February 1st, 2010 11:22pm
Rebecca Fetter
I am always pleased by the performances of Byron Civic Theatre (BCT) players, and they’ve done it again for me over the weekend. The group has put together a fantastic show of mayhem, “See How They Run,” directed by Penny Wiegert.
Philip King’s English comedy bestows a prim drunken woman passed out on a couch and shoved into a closet over and over again. You can expect to see bumbling grown men chase each other in circles. Mistaken identities expedite a plethora of priests: a Russian commie, an oblivious husband (Mr. Toop), Clive (the long lost compatriot), a cookie-eating uncle, and the virtuous Humphrey who becomes thoroughly confused…
HUMPHREY: I shall soon think I’m in a mad house
CLIVE: Well, you ought to know. It’s your house, Toop
HUMPHREY: Toop, this is the Vicarage, isn’t it?
CLIVE: Why ask me, Toop?
HUMPHREY: Why do you keep calling me Toop, Toop ?
CLIVE: Well, aren’t you Toop, Toop ? (King, See How They Run)
If your free this weekend, go see it!
Last chance: February 5th ( 8pm ) / Feb 6th (8pm) / Feb 7th (2pm)
Where: The New Middle School Theater
696 North Colfax
Byron, IL 61010
Tickets Prices: $12 (adults), $10 (seniors), or $6 (students and children)
Request Tickets: via e-mail (tickets@bctmagic.com) or phone (815-234-3000)
January 29th, 2010 12:03pm
Christopher D. Sims
When I returned to Rockford after having lived on the East Coast over a year ago now,there weren’t many open mikes aimed at poetry and/or spoken word. Very little was goingon. I was surprised, and not satisfied with the lack of venues for Poetry and Spoken Word.I was so surprised and unsatisfied that I approached venues myself to see if I could givePoetry and Spoken Word a boost again here in the community. While revisiting my old favoriteplace to hang out here in Rockford, Borders, I was approached by patrons who attended theformer Open Mic Night there once hosted by myself and John Simmons, who left before Ireturned back home. They were hungry for another venue for a Poetry and Spoken Wordopen mike. They asked me would I talk to someone there to get one going on again.I headed downtown and even to Roscoe to get an open mike going. I was told by Borders staffthat the last people who took over ruined the open mike, and it left a bad taste in management’smouth.The open mike I tried to start at Kittie’s in Roscoe had one run for a night, and it was unsuccessful.I just completed a year with Bar 3 with Poetry For The Soul. That venue is now over too. I have oneremaining open mike I am hosting. Open Mic Night at Katie’s Cup every other Thursday night at 7PM.The crowd is always there, and we have a lot of regular attendees for performance slots.However, Poetry and Spoken Word seem to be dying here. I post and post about the poetry that’s greatat facebook, and other places, but not a lot of people are interested it seems. I can remember days whenPoetry and Spoken Word was all over the city. I was with the Poetic Justice League for several years andwe were booked all over town. We were also hosting open mikes and Poetry Slams at the main branch ofthe Rockford Public Library. They are no longer holding open mikes and Poetry Slams, and haven’t done sofor a few years now on a regular basis.We’ll keep Poetry and Spoken Word alive at Katie’s Cup. At least from a regular venue standpoint. Organizationsare asking for Spoken Word features, that’s good. We need it, and at least some people are still interested in hearingthe art form here. It could be a lot stronger, and I hope it never dies out. Poetry is for the people…
January 19th, 2010 12:12pm
Anne O'Keefe
It was fitting that on, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 60 people signed the Declaration of Intent for the Great Human Race. Roland Poska, a.k.a. Fishy Whale, opened by saying “It took and eternity to get here.” He spoke of growing up Catholic and literally casting stones at the Protestant kids. He talked about the events in his life that were part of this 32 year journey; questions of race relations, gender issues, organized religion, school tracks, he touched on it all.
He started by instructing the audience/participants/signers to look around and see if the recognized “Age you don’t like? Gender? Color?” With the exception of 2 who thought they hadn’t met the great age, we were all on board to sign, we had the attitude of the GHR!
