Portland, January 30th, 2014. Champion Zia McCabe was re-crowned at the Celebrity Spelling Bee benefiting Schoolhouse Supplies. OnPoint Community Credit Union Celebrity Spelling Bee, presented by Comcast was no “fan-toc-ci-ni!” But musician Zia McCabe knew how to spell it and took home the trophy again. The benefit raised $230,000 for students and teachers across Portland.
Celebrity speller, (right) Kodi Sawyer, guest (left) Ashley Samson with Pencil Pete
KGW NewsChannel 8 newscaster Drew Carney, SHS Executive Director, Jen Barth and Rob Stuart, President / CEO OnPoint Community Credit Union
The last three standing and Reggie Aqui told audience members he has to leave to go “do the news.”
(left) Pat Janowski and (right) Mary McDonald-Lewis note: Pat stepped in at the 11th hour to co-moderate with Mary when Mary broke her arm just days before the event.
C.J. McCollum tries to stay in the game with charm
Perhaps one of the biggest stories to come out of Thursday night was that of the performance of NewChannel 8’s Reggie Aqui. The now three-year vet of the Spelling Bee entered the contest having always been one of the first spellers out. But this year, Aqui stepped up his game. But despite openly admitting to the crowd that he hadn’t studied any of the vocab terms, Aqui managed to become one of the final three spellers before he had to “go do the news,” and finally got knocked out of the contest.
Candace Bouchard, Soloist, Oregon Ballet Theatre bows out gracefully with her misspelled word
Right from the get go, the Moderators – Mary McDonald-Lewis & Pat Janowski – meant business, challenging spellers with words such as “Kavya” and “Piazza” (no, not Pizza), “pee.AZ.uh.” And that was just the beginner words. In fact, words were so stiff, seasoned veteran of the Bee John Erikson even commented to the moderators, “You’re really trying to thin out the heard fast, aren’t ya?” But despite fierce terms like “jipijapa,” “sarsaparilla,” and “bobbejaan,” and equally solid competition, Zia McCabe answered the call, and reclaimed her title as Champion of the Celebrity Spelling Bee (or as we like to call it, “The Bees Knees”).
Guests enjoyed the silent auction, cocktails, and Pencil Pete’s Spelling Challenge. They listened to live music from the Lincoln High School Jazz Ensemble, and sat down to a gourmet dinner in the Grand Ballroom. They were able to bid on people – yes, people – during our save a speller “Word Nerd” live auction, double their giving impact in a special appeal paddle raise, and were finally serenaded by the Madison High School Drum Line closing the event.
The benefit raised $230,000 in vital funds that will help stock the Free Store for Teachers, and ensure that every child in our community has the tools they need to succeed. Sponsors to thanked including: OnPoint Community Credit Union, Comcast, Washman, Vista Market Intelligence, PEMCO Insurance, and NW West Natural, as well as K103, Portland Monthly, and KGW NewsChannel 8 serving as media sponsors.
Portland, February 4th, 2014. Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) has started construction on a $32 million transformation of the historic 511 Federal Building, once the central post office, at 511 NW Broadway Street in Portland, Oregon. This new hub for creative practice and collaboration will open in January 2015 as the Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design.
PNCA’s new state-of-the-art blackbox theater.
PNCA’s expansion will bring new vitality to Portland’s North Park Blocks, as well as the Old Town and Chinatown neighborhoods. The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design will become the flagship of PNCA’s North Park Blocks campus, which includes the student residence, ArtHouse (which opened in September 2013), and Museum of Contemporary Craft. Along with developing a dynamic campus on the North Park Blocks, the expansion positions the College to continue growing the student body over the next decade.
“PNCA fosters creative problem solving by preparing students for a life of creative practice grounded in critical thinking. With its location in the heart of Portland’s thriving Creative District, our new campus allows us to greatly expand our ability to deliver the kind of innovative education our students need for the 21st century,” said Tom Manley, PNCA President. “Our students will activate the North Parks and create a new focal point for creative entrepreneurship. We are extremely grateful to the Portland community and the many supporters who have helped us turn a seven-year dream into a reality.”
PDC Financing
The Portland Development Commission (PDC) is a significant partner in the development of PNCA’s new home. PDC was grantedauthorized a deed for the 511 NW Broadway building from the National Park Service through a national monument transfer. The PDC will lease the building back to PNCA for 99 years at $1 per year. The Commission, with support from the City of Portland, has committed to $20.3 million in bridge and long-term financing to PNCA for the project. The College also received a $740,000 grant from PDC for project planning and design.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of PDC in this visionary remodel, which positions PNCA to be a cultural bridge between the Pearl District, the North Park Blocks and Old Town and Chinatown,” said Manley. “It was PDC Board Chair John Russell who initiated this in 2002 when he sent the original inquiry about redeveloping the building.”
Creativity Works Here Campaign
In June 2012 PNCA launched a $15 million philanthropic campaign, CREATIVITY WORKS HERE, to support its strategic move to renovate the historic former federal post office building.
