Just in time for Halloween, the Lively Foundation presents “Bat Tales,” music, comedy, theater and dance all about bats, 3 p.m., Sunday, at the Mountain View Masonic Temple auditorium, 890 Church St.
Given a bad reputation by those who take Bela Lugosi too seriously, the bat is actually a creature beneficial to humans. Bats pollinate about 90 percent of tropical rain forests and eat large quantities of mosquitoes in more temperate climates.
Everything on the program is based on legends and stories about bats from many different cultures: China, Guatemala, even Texas. Music includes “Bats” Domino, Tina Turner, Gershwin and a Strauss waltz. In this election year, “Vote for Me (’cause I’m a Bat)” is sure to get the attention of those undecided voters.
This is the 10th anniversary of “Bat Tales.” It appears annually in San Francisco to an ever-growing audience. This year, The Lively Foundation chose to open its touring season by performing in Mountain View, the site of its rehearsals and classes.
While The Lively Foundation has performed for several schools in the area, including Mountain View, Los Altos and Palo Alto schools, this is the first season it is presenting concerts for the public.
In March, The Lively Foundation hosted two Polish ballerinas and the director of the National Ballet School of Poland. The ballerinas and The Lively Foundation’s artistic director, Leslie Friedman, performed a “Ballet Showcase” in Mountain View. “There was such a warm response to our work that it seemed the right thing to continue by bringing in ‘Bats,'” Friedman said.
This year The Lively Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary. A birthday party at the Woodside Bakery & Cafe for friends and supporters opened the year of concerts, tours and special events.
The Lively Foundation was founded by supporters of the work of dancer-choreographer Friedman. She was the first American to perform in public for a Russian audience with joint U.S./U.S.S.R. sponsorship after a 14-year break in cultural relations.
Performers in “Bat Tales” include singer Jonathan Clark of Mountain View; dancer Megan Williams of Belmont; dancer Helena Birecki of Palo Alto; and actor-dancer Connie Nelson of Half Moon Bay.
Tickets are $15, $10 for children 10 and younger and seniors 65 and older.
Tickets are available at the door and in advance from The Lively Foundation. No credit cards can be taken at the door. For more information, call 969-4110.
