Urban School Alumni Association

Hey Bay Area Blues!

Looking for a perfect afternoon or evening out? How about a picnic and some Shakespeare in the beautiful East Bay hills! "As You Like It" is opening soon at the California Shakespeare Theater, and long-time Urban English teacher Cathleen Sheehan will be giving pre-show talks in the grove 45 minutes before the curtain on September 13, 19, and 28.

Don’t miss this special opportunity to enjoy the magic of Shakespeare and Cathleen's insightful talks. Get your tickets at calshakes.org/asyoulikeit.

As You Like It 2024 - Cal Shakes Directed by Elizabeth CarterRuns September 12th to 29th, 2024 Buy Tickets Now “And, after, every of this happy numberthat have endured shrewd days and nights with usshall share the good of our returnèd fortune.”— As You Like It, Act 5, Scene 4The culmination of months of hard work and overwhe...

Countdown to the ALL-ALUMNI REUNION 2024! 🎉
We're just four weeks away from an unforgettable day of reconnecting, reminiscing and celebrating. We can't wait to welcome you back to campus on October 5! For all the details and to register, visit: www.urbanschool.org/alumni/reunions

Saturday, October 5, 2024 – On Campus
3-5 pm: Alumni Basketball Round Robin in the Salkind Center Gym
4-5 pm: Student-led Campus Tours
5-7 pm: All-Alumni Garden Party & Milestone Celebrations in the Page Street backyard with live music, food and drinks.

We can't wait to see you there!

Catch Sam Reider ('07) and the Human Hands at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, CA, on Thursday, September 5th! Sam is an accordionist, pianist and composer. He leads the Human Hands, an innovative collective of acoustic musicians exploring the intersections of folk, jazz and classical music from around the world.

Sam has been featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk and was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY award for his recent duo record with Venezuelan artist Jorge Glem. He’s performed, recorded and collaborated with a range of artists including Jon Batiste, Sierra Hull, Laurie Lewis and Paquito d’Rivera. Earlier this summer, the Human Hands released a new record featuring a suite of original music inspired by the Jewish legend of the golem.

Joining Sam on stage will be an incredible lineup of musicians: Eddie Barbash (Cory Wong), Duncan Wickel (Rising Appalachia), Roy Williams (Stephane Wrembel) and Mark Schatz (Béla Fleck).

Get your tickets and and more info here:

Sam Reider and the Human Hands Home of Traditional Music

🎉 Calling All Urban Alums, Faculty and Former Faculty! 🎉

We are delighted to invite you to this year’s All-Alumni Reunion on Saturday, October 5, 2024! Come reconnect, share memories and celebrate with your fellow Blues. 💙💙

For full event details and to register, visit: www.urbanschool.org/alumni/reunions

All-Alumni Garden Party | 5-7 pm
Join us in the Page Campus backyard for a festive garden party! Enjoy delicious food, drinks, live music and the chance to catch up with classmates, teachers and friends.

Student-Led Campus Tours | 4-5 pm
Explore the campus with your fellow Blues on a student-led tour. Check out the latest updates and revisit your favorite spots.

Alumni Round Robin Basketball Tournament | 3-5 pm
Get ready to hit the court in the Salkind Center Gym! All alums are invited to join the Alumni Round Robin Basketball Tournament — whether you’re playing or cheering. Players, please register by September 28.

We can't wait to see you there — register today!

Congratulations Hannah Dreier ('04) for winning a Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting!

Hannah's New York Times investigation “Alone and Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the U.S.” exposed the staggering scope of America’s hidden migrant child workforce and examined the policy failures and willful disregard by government administrators and corporations alike that allowed children to work in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening conditions in violation of child labor laws.

This is the second Pulitzer awarded to Hannah, who won the 2019 feature writing prize for her coverage of the criminal gang MS-13 for ProPublica.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/06/business/pulitzer-prize-winners.html

Calling all Alums!

Join us for Talking Baseball with LeRoy! ⚾

Step up to the plate and dive into the world of baseball with Urban's very own LeRoy Votto, alongside our esteemed special guests: Sam Mondry-Cohen ('06), former Washington Nationals Assistant General Manager and current Vice President of Player Personnel for the Miami Marlins, and Shayna Rubin ('10), Giants beat reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Time: 6-7 pm PT
Via Zoom

Register by May 21 and receive a special treat - a box of Cracker Jacks delivered right to your doorstep! Zoom link will be sent to all registered attendees before the event.