CREATIVITY WORKS HERE, led by honorary co-chairs Arlene Schnitzer and Dorothy Lemelson and a Campaign Cabinet of volunteer community leaders, has raised more than 75% of its $15 million goal since the campaign was launched 18 months ago with a lead gift from PNCA alumna Arlene Schnitzer to name the Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design. Under the leadership of current PNCA Board Chair Ann Edlen and incoming chair Aric Wood, Board members have contributed more than $3.3 million to the effort.
Some major commitments to the campaign to date include $1 million from Dorothy Lemelson to establish the Dorothy Lemelson Innovation Studio, $1 million from Al Solheim to name the Solheim Library, $500,000 from the William . G. Gilmore Foundation, Mary Lee Boklund, President; $500,000 from the estate of Ernest Swigert in honor of past PNCA president Sally Lawrence; $400,000 from the Meyer Memorial Trust; $350,000 from The Collins Foundation, $350,000 from Maribeth Collins, and $300,000 from the Swigert-Warren Foundation.
“Our deep sincere thanks to everyone who is supporting this campaign,” said Manley. “Portland-style collaboration is essential to PNCA, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who’s helped make today a reality. We expect this to change PNCA and Portland for generations to come.”
Architectural rendering of the atrium in the new Arlene & Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design. Courtesy of Allied Works Architecture.
Portland Mayor Charlie Hales said, “We expect PNCA to do for the city’s North Park Blocks what PSU’s expansion has done for the South Park Blocks. We are proud to be a part of PNCA’s vision for expansion and revitalization – not just of the old post office, but also the surrounding neighborhoods and the community where its students live. Creativity is essential to Portland’s economic development, and I expect this school of influence to have a significant impact on growing our local economy.”
Acclaimed architect Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture created the plans for adaptive reuse that will preserve key historical features of the 134,000 square-foot building, which opened in 1919, while introducing contemporary design and dynamic flow to the light-filled core of the building. The project’s general contractor is Howard S. Wright, with Gerding Edlen as project manager.
Allied Works’ design will highlight new areas for public programs and arts education, with exemplary spaces for art exhibitions, lectures, and events in addition to classrooms, production facilities, an elegant library, and innovation studio and incubator. The building, originally designed by architect Lewis P. Hobart, is identified as the geographic center of Portland by a U.S. Geological Survey marker on its rooftop. It was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979.
Portland, January 23rd, 2014. This year Missionary Chocolates won the “Chocolates for Choice” tasting party hosted by NARAL. The event drew over 200 people and was also a celebration of the 41st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Supporters sampled chocolates and desserts from local venues, and attendees cast their votes alongside a panel of celebrity judges to decide the best of the best. Sex Life DJs kept the music going. The emcee was local comedian Bri Pruett. Celebrity Guest Judges included: Kjerstin Johnson, Editor-in-Chief- Bitch Magazine; Lisa Schroeder, Executive Chef/Owner of Mother’s Bistro; Sally Eck – Portland State University Professor and radical feminist.
Pro-choice supporters were in attendance along with pro-choice elected officials, Brad Avakian, Elizabeth Steiner Hayward, Alissa Keny-Guyer, Tom Hughes, and Teddy Keizer who is running for office. The event was held at Union/Pine in South East Portland.
Over 200 people attended
The winner of the Gluten Free award was Gem.
beautiful chocolates were a hit with the crowd.
While this event is most certainly a celebration of Roe v. Wade and not a fundraiser, the event did bring in $5,000 in donations.
Portland, January 22nd, 2014. The Picnic House Restaurant hosted an appreciation party for the nonprofit Young Audiences. The celebration honored supporters, partners, artists and community members. Young Audiences Artists kept the crowd entertained. Gerardo Calderon entertained the crowd with beautiful Latin guitar compositions while Sarah Ferguson lead a hands-on art project for guests to take home.
Sue Dixon (PCM) & Jill Trinchero (YA Board)
Dwight & Karla Sangrey, Steve Kuever, Sarah Ferguson (YA Artist), Ann Rutherford (YA Artist)
Karie Oakes (YA Artist) Sam Adams (Former Mayor and Executive Director of City Club of Portland)
Jeff Hawthorne (Regional Arts & Culture Council) and and Albert Alter (YA Artist)
Our mission is to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.
Young Audiences of Oregon was founded in 1958 as a local chapter of the nation’s largest arts-in-education organization. In 1989, the Portland-based organization merged with a smaller chapter in Vancouver to become Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington. We have steadily grown in scope and programming, evolving from presenting only classical music performances in our early years to currently offering a full range of educational arts programming in multiple disciplines and cultures – the only arts organization in the region to do so.
Portland, January 20th, 2014. 680 volunteers honored Martin Luther King Jr. with a Day of Service by repacking food and sorting food-drive donations at two Oregon Food Bank facilities.
