City of Hope: A Spectacular Half Century

Eleven days ago, when 10-year-old Jalyssa Rodriguez stepped onto the stage at the Frank “Buck” Shaffer Theatre inside the Porterville Memorial Auditorium, she felt a combination of excitement and nerves, she said. But once Miley Cyrus’ “Ice Cream Freeze” blared through the sound system, Jalyssa relaxed, and with a bright smile, spun and twirled confidently in anticipation of making the cut for Porterville’s 50th annual City of Hope Spectacular scheduled for Feb. 25 at the Porterville Memorial Auditorium.

“It’s what she loves to do,” said her mother Desiree Ybarra. “She has been practicing her routine for a year now with world champion soloist Cameron Asencio.”

The Jim Maples Academy fifth grader has been practicing two to three hours a day, four to five days a week, plus weekends.

“Last year we missed the auditions,” Ybarra said. “She was disappointed and we weren’t going to let this year slip past us.”

Baton twirling is something she has done most of her life, starting at age 3 with the Porterville Twirlerettes — a group she still belongs to. She started training under Asencio two years ago.

“Cameron added a little something new to her [current] routine but she learned it quickly,” Ybarra said. “She is a wonderful person, very talented and a good role model for my baby girl. I’m glad to have her in our lives.”

On Tuesday, Jalyssa will join other performers — with a variety of dance, baton and vocal numbers— for a rehearsal at the auditorium.

And when the curtain opens on the golden anniversary of Porterville’s City of Hope Spectacular, those attending will be treated to not only a number of  first-time and seasoned performers, but also to a few professional performers, each performing for an approximate three minutes or less.

Returning to the event is emcee Eric Ball and Jim Kusserow’s Fabulous Studio Band, who will open and perform throughout the show.

“We have several very special features,” said Dick Eckoff, producer of the show.

Doug Scarbrough, a former baritone soloist for the U.S. Air Force Concert Band and vocalist for the Airmen of Note, the official jazz band, has sung for five United States presidents and has been featured at the White House, Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

Another special feature will be by opera singer Sasanna Efseaff, who is also Granite Hills High School’s vocal director.

In addition, Jim Brown, a former saxophone player with the Fabulous Studio Band, will perform, as will Sarah Peters.

Peters, a current performer with Disney’s World Tour, first performed on the stage at age 5.
The show, which follows a fast-paced variety show format, is the local City of Hope auxiliary’s major fundraiser, benefitting City of Hope National Medical Center and its Beckman Research Institute in Duarte, in Southern California.

Tickets for the Spectacular are $7 and available at the auditorium box office the night of the show or in advance at Porterville Recorder, 115 E. Oak St; KTIP Radio, 1660 Newcomb St; Porterville Chamber of Commerce, 93 N. Main St., Suite A; Hanson Travel, 311 N. Second St., Suite A; and Jeff’s Music, 342 N. Porter Road.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with pre-show entertainment by Jerry Hall and Trick Shot starting at 7 p.m., and the main show at 7:30 p.m., at the Frank “Buck” Shaffer Theatre inside the Porterville Memorial Auditorium, 465 W. Olive Ave.

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @Avila_recorder.