Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 33

SUNDAY. December 14. 1997 THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE Tis the season for folks to visit the Paramount Seniors, youths; bridge age gap through music ByAnmGonMn COMESFONKNT OAKLAND A new wave oft songwriters is coming onto fluffs music scene. They are feisty and foil of ideas, but tend to be i little forgetful. write songs about first kisses, boogfe monsters and flower ranches.

They are local') elders many with dementia or Alzheimer's. And they are participating inia Songwriting Works, a projecth which brings them together wlttot youths to compose and perform original songs. Songwrltlngii Works alms to restore mustab into seniors' lives and to pro- vide a creative way for the two; generations to connect "There are natural llnks te- tween old and young," said Ju-dith Kate Friedman, founder Ofrj Songwriting Works. "They arpjj both isolated from the commju nity and they both have storiep to telL A song has a life own that connects them and breaks that Isolation. Friedman, whose long blacky 1 curly hair rests on her guitar as'T she sings the seniors' words, said songwriting gives pedpfe'l chance to make their own entec-J talnment and to use their taajjj; nation.

"People -really come to when they write songs," Friedman. "The combination ofTj wends, music, beats and orfes realty draws creativity11 out11 -j. She holds workshops senior centers, dementia unititel retirement communities 'an schools. At a typical session, partidr pants brainstorm on. a gtyefHf topic fishing, gardening, dancing.

Friedman forms their verbatim memories and thoughts Into verses and a along chorus. She listens for-i rhythms In speech and natural- storytellers In the group. -Depending on the mood orj the weather, an Idea sessional may produce a somber ballart-or a Ught-hearted tune. One song, "The Silliest Thing I Ever Saw," talks about dogs riding waves and potatoes doing theCy mamba Another reminisces T1 time to take in the sights and sounds here is no better sights of Oakland's owb National Historic Landmark, the majestic Para- mount Theatre. Onstage for performances through Thursday Is the Oakland Ballet's "Nutcracker," a holiday tradition for old and young alike.

1998 will mark 25 years since the Paramount reopened alter a 1 painstaking restoration undertaken by blends and supporters of the East Bay Symphony. Under the direction of General Manager Peter Botto, the historic theater's conversion into a performing arts center, back in 1972, sparked a national trend. The renovation took nine months to complete at a cost of just under $1 million. The Paramount's original grand opening took place 66 years ago oa Dec. 16.

1931 at a time when the deep Depression was taking hold across the country. Architect's commission A young Oakland-born archl-' tect Timothy Pilueger with two Impressive San Francisco commercial highrlses in the modem Art Deco style already to his credit received the commission to lay out the Oakland complex. The owners of the project Publix Theatre Corporation (the exhibition wing of Paramount Pictures in Hollywood) were accustomed to using a architectural firm which special-. lzed in Chateauesque andor Byz-antlne-style movie palaces. Publix was convinced to try Pflueger's cufting-edge state-of-the-art approach, and the result is an unqualified masterpiece.

Pilueger had an artistic designer's eye for creating buildings that became theframework lor decorative expression. His genius lay in assembling the efforts of skilled artisans to embellish what essentially started out as a mammoth closed box. Life Magazine called the Art Deco style "bold and brassy as A jazz band sleek as a Deusenberg bizarre as an Aztec temple in a Hollywood sunset" The style, which took its name from a 1925 Paris exposition, the Internationale des Arts Decoratils et Industries Modernes a groundbreaking event that galvanized the art world soon began turning up everywhere. Ubiquitous art deco From toes of shoes to tops of skyscrapers, it succeeded in combining the look of a machine-age product with die luxurious effects produced by a skilled artisan. For die Paramount Pflueger's team made use of lavishly tooled metal grlllwork screens and intoxicating indirect lighting of varying hues to create a stunning Iridescent environment.

Abstract Aztec figures, undulating floral patterns, brilliant gold-leafing throughout no description can quite capture the dizzying atmosphere. To say that nothing like It could be created today would be stating the ob-' vlous. When the distinctive vertical Paramount sign is lit up, downtown takes on a revitalized air. Puppeteers Twin panels of maroon gold and black, 100 feet high- frame the sign. Male and female puppeteer figures, crowned with stars, hold golden strings dangling smaller figures representing various performing arts.

