St. James Cathedrals Neighborhood: A Community of Culture
Atop Seattle's First Hill, St. James Cathedral hovers protectively over downtown and the waterfront. This dense urban corridor harbors a wide array of humanity few other local neighborhoods can rival. And it is here, aligned by the always busy Madison Streetamong hospitals and churches, schools and museums, apartments and condominiums, hotels and businesses that the arts have consistently and all too quietly flourished. St. James and its neighbors have proudly cultivated year-round musical and cultural offerings of the highest quality, and in this concentrated area known as a medical and spiritual hub, its time to recognize and celebrate the artistic and cultural activities that set our First Hill neighborhood apart. St. James has long been appreciated for its transcendent concerts and recitals, and stands proudly in the midst of many nearby institutions whose cultural output is as diverse as it is dynamic. Emily Baillargeon Russin, St. James Cathedral Music Office.
| First Hill Venues: |
St. James Cathedral |
Frye Art Museum |
Harborview Medical Center |
Town Hall |
|
Seattle University |
Sorrento Hotel |
Trinity Episcopal Church |
ONGOING-May 2010
Photography Exhibit Photographer Jonathan Torgovnik made repeat visits to women victims of tribal warfare in Rwanda and their children. He recorded their stories and documented them in photographs. The exhibit, Intended Consequences: Rwandan Children Born of Rape, features 25 portraits of women and their testimonies to fear, survival, and motherhood. Torgovnik, whose work has been shown in numerous international publications, including Newsweek, Aperture, and the Sunday Times Magazine, is on the faculty of the International Center of Photography School in New York. He is co-founder of Foundation Rwanda (www.foundationrwanda.org), a nonprofit organization that supports secondary school education for children born of rape in Rwanda. Through May 29. SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
Tim Rollins and K.O.S.: A History An exhibit showing the history of art teacher Tim Rollins and his work with at-risk youth in the Bronx during the 1980s-90s. These Kids of Survival (K.O.S.) have taken to the canvas as a means of self-expression that made international ripples in the art world. Ends May 31. Free. FRYE ART MUSEUM
The Seattle Project: I Wish I Knew Who I Was Before I Was Me Curated by students working with Arts Corps teaching artists, this exhibit offers insight into the Frye collection as experienced by youth. Ends May 31. Free. FRYE ART MUSEUM
The Seattle Project: Public Belongings Initiated by the Frye in collaboration with Path with Art, an organization that works with homeless adults, this exhibit includes the work of ten adults who worked together in the Frye Art Studio over a period of 12 weeks with Path with Art artists Regan Doody and Adam Doody. Ends May 31. Free. FRYE ART MUSEUM
MAY 2010
First Hill Arts Events
(Please be aware that this is but a selection of the numerous activities happening this month.
For more events and performances, contact individual venues.)
May Day New Music Marathon—Twelve straight hours of contemporary American music, featuring 30 sets by local ensembles and soloists. Featuring musicians from Seattle Chamber Players, odeonquartet, Gamelan Pacifica, Stuart Dempster, Garrett Fisher, and many more. Saturday, May 1 at 1pm through Sunday, May 2 at 1am. TOWN HALL
“Song of Songs” Festival
Five concerts of sacred music celebrate and investigate the poem of love, loss, and transcendence. Concerts listed below. May 1-22. ST. JAMES CATHDRAL
Organ Recital: Cathedral Organist Joseph Adam performs Six Vesper Antiphons by Marcel Dupré, works based on texts from the “Song of Songs”; The Last Judgement by Naji Hakim; and other works by Olivier Messiaen and Louis Vierne. Saturday, May 1 at 8pm. Suggested donation $15.00, students and seniors pay as able.
Mezzo-Soprano Kathryn Weld: The Cathedral Soloist, with Cathedral Organist Joseph Adam, presents a program of sacred song and performs works by Herbolsheimer, Barber, Hindemith, Wolf, and more. Friday, May 7 at 8:15pm. Suggested donation $15.00, students and seniors pay as able.
Seattle Pro Musica: The choir sings choral settings of texts from the “Song of Songs” from all over the world, including world premieres by Ivan Moody and SPM director Karen P. Thomas. Suggested donation $25.00, students and seniors pay as able. Friday, May 14 at 8:15; Saturday, May 15 at 8pm. www.seattlepromusica.org.
Cantileña, A Medieval Open Sing: Come sing for an evening with fellow music-lovers, as Medieval Women’s Choir Director Margriet Tindemans directs several settings of texts from the “Song of Songs.” (Mostly in Latin.) Space is limited. Register to participate by calling 264-4822. Sunday, May 16 at 7pm. Suggested donation $10.00, students and seniors pay as able. www.medievalwomenschoir.org.
Medieval Women’s Choir: Under the direction of Margriet Tindemans, the Cathedral Resident Ensemble presents medieval and contemporary settings of “Song of Songs” texts, featuring Boston soprano Laurie Monahan and medieval fiddler, harpist, and composer Shira Kammen. Saturday, May 22 at 8pm. Suggested donation $25.00, students and seniors pay as able. www.medievalwomenschoir.org.
