Sept. 15: Expo for the Artist & Musician -- Updates and ... The Future!

[indyarts at lists.artsandmedia.net]

Hello folks! We're coming up on the big event tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 
15, from 11am-6pm @ SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street @ 8th 
Street in San Francisco.

You can check the details online:

      Main Event Info:
      http://artsandmedia.net/expo/

      Exhibitors -- updated with latest groups:
      http://artsandmedia.net/expo/#2007

      Workshops:
      http://artsandmedia.net/expo/#onsite

      Performances:
      http://artsandmedia.net/expo/#showcase


In his newsletter yesterday, V. Vale of Re/Search Publications 
described the Expo as "one of San Francisco's signature yearly events 
celebrating those who truly make San Francisco an 'interesting' city 
... the artists, those who create the culture which endures ..."

The Expo is and has been a unique service for independent culture and 
community in San Franciscans and the whole Bay Area. We've worked 
overtime to make tomorrow's shindig a veritable cornucopia of learning 
and connection opportunities. Here's an update on all that's in store 
...


1) Meet the Candidates!

      http://artsandmedia.net/expo/#mayorlisting

      We have five San Francisco mayoral candidates in attendance
      tomorrow. Come learn firsthand what they're all about, what
      they're working towards, and ply them with questions.

      All candidates have been invited; the following have
      responded, confirmed, and will be on the scene:

      Lonnie Holmes
      Quintin Mecke
      Michael Powers
      "Chicken" John Rinaldi
      Josh Wolf


2) Portfolio Review Canceled -- NOISE comes to the Expo

      Due to unavoidable complications, the portfolio review
      for tomorrow has been canceled. We're sorry about the
      change, but look for new portfolio review opportunities
      from the Expo and our partners in the future.

      Instead, in Classroom Two at SomArts at 4pm tomorrow,
      we will be featuring an impromptu NOISE performance
      by SF's premier altered-cello ensemble, Filthmilk.

      There's room for other spontaneous performances and
      demonstrations, on the noisy side, following their set.
      Drop us a line if you'd like to give it a go.


3) Dialogue happens! Thanks to ShapingSF and Pandora's Trunk

      This year the Expo helped push forward significant
      dialogue on core issues around the arts in San Francisco,
      or anywhere. From the panel session at ShapingSF's Fall
      Talks on Wednesday, "$56 Million & Where's The Art?," to
      the Pandora's Trunk-produced salon on "for-profit or
      nonprofit arts", we saw a great turnout of thoughtful,
      committed individuals with plenty of ideas, opinions and
      vision to spare. We plan on doing a lot more of that
      in the future.

      Thanks to Shaping SF (http://shapingsf.org/) and
      Pandora's Trunk (http://pandorastrunk.com/) for making
      the conversation possible!

      And do drop us a line if you'd like to get involved with
      future dialogue programs with the Expo and our partners.


4) A message from the Expo's daddy-o ... Mr. Adam Myers

      We just spoke to Adam Myers, papi of the Expo, from his
      current home in Magdeburg, in the former East Germany.

      Adam, who was instrumental in conjuring the Expo into
      existence back in 2000, and sustaining it every year
      thereafter, won his MFA from the SF Art Institute last
      year, and has since moved to Europe to pursue his
      burgeoning art career.

      He wishes us all well, and confesses that as exciting
      as the art scene is over there, he's pretty wowed by
      this year's Expo lineup, and in particular wishes he was
      in town to attend the science-fiction writer's workshop
      tomorrow afternoon at 2:30pm.

      Well, next time!

      Meanwhile, Adam's gearing up for a move to Berlin, and
      welcomes any contacts and connections over there. Please
      drop us a line if you'd like to get in contact with him.

      Adam, THANK YOU for making the Expo possible, and for
      all your support, near and far!


5) The Future of the Expo

      The first Expo for the Artist took place at CELLspace in
      mid-July of 2000. Staged on a shoestring budget by members
      of CELL, Independent Arts & Media, ArtHouse and the SF Arts
      Commission, the event was an instant hit, as artists reeling
      from the "cultural clearcutting" of the dot-com boom and
      bust flocked to such a unique assemblage of arts community
      resources and organizations.

      In 2001, Indy Arts added the first Expo for the Musician
      to the lineup. The two separate events played out over a
      full summer weekend, again at CELLspace.

      Eventually, we decided that, since there are enough artists
      who are musicians, and musicians who are artists, the events
      should be combined, to better serve BOTH constituencies.

      Thus was born the Expo for the Artist & Musician.

      But the event has since come to serve much more than visual
      art and music. Literature, theater, dance, installations,
      experimental works, education, advocacy and more are all
      in the mix.

      As we move into the future, we welcome your advice and
      feedback about what shape the Expo should take to better
      serve this diverse community.

      A lot of fascinating questions and prospects open up from
      that point. Please drop us a line any time if you have any
      comments or advice, or if you'd like to get involved with
      future iterations of this mad, splendid, multicolored beast
      that is ...

      The Eighth Annual Expo for the Artist & Musician!


Sincerely,

Melinda Adams
Ellyn Parker
Josh Wilson
AND ALL THE EXPO VOLUNTEERS