The Mayor and his father, Joe Morrissey were the first to sign. I was close behind. Mayor Morrissey made remarks about the importance of using the arts to bring people together. It also felt good to see other artists, peace leaders, and arts advocates supporting this unnique venture; Cruz, Betsy Youngquist, Scott Long, Mark Blassage, Mike Bugler, Diane Rose Dailing, Starr Pittaway, Doc Slafkosky, Jerry Kortman, Dr. Head of Rockford College and his wife Sheryl, Dave Menard, Rockford College, Assistant Professor, Bruce Mac Donald, peace leaders Pam and Jim Keeling, Art Museum board members Lisa Lindman, President, and Patrick O’Keefe, performing artists Sharon Nesbit-Davis, George Davis.
Roland talked about the importance of this topic of having never met a color we didn’t like. He said the issue of color is too risky for the museums to touch. He talked about being all inclusive, talked about the unending exploration of what god is. He talked about his experience teaching at Roosevelt in the 70’s and having a student dare him to teach the class something. He warned against tracks and talked about teaching the kids from tracks 14 - 17.
Then he had members of the audience that impacted the project stand, he also directed them when to sit back down, as only Poska can. Representatives attended from Chicago and Milwaukee who are motivating entire school systems to bring this to their students. Photographer Steve Pitkin was mentioned for birthing “The End of the Great Human Race,” Steve was accompanied by his wife and chocolate artisan, Susan Pitkin. Jack Dillon, Dick Nordlof and LoRayne Logan were thanked for there dedication to bring the Sullivan Center back to life.Visionaries, artists, patrons and then; “Annie O’Keefe, where are you?” I stand, “I forget why she is important,” says Poska.
It was perfect! It was in the true spirit of the Rockford Area Arts Council. While it is hard for some to define us, point to one specific thing of significance that we do, we are important. We do so many things, provide support to constituents ranging from individual artists and arts organizations, students of RPS 205 and beyond, to civic leaders and associations. The Rockford Area Arts Council is a vital part of our cultural fabric and each individual citizens is too.
The message was one of bringing peace through the arts! We all have to work on the issues for our own betterment; become even more tolerant of our differences, become educated, become action oriented rather than reactive, continue to understand the power of the arts to break down barriers of race, gender and creed. Peace and understanding are like any good relationship; worth the hardwork, energy and struggle to embrace rapturous reward when we can stand on Main Street this July 4th as one! (More details to follow)
January 11th, 2010 03:53pm
Rebecca Fetter
Photo By Trevor Johnson
Chelonia (pronounced ki-LOH-nee-uh) mydas is a large sea turtle that swims gracefully through the water. Chelonia is also the title of an annual main stage dance production from students and faculty at Beloit College (whose mascot is also not surprisingly a turtle). I first viewed Chelonia (predominantly modern dance) in 1999 and have been to several concerts since. I always walk away satisfied and excited, with some sense of bewilderment. Until the following year’s performance I often reflect on pieces that most stick out, bust out the wildest CDs in my personal collection and start choreographing in front of my mirror at home.
Chelonia guest artists often correlate to special themes and topics of interest at Beloit College such as the Year of the Arts, the Year of Human Rights, and international education. Last year I saw guest-contributed Afro-Carribean and Bellydance pieces including dancers in vibrant, colorful costume. Associate Professor of Dance Chris Johnson directed her first Chelonia in 1992 and directed all but three concerts since. She usually tries to find guest teachers and choreographers who will give the students different perspectives and experiences that enhance their Beloit education. Student choreographers all present their work in the December Dance Workshop Performance, free and open to the public. Students then receive feedback then and a guest professional chooses which student pieces will be in the Chelonia concert.
Photo by Trevor Johnson
This year you can expect to see 9 student-choreographed pieces, two faculty pieces, and one guest artist piece, a “MinEvent” of live music and restaged dance pieces by choreographer Merce Cunningham, a famed 20th century choreographer. “We were honored with a grant from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in order to do the MinEvent,” said Johnson. “It was especially poignant to be able to perform masterworks of Merce Cunningham after his recent death last July.” The focus of the $10,000 grant is to keep American dance masterpieces alive and to inform and educate students and communities about American masterworks of dance.
