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Volunteer at new Firehouse Arts Center
Orientations begin tomorrow for theater, art gallery

by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

The Firehouse Arts Center, which is hosting its Grand Opening next Saturday, has volunteer opportunities for theater ushers and art gallery docents.

The Volunteer Usher Program is integral to the Firehouse experience, said its organizers, and is open to those 16 and older. Ushers scan tickets, help seat patrons, and assist the house manager in making the theater-going experience an enjoyable one.

The Harrington Gallery Attendant volunteers, who must be 21, staff the gallery desk during the facility's open hours, greeting visitors and providing a friendly, welcoming and watchful presence.

The first orientations, which are mandatory, are scheduled for tomorrow with the theater orientation at 10 a.m. and the gallery orientation at 11:30 a.m. Volunteer schedules for the first four-six weeks of programming will be confirmed that day.

Those who wish to attend tomorrow's orientation must register at the volunteer site: www.helplendahand.org.

A second volunteer orientation will be held once the Firehouse Arts Center has been open for several weeks and additional volunteer needs have been identified. The center is located at 4444 Railroad Ave. in downtown Pleasanton.

The free Grand Opening on Sept. 18 begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m. with artist demonstrations, live music, theater performances, self-guided tours of the facility, art activities for children and refreshments. Pleasanton Community Concert Band will take the stage at 10:30 a.m.; Livermore Valley Opera soprano Jillian Boye and baritone Sascha Joggerst will perform in the afternoon.

The Firehouse Art Center's first season kicks off the following weekend with performances by master jazz guitarist Earl Klugh on Sept. 24; composer musician Mose Allison on Sept. 25; and pianist Evelyne Brancart in a Chopin piano concert on Sept. 26. The Harrington Art Gallery is presenting "First at the Firehouse," a visual arts exhibit by the Pleasanton Art League, which will host an opening reception from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 19.

Tickets for all performances can be purchased online at www.firehousearts.org, by phone at 931-4848, or in person starting today at the Firehouse Arts Center box office, open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, and two hours prior to each performance.