Arts Etc. – 1/20/2010

Highlights

• Inspiring Community Through Film: A Night with Tadashi Nakamura” (see elsewhere in this issue for related story) gives us a chance to meet this L.A.-based filmmaker and see two of his community based films. Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.  NVC Community Hall. For reservations, e-mail: [email protected].
• ”TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming” (see related story in this issue) is a Japanese-based group from Kyushu coming to Seattle and Olympia as part of their North American tour. 8 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. 1932 – 2^nd Ave. 877-784-4849 or visit www.stgpresents.org. Their concert in Olympia takes place on Jan. 30 at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Visit washingtoncenter.org for details.
• Two new series debut at Seattle Asian Art Museum. The Gardner Center For Asian Art & Ideas Presents “Saturday University Lecture Series – Health, Sex & Women’s Rights in Contemporary Asia” on Saturdays from Jan. 30 – Feb. 20 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Jan. 30 program is “Women Feed the World: Women’s Land Rights in Asia” and the Feb. 6 program is “Asia: The Frontier in the Battle for Health Equity in the World.” “Guilty Pleasures: Popular films from Asia” is a new series at Seattle Asian Art Museum Jan. 31 – Feb. 21 on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. Rakeysh Omprakash’s “Paint It Saffron” screens on Jan. 31 and tells the story of five men playing freedom fighters in a documentary before becoming politically active themselves when a death is caused by government corruption. Feb. 14 brings Shosuke Murakami’s “Train Man” which tells the story of a nerdy young man who helps a woman being harassed on a train. For more information, visit seattleartmuseum.org For tickets to either series call (206) 654-3121 or email [email protected].
• “Personal Stories” is a group show featuring the work of Sara Zinn, Wanxin Zhang, Joyce Scott and Beverly McIver set to open Feb. 4 and remain on view through the 27^th. Zinn explores her cross-cultural journey between Korea and America in her paintings. Zhang, a sculptor, was born in China and has lived in America since 1992. Scott explores her experience as an African American woman through her beaded sculpture. McIver shares her experience as a black woman growing up and living in the South through her paintings. Pacini Lubel Gallery at 207 – 2^nd Ave. S. (206) 326-5555 or visit www.pacinilubel.com.
• The Cuong Vu Trio is one of the headliners for “Is That Jazz? 2010- Seattle’s Avant-Jazz Music Festival”. Sun Ra Tribute Band, Sunship, Jesse Canterbury’s Vertigo, Tom Baker Quartet, Bad Luck, Bill Smith Trio and Evan Flory-Barnes’ Threat of Beauty fill out this interesting series. Jan. 22, 23, 29 & 30 at the Chapel Performance Space at 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. 8 p.m. starting time. All ages. For ticket and Festival information, go to www.isthatjazz.org or call (206) 234-5667.
• “Seeing Movies at Kane” or “SMAK” is a new film series screening at UW’s Kane Hall  210 on the Seattle campus every Thursday at  7 p.m. Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” is set for Feb. 4. The series runs through March 18. Free and open to the general public. For a complete schedule of films, go to http:/jsis.washington.edu/smak.
• “Farewell” is a group show that explores personal moments of leave-taking and the public ramifications of migration. Artists include MalPina Chan, Diem Chau, Annie Han + Daniel Mihalyo (Lead Pencil Studio), Paul Kikuchi, Tiffany Lin, June Sekiguchi and Ying Zhou. Curated by composer/performer Byron Au Yong. Held in conjunction with Spectrum Dance Theatre’s “Farewell: A Fantastical Contemplation on America’s Relationship with China” (World premiere of this production will run Feb. 18 – 20 at the Moore Theatre. Choreography by Donald Byrd and music by Byron Au Yong. Presented by STG. (877) STG-4TIX or STGpresents.org). The art show on view Jan. 20 – March 7. Artists return to the gallery in February to talk about their work. In the Guest Gallery of Columbia City Gallery. 4864 Rainier Ave. S. (206) 760-9843 or visit www.columbiacitygallery.com.

