RACC Blog

Rock and roll dreams come true

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Battle of the Bands is just around the corner and snakeskin print spandex, 80’s glam rock hair and impressive creative flair might just steal the show. David Nijhawan is taking Battle of the Bands and Portland by storm.

An avid supporter of Work for Art, he has channeled his passion for music into arts activism in the Portland metro area. David, Relationship Manager at KeyBank, plays a crucial role in energizing his workplace and colleagues by bringing their collective power together to advocate for the arts through the KeyBank Work for Art campaign. He is a graduate of the Art of Leadership program and a champion of The Arts Card. David has also ignited his co-workers to form the band Hair Nation in an attempt to oust rivals, Pencil Skirt Paula and The Straight Edge Rulers from their top place at Battle of the Bands.

David’s fierce creative energy comes to his music and performance through Zeek Zildjian, his dynamic alter ego and drummer for Hair Nation. Zeek was born out of David’s rock and roll roots and it all began with Van Halen.

“My first real concert was Van Halen, and it was one of the most ethereal experiences in my entire life. Hearing anthemic songs such as Jump, Panama, and I Can’t Drive 55 only took me further down the rabbit hole of the 80’s glam rock. Easily the greatest era of rock and roll, the 80’s formed my childhood and teenage years. Iconic guitar riffs, solos, and drum beats changed music forever…for the better that day,” David recounts.  (Listen to David’s interview about Battle of the Bands on Portland Radio Project.)

David is bringing this magnetism of the glam rock era to the competition. He and other company bands will have an opportunity to compete and live out their rock and roll dreams. Bands from Kaiser Permanente, KeyBank, Hampton Lumber, Portland City Hall, Stoel Rives and ZGF Architects will perform before a panel of celebrity judges and 600 adoring fans to compete for the following prizes:

  • Best Company Band (Grand Prize) – winner selected by the celebrity judge panel for highest quality performance. Winner receives a live show in the Skype Live Studio including a video of the performance – a $5,000 value.
  • Best Showmanship – winner selected by the celebrity judge panel for most flare and enthusiasm.
  • Audience Favorite – winner selected through audience voting through cash donations. Vote for your favorite band(s)!

The Standard is also sponsoring a special performance by Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls’ band, Strawberry Jam. Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls, a local non-profit, builds girls’ self-esteem through music creation and performance. Strawberry Jam recently performed at Keller Auditorium for the TEDxPortland event.

This year’s Battle of the Bands will be a star studded affair. Rindy Ross of Quarterflash, Edna Vasquez and Valerie Day of Nu Shooz make up the celebrity judge panel and Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and ZGF principal Sharron van der Meulen are co-chairing the event. Sarah G of WE 96.3 FM will emcee. In addition, Timbers Army Band, Greenhorn, and The Brothers Jam, featuring Jamey Hampton of BodyVox and brother David Hampton of Hampton Lumber will be performing. Timber Joey will also make a special appearance to announce the winners.

If that isn’t enough, Ben & Jerry’s PartnerShop with New Avenues for Youth, a local non-profit providing support and resources for homeless youth, will be serving up ice cream for the event.

All proceeds from Battle of the Bands competition will support over 100 art and culture organizations through Work for Art. Last year, the event raised more than $70,000. This makes Battle of the Bands a unique platform for employees to celebrate their talents and creativity while benefitting the arts and culture community. For David Nijhawan, the arts have impacted him in a profound way that has deepened his passion and commitment to the arts.

“It’s important to give to the arts community because it’s the fabric of society. Without song, dance, art, theater, and movement (among others) our world would be painfully dim. We would miss the essence of the human spirit and experience. No matter what genre or form, the arts affect and shape our live, said David. “From battle cries to rally one last stand for freedom, to an inspiring riff that spawned Eddie Van Halen’s career, to a simple groove that a future hip hop dancer wiggles to, it’s all the same; the arts are the rudiments of life.”

Come celebrate with us and support your favorite band as they battle it out for the Best Company Band.

May the best band win!

Battle of the Bands
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Doors 5:30 p.m. / Show 6:30 p.m.

Crystal Ballroom
1332 W Burnside Street, Portland
www.workforart.org/bob/

Tickets are on sale now for $12 each at The Crystal Ballroom box office, 1332 West Burnside Street in Portland; by phone at 1-855-CAS-TIXX; or online at https://tinyurl.com/jy6pjyg.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $100 each, including complimentary food and beverage plus reserved seating. Two for one tickets are available with The Arts Card and discounts are available for 20 tickets or more.

Lineup announced for May 17 Battle of the Bands

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On May 17 at the Crystal Ballroom, bankers, architects, lumberjacks and surgeons will represent their companies and compete for prizes at Battle of the Bands, a benefit for Work for Art. Tickets are $12, on sale now at the Crystal Ballroom box office and online via workforart.org/bob. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $100 each, including reserved seating, and hosted food and beverages.

