Issue 20 • October 2019 • Facebook.com/TalkArts
IT’S ALL ABOUT
ARTS
Supporting Local Arts and Culture
RUTH LAGUE
TERRIFIED
by Janice Williams, Editor and Publisher “Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, it’s about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves”. Elvis Duran. Halloween, celebrated annually on October 31, is one of the world’s oldest holidays and arose from ancient festivals and religious rituals. It gives people the opportunity to play roles, dress up and conjure up (and perform) the macabre. Creativity is the name of the game when Halloween comes around each year. Whether there is a costume involved, scary makeup or haunted house decorations of witches, spiders, ghosts and goblins, Halloween is fertile ground for our inner inspirations and aspirations. So too is art. An artist works from within and shares their soul with us. Generally, each piece of art is unique and open for interpretation based on our own inspirations. I never tire of seeing art in all its forms. I welcome and share what I like. I never tire of doing art and always want to share. Most times, I am somewhat surprised at what happens when my hands artfully apply my soul. So like Halloween, art creativity is the costume within each artist. I think that the great artist Salvador Dali echoed my exact feeling about my art: “I am the first to be surprised and often terrified by the images that I see appear on my canvas”.
SEE Glenn Williams Art Square Root Cafe 2A Corinth Street, Roslindale
October 19 and 20
roslindaleopenstudios.org IT’S ALL ABOUT ARTS www.itsallaboutarts.com facebook.com/TalkArts Twitter - @itsallaboutarts Instagram #itsallaboutarts ROSLINDALE ARTS ALLIANCE www.roslindalearts.org facebook.com/Roslindale-Arts-Alliance-129685993761701 ART STUDIO 99 www.artstudio99.com facebook.com/Art-Studio-99-145566388819141 Twitter @artstudio99 Published by It’s All About Arts Copyright 2019 - All Rights Reserved Glenn Williams - 617-543-7443 glennsmusic.williams@gmail.com Janice Williams - 617-710-3811 janice@artfulgift.com TO ADVERTISE - REQUEST OUR MEDIA KIT ALL ADVERTISING REVENUE GOES TO THE IT’S ALL ABOUT ARTS YOUTH ART SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. MORE
It’s All About Arts Magazine October 2019
Thank You All
On Sunday September 8, 2019, artists and art lovers gathered at the beautiful gardens of MIT Endicott House in Dedham, MA to raise funds for the It’s All About Arts Youth Scholarship Program. Through the generosity of many, over $1,400 was raised for scholarships. It was a delightful day of nature, music, art and refreshments.
For more info
http://www.roslindalearts.org It’s All About Arts Magazine October 2019
Photos Courtesy of Alan McacKinnon, Glenn Williams, Donna Tessari and Chris Roberts
Ruth LaGue – Finding Her Artful Way By Janice Williams
Ruth LaGue is an abstract landscape painter from Boston who has a passion for a visual journey. Her particular art adventure is uncovering new ways to creatively apply
work as do winding roads and paths. A trip to India in her 20’s also inspired her to paint. According to LaGue, “I’m working in acrylics working with palette knives and large canvases; focusing mostly on texture, I’m trying to get as much paint on the surface of the canvas that I can. I love the effect of having colors mix on the surface of the canvas. I’m focusing on imaginary abstract landscapes,
paint on canvas to portray an inner vision. According to LaGue, “Landscapes represent fragments of time that will never be again; intimate moments of communion with something greater than myself; quiet meditations to which I bear witness. They compel me to paint”. For LaGue, a graphic design graduate of RISD in Rhode Island, abstract painting is a compelling process that carries both a sense of excited accomplishment and a frustrating edge of constantly trying for perfection. Ruth LaGue explores the theme of spirit within her abstract landscape paintings; the limitless interior universe that lives within us and the outer vastness of our physical environment. Working with palette knives on canvas, she strives for visual economy in her work; combining textures, colors and patterns. LaGue’s artistic vision is most assuredly connected with her happy childhood spent in the vastness of Alaska. In her artist talks, she paints a picture of seeing nothing but the all-encompassing horizon wherever she stood in Alaska. Mountains also come into play with her It’s All About Arts Magazine October 2019
which involve atmosphere. I’m drawn to looking at photographs from Iceland, lots of atmosphere there and the work of Dutch masters in particular, I love Van Gogh’s use of color and texture and am drawn to his philosophy of color symbolizing spirit”. She paints as often as she can. With over 100 paintings completed on the subject, LaGue shows no sign of slowing down the creative possibilities of presenting the diverse world of nature into beautiful, textured landscapes that awe us and enchant us. In the past two years, LaGue has been actively exhibiting all around
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the country and has won awards for her work. She generously shares her work in a seminar she calls “Art and Meditation” that helps people use art to de-stress and find a sense of balance. According to LaGue, art belongs in everyone’s view whether in your home, office or public space, art should inspire you and make you feel a range of emotions. Putting those feelings into the proper perspective is teachable. Always in pursuit of the next productive level, LaGue is now applying to residencies so she can focus for longer periods of time on her artistic mission. I work full time as a web designer, so my art happens at irregular times – weekends, nights, etc. LaGue tells me,” the path to a creative life is never easy, but it is rewarding. Having a painting career enhances my design career. Painting allows me to stretch myself and therefore I feel I’m more prepared to work on my design projects. For more info visit laguewax.com. Follow LaGue on instagram.com/ruthlague. To book LaGue for her talk Art & Meditation, email janice@artfulgift.com or call 617-710-3811.
