The We Players, a revolving collective of actors, dancers, and musicians, present performance events that transform public spaces into realms of participatory theater. The We Players bring communities together, reclaiming local spaces for public discourse and civic celebration through art. Extending the transformative powers of performance beyond the stage they invite collaborators and audiences to engage fully and awaken to the spectacular world around us.

In a historic multi-year partnership with the California State Parks, the We Players will bring their unique site-specific, interactive performance work to Angel Island State Park, the largest island in the bay.

We Players‘ adaptation of The Odyssey will unfold across Angel Island throughout the year, with education programs and performances beginning in Spring 2012. For details visit the We Players site.

Throughout the month of December, the ‘Angel Lights’ shine from the top of Angel Island. The lights are ‘adopted‘ by community members as a thoughtful thanks to a friend or relative, as a remembrance of a loved one, or as recognition of someone who makes this world a better place to live. In turn these ‘adoptions’ provide financial assistance for the mission of the Angel Island Conservancy in support of Angel Island State Park.

On December 1st the 6th annual Angel Lights Benefit and Countdown to the lighting of the Angel Lights took place at the Corinthian Yacht Club. Back by popular demand, the evening’s host was Doug McConnell, of Bay Area Backroads and OpenRoad.tv fame.

Guests were treated to an array of delicious fare, cocktails, raffle prizes, and entertainment by the Marian Hubler Trio and guitarist Freddy Clarke. The live auction raised funds toward implementing the Park’s recently completed Interpretive Master Plan. And, the Fund-a-Need rally brought in donations to provide dozens of children with the ability to visit the island and experience learning opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Angel Island Conservancy is positioning itself to help facilitate a revitalization of Angel Island State Park, starting in the gateway to the island – Ayala Cove. This transformative work would not be possible without the financial support of our community and the work of our volunteers in preserving our legacy.

Thanks to our Sponsors, Benefit guests, Angel Light donors, State Park staff, event host, volunteers & photographer, and the CYC staff for making it such an enjoyable evening!

Event photos courtesy of David Bush.  Click on the images to view their full size.
And, check out Marin Magazine’s coverage of the Angel Lights Countdown Benefit.

‘Adopt‘ an ‘Angel Light’

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Alcatraz Island – aka “The Rock”

Sandwiched between rainy days, the high bidder at last year’s Angel Island Conservancy’s 5th annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit auction, got lucky once again on the selection of her day for the special tour to explore Alcatraz. It was a glorious day of sunshine and stunning views!

Angel Island Conservancy’s generous Alcatraz tour auction winner shared the experience with “friends of Angel Island” and all were delighted by the “behind the scenes” tour and stories that only someone as knowledgeable and charming as the former Alcatraz National Park Service Site Supervisor (and now happily Angel Island State Park’s Superintendent) Amy Brees could provide.

A pre-tour feast of pastries by Taste Catering energized everyone to climb behind the cage where the guards watched over prisoners, explore the hospital, laundry, and other parts of the prison the public doesn’t get to see. And later, on the boat ride back to San Francisco, the group and ships captain enjoyed scrumptious cookies also by Taste Catering.

Co-hosts and former AIC board members, Guy Lampard & Suzanne Badenhoop, had as much fun as anyone – and they thank Amy Brees, the National Park Service,  Alcatraz Docent Corny Foster, Taste Catering, and Alcatraz Cruises for making the day possible.

You, too, can experience an adventure like this and others – all you have to do is attend AIC’s 6th Annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit (save the date – December 1st) where attendees will have the rare opportunity to bid on experiences like this one.

Click on the below images to view their full-size. Photos by Suzanne Badenhoop.

About Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US built fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public, and the 18 month occupation by Indians of All Tribes which saved the tribes. Rich in history, there is also a natural side to the Rock – gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare.

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An overnight stay on Angel Island “paired” with the dedication ceremony of the Immigrant Heritage Wall on the grounds of Angel Island’s United States Immigration Station (USIS).

An overnight stay at the historic Quarters 10, the beautifully restored Victorian style officer’s quarters at Angel Island’s Camp Reynolds was won last year at Angel Island Conservancy (AIC)’s 5th annual Angel Lights Benefit, by high bidders Buck Gee, Board President of Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF), and his wife, Mary Hackenbracht. This stay was made even more special by attending AIISF’s dedication ceremony of the recently installed Immigrant Heritage Wall the next day.

Buck, Mary, along with family and friends enjoyed the start of their stay with scrumptious hors d’oeuvres, followed by a gourmet dinner prepared by Jessie et Laurent, the Bay Area’s supreme in-home dining service, along with fine wines provided by AIA’s generous vintner donors.

The group later retired to Quarters 10’s welcoming rooms and the comfort of cozy beds with the following morning offering Buck, Mary, and their guests a relaxed breakfast before heading off to the ceremony.

You, too, can experience an overnight stay on the island with friends and family – all you have to do is attend AIC’s 6th Annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit (Save the Date December 1st) where attendees will have the rare opportunity to bid on overnight experiences like this one.

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Camp Reynolds, Quartermasters Warehouse and Parade Grounds

Jim Shepherd, the high bidder at the Angel Island Conservancy’s (AIC) 5th Annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit “had an experience we will never forget“ 4th of July  weekend at Angel Island State Park’s (AISP) Civil War era Camp Reynolds. Jim was joined by guests; Aileen Howard, Tom & Martha Chiurco, Pat & Peggy Duggan.

