Elena Velasco, Convergence Theater, "Talks" Cultural Equity
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
Release Date: 06/09/2020
Christina Papanicolaou "Talks" Goals for Arlington Artists Alliance
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
The new Executive Director of the Arlington Artists Alliance Christina Papanicolaou briefed us on her plans for the organization including a revamp of the organization's website, creating a centralized online site, opening an educational center/artist studio spaces, build up their social media presence and reopening the Academy. Also learn how her New York City gallery helped emerging artists with their first shows, the unique "gold leaf" art technique, and two exciting upcoming events at the Alliance.
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Eleanore Tapscott and Simone Jackson-Charles "Talk" Theater
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
Director Eleanore Tapscott and Actor Simone Jackson-Charles appeared on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to give us the details about Dominion Stage's production of "The Bluest Eye" based on the novel by Toni Morrison. Find out how they both got into the theater business, what it felt like to rehearse in person with the other cast members and how they dealt with the hard issues in the play of racism, violence, sexual abuse and mental illness. Also learn where Morrison got the idea for her book.
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Visual Artist Agata Peszko "Talks" Working with Felt
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
Visual artist Agata Peszko joined us to talk about her unique artwork with felt (which is working with wool, soap and water). Find out how she learned about this unique art medium, her creative process of working with the felt, her career journey from Poland through Paris through London and ultimately landing in Arlington. Hear how the pandemic impacted her, where her work has been exhibited and where she loves to see her work shown. And find out her very original thoughts on why art is like teenagers.
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Musicians Liz O'Hara Stahr and Matt Richardson "Talk" Chamber Music
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
Musicians and duo founding members of the 9th Street Chamber Music organization Liz O'Hara Stahr and Matt Richardson talked about their new entity (which evolved from the 9th Street Chamber Quartet) and its focus on three areas: Education, Concerts and Community Collaboration to achieve their vision of becoming ore involved in their community through chamber music. Also get all the details about the July 16th launch party and the origins behind those "clapping non-no's" between movements during concerts.
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Black American Heritage Museum of Arlington President Scott Taylor "Talks"
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
The President of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington Scott Taylor joined us on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to talk about the museum, how it came into existence, its mission, exhibits, and plans for the future. Also hear about Scott's experiences growing up in Halls Hill, the wall that surrounded the community, and background on Freedmen's Village which was created for freed slaves and also welcomed Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass as special guests. Such an interesting chat we had!
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Arlington Arts Center Executive Director Catie Anchin "Talks" Goals
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
The new Executive Director of the Arlington Arts Center (AAC) Catie Anchin discussed her goals for the Center. She also gave us details on three current exhibitions: "We Can't Predict Tomorrow" featuring works of 9 artists with the theme of the pandemic and resiliency; "Portrait of a County by a Young-ish Man" that honors County employees who take care of AAC grounds/facility; and "Parking Lot is Beautiful at Dawn" which is sculptures and other art pieces made from paper pulp left in parking lot cracks.
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Dr. Thalia Goldstein, GMU, "Talks" Benefits of Arts for Children
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
Dr. Thalia Goldstein from George Mason University's Applied Developmental Psychology Department, talked about the many studies providing strong evidence on the benefits of being involved in theater and children developing social and emotional understanding and empathy. Less detention issues, higher school attendance, better grades and test scores, more regulated emotions, being able to express themselves in a healthy way, better social skills are only some the benefits of theatrical activity for children.
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CPRO's Kim Klingler "Talks" Hybrid Blues Festival
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
The Executive Director of the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) Kim Klingler appeared on the "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" podcast to give us all the details about their upcoming Hybrid Columbia Pike Blues Festival with both in-person and live-streamed concerts by local bands. Also find out what movies will be shown this summer as part of the Drive-In Movie Nights, other events being planned for the fall and how they plan to celebrate the 35th Anniversary for CPRO.
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Actor Regina Aquino "Talks" New One-Person Show
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
Actor Regina Aquino returned as a guest on "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" to discuss her new one-person show "We're Gonna Die" opening at Roundhouse Theatre. Find out how it felt going on stage with a limited audience for the first time, how she prepared, and why the show is uplifting. Also learn about her exciting new venture as a director, as well as the first play she has written along with her other gigs at Adventure Theatre, Rep Stage and the Kennedy Center's American College Theater Festival.
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Liza Figueroa Kravinsky "Talks" GoGo Symphony
Embracing Arlington Arts Talks
Composer, filmmaker and musician Liza Figueroa Kravinsky gives us an in-depth look into the official music of DC - GoGo. Having composed the original "GoGo Symphony" - a blend of go-go music with classical compositions, Liza founded the GoGo Symphony Ensemble to perform it and other original songs. Hear her interesting story from working with Prince and GoGo bands like Trouble Funk and Robin Power's Uptown Dames in this podcast. Also get insight into how GoGo evolved and its links to pop and funk music.
info_outlineElena Velasco, the Co-Founder of Convergence Theater and passionate advocate for cultural equity and diversity in the performing arts arena explained how today's dual challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown, coupled with national protests in support of Black Lives Matter are impacting theaters, and why she considers this a moment of reckoning. Also learn more about how Convergence is dealing with the shutdown, as well as the developments at the American Alliance of Theatre and Education (AATE) on whose board she sits. Definitely lots of important issues to think about and discuss in this interview.