City Hearts: Third Annual Shakespeare Challenge, June 2

 

PHOTO BY ADAM LATHAM City Hearts kids (above) performed their hearts out in the 2011 Shakespeare Challenge at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, as they will again this year on Saturday, June 2. Judging of monologues and scenes begins at 10:30, followed by refreshments, recitals and a photography exhibit.

Southern California's pre-eminent Arts education organization, City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts, presents "A Day of Enchantment" featuring The Third Annual Shakespeare Challenge, Recital and Photography Exhibit on Saturday, June 2, at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This is a free community event showcasing the work of more than 200 students from Los Angeles' inner-city communities who have participated in City Hearts' Arts programming in Shakespeare, dance and photography. RSVP is required for attendance: (310) 455-2898.

Students will kick off the day competing in the Shakespeare Challenge, performing scenes and monologues in front of a panel of judges and attending audience members. The afternoon's activities will feature student recitals and a photography exhibition.

"Glee" star Max Adler will be the special guest for the event. Recently named official International Spokesperson for City Hearts, he began the year by creating "The Max's ABC: Anti-Bullying through City Hearts" initiative, raising more than $20,000 through an e-campaign and a matching grant of $5,000 from the Frieda C. Fox Foundation. Adler was also the winner of the Community TechKnowledge's "Vote for a Hero" competition; a representative from the foundation will be present to award Adler the check.

DONATE USED DIGITAL CAMERAS

Donations of gently used digital cameras for City Hearts' photography program are greatly appreciated. A box at the Theatricum will be available for friends, visitors and guests to donate their gently used digital cameras for City Hearts' "Fresh Focus: A New Shot at Life" photography program. This will enable groups of children to take a camera home for a few days and then share their images with their City Hearts instructor and classmates. An IRS receipt will be provided to all camera donors.

The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum is located at 1419 North Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga, CA 90290.

ABOUT CITY HEARTS

For more than 27 years, City Hearts programs have been that very special place for children to grow, experience the Arts, and learn skills that help motivate and enhance school involvement, community engagement and a sense of caring and compassion for their local and the global communities while encouraging and inspiring children to reach their full potential. Founded in 1984 by Juvenile Court Public Defenders, Bob and Sherry Jason, City Hearts has provided unique training and experiences in the Arts to more than 30,000 children since its inception in the belief that intervention and prevention are key elements to nurturing our children to become creative, compassionate and responsible young adults (www.cityhearts.org).