Thinking of visiting one of Tacoma’s awesome museums in the near future? Be prepared – the Washington State History Museum, the Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of Glass all change their opening hours around Labor Day. Admission prices stay the same, though (and look out for Museum Day on September 26, when they’re all free.)

Here are the new hours:

WSHM (as of Sept. 8): 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursdays (free from 2 p.m. onwards). 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 253-272-3500, www.washingtonhistory.org

TAM (as of Sept. 2): 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
third Thursdays (free all day). 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 253-272-4258, www.tacomaartmuseum.org

MoG (as of Sept. 8): 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursdays (free from 5 p.m.) 1801 Dock St., Tacoma. 866-4-MUSEUM, www.museumofglass.org

Catherine Swanson, "Thunder." Photo courtesy of the artist.

Local painters define space at the Washington Convention Center
“Definitions of space” features local painters David N. Goldberg, C.J. Swanson, Patrice Tullai, and Alec Clayton on the middle floor of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through September 24. Artist talk at noon Sept. 20. Free. South Galleria, level 2, 800 Convention Place, Seattle. 253-752-1673, www.definitionsofspace.com

Abby Williams on Vashon
The Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association hosts artwork by 19th-century Northwest landscape painter Abby Williams, who spent much of her time on the island. 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 27. Free. 10105 SW Bank Rd., Vashon. 206-463-7808, www.vashonhistory.org

Community free day at Tacoma Art Place
The non-profit community art center is offering a day of free art making, classes and supplies. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 29: 10 a.m. jewelry making, 1 p.m. fashion design, 2 p.m. origami, 2 p.m. glass fusing and slumping, 3 p.m. decorate shopping bags. Free. 1116 S. 11th St., Tacoma. 253-238-1006, www.tacomaartplace.org

BareFoot Collective’s 8@8
Eight performances, eight minutes each, at 8 p.m. Dancers, musicians and other artists show work in progress, audience can give feedback. 8 p.m. Aug. 31. $5. Studio B, Merlino Building, 508 6th Ave., Tacoma. 253-627-2273, www.barefootcollective.org

Zoe Williams, "Genesis Deconstruction". Photo courtesy Two Vaults.

Rabbits are running wild all over Two Vaults gallery. The annual group show "Rabbitual" is on almost every single wall, featuring 77 works by 45 different artists, and there's a huge variety: some what you'd expect, some disappointing, but some really intriguing.

It's impossible to cover such a huge show completely. "Rabbitual" is this year's version of Two Vaults' annual big group show, and the variety of media is great to see: paint, ceramics, concrete, textiles, mixed and digital media.

One of the best has got to be Zoe Williams. Her "Genesis Deconstructed" (above) puts white felted rabbits in a relief triptych. Three wooden-framed panels, just 4x6 inches, cold white furry rabbit parts squirming delightfully out of the picture plane, red-eyed and pink-eared, both lifelike and intensely sculptural. In "Mitosis I-V", 'stuffed' rabbit heads (again in felted white wool) develop mounting by mounting into a multiheaded mutation, disturbing in its white innocence.

Lee Musgrave, "Soft Encounter." Photo courtesy Two Vaults.

The innocence factor is explored also by Lee Musgrove in the "Unwavering Adoration" series of pencil and watercolor drawings. A naked woman and naked rabbit come face to face in matching wide-eyed naivety, hopeful rather than saccharine.

Then innocence turns sinister: Joseph Larkin's "Paladin" embeds a painted portrait of an evil-eyed Medusa in a fascinating tapestry of braided fabric, wool and snakeskin, coiling like Medusa's snaky hair and snaring the trusting rabbit held possesively in her arms.

Of course, rabbits symbolize more than just innocence, and that's what opens up this animal show to all sorts of levels. Artists take on sexual proclivity (Kelly Lyles' "Viagra Falls"), cuteness (Dayton Knipher's rather slow but interesting photo slide show on a reluctant Easter Bunny visitor), magic acts (Dorothy McCuistion's black-printed rabbit half-disappearing into a miasmic sea of red acrylic) and nature (Lynn di Nino's adorably splayed white concrete bunny earnestly seizing a carrot from a fecund, green egg of earth).

