Arts Commission is looking for residents to review applications for the Poet Laureate position and help select public art.

Redmond, WA – The Redmond Arts Commission is seeking applications from citizens to participate in two programs. The first is involvement in the selection of public art, while the second is the review of applications for the Poet Laureate position.

Applicants must be Redmond residents though no special experience is necessary. Those selected will participate once or twice a month in public meetings with members of the Redmond Arts Commission.

Interested citizens should first email Mary Yelanjian at RAC@redmond.gov for an application. Mail applications to Mary Yelanjian, Arts Administrator, PO Box 97010, MS: 4NPK, Redmond WA 98073-9710. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

--- Marta Grunland, C.O.R. press release, 7/20

Take a break with this hilarious Avian Water commercial

ATTN: BMX'ers, Edge Park board skaters, Sammamish River Trail In-Line skaters and PSE mountain-bikers! Digital artists, too....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQcVllWpwGs

Credits, Stew Konzen's FaceBook

Redmond's Rising Arts and Literary stars

Tom Flynn's poetry

Eva Moon's music

Abbott A. Smith's art and poetry

I know Tom, Eva and Abbott. They are wonderful people who give lots of volunteer hours to the City. I hope you will enjoy their creative works!

Redmond artists and art students are invited to send me your home pages and individual pieces for posting.

Local artists often congregate and perform at "Soulfood Bookstore of Redmond" on Redmond Way - comprehensive website

&

"Oddfellow's Grill" on Leary Way - website

(Tom and Abbott are considering Poet Laureate)

Soulfood Book Store - "the heart and soul of Redmond's rising musical and literary artists".

Commissioner Clint McCune and some elementary kids sang "I am Alive" in Council Chambers at the beginning of a Council meeting last Tuesday. I think this is a first! and a feather in the cap for the City! Scroll down to the next story for details. I'm reposting a video clip of the kids singing with Clint and will post websites of Redmond musicians and poets as I learn of them.

Hey Bob -

I just wanted to thank you for all the work you do for our neighborhood. Also, about the kids, they all go to different schools and some of them aren't even in a music class. However, they all gather at Soulfood and play together. [see clip of kids singing with Clint below]

The song we performed was an original of mine called "I am Alive". We only rehearsed all together once the evening of the performance, but they all knew the song from listening to my bands album TWIRL "hope hum stomp strum" and hearing us live on the first Friday of every month. I would also like to invite you to this month's TWIRL show on July 3rd at 8-10pm. Also, we are streaming live all of our big shows and events through soulfood books.com so check it out and help us spread the word.

--Clint McCune, owner of Soulfood Books, Music, and Organic Coffee
"...the heart and soul of Redmond's rising musicians and literary artists"

Soulfood - Redmond's comprehensive website

"I am Alive" (clip)
..as performed in City Council chambers during this week's council meeting.

Tom Flynn's Poetry: http://mythman.typepad.com/poetry/

Eva Moon's music

Abbott A. Smith's art and poetry

Urban Musical Instruments - a new art idea for Redmond

Chrisopher Janney - creator of "urban musical instruments"

Opinion: The Arts Commission (left) was LIVE on RC-TV May 14 hosting Christopher Janney, architect, jazz musician, and world renowned "sound and light installation artist". Awesome. Mr. Janney integrates music and lighting with architecture to stimulate social interaction and gathering in public places. The best way to understand the nature of Christopher's creative work is to view this video (2m) highlighting some of his installation art from around the country.

Paraphrasing Arts Commission Chair John Stilin: 'Art connects people. The purpose of Art in Redmond is to build community. Art brings people together. It's what gets people talking together.'

Before the meeting, John Stilin and staff took Mr. Janney on a tour through the city to brainstorm for ideas on Cleveland Avenue and the Downtown Park. Mr. Janney suggested: linear street lighting transformed into 'musical instruments' as pedestrians walk by. Also, "Sonic Trees" in a plaza could "act as a magnet" to citizens by the music they generate from human activity.

Christopher Janney was impressed with Redmond's nature and technology assets. He perceives nature and technology as harmonic. Mr. Janney looks at his installation art as enhancing the work of a landscape architect.

