Inspired by Gamelan, and A Unique Approach to Musical Presentation.

Review of Inspired by Gamelan at Emerald City Music

Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer Mickey Fontaine and edited by Teen Editorial Staff Member Anna Melomed

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In the many centuries it has existed, Western classical music has taken on a set of firm conventions that permeate mainstream classical culture. This is what makes classical music intimidating for inexperienced listeners. They are expected to act in a way that they are not accustomed to, keeping them from engaging with it. This strict culture hasn’t always been the norm, and it doesn’t have to be today. There is an increasing prevalence of classical venues that seek to establish a more open and inclusive environment.

I got to experience this when I saw Inspired by Gamelan, a unique collection of modern classical music that draws inspiration from Indonesian gamelan, at Emerald City Music. ECM is a non-profit chamber music organization that presents an eclectic range of classical music in a laid-back, intimate environment.

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Discovering the Beauty of Czech Baroque Music

Review of Party Bohemienne at Early Music Seattle

Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer Harlan Liu and edited by Teen Editorial Staff Member Audrey Gray

Nate Helgeson photo courtesy Early Music Seattle

The Kingdom of Bohemia, now known as Czechia, was located in central Europe for more than a millennium and was a melting pot of cultural influences. Musicians would travel to and through this land-locked country, bringing with them musical influences from other countries such as Italy and Germany where Vivaldi and Bach reigned. Party Bohemienne, presented by Early Music Seattle and featuring the Seattle Baroque Orchestra, seeks to spotlight the compositions that came out of this rich musical society. Nate Hegelson, the director and bassoonist in the event, describes the musical event’s aim to highlight lesser-known Czech composers from the Baroque period. The pieces Hegelson chose for this event contain several elements typical of the classic Baroque style, but they elaborate on all of these elements to create a unique, truly Bohemian style.

The performance I attended was at the Bastyr University Chapel, a gorgeous chapel with tiled mosaics on the walls and a St. Petersburg-reminiscent frieze at the altar. The weathered wooden paneling created a gothic aesthetic and also lent a hand to mimic the original sound of Baroque Era performances, in great halls and estates. The chapel’s uncomfortable pews added a layer of authenticity to the performance. Looking at the program, I didn’t recognize any of the names there—the director was right about the little-known status of the composers.

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The Show Must Go On: Queen Rocks Montreal in IMAX Worldwide

Review of Queen Rock Montreal IMAX at Pacific Science Center

Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer Juliana Agudelo Ariza and edited by Teen Editorial Staff Member Daphne Bunker

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Let me welcome you, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to say hello, Are you ready for some entertainment? Are you ready for a show?

The screen is dark. A faint glow stretches from the corner of the screen.

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Resolutions for Arts Consumption


Teen Editorial Staff January 2024 Editorial

Written by Teen Editorial Staff Members Audrey Grey and Kyle Grestel

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Happy New Year from the TeenTix Newsroom! This year, we challenge you to explore new artistic mediums, genres, and subjects, all for $5 with your TeenTix pass.

If you’re interested in branching into the visual arts, the Henry Art Gallery has more engrossing, novel exhibitions coming through 2024. Raúl de Nieves’s A window to the see, a spirit star chiming in the wind of wonder… opened at the Henry in September of 2023 and will continue well into summer. We suggest opening your year with the one-of-a-kind multimedia experience to set the tone for many more explosive experiences to come. Music’s rich but often-unexplored history is getting a spotlight at the Northwest African American Museum through their Positive Frequencies exhibit. Check it out to learn more about how music plays a role in Black History.

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Stories of colonial Latin America, for 21st-century Seattle

Review of ¡Navidad! The Mystery of Mary at Pacific Musicworks
Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer Reagan Ricker and edited by Teen Editorial Staff Member Audrey Gray

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With little candles atop wooden coffee tables and the soft murmur of voices from people, as they filed in, Town Hall Seattle was the perfect place to spend a cold December night. But as the audience settled into their seats to see ¡Navidad! The Mystery of Mary, the room was transformed from the streets of Seattle into the rainforests of Latin America with the sounds of various rain shakers and whistlers.