In answer to Dr. King’s famous call to action – “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Congress passed this sanctioned Day of Service challenging Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action. Hundreds of Bank of America volunteers, as well as other community volunteers, processed over 100,000 pounds of food – equivalent to more than 83,000 meals, and as much as the two facilities process in a regular work week.
Bank of America Community Volunteer
“We are grateful for all the volunteers giving their time in the spirit of service embodied by Dr. King. Together we can make significant strides toward eliminating hunger in Oregon,” said Sarah Schirmer, Oregon Food Bank Corporate and Foundation Relations Developer.
“I look forward to this event every year,” said Roger Hinshaw, Oregon and southwest Washington market president at Bank of America. “It’s a moving experience to see so many people working side-by-side to honor Dr. King’s legacy. Bank of America is committed to strengthening our community, and by supporting Oregon Food Bank, we’re helping make the connection between our neighbors in need and the resources to address the immediate crisis of hunger so they focus on creating a more financially stable future.”
MLK Jr. Day of Service at Oregon Food Bank was presented by Bank of America with funding support from Bank of America and PacifiCorp. Olive Garden provided hot meals for volunteers at both facilities.
Roger Hinshaw of Bank of America presenting a check to Sarah Schirmer of Oregon Food Bank
Park City, January 25th, 2014. The big winner at Sundance this year is “Whiplash.” It’s the story of a ruthless instructor who urges a talented young drummer to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. The awards come at the end of the 10-day festival, “The competition juries, comprised of individuals from the worldwide film community with original and diverse points of view, select films from both the documentary and dramatic categories to receive a range of awards. Decided by Festivalgoers’ ballots, Audience Awards are bestowed upon films in each of the Festival’s four competition categories,” according to the nonprofit Sundance Institute.
The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented to Craig Johnson for “Skeleton Twins.” (Director: Craig Johnson, Screenwriters: Craig Johnson, Mark Heyman)
The US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent was awarded to “Dear White People.”
“That the Festival has evolved and grown as it has over the past 30 years is a credit to both our audiences and our artists, who continue to find ways to take risks and open our minds to the power of story.” That’s the assessment of President and founder of the nonprofit Sundance Institute, Robert Redford. Redford was on hand
It’s a much different experience than 30 years ago when there were two theatres in Park City and 86 films screened. In 2014, there were 12,218 film submissions, and 186 films screen in nine Park City theatres. The culmination of the Festival is the Awards Ceremony. The competition juries, comprised of individuals from the worldwide film community with original and diverse points of view, select films from both the documentary and dramatic categories to receive a range of awards. Decided by Festivalgoers’ ballots, Audience Awards are bestowed upon films in each of the Festival’s four competition categories.
Here are more detail about this year’s winners:
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Tracy Chapman to: Rich Hill / U.S.A. (Directors: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos) — In a rural, American town, kids face heartbreaking choices, find comfort in the most fragile of family bonds, and dream of a future of possibility.
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Leonard Maltin to:
Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Andrea Nix Fine to:
Return to Homs / Syria, Germany (Director: Talal Derki) — Basset Sarout, the 19-year-old national football team goalkeeper, becomes a demonstration leader and singer, and then a fighter. Ossama, a 24-year-old renowned citizen cameraman, is critical, a pacifist, and ironic until he is detained by the regime’s security forces.
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Nansun Shi to:
To Kill a Man / Chile, France (Director and screenwriter: Alejandro Fernández Almendras) — When Jorge, a hardworking family man who’s barely making ends meet, gets mugged by Kalule, a neighborhood delinquent, Jorge’s son decides to confront the attacker, only to get himself shot. Even though Jorge’s son nearly dies, Kalule’s sentence is minimal, heightening the friction. Cast: Daniel Candia, Daniel Antivilo, Alejandra Yañez, Ariel Mateluna.
The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary Presented by Acura, was presented by William H. Macy to:
Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory / U.S.A. (Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett) — Five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia—many of them alone in nursing homes. A man with a simple idea discovers that songs embedded deep in memory can ease pain and awaken these fading minds. Joy and life are resuscitated, and our cultural fears over aging are confronted.
The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic Presented by Acura, was presented by William H. Macy to:
Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.
The Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Felicity Huffman to:
The Green Prince / Germany, Israel, United Kingdom (Director: Nadav Schirman ) — This real-life thriller tells the story of one of Israel’s prized intelligence sources, recruited to spy on his own people for more than a decade. Focusing on the complex relationship with his handler, The Green Prince is a gripping account of terror, betrayal, and unthinkable choices, along with a friendship that defies all boundaries.
The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Felicity Huffman to:
Difret / Ethiopia (Director and screenwriter: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari) — Meaza Ashenafi is a young lawyer who operates under the government’s radar helping women and children until one young girl’s legal case exposes everything, threatening not only her career but her survival. Cast: Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere.