There's also the unexpected view. Christopher Mathie's oils are darkly shadowed with sad paint drips, his earth-toned rabbit lean, huge-eared and wistful. Catherine Swanson's bunnies are funky, their white silhouettes outlined in hot pink and black on a candy-striped background like a '70s music video.

And there's a fair amount of the boringly predictable: tame oils and acrylics, sentimental ceramics, not-quite-funny cartoons. But there's so much in "Rabbitual" that these don't matter - you can take the best and munch on that.

"Rabbitual" is on view 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, noon-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 2-9 p.m. Saturday through Sept. 12. Two Vaults gallery, 602 S. Fawcett St., Tacoma. 253-759-6233, www.twovaults.com

OK...there's a catch. In order to get $25 tickets to the musical "Wicked" opening at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle on Sept. 2 you'll have to enter a lottery.

Click on "more" to read details from the press release...

=> Read more!

Judy Gilbert, "Electron Dance." Photo Jerry Gilbert.

Mad Hat gets waxed
Local artist Judy Gilbert recently turned from watercolor to encaustic (“painting” with pigment and wax.) The results – hypnotic swirls, textured lions’ manes – are on view at Mad Hat Tea Company. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every day through September. Free. 1130 Commerce St., Tacoma. 253-441-2111, www.madhattea.com

“Port Gamble Anthology”: a play about a town
All Port Gamble’s a stage this Saturday thanks to the Northwest Playwrights’ Alliance and the Academy of International Education. Japanese students and NPA playwrights act this adaption of Edgar Lee Masters’ “Spoon River Anthology,” translated to Port Gamble and set in various locations around town through the day. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 22. Free. LOCATTION TBD. www.northwestplaywrights.org

Free reading of two local plays at Origin 23
Give your feedback at a café reading of two plays by local playwright Nick Stokes, slated for full production this November: a tale of homeless locals in Fireman’s Park and the story of a couple snowbound in a Montana motel. 7 p.m. Aug. 24. Free. Origin 23 Coffee, 3518 6th Ave., Tacoma. www.northwestplaywrights.org

Bustles, corsets and bras at White River Valley Museum
This Auburn history museum is showing “Suffer for Beauty,” a history of women from 1850-1950 through undergarments like the 18-inch-waist corset and the hobble skirt. Noon-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday Aug. 18-Nov. 8. $2 adults/$1 children and seniors/free on Wednesdays. White River Valley Museum, Les Gove Park, 918 H St. S.E.,
Auburn.
253-288-7433,
www.wrvmuseum.org

Michael Kaiser, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, will be the guest speaker at a free arts leadership symposium at the Pantages this Friday from 9-11 a.m. The symposium, one of two in Washington state, is part of a national tour for Kennedy Center initiative "Arts in Crisis," and will address issues of sustainability and relevance for arts organizations.

Congressman Dicks, who represents Washington's sixth congressional district and is the chairman for the House Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, will give opening remarks before a 90-minute conversation with Michael Kaiser, moderated by Andrea Allen, education director for Seattle Repertory Theatre. There will also be a 30-minute meet-and-greet session with Kaiser, and refreshments will be provided. The event is hosted by ArtsEd Washington.

Interested participants should register online at www.artsedwashington.org/artsincrisis

From now until the end of August, children under 18 years will get free admission to Tacoma Art Museum, in an offer made possible by museum donors.



“We want young people in our community to be exposed to the arts,”
said Paula McArdle, director of education and audience development.
 “We’d love to see teenagers and families take advantage of this
affordable, educational activity as the summer winds down.”



So what can kids see and do now at TAM? Current exhibitions include the vast array of art jewelry in the Helen Williams Drutt collection, some really funky jewelry from Seattle artist Nancy Worden, the best of Northwest painting and glass in the 2009 Neddy award show, selections from the permanent collection in "Speaking Parts," and the permanent showcase of Dale Chihuly's glass art (including the floats in the sculptural courtyard.)

There's also the excellent art studio, where activities are linked to current exhibitions, and the resource center/library.