Hosted by Pacific Musicworks, ¡Navidad! The Mystery of Mary is a collection of music entirely dedicated to the “Feminine Divine” of an otherwise predominantly patriarchal church, Mother Mary, by focusing on the bodies of art, poetry, and music that blossomed from Marian traditions on both sides of the Atlantic. This ambitious goal manifested itself in 15 songs, split into 4 respective sections. The show’s program acknowledges this: “These works explore truths far too universal to limit to one creed: the humanity and wonder of motherhood, the desire for comfort in difficult times, and our hope for redemption and healing in a broken world.”

The Mystery of Mary, which sought to showcase the “dynamic blending of European, African, and Indigenous beliefs that characterized Christianity in colonial Latin America,” ultimately accomplished their goal in a way that didn’t comprise the authenticity of any one period or style. Part of their success in doing so came from the compositions themselves, constructing a story chronologically: the audience wasn’t simply observing a musical ensemble but taking part in a series of stories with instruments as the method of narration. Like most stories do, The Mystery of Mary starts at the beginning. Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte, spotlighted in the center of the black stage, sets us up for the performance to come not with singing, but by describing the 1531 Marian apparition of the Virgin de Guadalupe in Mexico City. As the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on the Hill of Tepeyac to ask him to construct a church in her honor, Cecilia posed to her audience the same question Juan Diego wondered a little over 500 years ago: “Am I worthy of what I’m hearing?”

As the doors of Town Hall finally closed, the rest of the musical ensemble’s eight members readied themselves on the small stage. As Stephen Stubbs turned to the Baroque guitar, Maxine Elainder to the harp, and Antonio Gomez to percussion, the rest of the ensemble picked up on the storyline where Cecilia left off. As we saw a change from polyphonic choral compositions to more homophonic and expressive pieces, we were experiencing in real-time the changes that the music world encountered as it shifted from the Renaissance Era to the Baroque period, and the focus from “exquisite Renaissance motets to boisterous folk dances” that took place in Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Brazil, and Peru. As the guitar grew from playful and lilting in one piece to a sorrowful and slowed tune in another, the four acts—Rosa Mistica, Made de Dios, Estrella de Mar, and Reina del Cielo—held our hands as we walked through the changes in historical events and Marian apparitions that accompanied each piece. Throughout each piece, the beauty that emerged from the clarity and power of Duarte’s voice and the ensemble’s playing was undeniable. As I looked around to the rest of the audience who now sat spellbound in their seats, I knew we were all asking ourselves the same question Juan Diego did back in 1531: Am I worthy of what I’m hearing?

Many of the pieces performed, having emerged from the mixing between indigenous, African, and European identities in 18th-century colonial Latin America, were most likely never imagined to be played in 21st-century Washington state. The Mystery of Mary certainly achieved their dedication to past stories and history through traditional percussional elements and the use of the recitative and aria in Duarte’s opera, both defining characteristic features of the Baroque age. Nevertheless, what I found more impressive was how much The Mystery of Mary felt relevant, and most importantly close, even though the pieces were written so long ago.

Part of this was due to the feeling that by the time intermission rolled around, there was no longer an unspoken barrier between the edges of the front row seats and the stage: nothing was separating the storyteller and audience members. We laughed alongside Henry Lebedinsky when he took a break from Harpsichord to unveil a tambourine and mirrored the expressions shared between Baroque violinists Cynthia Black and Tekla Cunningham after each intimate and vulnerable number. There was no music played during intermission but there is something to be said about the artistic nature of the community I found myself fortunate to observe that night. Through commendable storytelling and interaction both in and out of their playing, the audience was not only able to learn about the often under-shown history of colonial Latin America but experience and physically listen to the changes of time through depictions of the Virgin Mary as well.

Perhaps the point of the composition wasn’t meant to force us to question our worth like Juan Diego did in 1531, but instead to appreciate the opportunity to listen to history and acknowledge the beauty and the role of the Virgin Mary in Latin America together one cold December night. image credit: Pacific Musicworks

Lead Photo Credit: Cecilia Duarte, courtesy of Pacific Musicworks

The TeenTix Newsroom is a group of teen writers led by the Teen Editorial Staff. For each review, Newsroom writers work individually with a teen editor to polish their writing for publication. The Teen Editorial Staff is made up of 5 teens who curate the review portion of the TeenTix blog. More information about the Teen Editorial Staff can be found HERE.

