February 2, 2025 • 33 mins
1st segment: Rose Lucero, president of El paso Five Points Lions Club talking about their "Dinner in the Dark" event
Brittney M. Williams for The Gilbert and Sullivan Company of El Paso taling about their Valentine's Day Penzance and Romance Concert Fundraiser
Brittney M. Williams for The Gilbert and Sullivan Company of El Paso taling about their Valentine's Day Penzance and Romance Concert Fundraiser
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome to the al Paso Public Forum. Today I have
Rose Docetto. She is the president of the al Paso
Five Points Lions Club. Rose, thank you for being here
with me today, Amber, thanks for having me.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
It's great to be here.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Of course, so I am a little confused, and we
clarified a little bit before, but I want you to
clarify for the audience.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Lions Club.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I'm like, Okay, I think there's that one, and then
I've heard of that one. Are there different Lions clubs
in El Paso?
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Yes, I believe there's thirteen Lions clubs across El Paso County. Okay,
But I am president of the El Paso Five Points
Lions Club.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
And how big is this club? Presently?
Speaker 3 (01:01):
We have over sixty members. So if we are not
the largest club in Elpaso. We are just right behind
the largest. Hit it fluctuates because we induct members every month.
Each of the clubs has the ability to induct members
every month, so that can change from month to month.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
And so with the Lions Clubs, I mean again, there's
different ones and they're not. When I think of a nonprofit,
I think, you know, especially on this show, I think
of like the Child Crisis Center or you know, vitalents,
different nonprofits. This to me, the Lions Club, it seems
more like a group of people that don't really have
one definite focus. It's kind of like serving the community
(01:40):
in many different ways. So can you explain that a
little bit more to the audience.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Sure, Well, the Lions Club we're a part of Lion's
Club International, and we are a civic organization and we
have very specific focus areas and Lions Clubs across the
world focus on a couple of different areas. Childhood, cancer, diabetes,
Vision is huge for Lions Clubs. You've we've have hunger
(02:09):
that we hunger issues that we like to address, humanitarian aid,
disaster relief are to name a few. But we you know,
we we really try to focus on specific areas, just
youth programs in general that may be lacking some assistance.
So we try to focus our various community service projects
(02:32):
that we work on throughout the year to address those
specific areas.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
And what does that mean a civic club?
Speaker 3 (02:39):
It's just a group of people from the community.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
It's funny because our club is El Paso five Points
Lions Clubs. But I don't think that any of our
members live in five points.
Speaker 6 (02:50):
In the five Points.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
So if someone did want to be a part of this,
you know, because there's a lot of people, maybe they
they want to help financially, they want to volunteer, they
just don't know where to start, and they want to
be a part of helping a lot of different areas.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
How would one go about joining?
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Becoming alliance club a five Points a Lions Club member.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
So you have to be sponsored by an existing Lion
So nine out of ten times we're going to you know,
sit down and have a meeting to make sure that
you know your interests are really what our club can
meet as a volunteer, because everybody in our group is
a volunteer. There are no paid positions. So even though
(03:29):
I carry the title of president, I promise you I
don't get a penny, and I gladly accept that responsibility
of being able to serve my community with my fellow
alliance And I think that's the beauty of civic organizations
like Lions Clubs. There's other organizations out there, but I
can speak as a Lion that our heart is with
(03:52):
the community and we want to be able to give
back in ways that you know other people may not
be able to.
Speaker 6 (03:58):
So.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
But if you want to become a member of Alliance Club,
PASSI five points Allions Club. You can reach us on
our social media and we respond pretty quickly. We're quick
about that. And I think one of the great things
is this year we've inducted a good number of new members.
And I think it's really important to be able to
do that because you have to keep that keeps the
(04:22):
longevity of the club right. It's injecting new energy. Yeah,
and so it's great. I love seeing new members come
into our club and learning what their strengths are, what
their interests are. But yeah, it's been super fun. I've
had a fantastic year serving as their president.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
And with that many members, is it and I think
this would be a benefit in a lot of ways.
Is there a large age range of members?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yes, yes, So just to give you an idea, we
have a couple of members who have been part of
the l Pasco Five Points Allions Club for forty years
oh wow, longer, and we at some point we do
make individuals honorary members of our club. But then we've
got people who are in their twenties, people who are
(05:10):
retired teachers, some of us are still working professionals. So
we've got an assortment of individuals who are members.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
Of our club.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
And I think that's part of the beauty of working
together is that we do when I'm not able to
attend something.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
I have a group of Lions that.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
They're retired teachers and guess what, they can go to
Torneo and participate in a science fair for example, Right,
But I'm not able to do that because my commitment
may be still in my professional capacity. But and there
may be things that I can do in the evening
that they may not be able to do. So it's
a give and take in it, but it's a wonderful.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Balance and for someone that might because I know a
big concern when someone wants to join an organization and
volunteer is the commitment. So what if someone is going
to join, what kind of commitment can they be looking at?
I mean, how many times a month do you meet?
And you know, do you have maybe a percent that
you have to reach as far as going to events, Well.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
We meet monthly, and Lions clubs meet differently. Some meet
during the day, some meet in the evening, some meet
for breakfast, lunch. It kind of depends on the makeup
of the club. Right our club has gone from meeting
at lunch just now meeting for dinner.
Speaker 6 (06:26):
We meet.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
We meeting in the evenings once a month, and we
changed that format because it was more conducive to the
members the membership that we have now, and so we
meet once a month. And that was changed too, because
we used to meet twice a month, but because we're
so much more active now in the community that we
felt that it better served us and it better served
(06:48):
the community to be out doing things versus you know,
just meeting twice a month. It's like, let's replace one
of our meetings with the community service project. So we've
done really well and I think that the membership satisfaction
has gone up because I think there's nothing worse than
being part of an organization that says, oh, we help
(07:10):
the community, but really, how active are you? And I
think for me, my vision as president was to make
sure that that we honored our slogan, our motto as Lions,
which is we serve And so I believe between July
and the end of the year, we've already completed over
twenty service projects. Oh wow, yeah, so we're busy.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Yeah, well how many members?
Speaker 6 (07:34):
Definitely.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
So before we get into the event and the topic
for this event, I want to ask you what type
of events have you done in the past.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Can you give the audience a little bit of some details.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Sure, So one of the service areas of Lions is environment,
and we didn't make mention of that, but we have
adopted a portion we have a highway adoption through our
Lions Club. So part of our portion of highway option
is on Montana and so we have gone out several
times already in the past year just to go out
(08:08):
and do trash collection.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
So if you.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
See a group of people in orange vests on Montana,
it's probably us. Be nice honk honk honky way.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
I always thought it was people on parole.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
Nope, not all the time.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Ember it can be alliant.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
Hey you have sixty members.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
I don't know rose, you know, right, But so that's
one of the things that we've done. And we also
do that in conjunction with Troop four from the Boy
Scouts of America. We are the sponsor of that organization,
so we are very involved as it relates to that
project with them. But we've done things like we partnered
(08:45):
with Moms on Board. A lot of people know them
as an organization. We helped you a winter coat drive
for children. We secured over two hundred coats as Alliance Club,
and so we we've done that. We've gone out to
the food bank. We've gone several times where we just
go out there and whatever the food bank needs. And
(09:06):
I love going to the food bank because it's different
every single time. We have gone in once and we've
packaged the boxes that get delivered to homes sometimes when
people are not able to come to the food bank.
