by Kirby Lindsay, posted 17 September 2012
On the second Tuesday of the month, September 11th, the Fremont Arts Council (FAC) had its monthly ‘committee of the whole’ meeting, a.k.a. the COW. At the last COW, in August, a discussion about changing the format of these monthly meetings led to a decision to have presentations. This change hadn’t taken effect, so attendees heard, as usual, updates on several FAC projects – and several of the attendees simultaneously created lanterns for the upcoming Luminata.
Luminata – A Celebration Of Lights
Discussion of the progress of preparation for the Luminata lantern walk, at dark on Friday, September 21st, began with a request for assistance for lead organizer Peter Toms (ptoms@drizzle.com,) who was not present at the meeting. Yet, the details of the walk – starting at the Aqua Theater at Green Lake and processing to the area near the Bathhouse Theatre – and the musical line-up for the procession (Orkestar Zirkonium) made it sound like the FAC is still setting up for another dazzling display of lanterns.
Some of the lanterns created during the COW would be for sale before the lantern walk. Mylinda Sneed reported that lanterns, for those that don’t want to bring their own, can be purchased at the Aqua Theater for $10 – 20. The money raised will offset Luminata costs, and support the FAC. Sneed will need volunteers to help sell the lanterns at the lake – contact her at mylindasneed@gmail.com.
Luminata also can have a few art installations line the trail of the procession. Toms likes to encourage art and creativity, and local artists are encouraged to contact him about temporarily installing pieces that can be displayed after dark. Oh, and everyone who comes and plans to stay after for juice and cookies is encouraged to bring their own cup – to cut down on costs and trash.
Troll Updates
The COW agenda contained a lot of Fremont Troll updates. In brief, they were:
A Donation Box – The Fremont Chamber of Commerce gave the FAC a grant to install a donation box at the Troll to fund upkeep. The donation box committee has artists working on designs, with input from lead Troll artist Steve Badanes. According to FAC Board Member Jerry Smith, attendees can expect a presentation on the design at the October COW.
Graffiti (GRRR!) – Over the previous two weeks, the Troll has been tagged – first with large chalk scribbles, and then with neon orange spray paint. Board Members in attendance at the COW assured attendees that the clean-up delay is not due to a lack of funds, but of method.
Until now, a slurry of concrete has been layered onto the Troll to cover up graffiti. However, Badanes has stopped that practice based on his concerns about how – over time – this practice has contributed to a loss of detail. In response, the Board will explore other methods for cleaning the sculpture – sandblasting? pressure washing? – and establish a new method for triage. Smith promised that repairs would be done as soon as details can be worked out.
Money for repairs comes in small part from a past community grant given by the Fremont Chamber (which earns the grant money at its annual fundraiser – Fremont Oktoberfest.) Another $1,000 + came from sales of the Troll Chia Pet last Christmas season. In fact, it was reported that the novelty gift sold so well that the manufacturer did a second run last year. No word yet if they will be made available again this holiday season.
Troll’s Birthday – Maque daVis described some of the plans for the celebration of the Fremont Troll’s birthday – on October 31st starting at 7p. He’s been inspired by the Carnaval exhibit at the Burke Museum, and plans to have much more crowd participation than in previous years. This will not be Shakespeare.
daVis plans to have a dance by Delilah, instruction in the Hustle for a mob line dance during the neighborhood haunt, a costume walk, a spiral dance with the Carnaval Clowns at the Fremont Rocket, and a mass polka beneath the Fremont Bridge. daVis also plans to involve giant puppets, perhaps even a giant puppet drill team, and he will need people to make and carry them. Instruction can be given, and those interested in helping can contact daVis at maque@drizzle.com
Christmas Celebrations
The Board has agreed, attendees heard, to act as fiscal agent for a Christmas show being produced by Ricky Gene Powell during the first three weeks in December. The show will be staged at the Youngstown Cultural Center, and is based on an epic poem written by Paul S. Carr III, called, “Santa’s First Magical Ride”.
Powell plans to make this, “sort of a bluegrass musical,” that will be non-denominational, all-inclusive and answer the question of Santa. Anyone who wants to help with the production, or find out about the casting call, contact Powell at rickygene@gmail.com
The meeting wrapped up after several other announcements and updates. One of these was that the Board has contracted with a new, part-time Operations Manager, Tessa Hulls. Mylinda Sneed, the previous OM has found full-time work elsewhere. Many FAC-ers already know Hulls from her work on the Solstice Parade.
To meet Hulls, and find out more about future plans for the FAC – and maybe for the COW – attend the next meeting. COW meetings take place on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:10p-ish, in the Powerhouse (3940 Fremont Ave N,) and are open to the public. The next one will be on October 9th, and it would be great to see you there!
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©2012 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.