Vivian McHugh, Chris' Book Deal, and Summer Fun! Here's the June 2008
update from The Grotto, the cooperative workspace of writers, filmmakers,
and artists in downtown San Francisco. The Grotto also welcomes Janis Cooke
Newman, our newest member.
Up-to-the-minute GrottoNEWS is online! For updates on the goings-on at the Grotto, check
out GrottoNEWS at
www.sfgrotto.org/news.html
[We are sending this as text-formatted as our prior HTML-formatted
newsletters are now being considered spam by most filters.]
JOSH A DADDY TO THE LOVELY VIVIAN MCHUGH
On June 16th, Grottoite Josh McHugh beamed, "Margaret gave birth to a little
girl at 10 this morning. Vivian weighs 7 lbs, 2.5 oz and stands 20.5 inches
tall. She loves heat lamps, sleeping and mother's milk."
Huge congratulations to Josh and Margaret!
DON'T MISS RODES' PIECE IN JULY'S OPRAH MAGAZINE, PLUS HIS "GOING TO SEE THE
ELEPHANT" WILL BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR
Grotto dweller Rodes Fishburne's essay on fatherhood is in this month's
[July] issue of Oprah's magazine. To read it online, visit
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpEaaaaaabaeQAf3/
His first novel, "Going to See the Elephant" will be published later this
year. Sign up at his website for the "Friends of Rodes" newsletter.
Kudos to Rodes!
update from The Grotto, the cooperative workspace of writers, filmmakers,
and artists in downtown San Francisco. The Grotto also welcomes Janis Cooke
Newman, our newest member.
Up-to-the-minute GrottoNEWS is online! For updates on the goings-on at the Grotto, check
out GrottoNEWS at
www.sfgrotto.org/news.html
[We are sending this as text-formatted as our prior HTML-formatted
newsletters are now being considered spam by most filters.]
JOSH A DADDY TO THE LOVELY VIVIAN MCHUGH
On June 16th, Grottoite Josh McHugh beamed, "Margaret gave birth to a little
girl at 10 this morning. Vivian weighs 7 lbs, 2.5 oz and stands 20.5 inches
tall. She loves heat lamps, sleeping and mother's milk."
Huge congratulations to Josh and Margaret!
DON'T MISS RODES' PIECE IN JULY'S OPRAH MAGAZINE, PLUS HIS "GOING TO SEE THE
ELEPHANT" WILL BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR
Grotto dweller Rodes Fishburne's essay on fatherhood is in this month's
[July] issue of Oprah's magazine. To read it online, visit
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpEaaaaaabaeQAf3/
His first novel, "Going to See the Elephant" will be published later this
year. Sign up at his website for the "Friends of Rodes" newsletter.
Kudos to Rodes!
Vivian McHugh, Chris' Book Deal, and Summer Fun! Here's the June 2008
update from The Grotto, the cooperative workspace of writers, filmmakers,
and artists in downtown San Francisco. The Grotto also welcomes Janis Cooke
Newman, our newest member.
Up-to-the-minute GrottoNEWS is online! For updates on the goings-on at the Grotto, check
out GrottoNEWS at
www.sfgrotto.org/news.html
[We are sending this as text-formatted as our prior HTML-formatted
newsletters are now being considered spam by most filters.]
JOSH A DADDY TO THE LOVELY VIVIAN MCHUGH
On June 16th, Grottoite Josh McHugh beamed, "Margaret gave birth to a little
girl at 10 this morning. Vivian weighs 7 lbs, 2.5 oz and stands 20.5 inches
tall. She loves heat lamps, sleeping and mother's milk."
Huge congratulations to Josh and Margaret!
DON'T MISS RODES' PIECE IN JULY'S OPRAH MAGAZINE, PLUS HIS "GOING TO SEE THE
ELEPHANT" WILL BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR
Grotto dweller Rodes Fishburne's essay on fatherhood is in this month's
[July] issue of Oprah's magazine. To read it online, visit
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpEaaaaaabaeQAf3/
His first novel, "Going to See the Elephant" will be published later this
year. Sign up at his website for the "Friends of Rodes" newsletter.
Kudos to Rodes!
CHRIS INKS A BOOK DEAL AND HE'S CO-AUTHORING WITH FRANCES MOORE LAPPE
Grottoite Christopher Cook is happy to report he's writing a book about
world hunger with legendary author Frances Moore Lappe, slated for
publication next spring. To learn more about what Chris is up to, visit his
website at http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpFaaaaaabaeQAf3/
Huge congratulations to Chris!
