Medal Of Honor Rag

This Friday, October 28th,  the California Stage will open the first show of the season, MEDAL OF HONOR RAG, directed by Janis Stevens and starring Patrick Murphy, Isaac Williams and Robert Bouge. 


The production will mark the twentieth year of California State in Sacramento.  The first production was THE FOX, an adaptation of a DH Lawrence novella of the same name, directed by California stage founder Dennis Wilkerson. 

California Stage opens its 20^th production year with a powerful drama about America’s readiness for its returning soldiers.

About one in three Vietnam veterans suffered from Full or partial Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at the war.  It is estimated that over 300,000 of our returning solders from the Middle East will have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  MEDAL OF HONOR RAG, is a solemn true narration of one soldier's plight.  It is a dramatic, haunting play. 

Dale “D.J.” Jackson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts in Vietnam in the 70’s. Disillusioned, despondent and depressed, he has seen countless psychiatrists since his return to the United States from the war and his initial reaction to this new psychiatrist is one of hostility and suspicion.  What follows are bitter and emotional exchanges as these two individuals, both guilty survivors of war, verbally spar until the doctor draws out the horror and disgust that has traumatized D.J.

The play is directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Janis Stevens, with Patrick Murphy  as the attending psychotherapist, Isaac Williams as the Medal of Honor winner Dale  DJ Jackson and Robert Bogue as a military police sergeant.

“Medal of Honor Rag” plays weekends from October 28 through November 27 2011 in the Three Penny Theater at the R25 Arts Complex, 1721 25th Street at 25^th Street in Midtown Sacramento. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2 PM. Ticket prices are $20.00, for general admission, $15.00, for active and retired military, students, SARTA members and seniors, and $12.00 for groups of six or more. Easy free parking available. No late seating. Reservations: 916-451-5822 or order online at www.CalStage.org

“MEDAL OF HONOR RAG retains its relevance, its power, its tortured compassion...it remains absorbing theatre and a bracing reminder of time past and distance yet to be traveled.”

...... - New York Times

CALIFORNIA STAGE THEATER COMPANY

2011 play season produced in collaboration with Matrix Arts, a non-profit serving the greater Sacramento area. 916-451-5822

1725 25 STREET SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, 95816-- WWW.CALSTAGE.ORG

                           

MatrixArts & ArtWorks@Fairytale Town

11th Annual ScholarShare Children's Book Festival

Saturday & Sunday
September 24 & 25
10AM - 4PM

Exercise Your Imagination, all weekend long at Fairytale Town's Children's Book Festival. Guests receive free admission both days thanks to generous support from ScholarShare College Savings Plan. This year MatrixArts & ArtWorks will have a booth for families to create their own books.  On Saturday, September 24, Kristi Yanaguchi, former Olympic athlete, will present her book, "Dream Big, Little Pig." Other activities include ongoing author and illustrator presentations on the Mother Goose Stage, and a wide array of hands-on literacy activities provided by several local area arts organizations, and more! 

Five Blocks Square -- History of Poverty Ridge

Five Blocks Square – Andres Duany, architect, and proponent of livable cities, says that the average person won’t walk more than five blocks before getting in their car to go shopping, drop by a café for coffee, or go to the grocery store. Writer Rebecca Solnit, author of San Francisco, Infinite City, has shown that even small five blocks can hold tremendous allure – history, culture, botanical delights, art, food, comedy, tragedy, even murder. She’s invited other cities to chart their imagination and create maps of their own communities.  We picked up the challenge.  

Four artists will chart not just space, but place, people and time in four imaginative maps of their neighborhood, just five blocks square.  The individual maps, photographs, and stories by collaborating writers, will be on display at ArtFox Gallery in midtown. An ArtTalk by the artists and their collaborators will be held at the California Stage.

Eventually, the maps will be recreated as a floor installation at a local coffee house. Anyone coming in for coffee or tea can walk on it, talk about it and pick up supplies to create their own 5 Block Square map of their neighborhood.  We hope to eventually map the entire city and create a 5 Block² guide to Sacramento.

This is just a teaser -- we've been working on a lot of new living history programs in partnership with the California Stage, the Sacramento County Historical Society and local libraries and will update you soon.