El Paso AND's Fighting Hunger has a service where they
go out and delivered to homes that were maybe transportation
(09:28):
is limited, so we put together these, you know, twenty
or twenty five pound boxes and it can have anything
from dry goods to canned goods to you know, juice
and you name it. But it's a very well assorted
food box. So we've done you know, pallettes and paletts.
(09:50):
We're there for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning,
and I always call it, yes, I always call it
the nonprofit CrossFit because you're you're moving in ways that
it's not until I love that, until you leave that
you're like, oh my gosh, I didn't think it was
going to be such hard work. Another time, we've gone
in and we've packaged apples and oranges because what happens
(10:11):
is the food bank will will receive this the product,
whether it's vegetables, fruits, or whatever it may be. But
they're in palettes and they're in huge containers, so then
you have to kind of they have to downsize them
to be able to give them to individuals. So we've
even packaged apples and oranges. But I think definitely the
most fun we've had is when we've had to package
(10:33):
cereal because it'll come in a palette in a huge box.
I mean, this box is ginormous, and then you're packaging,
oh my god, you know, bags of cereal and so
we left covered with sugar and it was so much fun.
But I think it's always you know, what is it
that you you get what you put into something, right,
And so our members have been really fantastic in making
(10:55):
sure that the commitments that we make to the community
are being met it. So that's another project we all should.
We also do vision screening, which is really unique because
I think that a lot of it's a lot of
people don't focus on vision, but it's one of the
pun intended. Yeah, I think it's one of the uh
(11:18):
it's one of the very first service areas of Lions, right,
and so we do vision screenings and then we give
referrals to be able to for individuals to be able
to go and really get a second look this.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
You get no pun intended, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
No pun intended, man, And I'm gonna roll out for you.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Are you don't even know it? And again if you're
just tuning in.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
We have Rose lucetto president for the El Paso Five
Points Lions Club. So I think part of the appeal
of the Lions Club in general in general is you
have kind of like a vast array of of places
and events that you can volunteer at You're not just
focused on well, which is great, but for people that
are getting you know, first getting into it or want
(11:59):
to spread you know, spread it, spread the wealth.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
So to speak over the.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Community again, you support local communities via childhood, cancer, hunger, diabetes, Vision,
the Big One, environment, disaster relief, youth and humanitarian aid.
So before I get into the event, how did you choose?
How do you choose what your next project, what your
next focus, what your next nonprofit is going to be?
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Well, we look at this particular year, we had a
planning session and on a on a specific Sunday, we
sat down as a board.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Is that when you meet on Sundays?
Speaker 3 (12:36):
No, we meet on Thursdays. Okay, the second Thursday of
every month.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
And a big thanks to Martita's Lunchbox who on Buckner,
who opens their restaurant for us to be able to
hold our meetings, which is very.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Really Martita's Restaurant on Buckner.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
We all have to go try it.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
Martita's Lunchbox the original lunch boxes in the Lower Valley
in the beller Air area, but then now there's Martita's
Lunchbox and they're they're family they're related, but we we
throw a bunch of project ideas up and then we
kind of say, you know, this is these are the
areas are we addressing first of all, all the service
(13:15):
areas that Lion's Club International UH focuses on. And you
know you've mentioned those, and so we really, you know,
we partner. For example, we have not partnered in the
past with candle lighters, but we did this year. So
we adopted twenty five families at Thanksgiving, we provided twenty
five families a full Thanksgiving meal. Yeah, so that's you know,
(13:37):
that's not that's not something little, it's it is significant.
And then but then we also you know, partnered with
the Children's Passive Children's Hospital. We have done something very
unique where children who receive treatment are able to take
a ride to their infusion for cancer treatment or other
(14:02):
treatments in these very specific wagons that have lions on them.
And we learned a few years ago, so Five Points
donated a couple of them a few years ago, but
we learned that they were very popular with the kids,
and so we purchased another couple. So now there's five total,
five little Lion wagons at Olpasto Children's hospital that the
(14:26):
kids get to write it. That's cool and it's just different, right,
Like we heard from the staff like how much the
kids love those wagons, and we're like, we need to
do more wagons. So because they're not you know, this
is not an inexpensive wagons.
Speaker 6 (14:41):
It's costly.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
We took on the responsibility of a concession stand at
the Sun Bowl.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Were those in high school as a cheerader, I can
only imagine the Sun Bowl.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
So I'm here to tell you we did this. We've
done a couple of the football games that you tep,
the Sun Ball game, and now we have the Monster
Truck shows coming up in March, and then we have
the Coldplay concerts in the summer.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Yeah, so we're going to be busy.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
So if you see the five points al Passo five
points Lions clubs at their concession stand, please stand in
line and buy from us. Yes, because this will I
mean you wear a shirt. Oh yeah, we've got blue
Lion shirts and yeah, the whole nine yards.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
So okay.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
But again it's you know, it's the spirit of teamwork,
the spirit of community and just being able to give
back in different ways. So again, we also work with
the Olpasso Center for Diabetes in April. We will be
working with them on there. They have a camp for
children who have diabetes, and so Sandra Gonzalez, who's their
(15:47):
executive director, and our club work very closely together. We
have a long relationship working together and so we're going
to be assisting them with their camp. And something that
I have not made mention of Amber is Lions in
Texas have their own camp. They have the Texas Lions
Camp and that camp is specific to children with disabilities,
(16:11):
children who are visually impaired, physical disabilities, children who have cancer,
and children who have diabetes. So there are very specialized
counselors depending on the week and which children are attending
camp that week. But it's all paid for. There's no
expense to the children, and so we work as a
(16:32):
club to recruit children who are eligible for this camp.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
So for this year, you're.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Going to focus on vision and you have an event
coming up in February. You're not only celebrating your eightieth anniversary, well,
you're celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the al Paso Five
Points Lions Club. Can you tell us a little bit
about this event called Dinner in the dark.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Oh yeah, this is going to be really fun.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
This is the second year that El Paso five point
Lions Club hosts this Pacific dinner. It's a very unique experience.
People come, it's it's a you know, sit down dinner.
People dressed, get all dulled up for the evening and
we have a fantastic silent auction first and you know,
(17:16):
a cocktail hour, and then when you come into the
ballroom you sit down. But very quickly people are asked
to put on a blindfold and a guest of our
dinner in the dark have to navigate eating their meal blindfolded.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
So that the dinner in the dark again.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
So this is going to be at Grace Gardens, yes,
oh oh no, and that place is so nice.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Yeah, that's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
So what is the purpose of eating your food blindfolded?
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Well, I think it brings a very unique experience in
highlighting you know, some of the challenges that people who
are visually impaired have when they are doing just basic
everyday things, to include eating a meal. I know that
the first time I put on the blindfold, when I
tried to eat the meal that evening last year at
(18:05):
our event, I was nervous.
