This year's Denim to Diamonds, a gala evening benefitting Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, will transform the not-yet-open-to-the-public Hiller Aviation Museum at the San Carlos Airport into an extravagant party scene replete with music, dancing, casino games and gold mine claims. This year, the event is targeted to raise more than $200,000 for the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford.
On March 14, 700 party-goers in their best black tie and glitzy western-wear will kick off the evening with a champagne reception at 6:30 p.m. Guests are invited to peruse the selection of silent auction items and stake their claim on gifts in excess of $100,000. Items include a stellar collection of original signed lithographs and serigraphs by Warhol, Erte, Dali and other notable 20th century artists; European excursions; holiday packages; and tickets to special area events. Following the silent auction, patrons will be treated to a lavish sit-down dinner in an atmosphere decorated in an aviation motif.
To work off the meal, a special "10-step" line dance will be instructed amid lively rock 'n' roll music performed by The Cool Jerks. Open bars ensure that the enthusiastic don't go thirsty. High-rollers will take their chips and hit the colorful array of black jack, craps and poker tables. For those unlucky at the roulette wheel, "The Wheel of Fortune" should not be missed, as it promises prizes for all. There will even be a Diamond Galleria where fabulous prizes can be purchased.
Ronald McDonald House is a non-profit organization that provides a home-away-from-home for the families of critically-ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The organization fundraises more than 80 percent of its operating budget.
Tickets for Denim to Diamonds start at $150 per person. For more information, call Alan Beach at 325-5113.
@caption:The Dry Branch Fire Squad performs in Palo Alto on March 7.
It's bluegrass time once again, as the Redwood Bluegrass Associates present the popular Dry Branch Fire Squad at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Palo Alto Unitarian Church, 505 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto.
The Dry Branch Fire Squad, which got its start in 1976, is a bluegrass band with clear leanings toward old-time music. Its leader, Ron Thomason (mandolin, guitar, lead vocals), is also famous for his dry wit and homespun humor, which earned Dry Branch the title "Most Entertaining Bluegrass Band." The other members are Bobby Maynard (banjo and fiddle), Mary Jo Leet (harmony and lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Charlie Leet (bass, harmony vocals) and Suzanne Thomas (lead vocals, guitar and clawhammer banjo).
The Dry Branch Fire Squad has 20 recordings to date, have hosted the prestigious Winterhawk Festival in New York State since 1985, and have represented the United States on several cultural exchange programs.
This will undoubtedly be a popular show. Last year's Dry Branch Fire Squad gig was the only show in the Redwood Bluegrass Associates series to completely sell out in advance. Tickets are $17 at the door. For more information, call 691-9982.
@caption:Violinist Karen Bentley performs with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra on March 8.
Palo Altan Karen Bentley will be the featured soloist with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 945 Portola Road, Portola Valley. The featured work will be Bach's "D Minor Concerto for Violin."
A champion of both classic and contemporary music, Bentley has premiered numerous compositions for solo violin and violin-piano duo. She is on the performance faculty of the June in Buffalo Composer's Seminar and the Wellesley College Composers' Conference, and she has performed in the San Francisco Symphony's "New and Unusual Music Series," the North American New Music Festival, and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, at which she gave the U.K. premiere of "Another Face" for violin solo.
Bentley, who began her solo career at the age of 16 with PACO, has toured with the New York Philharmonic and has served as concertmaster of the conductorless German Chamber Orchestra as well as the New York String Orchestra. She performed with Barbra Streisand on her 1994 concert tour and has traveled with Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak Dance Project.
Tickets are $12 general admission; $10 senior and student. For more information, call 856-3848.
@caption:Corinne Barkin performs a solo recital on March 7. Local touch
Menlo Park pianist Corinne Barkin will perform a solo recital at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Palo Alto Cultural Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto. The program will include works by composers such as Haydn, Schubert, Bartok and Ravel. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
@caption:Tish Hinojosa performs as part of the Global Divas.
The Global Divas (Susana Baca, Tish Hinojosa and Stella Chiweshe) bring their exotic civilization of sound to Stanford University's Memorial Auditorium at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7.
The Global Divas summon a singular musical spirit from contrasting elements of Peru, Zimbabwe and the American Southwest. In an evening of beautiful and stunning music, the Afro-Peruvian songs of Susana Baca meld with the soaring lyrics of Stella Chiweshe, legend of Zimbabwe's thumb piano. Add the diverse talents of Mexican-American songstress Tish Hinojosa, and the sound is pure global harmony. The program features individual sets and a group finale that reportedly sizzles.
Tickets are $23, $25, $28 (students $3 off; youth 15 and under half-price). For more information, call 725-ARTS.
The Albert L. Schultz Jewish Community Center's fourth annual Sounds of Music Festival is scheduled for March 7 to 14. The festival is an opportunity for young musicians to perform and hear other young soloists.
The grand opening at 7 p.m. March 7 highlights the Saratoga Symphony Orchestra and two piano soloists--local performer and teacher, Era Lifschits and her student, Natasha Paremski. The grand finale, on March 14, is embellished with youth groups and festival laureates. The California Youth Symphony Percussion Ensemble and the El Camino Youth Symphony will be featured.
During the week, concerts are free to the public. Tickets for the opening concert and grand finale are $8 for adults; $5 seniors/children. The center is located at 655 Arastradero Road in Palo Alto. For more information, call Masha Farber at 493-9400, ext. 256.
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