art notes, fall 2007

by Suna Flores

“Fiddler on the Roof” is com-

ing in October. Lake County Reperatory Theater and Lakeport Community Players are teaming up to pro-duce one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

Set in 1906 Russia, “Fiddler” is the warm story of a family and their traditions set against a backdrop of changing times and revolution.

In spite of the seri-ous issues involved in the story, Fiddler’s rich musical score and humor have made this show a classic. “Fid-dler on the Roof” will feature some of the area’s most admired singing and acting tal-ent accompanied by an elegant orchestra.

Memorable sets and choreography will complete a theater presentation that Lake County will remember

for years. Evening performanc-

es are scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 5, 6, 12 and 13. Matinees are scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at The Little Theater, Lake County Fair-grounds.

Tickets for reserved seating will be avail-

able at Catfish Books (263-4454) in Lake-port only.

General Admission tickets may be pur-chased at Shannon Ridge (998-9656) in Clearlake Oaks, Wild About Books (994-9453) in Clearlake and the Lake County Arts Council (263-6658)

in Lakeport. Tickets are $12 for seniors, youth and LCRT/LCP members, and $15 for all others.

Tickets went on sale early in September. Hurry to get yours as they are sure to sell out quickly. See you there!

ArtNotesQuarterly members’ magazine for the Lake County Arts Council

Fall 2007www.lakecountyartscouncil.com

‘Fiddler on the Roof ’ to appear on local stage

Xian Yeagan

Rod Levenduski as Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Set in 1906 Russia, “Fiddler” is the warm story of a family and their tradi-tions set against a backdrop of changing times and revolution.

To life!ל��חַּי�ים!

• ArtNotes, Fall 2007

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PLACE YOUR AD IN ARTNOTES!

Slam in Lake CountyBy Dante DeAmicis

Another attempt was made to introduce

“slam” poetry to Lake County at the July l3 Open Mic at the Java Express. Slam poetry is poetry that is performed as well as read.Usually that means the pieces are also memorized.

Unlike the various “read from journals” styles of poetry, slam is primarily meant to be entertaining. Sometimes people com-pare slam to rap “music.” But rap wants no part of the poetry scene and uses everything from drum machines, loops, back-up singers and musicians to be able to market itself as music. Slam believes any type of sound back-up or counterpoint detracts from a poetry performance.

There have been two other occasions when slam made an appearance at our second Friday open mic. These poets were just passing through so they just stunned everyone and kept going. No one stayed behind to keep the torch burning after striking the match. The nearest regular quasi-slam event is in Santa Rosa.

The reason I chose to demonstrate a slam poem was practical. Our open mic is for both music and poetry. When we go from one to the other the energy level almost always chang-es. Encouraging the poets to ramp up to slam mode should keep the energy up.

I have to warn those making the transition that there is a down side. Slam poets have to work harder - as hard as musicians. It takes me three hours to write a two page poem the old way. Then I’m done. This night’s slam poem was the result of 30 hours of writing, rewriting so it could be performed, memorizing, and rehears-ing delivery.

As an art form in itself there are payoffs. Coor-dinating memorized lines with movement is excellent training and conditioning for the theater. The effect is to promote and not just to present your writing. Slam is popular with youth and the best develop positive peer followings. When or-ganized into slam competi-tions the poetry becomes a dynamic regional tourist attraction.

Slam gatherings are an answer to the youth ques-tion “What is there to do?” The operative word here is “do” which is different from brain candy to pas-sively watch. These events don’t cost a lot to put on, involve adults as mentors rather than just supervi-sors, build confidence, and promote self discipline. In the best case scenario, the kids will start becoming good role models for some of the parents.

Slam is not poetry for sissies. By the time I ended the piece I was breathing hard.

by John Ross

While the cleanup of the underground storage tank leak continues, the renovation of the Soper-Reese Com-

munity Theatre, a project of the Lake County Arts Council, picked up with intensity in June.

“Phase I construction is proceeding along on schedule and on budget”, reports committee chairman, John Ross. “This is our community’s donations at work! When completed before the end of this year, we will be able to occupy the theatre once again and utilize it while we continue fundraising for Phase II.” Where does almost $500,000 go in this type of construction, you ask? Some of the expenditures to date are about $47,000 to install a fire-sprinkler system throughout the building that includes a new water main across Martin Street, about $60,000 for a state of the art heating, ventila-tion and air conditioning system, about $7,000 to remove asbestos insulating material from the walls around the projection booth and contracts have been signed to provide a new roof for about $36,000 and completely replace the electrical systems for about $70,000.