Speaker 6 (18:07):
Also last year was also a Dinner in the Dark.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
Yes, oh yeah, okay, So this.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Has become our signature event as for our pass of
five points Lions Club and I people walked away with
just such a different sense of appreciation, not only because
of the physical experience of trying to eat, you know, cutting,
you know, just this simple things.
Speaker 6 (18:28):
Where are your potatoes on the plate? What vegetable are.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
You on my fork? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Yeah? And you know, sometimes perception is interesting because you
think you're actually putting it in your mouth, but if
you're not looking at your fork, you may actually your
broccoli may end up on your cheek, you know. So
it's very very interesting. But we also have a unique
partnership with an organization called Leader Dogs for the Blind,
(18:54):
and they have a very unique relationship with Lions Clubs
across the world, and so we last year we had
a speaker who was a client of Leader Dogs for
the Blind, and so BJ last year came gave his
testimonial about how he lost his vision and then how
he had the unique experience and opportunity to have a
(19:16):
leader dog, a service dog, and so he came along
with his dog, and it was fantastic. People really were
just so perceptive to his story and and just it was.
It was great. And so this year we have Timothy.
I believe his last name is. I have a new
(19:37):
appreciation for when people make an attempt to pronounce histatic
last names, and you know, they may not get it
exactly right, but you know, now I'm looking at tim
Tim's last name, and I'm like, man, I know I'm
going to butcher this. I'm so sorry, but he's going
to come with his leader dog, Glacier. They're going to
be our keynote speaker this year. So at that point
(19:57):
in the program, people can take their blindfold okay, okay,
but they do navigate the dinner portion blindfolded. And again,
it's just it's a very unique censory experience, just smelling
the food, not knowing what you're going to eat. It's
just it's very very unique.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
That's interesting. I'm looking forward to this. If you want
more information, you can find them on Instagram at Alpaso
five Points Lions Club. They do have different sponsorship levels available,
or you can buy an individual ticket and on Facebook
Alpasso five Points Lions Club and again for Power one
oh two Sunday ninety nine point nine and ninety six
point three k Hay Country. I will have that contact
(20:39):
information there. The flyer pictures all the information you need
for al Paso five Points Lions Club, as well as
their Dinner in the Dark, which I'm definitely looking forward to.
I'm going to try and make it out there. Rose.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Thank you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
Ambert, thanks for having us. We really appreciate your partnership
and getting the word out. You guys are a gem.
Thanks again, thank you.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I'm your
host Amber Vanda, and today we are going to be
talking about the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of al Paso.
They proudly present of Valentine's Day Penzance, first time ever
hearing that word, and Romance concert fundraiser. I'm speaking here
now with Brittany M. Williams, one of the artistic directors
(21:27):
for the show.
Speaker 6 (21:28):
Brittany, thank you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 5 (21:30):
Thank you so much, Amber for having us, as it's
always an honor getting to go out and do these
interviews and just broadcast all the amazing things that this
company is doing. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Yes, I think this is going to be the second
or third time that I'm going to be interviewing someone
from the Gilbert and Sullivan Company, and I'm gonna let
the audience in on a little bit of a secret.
One of the men that came in, he gave me
an acting tip in a regard that I use on
my social media when people come into the station. I'm
not going to give it away because it's kind of
like a secret society. When people come into the station
(22:03):
to do an interview.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
I have them do something I'll tell you off air.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
But I have gotten some takeaways from the Gilbert and
Sullivan Company of al Passo. But today we're gonna go
into a little bit about what is the company?
Speaker 6 (22:14):
Who is the company? What do they do?
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Brittany and Williams again one of the artistic directors, alongside
Marshall Watley, and then for this performance, Alan Thompson will
be the piano a companist. But before we get into
the concert fundraiser, Brittany, what is the Gilbert and Sullivan
Company of al Passo.
Speaker 5 (22:33):
So, the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of al Paso is
a non profit group that welcomes singers of all types,
of all capabilities, whether you've graduated, whether you've been singing
in church since you were five years old. We just
welcome any type of singer, any type of actor, dancer,
(22:53):
if you know how to do backstage work, if you
know how to paint, anyone is welcome. We love to
welcome anyone. Basically, though, the company was established to perform
the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan and to produce other
allied endeavers such as Penzance and Romance. Fun fact about Penzance,
since it is the first time you've heard it. Yes,
(23:15):
pen Zence actually comes from the Pirates of Penzance, which
is one of Gilbert and Sulvan's famous operetta, and that
one's just about parts. So we kind of took out
on a play with Romance from one of our board
members and it just it worked out really well.
Speaker 6 (23:31):
Oh I love it. I love that fact.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
So the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of olpas you said
had been in El Paso since since.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
We have been established since nineteen sixty nine.
Speaker 6 (23:42):
Oh wow, so it's been around for a while.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
I was looking through Instagram and I'll say the social
media handles again at the end, But if you're interested
in looking along with me. It's at GSL Paso, and
the costumes, the production, the people on stage, it looked fabulous.
Speaker 6 (23:57):
I think there were some kind of.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Like old school, almost like Renaissance looking performance that was happening,
and it's very interesting and looked like a you know, a.
Speaker 6 (24:05):
Full on grand production.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
And so we're going to be talking about today the
for Valentine's Day Penzance and Romance concert fundraisers.
Speaker 6 (24:14):
So this is going to be.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Happening as of the airing of the show this weekend.
It's going to be on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Brittany,
can you tell us a little bit about the show
what people can expect from this concert fundraiser?
Speaker 5 (24:26):
Yes, of course. So we do open the show February seventh,
which would be next Friday. We will be in all
pass So Friday and Saturday, and then we are venturing
to Los Crusis on Sunday the ninth. Basically, expectations just
romance love. We're trying to put together a story with
(24:48):
different music, different songs. So basically we took love songs
from Gilbert and Sullivan and we also brought in friends
from other music theater fountom of the opera. We have
a little bit of tape, a lot Tayboy Wind Beneath
My Wings, So we do have a little bit of
a mix of everything. But basically we're trying to describe
(25:08):
different types of love and we're using those songs to
portray those.
Speaker 6 (25:12):
Awesome And how long? How long will this show be?
Speaker 5 (25:15):
The show right now is about an hour and a half.
We are doing what we call a suites and treats
gathering beforehand. That'll be about half an hour before start
of the show. But that way you can meet and
greet your cast.
Speaker 6 (25:28):
Oh how nice? So is that that?
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Because I know the show starts at seven pm on
Friday and Saturday here and I'll pass so at Grace
Presbyterian Church, eight zero zero one Magnetic Street. But beforehand,
at six point thirty you're having the light refreshers. Is
that when people are going to be able to speak
and with the with the actors and the singers.
Speaker 5 (25:48):
Yes, ma'am, we're gonna have light refreshments, some cookies and
punch and hopefully we'll have a little bit of a
chocolate fountain there for you guys as well.
Speaker 6 (25:55):
Oh, that would be nice. And how much is this
to attend, so.
