Palisades High School alumni, community members and current students are invited to celebrate 50 years of the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) department with a weekend of activities beginning Thursday, April 26. The kick-off event the annual showcase of student work in ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, film and performances from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 26 in Mercer Hall. Next is an encore performance of PaliHi’s fall play, ‘Doctor Faustus,’ at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 27. ‘Faustus’ incorporates music and dance in original, creative ways that inspired one director to quip, ‘This isn’t your mother’s Faustus.”A matinee performance will be held at 3 p.m. on April 29. The cornerstone of the weekend is the VAPA 50th Anniversary Celebration from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28.’ At 6:30 p.m., chamber music will be played outside Mercer Hall, art displays will be on view in the A Building corridor, and a new video highlighting both the history and current developments in Pali’s VAPA department will be shown in Mercer.’ Writer/director/producer Scott Alexander (class of 1981) is the emcee, and at 7 p.m. will introduce a 15-minute history video of the school from the 1960s through today, followed by performances by dance and vocal groups. Awards are being established to honor alumni who have made significant contributions to the arts, including photographer Herb Ritts (class of 1970), writer/director/producer JJ Abrams (class of 1984) and dancer/choreographer Adam Shankman (class of 1981). The Herb Ritts Award for Visual Arts will be given to artist Cathy Salser (see Palisadian-Post article February 9, 2012). Though he won’t be in attendance, Abrams will receive The JJ Abrams Award for Theater Arts for his contributions to film and television. Shankman will accept the Adam Shankman Award for Dance in person. Among his many films, Shankman has choreographed ‘Boogie Nights,’ ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Scream 2.’ As of press time, details were still being finalized for the award in music. All awards will be given out annually. Former principal Merle Price and other former administrators will be in attendance. Current and former staff members will be acknowledged for inspiring many students through the years. Will.i.am (class of 1993), leader of the Black Eyed Peas, is currently out of the country, and it is unknown if he will attend. On Sunday, April 29, there is a picnic (bring your own food) on the quad beginning at noon. All events are free; however, the suggested donation for April 28 is $10 for students and $20 for adults. Contact: Victoria Francis at vickyfrancis@earthlink.net.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
