altadenablog

It's a weekend of art ahead, as Altadena artists shine in galleries, open studios

by Timothy Rutt

This is a busy weekend for Altadena-based artists, with gallery openings and open studio sales this weekend:

• Patrick and Mary Gothard will hold an open studio event on Sun., Dec. 2, from 10 AM-5 PM at 215 Laurel Drive in Altadena.  Over 300 original paintings will be on display along with samplings of homemade textile items.  The studio will be "warmly open so you can plan to sit a spell, have a bite to eat and be surrounded by the aromas and delicious samplings of the holiday season."
• Alta-artist Jane Szabo will be showing her photographs in the LA Art Association's Open Show, a juried exhibition of emerging contemporary art.  Reception will be Sat., Dec. 1, from 6-9 PM at Gallery 825, 825 N. La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, and runs through Jan. 4.
• Open Studio: Kathleen Swaydan and her friends will have a Holiday Art Sale Dec. 1 and 2 at her studio, 3061 Ridgeway Dr. in Altadena.  Artwork includes assemblage, ceramics, collage, hair adornments, handcrafted clothing and jewelry, painting, photography and more.  Artists include Swaydan, Nancy Desmond Armitage, Kate Carvellas, Nina Ehlig, Anita Finnegan, Annie Fourguette, Lisa George, Nancy Halpin, Lisa Houpt, Beverly Jones, Eve Kessler, Heather Morrow, and Lynda Pyka.
• James Griffith triple-header:  the Altadena painter and master of the Folly Bowl will be part of a show called "Under the Influence," works by artists who collect and whose collecting influences their artwork, at El Camino College Art Gallery, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance.  Artist's reception is Thurs., Nov. 29, from 7-9 PM.  Robert S. Hilton, another Altadena artist, is also appearing in this show.
  
  Griffith is also participating in "Small Works" at the Ruth Bachofner Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave. in Santa Monica. The show runs Dec. 1-Jan. 5, with a reception Saturday, Dec. 1 from 4-7 PM.
  
  Griffith is also showing "small tar paintings" at the Offramp Gallery, 1702 Lincoln Ave. in Pasadena, through Dec. 23, with a closing reception on that date from 2-5 PM.

 

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Arts Council call for artists for new exhibit space

Arts Council call for artists for new exhibit space

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Arts Council marks an important stage of its development on Sun., Dec. 16. with the opening of its new Community Arts Center at 2460 Lake Ave.

The arts center, in the Websters complex on North Lake Avenue, will open with the exhibit, "Artists from the North," featuring works by artists from Altadena, Pasadena, and foothill area communities.

Executive Director Mary Ann Stevenson says that “After so many years of operating out of our home, we (she and co-founder, Gene Stevenson) wanted to make the first official event in our own facility ... one which serves as a tribute to the many talented artists residing in our community who struggle, as we do, for the love of art.”  

According to a press release from the Arts Council, this will be a juried exhibition limited to artists  artists residing in Altadena, Pasadena and the foothill area communities, working in all traditional and non-traditional media.  All artwork must be original in concept, design and execution.  Acceptable entries include paintings, drawings, collage, print work, assemblage and photography and all work, if selected, must be ready to hang.  Sculptures as well as assemblages will be accepted. Sculpture should not exceed 3x3x3 and must be accompanied by a pedestal of 3x3x3. Assemblages that cannot be hung must also be accompanied with a pedestal.  All selections for the exhibit will be based on the discretion of the Community Arts Center Committee. 

Interested artists are invited to bring three pieces of their work for consideration to the Altadena Community Arts Center, 2460 North Lake Ave.  Entries will be accepted Monday, Nov. 26  through Thurs., Nov. 29, from 5-7 PM.  Entries will be received no later than 7:00pm.  The jury selection process will take one (1) week to complete.  Notice of acceptance or non-acceptance of work will be made on Sat., Dec. 1,  or by phone if no e-mail available.  A signature confirmation will be provided upon receipt of art work.  Selected entrants will participate in a collective exhibition at the Altadena Community Arts Center. The exhibition period will be Dec. 16, 2012, through Jan. 18, 2013. 

For questions/further information concerning the "Artists From the North" Exhibition, call (626) 797-5798. 

Ed. note: we were given a non-working website address for entry forms -- we have requested a correction, and will put it up once we receive it.

Xiem Clay Center features Altadena artists in "Fallidays" this weekend

from Heather Morrow

Xiem Clay Center of Pasadena is hosting the 2012 Fallidays Ceramic Art Fair & Open Studio Sale, November 16 & 17.

The show is Friday, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Altadena Ceramic Artists: Heather Morrow, Tom Glavich, Sharon Garrett, and Daarina Abdus-Samad are among 40 artists participating in the annual event. At this show you will find one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items for purchase by the participating artists representing all of Southern California (you can’t get more American Made, than this).

In addition, on Saturday, there will be demonstrations their artistry and craft.

Public awareness of the local crafts scene helps sustain jobs for artists and their businesses. There is a local return on that investment: in many towns, the arts help promote economic development and tourism. Xiem Clay Center is located on the West side of Lake Ave, just before Washington Blvd. 1563 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91104, (626) 794-5833, www.xiemclaycenter.com. For more information about the Xiem Clay Center Fallidays Ceramic Art Fair & Open Studio Sale, please contact Heather Morrow at (818) 257-0338.

Caltech/Oxy bands go from Bach to the Beatles in free concert Friday

The Caltech-Occidental Concert Band is having a free concert this Friday, Nov. 16, covering everybody from Back to the Beatles.

The concert starts at 8 PM at Ramos Auditorium on the Caltech campus.

Featured performance is the music of the Beatels in a special arrangement originally commissioned by Cirque du Soleil.  Other composers featured will be J.S. Back, Ralph Vaugh Williams, Ron Nelson, and Daniel French.  French will also guest conduct, along with Paul Asimow and Jeffrey Thompson.

