BBC: Saxophonists can learn something from the didgeridoo

From the BBC:

What makes the sound of a clarinet different to an oboe or a recorder? Trevor Cox – acoustic engineer and saxophone player – examines the science of wind instruments.

He learns how playing the didgeridoo could help the best jazz saxophonists. And discovers the shared science between simple squeeze boxes and Asian free reed instruments.

Listen to episode one BBC Online.

UW Eminent Writer in Residence will work with students on Laramie Atlas Project

From a University of Wyoming press release:

Rebecca Solnit, an acclaimed author of numerous celebrated works of nonfiction, is the latest Eminent Writer in Residence in the University of Wyoming's MFA program in Creative Writing.

An activist, art critic and cultural historian, Solnit will spend four weeks at UW guiding an interdisciplinary group of students in creating a unique atlas devoted to Laramie and the region. Her most recent work is "A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise in Disaster," and "Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas."

"Rebecca Solnit believes maps and atlases can lead us toward a new way of understanding the places we live in," says MFA faculty member Alyson Hagy. "The sense of place is strong in Wyoming. Solnit's Laramie Atlas Project will invite students to make new maps -- some of them traditional, some of them innovative and even eccentric -- of the region to chronicle its nature and ties to the larger world."

Solnit will visit UW classes across campus and consult with MFA students on their writing during her residency. Her visit is co-sponsored by the Albany County Public Library Foundation, the UW Art Museum, The Helga Otto Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources and the Social Justice Research Center.

Solnit also will conduct two public presentations during her residency.

The first presentation, "Infinite City/Gem City: Reimagining Maps and Atlases," is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Albany County Public Library. She will introduce the Laramie Atlas Project, discuss her latest book and sign books after the presentation.

Her Laramie Atlas Project presentation is similar to the "Infinite City" project in San Francisco. Solnit will solicit input from Albany County residents as she launches the creation of an innovative set of local maps.

The second public event, "The Laramie Atlas Project: Work-in-Progress Discussion," is at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at the UW Art Museum. Solnit will discuss her effort with UW students to "remap" the community and its resources. A reception follows.

Solnit's residency follows the Eminent Writer residencies of fiction writer Rattawut Lapcharoensap and poets Jan Zwicky and Robert Bringhurst. Previous Eminent Writers in Residence have included Edward P. Jones, Philip Gourevitch, Claudia Rankine and Joy Williams.

For more information, visit the MFA Web site at www.uwyo.edu/creativewriting or e-mail Gwynn Lemler at cw@uwyo.edu.

Photo: Rebecca Solnit is the latest Eminent Writer in Residence in the University of Wyoming MFA program in Creative Writing. (Photo courtesy of Scott Sommerdorf/San Francisco Chronicle)

Deadline for Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund grants is May 2

The next grants deadline for the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund is May 2, 2011.

Here's some background info:

In 1998, the Wyoming Legislature, recognizing that Wyoming and its people possess a unique cultural heritage, created the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund (WCTF), including a five-member board named by the Governor. The mission of the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund is to serve the citizens of Wyoming by supporting Wyoming’s culture and heritage through grant funding of innovative projects for the enjoyment, appreciation, promotion, preservation, and protection of the state’s arts, cultural and historic resources; and to support and invest in Wyoming institutions that help further this mission.

The WCTF can provide grant funding for all forms of arts and culture, including but not limited to:

·        Visual Art – photography, sculpture, painting, experimental, graphics

·        Performing Arts – theatre, dance, music

·        Crafts – clay, fiber, glass, leather, wood, jewelry, mixed-media

·        Design Arts – architecture, fashion, industrial, landscape

·        Media Arts – film, audio, video, technology/experimental

·        Literature – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, criticism

·        Folk/Traditional Arts – dance, music, crafts, oral traditions

·        Humanities – history, folklore/folklife, languages, anthropology, sociology

·        Historic and Architectural Preservation – conservation, survey, preservation planning, restoration or rehabilitation

·        Community Cultural Celebrations

·        Cultural Tourism

Grant applications shall, at a minimum, indicate the ability of the organization or project to accomplish one (1) or more of the following:

·       Create and complete innovative projects that expand and develop Wyoming’s cultural environment

