Diablo Ballet Gala to honor Diablo magazine publisher and Diablo Ballet artistic advisor this Saturday

Diablo magazine publisher Barney Fonzi and Diablo Ballet artistic advisor Sally Streets to be honored with Patron of the Arts awards, May 2 at Blackhawk Country Club.

Mayo Sugano and Jekyns Pelaez

Photo by Ashraf

Here at Diablo magazine, we don't toot our own horn too often, because the magazine is just a reflection of the vibrant community that makes up the East Bay Area. But every so often, we'll receive an honor like the one Diablo Ballet is bestowing upon Diablo Publications' publisher Barney Fonzi this Saturday that's worth making a fuss about. On May 2, at the Diablo Ballet Gala at Blackhawk Country Club, Barney, along with Diablo Ballet artistic advisor Sally Streets, will be receiving the ballet troupe's Patron of the Arts award. Since Diablo Ballet is such a remarkable arts organization, both for its many wonderful performances and for its community interaction, this honor is one to be very proud of. Congratulations and thanks to Barney and Sally, for their outstanding efforts on Diablo Ballet's behalf!

Here's a little info about Diablo Ballet:

In October 2005, Diablo Ballet placed Walnut Creek on the international dance map when it was the only American company invited to perform at Bangkok’s 7th International Music and Dance Festival sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. Under Artistic Director Lauren Jonas, Diablo Ballet is multi-cultural in its composition. The company consists of ten dancers who have graced the ranks of such prestigious companies as the Bavarian State Ballet, Ballet de Cali in Colombia, Ballet de Caracas in Venezuela, and Miami City, San Francisco, Houston and Colorado Ballets.

Among its unique contributions to the Contra Costa community are Diablo Ballet's PEEK Program, Apprentice, and Intermediate Programs. The Diablo Ballet Apprentice Program, under the direction of Viktor Kabaniaev and Tina Kay Bohnstedt, is designed as a class of young dancers with outstanding potential and provides performance opportunities with Diablo Ballet.

Diablo Ballet, one of the Lesher Center for the Arts’ cornerstone performing arts companies, has also appeared frequently at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, as well as toured throughout the West Coast. 

And about Saturday's event:
EVENT: Diablo Ballet's Annual Gala
DATE: Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 5:30 PM
PLACE: Blackhawk Country Club,
     599 Blackhawk Club Drive, Danville, CA  94506
ATTIRE: Black Tie Optional
TICKETS: Table Sponsors: $3500, for 10 guests. Individual Tickets: $130
TO PURCHASE TICKETS:  Call: (925) 943.1775 ext. 4 or online at www.diabloballet.org

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