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Cristina Hajosy – Photography, Books, Paper and So Much More by Janice Williams
It is nearly impossible to narrow down the plethora of talents that propel artist Cristina Hajosy. She is at best, multi-talented and always pushing the limit of her creativity. I eagerly follow her journey with awe and appreciation. Hajosy lives her art to the fullest and graciously shares and teaches. Now a Canton, MA resident, Hajosy was born in Rome, Georgia to parents who were anesthesiologist doctors. She grew up on a cattle farm with a large commercial catfish fishery, extensive family garden, pecan orchards, and horses. According to Hajosy, “My story is a modern-day Green Acres complete with the Hungarian heritage and the amusing clash between high and low cultures. My parents, wishing to give me and my siblings everything they never had growing up and wishing to take one giant leap up the social ladder, enrolled us in private school, every art class available, music lessons, dance lessons, golf and tennis at the country club…basically, anything to keep us busy It’s All About Arts Magazine October 2019
and moving towards their goals for us. The unfortunate consequence of a cultured upbringing was my choice to lead the life of an artist. Choosing not to pursue medicine has
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folks wouldn’t recognize as a traditional “book”. I’ve found my artistic format: The artist’s book. The potential for narrative, for layering, and for controlling the viewer is amazing. Within Western cultures, the book is read from front to back. The turning of pages engages the viewer in an intimate setting, allowing an uptake of complicated images and ideas over a longer time and at their own pace, taming a manic whirl of thoughts into a manageable narrative”. Catcher, Catch Her is an ongoing series of artist’s books by Hajosy that incorporate experimental printmaking techniques that has
been the best decision I’ve made, to the dismay of my parents”. Lucky for us that Hajosy chose the creative life. She began her evolving journey with photography mostly going the route of commercial shoots such as weddings, events and portraits to make a living. She says, “Finding joy in the personal connections between people, seeing the emotions, catching the moments, it’s been a wonderful ‘day job’. It allows me the down time for a meandering art career and teaching art during the week”. Hajosy entered another creative phase of her career while looking for ways to present her photographs. She taught herself bookbinding and had this to say about the experience: “The world of book and paper arts is a wonderful rabbit hole with so much to learn, explore and hybridize. I’ve enjoyed learning and teaching historical art techniques like paper marbling, paste paper and international binds that many It’s All About Arts Magazine October 2019
been a major part of her artworks since 2010. The books are memorials to women in her life who have battled cancer. Hajosy says, “Each book has her own story, a personal narrative that’s unique. The work reflects on the definition and evolution of femininity, fertility, mortality, as well as trophyism. Struggling with perception, of self and others, she questions her role… Is she the catcher, or is she caught”? More about her series a at http://hajosyarts.com/catchercatch-her I took a marbling class with Hajosy a few years back and found her knowledge and approach to be both educational and inspiring. In 2016, she became a Poly Thayer Starr Artist in the Studios Series at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. She conducted open studios
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of paper marbling techniques in conjunction with the Museum’s exhibit on Italian Renaissance Books. Cristina teaches privately in her studio and at art institutions such as The Elliot School, Fuller Craft Museum, Attleboro Arts Museum, and throughout New England. Her artist-in-residencies at the Fuller Craft Museum and the Attleboro Arts Museum expanded her teaching to K-12 artists. Cristina sells her original artwork and licensed designs by appointment and online at her Etsy store: www.shisofine.com. She also owns Cristina Hajosy Photography, a provider of portrait photography specializing in newborn, baby, family, maternity, and lifestyle location photography.
