Fabio Mechetti Takes On ‘Second Job’

Sun., March 28, 1999

Fabio Mechetti, music director of the Spokane Symphony, has been named artistic director of the Rio de Janeiro Opera Theater beginning April 15.

This “second job,” however, will not affect his time with the Spokane Symphony, said Nikki Scandalios, symphony spokeswoman.

In Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian-born Mechetti will be responsible for all opera, ballet and symphonic programming, which will include the participation of the Bolshoi Ballet, the Vienna Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic.

During the current season, Mechetti also will appear with many orchestras including those of Austin, Texas, Phoenix, Charlotte, N.C., and Grand Rapids, Mich. He also will conduct concerts in Spain, Sweden and Brazil.

The 1999-2000 Spokane Symphony’s season will mark Mechetti’s seventh season as music director.

Classes

The Academy of Dance, 14214 E. Sprague, will sponsor a ballet master class taught by Sharon Randolph, dance director of the Interlochen Center for the Arts, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday. Participants must be in the intermediate to advanced level. Cost is $10. To register, call 922-3023.

Classes for beginning and experienced spinners and weavers will be taught this spring through the Spokane Community Colleges’ Institute for Extended Learning at the Madren Center, 5305 N. Market. All classes are from 6 to 9 p.m.

Beginning this week, “Weaving for Intermediates” will be on Mondays through June 7. Cost is $65.

Also starting this week, “Spinning for Beginners” will be on Wednesdays through May 19, and cost is $55.

“Weaving for Beginners” will be on Tuesdays, April 20-June 8.

An additional class, “Wool Rug Braiding” will be at 3 p.m. on June 12 and June 19. Cost is $27.

For more information on all classes, call Leta Clevenger at 533-3761; to register for the class, call 533-3770.

Spokane Art School has three workshops scheduled for April:

Linnea Bowman will conduct a two-day workshop on how to construct a shrine celebrating spring, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and April 10. While at the University of Oregon, Bowman became interested in prehistoric global deities associated with nature, seasonal changes, agriculture … Participants should bring a personal memorabilia to include in their shrine. Cost is $20, plus a $10 lab fee.

Steve Adams will teach the art of glass-blowing in a four-week workshop, 7 to 10 p.m. on Mondays, April 5-26. Beginning students will learn to make, melt, blow and polish glass. Cost is $175. Nonmembers of the Spokane Art School will pay an additional $5 per class.

Registration is being taken for Spring Break Workshops April 5-8. Classes will be given in two-hour increments from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., tailored for children of various age groups from 3 years old through high school. Fee is $12 per workshop, or $30 for all day (three workshops), plus lab fees which vary from $1 to $3.

For more information or to register for any workshop, call 328-0900, or visit the art school at 920 N. Howard.

In North Idaho

The annual Garden Tour Poster Contest for the Coeur d’Alene Garden Club is open to all artists. This year’s theme is a garden setting in a traditional style. With the exception of sculpture, art in all other mediums is welcome.

Entries must be delivered to Frame of Mind Gallery, Second and Lakeside, between noon and 4 p.m. on May 7.

The winning poster, which receives a $100 award, will be used to promote the garden tour on June 27. For more information, call (208) 765-6570.

The prospectus to enter this summer’s s.m.ART by the River Art and Craft Festival in St. Maries is available to artists and creators who want to display and sell their wares. The festival will be July 17-18 and will provide more than 50 booths to artists of all mediums.

For a copy of the prospectus, send a No. 10 self-addressed stamped envelope to: s.m.ART Festival Booth Chair, 827 Main, St. Maries, ID 83861; or call (208) 245-3417.

Booth registration deadline is June 21.

Creative volunteers needed

The Spokane Arts Commission and Downtown Spokane Partnership need 30 creative community volunteers for a daylong workshop on May 8.

Facilitated by architects Ron Tan and Rich Fenrich, the workshop will involve the hands-on creation of 10 3-D kinetic sculptural banners to be displayed at the Wall Street Mall during the Downtown Summer Celebration.

Volunteers will join in with 10 teams that will include a professional artist, a downtown business person and a youth artist.

For more information, call Ralph Busch, Spokane Arts Commission, at 625-6081.

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