Students from Correia Middle and Point Loma High schools will be raising funds for their music programs by performing on Newport Avenue and inside local businesses on Thursday, May 4.

Titled “Night Out On Newport,” the fundraising event will take place in the 4800 block of Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach starting at 5:30 p.m. Select students from Correia Middle and PLHS will fill the third block of Newport Avenue in OB with music.

Parents, friends, and community members are invited to stroll the block, patronize local businesses (many of which will be donating back to the schools), and hear great music from student ensembles. Bring the family, get dinner and drinks from supporting businesses, and enjoy an unforgettable night out.

Student music performances will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Gianni Buonomo Vintners, 4836 Newport Ave., and in Rincon Reservation Road Brewery, 4836 Newport Ave. Food will be brought in for guests by Mad Munch and OB Meat Company.

Later, PLHS and Correia Jazz Ensembles will perform at Humble Heart Thrift Store at 4873 Newport Ave., from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for a cover charge of $10 for adults, and $7 for students. That is to be followed by a grand finale performance by special guests and local favorites “Playing On The Freeway” at 7:45 p.m.

All purchases during Night Out On Newport will support Point Loma Cluster schools’ bands, choirs, orchestras, and guitar ensembles.

Correia Middle and Point Loma High are presenting Night Out at Newport. Musical board members and teachers at both schools include Joe Russell, president, Correia Instrumental Music Association; Wendy Enright, president, PLHS Music Boosters; Ben Abada, PLHS music director; Joshua Anderson, PLHS guitar & choir; Marc Dwyer, Correia music director; and Stasi McAteer, incoming PLHS Music Boosters president and CIMA director of communications.

“Both of these schools’ music programs don’t get nearly enough of the funding they need to support their work,” said spokesperson Stasi McAteer, who has children at both schools. She noted both music programs “have to buy the music itself and purchase their own instruments and repair them. And the kids have to provide their own instruments, which is really difficult for some families.”

Proceeds will not only go to the music programs themselves at both schools but for other related purposes, like supporting student coaches who directly impact the quality of Point Loma public school music programs.

McAteer came up with the idea for the fundraiser thinking that having students “playing out in the community,” while having neighbors listening to them while “patronizing local businesses,” would be a winning combination.

“Traditionally, local businesses have been good sponsors of our music programs,” noted McAteer. “It was just a win-win for our students, our community, and our businesses, as well as a night out for families.”

McAteer pointed out that the concept for Night Out On Newport builds on a walk or pub crawl while adding “the fun element of students playing music. We just want to encourage folks in OB to come out and enjoy this wonderful community atmosphere. It’s a great neighborhood and a fun vibe.”