Lecture Series Examines the Life and Work of Da Vinci

A series of collaborative lectures titled “Da Vinci Dialogues” will feature Boise State University faculty. The lectures will highlight facets of artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci’s life, work and art as it relates to today’s world, how he was influenced by the era in which he lived, and his most innovative contributions to the arts and sciences.

The series is sponsored by Boise State’s College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, Arts and Humanities Institute and STEM Station. The lectures will coincide with the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at the Discovery Center of Idaho, 131 W. Myrtle St. in Boise. Tickets are $25 each or $75 for the series of four. All lectures will be held at the Discovery Center of Idaho. Seating is limited to 150 people per lecture. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for light appetizers and drinks and the lectures begin at 7:30 p.m.
Click here to purchase tickets.

Aug. 14

“You Don’t Get Answers if You Don’t Have Questions”
Instructional designer Quincy Conley and philosopher Stephen Crowley discuss da Vinci’s epic failures, incredible contributions and lasting influence.

Sept. 11

“Cultures of Invention”
Artist Dan Scott, materials scientist Will Hughes, art historian Muffet Jones and mechanical engineer John Gardner explore environments in which innovators prosper.

Oct. 9

“Throwing Away the Lines”
Historian Lisa McClain and sociologist Don Winiecki unveil the real Leo and discuss how he not only crossed lines but threw them away to redefine art, invention, observation and even festivals.

Nov. 13

“The Construction of Art and of Artists”
Materials scientist Darryl Butt and art historian Janice Neri discuss the material art is made of, as well as how cultural heritage may be reverse engineered to the point that a man becomes an untouchable legend.

Written by Kathleen Tuck

Theater Review: Wicked at The Morrison Center For The Performing Arts

Last night, my wife and I took a ride that defied gravity in Boise, as Wicked transformed the city into the magical land of Oz. The show was one of the most complete and satisfying musicals I've come across in a long time. Packed with spectacular coups de theatre and magical effects, Winnie Holzman's script keeps the gags coming as it cleverly subverts the film that spawned it.

The story of Elphaba, the titular Wicked Witch in Broadway’s smash hit musical, Wicked, has become as classic and engrained in our hearts as the original story of Dorothy from Frank L. Baum’s source material for the show, The Wizard of Oz. Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz was immediately inspired to create a musical about Elphaba when he read the novel by Greg Maguire which expanded and twisted the universe and gave us another look into the world many of us grew up reading about and watching in the movies. The musical is a look into the land of Oz before that familiar girl from Kansas and her dog arrived in Munchkinland and shows that in life, not everything is merely black or white – or green!

The production was fortunate to boast a pair of ace leading women in the main roles. As Glinda,  Kara Lindsay delivered a sensational star turn, displaying a crystal-pure voice and sharp comic timing;  Laurel Harris loaned her powerful pipes to the tricky role of Elphaba. Wizard of Oz  fans will be fascinated by all the back stories. They answer, analyze and develop questions including: "Is Glinda really that good?" ... "Where did the flying monkeys come from?" ... "How did the Scarecrow and Tin man come to be?" Built on songs by Stephen Schwartz, the best thing about Wicked is its stars, whose talent casts a powerful spell.

Presented at one of the nation's best venues -- The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts -- the costumes, stage props, actors, music -- everything was top notch. Wicked is a seductive slice of popular entertainment. Thus, it has the potential  to help a younger audience develop  a lasting taste for musical theater. Like any good Broadway musical, it taps into every emotion in the book. The impeccable phrasing and timing combine with surprisingly ingenious humor and a gripping narrative. The play gave the material every chance to shine.

The emerald curtain will continue to rise through May 4, 2014. Wicked is a musical you can take the entire family to.

Help Students Read Banned Book: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Thank you all for the vigorous and thoughtful dialogue on my diary: Meridian, Idaho Public Schools Ban The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie This article summarizes my work with donating books: Many across Valley have joined together to support literacy.

I founded the Literacy Project years ago to support grassroots educational initiatives that directly affect the lives of children. Our goal is to get books into their hands. My wife and our kids love to help give away the books.

I would like to distribute a copy of a wide variety of Boise-area parents, so that they can read it and choose, if, how, and when, they will share and discuss it with their children. Will you help? Here is my crowdfunding campaign:

Guitar Legend Joe Bonamassa Rocked The Morrison Center

Hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation and an ever-evolving singer-songwriter, Joe Bonamassa approaches his 26th year as a professional musician. 

He brought his special brand of music to The Morrison Center at Boise State University on Friday.

"As Joe Bonamassa approaches his 26th year as a professional musician, he continues to blaze a remarkably versatile artistic trail, and amass an authentic, innovative and soulful body of work. Bonamassa’s career began onstage opening for B.B. King in 1989, when he was only 12 years old," his website reads. 

Do you love books? Do you want to get published? Like Michael Strickland, Publishing Consultant, on Facebook. https://t.co/WUwLDaaMii
— Michael Strickland (@PublishWithUs) June 26, 2014

Today, he is hailed worldwide as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation, and is an ever-evolving singer-songwriter who has released 15 solo albums in the last 13 years, all on his own label, J&R Adventures. Bonamassa’s tour schedule consistently hovers at around 200 shows worldwide each year, and a heaping handful of markedly diverse side projects keep him thinking outside the box and flexing every musical muscle he’s got. He founded and oversees the non-profit Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation to promote the heritage of the blues to the next generation, fund music scholarships, and supplement the loss of music education in public schools. There’s a case to be made that Joe Bonamassa, like another star who shared the same initials, is the hardest working man in show business.