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www.hajosyarts.com (fine art portfolio and art education/teaching) www.hajosy.com (event/family/baby/lifestyle/web development photography) cristina@hajosy.com Upcoming events: 10/6 - Marbling Silk Scarves Workshop, Attleboro Arts Museum 10/12 - Paste Paper Workshop, Twiggs Gallery, Boscawen, New Hampshire 10/13 - Botanical Printmaking Workshop, Twiggs Gallery, Boscawen, New Hampshire 10/18 - Paper Marbling with Tapas Workshop, Hajosy Arts, Canton, MA 10/22 - Photography Projects Workshop, Eliot School, Jamaica Plain 11/8-10 - Boston Art Book Fair at the Boston Cyclorama
OPEN HOUSE Visit in Roslindale Saturday October 19 and Sunday October 20 11:00am to 5:00pm BUY ART Support Local Artists Located: 99 Belgrade Avenue Roslindale, MA 02131 artstudio99.com
roslindaleopenstudios.org
Hope you will stop in and say hello. Thank You!
June Alexandra All Things Floral Wearable Fresh Floral Art
Janice Williams
Abstract Paintings, Collage, Decorated Bird Houses, Ornaments, Art Cards
Visit Art Studio 99 during Roslindale Open Studios. Bring a used or new children’s book for our “Little Art Lending Library” and be entered to win a hand decorated bird house. It’s All About Arts Magazine October 2019
Blasé Nestlings
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That nidus, that beak-woven bowl, built quickly of gathered twigs braided snugly under and over rhododendron branches, looking to all like hundreds of dove claws gripping each other tightly…and brown.
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Yes, I was Peeping Mike (I think subtly), kneeling belly to radiator veins to watch too nasty, too wet then too scruffy chick heads, first popping like Jacks in the twig box, then gape-mawed yawping for a parent’s crop milk. I only filled the feeder seed tube.
! How could you…just leave…with the kids? !
When the little ones had real feathers, I walked to the train and rode to Haymarket for produce, my own version of seed. I hiked back up the hill three hours later. ( But you have neither wristwatch nor wrist.)
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Our nest is empty. All five of you gone… I had imagined a Disney cartoon of fledglings perching on rhody branches, then plunging out, not down. From biped to biped, I wanted to see that minute they did what I never can — take wing for once and forever more.
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Only your masterpiece of weaving remains. Birds don’t do courtesy. We have signed no contract. And I cannot speak dove. - Michael Ball
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Six Shoes I know an old man who has six shoes — A pair for walking on city streets, A pair for blazer and necktie, and A pair for hiking rocks, snow and mud.
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He travels through a small set of days. His workday runs by norm and by rule. His rests on weekends or holidays, Jesting, gawking, drinking and lounging. He lives these days, then lives them again.
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His late wife had closet racks of shoes. Yet she also had only two feet. This drab man color matches nothing Beyond black vs. brown shoe and belt. In fairness, he does not have dozens Of outfits in shades he cannot name.
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Six shoes slide under the opening At the bottom of his chifforobe. If he could, he would fit himself too Discreetly, neatly in furniture.
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He does not want to leave after him A legacy of fancy footwear.
! For this old man, six shoes are enough. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
- Michael Ball
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SWEET BLASTS! COLLECTION
A passionate artist and environmental activist….. I created the Sweet Blasts! series to explore, and call attention to, the juxtaposition of the hand of man in the natural processes. Each work is created in camera, combining a food item with a hand grenade fuse and then given a digitally augmented facelift to show each subject at the commercial apex of its “perfection. We, as a species, have a driving need to tinker, catalog and alter our world, for better or worse. Our choices are often made at a level below our consciousness and then rationalized, or apologized for, after the outcome. Our practice of “intelligent design” has allowed humanity to dominate so much of our world. However, while we have fed millions, more than doubled life spans and allowed us to reach for the stars, our efforts are not without consequences. We stand on the brink of global disaster, in a world that we have modified using short sighted goals. We have allowed our seas to rise, ice caps to melt, oceans to slowly strangle and drinkable water trickles where it used to flow freely. Sweet Blasts! is designed to arrest the eye and start the conversations that may, one day, lead us to use our tinkering to save ourselves and our world. Matt McKee Each image is available as a limited edition print on aluminum, sized from 5″ x 7″ to 40″ x 50″. https://mckeephotography.com/personal-photography-projects/sweet-blasts/ Contact Canvas Fine Arts: Suzanne Schultz, 617-470-1889, suzanne@canvasfinearts.com
Join us at the Mansion, for some outstanding upcoming events!
Writers’ Retreat Weekend
January 18 - 19, 2020
Writers Workshop with Hank and Paula as your personal mentors. This exclusive workshop will focus on honing your opening pages, strengthening your plot, polishing your writing, and pitching your work.
Valentine’s Weekend
February 15 - 16, 2020
This Valentine's you deserve a romantic evening away with the one you love. Escape the bustle of the city, in the old world charm of the MIT's Endicott House Mansion. Enjoy the culinary creations of Chef Edward Cerrato and apres dinner drinks by the fire.
Jane Austen Afternoon Tea
March 7, 2020 Celebrate your favorite author for a delightful afternoon tea at our lovely turn-of-the-century estate. Invite all your friends for a wonderful day, as "one cannot have too large a party."
