By Mary O’KEEFE

There are a few seats left for “An Evening of Stories & Songs” with Janet S. Blake taking place on Saturday evening at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church in La Crescenta.

The CV Fire Safe Council is sponsoring the event with CV Ready. Admission is free. The event is being hosted by the organizations as a way to share with the community their missions in a relaxing and entertaining format. Blake, a La Crescenta resident and a past member of the CV Fire Safe Council, has donated her time to perform.

Blake brings a long resume to the stage highlighting her work with the film, television and theatre industries. She came to California and worked as a studio executive with Stephen J. Cannell Productions and Disney Studios. Until recently she was part of the production team at Spark Off Rose at Theatre Palisades. Throughout her career Blake has supported writers in creating community through the art of storytelling.

It was about four years ago that Blake decided to turn her talents to singing, “a long-held secret yearning” according to her. Her debut last year, a cabaret show titled “Songs Along the Way,” was where she performed in two sold out shows at the Gardenia in West Hollywood.

On Saturday, she will be accompanied by pianist Ben DiTosti. DiTosti is a Burbank resident; his trio has been in residence for the past 15 years on Friday nights at Lakeside Country Club in Toluca Lake.

The event, set in the courtyard of the historical stone church St. Luke’s of the Mountains, will be a mix of song and story. There will be light appetizers and drinks served at 7 p.m. with the performance scheduled at 8 p.m. Admission is free but seats are limited. Those who are interested in attending are asked to call or text Steve Pierce at (818) 259-5195 to RSVP.

St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church is located at 2563 Foothill Blvd., at the corner of Rosemont Avenue and Foothill Boulevard.

  Mary Okeefe