HELENA READS DIRTY WORDS THIS THURSDAY, JULY 10
On July 10, at 6 p.m., Grottoite Helena Echlin will be reading her
contribution to "Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex" at Book
Passage in San Francisco, along with Ellen Sussman, Meredith Maran, Kim
Addonizio, and Thaisa Frank. For more information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpGaaaaaabaeQAf3/ and
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpHaaaaaabaeQAf3/
PO AND ETHAN CANIN FEATURED AT THE PROGRESSIVE READING SERIES ON JULY 19
Don't miss the Seventh Progressive Reading of 2008 hosted by Grottoite
Stephen Elliott on Saturday, July 19, 7pm at The Makeout Room. This month's
offerings feature Ethan Canin, author of America America and Grottoite Po
Bronson, author of What Should I Do with My Life?
Also reading will be Neal Pollack, author of Alternadad, Tara Jepsen, of
Sister Spit, and Frank Portman, author of King Dork. Plus, there is a
comedy bonus - W. Kamau Bell, named best comedian by the SF Weekly. Music
by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels. How can you miss it?
July 19th, at The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street. $10-20 sliding scale.
415.647.2888 or for advance tickets, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpIaaaaaabaeQAf3/
For more information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpJaaaaaabaeQAf3/
CHRIS SPENDS SUMMER AT THE MESA REFUSE WRITERS' RETREAT
Grotto dweller Chris Colin is off to the Mesa Refuge writers' retreat in
July. Quick dinner recommendation from a recent assignment, on his way out
the door:
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpKaaaaaabaeQAf3/
DON'T MISS "CANTOCORE," FEATURING JD'S AND OTHER ART PROJECTS BETWEEN SAN
FRANCISCO AND GUANGZHOU - PREVIEW BENEFIT ON JULY 23
Don't miss this month's exhibition preview and concert of "Cantocore," on
Wednesday, July 23, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
"Cantocore" opens Wednesday July 23rd with an inaugural private live concert
featuring the acclaimed musicians Ma Jie, a Chinese, traditional ruan and
pipa player, and Christopher Willits, an electronic musician using
custom-built software to redefine the guitar in the digital age.
"Cantocore" is a series of contemporary art projects between San Francisco
and Guangzhou, dedicated to expanding intercultural dialogue, set to open in
China and the U.S., fall 2008. Participating artists include JD Beltran,
Luther Thie, Kathrine Worel, David Johnson, Misako Inaoka, Huang Xiao Peng,
Zhou Tao, Chu Yun, Hu Xiang Qian and many more. "Cantocore" is produced by
Justin Hoover of the Garage Biennale, and Deer Fang and Jon Phillips of the
Fabricatorz.
Attendance is limited. RSVP required by July 16. Event tickets are $70
each. Supporter's names will be honored in the final exhibition catalogue.
Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served during the event.
CANTOCORE exhibition preview, Wednesday, July 23, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at the
Hoover Residence, 2830 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115. Tickets
at 415.425.1647, or email info@... Visit
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpLaaaaaabaeQAf3/ for more information.
XANDRA AND DAVID'S "FULL GROWN MEN" PREMIERES AT THE LUMIERE ON JULY 25
Grottofilms' award-winning dramatic comedy FULL GROWN MEN premieres at the
Lumiere theater July 25!
Watch this space for more details coming soon. For more information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpsaaaaaabaeQAf3/
STEPHANIE IN SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE THIS MONTH, PLUS SHE'LL READ AT BOOK
PASSAGE ON AUGUST 7
Subletee Stephanie Losee appears on the Contributors' Page of the new "Best
of the Bay" issue of San Francisco Magazine to talk about her piece on
personal stylists. Stephanie had to hire one before heading out on her
publicity tour for her recent book "Office Mate," or she would have ended up
on FOX Business News wearing Patagonia.
Stephanie is also helping to promote the new anthology "The Maternal is
Political" by participating in a reading with several fellow contributors in
the Ferry Building Book Passage at 6pm on August 7th. For more information,
see http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpMaaaaaabaeQAf3/
YOU CAN'T MISS STEVE 'S PIECE ON HANS REISER IN SALON.COM
Yeah - he 'fessed up! Read Steve's riveting account of interviewing Hans
Reiser in jail pre-confession - with Reiser steadfastly maintaining his
innocence - at:
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpNaaaaaabaeQAf3/
LAURA AND MEGHAN ARE WINNERS IN THE FIELDREPORT CONTEST
Congratulations to Grottoites Laura Fraser and Meghan Ward, who won their
categories on Field Report! Meghan won with her tale of "pig toilets" in
India (they're even grosser than they sound) in the Travel and Nature
category, and Laura won with another tale that included similar activities,
which is also grosser than it sounds, in Love+Hate. Both stories are
hilarious and fabulous, and now, award-winning. Elizabeth Bernstein came in
second place in her category, by a tenth of a point [soooo close . . .]
