PORT COSTA TALENT SHOW

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2004

TALENT SHOW SLATE PROMISES MEMORABLE ENTERTAINMENT

Ever since a dog howled in harmony with a clarinet, the Port Costa Talent Show has been an integral part of the Contra Costa County entertainment and cultural scene.  This year's program continues this local show-biz tradition.  

The Port Costa Talent Show is produced entirely by volunteers.  The Port Costa Conservation Society thanks in advance the many friends and neighbors who are working, both on stage and behind the scenes, to make the 2004 Port Costa Talent Show a success.

TALENT SHOW 2004

At the Port Costa Talent Show, award-winning dancers Amy Huckabay of Hercules, Janey Brown of Crockett, Kim Green of Fairfield and Rene Brown of Crockett will pay musical tribute to Port Costa’s colorful past as a major rail center of the West. More than 20 acts: spectacular song and dance, comedy, wondrous magical illusions and....All That Jazz!

Since reading his first book on magic five years ago, Richmond magician Alex Gonzalez ranks high among his peers. At just 19, his awards include San Francisco Bay Area’s Best Stage Magician 2002, Excellence in Magic Award 2003 and Teen Stage Magician of the Year, World Magic Seminar, Las Vegas 2004. Alex joins the cast of the Port Costa Talent Show Sunday, August 22 to demonstrate his finesse with sleight-of-hand.  Visit Alex's website at www.magicbyalex.com

PRACTICE SESSION

Looking for something to do in his spare time, retired Orinda firefighter Ed Pond took up the guitar two years ago at age 59. He’ll play and sing a Randy Newman song at the Talent Show. He will be accompanied by his son, Todd, who plays with his own East Bay band, The Drink Ticket. Ed and Todd are shown here in a practice session in Todd’s back yard in Berkeley.

The art of Japanese Taiko drumming will be dramatically demonstrated at the August 22 Talent Show with a performance of Hiryu San Dan Gaeshi (Leaping Dragon). Shown here, all from Crockett, are David Gonzalez (in back), and (left to right, in front) Delsin and Tyler Gonzalez, and Kirsten and Joe Geishacker. Joining them for the show will be Heidi Varian, Jacob Geishacker, Josh Graffam, Kenai Gonzalez and Benjamin Bauml.

Known as Ana Banat, Middle Eastern dancing is their specialty, and they’ll be performing at the Port Costa Talent Show. They are (left to right) Alyssa Bickham De Vine, Jamie Thompson, Jacqueline Thompson, Alia Bickham De Vine, Elnora Turner and Katherine Granado, all from Antioch.

The Port Costa Talent Show will celebrate its tenth anniversary at the historic Port Costa School on Sunday, August 22, marking a decade of spectacular hometown entertainment.

Many famous entertainers got their start in talent shows. Frank Sinatra launched his career as one of the Hoboken Four on radio’s Major Bowle’s Original Amateur Hour. Tony Bennett, Gene Kelly, Patsy Cline and Gladys Knight gained stardom after winning talent shows. Elvis Presley himself entered a talent show at age ten, standing on a chair to sing "Old Shep."

One need not be a professional singer, dancer or comedian to enter the Port Costa Talent Show. Amateurs are welcome. Many contestants make their stage debut for the very first time. Who can forget the fabulous Crockettes, tap-dancing their way into Talent Show history. And the Who-La-La’s, in their crinoline skirts and coconut shells, where are they now?

The Port Costa Talent Show is the main fund-raiser this year for the Port Costa Conservation Society. It is staged by all volunteer workers. Proceeds from the show will be used for restoration work on the school and to keep the playground and ball field open year around.  The fast-paced show is performed on a 20x10-foot stage on the steps of the school, each act timed for three minutes or less. Giant tents shade the audience, which at the 2002 Talent Show exceeded 600 exuberant fans. Delicious barbecue and ice-cold beverages are sold, along with commemorative Talent Show T-shirts and posters.

