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Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
ETC for RM to hold lakeside kickoff event
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Photo by Sheri Barile
Board members of Entertainment, Theatre & Culture (ETC) for Rancho Murieta gather at Lake Clementia in anticipation of the coming season kickoff event and membership drive slated for May 16. Shown (from left) are Marvin Edens, Debbie Pishek, Mike Shamrock, Michelle Hubbell, Mike Mann, Darlene Delmore, Diane Graf, Erin Reed and Bob Kurtz.
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By Sheri Barile
River Valley Times Reporter
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Entertainment, Theatre & Culture for Rancho Murieta (ETC) will whet community appetites for the coming concert season with a kickoff event and membership drive at Lake Clementia from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 16.
The event is free to RM residents and will feature winetasting, dessert and musical entertainment provided by Robert Monteleone’s Symposium Jazz Trio.
ETC memberships will be on sale, offering varied levels of season perks. There will also be opportunities to win prizes in a raffle drawing at the event. Prizes include an eclectic mix of merchandise and gift certificates from local merchants.
Membership chairperson Diane Graf said the number of raffle tickets received depends on the level of membership a resident purchases. “The raffle is a bonus for joining early,” she said. “Memberships can still be purchased after the kickoff.”
Participating wineries at the upcoming event will include Windwalker, Dobra Zemlja, Sobon Estate, Shenandoah Vineyards, Modus Operandi, Wilderrotter, Harbor and Scott Harvey. Desserts will be provided by Stonehouse Bistro, Plaza Foods, Taste Restaurant and Tracycakes.
Kickoff chairperson Debbie Pishek said the event is designed to set the mood for the concert season. “One thing that makes the concerts so good is the experience and ambiance of being at the lake with your neighbors and friends,” Pishek said. “The kickoff is a very festive event by the lake with tents, balloons, linens and live music. Who wouldn’t want to come out there and sample desserts and wines for free?”
Dedicated ETC enthusiast Jerry Larson echoed this. “These are really fun events that (my wife Dianne and I) would not miss,” he said. “Not only do you hear about the great lineup of concerts planned for the summer, you will also be entertained with great live jazz music provided by one of this area’s best groups.”
Graf said last year’s kickoff event drew a great turnout despite bad weather and cloudy economic times. “We increased our membership even in a poor economy,” she said. “It was pouring down rain, and we still had a great turnout and a great time. This community really supports ETC.”
One supporter who remembers last year’s kickoff well is Laurie Weisser. “They brought in tents to keep people out of the rain,” she said. "It was an incredibly good time.”
ETC board President Mike Mann said ETC hopes 2010 will be the best season ever. By popular demand, they are bringing both Craig Chaquico and the Diamonds back on June 19 and July 10, respectively. Musical icon artist Dave Mason will perform July 31.
The talents of Yes and Toto are combined in the musical sensation YOSO, coming Aug. 21. The season wraps up on Sept. 11 with the prolific Little River Band.
With ticket sales accounting for only 65% of the cost for a season, the board of ETC hopes for a great turnout at the kickoff and membership drive. “We want to be able to keep booking great lineups like this in the future,” Graf said. “A membership is an investment in next year’s season, and the kickoff event is our way to thank the community for its support.”
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