ARTICLE
Welcome back to Santa Cruz, James! Thanks to a a groundswell of support for James from locals and James Durbin fans around the world, American Idol has agreed to let James appear in Santa Cruz for our Durbin Day celebration on Saturday, May 14th! We're all ready in Santa Cruz to welcome James home for a hometown visit! Be sure to download a free poster to show James your support! Click on an image above to download a free poster or flyer to wave at the parade. Update: Don't miss all the great James Durbin photos that official James Durbin photographer, Russell Martin, took at Durbin Day! Saturday, May 14, 2011 The schedule of events for Durbin Day is as follows. Please note that that the timetable could fluctuate as much as 2 – 2 ½ hours late. 2:30 PM: Press Event with James Durbin at Louden Nelson James will visit with media, local civic and community programs where he developed his legendary vocal and performance skills. The Santa Cruz Teen Center, Kids on Broadway and All About Theatre will host James for short visits (and maybe a short performance) plus autograph signings with the current members of the groups. The Louden Nelson events are for participants of the programs James is visiting. The public is asked to rally outside, in preparation for a procession to the Beach. 4:30 PM: Walking Procession to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk The Marching Procession to the Beach will be a grand celebration. Led by the Santa Cruz High School Marching Band and a police escort, James will travel to Santa Cruz's Main Beach. James will be followed by participants from the Teen Center, All About Broadway and the Kids on Broadway. At the Beach, James will transfer to a Santa Cruz Lifeguard truck and with police escort on ATVs, will parade to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Bandstand on Main Beach to take the stage. 4:00 PM: White Album Ensemble performs on beach bandstand 5:00 PM: James performs three songs with White Album Ensemble James will receive a warm welcome from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and thousands of enthusiastic fans. He'll be honored by Santa Cruz City Mayor Ryan Coonerty and then will give a short performance of 2-3 songs with The White Album Ensemble, as his back-up band! The White Album Ensemble will begin playing without James at 4pm. All the FAQs for DURBIN DAY Is it true that James Durbin/American Idol are coming to Santa Cruz? Yes. James Durbin is coming to Santa Cruz for a hometown visit on May 14th. What is Durbin Day? “Durbin Day” will officially recognize James Durbin’s impressive accomplishments on American Idol and provide the Santa Cruz community with an opportunity to cheer on their hometown hero. What happens if it rains? Durbin Day will happen rain or shine. However if it rains the White Album Ensemble may not play on the beach bandstand. If White Album is not able to play due to the weather, James will perform solo on the Boardwalk’s Beach Bandstand at approximately 5pm. Where can I see James? After a stop the Louden Nelson Center, a short procession, which includes the Santa Cruz Marching Band will lead James past Depot Park to Beach Street. Anywhere along that route would be a great place to show your support and see James. James will also be at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk around 5pm. Can I see James at the Louden Nelson Center? Entrance to the Louden Nelson Center will be by invitation only and is intended primarily for children affiliated with programs in the facility such as Kids on Broadway. You are welcome to rally outside and follow James and his procession to the Boardwalk after his stop at Louden Nelson. Can I get James’ autograph? James will be signing autographs for very brief periods of time at Louden Nelson Center and at the Boardwalk. Unfortunately only a very small number of people will be able to get an autograph on this visit. Will James perform in Santa Cruz? James is expected to perform 3 songs on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s beach bandstand at approximately 5pm on May 14 with the White Album Ensemble. He is expected to sign autographs for a few minutes following the show, depending on his schedule. How much does it cost to see James Durbin? All events are free. What are the seating rules for the concert? Rules will be similar to a Friday Night concert. The main area in front of the stage will open at Noon, first come, first served. Alcohol and smoking are not allowed on the beach. Chairs are restricted to low-back beach chairs in order to avoid blocking views. There will be an ASL interpreter for the concert, but no special designated seating for the hearing impaired. There will be a limited wheelchair seating area on the Boardwalk, first come, first served. How can I/my group get involved? The best way to get involved is to show up and cheer for James. American Idol encourages fans to make signs, and line the streets to show support. Please contact the Paul Zech at the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce at paul@santacruzchamber.org or (831) 457-3713 with additional questions about the event. Click on the map for a larger version Where is the best place to park? Parking will be limited and beach area parking lots are expected to fill up quickly. Locals should plan to walk, bike, or skateboard to the Santa Cruz Beach area. Carpools recommended. 22 public parking lots are located throughout the City, visit http:www.downtownsantacruz.com for more information. Do you expect James to be on schedule? With such a packed schedule, it's very possible the event will run late. From the beginning of James Durbin's American Idol experience, the Chamber has been supporting his rise to the top. We helped promote this talented singer with a booth at the Santa Cruz Business Fair back in March, when he hadn't even made the top ten yet! Since then, we've been letting Santa Cruz know how they can support James Durbin, and it's paid off. James will be here this weekend to share his success with Santa Cruz. For the latest information as the day’s events continue to develop, check the following Web sites for more information: http://www.beachboardwalk.com/durbinday/ http://www.santacruz.org/things/james-durbin.php Photos and poster of James Durbin courtesy of Russell Martin and BluePacificPhotography.com. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Thanks to a a groundswell of support for James from locals and James Durbin fans around the world, American Idol has agreed to let James appear in Santa Cruz for our Durbin Day celebration on Saturday, May 14th! We're all ready in Santa Cruz to welcome James home for a hometown visit!
