Danville News

Village Theater in Danville

The Town of Danville is proud to present a Sixth Line Studios production of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, Abridged at the Village Theatre. This fast-paced, laugh-out-loud theatrical adventure promises to bring big-city caliber entertainment right to the heart of Danville.

Produced by Sixth Line Studios, a professional regional theater company known for hiring working actors from New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, this production marks the company’s first collaboration with the Town of Danville and its first time performing at The Village Theater. One featured actor joins the cast from New York, alongside a company of accomplished Bay Area professionals.
At the helm is Producing Artistic Director Katie Rubin, a working professional actress and director since earning her MFA in Acting from UC Davis in 2005, following her BA in Theater and Dance from Amherst College. Rubin’s vision is to deliver sophisticated, high-energy productions that rival those found in major metropolitan centers—without requiring audiences to leave their own community.
This partnership between Sixth Line Studios and the Town of Danville aims to raise the bar for performing arts at The Village Theater while strengthening the local economy. By drawing residents downtown for evenings and weekends of live theater, organizers hope audiences will also enjoy nearby restaurants, shops, and parking facilities—keeping cultural engagement and spending close to home.

Opening night on March 6 promises to be especially festive. Ticket holders for that evening will be treated to a celebratory pre-show party featuring a live jazz band, along with food and drinks included in the price of admission—making it a true opening-night event worthy of the occasion.
Stylish, suspenseful, and hilariously inventive, The 39 Steps, Abridged transforms Hitchcock’s classic thriller into a whirlwind theatrical experience performed by a small cast playing dozens of roles. It’s a rare opportunity to see nationally sourced professional talent on a local stage—and a compelling reason for Danville residents to discover world-class entertainment in their own backyard.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly for this limited engagement. Theater lovers, mystery fans, and anyone seeking a memorable night out are encouraged to secure seats early and experience the excitement at The Village Theater.
TICKETS HERE: Sixth Line Studios

About Producing Artistic Director Katie Rubin

Sixth Line Studios

How did your business get started, and what inspired you?
I’ve been a working stage and screen actor since 2005, when I earned my MFA in Acting from UC Davis. Over the past two decades, I’ve acted, directed, produced, written, toured, and taught across the performing arts, gaining a broad perspective on the industry. With that experience came a desire to step into a leadership role and build the kind of company I had long envisioned—one dedicated to treating its creative teams with kindness and respect, while creating meaningful, entertaining, high-quality work. I’m deeply grateful to the Town of Danville for taking a chance on us and supporting our mission to bring professional theater to the heart of the community.

What is your background, and how did you develop the skills to start your business?
I hold a BA in Theater and Dance from Amherst College and an MFA in Acting from UC Davis. I began as an improviser in college, quickly became a theater major, and started creating original work right away. After graduate school, I wrote and performed a solo show, Insides OUT!, which toured nationally for six years and became my full-time profession—an experience that gave me extensive training in writing, producing, directing, and performance. I earned my Actors’ Equity card during a production of the show at Sacramento Theatre Company, then spent the following decade performing in a wide range of productions while continuing to create new work. I went on to write, tour, and produce five additional solo shows, collaborate with directors, teach solo performance creation, and direct other artists’ work. I have also taught acting, improv, and stand-up comedy writing at Stanford University (Continuing Studies), American Conservatory Theater, and numerous theaters nationwide.

What’s the one thing your business is known for over your competitors?
Our company is known for bringing bold, professional live theater to Danville and the greater Tri-Valley. In partnership with the Town of Danville, we aim to create vibrant cultural experiences that encourage residents to spend their weekends locally—enjoying nearby restaurants, shops, and the arts. Our goal is to offer the same caliber of high-quality theater that audiences might travel to San Francisco to see, right here in their own backyard.

What is your favorite part about living/working in Danville?
Personally, I love the energy and spirit of Danville. It’s a charming, safe, and beautiful town with a deeply supportive community. One example that stands out is the local Chamber of Commerce: when members were asked why they joined, an overwhelming number told Noemi Chojnacka and the whole Chamber team that their primary motivation was simply “to give back.” That generosity of spirit speaks volumes about the values and civic pride that define Danville.

Fall Festivities & Halloween Happenings

It’s that time of year! The leaves will start changing with the season. Even though the weather doesn’t feel like Fall, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all of the Activities and Fun! Check out our list of Fall Fun and Pumpkin Patches!

The Grille at Blackhawk Closed

The Grille at Blackhawk has officially closed its doors. It has yet to be determined if a new restaurant will open there. We will miss having The Grille in this location and enjoying the food and drinks they had to offer.

Business Spotlight: The Kingdom Escape

The Kingdom Escape

What inspired you to start this business?

The Kingdom has been a dream of our founder for over a decade. She was inspired to create a business where men like her father and grandfather could go and indulge in self-care without feeling self-conscious.