Special guest soloist is Caltech alumnus Aaron Eichelberger, who will perform "Rhapsody for Euphonium" by James Curnow.

Admission to the concert is free.

 

Altadena musican Tsan to premiere "Trio" based on her life

Altadena cellist commissioned piece based on her dramatic life story

by Timothy Rutt

 

The Pantoum Trio: Cécilia Tsan, left, Tereza Stanislav, and Steven Vanhauwaert.

Next Saturday, Nov. 17, the Pantoum Trio will perform the American premiere of "Trio" by Eric Tanguy, the most frequently performed living French composer, in a Santa Monica concert. 

 

The piece will have a special meaning for Pantoum Trio cellist Cécilia Tsan: Tanguy's inspiration to write the piece was Tsan's family story.

Altadena resident Tsan, who is also principal cellist of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, has a dramatic story to tell.  Her parents, both from Shanghai, were musicians who fled Communist China for Europe, where they had been educated.  They were married at the Vatican, and settled in France. Tsan was born in Versailles.

A composer, Tsan says her father was writing a major ballet for a patron when he was killed in an apparent accident.  She was only 40 days old at the time.  With her sister and her mother, they lived in a convent in France for several years while her mother held a variety of different jobs. 

James Griffith's "Natural Selection" at Offramp Gallery Nov. 18-Dec. 23

Altadena artist James Griffith will have a show at the Offramp Gallery at 1702 Lincoln Ave. in Pasadena from Nov. 18-Dec. 23.

"Natural Selection" features Griffith's small tar paintings.  

In 2011, Griffith told Altadenablog that his latest series "extends my interest ... in the impact on nature by man's use of petrochemicals.  In my new work, rather than depicting nature through a veil of plastic,  I am using tar as a paint itself and painting elements of nature with it."

Griffith and his wife Susanna Dadd also host the Folly Bowl series of concerts at their Altadena home.

Opening reception is Sun., Nov. 18, with a closing reception on Dec. 23.

 

An evening of Swedish art song at Boston Court tonight

Alta-musician Lisa Sylvester will accompany soprano Kathleen Roland in a romantic evening of Swedish art songs tonight at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center in Pasadena.  

Performance begins at 8 PM, and more tickets and information is here.

 

Call for artists for Altadena's 125th birthday bash art show

by Timothy Rutt

Ben McGinty, the former proprietor of the Gallery at the End of the World, will curate an art show exhibition and sale as part of Altadena's 125th Birthday celebration at Farnsworth Park on Nov. 3.

McGinty writes:

I will be accepting submissions for consideration at Steve's Bike Shop, 859 E. Mariposa St., Altadena on:

        Saturday, October 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

        Thursday, October 18, 3-6 p.m.

We are looking for Altadena-specific art in all media. This means your work must be of a local area scene or relate to the town of Altadena in some manner. 

I look forward to meeting with you and viewing your work on October 13 or October 18.

Ben McGinty
benmcginty@sbcglobal.net

Romantic comedy "Later Life" at the Library Oct. 21

from the Altadena Library

Looking for some really fun entertainment? Tired of the high prices most movie theaters charge nowadays? How would you like to see some professional actors in a hilarious live production for less than the cost of watching the latest not so great film and also help a good cause?  Well, you can, and you won’t have to drive far either because a staged reading of the romantic comedy "Later Life" by A. R. Gurney is coming Sunday, Oct.  21, 2 PM and 5:30 PM to the Altadena Library.

The Moveable Theatre Company by Special Arrangement with Dramatists Play, Service, Inc. is producing a staged reading of the play to benefit the Friends of the Altadena Library.  John Balma and Debra Lee, whom many may recognize from their many appearances in film and television, star in this production.

David Berkus, associate of The Moveable Theatre Company, who has had privy to recent rehearsals, has this to say: “The comic actors add so much to the humor of the play. The lines are hysterical the way these professional actors interpret them. I know your ticket buyers will be very entertained."

For tickets and more info:www.altadenalibrary.org; www.moveabletheatrecompany.org; or 626-798-0833.  The main Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa Street, 91001.

Alta-poet Khadija Anderson releases "History of Butoh"

by Timothy Rutt

Altadena poet Khadija Anderson will have a book release event for her first book of poetry, "History of Butoh," on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Billy's Coffee Shop, 114 W. 5th St. in downtown Los Angeles, starting at 8 PM.

Besides Anderson's poetry, there will be Butoh performances by Yuki Hayashi & Todd Ivers; music by Flynn Joffray; and art by Melora Walters.

Pasadena Master Chorale sings "Songs of the World" at Altadena Community Church

The Pasadena Master Chorale celebrates "Songs of the World" in a concert that promises to take you "Around the World in 80 minutes."

A cappella arrangements of beloved folk songs from four continents will be featured at the concert, to be held Sun. Sept. 30, at 4 PM at Altadena Community Church, 943 E. Altadena Dr.

General admission is $20, seniors $15, students $10.   PUSD students and their parents are free at the door.

Reserve your tickets here:

http://pmc1213sotwsunday.eventbrite.com/

Moveable Theatre Co. presents "Later Life" fundraiser for Friends of the Library

by Timothy Rutt

 

Debra Lee and John Balma star in "Later Life" at the Altadena Library Oct. 21

The Altadena Library's modernist sunken reading room will turn into a stage as The Moveable Theatre Company performs "Later Life," a play by A. R. Gurney ("Love Letters")  as a benefit for the Altadena Friends of the Library on Sun., Oct. 21.

 

The production, starring Debra Lee and John Balma, will be in a matinee and evening performance at the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St. 