Register here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=9150cb34-b619-4034-8b1e-c7632db3d06d&envId=p-NWD03_YP8EmoY478ukIbVg&zone=usa

Dr. Jane Burns, Urban alum from the class of 1970, was featured today in the New York Times article "A Doctor’s Lifelong Quest to Solve One of Pediatric Medicine’s Greatest Mysteries." Jane is director of the Kawasaki Disease Clinic at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and head of the Kawasaki Disease Research Center at UC San Diego. She is also a professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine. She is known internationally for her pioneering research on Kawasaki disease.

If you suspect that you or someone you know may have had Kawasaki Disease during childhood, Jane would appreciate hearing from you! Please feel free to contact her at: [email protected]

A Doctor’s Lifelong Quest to Solve One of Pediatric Medicine’s Greatest Mysteries (Gift Article) For 40 years, Dr. Jane Burns has been working to find the cause of Kawasaki disease, an illness that can lead to aneurysms and heart attacks. Her work has brought together a most unlikely team.

Hey LA-area alums! The SoCal Alum Happy Hour is happening on Saturday, March 2nd. Join Dan Miller, Charlotte Worsley, and your fellow Blues for a fun evening at Father's Office in Culver City. Come catch up, swap Urban stories, and meet new people over drinks and appetizers. Hope to see you there!

URBAN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR 🎉🌴💙
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024
Time: 6 - 8 PM
Location: Father's Office, 3229 Helms Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034
(Please note this event is 21 and over)

Link to register: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=2fbfd484-fab4-4db7-a606-0c6bd20836fe&envId=p-NWD03_YP8EmoY478ukIbVg&zone=usa

WINTER THEATER PRODUCTION — ALICE BY HEART
Page Campus Gumption Theater

We are sold out for our Tuesday and Saturday shows! If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, we would love to see you at Opening Night on Wednesday, or join us Thursday or Friday!

Tuesday, February 20, 4:30 pm — SOLD OUT
Wednesday, February 21, 4:30 pm
Thursday, February 22, 7 pm
Friday, February 23, 7 pm
Saturday, February 24, 7 pm — SOLD OUT

Alice By Heart: A young girl takes refuge in a London Tube station during World War II and confronts grief, growing up, and love with the help of her favorite book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Featuring the music of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, “Alice by Heart” features a dazzling cast of familiar characters in a familiar story told anew.

Get your tickets today!
Tickets: https://www.urbanschool.org/tickets

CIRCUS CLASS PERFORMANCE

Wednesday, February 28, 3:30 pm
Page Campus Gumption Theater

Join us for the annual circus class show on February 28 in the Gumption Theater and support our Circus students. Students will use their newfound circus skills featuring tumbling, juggling, trapeze and more!

No tickets required!

Urban alum Kathleen Lingo's ('98) “The 1619 Project” won an Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. Kathleen (third from the right below) is the Editorial Director of Film and Television for the New York Times and Executive Producer of the six-episode docuseries. The series seeks to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the center of our national narrative. Check it out on Hulu and congratulations Kathleen!

https://www.nytco.com/press/the-1619-project-series-wins-emmy-for-outstanding-documentary-or-nonfiction-series/

Hey Alums! Come celebrate the holiday season with your fellow Blues! Join us for Urban's Alumni Holiday Happy Hour on Wednesday, December 13, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at The San Francisco Athletic Club. Enjoy refreshments, light bites, and the opportunity to connect with Urban friends old and new!

RSVP here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=897c0646-5330-4a37-a0cf-31de6f66fb3b&envId=p-NWD03_YP8EmoY478ukIbVg

Hey all you NYC alums! Don't miss the opportunity to see Jes Tom ('09) in their new off-Broadway solo comedy, "Less Lonely," currently playing at Greenwich House Theater in NYC until January 6.

