ARTS/West: Athens Community Gateway to the Arts

Amazingly packed weekend of fun!

2009-11-17T09:01:00.002-05:00

Studio for Young Actors presents Still Life with Iris

This is the first play for young audiences to receive the Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays Award. Still Life with Iris by Steven Dietz, is a fantastical adventure which centers on a little girl's search for the simplest of things: home.

Still Life with Iris will be presented at ARTS/West on Friday, November 20 and Saturday November 21 at 7:30 pm and Sunday November 22 at 2:00 pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for teens/youth. Tickets are available at the door only, 1 hour before each performance.

November Front and Center

a free music event for school age kids at ARTS/West every third Saturday of each month (Sept.-May)at noon -1 pm. November 21 special guest: Richard Syracuse classical and ragtime piano second half of event is always an open stage for any kids, solo or group, to share instrumental or vocal music--if you choose. Or just listen and enjoy!

Many Moons Holiday Show

MANY MOONS presents their annual "Exotic Markets" SALE. Saffron and Eric offer the treasures of their travels to Asia, all personally selected from artisans in INDIA ~ NEPAL~ THAILAND~ BALI~.

Jewelry..textiles...sculptures of wood and metal...sacred Tibetan objects...and great gifts will be on display in the ARTS/West downstairs space. Saturday, November 21 from 10 am to 8pm and Sunday, November 22 from 12 pm until 6 pm

It's an intimate, fun way to get your Christmas shopping done early.

Studio for Young Actors- Still Life with Iris

2009-11-16T15:05:00.003-05:00

Studio for Young Actors will present Still Life With Iris at ARTS/West on Friday, November 20 and Saturday November 21 at 7:30 pm and Sunday November 22 at 2:00 pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for teens/youth. Tickets are available at the door only, 1 hour before each performance.

This is the first play for young audiences to receive the Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays Award. Still Life with Iris is a fantastical adventure which centers on a little girl's search for the simplest of things: home. Iris lives with her mom in the land of Nocturno-a magical place in which the workers make, by night, all of the things we see in the world by day. Also, in Nocturno, memories do not reside in people's minds but instead are kept in their coats (called 'Past Coats'). The rulers of Nocturno, the Great Goods, are determined to have the "best" of everything on their island- and therefore take Iris away from her home and bring her to Great Island to be their daughter. To ease the pain of this separation, they remove her Past Coat, leaving her with no memory of her home or her family. All that remains of Iris' past is a single button from her coat. Using the button as a clue, Iris joins with friends she meets on her journey-Annabel Lee (a young woman from the sea) and Mozart (the composer, age 11)-and frees herself from the Great Goods. She returns to Nocturno, having found her past, and her home.

A Piece of My Heart

2009-11-09T11:03:00.000-05:00

AMT to present A Piece of My Heart

Some have called it the ten thousand day war. Others simply refer to it as Nam. For six American women it was the Vietnam conflict. Their moving stories are told in Shirley Lauro's A Piece of My Heart, produced by Athens own Actors' Moveable Theater and directed by Carol Patterson.

Please join us at ARTS/West as we honor our local veterans with this outstanding play November 11, 12,13,14 at 8:00 pm with a matinee on the 15th at 2:00 pm.

Veterans have a complimentary admission, and a free dinner on Wednesday the 11th beginning at 6:00 pm. We thank our American soldiers families for their shared sacrifice.

Please visit Actors' Moveable Theater's website for more information.

Have a great Halloween!

2009-10-30T10:33:00.002-04:00

Thank you so much to all of the community artists who displayed their work and performed for the 5th Annual Artoberfest! It was just awesome, wasn't it? A weekend well spent!

Our good friend, Kelly Lawrence has an art opening tonight for Final Friday's in Nelsonville at Nelsonville Pottery & Gifts. The event runs from 6 to 10 pm and there will be a costume contest at Starbrick Gallery. Refreshments will be served.