A bittersweet comedy, "Later Life" will be The Moveable Theatre Company’s theatrical production for this fall. Not community theater, The Moveable Theatre Company (TMTC) allows nonprofits the opportunity to use a play like "Later Life" to be a fundraiser by selling tickets and/or promoting their memberships. TMTC uses an enthusiastic volunteer corps of well-seasoned professional actors from theater, movies and TV. This theater company has no theater facility. The company performs where the patrons want it done.

In this case, the performance space will be the library's reading room.  “Being portable forces you to get creative,” said Holly Witham, TMTC’s founder and production director. “We have to accommodate any grandiose ideas for production that we have. This means improvising, fitting, moving and getting very creative – often in a few minutes – to make it work in the space and parameters that exist. …Since we are moving anyway, why not make the space a character in the play. By doing the shows in appropriate spaces, the space coordinates and becomes part of the experience,” Witham said. 

Jo Mann is the Library's artist for September

Jo Mann is the Altadena Library District's artist for September, with her show, "Silence in Company."

Jo’s work reflects the need and balance in one’s lives, the elimination of the unnecessary, and the goal of simplicity with substance. Jo believes art should be didactic and conveying and that her pieces help people to think freely and project their connections into the artwork. Jo incorporates the urban reality of found materials to express the underlying but ever-present clutter and cacophony of contemporary life.

The reduction of form and harmonious color palette speaks to the balance we seek.

Mann's work will be on display in the Community Room of the Altadena Main Library, 600 E. Mariposa St., thru the month of September.

For questions or information regarding art exhibits and event, contact:Tina Wallin ,626-798-0833 (x110), or email:twallin@altadenalibrary.org,sbowman@altadenalibrary.org

B. Taggert reception this afternoon at the Coffee Gallery

The current artist at the Gallery in the Coffee Gallery, B. Taggert, will have a reception this afternoon from 5:30-6 PM at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena

Baroque music in a garden setting with Tesserae at the Folly Bowl Aug. 25

by Timothy Rutt

Tessarae, which Folly Bowl impresaria Suzanna Dadd says presents "exquisite museum quality interpretations of baroque music," will perform at the backyard amphitheater on Sat., Aug. 25 at 7:30 PM.  The Folly Bowl is at 1601 E. Loma Alta Drive, and suggested donation is $15.

RenFair meets Bohemia at LA Folk Festival

The third annual festival -- in its second year at the Zorthian Ranch in Altadena -- brings together diverse musicians and fans of new folk.

The folk group Cowboy and Indian performed a the Third Annual New LA Folk Festival at the Zorthian Ranch on Aug. 4, 2012. All photos by Erika McCarden.

 

by Erika McCarden

It’s the event that features everything, including the kitchen sink! The third annual New L.A. Folk Festival held up to its strong reputation of combining folk music and eccentric art at the Zorthian Ranch, located at the very top of Fair Oaks Avenue.

Getting there was a long hike up a dusty road from the parking lot.

After parking at the foot of the mountain, guests hiked about 15 minutes up a windy road to the secluded ranch, where they were greeted by live folk music, fresh smells of assorted eats, and a hidden world of art comprised of lots and lots of interesting…junk. 

A TV Log line for the New L.A. Folk Festival might read something like, “It’s The Renaissance Fair with a Burlesque and 70s twist!”

 

Nine-year-old Freya Brandvik enjoyed the Zorthian Ranch pool on a hot day.

One thing for sure, it was a major attraction for the Altadena community, attended by families and folk fans of all ages, some dressed Renaissance style, others with a dash of Carnival, and the remaining in casual, California beach attire.

 

“My wife used to take gardening lessons here, so I’d been hearing about the ranch for a while,” said David Brandvik, sitting poolside with his family. “This event is so much fun, we’re really enjoying it, and I’m very surprised at all of the things around here -- some pretty interesting stuff.”

Two local opportunities to brush up your Shakespeare this weekend

by Timothy Rutt

It's a good weekend to get your Bard on.

EXPLICIT (EXtracurricular PLayers at Caltech, the "i" is imaginary)  will present "A Midsummer Night's Dream" starting tonight at 7 PM and continuing in performances this weekend and next.  Tickets are $10 for general audiences and $5 for students.  For schedule and to reserve tickets, go here.

On Sunday, Shakespeare by the Sea takes to the Farnsworth Park Amphitheatre at Lake and Mt. Curve avenues to present "Two Gentlemen of Verona."  The performance is free, and starts at 6:30 PM.

 

 

Middle Eastern Dance concert in Alhambra Aug. 11-12

Altadena resident and choreographer Kim (Kamala) Almanzar will present "A Choreographers Collective 2012," performances of Middle Eastern dance forms in three shows on Aug. 11-12.  

 This show features professional dancers and internationally esteemed choreographers of Middle Eastern Dance collaborating to produce artistic, authentic and theatrical dances of the Middle East. Includes Belly dance, Egyptian, Lebanese & Iraqi folk dance. With all the strife in the Middle East - we are keeping their beautiful dance forms alive!

The performances will be held at the Arte Flamenco Dance Theater, 230 W. Main St., Alhambra.  Tickets range from $10 for students to $20. Click the graphic for more details, or visit kamaladance.com

July's Coffee Gallery artist: it's Destiny

The Coffee Gallery's artist of the month for July is Diane Destiny.

Destiny received her MFA Degree from California State University, Los Angeles.  Since graduation she has taught at Mission College, CSU Northridge, Polytechnic, Pomona and CSU Los Angeles to name a few.  She has had eight one-person exhibits, the last in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica.  Ms. Destiny has also exhibited her work in competitive and invitational annuals and group exhibitions far too many to list.

She received the Annual Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, Purchase Award, Brand Library Art Galleries and the Annual Westwood Art Association first place cash award.  In addition she has won other prizes and awards.  She was also awarded a Sculpture Commission for Southern Colorado State University, Pueblo, Colorado.

