The NW Facts Newspaper - NWFacts.com

When Diversity Matters Most. The Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities

You are here: Home / Archives for Entertainment / Arts

Tribute to” Black Wall Street”

by Leave a Comment

Tacoma Arts Commission  in partnership with Integrity Solutions will host a vibrant entrepreneur project as a Tribute to” Black Wall Street” (the robust Black Business community that was in Tulsa, Oklahoma) Our project will manufacture, distribute and curate African Spa products, Home Decor and Fashion accessories.  Participants will tour a arts heritage Center and take part in a lecture series on indigenous crafting, co-oping and urban possibilities.   We will conclude with a Marketplace and a Virtual Festival.   Our First cohort begins FEB.3, 2021.

Tacoma residents who live within” Tacoma s Equity Index” are invited to participant.   Due to Wa. State Co-vid phase 1 regulations, we will honor the guidelines and create a robust virtual experience as mandatory.

 

Please contact DFatimah  at dfatimah@comcast.net or 425 652-2386 for more information and registration.   Those interested in starting their  own business are encouraged.  There is NO COST to those selected.

This is a Tacoma Arts Commission funded project

 

Teach For America Washington – WAnderlust Weekend

by Leave a Comment

Hosted by Teach For America Washington, WAnderlust Weekend is an opportunity for current and prospective educators and champions to develop a greater understanding of the unique educational landscape here in Washington. Participants will engage with our theme, “Reimagining Education with 2020 Vision” firsthand by participating in district and charter school visits, networking with educational organizations, non-profits, and schools at a hiring and resource fair, attending dynamic professional development in breakout sessions, hearing from change-makers and thought leaders in the education space, and celebrating all that is possible in Washington at our annual Winter Soiree.

Beyond the Pen and Paper: Gage Academy of Art Hosts Drawing Jam ’19 Seattle Residents Revel in Art, Local Music And Street Food

by Leave a Comment

On the cusp of their 30 th anniversary, the Gage Academy of Art , a non-profit organization, recently hosted its annual Drawing Jam. Hundreds of visitors explored the Gage Capitol Hill Campus to enjoy the event. The all-day art festival included free art supplies for guests, art lessons from Gage Academy instructors, live models, drag artists, DJ’s and live music by local musicians. Art fans were treated to in-depth demos from accomplished artists including Max Ginsburg, Elijah Evenson, Gary Faigin, one of the Gage Academy’s co-founders, Mark Kang-O’Higgins and Dominique Medici. Children were invited to let their imaginations run wild by drawing their favorite models and participating in the kid-friendly clay studio, papermaking session and face painting.
Stefano Catalani, executive director of Gage Academy, stated “Drawing Jam is truly a celebration of art, life, creativity and imagination with Gage as the giant studio for everyone to explore. We are thrilled to bring art into the community and help celebrate the holidays.”
This year, Cookie Couture, the ever-popular drag queen, joined Drawing Jam as one of the event’s drag performances and influencers. In addition to creating art, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy roasted chestnuts, local food trucks and visit the Holidaze Art Market to shop for unique gifts. All items at the market were created by the Gage Academy professors, students and local artists.
The Gage Academy of Art hosts workshops, courses, youth programs and open studios throughout the year. The coming year will mark the academy’s 30 th anniversary. To learn more about Gage Academy of Art, please visit https://www.gageacademy.org/ .
About Gage Academy of Art
Gage Academy of Art ( www.gageacademy.org ), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is celebrating nearly 30 years as a vibrant extended-learning and contemporary art center, providing community based artistic development for artists of all ages and abilities. Featuring year-round programs that engage and inspire, Gage is home to public art events, lectures, youth programming and exhibitions. Guided by the belief that artists are made, not born, Gage strives to educate, enrich and engage artists and the community in the visual arts. Gage offers instruction in the principles of drawing, painting and sculpting.

