Premieres Tue., Dec. 13, 7 p.m. on Cable Channel 21

Watch the show now

www.seattlechannel.org/SeattleVoices

Check it out at www.seattlechannel.org/artZone.

Premieres Fri., Nov. 11, 8 p.m.

Speidel’s sculptures engage an extraordinary array of cultural influences, reaching back through antiquity to the stone- and bronze-age peoples of Europe, the early Buddhists of China, the indigenous tribes of her native Pacific Northwest, and on into twentieth-century modernism. 

“The inspiration for my work is rooted in the power of travel,” Speidel remarks. Seen in a landscape, Speidel’s sculptures have a Zen-like relationship with the surrounding area. In 2011 she’s had gallery shows in Manhattan, currently in Sun Valley, Idaho and this fall in San Francisco.

You can watch this program online right now by visiting http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4011164.

John Forsen produced this thirty-minute documentary. Forsen has won eight Emmys for his work in Northwest television.  His last documentary, AYP Seattle’s Forgotten World’s Fair, is airing currently on KCTS. He’s also has produced four other artist documentaries available on our website: painter Alden Mason http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4010815, glass artist Paul Marioni http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4010744, painter Alfredo Arreguin http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4010804  and author and illustrator Tony Angell http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=4010948.

 Bhangra dance originated in the Punjab as a celebration of the harvest. Many members of the Apna Bhangra Crew had no dance experience previous to forming the team, but their love of and desire to share Bhangra propelled them into the spotlight. Their fabulous costumes with fan-topped iridescent turbans; their dynamic, fast-paced movement; their lush rhythmic music and their enthusiastic delight in performance make the Crew’s shows irresistible. “At the same time we are entertaining everybody [and] promoting our culture,” says team captain Ranvir Sahota. “It’s just a good feeling.”

 Get a shot of visual caffeine by watching Community Stories now at this link: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3170907

 Or tune in on Monday, September 20, 8:00 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21. You can watch past Community Stories by visiting http://www.seattlechannel.org/CommunityStories/.

Isn’t Seattle the best place ever when it’s nice?! Ahhhh… love it. I’m keeping my eye out for fun and interesting art events, so, here are a few more possible outings to add to your summer art calendar:

Rawstock

Get ready for Rawstock 2009! This raw and irreverent film event, hosted by The Central Heating Lab at ACT, hits the screen for one night only on July 24th, with all sorts of great independent movies, including the Seattle premieres of David Lowery’s “St. Nick”, Calvin Reeder’s “Snake Mountain Colada”. The schmoozing starts in the Raw Lounge at 8:15. Get tickets from ACT.

Check out the Seattle Art Dealers Association upcoming event, “SADA Introductions 2009”, happening on Saturday, July 18th from 11-5. This self-guided tour features art works that are chosen by art gallery owners– who pick artists from other galleries, not their own—and is meant to represent the best of the new century. This unique mid-day art walk is your chance to check out, and meet, the hot up & comers! For a list of participating galleries, and tour map, go to www.seattleartdealers.com

Batteries Not Included

Here’s a fun art freebie you can enjoy from the comfort of your computer! Local filmmaker Jon Behrens, who normally makes experimental arty films, has made something a little different. “Batteries Not Included” features vintage toy commercials from Mattel, Ideal, Hasbro, Marx, Aurora, and many others. If you were born in the 1950’s, 1960’s or 1970’s, this will spark many pleasant memories. If you’re of the younger set, this might give you a new appreciation for your square, out-of-date parents. Watch the streaming video or download a copy

Artist Allie Jones, who represents herself as Allie Jones Art “The Art of Giving Back”, has a new show of original work opening at Café Flora, the fabulous vegetarian joint in Madison Valley, opening on August 3rd. Proceeds from the show will be donated to Cancer Care Alliance, where Allie’s father is currently in treatment. Stop by and see how philanthropy, art, and delicious food, can come together!

Enjoy these beautiful days, and make sure to add a daily dose of art to your outdoor activities.

xo, nancy g.