Congratulations to everyone!
To see more about FieldReport and read the winning pieces, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpOaaaaaabaeQAf3/
PETER'S "UNDERGROUND AMERICA" LAUDED BY PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY AND FEATURED ON
NPR, THE GUARDIAN, AND THE LA TIMES
Underground America: Narratives of Undocumented Lives edited by Grottoite
Peter Orner, with a foreword by Luis Alverto Urrea, received a starred
review in Publisher's Weekly (Web pick of the week for June 9) at
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpPaaaaaabaeQAf3/
The book also was featured on NPR (The Forum with Michael Krasney) and the
California Report (review by Oscar Villalon) and in the Guardian UK and the
Los Angeles Times. An interview with Orner about the book also appeared in
Salon.com.
Congratulations to Peter!
CHECK OUT GERRY'S NEW BLOG CONFESSING HIS MADNESS
Gerard Jones has started a new blog about the struggles he's experiencing as
he writes his new book, THE UNDRESSING OF AMERICA, for FSG. After months of
wrestling alone with doubt and procrastination, he's taking a fellow Grotto
member's advice and opening up about the process, hoping it will help his
own work and also be useful (or at least entertaining) to other writers. As
he writes in the first post, "This blog will be the story of how I got here,
an exploration of what the book is, a showcase for excerpts, a platform for
your comments and advice, a confession of my madness, and, in the end, the
vehicle through which the book gets written." It's at
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpQaaaaaabaeQAf3/
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR GROTTONIGHTS ON OCTOBER 4 AND LITQUAKE ON OCTOBER 11
The next Grotto Nights, featured by LITQUAKE, is Saturday, October 4th at
the Jewish Community Center. And Litcrawl with the Grotto is October 11 on
7:15-8:15. Mark your calendars!
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GROTTO RECOMMENDS:
CHRIS RECOMMENDS THE "WRITING AS HEALING" WORKSHOP BY KATHLEEN MCCLUNG THIS
WEEKEND
Grottoite Chris Cook recommends you check out "Writing as Healing - Putting
one bead after another," a writing salon by Kathleen McClung:
"In this workshop, we will view and create writing as an act of quietly
putting one bead on after another. "The healing that emerges from a writing
practice may be slow and subdued, but definitely powerful," says instructor
Kathleen McClung. We'll discuss excerpts from Writing as a Way of Healing:
How Telling Our Stories Transforms Our Lives and in particular, we'll focus
on, and practice, the qualities of a healing narrative. We'll look at
examples from published memoirs by Alice Sebold, Joan Didion, Mark Doty and
others who have consciously used the writing of their artistic works to help
them heal from painful personal experiences. We'll talk about the role of
contemplation, discipline, and ritual in shaping creative work that is
genuinely transformational.
Participants will have opportunities to write and share short pieces in
class and will learn about additional books and resources. While not a
therapy group, the class is intended for both new and experienced writers
who value writing as self exploration and fine art and who want to begin or
deepen their own writing practice. Within a supportive setting, class
participants will be encouraged to take risks with their work and to share
the gifts of self-discovery and transformation with a larger community."
Kathleen McClung, M.A., M.A., has taught writing at Skyline College for over
ten years and has worked as a book editor at small presses including UCSF
Nursing Press, Food First Books, and Westview Press. Her memoir, fiction,
and poetry have been published in The Rambler, Spirituality & Health, Hawaii
Pacific Review, Poetry Northwest, Albany Review, Hot Flashes, off our backs,
and elsewhere. "Now You See Him, Now You Don't," a short memoir, won first
prize in the 2005 essay contest sponsored by www.memoirsink.com. She has
also won awards from the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Writer's Digest, the
National Society of Arts & Letters, and the Academy of American Poets.
Saturday, July 12th, 10 am to 4 pm, Berkeley Location
$95 members/$110 non-members
For more information, see:
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpRaaaaaabaeQAf3/
MICHELLE DEBUTS "BONEYARD," HER NEW THRILLER AT BOOKSMITH ON JULY 19
Grottoite Caroline Paul wants to let everyone know that Michelle Gagnon of
the Sanchez Grotto (http://www.sanchezannex.com) came out with her thriller,
"Boneyard," on July 1st. Check out her website at
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpSaaaaaabaeQAf3/ for more information.
She'll also be touring throughout the Bay Area in July, including a shared
book release party with another mystery writer (Simon Wood) at Booksmith (in
the Haight) on July 19th at 7PM. You're all invited!
ELIZABETH RECOMMENDS GOING "KABLUEY" ON AUGUST 1ST
Grotto dweller Elizabeth Bernstein says mark your calendars now for the
premiere of Grotto friend Scott Prendergast's movie, KABLUEY, which opens in
San Francisco at the Landmark Lumiere Theater on August 1. The film was
written, directed and stars Scott, along with costars Lisa Kudrow, Teri Garr
and Chris Parnell. The film chronicles Salman, a socially awkward young man
with the dual humiliations of being a corporate company mascot in a giant
blue suit by day, and babysitting his brother's maniacal toddlers by night,
while his brother is away fighting the war in Iraq. Scott will be in
attendance at the screenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. For a
glimpse of Scott's earlier work, check out Grottoite Elizabeth Bernstein's
litmag, The Big Ugly Review, and watch his film "Happy Birthday" online at
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpTaaaaaabaeQAf3/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------
JD'S ART PICKS FOR JULY
BAY AREA NOW AT THE YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Opening Night
Reception next Saturday, July 19th!
YBCA's fifth triennial exhibition of Bay Area art explores questions around
how to re-imagine a regional survey in the midst of globalization. What
continues to draw artists here and makes the Bay Area a unique place to live
and work when more and more of us are traversing the globe and becoming
international citizens? How does the physical geography of the Bay, both
natural and constructed, influence the Bay Area as a site of artistic
production? How does the history of this region, including its legacy of
social activism, shape Bay Area residents' understanding of themselves and
the rest of the world's notion of this place? What are the contrasts between
the myths, ideals and realities of the Bay Area and the aspirations of its
residents? The Bay Area Now 5 (BAN 5) survey exhibition asks these questions
to explore the many ways artists are influenced by their experiences both
inside and outside of the Bay Area.
This year's exhibition will feature a signature group survey of Bay Area
artists organized by YBCA curators Kate Eilertsen and Berin Golonu.
Twenty-two BAN 5 artists were selected after extensive studio visits
throughout the Bay Area. [Artists in the exhibition include Grottoite JD
Beltran's former students Ana Teresa Fernandez and Lauren Woods, and one of
her mentors, John Roloff. JD's work was exhibited in BAN 2.]
BAY AREA NOW 5, July 19 - November 16, 2008. Bay Area Now 5. Opening Night
Party Saturday, July 19, 8 pm-midnight, in the Grand Lobby, Galleries,
Screening Room, Forum & Sculpture Court. Admission $12 in advance, $15 at
the door [FREE for YBCA Members and a guest].
AMATEURS AT THE WATTIS CENTER: The exhibition "Amateurs" at the Wattis
surveys a terrain of artistic practice that departs from the
hyperprofessionalization characterizing so much cultural production today.
Whether collaborating with actual amateurs or working as amateurs in
disciplines beyond the art world, the artists featured in this exhibition
refuse to let the experts have the last word. They are committed instead to
a democratization of artistic production-one that often invites us, the
viewers, to reflect upon our own role as citizens in a participatory,
democratic society.
Against the background of an increasingly professionalized art world,
Amateurs will be the first major exhibition to survey recent artworks in
which amateurism is embraced as a critical aesthetic strategy and a mode of
production. Favored by conceptual artists and earlier by modernist
vanguards, an aesthetic of amateurism has long served as a means for
deflating models of academic and market-driven art.
Exhibition runs through August 9. CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary
Arts, Kent and Vicki Logan Galleries. California College of the Arts, 1111
Eighth Street, San Francisco CA 94107. Telephone 415.551.9210 or for more
information see http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpUaaaaaabaeQAf3/
FRIDA KAHLO AT SF MOMA: Mexican artist Frida Kahlo began painting in 1926,
while recovering from a near-fatal bus accident, and soon became captivated
by the medium's expressive possibilities. Kahlo's folkloric style,
influenced by Mexican popular art, and her fantastical imagery earned her
recognition among the Surrealists, but her intriguing persona and
unmistakable originality propelled her beyond the confines of a specific
movement to become a leading figure in modern art. This exhibition,
commemorating the centennial of the artist's birth, brings together
paintings that span her career, along with a selection of her own collection
of photographs, most of which have never been on public display. For more
information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpyaaaaaabaeQAf3/
BIRTH OF THE COOL: CALIFORNIA ART, DESIGN AND CULTURE AT MIDCENTURY.
Through Aug. 17 at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland.