The Management Committee, led by Taira St. John, is working closely with the Lake County Arts Council Winter Music Fest Committee to produce that event in the theatre in January of next year. This will be the first event to be held in the main part of the building in many years.

Your donations at work ...

See SOPER-REESE, Page 4

ArtNotes, Fall 2007 •

From the Executive Director ...

Clear Lake Perform-ing Arts held its annual members’ meeting on Sunday, Sept. 9. The cur-

rent slate of officers have agreed to serve another term. They are President Paul Brewer, Vice President Ed Bublitz, Trea-surer Lynne Dodson, Secretary Sandy Ross and CLPA Auxiliary Co-Presidents Shirley Kadlecek and Pat Mattina.

CLPA’s fall concert series includes:

• Oct. 14 — Celtic harpist Patrick Ball.

• Nov. 18 — Lake County Symphony Winter Concert.

• Dec. 16 — Annual Christ-mas concert.

Concerts begin at 3 p.m. in the Kelseyville High School Student Center.

Admission is $10 for CLPA members and $15 for the general public. Children younger than 18 will be admitted free. For concert information and reserva-tions, call 279-0877. Informa-tion can also be found on the CLPA Web site, www.clearlake-performingarts.org.

Cynthia Parkhill

Our First Friday Flings are becoming “the place to be” because of the new art, artists, music, and the convivial guests. These openings would

not take place without the coordination of the Gallery Committee, and our participation in “Taste of Lakeport” was very beneficial in our exposure to the community, the wineries, businesses, and we experience fair sales. The Gallery will also be open for the Dickens Faire Nov. 24.

“Art in the Park” was a wonderful success, thanks to our sponsors: Applerain Nursery and Florist, Angelina’s Bakery and Cafe, The Buckhorn Club, Candy Chaos, The Healing Earth, The Kitchen Gallery, Sandi’s Interiors, Shore Line Realty, Watershed Books and our colorful pastel art-ists who filled up the entire walkway, and especially to Betty Lou Surber, Patsy Mitchell, Richard Seisser and Xian Yeagan, who manned the event all day, and Karen Magnesun for her creative poster. The day’s festivities included wonderful sounds from the Gazebo by Dan Meyer, Harmony with Little Deer, Orion, and Little Ritchie, Scott Sommers, Ian Shaul and Phil Mathewson and Friends and, of course, the always entertaining Bert Hutt as MC.

Congratulations to Nina Marino, Mike Adams, Amy Casey, Walley Fuller, Taira St. John, John Ross, Chef Nicholas and staff, auctioneer Ed Nickerman, the musicians and for all the others whose efforts made for a wonderfully choreographed and successful “Evening Under the Stars” at Ceago Vinegarden. We are so close to meeting Jim Soper’s “Challenge” thanks to your hard work. And to all of you who attended the event, thank you for your continued support of the Soper-Reese project.

Next on the agenda for LCAC is Children’s Creative Art Day at Museum Park on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007. This will also include the Scarecrow Contest to which we donate $50 for each participating classroom. Patsy Mitchell will be out seeking sponsors so that we can accommodate as many classrooms as possible. Anyone wishing to donate their time, dollars, or ideas can contact me at 263-1871, Patsy or the Gallery at 263-6658.

Plans are underway for an annual meeting to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Lakeport Yacht Club; so, please watch your newspapers for more information as to date and time.

We would not be the organization that we are without all of you who volunteer at all of these events and work behind the scenes doing publicity, setting up and cleaning up, hosting the Gallery, arranging the gift shop, and doing other “grunt” work. Because of your efforts, LCAC continues on and grows. Thank you!

Shelby PosadaExecutive Director

Look forward to the wines of Zoom Winery and the music of Ian Shaul at The Main St. Gallery’s October First Friday Fling. In November enjoy a real treat as you listen to the harmonies of the

Vintage Quartet while sipping Ployez’s fine wines. December’s festivities are livened up by Teale Love with his Celtic guitar and the music of Brassfield Estates. All this while being surrounded with an

array of fine art in various mediums.

