Arts & Culture Committee

Comment

Comment by Laura Feldman on May 7, 2009 at 9:50pm

After meeting notes:

The poetry organizer, Dan Raphael is on board. So we'll have Story time and Poetry happening. Would there be a stipend for poets?

Have lines out to Choro group and Samba Gata, a woman's samba band that will be playing this Friday at PSU's carnaval.

Re: Simone's suggesting I'll put a request on CNRG post for a stage donation.

Wondering about putting up a flyer at some of the local cafes asking interested musicians/artists to contact us if they're interested in performing at the market?

We should have a sandwich board that lists the day's events. Don't know if that would be our responsibility?

Comment by Laura Feldman on May 7, 2009 at 9:43pm

After meeting notes:
Peter’s Choro
Samba Gata
Putting up flyer at café’s seeking entertainment
Sign board for day’s events
Storage
Craig’s list for stage

Comment by Laura Feldman on April 21, 2009 at 2:07pm

Hi A&C C,

I spoke with the Lions, the director says they're already very busy that week and it's not enough money.

There's a Choro band who's director has expressed interest. He's going to be performing with his group this Saturday from 3 - 6 pm at the Multnomah Bldg. in Multnomah Village. I work so won't be there but if anyone's interested. It's $6 and different Choro groups will be performing.

So after you read what Choro is, tell me 1) if you're interested and 2) what date would work best for this group.

Laura
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What is Choro?

Choro (pronounced “shoh-roh;” “cho” as in “sho” of “show,” “ro” as in “ro” of “rose” when pronounced with a Scottish accent), popularly called chorinho, is a Brazilian popular and instrumental music genre that has more than 130 years of existence. A Choro Ensemble is called “Regional,” and a musician, composer or instrumentalist is called “Chorão” (or weeper). In spite of its name, this kind of music has, in general, a very vibrant and cheerful beat, characterized by the virtuosity and improvisation of its participants. Choro represents the most typical Brazilian instrumental formation, as well as the longest-standing musical organized group within the Brazilian popular music.

The Choro Ensemble is traditionally formed of one or more solo instruments (flute, mandolin, clarinet or saxophone) and the cavaquinho, guitars and pandeiro as accompaniment instruments. The cavaquinho performs the “core” of the harmony, one or more 6-string guitars (along with the 7-string guitar) perform the harmony and the variations/modulations, the 7-string guitar acts as bass, and the pandeiro establishes and keeps the rhythm of the music. The cavaquinho, despite its limited range extension, can also be used as a solo instrument.

Choro, in its essence, is a purely instrumental musical genre. In the very few cases of Choros with lyrics we may say that a large part was written years after they were composed by the author, or even years after the composer’s death.

We could say that Choro has its historical dawn in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the early 19th century, with the arrival of the Portuguese Royal Family in Brazil, fleeing from Napoleon’s invasion and bringing along fifteen thousand Europeans. As a direct consequence, the city of Rio de Janeiro undergoes unprecedented urban and cultural transformations. Musicians, new musical instruments and new European rhythms reach the city and are immediately accepted by local society. Before long, the city of Rio de Janeiro becomes known, as attested by the poet Araújo Porto Alegre, as “the city of pianos.”

Comment by Laura Feldman on April 3, 2009 at 4:00pm

Yes, I'll get storytime contact info from Allison and I'll ask around a bit. I know of a fellow poet who ran the reading series at Borders downtown for years which ended not long ago. I'll see if he might be interested. I like more the idea of an open series where folks sign up to read. That may be a good way of fleshing out N. Portland poets, and some of the young Roosevelt poets. We'll see.

Also next Wed. would work for me as the poetry reading I mentioned last night at U of P is at 4:30. So if you still want to meet I can.

Laura

Comment by Mark Hitchcox on April 2, 2009 at 11:15pm

That's great Laura. We can advertise poetry as part of the arts. Not sure how much interest there would be from the poet community to read at the Bookseller. How can we find out? We need someone to lead this.
Childrens storytime would be great too. Can you have Allison send us the contact of the person who wants to lead that?
Do we know any poets?

Comment by Laura Feldman on April 1, 2009 at 1:59pm

Dear Folks,

I spoke with Allison today, owner of the St. John's bookstore, and she's very interested in having a reading series on market days. I initially proposed poetry readings but I'd have to find someone to coordinate the series as I can't be there. So I'll be looking. But most interestingly she said that she knows someone who's been wanting to lead a children's storytime and she'd be glad to work that out with them to have these take place on market days. That sounded wonderful to me. Maybe once a month (three times this season?) doing a poetry reading. What do folks think?

Laura

Comment by Mark Axton on February 6, 2009 at 5:14pm

Mmmm... cultcha!

Comment by Katrina Scotto di Carlo on February 5, 2009 at 9:33pm

I haven't been to a planning meeting for the SJFM yet - what kindof Arts&Culture are people envisioning? Music like at other Farmers Markets? Or something bizarre and wonderful? What's happening here?

Comment by Laura Feldman on November 25, 2008 at 1:29pm

La Musica!!! En la communidad!!!