Thursday with LHPAC: Self-"Expresso"
Ever been to an open mic night... that wasn't in a bar... and didn't have a cover charge?
During "Expresso Open Mic" people of all ages take the stage at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in Seattle.
On the first Friday evening of every month, Freshest Roots hosts the free, family-friendly event at the LHPAC. After a little warm-up by the emcees...
... adults as well as kids can perform whatever they want, as long as they keep it clean. Teens and twenty-somethings mostly take the mic.
But so do kids closer to The Boy's age of (nearly) eight -- I'm told a little girl once got up and sang opera, and another kid played a tuba. Not strictly hip-hop or R&B singers at Expresso, although the older kids do lean that way.
Expresso Open Mic is fairly popular; usually between 75 and 100 people show up, in a room that can hold 150. So if you're looking for some Friday night fun, here are the details:
WHEN: Tomorrow, December 7, and every first Friday
WHERE: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle
PARKING: Yes -- and it's free!
MORE INFO: LHPAC event calendar and http://www.seattle.gov/arts/
After tonight, you have four weeks to get a babysitter. Or not -- let the kids take the mic.
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.
During "Expresso Open Mic" people of all ages take the stage at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in Seattle.
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| All photos courtesy LHPAC & Freshest Roots |
WHEN: Tomorrow, December 7, and every first Friday
WHERE: Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle
PARKING: Yes -- and it's free!
MORE INFO: LHPAC event calendar and http://www.seattle.gov/arts/
After tonight, you have four weeks to get a babysitter. Or not -- let the kids take the mic.
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC," generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.
Artist Motherboard on Pinterest: where the artist moms hang out
I suppose I should get an easel at some point... and maybe a dedicated studio space. But for now, the kitchen table and a sturdy chair will do.
I know a few other women who work motherhood into their art schedule art into their parenting schedule. Perfect example: Aimee Dolich of Artsyville. (She'll try to say it's not true. Pretend you didn't hear it.) Together we invited a handful of other artists/mothers to launch the Artist Motherboard on Pinterest.
It's a shared board where we show each other our latest work... encourage each other to finish works-in-progress...
... and generally revel in being with people who get that we need the art as much as we need the kid(s). Sometimes more. Aimee and I started out with five more contributors:
And it's growing!
Liv Lane, Allison Strine, and 24 other artists who happen to be mothers now contribute to the Motherboard, and we're just two followers shy of 200! Come join us -- leave a comment on a Motherboard pin, or follow the Artist Motherboard. Love to see you there!
And it's growing!
Liv Lane, Allison Strine, and 24 other artists who happen to be mothers now contribute to the Motherboard, and we're just two followers shy of 200! Come join us -- leave a comment on a Motherboard pin, or follow the Artist Motherboard. Love to see you there!
Thursday with LHPAC: "Out There," making a difference
Don't you love it when someone actually decides to be the change they want to see in the world? Tonight, one young woman will be honored for changing life for a group of gay teens and young people.
Gray Newlin (the one at the mic) created the Out There Poetry Camp, a Seattle Parks & Recreation program geared specifically for 14-20-year olds who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexuality. In July, the kids spent a week at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center with (grown-up) poets, artists and performers who helped them strengthen their voices as artists and queer youth.
The camp culminated in a Friday night Camper Showcase event. And Newlin spent less than a thousand dollars putting together an enterprise that could've cost $8,000 (in cash, in-kind sponsorhips and volunteer time). Pretty awesome for a then-first-year college student who'd never organized an event of this scope before.
Tonight, Newlin will accept the "Making a Difference" Award, one of seven Denny Awards that Seattle gives to outstanding volunteers in Parks and Recreation programs. Check the LHPAC's Twitter feed for photos of the ceremony this evening!
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC", generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.
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| Photos courtesy Seattle Parks & Recreation Dept. |
FTC disclosure: I'm partnering with the LHPAC on a series I call "Thursdays with LHPAC", generally published on Thursdays. I am being paid an honorarium for my work. However, all opinions and views expressed in this series are my own.