DECEMBER 2023 ARTBEAT

ARTBE T THE COMET

MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE NCW ARTS ALLIANCE

december 2023 21

DECEMBER 2023 FREE

Michael Carlos

WENATCHEE FIRST FRIDAYS MAP INCLUDED

THIS SEASON, GIVE THANKS ON THE UPBEAT:

THROUGH GIVE NCW SAX, WILLIE AND BRUSSELS SPROUTS

BY MEG KAPPLER

NCW ARTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

F

or all you hermits like me who may have missed the memo: It’s December, folks! So, in true end-of-year retrospection, I would like to share some things I’ve observed about the evolution of this column and ArtBeat itself over the past 12 months.

First, writing my director’s update each month has become an interesting personal experiment. I can look back and see what was top-of-mind for me as I shared the activities of NCW Arts throughout the year. Amusingly, I have found that my first instinct was often to become the squiffy, tipsy guy at the party and tell everyone how beautiful they are and how much I love them.

I refuse to apologize for loving this incredible arts community, but I also (thankfully) have a team of editors who let me know if it sounds like I’ve had one too many eggnogs prior to putting pen to paper. Otherwise, you definitely would have stopped inviting me to the party by now.

Second, about halfway through the year this newsletter doubled in size (and in its community impact!), going from four to eight pages. Now, we can proudly boast even more about the talented people in this region and connect you all with the resources you need to grow and thrive as Artists.

ON THE COVER:

This wouldn’t have happened without a significant investment from partner organizations, individuals and business sponsors who accommodated that unexpected mid-year expense. That support let us respond in real time to the needs of our diverse arts community, one that brings not only inspiration, excitement and energy to our lives, but also boosts economic growth.

We in NCW are 60 percent microenterprise: artists, makers and solopreneurs. Publicly launching and promoting these individuals in our print and online event maps draws downtown visitors, increases tax dollars and helps create healthy, long-term prosperity for artists and for our community.

On that note, I want to highlight one of the best annual fundraising opportunities around, and it is happening right now, offering matching dollars in a special window from Thanksgiving until December 31: The Community Foundation of NCW’s Give NCW campaign.

CFNCW is a philanthropic organization that helps individuals, families, businesses and agencies support all our local charitable causes. They raised $611,000 last year; this year, there are over 80 participating organizations and NCW Arts is one of them. By donating this month, you can help us continue our mission to support and uplift the Arts, in all its forms, in our region.

So, please join me in grabbing an eggnog (or two) and visiting the GiveNCW.org website for all the details to provide vital financial support to our local nonprofits. I love you all, guys. You’re beautiful.

December. The show is part of Mela’s recommitment to local artists and the regionDetail of “Loud and Clear,” an oil paint- al arts community. For more info, see story ing on canvas by former Wenatchee Valley on Page 7 in this issue of ArtBeat.

College instructor Majka Sadel, is part of an exhibition of her work at Mela through

What do you love about Willie Nelson?

I love the way he sings more than anything, his sense of time and his musicality in general. The way he approaches music — it speaks to me. And he writes very good songs, so that helps [laughs].

As a songwriter, do you feel it’s a gift and/or a curse to feel things at such a deep level that it enables you to create art?

At this point, it’s 100 percent a gift because my ability to write something without drastic emotional “whatever” in my life doesn’t seem to be there. You know, sometimes a kick in the ass is necessary in all forms of life.

So, a kick in the ass can be a catalyst to art?

Exactly. Of course, I’d rather be one of hat do Willie Nelson, saxophones those people who could think up a situaand Brussels sprouts have in comtion and write it out, but it doesn’t seem to mon? They are all cherished by our very be my calling [laughs]. own country crooner, Seth Garrido. Born on Whidbey Island and brought up in Gigging and carrying around musiAuburn, Seth was raised in a musically cal equipment all the time can work up diverse family. Upon picking up the quite the appetite. What is your favorite saxophone in fifth grade, a budding proholiday food dish? fessional musician emerged. As a music Brussels sprouts. Here, I’ll give you a major at Central Washington University secret. The number one thing you want to in Ellensburg, Seth excelled in jazz. Condo is brown some butter in a pan, halve tinuing his migration east, after college, the Brussel sprouts, toss ‘em in that butSeth settled in Leavenworth, where his ter and a bit of salt, squeeze a little bit of rich baritone vocal stylings can be heard lemon juice on them, put ‘em face down several nights a week. on a sheet pan, 450 degrees in the oven until they start getting dark and crispy.