Advance Registration Required: mitendicotthouse.org/themed-events
BOO! An October visit to the Lowbudget Model Museum By William Henry Pratt
The Lowbudget Model Museum ! In a small nondescript building behind Tim Casey’s home there is a collection of some of the coolest monster models on the planet - The Lowbudget Model Museum. Collectors from all over the world regularly visit the Museum’s website to drool over the models, many of which have been long unavailable to builders. ! “A lot of boomers, myself included, bought these cheap little Aurora monster models from the local five-and-dime back in the 60s. The models themselves were so-so, but it was really the boxes that drew us in. Most were painted by James Bama, and those images stayed with us for the rest of our lives.” ! “Some of those kids went on to become sculptors themselves, sometimes getting work in Hollywood special effects departments. In their spare time, they began making these very realistic sculpts of all the famous monsters from the classic horror films. They made silicon molds of their sculpts and then poured resin into the molds to make models to sell to collectors. Ads started popping up in obscure film magazines, and after picking up a couple of them, I became hooked.”
Original Aurora Monster Model box art by James Bama, 1961-1964 ! Casey noted that the silicon molds wear out fairly quickly, so most of the resin models he collects are limited to 25 or 50 copies, making them quite rare. ! Casey assembles the models, primes them, and then spends the bulk of the time painting them, using craft acrylics. “I like using acrylics because the cleanup is so easy. I can put a tiny dab of paint on a spot and then just rinse the brush off with water. If I had used oils, I’d be less inclined to do those details because of the cleanup time.” ! “I paint with a combination of dry brush coats and washes. Once you get good at it, those two techniques tend to create their own fine details on the model’s surface.” ! Some models come with elaborate bases, but most only include the figure. For these, Tim usually designs and builds bases for them, using balsafoam, wood, and plaster. “The bases are what really get me excited about the hobby. It’s like re-creating a set from the movie.” ! Casey points out that it really is a labour of love to work on these kits. “The classic horror films have been with me since I was a kid. I think I’ve seen “Frankenstein” two dozen times over the course of my life. You have to really love these films in order to spend the time and effort building these models. I tried building a model once that I thought looked cool, but I wasn’t really into the subject matter. I gave up after awhile. It was kind of like, “why bother?”, and that’s not the way you want to feel while tackling one of these.”
Dracula and Bride kit, Janus Productions
On The Prowl, Resin Crypt Productions
Edison’s Frankenstein (L) & The Cat And The Canary (R) with Tim Casey’s scratch-built bases
Frankenstein’s Monster and Fritz, sculpted by Jeff Yagher, scratch-built base by Tim Casey In addition to the model museum, Casey also has a very large outdoor theater in his yard where the neighborhood comes out to watch films in the summer months. “The screen is 16 feet by 9 feet - it looks like a drive-in! We use an audiophile surround-sound system and one of the best Blu-Ray players ever - the Oppo 105D. It’s thrilling to watch a film out there under the stars. Of course, the classic horror films are always a crowd-pleaser.” What should someone do if they were curious about getting into the modeling hobby? “Probably get their head examined! But seriously, there’s a wealth of info online. I usually check out the forums at The Clubhouse, where sculptors and builders talk about what’s coming out or what they’re working on. There’s also a gallery there where you can look at tons of models built by clubhouse members.” I had to ask him - does he have a favorite out of all his models? “That’s like asking a dad which of his kids is his favorite! I really love all of them equally.” - William Henry Pratt
WHAT IS THIS ROOM? !
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by Curt Naihersey!
At the start of this year, over two issues of this magazine, I asked a bevy of local musicians to comment on their pursuit of “new music”, which reflected back at me after just watching Ken Burn’s most recent documentary, “Country Music”. Not a favorite genre of mine, but a clear indicator of what and how we have heard through the years in the swirling stew of popular recorded music. In addition, since I worked in retail during the 60's and 70's as the industry exploded, I have a conscious grip on the past as it zoomed into the present, where consumers can find more music, support more bands, and create more diversity in music than ever before. !
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A reason that music may not sell much anymore is because we live in a different era of society today. There is oversaturation of the market. There are too many products available for the decreasing amount of consumers, who have only so much money to buy albums. You cannot buy everything that comes out. Apparently, there are hundreds and hundreds of record labels just in the US now, releasing an immense quantity of albums every year, as well as all the numerous independent artists"self-releasing" albums on their own. The market is overrun, demand sinks lower and lower, with more and more new albums still being released!!
