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Rarely is an artist capable of touching the hearts and souls of
people of all ages, cultures, and diverse musical backgrounds as
BENISE. Armed with his Spanish guitar and an amazing world class
band of musicians, Benise pushes the boundaries of traditional Flamenco/Spanish
guitar.
Since the age of eleven (when he received his first guitar), he
practiced relentlessly, completely self-taught, mastering a variety
of different styles that were eventually to become his own unique
sound. Though unable to read a single note, he began composing original
works with powerfully emotional arrangements.
“I’m always inspired by places I've traveled,” says BENISE, “so
I’ll try to capture the essence and beauty of the different places
in my melodies. It’s truly like painting on air--creating colors
and lush sounds capes that take people (and me) away to a safe place
with no prejudice and no boundaries.”
Benise is also the creative force behind the electrifying multi-cultural
World Music and Dance Production: “Nights of Fire!” Airing nationally
on PBS in 2007, Nights of Fire is an unprecedented and spectacular
journey of music and dance through Spanish Flamenco, Cuban Salsa,
African Rhythms, Argentinean Tango, and Brazilian Samba.
For more information call (949) 234-1322 or email pmarch@missionsjc.com
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2009 Romance
of the Mission to Honor Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates
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Pat Bates has a well-earned reputation as one of California’s
most accomplished public servants. She was the driving
force behind Laguna Niguel’s cityhood campaign and became
the first Mayor upon the city’s incorporation in 1989.
She served four terms as Mayor and then continued serving
as a City Council Member until her election to the 73rd
District for State Assembly in 1998.
In the Assembly, Pat served as Vice-Chair of the Assembly
Appropriations and Assembly Health Committee, and was
the founding Chair of the Republican Women’s Caucus.
She was also appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to
the prestigious Little Hoover Commission as well as
the historic California Performance Review Commission
which was responsible for providing recommendations
on reforming State Government and its operations.
Upon her term ending in the Assembly, Pat turned her
sights to the County of Orange where she was elected
to represent the 5th Supervisorial District on the Board
of Supervisors in 2006. As current Chair of the Board,
Pat is known as a conservative consensus builder able
to bring people together and get things done for the
good of the County and her district. Among her top priorities
is working in her capacity as a Director on both the
Orange County Transportation Authority and Transportation
Corridor Agency Boards of Directors to help relieve
traffic congestion and improve regional mobility. Throughout
her career, Pat has worked diligently to make our communities
safer and more livable.
Pat began her professional career as a social caseworker
in South Central Los Angeles. A native of California,
Pat grew up in Long Beach, California, and moved to
South Orange County in 1978. She is married to Architect
John Bates. Pat and John have two adult children and
four grandchildren.
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“Mission
San Juan Capistrano, the birthplace of Orange County,
is a cherished historical landmark that for a region
on the cutting edge of the future offers a window to
our remarkable past. I am so honored to have had a role
in helping protect the Mission’s future so that it will
continue to be a reminder to future generations of the
character upon which this great County was built.”
–Supervisor
Pat Bates
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Click
here for 2008 Gala Event Photos
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