It was a rare combination of staying overnight at the historic “Quarters 10″, a VIP tour with celebrity television personality Doug McConnell, scrumptious hors d’oeuvres  and a gourmet 8-course East Indian dinner prepared by AIC Board member and international designer, Sudha Pennathur with the assistance of her husband, Ed Messerly.  After dessert, guests were taken to a strategic spot on the island to watch fireworks exploding around the Bay. Following this spectacle, guests retired to the comfort of cozy beds for an overnight stay in “Quarters 10”, the beautifully restored Victorian style officer’s quarters at Camp Reynolds.

Guests Tom & Martha Chiruco related “A good life is made of happy memories and our stay on Angel Island will be with us forever.”  Aileen Howard shares, “I have been telling everyone about the most fantastic July 4th I have ever had. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.”  Pat & Peggy Duggan chimed in with “best 4th of July ever!”

Special thanks to AISP Superintendent, Amy Brees, who greeted the group; AIC Board member and AISP Docent Linda Moore for her input during the tour; Pam Starr of Crocker & Starr wine for her informative talk and delicious wines; AIC Operations Manager, Jacquie Klose the master coordinator of the event; Joy Spicer, Corrine McDonald and Kathy Taft, who assisted Sudha with “kitchen and clean up detail.”

There are only three ways that you might be lucky enough to spend the night at AISP’s Quarters 10 . . . you are AISP staff or their visiting family, you earn the privilege by volunteering on the island, or you attend AIC’s 6th Annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit where attendees will have the rare opportunity to bid on next year’s overnight experience. It’s not too late to mark your calendar!

Photos by Joy Spicer

The group arrives at the island.

Destination... Quarters 10 and Bake House - Camp Reynolds

Doug McConnell ... heading out to tour the island with the group.

Touring the Guardhouse Museum at Ft. McDowell with AIC Board Secretary and Docent, Linda Moore.

Immigration Station exhibit in the Guardhouse Museum, Ft. McDowell.

On the tour at the Guardhouse.

The island's "Band Leader" Uniform on display in the Guardhouse Museum.

AIC Board Secretary and Docent Linda Moore sharing Immigration Station history with the group.

Sudha Pennathur and Kathy Taft - Sudha Pennathur and Kathy Taft - busily cooking while the group is on tour.

Cocktail hour... the perfect start at the end of the day.

Cocktails on the porch of Quarters 10 - Camp Reynolds.

Sudha Pennathur, Aileen Howard, Peggy Duggan, and Martha Chiurco.

Sudha Pennathur and Peggy Duggan taking in a tale by Doug McConnell.

The group taking in a talk by wine maker Pam Starr of Crocker & Starr Winery.

Crocker & Starr, the wine of choice for the evening - courtesy of Pam Starr.

The group enjoying the evening on the porch of Quarters 10 - life doesn't get much better than this!

The event hostess, Sudha Pennathur, tending to guests.

Edward Messerly "acting" sommelier.

Sudha Pennathur seeing to the final details.

Joy Spicer "stoking" the warming stove.

More food... a feast beyond words!

A festive Fourth of July table.

Finishing touches on the table.

Alieen Howard finishing "Grace" before the meal.

Yum... berry pie.

Sudha Pennathur and Jim Shepherd

Martha Chiurco, Pat & Peggy Duggan, and Tom Chiurco enjoying the evening.

Jim Shepherd offering a toast.

Doug McConnell, Aileen Howard and Edward Messerly chatting.

Alieen Howard and Tom Chiurco - loving the fireworks!

Tom Chiurco and Pat Duggan having a laugh.

Alieen Howard, Peggy Duggan, and Martha Chiurco enjoying the fireworks.

A glow from the windows of the Bake House welcomes the group as they head back to Camp Reynolds after watching the fireworks.

Doug McConnell, Peggy Duggan, Jim Shepherd. and Edward Messerly - the final day.

And then, there was breakfast...

End of an adventure, heading out to make the boat home.

It's over too soon... bye for now.

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The groups, fortunate enough to visit the island during a rare break in this year’s never-ending winter, were amongst bidders at AIA’s annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit.  Donor Deni Chambers hosted a group of adults and kids celebrating a very special birthday for a very special eight year old.  And, Annie Notthoff and Leslie Friedman-Johnson, whose trip was made possible due to their own generosity and the generosity of Donna Huggins, one of the high bidders at AIA’s Countdown Benefit , came out with friends and family to celebrate Mother’s Day in a very unique fashion.

The day started with a cruise to the island on the  Angel Island – Tiburon Ferry followed by a lesson in the physics of kayak management from the Sea Trek guides. Everyone then headed into the water to explore Ayala Cove and the beauty of the surrounding shores of Angel Island. Upon returning to the island the groups enjoyed unparalleled views of Ayala Cove and a delicious alfresco lunch prepared by chefs Joe Gozzi and Betsy Clendenen along with fine wines provided by AIA’s vintner donors.

If this sounds like a special day you would like to share with friends and family, don’t miss our 6th annual Angel Lights Countdown Benefit where you will have the rare opportunity to bid on special one-of-a-kind experiences, just like this one. This year’s Countdown Benefit will be held on December 1, 2011 at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon.  It’s not too early to mark your calendar!

Our auction bidders are fantastic, but we don’t want to overlook the generous sponsors whose donations made these excursions possible.  Our good friends at Sea Trek, Steve Hayward and Mitch Powers, who organized the trips and staff to make these events so special. It’s not an easy feat to tow kayaks across Raccoon Strait, so we really appreciate their expertise and enthusiasm! Joe Gozzi from Village Harvest and fabulous pastry chef Betsy Clendenen complimented the special day by catering the delicious lunch in the Cove.  And, of course, Maggie McDonogh, owner of the Angel Island – Tiburon Ferry. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all of our generous donors!