arts – Page 2 – Notes n Letters

Neapolitan crèche in The Plains

Except for a lone cow, the stable stands empty in the Nativity scene at Grace Episcopal Church in the Fauquier County town of The Plains.

The creche is unlike those commonly seen in churches and front yards beginning the month before Christmas, typically featuring figures of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the stable, often joined by shepherds, angels, wise men and animals.

Instead, the scene is an imaginative, highly detailed, miniature representation of life in the city of Bethlehem. Townspeople are seen going about their daily business of baking bread, weaving fabric and even taking a nap. As the holiday approaches, more figures will be added to the scene to illustrate the Christmas story.

Full story

The Washington Post, Dec. 18, 2016

WW II Army doctor’s daughter publishes his letters

Author Laura Cantor Zelman autographs a copy of her book at Ashby Ponds.

Milton Cantor hoped to write a book someday based on the letters he sent home to his wife while he was serving as a U.S. Army doctor during World War II. The correspondence describes his wartime experiences in Britain, France, Germany and Czechoslovakia, as well as at several Army bases in the United States.

He never did get around to writing that book. After the war, he devoted himself to his medical practice and his family, which grew to include four daughters. He continued to practice medicine until his death at age 74.

This year, Cantor’s oldest daughter, Laura Cantor Zelman, fulfilled her father’s dream by writing and publishing “In My Father’s Words: The World War II Letters of an Army Doctor,” which draws from more than 500 letters he wrote to his wife, Rose, between 1941 and 1945.

Full story

The Washington Post, Dec. 11, 2016

Holy City paintings displayed at National Cathedral

Over the past two decades, Brian Whelan has created countless paintings of holy cities, which he describes as “thin places where heaven and Earth seem so close as to actually touch.”

Whelan, who lives in the western Loudoun County village of Waterford, is particularly fascinated by the idea of cities where shrines, temples, cathedrals and mosques attract pilgrims of the three Abrahamic faiths — Judaism, Christianity and Islam — coexisting in peace and harmony.

Nine of Whelan’s paintings are on display in “Holy City,” an exhibition running through January at the Washington National Cathedral. The works are arranged in rows of three, forming a 9-by-12-foot mural in which the scenes blend seamlessly. Having exhibited his works at the cathedral previously, he approached officials about displaying his paintings of holy cities, which he had completed over two years.

Full story

Washington Post, December 4, 2016

Car Seat Headrest in the News – Sept. 2016

“[Will Toledo’s] staring straight at success’s snarling face, as generations of artists have before him, and choosing to remain vulnerable for art’s sake.”

–Hannah Hron on The Current (Minneapolis Public Radio), Sept. 29, 2016

“Car Seat Headrest seized the Majestic with raw, emotional energy.”

–Matthew Norman in the Badger Herald, Sept. 29, 2016

“I was floored by the level of performative polish they brought when given their own full set at an actual theater.”

–Amileah Sutliff in the Daily Cardinal, Sept. 29, 2016

“Car Seat Headrest were in Minneapolis last night when Will Toledo broke out into a piano-driven rendition of ‘Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales,’ before the rest of the band joined in.”

–Josh Rosenberg on Spin, Sept. 29, 2016

“The up-and-coming singer-songwriter reaches nostalgic adults and upbeat teenagers alike with his anthemic songs.”

–Brian Koppelman’s “The Moment” podcast on Slate, Sept. 27, 2016

“The Seattle-based band’s ‘Teens of Denial’ may be the best indie rock album of the year”

–Cormier in USA Today, Sept. 25, 2016

“Will Toledo…has certainly started a conversation, and, based on the size and energy of the crowd at Mercy Lounge, he is succeeding in getting his message across.”

–Matt Hall on No Country, Sept. 23, 2016

“His grungy, yet unforgettable guitar riffs paired with his semi-sarcastic lyrics is what makes him one of the best singer-songwriters out in the music world today.”

–Cullen Lewis on CincyMusic.com, Sept. 23, 2016

“On the eve of his band’s sold-out show at Thalia Hall on Friday night, Toledo talked about his strange new life as a rock star in the making.”

–Allison Stewart in the Chicago Tribune, Sept. 22, 2016

“CityBeat recently tracked down Toledo to discuss his move from bedroom craftsman to the maestro of a fully realized band.”

–Jason Gargano in CityBeat (Cincinnati), Sept. 21, 2016

“Band of the Week: Car Seat Headrest”

–Jeff Niesel in Cleveland Scene, Sept. 21, 2016

“Toledo’s lyrics, filled with relatable yet idiosyncratic metaphors for love and heartbreak, just beg to be sung in a sweaty crowd of people, and so they were.”

