THE BUZZ: Veteran’s Parade to include first responders; cancer fundraiser changed; ‘Spamalot’ goes on

THE BUZZ: Veteran’s Parade to include first responders; cancer fundraiser changed; ‘Spamalot’ goes on|

Veterans Day Parade to include first responders: Heroes wear all kinds of uniforms, and front-lines take place in all manner of battles. To show respect and thanks for those who’ve been fighting the fires ravaging our county, and the thousands of military, police, fire and other professionals helping to keep people and property safe during this time of crisis, the Petaluma Veterans Day Parade plans to invite all first-responders to march along with veterans on Saturday, Nov. 11. The celebration begins at noon, at Walnut Park, and the parade will commence at 1 p.m., travelling through the downtown area and back to the park. To participate, as a first responder or as a volunteer or other role, contact Steven Kemmerle at (707) 762-5710 or at nansen1k@att.net.

Striking Out Childhood Cancer gala moved to Elks Lodge: This weekend’s fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, dubbed Striking Out Childhood Cancer, was to have begun with a bowling tournament at AMC Boulevard Lanes, and followed with a gala party, dinner and auction at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. Given that the Veteran’s Building is in service as an evacuee center at the moment, organizer Heather Banaszek has announced that the gala will be held instead at the Elks Lodge, 2015 S. McDowell Blvd., Suite #A. Information on the event can be found at Alexslemonade.org/campaign/striking-out-childhood-cancer

With many Petalumans’ theater productions postponed, Luca Sherman’s “Spamalot” spreads welcome laughter: One unexpected side-effect of the current fires is a spate of planned events being canceled or postponed. Several Petaluma theater artists, who’d been working on shows expected to open Friday, Oct. 13, instead found themselves with nothing to do last weekend as their theaters went dark. Temporarily shuttered shows included 6th Street Playhouse’s ‘Steel Magnolias’ (expected to open Friday, Oct. 20), Santa Rosa Junior College’s “It Can’t Happen Here” (canceled for the remainder of its run), Main Stage West’s “Mary Shelley’s Body” (new opening night: Thursday, Oct. 19), and Sonoma Arts Live’s “The Rainmaker” (now opening Thursday, Sept. 19). Fortunately, in addition to Cinnabar Theater’s “Quartet” (See review on page C3), there were some places weekend to catch a distracting night of theater. Petaluma’s Lucas Sherman was glad that “Spamalot,” a supremely silly musical based on the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” went on as planned at Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park. As musical director of the show, Sherman said, following Saturday night’s well-attended performance, “People need this.” The sentiment was echoed by director David Yen, whose son Thomas (also a resident of Petaluma) appears as the “French Taunter.” “Laughter is medicine, and right now, that’s what we need, a moment to laugh. Whatever else is going on, this show is hard not to laugh through.”

Foster parents/foster kids event cancelled: Sonoma Foster Care has announced that its event, a conversation with foster parents and former foster kids,to have taken place at B’Nai Israel Jewish Center (740 Western Ave.), on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 22, has been cancelled until further notice. (707) 565-4274.

Compiled by David Templeton, Argus-Courier Staff?(Have an Item for The Buzz? Write David at david.templeton@arguscourier.com)

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