Guests enjoy the sixth-floor party at Premier Plaza during "Art With A View," in Monroe LA, Dec 10, 2009.

Some of the social events I’ve attended have been held in some odd locations.

Last year, for instance, I participated in an art sale that took place in a parking garage. And I covered a fundraiser once on the rooftop of a hospital, where everyone was told with a wink to be very careful not to stray too close to the edge. Considering that was also an international beer-tasting event, it was somewhat exciting, waiting to see who would fall off first, and hoping it wouldn’t be me.

And I can now say that I’ve been to an art show that was held inside the normally stark multiple rooms of an office building, specifically at the Premier Plaza in Monroe, which graciously opened its upper-floor office space to local artists and guests once again this year for the 8th Annual “Art With A View” art exhibit on Dec. 10.

I had a chance to see the rooms ahead of time since I was also participating as an artist and had to hang work before the event. I became very curious to see how the layout would work once people arrived. Essentially, every artist had his or her own room along a series of hallways, with a few artists exhibiting together in the larger conference rooms.

Artist Coordinator Cindy Ingram, along with some other volunteers, was in the process of covering the available walls and corners with holiday decorations when I arrived initially. As I curiously watched the place come together, I thought, hey, this could be a nice event. After all, it’s inside, it’s comfortable, it’s quiet because of the carpet, and how many art shows do you go to where each artist has their own separate, enclosed space to personalize?

Katherine Putnam, Miss Louisiana 2009, with Hope Anderson, Miss Monroe 2009, at "Art With A View" - Premier Plaza, Monroe LA - Dec 10, 2009

Refreshment tables were decorated with flowery, feathery arrangements.

The next evening’s event turned out to be even better than I had anticipated, and if anything was more interesting because of the location.

The twenty or so rooms on the fifth floor were filled with original artwork, along with some of the hallways, and fifty-six artists were participating. The variety of work alone was captivating. It was like attending the monthly Artwalk downtown, but inside, with less walking and no chance of rain. There was something for everyone – jewelry, paintings, sculpture, and photography were at every turn.

Local photographer Cindy Blanchard, vice president of the Northeast La. Camera Club, had a great idea for an “Artists In Action” presentation, too, putting artists Rusty Patterson, Margaret Ellerman and Don Holloway atop three separate small platforms in the main room, where they were at work on their respective mediums as woodworker, painter and potter.

The organizers made a very wise decision this year to charge admission—it was previously free—and turn the event into a juried exhibition and a fundraiser for the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. They also included wonderful selections of hors d’oeuvres from Thyme Savers Catering and a never-ending supply of delicious wines and cheeses, plus custom-made drinks and martinis, and all while benefiting the symphony.

Pretty much everyone had a drink or a plate of food in their hands and was dressed to impress, including recent beauty pageant winners Hope Anderson (Miss Monroe) and Katherine Putnam (Miss Louisiana) who were crowned and circulating gracefully through the crowd.

The event actually took place on two separate floors, with a party on the sixth floor from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the art show on the fifth floor from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

It seemed as though it all could easily have turned into a labyrinthine maze of confusion, with guests not knowing where to go next. But it worked out beautifully. It was as though there was just one artistic discovery after another as guests wandered into the different rooms.

Left to right: Monroe Symphony Orchestra board member Phala Wright with Clay Coutoriaux, conductor, and board member Al Peterson, at "Art With A View" - Premier Plaza, Monroe LA - Dec 10, 2009

Candles and holiday lights gave the whole place a festive atmosphere, and tables and floors were embellished with assortments of red flowers, lovely white trees and feathered arrangements.

It helped, too, that there was always a table of food or wine wherever you looked and someone there to serve it, so that if all else failed you could always refill your glass, grab a snack and move on. There were enough guests to make this a well-attended event, while also allowing everyone the freedom to move around.

The Monroe Symphony contributed to the affair by having various groups of musicians playing music throughout both floors. During my time there, I enjoyed hearing a three-piece horn ensemble, a four-piece band with a xylophone, and a pianist.

The artwork was priced to sell as far as I could see, and I noticed a few guests walking around with a purchased canvas or photo tucked under an arm, which was a good sign for the artists and the symphony.

Joe Holyfield, the owner of the building, organized and sponsored the event for the last seven years, but this year got together with the symphony to make it even better.

Artist Jan Thibault talks with visitors to her exhibit. There were nearly sixty artists participating.

“Joe’s support of the arts has helped us so much,” said Marilyn Kopke, president of the symphony board of directors. “This is our only fundraiser this year, and the event went well, really beyond our expectations.”

“This is truly Monroe at its best,” added guest Tommy Usrey, president of the Northeast La. Arts Council.

Other event coordinators were Vickie Barnes, Chuck Bradshaw , Meredith Pate and Moses Miles. Kelly Wright Taylor created the wintery decorations, and artwork was juried by Christina Gray and Scott Higginbotham.

Plans are being made for another event next year on December 9, 2010. I suggest getting tickets to both the party and the art show. For more information, search Facebook for “art-with-a-view-monroela.”