The mosaic. Is made 'up of 12,000 glazed terra 'cotta dies Craftsmen do restoration work on MMYF.CM.VIKr-St the historic and colorful Paramount Theatre in Oakland. Supporters receive newsletter outlining events and progress on the restoration front Public tours (a not-to-be-missed, behind-the-scenes view) are held the first and third Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. Call the Paramount at 893-2300 fee more Information. Tickets for the Nutcracker can be charged by phone: BASS, Restoration firm has been meticulously cleaning and repainting where necessary, then resealing the tiles, some of which had 1 begun to deteriorate.

The mammoth project is part of the on-, a effort to maintain the r. An endowment fond was and was designed by Gerald established in 1980 to provide Fitzgerald. Over seventy colors for the long-term future of the were used in the design. For the Paramount The City Council expast several months, the Alpha pects the theater, to be self-sup Black Cubans book details skin color controversy about Mother's Day traditions. The elders then hold whatS Friedman calls a Jam where they all sing the aongft1 In a song entitled "WoulcH.

You Dance With Me, resident from one convalescent center wrote, "Now I am older and ifs true those waltzes and they could kill you. But 1 1 woogfe fin ten hours And 1 fed great, yes I feel great." Jeff CnapUne- directs Art-works at San Francisco's, i Goldman Institute on Agngw ident of the NAACP under the late -C-L. Dellums. Last week he witnessed the culmination of Ron Dellums' congressional career. Lee? like Grlllo, can trace her religious and spiritual roots to Thurman through -Dr.

W. Hazalah Williams, Thurman's peer and colleague. Grlllo built bridges with the Hispanic community as an adviser to the Spanish Speaking Unity Council and Its director, Arabella Martinez, who was Oak- land's 1996 Citizen of the Year and was mentored by Grlllo, as -was Herman Gallegos, a national foundation director. Grilfo hopes his book, which was published on the Internet at publishflournaUitm, will facilitate positive efforts toward bridgebuilding between blacks and Hls-panlcs. "I hope the large numbers of dark-skinned Spanish-speaking people will be sera In other ways than Just as athletes or entertainers, and 1 hope my book helps to inspire and liberate them to be visible," said Grlllo.

In African culture a grlot passes on the family history through the oral tradition. Grtot and Grlllo are pronounced the same way. Grlllo Is not Interested In passing racially, he's only Interested in passing the baton. Professional artists work to re connect elders with the nlty through drama or music. He said projects such Songwriting Works have emotional rad physical effect on participating seniors.

Songwriting provides them. with structure rad challenge said Chapllne. "Engaging In these activities enhances their well being and Inspires and mo-. tivates them to do other He said performing songs shows seniors that they; have something very special- to bring to the community. It also -takes their mind off their health or old age.

Friedman moved to the Bajft Area from Brooklyn In 1983. when die began singing at local cafes and occasionally at- schools and old age homes. But she wanted more interact: tlon with the audience. So shf began writing songs with sen tors and youths, and really saw the people come alive. gual capabilities tobqlld bridges of understanding between English-speaking blacks and Spanish-speaking blacks and i-atinn communities.

Grlllo apprenticed himself to D.G. Gibson, who was considered the father of Bay Area black political development, through the East Bay Democratic Club. Grlllo used his academic training in social work and his experiences to help organize a black political base and structure that provided opportunities for a large segment of talented black leaders. He helped to organize an executive committee that Included WUey Manuel, Allen Broussard, Lionel Wilson, Don McGullum and Clinton White. It was no accident that they all later became Superior Court Judges and were each considered for State Supreme Court appointments.

