Engaging in Community Arts
Brings Unexpected Rewards
by Judith Fertig
Sept 2012 - pg 22 - 24
link to Natural Awakenings Publishers - Acadiana...
http://www.napublishers.com/acadiana
"...experience proves what many dancers, artists, writers, actors and musicians know:
Active, hands-on, group participation in the arts is beneficial on many levels."
National Trend
"...study...Wallace Foundation...'Gifts of the Muse: Reframing the Debate About the Benefits of the Arts'... found 'People that engage in arts in a group setting develop a sense of community as they exchange favors...identify themselves with a cast, music ensemble or choral groups; and develop a sense of trust and expectations of reciprocity.'...also notes 'through the arts of ethnic traditions--such as classical Indian dance, Jamaican steel drums or Japanese raku ceramics--participants develop and maintain their cultural heritage and communicate their cultural identity to outsiders.' "
Gateway Experiences
"Most art disciplines can be experienced at any age. No previous training or ability is required, just a curious spirit and willingness to participate and learn. Fun options range..."
note: locally Painting with a Twist, where you can drink wine & paint a set project in an evening with a group
link to Painting with a Twist - Lafayette, La...
http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/lafayette/
Link to Painting with a Twist - Lafayette, La - Event: Just Koi...
http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/events/viewEvent.aspx?eventID=163948
(note: for an example...I would be interested in painting this Koi fish, as I adore them & perhaps have a tattoo of one or two of them somewheres on my body as well, different kind of art that, it's the Pisces/water sign of the Zodiac, in me is my excuse...)
Tues Nov 12, 2013 7-9 pm BYOB
Gateway Experiences - cont'd
" 'A drumming class is a great way to reduce stress, have fun, relax and reenergize, all at the same time, it has even been shown to positively affect your immune system,' say co-founders...' " African drumming... www.DrumRise.net (in Decatur, GA)
link to YouTube - Women's Drum Circle at Festival International de Louisiane - Lafayette, LA - Festival International - April 28, 2009...
http://youtu.be/a5SiW6WdFWM
note: this example for a feel of a Drum Circle, locally...funny tho I know one of the French ladies in the drum circle that happens to also volunteer a lot in the evenings at the AcA in downtown Lafayette, LA where I often did most of last year too, but didn't know she could beat a drum?! And I know I've read somewheres a listing for local Drum Circle but right now, online, I can't seem to find it...Now I've, in the past, had a great desire to play the violin/the fiddle just not the drums...
other examples of the serious "power of drums" is the Japanese Kodo or Taiko Drummers...
search Japanese Big Drums & all sorts of Videos will come up on YouTube
different groups of these drummers have also come to Lafayette, LA for the Festival International de Louisiane or just Festival International...
link to Wiki for an explanation of Kodo (Taiko Group)...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodo_(taiko_group)
"In Japanese the word 'Kodo' conveys two meanings: 'heartbeat' the primal source of all rhythm and, read in a different way, the word can mean 'children of the drum,' a reflection of Kodo's desire to play their drums simply, with the heart of a child."
link to a clip from the DVD: Big Drum -- Taiko in the United States - Feb 10, 2009 - 8:14 min's...
http://youtu.be/AiIuZdD0sCA
link to Japanese American National Museum webpage store where you can buy the DVD & read more about it, the many groups all over the USA, plus historical footage...
http://janmstore.com/230013.html
Burundi (African) Drum Music is another drum group with the "power of drums" - in both cases perhaps began as war drums, but now it's entertaining & if you're participating serious aerobic exercise I would guess...
link to Wiki for an explanation of the Royal Drummers of Burundi...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Drummers_of_Burundi
note: watch a YouTube for the entrance & exit carrying their drums on their heads...