TAM is open through Labor Day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. third Thursdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Hours change in fall. $9 adult/$8 student, senior, military/$25 family. Free for five and under and third Thursdays. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma. 253-272-4258, www.TacomaArtMuseum.org

Dancers at last year's Tango at the Museum of Glass. Photo courtesy Mark Anderson.

Swishing skirts, sultry music, sexy footwork, and – a 90-foot-high steel cone. Yep, it's tango time at the Museum of Glass this Saturday night, as the tangueros and tangueras from Tango Puget Sound get together for their annual milonga on the plaza outside the museum. If you add in a backdrop of water, mountain and architecture to one of the world's sexiest dances, plus live music, you end up with a pretty romantic evening.

Tango Puget Sound organizes weekly Tacoma classes and indoor milongas, or tango dance sessions, and they've been dancing outdoors every summer for years. Their Tango by the Fountain at Heritage Park in Olympia on July 31 saw around 50 dancers, the most in 12 years of outdoor milongas there, and organizer Mark Anderson says he's expecting twice as many dancers this weekend at MoG.

The milonga runs from 6 p.m. until sunset on Aug. 22, and features tango duo Bandemonium (playing the bandoneon, a tango instrument similar to a small accordion and made famous by tango master Astor Piazzolla.) There's no charge, but donations will be gladly accepted.

If you're interested in dancing more tango, TPS holds weekly milongas every Sunday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. (future venue to be determined - see website) with an Olympia practica every Tuesday from 7-9:30 p.m. Tango classes are held Thursday nights at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Tacoma Tai Chi center, 508 6th Ave., Tacoma.

For more information, see www.tangops.com or call 253-222-0105.

More money for local arts! The Washington State Arts Commission today announced that it will be investing $1.2 million in arts organizations and education across the state, some as a result of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (also known as the "stimulus" act.) Recognizing the role the arts play in the country's economic and cultural well-being, the Act provided $50 million in stimulus funding to the National Endowment for the Arts, which has in turn passed on $285,000 to the WSAC to preserve arts jobs in 24 non-profit cultural organizations throughout the state. Tacoma's Broadway Center for Performing Arts is one of the recipients.

“This funding will help arts organizations minimize layoffs during this economic downturn,” said governor Christine Gregoire. “Jobs in the arts are important to the health of our communities and to the economic future of our state.”

In addition, the NEA has provided $1.2 million dollars in stimulus funding directly to 23 Washington arts and cultural organizations, including the Evergreen Longhouse in Olympia and the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Other WSAC grants include $525,000 in arts education money to support 29 community partnerships that develop arts education programs in K-12 public schools, and more than $350,000 in organizational grants to 115 arts groups around the state, including the Tacoma Art Museum, the Tacoma Symphony, the Tacoma Youth Symphony and the Tacoma Arts Commission.

A full list of WSAC funding recipients can be found at www.arts.wa.gov; more details on stimulus funding in Washington can be found at www.recovery.wa.gov.

Local pottery artists are having their third annual sale this weekend, selling hand-crafted functional ware, mosaic and sculpture. It's a great place to get unique work and cheaper older stock or seconds.

Participating artists include Kazumi Divens-Cogez
, Jana Fisher, Barb Gabriel-Driggers
, Ann Meersman
, Jill Rohrbaugh
, Janet Rudolph
, Charan Sachar
, Rebecca Smart
 and Susan Thompson
.

The sale is from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 21 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 22 at 717 N. D. St., Tacoma. Information: Susan Thompson, 253-678-9184.