You can look foward to at least three new artists each month in addition to further appreciating the artists of the earlier shows. Thank you to all the fine

musicians who have con-tributed to our openings and to Rosa d’Oro, Tulip Hill, Steele Wines, Terrill Cellars, Wildhust and Shannon Ridge for pouring their delectable wines.

What’s coming up

at the Arts Council’s

First Friday Fling?


Facca’s ‘Award of Excellence’

by Ray Farrow

Richard Seisser, chair of the Main Street Gallery commit-

tee, is delighted to announce the opportunity for our community to view the pastel and oil paintings that garnered for Joan Facca an “Award of Excellence for Body of Work” at the Art “Showcase #4,” a prestigious art venue presented by the Plaza Art Center, Healdsburg.

The paintings will be on view Oct. 1 through 30. Come congratu-late and celebrate with Joan at the gallery’s First Friday Fling, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 5.

n “Small Wonders”

Come share the viewing pleasures

of art miniatures when 10 Lake County artists show their work in “Small Wonders,” the first of what we hope will be an annual show of miniature paintings.

The “Small Wonders” are minia-ture paintings of 144 square inches (including frame) or less and will be shown in the Main Street Gallery, Nov. 24 through Dec. 30, 2007. Opening festivities will be during the First Friday Fling, Dec. 7.

Join us as we celebrate the Christ-mas season with art, wine and music and remember this will also be an opportunity to browse the Gift Shop for those artistic one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends.

Painting by Joan Facca

Meanwhile, the fundraising committee, led by Nina Marino, successfully completed the second-annual “Concert Under the Stars” at Ceago Del Lago on Sept. 8. It was a wonderful event that raised another $25,035 and a donation of $10,000 from the Priest Family Foundation, leaving only $16,567 remaining to meet the “Soper Challenge” to raise $300,000 in the community that Jim and Florence Soper will then match with another $200,000.

This project has come a long way and support from our community has been heartwarming. But there is still a lot more to do before our County has a professional Perform-ing Arts Theatre that we can all be proud of. For information on how you can help, please contact John Ross at 263-6120.

SOPER REESE, from Page 2

Xian Yeagan

KPFZ recently hosted an open house to celebrate its new stu-dio space at 149 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

New home for radio station

Classes at the Main Street Galleryby Xian Yeagan

We have enlarged the back room in order to have more space for meetings and classes, and we have indeed had more meetings. We have not had very many classes this year, however, and this is an oversight we need to correct.

We have had many classes at the Gallery in the past, and they have been worthwhile for everyone. We have had photography classes, classes in specific watercolor tech-niques, in abstraction, in writing poetry, in publishing books, in crafts. We have had

classes for adults, for children, for seniors and for all the above.

The teachers get most of the tuition fees. The space rental is inexpensive, the Arts Council takes care of all the record-keeping and most of the promotion for the class, and the artists of Lake County learn new skills at a reasonable cost. This is a win-win-win situation.

If you have a skill that you think others might like to learn, contact us. You set the minimum and maximum class size to suit your teaching style.


Children’s art day in Lakeport

Xian Yeagan

The Lake County Arts Council will host Children’s Cre-ative Art Day on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Museum Park in Lakeport. The LCAC will donate $50 to each classroom that participates in its scarecrow contest; it invites sup-port from local sponsors. For more information, to make a donation or volunteer, please call Shelby Posada at 263-1871, Patsy Mitchell or the gallery at 263-6658.

One thing that I have learned from the “Art news from around the world” pages on our

Web site is how effective plein air painters have been in their use of blogs.

There are many plein air artists who maintain a daily or weekly blog showing their most recent pieces along with a little story about the location where the painting was done or something else of interest about the work. The paintings are of-fered for sale on the blog, but I have no idea how successful the sales are. Whatever therewards for creating these blogs may be, there seem to be a number of them.

You can view plein air blogs by clicking on the “Plein Air News, Blogs, and Web site Links from Around the World” link near the top of the Arts Council opening page (www.lakecountyartscoun-cil.com).

Another page that has been showing some interesting returns is “Community Theater News, Blogs, and Web site Links International,” which is updated weekly. It is found in the “Theatrical Notices of Various Kinds” section of the opening page.