Be sure to download a free poster to show James your support!
Click on an image above to download a free poster or flyer to wave at the parade.
Update: Don't miss all the great James Durbin photos that official James Durbin photographer, Russell Martin, took at Durbin Day!
The schedule of events for Durbin Day is as follows. Please note that that the timetable could fluctuate as much as 2 – 2 ½ hours late.
James will visit with media, local civic and community programs where he developed his legendary vocal and performance skills. The Santa Cruz Teen Center, Kids on Broadway and All About Theatre will host James for short visits (and maybe a short performance) plus autograph signings with the current members of the groups. The Louden Nelson events are for participants of the programs James is visiting. The public is asked to rally outside, in preparation for a procession to the Beach.
The Marching Procession to the Beach will be a grand celebration. Led by the Santa Cruz High School Marching Band and a police escort, James will travel to Santa Cruz's Main Beach. James will be followed by participants from the Teen Center, All About Broadway and the Kids on Broadway. At the Beach, James will transfer to a Santa Cruz Lifeguard truck and with police escort on ATVs, will parade to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Bandstand on Main Beach to take the stage.
James will receive a warm welcome from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and thousands of enthusiastic fans. He'll be honored by Santa Cruz City Mayor Ryan Coonerty and then will give a short performance of 2-3 songs with The White Album Ensemble, as his back-up band! The White Album Ensemble will begin playing without James at 4pm.
Is it true that James Durbin/American Idol are coming to Santa Cruz?
Yes. James Durbin is coming to Santa Cruz for a hometown visit on May 14th.
What is Durbin Day?
“Durbin Day” will officially recognize James Durbin’s impressive accomplishments on American Idol and provide the Santa Cruz community with an opportunity to cheer on their hometown hero.
What happens if it rains?
Durbin Day will happen rain or shine. However if it rains the White Album Ensemble may not play on the beach bandstand. If White Album is not able to play due to the weather, James will perform solo on the Boardwalk’s Beach Bandstand at approximately 5pm.
Where can I see James?
After a stop the Louden Nelson Center, a short procession, which includes the Santa Cruz Marching Band will lead James past Depot Park to Beach Street. Anywhere along that route would be a great place to show your support and see James. James will also be at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk around 5pm.
Can I see James at the Louden Nelson Center?
Entrance to the Louden Nelson Center will be by invitation only and is intended primarily for children affiliated with programs in the facility such as Kids on Broadway. You are welcome to rally outside and follow James and his procession to the Boardwalk after his stop at Louden Nelson.
Can I get James’ autograph?
James will be signing autographs for very brief periods of time at Louden Nelson Center and at the Boardwalk. Unfortunately only a very small number of people will be able to get an autograph on this visit.
Will James perform in Santa Cruz?
James is expected to perform 3 songs on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s beach bandstand at approximately 5pm on May 14 with the White Album Ensemble. He is expected to sign autographs for a few minutes following the show, depending on his schedule.
How much does it cost to see James Durbin?
All events are free.
What are the seating rules for the concert?
Rules will be similar to a Friday Night concert. The main area in front of the stage will open at Noon, first come, first served. Alcohol and smoking are not allowed on the beach. Chairs are restricted to low-back beach chairs in order to avoid blocking views. There will be an ASL interpreter for the concert, but no special designated seating for the hearing impaired. There will be a limited wheelchair seating area on the Boardwalk, first come, first served.
How can I/my group get involved?
The best way to get involved is to show up and cheer for James. American Idol encourages fans to make signs, and line the streets to show support. Please contact the Paul Zech at the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce at paul@santacruzchamber.org or (831) 457-3713 with additional questions about the event.
Click on the map for a larger version
Where is the best place to park?
Parking will be limited and beach area parking lots are expected to fill up quickly. Locals should plan to walk, bike, or skateboard to the Santa Cruz Beach area. Carpools recommended. 22 public parking lots are located throughout the City, visit http:www.downtownsantacruz.com for more information.
Do you expect James to be on schedule?
With such a packed schedule, it's very possible the event will run late.
From the beginning of James Durbin's American Idol experience, the Chamber has been supporting his rise to the top. We helped promote this talented singer with a booth at the Santa Cruz Business Fair back in March, when he hadn't even made the top ten yet!
Since then, we've been letting Santa Cruz know how they can support James Durbin, and it's paid off. James will be here this weekend to share his success with Santa Cruz.
For the latest information as the day’s events continue to develop, check the following Web sites for more information: http://www.beachboardwalk.com/durbinday/ http://www.santacruz.org/things/james-durbin.php
Photos and poster of James Durbin courtesy of Russell Martin and BluePacificPhotography.com. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.