Minecraft: The Exhibition World Premiere Coming to Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture

by Leave a Comment

MoPOP celebrates Minecraft’s 10th Anniversary by bringing its virtual 
landscape to life October 19, 2019
 The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is pleased to present
Minecraft: The Exhibition, opening to the public on October 19, 2019. Designed for players and non-players of all ages, the exhibition celebrates the game’s 10th anniversary by exploring how Minecraft has developed into a platform for unlimited creative expression, community-crafting, and inspiration to build a better world outside of the game.
Created in partnership with Mojang, Minecraft: The Exhibition is dynamic and immersive featuring life-size Minecraft creatures, scenic backdrops, a day-night lighting cycle, audio effects, and a gallery score. The exhibition will span over 6,000 square feet of the museum and is among the most ambitious exhibitions produced by MoPOP, offering fans of all ages the opportunity to experience the best-selling game of all time like never before.
“We are thrilled to co-create Minecraft: The Exhibition with Mojang and host the world premiere at MoPOP,” said Brooks Peck, Senior Curator of MoPOP, “Minecraft is not only a game that allows for unlimited creativity and exchange of ideas, it also promotes inclusiveness and equality, which are core to MoPOP’s mission.”  
Since 2009, Minecraft has not only become the best-selling game, it has also grown into a pop culture phenomenon by connecting millions of fans across the globe. “We wanted to bring Minecraft to life in the museum to explore it more deeply, celebrate its community, and share this important phenomenon with the world,” added Brooks Peck. 
“We’re so excited about this collaboration with MoPOP because it gives everyone a chance to see the world of Minecraft through a new lens. We can’t wait to see what the community thinks of Minecraft: The Exhibition,” said Lydia Winters, Chief Brand Officer at Mojang.
In the exhibition, visitors will feel as if they have stepped inside the blocky world of Minecraft, with scenes, patterns, colors, and textures being informed by actual in-game builds. The gallery will feature 15 life-size characters from the game, including the explosive Creeper and mysterious Enderman. Visitors will receive a hands-on experience at a real-life crafting table and face off against a groaning Minecraft Zombie. It also features game stations where players can try the game as well as explore some epic and elaborate creations from the community. Numerous exhibition films with interviews with the game’s creative team, builders, and community members show how Minecraft inspires creative exchanges, community creation, and social change.
Fans can purchase tickets to Minecraft: The Exhibition starting September 17, 2019 at MoPOP.org/Minecraft. The exhibition will remain on view until September 2020. 
KEY DATES:
  • Exhibition Tickets On-sale: September 17, 2019
  • Exhibition Press Preview: October 16, 2019
  • MoPOP Member Exclusive Preview: October 18, 2019 
  • Exhibition Opening Weekend Celebration (open to the public): October 19, 2019 
For more information, visit MoPOP.org/Minecraft
PHOTOS/VIDEO
For available artwork please visit the Press Room here.
# # #
ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE (MoPOP)
MoPOP is a leading-edge nonprofit museum in Seattle with a mission to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities. MoPOP reaches multigenerational audiences through our collections, exhibitions, community events, and educational programs, bringing understanding, interpretation, and scholarship to the pop culture of our time. For more information, visit www.MoPOP.org
ABOUT MOJANG
Mojang is a game development studio based in Sweden, best known for developing Minecraft. In 2014, Mojang joined Xbox Game Studios to continue work on Minecraft and bring their vision, creative energy and innovative mindset to the development of future games.
ABOUT MINECRAFT
With over 91 million unique Minecraft players engaged across all platforms and over 176 million copies sold worldwide, Minecraft is the best-selling video game in history. The Minecraft franchise continues to reach new players through an expanding line of consumer products, game updates, Minecraft Marketplace and the amazing content created by its vibrant and growing community. Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures, and we’re excited to see its world expand with new games like “Minecraft Dungeons” and “Minecraft Earth,” Minecraft: Education Edition is a special version of the game designed for schools and educational settings, supporting 21st Century learning across subjects from coding to chemistry