Speaker 5 (25:59):
Believe it or not, to attend. It is free. We
are asking for donations however much anyone is willing to give,
but this concert is free to come and enjoy.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
And so those funds go back to the Gilbert and
Sullivan Company of All pass So, so you know, you
spoke earlier about the company. They take in anyone that's
whether they have a background or they've been doing it
for years.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
So what do you all use those funds for?
Speaker 5 (26:27):
So the funds themselves, since we are a nonprofit, the
funds do go back into the company. They do help
sponsor our bigger productions that we do during the summer.
Since this one is one of our small side gigs,
we use it for costumes, for materials, for places to rent.
(26:48):
That way we can actually perform our show, to have
a venue to use and things like that. So it's
very very important. But basically everything just goes back into
the shows. That way we can give you guys a
great performance exactly.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Yeah, because material especially now is not cheap. Getting all
that stuff done is not cheap. If you are just
tuning in again, we're talking about the Gilbert and Sullivan
Company of Alpaso, proudly presents a Valentine's Day Panzance and
Romance concert fundraiser.
Speaker 6 (27:15):
I'm speaking here with Brittany M.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Williams, one of the artistic directors for the show. Now,
the show this on Friday will be Friday February seventh
and Saturday February eighth. Both of those start at seven
pm at Grace Presbyterian Church at eight zero zero one
Magnetic Street.
Speaker 6 (27:33):
Refreshments will start at six.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
Thirty and Sunday February ninth at two thirty pm at
the black Box Theater at four thirty North Main Street
in Las Crusis, New Mexico. You don't have to remember
all that information remember on Power No. Two Sunday ninety
nine point nine on ninety six point three, k Hey country.
Go look at our Instagram and Facebook. That information will
be there, or you can find them at g NSL
(27:57):
Passo on Facebook or GSL Passol on instat You can
also go to Gslpaso dot org. Now, Brittany, why did
you decide to get involved with the Gilbert and Sullivan
Company of all Passo?
Speaker 6 (28:08):
What are your passions?
Speaker 5 (28:09):
Well, my passions have always been music first and foremost.
I do have my personal bachelor's degrees in music performance.
I actually have my background in opera performance.
Speaker 6 (28:22):
Oh wow.
Speaker 5 (28:23):
I have actually been with the Gilbert and Solvent Company
of Olpaso since twenty thirteen, believe it or not. And
I was just pulled in with friends I went to
high school with. We started going to utup together and
they were like, Hey, come join this awesome company. And
I've been with them ever since. So it's it's they
are such an amazing group and they pull you in
(28:46):
and you just end up staying forever.
Speaker 6 (28:47):
You become a faner.
Speaker 5 (28:48):
Basically, yes, family, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
So when you were talking about people that can be
a part of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of All Passo,
do you accept all ages?
Speaker 5 (28:57):
We do accept all ages depend on the type of
show we are doing. Age requirement, however, will also depend
on the parent, and that is only because we usually
do have rehearsals later on in the evening, so curfew
might be kind of an ordeal for some of the parents.
But this last show we had during the summer, we
(29:18):
did Trial by Jerry and the Zoo. I also did
artistic direct last year. I did the Zoo specifically, and
our youngest cast member was fifteen years old and she
was amazing. So when it was the first time she
had ever been on a stage at Fashion, she wasn't
really a singer. She was one of my actors on stage,
but I used her and she had so much fun.
(29:39):
It was great having her there.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
Yeah, because I've spoken to well, I was speaking to
one person in particular who she loves acting, she loves performing,
and I was asking her had she heard of the
Gilbert and Sullivan Company of al Passos. She said she
had it, so I started telling her about it. So,
if someone did want to become a part of this,
how would they start? Is it per show or do
you guys like meet monthly? How does that work? How
(30:01):
would they begin?
Speaker 5 (30:02):
So board members specifically do meet monthly to have meetings
to set up the future for the company, the type
of shows that we're doing for that season. However, we
do try to send out auditionless scenes. We will send
out a tip here very shortly about the next show
that we are doing for the summer. But usually word
(30:24):
of mouth and social media has been our bigger adversaries,
especially the social media. We are trying to get word
out in that fashion. A little bit more versus going
old school and doing word by mouth. We try to
set up posters around town just to get visuals out
there as well, but it's sometimes depending on the platform
(30:45):
you're speaking through, it's a little hard to get that
information across. So we're just trying to branch out and
open up our horizons and think of other ways to
get the information out there, like this show exactly, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
It's almost like, if you want the demographic to be
like thirty five and above, you go to Facebook. If
you want Instagram, it's like twenty to maybe forties, and
then TikTok.
Speaker 6 (31:06):
I don't know, my mom loves TikTok and she's not
in your place.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
But yeah, it's you know, And it's it's almost like,
because I know a lot of the plays you do,
they are more you know, Renaissance, I guess type era,
you know, older, But then you have this new technology
to get the word out and you do have support
from the City of Alpasso Museums and Cultural Affairs department,
you know. And again, I'm this show is going to
(31:29):
be very unique after what I've I've seen on Instagram.
There's going to be dancing, there's going to be singing.
It's a great place to take your date. It's a
great place maybe if you've been married for a long time.
If you're looking for love, you know, go and you know,
if you don't find it with a person, at least you'll.
Speaker 6 (31:44):
Find it on stage again.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
It's going to be The Gilbert and Sullivan Company of
al Paso proudly presents a Valentine's Day Penzance and Romance
concert fundraiser.
Speaker 6 (31:54):
For more information, you can find.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Them at Gslpasso dot org, on Facebook at g and
s l Paso, and on Instagram at GSL Paso. Brittany,
is there anything else that you would like to tell
the listening audience?
Speaker 5 (32:07):
Just come out and support the arts. The arts, unfortunately,
is dying and we are trying to keep it alive,
and it is taking so much to keep it alive.
Especially after COVID happened in twenty twenty, A lot of
companies are barely starting to get back on their feed
and we just seed everybody's support as much as possible
to keep what we love doing going.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Yeah, go find them on social media. See what I'm
talking about. You're going to become interested in this show.
It's free show, but you can donate. You can, you know,
speak with the actors, the singers, the performers beforehand, enjoy
some light refreshments and have fun.
Speaker 5 (32:41):
Support local, Yah, support local. I definitely agree.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
Exactly, Brittany, Thank you so much for being here with
me today.
Speaker 5 (32:48):
Thank you so much Amber for having me, and I
hope we get to do this more often.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
Yes, you've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a
weekly public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio l Passo. If you
your organization would like to be featured on an upcoming program,
please email to Epforum at iHeartMedia dot com or call
us at nine one five three five one five four
zero zero. Tune in again next week for another additional
(33:14):
of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding program was recorded
at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
Welcome to El Paso Public Forum, a weekly half hour
public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio El Paso for over twenty years,
featuring local news and interviews of interest to our listeners
in West Texas and southern New Mexico. All views and
opinions expressed on this program are those of the host
and guest, and not necessarily those of iHeartRadio Management and
now El Paso Public Forum.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Welcome to the al Paso Public Forum. Today I have
Rose Docetto. She is the president of the al Paso
Five Points Lions Club. Rose, thank you for being here
with me today, Amber, thanks for having me.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
It's great to be here.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Of course, so I am a little confused, and we
clarified a little bit before, but I want you to
clarify for the audience.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
Lions Club.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I'm like, Okay, I think there's that one, and then
I've heard of that one. Are there different Lions clubs
in El Paso?
