Fox Cities Arts Fan

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Symphony on the Rocks hosted by Vic Ferrari - Jones Park

Once a year some members of the Fox Valley Symphony play a classic rock concert with Vic Ferrari Band in Jones Park. The crowd turn out is always excellent and there are plenty of food and drink vendors for them. Click here to learn more about Vic Ferrari Band including a tour schedule. It is truly a fun time especially witnessing the members of the symphony having a blast "rocking out" (If you look carefully on the second video you will see a cellist leave the stage to walk among the crowd cello and all). Below are a few photos and a couple of videos. I did start closer but the recorded sound was terrible due to the high volume, so I sacrificed the visual for the sound. (note to self, bring the zoom lens next time).

the music was loud enough to hear clearly even back here

Sunday, June 19, 2016

World Refugee Day Celebration at the Refuge

On Saturday, June 18th, The Refuge in Appleton held a celebration for World Refugee Day (which is actually on the 20th). Below are the highlights I was able to witness followed by links to news sources covering the day.

The Refuge Building - 1000 N Ballard Rd,Appleton,WI

This building originally named Monte Alverno was a place for the Capuchin monks as a place of refuge. It is now a place of retreat for artists to create their works of art. Click here for more information about the space and the program there. Below are a few photos:

This beautiful main staircase leads to the performance chapel and to other gathering spaces

A welcoming greeting

the performance space

a meeting space

The Refuge

Facebook

Cory Chisel and Adriel Denae - Americana - Nashville & Appleton

Cory Chisel and Adriel Denae and friends begin the celebration. Adriel gave a moving speech about how we should take cues from nature and embrace diversity into our community

J-Council - R & B / Soul - Appleton

J-Council. I first heard Jon Wheelock perform his original material at the Lawrence Chapel during Mile of Music last year. His voice is so fantastic the audience gave a thunderous standing ovation. His CD which was recorded at The Refuge should come out sometime this summer.

Click here to view a lovely article by the Post Crescent about Jon Wheelock and his Dad. They have been playing for many years in a cover band called Blues Talk and are continuing to perform together in J-Council.

J-Council Facebook Blues Talk Facebook

Christopher Gold and the New Old Things - Americana - Appleton

Christopher Gold and the New Old Things perform

Facebook Website ReverbNation

Balinese Dancers

Balinese Dancers perform

a balinese musican performs

balinese dancers perform

Mayor Tim Hanna

getting ready to offer a proclamation for the World Refugee Day in the Fox Cities

Christopher Lwenzya

Christopher Lwenzya shares his story with the crowd. He is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo . He made a stand with his music while in his country and suffered greatly. His parents and siblings were killed because of his music. He is grateful to God for being alive and safe with his wife and children who are on stage with him.

"congo country", in the language of Christopher's homeland

a song of praise to God sung in English

here are the links from news sources covering the day (see if you can spot me in a blink or you'll miss it kind of way).

WBAY

NBC26

Click here to learn more about World Relief Fox Valley to find out how you can help and to learn more about the organization.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Mural Walk With Chad Brady

As part of "the Art of Conversation" series presented by the Trout Museum of Art and the Post Crescent a Mural walk with the artist Chad Brady was held on June 11th. There was a sizable crowd gathered to learn more about the murals you see around the downtown Appleton area. Below are the murals and art by this talented artist and the locations they can be found.

Artist Chad Brady who is originally from Washington D.C. describes one of his murals. He mentioned that his goal is to help make downtown Appleton beautiful. He draws inspiration from his clients and from the location. His work often starts as a sketch, sometimes even on a napkin.

Ambassador, 117 Appleton St funded by Papst Blue Ribbon

Shear Chaos, 103 W College Ave

Vagabond Imports, 113 E College Ave (80% is the artists design, the rest is a restoration)

The Alley Project at the History Museum at the Castle, 330 E College Ave (the artist mentioned that he may be adding to this soon for Mile of Music)

The Fire, 230 E College Ave (the first mural in this area by Chad Brady)

Antojitos Mexicanos, 204 E College Ave

Parklet (next to Copper Rock Coffee

Parklet (next to Copper Rock Coffee) This was a community project headed by Chad Brady with his design. I actually painted one of the purple ones on the mountain to the far right

The Cozzy Corner, 111 N Walnut St

Vacant building 115 S State St (plans are for a bar with a beer garden, the new owners of the building are love politics and music. Chad Brady started this piece shortly after David Bowie died, this is in tribute to him. date of birth and death are in the Black Star on the right hand side.

Fox River House, 211 S Walnut St. (Where the police station is now there used to be an Adler Brau brewery)

Wall near Fratellos Riverfront Restaurant, 501 W Water St (I had to finish the tour on my own on a different day, but look who I came across working on his piece! This is inspired by the paper industry and by the surrounding native american tribes)

Edison Building, 101 W Edison Ave

The Draw - 800 S Lawe St

the artist at work

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Kaukauna Electric City Experience

It was a good turnout at the second annual Electric City Experience in Kaukauna on June 11th. A variety of music, food and fun for the whole family was available. Below are the musicians I was able to see. I will be posting a photo and a video of the group/singer that I took with a cellphone, a better quality video found on you-tube (if there is one) web links and also annotate if their music is on I-tunes, Spotify, or Amazon music. That way you can decide for yourselves. I myself enjoyed every act I attended.