AHWAHNEE — Join us for a semi-formal evening of great food by Willow Creek Catering, dancing to live music by jazz combo Blue Skies Trio, and auctions to benefit the Vision Academy of the Arts Scholarship Fund. Enjoy performances and presentations by scholarship applicants and see the wonderful talent that your generous donations support. The event will be held at the beautiful Sierra Meadows in Ahwahnee.
Date & Time: Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $50 per person. For ticket information, please click here.
- Scholarship Applicant Demonstrations
- Live and Silent Auctions
- Live Music by Blue Skies Trio
- Dinner by Willow Creek Catering
- No-Host Bar
Dinner Menu
- Lemon Herb Chicken (vegetarian option available*)
- Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes
- Sweet Onion Green Beans
- Garden Salad with Ranch or Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Dinner Rolls with Whipped Herb Butter
*Please e-mail visionacademyofthearts@gmail.com by April 9th if you would like the vegetarian option or would like us to work with any other dietary restrictions.
About Willow Creek Catering
Dawn Pliche’.
Owner and culinary expert of Willow Creek Catering, Dawn Pliche’ has been a head chef in the Yosemite, Oakhurst, and Central Sierra Mountain area for over 15 years. Dawn has worked at Ducey’s on the Lake, a fine dining restaurant located at The Pines Resort at Bass Lake; Sierra Sky Ranch Resort in Oakhurst; and South Gate Brewing Company in Oakhurst, where she designed the menu that put them on the map as one of Oakhurst’s great places to eat. She has obtained a celebrated reputation in the area for her professional skills, unique flavors, creative flare and unmatched enthusiasm.
About Blue Skies Trio
Greg Ennis, piano and keyboards
Greg Ennis.
Coming out of the San Francisco area scene, where he played, composed, and arranged for the seminal jazz group Molto Boppo, Greg is now based in Mariposa, CA. He weaves into his jazz playing extensive experience with various genres – including classical piano, 60’s R+B (with the Bay Area band Midnight Hour), and Latin styles (with the Central California group Montage).
Greg was recently a 2014-15 “Artist in Residence” for the Mariposa County Arts Council and the Mariposa County Unified School District, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Greg’s website can be found at www.gregennis.com.
Kevin McHatten, drums
“Wireless,” the new CD by Blue Skies Trio.
Kevin has been a professional drummer/ percussionist for nearly three decades and has performed with over fifty groups in the U.S.A., Japan, and Australia. A versatile performer and recording artist, Kevin has played a wide range of musical genres ranging from Americana (“The Roger Perry Band”, Fresno, CA), to Swing/Jazz (“The Viper Six”, San Luis Obispo, CA.), to Dixieland and Boogie Woogie (“Jambalaya Skillet”, Hanford, CA.).
Perhaps best known for his extensive experience as a blues drummer, Kevin was honored to have performed with the legendary Bo Diddley. Currently based in Mariposa, CA., Kevin is also a photographer and a writer. His plays have been staged at various theaters in California and New York.
Nye Morton, acoustic bass
Nye Morton.
Born and raised in Berkeley, California, Nye was exposed to classical music at an early age and played piano and ‘cello, but by high school had lost interest in both. After several false starts he eventually settled on a music major at the University of California, graduated with a B.A., and moved to Los Angeles, where he found employment in music recording. Exposure to other types of music and an entirely different sort of “serious” musician eventually inspired him to get back into playing, this time with the double bass.
After more than 20 years as an engineer in various Hollywood studios, doing records, film and television scoring, and post-production mixing, Nye moved to the Central Valley. He is still involved in both recording and sound reinforcement as an engineer and producer, and teaches audio engineering and ear training at Fresno City College. However, these days he plays as much as he can — mostly jazz — and is hardly ever cranky.
In Case You Missed It: Blue Skies Trio And Green Machine Headline Outdoor Concerts
Blue Skies Trio.
Sierra Meadows
46513 Opah Drive
Ahwahnee, CA 93601
833-966-1999
