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SOUND IN THE GROUND: MOLTEN at MESA CONTEMPORARY ARTS
October 04 , 2006 by Kathleen Gorden(Mesa, Ariz.) – Mesa Contemporary Arts (MCA) announces the line-up for Molten, the second evening in a series of eclectic Sound in the Ground events. Molten will feature music by Wicked Children and Les Hell on Heels. The title and theme relate to the new illuminated glass and neon exhibition at MCA, also titled Molten. Sound in the Ground: Molten begins at 9pm at Mesa Contemporary Arts’ below ground courtyard at 1 E. Main St. in Downtown Mesa. Tickets are available online at www.mesaartscenter.com for $6 or at the door at $8.
Sound in the Ground: Molten will also feature fire spinning provided by Breath of Fire, fire sculpture garden provided by Greathouse Labs, one night only neon show by ASU neon workshop, sizzling food demonstration by Chef Tim of BAK’D, ice sculpture by Chef Brian of Simply Delicious Bistro, and glass blowing demo by Mesa Arts Center’s artist in residence Eli Aller. Sound in the Ground: Molten begins at 9pm, with doors opening at 8:45pm.
Free light appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Sound in the Ground is open to those 18 and older.
About Wicked Children
Wicked Children play jazz versions of Radiohead songs. Adam Roberts decided to begin making arrangements of his own, after he heard arrangements of Radiohead by Brad Mehldau. The complex and dense melodies of Radiohead’s music allow Roberts to create a modern sound. Wicked Children are Adam Roberts (arrangements, middle reeds), Leon Santiago (vocals), Chris Benavidez (high reeds), Paul Brewer (low reeds), Kevin Tagney (trumpets), Scott Pearson (guitar), Brock Walters (keyboards), Jeff Naylor (bass) and Gannon Burleigh (drums). More information is available at www.adamrobertsmusic.com.
About Les Hell on Heels
Signed by indie label BOMP!, Les Hell on Heels brings well-written and energetically played “punk'n'roll” to the stage with astonishing charm. The group plays classic punk rock with heavy pop hooks, power pop injected with sass and attitude, songs about girl fights and brand-new boyfriends. "We write songs about everything -- dying young, sex, makeup, boys, girls that mess with our boys, each other," Monarch says with a laugh. Jess Roe (drums), Chela La Rue (bass & vocals), Paula Monarch (guitar & vocals) and Helene 33 (organ & vocals) make up this retro-inspired group. More information is available at www.myspace.com/leshellonheels.
About Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire is a Phoenix based poi troupe managed by Ram Das (Julie). Poi originated centuries ago amongst New Zealand’s indigenous Maori people. The basic tools of poi are a ball, chain and handle. The ball is spun around the handle and infinite patterns are created. In fire performances, white gas-soaked kevlar balls are used in conjunction with necessary safety equipment.
Ram Das became interested in fire spinning when she attended the Bisbee 2001 New Year’s Eve Fire Parade and was mesmerized by the sight of poi dancers wielding balls of fire on chains. She started BOF with the mission to uplift and inspire souls through the element of fire. Ram Das has performed at the Fete de Lumiere in Lyon, France, First Fridays and other local events. She teaches poi classes in Phoenix’s Coronado District and has taught children’s groups including the Girls Scouts of America and the Desert Marigold Waldorf School. In addition to playing with fire, Ram Das practices nursing and is a certified Kundalini yoga teacher and teaches at Yoga Phoenix.
Joining Ram Das for the Sound in the Ground Event is Fire Performer James Claymon. James is also a certified Kundalini yoga teacher at Yoga Phoenix and is a professional trainer, and guitar instructor. More information is available at www.phoenixbreathoffire.com.
About Greathouse Labs
Racegreathouselabs was started four years ago by Lance Greathouse after the cancellation of the television series Robot Wars and Battlebots. He needed a way to continue his passion for designing and building strange and unusual machinery. After constructing and displaying several fire machines at local art events, he found he was not alone in his admiration of fire's beauty and power.
Since then, Greathouse has constructed many specialized machines with the help of friends and family. At any given time there are several new projects under construction and many others on the drawing board. Racegreathouse labs performs several times each year at various Burning Man and local events.
For pictures, more information and upcoming performances please check out our website at: www.racegreathouselabs.com.