ABC players will be presenting Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters at Stuart's Opera House at 8pm. They are also having a logo contest: ABC Players is offering $250 to the winner of a competition to produce a new logo. Designs should be submitted by January 1, 2010, either in hard copy or via e-mail. You can find the details on the ABC Players web site. Tell your artistic friends, or consider submitting a design yourself.

Next up at ARTS/West we have the Actors Moveable Theater's presentation of A Piece of My Heart
by Shirley Lauro. 8 pm Nov. 11, 12, 13, 14, 2009 and 2 pm Nov. 15 --All shows Veterans free!! Light supper/reception Nov. 11, 6:30 pm

ART/oberfest!

2009-10-21T11:01:00.001-04:00

Friday, October 23, 6:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday, October 24, 12:00pm-6:00pm

ART/oberfest is a community celebration of the vibrant arts scene in Athens, Ohio.

This weekend will kick off with an opening reception for artists and community members. Come check out all of the super amazing local art and eat some delicous/free/local food from Village Bakery, Della Zona, Purple Chopstix, and Miller's Chicken.

The Aquabear Legion will partner up with ART/oberfest again this year to bring in some rad local music on Friday night. Stick around from 7 pm to 10 pm to watch Seascapes, Liz Pahl, and Andrew Lampela do three very different, very awesome things to guitars, microphones, and various other musical equipment.

We'll kick off Saturday with our first annual yART sale on the side patio of ARTS/West, artist demonstrations both inside and out, and kids activities in the basement. Saturday will bring yet another day of dance, music, and spoken word.

Not to mention the superbly awesome silent auction that is going on from Friday at 6 pm to Saturday at 5 pm. Bid on great items, support ARTS/West, everybody wins!

For more information, please check out http://artoberfest.wordpress.com.

Come inside for the weekend!

2009-10-16T09:51:00.002-04:00

This Saturday, October 17 come to ARTS/West! Were you aware that cork flooring retains heat? Were you aware that ARTS/West recently installed cork flooring? So, I'll see you on Saturday!

HALLOWEEN BRAINSTORMING!!

Costume Workshop open work day on October 17, 2009 from 10:00am-4:00pm for kids ages 4-13.

Bring your Halloween costume ideas and get some help with the "how to" part. It's a family workshop day Athens Style! Cost of participation is 2 rolls of duct tape (any color). We will have cardboard, recyclables, various thrift store supplies, hot glue guns, and sewing machine help.

Join in the fun and use your brains, brains, brains, (no zombies allowed!!). Register at bfiocchi@earthlink.net, or email if you have any questions. Space is extremely limited.

‘FRONT & CENTER’ a free music event for school age kids at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St. Athens, every third Saturday of each month (Sept.-May) at noon –1 pm. October 17 special guests: folk/bluegrass singers Mark & Greta Hanesworth. Second half of event is always an open stage for any kids, solo or group, to share instrumental or vocal music--if you choose. Or just listen and enjoy!

October Front and Center

2009-10-13T10:05:00.001-04:00

‘FRONT & CENTER’

a free music event for school age kids

at ARTS/West

132 W. State St. Athens

every third Saturday of each month (Sept.-May)

at noon –1 pm

October 17 special guests: folk/bluegrass singers

Mark & Greta Hanesworth

second half of event is always an open stage for any kids, solo or group,

to share instrumental or vocal music--if you choose.

Or just listen and enjoy!

Tripsichore returns!

2009-10-12T16:15:00.002-04:00

Thursday, October 15th. 8pm. Tripsichore performs Seeking the Nectar at ARTS/West.
This show is about a family of circus performers who lose their female acrobat, how they cope, how fate smiles on them and brings another female and the show that they do as a new Family. Come to be stunned by some amazing Tripsichore choreography, acrobatics and more. Tickets $10 for students and $15 general admission. Tickets available at IYS studio or on-line at website. Can purchase at door, but may be sold out by then.

O

2009-10-05T09:50:00.003-04:00

What a big couple of weeks! We have wrapped up the 2009 Humble Play Festival with a delightful closing reception. Thank you to the committee for the delicious treats, Charlie and Celia for the lovely music and the Brick Monkey Theater Ensemble for presenting the Pick of the Festival. Two new 10 minute plays by James McLindon. If you are interested in participating in next years Humble Play as a script reader, judge, director, committee member, etc. contact our office. We'd love to have you.

