Vivacious art scene certainly no chore

I was asked the other night if I ever feel that attending all the events I do was a chore. My answer was no. Live performance, whether in the form of a music event or a gallery visit, is energizing. It gives me the format to meet entertainers and artists and share their experience firsthand. There is nothing like the enjoyment you get from listening to live music and watching the interaction that occurs between the artist and the audience. The following is a case of local kids make good.

Based in Boston, The Bee Eaters came to Trinity Alps Performing Arts Center to perform for a large audience on Thursday evening, Jan. 28. The draw was former locals Tristan and Tashina Clarridge, national fiddle champions.

The concert started out with Texas fiddling, the Clarridges accompanied by Jim French and then Lauren Harper, a promising fiddle student, was invited on stage to play a couple of numbers backed by Jim French and Tristan Clarridge. The band played varied styles of music, including some unique pieces written by Simon Chrisman.

The music was lively, energetic. Tristan played cello, fiddle and guitar; Tashina played fiddle; Chrisman skillfully played the hammered dulcimer; and Wesley Corbett was terrific on the banjo. They are touring and taking time to give back to those who supported them on their way. Friday, heading to Arcata, they visited Junction City Elementary School and Burnt Ranch School to present programs.

Friday night I drove to Redding to attend the reception for the North Valley Art League’s 26th Annual National Juried Art Show. Patrons packed into the gallery and were trying to glimpse pieces of the art and talk to the artists. Five artists from Trinity County were accepted to compete in the show: Susan Alexander, “Cosmic Cat”; Maria Cargill, “Her Electric Harp”; Karen Hammer, “Hummingbird Reflected”; Susan Holthaus, “Dancing Sea Kelp”; and Evelyn Ward, “Morning Lewiston Lake,” who won one of the five Awards of Merit.

Cargill introduced me to the juror, Julie Gilbert-Pollard. In her statement she said, “I’ve heard jurors say that they look for proficient painting skills, strong design, evidence of passion, and respect for art and the painting experience. While I take into consideration all of the above, I let my gut reaction to a painting have the final say. I think we all want to be moved by a painting. We love art and we want it to speak to us directly. Each painting I chose (and still others that regretfully there wasn’t room to hang) spoke to me in its own special language and it was a pleasure to say, yes, that one must be in the show.”

This is a wonderful collection of paintings and the NVAL Gallery in Caldwell Park is worth a visit.

Enjoyed Allison and Victor at Vintage Restaurant (in Redding), soon to perform in Hayfork.

Saturday Night I saw Elliot Randall and the Deadmen (Danilo Lopez and Kyle Caprista) at Mamma Llama (guitars, bass and drums). It was an enjoyable, easy-going country-western experience.