Newport-Mesa schools to get $800,000 from...

Newport-Mesa schools to get $800,000 from lottery

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District will receive about

$798,000 from the state’s Lottery Education Fund. Under Proposition

20, passed by voters in March 2000, a certain percentage of lottery

funds must be used directly to purchase instructional materials.

All-American Boys Chorus auditions set for Feb. 6

The All-American Boys Chorus will conduct individual auditions for

boys 8 to 10 years of age throughout January at its offices on the

Orange County Fairgrounds.

Those interested need not have musical training, but will be

tested to determine their basic vocal aptitude. The audition will

last about 30 minutes and include an “ear test,” in which a staff

member strikes various notes on a piano and asks the boy to sing

them. Those boys who get past the audition will be invited, along

with their parents, for an information night from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.

Feb. 6, when staff members will talk about the program.

The choir has performed all across the United States and Canada

and in Russia, Japan and parts of Europe. Last summer, during a

30-day tour of Asia, the group staged concerts in Malaysia,

Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Seoul and Beijing.

Parents wishing to schedule an audition are asked to call (714)

708-1670 during weekday business hours. They can also sign at the

group’s Web site www.AllAmericanBoysChorus.org.

Library offers new after-school program

A new after-school program titled “Stories and Crafts for

Kindergarteners through Second-graders” will begin Jan. 14 at the

Corona del Mar Branch of the Newport Beach Public Library. The

program will include fun with books, stories and crafts. It will take

place from 3 to 4 p.m. on most Tuesdays. The Corona del Mar branch is

at 420 Marigold Ave. Call (949) 644-3151 for more information.

South Coast Rep to tour schools for four months

South Coast Repertory’s 2003 Educational Touring Production,

“Indian Summer” by Richard Hellesen and Michael Silvesher and

directed by John-David Keller, will tour Orange and L.A. county

elementary schools Jan. 15 through May 2.

Bookings for elementary schools are still available. There will be

a special showing for area educators on the South Coast Repertory’s

main stage at 5 p.m. Jan. 27. This performance will be a preview for

administrators, PTA officials and other school representatives

interested in bringing the show to their campuses, as well as

parents, grandparents or family members who would like to underwrite

a production at a specific child’s school. There will be a public

performance at Santa Ana College’s Phillips Hall at 10 a.m. Feb. 11.

The musical explores the relationship between Native Americans and

California’s early settlers during the Gold Rush in 1850.

For booking information, call (714) 708-5549.

Newport artists highlighted at City Hall and library

The Fall Newport Beach Artist’s Exhibition continues at City Hall

through Jan. 17. The exhibit, at 3300 Newport Blvd., is one of a

number of the city’s current art exhibits.

“Local Scenes,” an exhibit by painter Jane Hill, will open

Thursday at the main branch of the Newport Beach Public Library, 1000

Avocado Ave. A reception for the artist will take place from 5:30 to

7:30 p.m. Jan. 28. For more information, call (949) 717-3800.