This exhibition looks at the painting, architecture, furniture design,
decorative and graphic arts, film, and music that launched mid-century
modernism in the United States, and established Los Angeles as a major
American cultural center. In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of
the project, Birth of the Cool features a jazz lounge; film, animation, and
television clips throughout; an area with Van Keppel Green furniture and
architectural pottery; a period art gallery of hard-edge abstract paintings;
selections of art, architectural, and documentary photography; and an
interactive timeline that highlights examples of California, national, and
international culture and history in the 1950s. The exhibition continues
through August 17, 2008. For more information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpVaaaaaabaeQAf3/
A COMPLICATED DOMINION AT THE SAN FRANCISCO ART COMMISSION GALLERY: The
works in A Complicated Dominion depict an unnatural collision of culture and
nature, demonstrating through the device of allegory our attempts to come to
terms with contemporary responsibilities and attitudes toward the
ever-evolving circumstances of our interdependent existence. A formal dinner
is set for a pack of feral pigs. Cuttlefish are corralled into a perfect
circle. A squirrel personifies Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols. Through
graceful and often humorous means, each of the five exhibiting artists share
their varied political viewpoints, while also provoking broader lines of
questioning about ourenvironmental, and geo- and sociopolitical values. For
more information, see http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpjaaaaaabaeQAf3/
Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats
believe every day is April 15.
Ronald Reagan
update from The Grotto, the cooperative workspace of writers, filmmakers,
and artists in downtown San Francisco. The Grotto also welcomes Janis Cooke
Newman, our newest member.
Up-to-the-minute GrottoNEWS is online! For updates on the goings-on at the Grotto, check
out GrottoNEWS at
www.sfgrotto.org/news.html
[We are sending this as text-formatted as our prior HTML-formatted
newsletters are now being considered spam by most filters.]
JOSH A DADDY TO THE LOVELY VIVIAN MCHUGH
On June 16th, Grottoite Josh McHugh beamed, "Margaret gave birth to a little
girl at 10 this morning. Vivian weighs 7 lbs, 2.5 oz and stands 20.5 inches
tall. She loves heat lamps, sleeping and mother's milk."
Huge congratulations to Josh and Margaret!
DON'T MISS RODES' PIECE IN JULY'S OPRAH MAGAZINE, PLUS HIS "GOING TO SEE THE
ELEPHANT" WILL BE PUBLISHED LATER THIS YEAR
Grotto dweller Rodes Fishburne's essay on fatherhood is in this month's
[July] issue of Oprah's magazine. To read it online, visit
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpEaaaaaabaeQAf3/
His first novel, "Going to See the Elephant" will be published later this
year. Sign up at his website for the "Friends of Rodes" newsletter.
Kudos to Rodes!
CHRIS INKS A BOOK DEAL AND HE'S CO-AUTHORING WITH FRANCES MOORE LAPPE
Grottoite Christopher Cook is happy to report he's writing a book about
world hunger with legendary author Frances Moore Lappe, slated for
publication next spring. To learn more about what Chris is up to, visit his
website at http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpFaaaaaabaeQAf3/
Huge congratulations to Chris!
HELENA READS DIRTY WORDS THIS THURSDAY, JULY 10
On July 10, at 6 p.m., Grottoite Helena Echlin will be reading her
contribution to "Dirty Words: A Literary Encyclopedia of Sex" at Book
Passage in San Francisco, along with Ellen Sussman, Meredith Maran, Kim
Addonizio, and Thaisa Frank. For more information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpGaaaaaabaeQAf3/ and
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpHaaaaaabaeQAf3/
PO AND ETHAN CANIN FEATURED AT THE PROGRESSIVE READING SERIES ON JULY 19
Don't miss the Seventh Progressive Reading of 2008 hosted by Grottoite
Stephen Elliott on Saturday, July 19, 7pm at The Makeout Room. This month's
offerings feature Ethan Canin, author of America America and Grottoite Po
Bronson, author of What Should I Do with My Life?
Also reading will be Neal Pollack, author of Alternadad, Tara Jepsen, of
Sister Spit, and Frank Portman, author of King Dork. Plus, there is a
comedy bonus - W. Kamau Bell, named best comedian by the SF Weekly. Music
by The Progressive Reading Series All-Star Minstrels. How can you miss it?
July 19th, at The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street. $10-20 sliding scale.
