Jesse played last year as a hawaiian duet. He’s spent most of the summer playing the Kendall Yards Night Market on Wednesdays. The boys are sounding great! MELLOW POLYNESIA – Duet – Hawaiian Traditional Bio: Bio: Jesse Tinsley and his two sons, Colby and Rogan, have been exploring jazz for the past year and finding ways to share it and make it accessible for people, whether they like jazz or not. The…
MICHAEL BETHELY – Poet Bio: Michael Bethely is a poet/lyricist who loves to utilize his gifts to inspire those who need it, and also be a light to those who see it. He is the founder of Bethely Entertainment Group, a company working to empower the community, by using the community, to develop the community – by being a catalyst for inspiration, personal growth, self-help, community service, positive reinforcement,…
New “porch”! – FRAN & STEVE – Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please… 1 -What got you interested in PorchFest? Saw the ad in the paper last year. It’s in my neighborhood and sounded like fun, so we went. It was indeed fun!! 2- How long have you lived in West Central? We have lived in the WC neighborhood for…
The Garden Party folks are back! – CELESTE & DAN – Talk to us a bit about community, about yourselves, and about PorchFest, please… 1 -Is this your first time hosting a porch? Did you get to PorchFest last year? We didn’t know a thing about it last year when we were asked to host, but we said, “Yes!” and had a great time! 2- What were…
Held back no longer, here’s Dennis! DENNIS HELD – Poet Bio: Dennis is one of the cornerstones of Spokane’s poetry scene. He has recently hosted the seasonal reading series, Danger Live Writers, as well as worked in several local schools teaching poetry as part of Eastern Washington University’s Writers in the Community program. His books Betting on the Night (Lost Horse Press) and Ourself (Gribble Press) are frequently sold out at Aunties’ Bookstore in Spokane. -Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself, and about PorchFest, please… 1- What got you interested in PorchFest? How do you feel about it? I’m a fan of porches from way back, especially those old-fashioned front porches that people used to sit on and holler out to the people who…
Now we get to head to the northern part of West Central… – KITTY & RICK – -Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself, and about PorchFest, please… 1 -What got you interested in PorchFest? What do you think about it? We love the idea of an event that brings the community together through the arts and music and encourages people to explore all of West Central. We think it is a great idea that should be replicated throughout other neighborhoods! 2- What is “community”? How do we build it? Does it happen automatically or does it need catalysts? Community is about knowing, understanding and respecting the people you are surrounded by. I think it requires a bit of active encouragement, willingness and engagement. Food,…
Back to the poets! MICHAEL BETHELY – Poet Bio: Michael Bethely is a poet/lyricist who loves to utilize his gifts to inspire those who need it, and also be a light to those who see it. He is the founder of Bethely Entertainment Group, a company working to empower the community, by using the community, to develop the community – by being a catalyst for inspiration, personal growth, self-help, community service, positive reinforcement, and hope. Fresh off the plane from his wedding, Michael hopes that he and his wife can inspire a change in Spokane that will consist of the greatest gift… Love. Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself as an artist, and about PorchFest, please… 1 -What got you interested in PorchFest? What…
More poets = more fun! Sarah!!! SARAH BETH GUMM – Poet Bio: Sarah recently graduated from Whitworth University. She has been involved in the Spokane poetry scene for about two years now, first as a listener and then as a performer. The things she can talk about for literal hours include: tea, Firefly, feminism, Doctor Who, and history. She loves hugs and will gladly give you one if you ask. Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself as an artist, and about PorchFest, please… “One of the things that compels me most about music and poetry is the chance to hear other people’s stories and, in turn, share my own in a creative fashion. Jesuit Priest Anthony De Mello once wrote “You have yet to understand,…
Dave’s lived in West Central for decades… DAVE MCRAE – Multi-instrumentalist – Singer/Songwriter – Folkabilly – Bio: Dave has been performing in the Inland Empire since 1982. He plays solo with acoustic/electric guitar, harmonicas and dobro. He uses an electronic percussion/looping station that enables him to create the illusion of being a full band. Dave’s music draws from folk, rock, country, blues, and bluegrass and could be called “Americana”, although Dave prefers to call his particular blend of tunes “Folkabilly” music. Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself as an artist, and about PorchFest, please… 1- How often do you get over to West Central? What brings you over? I live in West Central at 2332 W. Sinto. My wife, Louise Chadez, and I have…
Just back from representin’ Spokane at the 2014 National Poetry Slam – Katie! KATIE SCHMARR – Poet Bio: Katie Schmarr is a born-and-raised Spokanite and third year undergraduate student at Gonzaga, where she studies English, History, and French. In August, she represented Spokane at the 2014 National Poetry Slam in Oakland, California. Talk to us a bit about community, about yourself as an artist, and about PorchFest, please… “I became active in the Spokane poetry community roughly two years ago. I was instantly welcomed by a myriad of fellow artists who applauded my (very young, very new) work and encouraged me to keep writing and performing. This will be my first year attending PorchFest, and I’m ecstatic. Too many people are unaware of our electric, diverse arts scene,…