July 6th, 2008 Renee @ visitsiskiyou
Jim Gilmore, author of the Jefferson Agrarian, likes to refer to culture in the State of Jefferson as “kulcha” and last night in Dunsmuir we certainly had some “kulcha” on hand. Bill Owens, famed photographer of the late 1960s and 1970s was on hand at the Rostel Gallery for the opening of his “Suburbia” show. Owens’ work of documenting the shift from rural America to the suburbs has been compiled into a number of books, and his work was also very influential on young photographers. Gilmore, a photographer himself, was very excited to talk with Owens at the opening, and to see so many art patrons at the show. Owens’ work inspired Gilmore to pursue photography as a young man, he said, when he saw that photos of regular life could be art.
Owens gave a brief talk about the photos on hand to a packed room at the Rostel. Gallery owners John Rickard and Rika Noda have been bringing quality shows and workshops to the area since they opened the gallery a year ago. John said he was honored to have such an influential photographer showing his work on the anniversary of the Gallery’s opening.
As Owens signed copies of his books and folks chatted, some chose to head down the street to the Brown Trout Gallery & Cafe, where Gilmore was playing with Kanzango Jazz. This entertaining six-piece brought all kinds of diversity to the performance, shifting from gypsy swing to music with a Russian flare. The band’s accordion player strolled among tables, serenading couples.
These two venues on California Avenue in Dunsmuir are working to bring “kulcha” to Siskiyou County. It’s a great place to enjoy a mellow atmosphere with local folks who are so very grateful for the infusion of art and music. Thanks go out to these local businesses who bring so much to Siskiyou County.
Bill Ownes talking about his work –
Kanzango Jazz playing their gypsy swing at the Brown Trout –
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July 5th, 2008 Renee @ visitsiskiyou
Mt. Shasta knows how to throw a 4th of July celebration. It all kicks off with the annual 4th of July run/walk, which drew some 4600 folks this year, I believe. 700-800 adults and kids participated in the run (5mls for adults, 2mls for kids) while the majority of people enjoyed walking in the “parade in reverse” where they passed entertainers and foods booths. This year roving street performers added to the gaiety.
This year’s celebration goes all weekend, so if you’re still in town get down to the main street area for the street fair and live music. Check the big purple bus for the Elv-o-lutionaries’ performance that includes a sword fight and acrobatics from suspended swathes of cloth that hang above the bus. They’ll be starting around noon on Sunday. This was a brand new attraction for the 4th of July, and the folks in the crowd today really enjoyed the performance.
Sunday the downtown vendors open at 10am, with live music on the Castle Street stage beginning at noon. You can also catch the Day in the Son program at the Mt. Shasta City Park from 10-5pm, where you’ll find music, food and family fun.
If you weren’t in town for Mt. Shasta’s celebration, check out this pics and plan to come see us next year. You’ll find info from the Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce about the 3-day celebration and info, results and pics from the run/walk from Mountain Runners.
More of the Elv-o-lution show:
Scenes from the 4th of July street fair and run/walk awards presentation:
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July 5th, 2008 Renee @ visitsiskiyou
The Etna Brewery and Pub was the scene of a fairly impromptu performance by local band Slapshoe Fly on Independence Day. Plenty of folks were in town to hear the band, a favorite from last summer. We enjoyed a nice evening at the Brewery, where you can get a slew of locally made beers from the favorite of the night - the double IPA - to my favorite, the pale Blackberry Blonde. The Brewery fills growlers, so you can take home your favorite if it happens to be one of their in-house specials that they don’t bottle. The Old Grind porter and Mossback IPA are award-winning beers and local faves. We’re talking true microbrew here - the Brewery turns out just 700 barrels of beer a year. There are a number of beers on tap that aren’t bottled for distribution, and you never know when the master brewer will share a new creation.
The return of Slapshoe Fly to the Brewery was well received by their fans. The Brewery is one of the few live music venues in the Scott Valley, where the locals love their music. If you’re in the area, check out Corrigan’s and the Callahan Emporium for live music (see details below).
Coming up later this month people come from all over northern Cali and southern Oregon for the Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival on July 18th, 19th and 20th. The Festival kicks off Friday night with Jammin’ on Main Street, when anybody with an instrument can sit down and play with the bands. Saturday and Sunday feature music all day long under the shade trees of Etna’s City Park. Visit the SV Bluegrass Festival site for a list of bands and info on purchasing tickets.
If you plan on heading over the Scott Valley for a getaway, check out the Gold Country page of VisitSiskiyou.org for area attractions, or click through to Western Siskiyou County lodging info.
Corrigan’s Bar (412 Main Street, Etna, 467.5899): Tuesday night open mic
Etna Brewery & Pub: (131 Callahan Street, Etna, 467.5277): Thurs night music
Callahan Emporium: (Main street of Callahan – can’t miss it, 467.3395) occasional music on Saturdays and Sundays, call for info.
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June 29th, 2008 Renee @ visitsiskiyou
Liberty Arts in Yreka has put together a show for the Independence Day celebration titled Liberty. The call to Siskiyou County artists asked for work in all mediums in response to the theme of liberty. “The ‘liberty’ exhibit hopes to draw artworks from a wide range of viewpoints - from our Founding Fathers’ notions of Liberty to the current debates in our nation today that draw attention to the interpretation of Liberty and how it is expressed/experienced or potentially denied.” That’s quite a call.
This new contemporary gallery on Yreka’s historic Miner Street looks to be shaking things up. Take a look at the show just coming down, at the Liberty Arts website. There are certainly some intriguing explorations of shape and form in that show. The Liberty show opens July 3rd, with a reception from 5-8pm. If you’re quick you might be able to squeak in to see the current show before it comes down. The Liberty show will be up to July 26th, so you’ve got time to experience Siskiyou’s take on the theme.
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June 28th, 2008 Renee @ visitsiskiyou
The Mt. Shasta Writers Series is hosting author Pete Fromm and local poet Cat Ruiz tonight at Native Grounds Nursery in Mt. Shasta. Prior to the reading by the guest writers, local poets can share their work at the open mic. Fromm is an award winning Pacific Northwest writer who has tried his hand at novels, a story collection and a memior, earning four Pacific Northwest Booksellers Literary Awards. He will read at 8pm.
Ruiz, an instructor at College of the Siskiyous in Weed, released her first volume of poetry this March, Stirring up the Water, which won the Native Writers Circle of the Americas First Book Award in Poetry. She will be reading at 7:15.
The reading should be fun, set at Native Grounds at 1172 S. Mount Shasta Blvd. Be sure to check out their beautiful pond that’s stocked with trout. I believe a donation is suggested. For more info, go to www.mtshastawriters.com
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