By Chet Griffith

The Mother Goosed art exhibit and auction is in full swing!
Please join us in supporting Southport Press by placing a bid on your favorite piece of art. All the participating Mother Goosed artists have generously donated their artwork to benefit Southport Press. The silent auction continues now through March 13th at ArtWorks gallery, 5002 7th ave. Kenosha WI.

On March 13th ArtWorks click here to continue reading →

BeExposed!’s next show is on Friday, March 19th and will feature:

“Unplugged”.

Unplugged was created with the idea of “putting a new spin on standards”. The group is formed of classically trained musicians: vocalist Janine Arecco, guitarist Jamey Buencamino, and percussionist Brian Ford (playing the African Djembe). They have broken the classical mold by adding their own flare when performing traditional contemporary music in a non-traditional way. Their eclectic song mix includes hits such as Sting’s “Fragile”, Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child”, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Girl from Ipanema”, Sade’s “Love Is Stronger than Pride”, Basia’s “Promises”, and Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us”, among many others. They have recently performed at the Kenosha HarborMarket and at the Nook Café, and are thrilled to be one of the upcoming featured groups at the BeExposed! series this March 19th at Carolyn’s Coffee Connection. Unplugged is currently seeking venues to perform at, carrying the catchphrase “have instrument, will travel”. Distance is not an issue!

Janine Arecco is a classically trained vocalist, specializing in pop and jazz. She has been performing throughout Chicagoland and the Milwaukee area for over 20 years. Janine has recorded numerous vocal tracks in studios as well (singing as well as voice-overs). In addition to performing, Janine also coaches select voice students in her home.

Jamey Buencamino is a classical and rock guitarist who has been performing in the Kenosha area for over 10 years. He is an experienced guitar instructor, currently teaching at the Kenosha Conservatory of Music. Jamey also teaches at Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee as part of their Conservatory Connections programs.

Brian Ford is a percussionist specializing in drum set. He has been playing and recording in the Chicago / Milwaukee area for the past 30 years and was fortunate to land a spot playing drum set for jazz great Buddy Montgomery. In addition to performing, Brian is a respected private drum instructor and percussion chair at the Kenosha Conservatory of Music, located in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

On Saturday, February 27th, the second installment of Art Matters, a year long project, took place at the Kenosha Public Libray, Northside. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Racine Arts Council, the meetings are designed so that area artists can give input into the state of the arts in the Racine and Kenosha areas. The WAB and RAC state that:

“Artists {are} encouraged to discuss their ideas and opinions regarding arts funding, programming, and local arts participation in Racine and Kenosha.
Artists will also be asked how the Arts Board and Arts Council can assist artists and arts supporters in their work to strengthen the local arts scene.”

As a result of the first two meetings, several projects and collaborations have been proposed. One collaborative effort between both communities is the creation of an online and print artists’ directory, and the project is already underway.

Mark Fraire, WAB Grant Programs and Services Specialist, also poses these questions though: What action steps have folks/groups taken to engage the “non arts” people? There also appears to be some collaborating that is happening between the many different groups in Racine and Kenosha, but what more can be done to build revenues? Attend the next meeting to discuss these, and other, topics further. (stay tuned to ExposeKenosha for March’s meeting time and place.)

Lemon Street Gallery will host a meeting on Saturday, April 10 from 1 p.m-3 p.m.
Everyone associated with the arts is encouraged to attend.

Great fiction, creative thoughts, and electric readings by the award-winning author and creator of the PBS film series “Poetry Everywhere. “

Tuesday, March 9
6:30 pm
Racine Public Library
75 Seventh St.

A free event, open to all; no registration necessary. Visit liamcallanan.com.