MLKBallet dancers Move! it again
For the 12th in the Move! series of contemporary dance evenings, you’ll see dancing by director Kate Monthy, teacher Joel Myers and MLK students. All proceeds go to fund the downtown tuition-free ballet school.
7:30 p.m. tonight. $14. Urban Grace Church lower level, 902 Market St., Tacoma. 253-906-2190, 253-272-2184, www.urbangracetacoma.org

“Willy Wonka” free for all at The Grand
Time for The Grand Cinema’s monthly free Click! Family Flick: This month it’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” 10:30 a.m. Aug. 15. Free, but limited to first 100 attendees. (Children under 14 must be with an adult.) 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. 253-593-4474, www.grandcinema.com

Madera does metal-art with “FLUX”
Part of the city-wide MetalUrge, Madera Gallery’s “FLUX” includes wall mounted sculpture by Christine Parent, Jennifer Weddermann-Hay and Chris Spadafore, free-standing sculpture by Danella Sydow and Chris Wooten and jewelry by Amy Reeves and Cynthia Wood. Noon-4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. third Thursdays through Sept. 12. Free. 2210 Court A, Tacoma. 253-572-1218, www.gallerymadera.com

ArtWalk features rabbits and shrink-wrap
Third Thursday ArtWalk includes arty bunnies at Two Vaults’ annual “Rabbitual” and shrink-wrap jewelry-making at Tacoma Art Museum.
5-8 p.m. Aug. 20. Free. Two Vaults: 602 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, www.twovaults.com. TAM: 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, www.tacomaartmuseum.org. ArtWalk: www.artwalktacoma.com

Immanuel Presbyterian Church is turning 100 years old this fall, and is celebrating with an art competition. The juried art contest honoring the historic church building located at 901 N. J Street will result in the winning entry being displayed in the church and used for celebration material, as well as earning a $500 prize.

Artists may submit original works in paint, drawing or mixed media based entirely on an outside view of the Immanuel Presbyterian Church building. There is no entry fee. The submission deadline is September 19; all submissions must be delivered to the church on this date between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The winner will be announced on September 20, and the winning work will become the property of Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

An exhibit of all submissions will take place at the church after the 10:30 a.m. worship service and before the 5:00 p.m. Blues Vespers on September 20. Artists submitting work may wish to make their work available for sale. For more information, see www.ipctacoma.org

The Grand Impromptu Gallery, in the Merlino building in downtown Tacoma.

If you want to see the art in the Grand Impromptu Gallery, you only have four more days. The artist co-operative-run gallery next to The Grand Cinema downtown is closing doors for good this Sunday, forced out of their space by planned expansions by The Grand.

The Grand Impromptu opened doors nearly two years ago after Art on Center vacated the space at 608 S. Fawcett. St. Members shifted and joined during the two years, sharing rent and expenses as well as management duties, and showing work in a succession of loosely themed group shows along with guest artists. The Grand's decision to end the gallery's sublease was made when the Grand's own leasefrom Merlino owners P.M. Investments was extended through 2025, and the cinema made plans to build a fourth screen.

"It was never meant to be permanent," said Impromptu founding member Bea Geller. "We came in on a whim, it was impromptu. And hey, it was successful! Who knew?"

While the gallery has sold work and attracted good crowds, says Geller, it has also been a lot of hard work. "It's been good, to find out the selling side of art," says the artist, who teaches photography and printmaking at Pacific Lutheran University.

So what will happen to the Impromptu co-operative? They'll each go different ways, says Geller, who acknowledges that the different artists had different ideas on what they wanted out of the gallery. Some may reform in other spaces downtown, others - like Geller - will just go back to relying on other galleries to show their work.

Meanwhile, the Impromptu's farewell show - "Rear View Forward" - is up until Sunday. There are two guest artists, Jane Martin and Aran Galligan, as part of MetalUrge, along with a good selection of work in a variety of media from members, including some poignant urban digital photographs from Geller herself.
Hours: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, noon-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2-6 p.m. Sunday. 608 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma. 253-572-9232, grandimpromptugallery.com

Stuart Skelton (Siegmund), Margaret Jane Wray (Sieglinde), and Janice Baird (Brünnhilde). © Chris Bennion photo

On with the "Ring" cycle (see above post). Wagner's four-opera epic continued last night with the opening of "Die Walkure," to a rock-concert-style audience reception. The five-hour opera sustained the magic of the sets and special effects, while the music was outstanding and the acting mostly good.

