Andre Feriante, Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort © 2010, Michael Doucett

In The Theater of Love

February 11, 2012     8:00 pm.

Benaroya Hall’s Nordstrom Recital Hall, with Guest Artists: Overton Berry, Jeff Davies, Swil Kanim, Steve Thoreson, Stella Rossi and Whitton

2012 marks the 14th year that guitar virtuoso Andre Feriante will host his annual Valentine’s Day Concert at Benaroya Hall’s Nordstrom Recital Hall. Reacting to 2011 news reports referencing the “The Theater of War” Andre puts his own spin on this powerful catch phrase by titling his 2012 concert, In the Theater of Love.

After 25 years of performing, this Seattle-based, award-winning, neo-flamenco/classical guitar virtuoso has left his musical mark on the classical, world music, and fusion scenes. His fans savor the soulful and seductive harmonies his music embodies and, in the spirit of other crossover artists like YoYo Ma or Sting, Andre’s performance program represents a bold but fluid musical fusion. Feriante will perform a musical mix of fiery flamenco, classical guitar standards and spoken poetry  in the style of Neruda and Rumi, set to his original compositions,  followed by a series of romantic favorites performed in the classical and jazz styles and a special tribute to his legendary mentor, Andres Segovia. This concert is all about romance, and his melded styles and multi-guitar format keep the evening lively and upbeat. Although soft and easy is definitely the theme, things will get a little spicy when Andre introduces his ukulele for some pieces off his newest album Novella Ukelele Mosaique.

Andre’s artistic path frequently crosses with other Seattle-based musicians. His annual Valentines concert affords these friends and fellow musicians the once-a-year opportunity to perform all together. This year’s concert includes: operatic tenor Steve Thoreson, piano legend Overton Berry violinist Swil Kanim, dancer Stella Rossi, vocalist Whitton, and bassist Jeff Davies. It is during the second act when Andre introduces this eclectic mix of musical professionals for an improvisational set sure to dazzle.

Andre Feriante In the Theater of Love is Saturday, February 11, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. in the Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall. Tickets are $40 and are on sale now through the Benaroya Hall Box Office, at 206.215.4747 or online at www.benaroyahall.org.,  Andre Feriante

Reserve an Audition spot Now!

Performing artists, ensembles and groups residing in King County are eligible to be included in the Touring Arts Roster. Application forms are available here; live auditions will be scheduled for August 20th. Return the application form by mail or email. 15 minute audition times will be assigned on a first come basis until all slots are filled. You’ll bring one copy of your promotional materials with you to the audition.

Applicants must:

• Reside in King County.
• Have paid professional performance, reading or workshop experience.
• Have good quality promotional materials.
• Be available to tour and present 30 minute to 1 hour programs appropriate for audiences of all ages.

A peer panel will evaluate the auditions and make recommendations to the Arts Advisory Committee for inclusion to the Touring Arts Roster. Performers will be judged by the criteria listed below;

Audition Review Criteria:

• Artistic merit of performance and professionalism.
• Quality of audition presentation.
• Quality of promotional materials.

If you have any questions. Please contact Doreen Mitchum at (206) 296-7579 or via email

Image: Te Fare O Tamatoa, performing artists in the 4Culture Touring Arts Roster © 2008-2011, all rights reserved

2011 GAP Project Awards

Following the March 17th deadline, the peer panel for Group Arts Projects met from Monday May 2nd to Wednesday May 4th to evaluate 113 applications from groups and organizations. This number was down from 141 submissions in 2010. The 71 awarded groups (63%) had requests totaling $446,945 and were awarded a total of $226,000. Five, or 7% of those were awarded full funding compared to 2010 which had 12% of the awarded projects fully funded.

Pictured above: Group arts Projects Grant recipient Bailadores de Bronce

Photo: Video still from Bailadores de Bronce 11/03/07,  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2kcH2EJrVg&feature=related , Courtesy of Bailadores de Bronce

4Culture is pleased to finally announce the 2011 Individual Artist Project award recipients! In late June, our Board of Directors approved recommendations from the 4Culture Arts Advisory Committee to support 72 artist-generated projects to benefit of citizens of and visitors to our region.

