Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH
Friday, June 13, 2014
www.issaquahreporter.com
SALMON DAYS UNVEILS 2014 THEME
Community theater in Sammamish’s future Arts Commission looking to start with holiday show in December BY KELLY MONTGOMERY ISSAQUAH/SAMMAMISH REPORTER
Salmon Days has unveiled this year’s theme as “Coho Mojo.” Issaquah’s premiere event started in 1970, so this year’s theme is a tribute to the festival’s beginning, harkening back to the time of bell bottoms and pop-art. Salmon Days organizers know that those who experienced the ’70s will resonate with the theme, and hope that younger generations are familiar enough with the ’70s to get in the groove. COURTESY IMAGE
Schools foundation, community network to merge to better help kids in Issaquah Two of Issaquah's leading youth advocate organizations, the Issaquah Schools Foundation and Issaquah Community Network, are joining forces to better serve the students of the Issaquah School District. The two groups will formally merge on Sept. 1, with the foundation providing funding for the newly merged organization. The network will continue addressing youth and family issues including, suicide and substance abuse prevention, homelessness, bullying and harassment and reducing adverse childhood experiences. The network also includes
the Drug Free Community Coalition and BEST, a subcommittee focused on suicide prevention and emotional resiliency. Both groups will transition to the foundation as part of the merger. More information on the Issaquah Schools Foundation/ Issaquah Community Network merger is available by contacting Robin Callahan at rcallahan@issaquahschoolsfoundation.org or Diane Bugge, chair of the Issaquah Community Network Board of Directors at dlbugge@ comcast.net.
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Sammamish community members gathered at the EX3 Teen Center to discuss bringing a community theater to the city at a meeting on May 16. 'A Repertory Collective Project,' presented by the Sammamish Arts Commission, was created in the hopes of creating "a center of excellence by releasing, empowering and equipping lives through the creative arts," said Arts Commissioner Steve Wright. The meeting included an introduction to the collective project as well as a public conversation. Wright said that people from all backgrounds showed up to the meeting with input. "We're very excited about the opportunity to have a theater in this community," he said. The Commission's goals are to develop a pipeline for new and existing talent, create thorough and expanded education and training programs through workshops, and develop and foster opportunities to serve in the project. Wright said as of now the important part is to get the people involved in the process and gain community support. "All the building blocks are there," Wright said. "Anything that's long lasting, make sure it has a foundation." Community feedback included incorporating various styles of dance into productions, involving children or
having children's activities and doing a theater-based couple's night. "It's a collective project because we need to make sure all areas are taken care of," Wright said. While there is currently a focus on the holiday show which will take place in Decemeber, Wright said they want to start looking at workshops, other shows and more. "I think the timing is right," he said, explaining that the Arts Commission, city officials and community members are all very excited about the project. Wright, who has been on the Arts Commission for approximately six months, produced, directed and consulted shows for a living before his retirement. After a break from the theater, he's ready to get back in the game and give back to the community. Wright said he's looking at a list of various productions and venues for the holiday show and hopes to have a couple more meetings before auditions in September. "We want to do it right the first time," Wright said. “It's one more ornament on the tree for the holidays."