The Audience Award: Best of NEXT <=> was presented by Nick Offerman to:
Imperial Dreams / U.S.A. (Director: Malik Vitthal, Screenwriters: Malik Vitthal, Ismet Prcic) — A 21-year-old, reformed gangster’s devotion to his family and his future are put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles. Cast: John Boyega, Rotimi Akinosho, Glenn Plummer, Keke Palmer, De’aundre Bonds.
The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Morgan Neville to:
Ben Cotner & Ryan White for The Case Against 8 / U.S.A. (Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White) — A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California’s ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Lone Scherfig to:
Cutter Hodierne for Fishing Without Nets / U.S.A., Somalia, Kenya (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey, David Burkman) — A story of pirates in Somalia told from the perspective of a struggling, young Somali fisherman. Cast: Abdikani Muktar, Abdi Siad, Abduwhali Faarah, Abdikhadir Hassan, Reda Kateb, Idil Ibrahim.
The Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Sally Riley to:
Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard for 20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.
The Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Sebastián Lelio to:
Sophie Hyde for 52 Tuesdays / Australia (Director: Sophie Hyde, Screenplay and story by: Matthew Cormack, Story by: Sophie Hyde) — Sixteen-year-old Billie’s reluctant path to independence is accelerated when her mother reveals plans for gender transition, and their time together becomes limited to Tuesdays. This emotionally charged story of desire, responsibility, and transformation was filmed over the course of a year—once a week, every week, only on Tuesdays. Cast: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Del Herbert-Jane, Imogen Archer, Mario Späte, Beau Williams, Sam Althuizen.
The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Peter Saraf to:
Craig Johnson & Mark Heyman for The Skeleton Twins / U.S.A. (Director: Craig Johnson, Screenwriters: Craig Johnson, Mark Heyman) — When estranged twins Maggie and Milo feel that they’re at the end of their ropes, an unexpected reunion forces them to confront why their lives went so wrong. As the twins reconnect, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship. Cast: Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell, Boyd Holbrook, Joanna Gleason.
The Screenwriting Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Sebastián Lelio to:
Eskil Vogt for Blind / Norway, Netherlands (Director and screenwriter: Eskil Vogt) — Having recently lost her sight, Ingrid retreats to the safety of her home—a place she can feel in control, alone with her husband and her thoughts. But Ingrid’s real problems lie within, not beyond the walls of her apartment, and her deepest fears and repressed fantasies soon take over. Cast: Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Vera Vitali, Marius Kolbenstvedt.
The Editing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Jonathan Oppenheim to:
Jenny Golden, Karen Sim for Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.
The Editing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Sally Riley to:
Jonathan Amos for 20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.
The Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Kahane Cooperman to:
Rachel Beth Anderson, Ross Kauffman for E-TEAM / U.S.A. (Directors: Katy Chevigny, Ross Kauffman) — E-TEAM is driven by the high-stakes investigative work of four intrepid human rights workers, offering a rare look at their lives at home and their dramatic work in the field.
The Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Peter Saraf to:
Christopher Blauvelt for Low Down / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Preiss, Screenwriters: Amy-Jo Albany, Topper Lilien) — Based on Amy-Jo Albany’s memoir, Low Down explores her heart-wrenching journey to adulthood while being raised by her father, bebop pianist Joe Albany, as he teeters between incarceration and addiction in the urban decay and waning bohemia of Hollywood in the 1970s. Cast: John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Flea.
The Cinematography Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Caspar Sonnen to:
Thomas Balmès & Nina Bernfeld for Happiness / France, Finland (Director: Thomas Balmès) — Peyangki is a dreamy and solitary eight-year-old monk living in Laya, a Bhutanese village perched high in the Himalayas. Soon the world will come to him: the village is about to be connected to electricity, and the first television will flicker on before Peyangki’s eyes.
The Cinematography Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Carlo Chatrian to:
Ula Pontikos for Lilting / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Hong Khaou) — The world of a Chinese mother mourning the untimely death of her son is suddenly disrupted by the presence of a stranger who doesn’t speak her language. Lilting is a touching and intimate film about finding the things that bring us together. Cast: Ben Whishaw, Pei-Pei Cheng, Andrew Leung, Peter Bowles, Naomi Christie, Morven Christie.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Use of Animation was presented by Charlotte Cook to:
Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Intuitive Filmmaking was presented by Charlotte Cook to:
The Overnighters / U.S.A. (Director: Jesse Moss) — Desperate, broken men chase their dreams and run from their demons in the North Dakota oil fields. A local Pastor’s decision to help them has extraordinary and unexpected consequences.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Musical Score was presented by Dana Stevens to:
The Octopus Project for Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter / U.S.A. (Director: David Zellner, Screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner) — A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried in a fictional film is, in fact, real. Abandoning her structured life in Tokyo for the frozen Minnesota wilderness, she embarks on an impulsive quest to search for her lost mythical fortune. Cast: Rinko Kikuchi.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent was presented by Dana Stevens to:
Justin Simien for Dear White People / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Justin Simien) — Four black students attend an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over an “African American” themed party thrown by white students. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in postracial America while weaving a story about forging one’s unique path in the world. Cast: Tyler Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon Bell.