–Matt Bobkin on Exclaim!, Sept. 20, 2016

“It’s introspective, self-deprecating, and nothing like the trendy pop-centric rock of the past decade. The songs are personal, imaginative and intelligent.”

–David Safar re: “Teens of Denial” on The Current, Sept. 19, 2016

“While the groggy vocals and bittersweet lyrics depict a downtrodden saga, the musicality of the songs lift spirits and feed the soul.”

–Taylor Shellman re: “Teens of Denial” on The Human Writes, Sept. 19, 2016

“How Car Seat Headrest went from bedroom band to internet sensation”

–Kinza Shenn on Hero, Sept. 19, 2016

“What really illustrated the band’s rise was the amount of singing along the whole Bowery crowd was doing at Thursday’s show…to nearly every song…”

–Bill Pearis on Brooklyn Vegan, Sept. 16, 2016

“It’s hard to put a finger on why they are so darn appealing, but it’s something in the dynamic shifts of Toledo’s vocals from low rumbling to piercing power that just impales your soul. It doesn’t hurt that his songwriting is just as incredible.”

—JamBase, Sept. 16, 2016

“Car Seat Headrest, in spite of the choice of musical subjects and themes, isn’t teenage music. Everyone feels the angst of humanity occasionally, or often. All adults were once teens, and teens are people too. His themes are ours.”

–Julia McAnly on Smile Politely, Sept. 14, 2016

“Instead of musing about what influenced his songwriting, we asked Toledo himself.”

–Cam Lindsay in NOW Toronto Magazine, Sept. 14, 2016

“…the first Matador release of new songs is full of narratives and themes unfolding throughout its songs; one of the year’s best albums.”

–Mike Gerry on Open Ears Music, Sept. 13, 2016

“…the 24-year-old Toledo is being praised as one of the best young songwriters in indie rock.”

–Hal Bienstock on AMNewYork, Sept. 13, 2016

“The [Atlanta] show was a potent distillation of the singular mix of introversion and aggression, vulnerability and empowerment, insouciance and precision that makes Car Seat Headrest one of the best rising acts in rock.”

–Scott Russell in Paste Magazine, Sept. 9, 2016

“Toledo’s unassuming nature as the front man of Car Seat Headrest is the stuff romantic indie notions are made of, and all adulation is totally deserved…”

–Sean McQ on LockelandSprintsteen.com, Sept. 9, 2016

“Car Seat Headrest is already going where indie rock is set to head in the near future. They break boundaries without trying at all, and put on a humble performance with no shortcuts.”

–Olivia Ladd in MTSU Sidelines, Sept. 8, 2016

“Indie rockers, Car Seat Headrest, played a cover of Frank Ocean’s Blonde cut, ‘Ivy,’ at their latest show in St Louis.”

—Conversations About Her, Sept. 7, 2016

“At a recent in show in St. Louis, Car Seat Headrest performed a cover of Frank Ocean’s Blonde highlight ‘Ivy.’ ”

–Noah Yoo on Pitchfork, Sept. 6, 2016

“During a show at St. Louis’ Ready Room, Will Toledo aka Car Seat Headrest gave a raggedy, emotionally-unhinged rendition of ‘Ivy,’ one of Blonde’s most immediate tracks.”

—DIY Magazine, Sept. 6, 2016

“…thanks to Indieheads Podcast, we can see what happens when one of 2016’s best artists covers another of 2016’s best artists. Toledo definitely transforms the song in his musical image…”

–Cameron Wade in Paste Magazine, Sept. 6, 2016

“The performance gave a rougher, rawer edge to Ocean’s satin smooth original: an injection of angst and pain into a song that is, after all, about falling out of love and growing old. The result is cathartic.”

–Gavin Butler on Pages Digital, Sept. 6, 2016

“Outside of Frank covers, the up-and-coming act are definitely worth a listen. Though they didn’t make it into my recap, they were one of the most entertaining sets at Made In America and their latest album is destined to get spins well beyond 2016.”

–Alex Galbraith on Uproxx, Sept. 6, 2016

“Hitting Ocean’s notes is no easy feat, but head Headrest Will Toledo isn’t one to shy away from covering big names…”

–Anna Gaca on Spin, Sept. 6, 2016

“Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest covered [‘Ivy’] at St. Louis’ Ready Room last night totally solo, and though Ocean’s isn’t an easy voice to imitate, Toledo’s take is pretty good.”

–Gabriela Tully Claymore on Stereogum, Sept. 6, 2016

“With this summer’s ‘Teens of Denial,’ Will Toledo and friends take a tremendous artistic step forward, proving the dynamism of vulnerability and ultimately making a compelling case for 2016’s record of the year.”