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Yes, I believe there's thirteen Lions clubs across El Paso County. Okay,
But I am president of the El Paso Five Points
Lions Club.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
And how big is this club? Presently?
Speaker 3 (01:01):
We have over sixty members. So if we are not
the largest club in Elpaso. We are just right behind
the largest. Hit it fluctuates because we induct members every month.
Each of the clubs has the ability to induct members
every month, so that can change from month to month.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
And so with the Lions Clubs, I mean again, there's
different ones and they're not. When I think of a nonprofit,
I think, you know, especially on this show, I think
of like the Child Crisis Center or you know, vitalents,
different nonprofits. This to me, the Lions Club, it seems
more like a group of people that don't really have
one definite focus. It's kind of like serving the community
(01:40):
in many different ways. So can you explain that a
little bit more to the audience.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Sure, Well, the Lions Club we're a part of Lion's
Club International, and we are a civic organization and we
have very specific focus areas and Lions Clubs across the
world focus on a couple of different areas. Childhood, cancer, diabetes,
Vision is huge for Lions Clubs. You've we've have hunger
(02:09):
that we hunger issues that we like to address, humanitarian aid,
disaster relief are to name a few. But we you know,
we we really try to focus on specific areas, just
youth programs in general that may be lacking some assistance.
So we try to focus our various community service projects
(02:32):
that we work on throughout the year to address those
specific areas.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
And what does that mean a civic club?
Speaker 3 (02:39):
It's just a group of people from the community.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
It's funny because our club is El Paso five Points
Lions Clubs. But I don't think that any of our
members live in five points.
Speaker 6 (02:50):
In the five Points.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
So if someone did want to be a part of this,
you know, because there's a lot of people, maybe they
they want to help financially, they want to volunteer, they
just don't know where to start, and they want to
be a part of helping a lot of different areas.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
How would one go about joining?
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Becoming alliance club a five Points a Lions Club member.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
So you have to be sponsored by an existing Lion
So nine out of ten times we're going to you know,
sit down and have a meeting to make sure that
you know your interests are really what our club can
meet as a volunteer, because everybody in our group is
a volunteer. There are no paid positions. So even though
(03:29):
I carry the title of president, I promise you I
don't get a penny, and I gladly accept that responsibility
of being able to serve my community with my fellow
alliance And I think that's the beauty of civic organizations
like Lions Clubs. There's other organizations out there, but I
can speak as a Lion that our heart is with
(03:52):
the community and we want to be able to give
back in ways that you know other people may not
be able to.
Speaker 6 (03:58):
So.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
But if you want to become a member of Alliance Club,
PASSI five points Allions Club. You can reach us on
our social media and we respond pretty quickly. We're quick
about that. And I think one of the great things
is this year we've inducted a good number of new members.
And I think it's really important to be able to
do that because you have to keep that keeps the
(04:22):
longevity of the club right. It's injecting new energy. Yeah,
and so it's great. I love seeing new members come
into our club and learning what their strengths are, what
their interests are. But yeah, it's been super fun. I've
had a fantastic year serving as their president.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
And with that many members, is it and I think
this would be a benefit in a lot of ways.
Is there a large age range of members?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yes, yes, So just to give you an idea, we
have a couple of members who have been part of
the l Pasco Five Points Allions Club for forty years
oh wow, longer, and we at some point we do
make individuals honorary members of our club. But then we've
got people who are in their twenties, people who are
(05:10):
retired teachers, some of us are still working professionals. So
we've got an assortment of individuals who are members.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
Of our club.
Speaker 3 (05:18):
And I think that's part of the beauty of working
together is that we do when I'm not able to
attend something.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
I have a group of Lions that.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
They're retired teachers and guess what, they can go to
Torneo and participate in a science fair for example, Right,
But I'm not able to do that because my commitment
may be still in my professional capacity. But and there
may be things that I can do in the evening
that they may not be able to do. So it's
a give and take in it, but it's a wonderful.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
Balance and for someone that might because I know a
big concern when someone wants to join an organization and
volunteer is the commitment. So what if someone is going
to join, what kind of commitment can they be looking at?
I mean, how many times a month do you meet?
And you know, do you have maybe a percent that
you have to reach as far as going to events, Well.
Speaker 3 (06:10):
We meet monthly, and Lions clubs meet differently. Some meet
during the day, some meet in the evening, some meet
for breakfast, lunch. It kind of depends on the makeup
of the club. Right our club has gone from meeting
at lunch just now meeting for dinner.
Speaker 6 (06:26):
We meet.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
We meeting in the evenings once a month, and we
changed that format because it was more conducive to the
members the membership that we have now, and so we
meet once a month. And that was changed too, because
we used to meet twice a month, but because we're
so much more active now in the community that we
felt that it better served us and it better served
(06:48):
the community to be out doing things versus you know,
just meeting twice a month. It's like, let's replace one
of our meetings with the community service project. So we've
done really well and I think that the membership satisfaction
has gone up because I think there's nothing worse than
being part of an organization that says, oh, we help
(07:10):
the community, but really, how active are you? And I
think for me, my vision as president was to make
sure that that we honored our slogan, our motto as Lions,
which is we serve And so I believe between July
and the end of the year, we've already completed over
twenty service projects. Oh wow, yeah, so we're busy.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Yeah, well how many members?
Speaker 6 (07:34):
Definitely.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
So before we get into the event and the topic
for this event, I want to ask you what type
of events have you done in the past.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Can you give the audience a little bit of some details.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Sure, So one of the service areas of Lions is environment,
and we didn't make mention of that, but we have
adopted a portion we have a highway adoption through our
Lions Club. So part of our portion of highway option
is on Montana and so we have gone out several
times already in the past year just to go out
(08:08):
and do trash collection.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
So if you.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
See a group of people in orange vests on Montana,
it's probably us. Be nice honk honk honky way.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
I always thought it was people on parole.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
Nope, not all the time.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Ember it can be alliant.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
Hey you have sixty members.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
I don't know rose, you know, right, But so that's
one of the things that we've done. And we also
do that in conjunction with Troop four from the Boy
Scouts of America. We are the sponsor of that organization,
so we are very involved as it relates to that
project with them. But we've done things like we partnered
(08:45):
with Moms on Board. A lot of people know them
as an organization. We helped you a winter coat drive
for children. We secured over two hundred coats as Alliance Club,
and so we we've done that. We've gone out to
the food bank. We've gone several times where we just
go out there and whatever the food bank needs. And
(09:06):
I love going to the food bank because it's different
every single time. We have gone in once and we've
packaged the boxes that get delivered to homes sometimes when
people are not able to come to the food bank.