Her work can be found in the following publications:  “Feminists Who Changed America 1963 – 1975”, The International Library of Photography, Priceless Treasures, 1999; “Visions Art Quarterly,” 1993/94; and Guide to Artists in Southern California Art Resource Publication, Cambridge Who’s Who www.cambridgewhoswho.com, L. A. Rising: So Cal Artists Before 1980 by Lyn Kienholz, and has self-published poetry. 

Her work is in permanent collections at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC and the Brand Library, Glendale.

Of her Coffee Gallery show, Destiny writes:

Visionary Poetry is a give and take process where the artist, Diane Destiny, creates the vision based on a poem written by Joyce Stein OR the artist creates the vision and the poet responds by writing a poem based on the art piece. The images are created on the computer, printed on canvas, presented on brushed aluminum and finished as an encaustic painting. Encaustic is an archaic medium that literally means “to burn.”

My work is a contemporary expression executing the Ancient use of Pigmented Wax. The medium of encaustic is the master of layer after layer of intrigue resulting in multiple surprises. Poetry makes the reader experience through the verse and its rhythm the thoughts and feelings of the poet. The words chosen are based on the poet’s reaction to the visual impact of the art piece. Words have their own color and shape and the artist reacts to them with her individual vision of their meaning. The art piece and the poem are designed to complement each other. Each Painting is accompanied by an audio recording for the viewer to listen to the Poem while viewing the Painting. Some viewers and readers may find their own interpretation of a specific combination and that adds even more to the viewing.

There will be a reception and poetry reading on Sun., July 29 at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake, from 4-6 PM.  

Website: dianedestiny.com

 

"The Hills of Altadena" at Museum of California Art

by Jane Brackman

 

Edgar Payne's plein-air view of the hills of Altadena

The Pasadena Museum of California Art at 690 E. Union Street in Pasadena is exhibiting a retrospective of plein-air painter Edgar Payne.  Payne was an American impressionist, famous for painting the Sierras as well as other monumental nature scenes all over the world, from the first part of the 20th century through the 1950s I think. 

This is an amazing show for anyone.  (And if you are a hiker, I warn you, it will bring tears to your eyes.)  But the thing that took my breath away is the painting titled “Hills of Altadena.” (1917-1919).  I recognized it immediately.  I believe he was sitting very near the Country Club, probably near the corner of Holliston and Mendocino, looking east.  You can’t see it in this poor quality photo that I took from the show catalog, but in the painting which is very large, at the end of the road (which must be Mendocino) you can clearly see the cut in the mountain that is the Mt. Wilson Toll Road! 

For comparison, I’ve included a second photo that shows the same POV during magic hour, taken from the ATCC balcony last fall.

 

The view today

The show is open through October 14, 2012.  http://www.pmcaonline.org/exhibits/70/index.html

 

 

Shakespeare By the Sea returns to Farnsworth with "Two Gentlemen"

by TImothy Rutt

Shakespeare By the Sea players perform "King Lear" in Farnsworth Park last summer.

Shakespeare by the Sea, the theatrical troupe that makes the summer circuit of parks in Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties, announced that it will perform "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at Farnsworth Park Amphitheatre on Sun., Aug. 5, at 7 PM.

Celebrating its 15th year, SBTS is a nonprofit organization launched in 1998 by Lisa Coffi. Since its inception, the company has provided admission-free Shakespeare productions to nearly 210,000 audience members.

 

“I’m excited to be celebrating our 15th Anniversary – it’s hard to believe I’ve been presenting this festival for so many years. As always, I look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones as the summer season progresses,” muses Lisa. “SBTS has many loyal audience members who look forward to gathering family and friends for a summer evening picnic and theatre under the stars. For many, these productions were their first introduction to live theatre, and they return year after year. We are proud to have earned a place in the lives of so many Southern Californians.”

The performance is free.  For more information: http://www.shakespearebythesea.org/

 

Auditions this weekend for new Altadena-based youth jazz ensemble

by Timothy Rutt

Some local jazz fans and players are looking for high school and middle school students in the San Gabriel Valley to become part of the John Tirabasso Youth Jazz Ensemble.

Tirabasso was a jazz drummer who lived in Altadena, and died in 2010.

The Ensemble will start during the summer, training and mentoring young instrumental students to play jazz in a variety of venues and genres, from big  band to trio.

Auditions will be held this Saturday, June 9, and next Saturday, June 16, from 10 AM-1 PM at Loma Alta Park.  To rserve your audition time, contact Penny Daniels or Sam Estrada at 626-398-5451 from 9 AM-8 PM.

Wind, brass, keyboard, and mallet players should be prepared to: play a major scale (in C,G,D,A,F, B flat, or E flat); perform an etude or short prepared piece; and sight read material provided by the judges.  At the judges discretion, you may be asked to improvise to a 12-bar blues progression in C.

For percussionsts. be prepared to play basic drum rudiments, keep time in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, and 6/8 time, and play a 2, 4, and 8 measure solo.  A drum set will be provided, but you must bring your own sticks.

For further information, email: Dwight Garcia at saxogeek@ymail.com

Loma Alta Park is at 3330 N. Lincoln Avenue.

 

Eliot Middle School spring concert Thursday

Eliot Middle School invites the Altadena community to join us for our Spring Concert this Thursday, May 24, at 7 pm in the school auditorium.

The performance will feature the Eliot Concert Band, Orchestra and Jazz Band, and our special guests, the PHS Jazz Band.

The "Library Warriors" and our Book Club will host a pre-concert sale of coffee, baked goods, used books, and crafts - all proceeds will support our beautiful school library.

Crown City Symphony at Altadena Community Church May 19

The Crown City Symphony is presenting a free concert Saturday featuring cellist Laszlo Mezo.

