I wanted to Produce a multi artist event. I discussed possibly renting fabulous Backspace with owner Blake Williams. As I described my idea Blake said “That reminds me of the Chautauqua from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.
My Chautauqua event was born.
“What is in mind is a sort of Chautauqua—that’s the only name that I can think of for it—like the traveling tent-show Chautauquas that used to move across America, . . . an old-time series of popular talks intended to edify and entertain, improve the mind and bring culture and enlightenment to the ears and thoughts of the hearer.”
-Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,p.17 ”
My weekly Friday, artist group, meetings continued where women artists, mothers and co pilots with parenting and family supported each others creative ideas, struggles and pursuits. I absolutely wanted each of these artists to share their art along with my music at the Chautauqua.
So group members Kiki(photographer), Niki(yoga business) and Linda(writer) sharing their art. Then I added many other artistic friends including Blake Williams and Margarita, using their images, creating a fabulous tent tarp back drop for the bands.
Blake set a wonderful mood by projecting his art images on the street wall as you entered his Backspace venue. It was a wonderful night with Nohearums and blue dirt girl each doing sets of music, Sophie Yendole had the audience rapt with her poetry, patrons wandered the space and saw the Linda’s Human Library, one on one interviews recorded discussing transformational experiences, Javayoga demo, Donna Redlick’s Modern Dance Video, Sarah Campbell’s jewelry, Chris Blades and Blake Williams art, along with Blake’s presentation of his Public Art project with Architect Richard Henriquez for non profit housing on Main at Hastings. Charmian Nimmo’s Tuxedo Cat Pottery, Erland Kirste’s Refinewoodcraft wooden handmade spheroids and Kiki Yee’s fabulous photographic work.
On Sunday I had Sarah’s daughter, Sybil, offer to lend me her beautiful paper aspen tree for the donation hat to hang. Perfect.
Sunday we had a fabulous impromptu jam with Lorraine Finch, keyboardist, songwriter, singer from our Hello(again)
band stopping by, along with Chris Blades playing gorgeous slide guitar, Martin Walton running the sound board. Magic.
Folks were reading Blake’s art magazines and books drinking coffee, viewing the art and listening to our jam.
This is the first of many Chautauqua Productions for blue dirt girl.
“because i said i would”