Eugene Weekly

At 36, Seattleite and dancer Savannah Fuentes has spent half her life studying flamenco. “Flamenco is a lifelong commitment,” she says. “It’s hard. It’s really hard.” Fuentes brings her show “El Sol de Medianoche, Flamenco en Vivo” to Cozmic 8 pm Monday, Feb. 24; $20 general, $10 students, $7 kids 12 and under. The Spanish dance is unique, Fuentes says, because while other Latin dances — salsa, tango — are social or with a partner, flamenco is mostly for soloists, and the footwork is particularly complex. Continue reading →

Just announced: The Bali Arts Festival has invited LCC’s Balinese dance troupe Tirtha Tari to perform in the capital of Denpasar June 21, 2014. The troupe, consisting of six LCC students led by dance instructor Bonnie Simoa, will study the Legong dance form with master teacher Sang Ayu Ketut Muklen. See Tirtha Tari perform for the Asian Celebration 1:30 pm Saturday, Feb. 15, and 10:55 am Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Lane County Fairgrounds. Erin Elder of Balinese dance group Tirtha Tar  Photo by Michael Brinkerhoff Continue reading →

The Oregon Arts Commission, in conjunction with The Ford Family Foundation, announced the names of 23 artists who will receive Career Opportunity Grants with a total of $61,744 awarded. Scottish-born, Portland-based fiber artist Jo Hamilton received $1,500 for the Contemporary Northwest Visions exhibit and accompanying catalog opening April 1 at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Although Hamilton paints as well, her crochet “paintings” of people and cityscapes are her signature work. Got grant envy? Continue reading →

Oscar prep: Who has two hours for a movie anymore (or three hours, ahem, The Wolf of Wall Street)? Bijou Art Cinemas (on 13th) and the Bijou Metro (downtown) begin screening 2014 Oscar-nominated short films Jan. 31, including animated, live action and documentary films. EW picks: The Lady in Number 6 about Alice Herz Sommer, the world’s oldest pianist and Holocaust survivor at 109 years old; the Steampunk-inspired animated hijinx of Mr. Continue reading →

Eugene’s biggest dance event of the year, Dance for a Reason (DFAR), celebrates its 20th year 7:30 pm Friday, Jan. 24, at the Hult; $20. This year the nonprofit recital will benefit the School Garden Project and feature more than 20 dance organizations and groups including Kindrid Tribal Belly Dance, Crazy Diamond Hoop Troupe, Kings Krew and Ballet Fantastique. Continue reading →

Oregon’s story wouldn’t be complete without Ken Kesey, and OPB took that to heart with “Ken Kesey,” part of its Oregon Experience film series. The one-hour special premieres 7:30 pm Thursday, Jan. 16, at the McDonald Theatre; tickets are free on a first-come, first-served basis at mcdonaldtheatre.com or at the door. OPB TV will air the special on Jan. 20 at 9 pm.   Continue reading →

“Whatever satisfies the soul is truth,” wrote Walt Whitman in the preface to Leaves of Grass. By this logic, there may be no better truth than art and music, both of which will come to life in “American Luminosity: Our Poets, Our Composers, Our Art” 7:30 pm Friday, Jan. 10, at UO’s Beall Concert Hall. Continue reading →

First Friday ArtWalk opens 2014 with bright colors and natural themes. Hosted by arts writer and photographer Bob Keefer, the walk starts at 5:30 pm at The New Zone Gallery, which is hosting Natural Connections featuring the mixed-media art of David Race and Kathleen Howard Piper. Then to Urban Lumber for Wood Turnings Inspired by Nature, with the exquisite wooden bowls and plates of Tom Borener from Muse Woodcraft. The next stop is EW’s top pick: Do not miss the acrylic and oil paintings of Philomath-based artist Carolee Clark at Out On A Limb. Continue reading →

He dreams of Eugene in ink: San Diego transplant Thomas Fernandez is the artist behind this week’s cover illustration, bringing to life the slide dream of another local artist, Jud Turner (see cover story). For this illustration, Fernandez drew the outlines in ink, scanned the work and filled in the color digitally. In September, the 23-year-old moved to Eugene, where he says the lower cost of living has allowed him to focus more on art jobs and less on graphic design. Continue reading →

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 →