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We live in an international world. For example, if you are an American folk-rock lover, you might also be interested in similar or progressive artists not only from major countries such as UK, France, Germany, Brazil or Italy, but also from Indonesia, Serbia, Chile, Mexico, South
Africa, Egypt, Finland, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Camerun, Bangladesh, and other countries. Then you can oversaturate yourself acquiring more music from different parts of the world, adding to the music you are already consuming. ! Besides new releases, there are old releases, re-issues, used CDs, used vinyl, even used cassettes and eight- track tapes! Whoa! Also, let’s not overlook the "remastering phenomenon": remasters of the remastered remasters to be remastered and over-remastered; then even more remastered versions with so many bonus tracks, bonus discs, with other bonus extras; then box sets, special editions, special packages, ultra-limited editions. People are buying for the fifth or tenth or twentieth time albums they've already heard so many times in so many different formats. Say hello to the current 50th Anniversary of The Beatles’ Abbey Road. Does it necessarily merit the attention?? (I will admit = YES!) Then you have traditional old-school fans who are still stuck with their 60's and 70's nostalgia, and who categorically believe that there is no great music today, which is absolutely untrue. They enjoy living in the past and there is nothing wrong with that. They rarely consume new music or trendy styles at all. There is a lot of amazing music today, but few know it exists due to a combination of independent masses confined to the extreme niche of obscurity!! How much money and how much time does a consumer actually need to buy even one album, let alone listen to everything available? How do consumers discover new artists? I am a music fan who has collected music for almost six decades. My collection is admirable, and is reaching
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a saturation point with "new music" - how long to catch up with everything that's around - I simply have no time or room. And the craving to include more into my library still persists!! People have gotten used to spending less and less for music. Those who do spend are clearly a minority, and they cannot buy everything and they don't have time to listen to everything. The reality is that the music industry today simply doesn't exist as it existed before. There are no clear-cut tools to promote the music: no magazines, no radio, no way to tell the world that you and your product exist outside of social media and the internet. Both magazines and radio are experiencing the same industry contractions that are decimating the recorded music industry. The r a m i fi c a t i o n s o f t h i s a r e t h a t a n overwhelming majority of musicians just cannot live anymore strictly from original music; they have to do other things. Musicians from various genres may gravitate toward more commercially popular forms of music, hoping for some measure of success, but this would only happen for a few lucky souls. Maybe music should be free? Maybe musicians and independent labels are not supposed to make any money. Maybe that's the solution: Free music for everyone! While I am opposed to Spotify and other digital streaming services, I know that many people use them regularly. I actually like the idea. In the wake of the "digital revolution," I think it's one of the greatest innovations to emerge. Maybe the way it is done does not properly distribute income to artists, or allow for personal choice, but in theory that is a very difficult thing to implement, honestly. It's a difficult dilemma to decipher, but I don't believe
that streaming services are necessarily the only ones to blame for our present crisis. You have to hear music somehow, and let me ask you one thing: Where can you hear new music, if not online? In the extinct record shops? In the supermarkets or shopping malls? On TV or radio? What's commercial radio today? (I must discount college radio, which still thrives on being diverse and free-form.) Many people prefer to listen to talk shows, sports smack talk, religious and political chatter, but not much for listening to music anymore. In much the same way that Rolling Stone magazine really isn't about music, anymore.! In this day and age, who’s to say that music has to be the most important thing in one’s life? Who says that? For our generation, music was important; for me, most certainly. But maybe music is not supposed to be the most important thing; perhaps that mentality was from a golden generation, between the '60's and '70's, and it just continued for a few more decades. Maybe, in its present form, the music industry has somehow passed its "expiration date.” Whoa! ! Today, music just doesn't matter to so many people of my peer group. Its messages and its impacts just are not what they used to be. We are aging, and the habits of consumers are changing at a faster pace than ever before. I bought thousands of albums. But as you hit your forties or fifties or sixties, you steadily buy less albums and you go to see less shows. The audience for this particular type of music seems stagnant. There are very few young people to support our sense of industry; most young people are into something else. My eclectic tastes in music are for a very limited set of people, an aging progressive generation with young
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minds, while I sense many young people are retreating into revisionism. There are many elements involved in why - though it's very difficult to blame any one thing. We live in a new world order. We might complain or suffer, but new generations are into something else. Are they wrong? I don’t know.! Though I mourn the proposed extinction and availability of hard-copy discs, I have a different perspective on digital music: I just want to hear the music. To me, the greatest format is always the music, itself. And the fact that I am listening to music without any attachment to the physical format, without any attachment to a booklet or artwork or to liner notes, may be irking, but at least it gives me a pure contact and personal communication with the music. If I want to find out who played the bass or drums or piano, or who wrote the liner notes or who produced it, I will find that because I am a real music lover. That information is out there, it just might take a little digging. But the fact that I can listen to any music that's actually devoid of a physical format is not an overwhelming "negative" for me; it gives me the purity of listening to music simply for the sake of listening. That's why I have a huge issue with current vinyl LP lovers, because from my perspective, are they buying it because of the format (after all, vinyl's sonic qualities deteriorate with each subsequent listening), or maybe, just because they're nostalgic? They want to listen to the socalled "warm (analog) sound of the LP”, put on an album side and listen for twenty minutes. I have grown past that. When I listen to music, I do not want a time limitation of twenty minutes, for example. If I want, I will listen the music with no interruptions for four hours, or five hours, or
ten. And to skip from one tune to another one (with just the click of a mouse or finger) if I want to. I want to enjoy the music - not the format. Now, this doesn't mean that I do not like my vinyl. Of course I do, as well as CDs or even my expansive cassette collection. But my point is that any format is okay, but the best format is the MUSIC. And people should buy any format they want. ! I am not a nostalgic person. I don't want to live from the past. That's why I love the digital format. To me, it's the greatest thing that was ever invented, with regard to audio reproduction. It’s not for everyone, you understand. I listen to music whenever I want and the way I want. I love that freedom. Digital music matches my lifestyle. Everything is different now, and I actually like that. While I appreciate and respect the past, I am more interested in the present and the future. Perhaps the importance of social media, especially in light of decreasing sales and radio listeners, is the quintessential component of survival or success to small independents. It is the basis of this online magazine! It is the only free form of advertising other than word-of-mouth, but, in a world over-saturated with other media, it may also be the most effective.!