Visual Arts

• The work of Yun Hong Chang is included in a group show entitled “New Members Show” on view through Jan. 30 at Shift Studio #105 in the Tashiro-Kaplan Arts Complex located at 306 S. Washington. For details, go to www.shiftstudio.org.
• “The Colors & Cultures of SE Asia” is the title of a photo exhibit by Ian Mackie that reflects his experiences traveling through Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Opens Feb. 4 and remains on view through the end of March. Globe Gallery. (206) 612-7655 or visit www.globegalleryseattle.com.
• “New Old and New New: Recent Acquisitions of Asian Art” is a new show that responds to recent interest in contemporary Asian art showcasing new acquisitions from the museum’s growing collection. The show presents the work of Asian and Asian American artists such as Miwa Yanagi, Tomoko Takahashi and Joseph Park. A concurrent exhibition of new acquisitions of Chinese painting and calligraphy is also on view. Through July 4.Two shows both closing Feb. 21 are “Live Long and Prosper:Auspicious Motifs in East Asian Art” and “Transforming Traditions: Japanese And Korean Art Since 1800”. Also a 60-minute tour on the “Arts of Asia” is given every Sat. & Sun. at 1pm starting at the Fuller Garden Court. Free with museum admission. Seattle Asian Art Museum. 1400 E. Prospect. (206) 654-3100 or log on to seattleartmuseum.org.
• Pratt Fine Arts Center’s Winter 2010 classes feature the following instructors. Mark Takamich Miller teaches “Experimental Acrylic Figure Painting.” Lisa Hasegawa teaches “Letterpress Gift Tags”, “Letterpress Fundamentals” and “Continuing Letterpress Printing.” Kamla Kakaria teaches “Printmaking Fundamentals” with Shaun Doll. Romson Regarde Bustillo teaches a workshop entitled “Intuitive Paths – Printmaking and Collage.” 1902 South Main St. (206) 328-2200 or visit www.pratt.org.
• Noted ceramic sculptor/installation artist Yuki Nakamura makes a welcome return to the gallery scene with “Illuminant”, a show of new work at Howard House Contemporary Art. On view through January 30. 604 Second Ave. (206) 656-6399 or visit www.howardhouse.net.
• “Mad Art Redux” is a group show co-curated by Bryan Ohno and Phen Huang that presents the work of seventeen emerging artists from the Seattle area. Feb. 4 – 27. Foster/White Gallery at 220 Third Ave. S. (206) 622-2833 or visit www.fosterwhite.com.
• “Cultural Transcendence is a new group show at Wing Luke Asian Museum curated by Lele Barnett that “explores the importance of technology in our modern experience and technology’s influence on contemporary installation art.” Features the work of Robert Hodgin, Eunsu Kang, Heidi Kumao, Horatio Law and Brent Watanabe. Show continues  through June 19, 2010. www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
• Oil paintings by Sataka Shigeta are on view through Jan. at Fresh Flours Bakery Café located at 6015 Phinney ave. N. (206) 297-3300 or visit www.freshfloursseattle.com.
• Ming’s Asian Gallery has a show entitled “China: From Red To Rock Then Mao & Now” which combines antiquities, the provocative art of Mao’s Red China and transitioning to the new world of contemporary Chinese art. Shown through Dec. at two locations. In Old Bellevue at 10217 Main St. (425) 462-4008 and in Seattle at 519 – 6^th Ave. S. (206) 748-7889. Through Dec.
• KOBO at Higo presents the following. Ceramic artist John Dix now based in Japan will be showing his wood-fired ceramics. Opening is Feb. 13 with a gallery talk at 5pm and a reception from 6 – 8 p.m. 604 S. Jackson. (206) 381-3000 or [email protected].
• ArtXchange Gallery presents “News Year/Fresh Eyes”, a group show remix of ArtXchange artists from past shows. Includes work by Miya Ando, June Sekiguchi, Deborah Kapoor, Oksana Perkins, Yang Chun Hua, Chou Yi Ching, Elaine Hanowell and Tu Duy & Sun Zhe Zheng. Remains on view through January.  512 – 1st Ave. S. (206) 839-0377. www.artxchange.org.
• Cora Edmonds, owner of ArtXchange Gallery has a show of her photos of rural Nepal at Swirl Wine Bar at 3217 W. McGraw in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Through Jan. 26. (206) 282-4161.
• Wing Luke Asian Museum presents a new exhibit entitled “Return Home From War- Remnants of war through recent Asian Pacific American veterans’ perspective.”  Show is on view through August 15.   “Yellow Terror: The Collection and Paintings of Roger Shimomura” is ongoing through April 18, 2010 in the Special Exhibition Hall. Celebrate “Oshogatsu: Japanese New Years” on Jan. 30 from 3 – 5 p.m. Tea ceremony and flower arrangement are just some of the activities planned. 719 King St. (206) 623-5124. More info. at www.wingluke.org.
• The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) features the exhibit, “The Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest on view till Jan. 16, 2020. 2700 – 24th E. (206) 324-1126.
• Sol Hashemi & Jason Hirata present “To be like that which you have”  (see related article in this issue) through Feb. 13 on the gallery’s sculpture deck. The art team will create an ongoing installation of light based sculptures that will change over time. Roger Shimomura has a show of “Recent Work” forthcoming inside the gallery Feb. 18 – March 27. Greg Kucera Galler at 212 Third Ave. S. (206) 624-4031 or visit www.gregkucera.com.
• The work of Gerard Tsutakawa and the late George Tsutakawa is included in a group show entitled “Brown as a Primary Color” on view through March 3 at the Museum of Northwest Art. 121 South First St. in La Connor, WA (360) 466-4446 or visit www.museumofnwart.org.
• A group show pf artists influenced bu Asian traditions includes the work of Midori Kono Thiel, Beverly Saito and Carol Heath Albrecht. Through Feb. 28. Northwind Arts Center at 2409 Jefferson St. in Port Townsend, WA (360) 379-1086 or visit www.northwindarts.org.
• “One Hundred Aspects of the Moon: Woodcuts by Yoshitoshi Tsukiioka” is on display through Jan. 29 at Pacific Northwest College of Art at 1241 N. W. Johnson St. in Portland. Free admission. (503) 226-4391 or visit www.pnca.edu.
• “Everyday Scenes from Leaves and Branches of the Tree of Life” is an exhibit of mixed media sculptures and ink drawings by Kanetaka Ikeda. A group exhibit of drawings by gallery artists, including Robert Dozono and Ikeda is also on view. Through Jan. 30. 420 NW Ninth Ave. in Portland. (503) 224-2634 or visit www.blackfish.com.

