The most comprehensive exhibition to date of the work of artist and CalArts alumna Laura Owens (Art MFA 94) opened at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York on Friday.
Running through Feb. 4, the mid-career retrospective will feature close to 60 paintings from the Los Angeles-based artist, covering her work from the mid-1990s until today.
SCVNews.com:
CalArts Alumna Laura Owens Exhibits Works at the Whitney in New York
Karli Webster is returning to NBC’s “The Voice” next week as one of four Comeback Artists picked by their coaches for a second chance in the popular reality singing competition.
The Canyon Country singer was chosen by Miley Cyrus to return for the final round of the show before it officially goes live, the “Playoffs” — where six contestants on each team will perform songs chosen by their coach.
KHTS:
Karli Webster to Return to ‘The Voice’ as Team Miley’s Comeback Artist
It may or may not be feasible to build an outdoor amphitheater in the Santa Clarita Valley, so the city is contracting a firm to find out.
At their meeting Tuesday, the council will award a contract for $59,640 to AEA Consulting to conduct a study to decipher where an amphitheater may fit and how much it might cost.
SCVSignal.com:
The College of the Canyons Jazz Ensemble ‘Just Jazz’ will be starting the New Year with a bang by heading to its first national convention. The award-winning ensemble will perform at the 9th annual Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference in Dallas, TX on Jan. 3-7, 2018.
The event represents the largest educational/performance conference in the global jazz community.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Julie Lawson, the ensemble’s director. “Being selected to be showcased at a national convention is overwhelming.”
‘Just Jazz’ was selected to perform based on a live recording Lawson submitted from a recent concert.
At the JEN conference, the vocal jazz ensemble band will perform a 50-minute set that will include a variety of tunes, such as songs composed by Al Jarreau, Thad Jones, Harry Connick Jr. and an Afro-Cuban arrangement of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Cecilia.”
Accompanied by Lawson, the team of 13 students will also travel with a professional rhythm section: Alex Nizzoli (piano), Emilio Terranova (bass) and Brijesh Pandya (drums).
‘Just Jazz’ has been a regular fixture at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, which has selected the ensemble to perform six times in the past seven years.
“Monterey is a competitive festival and ‘Just Jazz’ has walked away with five awards over the years,” said Lawson.
Established by a group of jazz leaders in 2008, JEN was created to foster the jazz arts community through promoting performance, advancing education, and inspiring new audiences. Since then, JEN has grown to boast thousands of members across the nation and around the world.
“I’m so grateful for the ongoing support from Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook, my colleagues Lori Marie Rios and Dr. Bernardo Feldman, my Dean, Dr. Carmen Dominguez, and the Patrons of the Performing Arts,” said Lawson. “Without their encouragement and generosity, this trip wouldn’t be possible.”
Those who wish to make a donation toward the group’s trip to the JEN conference can do so through the COC Foundation.
Catch “Just Jazz” in action during “Jazz Tidings” at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center lobby.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students/seniors and will be available for purchase at the door.
Artist and CalArts alumna Kelly Nipper (Art MFA 95) presents three live performances of Terre Mécanique Thursday – Saturday at the Performa 17 biennial in New York.
Nipper’s technology-driven, multimedia installation was commissioned by Performa for the biennial, and features five performers in a rapid 3D printing laboratory.
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Writer-director and CalArts alum Patrick Brice (Film/Video BFA 11) re-teamed with actor-writer-producer Mark Duplass, for “Creep 2,” released last week on all video-on-demand platforms.
A sequel to the pair’s cult horror film “Creep” (2014), “Creep 2” is essentially a two-hander that once again follows the adventures of psychopath and serial killer Aaron (Duplass) and his new prey Sara (Desiree Akhavan).
SCVNews.com:
On Oct. 26-27, respected filmmaker and CalArts Program in Film/Video faculty James Benning screened his latest film, Readers, at the 2017 Viennale in Vienna, Austria. Known for challenging viewers’ expectations of the cinematic experience, Benning’s film focuses on the often unobserved human act of reading.
SCVNews.com:
CalArts Faculty Member Presents Own Film at Vienna International Film Festival
This Saturday, Tenn, a biographical feature about Tennessee Williams directed by James Franco, premieres at the Austin Film Festival. The movie stars CalArtians Jacob Loeb (Theater BFA 13) and Emilio Garcia-Sanchez (Theater BFA 16).
SCVNews.com:
Film Featuring CalArts Alum, Directed by James Franco to Premiere in Austin Film Festival
Karli Webster is moving on to the next round of “The Voice” after winning her Battle on Monday night with a haunting rendition of the Cyndi Lauper classic, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”
The 20-year-old Canyon Country native joined dozens of friends, family and fans for a viewing party at a local restaurant, where she watched her duet with 16-year-old Addison Agen premiere on NBC.
KHTS:
Karli Webster named Winner of ‘The Voice’ Battle Round, Advances to Knockout Round (Video)