Newly formed non-profit organization Project Oasis, Los Cerritos Elementary School and local business owners are teaming up to find creative ways to fund important school programs. The first project will be a benefit concert, “The Spring Fling,” on Friday, March 21. Seating is limited in the school’s auditorium so two shows will take place, one at 5:30 p.m. and another at 7 p.m.
“We are trying to raise awareness for the plight of the arts in our schools and create the sense of community many of us felt growing up,” Los Cerritos volunteer Kelli Johnson said. “All of the money raised will go directly to art and music programming. Community events are wonderful, because they create memories for the kids and bring people out to get connected.”
Peter Dopulos and Keith Lewis, founders of Project Oasis, echoed Johnson’s passion when explaining their organization’s reasons for supporting the Spring Fling.
“The goal of Project Oasis is to strengthen the community through the arts and bring together artists, educators, business owners and the public to participate in art events,” said Lewis. “As Long Beach residents with school-age children, we felt it was important to help out such a worthy cause as raising money to enhance our children’s education.”
Los Cerritos parent, Poly High teacher and mandolin player Dave Burns, has volunteered his award-winning Celtic band The Sligo Rags to headline the evening’s entertainment. Voted best folk band in Orange County, The Sligo Rags have made appearances locally at Four Olives Café, the Auld Dubliner. The Celtic Beat magazine, Music Connection, and OC Live!, all sing their praises.
“Both of my kids attend Los Cerritos and I see some of the struggles the school is experiencing in terms of arts funding. Since we are essentially a Celtic band, this is our busiest time of year, but this date turned out to be agreeable for all parties involved,” said Burns who added that the band will also have a performance at the Auld Dubliner later that same night.
Additional events scheduled for the Spring Fling include a taco bar hosted by Brite Spot, bake sale, Girl Scout cookies and a photo booth from Ogg Studio.
The show will take place in the Los Cerritos auditorium at 515 West San Antonio Drive on Friday, March 21 at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. They are on sale online at www.LosCerritos Elementary.com, or stop by the school to buy tickets in person. Tickets will also be sold on Friday, March 14 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in front of the school.
Seating is limited to the first 250 people per show.
Those who can’t attend the show can still donate to the school. Visit www.LosCerritosElementary.com for a variety of giving opportunities or contact donation coordinators by sending email to Los Cerritos@mac.com.
Johnson looks forward to working with Project Oasis and creating more community events like this one to bring parents and children together to celebrate the arts.
“If kids are not exposed to art and music in addition to the required academics, they might miss their true calling. They need to have many kinds of learning experiences to grow to develop their minds. We all need to nurture our creativity,” she said.
To stay informed about future events, visit the parent-run blog at www.LosCerritosElementary.com.
For more information about Project Oasis and to join the mailing list visit www.project-oasis.org.
