I guess the summer is over

I hope you have a lot of energy, because you are going to need it during the next few days. I suggest fortification with pie.


Shameless self-promotion warning!
You can start this the evening of Thursday, Aug. 27 with a scintillating talk on the arts by Me. I’ll be speaking about the role of the reporter and critic in the arts, the Columbia and South Carolina arts scene and taking questions about whatever you want to ask. It’s at 6 p.m. at Compass 5 Partners, an architectural firm that has been mounting art shows.
Compass 5 is at 1329 State St. Call (803) 765-0838.
I’ll tackle a similar subject in a slightly more formal setting Sunday, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m. at the Columbia Museum of Art. This talk with take a trek into the museum collection and it may be a literal trek depending on how many people show up.
Both events are free and open to the public.

Art and the university all over the place


You can look at this as extremely poor planning on the part of the University of South Carolina or the sign of a busy and production place.
Four shows with USC connections have opening events Thursday, Sept. 27.

An opening for “External Signing,” an exhibition of prints by Michigan artist Bill Hosterman takes place from 5 to 7 at the USC art department gallery. (Above "Cadence.")
Though Oct. 2.


There’s assistant professor Sarah Schneckloth’s
“Recall Pattens” (right) from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Art Gallery. The exhibition consists of 50 exquisite 12-by12-inch drawings and is up only through Sept. 4.
City Art is at 1224 Lincoln St.

Several USC students and other artists open a group show. "Kiln Opening," from 7 to 9 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios. The show includes ceramics, iron and photography. The show at 808 Lady St. remains on display through Sept. 1.



Weird. wonderful and tasty
Then it is onward and upward to Maya’s Wonderland, a multi-media performance event.

Music by Maya’s Big Vermillion starring the sensational singer Lorrie Rivers,(above) a “phobic puppet show” by Lyon Hill, belly dancing by Ashley Bennett (right) and others, a “weird balloon pop,” tarot card readings, a kissing booth, DJ, sideshows and (my fav) a blueberry pie eating contest.

Find Wonderland at 701 Whaley St., from 8 to 11 and admission is $10. www.mayaswonderland.com


Art on TV by artists who don’t watch TV

If for some strange reason, let’s say you have swine flu or have been struck by a large iron object (anvil, skillet) and can’t go out, tune into SC ETV at 9:30 p.m. for “All Rendered Truth,” a documentary about self-taught artists. The film was put together in part by Scott Blackwell, who opened the Immaculate Consumption restaurant in Columbia about 15 years ago and later moved to North Carolina where he operates a baking company and began collecting art. The documentary explores the lives and art of 21 artists from throughout the South. An exhibition featuring the artists can be seen at ETV offices, 1041 George Rogers Blvd., through Sept. 17. “All Rendered Truth” will also air Sunday, Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m.

Things are a little calmer on Friday night – no rambunctious art talks

A show of new works by Michael Krajewski of Columbia opens Friday, Aug. 28 at the HoFP Gallery on Devine St. "Copy Me, Don't Copy Me" is made up of paintings, drawings and mixed media works. The opening reception runs from 6 to 10 p.m. (803) 799-7405. The show is up through Sept. 19.





T

Saturday night’s alright for tangos

Dez Codas is a guitar and double bass duo that wander the musical map from tango to jazz to classical. Bassist Craig Butterfield, of the University of South Carolina music school, and guitarist Matthew Slotkin give a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29.

The group will give two world premieres - "Waxwing” by John Orfe, pianist and composer for Alarm Will Sound, and “Song and Dance Man” by Dick Goodwin of Columbia - as well as play the music of Manual De Fall and Astor Piazolla. The concert is at the School of Music Recital Hall, Assembly and College streets. Dez Codas is wandering in more than musical ways – the Columbia stop is part of a tour taking them to Presbyterian College in Clinton Aug. 31 and Coastal Carolina University in Conway Sept. 1 both at 7:30 p.m. Call (803) 777-4324 or email cbutterfield@mozart.sc.edu


Next week
You may not know the name, but Terry Jarrard-Dimond has been a significant presence in the South Carolina art community for a couple of decades. A solo show of her new textile works, “Constructions,” opens Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Columbia College.
The artist will give a gallery talk Sept. 17 at noon. The show is up through September. Call (803) 786-3088