Vineyard concert to benefit Kellermann Foundation

Indian Springs Vineyards presents its annual Bella Nota (informally translated as "beautiful music") fund-raising concert Saturday in Penn Valley.

In the midst of a pretty setting by a lake, works by old masters and present-day composers will be featured. These include "Ashokan Farewell" by Jay Ungar from the PBS series "The Civil War," played by string quartet and guitar; "Divertimento" by Mozart; and select pieces by Vivaldi and gifted contemporary composer Mark O'Connor. The Los Angeles ensemble Martinai Trio and Friends (viola, violin, and cello) will perform, and Roseville guitarist Brandon Yip will open with his fusion of ethnic and classical style.

Local artists - Norm Brown, Janis Lecey Ellison and Virginia Holt, to name three - will display their work.

The first Bella Note Concert began in an informal way, says Dennis Ball, managing partner of the vineyard, "when musician friends and family stopped in for a visit on their way home from the Bach festival held in Oregon. They asked to play music in the vineyards, and of course we said 'sure.' So we asked some of our friends over to listen and enjoy. As it turned out, the day was glorious, the music fabulous, and the wine superb. The musicians asked to return the following year, and a tradition was conceived."

Then it was decided to make the concert a fund-raiser. This year, the recipient of proceeds, including a raffle, is the Kellermann Foundation, which helps support the missionary and medical work of Dr. Scott and Carol Kellermann in Uganda, Africa, by covering expenses such as buying land and equipment and providing salaries.

Says Ball, "We are personal friends with Scott and Carol, and it is an honor for us to able to help them in some small way given the enormous commitment they have made in Uganda."

Previous Bella Nota performances have benefited various arts organizations and schools. Other community-based nonprofits, including chambers of commerce and Rotary, have had functions there, as well.

Know and Go

<B>What:</B> 10th Annual Bella Nota Concert

<B>When:</B> Saturday, 5-7:30 p.m.

<B>Where:</B> Indian Springs Vineyards, 16000 Indian Springs Road, Penn Valley

<B>Admission:</B> $35 for the concert, food and glass of wine. Groups of six or more may buy tickets at $30 a piece. Tickets are for sale at the Indian Springs tasting room, 303 Broad St., Nevada City, and are tax deductible, with all proceeds going to the Kellermann Foundation.

<B>Information:</B> Contact Julie Holmes at 478-1068.