♪ ♪ i'm cheryl jennings. today we want to showcase two beloved organizations in the bay area that has brought us the joy of dance and music for decades. economy is taking a toll on their budgets so we are hoping you will help us preserve these cherished traditions for generations to comb. our first guest celebrating 35 years next year. susan sa mi ya and julie is executive director and we have the ethnic artistic director. let me start with you. the dance festival is celebrating 35 years. that is great. congratulations, what can we expect? >> the san francisco ethnic

dance festival is largest multicultural festival in the world. we have four weekends in june. everyone is in complete costume and tradition. it's family friendly and a affordable. over 35 years, we are in touch with over 450 dance groups representing 100 cultures. we have showcased over 25,000 dancers from the age of six to 812. if you come to the festival you can expect to travel around the world learning about the cultures and traditions that make san francisco special. >> cheryl: one of those people that have been a long time c.k. you are a performer and you are the artistic director. we're going to take a look at some of the performances what the experience is like for you. >> performing in the festival is music and dances expert is a

joy. >> cheryl: you teach dance at u.c. berkeley? >> i teach music. i teach music and you'll be dancing, too. the two are one and same. >> cheryl: why is it so important to be part of this? >> in the diverse culture sharing the cultural experiences is a very important thing. >> cheryl: people get to know each other? >> people get to know one another and all the stereotypes get wiped out. we can talk to each other and keep the peace and build the community. >> cheryl: that is beautifully said. we have to talk about money. i know the budget has been a

struggle to put the event on. >> it started when the economic downturn started and we lost month most of our government funding and corporate funding. in 2011 we got word they were closing the parking lot with the doyle drive construction project. we've been there 25 years and new venues have fewer seats. those loss of seats have translated to a hundred thousand dollar per year lost income revenue which has put us in a very difficult financial position. >> cheryl: you had auditions? >> the auditions are a crucial part of the cultural ecology for hundreds of dasers in the bay area. >> cheryl: we're going to talk about how people can get involved in that. i want to go back to something that c.k. said it brings

community together. your groups have been invited to perform everywhere. >> last year we were invited to perform in the mayor's inauguration and we received the mayor's 2012 award which was so exciting. ned up tl bened up toany venue sharing a tradition in the culture. we have thousands of dancers that would love to retain their culture and teach their traditions through music and dance and come up to the community and build bridges within each other and to each other. it's become a netting. >> i want to talk about the kids program you started and how people can get involved and help saving the ethnic dance

festival. we're going to come back. more about the ethnic dance festival. stay with us and wdkx@ñ

>> cheryl: welcome back to "beyond the headlines". we were talking about preserving the arts. san francisco ethnic dance festival. susan and julie and c.k. are here with us today. i love the ethnic dance festival. i've been there for many years and you have a children's program. you want to tell us about it. >> program is called kids united through dance. it's a pilot program. we know that the kids are the future. getting them involved in dance early.

so this program and kids come and dancers from ghana. the combination and they perform that is the picture we see right now. it was one great program. >> cheryl: and kids learn to work together. >> they learn to dance with one another and learn new culture. i was down there performing. >> cheryl: i wanted to see you perform. i want to ask you about the programs that you create for the dance festival over the summer. it happens in june, how do you do that? >> first of all, the festival starts in january with auditions. we have people that select

companies and then we pick those and design the program for all the weeks of the festival. >> cheryl: a lot of work. before we run out of time, julie you were talking about the severe financial challenges. how can people help? i know you came up with a creative program called the producers circle? >> we are trying to find new revenues and for $250 an individual can become an a member of producer's circle and they get to the auditions and parties and other perks. if we can find 400 people to become producers, then we can keep the festival going. so, two years it has translated into a hundred thousand dollar

loss. >> cheryl: we need somebody to adopt the festival. >> we need an angel investor. >> and festival is affordable for families? >> our auditions, admission fee is $10 and you will be able to come to four days of nonstop perform answers from many dance troupes. children are free. we are looking for a sponsor to step forward so we can also bring children in free to the festival. right now we have very attractive rates starting from $12 on an average up to 48 on the high end. they are very affordable. >> so have you seen favorite moments at the festival. >> my favorite moments is all

the dancers are backstage in their costumes with their live music and they are teaching each other their dances and their cultures and putting together collaborations backstage. we see that translated now as some of the groups are forming perform before the festival collaborating with their cultures. we feel this is what the festival, one of the highlights of what the festival can really do. >> cheryl: you wanted to say something? >> backstage in the festival. i'm sorry that the audience can't experience that. the people come together to teach each other and making music. >> cheryl: we've got 30 seconds left? >> after the show that happens in june, the artists come out to

the lobby and then the dance and sing with the audience. i think from the audience survey that has been one of the most beloved moments. we kept that for each show throughout the years to give people an upclose and personal interaction. kids ask for autographs and kids will perform with each other. it's a magical moment. it's a rare chance to experience firsthand the culture here in the bay area that we are so lucky to have. >> cheryl: we have all the information on our website for everybody at home so they can learn more information if they want to donate or participate. thank you all for being here. we do have to take a break. find out more about the auditions and producers circle at abc7news.com. when we come back you will meet members of the oakland ballet. they are reaching out to the community.