The TeenTix Press Corps promotes critical thinking, communication, and information literacy through criticism and journalism practice for teens. For more information about the Press Corps program see HERE.

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December’s Kaleidoscope of Inspiration


Teen Editorial Staff December 2023 Editorial

Written by Teen Editorial Staff Members Anna Melomed and Daphne Bunker

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It's wintertime! Even in Seattle's bleakest months of the year, vibrancy and inspiration are definitely not gone from Seattle’s arts scene. This month our writers will be putting on their explorer hats and experiencing art from around the globe. So join them on experiences ranging from Indonesian Gamelan to Nordic sculptures to contemporary Seattle experimentation.

Seeking to disrupt and reinvent, NextFest NW 2023 at Velocity Dance is a celebration of experimentation. Northwestern artists Maximiliano, Kara Beadle, Danielle Ross, and Sophie Marie Schatz present a singular yet cohesive experience from dancing, movement, and light. NextFest runs December 7-9 + 14-16, so don’t miss the contemporary event of the season at 12th Ave Arts.

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LINEAJES: Unifying Cultural Identities Through Music

Review of Antonio M. Gómez: LINEAJES at Frye Art Musuem
Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer Juliana Agudelo Ariza and edited by Teen Editorial Staff Member Daphne Bunker

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Amid the sublime paintings of Frye Salon, instruments wait in the middle of the room. They cast a poignant presence on viewers, the silence of the room awaiting the cacophony of their mellifluous sounds. Until March 10, 2024, visitors coming to the Frye Art Museum will get to experience LINEAJES, an exhibit focused on the dynamic histories and rhythms of these instruments around the world, taken directly from the collection of Antonio M. Gómez. The exhibit juxtaposes the past and the present, and how the upholding of timeless methods continues to evolve and influence how those instruments are played today. LINEAJES brings to light the artistry behind the design of the instruments, their undeniable impact on the unification of cultural traditions, and the distinctive sounds that have become part of our own identities.

Frye Salon is an ideal setting for the art found within. This venue consists of white walls that are adorned with beautiful paintings, mostly by European artists. These artworks cast a golden shine with their elaborately-crafted frames.

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Harmonious Humor: When Classical Music Makes You Laugh

Review of John Malkovich in The Music Critic at Seattle Symphony

Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer Andrew Kim and edited by Teen Editorial Staff Member Kyle Gerstel


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In the famous Benaroya Hall, home to the Seattle Symphony, the internationally acclaimed show The Music Critic enthralled its packed audience with the first performance of its North American tour. A blend of classical music and comedy, the show creates a unique experience that features the work of some of the best composers in history like Beethoven and Chopin, performed by premier modern artists including pianist Hyung-ki Joo and violinist Aleksey Igudesman, along with renowned actor John Malkovich narrating. This seemingly unlikely trio meshes perfectly along with wonderful supporting musicians to create a show filled with beautiful melodies and hilarious reactions.

The Music Critic holds a collection of critiques of famous musicians presented by Malkovich, the ultimate critic. No matter the fame of the composer, Malkovich’s critic holds a sharp insult for everyone, believing all their music to be worthless. For each piece played, Malkovich speaks, and occasionally even yells, of the horrid music he hears, using quotes from critics in the past and, most hilariously, the internet. After the continuous barrage of insults from Malkovich, Igudesman, and Joo decide they have had enough and fight back. Igudesman crafted a clever musical piece accompanying critiques of Malkovich’s acting ability that provides a feeling of satisfaction as the evil critic gets a taste of his own medicine. After a seemingly fitting conclusion to the show, Igudesman and Joo carry on in the encore, playing Bach as a duet only to be interrupted by Malkvoich with such unintelligible recommendations, like somehow playing the piece more religiously, that made the encore extremely amusing and one of the best parts of the show.

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Bumberfluke

Written by TeenTix Newsroom Writer Maitreyi Parakh

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If you, like me up until a month ago, have no idea what Bumbershoot is and your knowledge of music festivals is limited to Coachella, this is the perfect article for you. I went into Labor Day weekend at Bumbershoot having done minimal research and expecting a completely different experience than what I actually felt. So you don't fall into the trap that I did: Bumbershoot is an annual arts festival in Seattle, which has been occurring for over fifty years—with this being its first year back since quarantine. It attempts to highlight local creatives, which tend to be mainly indie, rock, and country-leaning when it comes to music. However, it also includes many other kinds of artists, including designers, nail artists, and even cat circus performers!