What is your favorite type of saxophone to play?

Yum, that sounds fantastic!

I like them all. Lately I’ve been playing soprano, but I end up playing tenor more Do yourself a favor this holiday season, than anything. Of course, there are baritry Seth’s Brussels sprouts recipe and tell tone saxes, contra bass saxes, tubaxes ... your Alexa (or Spotify) to play music by there are like 17 different types of saxo“Seth Garrido.” You will be glad you did. phones.

Happy holidays!

Seth Garrido

W

When did you first pick up a guitar?

You can purchase Seth Garrido and The Same time as the sax really, about fifth Long Relief’s latest album, “Heavy Handgrade. I didn’t take guitar too seriously ed Heart,” at sethgarridoandthelongreback then, but I really started taking it selief.bandcamp.com riously when I moved out here to Leavenworth, about 8 years ago.

UPCOMING SHOWS Dec. 6: Outskirts Brewing, Selah Who are your biggest influences?

Dec. 7: Yodelin, Leavenworth Willie Nelson, They Might be Giants, Dec. 12: Icicle Brewing, Leavenworth Indigo Girls, Dave Douglas and Ani Dec. 17: Yodelin, Leavenworth DiFranco.

COMMUNITY THEATERS ADD SPARKLE TO THE SEASON

Masquers Theater in Soap Lake

Riverside Playhouse in Wenatchee

I

“Elf the Musical” rehearsal at Masquers Theater

“A Twisted Christmas Carol” poster

n hundreds of communities across America this festive holiday month, entire families are rushing away from an early dinner to go to work, returning exhausted, only to repeat with a burst of new energy tomorrow. There’s no whining; it’s a wonderful life.

These are community theater volunteers staging their town’s annual Christmas production: Mom’s running lights, Dad’s got the lead this year, the twins are in the chorus, the teenager is painting the scenic backdrop.

The true demographic is wildly variable, but community theater, characterized by a long tradition of full houses and hometown fame, is usually fueled by dedicated volunteers, grateful audiences, an occasional arts grant and a passion for performing.

Here are two of several productions in our region to consider for your live Christmas comedy pleasure:

The Masquers Theater in Soap Lake offers “Elf the Musical” through Dec. 16. Co-directors Stacey and Clifford Bresee have brought together a cast of 20 actors of all ages for the show, adapted from the 2003 Will Farrell film of the same name. The musical version features songs

by Tony-award nominees and winners.

Briefly (no spoilers here): Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, who doesn’t know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit. Buddy experiences the delights of New York City and human culture as only an elf can, and he is soon forced to reevaluate his priorities.

Masquers is (almost) the apocryphal story of putting on a play in the barn. In 1979 it was producing plays “whenever the group decided to do one,” according to their website. They did them so well that by 2001 the community, with a major donor, raised enough money to start construction on a new theater on Main Street.

Now the dynamic group, with an eightperson board of directors and 26 assigned volunteers, produces five shows a year with talent drawn from around the region.

The Masquers Theater is at 322 Main Avenue East in Soap Lake. “Elf” runs weekends from Nov. 1 through Dec.16.

Friday shows are at 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. For ticketing information go to masquers.com

QUIZ:

2. Chelan and Douglas County third graders’ artwork was displayed this year at Pybus Market and inside the vehicles of this very “moving” public venue. (Hint: wait for it at Columbia Station).

Methow Valley and regional artists.

R.U. ART SMART?

(What are these local art venues?

See answers on Page 8.)

1. A large array of art and artifacts crafted by the area’s early indigenous people, as well as a reconstructed pioneer village, are valued features of this mid-valley museum.

3. As it has for 50 years, this resort outside of Winthrop exhibits on the lodge walls, as well as in its gift shop and gallery, a curated collection of paintings by

Putting some country kink on Dickens, this month Music Theatre of Wenatchee stages “A Twisted Christmas Carol,” at Riverside Playhouse, the company’s longtime home. It’s written by Phil Olson (the best playwright you’ve never heard of, with 19 much-produced scripts, movie options and 40 awards). Mike Magnotti and Cynthia Brown co-direct this cast of five local actors: Sarah Fitzgerald, Clint Barke, Libbie Poirier, Caleb Seims and Mike Mattocks.