ALPACA has a member meeting this week, October 15 marks the return of the Tripsichore Yoga Theatre (more info coming soon) and ART/oberfest kicks off October 23-24.

Take a nap and get ready for some great art.

2009-09-28T16:31:00.002-04:00

Humble Play: Appalachian New Play Festival

This year 7 plays were chosen by a panel of judges with the winning playwrights being from a variety of states and backgrounds , two of which are from Athens.

9/28- On the first night of the festival we will have a very satisfying Appalachian traditional meal with music by Charlie Lewis and a viewing of a documentary about the "Appalachian Green Parks Project" a group of local musicians who traveled the country in the 70's playing traditional Appalachian music.

We will also be highlighting 3 of Athens' own visual artists' work that will hang during the festival (running Sept. 28 - Oct. 3) - Matt Persutti (printmaker - whose work will hang in the performance space), Terry Fortkamp (painter - whose work will hang in the basement reception area) and Constance Gabbard (fiber artist - whose quilt will hang on the stage behind the performers).

The admission to this event is $3.

ALL EVENTS TUESDAY-SATURDAY START AT 7:00! AND ARE FREE!!

9/29, ARTS/West Pick Romeo and Juliet; There Hasn't Been a Rap Song Yet! By Rheal Radwany (Athens, Ohio) Direction by: The Lost Flamingo Company Writers Statement: My play is a shortened version of Romeo and Juliet in which the characters break out in rap. The play's tag line is "The world's best love story told through the world's worst medium." It's a spin on Romeo and Juliet that's new and fresh.

9/30, Producer's Choice A Case is Never Closed by J. Boyer (Tempe, AZ) Direction by: Actor's Moveable Theater
Writers Statement: Drawn from a wide variety of sources, including testimony made available through the Freedom of Information Act, A Case is Never Closed deals with a relatively little-known episode in the life and career of Lucille Ball, namely that she was called before a California subcommittee of the House of Un-American Activities Committee and presented with evidence that she had ties to what was broadly called the American Communist Party.

10/1, Humble Pick Arts Touch by Drew Larimore(Brooklyn, NY) Direction by: The Corporation for the Performing
Writers Statement: Touch is a play about the lives of four characters and their subsequent connection with one another in the height of the Appalachian mountains. While the play has a poetic lyricism to it, it's meant to be portrayed as longingly gritty and desperately hungry, as all four characters attempt to make sense of their isolated existence and peculiar desires.

10/2, Appalachian Choice An Elegant Solution by Celeste Parsons (Athens, Ohio) Direction by: ABC Players. Writers Statement: This play is about education and the opportunity and pleasures it offers. The play also attempts to describe the intellectual challenge involved in systems analysis and computer programming, without being so "techy" that the average person is turned off.
10/2, Appalachian Choice Apologia by Katharine Bolger(New York, NY) Direction by: ABC Players. Writers Statement: Apologia- a formal written defense of a cause. This play is an adaptation of the novel The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck. The play deals with a village and the army that has occupied it-who are the villains? Who are the murderers? This play questions are sense of villain versus hero and right and wrong.

10/3, Pick Of The Festival Japanese Schoolgirl Night by James McLindon (Northampton, MA) Direction by: Brick Monkey Theater Ensemble Writers Statement: On one lever, this play is about a young lover's spat gone horribly awry. On another level, it is about a young woman and a woman of a certain age both finding themselves when they least expect it, and coming to terms with a life that has not quite turned out the way they wanted it to.
10/3, Pick Of The Festival Knuckleheads by James McLindon (Northampton, MA) Direction by: Brick Monkey Theater Ensemble
Writers Statement: This play explores a little girl's imaginary world when her single mom is called off to war and the child is left with an indifferent aunt.

And, Humble Play

2009-09-23T10:39:00.003-04:00

My word, fall has not moseyed in... she never does. We have A LOT going on and it is all thanks to our vibrant community!

