Adventures In Artslandia With Susannah Mars

Peter Frajola is The Oregon Symphony's Associate Concertmaster, and here, we get to enjoy a private concert and chat with one of our favorite violinists!

All Aboard The Mystery Ship! Portland Spirit’s Masquerade Party with Heartbeat Silent Disco will be a floating dance party like no other. Listen here and find out where else to dance in Portland as the unparalleled DJ Jo TAKIMBA shines a light on music as a DJ and host of KBOO’s The Melting Pot.

Do you know about The Low Bar Chorale? It's a twice-a-month extravaganza that transforms a local bar into a drop-in alt/indie sing-along backed by a live band of rotating musicians from Blind Pilot to Brandi Carlisle’s band, and no one cares what you sound like. Meet Creative Director/Producer Kate Sokoloff!

Stephanie Schneiderman is a brilliant singer songwriter, and she is currently at work on a new musical. Here's another podcast from Mississippi Street Fair with a live performance. September 15th don't miss Stephanie Schneiderman at The Old Church. Due to technical difficulties that day, this is an extra short podcast, but don't miss Stephanie's live performance at the end of the interview!

Dayna McErlean is a founding member of Portland’s restaurant metropolis. She's innovated DOC, Nonna Tavern and Yakuza. McErlean has created inviting and delicious spaces that make guests feel as though they are being transported. Don't miss this chat with Oregon's own head of The Dept. of Food and Shelter!

Don Horn and Kevin Loomis talk about the world premiere of That's No Lady! at Triangle Productions, a new musical chronicling the fantastic life of Portland's own Darcelle. Chances are you know Darcelle, also known as Walter Cole. Donnie has been working on telling the story of this man, who at the age of 37 became a drag sensation before it was ‘popular’. “How did a man put on a dress, sell a ticket, and stay in business for over 50 years? He’s been in business longer than Starbucks!” Kevin plays Darcelle in the show, with book and original song (with lyrics) by donnie, and additional lyrics and music by Tom Grant, Marv/Rindy Ross, Jon Quesenberry, Storm Large, Rody Ortega, Wesley Bowers. This will be a thrilling world premiere at triangle productions!

At the Mississippi Street fair I met up with the brilliant directors Jennifer Lin and Rebecca Lingafelter, both of whom are directing at Third Rail Rep this season. Third Rep wants to provoke dialogue, encourage empathy, and inspire curiosity; this fascinating interview sets the table!

For your listening pleasure, Susannah's conversation with the newly announced cover artist for Artslandia's soon-to-be-released, much anticipated [ital]Annual Issue[ital]. Brilliant painter (and thinker) Thérèse Murdza's artistic path began with toddlerhood accordion lessons from her dad, followed by a deep dive into theater.

Were you a part of the Willamette Writers Conference this last week? If yes, you'll love this interview with Executive Director Kate Ristau and President Gail Pasternack. If you don't know about Willamette Writers, you'll want to! From online Book Clubs to developing the craft of writing, Willamette Writers has so much to offer. Welcome to Adventures in Artslandia!

Philip Glass’s In the Penal Colony is a chilling thriller and we imagine no-one will do it better than visionary director Jerry Mouawad and conductor Nicholas Fox. A visitor is invited to a penal colony to observe the execution of a prisoner at the hands of a nightmarish machine. The New York Times calls Glass' piece a “surreal exploration of injustice.” Intimately performed in the round, don't miss this thrilling evening of theatre at Portland Opera. Jerry and Nicholas share insight into this one of kind production.

Tonight Nothing is new work created and performed by Merideth Kaye Clark and Katherine Murphy Lewis that follows the paths of two long-term friends, Kaye and Em, who find their way back to themselves and each other. What makes up a legacy? What we leave, or don’t leave, behind? and How on earth do we let go? Come find out at Coho Productions July 26 – 28.

Portland Opera's Resident Artist Program is one of the finest in the nation. Find out why Portland Opera attracts the world's top burgeoning singing talent, and don't miss the upcoming La Finta Giardienera!

Call her crazy. After all, Storm Large is truly Crazy Enough. It’s the 10th anniversary of Storm’s brilliant show at Portland Center Stage. If you can get a ticket to the highly anticipated redux, do it as fast as you can. In the meantime, listen here.

Brilliant citizen artist Darrell Grant, a recipient of an Oregon Creative Heights grant, is known for his multifaceted and deep artistic projects. Listen here for a preview of his performance of The Territory coming up at the Oregon Bach Festival on July 12th. Grant also shares for the first time a snippet of work he created for his son’s graduation from middle school.

Susannah chats with the brilliant and charming George Manahan, Portland Opera’s Music Director and the conductor of The Barber of Seville, and the lovely and talented Aleksandra Romano, who will be our city’s own Rosina. Their wide-ranging conversation covers Rossini, mischief and fun in opera, and what’s up in Portland!

Last September Marissa Wolf began as the new Artistic Director of Portland Center Stage. Here she'll talk about the 2019/2020 season and why she wants PCS to be YOUR theatre company. Are you a match? Speed date PCS here, and don't forget to subscribe to Adventures in Artslandia!

Artistic Director Cassie Greer and Managing Director Beth Lewis of Hillsboro’s nationally renowned Bag&Baggage Productions talk about making theater and their thrilling upcoming season. Can art heal an ailing world? Don’t forget to subscribe to Adventures in Artslandia!

Celebrate Mother's Day with the brilliant Marilyn de Oliveira! A mother of two herself, she has been the assistant principal in the cello section of the Oregon Symphony since 2009, as well as working with other musical groups in town. This lovely and talented artist is a marvel to listen to, both on stage and in this segment of Adventures in Artslandia. Don't forget to subscribe, this is your place to get up close and personal with artists, performers, and geniuses in our community!

Who are the culture keepers? Heritage holders? Wolf at the Door author and director Marisela Treviño Orta and Rebecca Martinez, respectively, talk about this, and so much more, including demystifying Cinco de Mayo, and could art heal 45? Don't be left behind. Share and subscribe in order to open your mind to, and hear more the voices that are being heard at Milagro Theatre. We talked about photography as an inspirational jumping off point: www.diegohuerta.com, www.gracielaiturbide.org What do you think? Thanks for your great question Emilia Smart Denson!

Melissa Crespo, Director of Karen Zacarias’ Native Gardens at Portland Center Stage at The Armory, expounds on how this sharply hilarious play about opposing gardening practices lets us examine ethnic stereotypes, cultural and generational differences, and questions of immigration–don’t miss this incredibly relevant backyard battle! Thanks for subscribing to Adventures in Artslandia!