Sonoma Community Center

Enriching lives through education and the arts — for Sonoma Valley and beyond

Podcasts

Episode 11: Trash Talk with NYC Legend, Debra Rapoport
Focusing on Sonoma Community Center’s Trashion Fashion month,  we interview creator, innovator, and NYC legend Debra Rapoport who has listened to her heart and let it guide her into a  wildly creative and adventurous life. Working with non-traditional and repurposed materials since the 1960’s, she creates hats and accessories out of using found material. She is an Instagram sensation, star of Advanced Style and shares her motto,  “Where there is creativity, there are no rules and when there are no rules – there are no rules.”  Back as a third time Trashion Fashion runway judge, we are delighted to hear Debra’s story. 
Episode 10: Ellen Toscano – Hustle and Flow
We interview Ellen Toscano, a woman of many talents and one wears many hats! From a national Fundraising Consultant and Singing Auctioneer to  Reiki Master teacher and founder of  Toscano Reiki, Ellen balances the hustle with grace and flow.  Starting as a dancing bon bon n the Nutcracker right here at the Sonoma Community Center as a child,  Ellen takes us on her journey through sports, NYU,  being a popular performer in San Francisco’s long running Beach Blanket Babylon, a stint at Transcendence Theater, and becoming a top national Rodan and Fields Consultant. Beyond the glitz and glamour – Ellen gets real about performer burnout, family, finding love and Kissing the Ring” her fiance had to endure to win over her  fun loving Italian family. Enjoy the exuberant stories of Ellen Toscano! We also share the full 2023 Trashion Fashion schedule of events from the runway show, Trashion Barbies exhibit to Dogs on the Catwalk! 
Episode 9: The many lives of Fred DeWitt
In this episode, we interview 2023 current Sonoma Ceramics Artist-in-Residence, Fred Dewitt. Fred is an African American interdisciplinary artist with a disability who is researching and exploring ways to deconstruct notions of white supremacy as it is promoted in early American art. DeWitt’s artwork reflects the life he has lived and what a story it is. A truly moving and inspirational man, he shares his upbringing in Berkeley, sailing the CA coast solo, seed bombs, and more. Fred’s work is about the challenges of urban life and the beauty of our united human conquest. 
Episode 8: Storytelling: The Podcaster & The Dancer
In this episode, we feature podcaster and KSVY Radio host Francisco Kilgore and dancer/choreographer/performer Jessica Fudim. “Everyone has a story” is Francisco’s motto and today we turn the tables by interviewing one of the Sonoma podcast  OGs! A little family story of his Brazilian and wild west roots, how he “uncorks” a story, and what he is up to these days! The current Community Center’s dance artist in residence, Jessica Fudim returns to the roots in Sonoma and shares her passion for dance, storytelling, and connection. She shares about Venomous, her full-length, dance theater that digs deep into the legend of Medusa and invites the audience to see things from Medusa’s perspective.  Always the question of what’s for lunch, a shout for our favorite taquerias, and a call out to all those who want to participate in our creative sustainability events, Trashion Fashion Sonoma 2023! 
Episode 7: Scoop on the Scream filming & the School of Clay
It’s here Scream the Movie fans! Celebrating our 70th birthday with ongoing history segments, it’s the scoop from Dan Casabonne, who was the Asst. Executive Director in 1996 when Scream was filmed at the Sonoma Community Center. He talks about how he wheeled and dealed a contract with the Scream production company, the real deal with filming and downtime on the set, what didn’t happen with a “friend” at the wrap up cast party as well as a parting gift Dan received, commemorating Woodsboro High School.  Plus he reiterates the importance of supporting non profits especially – you guessed it – Sonoma Community Center!  Keeping up with current going ons at the Center, we interview the Director of Ceramics, Meg Billingham. She schools us in clay, shares her idyllic small town roots and the wonder and connection of ceramics, art and nature. Newsflash on upcoming Chili Bowl Ceramics Fundraiser as well as Gerardo shares where caesar salad was really  invented! 
Episode 6: Time Machine
History storytellers unite! A Sonoma Community Center 70th Birthday special filled with stories of a cheap bid for the historic building, time capsule, shooting ranges and a love story. We kick off our 70th birthday and upcoming gallery exhibit “That 70th Show” with an interview of the SCC historian and artist; Mike Acker, founder of our Sonoma Ceramics program, Tom Collins and godson, Gordon Lindberg of the Center’s founder Carrol Andrews. More segments of Green Day shows and Scream the movie to follow in upcoming episodes. Please subscribe, friends!
Episode 5: Thank you 2022, Hello 2023!
We capture the holiday nuttiness and love by hosting a “stop by” podcast party with some of our SCC staff here at the Community Center! We share some laughs, insight and get the scoop from the programming team on 2023 classes, projects, and events! There’s a surprise visit from our nosy SCC mascot puppet, Oscar, and his interview with Jill Valivanis, Visual Arts Program Director, and her guest artist, Nikki Wildeflower from the ArtSurround project of Creative Sonoma. Reniel Del Rosario (episode 2 guest )visits, What’s For Lunch segment guest,Josh Cutler catches up with Gerardo, and Molly shares why and how to support your fave non-profit, Sonoma Community Center. Happy Holiday folks and see you in the new Program Team: Meg Billingham (Ceramics), Elisa Gonzales (Culinary) & Lexi Bakkar (Youth.)
Episode 4: What are you wearing?
In this episode, we interview Margaret Hatcher (not Thatcher, The Iron Lady!) but the mind-blowing Costume Designer and Artist. Be it an outfit made of a thousand Christmas lights, a dress of recycled ticket stubs, larger-than-life puppets, or a wearable hat replica of our Sonoma Community Center (complete with the exact amount of windows) – Margaret takes it to the next level! Founder of our beloved event Trashion Fashion Sonoma event, SCC Special Projects, and Fiber Arts Manager Manager from 2007 – 2017 as well as talented uke player and singer – we hear all about her upbringing, adventures in South America, and stories about the Community Center and of course what’s next in her creative journey
Episode 3: What’s for Lunch?
It’s all about food in episode 3! First up, we interview the Sonoma Community Center Culinary Arts Director, Elise Sahota – Gonzales. Spearheading the Community Kitchen program, Elise shares the food clubs, the partnerships, and classes taking place at the Center. She also talks about being a 6th generation Sonoman, living in India, and her vision for a delicious future.
In the “what’s for lunch segment” – we talk to Josh Cutler, Director of Operations about best places to eat in Sonoma Valley and talk a little turkey about the free Thanksgiving that we host every year for the community.
Episode 2: Is it real or is it MOFO?
In episode two, we deep dive into the thriving world of Sonoma Ceramics and interview emerging Artist in Residence, Reniel del Rosario! He shares his upbringing, upcoming Gallery 212 exhibit; MOFO ( Museum of Found Objects), “bootleg” work, and his penchant for creating fake establishments that question acquisitions, appropriation, art, and antiquity. We also got ya covered on the upcoming holiday workshops and events at The Center!
Episode 1: We all Scream for the Community Center!
In this inaugural episode, we introduce you to the Sonoma Community Center! A historic 108-year-old building that is the heart of Sonoma Valley and where creativity and community come together. We bring you stories past and present, current info on art and cultural classes, and interviews with the people and artists who walk through these historic doors.

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