Dedicated to Empowering and Informing the Burlingame Community
The very exciting arrival of Joanne Garrison's book "Burlingame Centennial" will be introduced on Sunday, February 10 at 2:00 pm in the Lane Room.
Photographer Mark Hundley will also be present.
Further publicity will be forthcoming shortly and, as per the Burlingame Historical Society newsletter, please continue to check their website for updated information.
– Written by Fiona
Not to be picky but the author’s name is misspelt on the Historical Society website. It should read Joanne.
Joanne’s partner, Jean Silveira, will also be presenting. Jean was responible for the design, production, fundraising, and marketing.
It has been quite a while since I have posted and I am glad that the tone has been quieter and gentler since I have left.
Eighteen months ago I agreed to direct the Centennial Variety Show. What an honor to part of Burlingame’s history. Through research at the library and the Historical Society and talking to people in our town I have really gained a real respect and love for our town.
First, I want to say thank you to all the regular posters who supported the Centennial Variety Show – Burlingame the Musical. I was very honored to have you attend. I saw most of the Council Members as well. I have to tell you, I was incredibly impressed by the level of talent that this town has to offer. This inspired me to change the show from a simple Variety Show to a full scale musical. 63 performers from the ages of 6 to 66 poured their hearts out. It really was amazing. That does not include the more than 30 people who were behind the scenes to make it all happen. Then there are the businesses and private people who gave of their time and resources. I was impressed at how nearly one hundred people came together for a common goal and produced such a high quality show. I have made some great new friends and have a real respect for the need to have a real place for performing arts in our town. Not just a stage where a couple of mikes are thrown up but someplace where a real show can be performed. A musical, a drama, a concert, a ballet, a comedy show, a poetry recital, a speaker series, a rock concert, all kinds of performing. All ages!!!! All kinds of arts!!! We’ve got the talent. Why must we beg for a place to perform? Remember – If you build it – They will come!? Burlingame can be put on the map. What about the old Hyatt Theatre. Put it back to what it once was. A live theatre. Or build something out at Coyote Point. Or maybe one of the old warehouses on Rollins or down off Airport Blvd. Or the old Drive In. I don’t know where for sure but for sure it should be built. Just put it in your mind that there is a need for it. I can assure you they will come out to fill the rafters. We have just scratched the surface of the talent that is in this town. I saw it live and breathe. And it was growing! Just check out the new Burlingame High School Musical – Into The Woods – to get a sample. Those kids are all so talented and Mary Blank is really revitalizing the Drama Department at the High School. Please don’t let this get shoved on the back burner. I know it’s not something that benefits the big taxpayers in this town but it is something that benefits THE TOWN. Thanks again for your support. Jeriann Fleres
The good news is that two Broadway businesses encourage a local small drama group to use their facilities for rehearsals and free radio drama presentations. But the spaces are small. Plus sound equipment, etc. has to be begged, borrowed and (not) stolen.
Because of the economy, a dream of a community theatre or even a black box theatre is probably not doable in 2008 (!) but but it seems there should be non-budget-busting ways to encourage community theatre. Before the recent goal session I had asked the council if they could encourage community theatre in Burlingame:
“(1) Restore the stage at the Burlingame Recreation Center. The half stage is unusable because of a partition which has been erected to make a dance studio. With some creativity – and funds – the stage could be restored to a useable stage whilst still retaining the dance studio. When I discussed this with Randy and offered to donate money to this cause, Randy told me I should add on a few zeros to my donation because it would cost $25,000 to install larger doors!
(2) Improve the relationship and access to the BESD and BHS stages.
(3) Encourage other venues such as the Burlingame Woman’s Club to support community and theatre groups. The BWC is an absolute gem with a wonderful stage but it is cost prohibitive for many community or theatre groups to rent.
(4) Encourage use of the Council Chambers for recitals and other performances.
(5) Encourage more access to city resources, eg. sound systems and lights (with appropriate training)”
(PS, it seems the Rec Center remodel to add larger doors to the non-usable stage has now been lowered from $25,000 down to $15,000)
There is always the dream that in the not too distant future a local business could carve out a small space downtown for a theatre/blackbox/movie theatre.
I can see it now …
The Safeway Grocery Theatre
or
The Virgin Black Box!
Book Event and Shopping Night!
Books, Inc
1375 Burlingame Avenue
Presentation of the new book “Burlingame Centennial 1908-2008”, and Author signing.
7:00pm
Thursday March 13th (this week!)
For everyone one that has purchased a book and would like it signed, or those that have yet to purchase this fast selling beautiful book (or would like more copies!)
See you there.
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