Christopher Janney is an impressive, incredibly creative individual, specializing in "thinking outside of the box." Janney has a B.A. in Architecture from Princeton, 1973 and is a jazz musician, winning the prestigious New York Talent Poll in 1975. He has a Masters in Environmental Art from M.I.T. Janney's thesis was: "SOUNDSTAIR: The nature of environmental / participatory art." The Arts Commission has really done their homework bringing Mr. Janney to Redmond. I hope he will 'enhance' our Downtown someday.

Website: http://www.janney.com/

Redmond High orchestra wins a performance spot at Carnegie Hall

Redmond Students to Perform at Carnegie Hall May 24, 2009

Redmond, Wash. – Students from the Redmond High School orchestras have learned the way to Carnegie Hall: it takes practice, practice, practice… and a great conductor!

A group of 40 students from the Redmond High School String and Chamber Orchestras and the Redmond Junior High School Advanced Orchestra and their conductor, Lake Washington School District teacher Paula C. Ferguson, will be traveling to New York City over Memorial Day weekend to perform at Carnegie Hall. The students won a coveted performance spot at the famous concert hall by submitting a recording of their best work from the last several years.

Redmond High School principal Jane Todd, who will be accompanying the group to their Carnegie Hall debut, is enthusiastic in her praise of the students and their conductor. “Thanks to Mrs. Ferguson’s work, we’ve built an orchestra that’s second to none,” Todd said. “We’ll be taking our Mustang pride all the way to New York City.”

--May 13, 2009 Contact: Kathryn Reith, kreith@lwsd.org or 425-702-3342

Thoughts on Redmond parks and arts

UPDATED: Opinion: I just came home from a city Parks Public Meeting. The city objective was to get us to "vision" what kind of parks and art our city will have 6-20 years out. Carolyn Hope, the new senior parks planner (of 3 months), led the meeting. I think she is also a Program Manager. I've seen Ms. Hope present four times, including a double presentation to the Planning Commission and an outdoor Dirt Bike public meeting. She was also interviewed for the inauguaral "ON REDMOND" RC-TV series. It appears the Marchione Administration has made an excellent hiring decision.

The city gave an electronic survey to all 25 participants. It was clear Redmond has grown way beyond it's last 6 year plan. For example, "soft surface" trails and "open space" was by far the most desired choice of nine park, rec, and art assets. Multi-use soft surface trails got a lot of interest - for hikers, equestrian, runners, and mountain bikers. A soft surface trail following the Sammamish River on the west bank drew a lot of chatter.

The city was definitely featuring art in their presentation. I found it interesting over 24 pieces of outdoor art rest permanently in Redmond but are not owned by the city. We have so much outdoor art, why can't we loan out some of our collection for others to enjoy? John Stilin, Arts Commission Chair and a city council candidate, brought up a valid argument to improve the enrichment of our youth with art education. Apparently, a clay throwing studio for kids just opened up at the Old Redmond School House; and the Teen Center has some great music programs.

One of the Downtown Park visions appeared as an expansive promenade, with covered seating and tables. Looked good. On my turn, I suggested "micro neighborhood parks" where neighbors could open satellite outdoor markets to sell things like "native plants", "nature photographs", and "home-made art & baked goods". Education Hill has a corner forest where this actually took place at one time.

Finally, the city showed a cool picture of "Redmond West Park" wetlands. Do you know where it is? Click here for slide shows of all our city parks.

The Redmond Saturday Market seeks sponsors

Jim Hoagland, President of the Saturday Market spoke* up for the Market at this week's City Council meeting.

The "Saturday Market" has been in operation for 25 years and is the oldest open market on the Eastside. But, according to Jim, the Market is struggling with rising expenses while having to compete for vendors and customers of other markets. The surrounding open markets in Kirkland, Sammamish, Mercer Island and Bellevue have the upper hand with much lower expenses. Mercer Island, Sammamish and Bellevue markets don't have to pay rent. The Kirkland open market has paid staff and WI-FI to expedite sales transactions.

