blogs, links, events and art from the teens behind ►

Sound familiar?

What about this?

Or is this a stretch?

…so did creaky boards copy Joe satriani?

WANT TO PERFORM AT THE WALKER ART CENTER?

Seeking musicians (ages 14 – 18) to score films inspired by Andy Warhol. Selected musicians will work with young filmmakers to compose new original works to be performed live during the screening of the film. To enter, please submit your music sample to teenprograms@walkerart.org by Friday, December 12. Call 612.375.7628 for more info.

Related link: http://blogs.walkerart.org/ecp/2008/12/02/call-for-musicians-ages-14-18

On October 23rd, I went along with the Teen Arts Council to see the Builder’s Association’s “Continuous City.”

The advertising picture was a little different from the performance. Not to say I felt cheated in any way. Because I always do. Life is a gamble, you know? Sure, you can buy a scratch n’ win, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never lose. They should be called “Scratch n’ win sometimes.”

Anyway. I was expecting more of a non-linear, less narratively structured abstract performance. You know, doin’ it up Walker style. Instead, I was served up a 2 hour long play utilizing screens and newer technology to create interactions between characters on and off stage.

Even though, visually, the performance was pretty dimensional, I thought that overall, the storyline and objective was pretty plain. A half hour through, you had a good idea of what it was about, and an hour in, you knew what the directors/artists were getting at. The extra hour was kind of unnecessary. But I guess without it the whole play might have seemed rushed.

WACTAC just finished shooting their screen tests yesterday, inspired by Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests. We put together a little teaser of the footage we got on video. You’ll notice that there is a major element missing: a soundtrack. That is where you come in.

We extended the deadline for high school musicians to score our film until Wednesday, December 17th. Send a link to your myspace or email your demos to teenprograms@walkerart.org. If you are selected you will have the opportunity to perform live at the screening of this project in February. GET YOUR SUBMISSIONS IN! This is a great opportunity. You can rap, read poetry, submit as a band, submit as a choir, make a beat, etc… just get it in by the 18th.

WALKER ART CENTER TEEN PROGRAMS NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2008

1. CALL FOR MUSICIANS
2. SCULPTURE WORKSHOP
3. PHOTO/VIDEO WORKSHOP
4. FREE TICKETS

Read the rest »

From the moment I stepped into the big gray building, I was lured into a world of croisees and leaps, hip rolls and splits, breaking and popping. There were dancers at every corner of the space – and the tapping and sliding of feet along the marble floors became the only sounds in my existence, each and every subtle movement setting off a pulse in my veins. For Choreogrpaher’s Evening, widely acclaimed routines and respected dancers will fill the hallways of the Walker Art Center and the McGuire Theater for a night of exceptional independent dance.

The show began with an installation called “Dances You Might Remember” by Galen Treuer. Dancers lined the hallways leading up to the McGuire Theater, each with their own unique style. Once everyone was seated in the theater, a video called “..Found You” by Patrick Pryor, featuring dancers/choreographers Emily Tyra and Caroline Fermin, showcased dancers that utilized paint in their choreography. This combination of mediums is representative of the beauty of a place like the Walker. I could feel that this was going to be a great performance… and it was. The show, curated by accredited dancer Sally Rousse featured 13 diverse performances. There were a couple of performances which I felt lacked substance while other performances really struck me. One of my personal favorites were the “Battlecats”. Their spin moves, popping and breaking was truly impressive and the choreography was exceptional. Their dance was entitled “Revolution” and featured music by Damien Marley. Their dance was not only fit to my taste, but also seemed to ignite the entire audience. Another one of my other favorites was, “The Evolution of Story” by Dustin Haug & Tamin Totzke, which is also merged mediums – theatrical as well as musical. The concept of multi-disciplinary was an overarching theme for this year’s Choreographer’s Evening. Choreography is more than a collection of movements; it is visual art, theatre, music, even film. I would like to congratulate curator Sally Rousse in her success and encourage you all to check out more performing arts events at the Walker.

The TAC is putting on an awesome workshop, “Sculpture for Lightweights,” taught by local artist and sculptor Amy Toscani and open to all high school students. She has exhibited extensively since 1993, recently having a show at The Soap Factory. Amy will share her knowledge of welding, sewing, and playing light-weight steel to create sculptural objects. You’ll have the opportunity to check out the Walker galleries, flex your muscles on some stainless steel in Amy’s studio, and then exhibit your own sculpture in a final showcase.

We put Amy through the wringer before we deemed her worthy of reciting the WACTAC of Allegiance, and our in home stenographer was kind enough to give us a look at the transcripts:

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I received an excited call today from my friend Elizabeth about a record label courting her courter, Will Johnson aka Gordon Voidwell. Will and I met a few times out in NY, once he was dressed as Run from Run DMC, and once he was talking about our guidance counselor hitting on him at the gym. But what you really want to know is that he majored in Philosophy of music, and his tunes are a testament to the work he put in.

His songs are a mix of funk, synth, dance, Prince, Stevie Wonder and soul. I would write something more in depth but really you should just check him out yourself. myspace.com/gordonvoidwell. Tell your mother who loves the funk, tell your cousin that loves Brooklyn, and your best friend who needs better music taste.