A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for the Delightful Ensemble Performance, and How the Director Brought His Own Unique Universe into Cinema was presented by Carlo Chatrian to:
God Help the Girl / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch) — This musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian is about some messed up boys and girls and the music they made. Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger, Cora Bissett.
A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematic Bravery was presented by Caspar Sonnen to:
We Come as Friends / France, Austria (Director: Hubert Sauper) — We Come as Friends is a modern odyssey, a science fiction–like journey in a tiny homemade flying machine into the heart of Africa. At the moment when the Sudan, Africa’s biggest country, is being divided into two nations, a “civilizing” pathology transcends the headlines—colonialism, imperialism, and yet-another holy war over resources.
The Short Film Audience Award, Presented by YouTube, based on web traffic for 15 short films that screened at the Festival and were concurrently featured on www.youtube.com/sff, was presented to:
Chapel Perilous / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Matthew Lessner) — Levi Gold is paid an unexpected visit by Robin, a door-to-door salesman with nothing to sell. The ensuing encounter forces Levi to confront his true mystical calling, and the nature of reality itself. A metaphysical comedy trip-out with Sun Araw.
The following awards were presented at separate ceremonies at the Festival:
Jury prizes and honorable mentions in short filmmaking were presented at a ceremony in Park City, Utah on January 21. The Short Film Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Of God and Dogs / Syrian Arab Republic (Director: Abounaddara Collective). The Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction was presented to Gregory Go Boom / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Janicza Bravo). The Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction was presented to The Cut / Canada (Director and screenwriter: Geneviève Dulude-Decelles). The Short Film Jury Award: Non-fiction was presented to I Think This Is the Closest to How the Footage Looked / Israel (Directors: Yuval Hameiri, Michal Vaknin). The Short Film Jury Award: Animation was presented to Yearbook / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Bernardo Britto). A Short Film Special Jury Award for Unique Vision was presented to Rat Pack Rat / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Todd Rohal). A Short Film Special Jury Award for Non-fiction was presented to Love. Love. Love. / Russia (Director: Sandhya Daisy Sundaram). A Short Film Special Jury Award for Direction and Ensemble Acting was presented to Burger / United Kingdom, Norway (Director and screenwriter: Magnus Mork).
The winning directors and projects of the Sundance Institute | Mahindra Global Filmmaking Awards, in recognition and support of emerging independent filmmakers from around the world, are: Hong Khaou, Monsoon (Vietnam/UK); Tobias Lindholm, A War (Denmark); Ashlee Page, Archive (Australia); and Neeraj Ghaywan, Fly Away Solo (India).
The Sundance Institute/NHK Award, honoring and supporting emerging filmmakers, was presented to Mark Rosenberg, director of the upcoming film Ad Inexplorata.
The 2014 Red Crown Producer’s Award and $10,000 grant was presented to Elisabeth Holm, producer of Obvious Child.
The 2014 Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, presented to outstanding feature films focusing on science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer or mathematician as a major character, was presented to I Origins, directed and written by Mike Cahill. The film received a $20,000 cash award from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
The 2014 Sundance Film Festival Jurors were: U.S. Documentary Competition: Tracy Chapman, Charlotte Cook, Kahane Cooperman, Morgan Neville and Jonathan Oppenheim; U.S. Dramatic Competition: Leonard Maltin, Peter Saraf, Lone Scherfig, Bryan Singer and Dana Stevens; World Cinema Documentary Competition: Andrea Nix Fine, Sally Riley and Caspar Sonnen; World Cinema Dramatic Competition: Carlo Chatrian, Sebastián Lelio and Nansun Shi; Alfred P. Sloan Award: Dr. Kevin Hand, Flora Lichtman, Max Mayer, Jon Spaihts and Jill Tarter; Short Film Competition: Vernon Chatman, Joshua Leonard and Ania Trzebiatowska.
The 2014 Festival presented 121 feature-length films, representing 37 countries and 54 first-time filmmakers, including 35 in competition. These films were selected from 12,218 submissions (72 more than for 2013), including 4,057 feature-length films and 8,161 short films. Of the feature film submissions, 2,014 were from the U.S. and 2,043 were international. 100 feature films at the Festival were world premieres.
The 2014 Festival runs through January 26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. A complete list of films and events is available at www.sundance.org/festival.