For more information: matrixarts@me.com

FoodTalk@Cafe Bernardo June 4 to June 25, 2011

Are you an aspiring food writer? Want to write a cookbook, memoir, restaurant reviews, or start a food or wine blog? Or, just want to talk food and improve the stories you tell around the kitchen table? Join us at FOODTALK@CAFE BERNARDO, Saturday mornings from 10 - 1 pm June 4 - June 25, 2011. Cafe Bernardo is located at 28th and Capitol Avenue in Midtown Sacramento. 

FoodTalk@Cafe Bernardo Midtown June 4, 11, 18, 25, 2011

$15 per session. $50 for the series. 10 am - 1 pm (includes conversation, tastings and beverage)

Blind Tasting -- Maryellen Burns & Lynn Gowdy 

It’s said we eat with our eyes first, but what if we took away one of our senses? Taste an array of Cafe Bernardo’s iconic menu items, stretch your palate, and create a new vocabulary for talking or writing about food and drink. June 4, 2011

Hunt, Gather, Cook -- Hank Shaw in conversation with Elaine Corn 

Hank Shaw, author of Hunt, Gather, Cook -- Finding the Forgotten Feast, will share his experiences in the field, in the kitchen and on the pages of his award winning blog Hunter, Angler, Gardener, Cook. Join in the conversation with journalist/cookbook writer Elaine Corn. Books available for purchase. June 11, 2011

Kitchen Diaries -- Joy Gee & Janice Kelley

All those recipes, and stories gathering in your head or garnered from cookbooks, blogs, food magazines and memory should be gathered for posterity. Artist Joy Gee and writer Janice Kelley will guide you through the creation of a hand-made book filled with original stories, recipes, illustrations, collage, clip art or photographs. June 18, 2011

Cookbook Sale and Swap

Meet Ann Rolke, Elaine Corn and other Northern California cookbook writers, plus choose from hundreds of new, used, and rare cookbooks, food essay, food history, gardening and wine books. Bring books to swap, too. June 25, 2011

Location

Cafe Bernardo Midtown 28th and Capitol Sacramento, CA 95818

Tickets available by emailing: foodtalk@me.com, 916-768-6077

More information:

 talkfood.tumblr.com  foodtalksacramento.blogspot.com matrixarts.blogspot.com

Reservations recommended. Contact: Maryellen Burns, 916-768-6077 for more information. Tickets also available on brownpapertickets.com

Proceeds benefit Friends Around the Table, MatrixArts Kids in the Kitchen and FoodTalk@the Library.

Sponsored by MatrixArts, a 501 (c3) non- profit that bridges the visual, literary, performing and culinary arts.

MatrixArts is Alive and Well and Living in Midtown

It was really hard to get back in gear after The Gift of Art, our annual holiday art show. Plus, we decided that the trek out to Fair Oaks was just to much for most of us and moved operations back to R25 in Midtown.  We will still partner with the Allied Ceramic Arts Institute and encourage our members to exhibit in their wonderful gallery, but our energies will remain focused on providing high quality visual, performing, literary and culinary art education programs for kids, teens and adults.  Wonderful programs like:

ArtWorks@the Library
FoodTalk@Cafe Bernardo
MatrixArts KidsLit 
DIY Publishing


For now, we're concentrating on getting our blogs together, creating a new newsletter that will be distributed through vertical response, planning for a ton of summer programs, and otherwise getting our #@*%  together. 


Keep in touch by contacting us at our new email: matrixarts@me.com  or call at 916-768-6077.  Our calendar will be up in just a few days.  

Open house in Fair Oaks on Saturday October 30, 2010

MatrixArts, ACAI Studios and Gallery and Norcal Actors Workshop invite you to sample a little taste of what our three organizations have to offer on Saturday, October 30th, from 10 am to 4 m .

The day features a closing reception for papier mache artist Deborah Smith, painter Michael Smith and ceramic sculptors Aiyanna Pearson, Rosalie Roth and Lisa Johnson.  Deborah’s masks will be on sale just in time for Halloween.

Doesn’t cost a thing for you to come by and enjoy the art show, meet the artists and take a look at this exciting new art center, but we’ll also have an array of great hands-on art for you to try for a $10 per person donation.