A popular feature of the Talent Show is the Raffle Drawing, with prizes donated by businesses and individuals. Past raffle prizes have included fine dining at Port Costa and Crockett restaurants, handmade quilts, works of art by local artists, baseball tickets, soothing massages and overnight stays at the Bodega Bay Lodge and on the Sacramento riverboat Delta King. Tickets will be sold in advance and at the Talent Show. Three drawings will be held at intervals during the show. Winning ticket holders need not be present to win.  For information call (510) 787-2254.

WIN THIS PIGGY BANK!

Need some spare change? Untold wealth can be yours! This piggy bank is 12 inches tall, 15 inches from nose to tail, and weighs 45 pounds. It is filled with cash, mostly quarters, dimes, nickles and pennies, 4 or 5 peso coins, a couple of slugs from an electrical junction box and at least one $20 bill. The bank is one of more than two dozen prizes to be raffled at the Port Costa Talent Show on Sunday, August 22.

Prizes: !Crockett-Carquinez Firefighters sweatshirt !Gift Certificate, Bull Valley Restaurant, Port Costa !2005 Port Costa Calendar (Veronica Crane) !Two Gift Certificates, Dead Fish Restaurant, Crockett !Half-case of homemade wine (Frank Jurik Jr.) !Ceramic Octopus (Epperson Gallery, Crockett) !One-hour massage (Sharon Loveseth) !Two pair of Oakland A’s tickets (RGM & Associates) !Book "Spanning the Strait: Building the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge" (John Robinson) !Pair of commemorative SF 49er envelopes (Pat Talasy) !Three handmade quilts (Beth Amsbury, Monica Greene and Kathleen Thomas) !Gift Certificate, Hair Nouveau, Crockett !Autographed Handmade Ceramic Doll (Linda Mason) !Gift Certificate, Warehouse Cafe, Port Costa !Two gift bags (East Bay Regional Park District) !Scenic Pottery Pitcher (Kathy Kearns, Crockett Pottery) ! Theatre of Dreams Creation (Wendy Addison) !Ceramic Face Jug (Clayton Bailey) !Gift Certificate, Whitewater Raft Trip for Two !South American Quilted Folk Art (George King) !Piggy Bank (Dee and Lewis Stewart) !Chicken Cookie Jar (Theresa Jurik) !Port Costa Talent Show T-Shirt.

Raffle tickets are $1 each. Winners need not be present to win. Tickets will be on sale at the Port Costa Talent Show on Sunday, August 22, and at the Crockett Art and Wine Festival, Saturday and Sunday, August 7and 8.

RAFFLE PRIZE RANDOM SAMPLING

One of many colorful pieces depicting local scenes (this one shows the new Al Zampa Bridge), this pitcher is perfect for serving that batch of ice-cold margaritas or lemonade out on the deck. Donated by Kathy Kearns, Crockett Pottery

This stylish Port Costa Talent Show T-Shirt, designed by Jenny Copeland of Crockett,  is modeled by Phoebe List of Port Costa. The shirts will be for sale in all sizes at the Talent Show. Donated by the Port Costa Conservation Society

This denizen of the deep, designed and cast in ceramic by Tony Natsoulas of Sacramento, can be yours at the Talent Show raffle. Donated by the Epperson Gallery, Crockett

This unique ceramic face jug will make a handsome addition to your home decor, or to pour libations for your guests at your next dinner party. Designed and donated by Port Costa artist Clayton Bailey

Win an exciting river rafting trip for two! Sponsored by Whitewater Voyages. Gift certificate for trip donated by anonymous donor

Snuggle up this winter with a beautiful handmade pinwheel-design quilt (closeup shown). Designed, crafted and donated by Port Costa's Kathleen Thomas

This handsomely photographed and written large-format book by Crockett’s John Robinson will bring you up-close, dramatic views of the building of the Al Zampa Bridge. Donated by the author

Batter up! Two pair of Oakland A’s tickets will be raffled to lucky winners. Donated by RGM and Associates, Concord

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