Chris Johnson’s piece reflects on to a trip she took June 2009 to Tanzania with six other Beloit dancers. Traveling to Arusha, Tanzania, they offered movement workshops and dance performances at Peace House Secondary School (PHS), a school for AIDS orphans and vulnerable teens in Tanzania. The workshops emphasized the intimate communicative power of dance. Professor Johnson reflects, “The trip offered all of us a life-changing experience that impels us to continue to use art to create positive change in the world. The experiences we had will live in our hearts forever.”
Beloit student Trevor Johnson (’08) not only helped conduct the workshops, but also served as the photographer/videographer to help document their experiences. His photos and video score incorporate Pieces of Africa by the Kronos Quartet and Professor Johnson’s choreography, telling the story of their trip to PHS.
Photo by Trevor Johnson
“Whenever we perform other places, people comment on the committed and engaged performances that the Beloiters give,” said Professor Johnson. “Their performances are utterly gutsy and genuine.”
Chelonia will be staged January 28-30, 2010 at 8 pm and January 31 at 2pm in the Neese Performing Arts Complex on the Beloit College Campus. Tickets for each show are $8.50 ($5 senior citizens; $4 students) and may be purchased from the Beloit College box office at 608-363-2755 (after 12:30pm).
January 7th, 2010 03:24pm
Anne O'Keefe
For those of you who don’t know Roland Poska I thought I would introduce you to a local artist working to break down racial barriers through 32 years of artwork by way of invitation. I can only give you a glimpse, whet your appetite so that you can fully experience this movement for yourself on Martin Luther King Day.
Poska’s artist statement is “I never met a color I did not like.” I’ve had the pleasure of not only being surrounded by his deckle-edge heaven that he calls home, but in the past year I’ve been having “secret” meetings with Poska, trying to understand, emerse, envelop myself in his vision of how we can accomplish anything and everything if we first start with the Great Human Race.
Poska was moved to this work because “no generation has been able to solve racial prejudice. ” He reminds each of us that “every face, every color is beautiful.” When I meet with him I feel like an apprentice of life. His thoughts are visionary, daring, and sometime I’m not sure I fully understand and yet, I believe in what he is striving for and wish to be a part of it. When he tells you it’s going to be big, you believe him.
Please join us Monday, January 18th @ 7:15 p.m. Sullivan Center or as Poska promotes, the (great) New American Theatre, 118 N. Main. You will want to be a part of The Great Human Race (black brown red yellow white) (X/Y) Growing The Great Human Race/The Play/Walls of Colors; Crowings Recollections Musings Walings
For more information, poska@tds.net
December 29th, 2009 10:11pm
Rebecca Fetter
Womanspace Art Show at Bennie’s Cleaners features original works by fifteen Womanspace member artists, from January 4 - February 25, Monday-Friday, 7:30a-5:30p. Discover works in a wide variety of media by Dorothy Bock, Karen Gines, Marsha Goodheart, Karen Grover, Elaine Hirschenberger, Cindy Linnabary, Lenora Maier, Scott Mount, Sue Mount, Tracy Pease, Wanie Reeverts, Dee Santorini, and Barbara Santucci.
Bennie’s Cleaners is located at 126 N. First Street across from Noah’s Ark in downtown Rockford. Contact Gale Ketteler, Womanspace Program Coordinator/Marketing Specialist at 815-877-0118 for more information.
December 10th, 2009 02:57pm
Anne O'Keefe
The Rockford Area Arts Council is partnering with The Element to gather between 3,000 and 5,000 regional artists names and vitals for a survey to be administered by Artspace.The Artspace Mission ”is to create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations. The mission is pursued through development projects, asset management activities, consulting services, and community-building activities that serve artists and arts organizations of all disciplines, cultures, and economic circumstances. By creating this space, Artspace supports the continued professional growth of artists and enhances the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community.” www.artspace.org
That’s why I am thrilled that The Element and their contributors have committed to working with Artspace to make this project a reality.
