By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Artists from Sitka and across the U.S. will perform the first Monthly Grind of the season in a very small space - your computer screen.
The theme of the virtual grind is “Artists in the Cave,” and will be available starting Saturday, kicking off the 27th season of the popular Sitka event.
Singer-songwriters, bands, a novelty multi-track recording, and performers from Sitka Cirque are all on the playbill.
Grinds are generally live and very social events, held at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi and other venues. Since the start of the pandemic, the Grind has organized a number of virtual events.
This Grind is recorded on video, and can be watched once it’s posted some time on Saturday, organizers said. Jeanne Stolberg collected the videos from the performers for the 45-minute program.
Producer Vern Culp, one of the performers, said he felt this Grind was a worthy project for this time.
“I thought it was really important,” he said. “I’m interested in what happens to artists in a pandemic, and how important art is in a pandemic. Is it giving us more opportunities, is it giving us less opportunities, is it opening new horizons?”
The Sitka Balalaika Orchestra plays a number for the virtual Monthly Grind. (Photo provided)
Culp worked with his Galankin Island neighbors Karen and Brian Neal on the piece they perform on the virtual Grind.
“It’s in a new song style, very minimalistic, with only seven words in it,” Culp said. He plays guitar, Brian – a classical trumpet player – plays a Japanese flute, and Karen, a classically trained soprano, is the vocalist.
“We recorded it in one of the bunkers on Japonski Island, it’s all recorded on an iPhone which in itself is amazing,” Culp said.
Jeanne Stolberg took advantage of the recorded medium to create her own “balalaika orchestra.” The video features a 12-track recording with Stolberg in 12 frames on screen, all in sync.
“It’s ‘Hollywood Squares,’” she said. The song, from a 1954 Georgian film, was introduced to her by her instructor in an online balalaika class.
Several performers from Sitka Cirque will be featured, with Jill Kisaka and Kyle Dart performing a duet on a high trapeze, and Kat Rhoads and Marley Richards on fabric. The performers choreographed their own pieces, said Sitka Cirque director Franni Donohoe, who also is one of the teachers. Fellow teacher Charles Hart filmed the performances for the Grind.
Kisaka said she’s been working with Dart on some pieces, including one for the upcoming Nutcracker, and for a fall and winter student showcase at the Cirque studio.
“We’ve been working together on aerial for the last two years,” Kisaka said. She’s been taking classes three to four times a week for the past four years.
While the pandemic has presented challenges, Cirque has adjusted to keep people safe while still keeping the studio open, Kisaka said. She enjoys performing, but there also are opportunities for those who don’t want to perform.
“I’m always trying to get people to take classes,” she said. “There’s the fitness, the strength, the flexibility, the friendships. I’ve noticed a lot more moms have started. ...”
Other performers are: Brant Miller, formerly of Sitka and currently of Nashville, Tennessee; Ted Howard and Julie Schmitts; Belly Meat; Theresa Allen-Olson; Yvonne Heitzner; and Summerfall.
Options for viewing the virtual show are at:
facebook.com/Sitka-Monthly-Grind-102576054722946
youtube.com/channel/UC5-mkTv6g581-lV8rJZZ0ow
The Sitka Monthly Grind on Facebook provides updates as well. Stolberg said Saturday’s Grind will remain accessible after Saturday as well.
Those needing more information may email Stolberg at sitkajean@gmail.com or Jeff Budd at jbudd3500@gmail.