·       Reward innovative thinking in advancing Wyoming’s culture

·       Preserve Wyoming’s historical and cultural heritage

·       Increase awareness of Wyoming’s historical and cultural heritage

·       Develop and promote cultural events that bring Wyoming citizens together to celebrate the State’s cultural heritage

·       Increase the availability and access of cultural opportunities for the citizens of Wyoming

·       Build long-term financial investment in Wyoming cultural institutions and infrastructure, including increasing and stimulating public and private investment

·       Strengthen and increase the organizational capacity of Wyoming’s cultural institutions

·       Increase cooperation, communication and partnerships between non-profit cultural organizations, public entities, the private sector and individuals for the benefit of Wyoming’s cultural life

·       Develop new local and/or regional organizations devoted to the advancement of culture

·       Support the role of Wyoming’s cultural life in community and economic development

·       Develop cultural heritage tourism in the state

Grant applications should address projects/events/activities that are not traditionally served by, do not qualify for, or are beyond the programs or resources of the State Historic Preservation Office, Wyoming Arts Council or Wyoming Humanities Council.

Wyoming State Museum looking for readers with "True Grit"

Registration is underway for the Wyoming State Museum book discussion series, “Exploring the Western Novel.”

Beginning on February 16, members of the discussion group will meet to discuss a series of four western novels. The series is free and open to the public; however the group size is limited to 20 participants.

The four western novels are “Lonesome Land” by B.M. Bower, “The Big Sky” by A.B. Guthrie, “True Grit” by Charles Portis and “Leaving Cheyenne” by Larry McMurtry. Participants are responsible for providing their own books; however, each of the books can be purchased in the State Museum Store at a reduced cost.

The discussion group will meet on Feb. 16, March 23, April 20 and May 18 at 6:30 p.m., at the Wyoming State Museum.

FMI: Sarah Ligocki at 777-7021.

Casper music scene

Amy up in Casper sends us this news about some of the happenin music in the month of January and February.

January 7: Cory and the Crew will be at The Nic for Nic at Noon.

January 15: The Mitguards at 3 Crowns Golf Course restaurant, The Filling Station. Cory McDaniel and the skeleton crew will open. Doors open at 6:00, music starts at 6:30. The Mitguards play acoustic americana/folk/bluegrass with a wry twist. A $10 donation is very much appreciated, following in the tradition of the house concert. Food is available for purchase, and the kids are always welcome.

January 21: Cory and the full crew will be at All That Jazz in the Parkway Plaza. Always a good time.

February 12: Three Twins Broadband at The Attic, above the historic Wonder Bar. Three Twins is John Magnie, Tim Cook and Steve Amedee of the Subdudes, along with a 3 piece horn section, a wonderful woman singer and Jay Cleer on guitar. If you heard them at the Recovery Rally you know how great they are!
Free show in the afternoon for anyone under 21: the venue will of course clear the room of any alcohol for this show. And there will be pizza until it runs out, thanks to the wonderful folks at Domino's. We will be distributing free under-21 tickets for the afternoon show to community youth-oriented organizations such as Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Seton House, Poverty Resistance, etc.Over 21 show in the evening: doors open at 7 and the show starts at 7:30. Tickets will be $15.

Both Three Twins shows is being put on in co-operation with, and to benefit, Artcore Wyoming: profits will help to support the many and diverse events Artcore brings to our Casper community and the performances and workshops they bring to our schools.

Call for entries: Crazyhorse

The Crazyhorse Fiction Prize and the Lynda Hull Memorial Poetry Prize

Winners receive $2,000 each and publication in Crazyhorse.

The deadline to enter this year's prizes: January 15, 2011.

Enter by uploading a file of your manuscript online or by mailing in a paper manuscript. Each manuscript entered should consist of up to twenty-five pages of fiction or up to three poems (up to 10 pages total of poetry). For each manuscript entered, include a reading fee of $16 per manuscript, which includes a one-year/two-issue subscription to Crazyhorse. More than one manuscript may be entered. For each additional fiction or poetry manuscript entered and entry fee paid, your subscription to Crazyhorse will extend by one year/two issues. Subscriptions begin with Crazyhorse Number 79, Spring 2011; the winning manuscripts will be published in Crazyhorse Number 80, Fall 2011.

To enter, go to http://www.crazyhorsejournal.org/page.php?id=108

New year's first Art Design & Dine on Jan. 13

http://artdesignanddine.blogspot.com