Currenteventsnow

Having just read the article “Painting With Fire” in the Lake Oswego
Summer Events Program, I am hard pressed to say anything better
or with greater eloquence about these art pieces that were on display   
at the 45^th Lake Oswego Festival of The Arts.

But for those of you who left your program on one of those white
plastic chairs or in the trash bin, I’ll just say it was well worth the
walk through at the exhibit at the Lakewood Center for the Arts.
The process of how these pieces are fashioned is fascinating, and
(so they say) an ancient one. Eschewing glazes, the artists
combine different types of clay that -when fired- assume different
colors and textures. What is  most intriguing is that the pigment
of pieces are altered by proximity to one another in the kiln. So
fabulously metaphorical to many things in the greater world !

The results were very approachable and -if I may state the obvious- “warming”
artistic presentations. The pieces were also beautifully rendered, mostly in free
flowing bowls and shapes  that intuitively complimented the shadings and
coloring of the surfaces. One could readily sense the pigmentation permeating
deeply beneath the surface.

Getting to know the local entertainment is always the fun part of being a
newcomer.  And so it was nice for me  to get a chance to see (and listen to)
some of Portland’s local favorites at Lake Oswego’s 45^th Arts Event.

Linda Hornbuckle is obviously an institution and “formidable” (please use
French pronunciation here). Her band were all highly sophisticated artists
in their own right,  and I wish I could recall their names and give them Kudos
here. Linda moved seamlessly from genres of soul, to traditional blues, to
gospel-flavored arrangements. I would have to say her true genius lies in
her gift of interpretation and its what sets her a part from the myriad of
highly technical, power “soul vocalists’ out there. Her interpretation
of Mcartney’s chestnut “Yesterday” (although not a personal favorite
of mine, I have to say) was arresting. I have come to appreciate any
musical piece that becomes a journey, and the one Linda took us on
within this song was a long and refreshing one. Starting with the
premise that this is a song about things lost and gone forever,
she managed -through phrasing and timing- to bring it full circle
to a powerful testimonial of resolution and triumph. Bravo !

I just caught the end of jazz Pianist Tom Grant and his quartet, and
appreciated his lovely, light touch and style.

Finally, who could not be thoroughly entertained and uplifted by Pepe
and The Bottle Blondes ? Here is an act (with full Cuban style ensemble)
that is so at ease with itself that semi-intentional lyric errors (how would
we know…they’re not in English ?!) by their quirky leader Pepe are
pointed out to the audience and are effortlessly incorporated into the
music. (The band just chuckles fraternistically and plays on.)
Thoroughly perfect and pleasurable entertainment for a drowsy
afternoon in the sweet and kindly community of Lake Oswego.

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