MoPOP celebrates Minecraft’s 10th Anniversary by bringing its virtual 
landscape to life October 19, 2019
Seattle, WA (September 12, 2019) – The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is pleased to present
Minecraft: The Exhibition, opening to the public on October 19, 2019. Designed for players and non-players of all ages, the exhibition celebrates the game’s 10th anniversary by exploring how Minecraft has developed into a platform for unlimited creative expression, community-crafting, and inspiration to build a better world outside of the game.
Created in partnership with Mojang, Minecraft: The Exhibition is dynamic and immersive featuring life-size Minecraft creatures, scenic backdrops, a day-night lighting cycle, audio effects, and a gallery score. The exhibition will span over 6,000 square feet of the museum and is among the most ambitious exhibitions produced by MoPOP, offering fans of all ages the opportunity to experience the best-selling game of all time like never before.
“We are thrilled to co-create Minecraft: The Exhibition with Mojang and host the world premiere at MoPOP,” said Brooks Peck, Senior Curator of MoPOP, “Minecraft is not only a game that allows for unlimited creativity and exchange of ideas, it also promotes inclusiveness and equality, which are core to MoPOP’s mission.”  
Since 2009, Minecraft has not only become the best-selling game, it has also grown into a pop culture phenomenon by connecting millions of fans across the globe. “We wanted to bring Minecraft to life in the museum to explore it more deeply, celebrate its community, and share this important phenomenon with the world,” added Brooks Peck. 
“We’re so excited about this collaboration with MoPOP because it gives everyone a chance to see the world of Minecraft through a new lens. We can’t wait to see what the community thinks of Minecraft: The Exhibition,” said Lydia Winters, Chief Brand Officer at Mojang.
In the exhibition, visitors will feel as if they have stepped inside the blocky world of Minecraft, with scenes, patterns, colors, and textures being informed by actual in-game builds. The gallery will feature 15 life-size characters from the game, including the explosive Creeper and mysterious Enderman. Visitors will receive a hands-on experience at a real-life crafting table and face off against a groaning Minecraft Zombie. It also features game stations where players can try the game as well as explore some epic and elaborate creations from the community. Numerous exhibition films with interviews with the game’s creative team, builders, and community members show how Minecraft inspires creative exchanges, community creation, and social change.
Fans can purchase tickets to Minecraft: The Exhibition starting September 17, 2019 at MoPOP.org/Minecraft. The exhibition will remain on view until September 2020. 
KEY DATES:
  • Exhibition Tickets On-sale: September 17, 2019
  • Exhibition Press Preview: October 16, 2019
  • MoPOP Member Exclusive Preview: October 18, 2019 
  • Exhibition Opening Weekend Celebration (open to the public): October 19, 2019 
For more information, visit MoPOP.org/Minecraft
PHOTOS/VIDEO
For available artwork please visit the Press Room here.
# # #
ABOUT THE MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE (MoPOP)
MoPOP is a leading-edge nonprofit museum in Seattle with a mission to make creative expression a life-changing force by offering experiences that inspire and connect our communities. MoPOP reaches multigenerational audiences through our collections, exhibitions, community events, and educational programs, bringing understanding, interpretation, and scholarship to the pop culture of our time. For more information, visit www.MoPOP.org
ABOUT MOJANG
Mojang is a game development studio based in Sweden, best known for developing Minecraft. In 2014, Mojang joined Xbox Game Studios to continue work on Minecraft and bring their vision, creative energy and innovative mindset to the development of future games.
ABOUT MINECRAFT
With over 91 million unique Minecraft players engaged across all platforms and over 176 million copies sold worldwide, Minecraft is the best-selling video game in history. The Minecraft franchise continues to reach new players through an expanding line of consumer products, game updates, Minecraft Marketplace and the amazing content created by its vibrant and growing community. Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures, and we’re excited to see its world expand with new games like “Minecraft Dungeons” and “Minecraft Earth,” Minecraft: Education Edition is a special version of the game designed for schools and educational settings, supporting 21st Century learning across subjects from coding to chemistry

Annual Othello International Festival Brings the World to Rainier Valley

by 1 Comment

Annual Othello International Festival Brings the World to Rainier Valley

Acclaimed as one of the most authentic multicultural festivals in Seattle, the annual Othello International Festival will convene again this year on Sunday, August 11 from noon to 6:00PM.