Drummers of Burundi at the Univ. of Indiana...
link to the YouTube...
http://youtu.be/IzO_TludzTU
(note: if nothing else watch the entrance with the drums on their heads coming thru the audience to get to the stage...to about 6:42 min's in the video)
link to YouTube - Women Burundi Drummers...
http://youtu.be/XGwwojIbQVI
(note: and as they remark--didn't know there were 'women' Burundi Drummers...but there are...dressed in similar colors...& they are having a blast in their women's drumming circle I'm thinking--no matter I don't know the language...)
back to the article...
"Such activities allow us to dabble and explore amidst the power of a group and maximize the joy of artful endeavors, which many prefer to the cost of individual lessons."
"One of the most accessible community arts is choral music, as it requires no special equipment. Singing in a group can also become a community tradition that gathers people of all ages and lifestyles in fellowship and celebration."
"Storytelling is yet another community performing art that requires no special equipment...members include professional and amateur storytellers, poets, actors and newcomers that love to practice--or just listen to--this ancient art."
note: locally there's a Hub City Theater & Storytelling Festival...
this description is for the one held last year, 2012...
notice too there's a Liars Contest too (or aka The Honorable Practice and Art of the Tall Tale)
"Hub City Theater and Storytelling Festival -- Dec. 6-9, 2012
Lafayette - Cite' des Arts, Acadiana Center for the Arts and Theatre 810 are presenting the Hub City Theater and Storytelling Festival, Thursday, Dec. 6, Sun., Dec. 9, 2012. The Festival will consist of original works, plays, storytelling, readings, street performances, workshops and panels -- and a Liars Contest (aka the Honorable Practice and Art of the Tall Tale.) Signups are online for the Liar's contest or open registration and preliminary rounds are Saturday, December 8th upstairs at ACA. The performances, workshops and group panels will be for writers, directors, actors, storytellers, teachers, parents and kids -- and audiences of every character and spirit.
The HCTSF mission is to foster the Southern literary arts by supporting, encouraging and cultivating new and emerging voices in the performing arts, as well as, developing new audiences for these voices. the festival will take place at three locations: Cite' des Arts, Theatre 810 and Acadiana Center for the Arts (ACA.) Theatre 810 is hosting the first annual Entrances Student Theatre Festival where theatre students in our area can present their mid-year work to one another, network and attend workshops on both performance and technical aspects of theatre.
For a copy of the schedule and to purchase tickets for performances, go to www.citedesarts.org .
For more information call Christy Leichty, Cite' des Arts Program Director...."
--Acadiana Theatre Happenings Blog
note: then last year there was something even bigger locally--the Biggest Liar in All The South Contest...
link to article on local Lafayette, LA KATC Channel 3 - Biggest Liar in All the South Contest...
http://www.katc.com/news/biggest-liar-in-all-the-south-contest/
"Can you tell the biggest and best story of all? Can you make your friends/child/parents/professors believe anything you say? Can you weave a tale so amazing that folks can't help but believe it? Come and lay a claim and bragging rights to the title of "The Biggest Liar In All The South" at The Streampunk and Makers Fair, downtown Lafayette on Saturday, November 9th. Pay the $5 entry fee, weave your story in 5 minutes or less, then pick up the cash prize ($100 Adult 18 and up - $50 Youth 5 to 17) and elegant stainless steel Steampunk and Makers Fair award made by our Title Sponsor, Begneaud Manufacturing.
Pre-register online at www.steampunkandmakersfair.org , or, register before 11 a.m. when the stories commence. Guest Judges start judging at the Liars Contest stage, Cite' des Arts, 109 Vine St.. Join the fray or be a part of our gullible - uh gracious audience. Finalists and winners will be on the main stage at 5 p.m.