415.647.2888 or for advance tickets, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpIaaaaaabaeQAf3/
For more information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpJaaaaaabaeQAf3/
CHRIS SPENDS SUMMER AT THE MESA REFUSE WRITERS' RETREAT
Grotto dweller Chris Colin is off to the Mesa Refuge writers' retreat in
July. Quick dinner recommendation from a recent assignment, on his way out
the door:
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpKaaaaaabaeQAf3/
DON'T MISS "CANTOCORE," FEATURING JD'S AND OTHER ART PROJECTS BETWEEN SAN
FRANCISCO AND GUANGZHOU - PREVIEW BENEFIT ON JULY 23
Don't miss this month's exhibition preview and concert of "Cantocore," on
Wednesday, July 23, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
"Cantocore" opens Wednesday July 23rd with an inaugural private live concert
featuring the acclaimed musicians Ma Jie, a Chinese, traditional ruan and
pipa player, and Christopher Willits, an electronic musician using
custom-built software to redefine the guitar in the digital age.
"Cantocore" is a series of contemporary art projects between San Francisco
and Guangzhou, dedicated to expanding intercultural dialogue, set to open in
China and the U.S., fall 2008. Participating artists include JD Beltran,
Luther Thie, Kathrine Worel, David Johnson, Misako Inaoka, Huang Xiao Peng,
Zhou Tao, Chu Yun, Hu Xiang Qian and many more. "Cantocore" is produced by
Justin Hoover of the Garage Biennale, and Deer Fang and Jon Phillips of the
Fabricatorz.
Attendance is limited. RSVP required by July 16. Event tickets are $70
each. Supporter's names will be honored in the final exhibition catalogue.
Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served during the event.
CANTOCORE exhibition preview, Wednesday, July 23, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at the
Hoover Residence, 2830 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115. Tickets
at 415.425.1647, or email info@... Visit
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpLaaaaaabaeQAf3/ for more information.
XANDRA AND DAVID'S "FULL GROWN MEN" PREMIERES AT THE LUMIERE ON JULY 25
Grottofilms' award-winning dramatic comedy FULL GROWN MEN premieres at the
Lumiere theater July 25!
Watch this space for more details coming soon. For more information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpsaaaaaabaeQAf3/
STEPHANIE IN SAN FRANCISCO MAGAZINE THIS MONTH, PLUS SHE'LL READ AT BOOK
PASSAGE ON AUGUST 7
Subletee Stephanie Losee appears on the Contributors' Page of the new "Best
of the Bay" issue of San Francisco Magazine to talk about her piece on
personal stylists. Stephanie had to hire one before heading out on her
publicity tour for her recent book "Office Mate," or she would have ended up
on FOX Business News wearing Patagonia.
Stephanie is also helping to promote the new anthology "The Maternal is
Political" by participating in a reading with several fellow contributors in
the Ferry Building Book Passage at 6pm on August 7th. For more information,
see http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpMaaaaaabaeQAf3/
YOU CAN'T MISS STEVE 'S PIECE ON HANS REISER IN SALON.COM
Yeah - he 'fessed up! Read Steve's riveting account of interviewing Hans
Reiser in jail pre-confession - with Reiser steadfastly maintaining his
innocence - at:
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpNaaaaaabaeQAf3/
LAURA AND MEGHAN ARE WINNERS IN THE FIELDREPORT CONTEST
Congratulations to Grottoites Laura Fraser and Meghan Ward, who won their
categories on Field Report! Meghan won with her tale of "pig toilets" in
India (they're even grosser than they sound) in the Travel and Nature
category, and Laura won with another tale that included similar activities,
which is also grosser than it sounds, in Love+Hate. Both stories are
hilarious and fabulous, and now, award-winning. Elizabeth Bernstein came in
second place in her category, by a tenth of a point [soooo close . . .]
Congratulations to everyone!
To see more about FieldReport and read the winning pieces, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpOaaaaaabaeQAf3/
PETER'S "UNDERGROUND AMERICA" LAUDED BY PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY AND FEATURED ON
NPR, THE GUARDIAN, AND THE LA TIMES
Underground America: Narratives of Undocumented Lives edited by Grottoite
Peter Orner, with a foreword by Luis Alverto Urrea, received a starred
review in Publisher's Weekly (Web pick of the week for June 9) at
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpPaaaaaabaeQAf3/
The book also was featured on NPR (The Forum with Michael Krasney) and the
California Report (review by Oscar Villalon) and in the Guardian UK and the
Los Angeles Times. An interview with Orner about the book also appeared in
Salon.com.
Congratulations to Peter!