He's rooted deep in the genesis of black political power that goes back to flic basement of Beebe porting by 2000, eliminating the need for a city subsidy. The Paramount's board, intends to build the endowment fund to 82 million through profits from the Movie Classics beverage services and a ticket surcharge. Tax-deductible gifts to the fund will also bring that goal closer to reality. Memorial CME Church where the opportunity to become the first black Assemblyman was offered to Oakland Post publisher Tom Berkley, who turned It down: whereupon pharmacist Byron Rumfor was chosen and the 1 black political rites of passage Grlllo was a major reason for the election of Lionel Wilson, and he used his bridge-building skills to help get black churches and the Black Panthers to register and turn out a large black vote. As a consultant to Wilson and Ellhu Harris he developed Oakland's Interagency Task Force on Drugs.

by using a multifaceted bridge-building approach that included law raforpemrat agencies from the federal state, county and city levels, he designed a plan which Included the Involvement of community organizations. Now this program serves as the model for the Justice Department. At a reception for Rep. Ron Dellums last week, Grlllo, 78, showed he Is still active. He stood between state Sen.

Barbara Lee and Dellums as they assumed a baton-passing pose for photographers. Forty years ago Grlllo helped give birth to black political development as the vice pres resume form 9:00 a.m. 505 14th Street on 238-6431. MIRY KGM.VCRT Sul Afro-Cuban author Evtllo Grlllo writes about sxpariences in tha clgar-maklng community of Tampa, Fla. verslty with oratorical awards, gee club and operatic performances and leading roles in English and French dramatic productions while managing to navigate through the historic New Orleans cultural scene.

This set of diverse life experiences enabled Urn to learn how to become a culturaniridge" while serving In the army In India. And, while a student at Columbia and UC Berkeley, he used his bllln- it 4 1 -1 v.fj i-1 V' i CITY ome closet Black Cu-bansare passing as Black Americans and they aren't living their lives with the freedom they should be," says' Evello Grlllo In his book. Hack CubanBlack American." Grlllo, an Oakland resident since 1949, has written a memoir of his life as an Afro-Cuban that sheds light on growing up bllln- gually and blcmturalty In Tampa, and Washington, D.C. His simultaneous Immersion in the Latin and Catholic culture of black Cubans and In the English and Protestant culture of black Americans has led him to choose to identity himself as an African American. Grille's book points out some striking similarities to the to skin color consciousness that has been a sub rosa bugaboo within the black community since slaverys plantation life placed degrees of value on the hue of the skin.

The brown paper bag skin tests and the phrase "If you're light, you're all right, and If you're black, stay back" have been closet plagues of black society for generations. 1 His family was a part of the late 19th century migratory stream of Cubans wno came to Florida seeking to Integrate Into America's mainstream. Growing up among Tampa's Afro-Cuban cigar makers, Grlllo saw how Cubans who were not of African extraction and who were llght-sklnned enough to pass" could choose to enter the white American mainstream. While on the other hand, dark-skinned Cubans of African extraction could only rater the black American stream. Grlllo did hot pause long to agonize over the cultural and racial dilemma that confronted him because as a teen-ager he was thoroughly baptized Into black American culture at then- nowned Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and at the home of Dr.

Howard Thurman, the greatest black theologian in American history. With Thurman's guidance, Grlllo synthesized his black collegiate experiences at Xavier Uni- a- If you would like more formation on Songwriting Works, call Judith KatTi Friedman at (510) 654-7464. -jn OF OAKLAND BUSINESS TAX RENEWAL DECLARATIONS MAILED 1 A C.i "iX On December l5, 1997, over 50,800 Business Tax Renewal declarations will be mailed to individuals or prganizations who. are renting or leasing put their property(s) or conducting business within the City of Oakland, Business and rental property owners are encouraged to telephone ahead for an appointment if they wish to file. their declaration) in person.

45-day extension for filing am paying business tax renewals may be obtained' from the Buaness Tax office in person, telephone or fax, or ly mail. All requests for an extension must he mde on or before March 2,1993. -v 'v- 'p During the renewal 4:00 p.m. on tv, Thursday and Friday and from 9:00 a.m. 6:00 pirn, on Wednesday (through February 25, 19981Thg Bnsiness Tax office will be open until midnight OR.Mcnda2mL2-ll On March 3, 1998, regdar, office hours will The Tax office is located at (510) 238-3704 and the fax number is (510) 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, the 10th floor.

The telephone number is.