The Sundance Film Festival®
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014, the Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most groundbreaking films of the past three decades, including Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Little Miss Sunshine, An Education, sex, lies, and videotape, Reservoir Dogs, The Cove, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, An Inconvenient Truth, Precious, and Napoleon Dynamite, and through its New Frontier initiative, has showcased the cinematic works of media artists including Isaac Julien, Doug Aitken, Pierre Huyghe, Jennifer Steinkamp, and Matthew Barney. The Festival is a program of the non-profit Sundance Institute®. 2014 Festival sponsors include: Presenting Sponsors – HP, Acura, Sundance Channel and Chase Sapphire Preferred®; Leadership Sponsors – Airbnb, DIRECTV, Entertainment Weekly, LensCrafters, Southwest Airlines, Sprint and YouTube; Sustaining Sponsors – Adobe, Canada Goose, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Brita® FilterForGood®, in partnership with Nalgene®, Hilton HHonors and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Ketel One Vodka, L’Oréal Paris, MorningStar Farms®, Omnicom, Quaker Oats Company, Stella Artois® and Time Warner Inc. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these organizations helps offset the Festival’s costs and sustain the Institute’s year-round programs for independent film and theatre artists. www.sundance.org/festival
Sundance Institute
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a global, nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to nurturing artistic expression in film and theater, and to supporting intercultural dialogue between artists and audiences. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to unite, inform and inspire, regardless of geo-political, social, religious or cultural differences. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival and its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Sin Nombre, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
January 25th, 2014. Hollywood actors, paparazzi, and VIP parties are mainstays of the Sundance Film Festival. Sundance is a place to “see and be seen” by more people each year. The festival turned 30 this year and attendance has continued to increase. An estimated 45,947 attended in 2013, compared with the 40,291 who flocked to the 10-day Park City event in 2009.
It’s a whirlwind for journalists covering red carpet premieres, industry film screenings and VIP soirees. Many search for soundbites at the expense of a bite to eat; they’re on a grueling but exhilarating ride. Below are some images from the frenetic festival.
Anne Hathaway holds a ticket to her film “Song One”.
Aaron Paul takes questions at the “Hellion” premiere.
Director Wlliam H. Macy & Felicity Huffman were at the “Rudderless” premiere.
Sundance programmer David Courier (center) smiles with with the “Fed Up” team, including Katie Couric.
Actor Kellan Lutz was mobbed by fans on the street. He learned to Snowboard in Park City during the Film Festival.
It was a Dexter reunion for John Lithgow and Michael Chall. Lithgow attended the premiere of his well received film, “Love is Strange” at the Sundance Film Festival.
Luke Wilson talked with reporters on the red carpet before the premiere of “The Skeleton Twins.”
Craig Johnson, (right) director and co-writer of “The Skeleton Twins,” poses with, from left, cast members Boyd Holbrook and Bill Hader.
Adrian Grenier at Sundance Film Festival.
Mark Ruffalo whose film critically aclaimed film, “Infinitely Polar Bear” posed for a photo with us: Editor, Elisa Klein and photographer, Denise Gooding.
Kristen Stewart was at the premiere for her film, “Camp X-Ray.”
Portland, January 23rd, 2014. Low income families will stand a better chance for success thanks to a $100,000 grant from Wells Fargo. The donation to Human Solutions will be used to provide affordable housing, family support services, job readiness training, economic development opportunities, and basic needs assistance to low-income and/or homeless individuals and families, including homeless veterans. Human Solutions is a local social service agency serving outer East Portland and East Multnomah County and is one of 10 grant recipients citywide through Wells Fargo’s NeighborhoodLIFT and Economic Opportunity programs.
Wells Fargo Community Development Officer Cobi Jackson, Wells Fargo Oregon Regional President Tracy Curtis, Human Solutions Executive Director Jean DeMaster, Wells Fargo Community Affairs Manager Bernie Kronberger, and Wells Fargo Area Sales Manager Kurt Hill.
A total of $600,000 was distributed to 10 nonprofit groups that serve Portland residents in need. Wells Fargo worked in collaboration with the City of Portland and Mayor Charlie Hales to identify nine of the 10 grant recipients, including Human Solutions. The selected organizations address issues that align with some of the city’s priorities: supporting youth, education, diversity, homelessness, affordable healthcare and affordable homeownership. “These nonprofits are actively leading efforts to help stabilize neighborhoods. Based on our discussions with the City of Portland, we believe it appropriate to further support them with local initiative funds from the NeighborhoodLIFT program,” said Kurt Hill, a Portland area manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
“This generous grant will help us serve more low-income and homeless families in crisis, and comes at time when demand for our services is greater than ever,” said Jean DeMaster, executive director of Human Solutions. “We are very grateful to Wells Fargo for recognizing the importance of providing opportunities to vulnerable families so they have the tools to become self-sufficient.”
The other NeighborhoodLIFT program grant recipients include Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland, $100,000; Hacienda CDC, $50,000; Project Access NOW, $50,000; Self Enhancement, Inc., $50,000; Urban League, $50,000; White Shield (The Salvation Army); $50,000; Community Transitional School, $25,000; and the Portland Opportunities Industrial Center, $25,000. Wells Fargo also gave a $100,000 Economic Opportunity Grant to Mercy Corps Northwest.
