I Wish I Was At The MAC: Fast Forward Edition

This is a low key week at the MAC, event wise. Instead of discussing an event I'd like to attend this week, I'm going to tell you guys about the feisty duo kRi & hettie who will perform in the Bronwynn Theatre at 8pm next Friday, March 8th.

kRi & hettie are a Folk duo that bares their soul with the hope of uplifting yours. Founded in 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky, they sound as if they've played together for much longer. It might have to do with whole-heartedly embracing themselves and their voices that translates into seasoned confidence as well as an entertaining and inspiring show.

After skimming through my internet finds on them and watching some hilarious and/or invigorating videos on Youtube, here are the reasons why I'm sad I'll miss their show.

1. Two words: Spoken Word.

I'm a big fan of performance poetry. Going to open mics around Columbus and experiencing out of town features was an obsession of mine last year. When I read that spoken word is a big part of their music, kRi & hettie got my attention. Their sound is very much Ani DiFranco, 90s-coffee-shop soul, which I like.

The majority of each song is spoken word, which highlights that the words, and their meaning, are the important part. Hettie's warm guitar playing is like a chaser to help the lyrics go down smooth. It conveys the mood the words open you up to.

2. They Conspire to Inspire

On their Facebook page, they promise "Uplifting Music that is Medicine for the SOUL."

We all get bogged down with monthly payments (cars, mortgage, rent) jobs we hate, or love but stress us out, kids to pick up or clean up after, school work to finish, chores to do, friendships and romances--it's all a chaotic mess. Sometimes it's energizing and gives us a glow for this life we live and love, but sometimes it clouds our vision and we get lost.

The goal of their music is to defog our windshield eyes and remind us of the joy we experience in each living breath. This journey of continuously finding and being ourselves.



3. Sense of Humor
These women are funny! They have a song about cats that I thought was hilarious, but don't feel comfortable talking about because we are a family establishment. Click this link if you want to listen. I encourage you to listen to both, but it's the second song that starts at 04:55.

Not only do they sing funny songs, but their stories and personalities in between songs are just as exuberant and silly. It's obvious they're having fun on stage and want to connect with you.

4. They're Comfortable in Their Skin
I might love them the most for their self love, especially because it feeds everything else on this list. Both women are personable and genuine. Watching them feels like hanging out in their living room after a night of drinking and dancing or an summer evening on their back porch. They're happy with themselves and in the truest form of kindness, they just want to share that love with their audience and help them feel it too. They're here to be themselves and have fun and encourage you to do the same.

Combine all of the above and you've got a hell of a show.

I Wish I Was At The MAC: Ray Charles Tribute

The event I cannot attend this week, but you should, is the Thursday Night Concert Series presents: Ray Charles Tribute Band with Roger Hines.

The concert is part of the MAC's Black History Month celebration. Other events (past and to come) include: Art Off the Square's drumming circle with Freda Abbott-Ayodele and Yvonne Mumin before the Get Reel Film @ the MAC presented the documentary Give Me The Banjo last Sunday, and tonight at 7:30pm Worthington Kibourne High School Jazz Ensemble and Thomas Worthington High School Jazz Band, and the Grace Polaris Jazz Ensemble all perform different songs from big band, swing, and bebop jazz genres.

But this Thursday a band whose mission is to bring the joy of Ray Charles live performances is playing at the MAC.

If you click here, you'll be taken to a short article that highlights Hines's relationship with Ray Charles and why he felt compelled to form the tribute band. Many variations of Hines's fateful call from Ray Charles's road manager asking him to join their tour can be found on the internet, so I'm not going to talk about that. Instead I'll provide a list of reasons why I'd like to be there.

Reasons Why I Want To Go:

1. The Musicians Are Talented

Again, Hines you can google and will find lists of musicians he's played with, places he's taveled, festivals he's performed at, the whole shebang. The other musicians take a little more digging, but from what Youtube's told me, they're stellar and they've dedicated most of their life to their instruments and jazz music.

2. They Love What They Do

This might sound like a given or something you can say about every musician--and you're right. But for me, their passion for jazz and specifically Ray Charles's music, is a musical love I haven't experienced before. I've spent a few hours each week googling jazz music and musicians for Black History Month jazz themed tweets on the MAC's twitter and based on my findings jazz is distilled emotion. When a musician plays, the listener might as well be taking straight shots of emotion. There is something raw in their playing even when it isn't improvised because what the music makes everyone feel is of upmost importance. I expect this spirit and energy in their music Thursday.

3. Ray Charles Performance Legacy

Spirit and energy are what Ray Charles was known for during live performances. Heel kicking, key-slapping, head thrown back JOY is his thing. During songs his audience would absorb his excitement and joy causing a positive feedback loop where their excitement would make him even more energetic and visibly excited, in turn making their hearts warm and sun-shiny until they supernova-ed and set the stage on fire (basically). Ray Charles wanted everyone to feel as good as he felt while he played. The Ray Charles Tribute band isn't just about skilled performances of well written songs, it's about sharing Ray Charles energy and performance style with anyone who's loved it or is open to hearing it.

4. "The Genius"
I've known of Ray Charles and his music since I was fourteen when I saw a trailer for Ray. I'm sure many of his songs have been used in a number of TV shows or movies I've watched. But before this month, that was about it. If you don't know much about him besides what I've just told you, look him up! Man is cool. Did you know he basically created Soul music?! That he's written music in almost every American genre! (jazz, soul, country, blues, bluegrass, gospel,  rhythm and blues, etc) And probably fused it with some other genre. He was an incredibly prolific songwriter and insanely good.

An opportunity to not only listen to his music, but performed live, by musicians who love this music and the man who wrote it, is something worth getting excited about.