According to Jim's talk: Redmond's nonprofit Saturday Market has to pay $23,000 rent to REDMOND TOWN CENTER (RTC). Plus, they have to pay for garbage, electricity, and sani-cans! Sammamish and Bellevue open markets don't have to pay any rent. When the Market asked RTC for help, RTC gave them six poster kiosks; That's it.

For the first time ever, the Market will be seeking sponsors from businesses and neighborhood associations in the range of $500 - $2000. Though the Market came to City Budget table late, they hope the City of Redmond would be a sponsor. The City of Sammamish gives their open market a $5000 sponsorship. The money the Market will raise from sponsorships is all planned to go toward advertisement and entertainment.

Our Saturday Market has already taken a physical beating from the all the road construction around it. I hope the community, neighborhood associations and city can help them financially. To become a Sponsor click on this form. Visit their Saturday Market website.

OPENING DAY for the Saturday Market is May 2, 9-3pm. The Redmond High School orchestra will be performing!

*At the beginning of every council meeting citizens have opportunity to talk to City Council for up to four minutes. It's called "Items from the Audience".

SoulFood, Part 2, Poet Laureate

Carlos Warter, MD, PhD was on stage at SoulFood last week giving "lessons in soul awareness" and promoting his two books. Numerous poets and musicians have performed on this stage, including Eva Moon, a city arts commissioner.

I stumbled upon the Soul Food poetry album. An intriguing poem was on the first page, "The Woman Waits", by Jeannine Hall Gaily of Seattle. I don't read alot of poems but liked this one - it starts with a biblical reference.
"The Woman Waits"
Genesis 39:14 - And she put her widow's garments off from her*,

But for how long? Already she is bending
like a wilted acacia stem beneath the Canaan sun.
Ahead of her glance the road stretches,
covered with the footprints of others gone before.
How long will she wait? and is she waiting for
the stranger in painted robes, her father-in-law,
her husband, perhaps, you? But she is thirty.
Already calculating what she should do with the rest
of her day, with the basket of fruit at her feet, figs
and apples, a skin of wine, with her empty womb.
* Can you find the meaning of this poem in the Scripture?

I ran into Abbott Smith in the store today. He's neighbor-friend, past arts commissioner, former associate at Digipen , and guest speaker at the Digital Arts Festival. He mentioned that he had been prodded by his friends and past students to apply for the Poet Laureate position. Some of Abbott's works are here. Abbott, will you apply?

It's not all about Sports at LWSD schools

Redmond Junior High School orchestra missed out by three points to Rose Hill Junior High in getting the “Best Overall” award in the Western Washington University (WWU) orchestra competition, a statewide competition for middle school and junior high school students. Fourteen groups attended this event, including schools from Seattle, Ferndale and Bellevue. Redmond Junior High’s orchestra received a 2nd place silver trophy out of 14 participants.

In addition to the competition, the students participated in break-out clinics and master classes, and were judged by national-level adjudicator, Kathleen Brungard from North Carolina. Receiving the highest marks for technique, style and presentation, members were congratulated on their enthusiasm and their performance of two very different and challenging pieces. At the end of the day, the participants were treated to a performance by the WWU Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Shaw.

The Lake Washington High School Orchestra had an outstanding performance at the Northwest Orchestra Championships, held in Gresham, Ore., March 14-15. They brought home the third place award in the large school string division.

Redmond High School Knowledge Bowl Team from Redmond High School (RHS), comprised of Tejas Renade, Emily Rice, Rishi Goutam, Jonathan Shi, and Evan Nelson, took fifth place in the Puget Sound Regional Knowledge Bowl competition, thus earning them a place at the state championships on March 28 in Camas, Wash

For more information contact: Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342. Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

Commissions are the incubator of city Leadership.

OPINION: In a story a few posts down, I focused on three recent problematic issues surrounding two city Commissions. I hope you'll enjoy reading this positive story about the great good that comes out of our Commissions.

When thinking about "what's right" with our commissions it is clear commissions often serve as an "incubator" for the growth and development of new city leaders, councilmembers, and mayors.