What makes your business unique in the industry?

The Kingdom is the only spot that offers an all-in-one solution for men to pamper themselves – from haircuts, massages, facials, waxing, and more. We are the only business that offers those services in a one-stop shop. We also offer brotherhood and community, and host events for men to meet other like-minded men and have a place for social interaction.

Do you have any signature treatments or client favorites?

Men really love our facials and return monthly for the service. The deep cleanse facial comes with a scalp and shoulder massage. The majority of the men who’ve come in for facials have had their very first facial with us.

What was your biggest challenge when you started?

The biggest challenge when starting was identifying the right team members. We wanted to not just create a place where men can come and get a treatment, but also receive services from people who truly care about other people and have a good work ethic. We’ve been very particular about who we’ve brought on as service providers and team members. It’s like picking a needle out of a haystack – trying to find the very best and brightest to add to The Kingdom.

How do you define success when it comes to client satisfaction?

Success is a happy customer who not only gets what they wanted in terms of what they asked for in the service but wants to come back. When a client books another appointment, that means someone had a great experience and wants to make our establishment their home for those services.

The Kingdom Escape

3550 Blackhawk Plaza Cir, Blackhawk, CA 94506

408-916-6564

Meet Benjamin & Carol Schuster, from Got Paella

Benjamin & Carol Shuster, Owners of Got Paella

We had the chance to get to know who is behind GOT PAELLA and a little about how it all started. The inspiring story of how they started and the opticals they overcame.
Follow @danvillesocial on social media to see more about this delicious product!

How did it all start?
In 2015 my husband and I started as a catering business which was very successful in Los Angeles L.A. Paella Catering and expanded to Santa Barbara SB Paella Catering. We launched a food truck Got Paella but only used it for wineries and festivals. During the closures, we saw an opportunity to sell individual meals via our Got Paella Food truck which proved to be a win, selling over 3k meals in 45 days. We had been working on a product for the future but as we were forced to shut down, we decided to utilize direct feedback from our clients and ultimately came up with a skillet ready frozen meal, which not only tastes delicious but by having been frozen, it allows for the consumer to complete the cooking process within 10 minutes and the end result is a delicious paella. The frozen food market is changing to reflect new food trends and is the way of the future due to very little waste and the demand for quick meals that taste homemade.

What inspired you to start your own business?
When I was pregnant with our first, I knew I wanted to be a full-time mom, so I left my career and focused on parenting. Benjamin was passionate about making paella and always dreamed of making it into a business and what started out as a side fun gig, turned into a successful catering business. Having 25+ yrs in sales and management, I took over the sales aspect and help grow our company. Our product Got Paella is our pandemic pivot but it is now the new direction of our company. The pandemic taught is that a service can quickly end but a product can continue on. We want to bring paella to every home in America.

What is your background and how did you develop the skills to start your business?
My parents migrated to the US in the early ’70s from Central America. They worked very hard and always emphasized how important it was to be a successful woman and to have a strong work ethic. I worked very hard in Sales Management for several stores and became the manager of the top Nordstrom, MAC Cosmetics location. I sent myself back to school and graduated from CalState Fullerton in Communications with a minor in Public Admin. I was a regional sales manager for salons and ended my sales career working for a reputable pharmaceutical company selling Cardiovascular medicine. Ben was raised in Spain since he was 1 month old due to his father playing and coaching bg soccer teams in Spain. He learned to make paellas in Spain at a very young age and was the designated paella chef of the home. He was sent to the U.S.A for college where he graduated with a BA in Finance from the University of Missouri. He finished his career working as a Global Financial Analyst for a top Law firm in Los Angeles. Both our experiences and passion to succeed for our family have pushed us beyond the skills we learned in corporate America to learn every aspect of the Grocery Business. Not without challenges but failing is not an option.

What’s the one thing your business is known for, over your competitors?
Aside from winning several Paella competitions, we are the first and only manufacturers of a frozen skillet-ready Paella. We offer a Vegan option as well. When we wanted to launch our Vegan we were told it is not paella, but we know that there is a need for variety in Vegan dishes when it comes to groceries. Not to mention this is the best Vegan paella ever!

Which small businesses are you inspired by?
We are inspired by family-owned businesses. When you hear the power of unity and trust when running a business with your family or partner and what it took to succeed, it makes you feel like you can win if you work together. Ben and I are very different. He is the Chef and artist and I am the sales and marketing part of our business. We stay in our own lanes and allow each other to take the lead in what we are experienced in. Small Family businesses that succeed always recognize the strength each person brings to the business and fosters its’ individual efforts and creativity.