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Creative Co-conspirators: Glue, Wax, Paint and Thread Jeanne-Marie Crede and Liz Nania Gorse Mill Gallery, Needham Oct. 5-29, 2019 Opening Reception: Sat. Oct. 5, 2019, 4-8 pm. Colleagues for nearly two decades, Crede and Nania explore the intense power of artistic influence in this two-woman show of mixed media sculpture, textile art and painting. Gallery Hours: Oct. 7-29, M-F 9-5, or by appointment. Saturday Hours: Oct. 5, 4-8 pm, opening reception; Oct. 12, 11-4 pm.
www.jeanne-mariecrede.com
Gorse Mill Gallery 31 Thorpe Road Needham, MA 02494 - 1503 https://www.gorsemillstudios.comevents It’s All About Arts Magazine October 2019
www.liznania.com
THE LOCAL MUSIC CORNER by Perry Persoff
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(“support live music - it supports you”)
What’s up! A fond farewell, two fun annual local music festivals, and some notable concerts by area artists. October is shaping up to be pretty packed for Local Music. Let’s dive into it. I was going to save this item as a “last but not nearly least” entry. But I’ve got to lead with it…
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Only two years after I first moved to Boston from California - anxious to see the legendary Boston music scene I’d been somewhat enthralled about for years Mark Sandman died on tour in Italy with Morphine. One of the Boston bands that wound up making a significant impact on me years before my move to Boston was Treat Her Right. Mark Sandman being an important part of that band (as all the players were, come to think of it), I felt the need to attend the concert in his memory hastily put together three weeks later by many of his musical friends and compatriots. It was on the street in Central Square, Cambridge. Intermittent rains and the occasional thunderstorm could not stop the show. It had an amazing “community” vibe. Among the musicians who made an immediate impression on me - such as Catie Curtis and Jimmy Ryan - was a young Christian McNeill. Christian himself was a pretty recent arrival to Boston by a couple years from Derry, Ireland. 20-plus years later, Christian is reportedly preparing to move back to Ireland in November. As far as I know, that is still the case. On October 13th there will be a farewell show of sorts at The Burren in Davis Square, Somerville. It’s being billed as “The Long Goodbye,” and will feature not just Christian as a solo artist, but also some of his previous bands. Let us go through the Wayback Machines of our
minds to remember Christian with Hybrasil, The Sea Monsters, and a band represented at that show for Mark Sandman in Central Square back in late July 1999 - Orchestra Morphine. Meanwhile, Christian is on the calendar at Sally O’Brien’s pub to continue his residency with Tim Gearan every Tuesday night in October. But not in November. We’ll miss you, Sir. Come back and visit…
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In general, the month of October will be pretty active for local music right out of the chute: >> For example, you will need a cloning machine for October 4th. On that day, the long-awaited new album by Chris Hersch & The Moonraiders SPACE LASSO will be released. And what’s an album release without an album release show? It will be at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge that night, with Cousin Bobby Bluegrass opening. >> Also on October 4th, Comanchero is slated to play at Harpoon (Boston) Octoberfest on Stage 1 from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Old Jack follows at 8pm with Seven Day Weekend closing the music for the night. >> The festival continues the next day, Saturday, October 5th, with live music from Noon to 6:30 on three stages. Among them will be Will Dailey on Stage 3 from 2:30 to 3:30. For more information check the Harpoon website. >> Let’s see, what else am I missing about Harpoon Octoberfest? Hmm, it’s probably something simple that would be RIGHT UP FRONT on the Harpoon Brewery website, like…like…oh, I can’t imagine…oh right, like WHERE THE FREAKIN’ FESTIVAL IS!