Chamber Music Concert—Members of the Ladies Musical Club perform “Songs of Hope and Courage: American Gospel Songs and Spirituals.” Featuring mezzo-soprano Sharon Lancaster and pianist Nobuko Hasegawa. Saturday, May 1 at 2pm. Free. FRYE ART MUSEUM
Groove for Thought—The seven-member, Seattle-based vocal group performs their infectious brand of jazz and R&B with their own distinct stylings. Saturday, May 1 at 7:30pm. Contact Trinity for details. www.grooveforthought.com. TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Seattle Jazz Vespers—Program TBD. Sunday, May 2 at 6pm. Freewill donation. SEATTLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Pulling Focus: Dialogues on the Business of Film—The second of three
dialogues about the business of film, presented by Washington Filmworks.
The goal is to bring together screenwriters, actors, producers, and
directors, as well as filmgoers to discuss multiple aspects of the
film industry. Tuesday, May 4 and May 11 at 7pm (doors open at
6:30pm).
SORRENTO HOTEL
Music at the Sorrento—Musicians perform from 7:30-10:30pm. Thursday, May 6: Melina Kastle. Friday, May 7: Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators. Saturday, May 8: Craig Miller. Fireside Room. Free. SORRENTO HOTEL
Seattle University Concerto Competition—The University’s first annual student instrumental concerto competition, featuring string players. Friday, May 7 at 6pm. Free. Pigott Auditorium. SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
Seattle Classic Guitar Society Concert—Classic guitarists ChromaDuo, otherwise known individually as Tracy Anne Smith and Rob MacDonald, perform innovative contemporary works for two guitars. Saturday, May 8 at 2pm. Free. FRYE ART MUSEUM
Voice and Lute Concert—Saturday, May 8 at 7:30pm. John Lenti and Linda Tsatsanis perform works for voice and lute. Contact Trinity for details. TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra—The volunteer orchestra, led by Alan Shen, performs a program of Selfon’s Overture, Bernstein’s West Side Story, and Carr’s Concerto for Two Saxophones. www.psso.org. Saturday, May 8 at 7:30pm. TOWN HALL
Chamber Music Concert—Members of the Ladies Musical Club perform. Program details TBA. Monday, May 10 at 3pm. Free. HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER
Student play—Frank McGinness’ play, “Carthaginians,” directed by Rosa Joshi, explores Ireland’s violent political crises with humor, emotion, and unconventional characters. A landmark contemporary Irish play. Runs May 13-23. Thursdays/Fridays at 7:30; Saturdays at 2:30pm and 7:30pm; Sundays at 2:30pm. Lee Center for the Arts. SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
Music at the Sorrento—Musicians perform from 7:30-10:30pm. Thursday, May 13: Overton Berry; Friday, May 14: Sue Bell; Saturday, May 15: Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators. Fireside Room. Free. SORRENTO HOTEL
Haiti and Chile Relief Concert—Seattle-area artists and musicians perform to benefit communities in need following devastating earthquakes. Friday, May 14 at 7pm. TOWN HALL
Photography Lecture—“Warriors for Peace: Stories of Resistance and Renewal” tells the story of the emotions of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts who have come out in opposition to the wars they participated in. Photographer Jon Orlando presents their views in photographs and audio. Saturday, May 15 at 2pm. FRYE ART MUSEUM
Chamber Music Recital—The Onyx Chamber Players, a trio based in Seattle and Chicago, features violinist James Garlick, cellist Meg Brennand, and pianist David White. They perform a program of Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven. www.onyxchamberplayers.com. Sunday, May 16 at 2pm. TOWN HALL
Photography Exhibition—A year-end exhibit featuring Bachelor of Fine Arts students’ work. Opening reception on Thursday, May 20, 5-8pm. Exhibit runs Thursday, May 20 through Friday, June 13. Vachon Gallery. SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
Music at the Sorrento—Musicians perform from 7:30-10:30pm. Thursday, May 20: Michael Powers; Friday, May 21: Karin Kajita (8:30-11:30pm, due to a previously scheduled event); Saturday, May 22: Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators. Fireside Room. Free. SORRENTO HOTEL
Dramatic Reading: Animal Farm—Students from Holy Names Academy and O’Dea High School read George Orwell’s famous novel, adapted by Nelson Bond and directed by Next Stage Artistic Director Mark Jared Zufelt. The reading includes projected images from the current exhibit, “Tim Rollins and K.O.S.: A History.” Saturday, May 22 at 2pm. Free. FRYE ART MUSEUM
Chamber vs. Chamber—A musical conversation between classical and rock performers. Performances and conversation show just how closely related different genres of music can be. Featuring the group Awesome. Sunday, May 23 at 6pm. SORRENTO HOTEL
Short Stories Live—In a program directed by Kurt Beattie, the readings are about motherhood in honor of Mother’s Day Month. Featured stories include “Eleanor’s Music,” by Mary Gordon; “A Mother’s Tale,” by James Agee; and “The Shawl,” by Cynthia Ozick. Sunday, May 23 at 4pm. TOWN HALL
The New Baroque Orchestra—The talented community orchestra, under the direction of Seattle Baroque’s Ingrid Matthews, presents a concert of works from the Baroque and Classical periods. Sunday, May 23 at 7pm. Contact Trinity for details. TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Music at the Sorrento—Musicians perform from 7:30-10:30pm. Thursday, May 27: Karin Kajita; Saturday, May 29: Gail Pettis. Fireside Room. Free. SORRENTO HOTEL
Guest Choir Performance—The Wenatchee High School Chamber Singers perform sacred songs, including Biebel’s “Ave Maria” Palestrina’s “Tenebrae Factae Sunt ” and Hogan’s “Elijah Rock,” among others. Under the direction of Matt Lodge. Friday, May 28 at 11am. Free. ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL