PUBLIC SQUARE

12/27/05

To submit announcements for consideration, send a typed letter to Karna Hughes at Public Square, P.O. Box 1359, Santa Barbara 93102, fax us at 966-6258 or e-mail us at publicsquare@newspress.com. Information must be received two weeks in advance.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Edgar

While it might not be "American Idol," the first ever "Be a Star or Support a Star" talent search, sponsored by the John E. Profant Foundation For The Arts and Santa Barbara City College, bestowed its own version of sought-after prizes, industry contacts and a certain amount of glory on a select group of aspiring entertainers.

Local contestants ranging in age from 4 to 82 flocked to the stage at SBCC's Fe Bland Forum last month for their moment in the spotlight. Dozens of singers, musicians, dancers and actors appeared, performing audition pieces of three minutes or less, while cameras rolled.

Grand prize went to classical singer Edgar Ernesto Ramirez, who performed "Granada" and an aria from Puccini's opera, "La Boh�me."

The talented tenor received $500 and an audition at the San Jose Opera. Mr. Ramirez also won first place in a competition held by The Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation earlier this year.

Jessica

First place winners included contemporary vocalists Brittany Battistini, Jessica Spaw and Mathew Dahan, swing dancers Heather Meurer and Joshua Faulkner, musical theater performer Kenny Meza, classical violinist Alan Poyer and classical pianist William Vasquez.

The panel of more than 20 judges used its connections to refer each first-place winner to a mentor, advisor or agent, for the purpose of assisting them in the next step of their careers. A few received offers of recording projects or demos, while others received discounted training.

Second place winners were Isabelle D'Arcy, James and Julia Deacon, Nancy King, Allison Lewis, Maria Poyer, Melanie Thomas, Gisele Marie Tremblay, Nicolette Vasquez and the Young Singers Club.

Brittany

As part of their award, footage of the winners will be aired next year on The Santa Barbara Channels, Channel 17 or 21, and all contestants will receive a free DVD of their performance.

A fundraiser for SBCC's art department, contestants paid a $100 entrance fee or were sponsored by their teachers, dance companies or other supporters.

"Talent is perhaps the most unique gift a human can have, and we are so proud of these performers who are giving their best to benefit others," said event chair Joyce Shaar.

-- Karna Hughes

* Goleta Valley Beautiful recently received a $2,000 grant from the Mid-State Bank & Trust Foundation in support of its urban forestry projects involving youth organizations.

"Their ongoing efforts to work with our young people make a significant difference in improving the quality of our public areas, particularly our trees," said Tami Mason, customer services manager for a Goleta branch of Mid-State Bank & Trust.

The funds will be used to work with youth groups on 30 local public service projects in 2006, including tree planting and maintenance, litter collection and other public beautification projects.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Playwright David Starkey will lead a "weekend intensive" called "Writing the 10-Minute Play," Feb. 10-12 at the Villa Rosa Inn in Santa Barbara.

Mr. Starkey's plays have been produced in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and elsewhere. At the workshop he'll share tips on generating, crafting and revising the short play.

Organizers call the sessions perfect "for everyone who's ever wanted to write a play. While many companies are reluctant to produce a full-length work by a new playwright, theaters tend to be much more open to one-acts, and we'll spend our time working on one of the 'hot' theatrical forms: the 10-minute play."

Participants will read and discuss award-winning one-acts, and everyone will leave the workshop with a completed 10-minute play and suggestions for how and where to submit it for possible production.

Cost is $295, including lunch both days. Contact Marcia Meier at 964-0367 or by e-mail at sbwritersconference@cox.net.

� The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is the only venue on the West Coast to boast an exhibition of 31 masterpieces of Chinese lacquer from the Mike Healy Collection. It runs Jan. 14 through April 16 and features works from the Han to Ming dynasties (2nd century B.C.E. to 17th century C.E.). The collection includes beautiful, elegant and functional boxes, plates and trays, which were considered luxury items and made in limited production. The exhibition is organized by the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

The museum id located at 1130 State St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission on Sunday is free. Regular admission price is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for students with ID and children ages 6-17.

For more information, call 963.4364.

SCHOOL NEWS

The deadline for submitting 2006-07 student aid applications to the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is Jan. 31.

Applicants must be planning to attend full-time an approved two- or four-year college, or vocational school, and awards may be used at public or private colleges located in-state or out-of-state. A large no-interest student loan program is also available.

High school seniors in need of an application should log on http://www.sbscholarship.org. Applications are also available at the Scholarship Foundation office and at each of the county's high school counseling offices.

For more information, call 687-6065 or e-mail info@sbscholarship.org.