Youth + Music 2019


Birds aren’t the only things singing this spring: the Youth Music Festival is right around the corner. This April, we’re excited to bring kindie rockstar Mista Cookie Jar and the dynamic acoustics of the Oshima Brothers along with our resident High School Music Collaborative to the Firehouse stage. Jam-packed with songs new and old, music for kids and by kids, the annual festival is sure to have you dancing in your seat!

Mista Cookie Jar

First in the line-up is the amazing Mista Cookie Jar. Bringing his happy place to Pleasanton, C.J. Pizarro’s family band Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips tours the world with their blend of “Urban-Island-Folky-Rock & Roll for the Inner Child”. Using funky beats, innovative music engineering, and flowing lyrics, Mista Cookie Jar takes good vibes wherever he goes.

With a BA in English and Creative Writing from George Washington University, an MFA in Poetry/Creative Writing from LA’s Otis College, and over ten years of hip-hop production, activism, and performance, he serves as a role model for positive excellence to everyone he meets. His first album is a self-produced multi-genre children’s album, “Mista Cookie Jar Presents: The Love Bubble” [2009] which features his children (The Chocolate Chips) along with numerous musical artists from around the world on each track. All the music is original and composed as a family band. In the spirit of Bob Marley and the Beatles, all songs of the Bubble are bound together by the perennial concept of love. Mista Cookie Jar’s music speaks for itself, thoroughly energizing and encouraging the listener to find strength in one’s own heart to maintain the inspiration within one’s own inner child.

The High School Music Collaborative

With two great shows – April 13 & 18 – the students of the HSMC have been working to bring two completely different experiences to the Firehouse this year.

First, Parental Control: The HSMC takes the earbuds out and pauses their own playlist to cover their parents’ favorite music. Instead of rolling their eyes, the young musicians will play mom and dad’s playlist live.

Next on deck is Originality 2.0: Back by popular demand, the students in the Firehouse Arts Center’s High School Music Collaborative feature their style of original music in this concert guaranteed to leave you wanting more and wondering how so much unique talent can exist in one music group! The Oshima Brothers will make a guest appearance with the High School Music Collaborative.

The Oshima Brothers

Rounding out the YMF 2019 are the Oshima Brothers, sibling bandmates with a magnetic sound that wraps the senses in a warm acoustic blanket. Having honed a harmony-rich blend of contemporary folk and acoustic pop, brothers Sean and Jamie create a marvelously full sound with dynamic vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, octave bass, loops, and percussion. With engaging melodies and inspirational lyrics, Sean’s soaring falsetto balances playfully with Jamie’s euphonic composition.

Brotherhood radiates from their playful music videos, love of music winds through their songwriting, and their passion runs deep down to their roots. Their debut album, “Oshima Brothers”, released in 2016, is a collection of 11 original songs written by Sean and arranged and recorded by Jamie. The brothers live in Maine but are often on the road performing, producing music videos, and dancing.

Tickets


The Great & Glorious…


East Bay Children’s Theatre continues its long-standing relationship with award-winning playwright and composer/lyricist Ron Lytle, who has polished up this classic vehicle (Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows”) with eight sparkling new tunes, plenty of laughs and daffy new characters.  With The Great and Glorious Mr. Toad in the driver’s seat, this is one road-trip you won’t want to miss!

When the batty J. Thaddeus Toad is overtaken by motor mania, everybody dives for the ditches! Cantankerous Badger, philosophical Rat and wide-eyed Mole vow to save their friend from himself, but how can Toad resist the lure of the open road? Adventure awaits just around every bend… along with a desperate jailbreak, a band of bumbling Bobbies, and a pack of felonious Weasels.

 

Tickets & Info


PCAC Benefit Concert feat. Royal Jelly Jive


“San Francisco Soul” is the best term to describe Royal Jelly Jive’s unique and intoxicating sound. Led by dynamic front-woman Lauren Bjelde, this sultry sextet rocks into uncharted musical territories with their infectious blend of modern and throwback sensibilities. Armed with retro horns, razor-sharp beats, and groovy songs that are near impossible to resist, RJJ can pair with your fancy cocktail at that smoky jazz club or shake up even the funkiest dance party.

Tickets & Info

 


Our 2017-18 Season Is On Sale Now!

Grammy winners, hall-of-famers, legendary names and award-winning productions are all headed to the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton, California for the 2017-2018 season. The full schedule, plus ticket and membership information, is now available on our website, by calling 925-931-4848, and in person at the Firehouse Arts Center Box Office, 4444 Railroad Avenue, Pleasanton.

Season brochures may be picked up at the venue and at the Concert in the Park on Friday, July 28th (Crawdad Republic bluegrass/folk) sponsored by the Firehouse. We will also have season brochures at our first Wednesday booth on August 2nd and at our Farmer’s Market table on Saturday, August 5th.

Continue reading…


Youth Music Festival PERFORMER INFO PAGE

YMF - True Fusion - WEB

 

This page is for performers and parents for the most recent Youth Music Festival.

Please bookmark this page for your information and check the calendar often for rehearsal and call time updates.

Please double click the dates on the calendar to access more details. Look under “DESCRIPTION” for who is called, what to bring, and how to prepare


Forms & Packet

Deadline to have all forms filled out and turned in is Wednesday 1/20/16 by 6:00pm

  1. Fill out the True Fusion Emergency Form HERE.
  2. Download the True Fusion Packet HERE.

Performer Head Shots & Bios

  1. Please email Jeff (jzavattero@cityofpleasantonca.gov) a hi-res color photo (chest up) for the slide show and possible program on or before Wednesday 2/17/16 by 6:00pm. Sooner is appreciated
  2. Check back here for a bio submission form.

Youth Music Festival Staff

Mark Duncanson: Director | mduncanson@cityofpleasantonca.gov | office: 925-931-4828

Jeff Zavattero: Assistant Director | jzavattero@cityofpleasantonca.gov | office: 925-931-4854

Andrew Mondello: Vocal Director | amondello@cityofpleasantonca.gov