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore at The Salute Celebration at Buena Vista Winery
Save the dates for the 8th Annual Sonoma Valley Film Festival! March 30 – April 3, 2005
707.933.2600
www.cinemaepicuria.org

Dragon’s Head Productions
Dragon’s Head Productions is a non-profit volunteer organization whose mission statement is to raise money for children’s charities through safe and fun entertainment. Located in Sonoma, DHP is made up of a group of family and friends who volunteer their time and effortfor this great cause.
707.996.4763
www.dragonsheadproductions.com

El Verano School P.T.O.
Presents: An exhibit by student artists under the direction Gayle Manfre
See Performance Schedule
El Verano School P.T.O. supports children’s education and interests throughout the school year. El Verano P.T.O. believes it is so important and vital to introduce and include fine art throughout the curriculum. As a result, the artwork beautifies our school and community; plus it teaches children an appreciation and love for the arts.
707.935.0421

Flowery School P.T.O.
Presents: Works by students under the direction of local artist Gayle Manfre
See Performance Schedule
Flowery School P.T.O. is a fundraising body with the goal of enriching the art and educational experience of students at Flowery School.
707.935.6060

Friends of Dunbar School(FODS)
Dunbar School has a rich tradition of art programs and a firm belief in the value of arts in the curriculum. The arts are integrated in all parts of the curriculum and are also offered through the After School Enrichment Program. Friends of Dunbar School is dedicated to raising funds for enrichment programs at Dunbar School.
Glen Ellen · 707.322.6920 or 707.935.0667
www.dunbarschool.com

North Bay Kung Fu Institute
Presents: Exhibitions of Shaolin Kung Fu, Okinawan Karate, the Japanese Sword, Kickboxing for Women, and traditional Chinese Lion Dance
Our mission is to train the mind, body, and spirit through application of the philosophies of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism found in Asian culture, to improve health in all aspects of life. Kung Fu is a way of life, and the martial arts are for young and old alike. North Bay Kung Fu's participation in Sonoma Salute to the Arts enables the organization to sponsor advanced students in competition throughout the Bay Area, and international competitions in China and all over the world.
707.938.9478

Old Adobe School
Presents: Sensory interactive; shaving cream finger-painting, dinosaurs in ice, gak, play-dough, eyedropper liquid watercolor art
A non-profit preschool, kindergarden and child care enter with a strong focus on creativity and art.
Sonoma · 707.938.4510

Operation Youth
Presents: Art by high school members of The Studio
See also: Art Tasting
Operation Youth is the support program for The Shop LTD (Teen Event Center), The Studio (Teen Arts Program), and Challenge Day, a middle school and high school program to combat gangs, violence, racism, and more.
Social Advocates for Youth
707.996.7991

Sonoma Charter School
To be announced
Sonoma Charter School is a unique public school, kindergarten through eighth grade, using innovative teaching techniques. The school emphasizes a strong foundation in academics and the arts and fosters enthusiasm for learning.
707.935.4232

Sonoma City Opera
Presents: Singers with selections from opera, operetta, and musicals
See Performance Schedule
Sonoma City Opera is a non-profit regional opera company founded in 1984. It has presented 28 operas in the Sonoma area. Sonoma City Opera will present Donizetti’s opera “The Daughter of the Regiment” at the Sonoma Barracks on the Plaza on July 24, 25, 31, and August 1 at 7 p.m.
707.939.8288
www.sonomacityopera.org

Sonoma Community Center
Presents: Faculty from Art @ the Center and Pottery @ the Center will display artwork and provide interpretation of Center programs as well as demonstrations of pottery making and painting.
Sonoma Community Center has two missions: To enrich the lives of the people of Sonoma Valley by fostering a broad range of cultural, educational, recreational, and community service activities and provide affordable space for these pursuits; to preserve and restore its historic building.
707.938.4626

Sonoma Hometown Band
Presents: Band music of Sousa Marches
See Performance Schedule
The Sonoma Hometown Band started in 1967 by Richard Schneider as a marching band participating in 4th of July Parade and Vintage Festival Parades. In 1986 Sonoma Hometown Band started a concert band and now perform four concerts a year.
707.996.3413

Sonoma Shambhala Center
Presents: Ikebana demonstrations, calligraphy, miksang, ceramics, painting and drawing
Founded in 1993, this is the Sonoma Shambhala Center’s 11th year participating in Salute to the Arts. Their mission is to realize enlightened society by providing uplifted space and mutual support for meditation, education and contemplative arts.
707.935.6333

Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance
Presents: Sonoma’s Annual Salute to the Arts and Visual Art Competition Exhibit, Silent Auction & Sale
Founded in 1986, the Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance has sponsored Salute to the Arts since 1988. The organization was established to encourage communication between artists, organizations, the public, and the press; to promote the arts; and to raise funding for the arts. SVAA has provided art scholarships for local graduating high school seniors since 1998.
P.O. Box 1947 · Sonoma, CA 95476
707.938.1133 www.salutetothearts.com