El Paso AND's Fighting Hunger has a service where they
go out and delivered to homes that were maybe transportation
(09:28):
is limited, so we put together these, you know, twenty
or twenty five pound boxes and it can have anything
from dry goods to canned goods to you know, juice
and you name it. But it's a very well assorted
food box. So we've done you know, pallettes and paletts.
(09:50):
We're there for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning,
and I always call it, yes, I always call it
the nonprofit CrossFit because you're you're moving in ways that
it's not until I love that, until you leave that
you're like, oh my gosh, I didn't think it was
going to be such hard work. Another time, we've gone
in and we've packaged apples and oranges because what happens
(10:11):
is the food bank will will receive this the product,
whether it's vegetables, fruits, or whatever it may be. But
they're in palettes and they're in huge containers, so then
you have to kind of they have to downsize them
to be able to give them to individuals. So we've
even packaged apples and oranges. But I think definitely the
most fun we've had is when we've had to package
(10:33):
cereal because it'll come in a palette in a huge box.
I mean, this box is ginormous, and then you're packaging,
oh my god, you know, bags of cereal and so
we left covered with sugar and it was so much fun.
But I think it's always you know, what is it
that you you get what you put into something, right,
And so our members have been really fantastic in making
(10:55):
sure that the commitments that we make to the community
are being met it. So that's another project we all should.
We also do vision screening, which is really unique because
I think that a lot of it's a lot of
people don't focus on vision, but it's one of the
pun intended. Yeah, I think it's one of the uh
(11:18):
it's one of the very first service areas of Lions, right,
and so we do vision screenings and then we give
referrals to be able to for individuals to be able
to go and really get a second look this.
Speaker 4 (11:31):
You get no pun intended, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
No pun intended, man, And I'm gonna roll out for you.
Speaker 4 (11:36):
Are you don't even know it? And again if you're
just tuning in.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
We have Rose lucetto president for the El Paso Five
Points Lions Club. So I think part of the appeal
of the Lions Club in general in general is you
have kind of like a vast array of of places
and events that you can volunteer at You're not just
focused on well, which is great, but for people that
are getting you know, first getting into it or want
(11:59):
to spread you know, spread it, spread the wealth.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
So to speak over the.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Community again, you support local communities via childhood, cancer, hunger, diabetes, Vision,
the Big One, environment, disaster relief, youth and humanitarian aid.
So before I get into the event, how did you choose?
How do you choose what your next project, what your
next focus, what your next nonprofit is going to be?
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Well, we look at this particular year, we had a
planning session and on a on a specific Sunday, we
sat down as a board.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Is that when you meet on Sundays?
Speaker 3 (12:36):
No, we meet on Thursdays. Okay, the second Thursday of
every month.
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
And a big thanks to Martita's Lunchbox who on Buckner,
who opens their restaurant for us to be able to
hold our meetings, which is very.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Really Martita's Restaurant on Buckner.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
We all have to go try it.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
Martita's Lunchbox the original lunch boxes in the Lower Valley
in the beller Air area, but then now there's Martita's
Lunchbox and they're they're family they're related, but we we
throw a bunch of project ideas up and then we
kind of say, you know, this is these are the
areas are we addressing first of all, all the service
(13:15):
areas that Lion's Club International UH focuses on. And you
know you've mentioned those, and so we really, you know,
we partner. For example, we have not partnered in the
past with candle lighters, but we did this year. So
we adopted twenty five families at Thanksgiving, we provided twenty
five families a full Thanksgiving meal. Yeah, so that's you know,
(13:37):
that's not that's not something little, it's it is significant.
And then but then we also you know, partnered with
the Children's Passive Children's Hospital. We have done something very
unique where children who receive treatment are able to take
a ride to their infusion for cancer treatment or other
(14:02):
treatments in these very specific wagons that have lions on them.
And we learned a few years ago, so Five Points
donated a couple of them a few years ago, but
we learned that they were very popular with the kids,
and so we purchased another couple. So now there's five total,
five little Lion wagons at Olpasto Children's hospital that the
(14:26):
kids get to write it. That's cool and it's just different, right,
Like we heard from the staff like how much the
kids love those wagons, and we're like, we need to
do more wagons. So because they're not you know, this
is not an inexpensive wagons.
Speaker 6 (14:41):
It's costly.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
We took on the responsibility of a concession stand at
the Sun Bowl.
Speaker 2 (14:50):
Were those in high school as a cheerader, I can
only imagine the Sun Bowl.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
So I'm here to tell you we did this. We've
done a couple of the football games that you tep,
the Sun Ball game, and now we have the Monster
Truck shows coming up in March, and then we have
the Coldplay concerts in the summer.
Speaker 4 (15:07):
Yeah, so we're going to be busy.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
So if you see the five points al Passo five
points Lions clubs at their concession stand, please stand in
line and buy from us. Yes, because this will I
mean you wear a shirt. Oh yeah, we've got blue
Lion shirts and yeah, the whole nine yards.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
So okay.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
But again it's you know, it's the spirit of teamwork,
the spirit of community and just being able to give
back in different ways. So again, we also work with
the Olpasso Center for Diabetes in April. We will be
working with them on there. They have a camp for
children who have diabetes, and so Sandra Gonzalez, who's their
(15:47):
executive director, and our club work very closely together. We
have a long relationship working together and so we're going
to be assisting them with their camp. And something that
I have not made mention of Amber is Lions in
Texas have their own camp. They have the Texas Lions
Camp and that camp is specific to children with disabilities,
(16:11):
children who are visually impaired, physical disabilities, children who have cancer,
and children who have diabetes. So there are very specialized
counselors depending on the week and which children are attending
camp that week. But it's all paid for. There's no
expense to the children, and so we work as a
(16:32):
club to recruit children who are eligible for this camp.
Speaker 4 (16:36):
So for this year, you're.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Going to focus on vision and you have an event
coming up in February. You're not only celebrating your eightieth anniversary, well,
you're celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the al Paso Five
Points Lions Club. Can you tell us a little bit
about this event called Dinner in the dark.
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Oh yeah, this is going to be really fun.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
This is the second year that El Paso five point
Lions Club hosts this Pacific dinner. It's a very unique experience.
People come, it's it's a you know, sit down dinner.
People dressed, get all dulled up for the evening and
we have a fantastic silent auction first and you know,
(17:16):
a cocktail hour, and then when you come into the
ballroom you sit down. But very quickly people are asked
to put on a blindfold and a guest of our
dinner in the dark have to navigate eating their meal blindfolded.
Speaker 4 (17:32):
So that the dinner in the dark again.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
So this is going to be at Grace Gardens, yes,
oh oh no, and that place is so nice.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Yeah, that's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (17:40):
So what is the purpose of eating your food blindfolded?
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Well, I think it brings a very unique experience in
highlighting you know, some of the challenges that people who
are visually impaired have when they are doing just basic
everyday things, to include eating a meal. I know that
the first time I put on the blindfold, when I
tried to eat the meal that evening last year at
(18:05):
our event, I was nervous.
Speaker 6 (18:07):
Also last year was also a Dinner in the Dark.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
Yes, oh yeah, okay, So this.