Make clay masks, try your hand at paper-making, paint your own face, create one-of-a-kind watercolor or collage greeting cards, and even play make-believe with our great collection of costumes.

We’re located at 7425 Winding Way, Fair Oaks, California (near the corner of San Juan and Winding Way), in what looks like a converted house.

Bring friends and family and make a day of it.  The space is open most days of the week for classes, workshops, open studio, artist studios, art exhibits and art, writing and theater programs.

For more information contact Joy Gee or Maryellen Burns at matrixarts@comcast.net or 916-45-4988 

Leftovers -- Artist Reception and Members Meeting

Join us Saturday August 28, from noon to 4 pm, for a closing reception for Leftovers, the MatrixArts members show at the Pop-Up Gallery@R25, 1719 25th Street.

Enjoy papier mache masks and animals by Deborah Smith, paintings by Michael Smith and Genelle Chaconas and prints by Stephanie Skalisky and others. 

At 3:00 we'll hold a members and informational meeting about the exciting new direction MatrixArts is taking.  We'll be hosting new workshops, a resource library and gallery space at ACAI (Allied Ceramic Arts Institute) in Fair Oaks plus classes, talks, forums, displays, and performances @R25, Sacramento public libraries, Fairytale Town,  SOCA Home Tour, and other venues around town.

Contact: matrixarts@comcast.net or 916-768-6077 for more details.

Leftovers -- MatrixArts White Elephant Sale Saturday August 7 and 8th from 9 am to 3 pm

August 21 9 am to 2 pm

August 22 9 am to 4 pm

Fabulous art, art supplies, art for wearing, antiques, books, collectibles, collage materials, screen printing supplies, ceramic glazes, bisque ware, photographs, frames, estate jewelry, handmade jewelry, sculptures, Asian art, artifacts, photography, fabric – and everything else that has been lying around our studios and houses for years, will be for sale at Leftovers on Saturday and Sunday August 7^th and 8^th. Sale will be held from 9 am to 3 pm, inside and out of the heat.

Proceeds will benefit MatrixArts KidsLit and other free programs in libraries.  Event will be held at our space in Midtown, 1719 25th Street, between Q and R Street, behind the new fence.  Call 916-768-6077 for more information or matrixarts@comcast.net

Discover. Learn. Create. Connect. Share. Events at MatrixArts

June 10th, from 7 to 9 pm, Maryellen Burns will present Funding Your Dream -the first in a series of workshops for individuals and organizations on how to find money, materials and other support for creative work. Whatever field you’re in – writing, music, theater, dance, television, radio, film or new media – you’ll learn techniques for planning a successful project, identifying potential funders and investors, developing wining proposals, budgets, and marketing plans plus how to shamelessly promote yourself and your ideas. Ms. Burns has raised more than 15 million dollars for museums, libraries, universities, school districts, theaters, literary & art festivals, documentaries, and individuals. $15/10 MA members.

June 11, 18, 25 11:00 to 3:00 pm Unfinished Business Joy Gee, Maryellen Burns -- bring whatever creative work you haven’t finished --a painting, drawing, altered book, assemblage, memoir, article, book, poem or play and we’ll work with you to get it done. $15/$10 MatrixArts members.

June 17, 24, 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Emerging Artists and Writers

Designed to give one-on-one guidance to writers and artists just starting out or facing creative block. For teens and adults $15/$10 MatrixArts members

Programs held at MatrixArts@R25, 1719 25th Street, @R25, Crossroads for Arts and Culture between Q and R Street.

Locke Lost

The Lesson of the Italians -- a new play in primary colors -- by Robert Locke

June 8 through 13, 2010 T-F Sunday 2 pm Friday Saturday 8 pm California Stage

2509 25th Street Entrance on 25th Street $10, students $5 916-451-5822 Theater Party with MatrixArts Sunday June 13th at 2 pm

There is only one actor, Bob Locke, who plays both Bob the Playwright, and Bob the Character. Don’t go expecting more. Bob is also the Director and the Costume Designer. Program designed, by guess who, Bob Locke.