A new Web site has been created, sponsored by Konocti Adult School, which is dedicated to showing the artwork of Lake County artists. This is a wonderful effort, and the folks doing it have committed to a lot of work. They should be honored for it.

You can take the link to it from the Arts Coun-cil Web site or go to www.sandfeathers.org. There is no charge to show your work, and I gather that there is help available to get your work photo-graphed for inclusion. You can write to [email protected] or [email protected] for more infor-mation.

Xian YeaganLCAC Web master

Artists, consider a blog

This is your last chanceto see the Lake County Outdoor Sculpture Walk for 2007. Exhibits will remain up through mid-

October in the Middle-town County Trailside Park. Information: www.LakeCountyEcoArts.org.

‘Art in the Park’ a success

Xian Yeagan

“Art in the Park,” held Saturday, Sept. 1, was a wonder-ful success thanks to the artists, musicians, volunteers and sponsors who participated.

Would you like to become a member or do you need to renew? Use this handy form!


Executive Director: Shelby Posada, 263-1871; [email protected]

Board of Directors:President — Sandi Ciardelli, 263-0663 (home), 263-8132 (work); [email protected] President — John Ross, 263-6120; [email protected] — Betty Lou Surber, 263-4721; [email protected] — Susan Krones, 263-2251; [email protected]

Annie Barnes, 263-3010 (work), 274-9251 (home)Carol Dobusch, 279-1169; [email protected] Holman, 263-1345Glenneth Lambert, [email protected] Peake, 279-1130 (home), 349-4316 (cell); [email protected] Quitiquit, 263-5553Norman “Wink” Winckler, 279-2965 (home), 349-0934 (work); [email protected] Surber, 263-4721; [email protected]

Voris Brumfield (Board Member Emeritus), 987-3461

Staff and Office Volunteers:Betty Lou Surber, The Great OzDiana Liebe, Gift ShopJohn Ross, Membership

LCAC Media:Webmaster — Xian Yeagan, [email protected] Editor — Cynthia Parkhill, 277-0296 (home), 295-7554 (cell); [email protected]

Gallery Committee Members:Floyd Surber, Mary Lawson, Bonnie Ewing, Diana Liebe, Gaylene McComb, Pat Courtney, Ray Farrow, John Eells, Ron Snider, Richard Siesser, Gwen Ravino, Patsy Mitchell

Soper-Reese Committee:Mike Adams, Amy Casey, Sandi Ciardelli, Carol Do-busch, Wally Fuller, Nina Marino, Donna Peterson, John Ross, Taira St. John, Floyd Surber

Vaudeville 2008 to open the Soper-Reese Theatreby Xian Yeagan

The initial phase of construction of the

Soper-Reese Theatre will be over in January. There will be an interim period when performances will be held in the unfinished (but greatly improved) hall, during which funds will be raised for the final contruction push.

The first show to be held in the Soper-Reese will be the Winter Music Fest/Vaudeville 2008. That will be held on Jan. 26 and 27. Letters announcing the audition will soon be going out to previous Music Fest participants, but anyone who would like to try out should contact the Arts Council and leave contact information. The Music Fest is held for the benefit of the Lake County Arts Council.

For Winter Music Fest 2007 we developed our modern vaudeville format, incorporating more than the purely musical acts we had

used before. It was a lot of fun and was well received.

For this show we are looking for solo musicians, singers, and small musical groups. We are also look-ing for jugglers, magicians, trained dog acts, Shake-spearian monologues, slack-wire performers, slapstick duets and stand-up come-dians. A unicyclist singing torch songs in Lithuanian would be nice.

Audition date is Dec. 8 at the Main Street Gallery. Ap-plications will be mailed to

those who wish to partici-pate, and must be back at the office by Nov. 11.

Once we have the ap-plications, audition times will be set for the individual acts and the artists will be notified of their scheduled appointment by phone, or they will be able to come in or call to find that out.

Due to the success of our policy of no pre-recorded music in the show, we will be continuing that practice this year. This is made pos-sible thanks to the assistance

of the extraordinarily versa-tile pianist David Neft. Any vocalist who does not have a live accompanist will be accompanied by David, and he will set up rehearsal times as needed.