The Individual Artist Projects peer review panel reviewed 314 applications. Project budgets totaled $4,676,895 with requests to 4Culture totaling $1,725,457. This year’s peer-panel recommended that 72 artists receive a total of $345,070 in award funds this year.  The criteria for this program includes: excellence as demonstrated in the work sample and project application, project feasibility, and the public benefit to the citizens and visitors of King County.

Eligible projects may be at any stage of development including initial planning, development and final production. The presentation of funded projects provides public access to creative experiences to residents and visitors across our County. 4Culture is the largest annual funder of projects by individual artists in Washington State.

A few projects recommended for funding include:

• Abdoulaye Sylla, a master dancer and drummer from Guinea, West Africa, will create an instructional video for students and audiences.
• Toby Campbell will compose, perform and release new music for string quartet in conjunction with film-scoring workshops for youth.
• Leah Warshawski will continue production on her documentary film about Rwandan filmmakers struggling to create and present film in their country.
• Sondra Simone Segundo will complete a Native American art and design book for educators.

This year’s selection panelists: Yadesa Bojia, Visual Artist, Shoreline; Jayme Yahr, Art Historian & Exhibitions Director, Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland/Seattle; Vincent Orduña, Actor, Director & Theater Manager, CARCO, Renton; Laura Ciotti, Musician & Project Manager, Sweet Bird Classics, Seattle; Christine Juarez, Director of Dance, Vashon Allied Arts & Faculty, Cornish College of the Arts, Vashon/Seattle; Mary Longhurst, Documentary Filmmaker, Federal Way; Tish Lopez, Writer/Screenwriter & English Faculty, Bellevue Community College, Bellevue/Seattle. Please contact us if you’re interested in becoming involved with 4Culture as a panelist, advisory or board member.

We strive to reach out to artists working around the County. From January 20^th through March 1^st application workshops were conducted in communities throughout King County, including Auburn, Issaquah, Des Moines, Richmond Beach/Shoreline, Redmond and Seattle. Following the March 9, 2011 deadline, peer panels were held on May 16^th, 17^th and 18^th for applicants applying in the disciplines of visual arts, literature, music, media, dance and theater.

4Culture also encourages artists from across King County, working in all disciplines, to learn about our opportunities. Artists can access information about 4Culture’s funding programs by signing up to receive our on-line newsletter, which is emailed out monthly. It provides information about upcoming 4Culture opportunities for artists, such as: Gallery4Culture, e4c, Site Specific and our Touring Arts Roster, as well as, opportunities from other organizations and helpful tips from the field.

After working for seven years to secure funding for this and numerous other funding programs, 4Culture, with bipartisan support of the state legislature, was able to secure funds for this program through a portion of the King County Lodging Tax. We look forward to receiving many new applications next year!

© 2009, Toby Campbell, Anomie Belle, Image: Anthon Smith

© Image courtesy of Maya Soliel

Over a hundred performers in all disciplines are available for your event, festival, conference or party right here in the newly redesigned Touring Arts Roster. See and hear these performers, review rates and tech, then create your own portfolio of performers at one convenient site. Hire these reviewed and juried King County artists with confidence for high quality entertainment at every budget level. Contact Dore...@4Culture.org for more information.

Check it out!

© LAUNCH Dance Theater image by Juniper Shuey

Recently, Nancy Guppy and the team from Seattle Channel’s Artzone spent a day at 4Culture filming a quick segment about what 4Culture is (and does). They’ve posted it on their website, take a look!

The Touring Arts Roster allows presenters a convenient way to identify regional artists available to perform in festivals, commercial venues, schools, libraries, conventions and parties.

4Culture is pleased to announce a call for artists to apply for the 2010 edition of the Touring Arts Roster (TAR), a juried directory of some of King County’s most diverse and talented performing artists who are available for regional bookings.

Applications are due no later than July 20, 2009. Audition slots are filled on a first come, first served basis.

New additions to the roster are added each year following an application and audition process in the summer. The 2010 TAR will boast over 100 artists and ensembles representing a diverse range of performing disciplines and genres. The range of performing disciplines and genres allows the TAR to apply a wide range of individuals seeking performers for any event format, size or budget.

image: © José Carrión and Todo Folklore Cubano!, Courtesy of the artist