Arts Commission serves Poetry & Prose on Tap at brewhouse
December 20, 2011
The menu at the Issaquah Brewhouse is going to include something different on tap in January.
The municipal Arts Commission is poised to unveil Poetry & Prose on Tap, a regular open-mic series for local poets and writers.
‘We’re No Angels’ concludes depot film series
November 22, 2011
The popular Films @ the Train Depot! departs the station soon.
The last film in the autumn series plays at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the historic Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N. The program is free, due to support from the city Arts Commission and the King County cultural agency, 4Culture.
“We’re No Angels” concludes the series. In the 1955 film, Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov play escaped inmates scheming to steal from a shopkeeper on Christmas. But the cons’ plans change after they start to like the shopkeeper and his family.
Since the film program launched in October 2009, it has featured a series of Bing Crosby films, train-themed films, films set in Washington and noir classics.
Fire Station 72 public art reflects environmental theme
October 11, 2011
Throughout the year, as Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 72 rose from a barren patch on the Issaquah Transit Center site, artist Perri Lynch headed east from Seattle to observe the construction.
The longtime artist sought ideas for a public art piece commissioned for the station. The result is a series of flexible ribbons affixed to the façade of the completed building. Lights behind the ribbons illuminate the ribbons and radiate after sunset.
Perri Lynch bolts the red and yellow ribbons of her artwork together in August for the public art installation at Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 72. By Greg Farrar
“The overall concept behind the work is this relationship between order and chaos, and how emergency and crisis interrupt the rhythm of our lives,” she said. “I wanted the artwork to reflect the stability but also the nimbleness that we all need.”
The artwork — and the $47,000 price tag — raised eyebrows among City Council members in June, although the council later approved funds for the piece.
Under city code, one-half of 1 percent of the initial $5 million in a project budget — plus one-quarter of 1 percent of the amount exceeding $5 million — is required to be used for public art.
The city initially set aside $32,000 for Station 72 public art. In addition, the municipal Arts Commission recommended another $10,000 in public art funding for the project.
The additional $5,000 in costs resulted because the artist changed the piece to incorporate more “green” materials. The resin used in the piece is 40 percent preconsumer recycled plastic.
“It was a great opportunity to design artwork in keeping with the larger values of the project,” Lynch said. “I love the ecological underpinnings of the station. That influenced the materials that I used.”
The untitled piece uses energy from the solar array on the rooftop to power the LED strips.
“So often, public art is brought in at the end of a major project. Often, you can tell — to the detriment of the architecture and the art,” Lynch said. “In this case, I had the opportunity to design as the station was taking shape, and that makes a huge difference.”
Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
Issaquah Train Depot film series offers Hollywood classics
October 11, 2011
The popular Films @ the Train Depot! series includes Hollywood classics and mega-stars from a bygone era.
Films play at 7 p.m. at the historic Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N. The program is free, due to support from the city Arts Commission and the King County cultural agency, 4Culture.
“Yankee Doodle Dandy” continues the series Nov. 12.
James Cagney picked up the Academy Award for Best Actor for the lavish screen portrayal of “Mr. Broadway,” George M. Cohan, in the 1942 film. The song-and-dance routines include memorable tunes, such as “Over There,” “It’s a Grand Old Flag,” “Give My Regards to Broadway” and the film’s rousing title number.
“We’re No Angels” concludes the series Dec. 10.
In the 1955 film, Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov play escaped inmates scheming to steal from a shopkeeper on Christmas. But the cons’ plans change after they start to like the shopkeeper and his family.
Since the film program launched in October 2009, it has featured series of Bing Crosby films, train-themed films, films set in Washington and noir classics.
Issaquah Train Depot film series returns for autumn
October 6, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. Oct. 6, 2011
The popular Films @ the Train Depot! series includes Hollywood classics and mega-stars from a bygone era.
The latest series starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at the historic Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N. The program is free, due to support from the city Arts Commission and the King County cultural agency, 4Culture.
The opening film in the series is “A Place in the Sun,” a 1951 classic starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters. Clift portrays dirt-poor George Eastman. Winters is the spurned lover he leaves for Taylor, a stunning socialite.
“Yankee Doodle Dandy” from 1942 continues the series Nov. 12.
City offers 2012 arts grants to local organizations
September 9, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. Sept. 9, 2011
The city Arts Commission seeks cultural organizations and programs for the latest round of arts grants.
The city offers grants each year for organizations to present performances and programs in public spaces and local schools.
Only projects inside Issaquah city limits or at Issaquah School District campuses qualify for funding. The deadline to apply for the grants is Nov. 4.
Commissioners awarded about $120,000 to 21 projects. The lineup included ArtWalk, Issaquah Farmers Market entertainment, Concerts on the Green, Shakespeare on the Green, performances at local schools and programs to help troubled youths.
Music on the Streets returns to downtown Issaquah
September 6, 2011
NEW — 11:30 a.m. Sept. 6, 2011
The second-to-last 2011 Music on the Streets features local band Shaggy Sweet performing funk, rock and soul at the historic Shell gas station on Issaquah’s Front Street.
The concert is 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hailstone Feed Store, the 1940s Shell gas station, at 232 Front St. N.
The last Music on the Streets is 6-9 p.m. Sept. 14, again at the feed store, and features the return of Sub-Motive, a group playing blues, funk and soul. The group performed at a Music on the Streets in August.
All Music on the Streets events are free and open to the public. The events are held rain or shine.
Music on the Streets is sponsored by the DownTown Issaquah Association and the city Arts Commission. Commercial sponsors are the Hilton Garden Inn, Issaquah Nursing & Rehabilitation and Eastside Audiology.
Issaquah Philharmonic conductor retires baton
August 30, 2011
As Duane Bowen conducted the band at Louisiana State University in the school’s fight song, the cymbal player sneezed and put a gash in his forehead requiring several stitches. Unforgettable moments like that have made maestro Bowen’s career as colorful as it is rich with passion for the art of music.
Duane Bowen holds a commemorative baton given to him by the Issaquah Philharmonic for his service to the group. By Quinn Eddy
At the Issaquah Philharmonic’s final concert of the season June 15 at Faith United Methodist Church, conductor Bowen, 81, announced his retirement from the group. Bowen had been conductor for 12 years.
“I’ve been at it awhile. My hearing isn’t as acute as I would like it to be — the curses of getting old,” Bowen said.
Bing Crosby film series at depot wraps July 9
July 5, 2011
Washingtonian Bing Crosby is the focus as the popular Films @ the Train Depot! series concludes.
“The Country Girl” plays at the depot July 9. The film starts at 7 p.m. at the historic depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N.
The program is free, due to support from the city Arts Commission and the King County cultural agency 4Culture.
Concerts on the Green covers the classics
June 28, 2011
The ever-popular Concerts on the Green Series will kick-off on Tuesday, July 5, at the Issaquah Community Center with the Paul McCartney and Wings tribute band Wings N Things.
Various bands will perform free concerts on the community center lawn Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. through Aug. 30.
The series is presented by Issaquah Parks & Recreation and the Issaquah Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah.
While the event is typically a nine-concert series, this year’s schedule includes a special Friday evening performance to celebrate the Mountains to Sound Greenway’s 20th anniversary. The greenway trust is devoted to conserving 1.5 million acres of land surrounding Interstate 90, from the Cascade Range to the Puget Sound.