Oh man, it’s almost July– how in the heck did that happen?! Well, there’s no time for my whining… here’s some cool stuff to consider:

ATTENTION SUBURBANITES!
Greg Lungren one of Seattle’s super hip groovster guys has an upcoming show entitled “I Am From Bellevue”. The exhibit, at Open Satellite in Bellevue, runs July 10th thru August 1st, and is all about Greg’s investigation of suburban identity and the impact of suburbia on the artists who are born there.

ATTENTION WRITERS!
On July 18th and 19th, from 10:00 am to 10:00 am, ZAPP @ Richard Hugo House, will host a 24-hour Zine Challenge. Drawing inspiration from over 20,000 zines in the Hugo House collection, participants will pull an all dayer&nighter to create a complete and original 24-page zine. Snacks and refreshments will be provided, as well as sleeping arrangements in the ZAPP second floor offices.
This event is free, but registration is required: zapp@hugohouse.org or (206) 322-7030.

ATTENTION PERFORMERS!
If you’re interested in improving your artistic skills, look no further than Freehold Theatre’s two summer intensives:

Marc Kenison, aka Waxie Moon, is a core member of the vibrant and burgeoning Burlesque and Cabaret community. If you’re already performing, or if you’re an interested novice, Marc’s “Creating Cabaret” class, happening July 6-23, is your foot in the door.
Matt Smith the best darn improviser in the city, perhaps the world, has taught thousands of people to improvise–me included– and his approach is nothing short of brilliant. Sign up for his summer workshop, July 6-30, and walk away with improved confidence and a solid foundation of improv skills.

For more information on both classes, go to Freehold Theatre.com

That’s it for now. Stay in touch.

“Art is an affirmation of life…” – Madeleine L’Engle, writer

Amen, Sister Madeleine.

Xo, nancy g.

First, I want to mention a couple of art benefits you might want to consider, because these kind of events are a great way to build, or start, your own personal art collection. That said, here we go…

If you like gorgeous handmade pottery and delicious salads, mark your calendar for the Pottery Northwest “Super Salad Supper Bowl” event, happening Thursday, July 16th. In addition to a wide variety of beautiful hand-made salad bowls available for purchase, this fun evening affair will feature live music, dynamic demos, and exciting exhibitions, along with a sumptuous buffet of kabobs and international salads! To reserve your seat, go to Brown Paper Tickets or Pottery Northwest.

The PONCHO Invitational Fine Arts Auction is changing its stripes this year. For the first time in it’s 8-year history, there will be a two week exhibit of the nearly 300 art works–all by artists who have some sort of Seattle connection–at Western Bridge, a marvelous art space located on 4th avenue south. Running August 12-23, this two-week exhibition is your chance to get up close and personal with work from established artists, as well as from a handful of super hot up & comers. Then, on Saturday, October 3rd, all the pieces will be auctioned off to the highest bidder—maybe you– at the downtown Sheraton Hotel, all benefitting PONCHO.

The wonderful Jon Kertzer, founder and host of “The Best Ambiance” on KEXP celebrates the shows 25th anniversary with a killer live-lineup at the Triple Door on Monday, June 29th. Join Jon and the rhythmic, rockin’ world sounds of King Sunny Ade’ and his African Beats, with special guests Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, making their Seattle debut.

Local artist Karen Rudd has not one, but two, summer exhibits showcasing her spectacular reclaimed corrugated cardboard and wood glue tree stump sculptures. Catch Karen’s first show at the Port Angeles Fine Art Center, running July 5 through October 4, and her second at this years Bumbershoot festival, happening September 5-7.

And finally… if you’re a whiz-bang speller, drop by “Buzzword”, a zany spelling bee benefit for The Market Foundation. Happening at the Rendezvous’ Jewel Box Theatre in Belltown, the next round takes place June 23rd– hosted by yours truly– followed by the final “Killer Bee Championship Title” on July 28th.

Have fun out there—hope we cross paths!
Xo, nancy g.