Starting this Sunday, September 27th we have the return of the Bread and Puppet theater's Lubberland National Dance company-- see earlier post or check out our facebook event.

Monday brings the annual Humble Play: Appalachian New Play Festival! Full schedule can also be found on the Humble Play myspace.

Festival Awards:

9/29, ARTS/West Pick
Romeo and Juliet; there Hasn't Been a Rap Song Yet! by Rheal Radwany (Athens, Ohio) Direction by: The Lost Flamingo Company

9/30, Producer's Choice
A Case Is Never Closed by Jay Boyer (Tempe, AZ)
Direction by: Actor's Moveable Theater

10/ 1, Humble Pick
Touch by Drew Larimore (Brooklyn, NY)
Direction by: The Corporation for the Performing Arts

10/2, Appalachian Choice
An Elegant Solution by Celeste Parsons (Athens, Ohio) &
Apologia by Katharine Bolger (New York, NY)
Direction by: ABC Players

10/3, Pick Of The Festival
Japanese Schoolgirl Night and Knuckleheads by James McLindon (Northampton, MA)
Direction by: Brick Monkey Theater Ensemble

Fine Arts Notebook: Ohio University Outlook

2009-09-23T10:38:00.001-04:00

Fine Arts Notebook: Ohio University Outlook

Shared via AddThis

Bread and Puppet Coming to ATHENS!

2009-09-22T10:57:00.002-04:00

Calling all: Artists, Students, Parents, Cooks, Truck Drivers, Scientists, Bricklayers, Farmers, Grandparents, Bikers, Dancers, Shopkeepers, Attorneys, Musicians, Teachers, & Lubberlanders.

Bread and Puppet is rolling in to Athens September 27th with a brand new show, "13 Dirt Floor Cathedral Dances" performed by the Lubberland National Dance Company. We're looking for 10-50 volunteers to officially become the Lubberland's National Dancers. Volunteers learn the entire show in an afternoon, have dinner, and end with an evening performance for the public.

Contact Maura Gahan: lubberland at riseup.net.

The show is learned and performed in one day. Volunteers must be available for the entire rehearsal and show. Volunteer dancers and musicians should bring:
-comfortable clothing to rehears in
-water/snacks/dinner
-white clothing for the show (pants and long sleeve white shirts, no logos)
-musical instruments
-attitudes ready to have an intense, good time!

Schedule:
1-2pm: Load-in, Set-up
2-6pm: Rehearsal with Volunteers
6-6:30pm: Dinner Break
7-8pm: SHOWTIME
8-9pm: Strike, Load-Out

First Front and Center of the Season

2009-09-14T12:38:00.002-04:00

FRONT & CENTER
a free music event for school age kids at ARTS/West

132 W. State St. Athens

every third Saturday of each month (Sept.-May)
at noon –1 pm
September 19th special guest: pianist Bob Montalto
second half of event is always an open stage for any kids,
solo or group, to share instrumental or vocal music--if you choose.
Or just listen and enjoy!

Creative Endeavors Workshop and APE Center are still accepting applications for classes- see earlier posts, Humble Play rehearsals are in full swing, new events are being added as we speak! It's going to be a bumper fall!

Calling All!

2009-09-11T15:35:00.002-04:00

Calling all: Artists, Students, Parents, Cooks, Truck Drivers, Scientists, Bricklayers, Farmers, Grandparents, Bikers, Dancers, Shopkeepers, Attorneys, Musicians, Teachers, & Lubberlanders.

Bread and Puppet needs you!

B&P is rolling in to Athens September 27th with a brand new show, 13 Dirt Floor Cathedral Dances performed by the Lubberland National Dance Company. We're looking for 10-50 volunteers to officially become the Lubberland's National Dancers. Volunteers learn the entire show in an afternoon, have dinner, and end with an evening performance for the public. Contact Maura Gahan: lubberland@riseup.net

Emily has a volunteer schedule and what you need to wear/bring. They are looking for 10th grade and older but will make exceptions if they are notified in advance.

Thank you!

