The artist Rick Bartow, surrounded here by his stunning paintings, passed on Apr. 2.
Wilder Schmaltz
This week is filled with joy and sorrow — there're always two sides to every coin.
The Passing Of An Oregon Giant - 1:03
Last week the beloved artist Rick Bartow passed away. His boldly colorful, emotive and idiosyncratic works featured creatures on the cusp of the material and the spiritual world, like stories and myths made flesh. We listen back to an interview with Bartow and then talk with his longtime friend and gallerist, Charles Froelick. See a
of Bartow's work.
Seinabo Sey released her debut album, Pretend, in late 2015.
Courtesy of the artist
Seinabo Sey - 12:49
Swedish performer Seinabo Sey's powerful, soulful delivery betrays the complicated uncertainty that lies beneath the surface of her music. She won the Swedish Grammy for Best Newcomer last year and another this year for Best Pop Song, and her performance at the Grammys, where she invited dozens of black women on stage, drew comparisons to Beyonce. Sey came to the OPB studio to perform and talk about why she'd do anything Beyonce told her to, even though the Queen Bey might learn a thing or two from Sey.
.
Luke Wyland of Portland rock band AU directing the Camas High School choir.
Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington/Dana Valatka
Indie Band AU Joins with 155 Student Voices - 24:52
Last year, Phoebe Flanigan reported on the unique melding of indie rock bands and the choirs of Camas High School known as Joined Voices. This year, Joined Voices returns with the band AU composing 45 minutes of new choral music, plus special guests Edna Vasquez and Luz Elena Mendoza. The concert is on
. (Hear opbmusic's
with AU frontman Luke Wyland.)
Candidates on the Arts - 34:31
As part of our ongoing coverage of the upcoming elections, we've been sitting down with local candidates to gather their views on arts and culture in the city. This time around we're talking with city council candidate Shannon Estabrook (full interview) and mayoral candidates Sarah Iannarone (full interview) and David Schor (full interview).
Oregon Ballet Theatre's upcoming production, "Beautiful Decay," pairs the company with veteran Portland dancers Gregg Bielemeier (pictured with Candace Bouchard) and Susan Banyas in a meditation on death and dying.
Blaine Truitt Covert
Sex, Love and Death: OBT Choreographers James Canfield and Nicolo Fonte - 41:40
Oregon Ballet Theatre's founder, James Canfield, and new resident choreographer, Nicolo Fonte, came into the studio to discuss their two works that are being staged this season. Set to Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," Fonte's full-length ballet, "Beautiful Decay," pairs veteran local dancers Susan Banyas and Gregg Bielemeier with OBT's company in an exploration of aging and death. Both choreographers agreed, though: whether contemporary or classic,
it's all about sex, death, and love.