Six bands, made up of employees who play music on the side, will compete in front of family, friends, coworkers and a panel of celebrity judges. Several prizes will be awarded including the title of Best Company Band. Audiences will select an “Audience Favorite” as determined by the band that receives the most in cash donations the night of the event.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Food and beverages are available for purchase. As a warm-up act, Brothers Jam will perform until 6:30 p.m., featuring BodyVox artistic director Jamey Hampton.

The main event begins at 6:30 p.m., emceed by Sarah G of WE 96.3 FM. The six competing bands are:

  • Hampton Lumber, Petty Crimes
  • Kaiser Permanente, Members Only
  • KeyBank, Hair Nation
  • Portland City Hall, Copper Goddess
  • Stoel Rives, The Bears
  • ZGF Architects, Pencil Skirt Paula and The Straight Edge Rulers 

Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and ZGF Architects principal Sharron van der Meulen are co-chairing this year’s event, and the competing bands are being mentored by Portland jazz musician Christopher Brown. The judging panel includes three local music industry celebrities:

  • Valerie Day has been a vocalist and percussionist for many years beginning with the Grammy nominated group Nu Shooz in the 1980’s. She has toured extensively in the United States, Canada and Europe, appeared on national and international TV programs, sold over a million records worldwide, has sung with orchestras and performed at numerous music festivals. In addition to her life as a performer, Valerie had a private vocal studio for over 20 years.
  • Rindy Ross is the lead singer, saxophonist, and co-founder of Quarterflash and The Trail Band, both bands she formed with her husband, Marv. Their platinum debut Quarterflash album produced the hit single, Harden My Heart, and they traveled extensively including tours with Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Sammy Hagar and others. Since the Eighties they have released six Quarterflash and thirteen Trail Band albums and have been inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.
  • Edna Vazquez is a Latin American artist based in the Northwest who performs original music that pays homage to her many influences from across the Americas. Edna has traveled far and wide with her band of all-star musicians to share their message of light, love and cultural healing.

There will also be a special performance by Rock N Roll Camp for Girls’ Strawberry Jam, with band members ranging in age from 15 to 17 years. This opportunity is made possible by a sponsorship from The Standard.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., while the judges deliberate and the cash is counted, the Portland Timbers Army band Greenhorn will perform. Timber Joey will be on hand to help announce the winners at the end of the evening.

All proceeds from Battle of the Bands benefit Work for Art, an annual campaign to raise money and awareness for local arts and culture organizations.

“As the top Work for Art campaign for six years in a row, it’s clear our employees are big believers in the power of art and its undeniable impact on our community,” said Kregg Arntson, director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Portland General Electric, and chair of this year’s Work for Art campaign. “Battle of the Bands is the perfect venue to celebrate the arts and creative expression, while cheering on our favorite local company bands.”

Battle of the Bands is sponsored by headliners Hampton Lumber, KeyBank, KINK 101.9 FM and The Standard. Additional sponsorship support is provided by Kaiser Permanente, Stoel Rives and ZGF Architects.

Work for Art is a program of the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), which distributes a full 100% of all Work for Art donations, including Battle of the Bands proceeds, to arts organizations in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties. For more information visit workforart.org.

Lineup announced for May 17 Battle of the Bands

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PORTLAND, ORE — On May 17 at the Crystal Ballroom, bankers, architects, lumberjacks and surgeons will represent their companies and compete for prizes at Battle of the Bands, a benefit for Work for Art. Tickets are $12, on sale now at the Crystal Ballroom box office at workforart.org/bob. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $100 each, including reserved seating, and hosted food and beverages.

Six bands, made up of employees who play music on the side, will compete in front of family, friends, coworkers and a panel of celebrity judges. Several prizes will be awarded including the title of Best Company Band. Audiences will select an “Audience Favorite” as determined by the band that receives the most in cash donations the night of the event.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Food and beverages are available for purchase. As a warm-up act, Brothers Jam will perform until 6:30 p.m., featuring BodyVox artistic director Jamey Hampton.

