Community Newsletter
November 2020
Dear Friends of East Bay Center,

This Fall season is like no other. While the physical doors of the Center are still closed due to the COVID pandemic, our Fall classes are in full swing online. We are proud to be able to offer all of our classes free of charge this year, so all of our students can continue their training in this difficult moment. We have several virtual events coming up at the end of the year at the Center, including Winter recitals, group class performances, and the annual production of A Richmond Nutcracker. Visit our events page for more information on how to join these events virtually. We wish you and your family a safe and healthy start to the holiday season, and look forward to cultivating community in new ways during these uncertain times.

In love and solidarity,

Staff Members, Faculty Artists, and Board of Directors
East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
A New Kind of Season of Events
While we are unable to be together in person this year, East Bay Center is still holding our annual events and performances in a virtual space. Below is a summary of our upcoming events.
Soul Endeavor - Tuesday, November 24. 60 students will perform in 3 sets, with a combination of live (emcee and select student interviews) and pre-recorded footage (performances).

Sharing the Spirit - Saturday, December 12. Performances from 9 music, 4 dance, and 5 theater classes.

Downtown Holiday Festival- featuring the Center's A Richmond Nutcracker - Wednesday, December 16. A virtual story time with Santa, followed by a showing of A Richmond Nutcracker.
This year, we are asking for your help to keep all of our group classes tuition-free and to sustain our in-school WCCUSD music programs!
Thank you to everyone who made our first virtual Gala campaign a success!
THANK YOU to everyone that helped to make our 10th Annual Fall Gala a success! We surpassed our goal of raising $300,000 thanks to the generosity of over 500 donors. We could not have done it without the help of our fundraisers and teams who helped us reach new supporters and raise awareness about the Center's mission. The campaign culminated in a virtual event, which was a beautiful moment of coming together to lift up our young artists in this uncertain time. We are honored and deeply grateful for everyone's participation and generosity.
If you missed the show, you can watch it here!
This summer we had our first digital concert!
The Harmony Heroes Digital Concert was produced by East Bay Center's Student Leadership Council as their way of sharing their joy, passion, and talents with the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meeting the Moment
Incorporating social justice and healing into arts curricula
"Since the students are literally hearing protest songs outside their windows and participating in marches themselves, I thought it important for us to explain the history of that and how it's impacted civil rights movements, social rights movements, and how they can participate and have their voice heard through song." -
Jonathon Hampton, East Bay Center Voice Faculty
Chorus teacher Jonathon Hampton's curriculum this summer included a section on Black protest music. Mr. Hampton's goal is to show how Black civil and social rights movements evolved through music. His curriculum includes everything from "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday to The Freedom Singers, and Marvin Gaye to Kendrick Lamar. Mr. Hampton spent much of the past summer checking in with his students and using the following videos to engage them in discussions around the current state of the nation, the state, and their own communities. According to Mr. Hampton, "we are using music as a tool to really get to the core of what's going on in these students' lives and how we can help lift them up through the arts personally and socially."
Protesters sing “Lean on Me” at Asbury Park demonstration
The Freedom Singers "Ain't Gonna Let No Body Turn Me 'Round" 
What We Want - Ras Baraka
Thanks to Travis Credit Union Foundation & Travis Credit Union, the Center received a $20,000 grant which matched donations made to the Center through their Community Funding Page, as part of Travis’ COVID-19 Relief Initiative!


Travis Credit Union Foundation is dedicated to making financial education available and advancing financial literacy in the community. Learn more about their cause and access some great financial education materials on their website.
You may be able to double your gift to the Center!

Did you know that many companies will match charitable contributions made by their employees?

Make a difference this holiday. Shop for gifts at www.smile.amazon.com/ch/94-1692171 to generate donations for East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.
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East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. We appreciate your participation in our community.

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