Debbie Croft: Telling tales and making music in the foothills

Once the fog clears and tiny buds appear on surrounding trees, not only is it a sign that spring is here – or just around the corner – it means events are filling calendars in our foothills communities.

The unique sounds of the Moke Hill Music Festival Ensemble will be featured in Angels Camp with the Ovations 2016 Performing Arts Series.

On Sunday, Allen Biggs will lead a percussion group with a variety of familiar and not-so-familiar instruments. Biggs started the festival to highlight musical invention and innovation.

Proceeds from the benefit concert will go to the Calaveras Community Foundation and the Butte Fire Disaster Relief Fund.

The performance begins at 3 p.m. at the Dr. Elliott Smart Performing Arts Center, Bret Harte High School Theater, 323 Highway 49 in Angels Camp. For more information, call the Calaveras Arts Council at 209-754-1774 or visit www.calaverasarts.org.

Brittney Bertier and Russell Garrett star in Sierra Repertory Theatre’s production of “My Fair Lady,” opening Feb. 27. The play runs through April 24 at East Sonora Theatre.

Both say they’re up to the challenge of fulfilling their dreams in playing such classic, well-loved roles.

This story, woven with the musical compositions of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, was an instant Broadway hit in 1956, rendering the characters of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins unforgettable.

My Fair Lady is SRT’s 2016 season opener. Visit www.sierrarep.org for details and showtimes. More about the production will be featured in an upcoming column.

Mariposa’s Storytelling Festival brings the most delightful talent for this annual event, held during the second weekend in March.

Charlotte Blake Alston, Donald Davis, MaryGay Ducey and Joel ben Izzy are on the program, as well as Angela Lloyd and Jim May.

Lloyd captivates audiences through story and song. Some refer to her as a “one-woman band” with her skills on the guitar, autoharp and washboard.

Children will be treated to their very own concert of Lloyd’s stories and folk songs at 2 p.m. on March 12 in the Fiester Auditorium at Mariposa County High School. Admission is free for children accompanied by an adult.

ASL interpretation for the hearing-impaired will be available at the Children’s Story Concert.

May is an Emmy Award storyteller, a humorist, author and schoolteacher. His comical tales have been collected over the years from his German Catholic roots. Founder of the Illinois Storytelling Festival, he broadcasts regularly on National Public Radio.

The festival takes place in Mariposa on March 11 and 12. On March 13, the festival moves to Yosemite National Park for the finale in the East Auditorium at the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center.

Tickets may be ordered online or purchased at the door, with the exception of the Yosemite concert tickets which must be pre-purchased.

Call 209-966-3155 or 800-903-9936, or see www.mariposaartscouncil.org for details.

In preparation for the busy summer tourist season, Tenaya Lodge will host several career fairs. The luxury resort is located at 1122 State Route 41, Fish Camp, near the south gate of Yosemite National Park.

The lodge is planning to hire nearly 100 employees for multiple hospitality positions, and will continue to hold career fairs at the resort through May.

Candidates must complete the online application prior to attending the fair, and should bring a current résumé and list of work-related references. Some interviews will be conducted at the fairs.

A complete list of positions is available at www.tenayalodge.com/jobs. Those interested may call 559-692-8925.

The First Baptist Church of Mariposa is preparing for its annual Ladies Leap F.R.O.G. Spring Retreat. Tricia Stertz will speak on the topics of growing faith and new life in Jesus, on March 18-19. Stertz and her husband are missionaries with Couriers for Christ, based in Wisconsin.

This event starts March 18 at 4:30 pm with a beverage reception, and ends with an alfresco lunch March 19. The cost is $25 and includes meals and more.

The church is at 5005 Frank Wilson Road, behind Cal Fire off State Highway 49 North. For details, email mariposafbcladiesretreat@gmail.com or call 209-628-6996.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Telling tales and making music in the foothills."