Alameda, CA - Legendary Clown Duo reunite to raise funds for public schools

Actor and Clown Jeff Raz has once again assembled a stageful of highly-acclaimed acrobats, clowns, jugglers, and musicians to bring the Circus to Alameda on Sunday, November 6, 2005. The cast includes Diane Wasnak who starred with Raz as the dynamic duo known as Pino and Razz, the pair that headlined the Pickle Family Circus for most of the 90s. As they did last year, all the performers are donating their time to support arts education in Alameda public schools.

Another performer joining the cast this year is Aloysia Gavre an enigmatic aerialist who grew up in the San Francisco Circus scene. Gavre, who performed with Cirque de Soleil and the Pickle Family Circus is currently directing the 2005 New Pickle Circus Show for Circus Center San Francisco. She began performing when she was in high school. "It is such a treat to be able to give back something for a cause I really believe in," says Gavre. "I gained a love of the arts in school, and kids today should also be afforded that opportunity."

Raz's Circus for Arts in the Schools is in its second year. Last year's Circus was a tremendous success allowing Paden School in Alameda, where Raz's son attends third grade, to implement the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts (JMCA) Institute Program. This form of arts education joins performing and visual artists with classroom teachers and media specialists. As a team, they develop lesson plans for the students based on the integration of visual and performing arts with academics. Proceeds from the 2005 Circus for Arts in the Schools will make it possible for the expansion of the JMCA Program to include three schools in Alameda Unified School District: Otis, Paden and Washington. It is Raz's hope that this event will raise both funds and awareness of the importance of arts education.

Unfortunately, there are not enough public funds available for arts education. That's why Raz is turning to the private and corporate donors for support. He hopes to raise $30,000 through corporate sponsorships and ticket sales from Circus for Arts in the Schools.

What: 2nd Annual Circus for Arts in the Schools
When: Sunday, November 6, 2005- 2 shows 11:00 and 1:30pm
Where: Kofman Auditorium, 2200 Central Ave., Alameda, CA 94501

For more information about the event, log on to www.friendsofpaden.org or contact Pam Arneson at 510-522-5178.