Adventures In Artslandia With Susannah Mars

Pickathon. What is it? It's a mind blowing three-day music festival that takes place every August at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, near Portland. Phil Lesh, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucius, Yob, and Our Girl, to name a few, in state of the art venues. Plus, the festival has the best food in town, and promotes an ecologically aware, sustainable ethos. Don't miss it. Family friendly! Photo: Kjerstin Johnson

Two of Portland's brilliant actresses play two women sorting through “the wreck of memory” including failed marriages, dashed ideals, and the meaning of life. Gretchen Corbett and SharonleeMcLean talk about their work on Portland Center Stage at The Armory's upcoming production, The Breath of Life by David Hare.

Living superhero Mary Kathryn Nagle is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and the playwright of Crossing Mnisose, which was commissioned as part of Portland Center Stage at The Armory's Northwest Stories series. The play has its world premiere in April. Nagle manages to have her feet firmly planted in some of the most traumatic untold stories of American history and remains active and hopeful for the future in her work toward ending domestic violence and sexual assault and at the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. Need inspiration? Here it is.

Frequently praised for the timbre of her voice, Hannah Penn stars in Portland Opera’s As One, a stunning coming-of-age story in which two voices—a mezzo-soprano and a baritone—share the role of transgender heroine Hannah. Discover behind-the-scenes details and more as Hannah talks about this “one woman show played by two people.” Opens at Newmark Theatre on March 22.

Dance the night away at the Solid Gold Disco Ball with BodyVox on March 9th! Ashley Roland, co artistic director, will share Master of Ceremonies duties and talks about how she shakes her groove thing, encourages the culture of YES, and creates an artistic community in BodyVox’s upcoming piece The Pearl Dive Project, opening on April 4th.

Take a trip into dance-making, with Artistic Directors Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland at BodyVox. They've invited a group of creatives, none of whom have ever worked in dance before. “What will happen when artists and innovators working at the peak of their profession immerse themselves in a craft they’ve never considered?” The Pearl Dive Project melds creative worlds in a collaboration of movement and ideas, the likes of which have never been seen. Don't forget that BodyVox has partner restaurants that offer discounts for a fantastic date night!

Written by Anya Pearson and directed by Jamie M. Rea, Made to Dance in Burning Buildings is a fusion of poetry, theater, and violent and visceral contemporary dance. Meet the creators as they discuss the premise of the work: how do we heal from trauma? Onstage February 15–March 16 at Shaking The Tree Theatre.

The Oregon Symphony continues to push the boundaries of a symphony concert experience in thrilling way. Enjoy a peek into the 2019/20 season with Music Director Carlos Kalmar. Don’t miss out on being a part!

Meet Susan Moore, Literary Arts Director of Programs for Writers, and Cheryl Strayed, best-selling author. Strayed will be hosting Literary Arts' 2019 Oregon Book Awards Ceremony on April 22. Her Tiny Beautiful Things is onstage through March 31 at Portland Center Stage at The Armory.

Meet wondrous performing artists Emma Fulmer and David VanDyke, members of Oregon Children's Theatre's Young Professionals Company. They will performing in Impulse, OCT's 12th annual improv show. Impulse runs 2/8-2/24 at the OCT YP Studio Theater. Performances are Fri/Sat at 7 pm and 2 pm shows on Sundays.

Susannah gathers Lawrence Howard and Lynne Duddy, founders of Portland Story Theater––the premier storytelling organization in the Pacific Northwest––with storyteller Warren McPherson to explore the art of storytelling and its role in community building. Check it out, and then catch McPherson's upcoming show at the Fertile Ground Festival! Catch _You Were Supposed To Be This Great Thing_, February 2, 2019, at The Old Church Concert Hall and visit pdxstorytheater.org for Portland Story Theater's current offerings.

Today Susannah chats with the lovely Violeta Picayo who will be playing Margaret Dashwood in Portland Center Stage at The Armory's Sense and Sensibility. Of this production, NY Times' Ben Brantley said: "Pray do not be alarmed, gentle readers, but I am here to tell you that Jane Austen has been pumped full of helium." Take the ride at Portland Center Stage, previewing on January 12th.

Hanging out with Dear Sugar! What a joy! Don't miss Tiny Beautiful Things at Portland Center Stage at The Armory, or this deep dive with beloved Portland author Cheryl Strayed.

Happy New Year! Bring it in with the exciting work of Kenji Bunch, Artistic Director of FEAR NO MUSIC. He talks about the exciting work they are championing, supporting the work of local composers' talent and culture. Locally Sourced, a concert on January 21st at The Old Church, is an annual program celebrating music created right here in the Pacific Northwest by the composers living among us.

The excitement about what's to come with our Oregon Symphony is palpable; music inspires and unites us. President and CEO of the Oregon Symphony, Scott Showalter shares what's new and thrilling with our own (FANFARE HERE) OREGON SYMPHONY!

BodyVox shines in creating a unique brand of dance theater. Meet Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland Artistic Directors of Body Vox and don't miss The Cutting Room January 24th through February 2nd. A sophisticated and delightful film and movement mashup that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Dive into Portland history at The Pittock Mansion with Jennifer Gritt, who talks about all things Pittock; what a fascinating family. The mansion was built using local and regional materials, Pittocks ideas were state of the art. The mansion is open to visitors. Don't miss it!

Oregon Symphony Associate Conductor Norman Huynh, talks about conducting, and life as a part of the Oregon Symphony, reminding us of a perfect holiday gift; tickets to our own Oregon Symphony! Coming up are the 20th Anniversary Gospel Christmas, Cirque de la Symphonie, and the wonderful Popcorn Series in which you can watch Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas as the symphony plays the score LIVE!

The Oregon Repertory Singers, one of the most expert choirs in the world, sing because they love it. Artistic Director Ethan Sperry sets the bar high, and with their newest recording of the unparalleled Morten Lauridsen's compositions they reach it. In addition to a chat with Kimberly Skondin, the Artistic Director of ORS Youth Choir, and making music with young people. What a joy to talk about this glorious work!

Heather Redfern is the Executive Director of The Vancouver East Cultural Centre (The Cultch) where she curates a program of over 20 different presentations each season. For six years the Cultch has partnered with Theatre Replacement to present the East Van Panto. Every year it has become more and more popular, and it is now know as one of Vancouver's favourite holiday traditions. EVENT: East Van Panto: Wizard of Oz Theatre Replacement (Vancouver) Nov 28 (with Nov 30th Opening)-Jan 6, 2019 York Theatre About The Cultch: Now in its 45th season, The Cultch has been one of Vancouver's most diverse and innovative arts and cultural institutions, offering dynamic programming in contemporary theatre, dance, and music by local, national, and international artists. Today, The Cultch continues to enrich the social and cultural life of Vancouver by bringing world-class cultural presentations to the public, supporting the growth of emerging artists and companies, and facilitating dialogue between groups in the Lower M