–Adam Ramos in The Observer (Notre Dame/Saint Mary’s), Sept. 5, 2016

“The life experiences in Toledo’s songwriting are more than just songwriting. He’s referred to [his] albums as emotional weather patterns.”

–Brittain Thompson in The Local Voice (Oxford, MS), Sept. 3, 2016

“…a hell of a first impression, a testament to Toledo’s unlikely prowess and proof that DIY gumption can indeed accomplish more, accomplish something.”

–D. Patrick Rodgers in Nashville Scene, Sept. 1, 2016

“CSH falls into a genre of itself. Covering a wide range of genres and topics, fans must be ready to expect anything from him.”

–Livvy Cohen in The Charger Online, Sept. 1, 2016

Authors to sign sports-themed books

As the public information officer for the Loudoun County school system, Wayde Byard is one of the best-known local officials. In winter, children, parents and school staff members eagerly anticipate hearing his voice on phone alerts announcing weather-related school closings.

Now Byard is directing his voice toward a new audience, as the author of a history of the Washington Redskins. His first book, “The Burgundy and Gold Standard,” has been published by Mascot Books, which is based in Herndon.

Byard and two other local authors will sign their sports-related books Tuesday at an event in Ashburn. Joining Byard will be Andrea Alexander, who has written two sports biographies for children, and Ann Good, author of “Washington Nationals A to Z.” The event will raise funds for Glory Days Live, a nonprofit group Alexander is launching to raise money and equipment to help children from low-income families play sports.

Read on…

Washington Post, July 24, 2016

Library celebrates local authors

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Karen Schaufeld (center) reads from her book “Larry and Bob” to a group of children.

When Sandra Kovacs Stein noticed that ravens were building a nest on the Purcellville water tower near her home, she began taking pictures of them.

Karen Schaufeld would watch eagles carry fish and other small creatures back to their nest on her property near Leesburg.

Cheryl Somers Aubin was moved by a newspaper story about a Callery pear tree that somehow survived the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and was buried under the rubble of New York’s twin towers.

During a celebration of local authors and food sources at the Cascades Library in Potomac Falls on June 18, the three women told of how the majesty and mystery of nature inspired them to write their books for children. They were among more than two dozen writers who participated in the first “Eat Local, Read Local” event, which helped kick off the library system’s summer reading program.

Full story…

Washington Post, June 26, 2016

New mural for Leesburg garage

With the help of some local high school students, Leesburg artist Kevin Dunn is adding a splash of color to one of the drab gray walls of Leesburg’s downtown parking garage.

Last weekend, several art students from Tuscarora and Heritage high schools joined Dunn in painting a bicycle-themed mural he designed to serve as a backdrop to some bike racks inside the garage. Dunn and other proponents of bringing art to public places hope the project will revive interest in creating a larger mural on an exterior wall of the garage.

Full story…

Washington Post, June 19, 2016

Loudoun Symphony to debut award-winning composition

Steven Snethkamp, a composer based in East Lansing, Mich., will find himself in esteemed company Saturday, when his name joins those of composers such as Beethoven and Mussorgsky on the program of “Orchestral Palettes,” the final concert of the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra’s 25th-anniversary season.

The centerpiece of the concert, at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, will be the professional premiere of Snethkamp’s composition, “Interstellar Arias,” winner of this year’s American Composer Competition. The concert will open with Beethoven’s “Consecration of the House Overture” and conclude in grand fashion with Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

Bluegrass beat goes on

They arrive early, sometimes as much as an hour before the first note is played.

Residents of Morningside House, a Leesburg assisted-living facility, come to the dining room and position their wheelchairs or claim seats in rows of chairs — just as they have nearly every Tuesday evening for 19 years. The folding doors at the front of the room are opened to reveal the activity room, which has been transformed into a stage. One by one, the musicians take their places.

Promptly at 7 p.m., guitarist Bob Brown opens the show with a joke and then introduces the first song, and the musicians launch into an up-tempo rendition of a classic Lefty Frizzell song. The longest-running weekly jam session in Loudoun County is underway.

Manassas-area children’s choirs

About 70 Manassas-area children are joining their voices in song as members of a new choral group that began rehearsing last month.

The Greater Manassas Children’s Choir, an offshoot of the Manassas Chorale, is divided by age into two singing groups, each with a director. Becky Verner leads about 50 children in grades 5 through 8, and Susan Dommer is head of a smaller group of children in grades 2 through 4.

Read more…

Washington Post, October 11, 2015