Speaker 3 (18:10):
Has become our signature event as for our pass of
five points Lions Club and I people walked away with
just such a different sense of appreciation, not only because
of the physical experience of trying to eat, you know, cutting,
you know, just this simple things.
Speaker 6 (18:28):
Where are your potatoes on the plate? What vegetable are.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
You on my fork? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Yeah? And you know, sometimes perception is interesting because you
think you're actually putting it in your mouth, but if
you're not looking at your fork, you may actually your
broccoli may end up on your cheek, you know. So
it's very very interesting. But we also have a unique
partnership with an organization called Leader Dogs for the Blind,
(18:54):
and they have a very unique relationship with Lions Clubs
across the world, and so we last year we had
a speaker who was a client of Leader Dogs for
the Blind, and so BJ last year came gave his
testimonial about how he lost his vision and then how
he had the unique experience and opportunity to have a
(19:16):
leader dog, a service dog, and so he came along
with his dog, and it was fantastic. People really were
just so perceptive to his story and and just it was.
It was great. And so this year we have Timothy.
I believe his last name is. I have a new
(19:37):
appreciation for when people make an attempt to pronounce histatic
last names, and you know, they may not get it
exactly right, but you know, now I'm looking at tim
Tim's last name, and I'm like, man, I know I'm
going to butcher this. I'm so sorry, but he's going
to come with his leader dog, Glacier. They're going to
be our keynote speaker this year. So at that point
(19:57):
in the program, people can take their blindfold okay, okay,
but they do navigate the dinner portion blindfolded. And again,
it's just it's a very unique censory experience, just smelling
the food, not knowing what you're going to eat. It's
just it's very very unique.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
That's interesting. I'm looking forward to this. If you want
more information, you can find them on Instagram at Alpaso
five Points Lions Club. They do have different sponsorship levels available,
or you can buy an individual ticket and on Facebook
Alpasso five Points Lions Club and again for Power one
oh two Sunday ninety nine point nine and ninety six
point three k Hay Country. I will have that contact
(20:39):
information there. The flyer pictures all the information you need
for al Paso five Points Lions Club, as well as
their Dinner in the Dark, which I'm definitely looking forward to.
I'm going to try and make it out there. Rose.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Thank you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
Ambert, thanks for having us. We really appreciate your partnership
and getting the word out. You guys are a gem.
Thanks again, thank you.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
Welcome back to the al Paso Public Forum. I'm your
host Amber Vanda, and today we are going to be
talking about the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of al Paso.
They proudly present of Valentine's Day Penzance, first time ever
hearing that word, and Romance concert fundraiser. I'm speaking here
now with Brittany M. Williams, one of the artistic directors
(21:27):
for the show.
Speaker 6 (21:28):
Brittany, thank you so much for being here with me today.
Speaker 5 (21:30):
Thank you so much, Amber for having us, as it's
always an honor getting to go out and do these
interviews and just broadcast all the amazing things that this
company is doing. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
Yes, I think this is going to be the second
or third time that I'm going to be interviewing someone
from the Gilbert and Sullivan Company, and I'm gonna let
the audience in on a little bit of a secret.
One of the men that came in, he gave me
an acting tip in a regard that I use on
my social media when people come into the station. I'm
not going to give it away because it's kind of
like a secret society. When people come into the station
(22:03):
to do an interview.
Speaker 6 (22:03):
I have them do something I'll tell you off air.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
But I have gotten some takeaways from the Gilbert and
Sullivan Company of al Passo. But today we're gonna go
into a little bit about what is the company?
Speaker 6 (22:14):
Who is the company? What do they do?
Speaker 2 (22:16):
Brittany and Williams again one of the artistic directors, alongside
Marshall Watley, and then for this performance, Alan Thompson will
be the piano a companist. But before we get into
the concert fundraiser, Brittany, what is the Gilbert and Sullivan
Company of al Passo.
Speaker 5 (22:33):
So, the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of al Paso is
a non profit group that welcomes singers of all types,
of all capabilities, whether you've graduated, whether you've been singing
in church since you were five years old. We just
welcome any type of singer, any type of actor, dancer,
(22:53):
if you know how to do backstage work, if you
know how to paint, anyone is welcome. We love to
welcome anyone. Basically, though, the company was established to perform
the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan and to produce other
allied endeavers such as Penzance and Romance. Fun fact about Penzance,
since it is the first time you've heard it. Yes,
(23:15):
pen Zence actually comes from the Pirates of Penzance, which
is one of Gilbert and Sulvan's famous operetta, and that
one's just about parts. So we kind of took out
on a play with Romance from one of our board
members and it just it worked out really well.
Speaker 6 (23:31):
Oh I love it. I love that fact.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
So the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of olpas you said
had been in El Paso since since.
Speaker 5 (23:38):
We have been established since nineteen sixty nine.
Speaker 6 (23:42):
Oh wow, so it's been around for a while.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
I was looking through Instagram and I'll say the social
media handles again at the end, But if you're interested
in looking along with me. It's at GSL Paso, and
the costumes, the production, the people on stage, it looked fabulous.
Speaker 6 (23:57):
I think there were some kind of.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Like old school, almost like Renaissance looking performance that was happening,
and it's very interesting and looked like a you know, a.
Speaker 6 (24:05):
Full on grand production.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
And so we're going to be talking about today the
for Valentine's Day Penzance and Romance concert fundraisers.
Speaker 6 (24:14):
So this is going to be.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Happening as of the airing of the show this weekend.
It's going to be on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Brittany,
can you tell us a little bit about the show
what people can expect from this concert fundraiser?
Speaker 5 (24:26):
Yes, of course. So we do open the show February seventh,
which would be next Friday. We will be in all
pass So Friday and Saturday, and then we are venturing
to Los Crusis on Sunday the ninth. Basically, expectations just
romance love. We're trying to put together a story with
(24:48):
different music, different songs. So basically we took love songs
from Gilbert and Sullivan and we also brought in friends
from other music theater fountom of the opera. We have
a little bit of tape, a lot Tayboy Wind Beneath
My Wings, So we do have a little bit of
a mix of everything. But basically we're trying to describe
(25:08):
different types of love and we're using those songs to
portray those.
Speaker 6 (25:12):
Awesome And how long? How long will this show be?
Speaker 5 (25:15):
The show right now is about an hour and a half.
We are doing what we call a suites and treats
gathering beforehand. That'll be about half an hour before start
of the show. But that way you can meet and
greet your cast.
Speaker 6 (25:28):
Oh how nice? So is that that?
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Because I know the show starts at seven pm on
Friday and Saturday here and I'll pass so at Grace
Presbyterian Church, eight zero zero one Magnetic Street. But beforehand,
at six point thirty you're having the light refreshers. Is
that when people are going to be able to speak
and with the with the actors and the singers.
Speaker 5 (25:48):
Yes, ma'am, we're gonna have light refreshments, some cookies and
punch and hopefully we'll have a little bit of a
chocolate fountain there for you guys as well.
Speaker 6 (25:55):
Oh, that would be nice. And how much is this
to attend, so.