Highlights were the set for Act I, with Hunding's house crouched Hobbit-style in a tangled, lowering forest, and the stark misty rock that was home base for the Valkyries, the flying female goddesses who fight at human battles and bring the dead to Valhalla. Singing-wise, Stephanie Blythe as Fricka took the prize, developing her role as chief goddess with might, morality and a phenomenally powerful voice. Stuart Skelton made a wild, tensely-wound Siegmund with astounding breath control. Margaret Jane Wray was a let-down as Sieglinde, a lovely voice but wimpy character. Janice Baird filled all expectations as a gutsy Brunnhilde, mischievous and full of life, and convincingly despairing at the fire-filled end.

The members of the Seattle Symphony played, for the most part, excellently, with tight brass and a lyrical cello/bass section (including a very beautiful Act I cello solo.) A disappointment was Robert Israel's costumes for the Valkyries: matching the other naturalistic robes, they were just too muted-green to live up to the fierce glee which these nine women brought to the roles. And the wings on the helmets were just long enough to look, unfortunately, like bishops' miters or nuns' wimples - not exactly warrior fashion.

The cycle continues with "Siegfried" on Wednesday, but tonight I'm going to "Das Barbecu," the ACT spoof about what the Norse gods do off-stage down on the ranch in Texas.

Dates for "Ring" performances are: “Das Rheingold”: 7 p.m. Aug. 17 and 25; “Die Walkure”: 6 p.m. Aug. 18 and 26; “Siegfried”: 6 p.m. Aug. 12, 20 and 28; “Gotterdammerung”: 6 p.m. Aug. 14, 22 and 30
Information: 206-389-7676, 800-426-1619, www.seattleopera.org

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...David Mackey. The Film Festival, which runs at The Grand Cinema from Oct. 1-8, holds an annual competition to see who gets to design the promotion poster, and Mackey's image of a giant popcorn bucket with festival details on the side was today announced as the winner out of 120 submissions from all over the world.

So who's David Mackey? A native of Tacoma, he's a graduate of Wilson High School and a musician who got into graphic design when he couldn't find anyone else to create his album covers. He now lives in Venaco, Corsica (part of France) but his mom and brother still live in Tacoma. Mackey's design was chosen by The Grand's executive director Philip Cowan and other staff and volunteers, and will be used in promotion material. The award also includes $350, a joint membership to the Grand and festival passes. All other submissions will be displayed in The Grand's foyer area.

"The poster screams 'movies' along with highlighting landmarks of Tacoma and Pierce County," explains Cowan, who's the instigator of the Tacoma Film Festival.

The 2009 Tacoma Film Festival opens October 1 with a 6:30 p.m. reception at the Annie Wright Great Hall followed by the opening night film at the Annie Wright Kemper Theater. Films will continue through October 8 playing at the Grand Cinema, Tacoma Art Museum and the Tacoma School of the Arts. The festival program is scheduled to be ready by Thursday, Sept. 9. For more information visit www.TacomaFilmFestival.com

Jennifer Hines (Flosshilde), Michèle Losier (Wellgunde), and Julianne Gearhart (Woglinde) swim through the stage of "Das Rheingold," with Richard Paul Fink as Alberich. Rozarii Lynch photo

Last night I was at the opening of Seattle Opera's "Ring" cycle: the four epic Wagner operas telling the story of "Der Ring des Nibelungen," the Norse myth of a cursed golden ring that causes mayhem and destruction. You can read my Sunday story about the whole thing here.

And the first opera, "Das Rheingold," truly lived up to the magic of the ring. Telling the tale of how Alberich the dwarf stole gold from the river Rhine, forged a ring and then cursed it as the god Wotan seized it from him to pay for his new castle Valhalla, the opera wove a magic of its own through beautiful sets and even, strong musicianship.

Three sets make up the location for "Das Rheingold." The curtain opened on one of the best: underwater in the Rhine, created by shimmering blue-green lights on a gauze scrim, with strangely coiled rocks at the bottom. Through this watery expanse "swam" the Rhine maidens, attached at the hips to trapeze lines (which didn't distract too much) and outfitted with stunning midnight-blue mermaid dresses, sparkling and finny. What's amazing is not so much that Woglinde (Julianne Gearhart), Wellgunde (Michele Losier) and Flosshilde (Jennifer Hines) executed such impressive front and back flips between their ropes but that they sang so fluidly and harmoniously at the same time. A bit too giggly, perhaps, but the scene was delightful.

