northwest
Ainsworth House Festival
New owner brings world-class performances to Oregon City
by Malka Geffen
«
regon City is in for quite a summer. The
Catholic Church, an independent church that
historic Ainsworth House and Gardens is ordains married and single, straight and queer men
celebrating its new ownership and
and women. He is also author of Acts of Salvation,
rejuvenation with the Summer Arts at
a bcxik of eight plays, and a new musical with
Ainsworth Festival. Gay proprietor composer Peter Welch titled Rings, Rites & Reasons.
Kevin Yell invites the public to join in three weeks
“The world does not need another parish or
of learning, stewardship and sharing with inter­ church, but many people need someone to walk
nationally renowned instructors from July 24
with them as they face important questions," Yell
through Aug. 11. The program’s theme is “Art as
says. “That is what 1 feel I am called to do. Just be
Collaboration,” and Yell hopes this annual event
here, do my work and create a place where people
will help put Oregon City on the map.
can come to rest, play, pray and touch the divine
The Ainsworth House was built in 1851 for
within themselves and others.”
Capt. John C. Ainsworth and his bride. In 1990,
At the Ainsworth House, Yell hosts weddings,
the property was renovated and run as a bed and
commitment ceremonies and corporate events to
breakfast after being saved from demolition. The
provide the financial stability to offer other events
house was later sold for private ownership and, after
that are hard to sustain commercially but “necessary
sitting empty, was purchased by Yell one year ago.
for the well-being of society and the future.”
Yell, who has refurbished the property, is also a
The three-week sessions of the program are
open to local singers and pianists, instrumentalists
lover of the arts.
and teenage actors/dramatists. Weeks one and two
“I love learning and reaching,” he says. “1 now
are specifically geared toward college-level
have a place of great beauty where people can do
musicians, serious amateurs and semi or emerging
both. I also have friends and contacts who are
world-class in their fields, so the festival is a great
professionals looking for help moving to the next
level in their skills set.
way to get them to come stay for a week and share
Week one, “As One Voice,” is a class for singers
their talents and gifts in the process.”
and pianists with Daniel Lockert. “He is quite simply
Originally from Leicester, England, Yell came to
brilliant,” says Yell about the international accompa­
the United States in 1991 to earn a master’s degree in
nist and music director. “Plus he has a natural collab­
theology and the arts at Graduate Theology Union
in Berkeley, Calif. He is ordained with the American orative style, which is perfect for the opening week.”
O
Next up is “Music of
the Salon,” a class for
instrumentalists with
Amy Schwartz Moretti,
Isabelle Chapius and
Mark
Star.
“The
instructors for the sec­
The Ainsworth House and Gardens, in all its glory, will be home to the
ond week are all new
inaugural summer arts festival.
friends. Their individual
I wanted the local LGBT community to he aware
reputations are amazing, so 1 am just delighted they
of the festival and to know they and their families
all said yes.”
are welcome to attend. It will be a safe and encour­
Week three, “Prequel &. Sequel,” is a class for
aging place for everyone to learn.”
young actors ages 12 to 16 with Michael Mansfield
The three individual sessions will culminate
and Kelley Marchant. “I’ve worked with Michael
with performances at 7:30 p.m. July 28 and Aug. 4
Mansfield for years, and he is held in very high regard
around the country for his approach to youth creativ­ and 7 p.m. Aug. 11. “People can expect to see
passionate performing and joy. I’ve no idea who will
ity,” says Yell. “Kelley Marchant is great and has
be chosen to present, nor their level of perform­
worked with kids a lot, so it’s a perfect pairing of a
ance. I do know the results will be exciting.”
local and visiting leader.”
Yell adds: “Auditors are allowed the first two
Yell adds: “I got tired of people saying, ‘You
weeks, too, so even if you can’t sing or ¡May, you can
have to go to London, to New York, to San
Francisco....’ I want to bring the sort of inter­ come and listen during the day each week. That’s
what I’ll be doing.” ©
national quality that big towns naturally attract to
foster the great quality that exists in places like
For more information about the SUMMER ARTS AT
Clackamas Community College, the local high
schools like Rex Putnam and local music teachers A insworth F estival call 505'957'5722 or visit
www.summerartsatainsworth.com . Most classes arul
and societies here and in West Linn, Lake Oswego
the three finale concerts are open to the public,
and surrounding towns. Of course, everyone from
though tickets are limited.
Portland metro area is invited! And, as a gay man,
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