Get your tickets before December 11 using the code 'JES39' for a special discount! https://www.jestomshow.com/

Check out their recent feature in The New York Times' article, "What to Do in New York City in December." https://www.nytimes.com/article/things-to-do-in-nyc.html

Jes Tom x Less Lonely A one-person comedy about s*x in the face of death, gender transition on the brink of oblivion and the search for love at the end of the world.

Looking for something festive and fun to do this holiday season? Go see Abigail Munn's ('97) latest Circus Bella production, KALEIDOSCOPE 2023!

Circus Bella presents: KALEIDOSCOPE 2023
A Winter Holiday Spectacular!
Under a picturesque circus tent in the heart of San Francisco from December 15 - 31, 2023.

“Now, more than ever, we all need opportunities to laugh with our neighbors. We're excited to pitch our tent at the East Cut, in the City I call home, and be a part of activating downtown with arts and entertainment.” - Abigail

KALEIDOSCOPE 2023 upholds CIRCUS BELLA’s 15-year tradition of bringing joy to thousands of children and families in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The show features a diverse 12-person cast, primarily Bay Area-based, showcasing aerialists, jugglers, contortionists, and clowns. Prepare for thrilling feats of balance and strength, demonstrations of grace and poise, as well as outrageous humor and slapstick frolics.

For tickets and show dates, visit www.circusbella.org/kaleidoscope

Hey Alums, it’s GivingBluesday!

Every year, Giving Tuesday offers millions the chance to connect and contribute to their communities. The goal is to create a massive global wave of generosity that extends well beyond that single day, creating far-reaching impacts! We're thrilled to be part of this worldwide movement and excited to have you join us. 💙

Your contribution to Urban shapes futures and strengthens our community. Thank you for your consistent support and engagement! 💞

To make a contribution, please visit: www.urbanschool.org/alumni/giving

Calling All Alumni Hoopers!

It's that time of year again for our Alumni vs. Varsity Basketball Games, a.k.a. Hoopsgiving! We're forming men's and women's teams and we would love for you to join us on the court. 🏀

Event: Alumni vs. Varsity Basketball Games - Hoopsgiving
Date: Wednesday, November 22
Schedule:
3:30 pm: Girls Varsity vs Alums (all class years)
5:00 pm: Boys Varsity vs Alums ('13 - '23)
Location: Salkind Center Gym - 1639 Oak Street

Sign-up here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=c985a6c2-4e88-4fe2-bb6b-a36ccc529401&envId=p-NWD03_YP8EmoY478ukIbVg

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Leah Marshall and Aidan Coffino ('08) at [email protected]. Go Blues!!

Alumni Reunion Prep ✔️ The only thing missing is YOU! We can't wait to celebrate milestone reunions on campus tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 7) from 4-6 pm. Classes of '73, '78, '83, '88, '93, '98, '03, '08 and '13 - see you soon! 🎉
ww.urbanschool.org/alumni/events-activities

Hot off the press! Check out the latest edition of BluesNotes, our alumni newsletter, to find out about upcoming alumni reunions, sporting events, and catch up on alumni highlights!

www.urbanschool.org Reunions are coming up for the Classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013. It’s time to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate! There will be live music, class photos, yearbooks to peruse, a photo booth for lasting memories and delicious drinks and nibbles. Gather your friends ...

Classes of '73, '78, '83, '88, '93, '98, '03, '08 and '13, the countdown begins! Just 25 days until your reunions!! 🎉

Saturday, October 7th is the big day. Don't miss this opportunity to reconnect with your Urban friends, look through yearbooks, recount wonderful memories and make new ones. There will be live music, class photos, drinks and nibbles.

Help us get the word out by sharing this post or tagging your fellow Blues so we can ensure your class is represented with full gusto!

Register here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=018178dd-d8a5-4ed6-808a-0aab68fbe856&envId=p-NWD03_YP8EmoY478ukIbVg

We can't wait to see you!

Choreographer Alyssa Mitchel's ('11) dance performance "Regard" premieres this weekend at the Contemporary Jewish Museum.

"Regard" is a collaborative dance performance that celebrates authentic, soulful connections between people. In the performance’s world premiere, guests are invited to enjoy an hour-long dance production featuring six dancers, a guitarist, a cellist, and the original work of a Bay Area muralist.

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
August 4-6 and 11-13 at 1 PM
The Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

It's free with museum admission!