Also: ARTS/West needs your help to get ready for our exciting 5th season of performing arts produced by and for the Athens community!

Join us for a Volunteer Cleanup Day on Saturday September 12th at 3:00 PM to help us clean house and prepare our space for another great year of performances!

Priorities for the 2009 Cleanup Day:
*Scrub Downstairs
*Haul our recycling to the recycling center – let's get green at ARTS/West!
*Cleaning out storage units and taking unused or unneeded items to ReUse Industries!
*Brightening up the space for a new season of fun and learning!

Please call or email Emily Prince if you would like to help us spruce up the place on September 12, 2009: 740-592-4315 or eprince@ci.athens.oh.us

Please note: If you have a truck, van, or station wagon we can use to haul recycling, please let us know!

AND: Aquabear Live at ARTS/West Saturday night at 8:00PM 3 GREAT acts for only $5! Visit Aquabear Legion

Applications available for Creative Endeavors Workshop

2009-09-02T11:57:00.003-04:00

Creative Endeavors Workshop located at ARTS/West, contact information (740) 591-6432, pkristofco@gmail.com.

Check out the Family Handbook.

New afterschool program serving students from West Elementary and Athens Middle School. Now hiring homework tutors and enrichment facilitators.

Gain valuable experiance working with area youth, while enriching their lives.

Applications available here

APE Classes

2009-09-01T10:19:00.003-04:00

We have a lot of opportunities for your young people this fall! And remember, ARTS/West members receive a 20% discount on participating partners' classes and registrations! Click on membership for form.

APE Center PRESENTS

FALL 2009 after-school CLASSES at ARTS/West

LET’S ACT!

Ages: 7 – 9 years

Days: Fridays (Oct 2 – Dec 11, 2009)

Time: 3.45 – 4.45pm

Facilitators: Domi Adamova and Lyra Neff

Price: $ 70

………………………..

Write your play, choose your role. Make costumes, props and backdrops. Create tickets, posters and programs. Be on stage or just off stage, whatever you prefer. Have FUN with your own SHOW!

ACT it OUT!

Ages: 10 – 13 years

Days: Fridays (Oct 2 – Dec 11, 2009)

Time: 5.30 – 6.30pm

Facilitators: Domi Adamova and Lyra Neff

Price: $ 70

………………………..

Write your play, choose your role. Make costumes, props and backdrops. Create tickets, posters and programs. Be on stage or just off stage, whatever you prefer. Have fun ACTING OUT!

………………………..

To register, email APE Center at info@apecenter.org.

Or call Domi at 740-707-2480.

Please Welcome Creative Endeavors Workshop

2009-08-24T11:15:00.003-04:00

Creative Endeavors Workshop is a new arts based enrichment after-school program at ARTS/West starting September 14th and running through the school year.

The program offers a nutritious snack, homework help and arts based enrichment. The program will serve students from West Elementary and Athens Middle School initially, but there is the possibility of expanding to other Athens Schools if there is a need.

Bus transportation from West to ARTS/West will be provided.

The middle school students will walk to ARTS/West.

All students will need to be pick up at ARTS/West at 5:30 Monday through Friday. The program will offer flexible scheduling. Families can select 2, 3 or 5 days a week. This will be scheduled at the beginning of each of OU's quarter.

Creative Endeavors Workshop strives to provide a student centered, project based learning. The student will have the opportunity to work on extended creative projects that they develop and we help provide the support and guidance to make sure the project is done in a safe but engaging manner.

Click on the following links for: application information , flier and application

If you have any further questions feel free to contact Paul Kristofco at 740-591-6432 or pkristofco@gmail.com

Bringing Athens Country History to Life

2009-08-07T18:14:00.001-04:00

The Dairy Barn Arts Center
In Partnership with ARTS/West &
The Athens Country Historical Society & Museum

PRESENTS:

"Bringing Athens Country History to Life"
Project Screening & Reception

The Dairy Barn Arts Center is pleased to invite all participants of the History Camp and the Community to join us for the the screening of living history theatrical presentations created by the children who recently attended a History Camp organized by the Dairy Barn Arts Center. The screening will be held on:

Friday, August 7th, 2009 from 7PM - 9PM
At ARTS/West, 132 West State Street.