Speaker 5 (25:59):
Believe it or not, to attend. It is free. We
are asking for donations however much anyone is willing to give,
but this concert is free to come and enjoy.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (26:11):
And so those funds go back to the Gilbert and
Sullivan Company of All pass So, so you know, you
spoke earlier about the company. They take in anyone that's
whether they have a background or they've been doing it
for years.
Speaker 6 (26:24):
So what do you all use those funds for?
Speaker 5 (26:27):
So the funds themselves, since we are a nonprofit, the
funds do go back into the company. They do help
sponsor our bigger productions that we do during the summer.
Since this one is one of our small side gigs,
we use it for costumes, for materials, for places to rent.
(26:48):
That way we can actually perform our show, to have
a venue to use and things like that. So it's
very very important. But basically everything just goes back into
the shows. That way we can give you guys a
great performance exactly.
Speaker 2 (27:00):
Yeah, because material especially now is not cheap. Getting all
that stuff done is not cheap. If you are just
tuning in again, we're talking about the Gilbert and Sullivan
Company of Alpaso, proudly presents a Valentine's Day Panzance and
Romance concert fundraiser.
Speaker 6 (27:15):
I'm speaking here with Brittany M.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Williams, one of the artistic directors for the show. Now,
the show this on Friday will be Friday February seventh
and Saturday February eighth. Both of those start at seven
pm at Grace Presbyterian Church at eight zero zero one
Magnetic Street.
Speaker 6 (27:33):
Refreshments will start at six.
Speaker 2 (27:35):
Thirty and Sunday February ninth at two thirty pm at
the black Box Theater at four thirty North Main Street
in Las Crusis, New Mexico. You don't have to remember
all that information remember on Power No. Two Sunday ninety
nine point nine on ninety six point three, k Hey country.
Go look at our Instagram and Facebook. That information will
be there, or you can find them at g NSL
(27:57):
Passo on Facebook or GSL Passol on instat You can
also go to Gslpaso dot org. Now, Brittany, why did
you decide to get involved with the Gilbert and Sullivan
Company of all Passo?
Speaker 6 (28:08):
What are your passions?
Speaker 5 (28:09):
Well, my passions have always been music first and foremost.
I do have my personal bachelor's degrees in music performance.
I actually have my background in opera performance.
Speaker 6 (28:22):
Oh wow.
Speaker 5 (28:23):
I have actually been with the Gilbert and Solvent Company
of Olpaso since twenty thirteen, believe it or not. And
I was just pulled in with friends I went to
high school with. We started going to utup together and
they were like, Hey, come join this awesome company. And
I've been with them ever since. So it's it's they
are such an amazing group and they pull you in
(28:46):
and you just end up staying forever.
Speaker 6 (28:47):
You become a faner.
Speaker 5 (28:48):
Basically, yes, family, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 2 (28:51):
So when you were talking about people that can be
a part of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company of All Passo,
do you accept all ages?
Speaker 5 (28:57):
We do accept all ages depend on the type of
show we are doing. Age requirement, however, will also depend
on the parent, and that is only because we usually
do have rehearsals later on in the evening, so curfew
might be kind of an ordeal for some of the parents.
But this last show we had during the summer, we
(29:18):
did Trial by Jerry and the Zoo. I also did
artistic direct last year. I did the Zoo specifically, and
our youngest cast member was fifteen years old and she
was amazing. So when it was the first time she
had ever been on a stage at Fashion, she wasn't
really a singer. She was one of my actors on stage,
but I used her and she had so much fun.
(29:39):
It was great having her there.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
Yeah, because I've spoken to well, I was speaking to
one person in particular who she loves acting, she loves performing,
and I was asking her had she heard of the
Gilbert and Sullivan Company of al Passos. She said she
had it, so I started telling her about it. So,
if someone did want to become a part of this,
how would they start? Is it per show or do
you guys like meet monthly? How does that work? How
(30:01):
would they begin?
Speaker 5 (30:02):
So board members specifically do meet monthly to have meetings
to set up the future for the company, the type
of shows that we're doing for that season. However, we
do try to send out auditionless scenes. We will send
out a tip here very shortly about the next show
that we are doing for the summer. But usually word
(30:24):
of mouth and social media has been our bigger adversaries,
especially the social media. We are trying to get word
out in that fashion. A little bit more versus going
old school and doing word by mouth. We try to
set up posters around town just to get visuals out
there as well, but it's sometimes depending on the platform
(30:45):
you're speaking through, it's a little hard to get that
information across. So we're just trying to branch out and
open up our horizons and think of other ways to
get the information out there, like this show exactly, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 2 (30:57):
It's almost like, if you want the demographic to be
like thirty five and above, you go to Facebook. If
you want Instagram, it's like twenty to maybe forties, and
then TikTok.
Speaker 6 (31:06):
I don't know, my mom loves TikTok and she's not
in your place.
Speaker 2 (31:09):
But yeah, it's you know, And it's it's almost like,
because I know a lot of the plays you do,
they are more you know, Renaissance, I guess type era,
you know, older, But then you have this new technology
to get the word out and you do have support
from the City of Alpasso Museums and Cultural Affairs department,
you know. And again, I'm this show is going to
(31:29):
be very unique after what I've I've seen on Instagram.
There's going to be dancing, there's going to be singing.
It's a great place to take your date. It's a
great place maybe if you've been married for a long time.
If you're looking for love, you know, go and you know,
if you don't find it with a person, at least you'll.
Speaker 6 (31:44):
Find it on stage again.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
It's going to be The Gilbert and Sullivan Company of
al Paso proudly presents a Valentine's Day Penzance and Romance
concert fundraiser.
Speaker 6 (31:54):
For more information, you can find.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Them at Gslpasso dot org, on Facebook at g and
s l Paso, and on Instagram at GSL Paso. Brittany,
is there anything else that you would like to tell
the listening audience?
Speaker 5 (32:07):
Just come out and support the arts. The arts, unfortunately,
is dying and we are trying to keep it alive,
and it is taking so much to keep it alive.
Especially after COVID happened in twenty twenty, A lot of
companies are barely starting to get back on their feed
and we just seed everybody's support as much as possible
to keep what we love doing going.
Speaker 2 (32:28):
Yeah, go find them on social media. See what I'm
talking about. You're going to become interested in this show.
It's free show, but you can donate. You can, you know,
speak with the actors, the singers, the performers beforehand, enjoy
some light refreshments and have fun.
Speaker 5 (32:41):
Support local, Yah, support local. I definitely agree.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
Exactly, Brittany, Thank you so much for being here with
me today.
Speaker 5 (32:48):
Thank you so much Amber for having me, and I
hope we get to do this more often.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
Yes, you've been listening to El Paso Public Forum, a
weekly public affairs presentation of iHeartRadio l Passo. If you
your organization would like to be featured on an upcoming program,
please email to Epforum at iHeartMedia dot com or call
us at nine one five three five one five four
zero zero. Tune in again next week for another additional
(33:14):
of El Paso Public Forum. The preceding program was recorded
at the studios of iHeartRadio El Paso.
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