Santa Monica : Stairway of Stars Planned

Students of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will perform Irving Berlin’s music in the district’s 41st annual Stairway of the Stars program next week at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

The extravaganza, March 22 and 23, will pay tribute to songwriter Berlin, who died last year, and will include an audience sing-along. Guest conductor is Patrick Williams, a Grammy and Emmy winner who has written music for films and television series, including “Columbo” and “The Bob Newhart Show.”

Animation artist and Santa Monica High School graduate Don Bluth will be honored. Bluth worked for Walt Disney Productions and now produces and directs animation films through his own studio. He created the video game “Dragon’s Lair” and worked on “The Land Before Time” and “Robin Hood.”

Tickets are $5 for the March 22 show and $7 for the March 23 show. They are available from the schools or at the Civic Auditorium door, 1855 Mainm St. For more information, call Rose Thot, (213) 450-8338, Ext. 288.