The main event begins at 6:30 p.m., emceed by Sarah G of WE 96.3 FM. The six competing bands are:

  • Hampton Lumber, Petty Crimes
  • Kaiser Permanente, Members Only
  • KeyBank, Hair Nation
  • Portland City Hall, Copper Goddess
  • Stoel Rives, The Bears
  • ZGF Architects, Pencil Skirt Paula and The Straight Edge Rulers 

Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and ZGF Architects principal Sharron van der Meulen are co-chairing this year’s event, and the competing bands are being mentored by Portland jazz musician Christopher Brown. The judging panel includes three local music industry celebrities:

  • Valerie Day has been a vocalist and percussionist for many years beginning with the Grammy nominated group Nu Shooz in the 1980’s. She has toured extensively in the United States, Canada and Europe, appeared on national and international TV programs, sold over a million records worldwide, has sung with orchestras and performed at numerous music festivals. In addition to her life as a performer, Valerie had a private vocal studio for over 20 years.
  • Rindy Ross is the lead singer, saxophonist, and co-founder of Quarterflash and The Trail Band, both bands she formed with her husband, Marv. Their platinum debut Quarterflash album produced the hit single, Harden My Heart, and they traveled extensively including tours with Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Sammy Hagar and others. Since the Eighties they have released six Quarterflash and thirteen Trail Band albums and have been inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.
  • Edna Vazquez is a Latin American artist based in the Northwest who performs original music that pays homage to her many influences from across the Americas. Edna has traveled far and wide with her band of all-star musicians to share their message of light, love and cultural healing.

There will also be a special performance by Rock N Roll Camp for Girls’ Strawberry Jam, with band members ranging in age from 15 to 17 years. This opportunity is made possible by a sponsorship from The Standard.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., while the judges deliberate and the cash is counted, the Portland Timbers Army band Greenhorn will perform. Timber Joey will be on hand to help announce the winners at the end of the evening.

All proceeds from Battle of the Bands benefit Work for Art, an annual campaign to raise money and awareness for local arts and culture organizations.

“As the top Work for Art campaign for six years in a row, it’s clear our employees are big believers in the power of art and its undeniable impact on our community,” said Kregg Arntson, director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Portland General Electric, and chair of this year’s Work for Art campaign. “Battle of the Bands is the perfect venue to celebrate the arts and creative expression, while cheering on our favorite local company bands.”

Battle of the Bands is sponsored by headliners Hampton Lumber, KeyBank, KINK 101.9 FM and The Standard. Additional sponsorship support is provided by Kaiser Permanente, Stoel Rives and ZGF Architects.

Work for Art is a program of the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), which distributes a full 100% of all Work for Art donations, including Battle of the Bands proceeds, to arts organizations in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties. For more information visit workforart.org.

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The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) provides grants for artists, nonprofit organizations and schools in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties; manages an internationally acclaimed public art program; raises money and awareness for the arts through Work for Art; convenes forums, networking events and other community gatherings; provides workshops and other forms of technical assistance for artists; and oversees a program to integrate arts and culture into the standard curriculum in public schools through The Right Brain Initiative. RACC values a diversity of artistic and cultural experiences and is working to build a community in which everyone can participate in culture, creativity and the arts. For more information visit racc.org.

 

Pochas Radicales presents “Nuestrx espacio; soy otro tú” at the Portland Building Installation Space, May 2 – May 26

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Pochas Radicales, a queer Latinx art collective located in Portland, will present a timely, site specific installation in the exhibition space at the Portland Building beginning May 2. The project will transform the compact gallery adjacent to the building lobby into a platform that offers an engaging narrative of a young, queer Latinx living in Portland.

Visitors will immediately recognize the layout and furnishings in the room as something familiar, comfortable, and warm. Upon entering, we are lead into the narrative of the young person that created the space. As visitors contemplate the room’s story, the narrative unfolds and we are taken into the mind of this youth, seeing the world as they do and learning the rhythm of their heart. Entonces—who’s room is this? Where have they gone?

“We invite the public, employees of the building, and visitors to interact with the space by entering the room, having a seat, and making themselves at home. The intention of this installation is to personalize the stories of so many people whose lives go unnoticed because they are often reduced to a flash on the evening news with very little context.” – Pochas Radicales

About the Artists: Pochas Radicales works to foster community engagement and social justice through art & activism. Blanca Stacey Villalobos and Andrea Elena Telles form the heart of Pochas Radicales today and the collective has completed an impressive number of projects in a variety of mediums. Their work challenges archaic notions of gender and sexuality and embraces and champions the richness of Latin American diaspora. pochasradicales@gmail.com

Meet the Artists: Join us for a chance to meet Pochas Radicales and discuss their installation in person at the Portland Building on Tuesday, May 2nd at 4 PM. All are also welcome to stop in for hot drinks and sweets with Pochas every Tuesday morning from 8:15 am – 9:15.

Viewing Hours & Location: The Portland Building is located at 1120 SW 5th Avenue in downtown Portland and is open 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

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SPECIAL NOTE: Portland Building Installation Space Calendar  June – September 2017

The Installation Space will go on hiatus after September 1, 2017 as the Portland Building’s comprehensive two year long renovation project begins. Stay tuned to Art Notes for updates as the renovation proceeds. In the mean time RACC is pleased to be able to present a set of thoughtful and provocative installations throughout this spring and summer:

June 5 –30   Crystal Schenk

Seasoned installation artist and sculptor Crystal Schenk offers visitors a new, site-specific piece that continues her focus on issues of physical and mental health/illness, class, memory, and social interaction.

