Northampton Center for the Arts News

A World of Piano: 3 Jazz Masters

February is the month when the Northampton Center for the Arts traditionally celebrates the art of jazz in a series of solo piano concerts by modern masters. In celebration of creative music, we are pleased to welcome Satoko Fujii (February 3), Myra Melford (February 10) and Angelica Sanchez (February 17), all of whom have established international careers and who represent a broad range of approaches to the piano. The concerts, produced by Glenn Siegel of WMUA 91.1 FM, have become special community occasions for audiences to broaden their exposure to rich traditions and contemporary innovations in jazz music. Tickets are $15/general admission/$10 students/$40 for the entire series. They are available online at Brown Paper Tickets: Satoko Fujii or Myra Melford or Angelica Sanchez. They are also be sold at the Center for the Arts office (11am-4pm, Tuesday-Friday) and at the door. Please note that tickets purchased at the Center for the Arts are payable by cash or personal check only. The series is made possible by support from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty's "New England Winds"

ALL TICKETS ARE FREE! Doors open at 6:30 pm for general seating. Join the Air Force Band of Liberty’s acclaimed woodwind ensemble, "New England Winds," for an evening of delightful musical excellence and showmanship in the ballroom. This outstanding musical group is currently on tour from Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Bringing an attitude that is all their own, they present a program featuring something for all musical tastes: popular, Broadway, patriotic, jazz and folk music, as well as pieces from the traditional woodwind quintet repertoire. The concert includes music by Johann Strauss, Claude Debussy, George Gershwin and John Philip Sousa.

Second Annual Northampton Ice Art Festival

Get ready for thrills and chills at the second annual Northampton Ice Art Festival that begins on Friday, February 10, 2012. The public is invited to witness the creation of fabulous ice sculptures throughout downtown starting at 10 am that day. Completed works will highlight Northampton's "Arts Night Out," 5-8pm and remain on display throughout the weekend. If the weather cooperates, everyone will still be enjoying these artfully crafted masterpieces on Valentine’s Day! Participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds with different levels of experience and expertise. Following is a list of ice artists and their locations: Carver Ralph Streete @ Mama Iguana's, 271 Main St. Installation Artist Chris Nelson @ J. Rich Clothing for Men, 22 Masonic St. Sculptor Tim de Christopher @ Memorial Hall, 240 Main St. Spoleto's Bill Collins & Claudio Guerra @ Pizzeria Paradiso, 12 Crafts Ave. Special Guest Don Chapelle @ Thorne's Marketplace, 150 Main St. Sculptor Greg Stone @ Cathy Cross, 151 Main St. Multi-Media Artist Peter Dellert @ Old Court House, 99 Main St. Professional Ice Carver Joe Almeida @ Spoleto, 50 Main St. Snow Sculptor David Rothstein @ Moshi Moshi, 4 Main St. Maine-based Painter Mat O'Donnell @ Eastside Grill, 19 Strong Ave. The Ice Art Festival is produced by the Northampton Business Improvement District in cooperation with the City of Northampton and Arts Night Out.

No Fear of Drawing with Paula Gottlieb

Have you always wanted to draw but don’t know how to begin? Are you convinced that you can’t be taught? In this class, the fundamentals of drawing will be learned in an atmosphere of encouragement and support. Each week the class will study an element of drawing including line, shape, negative space, value, shadows, blending, edges, composition and perspective, This course is based on the book “Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain” which emphasizes the importance of learning how to see in order to know how to draw. The fee is $200 plus material list below. To register, call the Center at (413) 584-7327 or email us. Please include your name, address, and telephone contact. Course fees are payable in advance by check to "NCFA" and can be mailed to the Northampton Center for the Arts, 17 New South Street, Northampton MA 01060. We do not accept credit cards. Materials for "No Fear of Drawing" 1 HB Pencil 1 #6 or #8 Graphite Stick 1 #6 or #8 Woodless Pencil 1 stick or pencil of Black Conte Pad of inexpensive sketch or drawing paper, at least 11”x17” (not newsprint) Kneaded eraser , any size Blending Stump Drawing Board These materials can be purchased at the Guild Art Centre, 102 Main Street, Northampton Mention you are taking class with Paula Gottlieb for 10% discount

Watercolor Serendipity with Deborah Rubin

These sessions are designed for both beginners and those who want to acquire new techniques and skill. Subject matter will vary. The emphasis is on "learning by doing," so expect to jump in with paint immediately. Students will learn composition, color, and do exercises before starting finished paintings. The fee is $200 plus supply list below. Learn more about Deborah on her website To register, call the Center at (413) 584-7327 or email us. Please include your name, address, and telephone contact. Course fees are payable in advance by check to "NCFA" and can be mailed to the Northampton Center for the Arts, 17 New South Street, Northampton MA 01060. We do not accept credit cards. WATERCOLOR SUPPLIES Supplies needed are: Canson, Arches, or Fabriano 140lb watercolor paper, hot press and rough. Paper should be cut from a 22 x 30 sheet to form 2 – 15 x 22 sheets. Please have 2 full sheets of each kind. If you can’t find rough, cold press will do. Also, bring a cheap watercolor spiral pad to be used as testing paper. You will need to tape the paper to a board (masonite is good). Watercolor tube paint only. Colors are: white, lamp black, cadmium yellow medium, naples yellow, lemon yellow, raw umber, burnt sienna, cadmium red, alizarin crimson, permanent rose, ultramarine blue, cerulean blue, pthalo blue, davy’s gray. If you want to add greens, add sap and olive. Stay away from Grumbacher paints if possible…they tend to gum up easily and cheap sets like Maries and Reeves. Recommended: Winsor Newton Cotman, Van Gogh, Rembrandt. A large John Pike or equivalent palette – wells for color and areas for mixing. You need a palette that will accommodate all the colors. Stay away from small round palettes…too small. Good watercolor brushes. A synthetic/natural blend is good. All synthetics act like sponges so stay away from them. Rounds # 2, 4, 7, 10, 20. Number 20s are very expensive so you might want to forgo and get a #14 or #16. Flats 1 or 1 ½ inch. Stiff bristle brush for scrubbing out and a Japanese hake brush at least 1 ½ - 2” wide. I have plenty of extra brushes in case you come up short. Liquid mask 2 cheap disposable brushes. Plastic container for water (like kind that would have lb. of potato salad from deli) Rubber cement pick-up black fine marker (Micron pens are great) regular school pencil kneaded or white plastic eraser rags and paper towels Paper portfolio to hold unused paper and paintings. Whatever holds your equipment is fine. Some people get fancy with plastic containers with sections and a snap on lid. Others use a big bucket. Also, a small desk/work lamp if you need extra light. If this is all overwhelming, there are ways to cut back or perhaps share with another student . Local stores are Guild Art on Main St. in NOHO (10% discount), Valley Art Supplies on Cottage St. in Easthampton, and Michael’s in Hadley. Art supply sources: Jerry’s Artarama, Dick Blick, Cheap Joes, Pearl Paint. These all have websites with online ordering, 1-800 phone numbers, and HUGE catalogs!

Pioneer Valley Zumba Fitness in the Ballroom!

Note: There are no classes on Thursday, Feb. 2 and Thursday, Feb. 9 Join licensed instructor Juliet for an authentic, blood-pumping, heart-racing, grin-inducing Zumba Fitness® experience! Zumba® is a latin-inspired cardio dance workout for all ages and abilities. Join us for a fun workout, and party yourself into shape! Fee: $6 drop-in and $50 for 10-class punch card. For more information click here.

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