Mr. Mezo is a Hungarian cellist currently residing in Los Angeles.   As the winner of the 2008 international  Ima Hogg competition, he was invited to record a CD with the Hungarian label in 2009.  The recording features works by David Popper and includes several world premieres.   He will be performing this season in Hungary, Japan, Romania and the United States.  Mr. Mezo will perform "Pezzo Capriccioso" and "Variations on a Rococo Theme" by Tchaikovsky with the Crown City Symphony.

The orchestra will perform "Pavane" by Faure, with guest conductor, Cynthia Nunes, and "Sigurd Jorsalfar" by Grieg.

Marvin Neumann is the conductor.

The concerts will be held on Sat., May 19,  at 2 PM  at the Altadena Community Church 943 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena.

More Information:

Crown City Symphony

Crown City Symphony on Facebook

Lazsla Mezo

Joanne Adams is May's Coffee Gallery artist

The Coffee Gallery's featured artist for May is Joanne Adams:

Throughout my life, I have maintained a fascination with people, the human form as well as the human condition. Engrossed for hours with my mom’s medical books, I was fascinated by their pictures of anatomy, how the body functioned and how we look under this skin (it’s all the same, folks). 

There will be an artist's reception for Adams this Sunday, May 13, from 4-6 PM at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake.

Linda Dove is Altadena's new poet laureate

The Altadena Library is pleased to announce the new Poet Laureate for the Altadena Library District will be Linda Dove. 

The official passing of the laurels will take place on Sat.,  April 21 at 2 PM at the library’s annual Friends sponsored program, "Poetry and Cookies."   

Dove holds a Ph.D. in Renaissance literature and most recently taught at Yavapai College in Arizona where she directed the creative writing program.  She is the author of In Defense of Objects (Bear Star Press, winner of the Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Award, 2009) and O Dear Deer, (Squall Publishing, winner of the Eudaimonia Poetry Review Chapbook Prize, 2011). Poems have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and were a finalist for the Robert H. Winner Award from the Poetry Society of America. She lives in Altadena, California, with her husband, daughter, and two Jack Russell terriers, and has been active in local organizations, such as the Altadena garden co-op RIPE, the community food bank, and with an Altadena-based Girl Scouts troop.

This event is free and will take place at Altadena Senior Center located at 560 East Mariposa Street, just west of the main Altadena Library. For more information please call 626 798 0833 or check the library’s website athttp://altadenalibrary.org.

 

Kristine Schomaker is Library's artist for April/May

The Altadena Library Community Room Presents: “Don’t Blink” :paintings by Kristine Schomaker.

Kristine’s paintings are founded upon an ongoing investigation into the transforming the modern abstract expressionist mark into the postmodern vocabulary. In her current paintings she uses the pour and drip as a trope by changing them into a language influenced by graphic design, pop art, virtual reality and animation. They become a hybridization of these elements.

Work will be on display in the Community Room for the month of April and May 2012

For Questions or information regarding Art Exhibits and Events, contact  Tina Wallin,  626-798-0833 (x116) or email: twallin@altadenalibrary.org.

 

 

James Griffith's "One Show One Artist" at Alias Books

Altadena painter James Griffith will be the artist at the "One Show One Artist" exhibition at Alias books East, 3163 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles (Atwater Village).  

There will be a "soft opening" for the show from 7 to 9 PM on Fri., March 30 at the bookstore.

Art on Palm spring show to offer tours of Charles Green cottage

The 16th bi-annual Art on Palm show takes place on April 28 this year, and they're offering an incentive for coming: a tour of Charles Greene's Valentine Cottage.

Art on Palm hosts Maryrose Smyth and Mark Pickett will give tours of the cottage, a landmark in Altadena's Wildwood Park, the cozy oaken setting of the show. Renovated in 1924, the Cottage rests at the base of an ancient oak estimated to be over 650 years old. The Cottage’s exceptional stone work includes two chimneys and two gracious porches, evidence of the Craftsmen Movement’s seamless integration of indoor/outdoor living for Southern California’s lifestyle. “Art on Palm has something for everyone”, states Mary Jane Elgin, the event’s co-founder. “Art on Palm promotes gifted local artists, attracts a loyal following, builds awareness of Altadena’s vibrant architecture, acknowledges the beauty of an ancient oak canyon, and even raises funds for the Fisher House of Greater Los Angeles.”

Since 2006, Art on Palm artists have donated a portion of their sales to The West L.A. Fisher House; which provides humanitarian support for hospitalized military personnel and their families. “The West L.A. Fisher House acknowledges this generosity. The contributions from Art on Palm artists help us provide much-needed humanitarian relief to members of our military and their families who reside in L.A. County.  We look forward to their continued support.”, commented Tim Byk, Founder/Executive Director, West L.A. Fisher House Foundation.

The exhibit and art show will be on Sat., April 28, from 9:30AM-6 PM at 1419 E. Palm St. The show and sale features ceramics, collage, drawings, encaustic, fabric, fiber, glass, jewelry, paintings, photography, watercolors and woodcarving.

Participating artists are: Annie Aldridge; Tyn Atol; Stephanie Anderson; Erica Batchelder, Marcia Bloom; Ovie and Catherine Cowles, Ellen Dinerman, Mary Jane Elgin, Elisa Goodman, Lynn Hendricks, Jim Heuston, Beverly Jones, Debbie Lawrence; Ron Lawrenz,  Susan Loraine, Lynn Mattiesen; Dawn Mendelson, Dana Sue Miller, Katherine Nakazono, Lucia Pasquinelli, Cielo Pessione, Detra Prete, Cathy Reichel-Clark, Anne Sears, Maryrose Smyth, Kathy Spear, Kathleen Swaydan, Naomi Tratar, Nancy Unruh, Anna Vosburg, Tris Wasserman, Lys Wilcox, Bruce Wilson, Kaylie James Wilson, Stephen Woodruff, Lucia Yang, and Denise Young. Along the meandering drive and paths of Wildwood Park, Art on Palm artists will display their finely crafted work ranging from functional to whimsical, from something to wear, to something to give. Admission and parking are free. Refreshments will be sold by Jones Coffee Roasters of Pasadena.

