Author: Alex V. Cipolle

Thrift a la Mode

St. Vincent de Paul and local designer join forces to keep fashion out of the waste stream

Culture
Mitra Chester

Each month, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County receives about a half million pounds of clothing. To put that in perspective, Boeing’s 747-8, one of the largest aircraft ever made in the U.S., weighs one million pounds. That is a lot of old clothing to sift through, but to some, that’s half a million opportunities to find a hidden treasure or a raw material. Continue reading →

Arts Hound

Visual Arts

World-famous photographer Imogen Cunningham bought her first camera at the age of 18. This wouldn’t be especially special except that the year was 1901 and women in photography were a rarity. Renowned for her unique, black-and-white botanical compositions and portraits, the late Portland-born photographer’s work is now on display at Springfield’s Emerald Art Center through Dec. 28. EAC called the exhibit its “ultimate coup of the year,” but that’s only half true; it’s a cultural gift for the whole community.   Continue reading →

Arts Hound

Visual Arts

When Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, he probably did not foresee it being told via acrobats, stilt dancers and jugglers. But that’s exactly what Portland’s Wanderlust Circus is doing, accompanied by bohemian chamber orchestra 3 Leg Torso, with “A Circus Carol” 8 pm Friday, Dec. 13, at McDonald Theatre. In what other context are you going to see Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future (as well as Hanukkah Past) doing aerial stunts? Humbug? More like hum diddly!   Continue reading →

Undead WYMPROV!

Comedy

“The four of us are kind of like sisters,” Vicki Silvers tells me over coffee pre-snowstorm at Noisette Pastry Kitchen, with her other “sister” Debbie Martin in tow. She’s speaking of the four women who make up WYMPROV!, a pioneering comedy improv group whose legacy in Eugene dates back more than two decades to its “Debut and Farewell” show at Agate Hall. Martin nods, adding that the foursome is supportive of each other on stage and off, getting together for frequent dinners and continuing “to get together and play.” Continue reading →

Corvallis’ Crescendo

Music
The Crescendo Show

There are not many muses as evocative as the salty, salty sea. With that Pacific mistress nearby, The Crescendo Show knows this well. “The ocean is always tied into a lot of our music,” says Ricky Carlson, banjo, guitar, drum and back-up vocal Renaissance man for the Corvallis-based indie folk band. “It’s a pretty vast subject to write about it.”  Continue reading →

THE BOREAL – New all ages venue

Music

UPDATE: The Boreal surpassed its goal $3,500 with time to spare! A much needed new venue has been proposed for Eugene: The Boreal will be an all-ages, DIY, collectively-run music and art space at 450 W. 3rd St. near Crux Rock Climbing Gym and REI. The venue will have a capacity for about 80 people, expects to host upwards of 10 shows a month and plans to open in January 2014. As The Boreal Kickstarter page stages: Continue reading →

Arts Hound

Visual Arts

Eugene Contemporary Art’s 5th Public Process artist residency is coming to a close: The painter and ceramicist from Georgia, William Ruller, will be giving a free lecture 7 to 8 pm Dec. 5 at the Wave Gallery. The following night, 7 to 9 pm Dec. 6, ECA will host Animula at the Wave, featuring art produced while Ruller was in residency (free).   Continue reading →

Arts Hound

Visual Arts

Please resist Black Friday (or Brown Thursday, or whatever the people who camp outside Best Buy call it these days). If you must indulge in retail therapy, try walking off those Thanksgiving calories and buying some local art on Last Friday ArtWalk in the Whit Nov. 29. Pop into Paper Moon Photo Studio, 543 Blair Blvd., for the show Remember the Red featuring art by those in the community affected by HIV in observation of World Aids Day; donations go to the HIV Alliance. Continue reading →