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Arts
County program aims to promote the arts
By Greta Mart
Staff Reporter
Sunday November 20, 2011
A new arts program is afoot in Contra Costa, and come Monday night, a county commission is holding a first-of-its-kind gathering at Martinez's Campbell Theater to get it going.
Entitled the Arts Cafe, the event is designed to spur development of the arts countywide.
Grant syncs Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra with Martinez schools
By Greta Mart
Staff Reporter
Tuesday November 15, 2011
Eric Sung is currently an associate principal cellist with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, and this week he will join CCCO members for a performance of Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme.
Art for the sake of art
By Martinez News-Gazette
Gazette Contributor
Thursday November 03, 2011
Story by Chris Kapsalis
When we look at history, this first thing we notice is the art work they left behind. We learn so much about the past from the art these people left behind, of war , everyday life, culture, politics, buildings, natural disaster, plagues, thoughts they had and so much more.
It teaches us so much and is a documented history of the past, along with books and music . I think we often look down on spending money on the arts, but sometimes it is the best thing we can leave for future generations to know who we are, and what we learned to pass on. From Mesopotamia, which is arguably the cradle of civilization, to Ancient China, which was in many ways thousands of years ahead of the rest of the world in innovation – making paper, the printing press, gunpowder and so on. It is the written word, and art that continues to teach us.
I really admire longevity. Some of the greatest people lived long productive lives. I think art is good for you, not its drama – sometimes oppression and stress – but all that is overwhelmed by the sense of fulfillment, and making something out of nothing. An idea, a canvas, paint or perhaps doing something that never been seen before, it is all very therapeutic. There is something magical about it, without getting too philosophical.
I think Andy Warhol said it best, (but like many quotes and works attributed to famous people, who actually said or did what is sometimes arguable.) He said something to the effect of, don't worry about what people like, and while they are deciding if they like it or hate it, make more art. I think this is true. There are no rules. Pick up some supplies and go to town. Take a music or art class. You never know. At the very least, whatever you do has never been done before, or at least exactly as you would do it. It is yours; creation you made, and also very therapeutic and enjoying. And who knows, it could lead somewhere.
I am far from an art expert, I don't even know if I like half the stuff I do, but I keep painting, drawing and hope I always do.
But anyone can paint, and when I see some others works, I get a little jealous, not in a competitive way, but I just think, "Why didn't I think of that?" or, "Wow that's good, raised the bar a little on that one." Or, sometimes I think, " I have to have that!" It inspires me, and also I get enjoyment out of seeing it, especially some of the oil masters. Their work is breathtaking sometimes, and if I had the money, I would buy one I saw of the Sierra foothills. When I look at it it's as if I was there, I can smell the oaks and dry grass, it was amazing and left a huge impression on me. Also MC Escher is a huge idol of mine, as is Picasso and many more, from song writers to authors – way too many to name.
And music. Listening to music has inspired many artists to create art. They go hand in hand and are both, in my opinion, the heart of art and creativity.
Art basically took us out of the dark ages and into the Renaissance. People like Leonardo da Vinci and Michael Angelo come to mind, as do Sebastian Bach and Mozart. Some were locked up, some praised and famous, but all had one life mission, to create. Modern arts and musicians, helped revolutionize modern thought. Again there are too many to name. But please research some of these people, and you will be amazed at all they did and how they influence the world.
We have so many talented artists in town. Most have day jobs, some are retired, some live pay check to pay check, truly starving artists, but artist come in all walks of life. In fact we are all artists in some way.
One person painted a soup can and made millions. Others studied fine oil painting and also make good money sometimes, so there are no rules. Some do it for the sheer enjoyment of sharing their work. Others have other reasons, expression and so on. Some have meanings, some do not. But it all has meaning if someone enjoys it.
Downtown Martinez is hosting another Art Gallop on Main Street and some off streets on Friday, Nov. 4, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. ( Some hours may differ). Shops and stores will stay open late and show art work by local artists, while also showing off their shops and restaurants to people. And I have to say we have some awesome places here in Martinez, great food, and people. We really live in a great place.
Some paces will not be allowed to serve wine at this Art Gallop, but we are working hard to change that. My next stop is city hall to research the details of this issue. I am confident we will once again be able to serve wine to adults at our art shows, but if you feel like a beer or a wine, there are many spots around town where you can have a glass of wine, like Roxx or other restaurants who are allowed to serve. Or if you want a real Martinez Martini, there are also many bars around, just take a walk around.
Just please walk , take a cab or have a designated driver if you decide to drink.
You know art can be a lot of work. I just started five new paintings but the hours and hours it takes, not spilling red paint over 10 hours of work, and all the other things – day job, that life thing, family, which is always number one – sometimes make it a challenge to do it all. Like you don't know what I a talking about. People who hold down two jobs and raise a family to boot have nothing but my deepest respect. Now that is a job! And I am not complaining, all in all I love this. And as we know, we can not do it all. Give your self a break if you don't. I will leave the fine oil painting alone, for now. Maybe someday. Glass blowing? Hmmm. Now that might be on my short list. And Arch Welding, well, there are an endless list of hobbies and possible careers to be discovered. Candle making, you name it.
Just remember there are no rules in art. Get yourself a canvas and paint and see what you come up with. Have fun. And please come out Friday night and take a look around. It is a nice walk and you get so see the whole of Main Street, make friends, meet some fellow artists and see what they are doing. You might find your ideas are not so bad, and maybe you can show your art someplace. And don't be discouraged. I was turned down more than once at different galleries. But never give up. I put it this way, if I have only one out of a hundred true fans, I will have almost 3 million fans in America alone. Not bad.
If you can afford it, please buy a work of art, or put a $5 in a musician's jar. Music and art are the spices of life. When you think of all it gives us, entertainment, joy, thought, inspiration, or just a plain distraction from the mundane, I think it is well worth a few bucks if we can.
The list of stores, shops and restaurants on Main Street will stay open late Friday. Just take a walk up and down Main Street and you will never run out of cool places to visit and people to see. Who knows, I bet you will run to some friends.
This Friday I will be showing at Roxx, which is a huge honor for me. It is just one of the many cool places on Main Street for us to enjoy. Please also check the Gazette for all the other great places, restaurants, bars and shops to visit in Martinez.
In fact I am dong all my Christmas shopping this year on Main Street, with items and gift certificates. Who couldn't use a gift certificate to The Good Stuff Guitar? I could!
I love this town!
Chris Kapsalis
Bay Area theater round-up
By Martinez News-Gazette
Gazette Contributor
Wednesday October 05, 2011
A sampling of what's playing at a live theater near you....
by Elizabeth Warnimont
Fall is officially here, and most theaters have announced their 2011-12 season lineup. Following are some good bets for theater this month, all within about a 20-minute drive from Martinez.
NOW SHOWING
• Town Hall Theatre Company presents Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile. In this intelligent farce, Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein meet in a Paris café and muse upon the nature of life, love and creativity. Directed by Lisa Anne Porter. Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., Lafayette. Through Oct. 15. Tickets: 925-283-1557 or thtc.org.
True life crime show startles resident; MPD revoke filming permit
By Greta Mart
Staff Reporter
Monday October 03, 2011
Visitors to Martinez – upon first seeing the downtown area – have compared it to towns around the country. It may be the brick buildings, tree-lined streets, Victorian-era homes, but whatever it is, Martinez has a certain Anytown, USA quality about it.
Film and television production companies are drawn to that broad quality as demonstrated by the recent uptick in on-location shooting around downtown.
But not every resident is star-struck by the notion of seeing Martinez on the big and little screens or serving as an extra.
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