Friday, November 18, 2011

Random Dirt, Weekend Picks: 11/18/11

Friday : Debut of Magic Flute Sessions: Innocent Sinners, 7:30 - 10:00pm
(directions) 
if anyone would like to carpool to this show please contact me! My personal "vehicle for change" has room for 3.  Just chip in for fuel and pay your own admission! I'm the Designated Driver and I leave Mill Valley at 7:00 pm. Scheduled to return to Mill Valley at 10:00 pm - open to negotiation, depending upon who else is in the vehicle!
Saturday :
1:00 pm : Bay Area Discovery Museum:  Essence w/Susan Z Kid Music : 1:00 - 1:30 pm FREE (more)
8:00 pm : 142 Throckmorton : San Francisco Music Club : Jimmy Dillon, Lorin Rowan, and a bunch of great players (tickets)

Related post : http://www.pacificsun.com/news/show_story.php?id=3780&e=y

Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday Morning Musings

Just got back from a nice brisk walk on Evergreen. It's a very unique place in this world - it has no sidewalks, so the whole street is more like a multi use pathway : a mixture of cars, pedestrians and bicyclists.  I love that street.
During my walk, I had a chance to think about the weekend, and my goals for this week. Many loose ends to tie up, and I have to get that calendar info to Barry so we can have it printed in time for the next Breastival show.
On Saturday, Seager Gray Gallery had a WONDERFUL turnout for their grand opening on Sunnyside Avenue. We've posted some pics on our facebook page : CLICK HERE It's a great space filled with thought provoking pieces, and I ran into a bunch of friends that I just saw the previous night at Shelley and Dave's 11/11/11 party. I talked to Dave Rodrigues, who was about to head over to the Throckmorton for the Boogie Woogie Night. (I met Dave in 2009, while we were practicing for Thrill the World Sausalito.) He mentioned  the Conrad Murray trail and I promised to send him the link to 'First Do No Harm.' ...Anyway, I'm very excited about what is going on in our community. I sense a new appreciation for music and the rebirth of our local arts scene - and a commitment by people with resources to support the arts all over America. Or maybe it's just me becoming more aware of it, because I now have my roots firmly planted in Mill Valley, following my dreams without any distractions. Speaking of which, I'm going to make a few calls and send out some emails, post something on facebook - to see if I can gather some local non-profit arts partners for an Art Place America LOI - which is due tomorrow! Or, maybe the outreach will inspire some others to partner with each other, whereever they want to "create an art place." We are all connected, so we can all work together to replace some more dead empty store fronts with vibrant, art filled spaces - where people are creating, sharing and LIVING LIFE. - Mari
p.s. I'll be hanging at "Grow" in Tam Junction at Mill Valley Potter's Studio on Weds. from 1-6 pm. Stop by and say "hi."
p.s.s. : some talented players at this "Magic Flute Sessions" event on Friday : https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106545656125917






 

Friday, November 11, 2011

Random DIRT : 11/11

The epicenter of the Marin Arts world is experiencing a shift...
After an abrupt and unexpected dismissal from his position as Marin Arts Council's Executive Director (the Board cited "budgetary issues" as the reason) Argo Thompson has found his footing at a place that probably feels a bit more like home : Mill Valley's 142 Throckmorton Theatre. 
In a strange plot twist, he is their new Development Director (fundraising a key component of the job) but this position seems a better fit for him - after all, he has a theatre background and has raised funds to build the 6th Street Playhouse. It would appear that San Rafael's loss is Mill Valley's gain. Sure, Argo has a bit longer of a commute, but he drives a hybrid!
Another arts entity that is out of San Rafael is Donna Seager Gallery. Donna has forged a partnership with her long time gallery assistant, Suzanne Gray McSweeney and the pair have opened up a new space : the Seager Gray Gallery - at 23 Sunnyside in Mill Valley.  Grand Opening : Nov. 12th, 5:00-8:00 pm 
A little farther down the road in Tam Junction,  Grow Art and Garden Education Center officially opened its doors on November 5th.  I was so impressed with Grow and the positive energy of the Potters' Studio director, Jennie Dito, that I've committed to a class for the next six weeks  - it's a great workout for my hands between all this social media, blogging, and learning to play guitar.  Our teacher, Lynne Meade, is a treasure trove of knowledge, as she's been making ceramics since she was eight years old! How amazing is that?  Lynne also teaches at Cal and has shown her beautiful porcelain pieces at Sausalito Art Festival. What an inspiration. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity so close to home.
Speaking of cultivating creativity at an early age - Megan Schiller is also teaching at Grow - her Make + Believe Children's Art Studio, which occupies a tot-sized space, is just right for little budding artists. 
If you haven't been to Grow yet, check it out at Tam Junction a long abandoned building is now bursting with plant life, chickens and art - you'll LOVE what they've done with the place!





Monday, November 7, 2011

Checked out GROW

We checked out GROW over the weekend, the new art, garden sustainability center in TAM Junction. We've posted pics on our facebook page.

Friday, November 4, 2011

This Weekend's Picks

Just ONE Pick! Grand Opening :
GROW Art & Garden Education Center: Saturday, November 5th, 2011
Pinch me, I'm dreaming - GROW shares several core values with the vision for the Artsboretum (without the music / recording studio, of course...)  It's  a  new sustainability-themed art and garden education center, founded by Proof Lab Surf Shop and Alpha Dog, in Mill Valley, CA
I have nothing to do with this endeavor (yet?) but it is wonderful to see someone else with a similar vision and the resources to take it from concept to reality. I wish them great success!
I'll be there on Saturday to check them out and say "hello"  - maybe I'll sign up for a pottery class!
245 Shoreline Highway, Mill Valley 

 - Mari

Wednesday, November 2, 2011