Barstow, CA - The Fab Four gave a wonderful performance to Barstow residents in the inaugural event of the new Performing Arts Center at Barstow Community College. This was a fundraising event hosted by the Barstow College Foundation, and sponsored by Barstow Community Hospital, Burrtec, Mohave Aluminum Company, Printing Solutions, and Park University.
County Supervisor, James Ramos and District Director, Ross Sevy from the Office of Assemblyman Jay Obernolte both offered congratulatory remarks at the pre-concert gathering and presented plaques to the Barstow Community College Superintendent/President, Dr. Deborah DiThomas, and the Board of Trustees President, Marcia Zableckis. Local dignitaries including the Mayor of Barstow, Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre, and Mayor Mike Leonard of Hesperia were also in attendance at the inaugural event at BCC’s Performing Arts Center. College Presidents from Victor Valley College, Dr, Roger Wagner, and Palo Verde College, Dr. Don Wallace as well as previous President of Barstow Community College, Thom Armstrong also attended the event.
In her opening remarks, Dr. DiThomas specifically thanked Sherry Simburger, the new Civic Center Manager. “She hit the ground running when she was hired just a few weeks ago, and hasn’t stopped yet.” Sherry organized the team of volunteers from the community and the college to help with this event. A big “thank you” was also given to George Walters, BCC Vice President, Administrative Services. “George is another person, who since he came to Barstow just one short year ago, has worked tirelessly with BCC’s M&O staff, Fiscal Services and Information Technology staff and all of the construction related firms and consultants, to bring this building to completion and to get it ready for this amazing night.” Dr. DiThomas also mentioned her appreciation for, “all of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators both past and present, that have worked hard to make this ‘field of dreams’ a reality.” She acknowledged, “Our predecessors have truly paved the way to our success.”
The Performing Arts Center (PAC) seats up to 700 patrons in the new auditorium, and has an outdoor amphitheater, a “black box” theater, scene shop, dance studio, rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, and various classrooms, all to enhance the student experience at BCC and to present the performing arts to the Barstow community and the high desert residents. The next public performances scheduled at the PAC will feature the US Air Force Band of the Golden West on Friday, March 20th and the theatrical presentation of “Gypsy” in April. Ticket information will be available at www.barstow.edu
