Ashmolean Singers make a French connection at May concert

Four challenging and meaningful pieces of solo and choral music with a French connection will be featured at the Ashmolean Singers concert on Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Gateway.

The selections run the gamut from opera to sacred, to musical comedy, according to Musical Director Gordon Addison.

A highlight of the performance will be the appearance of guest soprano soloist Elizabeth Hunter, who has appeared in two previous concerts of the Ashmolean Singers. She will open the second half of the program with the aria “Juliet's Waltz Song” from Gounod's opera “Romeo and Juliet.”

Hunter will return later in the program to sing the role of Margo from Romberg's “Desert Song” in the stirring eight-part chorus of the “French Military Marching Song.”

More subdued but reverently beautiful is the music of Gabriel Faure's, “Cantique de Jean Racing.” The finale of the “Viva la France” section will include excerpts from the Broadway musical, “Les Miserables,” with its powerful final chorus, “Do You Hear the People Sing?”

Responding to requests for spirituals, the group will perform two in the spring concert repertoire: “Ain't Got Time to Die” and “Ain't a That Good News.” The men's section will offer the Yale Glee Club's rousing arrangement of “Whiffenpoof Song.”

Tickets are available from Ashmolean members or at the door with a donation price of $5. For information on the concert or on the availability of holiday bookings, call 256-1243.

May Special Events sponsored by the Recreation Department

The following are the May Special Events sponsored by the Rossmoor Recreation Department. For more information on any of these events during the month, check the Special Events listing on the calendar page each week, look for the article in the Arts and Leisure section of the News, or call the Recreation Department at 988-7732. Events are free unless otherwise noted. This information is posted throughout the month of May on the Rossmoor News Web site at www.rossmoornews.com.

Acalanes Adult Ed class will focus on financial basics

Learn the basics of how to be a savvy do-it-yourself investor and stop throwing money away on unnecessary fees, expenses, and taxes. Learn all this and more in a class to be held on two consecutive Mondays, May 12 and 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Acalanes Adult Education Center in Walnut Creek.

Al Hart presents a new radio show, “Aging Your Way”

Award-winning KCBS newsman and Rossmoor resident Al Hart is partnering with On Lok Lifeways and Institute on Aging to host a radio series exploring the topic of aging. “Aging Your Way” premiered April 21, on KALW 91.7 FM.

Ashmolean Singers make a French connection at May concert

Four challenging and meaningful pieces of solo and choral music with a French connection will be featured at the Ashmolean Singers concert on Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. in the Fireside Room at Gateway.

Asian Art Series continues Monday with “18th Century Kyoto Painters”

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Fourth Sunday Dance set for April 27

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Goodwill Dialogues return to Rossmoor once a month

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Joanna Kraus' children's book receives honors

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Library Association will hold paper sculpture exhibit in Peacock Hall

The Mystery Book Club will discuss author Alexander McCall Smith at its next meeting on Monday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in the Eisenhower Room at Dollar Clubhouse.

Mann and Young present jazz for Fun Day

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Memorial concerts honor founder of Performing Arts Society

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Musical drama “Once” shows Thursday and Friday

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Recreation Department sponsors Arbor Day event

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Roslyn Kind returns to Rossmoor for Mother's Day with Barry Lloyd

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Rossmoor Going Green co-sponsors Green Rheem Movie Night

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Sean Connery is 007 in “From Russia With Love” showing Saturday

The 1963 action drama “From Russia With Love,” starring Sean Connery, will be shown in Peacock Hall at Gateway on Saturday, April 26, at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. The showing at 1 will feature language captions.

Show and Tell Film Club to show 1994 French film

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Show features three comedians in the Fireside Room

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Sunday Funnies presents Julie Andrews in 1982 comedy “Victor, Victoria”

The 1982 comedy “Victor/Victoria,” starring Julie Andrews, will be shown in Peacock Hall at Gateway (on Sunday, April 27, at 4 and 7 p.m. The showing at 4 will feature language captions.

Tee Fee Swamp Boogie Band comes to Sunday Showcase

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Walnut Creek Fine Arts Festival coming up

Artists will line the sidewalks of downtown Walnut Creek during the 60th Semi-Annual Fine Arts Sidewalk Festival on April 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.