Performing Arts

• Japanese singer/songwriter Hikaru Utada performs at the Showbox at the Market on Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. 1426 – 1^st. Visit http://utada.com for details.
• The Miho & Diego Duo will perform Japanese and Latin music at Lake Washington United Methodist Church in Kirkland located at 7525 – 132^nd Ave. NE on Jan. 30. 6:30pm.For details e-mail [email protected].
• “Smooth Jazz” saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa is the headliner in a concert entitled “Jazz It Up!” with special guests Doug & Sam Reid and featuring the Faculty Friends All Star Big Band & Ensemble of award-winning high school musicians in a concert of classic and contemporary. Sat., Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Shorecrest Performing Arts Center at 15343 – 25^th Ave. NE in Shoreline. Presented by Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council. (206) 417-4645 or visit www.shorelinearts.net for details.
• “Celebrate Asia!” is the annual concert by Seattle Symphony that highlights Asian composers and music. Conducted by Carolyn Kuan and hosted by Lori Matsukawa. Soloists include Chuanyun Li on violin and Li Bo on Mongolian morin khuur with Farmaaish. Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Pre-concert activities include a Chinese Lion Dance. Post-conceert presentation features Japanese Taiko Drummers. Benaroya Hall. (206) 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org.
• Eastside choreographer Aiko Kinoshita and her acornDance Troupe is planning a Skate Park piece as part of their Bel-Red Corridor Project. Visit acorndance.org for updates.
• A stage adaptation of Seattle writer David Guterson’s novel, “Snow Falling on Cedars” will be performed through Feb. 7 at the Gerding Theatre at the Armory at 128 NW 11^th Ave. in Portland. Set in Washington State, the story looks back to the internment of Japanese Americans during WW II and follows the murder trial of a Japanese American charged with killing a follow fisherman. For tickets/info, call (503) 445-3700 or visit www.pcs.org.
• Seattle Chamber Music Society presents their annual “Winter Festival” featuring a host of international and national classical musicians including Richard O’Neill on viola. Jan. 28 -31. Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall. (206) 283-8808 or visit seattlechambermusic.org.
• The 5^th Avenue Theatre presents the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific”, winner of seven 2008 Tony Awards for “Best Musical Revival” to their venue from Jan. 29 – Feb. 21. 1308 Fifth Ave. (206) 625-1900.
• Shantala Shivalingappa bring her unique blend of classical Indian “Jkuchipudi” storytelling through dance with live musical accompaniment to the UW World Series at Meany Hall on Feb. 11 – 13 at 8pm. (206) 543-4880 or visit uwworldseries.org.