It seems that somewhere in this massive range, the festival has lost sight of who it is trying to draw in. In 2019, The Seattle Times reported that "Bumbershoot’s target audience has been trending younger and that was clear as ever [that] year, with a lineup boasting enough collective Instagram followers to alter an election." Looking at the lineup now, I recognize each and every single name and would be buzzing with excitement to have the chance to see even one of them. However, this year seems to have taken an abrupt turn with the artists seeming to cater more to an older audience while many festival goers are in their late teens or twenties.

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Iris' Picks for Bumbershoot 2023

Written by TeenTix Intern Iris Opal

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Hello! I’m Iris, an intern at Teentix, a solo music producer for 5 years, and a transsexual woman. My eclectic taste greatly influences my personal work, and informed my choices of artists from the Bumbershoot roster. I’m really excited to see the great selection of extremely talented acts that will be performing this year. They put a lot of effort into showcasing a diverse array of genres and artists in their roster. My choices from the lineup will feature genres such as: shoegaze, jazz, and punk music. After I give you a run-down on the artists I chose, I’ll give some recommendations for related music to check out #1 DOMi and JD Beck

DOMi, a French keyboardist, and JD Beck, an American drummer, are a contemporary jazz duo signed to Blue Note records, a label synonymous with some of the greatest jazz artists of all time. Some of my favorite jazz CDs feature Blue Note on the spine.

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House Shows: A Look into Live Performances

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Welcome to the eighth episode of the TeenTix Arts Podcast (TAP)! At TAP, we aim to uplift youth voices and artists in the music scene through access to education and critical discussion.

What could be more on theme than highlighting the wonderful youth artists in the Seattle area. In this episode, Olivia and Triona dig into some great music from up-and-coming artists and discuss the significance of being a young mucisian today. You'll hear great song clips and further music recommendations. Enjoy!

Funding for TAP provided by 4Culture

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Local Youth Artists You Should Listen To

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Welcome to the seventh episode of the TeenTix Arts Podcast (TAP)! Here at TAP, we aim to uplift youth voices and artists in the local music scene through access to education and critical discussion. This month’s episode is on local youth artists, featuring interviews with Chloe Bilstad, Jack Frost, and Knight. Listen as they discuss what songs they're most proud of, how their music connects to their identity, and which other artists inspire their work!

Funding for TAP provided by 4Culture

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Music Production in a Modern World

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Welcome to the sixth episode of the TeenTix Arts Podcast (TAP)! Here at TAP, we aim to uplift youth voices and artists in the music scene through access to education and critical discussion.

In this episode, Josh and Triona discuss how music production has shifted in our new, digital age and how it has allowed artists to pursue music non-traditionally. We highlight why DIY production methods are so important to the ever-changing music scene and give our own insight on how this impacts the broader music industry. Listen in for a fascinating discussion on one of music’s most evolving topics!

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Soundtracks and Scores: The Tonal Foundations of Film

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Welcome to the fifth episode of the TeenTix Arts Podcast (TAP)! Here at TAP, we aim to uplift youth voices and artists in the music scene through access to education and critical discussion.

In this episode, Olivia and Xandra discuss the musical aspects of film and television. We define the difference between a soundtrack and a score, explore the impact audio has on stories told through a primarily visual medium, and share a few of our own favorite musical backdrops from movies and TV. Tune in for some nerdy insight into the ways music can shape our experience of stories!

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Dance and Sing Toward Summer

Teen Editorial Staff May 2023 Editorial

Written by Teen Editorial Staff Members Esha Potharaju and Yoon Lee

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The month of May is the last month of spring—enjoy it before the hot waves of summer hit us with our exclusive curation of art to experience this month!

If you’re in the business of unfiltered, unscripted stories, then The Moth Mainstage is the May event you’re looking for! Watch five storytellers develop and shape their stories with the Moth’s directors.

