Parks Bureau and Community Members Enjoy an Evening at the Theatre
On Saturday, September 7, 2013, thirty-two children and twelve adults were treated to a live musical performance of "Fanta Stick" at the John Anson Ford Theatre (2580 Cahuenga Blvd E, Los Angeles, CA 90068). The event was made possible through the Community Bridge Program and the help of personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Departments Parks Bureau and Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.
The Community Bridges Program provides opportunities for underrepresented members of Los Angeles County to participate in events and programs, both on and off the stage, at the Ford Theatres. More generally, the program strives to build enthusiastic and engaged audiences for the performing arts and an increased appreciation for the diversity in Los Angeles.
Parks Bureau Deputy Francine Rizzio came in contact with a member of the Community Bridges Program at an event in the park. She was given the opportunity to give forty-two people a chance to attend an event at the theatre. She enlisted the help of Roosevelt Park Recreation Services Supervisor Charlotte Robinson-Perkins, who along with her staff selected the lucky members of the community that would attend. By all accounts, everyone who attended had a great time and look forward to the next time they can experience a night at the theatre.
Community Bridges is an outgrowth and expansion of the Ford's successful Latino Audience Initiative (LAI) launched in 2002, which helped connect Latino artists and audiences with the Ford. An LAI Advisory Council was created within that same year and helped the Ford achieve remarkable success, increasing Latino audience attendance from 13 percent to 26 percent and raising performing artist participation eight-fold to 60 events over a three year period.
Community Bridges is a program of the Ford Theatre Foundation and is supported with generous grants from The James Irvine Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Flourish Foundation.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Departments Parks Bureau is dedicated to providing a safe and drug free environment at all Los Angeles County Parks.
Providing Public Safety for Parks
www.Parks.lasd.org
Parks Bureau Deputy Francine Rizzio
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