The Center for the Performing Arts

This is my second time for a ballet performance here and both times, I had a lovely time. The center is perfect for performances, just the right size. The bathrooms are clean and there’s an area where they sell refreshments as well as gift items and flowers at the ballet performance. Parking is no problem either inside the free lot.

The M-​A Bears are bringing music and the performing arts to Menlo Park in a big Roarin’ way!
Back when I was in high school at M-​A, (no, I’m not divulging my graduating year date!) the site of this theatre was known as J-​Building. It was a dingy reflection of an era that was in love with asbestos and that horrid color, mustard yellow. I remember looking up at that nasty ceiling and seeing all the paper airplanes that had made it into oblivion. Forever stuck in that chemical wasteland, these paper wads were a credit to whoever had the best muscle and aim. Not me. I was a band geek… well, a Jazz Band Geek!
With the recent retiring of 39 year M-​A veteran and band teacher, Frank Moura, the PAC Band/​Rehearsal Room is now officially named in his honor, «Frank Moura Hall». He will forever be a legend at M-​A, having brought award-​winning jazz bands to Europe, Reno and beyond since the 70s. Frank was, of course, my favorite high school teacher! No longer on the fringes of the school grounds, the Band Room is now combined with the Performing Arts Center. From the practice room, which is big enough for sectionals, is a hall way that leads to the backstage. Walking through, I felt like the football team must feel entering the field – like a super star (even without an instrument in my hand!)
What is so phenomenal about its creation is the architectural design, worthy of any college campus. Not only is it built with state of the art sound technology and lighting equipment, but it holds 492 seats, an 80 musician orchestra pit and has a ticket booth. Its public performances serve the cities of Menlo Park, Atherton and surrounding communities. Lucky me, I got to meet the Center’s new manager, a M-​A grad and talented vocalist. It must be awesome to work at the school where you grew up. It’s «almost» enough to wish myself back into my teens. Uh… almost!
Its beautiful, metal «mesh-​like» structure on the inside strongly reminded me of what it’s like to sit under the filtered light of the campus oak trees. They really have done an excellent job combining modern touches and school spirit. The carpeting is a tasteful nod to M-A’s colors: Maroon and Gold. (Go Bears!) My favorite detail, however, was a graffiti-​like painting of a bear that greets visitors in the entrance.
It’s all about funding… this is a beautiful, physical representation of something that an affluent community has done that many places probably can not afford to do, but wish they could: Support the Arts!
Here’s to you, Frank!

The Center for the Performing Arts is the new performing arts center located at Menlo-​Atherton High School. For it’s grand opening event, Music@Menlo hosted a chamber music concert. I was able to see the venue while I was working to host a reception for the event.
From the outside, the building is very abstract looking, and there are stadium style steps that lead to the main entrance. Once you enter, the walls are painted a deep and bold red color, with pictures highlighting the building process hanging on the walls. The theater itself is very nice and has a contemporary uniqueness to it. In the theatre, the ceiling is in angular shapes and all of the equipment in the ceiling is able to be seen by the audience through mesh metal coverings.
Some of the cool things I noticed was that this new building has a great heating and cooling system, and the theater is virtually soundproof once the doors are closed. This was very beneficial to us who were working because we were able to set up, clean up, and break down without worrying about disturbing the concert.
Overall, this is a very cool venue, and hopefully one day I can come to watch a performance.