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[Note to the Harpoon Brewery brass: Dudes & Dudettes, I spent more time than the average potential customer will spend
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October 2019
trying to find WHERE the festival is. What, are you only interested in - those who already know where the brewery and/or hall is? Or are you, just maybe…interested in growing the business…attracting new beer/brew lovers to your place and your product. Ya think? How about putting WHERE the festival is right up front on the page for the event? That way, even people who are thinking of giving you free promotion can find that trivial piece of information right away for their readers without having to dig through every sublink on your site. Not to mention that you are screwing the bands playing your festival by making it harder for people who like them to find where the show is. This is not genius rocket science stuff we’re talking here. After looking through sublinks, I assume the show is at the brewery itself at 306 Northern Avenue in Boston (even the location of the brewery is something you have to find through a sublink).]
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Meanwhile, here’s a festival that’s easy to find. Because it just runs through the center of town. It’s the 12th annual Honk Festival of activist street bands, Friday night October 11th through Sunday October 13th. Just take a bus or subway to Davis Square in Somerville, then walk around following your ears and various signs. It’s like New Orleans Mardi Gras meets Berkeley, California (but with far less crowds…). On Friday and Saturday, the festival will be throughout the Davis Square area. Sunday afternoon October 13th, the festival finishes with a parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square along Massachusetts Avenue. LOADS of bands will be performing, primarily brass and marching bands. Most are local or from New England, but some will come from as
far away as New Orleans, Brazil, and Europe. And of course, an atmosphere of community and celebration will flow. If you live in Somerville, you can be excused for glowing with pride during HonkFest and thinking, “it’s grrreat to be a “Villen.” But everyone from everywhere is welcome. More information is at http://honkfest.org
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Finally, just a few notable shows to circle on your calendar for October:
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At The Burren Backroom: The return of Greg Klyma (with band) on October 10th. Keep tabs on Greg through his website for his third album of the last year or so via the brave new world of online music. https://klyma.com/
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Jimmy Ryan’s Wooden Leg on October 12th. Earlier this year, Jimmy released a live Wooden Leg album. The album is smokin’! If it’s any indication, get a sitter that night and get to this show.
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Bill Janovitz’s monthly residency at The Burren on October 26th. Bill started last year with a new Buffalo Tom album. It’s good to see him still evolving as a solo artist as well. But don’t be surprised if he’s joined by some friends.
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At Atwood’s Tavern: Hazel Royer (and her dad Eric Royer) open for Charlie Parr on October 4th. Young Hazel is amazing. She is carrying the Bluegrass/Folk/Country torch from her dad with her own touches. Don’t miss the opener!
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If you can’t make it to Jimmy Ryan & Wooden Leg @ The Burren, Jimmy Ryan & Hayride are here on October 6th.
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October 2019
Julie Rhodes on October 10th. She has been attracting critical attention over the last couple years or so.
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At the Arts at the Armory Performance Hall in Somerville:
HAPPY HALLOWEEN !
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from all of us here @ IT’S ALL ABOUT ARTS
Vermont native (and recent multi-Tony winner for her Broadway folk-opera Hadestown) Anais Mitchell on October 10th, with Mark Erelli opening (Mark released a new song last month called “Her Town Now” that he co-wrote with Chuck Prophet; can an album be on the way).
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At the Narrows Center For The Arts: A couple Boston area alum’s return… Darryl Scott on October 3rd Eilen Jewell on October 19th.
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And there is lots more. You get the idea. There’s nothing like the dynamic energy of a good live music performance, whether it’s in an arena or a small club. >> We’ll see you out there!
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October 2019
Tess’s October To-Do List
Photo credit: Bruce Spero Photography brucespero.smugmug.com Tess McColgan comes from a big family full of artists and has always enjoyed embracing local talent. She's lived in many places throughout New England including York, ME and Dover, NH, and moved to Boston at age 14. In 2015 she moved to Roslindale where she found a sense of community that resonated with her. She started as the Program Manager for Roslindale Village Main Street in April 2018 and loves being a part of the volunteer-driven organization that works so hard to support local businesses and to make Roslindale Village a destination where everyone wants to eat, shop, play and collaborate. Tess’s background includes customer service, clinical research, volunteer management & recruitment and Human Resources. In her free time, she doodles and plays with acrylic paints on canvases, writes in her journal, attends yoga classes, and gets out in nature as often as possible.
