JOIN US IN THE SWEET SPOT ON THE UPBEAT: SERGIO CUEVAS

next. It is precious time. It is fertile time, if we allow it to be.

Right now, the challenge for myself and to NCW Arts as an organization is to honor and pay attention to the in-between spaces — the spaces where we can see and recognize our accomplishments in the rearview mirror and the shape of things down the road without rushing too quickly to make them materialize. I believe this is where we will continue to best meet ourselves and our community and co-create the really good stuff — the stuff that lasts.

BY MEG KAPPLER

ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

for me seems to be all about the dance between space (physical/ mental/emotional) and the possibilities we could fill it with.

Creativity

In my theater career, one of my favorite things was walking onto a stage between productions with nothing around but a freshly painted black floor below, lights above and a ghost light in the wings. I’d sit there for a bit and let myself daydream.

For busy theaters and performing art centers, this hiatus is a rare occurrence and sometimes only lasts a few hours between the strike of one show and load-in for the

Unbelievably, we are already halfway through the calendar year. And while there’s not yet a crisp autumn tang in the air, there’s the promise of sweater weather just around the bend. For now, NCW Arts is spending some intentional time in the sweet spot between recognizing what we’ve accomplished and fleshing out some big plans for what’s to come. It’s the perfect time to meet with us, get involved and share your own daydreams, energy and resources for the future of the Arts in our region. Volunteer information and forms are available on our website: ncwarts.org/more.

Talk with you soon!

BY KRIS LAHD

You can’t go out to enjoy music locally without hearing the name Sergio Cuevas. A local favorite, Leavenworthborn Sergio knew at the tender age of 6 that he wanted to pursue music. His earliest influence? The movie “Crossroads” starring Ralph Macchio, about a rebellious classical guitar student attending Julliard who is in love with blues music. He helps break an old blues harmonica player out of prison to try to win back his soul at the crossroads in Mississippi. You know that old tale.

Sergio ended up attending Cornish College of the Arts in music and has made his living as a musician ever since — and without having to sell his soul at the crossroads.

ON THE COVER:

Elijah Caldwell, as “Lola,” cooling off in a local landmark while taking a break from Kinky Boots rehearsals. Kinky Boots runs August 3-19 at Numerica Performing Arts

Center as part of their popular Hot August Nights series. Visit numericapac.org to get tickets (but don’t wait long, they are going fast!).

What was the application and admission process like to get into Cornish? After I applied, they asked me to do a few different things: play a Latin beat, play a jazz beat, then play whatever beat you want. Then they took me to a piano to hear some ear training and see if I could hit intervals. I gave them a CD I had just made where I was playing all the instruments, so they liked that a lot. I always had a good high school GPA, but I don’t think that came into play. I was so serious about music at that point that I knew I was getting in.

What is your advice to young musicians wanting to attend music college? My advice to an up-and-comer is to put in the work. Practice. Do the stuff that you are not good at; practice that stuff. Wait, did I say I had a good GPA (laughs)? Well, I almost failed my senior year because all I wanted to do was play guitar.

Which do you like better, playing guitar or drums?

I’m more comfortable on the drums, but I like the guitar because it’s portable. I got sick of hauling drums around. When I was in Seattle, I had five drum sets and I would just leave them at different places. I don’t have to load in much equipment these days. I have it down.

Playing music has enabled you to tour around the globe. Where have you toured?

Canada, Europe, Japan and a lot of the I-5 corridor. I just got a call from a reggae band I toured with to play drums at the Seattle Revival Festival on Aug. 5 with Clinton Fearon, so I’m getting ready for that.

Do you prefer recording or performing?

Right now, I make a living performing. But if I could make a living recording, I would prefer that. I do like performing. It’s work, eight to nine gigs a week, and I get tired. But I find inspiration in others. And these mountains are inspiring. I feel the energy. It’s wild out here. You go up Tumwater Canyon and that river is cranking, you can feel it. It’s a creative energy boost.

Name five musicians we should be listening to:

Guthrie Trapp: Modern country and jazz Timbo in Nashville: Old-school country

Jackie Mitoo: Reggae

Dennis Brown: Reggae

Ted Green: Jazz

You can hear Sergio regularly at these Leavenworth venues. See more at his website sergiomusic.org

• Mozart’s, every Monday 6 to 8 p.m.

• Leavenworth Cider House, 5 to 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 3 p.m. every Sunday.

• Yodelin Broth Co., 6 to 9 p.m. every Sunday.