Enter ‘A Bridge to Japan’ poetry contest
The Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program has a submission name for “A Bridge to Japan: A Poetry Broadside Contest,” the ultimate piece of Poet Laureate Tammi Truax’s multi-pronged laureate challenge.
“That is the fruits of my ‘Bridge to Japan’ challenge. It was going to be a festive artwork present and reception within the gallery at PMAC, however like the remainder of my challenge has been reworked right into a digital occasion,” Truax says. “I nonetheless hope it will likely be great.”
A broadside, she explains, is a sheet of paper, printed on one facet; “it could embrace an illustration in any media, and signatures by the poet and artist.” For this goal it could be designed and printed on a pc, by letterpress, or as a hand-made mono-print. (Concepts on Truax’s Pinterest at: https://www.pinterest.com/tammitruax7/beautiful-broadsides/.)
Truax has skilled plenty of snags and cancellations (together with a visit to Japan) since April. Nonetheless she’s made her tenure shine. Her weekly poetry submissions for the Metropolis of Portsmouth Group Newspaper made the New York Occasions twice, and into different magazines and TV exhibits nationally (“that was unimaginable actually”).
Nonetheless, dropping this final alternative for an in-person occasion is disappointing, she says.
“The grand finale was going to be an artwork present and reception with (broadsheets) exhibited in real-life, on the PMAC gallery, … with a visitor speaker,” Truax says. “So all of that’s nonetheless going to occur, however digital (March 27).”
“I really like an artwork present. That was at all times a dream, that I might have that poetry and artwork mixture,” she says. “The plus facet – there’s at all times a Plus-ism, – … it means individuals can take part from throughout. I’ve even invited individuals from Nichinan, Japan to take part.”
Truax’s tenure ends in April.
“I have not had time to consider the way it feels. I have been so busy engaged on (this challenge),” she says. She’s nonetheless holding out hope that in time, she’ll personally ship “the six profitable unique works, and a few neighborly good will” to Nichinan as initially deliberate, “in particular person.”
The “Bridge” is open to teenagers and adults; deadline Jan. 31, 2021. There are money prizes. Data at https://www.facebook.com/pplpnh/posts/3357328577714497 or write T4tu@comcast.web.
RPAC to supply distant studying program for youths
Rochester Opera Home and its Rochester Performing Arts Heart has initiated a brand new program, whereas nixing its vacation exhibits; COVID-19 the one widespread denominator.
First this system: Pods, a group challenge made for the occasions.
Beginning the week following Thanksgiving, RPAC will host kids who’re nearly studying in a protected area,” Director of Schooling Jennifer Towle says.
This system, supported by grants and personal donations, will begin at RPAC and develop to its theater if wanted.
Pods, staffed by certified educators, affords half and full-day programming. Every baby could have an 8-foot-square space, wifi, printer use and, if wanted, Chromebooks (lately donated). Youngsters will stay in the identical pod all through every two-week semester.
Pods will deal with households with adults working outdoors the house “nevertheless it’s open to all,” Towle says. “We’re caring for the people who want help, as a lot as we will.”
“It is going to be protected and versatile (given) college schedules are altering on the drop of a hat,” she says. “We’ll have day by day actions, team-building video games – all at a distance, after all.”
It is fee-based, however affords monetary help.
“We need to be sure nobody is turned away for monetary want. … The one limits are age and what number of we will safely have.” Towle says. “Now there is a want, we’re pushing this ahead extra loudly. … We’re open and have classes able to roll.”
As for the vacation exhibits: The Opera Home was quietly prepping for 2 this season, with actors and expertise in place, “so we would be able to go,” Towle says. However, it pulled the plug simply earlier than Thanksgiving.
“We determined it was not the accountable factor to do,” Towle says, “as a result of some individuals cannot be accountable for themselves.”
Seacoast Rep goes completely on-line
“Our greatest information is that we now have determined, with the spike in COVID, we will do the rest of the season on-line,” Seacoast Repertory Theatre Co-Creative Director Brandon James says. “It is going to be very tough financially. … We’ll be asking the group for extra assist; they have been there for us because the begin, so I do not really feel I’ve to fret.”
The Rep’s revised-revised main-stage lineup that includes “Winter Wonderettes” and “The Honey Vacation Comfortable Hour” stays the identical, and so they’ve added two one-offs; “a Christmas Eve and New Yr’s Eve live-stream occasion for individuals caught at house.”
“Winter Wonderettes” is the fourth from the Wonderettes collection this season, “very enjoyable, cute and heartwarming.”
“Honey” is a take-off on classic TV vacation specials, with a “Radio Metropolis Spectacular” in Act II.
The newest additions, each family-friendly, are nonetheless within the works. Christmas Evening is within the writing room, as is New Yr’s Eve, although there is a bit extra recognized concerning the latter, James says.
“There isn’t any Time Sq. ball-drop, no parade, no canine present, so we’re doing this to fill that hole,” he says. “Our New Yr’s Eve will convey rock and roll … with a midnight countdown!”
Meantime, the Rep’s lack of reside spectators means its foyer renovations can go on with out the interruptions audience-attended exhibits created.
“The renovations are actually cool, stunning and recent. The ground is all new, and a contact of artwork (with) a fantastic ocean blue stain on the concrete,” he says. “The field workplace has been constructed out and reconfigured … and there is a new concession space.”
Ditto the ladies’s toilet with two further stalls, new partitions, flooring, plumbing, and lighting fixtures.
Alas, this transformation has a draw back.
The Rep raised the required $500,000 in a capital marketing campaign over the previous two years.
“However some individuals do not perceive that with a capital marketing campaign, you may’t legally use (these funds) for anything. … Right here we’re doing these large issues, however we’re at all times on-line saying how broke we’re,” James says. “It is arduous to elucidate that legally we won’t use it for producing exhibits. … It appears like we now have some huge cash, however we’re struggling.”
3S Artspace offers native nonprofits area to attach
3S Artspace introduced “Area Use Grant Program” to profit space nonprofits, on #Giving Tuesday.
“One factor we’re conscious of is the need of us, particularly nonprofit organizations, to assist one another,” Growth Supervisor Laurie Contrino says.
To that finish, 3S, via Area Use, will provide space nonprofits using its venue and livestream know-how, and workers assist to host their very own occasions, i.e. join with followers, maintain an interactive panel dialogue or a fundraiser, for instance.
“So, it isn’t solely our know-how, however our expertise,” she says. “Going into this winter, it will likely be one other pivotal time once we’ll all want to stay related.”
No First Evening this yr
In case you missed the announcement: Professional Portsmouth will forgo First Evening Portsmouth festivities. Professional P had hoped it might maintain one or a couple of outside parts, however determined it might not be prudent, because of the newest COVID-19 spike.
Jeanné McCartin retains her eyes and ears open for gossip at maskmakernh@gmail.com.