CHECK OUT GERRY'S NEW BLOG CONFESSING HIS MADNESS
Gerard Jones has started a new blog about the struggles he's experiencing as
he writes his new book, THE UNDRESSING OF AMERICA, for FSG. After months of
wrestling alone with doubt and procrastination, he's taking a fellow Grotto
member's advice and opening up about the process, hoping it will help his
own work and also be useful (or at least entertaining) to other writers. As
he writes in the first post, "This blog will be the story of how I got here,
an exploration of what the book is, a showcase for excerpts, a platform for
your comments and advice, a confession of my madness, and, in the end, the
vehicle through which the book gets written." It's at
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpQaaaaaabaeQAf3/
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR GROTTONIGHTS ON OCTOBER 4 AND LITQUAKE ON OCTOBER 11
The next Grotto Nights, featured by LITQUAKE, is Saturday, October 4th at
the Jewish Community Center. And Litcrawl with the Grotto is October 11 on
7:15-8:15. Mark your calendars!
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GROTTO RECOMMENDS:
CHRIS RECOMMENDS THE "WRITING AS HEALING" WORKSHOP BY KATHLEEN MCCLUNG THIS
WEEKEND
Grottoite Chris Cook recommends you check out "Writing as Healing - Putting
one bead after another," a writing salon by Kathleen McClung:
"In this workshop, we will view and create writing as an act of quietly
putting one bead on after another. "The healing that emerges from a writing
practice may be slow and subdued, but definitely powerful," says instructor
Kathleen McClung. We'll discuss excerpts from Writing as a Way of Healing:
How Telling Our Stories Transforms Our Lives and in particular, we'll focus
on, and practice, the qualities of a healing narrative. We'll look at
examples from published memoirs by Alice Sebold, Joan Didion, Mark Doty and
others who have consciously used the writing of their artistic works to help
them heal from painful personal experiences. We'll talk about the role of
contemplation, discipline, and ritual in shaping creative work that is
genuinely transformational.
Participants will have opportunities to write and share short pieces in
class and will learn about additional books and resources. While not a
therapy group, the class is intended for both new and experienced writers
who value writing as self exploration and fine art and who want to begin or
deepen their own writing practice. Within a supportive setting, class
participants will be encouraged to take risks with their work and to share
the gifts of self-discovery and transformation with a larger community."
Kathleen McClung, M.A., M.A., has taught writing at Skyline College for over
ten years and has worked as a book editor at small presses including UCSF
Nursing Press, Food First Books, and Westview Press. Her memoir, fiction,
and poetry have been published in The Rambler, Spirituality & Health, Hawaii
Pacific Review, Poetry Northwest, Albany Review, Hot Flashes, off our backs,
and elsewhere. "Now You See Him, Now You Don't," a short memoir, won first
prize in the 2005 essay contest sponsored by www.memoirsink.com. She has
also won awards from the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Writer's Digest, the
National Society of Arts & Letters, and the Academy of American Poets.
Saturday, July 12th, 10 am to 4 pm, Berkeley Location
$95 members/$110 non-members
For more information, see:
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpRaaaaaabaeQAf3/
MICHELLE DEBUTS "BONEYARD," HER NEW THRILLER AT BOOKSMITH ON JULY 19
Grottoite Caroline Paul wants to let everyone know that Michelle Gagnon of
the Sanchez Grotto (http://www.sanchezannex.com) came out with her thriller,
"Boneyard," on July 1st. Check out her website at
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpSaaaaaabaeQAf3/ for more information.
She'll also be touring throughout the Bay Area in July, including a shared
book release party with another mystery writer (Simon Wood) at Booksmith (in
the Haight) on July 19th at 7PM. You're all invited!
ELIZABETH RECOMMENDS GOING "KABLUEY" ON AUGUST 1ST
Grotto dweller Elizabeth Bernstein says mark your calendars now for the
premiere of Grotto friend Scott Prendergast's movie, KABLUEY, which opens in
San Francisco at the Landmark Lumiere Theater on August 1. The film was
written, directed and stars Scott, along with costars Lisa Kudrow, Teri Garr
and Chris Parnell. The film chronicles Salman, a socially awkward young man
with the dual humiliations of being a corporate company mascot in a giant
blue suit by day, and babysitting his brother's maniacal toddlers by night,
while his brother is away fighting the war in Iraq. Scott will be in
attendance at the screenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. For a
glimpse of Scott's earlier work, check out Grottoite Elizabeth Bernstein's
litmag, The Big Ugly Review, and watch his film "Happy Birthday" online at
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpTaaaaaabaeQAf3/
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JD'S ART PICKS FOR JULY
BAY AREA NOW AT THE YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Opening Night
Reception next Saturday, July 19th!