The story goes something like this:

4. This old Grange hall on Easy Street in north Wenatchee bustles with activity every day because it houses Stage Kids, our region’s year-round, full-scale children’s theater program.

5. With the Clymer Museum just up the block and an aluminum bull sculpted by

It’s Christmas Eve in a small west Texas town, and cantankerous BBQ joint owner Buford Johnson argues with his wife Darla, storms out of the restaurant, gets hit by a twister, rolls his truck, and goes into a coma. In a dream state he’s visited by his ex-business partner, who plays the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and takes Buford on a journey similar to Ebenezer Scrooge’s, only Texas-style.

Music Theater of Wenatchee has grown since 1961 to currently distinguish itself with sponsorship of Short Shakespeareans children’s theater, seasonal dramas and comedies, Spring’s Apple Blossom musical at the Numerica Performing Arts Center, and like calendar clockwork, their annual Christmas show.

Riverside Playhouse is at 233 B North Wenatchee Avenue, Wenatchee. “A Twisted Christmas Carol” runs 7:30 p.m.

Thursday through Saturday from Nov. 30 to Dec. 16. Matinees are 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 9. For tickets, go to mtow.org the late Richard Beyer across the street, this Ellensburg art gallery on Pearl Street is in good company.

6. When this long-lived atrium art gallery on the Wenatchee Valley College campus closed last year, the funds from the sale of its collection went to support WVC student arts scholarships.

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A RTS WA L K

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DECEMBER2023

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Coffee, tea, beer and wine available.

17 N Wenatc hee Ave

VISITWENATCHEE.ORG

ENJOY WINE WHILE CREATING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

DECEMBER 13

Shrinky DINKS

W E N A T C H E E F I R S T F R I D AY S . C O M

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MELA 7-9 PM

F I R ST F R IDAYS AF T ER H O U R S

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OKANOGAN AVE

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ON STAGE & RADIO, ‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’ COMES TO LIFE

Cast rehearses for a recent Old Time Radio Show.

T

he allure every December of Wenatchee’s much-awaited and often sold-out Old Time Radio Show has a lot to do with the spirit of Christmas. But there’s also the draw of entertainment in a form rarely experienced in our digital world.

And there’s nostalgia for a simpler time, despite, or perhaps because of, the Depression and World War II when families gathered around the big console in the living room and their imaginations soared.

The 2023 Old Time Radio Show is an adaptation of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the Frank Capra film that’s become a holiday classic. You can hear the play on your home or car radio courtesy of station KPQ, the same time it’s produced live onstage at the Numerica Performing Arts Center in Wenatchee. (The show will be re-broadcast on Christmas Eve.) But here’s the really fun part: that evening you can instead choose to join the audience and be part of the original, live recording experience in the PAC theater.

Just as our oldest elders did, you’ll be able to admire local actors standing alert with scripts at their vintage microphones, and marvel at the 6-member Foley team (named for pioneer sound engineer Jack Foley) making their magic, right there in front of you.

Director Dani Schafer-Cloke, who teaches at Wenatchee High School, and James Wallace, the school’s auditorium director, have collaborated to replicate a vintage pastime and familiar tale with local musicians and voice actors and a crew of Wallace’s mostly-teen tech wizards.

Wallace has managed sound on local plays and pageants for 40 years and said that he especially loves putting together these annual radio productions, recalling “A Christmas Carol,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and “A Christmas Story.” He was also willing to share some old secret sound

stage strategies – which are not so much hidden from view as they are clever.

First, imagine this: The play is recorded live. The team works downstage at floor level, and it’s facing not the actors, but the audience. So, with their 27 microphones ON, they must fastidiously focus on the cues in their well-marked scripts. And actors must trust.

And they do, every year. Wallace, though he does use timpani and pre-recordings, has collected, built or borrowed much of the sound effects gear for techniques that are hands-on and old-school. Cornmeal on a plate sounds like walking on snow. A regular door opening and closing, with the bass turned up, can sound more grand. A hand-cranked air raid siren turned slowly becomes a car starting. He uses a metal cabinet to mimic a car door slamming.

Floppy metal “thunder sheets” are standard.