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Welcome Back Bumbershoot

Written by Cordelia Janow, TeenTix Alumni

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For Seattle music lovers, Bumbershoot is highly anticipated. This Labor Day Weekend, Bumbershoot returns for its 50th anniversary with a slew of exciting acts. Sleater-Kinny, the Washington State band famously named after a highway exit, headlines the festival, highlighting one of Washington’s biggest bands and the alternative music scene that Seattle is so famous for. I love Sleater-Kinny as a Seattle local and a lover of riot-grrrl music, which brings feminism, punk, and politics together. Sleater-Kinny is sure to deliver a great set full of hits and make everyone feel like a “Modern Girl”. For fans of Sleater-Kinny and the riot-grrrl movement like myself, Bumbershoot offers more than one exciting set.

Destroy Boys are sure to bring a high-energy performance full of angst and power, keeping the audience excited. Thunder Pussy, another Seattle group, does rock and roll on their own terms and is deeply authentic about it. Electronic meets riot grrl in Pussy Riot, the group known for its activism and danceable hits. These artists merge their art with their politics and send important messages to those in the crowds. Bumbershoot’s lineup doesn’t stick to just one genre though, it offers something for everyone. I look forward to indie rock bands such as Morgan and the Organ Donors, Shannon and the Clams, and Temples, who will bring good vibes to this year's performances. ZHU is another exciting act who will get the Bumbershoot crowds dancing with his upbeat techno and electronic sound.

A final personal favorite is Puddles Pity Party, the famous singing clown who offers his own twist on various hits from across decades. Bumbershoot is sure to be a great event for all music and art lovers, full of exciting and diverse acts that everyone can enjoy!

Check out the full artist line-up here: https://bumbershoot.com/music-...

Cordelia Janow (she/her) is a rising sophomore at The University of Southern California. She is a double major, studying Theatre and American Popular Culture. Cordelia grew up on Bainbridge Island, and was heavily involved with the theatre scene both on the island and in Seattle. She has been a TeenTix member for years and is so excited to be writing for them this summer! In her free time, she loves to listen to music, play guitar, read, and go for bike rides.

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Reinvigorate Yourself This Spring

Teen Editorial Staff April 2023 Editorial

Written by Teen Editorial Staff Members Aamina Mughal and Audrey Gray

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Even though we’re on the tail ends of the UW cherry blossoms, the spirit of reinvigoration, renewal, and reinvention remains in the air in the Seattle arts scene. In April we traveled from Jet City Improv to the Henry Art Gallery quintessential spring atmospheres. We hope you’ve been taking advantage of the nice weather and visiting all of our amazing arts partners!

We first see this theme of reinvention at the Henry with Thick as Mud, an exhibit that explores how mud represents the relationship between humanity and geography. The multimedia showing explores the violence inflicted against the environment as well as the potential for preservation and reinvigoration. Similarly, Ikat at the Seattle Art Museum uses an immersive experience to remind us of the importance of the tangible in terms of fashion. SAM describes this as “A radical departure from today’s factory-made cloth, Ikat serves as a reminder of the power of slow fashion and the sacredness of clothing as art”.

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Youth Orchestras: Public and Private

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Welcome to the fourth episode of the TeenTix Arts Podcast (TAP)! In this episode, Olivia and Josh begin to unpack the importance of music education with a focus on school and private orchestras. We talk with former local school orchestra conductor Kai Hedin about how they've worked to serve their students and why their job are so necessary. We also discuss the impact music education has had on our own lives. Tune in to hear about all the ways orchestral music can be transformative for youth!

You can also listen on:

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The Grammys: Beyond Just the Awards

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Welcome to the third episode of the TeenTix Arts Podcast (TAP)! Here at TAP, we aim to uplift youth voices and artists in the music scene through access to education and critical discussion.

In this episode, Xandra and Triona explore the semi-recent Grammy Awards. We discuss the Grammys' relevance to young people today, ask musician and Pacific Northwest Grammy Board member Victoria Contreras about her work with the organization, and share our own thoughts on this year's program. Listen to find out what the Grammys do outside of the one big night!Listen now on your favorite platform:YouTubeSpotifySoundcloudCheck out our March playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7DP...TAP Intro/Outro Music:"Periwinkle" (Instrumental) by Aleyanna Grae IG: @grae.dreamer

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