Apr 1, 2007

A new and improved Pops debuts

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

A new and improved Pops

"Everything's Coming Up Roses" not only opened the debut performance of the newly renamed California Pops Orchestra, formerly the Peninsula Pops, it projected a bright future for the transitioning 60-member Palo Alto-based orchestra.

Broadway came to the Menlo Circus Club when the newly formed auxiliary launched the California Pops Orchestra with an intimate March 9 dinner show concert. It was a first for the Circus Club, to have a symphony orchestra perform inside the clubhouse.

A toe-tapping dressed-up audience gave a standing ovation to the performance, which showcased old Broadway favorites such as "Luck Be a Lady" from "Guys and Dolls," "Puttin on the Ritz," and some newer works from "City of Angels."

Event chair Pat Gregory said, "It was fun for our great committee to plan this Broadway evening and to introduce the California Pops Orchestra to the community." The orchestra, directed by Kim Venaas, is the only exclusive Pops orchestra in Northern California.
"Folks can make us the West Coast version of the Boston Pops," Venaas said. "We're excited about the possibility of our next step being a project with PBS Radio and a PBS video. We're a cross between the Boston Pops and Garrison Keillor. It's a variety show."

Inspired by the late Arthur Fiedler of Boston Pops fame, Venaas founded the orchestra in 1989, and with the help of his cellist wife, Alicia Wilmunder, presents five themed concerts a year at Gunn High School's Spangenberg Auditorium.

Guests included Shirley and Leonard Ely with their daughter Maggie Pringle, Jean and Bill Lane, Laura and Woody Rea, Tina and Bob Patterson, and Debbie and Stuart Rosenberg.

"We were thrilled with this fun-filled evening," event chair Gregory said. "There was a lot of excitement at this inaugural event, and the guests seemed to have a wonderful time."

Committee members included Nicole and Mark Patton, Dorothea and Soli Nawas, Dolly Shalvoy and her daughter Alexandra, and Barbara and John Glynn.

The upcoming shows on April 14 and 15 are titled "Stompin and a Swingin." For ticket information call 650-856-8432.