Known to be one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the nation, the Rainier Valley is home to speakers of over 59 different languages from China to Somalia, from the Philippines to Samoa and across the world. The Othello International Festival brings these communities together to share their music, dance, and artistic traditions under a high canopy of trees in the pastoral setting of Othello Park. Booths feature local businesses, community organizations, and multi-cultural food vendors surrounding the Park’s beautiful meadow where a dance floor invites attendees to join in the fun and learn from one another.

The Park is located just one short block from the Othello light rail station. Besides filling the Park, the festivities will spill across Othello Street onto the Holly Park Community Church grounds where the Seattle Police Department will be holding its annual picnic.

Over recent years, Othello has come to be identified by this unique event with its colorful array of traditional costumes, dance, music, gymnastics, martial arts, giant puppets, petting zoo with camel, big bouncy houses, ethnic food trucks, art creation stations where participants can create their own art works to take home. “Othello without its Othello International Festival would be like Munich without its October Fest,” said Dick Burkhart, a long time Othello neighborhood activist. “There are lots of fun things happening in our Park these days, but this International Festival is an annual signature event that brings the whole community together.”

A visitor from London once said of the Othello International Festival, “I came here, and I saw the world.” Truly this event is a tiny microcosm of what should be happening on the entire planet. It is a coming together of people from many nationalities to be together as one community sharing their art, music, dance, and cultural pride.

FLMTQ Release #140: Trouble the Water

by Leave a Comment

Kimberly Rivers Roberts is a 24-year-old aspiring rapper living with her husband Scott in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward.  Kim has recently acquired a $20 consumer-grade camcorder; days prior to the arrival of Hurricane Katrina she wanders her neighborhood interviewing locals, asking them if they’re scared, why they haven’t evacuated.  “It’s going to be a day to remember,” she remarks.  As the storm makes landfall and the levee breaks, flooding the city in contaminated water, Kim continues filming—chronicling dramatic rescues and harrowing returns to the city’s devastated outer-districts.

Comprised of Kim’s own footage alongside contemporary news reels and official government statements regarding Hurricane Katrina, Trouble the Water elucidates the potential of ecological crisis to further entrench America’s hierarchies of race and power.  Carl Deal and Tia Lessen’s joint-directorial debut premiered at Sundance, where it won the Grand Jury Prize; Silverdocs, where it won an Honorable Mention; and the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, where it won both the Jury Award and the Kathleen Bryan Edwards Award for Human Rights.  Trouble the Water was also nominated for Emmys in Outstanding Informational Programming – Long Form and Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Research, as well as the Academy Award for Best Documentary.

 
WATCH NOW

Ethnic Fest has been celebrating culture & community for Over 30 years!

by Leave a Comment

Metro Parks. Wright Park Ethnic Fest 2018 Photos by Russ Carmack.

July 27-28, 2019
Noon – 7 pm

Wright Park
501 South I St., Tacoma, WA

Ethnic Fest has been celebrating culture & community for Over 30 years! Enjoy two full days of music, dance, art, and foods from around the world.

Since 1986 Ethnic Fest has grown to become the largest celebration of culture and community in Tacoma. Voted the best festival of the South Sound; this year Ethnic Fest takes place Saturday, July 27 – Sunday, July 28 from Noon to 7 pm at historic Wright Park in Tacoma, WA.

This family-friendly, free festival has grown in size and hosts Kid’s Zones, hands-on cultural activities and experiences, performer stage, as well as numerous specialty arts and crafts, food, and information vendor booths. This year’s festival will also include a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, for Youth (15U) and Adaptive Recreation divisions.

Vendors and performers

Basketball Tournament

 

Seattle’s multicultural history comes alive in Sara Porkalob’s newest play… A True Must See

by Leave a Comment

(Clockwise from left) Sarah Russell will play Ada, Corinne Magin will play Min, Van Lang Pham will play James, Anasofia Gallegos will play Lee andAaron Jin will play Robert, as well as leading the live band on keys.

Café Nordo Presents
A WORLD PREMIERE PLAY WITH FOOD AND MUSIC

7th and Jackson

The vibrant, multicultural history of Seattle’s International District comes alive in Sara Porkalob’s latest work at Nordo’s Culinarium

July 19 – August 11, 2019  – Tickets on sale now

Café Nordo is proud to present the world premiere of 7th and Jackson created by award-winning theatrical creator Sara Porkalob (The Dragon Cycle). Set in the early 1960s, it’s an intimate experience that transports audiences to Seattle’s vibrant and multicultural International District and, true to Café Nordo’s signature format, blends authentic jazz, ethnic cuisine and unforgettable history for a full-sensory experience
like no other. 7th and Jackson runs July 19 – August 11, 2019 at
Café Nordo’s Culinarium and tickets are on sale now.

 

“I wanted to write a play about Seattle’s International District in the 1940’s because most of the stories I heard, read, and seen about that time period focused specifically on the Japanese community in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor,” said creator Sara Porkalob. “And, I wanted to dive deeper into what life was like for the other ethnic enclaves of the period.”

 

7th and Jackson follows three best friends with big dreams of owning their own jazz club. As the 1961 grand opening of the club 7th and Jackson progresses, the childhood history of Lee, Min and Ada is revealed. Despite the bombing of Pearl Harbor, WWII and rising tensions in their neighborhood, these young women remain determined in their pursuit of the American Dream.

 

“The beating heart of my play is the friendship between three young women: one of them Black woman, one of them Filipina, and the other Korean. These diverse friendships existed during this time period and I want to shine a light on their rich existence.” Porkalob continues. “This era was a tumultuous time in American history and it’s important that I contribute to our historical narrative from the perspective of women and people of color. So much and so little has changed in our American Landscape since then.”

 

THE FOOD: Heavily influenced by true stories of Seattle’s 7th Avenue and the International District food scene of the early 60s, this 4-course menu, which is included in the ticket price, explores cultural diaspora from street food to family meals. Inspired and informed by the cuisines native to and emergent from Seattle’s historic communities of color, including International District/Chinatown and the Central District, the menu pays homage to this cuisine history in Nordo’s signature style of interactive plating.”

 

THE MUSIC: With Musical Direction by Andrew Pang, 7th and Jackson treats our guests to live renditions of soulful era classics including memorable songs from The Andrews Sisters, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald.

 

THEATRICAL CREDITS

Director and Playwright: Sara Porkalob

Executive Chef: Erin Brindley

Menu Design: Christian Rosso

Musical Director: Andrew Pang

Actors: Corinne Magin, Anasofia Gallegos, Aaron Jin, Sarah Russell, Van Lang Pham

Set Design: Lex Marcos

Sound Design: Evan Mosher

Costume Design: Katrina Hess

Properties: Robin Macartney

Lighting Design: Emily Leong

 

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:

 

WHAT: On Friday nights, three best friends meet in the alley outside their favorite place, an underground Seattle jazz club hosting touring jazz legends, home to raucous gambling, and even louder dinner parties. Lee, Min, and Ada are unlikely playmates but they all share the same dream: to own and run their own restaurant and jazz club. When the bombing of Pearl Harbor and rising WWII tensions tear apart their homes, they make a sacred promise to keep their dream alive. Spanning three decades, 7th and Jackson pairs local history with cultural diaspora and live music, all served on one plate.

 

WHERE:

Nordo’s Culinarium,

109 South Main Street,

Seattle WA 98104

206-209-2002

 

WHEN:

July 19 – August 11, 2019

Wednesday – Saturday 7:30pm

Sundays at 6:00pm

 

TICKETS:

$79.00 includes the performance and a prix fixe menu. Beverage and cocktail service additional.

*Suitable for audiences 18 and older

Online Box Office:  bit.ly/7thJacksonNordo

Arts in Parks provides free events, public art installations, and art series at parks around Seattle this summer!

by Leave a Comment

The 2019 Arts in Parks brochure has arrived! Download it here: http://ow.ly/yxBR50uK4Fg

The Arts in Parks program supports new and established community festivals, art happenings and music concerts that enliven Seattle parks by promoting arts and culture, celebrating diversity, building community connections and energizing parks while connecting with underserved communities. Arts in Parks is an initiative of Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Office of Arts & Culture. All events are free and open to the public. Learn more here.

“The Arts in Parks program brings our parks to life with an array of local art pieces, performances and cultural events that celebrate Seattle’s diverse communities,” said Jesús Aguirre, Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation. “This program is presented in partnership with the Office of Arts & Culture and is a wonderful example of how we collaborate to bring new and innovative opportunities to serve all Seattle residents. Arts in Parks activities are free and open to all, and offer a fun and unique way to explore the city’s parks. I hope everyone has the chance to get out this summer and experience this program and the incredible art and beautiful open spaces our city has to offer!”.

 

7th and Jackson The vibrant, multicultural history of Seattle’s International District comes alive in Sara Porkalob’s latest work at Nordo’s Culinarium

by Leave a Comment

Café Nordo Presents
A WORLD PREMIERE PLAY WITH FOOD AND MUSIC
7th and Jackson
The vibrant, multicultural history of Seattle’s International District comes alive in Sara Porkalob’s latest work at Nordo’s Culinarium
July 19 – August 11, 2019 – Tickets on sale now
Café Nordo is proud to present the world premiere of 7th and Jacksoncreated by award-winning theatrical creator Sara Porkalob (The Dragon Cycle). Set in the early 1960s, it’s an intimate experience that transports audiences to Seattle’s vibrant and multicultural International District and, true to Café Nordo’s signature format, blends authentic jazz, ethinc cuisine and unforgettable history for a full-sensory experience like no other. 7th and Jackson runs July 19 – August 11, 2019 at Café Nordo’s Culinarium and tickets are on sale now.
“I wanted to write a play about Seattle’s International District in the 1940’s because most of the stories I heard, read, and seen about that time period focused specifically on the Japanese community in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor,” said creator Sara Porkalob. “And, I wanted to dive deeper into what life was like for the other ethnic enclaves of the period.”
7th and Jackson follows three best friends with big dreams of owning their own jazz club. As the 1961 grand opening of the club 7th and Jackson progresses, the childhood history of Lee, Min and Ada is revealed. Despite the bombing of Pearl Harbor, WWII and rising tensions in their neighborhood, these young women remain determined in their pursuit of the American Dream.
“The beating heart of my play is the friendship between three young women: one of them Black woman, one of them Filipina, and the other Korean. These diverse friendships existed during this time period and I want to shine a light on their rich existence.” Porkalob continues. “This era was a tumultuous time in American history and it’s important that I contribute to our historical narrative from the perspective of women and people of color. So much and so little has cahnged in our American Landscape since then.”
THE FOOD: Heavily influenced by true stories of Seattle’s 7th Avenue and the International District food scene of the early 60s, this 4-course menu, which is included in the ticket price, explores cultural diaspora from street food to family meals. Inspired and informed by the cuisines native to and emergent from Seattle’s historic communities of color, including International District/Chinatown and the Central District, the menu pays homage to this cuisine history in Nordo’s signature style of interactive plating.”
THE MUSIC: With Musical Direction by Andrew Pang, 7th and Jackson treats our guests to live renditions of soulful era classics including memorable songs from The Andrews Sisters, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald.
THEATRICAL CREDITS
Director and Playwright: Sara Porkalob
Executive Chef: Erin Brindley
Menu Design: Christian Rosso
Musical Director: Andrew Pang
Actors: Corinne Magin, Anasofia Gallegos, Aaron Jin, Sarah Russell, Van Lang Pham
Set Design: Lex Marcos
Sound Design: Evan Mosher
Costume Design: Katrina Hess
Properties: Robin Macartney
Lighting Design: Emily Leong