For the upper world, set designer Thomas Lynch created a perfect Northwest forest, full of conifers and mist for the gods to act out their destiny in. (The production is recycled from previous Ring cycles in 2001 and 2005.) Valhalla was a far-distant promise. Even better was the set for Nibelheim, the underground mine caverns where Alberich forged the ring and dominated his minions. Making excellent use of darkness, the slopes of the woodland became black tunnels with shimmering jewels, extremely spooky and great for the special effects of Alberich's shape-changing.

But you don't just go to opera for the sets, and this year's "Ring" sees some sterling singers. Stephanie Blythe shines as the sexy, worried Fricka, Marie Plette is suitably light and young as the ransomed Freia, while Greer Grimsley as Wotan and Kobie van Rensburg as Loge make a dramatically tense pair, Grimsley fierce and full, van Rensburg lyrical and light.

Everyone looks like they come out of a "Lord of the Rings" set but it's all so atmospheric you don't really mind. About the only disappointing thing is the static, stylized blocking for all the gods - let's hope that things move more in the next three operas. I'll be going to "Die Walkure" ("The Valkyries") tonight to see and hear those loud ladies riding through the clouds.

www.seattleopera.org

Greer Grimsley as Wotan in Seattle Opera's "Der Ring des Nibelungen." Photo: Rozarii Lynch.

Wagner’s “Ring” cycle returns to Seattle
This weekend sees the opening of “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” the four-opera epic by Richard Wagner telling the Norse myth of a cursed gold ring. Expect long operas, horned helmets, dragons and more, plus related events like symposia and the spoof “Das Barbecu” at ACT Theatre. Aug. 9-30, times vary. Tickets start at $25 per opera. McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle. 206-389-7676, 800-426-1619, www.seattleopera.org

Dancing at Museum of Glass
Dance Theatre Northwest perform art-inspired choreography in the Museum of Glass lobby, including works based on the Native American glass of Preston Singletary and Martin Blank’s outdoor installation “Fluent Steps.” 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 8. Free with museum admission ($12/$10/$5). 1801 Dock St., Tacoma. 253-565-5149, www.dancetheatrenorthwest.org

Eatonville Art Festival
For the 37th year, the Lions Club of Eatonville puts on the town’s annual Art Festival. Over 100 artists and craftspeople showing handmade work, a firepit barbeque, beer garden, kids’ activities and live music, all at the base of beautiful Mt. Rainier. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 7-9. Free. Glacier Park, Fir Street, Eatonville. 253-752-9708

Northwest play festival
Tacoma Little Theatre hosts the Festival Northwest, a three-week-long festival of fully-produced plays by local writers, with local actors. 8 p.m. tonight: “John Lennon’s Gargoyle” by Bryan Willis. 8 p.m. Aug. 8 and 2 p.m. Aug. 9: “A story that ends and begins with a dream” by Nate Harpel. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 and 8 p.m. Aug. 14: Best short plays. 8 p.m. Aug. 15 and 2 p.m. Aug. 16: “Convention” by Dan Erickson. 210 North I St, Tacoma. 253-272-2281, www.tacomalittletheatre.com

Congratulations to the winners of the juried art show at the Proctor Arts Fest, held last Saturday in the Proctor District. Categories judged were two-dimensional art, three-dimensional art, photography, textiles and people's choice. Jurors were artists Janet Marcavage and Sally Tjostelson, and Handforth Gallery manager David Domkoski. And the winners are:

TWO-DIMENSIONAL
First - “The Decision” by Pat Graham
Second - “A Stroll in London” by Jeanne Strohmann
Third - “Harmony” by Karen Marie Petrillose
Honorable Mention - “Snow Days” by Michele Livernash

THREE-DIMENSIONAL
First - “Eris Coyote” by Michael Haney
Second - “Post Looking for a Gate” by John Simpkins
Third - “Red Tailed Hawk” by Dave Miner
Honorable Mention - “Heart of Flicker” by Enrique R. Leøn