‘Regard’ celebrates connection, explores dialogue through movement Rising San Francisco choreographer Alyssa Mitchel contemplates theology and the inner critic in Contemporary Jewish Museum world premiere.

🎉 Calling all Urban Alumni from the Classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013! 🎓

Get ready to celebrate your milestone reunions this year! Join us on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 4 - 6 PM right here on campus. Come enjoy live music, delicious food and drinks, and above all, the chance to reconnect with your classmates.

Save the date and spread the word! We can't wait to raise a glass and toast to the unforgettable memories and friendships that were created during your time at Urban.

For more information and to register, please visit our website at urbanschool.org/alumni/events-activities.

Quinn Patrick (‘09) shared his journey from Urban to the world of design at the Graphic Design Club meeting yesterday. Quinn, a digital product design lead at Visa, discussed his experiences in various design roles and provided valuable insights for our aspiring designers.

The Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists recently honored San Francisco Police Commissioner and Urban alum Max Carter-Oberstone ('03) with a prestigious James Madison Freedom of Information Award. Congratulations Max!

SPJ NORCAL HONORS TRANSPARENCY CHAMPIONS IN JAMES MADISON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AWARDS « SPJ NorCal With its 38th annual James Madison Freedom of Information Awards, the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists recognizes people and organizations whose work advances transparency, freedom of information and the public’s right to know. SPJ NorCal’s Freedom of Inform...

Thank you East Coast Blues for attending our alumni reunion in New York City - we already miss you! We hope you enjoyed catching up with your Urban friends and making new ones. 💙

Check out photos from the reunion and other alumni events here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanschool/albums

Urban's East Coast Alumni Reunion is next week! We hope all you Blues (21 and over) living in New York, visiting New York or residing nearby will join us at Jungle Bird in Chelsea for drinks, hors d'oeuvres and the company of Urban friends old and new!

Urban East Coast Alumni Reunion
Thursday, March 9, 2023
6 - 8 pm
Jungle Bird, 174 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10011

RSVP here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=35d6bd8a-e486-4985-809d-799efb374e8d&envId=p-NWD03_YP8EmoY478ukIbVg

Broadway actor and singer Bobby Conte Thornton ('11) is back home this weekend performing his acclaimed solo show "Along the Way" at A.C.T.'s Strand Theater on Saturday, February 11. Get your tickets before they are gone!

Bobby Conte Thornton in "Along the Way"
Saturday, February 11, 2023
A.C.T.'s Strand Theater: 1127 Market Street, San Francisco
https://www.act-sf.org/whats-on/limited-engagements/bobby-conte-along-the-way

Bobby Conte Thornton is a New York-based actor and singer who made his Broadway debut originating the role of Calogero in "A Bronx Tale," directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks. He returned to Broadway this spring singing “Another Hundred People” as P.J. in Marianne Elliott’s gender-bent revival of "Company." He made his feature film debut in "If Beale Street Could Talk," adapted and directed by Barry Jenkins. Television credits include “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”, “Madam Secretary” and “The Code”. His debut studio album, "Along the Way," is available across all digital music providers.

New York based artist Oona Ratcliffe ('92) has an upcoming exhibition at the Coastal Marin Artists Gallery in Bolinas, CA. The opening reception is on Saturday, February 4th (3 pm Talks / 4-5 pm Reception). Go check it out!

COASTAL MARIN ARTISTS GALLERY
Oona Ratcliffe: Life Lines
February 4 - April 2, 2023
https://bolinasmuseum.org/exhibitions/oona-ratcliffe-life-lines/

What a great time! We hope all you Blues had a blast at the Recent Grad Reunion! Classes of 2019-2023 we’ll see you next year!

Check out photos from the Recent Grad Reunion and other Urban events here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAnBj6

DATE CHANGE:
Urban's Recent Grad Reunion has been moved to Friday, January 6 at 3 pm. With another strong atmospheric river expected to hit the bay area tomorrow and Thursday, we have decided to move the gathering to Friday. Please spread the word and join us then! We can't wait to see you!

RECENT GRAD REUNION (CLASSES of 2017 - 2022)
Friday, January 6, 2023 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
*Please RSVP via the Paperless Post invitation or email us at [email protected].