For information about the symphony, go to their website, at www.bayou.com/symphony. Their next event is a Chamber Concert at The Assembly in West Monroe, on March 20, 2010 at 7 p.m.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

 

Soprano Tynan Davis, pianist Cathy Venable and tenor Corey Trahan perform for "Strike Up The Band," at Biedenharn Garden, Oct. 15.

Back when I was attending community college in New Orleans and had my first taste of voice lessons and musical theater, I remember thinking that training to sing on Broadway would probably be easier than training for opera. After all, the expectations for vocal performance surely couldn’t be as high for someone who at the same time was also being expected to act and dance.

As it turned out, the expectations are pretty darn high, and performers are expected to be able to do it all – belt out a show tune or an aria, plus act and dance, all one cue. I did my best with it for a few years and eventually started wondering if maybe just opera training would have been simpler.

But the fact is a good vocalist usually has to be able to give Rodgers and Hammerstein the same professional treatment as Handel. Classical training, therefore, is still the foundation for this, and it often leads to some really outstanding moments on Broadway, as well as off-Broadway.

To this effect, three vocalists came together recently to show off just what operatic talent can do with songs by Cole Porter, George Gershwin and others, for a theatrically-enhanced presentation of popular music from the 1930’s to coincide with a statewide artistic tribute to The Great Depression.

The “Strike Up The Band” event was led by local favorite and tenor Corey Trahan along with soprano Tynan Davis and pianist Cathy Venable, on Oct. 15 in the Fountain Room of Biedenharn Gardens in Monroe.

The unending rain that had poured over the area for the entire week continued into this evening, and I was consequently a few minutes late to the start of the show. But I knew it was going to be good, because as I walked along the sidewalk, I could hear strong singing coming from the interior.

I made it inside and fitted myself into the only standing space left at the rear of the room, and in the direct line of sight to the performers. I felt a little awkward, but Trahan and Davis didn’t seem fazed by the strange journalist, luckily.

The show had been advertised as “theatrically-enhanced,” so I was looking for some costumes or a slideshow of show scenes, perhaps, but there was none of that. I found it to be a show-tune recital, performed by theatrically-experienced vocalists. This was quite sufficient, though, because the vocals were outstanding and gave the older audience more than enough to enjoy.

Trahan’s smooth tenor made a great base for Davis’s piercing soprano throughout the evening. They had started off well and just got better as the show moved on. I spent the first few songs putzing around with camera and video equipment, trying to get good footage of the duo, before finally being able to really listen by about the middle of the show, right around “My Funny Valentine.”

At one point about midway through the set, Trahan looked over his shoulder in the middle of a song, then lost his place and excused himself, only to return seconds later with surprise guest Louis Nabors, the voice chair at ULM, who was met with a loud round of applause before presenting us with his glorious bass on “Old Man River.” He gave this song everything it’s meant to have and really had me feeling like I was watching a very unique event. It’s not often one gets to stand just a few feet away from a voice that strong without paying for front-row seats.

Special guest Louis Nabors, the voice chair at ULM, performs for "Strike Up The Band," at Biedenharn Garden, Oct. 15.

Trahan and Davis, dressed in an off-white ball gown and tuxedo, were accompanied by the extremely capable Cathy Venable, who has served as a pianist for Broadway shows. As a mezzo-soprano also, she gave us a few solos that were perfectly placed between songs by the other two vocalists. I told her after the show that I appreciated her ability to follow the vocalists and be aware of their need to breathe, which non-singing pianists accompanists sometimes don’t take into account.

A highlight of this show without doubt was “Handful of Keys,” from Ain’t Misbehavin, sung as a trio. All three performers gathered around the piano and it looked for a bit like the two main vocalists were just there to help turn pages for Venable as she played and sang, but then all three voices joined together to create the most spontaneous and fun part of the evening. They nailed the timing on this and looked like they were having such a great time that I wanted to join in. Davis hit some very comical high notes, as well.

I really appreciated Trahan’s ability to sing softly for one of my favorite songs, “What’ll I Do,” by Irvin Berlin. It’s so easy to overdo this one, but Trahan kept it at an even keel and took advantage of the small space to show off some dynamics.

Soprano Tynan Davis, pianist Cathy Venable and tenor Corey Trahan at "Strike Up The Band," at Biedenharn Garden, Oct. 15.

Davis countered this once or twice later by singing full volume without the microphone. I was glad she made a move away from the mic temporarily — she didn’t need it, and she used the freedom to really belt some high notes on “Anything Goes.”

The most theatrical moment of the evening was held for the last, as Tynan and Corey shifted into acting mode for selections from “Oklahoma!” They played this off of each other with southern accents and some really amusing expressions, and gave us all something to look forward to if they should ever decide to perform together again.

The audience of over 80 people showed their appreciation with a standing ovation, and the trio of performers then invited all to sing along with “God Bless America,” after which everyone gathered in the reception room for a brief meet-and-greet.

For more information, email info@bmuseum.org or call (318) 387-5281.

Strike Up The Band from Eric Lincoln on Vimeo.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]