Co-sponsored by Cite' des Arts and The Lafayette Science Museum."
note: this year I think they're doing the same...
link to this year's Steampunk and Makers Fair - Lafayette, LA...
http://steampunkandmakersfair.org/
link to this years Liars Contest...
http://steampunkandmakersfair.org/?page_id=202
(note: I'm here to tell you, as I heard a lot of these "Tale Tales" last year--local folks & beyond can tell some Fab u lous 'stories,' but are they Liars? I'm never quite totally sure...)
link to another local Storytelling Night--The Spinner's Web, again last year 2012...
http://www.downtownlafayette.org/Events/EventsDisplay_asp?p1=9833
| "Jim Phillips Presents The Spinner’s Web, Storyteller’s Night" | |
| "Jim Phillips will present The Spinner’s Web, Storyteller’s Night, taking place at Cité des Arts on Friday, September 28th, and featuring Barry Ancelet, storyteller and folklorist; Sally O. Donlon, storyteller and educator; Bill Matthews, renaissance man and chef; Hogie Seibert, artist and musician: and, the master of ceremonies will be Jim Phillips, storyteller and artistic director. Telling and listening to stories is the way to make sense of one’s life. Stories help people connect in ways they might not otherwise. Folks get to see the world through different eyes. Audiences gasp, applaud, and sometimes cry, but, the most exhilarating and healing experience of The Spinners Web is laughing yourself out of your chair... 'Jim Phillips is a lyrical BS’er and 'natural born' storyteller! We have learned to trust and believe in him here in Cajun Country. He is the genuine article. I feel very lucky to count him among my many, talented, artist-friends and colleagues. 'You bet!!' – Pat Mire, Filmmaker" note: Oh my, if I could only remember any of these stories...I especially adored the ones told by Sally O. Donlon about her childhood growing up--were they 'tall tales' or is she a 'liar' or a great 'storyteller' or maybe all of the above?! again back to the article... "Strong community and cultural identity is forged on other stages, as well. The Community Actors Theatre...'They have the raw talent that could be developed into something wonderful. People don't just learn to be actors and playwrights. They learn to work together, to commit to a common struggle. When they leave, they know how to work with people, to be team players.' " "Sometimes, a life change can open the door to a creative outlet...dance scene...'It became my primary social life.' " Auditioning for the Role of a Lifetime "The next level of volunteer arts participation may involve an audition and a greater commitment. At the same time these pursuits offer prime opportunities to expand artistic skills and join in something bigger than one's self." "Plein air painters forsake the indoors to take their paints, easels and canvases outside...regularly paint in groups in the fresh air and then hold an exhibition; annual workshops help teach techniques (p-a-p-a.com)...featured artists set up alongside amateurs eager to learn more (PleinAirfl.com)" "Whatever one's newly discovered or longtime treasure, individuals engaging in a group arts activity forge strong social bonds, keep ethnic arts traditions alive, learn new things in new ways and experience joyous personal growth. ...All while creating something wonderful" Judith Fertig - contributor to Natural Awakenings Award-winning cookbook author: AlfrescoFoodAndLifestyle.Blogspot.com ~~~ Quotes from her article... "Turning, moving, spinning, dresses swirling, music beating, eyes in contact with a partner, then another, then another, then another, and the fiddle turns a corner, the phrase repeats, the dance repeats. You smile. Your body smiles." --Doug Plummer, photographer and contra dancer, Seattle, Washington "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." --Pablo Picasso note: OK, I've heard this one before...but then I've seen & read a lot of Pablo Picasso over the years... link to Pablo Picasso - The Barefoot Girl - painted in 1895...http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/pablo-picasso/the-barefoot-girl-1895 note: he was born in 1881...so he was 14 yrs old when he finished painting this...the earliest painting I can find online of a painting he did as a teen but not as a child...I was hoping to find one of his paintings or drawings or sketches from when he was a small child...he started young & was sent to art school young as well... "When I'm not doing any plays, things just don't go right. This is my justification. This is my opportunity to just be me." --Eva Jones, foster parent and member of Community Actors Theatre, Oak Park, California ~~~ My Final Note: the magazine clipping continues, as we've not moved yet...photos, ideas, recipes, articles, whatever from whatever years that are still laying around in boxes, bins, file cabinets, in drawers, under the bed, up in the closets, on the bookshelf, stuffed in books, up in the attic...on and on they go, one day it will all be recycled, shredded, trashed, burned perhaps, but until then, saving every scrap or until I move just simply Blog about it... |
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