ON POINT - December 2010

What’s Happening with Luce Auditorium? Help Us Advance Planning!

The NTC Foundation has made significant advancements to determine the future for the historic Luce Auditorium and is ready to move forward with an important next step with help from the community to make an innovative design plan happen.

Where once Bob Hope, Tommy Dorsey, Kay Kyser and Nat King Cole entertained Navy recruits, the 1,800-seat auditorium, built in 1941, has sat dark for over 12 years, awaiting its next mission.

Already there is much demand from the dance groups at NTC Promenade, San Diego film festivals, area theatres, and the region to have a fully equipped and state-of-the-art theatre and cinema center for film, performances and presentations.

What We Now Know
Thanks to donor support, we engaged former Old Globe managing director Tom Hall of AlbertHall Associates, to undertake a study in 2008 to provide an independent assessment of the feasibility of various proposed adaptive reuse scenarios for Luce Auditorium that constitute its best and highest use, and mitigate the sound from airplanes overhead.

• The solution: An innovative a “building within a building” concept that will allow us to build a new 3-venue state-of-the-art facility that will meet the needs of cinema and performance, while retaining the historic features of the Auditorium. (Take a Peak)

We recently received preliminary design approval from the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service, allowing us to move forward.  We have one final step to complete before we invest in the construction drawings.

Show Business is a Business
In January 2011 the NTC Foundation will once again engage our consultant Tom Hall and his team to conduct a study to Develop and Refine the Operating Model for Luce Auditorium in order to establish with some certainty its operational and financial feasibility.  This will help assure that if we “invest to build it, they will come.”

The proposed Scope of the Study would include, but not be limited to the following:

• Identify User Groups from among cinema, dance, music and performance groups
• What do we need to equip the cinemas and performance venues with in order to meet the requirements of our primary User Groups?
• What are the Rental Rates of similar venues in San Diego
• How much will it cost us to operate the new facility each year? - Determine Annual Operating Expenses
• How much will our User Groups pay to use the new facility?  Determine Potential Operating Income Rental Revenue
• Will we need to provide an annual operating subsidy?

Please Help
The NTC Foundation is seeking $35,000 to conduct this comprehensive Operating Model Study, which we expect to complete this Winter.

We ask your support with a gift of $25, $50, $100 or more to help us take this next critical step to help restoring this historic auditorium for its new mission as a performance and cinema center for San Diego. Make your 2010 tax deductible contribution today at Luce Auditorium Campaign Fund . Thank you!

Welcome San Diego Fine Art Society and Velvet Klaw Studios to NTC Promenade

The San Diego Fine Art Society is opening a major new gallery at NTC Promenade, and Velvet Klaw Studios brings the art of silk screening to our growing cultural campus.

San Diego Fine Art Society (SDFAS) is strengthening the art pulse of the community through education and collaboration. By removing barriers and building bridges, SDFAS is helping San Diego reach its potential as a top arts destination in the country.

Located between the San Diego Watercolor Society and the Visions Art Museum, SDFAS is taking over the gallery and office space at 2825 Dewey Road that were previously home to the New Americans Museum, which is on a 3-year hiatus. SDFAS is calling the new gallery “Pulse” and it will feature regional and international artists and workshops.

Founding executive director April Game says the grand opening will be on Thursday, December 9, with the Society’s 3rd year celebration Persistent Illusion featuring an installation by San Diego artist Rebecca Goodman .The first major exhibition in the gallery will be in early 2011 with a show curated by local art dealer and gallery owner Alexander Salazar.

In addition to exhibits, SDFAS oversees an Artist Mentor Program, ArtPulse.TV and ArtPulse: Mobile. More information is at www.sdfas.org.

Velvet Klaw Studios will create and construct originally designed clothing as well as custom designs for specific customer needs. Silk screen services are available for artists, musicians, performing groups and businesses. Located in Studio 203 in Barracks 19, 2690 Historic Decatur Road, Velvet Klaw will sell pre-made custom graphic clothing designed in house and made-to-order clothing created from original fabric designs.

