ARTS: CONNECTION
Deb Jensen
EDAC Executive Director

IT'S AN ARTS HAPPENING . . . A REALLY BIG DEAL on May 22nd

We need a crowd, a big crowd of people to celebrate the arts. EDAC members, come and bring a friend to the annual Member Meeting and Celebration. NEW MEMBERS are warmly invited. The celebration is free to members.

We are going to get together in a beautiful place - Boeger Winery, 1709 Carson Rd, Placerville, on May 22 from 5:30-7:30 pm. We'll listen to great music by Alvon Johnson, sip Boeger's best, and snack on scrumptious hors d'oeuvres by Diane Wilkinson Catering. We'll acknowledge some of the community's arts leaders and take care of business. Then, we'll rally new EDAC members because our members make all the difference in ensuring that the Arts Are Always Alive in El Dorado County.*

Members, if you bring a friend who becomes an EDAC member, you could win tickets to a great EDAC event!

RSVP by May 12, by email or phone 530.295.3496.

See you there!

*Did you know that California's nonprofit arts sector provides $5.4 billion dollars in economic activity annually?

ABOUT THE EL DORADO ARTS COUNCIL (EDAC)

EDAC is a private, nonprofit corporation dedicated to bringing the arts to El Dorado County residents and visitors. EDAC believes that the arts are a vital humanizing element that encourages understanding and mutual respect. By making music, dance, theater and the visual arts accessible to the residents of our County, especially our children, EDAC empowers a new generation to understand the personal and social value of the arts as a means of expression and communication.

We invite you to join EDAC in supporting the arts in our community

Become an EDACmember today!

EDAC BOARD MEMBERS:
Sue Denega
Rick Fergerson
Jody Franklin
Vicki Kennedy
Susan Leahy
Megan Reeves
Emily Smith
Diane Wilkinson
Dave Williams

We always welcome any arts related input from EDAC members for the contents of this newsletter & will consider any requests for future issue input. Deadline for entries is the 25th of the month. To join, visit our website.

El Dorado Arts Council Office:
451 Main Street, Suite 6, Placerville,

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2400
Placerville, CA 95667

Tel:  530.295.3496
Fax: 530.295.3497

SAVE THE DATES!

MAY 17 - BRICOLAGE:
FOUND & RECYCLED ART
AT THE EDAC GALLERY
El Dorado Arts Council presents a show inspired by cast offs, roadside finds, second hand stores and nature loot. An eye for expected treasure seems to be a common trait amongst the artists in the show. These artists create bricolage, from the French verb, bricoleur: to make creative and resourceful use of whatever materials are to hand - regardless of their original purpose.

Visit the gallery during 3rd Saturday, May 17th, from 6-9 pm. EDAC Gallery, 451 Main Street, Ste 6, Placerville.

MAY 22 - ANNUAL MEMBER CELEBRATION
Members are invited to enjoy a glass of wine and celebrate the arts at Boeger Winery, 1709 Carson Road, Placerville. May 22 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. RSVP to 530-295-3496.

JUNE 7 - COLOMA BLUES LIVE!
11 AM to 6 PM
Gates open at 10 AM
Henningsen-Lotus Park
just off Hwy 49 in Lotus.

An all-day Blues Festival along the shore of the American River in the beautiful Coloma Valley (near Placerville). The 2008 show will feature: Los Lobos, The Tommy Castro Band, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, Albert Cummings and Curtis Salgado.

Tickets on sale NOW
$40 in advance/$45 at the gate.
Parking is $5 with free shuttle to festival site. For complete festival details visit the Coloma Blues Live website or contact the El Dorado Arts Council office 530-295-3496.

AUGUST 9 - SHANA MORRISON IN CONCERT
Experience the beauty and the award-winning wine of David Girard Vineyards while enjoying the music of Shana Morrison. This special event is collaboration between David Girard Vineyards and El Dorado Arts Council (EDAC).

There will be a special Pre-Show VIP Reception exclusively for EDAC Members and David Girard Wine Club Members who purchase tickets to this event. Delectables for the reception courtesy of Diane Wilkinson Catering!

Please support the arts and EDAC's mission by purchasing tickets to this very special concert. Tickets only $20 

OCTOBER 25 - EVENING IN ART
An elegant evening at Mercedes Benz of El Dorado Hills, El Dorado Hills surrounded by beautiful works by some of the area's most esteemed local artists. Enjoy food, wine, music, and a special appearance by world renowned performance artist David Garibaldi. You can reserve tickets by calling 530-295-3496.

NATIONAL ART NEWS

Arts-Related Businesses Employ Nearly Three Million People Nationwide, Study Finds.

Arts-related businesses in the country's largest cities represent 4.3 percent of all businesses and 2.2 percent of all jobs in the United States, a new report from Americans for the Arts finds.

Based on data from Dun & Bradstreet and geo-economic analysis, the report, Creative Industries 2008: The 50 City Report, finds that there are more than 612,000 arts-related businesses employing some 2.98 million people in the United States, and that employment by arts-related businesses has grown 11.6 percent in the past year - more than four times the increase in overall employment growth.