Bernie Kronberger, Wells Fargo Community Affairs Manager; Kurt Hill, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Area Manager; Joe McFerrin, Portland Oregon Industry Council; Marcia Harris, Community Transitional School; Jean DeMaster, Human Solutions; Doug Cooper, Mercy Corps NW; Wells Fargo Regional President Tracy Curtis; Linda Nilsen-Solares, Project Access NOW; Erin Hubert, Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area; Tony Hopson Sr., Self Enhancement Inc.; Carlos Garcia, Hacienda Community Development Corporation; Joseph Lai, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Area Manager; Diane Brandsma, Salvation Army-White Shield Center; Cobi Jackson, Wells Fargo Vice President, Community Development OR/SW Washington.
“NeighborhoodLIFT and Economic Opportunity are two of the many programs we have created at Wells Fargo to help those who need it the most: low- and moderate-income youths, students, individuals, families, entrepreneurs, seniors and veterans,” said Wells Fargo Regional President Tracy Curtis. “I thank these 10 nonprofit agencies for all the great work they do to help Portland residents achieve success.”
About Wells Fargo: Serving Oregonians since 1852, Wells Fargo was ranked the most generous bank in Oregon and the most philanthropic company in America last year. It gave $315.8 million and 1.5 million volunteer hours to 19,500 nonprofits around the country in 2012. The community-based company provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores; 12,000 ATMs; and the Internet. More information about Wells Fargo’s community support efforts are posted at wellsfargo.com.
About Human Solutions: Human Solutions builds pathways out of poverty by promoting self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income families and individuals in East Portland and East Multnomah County. The agency’s four key program areas are homelessness prevention, affordable housing, employment and economic development, and safety net services such as emergency shelter and rent and utility assistance. For more information, visit humansolutions.org.
Portland, January 24th, 2014. Animal Activists have found a creative way to encourage people to, “be the proud adopter of an Oscar nominee! Or at least, a talented and adorable pet named after one.” Pictured are, handsome “Christoph Waltz” named for the actor who was a winner last year! In this case, the dashing 5 year old brown terrier is ready to be your talented buddy. The beautiful “Cate Blanchett” is a 2 year old spaniel/Dachshund mix looking for a nice lap to warm. The Oregon Humane Society explains that they have several cuties ready to roll, from Dame Judi Dench to Jared Leto. You can browse the nominees on the nonprofits facebook page.
This adorable little 6 month old terrier mix carries the big big name of Judi Dench! Now’s your chance to bring this talented lady into your life.
Fear not, this Barkhad Abdi is no Somali pirate, this terrier mix is a sweet lap dog in search of a companion.
Oscar is what everyone’s trying to win! This handsome 1 year old fellow would like to be the king of your home.
Animal lovers are also encouraged to sponsor a pet if they can’t adopt. Sponsorship helps all pets who come to OHS by offsetting the costs of providing food, shelter, spay/neuter surgery and veterinary care. Because adoption fees cover less than 10% of expenses, the nonprofit depends heavily on private donations to make sure every animal receives proper care.
From OHS:
To adopt a pet at OHS, you’ll need to fill out an adoption application and complete an interview with an adoption specialist. What’s more important, though, is everything that comes before the application and the interview; namely, finding the best match possible for you.
More details about finding the right pet and how the adoption process works at OHS:
Visit the Find Your Match section and and learn about the fit between your lifestyle and your pet’s needs.
You’ll next want to read the pet descriptions on this website with these lifestyle issues in mind. Photos and descriptions of all cats and kittens,dogs and puppies, and small animals available for adoption on our website are updated continuously.
Visit the shelter and meet our wonderful pets. You’ll want to take this opportunity to ask questions of our adoption counselors, who can offer their experience in helping you find your new best friend.
The Pet Care & Advice section has a wealth of information for pet owners.
OHS Adoption Procedures
Visitors can meet one-on-one with pets in our “get acquainted” rooms. We encourage the whole family to visit the shelter and meet the prospective new member of the family. If you have a dog, we encourage you to bring your dog to OHS to meet the dog you are considering adopting. A “pet meet” between canines is a good way to see if your dog will get along with a new addition to the family (sorry, but you will need to leave the family dog or the family cat at home when meeting a cat available for adoption).
To meet one of the animals in foster care, contact the Foster Care Department via email or call (503) 285-7722 to set up an appointment. If provided in the animal’s description, you may directly email the foster care volunteer.
If your meeting with the pet is a success, you’ll need to complete anadoption questionnaire. You can download, print, and fill this out before coming to the shelter if you like. We cannot accept faxed or emailed questionnaires at this time, however.
You will be interviewed by an OHS adoption assistant to be sure you are familiar with any special needs the animal might have.
We have a variable adoption fee policy based on an animal’s age, breed, temperament, behavioral issues, and physical condition. Learn more here.
Benefits of Adopting from OHS
When you visit OHS, you’ll find the largest selection of animals in the area and experienced, caring staff who can help you make the best choice. You’ll have the chance to get to meet pets one-on-one in special “get acquainted” rooms. We encourage dog owners to bring their current dog for a “pet meet” at OHS when you select a new dog to adopt.