To find out about all the Resident Groups and Artists at NTC Promenade, visit www.NTCPromenade.com.

Wings & Snow at Sophie's Gallery

Buy Holiday Gifts with a ‘Creative Twist’ at Friday Night Liberty

“Holiday Gifts with a Creative Twist” is the theme of December’s Friday Night Liberty Open Galleries & Studios event on December 3 starting at 5pm. Explore the NTC Promenade Arts & Cultural district and enjoy a FREE evening of art, music, food and exhibits, while finding a great array of holiday gifts and ideas. Information is at www.NTCPromenade.com/what.php or 619 573-9300.

 

Events in our Hundred-Acre Woods

Though we’re not referencing the home to Winnie-the-Pooh and company, we are referencing our sub-section of Liberty Station. For the record, we are just 28 acres within the larger context of 361 acres. But what are a few acres among friends?

Included in The Venues of NTC Promenade are: Dance Place San Diego, McMillin Companies Event Center, NTC Command Center and the Sybil Stockdale Rose Garden. In addition, we book the North Chapel and the outdoor common areas such as the Central Promenade areas of Luce Court, Legacy Plaza and Palm Courtyard. Add to that the private park common areas of South Promenade, North Promenade and Ingram Plaza and you’ll understand the scope of what we handle.

There are sometimes public events in the common areas orchestrated by the Liberty Station Community Association to bring people from the community into the area. Such is the case with the Holiday Station event on December 11 from noon to 5 p.m. For more information on this event, go to www.libertystation.com.

Sometimes there’s confusion about the long greenbelt along the water where the parade grounds of Preble Field used to be. That area is now a city park and therefore open to the public. Ron Augustin handles that for the San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation. He can be reached at [email protected]. There is also the Liberty Station Conference Center at the far south end of Liberty Station. For more information on that venue you can email Angel at [email protected].

We mention all this to clarify what we book and what we have knowledge of. Occasionally, we receive questions regarding the other venues at Liberty Station. We do our best to stay abreast of the happenings throughout the area. But alas, we really only have firm knowledge of the events in our little hundred-acre woods, or rather our 28-acre portion.

If you or anyone you know would like to book an event in a private park or venue, please have them contact us at (619) 573-9260 or check us out at www.ntcpromenade.com. It would be a wonderful way to contribute to the success of our mission here at NTC Foundation.

To The Point ...

Dec 1 - 31 San Diego Water Color Society “Wrap it Up”
The San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) proudly presents “Wrap it Up”. Approximately 95 paintings created by national and international artists are on display and for sale. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. We warmly welcome the public to attend our First Friday reception, Dec 3, from 5-8pm. where visitors can meet the artists and members of our community. The SDWS gallery is located at 2825 Dewey Road, SD, 92106. For more information call (619) 876.4550 or www.sdws.org.

Dec 2-3 Jane LaFazio Workshop “Sketching & Watercolor: Journal Style”
Be inspired to record your life, a special trip, or your daily adventures in a loose, quick journal style format. We’ll start inside with some basic lessons, then move out to NTC Promenade to experience drawing and painting what you see outside. You will choose simple objects, vignettes or vistas to draw and paint, and then journal your thoughts and impressions. Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., $150/Member - $175/Non-Member. Visit the workshops page on our website or email [email protected].

Dec 2 Naval Training Center Historic District Walking Tour - “From Navy Base to Arts District”
See first-hand the transformation of San Diego’s Naval Training Center into NTC Promenade, a new Arts and Cultural District.  Enjoy a 90 minute walk though historic Spanish Colonial Revival buildings from the 1920s and 1940s that once trained young men for Navy service and are now home to over 40 artists, galleries, dance companies and more.  First Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Meet at the NTC Command Center, 2640 Historic Decatur Road, SD, 92106. For more information please visit www.NTCPromenade.com  or call (619) 573-9260.