First hearing Ruth Draper’s The Italian Lesson on a pirated cassette recording, Bob was immediately overwhelmed by her artistry. But, it wasn’t until this year that he found a way to incorporate Ruth Draper’s piece into a piece of is own.

First performed before a small group of MatrixArts writers, Bob thought this would be his one and only performance. But response was so overwhelmingly supportive, he decided to re-write the piece, and through the generous auspices of the California Stage, is able to offer it this June.

Ruth Draper was the undisputed queen of the one-woman theater in the 20th century. Throughout her nearly forty years as a professional performer, from her official debut in 1920 until the night she died in 1956, Draper filled theaters all over the world with her unique ability to transform herself into a vast array of characters. From New York society matrons and New England crones to British schoolgirls and Continental divas, the portraits she created were as authentic as they were mesmerizing.

The show lasts about an hour and 15 minutes. The audience is invited to remain, after an intermission of ten minutes, to share with Bob a few letters written to Ruth Draper by Lauro de Bossis, an Italian poet and aviator, also selections written by Ruth Draper about Lauro.

“ It is a fabulous romance, folks”, Bob tells us, “and the heart wrenches for these two”.

During this second segment audience members are invited to discuss the writing process of Locke Lost -- Lessons of the Italians.

Bob Locke is a local playwright, actor and author -- AKA Clayton Bess.He has written and produced the acclaimed plays Dolly, Murder and Edna Redrum, Premiere, On Daddy’s Birthday, Howling Twain, and Love, Bob. As Clayton Bess, he has written books for young adults and children, including; Tracks, Story for a Black Night, Suddenly the Cat, and the Truth About the Moon.

Later this year Bob will also participate in our Emerging Writers and Artists Program and KidsLit, talking about how to break into the world of children’s literature and playwrighting.

February and March Classes at MatrixArts

Collected Works -- MatrixArts Members Show

Second Saturday Reception 

February 13 4 pm to 9pm

Matrix Arts, 1719 25th Street 

featuring the work of member artists plus work from their private collections inluding jewelry, photography, fine art, lithos, ceramics.

The Pop-Up Gallery @R 25 is a new midtown space that pops-up on an irregular basis to  showcase the work of regional artists, writers and actors.  Hosted by MatrixArts, Sacramento Poetry Center, On Stage and other partners in the @R25 arts and cultural center at 1719 25th Street Sacramento, CA  95816. 

Collected Works runs from February 13 - February 27th and features work by MatrixArts members and student artists from local community colleges. Artworks include: Daphne Burgess, Amy Eckert, Joseph Finkleman, Picasso, Jane Winsberg, John Berger, Donna Billick, Darrell Forney and much more. 

For more information about art shows, readings, workshops, classes, theater productions, talks, forums, writers competitions and other art showcases contact:

Maryelllen Burns, Education Director

MatrixArts

916-454-4988, 916-768-6077

matrixarts.blogspot.com

matrixarts@comcast.net

Thursday Next Book Making Workshops December 2009

Thursday Next and Friday through December 19th

Take the mystery out of writing, editing, illustrating, designing, producing, publishing, marketing, distributing and promoting your books and other creative work, Thursdays and Fridays @R25, the arts and cultural center in Midtown, 1719 25th Street. Workshops cost $15 session, $10 for MatrixArts and SPC members and students.To assure a spot email matrixarts@comcast.net or call 916-454-4988.  

Drop-ins are welcome. 

Thursday December 3 6:30 to 8:30 pm Friday 4^th Noon to 4 pm -- Improvisation  

Books can be made from almost any materials – index cards, handmade papers, papyrus, paper bags, fabric, and even Popsicle sticks.  Learn a little about the history of books and create your own using a grab bag of materials and a little imagination.

 Thursday December 10, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Friday 11^th noon to 4 pm  -- One Page Wonders

Create a one of a kind book, using only one piece of paper then make a special illustrated cover for it.

Thursday December 17, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Friday 18 noon to 4 pm -- Hallmark Moment 

Celebrate the life of someone you love.  Begin with a greeting card size sentiment and collage with images, words, envelopes, stamps, and copies of photos, symbols, and paint.