Arts-related businesses and employees were found in each of the fifty most-populated cities, with New York City topping both lists, while Seattle and Atlanta were found to have the most arts-related businesses and employees, respectively, per capita.

"This study supports our mantra that the arts play a significant role in building and sustaining economically vibrant communities," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "It further supports the need for arts education to fuel the creative industries with arts-trained workers and arts consumers."

"New Study Reveals that Arts-Related Businesses Provide Significant Employment Across the Nation." Americans for the Arts Press Release 4/01/08.

LOCAL ART NEWS

EL DORADO COUNTY COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION
Season Tickets on sale now
The Annual Membership Drive for El Dorado County Community Concerts Association is currently in progress. Memberships (season subscriptions) for the 2008-2009 season of six (6) outstanding performances may be obtained at the Cary House Hotel Monday thru Saturday April 28 - May 3 from 10 am to 4 pm. Price for the season: $50 adults and $20 students. For info call 530-622-4218 or 530-626-4625. All performances held at Union Mine High School Theater in El Dorado at 7 pm. Season runs from October thru April.

WHITEWATER HAPPENING
JUNE 30
Tickets on sale now
Good Old Curl-Your-Toes Thrill Ride on the Scenic American River. Great Opportunity for Team Building, Employee Incentives & Rewards, or Family Togetherness. 11 miles of Class III rafting (Suitable for beginners / 1st timers - yet exciting enough for the experienced!)

Only $80 per person, suggested donation. Sells Out Every Year! Call Now! 530-333-2063

Made entirely possible by the generous donation of the American Whitewater Rafting Association. Proceeds Benefit The Sugarloaf Foundation.

POETRY AT WILD MOUNTAIN
Friday, May 16 at 7pm - FREE
Featuring Allegra Jostad Silberstein & Theresa McCourt; open mike after the featured readers. Everyone is invited to come and read, or just listen.

Wild Mountain Books & More
352 Main Street, Placerville
More information

3RD SATURDAY
May 17, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Main Street Placerville galleries and merchants host changing art shows and late night shopping third Saturday of every month!

COZMIC CAFE EVENTS
CRAZY BULLHEAD- May 16
BOULDER ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL - May 17
JANET ROBIN - May 23
SARAH GAUTSCHI TRIO - May 24
GOVE SCHRIVINER - May 25
LAST FRIDAY JAZZ NIGHT - May 30
CORINNE WEST - May 31
More information

UPSTAIRS POETRY
May 28, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
FREE
Poetry reading featuring an open mike read-around; bring poems to share or just come and listen.

Upstairs Art Gallery, 420 Main Street, Placerville
For more information contact Hatch or Judy Graham (530) 621-1833

CALL FOR ART
CA State Fair Visual Art
Entry Deadline - May 30
The juried art show of the California State Fair, seeks entries from California artists aged 18 and over. Entries must be contemporary, completed within 2 years prior to deadline. Over $21,500 in prize money will be awarded. Entry fee is $20.00 per artwork. Divisions and Classes in all 2-D and 3-D media as well as film, video, animation, digital art, and photography. Special theme division includes: Western & Equine Art, Recycled Art, The Art of Culture, Vino! The Art of Wine, and "Hooray for Hollywood." Juried from digital images submitted on CD/DVD (do not send 35mm slides), see Handbook for details. Images must accompany entry form and fees. Prospectus, Rules Handbook and Entry Form available at www.bigfun.org (click on "Competitions" and scroll to "Fine Art" then click on the word "Handbook"). Contact: California Fine Art (916)263-3161.

SIERRA STATEWIDE
GOLD RUSH JAMBOREE
May 30 - June 1
The Sierra Statewide Gold Rush Jamboree is a Statewide folk dance in Placerville. It starts off with a Miners' Ball at the Shakespeare Club at 2940 Bedford Avenue in Placerville, from 7-11pm with registration beginning at 6:30. James and Marilyn Letchworth will be teaching early California dances with Spanish, Mexican and Western European influences from 7-11pm. Legacy is the band, dances, games and mixers will be taught and no dance experience is needed. Beginners, singles and couples are welcome and the event is free to children under 13 and is $15 for adults and $8 for students. Refreshments are included in the price. Saturday's events are planned for classes in Hungarian and Balkan dancing at Ponderosa High Gym from 9:30 am till 5 with a $15 charge per class and an evening party from 8-11pm for $15. Sunday culminates the statewide folk dance festival at the Wolterbeek's Farm at 3100 Ponderosa Road beginning with a free pancake breakfast at 9am and dancing on the deck until 5 pm for $10. For more information call 677-1134.

SIERRA FOOTHILLS STUDIO (SFS) WORKSHOPS with Lorrene Davis
June
In June Loreene will be teaching several workshops in her Sierra Foothills Studio in Placerville. She teachs both the metal clay and polymer clay workshops.
Email her for more information or visit her website.