While this screening is FREE and open to the public,
Donations to support educational programs will be accepted to benefit ARTS/West

Benefit Performance: Interact with JUST/Act!

2009-07-27T17:15:00.001-04:00

Teenagers! You can’t live with them, and you can’t live without them! Teen years can be the most difficult for communication, but families and friends are important.

“Monday Was a Normal Day,”

a free two-hour interactive performance event at

ARTS/West (132 West State Street, Athens) this Friday, July 31^st at 8 PM and Sunday, August 2^nd at 2 PM

was created and is performed by JUST/Act!, a group of area teens.

The play examines the affects (in one week) of a Tuesday high school drug bust on friends and family members of those not directly involved in the event. In this performance event, after each act (or scene) the audience questions through an open forum the characters from the scene and, at the end of the performance, also discusses issues raised with all the actors.

“Interactive theatre is a very unique form of theatre because it breaks down the barriers between audience and performer and creates important dialogue about the issues that these teens and young adults deal with in everyday life,” explains Patrick Gallagher, a second-year student at Sarah Lawrence College. “It is a really unique experience for audiences, who are so often passive when watching TV, films or plays, because they get to ask questions and participate in a forum that they couldn’t in traditional plays and get to know the characters in ways they wouldn’t otherwise,” states Psyche Castro, an Ohio University student majoring in Art History who has participated in JUST/Act! for six years. “ I think that it develops a good connection with the community because it gives people the opportunity to go deeper into the play rather than just walking out of the theatre at the end of a play,” affirms Jody Pratt-Harrington , an Alexander High 10th grader who has been working with JUST/Act! since 7^th grade.

“This form of theatre is a creative way to explore many societal perspectives,” says Corina Dalzell, a 2009 graduate of Athens High School who will attend Bennington College for theatre and dance this fall and participated in JUST/Act! for four years. She feels that this experience has been “a wonderful training for acting and a delightful community to be in as well as perform for.” Psych Castro believes that this experience has been beneficial to her “because I get to play roles outside who I am and see how other people play roles different from themselves and how we interact when playing these characters.”

These teens/young adults hope that others will see the performance and be interested in joining the project. “I definitely enjoy acting,” states Shannon Pratt-Harrington, an Alexander High senior also taking classes at Hocking College who participated since 7^th grade except for a year she spent as an international exchange student in Germany. She believes that “all students should have the opportunity to do this type of theatre because it also touches on societal issues. I’ve also met a lot if great and interesting people doing this which has been very special.” Her sister Jody adds, “I would love for other people to be involved. I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t enjoy it so much.”

Just/Act! was originally part of several year-long 317 Board TEAM Athens County grant-funded projects. When funding for such projects ended, a group of eight teens decided to keep working to develop a more detailed drama than could be developed in a year. Teens continued to train in acting, improvisation and play writing. Playwriting for this form of theatre is different because the audience is the most important part of the play. Over the past two years area teens--grades 7 through college--from four school districts, Ohio University and Hocking college and from two counties worked to develop this play, “Monday Was a Normal Day” to be performed about local issues for this community and with the hope that other teens join.

“Creating interactive theatre differs from traditional performances because it is a democratic process from start to finish,” said Kathy Devecka, a theatre consultant who works with JUST/Act! “Students learn to work as a team. We schedule rehearsals around students’ schedules and work to include all perspectives. In the scenes, the dialogue and events are semi-scripted. But, in performance, the audience asks questions of characters in a facilitated forum after each scene. Thus 75% of the performance is improvised based on carefully constructed character back stories. So each performance is different because each audience pursues different information. The audiences become a learning community and part of this democratic process.” This performance event is facilitated by Kathy Devecka and former JUST/Act! member Patrick Gallagher.

Performances are Friday, July 31^st at 8 PM and Sunday, August 2^nd at 2 PM at ARTS/West, 132 West State Street, Athens. There is no Saturday performance. Doors will open Friday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 1:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served after the event. The event is free. Donations are welcome and will be shared by ARTS/West and JUST/Act!

