Barbara Fay was one of first residents to move into the Long Beach Senior Arts Colony in Long Beach, CA, when the building first opened in November of 2012. She shared her dreams of starting a theatrical troupe and of creating a monthly newsletter for the residents. Barbara’s dreams soon became reality when she formed the Reader’s Theatre program, where she directed a troupe of ten members in over 25 productions over the past six years.
She also wrote a column for our monthly newsletter, “The Source,” which highlighted news, advice, stories, and insights. In addition, Barbara often advocated on behalf of our residents and became the go-to source for senior resources. At our EngAGE meeting, several residents surprised her with a loving tribute of poems, songs, and memories. Outspoken, witty, and smart, she will be missed as she moves on to a new residence a few miles away.
The Reader’s Theatre company members performed a farewell tribute to their director, Barbara Fay.
With tears, cheers, hugs, and heartfelt gratitude, Barbara was overwhelmed with the accolades from her friends. We wish Barbara the very best as she starts a new adventure and she will always have a seat at our table at LBSAC!
A Resident Tribute to Barbara (seated at center)
Program Director: Helene Weinberg
EngAGE Meeting: Date: November 29, 2018
Made possible with support from the thoughtful and talented residents at LBSAC
The Long Beach Senior Arts Colony is a Meta Housing Corporation community
EMIKO SUGIYAMA is originally from Tokyo, Japan, where she trained in classical ballet. She moved to the United States to study Physical Therapy at the University of California, Davis, in 1999. There she was
Emiko has performed with numerous dance companies such as Illstyle and Peace Productions, Jelom Bel, One Step Ahead, Antics Performance, Montaz Performing Art Company, and Rennie Harris Puremovement, and in countless festivals all across the United States and internationally (Japan, Poland, Russia, England, France, Canada, and Liberia). She has been invited to teach, compete, and judge competitions all over the world as well. She was featured as the cover girl for 
Originally from WA State, BEN EVANS settled in Los Angeles after a decade living abroad. Following a B.A. in Theater Studies from Yale University, he lived in London, Barcelona and Paris, where he earned an M.A. in Theater and Choreography from the University of Paris 8. His work as a choreographer and performer toured across Europe and parts of North and South America, and his more recent work in visual art has been shown in France, Germany, Brazil and Cyprus. He grew up with a strong sense of service and his move to Los Angeles was inspired by a desire to make an impact on a local level. He is elated to work with the residents at ACE/121 in Glendale in creating an innovative model of multi-generational living, art making, and community development.
Our weekly program is designed to encompass these tenets of House culture as a place to improve one’s skills, exchange knowledge, history, and energy, as well as to socialize and simply have fun. Open House offers frequent dance workshops, performances, and special events in which our mission is to create a safe, positive environment for all participants to release their creativity within House music.
About 60 to 120 dancers attend our weekly sessions. Over 12,000 people have come to Open House Los Angeles from around the world since 2008.
House music and dance are the common love that brings us together. Open House is a dance community, but participants include music producers, DJs, chefs, graphic designers, painters, teachers, mothers, and more. We are a community of creativity.