And for this show, Wallace has created a unique sound. (Spoiler alert.) “It’s a tricky one – we put a big Tupperware container in a bucket of water upside down, and when you pull it out fast it sounds just like a body hitting the river.”

Not to worry; it’s a family friendly show, though expect to shed a few tears as usual.

And remember: “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” And a Wenatchee High School student is perfectly poised, bell in hand, to make it happen.

You have two opportunities to enjoy “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The live production is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, on 560 KPQ AM/101.7 KPQ FM or at the PAC. Theater tickets are on sale at numericapac.org. You can hear that same show re-broadcast on Christmas Eve, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec.24.

Improving our community together!

Benevolent Night The Community Foundation of NCW grows, connects, and protects charitable gifts in support of strong communities in North Central Washington.

München Haus 709 Front Street

Tuesday December 5, 2024 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

25% of SALES DONATED A donation of $500 will be given to our staff to distribute to local non-profits through Give NCW. In addition, 25% of sales from 4pm-8pm will be donated to Community Foundation to allocate.

MunchenHaus.com | 509.548.1158

MELA’S ART MAKEOVER HARK! HOLIDAY ENRICHING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH STRONGER EXHIBITIONS

FUN HIGHLIGHTS Not yet in the holiday spirit? Arts organizations throughout the Wenatchee Valley offer a sleigh-full of December options to jingle your bells and bring joy to your world.

Here’s a partial list of choice holiday activities: CONCERTS OF HOLIDAY CLASSICS Leavenworth Village Voices presents its 41st annual “Christmas in the Mountains” concert series, featuring traditional songs and favorites from around the world. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. A third concert with indie-pop duo BOSAYA will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. All performances are at the Snowy Owl Theater in Leavenworth. Info and tickets at leavenworthvillagevoices.org.

Kyle Hendrickson, owner of Mela

by scott bailey

ART PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR WENATCHEE VALLEY COLLEGE

S

ince opening in 2007, Mela, the popular coffee and food spot at the center of downtown Wenatchee, has made exhibiting the artwork of local artists a part of its business model. Owners believe that high-quality art enhances the café’s atmosphere, creates opportunities for dialogue and builds community.

The pandemic and other recent challenges put the exhibition program on autopilot, but now owner Kyle Hendrickson is ready to reinvest in and strengthen its commitment to the art on Mela’s expansive brick walls.

Hendrickson says having strong, interesting, well-presented art makes Mela a dynamic place where people can meet and learn. He sees art as cross-pollinating, bringing people with different backgrounds together, and he wants to support the good work of artists and enrich the community.

Over the years, Mela provided solid real-world experiences for art students at Wenatchee Valley College by offering a significant exhibition space. In addition, it gave students a chance to put their art in front of local audiences, build their show records and maybe even sell some work.

Starting in 2014, artists from WVC’s ART220 course were mainstays on Mela’s walls, including Lindsay Breidenthal, Adele Little Caemmerer, karen dawn dean, Kasey Koski, Marti Lyttle, Cynthia Neely, Alessandra Piro, Sheryl Smith and Niki Stewart.

Remembering fondly the successful exhibitions of those “220” artists, Hen-

drickson knows that the magic has been missing, so he turned to karen dawn dean to help him rebuild the program in a thoughtful way.

It takes a commitment of energy, time, expertise and infrastructure to run a highlevel exhibition program, but Hendrickson is convinced it’s worth the investment.

“We want to improve and enrich the customer experience,” he says. “We see it as so valuable that we could never put it into dollars. It’s kind of like one plus one equals five, where the café, the artists and the community all benefit.”

He adds, “We have dedicated ourselves to showcasing art again and focusing resources to make sure we are welcoming artists to show their work here.”

In addition to Mela’s recently updated exhibition infrastructure (particularly the lighting, hanging system and labeling) the employees have intentional training time in meetings to learn to be supportive of artists and their works.

Mela has developed a thorough Call For Proposals document, a proactive invitation to artists that lays out ground rules for exhibiting. Guidelines for written materials, images, curation and hanging the shows clarify the professionalism the business expects. The document also makes clear what Mela will do for artists and how it will honor their work.

Hendrickson says, “Good curation is hard. Few businesses have that expertise.

But when we have a show that is galleryworthy and presented with care and intention, I can tell the difference — it feels much better in the space.”

For more info, go to melacoffee.com.