Athens DIY Homebrew Competition!

2009-07-15T15:27:00.004-04:00

Celebrate Ohio Brew Week!

July 15, 2009, 5 - 10 p.m.

Homebrew Keg Competition, Hosted by Eric Hedin, Athens Do It Yourself Shop. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Arts West, 132 W. State St. Click here for tickets.

So much to do

2009-07-14T10:12:00.002-04:00

So keep your chins up! I don't know who I am going to attend all of the million of events that are happening this weekend but I am fairly certain we will be host one of the only alcohol-free events this Saturday, so now that I've got your attention:

Aquabear continues their regular series of shows at ARTS/West this Saturday, July 18 with We March, Coshocton, and Colonies.

We March
www.myspace.com/wemarch
A great mix of dirty 80’s hardcore, crazed acid punk, and a slightly bluesy underpinning that doesn’t feel forced in any way. – by John Geek, MAXIMUMROCKNROLL

Coshocton
oculusauris.com/coshocton
Drummer Nate Scheible and Guitarist Todd Jacops used to play in the Athens, Ohio based band Small Object A. This is their new project. They will be performing an improvised instrumental set of rock and roll goodness.

Colonies
www.myspace.com/coloniesohio
Brian Koscho (Casual Future) and possibly a few others will be performing a set of rumbling loops with diatribes from famous historical figures.
_____

POTLUCK STARTS AT 8pm, MUSIC AT 9pm (sharp)

Pay $3 at the door or help support Good Works by bringing some non- perishable, non-expired food and get in FREE!

Food will go to support Good Works' Summer Discovery Club for kids and a SUMMER LUNCH for children and adults. Last summer, they served around 1700 nutritious meals and are hoping to once again provide this and a warm atmosphere each day to people who are struggling.

Meals will be served following their Kids Discovery Club every day (M-F) at The Plains UM Church between 11:30 am - 1:00 pm for 8 weeks.

All ages, no alcohol.

July 4th ARTS CELEBRATION & COMMUNITY PICNIC

2009-07-02T11:30:00.000-04:00

July 4th ARTS CELEBRATION & COMMUNITY PICNIC

10 am - 5 pm in Bicentennial Park (on East Park Drive behind the Athens city pool)

Here is the list of artists that are participating -
Amanda Buchanan - glass
Beth Graham - jewelry
Don & Lori Hibbard - wood
Dave & Janet Gustafson - glass
Laurie Vancouver - pottery
Rene Olson - pottery
Carolyn Khurshid - soaps/lotions (demonstrating)
Teresa Bailey - wood
Louise Goebel - fiber arts (demonstrating)
Carmen Schultz - pottery
Jennifer Krisch - jewelry
Mike West - wood
Rick Crooks - metal
Jerry Swank - leather (demonstrating)
Susan Abramovitz - pottery
Kelly Lawrence - ceramic sculpture
Megan Almeida-Featheringham - fiber arts (demonstrating)
Judy Well - jewelry

Artist/craftspeople are selling their work and/or demonstrating and there will be a silent art auction which includes many pieces of art and much more. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association in the name of Marianna Mitchell, one of our members who recently passed away.

Miscellaneous vendors:
Ben Molina - balloon animals & hats
Kate Enger - juggler
Jeanette Ammon - massage
Patty Crooks - face painter
Humble Play: Appalachian New Play Festival - baked goods

Kid's activities:
make-n-take arts & crafts
games

Food vendors:
Kiser's BBQ Shack
Ali Baba's
Larry's Dog House Ice Cream truck is expected to stop by

Music performances:
Leah Nairn 10:30 - 11:30
Bruce & Gay Dalzell 11:30 - 12:30
Boys of the Hock 12:30 - 1:30
Casts of ABC Players' production of "Quilters" 1:30 - 2 & OVST's production of "Oliver" 2 - 2:30
Amethystone 2:30 - 3:30
Charlie & Celia Lewis 3:30 - 4:30
Musicians will be selling their CDs and OVST will have a drawing for tickets to "Oliver".