Dec 3 – Jan 31 Sophie’s Gallery & Gift Shop presents “Wings & Snow”
This annual holiday celebration features holiday art, seasonal gifts and Angelic Dolls by the artists of Sophie's Gallery. Reception on Dec 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Enjoy live music and refreshments and meet with the artists. Sophie’s Gallery & Gift Shop NTC is located at 2960 Historic Decatur Road, SD, 92106 and is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For further information call (619) 578‐2207 or visit www.stmsc.org.

Dec 3 Friday Night Liberty “Featuring Holiday Gifts with a Creative Twist”
Explore the NTC Promenade Arts & Cultural District and enjoy a FREE evening of art, music, food, drink and exhibits, while supporting local artists and designers. Starting at 5 p.m. Located at 2640 Historic Decatur Road, SD, 92106.  For more information call (619) 573-9260 or visit the Friday Night Liberty webpage.

Dec 4 Girls Rock 5K Run/Walk
Join us for this amazing and fun community event from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration is open to men and women, boys and girls – anyone who wants to encourage and celebrate young women becoming future leaders in our community! The Jenna Druck Foundation is hosting their Inaugural 5K “Girls Rock Run/Walk” to benefit the Jenna Druck Foundation’s Young Women’s Leadership program. The Young Women’s Leadership program provides a path for young women to become leaders in their own lives. Our year-round program offers consistent exposure to positive and supportive leadership messages. The walk begins at Ingram Plaza across from 2640 Historic Decatur Road, SD, 92106. For more information please visit http://jennadruck.org/event-schedule/girls-rock-5k-run-walk/ or contact The Jenna Druck Foundation at (619) 294-8000.

Dec 7–14-21-28 Open House
The North Chapel at Liberty Station monthly open houses, Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at 2881 Roosevelt Dr., SD, 92106. For more information please visit the website.

Dec 9 San Diego Fine Art Society
Persistent Illusion, the San Diego Fine Art Society celebrates its 3rd year anniversary with its first show in its new "Pulse" gallery at NTC Promenade.  An installation by San Diego artist Rebecca Goodman will open the gallery at 2820 Dewey Road, SD, 92106. More information is at www.sdfas.org.

December 9 RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo
This Opportunity Expo is for former enlisted personnel, junior military officers, senior officers, military spouses and transitioning military personnel. It will be held in the McMillin Companies Event Center at 2875 Dewey Road, SD,  92106 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  For further information, visit the website.

Dec 10 Point Loma Peninsula Singers 2010 Holiday Concert
Peninsula Singers has sung at venues throughout our community. These have included: U.S.S. Midway, the Point Loma Village Cultural Faire, Southwestern Yacht Club, Point Loma High School, the Point Loma, Mission Valley and City Heights Libraries, December Nights in Balboa Park, Christmas on the Promenade among many others. Concert starts at 7 p.m. at the North Chapel at Liberty Station, 2881 Roosevelt Road, SD, 92106. Tickets: $10 at the door. For further information contact [email protected].

Dec 11 Holiday Station at Liberty Station
Free North Pole-themed festival held along the Promenade, featuring live performances on the main stage, roaming carolers, bounce houses, pony and hay rides, a Discover Liberty Station Scavenger Hunt with prizes and many more holiday-themed free activities for all, culminating with a tree lighting ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 2850 Roosevelt Road, SD, 92106. For more information view the website.

Be sure to check the NTC Promenade online calendar for all the happenings scheduled.

Please consider making a gift to the NTC Foundation to help us translate the community’s vision for NTC Promenade into a new Arts and Cultural District that will increase the quality of life for all San Diegans.  Donate now!

For information about lease space in the NTC Promenade, contact Leasing Specialist Sean Giffin at [email protected] or 619 573-9304.