Foothill Arts Collective holds March 29 mixer

The Foothill Arts Collective, will hold a “friends” wine and cheese mixer on Thurs. March 29, at the Women’s City Club (160 North Oakland Avenue Pasadena) from 5 PM to 7 PM. There is no charge for attending the mixer, although donations to support FAC will gladly be accepted.

The Foothill Arts Collective (FAC) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing a level of quality and excellence in performing and visual arts programing, which spotlights and engages underserved participants from the San Gabriel Valley and neighboring communities.

FAC strives to offer opportunities and venues for local artists to demonstrate and perform their unique and individual artistry to a community that embraces diversity of the arts. The Collective is especially dedicated to helping youth discover and develop their talents and gifts with confidence and self-assurance in an environment that is nurturing and safe.

The wine and cheese mixer is an opportunity for the community to become acquainted with FAC’s programs and upcoming events, such as the Kids Performing Arts Club which begins April 14th along with the 2012 Second Performing Arts Summer Camp which runs June 11th through August 6th for ages 5-15 years old.

The mixer celebrates a collaboration of local community partners who are vested in continuing local youth’s exposure to the performing and visual arts.

R.S.V.P. by March 23, 2012 to Diane Henry, Executive Director at event@foothillartscollective.org or by calling (323) 331 –1398.

Altadena Arts Council looking for volunteers, instructors

The Altadena Arts Council is looking for community-minded volunteers with an interest in the arts to become involved with the Council and the Community Arts Center at the Loma Alta school building.

Opportunities include board membership, internships, paid positions for arts instructors, and serving as arts advocates.  

Executive Director Mary Ann Stevenson says she is “especially interested in bringing on board experienced instructors to conduct workshops  for children and teens in visual and performing arts.” Candidates must have an Associates of Arts Degree or higher level training/teaching experience and submit a resume/portfolio.

The Altadena Arts Council is also recruiting candidates for board membership who have a love of the arts, believe that an arts education for youth is essential for providing a well-rounded education and who can promote efforts of the Arts Center to serve Altadena’s residents. Candidates must be willing to accept a two-year commitment, submit a resume or statement of interest, be available for board meetings, and live within the San Gabriel Valley.

If you are interested in becoming involved with the Altadena Arts Council and Altadena Community Arts Center (located at Loma Alta School Center, Loma Alta Blvd. and North Marengo) in either capacity and would like to schedule an interview or would like further information, contact the Arts Council at 626-797-5798

"Winter's Thaw" at Westminister Presbyterian Sunday

by Timothy Rutt

A collaborative arts production this Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church will go to benefit Elizabeth House.

"Performances a la carte" will present "Winter's Thaw," described as:

A mesmerizing and ethereal musical, literary and visual journey from the icy shroud of Winter to the warm rebirth of Spring, Winter’s Thaw, is a multimedia concert weaving literary, musical and visual arts to feature music written by composers including Eric Whitacre, David Downs, Carole Bayer-Sager, and Ennio Morricone and made famous by such renowned artists as Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Celtic Women, Sarah Brightman, Sissel, and King’s Singers. Based on a series of three poems, the concert will feature solo, choral, and instrumental performances set to stunning original imagery.

Performances à la carte s a newly formed non-profit (501c3 pending) collaborative arts events producer which seeks to create unique live collaborative performances featuring local artists from multiple arts genres. Performances à la carte is unique in its dual mission to create original productions which showcase the diverse artistic community in the San Gabriel and Crescenta Valley area and also pair and in some cases tailor these events to social-needs non-profits within our community. The goal of performances à la carte is to create stellar original entertainment that engages and ignites audiences while drawing attention and support for these worthy causes. For more information, please visit www.performancesalacarte.org.

Winter's Thaw will be performed Sunday, March 11, at 7 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/224682 .  TIckets at the door are $20.  For more information, contact: 626-296-9843 performancesalacarte@gmail.com

Patrick Gothard is Coffee Gallery's Artist of the Month

Altadena's Patrick Gothard is March's Artist of the Month at the Coffee Gallery:

A self-taught artist from the age of 13, Patrick has become a prolific painter. Once he has a vision on his mind, he cannot stop painting until the whole concept has been explored. His current medium is acrylic enamel paint on canvas. However, he has been known to paint on other surfaces such as old window frames and other found objects. Experimental thinking is always at hand with Patrick. This current exhibit is a series of trees explored into the surreal. The range of tree images begins with an artistic vision of realism and carries through to the artist’s vision of digital imagery.

THe Coffee Gallery is at 2029 N. Lake

Chamber music world premiere at Zane Grey Estate Sat.

The chamber music ensemble Pacific Serenades will perform in Altadena on Sat., March 3, with a world premiere of Mark Carlson's "Cave Paintings" for saxophone, violin, viola, cello, and piano.  The new piece will be played alongside Schumann's "String Quartet in Eb major, Op. 47," and Josef Suk's "Four PIeces for Violin and Piano, Op. 17," a combination of chamber works past and present.

The concert will be held at the Zane Grey Estate, 396 E. Mariposa St., home of Gloria Putnam and Stephen Rudicel, starting at 8 PM.  

