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Friends of the Arts - UCEF presents
Bonfire Multi-Generational Storytelling

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THIRD ANNIVERSARY EXTRAVAGANZA

Theme: THREE

Friday, Saturday, Sunday
June 12, 13, 14, 2026

Thank you to our sponsors!

Diestco Manufacturing Corp logo
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Friends of the Arts UCEF
T&L Junk Removal logo
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Banerjee-Stevens Family

Sheryl Scarborough

2026 Explore Butte County Microgrant Recipient

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Bar by Marlow Bar

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NOTE FROM BONNIE 

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Three years ago, we had our first Bonfire show in Ama Posey’s studio when it was connected to the Children’s Museum downtown. We had 60 people in the audience, including the storytellers, and afterward, we all knew that something special had just happened. That bubbling, sparkly, hard-to-explain magic that rises up when people share true stories together had begun to catch fire.  And we kept going. 

We outgrew that space after two shows, then moved over to 330 Wall Street for the next three shows before settling into our beloved home at the Chico Women’s Club since November 2023. Add in two Big Night Out performances in Laxson Auditorium, two collaborations with Chico State in the Harlen Adams Theatre, two high school productions in Glenn County, two “funny story” workshop series at The Blue Room, a Day of the Dead collab at Chico Chai, a BDEP fundraiser back at 330 Wall Street, and well, dang it, no wonder these three years feel so full and wonderful and amazing.

 

Hundreds of stories shared, connections forged, and community built. Truly. Tears, laughter, and even a little bit of blood have spilled for this. We’ve lost storytellers (We love you forever Ralph de la Rosa and Dan Diestel) and we’ve made friends, fallen in love, had our hearts broken, witnessed raw humanity in the ways we most need right now. And now, here we are in a barn? Whew! I definitely love to keep you all on your toes!

 

THREE CHEERS for all we’ve done and all that is to come. This thing we do is important. Deeply. And I can’t thank you enough for being here.

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THE LOCATION

Thank you to Georgia Zweber and Jodi Host for opening up their home to this wild endeavor. Your openness, willingness, enthusiasm, and support have truly made this whole thing possible. We promise not to run over your sprinklerheads. Right, fam????

BONFIRE FAM

PRODUCER / STORY WRANGLER

Bonnie Pipkin

SOUND / RECORDING

Brandon McKie

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Patrice Berry

TECH SUPPORT / HEAVY LIFTING

Big Jim Moore

ASL INTERPRETERS (SAT. 3 PM ONLY)

Heather Troth

Rex

ART

Ama Posey

SECURITY

Power Security Solutions

PRODUCTION TEAM

Georgia Zweber

Carrie Hauskens

Wareke Buroz

Andrew Kinley

Anna Moore

Dave Parks

Nimai Buroz

Tamara Peters

Polly Jean Moore

CLEAN OUT CREW

Brad & Carrie Hauskens

Jim Moore

Polly Jean & Matilda Moore

Wareke Buroz

Georgia Zweber

Jodi Host

David Welch

Alaina Macarthy

Pat Koszis

Kay Wooldridge

Andrew Kinley

Nimai Buroz

Kelsey Simmen

Ama Posey

All shows hosted by Bonnie Pipkin

FRIDAY at 7:30 PM

20- Valeria Cisneros

30 - Addison Winslow

40 - Carrie Hauskens

Music - Ray Hayes

 

50 - Juni Banerjee Stevens

60 - Stephanie Jimenez

80 - Ellen Walker

SATURDAY at 12 PM

30 - Nimai Buroz

40 - Sun Hi

50 - Pete Washington

60 - Georgia Zweber

MUSIC - Mars Robinson

30 - Conor Fitzgerald

40 - Samantha Shaner

50 - Nandi Sojourner Crosby

70 - Sarah Salisbury

SATURDAY at 3 PM

30 - Val Rose

40 - Marquita Goodman

50 - Big Jim Moore

60 - Christine Mac Shane

MUSIC - Mars Robinson

30 - Nalani Lemmerman

40 - Brae Weil Sisk

50 - Enyer Wareke Buroz

80 - Ellen Walker

SATURDAY at 6 PM

30 - Yucheng Tang

40 - Xatzibe Mari Garrido

50 - Addy Sakler

70 - Idie Adams

MUSIC - Mars Robinson

20 - Sunny Herrera

40 - Andrew Kinley

50 - Stephanie Shepard

80 - Anthony Peyton Porter

SUNDAY at 12 PM

Teen - Maxine Hartmann

30 - Sammey Zangrilli

40 - Christine Leistner

60 - DNA

MUSIC - Samaria

20 - Skylar Wondrusch

30 - Addison Winslow

40 - Cory Hunt

50 - Joaquin Jordan

SUNDAY at 3 PM

30 - Nimai Buroz

40 - Siana Sonoquie

50 - Christian Serramalera

60 - DNA

MUSIC - Samaria

30 - Bryce Goldstein

40 - Molly Paul

50 - Blak Roze

70 - Idie Adams

SUNDAY at 6 PM

30 - Rissa Wallace

40 - Brae Weil-Sisk

50 - Anna B. Moore

70 - David Welch

MUSIC - Ray Hayes

20 - Sand Avila

30 - Mari Jaques Tineo

40 - Chelsea Smith

80 - Anthony Peyton Porter

Friday

Food by A Taste of Mi Kasa

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Adrianna's Bakery

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Saturday

Rice & Grill

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La Flor de Michoacan

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Live screen printing from
Pedal Press

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Sunday

Food by A Taste of Mi Kasa

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Aloha Bros.

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COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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Chico Sol logo
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