Click on “About,” then “Featuring Artists in Our Café.”

SINGING, STORYTELLING, MINDFULNESS Singer/songwriter and spiritual teacher Benjamin Jay Thomas is joined by the Shine Song Collective in “Illuminate the Night: A Winter-Themed Guided Concert.”

Storytelling, performance, poetry, mindfulness and communal singing are featured.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, and Friday, Dec. 8, at the Snowy Owl Theater in Leavenworth. Info and tickets at icicle.org.

GLIDING INTO THE HOLIDAYS The Wenatchee Figure Skating Club presents “Christmas Classics,” its annual holiday ice show featuring local skaters. Performances are at 3 and 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Toyota Town Center community ice rink. Info and tickets at wenatcheefsc.org.

BELLS ARE RINGING Leavenworth’s nonprofit Marlin Handbell Ringers have been tolling and chiming since 1979. During the 2023 holiday season, the 12 ringers and 108 handbells will present three concerts: 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Community Hall in George; 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Grace City Church in Wenatchee; and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Snowy Owl Theater in Leavenworth. Admission is by donation. More info at marlinhandbellringers.com.

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS? Wenatchee’s Stage Kids will present five performances of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” based on the heartwarming classic film. The presentations are the winter fundraiser for the educational theater program. Performances are at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20, 21, 22 and 23, and at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 23, at the new barn event space at Grace City Church in Wenatchee. Info and tickets at stagekidswa.org.

BROADWAY MEETS THE CIRCUS “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” wraps a Broadway-style production around contemporary circus arts. Original music and holiday classics, along with new sets and storylines, offer entertainment for the entire family. Performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee. Info and tickets at towntoyotacenter.com.

OPPORTUNITIES: 15th ANNUAL WRITERS COMPETITION

Feeling inspired to finish that story? Is there a memoir brewing? Got good pages filed away? This year’s Write On The River Writers Competition, in a new partnership with the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, will again award $1,200 in cash prizes to writers of previously unpublished fiction or nonfiction. Submissions (1,000word maximum) can be either a complete work or beginning pages of a longer work.

Anyone residing in Eastern Washington is eligible to submit entries.

See complete guidelines for the 2024 competition at writeontheriver.org after Dec. 15.

Online submissions will be accepted beginning Feb. 1, with all entries due by midnight March 1.

WALKING POETRY CHAPBOOK

Ellensburg storefronts will feature the work of several Central Washington poets in April 2024 in a “walking poetry chapbook.” This unique public art installation will celebrate both National Poetry Month and the construction of downtown’s new Unity Park and is the culminating project of the city’s first poet laureate, Marie Marchand.

The event is one of several that she has organized in the region to actively bring poetry and people together.

The deadline to submit poetry on the theme of Unity is Dec. 31, 2023. Contact Kelle Vandenberg at (509) 962-7149 or vandenbergk@ellensburgwa.gov, or see guidelines on the City of Ellensburg’s Poet Laureate webpage.

WASHINGTON FILMWORKS WANTS YOU

If you’re a Washington filmmaker with a viable project that needs a budget boost, take a look at the Washington Filmworks website and their array of funding possibilities.

Citing 90 in-state films supported since its inception in 2007, the private nonprofit agency seeks to “enhance the competitiveness, profile and sustainability of Washington State’s film industry.”

You could receive between $150,000 and $500,000 to help produce your commercial, episodic series or feature film; enhanced incentives are also offered for telling the story of historically underrepresented populations or filming 50 percent of the project in a rural county. For details and applications see washingtonfilmworks.org.

AND IN RELATED NEWS . . . PRODUCER WANTED FOR LOCAL FILM

A writer/director with an MFA from Chapman University in California (and an awardwinning student thesis film) is looking for an experienced film producer in North Central Washington to bring to completion a work intended as an Academy Nicholl semi-finalist feature. The 11-page proof of concept focuses on two sisters dealing with chance encounters with estranged family members. This is a paid position, and it involves no fundraising.

If you are interested, email riede104@mail.chapman.edu.

SEE MORE OPPORTUNITIES AT NCWARTS.ORG QUIZ: R.U. ARTSMART ANSWERS

1. Cashmere Museum 2. Link Transit 3. Sun Mountain Lodge 4. Beacon Hill Grange 5. Gallery One 6. Robert Graves Gallery