What is your favorite part about living/working in Danville (or your business city)?
We relocated to Santa Barbara at the beginning o the pandemic to focus on the Santa Barbara location and for our kids to go to a small local school. Being part of the central coast community has allowed us the opportunity to launch our product, meet amazing supportive small business owners and be able to introduce our product to an amazing store like Draeger’s Blackhawk. They were one of the firsts to give us a shot and we are so excited to finally have their customers and the community of Danville taste our Paellas.

Tell us the most interesting and fun tidbit about your business (e.g., your company has a mascot or office pet, a fun outing your company held, the unorthodox way your leadership team brainstorms, the unusual ways your team communicates, etc.)
Well, we are a husband and wife team, parents of 2 girls, 3 and 7 yrs of age. We work from home mainly when Ben is not in the commercial kitchen. We juggle conversations about work and kids and family all in one thought. It is a madhouse and we are definitely a fun circus. Our kids are a part of everything we do. When we need a break we take an RV up the coast and camp with our kids. A lot of brainstorming happens when we are on the road as a family.

Feel Good News

Record-Breaking Women’s Skydiving Team Help Fellow “Sky Sister” Rock Her Cancer Battle With A Virtual Performance By Former Guitarist And Vocalist For The Multi-Platinum Band BOSTON

Record-Breaking Bay Area Skydiver Jill Scheidel Teamed Up With David Victor, Founder Of The Hospital Music Charity Harmony & Healing And Former Guitarist And Vocalist For The Multi-Platinum Band BOSTON, To Bring A Virtual Performance To Help Friend And Teammate On Her Journey To Healing

San Francisco Bay Area, CA (January 21, 2021) – The “Sky Sisters,” a group of four world-record skydiving women, recently surprised one of their own with a musical tribute to help her heal.

The online musical visit was organized by San Francisco Bay Area resident and “Sky Sister” Jill Scheidel. Scheidel’s long-time friend and fellow skydive teammate, Janet Lundquist is battling a second round of cancer and the disease and treatments have been, in Lundquist’s words “Brutal.”

With the help of David Victor, founder of the hospital music charity Harmony & Healing and former guitarist and vocalist for the multi-platinum band BOSTON, the two organized a virtual performance to help her friend on her journey to healing.

Victor founded Harmony & Healing in 2019. The mission is to deliver professional-caliber musical performances for patients and their loved ones in hospitals, children’s wards, and cancer centers.

With COVID-19 derailing the plans of in-person musical visits, Harmony & Healing now offers the services of the charity anywhere in the world via the “Virtual Visits” program.

Family members or friends of patients have the opportunity to organize the online visits and everyone can enjoy the music together via Zoom, Facetime, Google Meet, or the patient’s preferred platform. Harmony & Healing will often take musical requests and Victor will pair the virtual visit recipient with the perfect musician. Following the visit, Harmony & Healing provides a video of the Virtual Visit to the recipient and loved ones to enjoy.

Scheidel and her “Sky Sisters” have organized and participated in several world-record skydives for large formations, including many through Jump for the Cause (JFTC). JFTC is a non-profit all-female team that has set world records to raise money for breast cancer research. The group was co-organized by Mallory Lewis, the daughter of Shari Lewis, the puppeteer of Lamb Chop.

Everyone on the “Sky Sisters” virtual visit has battled or is currently battling cancer, and Scheidel saw this as a unique and welcome opportunity to support her life-long friend.

To learn more or to donate, visit the Harmony & Healing website.

Smiles Around Danville

DANVILLE, Calif. – In this year of COVID-19, there may not be much to smile about these days. Except maybe in Danville.

Downtown is now dotted with smiley face signs. And people are taking notice.

“It’s great. Especially in the time we are living in. We can all use a little cheer,” says resident Niki Hall

The signs are all hand-crafted in the home workshop of 17-year-old San Ramon Valley High School senior Aidan Cox.

“I think everyone is a little down about no school and everything is closed. I thought a smiley face would cheer people up a little bit,” Cox said.

Aidan has created and hung about 20 signs so far. The first was in his neighborhood in Alamo.

The signs are made of plywood and each one takes days to complete.

“Ever since I was a kid I always signed my name with a smiley face. I always loved smiley face emojis. I figured let’s just start out with this,” Cox says.

Those who walk or drive by seem to appreciate the simple sentiment. Aidan’s handy work has gotten a mention on the Facebook page of the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce.

“This is a perfect way this student has come up with. A way to make people happy. And I think people need a little pick up this time of year,” says chamber CEO Judy Lloyd.

The chamber hopes the signs will help draw people to the area and perhaps local restaurants for take-out.

Elected officials are also applauding the teenager.

“Hats off to this guy for doing a good job of bringing enthusiasm and trying to spread cheer at a time when many people might not be so cheerful. Well done,” said Danville Vice-Mayor Newell Arnerich.

“I feel really proud when I’m driving by and see them I think I did this myself. And it makes other people happy. I’m planning to keep doing it. Spread further out to other towns. And keep going,” says Cox.