Boston Cultural Council Grants Application Deadline: October 15th The Boston Cultural Council awards grants to local nonprofits that offer arts and cultural programming in Boston. Organizations can apply for grants for the following art categories: music, film and video, folk and traditional art, visual art, theater, dance, humanities, literary arts, performance or time-based arts, social and civic practices, and multidisciplinary arts. The BCC changed its funding strategy this round to only award grants for general operating expenses to organizations with budgets under $2 million. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded. Visit their website for more information & to access the application: www.boston.gov/departments/arts-and-culture/how-apply-organizational-grant
Boston University Fringe Festival -
Studio One, College of Fine Arts, 855 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215 Learn more and get tickets here: www.bu.edu/cfa/fringe/ Friday, October 4th - 27th from 7:30-10:00pm Boston University College of Fine Arts, Studio ONE 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston The BU Fall Fringe Festival, now in its 23rd season, is a collaboration between the College of Fine Arts School of Music: Opera Institute and School of Theatre. The festival’s mission is to produce new or rarely performed significant works in the opera and theatre repertoire, bringing performances and audiences together in unique theatrical settings. Tickets are $10 each; Free with BU ID at the door, day of performance, subject to availability.
Tess's To Do List October 2019 Continued
MFA First Friday Friday, October 4th from 6:00-9:30pm Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Family Courtyard at the Museum of Fine Arts Avenue of the Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
MFA First Fridays is on the first Friday of each month from 6–9:30 pm. Join us for fine art, music, bars featuring signature cocktails, and delicious tapas available for purchase. Order your tickets now to secure your spot at our monthly weekend kickoff. Advance tickets are strongly suggested as the event can sell out. Get tickets here: www.mfa.org/programs/special-event/mfa-first-fridays-october?event=6128
Science-K Fun Run Sunday, October 6th, Race at 9:00am, Check-in starts at 8:00am Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108 Lace up your running shoes and put on your favorite STEM inspired attire for a zany science-themed 5k fun run along the Esplanade. The Museum of Science's inaugural Sci-K will be held on Sunday, October 6 at the Fiedler Field. Families , friends, and individuals of all ages are invited to join the fun while supporting a great cause. To get into the fall spirit, wear your favorite science-themed costume. A contest will be held after the race in which a prize will be given for the best costume. Following the race, join us for the award ceremony and an afternoon with food, beverages, science activities, and more. Learn more and register here: https://give.mos.org/event/sci-k/e233057
Tess's To Do List October 2019 Continued Roslindale Day Parade Sunday, October 6th, stepping off at 1:00pm Roslindale, MA 02131
The 44th Annual Roslindale Day Parade is Sunday, October 6th starting at 1:00pm! Head to Roslindale to join families & neighbors in lining the street to celebrate the day! There will be a lot of fantastic groups & businesses marching, as always. Learn more about the parade on their website: w ​ ww.roslindaleparade.com/
It's All About Arts Magazine October 2019
Tess's To Do List October 2019 Continued
Roslindale Open Studios Saturday, October 19th & Sunday, October 20th from 11:00am-5:00pm
\Roslindale Open Studios Weekend will be October 19th & 20th this year! Throughout the weekend, more than 100 artists will welcome the public into their studios throughout Roslindale. Now in its 15th year, Roslindale Open Studios (ROS) is a free, exciting, family-friendly community event that features fine art and crafts available to view and purchase, such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, woodworking, textiles, jewelry, and mixed-media. Artists will showcase their work in 30 locations, including group sites, businesses, and home studios. Learn moe on their website: www.roslindaleopenstudios.org
It's All About Arts Magazine October 2019
Tess's To Do List October 2019 Continued
SoWa Spooktacular Sunday, October 28th from 10:00am-4:00pm SoWa Open Market, 450 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA, 02118
Visit SoWa for their final open market of the season, and SoWa’s annual Halloween bash! They'll be celebrating on October 28th along with the region's best makers, farmers, brewers, vintage vendors, and food trucks. Check out the event lineup on the SOWA website: www.sowaboston.com/calendar/2018/10/28/sowa-spooktacular Roslindale Village Main Street www.roslindale.net RVMS was established in 1985 as one of the first urban Main Street Programs in the nation, with the help of then City Councilor Thomas M. Menino and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Today, Roslindale Village is a thriving commercial hub, with free public wifi in Adams Park, and a fabulous Farmers Market. And, there are now 20 Main Street Districts in the City of Boston. We are proud to have been the first one!
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on” Albert Einstein
Youth Art Scholarships Available
Open to all Boston Middle School and High School Students The award money can be used for any visual or performance art classes or programs (music, dance, photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture, etc.). Send a short video or letter telling us why you want to take an art class or program share some of your artful ideas and a little about yourself. Please include contact info. Send to glennsmusic.williams@gmail.com. More at http://www.roslindalearts.org
It’s All About Arts Magazine October 2019