For Example:

1. Four sitting councilmembers were once commissioners. Councilmember Hank Margeson was a past Vice Chair with Parks Commission. Councilmembers Richard Cole, Kim Allen, Pat Vache, and Nancy McCormick were once on the Planning Commission. Of special interest, Pat Vache sat on the first Planning Commission established by the City. I nick-name Mr. Vache "The Commissioner".

2. Tom Payne was on the Parks Commission before election to Council. He has since resigned.

3. Suzanne Querry was a Parks Commissioner before Vice-Chairing the Planning Commission. Suzanne is the only citizen I know who has served on two commissions. She is well qualified to be a councilmember should she choose to run.

4. Richard Grubb has been a long-time community activist, councilmember and eloquent speaker. I don't know if he was ever a commissioner. Maybe a reader could fill in the blanks.

5. Mayor Rosemarie Ives informed me she served on the Planning Commission for six years and as councilmember for four years, before being elected Mayor for 16 years.

6. Mayor Doreen Marchione served on Council for two years.

7. Mayor John Marchione served on Council for four years, though not on a commission.

8. Redmond's first woman Mayor Christine Himes opened up a dozen new parks and a citywide trail system so she may have been on a Parks Commission of sorts before becoming Mayor?

Citizen Advisory Committees and the Redmond Historical Society are other ways to volunteer and grow into a commissioner or council seat. Miguel Llanos, V.P. Redmond Historical Society and Newsletter Editor was recently sworn in to the Landmarks and Heritage Commission. Councilman Hank Margeson served on the Education Hill CAC. Planning Commissioner Querry was the Ed. Hill CAC liaison. Martin and Lori Snodgrass once chaired two different commissions as spouses under the Ives Administration. I posted a story on the Snodgrasses in 2007.

The bottom line? "Much good" comes out of our commissions! Personally, I have high hopes for an Arts Commissioner to rise up to a Council position. I believe their time is coming.

What's Your Opinion about Redmond's prolific Outdoor Art?

I think the City has 100 pieces of outdoor art. Or, is it 300? We have so much of it the city staff tracks it by GPS.

What do you think about it? Do you drive by the metalic "Split Personality" in awe and admiration OR find it a hazardous driving distraction? Or both?

Should "Art Hill" be rebuilt as a landscaped park with trails featuring a collection of outdoor art "discoveries" or would you rather keep the grassy knoll an open space?

Do you fall in love with your favorite piece, only to find the city had it on loan and it's been taken? The above "Pi in the Sky" was my favorite and it's gone. "Scooter" - another, was taken.

Make your comments heard - loud and clear - to our friendly and hard working Arts Commissioners! These citizens want your input on Monday, January 26, 7PM, City Hall.

Direct any questions & comments to RAC@redmond.gov. And, comment here, too. But see the art in person at City Hall Monday night.

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What is your opinion? Click "Comments" below and/or email redmondblog@gmail.com with your opinion for posting on this page.

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"I can't say as I have been moved at all by anything I have seen to date but no doubt there are those that embrace the exhibits. However, I certainly hope that the city plans a temporary moratorium on any more "outdoor art" expenditures. Considering the financial bind the city/state/country are in I believe there are better uses of the taxpayers money."

-- Carla H. 1/25

It's meaning hits home, The Inaugural Poem.

Tom Flynn, Chair of the Arts Commission, and other citizens, encouraged the Council tonight to approve The City of Redmond's new Ordinance for the Establishment of a Poet Laureate . Mr. Flynn stated the city has supported visual and performing arts well and some deserved attention is needed for the literary arts. In support of literary arts in Redmond and in honor of President Barack Obama and his poet Elizabeth Alexander, please enjoy Praise Song for the Day.

'Praise Song for the Day' - composed for Barack Obama's Inauguration
and read by author Elizabeth Alexander on January 20, 2009

"Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others’ eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise.

All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.

ALEXANDER: A farmer consider the changing sky; A teacher says, “Take out your pencils. Begin.”

We encounter each other in words, Words spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed; Words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will of someone and then others who said, “I need to see what’s on the other side; I know there’s something better down the road.”

We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for this day. Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen tables.

Some live by “Love thy neighbor as thy self.”

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light."