To help fight pet overpopulation, every animal adopted from OHS is spayed or neutered before it goes to a new home. If an animal has a special issues, an OHS behavior expert or medical team member will meet with the adopting family to make sure they understand the animal’s needs.
The adoption fee for dogs and cats includes an identification microchip, collar and identification tag, initial vaccinations (rabies and FeLV/FIV usually not included), a certificate for a free veterinarian examination, and plenty of support and information from the experienced staff at OHS. In addition:
Adopted pets receive 30 days of free insurance from Petplan. The policy provides $1,000 of coverage for accidents, illnesses, surgery, prescription medications and more. Ask an OHS staffer for full details when you are adopting.
Each adopted pet is enrolled for one year in the HomeAgain national pet recovery program. In addition to an embedded identifying microchip that can be scanned by veterinarians and shelters, the program includes a 24-hour medical hot line, access to lost pet specialists, travel assistance to return pets who are lost far from home, and more.
Portland, Janyary 16, 2014. Back for a third season of all new works, 4×4=Musicals has realized that producing musicals on a tiny four foot platform had become too easy. So this year, they all need to DANCE! Seven brand new musicals will twirl and leap as well as sing. Pirates, Sheep, Mad Cattle, Claustrophobics and more come together to prove once again that less is more.
Megan Misslin, Lane Hunter, Joshua Stenseth and Kevin Poe in New York Minute from the 2013 production of 4×4=Musicals. Photo by Jim Lykins.
Inspired by Mike Barber’s long-running movement series, Ten Tiny Dances, 4×4=Musicals are short musical theatre performances created to fit on a 4 ́x4 ́ platform. “This is the chance to watch writers, actors and directors create a brand-new musical and also be challenged by the confinement of the space,” said 4×4 Producer Mark LaPierre. He said 4×4 inspires a new community of writers to do things they never would have thought of while building an audience that hungers for new musicals.
“If you are a lover of musical theatre, there is no greater thrill than being taken someplace magical in a brand-new musical” said LaPierre. “4×4 offers that journey seven times in less than two hours.” He said each of the seven musicals are around 10 minutes long and very different from each other. “If an audience member isn’t connecting with the piece they are seeing it’ll be over in 10 minutes and something completely different will start that they WILL connect with.”
“4×4=8 Musicals adds up to a case of less being more …” – Marty Hughley, The Oregonian, February 2013
As it has for the past three years, 4×4 is sure to be one of the most popular and critically acclaimed offerings of the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works. To shake things up and raise the bar even higher, this year all the musicals need to feature dance. LaPierre said integrating dance is a perfect way to challenge actors and directors in a way that also features the sheer talent of Portland choreographers.
“We’re kind of like a community garden inside the city of Fertile Ground,” he said. “We bring together a variety of different talents in our city’s musical theatre community to introduce new, and deepen existing, relationships with artists.”
ABOUT MARK LAPIERRE
Mark’s musical Heart Failure (later Heart Beatings) received a reading at the York (Off Broadway). His Off-Off Broadway productions include Grimm Late Night, Pinokenstein, Bitterella and Zombie Strippers with NY Artists Unlimited. Heart Beatings received Best Score and Best New Musical from the Portland Area Musical Theatre Awards when produced by CoHo Theatre. Mark created and curated 4×4=Musicals, a project where new musicals are written to be performed on a four foot by four foot platform. Mark contributed three pieces to 4×4=Musicals including New York Minute, Tech Booth, the Musical (viewable on YouTube here) and co-wrote The Adventure of the Case. Commissioned by puppet theatre Tears of Joy, we wrote the book and lyrics for Cinderella, which has toured the country for 14 years. Other commissions include scores for Aristophanes’ The Birds and Peace, both produced at Classic Greek Theatre of Oregon, songs for a TV pilot The Other Sock, and a score for Kaiser Permanente’s touring health show The Amazing Food Detective. Pinokenstein was workshopped at the Eugene O’Neill Puppetry Conference and won a Best of the O’Neill Award. Other productions include music for As You Like It, book and lyrics for The Tinderbox, and lyrics for Out of Hand. He attended the Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. www.marklapierre.com
4×4=Musicals
By Bryce Earhart, Diane Englert, William S. Gregory, Wayne Harrel, Mark LaPierre, Valory Lawrence, Paul Lewis, Kurt Misar, Eric Nordin, Jen Raynak, Wendy Wallace
Directed by Diane Englert & Jamie M. Rae
Music Directed by Eric Nordin
Choreography by Virginia Belt & Curt Frye, Jamey Hampton, Lane Hunter, Sara Martins, Megan Misslin, Cherie Price
Performance Dates: January 17-18 & 23-25 at 7:30pm
January 23-25 performances are part of Fertile Ground Festival.
Venue: The Sanctuary at triangle productions! – 1785 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland 97232
Tickets: $18-$20; $15 on Thursday available online and at the door On the web: Facebook
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