Sponsors:
ALPACA (Athens Local Professional Artist & Craftsman Association)
Athens Community Arts, Parks & Recreation
Charlie & Celia Lewis (www.charlieandcelia.com)
AMAC (Athens Municipal Arts Commission)

We are hoping to bring back the tradition of the community picnic in Athens on the 4th of July with this event. There will be tables and chairs for eating but also plenty of room for throwing a blanket on the ground under the trees for a picnic. The food vendors will have plenty of food and beverage choices but, if you prefer, you can bring your own grill to prepare your own meal. Please, no smoking, no alcohol and no glass containers.

Arts in Crisis

2009-06-23T12:04:00.002-04:00

Arts Funding Crisis in Ohio

Take Action!

As the economy in Ohio worsens, Governor Ted Strickland abandoned his long aversion to gambling and endorsed a slot machine at racetrack provision which he estimates will bring in more than $900 million during the next biennium, beginning July 1. In addition, he has proposed $2.4 billion in cuts to Ohio departments, agencies and commissions. The Ohio Arts Council, which had an appropriation of $25 million at the beginning of the current biennium and, because of the Governor's cuts during this biennium, which actually received and spent $21 million will suffer further cuts if the Governor's proposals are approved by the Conference Committee on HB 1 (the budget) and pass the House and Senate.

The Governor proposes that the Ohio Arts Council have $13,188,578 to spend in the next biennium (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2011). This would take us back to near the level of 1985 spending. We are in an historic economic collapse, certainly worse in Ohio than in the Country as a whole. There are those few in the Legislature who advocate (we are told because no one has publicly said this) that the Ohio Arts Council be eliminated. In what should be the last week before the approval of the budget, it is imperative that we reinforce to every member of the Legislature and the Governor our message of the importance of the arts in so many aspects of our citizen's lives, but especially EDUCATION and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

We must also tell them that we understand the nature of our economy and the tough economic decisions that they have on their plates. But, what we propose, for very little monies, out of a $55 billion budget, is to help them with partial solutions to their most vexing problems. We are now at the final act of our budget play, we have the power to see that this play has a happier ending than presently appears. I quote again the old Anglican hymn "Let us march with vigor on!"

Please take action today and ask four friends to join you in making contact with their legislators.

William P. Blair

Legislative Counsel

Ohio Citizens for the Arts

Dead Line Approching Humble Play 2009 playwright app

2009-06-04T13:57:00.002-04:00

Humble Play will be presented September 28 – October 3, 2009
APPLICATION INFORMATION: http://docs.google.com/View?id=dff4vs3w_23g84m8phh
Playwright applications must be postmarked June 29, 2009.

The Corporation for the Performing arts in partnership with ARTS/West is pleased to invite submissions from adventurous playwrights to participate in our 4th Annual Humble Play: Appalachian New Play Festival.

Acknowledging gifted writers with new plays that speak to a regional audience, ARTS/West will open its doors for these new works.

PARTICIPATION: We are seeking plays that will highlight the work and the playwrights, actors and directors of Appalachia generally and Southeastern Ohio specifically.

A script committee will review each play submitted. Be concise and clear in your application; the committee is interested in your evaluation of the work you are submitting, which is where you impress.

APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted no later than June 29, 2009. All applications must be postmarked on or before June 29, 2009.

THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS

There is a $20.00 application fee for each submission. Checks and money orders should be made out to “The Corporation for the Performing Arts.” The application fee is required to cover the costs of having copies made of each project for the reading committees. The application fee will be waived if the playwright makes copies of their submissions (a minimum of 7 copies of each project is needed).

You may not submit more than two projects and each project must be submitted as a separate application with its fee.

ACCEPTANCE: All applicants will receive notification of the result of this application. Notification will be emailed in mid-August. At this time, successful applicants will receive further instructions. Accepted plays will be presented to the public during the week of September 28 – October 3, 2009, in the form of a staged reading in the ARTS/West performance space. The committee will choose the best pairing of local theater company with each play. Your play cannot have had a fully staged production before.