In addition to live performances, 2014 will mark four major projects on the J&R release schedule: a live DVD/Blu-ray plus 2-disc companion CD from the neo-funk/jazz combo Rock Candy Funk Party which was filmed over three nights at the legendary Iridium Jazz Club in New York City; a live CD/DVD/Blu-ray with singer Beth Hart filmed at Amsterdam’s famed Carre Theatre last summer while the duo was touring in Europe; and a 4-disc CD package of Tour De Force: Live In London, Bonamassa’s career retrospective recorded and filmed (the DVD/Blu-rays came out in late 2013) at concerts at four iconic London venues. After that, another blues-rock solo album—aka Joe’s “day job”—will follow.

 “Sometimes journalists just shake their heads, and ask me ‘Isn’t it risky?,’” says Joe. “But I say why not do it? Why play it safe? I want to diversify, not just always have it be business as usual.” 

It all builds on Bonamassa’s ascendant prominence of the past few years. Recent kudos include his very first Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album, which he earned with much buzzed about singer-songwriter Beth Hart for their sophomore collaboration, Seesaw; a Blues Music Award nomination for Best DVD for the 2013 solo acoustic project, An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House; eleven #1 Billboard Blues Albums (more than any other artist); five consecutive “Best Blues Guitarist” wins and a top “Best Overall Guitarist” honor in Guitar Player’s Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and recognition as Billboard’s #1 Blues Artist, 2010— the year Joe Bonamassa: Live At The Royal Albert Hall was released, featuring Eric Clapton joining him onstage.

Reviewing 2011’s Dust Bowl, Premier Guitar wrote:

“Over time, Bonamassa has created his own universe that no longer has much to do with what we think of as traditional blues. It’s movie music for your mind with astonishingly great guitar playing.” 

Regarding Bonamassa’s 2012 album Driving Towards The Daylight (with guests including Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford), Guitar World called him the “roots-based six-string’s new king of pyromania.”

Rolling Stone wrote:

“his exacting singing blends with fiery symphonic playing.” 

In a review for the 2012 CD/DVD Joe Bonamassa: Beacon Theatre—Live From New York, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said:

“He makes every note matter and resonate emotionally. Indeed, he is one of the finest musicians in the business today.”

tOd aLan presents GLAMOROUSNOIZE 3 a fashion event . An evening where Fashion-Art-Music collide in this colorful Fashion theater

tOd aLan presents GLAMOROUSNOIZE 3 a fashion event . An evening where Fashion-Art-Music collide in this colorful Fashion theater.........Not to be missed . VIP tix $25 available at Azure Hair Studio LLC only and must be purchased in advance. doors open 8.13 SHow starts 9.45pm tickets available at the door for general admission $15.

Special thanks to Amanda Woods, Vanessa KaRyn Ferguson, Woods On Fire Innovative Beauty, and Back 2 Life Chiropractic for alerting me to this great event!

Tod Alan added: "This is the ONE.......the most amazing group of 49 Models......the clothes-fabrics.....textures......the Music......the hair and makeup......going to be electric.........ive never been so Xcited for a show as i am this one.....and this is my 22nd one................Let the games begin."

• Saturday, 3/28/14 at 8:15pm

• Show Map Linen Building Event Center 1402 W. Grove Street, Boise, Idaho 83702

Michael Strickland's Idaho Arts and Culture Spot: tOd aLan presents GLAMOROUSNOIZE 3 a fashion event... http://t.co/RGFV2SL728
— Michael Strickland (@PublishWithUs) March 28, 2014

Novelist and College of Idaho alumnus Christopher Farnsworth to Speak at Commencement

Novelist and College of Idaho alumnus Christopher Farnsworth will return to his alma mater as keynote speaker for the College’s 2014 Commencement ceremonies May 17.

Farnsworth ’93 is best known as the author of The President’s Vampire series chronicling the adventures of Nathaniel Cade, a vampire sworn to protect the President of the United States from supernatural threats. Born and raised in Idaho, Farnsworth worked as an investigative and business reporter before selling his first movie script, The Academy, to MGM. His work also has appeared in the New Republic,Washington Monthly and the New York Post.

“The College of Idaho has long been known for helping young writers grow and hone their craft,” C of I President Marv Henberg said. “Christopher is continuing that legacy and we are pleased that our Class of 2014 will hear from a graduate who has achieved so much success as an author.”

Farnsworth came to the C of I expecting to pursue a career in law, but was persuaded by long-time writing professor and Idaho Book of the Year winner John Rember to pursue a career in writing. Farnsworth’s bestselling books have been optioned for film and television and translated into nine languages. His next novel will be published by William Morrow in 2015.

Commencement begins at 10 a.m. May 17 in Morrison Quadrangle at the heart of the C of I campus. The ceremonies conclude at approximately noon and will be webcast live at www.collegeofidaho.edu/videostream.

Where Are the People of Color in Children’s Books?

Of 3,200 children’s books published in 2013, just 93 were about black people, according to a study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin.
 


SEE The recent New York Times article: Where Are the People of Color in Children’s Books? by Walter Dean Myers.