Bits & Pieces: Northwest String Summit announces return, and exit

Published 12:00 am Monday, January 31, 2022

One more NWSS

The Northwest String Summit plans to make its in-person return for its 20th anniversary festival, July 21-24 at Horning’s Hideout in North Plains.

The lineup features Umphrey’s McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band and Greensky Bluegrass, as well as Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon, Del McCoury Band and Keller & The Keels.

There’ll be a 2022 festival — and that’s it. Founders are ending the festival, titled “The Last Verse.” A letter was sent to patrons explaining the decision.

“These past couple years have taught us to simplify, to return to roots, and to hold on tight to our loved ones and friendships we’ve made. To appreciate all that we have, who we are, and celebrate our roots and lives while we can,” the letter reads. “But equally important is to embrace change as an opportunity for progress.

“Let’s make it a finale for the ages.”

Tickets are on sale. For more: http://www.stringsummit.com.

Dear Stranger

Oregon Humanities’ letter-exchange project, Dear Stranger, connects writers across the state through mail — yep, real letters, with the intent of creating shared understanding.

This year, people are asked to think “Beyond,” as in:

“Write about what lies beyond the here and now. When you think of the future, what do you see? Think about yourself, your life, your surroundings, the world in general: What are your hopes, your dreams? What are your fears? Do you see parts of the past, or something completely new — or perhaps both?”

Letters are swapped anonymously.

For more: http://www.oregonhumanities.org. Letters should be addressed to Oregon Humanities, Attn: Dear Stranger, 610 S.W. Alder St., Suite 1111, Portland, OR, 97205. Oregon Humanities will exchange letters mailed by Feb. 28.

‘Anastastia’

Broadway in Portland’s next staging is “Anastasia,” Feb. 8-13 at Keller Auditorium.

Tickets are available at http://www.BroadwayInPortland.com.

Inspired by the beloved film, the musical transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman (Anya) sets out to discover the mystery of her past, while being pursued by a ruthless officer and enlisting the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat.

Heartbreak hurts

As Valentine’s Day approaches, remember some people out there live with heartbreak, trying to get over an unexpected divorce or separation or breakup. It’s not wine and chocolates for everybody.

The Science on Tap series online addresses heartbreak, as journalist Florence Williams explores the science behind it and seeks creative ways to mend her own. It’s scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3.

Williams ended up in the hospital after her 25-year marriage unexpectedly fell apart.

She’s the author of “Heartbreak” the book, as well as other books (including “Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History”).

You can watch Science on Tap on Zoom or its YouTube channel within a day or two. For more: http://www.scienceontaporwa.org.

OMSI exhibit

A new exhibit opens Feb. 1 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, “Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact.”

It took three-plus years to develop the exhibition. It’s interactive and focuses on the global impact of snow on climate and human culture.

For more: http://www.omsi.edu.

History portal

Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave., recently unveiled its remodeled research library.

Now, it has launched the Museum Collection Portal, a public online database highlighting the objects in the museum’s care.

It’s located at http://www.museumcollection.ohs.org.

The museum preserves more than 75,000 objects that document the history of the region, including clothing, textiles, Native American belongings, artworks, vehicles, equipment and everyday items.

Blues fest

In case you missed the news: Waterfront Blues Festival has announced that it will return to Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park over the Fourth of July weekend, July 1-4.

“Fans have stood by us while we’ve creatively adapted to the pandemic over the last two years,” said Waterfront Blues Festival Director Christina Fuller. “We’re excited to return to Tom McCall Waterfront Park this summer, stronger than ever.”

The 2020 event was canceled, but organizers put together socially distanced events. The 2021 event was a scaled-down show at Zidell Yards. It’s the 35th anniversary of the Waterfront Blues Festival in 2022.

Ticket sales and lineup announcements will begin in March. For more: http://www. waterfrontbluesfest.com.

More funding

More arts funding news:

• Twenty-three arts organizations each will receive $10,000 grants from the Oregon Arts Commission to support their educational projects in partnership with Oregon School through Arts Learning funding.

For more: http://www.oregonartscommission.org.

• The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced American Rescue Plan Grants to arts organizations, totaling $57.7 million to 567 organizations across the country.

The eight Oregon recipients are: Eugene Opera, $50,000; University of Oregon/Oregon Folklife Network, $100,000; Caldera (aka Camp Caldera), Portland, $50,000; Oregon Bravo Youth Orchestra, Portland, $150,000; Portland Art Museum/Northwest Film Center, $100,000; Third Angle New Music, Portland, $50,000; Wallowa Band Nez Perce Trail Interpretive Center Inc., Wallowa, $100,000; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, Warm Springs, $150,000.

• Artists Repertory Theatre has received $1 million from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to help with expansion and renovation of its theater building at Southwest 15th Avenue and Morrison Street.

Portland Playhouse was awarded $324,000 toward the purchase of its theater in a former Northeast Portland church.

Fertile Ground

Reminder: The 13th annual Fertile Ground Festival of New Works, a program of the Portland Area Theatre Alliance (PATA), continues through Feb. 6.

Works (mostly online) include theater, dance, puppetry, circus, animation, multidisciplinary arts, improv, spoken word, musical and devised theater.

For more: http://www.fertilegroundpdx.org.