DON’T FORGET: Friends of Renton Schools will ‘Play it Forward’ on Saturday
Published 4:34 pm Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Friends of Renton Schools announced this week that it is partnering with music teachers from across the district to hold its first annual “Play it Forward” concert and swing dance tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Renton Pavilion Event Center in downtown Renton.
For the past two years, Friends of Renton Schools has dedicated the month of March to fundraise specifically for music.
“This year we chose the theme ‘Play It Forward’ to inspire our community to continue to grow vibrant music programs in the school district,” Pam Teal, chairperson of Friends of Renton Schools, said in a press release. “With generous donations from Allied Arts of Renton, the Randy Rockhill Music Fund, and many community members, all of the district’s damaged music instruments have been repaired over the past two years,”
This year the money raised at the Play It Forward concert and in the month of March will go toward the purchase of sheet music and instruments for our growing music programs.
“Many of our students do not have the money to purchase or rent an instrument and we want all students to have this opportunity,” Nelsen Middle School band instructor Joey Roberts said.
This year, Friends of Renton Schools has coordinated a student music marathon, with 11 hours dedicated to music in Downtown Renton. The festivities begin at 11 a.m. with performances from elementary, middle and high school students at the top and bottom of every hour.
Then, adding to the celebration of music, the Renton City Concert Band will play at 4 p.m.
Five downtown restaurants are also participating in the fundraiser.
Starting at 5 p.m. until closing the following restaurants will feature pre-arranged menus and will donate a portion of dinner proceeds to the Play it Forward event:
• Hacienda Santa Fe;
• Marianna Ristorante ;
• Red House;
• Shuga Jazz Bistro; and
• Whistle Stop Ale House.
From 7 to 10 p.m. there will be ‘ticketed admission’ to a Swing Dance with three sets of music performed by Hazen, Renton jazz bands and the Lindbergh Jazz Choir, with complimentary swing dance lesson in-between the sets.
Tickets can be purchased in advance using Brown Paper Tickets, or you can purchase your ticket at the door.
“We invite everyone in Renton to be a part of this day dedicated to music in our schools and encourage donations through the month of March,” Teal said.
For more information, to see list of student performance times, purchase a ticket to the dance or to make a donation please visit our website: www.friendsofrentonschools.org.
