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In The Spotlight: Our Venerable, Virtuosic Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA
April, 21 2023
This year, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra celebrates 44 years of providing symphonic music to the community. With critically acclaimed music director and conductor Maestro Salvador Brotons, the VSO is Southwest Washington’s own world-class symphony. It's success began with the talent and commitment of the early conductors and musicians who provided its foundation.
What began in 1972 as a 20 member ensemble known as the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra and later the Vancouver Community Orchestra (1978 to 1990) has evolved into a highly regarded professional orchestra with over 70 musicians and an ever-increasing audience.
Maestro Brotons has served as VSO Music Director/Conductor for 32 seasons. Hailing from Barcelona, Brotons has guest-conducted orchestras internationally, and has composed over 140 works, many of which have been published in Europe and the U.S.
Celebrated artists from around the globe grace the VSO stage each concert season, including Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey, conductor Gerard Schwarz (winner of 6 Emmy awards and 14 Grammy nominations), Billboard chart-topping violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, and award-winning violin virtuoso Mayuko Kamio.
And Now For This Week’s Top Picks…
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Launches Inaugural Festival August 4 - 6
The idea of a music festival has been a dream years in the making for Vancouver Symphony Orchestra CEO Igor Shakhman. That dream will soon become a reality when the Vancouver Art and Music Festival welcomes visitors August 4th - 6th throughout downtown Vancouver. Presented in partnership with the City of Vancouver, the three-day community building arts event is free to the public, and the music presentations will showcase the high caliber of musicians and guest artists the VSO is known for, including two-time Grammy winners, "Time For Three" and violin virtuoso, Anne Akiko Meyers, who will perform from the main stage at Esther Short Park. The festival boasts music, dance, visual arts, theater and cuisine.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS! CLARK COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS
The 10th annual Clark County Open Studios tour, scheduled for November 4 & 5, is open for applications, calling visual artists working in Clark County in all mediums. The Clark County Open Studios is celebrating 10 years! To date, the tour has shown over 170 different artists and has played an important role in helping to develop our vibrant art community, and will be launching two new programs for open studio artists. All participating artists will have access to five Professional Development workshops through a partnership with the PDXOS Artist Academy. Also new this year and part of the open studio's application is the CHRISTINE RICE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, in remembrance of open studio artist Christine Rice, created to support young artists' career paths. Emerging artists ages 20-30 are encouraged to apply. Included with their participation in open studios, they will receive a 500-1000 stipend plus mentorship from a seasoned Open Studios Artist, with the option to be hosted in another artist's studio. Thank you to Christine’s family, that made this scholarship possible. Applications Due May 31st.
VANCOUVER DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
Join us in downtown Vancouver for this month’s First Friday Art Walk! Our downtown is home to a wide array of gallery spaces and art-centric businesses that are ready to welcome you. Every first Friday of the month throughout the year, participating merchants and restaurants stay open late with special programming, live music, and pop-ups. Also, downtown art galleries lead the First Friday Art Walk featuring rotating exhibits from local artists. Every 1st Friday of the month 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Price: Free
Magenta Theater Presents "Floored" An Original Play by K.C. Cooper, Directed by K.C. Cooper
It’s 2009 and Larry’s in a pickle. The market has crashed and he and his friend Richard are facing financial ruin, jail time and worse—they’re afraid their wives will find out! Together, they craft a scheme that will solve all their financial and legal problems; arranging the theft of a valuable piece of jewelry worth millions. What could go wrong? Enter Frank and Henny, two bumbling burglars they hired who just can’t seem to get the job done. Will they beat the deadline before their world comes crashing down? This fast-paced, dark comedy explores the consequences of greed, lust, and entitlement that will keep the audience, and characters, guessing until the very end. April 13, 2023 - April 30, 2023 Recurring weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Magenta Theater 1108 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660 Weekdays & Saturdays 7:30pm, Sundays 2:00PM