Aday in the life of the new Morgan Hill Community Center is
seldom quiet.
Aday in the life of the new Morgan Hill Community Center is seldom quiet. Two original Sycamore trees saved to shade the courtyard lawn oversee band concerts, ethnic dancers, movies and patriotic ceremonies at the outdoor Amphitheater.
The playyard fence protects young children climbing the equipment or, outside, cavorting in the rubbery and colorful “water feature.”
Peering inside the cubical building with a pointy blue roof, one sees youngsters finger painting, laughing at a clown or nibbling on cake – the children’s pavilion is a natural for parties.
Lined with rooms dedicated to pottery, art or dance, the main center building hosts dozens of classes for all ages.
The city recreation department offers these classes for children, teens and adults in music, art, theater, dance – many kinds of dance – yoga, martial arts, fitness and even golf for kids and manners.
On a recent Thursday a gaggle of moms sat chatting in the center’s spacious hall, outside the Mira Monte Dance Room. Inside, their 3-to-5-year-old daughters sat listening to instructor Leslie Sokol explain the mysteries of tap and ballet.
“The classes are great,” said Ellen Gillis, waiting for daughter Mary, 3.
Gillis comes to classes herself at night since the center is quite near her home.
The girls – boys are welcome but scarce – wore a colorful collection of leotards and shoes – a great draw to dancing, the moms say.
“I love it,” said Jennifer Evans (and Samantha, 3 and a bit). “It’s cheaper than a dance studio and the girls get a good introduction to dance.”
Parent Meloney Seber praised the choices available.
“They have a good variety of offerings,” Seber said while she waited for Mina, 5.
All three agreed that Sokol is good.
“She’s not an ordinary teacher,” the moms agreed.
Class costs vary but eight weeks of Sokol’s DanceKids cost $92 for residents, $10 more for nonresidents.
Eight weeks of KinderMusik – classes separated by age, 18 months to 5 years – cost $79/$89. Some classes have additional materials costs – $10 in the ceramics class, $35 for new watercolor students.
Adult fitness classes range from $45 a month to $125 for eight weeks.
One-time classes, such as Design with Flowers ($16 plus $35 for materials) offer fun and games without the scheduling nightmares a series of classes can present to a busy family.
Besides private rentals (weddings, parties and church services) and hosting major civic dinners and city events, the center frequently displays art exhibits in the hallway.
Open Studios will take over the center May 21-22, with a preview up since mid-March. Revolving art shows hang in the hallway during most of the rest of the year.
They are joined by two kid events: Art ala Carte, a hands-on art spree May 14 and an art and science fair surrounding Earth Day on April 22.
“This is a fine addition to the community,” Sandy De la Cuesta said of the community center.
She was looking over the center with her husband, Dave, and several other Rotarians, planning a 1950s “Let’s Go to the Hop” event April 16.
Over at the Playhouse, at about the same time the ballet moms were hanging out, American Association of University Women State President Kathleen Cha was giving an engaging lecture to a roomful of women, girls and men.
Her subject was the history of women’s image in advertising from the earliest years to Brooke Shields and her Calvins.
Morgan Hill branch member Joan Ensign said she was thrilled that the Playhouse was available for small groups – the hall has 186 refurbished Art Deco seats, but offers a stage (called a platform for insurance purposes), and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.
“It’s the pride of ownership,” Ensign said. “The Playhouse is just the right size; it has good sound and visibility and the (rental) price is easy enough for nonprofits.”
With its own resident theater troupe – South Valley Civic Theatre – plus concerts, lectures and even church services, the Playhouse is rarely dark. It, too, can be rented.
Recreation Manager Julie Spier is pleased with the first two years of programming growth.
“The programming reflects what the community wants,” Spier said. “Every month we have a new activity, new renting ability. Its versatility lends itself to many uses.”
As with any project, she said, there were improvements to be made. Rotary Club of Morgan Hill built an attractive fence around the rose garden, which is fast becoming popular with brides and grooms.
Gavilan College, in satellite form, occupies the smaller building between the community center and the Playhouse.
The local Gavilan offers regular college classes plus some community education classes in its six classrooms and two computer labs.
Most classes are in real estate, investing or single parenting, though offerings change with the semester. Costs range from $35 to $200 with most in the $45 to $55 range.
College classes, transferable to four-year schools, range from art history through criminal law to math and computer and even critical thinking and religion.
Complete schedules are available around town, online at www.gavilan.cc.ca.us or by calling 782-2873.
Details: www.mhcommunitycenter.com or check out the City Connections magazine at the Community Center, Monterey Road at Dunne Avenue, 782-0008 or at www.morganhill.ca.gov
