Thursday, March 6, 2014

3/6 ARTY FUN OF NOTE

Hi from The Cambridgeport School Arts Committee. It's that random time of the week where I attempt to inspire you to add some arty fun to your life.

Make Your Art Life Fuller -- TONIGHT

You still haven't made it to the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, right? Have you taken your kids to IKEA in Stoughton? Well, it's practically down the street, and possibly more cultural than Swedish meatballs. A new exhibit, The Stories We Tell: Works by Tommy Simpson, Michelle Holzapfel and Binh Pho, opens this weekend. And since today is the first Thursday, there is a celebration at the artkitchen Café. These celebrations are themed, and generally have performers, DJs, talks, games, etc. as well as comfort food and a cash bar.

On the earlier side of this evening's program – from 6:30 – 7:30pm, amazing children's book illustrator Shennen Bersani will be in the Great Room discussing her work. Unusual for an illustrator, she conducts first hand on-site research by traveling to sites where events took place and immersing herself into actual non-fiction scenes. She will be followed by a Jazz Trio and an Organ Trio and a Poetry reading. I believe non member adults are $12.

Oh, the Drama

High schools in Massachusetts can attempt to compete in the state drama festival. CRLS entered the play "Anon(ymous)," and has made it to semi-finals so far. These are timed entries, with the kids setting up, performing, and taking down the stage with the clock running. Friday at 7pm in the main CRLS auditorium you can get a glimpse of what they are doing. I speak from personal experience telling you the state plays are generally fantastic, and it is a transformative experience for the kids.

Draw Your Way Into a Book

On Saturday, in the Curious George Room at the Main branch of the Cambridge Public Library, you can attend a Comic and GraphicNovel Workshop.  From 12:30 to 2:00pm, seven (!) graphic novelists will present, and all ages are welcome. It's free.

I'd Like to Compliment You on Your Complements

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has Education Studio Activities on select Saturdays from 11-4pm. (This week the activity goes only until 3.) It is called Complements in the Collection. Take a break from the gray weather to look at some saturated colors in the museum, then join the staff in the Studio to learn more about color relationships and create a small artwork using oil pastels. Don't forget to pick up a museum pass at the library first. http://www.gardnermuseum.org/calendar/events/5739

Behind the Scenes at Joy Street

Second SatARTdays!

Some of the artists of Joy Street Studios are opening their doors. Joy Street is a nearby artist building with 62 studios, of which some participate every other Saturday to invite you in and see their work and processes. March 8th from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM at 86 Joy Street in Somerville.

ELSKA of Iceland

The Saturday morning Kids Show, March 8 at 10:30am at the Coolidge Theater in Brookline is a blend of theater, storytelling and musical performance. Elska is a modern pioneer who discovered a newly formed volcanic island off the coast of Iceland, where she lives a life of beauty and wonder amongst a cast of unusual friends, including a pensive Winter Bear, a very friendly Goobler, a mysterious Arctic Fox and a vast colony of Lost Socks. Adults are $10, kids $8.

The Energy of Dance in Still Photos and Film

The Nave is currently showing Chaotic Forms, the nameless, intangible energy that dancers can attempt to express using intuitive, chaotic movement. Photographers and filmmakers have meditated upon this theme for an exhibit celebrating the art of dance.

Register ahead: MAKE SPEAK

MAKE SPEAK: Contemporary takes on craft by seven not-so-conventional craftspeople. The North Bennet Street School is again offering this fun TED-Talk-like night, Thursday, April 10 at 7pm. It's free, but reserve ahead:  http://www.nbss.edu/about/news/make-speak/index.aspx 
Enjoy seven, 7-minute presentations by not-so-conventional craftspeople about how they work, think, and create. These talented folks include an installation expert for the MFA, a duo of artist/mathematicians currently at MIT who are understanding unsolved problems in the sciences thru sculptures, and a woodworker who has been teaching thousands to create wooden objects from her mobile work/live space.

Winter Got You Playing the Blues?

Somerville Mayor Joe Curatone is bringing back Joe's Jazz and Blues Festival again this year. In mid-June it makes its way through local music venues then on June 21st there is an all-afternoon free concert at Powderhouse Park. If you are interest in playing in it, look no further: http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/jazzblues


KEEP THE ARTS A PRIORITY

You may be interested in WBUR's recent Cognoscenti show on Why Government Should Support the Arts.  


If you are interested in keeping the arts funded nation-wide, you made be interested in the Americans for the Arts group which is running Arts Advocacy Day March 24-25 in Washington, DC. 

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