Coming Up in January

In January Thursday Next will expand to four different workshops a day:

11:00 am-1:00 pm           Arts Break – guided open-studio for artist, designers, writers and publishers. 

1:30 pm- 3:30 pm            Hour Stories/Our Stories – Alternating weeks of short form and longer form

memoir, food and travel writing, creative non-fiction, oral history, and more.

4:00 pm-6:00 pm             Young Artists & Authors -- programs for young adults 13+

6:30 pm-8:30 pm             Book Review – hints and help on all aspects of publishing.

 Programs are two-hour samplers and stand-a-lone.  Meaning, you don’t have to attend them all to get what you need out of them. Many repeat during the weekend. Longer versions and series programs will also be offered. We’re also available to re-create a workshop for any group of six+ who request them, either @R25 or in your own home or workplace. Yes, we hire out for parties!

 In January we'll feature Chapbooks -- A chapbook is a vehicle for poets and emerging authors and editors to gain entry into the literary marketplace. They grew out of a tradition of small books containing poems, political or religious tracts, folk stories, songs and all manner of short texts. We’ll offer a series of workshops to create a small, hand-stitched book-length manuscript of no more than 32 pages, Topics will include:  How to begin, how to arrange poems to maximize thematic impact, how to design front and back covers and inside pages, paper selection, printing, hand-binding techniques, selecting a title, and how to submit your Chapbook for contests and publication, plus a little shameless self-promotion. 

The Gift of Art

If you’re looking for that hard to find present to give to friends and family this holiday season, or want to create a piece of art to give away during the holidays join MatrixArts at The Gift of Art, Saturday December 5^th, 12^th and 19th from noon to 8 pm and Sunday December 6^th and 13^th 10 am to 4 pm.  The Gift of Art will be held at the new Pop-Up Gallery @R25, the arts and cultural center in Midtown, 1719 25^th Street.

The Gift or Art features fine arts, antiques, textiles and crafts from more than 20 regional artists and artisans, including Lawrence Fox, Maryellen Burns, Joy Gee, Daphne Burgess, Laura Martin, Tom Haseltine, Pali Delevitt, Joseph Finkleman, Sister Sheba and artists from MatrixArts, Sacramento City College, Alpha Ceramics, and Women’s Wisdom Project.

You’ll also be able to purchase signed in the stone lithographs by Alexander Calder, Picasso and Fernard Leger, Asian art,  plus decorative arts and antiques, photography, estate jewelry, textile arts, ceramic sculpture, greeting cards and boxes, art kits and supplies, and other ephemera you won’t find at all the craft fairs you’re invited to this time of year.  We even have A Dollar Store, full of arts and craft supplies.

Bring the family and make art to take home.  Each day we’ll create a different holiday gift idea – miniature book ornaments, origami stars, decoupage boxes and more.

Proceeds benefit MatrixArts Kids, and teen and adult programs in schools, libraries and community centers throughout Northern California.

We accept cash, checks and almost all credit cards.

For more information and a complete list of participating artists and artisans contact 916-454-4988 or matrixarts@comcast.net or check out our site at http://matrixarts.blogspot.com. MatrixArts is a 501 c (3) arts education organization.

MatrixArts is Back! (In Midtown)

MatrixArts is back in Midtown @R25, the arts and cultural center that houses some of the best artists, art and literary organizations, and theaters in Sacramento. We're sharing space with the Sacramento Poetry Center though we have our own address -- 1713 25th Street. In the next few weeks we'll be announcing our fall schedule and our many new programs including:

Thursday Next -- a weekly series of workshops that takes the mystery out of writing, illustrating, designing, and publishing your work.

Furlough Fridays -- open studio for artists, writers and performers who want space to create and connect with other creative folks.

Pop-Up Gallery -- art shows that pop up on an irregular basis to showcase the works of emerging and established artists.

MatrixArts Kids and Families -- hands-on art for the whole family. On weekends and after school.

MatrixArts Outloud -- conversations, talks, lectures, and performances about art, theater, and the literary and film worlds.

We move in mid-month in October. Our first programs are scheduled to begin on October 29th and will run through Sunday November 1st.

If you have any questions feel free to email Maryellen Burns at matrixarts@comcast.net