YBCA's fifth triennial exhibition of Bay Area art explores questions around
how to re-imagine a regional survey in the midst of globalization. What
continues to draw artists here and makes the Bay Area a unique place to live
and work when more and more of us are traversing the globe and becoming
international citizens? How does the physical geography of the Bay, both
natural and constructed, influence the Bay Area as a site of artistic
production? How does the history of this region, including its legacy of
social activism, shape Bay Area residents' understanding of themselves and
the rest of the world's notion of this place? What are the contrasts between
the myths, ideals and realities of the Bay Area and the aspirations of its
residents? The Bay Area Now 5 (BAN 5) survey exhibition asks these questions
to explore the many ways artists are influenced by their experiences both
inside and outside of the Bay Area.
This year's exhibition will feature a signature group survey of Bay Area
artists organized by YBCA curators Kate Eilertsen and Berin Golonu.
Twenty-two BAN 5 artists were selected after extensive studio visits
throughout the Bay Area. [Artists in the exhibition include Grottoite JD
Beltran's former students Ana Teresa Fernandez and Lauren Woods, and one of
her mentors, John Roloff. JD's work was exhibited in BAN 2.]
BAY AREA NOW 5, July 19 - November 16, 2008. Bay Area Now 5. Opening Night
Party Saturday, July 19, 8 pm-midnight, in the Grand Lobby, Galleries,
Screening Room, Forum & Sculpture Court. Admission $12 in advance, $15 at
the door [FREE for YBCA Members and a guest].
AMATEURS AT THE WATTIS CENTER: The exhibition "Amateurs" at the Wattis
surveys a terrain of artistic practice that departs from the
hyperprofessionalization characterizing so much cultural production today.
Whether collaborating with actual amateurs or working as amateurs in
disciplines beyond the art world, the artists featured in this exhibition
refuse to let the experts have the last word. They are committed instead to
a democratization of artistic production-one that often invites us, the
viewers, to reflect upon our own role as citizens in a participatory,
democratic society.
Against the background of an increasingly professionalized art world,
Amateurs will be the first major exhibition to survey recent artworks in
which amateurism is embraced as a critical aesthetic strategy and a mode of
production. Favored by conceptual artists and earlier by modernist
vanguards, an aesthetic of amateurism has long served as a means for
deflating models of academic and market-driven art.
Exhibition runs through August 9. CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary
Arts, Kent and Vicki Logan Galleries. California College of the Arts, 1111
Eighth Street, San Francisco CA 94107. Telephone 415.551.9210 or for more
information see http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpUaaaaaabaeQAf3/
FRIDA KAHLO AT SF MOMA: Mexican artist Frida Kahlo began painting in 1926,
while recovering from a near-fatal bus accident, and soon became captivated
by the medium's expressive possibilities. Kahlo's folkloric style,
influenced by Mexican popular art, and her fantastical imagery earned her
recognition among the Surrealists, but her intriguing persona and
unmistakable originality propelled her beyond the confines of a specific
movement to become a leading figure in modern art. This exhibition,
commemorating the centennial of the artist's birth, brings together
paintings that span her career, along with a selection of her own collection
of photographs, most of which have never been on public display. For more
information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpyaaaaaabaeQAf3/
BIRTH OF THE COOL: CALIFORNIA ART, DESIGN AND CULTURE AT MIDCENTURY.
Through Aug. 17 at the Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland.
This exhibition looks at the painting, architecture, furniture design,
decorative and graphic arts, film, and music that launched mid-century
modernism in the United States, and established Los Angeles as a major
American cultural center. In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of
the project, Birth of the Cool features a jazz lounge; film, animation, and
television clips throughout; an area with Van Keppel Green furniture and
architectural pottery; a period art gallery of hard-edge abstract paintings;
selections of art, architectural, and documentary photography; and an
interactive timeline that highlights examples of California, national, and
international culture and history in the 1950s. The exhibition continues
through August 17, 2008. For more information, see
http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpVaaaaaabaeQAf3/
A COMPLICATED DOMINION AT THE SAN FRANCISCO ART COMMISSION GALLERY: The
works in A Complicated Dominion depict an unnatural collision of culture and
nature, demonstrating through the device of allegory our attempts to come to
terms with contemporary responsibilities and attitudes toward the
ever-evolving circumstances of our interdependent existence. A formal dinner
is set for a pack of feral pigs. Cuttlefish are corralled into a perfect
circle. A squirrel personifies Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols. Through
graceful and often humorous means, each of the five exhibiting artists share
their varied political viewpoints, while also provoking broader lines of
questioning about ourenvironmental, and geo- and sociopolitical values. For
more information, see http://grotto.c.topica.com/maal29wabILpjaaaaaabaeQAf3/
Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats
believe every day is April 15.
Ronald Reagan