Sonoma Valley High School Drama Department
Presents: Improbable Improv; Juggling and balancing acts
See Performance Schedule
Students from the Sonoma High School Drama Department improvising scenes based on audience suggestions, a la "Whose Line is it, Anyway?" The Improbables (in a slightly different configuration) appeared last year ar the Salute to the Arts and were a crowd favorite. Unplanned and untamed, these improvisations come from thin air and go who-knows-where. Members of the Drama Department will also be tickling the crowd's fancy with juggling and balancing feats when and where you least expect them. Ron Singer coordinates the Sonoma school district's Renaissance Festival and directs the high school drama program and plays.
707.933.4010

Sonoma Valley High School Music Department
Presents: Selections from the 2003-2004 school year
See Performance Schedule
The Sonoma Valley High School Music Department is an internationally acclaimed music performance group with Concert/Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, madrigals, and guitar classes. Every year they perform throughout the community as well as in numerous competitions around the world.
707.933.4010

Sonoma Valley Olive Festival
The Fourth Annual Sonoma Valley Olive Festival will take place December 4, 2004 through February 25, 2005. Comprising three months of events - from the elegant Feast of the Olive Dinner to the popular Artisan Market weekend - the festival transforms the winter months in Sonoma into a celebration of the senses.
707.996.1090
www.olivefestival.com.

Sonoma Valley Poetry Festival
Presents: Poetry readings on the Playground Stage
See Performance Schedule
Sonoma Valley Poetry Collective (SVPC), a community benefit project under the imprimatur of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, sponsors the Sonoma Valley Poetry Festival, as well as a monthly Poetry Salon, Short Order Poetry, Soap Box poetry, Dead Poets Society readings and other events conducted throughout the year. SVPC supports residencies by local poets with California Poets in the Schools in the Sonoma Valley Schools.
707.280.4696

Valley of the Moon Art Association
A non-profit artists association which is open to painters of all levels, from beginner to the seasoned professional. They promote the fine arts through bi-monthly meetings, Plaza art shows and student merit awards.
707.833.4085

Valley of the Moon Petanqué Club
Presents: Petanqué exhibition with free ‘hands on’ instruction provided to the audience at Depot Park
Valley of the Moon Petanqué Club was founded in 1990. The club established and has maintained Petanqué courts in Depot Park since 1991, providing the community with a uniquely accessible cultural/recreational resource.

QUOTES


"All of the jobs at Salute to the Arts: Picking up garbage, recycling, setting up tables, and handling money are integral to the festival's smooth, almost flawless function." ~ Pat Summers, Founder and Coordinator

Ballet Folklorico Torres Jaliscienses
"Salute to the Arts is our only vehicle for making money for large purchases such as costumes."
~ Barbara Graziani, Director

Chamson (Sonoma Sister Cities)
Salute to the Arts funded scholarships to send college-age students to Chambolle Musigny, France - Sonoma's Sister City - to work in the wineries for four months.

Dragon's Head Productions
Salute to the Arts funds were used to produce the October Haunted House, which has raised the funds for the last two years to benefit the Sonoma Children's Cancer Foundation.
~ Nancy di Bella

Friends of Sebastiani Theatre
The money earned at Salute to the Arts kept "FOST" alive this year and paid for new video equipment for Sonoma High School students. "Salute is an incredible opportunity for so many members of the community."
~ Kent Routh, FOST board member and City of Sonoma Cultural and Fine Arts Commissioner

Sonoma Charter School
Salute to the Arts funds are used to keep art an ongoing, integral part of the student's daily curriculum. Funding provided by the state of California is not enough for that. "The parent volunteers' job has been trash duty. They really enjoy helping. It definitely involves them with the community and the festival"
~ Marsha Walters

Sonoma Community Center
The funds received from Salute to the Arts go directly to providing ongoing classes and events at the Community Center. The funds help underwrite the cost of instructors and maintain overhead. "Salute to the Arts is looked forward to by the entire community and I personally enjoy it very much"
~ Stanley Cohen

Sonoma Valley High School Band
"Almost all the money we earned at Salute to the Arts went to our fabulous London trip and the remainder went to buying music. Saluteto the Arts gives the students a chance to perform in front of the public, and also encourages service work." ~ Barbara McElroy, head of the Sonoma Valley High School Music Department

Sonoma Valley High School Drama Department
Salute to the Arts earnings were a large part of funding used to produce the original play, The Wave ­ the first play completely written and produced by teacher Ron Singer and his students. "It is great for the kids to be involved in the work of the fundraising."
~ Ron Singer

Sonoma Valley Poetry Festival
Funds from Salute to the Arts were given to California Poets in the Schools. Arthur Dawson conducted poetry sessions in the elementary schools; Rebecca Talbot conducted sessions at Altimira; and Luis Kong will be conducting sessions at Hanna Boys Center.
"Salute to the Arts has become a community institution." ~ Russ Bedord

Valley of the Moon Art Association
Funds received from Salute to the Arts helped VOMAA produce the Vintage Festival in September. "Valley of the Moon Art Association members showcase their finest work at Sonoma's Salute to the Arts. It is a well-publicized event that draws a high-end crowd. It's an easy, clean and well-run event."
~ Randy Watkins


Benefitting/Participating Organizations | Quotes

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You are visiting the 2005 website - please click here to go to the current site.