Alameda Education Foundation

Foundation Donates $35,000 from “All Together Now” Benefit

AEF President Bill Sonneman presents check to AUSD Superintendent Kirsten Vital. Photo courtesy of AEF

At the February 28, 2012 Board of Education meeting, Alameda Education Foundation Board President Bill Sonneman presented a check to the Alameda Unified School District to support visual and performing arts programs in Alameda public schools.  The funds were raised at “All Together Now,” an annual event supporting music, art and drama.  In all, the Foundation is distributing $35,000 from the event to district and charter public schools.

“All Together Now” was founded in 2010 by Drew Harrison, bandleader of the popular Beatles tribute band The Sun Kings, and Peter Fletcher, of Peter Fletcher’s Hand-Picked Oldies Dance Party, for the purpose of raising funds for school music, art and drama programs as well as awareness of the importance of arts education in schools.  “All Together Now 2011” was held on November 10th at the historic Alameda Theatre.   In addition to Harrison and Fletcher, the benefit was sponsored by the Alameda Education Foundation, the Alameda Association of Realtors, and the Alameda Theatre and Cineplex.

Close to 500 guests enjoyed an evening of music, dancing, food and wine.  The evening was headlined by The Sun Kings, who were joined by Alameda student musicians performing the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album in its entirety.  The evening also featured Pete Fletcher’s Hand Picked Oldies Dance Party, Dance 10 dancers, and nationally acclaimed a capella group Talk of the Town.  Guests enjoyed gourmet hors d’oeuvres and wine generously donated by local restaurants and vintners.

Dozens of Alameda businesses contributed to the success of the evening through their sponsorships and donations.  A complete list of all sponsors and donors may be found here.

The funds from “All Together Now” are used by Alameda public schools to purchase and repair musical instruments, pay for play rights and production costs, and purchase art materials.  Visual and Performing Arts budgets have been greatly reduced due to severe funding shortages from the State; however, with community support, these valuable programs are able to receive the resources needed to support arts education in Alameda.

“All Together Now” follows a long tradition of local musicians coming together to support music, art and drama in public school.  For several years, the Alameda Education Foundation sponsored an annual Gala, featuring artists such as Frederica von Stade, Natasha Miller, Emil Miland and Michael Morgan, among many others, which raised tens of thousands of dollars for local public school music programs.

In addition to art, music, and drama, since 1982 the Foundation has been supporting programs in sports, science, technology and a variety of enrichment programs for Alameda’s 10,000 school children by providing funds, materials, and volunteer resources to supplement the opportunities available in our schools. We believe that thriving schools are essential for a desirable community and a promising future.

The Alameda Education Foundation wishes to thank all those who made “All Together Now 2011” such a success.  And mark your calendars now to join us for the best party in town at “All Together Now 2012” coming this fall!