Sunday, January 27, 2013
In residence at Music Showcase in Brandon, the Showcase Players, through the Florida Academy of Performing Arts, is on stage this month and next with "Parade" at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico.
Music educator and director Migue Oquendo calls Parade "one of the best shows that nobody knows about," which is why he has staged the production three times with the Showcase Players, in residence at Music Showcase in Brandon, and now through the Florida Academy of Performing Arts (FAOPA). "The show has great music and the fact that it's based on a true story makes it so much more intriguing," Oquendo said. "It gives a lot of history, in terms of teaching people about racism and intolerance. Sometimes it's important to go back to these roots and see what it was like." The show is on stage at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico, at 506 Fifth St., on Jan. 25-27 and Feb. 1-3 (see times below). As noted in the show's program: "Parade tells …
Miguel Oquendo talked about his role as a music educator and musical theater director after the Jan. 26 performance of "Parade," staged by the Showcase Players from the Florida Academy of Performing Arts, in residence at Music Showcase in Brandon.
For almost a decade, Miguel Oquendo has been staging shows featuring the Greater Brandon area's youth talent, with the Showcase Players, in residence at Music Showcase and now through the Florida Academy of Performing Arts (FAOPA). Why does he do it? "I ask myself that a lot," he said good-naturedly, after the final curtain of the Saturday, Jan. 26 performance of his latest production, Parade, at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico. "Generations of kids have come through this program and it's fun to watch their growth, watch them become young women and young men, and to know that I had something to do with that." He added that he likes to see his musical theater students, along with his voice students, "gain confidence, number one." Also…
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The "Wittfest Rockin' the Cause Fish Fry" fundraiser to help Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy Dan Witt in his fight against cancer, continues to grow with donated raffle items. See the list, event details and deadline to order meals for free delivery.
The WittFest Rockin' the Cause Fish Fry fundraiser for 33-year-old Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputy Dan Witt and his family, at O'Brien's Irish Pub and Family Restaurant, is picking up steam. "Dan has worked very hard to help keep our streets safe, now it's our turn to do what we can to help him," reads a post on the Facebook page for the event. "All money raised will go to Dan and his family. Let's all join together to help Dan and his family this holiday season." Here's how to participate: The fundraiser will continue at O'Brien's with live entertainment by the hard rock band, Scream Machine, starting at 7 p.m. Dec. 14. The band's lead singer, John Hajj, is also the community resource deputy for Northdale. Hajj is organizing…
Monday, August 6, 2012
The 10th annual Back-To-School Festival at the Campo Family YMCA in the Greater Brandon community of Valrico drew a strong crowd for vendors treats and showcases. The event is sponsored by FANG, the FishHawk Area Networking Group.
Supporting children from low-income families with school supplies and backpacks was the mission behind the grand networking event held Aug. 5 at the Campo Family YMCA in the Greater Brandon community of Valrico. There, the FishHawk Area Networking Group, or FANG, hosted its 10th Annual Back-To-School Festival, featuring a strong crowd of attendees visiting with vendor booths and watching dance and judo peformances. This gallery of photos gives testament to the day's events. Backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to registered families at the YMCA's Camp Christina on Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in an event sponsored by both the Y and the Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO) of Brandon.
Clifton C. Curry Jr.
2:03 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
Curry Law Group and The Trey Curry Foundation will be donating lunches to all on duty deputies during Deputy Witt's fundraiser. more ›