Piedmont High’s new theater built – now waiting on equipment stalled by supply chain issues
Piedmont High School’s new theater has been constructed. The classroom ensconced in the new building is expected to open no later than Thanksgiving but issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may prolong the overall completion of the project, East Bay Times reports.
“The lighting rigging part of the stage is on a container overseas — no date when we might get it,” according to Measure H-1 bond coordinator Michael Brady. “Lighting fixtures to the art rooms were ordered in July. We may get them in March. We’re at the mercy of the suppliers, vendor and shipper.”
However, Piedmont Unified School District board President Cory Smegal remains cautiously optimistic.
“The theater project is going well, but there definitely have been challenges from a supply chain perspective. The theatrical equipment is very specialized, and we’ve had delays in receiving it. So even though the building will be done by the end of this month, the main theater will not be ready for use. The drama classes will be able to use the theater classroom, but that’s about it. We don’t have a date yet for the overall completion because it will depend on when the theatrical rigging arrives.”
The contractor tasked with building the new theater, Overaa, has “managed the uncertainty and minimized disruptions and delays with contingency planning and changes in staffing, suppliers and workflow. Overaa searched for alternative suppliers and subcontractors, often with remarkable success,” according to Randy Booker, Piedmont Unified’s superintendent. Read more of this story.
Hip-Hop legend Kurtis Blow bounces back from a heart transplant – launches holiday tour
Now what you’re reading is not a test – one of hip-hop’s founding fathers received a new heart but he’s not missing a beat getting back on tour.
Kurtis Blow, frontman of Kurtis Blow and the Sugarhill Gang underwent a heart transplant in December, 2020, and now, he’s preparing to embark on “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” tour set to touchdown at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland on Nov. 10, East Bay Times reports.
“It’s incredible just to be in this position, waking up in the morning,” says Blow who performed “Don’t Push Me,” “Rapper’s Delight” and “Basketball.” In 1979, he was the first rapper to sign with a major record label.
The show is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. and tickets range from $44 to $82. Check ticketmaster.com for additional information. Read more of this story.
La Fontaine to expands with new Walnut Creek location
A second location of La Fontaine has opened in Walnut Creek, expanding from its current location in Mountain View, bringing the restaurant’s French-Italian flavor to the East Bay, East Bay Times reports.
La Fontaine’s new location is located at the former site of Burma Unique at 1375 N. Broadway.
Named after 17th-century poet Jean de la Fontaine, the restaurant focuses on provincial specialties such as grilled octopus, branzino, gnocchi and lamb.
La Fontaine is open Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., (2:30 p.m. on Saturdays) and is open for dinner daily at 5 p.m. Click here for more information. Read more of this story.
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