Click the link on "Ray Charles Tribute Band with Roger Hines" for more information on the event and a link to buy pre-show tickets.

Have a good winter-weather week guys!

I Wish I Was At The MAC: Murder at 777 Evening Street

It might seem strange to wish I was at the scene of a murder, but when it's well written and acted, who could resist? For two and a half hours every Sunday the past four weeks, John Ondo taught his students about filmmaking while crafting their very own short film. The students range from fourteen year olds to adults, all interested in different aspects of what it takes to create a compelling story via film.

This Sunday, their film makes its debut before the Get Reel Film Series presents Give Me The Banjo; a comprehensive look at a quintessential American musical instrument, the banjo, from its African roots to contemporary jazz and into the 21st century. 

John Ondo, the class instructor as well as President and Director of Ondo Media, was kind enough to answer a few questions about the film and Intro to Filmmaking class. 

What can you tell us about the film's plot? And how did the class come up with the idea?

Murder at 777 Evening Street is a classic whodunnit. Set at the McConnell Art Center, the story begins with a priceless vase that has been stolen and two security officers who have been murdered. The story unfolds as the detectives try to solve the crime. I wrote the main script, but then the class in a  collaborative effort made changes to it to make it their own.

How collaborative was the class? Was each student given a specific job or did everyone play some part in each aspect of developing and filming?

The class was designed as a overview of filmmaking. Students have been a part of everything from helping to shoot, edit and write and several students had acting roles as well. It's difficult to get too in depth in creating a  short film  in just 12 hours of class time.  I've spent many hours in preperation and editing during the past weeks so we can discuss each stage on Saturday. We will go in-depth with 2 new classes starting this spring which anyone can sign up for. First we will have a 3 week class focusing just on editing followed by a 3 week class to go in depth on shooting video with a digital SLR camera. And we will be offering a week long class for high school students this summer. We believe the MAC can become the place in central Ohio for students to learn and grow in the art of filmmaking.

John showing his students camera techniques 

Could you share one of your favorite moments teaching this class?

 I've enjoyed having some great local directors, actors and writers come into the class and share about filmmaking each week, but shooting the primary story with our volunteer actors  and students in just 6 hours took some real teamwork, and I was so proud of how everyone pitched in to make it all look amazing.

 In your experience, what do students usually gain, after taking this class?

I hope students leave this class and know that they have the basic tools now to create a compelling story and shoot and edit a short film that the whole world could potentially view via the Internet. I'm very excited about the stories the next generation of filmmakers are going to tell.

Can't make the film's premiere? An encore showing is in the works, potentially for next Sunday and the full film will be posted on the MAC's Facebook page, once it's no longer showing in the Bronwynn Theatre. 

Watch a sneak peak of the film here:

http://vimeo.com/59188026

I Wish I Was at the MAC: Been There, Done That Edition

Look at us, it’s only the second post of this weekly installment and we’re already growing and changing. The 1-day painters class I planned to write about was canceled due to lack of interest, (guess I should have written about it sooner because it sounded fun) so I’m going to talk about something I have experienced (yay) that relates to an event this Thursday I can’t attend (boo).

If you’ve been to the MAC at all since January 10^th, you’ve probably noticed the new art in the Corridor Galleries (along the halls in the basement, first and second floor). The artist, Beverly Darwin created these masterful pieces of art. Masterful is no understatement either. I’m not sure how long Darwin has been painting throughout her life, but she just received her BFA from the Columbus Collage of Art and Design in 2010.

I mean, look at it!

"Eye of God"

The subjects in Darwin’s art are inspired by places she’s traveled. Big Ben, Chinatown, desert landscape, and even Columbus all grace the MAC’s walls. Similar to our Main Gallery artist, Christine Guillot Ryan, Darwin is interested in the “symbolic, emotional, and psychological fragments” that we use to interpret our surroundings. Darwin uses mixed media to show the symbols and fragments she associates with the places she’s traveled.

"Romance Language"

Most media she includes give us an insight into how she sees these places in a subtle or clever (sometimes both) way. For example, "Western Sentinel, Colorado." In the painting of a fire hydrant amidst dry grass, matches are incorporated into the blades of grass, highlighting their flammability and relationship to the fire hydrant beyond location.

"Western Sentinel, Colorado"

In other paintings the connection is less clear, or harder to explain.

I’ve looked at her artwork a lot this past month. I go out of my way to walk down certain hallways just to look at some of my favorites and initially absorbing the vibrant, realistic images filled my belly with light. (total artistic review term right there) But honestly, since this exhibit and Fairytales & Finance have been on display, I’ve wondered: Is it possible for the stomach to release endorphins? Because that’s what it feels like when I look at their art.

"Desert Reef"

And if I wrote this review a month ago it would be titled: BELLY FULL OF LIGHT with just the images of her artwork between images of my smiling face. Looking at art can do that to a girl.

A month later, I’ve built up some immunity to that overwhelming feeling. It was fun while it lasted, but now my less fried brain can look at the media Darwin includes in each piece and interact with it. Instead of being blown away by her talent, I look at the details she’s added and wonder, “What does that mean?” Why use fabric there instead of paint?

"Moored, BVI"

And I don’t always have an answer, but it’s a fun idea to explore. I like what Darwin and Ryan are asking of us when they present their mixed media art with the question of fragments and perception and how they combine to make up our reality. 

I’ve read that one of the most important things art is supposed to do is change the way we see. I think that’s what’s happening when I look at Darwin’s art now and that’s kind of cool.

Whether you’ve already seen some of her work, or haven’t, or would like to meet Beverly Darwin and ask her what’s with those clown fish in the desert, come to the reception this Thursday from 5-6:30pm.

P.S. I apologize for the late post, adding as many photos as I did overwhelmed the wifi and made posting a much slower process than I would have liked.