stay with us. we'll be right back. ♪

>> cheryl: welcome back to "beyond the headlines". today we're talking about preserving the arts. bay area's rich traditions include the oakland ballet that has been around for 45 years with a deep commitment to keep it exciting and accessible to the community. our guests is the oakland's ballet principal and bobby, internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer. i had a chance to meet you a couple years ago. i have been hooked ever since. i loved your production of the nutcracker. you are with the ballet but it does a lot of stuff. >> we're doing much more than the nutcracker.

clearly it is our focus this time of the year, getting the students ready and working with the orchestra and main focus right now, we have ongoing saturday ballet classes. we have a program in the spring and we have a two week summer program for young dancers held at north college. >> cheryl: i know you have programs that are accessible to the community? >> one of the reasons i found the company is so passionate, we have 1400 students coming to dress rehearsal and given more than thousand tickets away to schools. >> cheryl: for those that don't know, how about the music. >> many people have a great familiarity with it. i never had to dance in the piece. when i came to choreograph i was in love with every second.

it's. >> and you have the oakland east bay symphony. >> cheryl: now we have the beautiful dancers with us. i want to start with you. you look absolutely gorgeous. how do you do it and why are you involved witness? >> it's been a dream and i'm so excited. technically the most challenging in the production in perfecting that and it is also -- what you carry from responsibility to be an example to them and inspire them to dance as well like i was inspired as a young child. >> cheryl: bobby, what is the

role and what ho got you into this? >> it's really great. they have created a wonderful variation and very challenging but i think it is great because it helps us get better. it's really fun and wonderful. >> cheryl: how did you get involved with this with dance? >> first time i saw a music video. then i had performers come to my school when i was a little kid diploma. >> and ballet goes to schools? >> yes. >> cheryl: i know you have to get up early for that? >> once you are there and you are doing what you are doing and you see these little faces at 8:30 and 9:00 it goes out the

window. your whole if inspiring these kids and giving them something else is a bit more higher on the priority. >> cheryl: there is so many ways ballet helps the community. hospitals and other places. >> absolutely. it's a very broad based activity but going into the schools as we do is very moving. last year one of the principals asked broke down and cried. we never get this kind of thing. they are very passionate about what we do. >> cheryl: and so many kids have the opportunity to get out there performing at paramount theater? >> it's gorgeous and i step on stage and the theater with all the history and gold walls and

all the faces in anticipation is very exciting. >> is it intimidating a little bit? >> i get butterflies before i go on. >> cheryl: we have a lot more to talk about. we're going to take a break. when we come back, we're going to find out why the oakland ballet is facing serious financial challenges.

>> cheryl: welcome back. our guests are from the oakland ballet. artistic director and dancer and bobby brisco. rain i attended a board meeting with some of the folks to learn about the financial challenges facing the ballet. can you tell us a little bit about that. >> some of your earlier guests

were talking about drastic cuts. so we're trying to hang in there and be careful about what we do. we have created programs like the power of many where its program where we're trying to raise $50,000 with 1,000 gifts of $50. we have raised $23,000. packages begin at hundred dollars and you can come and see the nut cracker and place an ad in our play bill. we are grateful for your support and telling folks how you can help us. i think we are facing some serious decisions. board is there to help us. they are trying to raise money and that is what the board primarily does. >> cheryl: let's talk a little more with our dancers how this affects you.

chantelle how has this affected your life. did you start with the ballet here or another ballet? >> i started training as a young girl in the east bay and then moved to the school and then went to the new york. as i got older and graduated i came back to the bay area and currently dancing with oakland ballet. this is my third with them. it's been a pleasant experience. >> cheryl: has it changed at all? >> i feel so grateful that i'm able to work and my passion is one and the same that has that luxury. to me it's very rewarding to me. >> cheryl: you get to do what you love? >> exactly.

i started at 15erforming perforn high school. the same, i've had the luxury of dancing not only in america but internationally. to go back and talk about school i'm able to go into these schools and share my art form and hopefully inspire people not because they have to but because they want to. >> cheryl: graham, i was thinking about how differently your nutcracker is. why is it so different? >> it's a later period, edwardian period. i have snowballs and candy cooks and an opportunity for young people. we have 50 people and it's part of their education. some of them are on stage for

the first or second time. they have eight minutes on stage so it's very exciting to see them, grasp their role and take it just like the professionals. >> cheryl: how do they get to be part of it? >> they auditioned and the costumes come in. its puzzle and it all comes together with the orchestra and lights go down. it really is amazing and the enjoyment for everybody. >> cheryl: do you get butterflies or made a mistake? >> i make plenty of mistakes on the stage. the key is to deal with it at the moment. if something is different in rehearsal and you make it work and carry on. that is what it will be for that

day. >> in that moment and mistake happens, okay, now we're really lights on. [ laughter ] >> cheryl: we've got 30 seconds left. you get all these people together? >> there is such a good energy in the room, i find it just very pleasurable to work with them and professionals. it's such a privilege for me and see their artistry develop and bring that to the public. i couldn't be more grateful and privileged. >> cheryl: you do get to watch them grow? >> it's wonderful. >> cheryl: we're going to put the information about the oakland ballet for everyone at home. congratulations, i can't wait to see the performance. big thank you to all of our guests today. that is it for this edition for

"beyond the headlines." all of our information, you can find it on our website at abc7news.com/community. and find us on facebook and also follow me on twitter. i'm cheryl jennings. have a great week and we'll see

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