Since its founding in 1982 by composer Mark Carlson, Pacific Serenades has become one of the foremost chamber music organizations in the nation and one of the longest performing on the west coast. For 26 seasons, the model of playing new works alongside standard repertoire has served to encourage an experience both visceral and intellectual—the conversation between old and new resulting in a deeper understanding of chamber music as a truly living art. In praise of Pacific Serenades The Los Angeles Times has said “the programming practices of Pacific Serenades ought to provide a model for any chamber music series.” It exists so that music lovers — audience, performers and composers alike — can enjoy outstanding chamber music in the intimate settings for which it was intended. Pacific Serenades’ performers are among the best musicians in the country, and many of the composers who have been commissioned each season by Pacific Serenades have seen their new works go on to further performances by other ensembles all over the world.

TIckets are $59 for the concert and reception following. To order tickets or for additional information call 213-534-3434 or online: http://pacser.org/v2/tickets/

Eben Eldridge is March Library artist

The Altadena Library Library, 600 E. Mariposa St.  presents "ONSIGHT: Landscape Paintings by Eben Eldridge":

The majority of the paintings for ONSIGHT were painted in the sunshine, in the moment. The show consists of works on paper framed in rosewood and works on canvas. New Mexico, Marin, Mercy Hot Springs, San Francisco and Paris are all represented. Two of the paintings are INSIGHT, these depict landscapes I found in my soul. I want to give a shout out to my friend Jeff Goldberg who helped me enormously with the framing. I also want to thank Tina Wallin for curating and the Altadena Public Library for giving me this opportunity.

Work will be on display in the Community Room for the month of March 2012. Please visit the exhibit!

 

Still time to submit work for "Art on Millionaire's Row"

There's still time to apply for the Friends of the Libarary's "Art on Millionaire's Row" festival to be held Sat., June 9.

 

Deadline for submission of artiworks is April 27, 2012.  Application fee is $50, and $25 for the juried salon exhibit (for up to three pieces).

 

For more information and forms, go to www.altadenalibrary.org.

 

Telling Tales Theatre at the Coffee Gallery March 3

Telling Tales Theatre will have a performance at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., at 7:30 PM Sat., March 3.  

Telling Tales Theatre is a community-based writing/performance program which seeks to support a network of people of all backgrounds who are committed to shared values of writing and telling autobiography in a creative, trusting, and intellectual environment.

Author/readers for the performance include Steve Lamb, Carol O’Connor, Joane Muro, Manny Marquez, Pat Twair, Samir Twair, Norma Fain Pratt, Sally Stowers, Marie Galante, Jane Davidson, and Nick Stern.

 Reservations (Limited seating) $15: call 626 797 4478 or nfpratt@earthlink.net

 

Studio 918 open studio sale Sat. 10 AM-4 PM

by Timothy Rutt

Artists Susannah Dadd and James Griffith (of Folly Bowl fame) and Anita David, Sarah Newberry, and Catherine Stebbins will have an open studio sale of handmade jewelry, accessories, and more at Studio 918, 918 E. Altadena Dr., on Sat., Feb. 4, from 10 AM-4 PM.

 

Frank Hartley is January's Coffee Gallery artist

Frank Thomas Hartley is the January featured artist at the Gallery at the Coffee Gallery.

With world-renowned artist Tommaso Durante, Hartley co-produced a commissioned art book titled Chaos and Cosmos, where art and science meld “the order of beauty and the perfection of symmetries” through interaction and conflict.

Through further study and his own explorations in oil on canvas, Hartley has applied his artistic bent to interpreting images from our orbiting “time machines,” deep-space telescopes. His portfolio of cosmic art interprets an inspirational, gigantic, magnificent universe, seemingly floating benignly in space belying the tumultuous alchemy of matter. Hartley then takes his original paintings and creates variations by applying secondary techniques and treatments in a variety of other media.

A reception for Hartley will be held this Sun., Jan. 8, from 4-6 PM at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake Ave.

Jim Berry is Coffee Gallery's December artist

Jim Berry is the Gallery at the Coffee Gallery's featured artist for December.

Jim Barry lived in Senegal for five years and returns frequently to West Africa.

Laughing with his photo subjects has become a habit as he travels. Many schools and colleges in Mali use his expertise for their webs and now have and their outpost on the Internet. These photos are taken in remote areas of Mali, Burkina Faso, and most recently in Tunisia. The silk paintings come from travel sketches.

The "Jasmine Revolution" in Tunisia was a close parallel to one in Mali fifteen years ago and inspired a peaceful two month trip this summer to talk to people about their newly found freedoms and hopes for the future. Please see jimbarry.org for contact information.

There will be a reception for Berry at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake, this Sunday, Dec. 11, from 4:30-6:30 PM.  The Gallery at the Coffee Gallery is curated by Kathleen Swaydon.  

"Star" art exhibit, benefit at Sidewalk Cafe tonight

Almadeus "Star" Gioeli will have an art exhibit and sale tonight at our currently-powered perch, Sidewalk Cafe HTS, from 7-9 PM.

The event is a benefit for the Alternative Cancer Research Project.  

Sidewalk Cafe is at 2057 N. Los Robles Ave. (Los Robles and Woodbury Road) in Borderdena.

Patrick Gothard studio sale Dec. 4

Local painter Patrick Gothard will have an open sale at his studio, 215 Laurel Drive in Altadena on Sun., Dec. 4, from 10 AM- PM.  Stop by if you're looking for that unique holiday gift.

Living in the moment -- slowly

Jean-Paul Ziino puts together the Intuitive Movement Jam every Monday night at the Davies building in Farnsworth Park.  Every Halloween, he holds a masquerade ball there where, he write us, "the invitation each year is to come dressed as 'yourself in another life' and to leave as your authentic self." 

Here's a slow-motion video of some of the participants at this year's event.  Ziino writes: "I see slow motion video as really a study of all that is happening in the present moment, and a reminder to myself to open awareness and let more in... I am really happy about this little video we all created that night!"  Have a look: 

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Jeffry Michael Jensen is November's Coffee Gallery artist

Altadena's Jeffry Michael Jensen is the November artist at the Gallery in the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake.