Preference will be given to acts that are polished and performance-ready at the time of the audition.

Costume is important in this format. Even if the act is to be “good old down home,” the costum-ing should be done with skill and intent, and stand out. This is vaudeville, after all. Tuxedos are acceptable garb; bikinis, bandoleiros and babushkas are in there too, as are feathers, veils, coveralls and balloons.

This is going to be a hot show. You’ll want to be in it, and part of a momentous occasion in the cultural life of the valley of the lake. Momentous!

Would you like to become a member or do you need to renew? Use this handy form!


by Sandra Wade

Writers’ Circle with Poet Laure-ate Sandra Wade on the first

Thursday of each month continues to be enjoyable and productive. Come to share or just to listen.

There are now several opportunities for writers to participate in open mic venues:

• Every Friday (so far), 6 to 8 p.m. at Terrill Winery, Tuscany Village next to Lower Lake Post Office;

• First Friday: Open mic, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bookkeeper, Cobb Village (next to Hardesters);

• First Saturday: Open mic, 7 to 9 p.m. at La Sirena deli and sandwich shop, corner of State Route 175 and Main Street at downtown traffic light in, Middletown.;

• Second Friday: Open mic at Java Express, Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, 7

to 9 p.m.; and• Last Friday: Acoustic & Poetry

“Unplugged,” 3 p.m. at Wild About Books, 14290 Olympic Drive in Clearlake.

To perform at an open mic, arrive and sign up 30 to 15 minutes earlier than start.

n Dancing Poetry FestivalOn Sept. 29 Sandra Wade and yoga

students Cynthia Parkhill, JoAnn Sac-cato and Jonathan Donihue performed in the Dancing Poetry Festival.

The event, organized by Embassy Arts International, was in the Califor-nia Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco. Two poems by Sandra Wade were interpreted to music by Shawkie Roth, in yoga and dance.

n October

From 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, Clive Matson will again inspire writers to get creative at a “Flash Fic-tion” workshop. Call the LCAC at 263-6658 to register. Fee is $55.

Oct. 15 has been named National Poetry Day and is also the 151st an-niversary of Oscar Fingall O’Flaherty Wilde’s birthday. Celebration TBA.

n Poet laureate applicationsApplications are invited for the

position of 2008-2010 Poet Laureate of Lake County. E-mail [email protected] or call 995-9121 for details.

Deadline is Jan. 15, 2008 so that the new incumbent may be announced on March 15 at a reception with readings by all who applied. April is Interna-tional Poetry Month!

Lake County Poet Laureate’s report ...


Main Street Gallery

We have been working on the Main Street Gallery and the Arts Council office for the last couple of years, and the results have been pretty satisfactory. Especially satisfying has been the enlarging and brightening of the Student Gallery, which we see as being a very significant part of our work.

Most of the work in the Student Gallery is submitted by private or public art teachers from the work of their students. Perhaps once per year, students will get in touch on their own, and if they have enough work ready to hang

they can have a one-person show; if they don’t we can put them together with another student.

There is no charge to hang in the Student Gallery, and we can be of help in preparing the work for display.

During the summer, when school is out, we don’t get the teachers’input, and we are more dependant on the individual students, but we are open to individual students at all times. If you are a student in any school system and want your work to be seen, please come and talk to us.

Xian Yeagan

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Non-ProfitUS Postage PaidLakeport, CA

95453Permit #75

Lake County Arts Council325 N. Main StreetLakeport, CA 95453(707) 263-6658

ArtNotes

ArtNotes is produced four times a year, in January, April, July and October. Editorial and advertising deadlines are on the 15th day of the previous month. Please send articles to Cynthia Parkhill, [email protected].

A call for student artwork in the gallery ...

Lake County Arts Council MembershipsPlease welcome our new members (March through August 2007)

New Student MembersDiane GatesDonna HollandDenise Hueners

New Individual MembersBeatrice BarberPat Brewer

Gail ErasmyDan GibsonPatricia KalisYaela KolbergLeslie LevitasChris MallockGayla MaxwellPatsy Mitchell

Joe Bastida RodriquezShannon Tolson

New Family MembersCorrine AndersonBob & Merilark JohnsonTerry & Sabrina Rogers

Thank you!

art notes, fall 2007

Entertainment & Humor