There will be an update meeting hosted by The Element this Tuesday,December 15th, 2009 at 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall, 211 North Main Street. We are hoping for a big crowd of artists so we can give an update of what’s been going on since our meeting in February. The discussion will focus on the projects of the Element, including it’s work plan,focused mission over the next year, and the kick off of Project Artspace Artist survey. There will be an unveiling of a new communication platform also.
The Artspace survey asks artists questions in order to create a space that is most beneficial to them! If you are an artists, professional or not, visual or performing, please join us and be part of the process. Your voice is vital to the success of this project.
November 19th, 2009 02:58pm
Bridget Fraser
We went to a great concert last weekend at the Irish Cultural Heritage Center in Milwaukee. Alisdair Fraser, is Scotland’s “famous fiddle ambassador”with a long list of awards, concerts, television appearances, and solo performances on movie soundtracks including Last of the Mohicans and Titanic. Fraser and the young cellist, Natalie Haas are a dazzling team. They met when she was an 11 year old student attending one of his fiddle camps. The pairing of the fiddle and the cello is a return to much earlier Scottish folk music when the cello was the driving rhythm section in dance bands.
The Irish Heritage Center is housed in an old church just west of downtown Milwaukee. The sanctuary serves as the concert space and an adjacent room has been converted to a pub serving Guiness, single malts and other fun libations. You buy your drink in the pub and take it with you into “church”. Fraser and Hass had everyone on their feet, clapping and dancing to great Celtic tunes. At the end, they invited a dozen or so of the young fiddlers and cellists that participated in their afternoon workshop to play with them on the stage.
I am definitley going to explore bringing this awesome duo to Rockford to perform on the Mendelssohn season. Now all we need is a downtown venue with a pub attached!!
November 19th, 2009 11:11am
Anne O'Keefe
I attended a Local Arts Network (LAN) meeting this week and it always gives me great ideas and information to bring back to our region. The meeting is made up of representatives from the Arts Alliance of Illinois, of which I sit on the Board, Illinois Arts Council, and Directors from Area Arts Councils across the state, Carbondale to Decatur to Centralia. Randy Cohen, vice president of the Local Arts Advancement department at Americans for the Arts, the nation’s advocacy organization for the arts was the guest speaker. Randy is charged with ensuring that every community and arts organization in America is served by a local arts agency—and that every community in America is an environment where the arts can thrive. Combining the strengths of research, advocacy, professional development, and member services, Randy leads a team of 15 who strengthen the nation’s network of 4,000 local arts agencies.
Randy gave great examples of what is happening around the country and things that can easily be implemented right here. For example, the City of Seattle has local musicians when you are placed on hold. Imagine calling to report a pothole and listening to Dan Voll, might defuse the situation a bit. Madison has a “Bus line” poetry competition. High School students submit lines of their own poetry and it is put up inside the buses. Eugene, Oregon has an Arts and Business Alliance that work together as they understand the importance of the arts in community cultural development. There were some great ideas from around the table too. In Addison the Arts Council is in a school and has access to a black box theatre and gallery space. In Barlett they are in a storefront and partner with a downtown business group.
I’m excited to see what happens with Live Work Learn Play. This may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship for Rockford!
November 10th, 2009 05:02pm
Bridget Fraser
Mendelssohn Center’s Holiday Gala concert is right around the corner. The planning for this concert has been a year long, community effort. Can you imagine the excitement of nearly 100 performers on stage? The concert will feature Donald Fraser’s A Christmas Symphony performed by The Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra, Mendelssohn Chorale, Kantorei, the Singing Boys of Rockford and the Rock Valley Children’s Choir. Acclaimed soprano, Jonita Lattimore will be the guest soloist.
A Christmas Symphony began life at a dinner party given by the famous American singer Jessye Norman for a group of friends at her English country home on Christmas Eve, 1985. The simple song This Christmastide, which has become a world famous Christmas carol, was penned in about twenty minutes after dinner. From there a CD was produced and subsequently made into a television program for PBS at Ely Cathedral in England. This will be the first time that this beautiful symphony will be heard in Rockford. In honor of the 125th anniversary of the Mendelssohn Center, Mr. Fraser has written a Christmas Prelude and Fugue to open the concert.
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