July 10–August 4  Elijah Hasan

Film maker, writer, composer and educator Elijah Hasan rounds out the summer schedule with the presentation of three of his stunning films. Using Portland as his stage and backdrop Hasan’s work skillfully and poetically explores themes of race, place and social consciousness.

August 14–September 1    A look back at 23 years of  Installation Space exhibitions

Search Committee Hired Executive Search Firm

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POSTED ON APRIL 18, 2017.

The RACC search committee has hired executive search firm Aspen Leadership Group to lead the process to find the successor to outgoing executive director Eloise Damrosch, who will be retiring June 30. The committee considered several search firms and was most impressed with Aspen’s diversity experience, extensive network and impressive track record of high level arts searches, including many successful arts appointments in Oregon.

Aspen Leadership Group’s lead project manager, Anne Johnson, will be in Portland on May 1 and 2 to meet the Search Committee and representatives of RACC staff and the arts community to begin the formal due diligence process. In addition the search committee has just released an online questionnaire, open to anybody interested in providing input on the search for RACC’s next Executive Director. You can participate in the survey here.

 

4/24 Advocacy Day 2017

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This is a challenging time for arts and culture. Budgets are tight at the state level and federal funding is in jeopardy.
We must work together to defend arts, heritage and the humanities in our state legislature.

Join us for Advocacy Day 2017! We need your voice and your passion! Join us for advocacy training, meetings with elected leaders and an opportunity to meet with your legislators.

Advocacy Day 2017

4/24/2017
11AM-2PM
Oregon State Capitol
Hearing Room 50
Salem, OR
REGISTER for Advocacy Day with the Cultural Advocacy Coalition

Retirement of Our Longtime Executive Director

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POSTED ON MARCH 29, 2017.

With the retirement of our longtime executive director Eloise Damrosch, the RACC board has begun the process of finding her successor. We are committed to a transparent and inclusive search process resulting in the appointment of an outstanding individual to lead RACC into the future and continue to realize our mission of enriching our communities through arts and culture.

The RACC Board has appointed a Search Committee to steward the process of identifying and hiring the new executive director. In April the Search Committee will select an executive search firm who will help us manage the process of identifying, screening, interviewing and recruiting the new ED from a wide and diverse pool of candidates.

In the coming weeks we will be sharing in this space and in correspondence with our many constituents, the job posting, job description and ways to provide input on the search and selection process. There will be many opportunities for comment and suggestions, including a questionnaire, direct contact with the search committee at EDsearch@racc.org and regular progress reports in our newsletter and on the RACC website.

Once a finalist or finalists have been chosen there will be opportunities for community members to meet them and provide feedback to the Search Committee before a final choice is made. We are hopeful to have a new executive director in place late Summer or Early Fall.

We thank you for your ongoing support of RACC and our wonderful arts and culture community. We are excited about this new chapter of RACC and are grateful for your interest and input.

 

Celebrating the Art of Leadership class of 2016-17

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On March 1, 2017  RACC celebrated the 2016-17 Art of Leadership cohort with a graduation reception sponsored by Columbia Trust Company. This year’s cohort participated in six half-day workshops from October through March, helping participants become board members for local nonprofit arts organizations. The series covers topics from finances to fundraising, strategic development to legal issues, helping participants develop leadership skills, network with business and arts leaders, and get matched with arts organizations closely aligned with their own interests and experience.

Congratulations to our graduates:

Eric Block, Metropolitan Group
Rodrigo Diaz, Portland Community College
Gillian Eubanks, Columbia Trust Company
Robert Hermanson, Retired Architect
Erin Hopkins, Sage Hospitality
Kathy Jennings, Portland Timbers/Thorns
Candace Kita, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO)
Shayda Le, Barran Liebman LLP
Nnenna Lewis, Downtown Clean and Safe/ Portland Business Alliance
Jeffrey Martin, Portland Playhouse
Ben Mathias, Perkins & Co.
Michael Miller, Michael R. Miller, CPA
Jacob O’Brien, XPLANE
Darcy Peart, U. S. Bank
Scott Peters, Boeing Company
Steve Price
Ryan Quarberg, Boeing
Inna Schwab, KPMG
Christine Stehr, US Bank
Brian Sweeney, BPS Architecture
James Ward, A-dec, Inc
Sara Watts, Self Employed

The 2016-17 Art of Leadership program was sponsored by The Boeing Company, with additional support from Barran Liebman, Columbia Bank, Perkins & Co., Tonkon Torp LLP and U.S. Bank.

To learn more, including how to be part of the 2017-18 series that begins next fall, contact abailey@racc.org.