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Arts & Life
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- Written by: Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
FORT BRAGG, Calif. – The misty sea air and rugged natural beauty of the North Coast beckon.
Make a last-minute summer getaway to the coast for the 26th anniversary of Art in the Gardens.
The day-long event takes place at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Escape the heat and spend a day roaming the 47-acre botanical garden.
More than 70 artists will display their finest work amidst the spectacular background of summer floral displays.
The event includes live art demonstrations and performances by 10 musical acts situated throughout the Gardens.
Sample an array of wines from around Mendocino County. Wine tasting tickets may be purchased on the Gardens’ Web site or at the event.
Craft brews will be available for purchase with complimentary tastings on the event lawn.
Culinary vendors will be spread throughout the Gardens — all accented by miles of natural coastal beauty.
This year’s featured artist is realist painter Sanna M. Koski.
"As a youth, admiring the beautiful realistic landscapes and portrait paintings I saw in galleries, I knew that that was how I wanted to paint: in detailed realism. I worked on my skills through frustration and joy, fascinated by the artistic process, determined to improve,” Koski explained.
Her artwork strives to capture the mood, the unique beauty, and the mystery of a person or place.
General admission tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door. The cost is just $5 for children ages 6 to 16 and free for children under 5 years of age.
Wine tasting tickets are an additional $25 each, tickets include a commemorative glass and tastings from some of the best regional wineries.
Advance tickets are available on the Gardens' Web site through Aug. 3.
Proceeds from this spectacular event will directly benefit the nonprofit botanical garden and its mission to engage and enrich lives by displaying and conserving plants in harmony with our Northern California coastal ecosystems.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Hall members are now extending an invitation to join them on Saturday, July 28, to help raise funds for the NCO Pawnee Fire Fund. Entry will cost $10.
Two bands have volunteered to play from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Big Valley Hall, which is located at 1510 Big Valley Rd, Lakeport at the Finley border.
Come early for some tasty dancing blues by "South County" from Sonoma County. This up-and-coming band has matched veteran musicians with a few on the younger side to energize their delivery of well loved blues standards.
Mixing it up is Sean "Mudcat" Parnell on harmonica and vocals, Jody Counter on guitar and vocals, Eric Navas on guitar and vocals, Pete Rochelle on bass, and Marcus David on drums.
Finishing up the night will be The Mark Weston Band, a cover / original rock band that.prides themselves on their melodic harmonies and ability to keep a dance crowd on the floor.
Band members have been seen around Lake County with various bands and include: Mark Weston on guitar and vocals; Kent Hayden on bass and vocals; and Fred Hartnett on drums.
Wine donated by Don Angel Cellars, Kaz Winery and Mt. Konocti Winery will be sold. Beer, soda and water will also be available. Please bring cold dishes, fresh fruit or cookies for potluck snacks.
There will be two raffle prizes of table seats to the next fire benefit at the Soper Reese Theatre on Sept. 15 with The Funky Godfather, a 10-piece band specializing in James Brown hits.
Silent auction items have been donated by local crafts people and community members. Gift certificates have been donated by two businesses new to Lakeport: TurboTech Computer and Juicy's Pizza.
This benefit is an all volunteer production by Spotlight On Productions in partnership with The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County.
Event information is on Facebook at Lake County Fire Recovery Benefits or call 707-278-7126.
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- Written by: Ted Kooser
In one of my recent columns I wrote about the importance to the overall effect of a poem of having a strong ending, and here's a fine example of that.
It's by Terri Kirby Erickson, a North Carolinian, from her book, Becoming the Blue Heron, published by Press 53.
Others of Erickson's poems are available in the column's archives at www.americanlifeinpoetry.org.
My Cousin, Milton
My cousin, Milton, worked for a cable company.
The boy I knew when we were children
had fists that were often clenched, his face set like
an old man whose life had been so hard,
it hardened him. But the man's hands opened to let
more of the world in. He sent the funniest
cards to family and friends at Christmas, laid down
cable so others could connect. Yet, he lived
alone, kept to himself much of the time, so when
his sister found his body, he'd been gone
a good while. He died young at fifty-seven, without
fuss or bother. No sitting by the bedside
or feeding him soup. He just laid himself down like
a trunk line and let the signal pass through.
American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Poem copyright ©2017 by Terri Kirby Erickson from Becoming the Blue Heron, (Press 53, 2017). Poem reprinted by permission of Terri Kirby Erickson and the publisher. Introduction copyright ©2018 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.
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- Written by: Redwood Empire Fair
On Thursday, Aug. 2, the Back Porch Project will perform two shows at 6 and 9 p.m.
Featuring a powerhouse of local talent- Rodney Grisanti on mandolin, Sid Bishop on guitar, Steve Hahm, guitar and vocals, vocalist Rosie Wetzel, bass player Jeff Taylor and percussionist Ken Ingels, the group has performed separately in different iterations for years.
Following a backyard jam session, they knew they had something special and since then, the Back Porch Project has been touring the area for about a year.
Their “folkgrass” sound, consisting of blues, country, harmonies and superlative instrumentation are a perfect matchup for the fair’s “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams” theme.
On Friday, Aug. 3, one of the area’s most celebrated bands, II Big, will rock the Willow Tree Stage for two shows at 6 and 9 p.m.
Since 1994, the hard-playing, hard-working band has wowed audiences with their take on house rock, boogie and blues music. Their robust catalog of songs on iTunes is a testament to their professionalism and dedication.
II Big has opened for rock ‘n’ roll giants including Foghat, Blue Oyster Cult, Loverboy, Grand Funk Railroad, Joe Walsh, REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, Jeff Healy, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Styx.
The band will be playing old favorites and new songs from their recent CD, “Black Cat Bone.” Join Aubrey Hansen, Ken Ingels, Indiana Slim and Derek Soderquist for an evening of “Brand New Classic Rock!”
Put on your dancing shoes for two Saturday night performances by The Funky Dozen.
The 12 master musicians and vocalists combine classic rock guitar, keys and percussion with a horn section, creating a “dance ‘til you drop” sound with influences spanning 50 years of Motown and Uptown Funk: Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Aretha Franklin, KC and the Sunshine Band, Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown, The Isley Bros, Patty Labelle, Bruno Mars, and Meghan Trainor. The band will perform two sets at 7 and 9 p.m.
Led by Larry Thompson, the Funky Dozen has been performing regionally for about 10 years, with roots that go back to the early 1980’s, when vocalist Eric Peterson and guitarist Thompson played in separate bands on the Mendocino Coast.
Save some energy for the fair’s final musical offering. On Sunday evening, close out your weekend with three exemplary Latino bands
Enjoy Creativos de Tierra Caliente, Grupo La Elegancia and Banda Pacifica, beginning at 5 p.m. on the Willow Tree Stage. All performances are included with your Fair admission ticket.
The fair opens at 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Children under 5 are always admitted free.
For more information, visit the Fair’s Facebook page, the Redwood Empire Fair’s website at http://www.redwoodempirefair.com/august-fair/ or phone 707-462-3884.