Since 1991, I’ve been a member of the Pasadena Society of Artists. Over the years, my paintings, mixed media works, and digital photographs have been shown in many one-person and group shows, winning awards on several occasions. In addition, I’ve worked as a research editor, reference librarian, and college instructor. I’m also the author of several poetry chapbooks, nonfiction books, and many hundreds of essays and book reviews.

As a self-taught artist, I approach every painting, mixed media work, and digital photograph with a sense of discovery. Through vivid abstract images and vibrant color combinations, I hope to shed light on how my subconscious mind translates the visible world around me.

 

California Bohemian Leather: art and craft in Altadena

 

Dr. Marisol Martinez, front, and Lance Anderson in the back create their custom leather products in their Altadena studio.

by Timothy Rutt

The road to California Bohemian Leather is one that involved lots of twists and turns.

When chiropractor/yoga instructor Marisol Martinez and podcaster/spoken word artist Lance Anderson opened their joint studio, Altadena Junction, at 2524 El Molino Ave., in 2009, it was with high hopes. The couple would each have their own piece of the studio: Martinez would run her chiropractic practice and teach yoga on one side, while Anderson would run his half as a performance space/gallery.

Two years later, they had to make some tough decisions: frequent filming in the neighborhood made it difficult to run a yoga practice. The performance space wasn't working as planned -- they couldn't move in enough people to make it profitable, Anderson said --  so it was turned into a gallery, and then nobody was buying the art.  Evening arts events meant moving out the yoga and chiropractic furniture. They decided they needed to add another line of business.  

According to Anderson, they were thinking about starting a T-shirt business, until a fortunate trip to Palm Springs and a visit to a local leather shop gave them inspiration.

Rich Bohemian leather
"We were always looking for belts and stuff that were really well-made," Martinez said. When she was growing up, "we had a family friend, and he was a leathersmith, so growing up, to me it was always fascinating -- and when I saw this stuff, it totally took me back."

And that was the inspiration for forming California Bohemian Leather.  Anderson said he was a little reluctant to go into leatherworking at first, but "I had been a baseball player growing up.  I loved baseball, I'd been repairing gloves ... that was the entry point for me.  I was more resistant to leather stuff than she was."

"I really pushed it," Martinez said.

"... and I'm glad, the t-shirt thing would've been a dime a dozen thing," Anderson said.

Every bawdy invited to Castle Green fundraiser Oct. 20

Michele Zack sent us this invitation to "Singing the Bawdy Electric," a fundraiser for Litfest Pasadena.

The fundraiser will be at the Castle Green in Pasadena on Thurs., Oct. 20, promising "drinks, eats, & music" early on, followed by "sensual literary surprises."  Cost is $75 per person, and they're still looking for sponsors.

LItFest Pasadena is a Fringe-festival type gathering planned for March 17, 2012, and it sounds like it'll be fun.  For more information, click the flyer.

ADDENDUM:  Michele tells us that the CORRECT address for LItFest is:

LitFest Pasadena
PO Box 2116
Pasadena, CA 91102

 

Community Arts Center starts classes this month

The Altadena Community Arts Center at the former Loma Alta School will start classes Oct. 24, with workshops for children and young age 6 to 18.

A project of the Altadena Arts Council, the Community Arts Center offers courses in everything from drawing and painting to theater and magic, and writing, spoken word, and poetry.

Classes run 6-8 weeks, and most cost $65 plus materials, if needed.  For the full rundown or to register, go here.

Ngene Mwura is October's Library artist

by Tina Wallin
Altadena Library District

The Altadena Library Community Room presents works by Ngene Mwura through October. 

Ngene is a third generation artist from a family of writers and storytellers. He is from Kikuyu, a farmland outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Ngene has found illustration to be his truest form of storytelling.

The succession of his work is a timeline of his perception and experiences as of yet. His work takes you from the farmlands of Africa, through the art world of Europe, and most recently to Los Angeles, where he is currently working on “masks”, an expression of what he thinks the African Mask could have evolved into if the African tradition hadn’t progressively dissipated. 

For questions or information regarding art exhibits and events:

Contact: Tina Wallin

Phone: 626-798-0833 (x118)

Fax:  626-798-5351

Email: twallin@altadenalibrary.org

 

Folly Bowl presents an evening of short plays Saturday

The Folly Bowl, 1601 E. Loma Alta Dr., presents an evening of short plays by Sharon Yablon with music by Thomas Chan on Sat., Aug. 27, starting at 7 PM.

Featured performers are Adrian A. Cruz, Jacqueline Wright, Eugene Butler, and Michael Bonnabel.

Admission to the Folly Bowl is free, but donations are accepted.  Bring a picnic, but pack everything out.

 

Webster's receives "Friend of the Arts" award from Altadena Arts Council

by Timothy Rutt

The Altadena Arts Council presented a "Friend of the Arts" award to the Webster family for hosting the "ARTBreak 2011 Community Arts Festival” in June.

The festival almost didn't happen, according to arts council director Mary Ann Stevenson.  They were in the process of planning the 2011 ARTBreak when a major sponsor withdrew, putting the event -- which usually takes place at Farnsworth Park -- in danger.

Several days after the bad news, a council member saw a vacant store at the Webster's complex at 2450 N. Lake Ave. and called the owners to see if they'd agree to house the event, which was now conceived as an art exhibition.  The Websters agreed, and and the vacant store was transformed into the Temporary Gallery@Websters, including construction of temporary, gleaming white walls for mounting the many works of art of Pasadena Unified School District students. Instead of the two weeks use requested by the Council, they were give full use of the space for an entire month rent-free, including utilities, according to an Arts Council press release.

Pictured: left to right, Juanita DeVaughn, Arts Council board member, Arts Council executive director Mary Ann Stevenson, and Gary Webster, who was honored along with his father, William Webster.