About Chef Tim of Bak’d
Timothy Rogers can be found hard at work at Bak’d, a restaurant located in Downtown Mesa which he co-owns with his brother Chef James Rogers. Together the duo also runs a catering business, A Savory Affair. A Gilbert native, Chef Tim trained locally at Scottsdale Culinary Institute and remains dedicated to serving the local market with tasty and creative cuisine. More information about Chef Tim can be found at http://www.bakd.net.
About Chef Brian of Serenade Catering
Chef Brian graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in 1996 with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management. Prior to establishing Serenade Catering, he had the pleasure of working as Specialty Room Chef at Harrah's Casino in Maricopa, Arizona, where he led the culinary team in constructing the world's largest gingerbread house in 2001. Brian owns Simply Delicious Bistro on 124 W Main St. in Downtown Mesa. More information is available at www.serenadecatering.com.
About ASU Neon Workshop and Glass Blowing Demonstration by Eli Aller
ASU Neon Workshop is run by professor Jim White. White teaches his student how to make neon glass art, and runs the neon workshop, which is also open to former students who want to continue learning about this artform.
Eli Aller is the glass artist in residence at Mesa Arts Center’s Art Studios. Eli will lead the demonstration will take place in the glass studios in the art studios building south from 9-11pm.
About the Exhibitions on Display
Molten
November 3- April 1, 2007
An exhibition of illuminated glass artworks. Featuring Jason Chakravarty, Eric Franklin, Edward Kirshner, and James White, this exhibition examines the skilled craftsmanship and creativity of artists working with illuminated elements in contemporary glass. Whether through neon or argon, the result is an electrifying experience that will enlighten the imagination and challenge standardized notions on art. Guest jurors for Molten were Susanne K. Frantz, former Curator of 20th-Century Glass at The Corning Museum of Glass in New York, and Kim Koga, Executive Director of the Museum of Neon Art.
Out There: Unconventional Landscapes by Melissa Martinez and Mary Shindell
Multimedia coessential installations inspired by the Sonoran desert. Local artists Melissa Martinez and Mary Shindell will combine their distinct approaches to create an inviting landscape installation inspired by the desert in which they live. Martinez uses nature to reference literary and historical sources, while reflecting on the human psyche and her own. To compliment Martinez, Shindell focuses on detail and texture, meticulously capturing every botanical element.
Sandow Birk’s Divine Comedy
September 15, 2006 – January 7, 2007
This exhibition features Sandow Birk’s most recent series of prints and paintings based on his contemporary re-translation of Dante Alighieri’s 14th century epic poem The Divine Comedy.
Birk takes us on his personal tour of modern metropolises, where police helicopters hover over clogged freeways, fast food restaurants and used car lots choke crumbling neighborhoods, and corporate logos dot the downtown skylines. In over 70 prints and paintings, Birk crafts an imaginary American narrative that is humorous, yet brimming with political relevance. Sandow Birk’s Divine Comedy was organized by the San Jose Museum of Art.
PIVOT: The Conjunction of Directional Impulses
an audio and kinetic installation by James A. Cook
September 5 – November 26
Tucson artist James Cook incorporates video, sound, and other electronic media into his interactive sculptures. As the visitor enters the gallery, the devices are activated and react to the movement and population density in the space. Cook’s work creates a dialogue between the visitor and art, playing upon man’s complex relationship with technology.
Neither MAN nor BEAST
Exhibition of works from the Mesa Contemporary Arts Permanent Collection
September 5- TBA
From Mesa Contemporary Arts permanent collection, this exhibition explores the beasts that reside within an artist’s imagination. Some representations resemble human forms, but are they? The anthropomorphic imagery displayed in this exhibit captures man’s fascination with the strange and unusual.
Tickets for all Sound in the Ground: Molten are available only by purchasing online at www.mesaartscenter.com or at the door on the night of the event at Mesa Contemporary Arts, located at 1 E. Main St. in downtown Mesa.
Other Sound in the Ground evenings will happen on various Thursdays in coming months.
Schedule for Sound in the Ground:
Thursday, October 12- Visual/Audio
Thursday, November 9- Molten
Thursday, February 1- Salsa
Thursday, March 29- Jelly/Belly
Thursday May 17- Welcome to Arizona
EVENT INFORMATION:
WHAT: Sound in the Ground: Molten
WHEN: Thurs, Nov 9 9pm-midnight
WHERE: Mesa Contemporary Arts at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, Ariz.
COST: Tickets $6 in advance (online only) $8 at the door (18+)
CONTACT: For more information, call 480-644-6560 or visit www.mesaartscenter.com.
