Annual arts conference next week
Area arts organizations are eligible for discount admission to the 37th Annual Western Arts Alliance Conference, Tuesday through Saturday at the Spokane Convention Center. More than 700 performing arts executives, artists and managers are meeting to review performing acts that are available for bookings. There’s also a trade show, professional development seminars, forums and guest speakers, including a keynote address Wednesday by Pulitzer winner Gunther Schuller.
Arts organization members can register at a discount for individual workshops or the entire conference beginning at 11:30 a.m..
There also are a limited number of events open to the public, including free concerts by various performers on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at The Met and on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at the Spokane Convention Center’s Floating Stage, and a tour of the conference Saturday at 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.westarts.org.
Children’s Museum seeking new director
The Children’s Museum of Spokane will be looking for a new executive director following Don Kardong’s departure to become the new race director for the Lilac Bloomsday Association.
Kardong, who served as the director for the past two years and led the ongoing fund-raising campaign for a new facility in River Park Square, will remain on the museum’s board. A search process for a new executive director will begin later this fall.
Auditions
“ Theatre Ballet of Spokane will hold auditions for company dancers age 12 and older on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ballet Arts Academy, 416 W. Sprague Ave. Director Dodie Askegard is seeking advanced and professional dancers for the 2004-05 season including “King Arthur,” “The First Halloween Extravaganza,” “Ballet and Bubbly” and “Graduation Ball.” For information, call 838-5705.
“ Auditions for Spokane Civic Theatre’s Reading Stage production of “Benefactors” will be Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. in the theater lobby, 1020 N. Howard St. Producer Kim Roberts is looking for two men and two women. Auditioners should prepare a monologue 1 1/2 to 2 minutes in length. For more information, call 325-2507 or see www.SpokaneCivicTheatre.com
“ Theater Arts for Children will hold auditions for “Rapunzel” on Sept. 13 and 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Community Center, 10814 E. Broadway Ave. Director Leah White is looking for actors age 5 and older; no preparation is required. For more information, call 892-5413 or visit www.theaterartsforchildren.org
“ Moscow Arts Commission Youth Choir auditions will be Sept. 15 and 16 at 3:10 p.m. at Lena Whitmore Elementary School, 110 S. Blaine St. in Moscow. A 10-minute assessment will be held in the music room; no preparation is required. The choir is open to public-, private- and home-schooled students in grades 3 through 6. A fee of $32 to $52 is due at the time of the audition. Call (208) 883-7036 for an appointment.
“ Auditions for Spokane Civic Theatre’s production of “Seussical” will be Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. and Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Center Pointe, 1408 N. Washington St. Director Jean Hardie and musical director Gary Laing are looking for 20 to 24 singers and dancers age 16 and older to portray dozens of Dr. Seuss’ best-loved characters. Also needed is one boy about 10 years old (singing and dancing required).
Auditioners should prepare a song of 1 1/2 to 2 minutes and bring sheet music (an accompanist will be provided; no a cappella). Wear loose, comfortable clothes appropriate for dance and movement. For information, call 325-2507.
Seeking nominations
Moscow Mayor Marshall Comstock is seeking nominations from the community for the 2004 Mayor’s Arts Awards in four categories: Individual Excellence in the Arts, Outstanding Achievement in Arts Education, Outstanding Contributions as a Patron of the Arts, and Outstanding Contributions as a Business Benefactor to the Arts.
Nomination forms are available at Moscow City Hall, 206 E. Third St., Room 106, or by calling (208) 883-7036. Deadline for submissions is Sept. 27.
Kudos
“ Funding for the Homeless Artists and Writers Coalition, a work-study program that places Gonzaga University students in downtown homeless shelters to perform daily tasks and develop arts programs for residents, has been renewed for a second year. The program is funded by the state of Washington’s Higher Education Coordinating Board, Catholic Charities of Spokane and GU. For more information, call 323-5543.
“ Selkirk School District music instructor Donivan Johnson has received a commission to compose a congregational hymn and organ prelude based on his composition “Three Epiphanies” to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Central Lutheran Church in Everett, Wash. Johnson has also been invited to participate in creating a piano work for children, based on the music of Anton Webern, for San Francisco pianist/composer Janis Mercer.
Classes
“ New Horizons Orchestra, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning this week, Holy Names Music Center, 3910 W. Custer Drive. Cost is $35/month. Call 326-9516 or e-mail music@hnmc.org
“ New Horizons Choir, Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning this week, Holy Names Music Center, 3910 W. Custer Drive. Call 326-9516 or e-mail music@hnmc.org
“ Theater Art, sponsored by Christian Youth Theater-Spokane, will begin classes on Thursday at ValleyPoint Church, 714 S. Pines Road, and Sept. 13 at Northview Bible Church, 13521 N. Mill Road. Classes run for 10 weeks and are open to ages 6 and older. Call 487-6540 or visit www.cytospokane.com
“ Malidoma Word Drum and Dance Camp, Sept. 17-19, for ages 16 and older, beginners and experienced, on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Cost: $195. Call 624-7573 by Friday.
“ Music Together, for ages 6 months to 6 years, Wednesdays or Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. for eight weeks beginning Sept. 29, Holy Names Music Center, 3910 W. Custer Drive. Cost is $145. Call 326-9516 or e-mail to music@hnmc.org