Film/Media

• Northwest Film Forum’s 5^th Annual Children’s Film Festival featuring feature-length and short films from around the world runs from Jan. 22 – 31.   1515 – 12^th Ave. Visit www.childrensfilmfestivalseattle.org or call (800) 838-3006.
• “Kid Flicks” is an Asian film series for children as part of Free First Saturdays programs at the Seattle Asian Art Museum. Showing on Feb. 6 at 1:30 p.m. is Hiroyuki Morita’s “The Cat Returns.” An art making activity for kids happens between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. as well.   Free. 1400 E. Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. Visit seattleartmuseum.org/Learn/YouthFamily for details.
• Written Arts
• The Daesan Culture Foundation of Korea gave Seattle couple, Bruce & Ju Chan Fulton their Translation Award for a translation of “There A Petal Silently Falls: Three Stories by Choe Yun (Columbia University Press, 2008). For decades, the Fultons have collaborated with each other and others to produce volume after volume of superb translations of Korean literature from Korean to English.
• Seattle Arts & Lectures presents writer Dr. Abraham Verghese speaking on Feb. 10. Co-presented by University Bookstore. At Benaroya Hall. (206) 621-2230 or visit www.lecutres.org.

Art News/Opportunities

• Congratulations to the following artists awarded Guggenheim Fellowships for 2009. Nancy Chunn, Shirley Tse, Osamu James Nakagawa and Heidi Kumao. Californians Paul Chan (film/video) and Paul Pfeiffer (visual arts) received 2009 Alpert Awards in the Arts from the Herb Alpert Foundation and the California Institute of the Arts. Bay Area artist Barbara Takenaga received the inaugural Wauson Fellowship given by the San Francisco-based FOR-Site Foundation.
• Seattle Erotic Art Festival set for the spring of 2010 at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall issues a call for visual art. Deadline is Jan. 30, 2010.For details, go to Seattleerotic.org.
• Register now for training to become a volunteer guide at the Japanese Garden in the Washington Park Arboretum. Classes take place in March. Please register by Feb. 1. Go to gardensignup@gmailccom for details.
• Seattle artist Diem Chau has opened a new business with her husband in Ballard. MiMi Gelato is at 2315 NW Market St. and is open Wed. – Sun. from noon to 8pm. Try flavors like blood orange or matcha & black sesame. Visit www.mimigelato.com for details.
• Congratulations to the following who received 2009 Grants for Artist Projects from Artist Trust. Writer/poet Donna Miscolta to do in-depth research on family history such as her Filipino grandfather’s boxing career in California or a visit to an expatriate uncle in Spain. Filmmaker Lucy Ostrander to cover rights in incorporating archival footage into her documentary, “Fumiko Hayashida: The Woman Behind the Symbol”.  Lead Pencil – (  Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo) for equipment to produce detailed animations and video. Margot Quan Knight to complete her photographic quilt project, “Mirror Quilts”. Kini Watanabe to purchase a camera to document her clay work installations. Congratulations to the 2009 Artist Trust Fellowship winners. Poet Rick Barot in the “Literary Arts” category and Paul Kikuchi  in the “Music Arts” category. Log on to  www.artisttrust.org for details.
• Kathryn Ma became the first Asian American author to win the Iowa Short Fiction Award with the publication of her book of short stories entitled “All That Work and Still No Boys” (University of Iowa Press). www.uiowapress.org.
• Artists Ellen Ito and Yuki Nakamura were nominated for The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation’s 2009 Foundation of Art Award.
• Register now for ID/Chinatown Girl’s Basketball at ID/Chinatown Community Center. (206) 233-0042.