PHOTOGRAPHY
First - “A Dingy Reflects” by Sharon Styer
Second - “Bad Hair Day” by Daniel Suckow
third - “Dandelion Dreams” by Jim Oliver
Honorable Mention - “Rear View” by Lenny Zimmerman

TEXTILE
First - “Oriental” by Patricia Yates
Second - “Pentecost” by Darlene K. Cloud
Third - “Self Portrait” by Patricia Yates
Fourth - “Easter” by Darlene K Cloud

PEOPLE’S AWARDS - VOTED BY ART SHOW GUESTS
First - “Beautiful Buddha” by Sheri Neville
Second “The Decision” by Pat Graham
Third - “Jacobson Point” by Frederika Thomas

Margaret Morris, "Happy Frog." Photo courtesy Washington State History Museum.

This weekend at the Washington State History Museum it's the annual Native Arts Market and Festival. Held outdoors between the museum and the Bridge of Glass, the market is a great way to see local artists of many tribes in a variety of media: carving, weaving, glass, printmaking and more. There are storytellers and dancers, musicians and food vendors, and the outdoor stuff is all free.

With museum admission, though, you get to see "In the Spirit," the exhibition component to the market. It's a juried show, with prizes awarded and a People's Choice award (which you can vote on until 5 p.m. this Sunday.) This year's exhibit is smaller than in previous years, with more average and less high quality art, but it's still worth a look.

With just 16 two-dimensional and 11 three-dimensional works, it doesn't take long to make your way around the large exhibition room on the WSHM's third floor. Amid the preponderance of rather sentimental batik prints and cheesy loud acrylics are some understated, well-wrought items. A lovely bentwood box by Pete Peterson (Skokomish), has pale and cleanly carved sides, the lid woven in warm red and yellow cedar bark by Lois Thadei. Two interesting quilts include "Sea Otter Family" by Alaina Capoeman (Quinalut), its indigo and black wool quilted into a bold cut-out design.

One of the best is "Happy Frog" by Margaret Morris (Tlingit) – an elkskin drum painted with a wonderfully cheeky female frog, feet delicate and turquoise, mouth an orange-lipstick smile.

"In the Spirit: Northwest Native Arts Market and Festival" runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 8 and noon-5 p.m. Aug. 9. Outdoor activities free, indoor exhibit admission$25 families/$8 adults/$7 for seniors/$6 students and military/free for age five and under. For information and schedule, see www.washingtonhistory.org/artsfestival

The Equus Project combines dance with horses. Photo courtesy Karl Cronin.

And here's one for those who've seen it all in the dance world: New York's Equus Project is coming to Vashon this weekend for two performances of contemporary dance with horses.

Yes, horses. Live horses. The performances will be held outside at Heart of the Horse Arabian horse farm, and will feature newly created choreography to the live music of cellist/vocalistJami Sieber. So how do you dance with horses? Judging by The Equus Project's website, dancers in flowing attire sweep gracefully around the horse while the animal (with a rider, naturally) responds with echoing footwork and head-tossing.

If this seems like quite a collaboration, it is. From the press release: "The company's work emerges from ongoing research into the development of a kinetic language that bridges the world of human and equine. As highly perceptive herd animals, horses respond to physical intent, motion, and shaping in very particular ways. Our work investigates the movement associated with this behavior, which we then document and integrate into a performance practice."

So there you go. The Equus Project's director JoAnna Mendl Shaw, who began her career in the Pacific Northwest dancing with Danceworks Northwest and teaching at Cornish College, has recently selected the Seattle area as a pilot community for the non-profit, which means there'll be other dances with horses coming back soon.

"An Evening with Equus" shows at 6 p.m. August 9 and 10 at Heart of the Horse Farm, 21901 Vashon Hwy SW, Vashon Island. There will be a post-performance Q & A with light refreshments. Arrive early, as overflow parking is a short walk from the performance site. Advance ticket purchase only: $25 from Books by the Way, 9923 SW Bank Rd. Vashon, or by contacting equus@karlcronin.com. Rehearsals are open to the public August 5-7 for $10 / day. To attend a rehearsal, call 718-916-3528.