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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 17, 2018)
MAY 17, 2018 // 21 Irreverent, introspective Ezra Bell plays Fort George Ezra Bell plays Fort George Brewery + Public House on Sunday, May 20. COURTESY OF LIBERTY THEATRE Solstice Wind Quintet Solstice Wind Quintet blows through Astoria ASTORIA — As part of the Classical Series, Solstice Wind Quintet is performing new works by Washington composer Ryan Hare for flute, clarinet, oboe, horn and bassoon 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, at the Liberty Theatre, 1203 Commercial St. Tickets are $20 general admission. The Solstice Wind Quin- tet is the resident faculty wind quintet at Washington State University. Every year, Solstice tours throughout the Northwest, receiving enthu- siastic acclaim for vibrant performances of standard and modern repertoire, as well as exciting new works composed especially for the ensemble. Founded in 1978, the group regularly performs on prestigious chamber music series, at universities, art museums and public schools. In fall 2005, Solstice performed a live concert for National Public Radio’s “St. Paul Sunday,” which was broadcast on Northwest Pub- lic Radio. Both this concert and the Quintet’s CD titled “Solstice Live” have been regularly featured by NWPR in their spring fundrais- er campaigns. Individual members of the quintet have extensive professional expe- rience in symphony, opera and ballet orchestras. Composer Hare teaches composition, music theory and bassoon at Washington State University, where he is a professor of music. Having served as composer in residence for the Washing- ton Idaho Symphony from 2011-2015, his compositions have been heard in numer- ous venues and festivals throughout the U.S., and also in the U.K., Germany, Austria, Chile, Thailand, China and the Philippines. Named “Composer of the Year” in 2012 by the Wash- ington State Music Teacher’s Association, an honor which endowed a paid commission, other recent honors include a prestigious Artist Trust Fellowship, grants from New Music USA’s “MetLife Creative Connections” program, the ASCAP Plus Award, as well as various grants funded internally at WSU including the Edward R. Meyer Project Grant. Commissions and premieres include those from the Mid-Columbia Symphony, Washington Idaho Sym- phony, Affinity Chamber Players, University of Idaho Vandaleers Concert Choir and the Lake Forest College Chamber Orchestra. ASTORIA — Ezra Bell was founded around the irreverent and introspec- tive songwriting of Benjamin Wua- mett. Carving a wide path through the musical spectrum, Ezra Bell brushes up against folk, jazz, blues, rock, pop and R&B. The band plays an all-ages show at Fort George Brewery + Public House at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 20. There’s never a cover. Formed in Portland in late 2013, Ezra Bell was a changing cast of characters before settling into its sound. Bassist Darren Moore, drummer Tom Starbright Entertainment Trotter, horn player and arranger Aaron Mattison, and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Asay provide an often unsettling backdrop for the playful and sometimes vicious vocals of frontman Wuamett. According to the Willamette Weekly, “Ezra Bell flirts with a broader palette of country, jazz, rock ’n’ roll and swing, and does so admirably, with an outlaw’s shamelessness.” Ezra Bell has released three EPs, Don’t All Look Up at Once, 2013; We Came by Canoe, 2015; and Farewell Griffin, 2016. A full-length debut is set to be released this spring. Building a better backyard for birds ASTORIA — Which birds are you likely to see in your backyard, and what do they need to thrive? Join Nikkie West, Portland Audubon’s backyard habitat program manager, as she discusses ways that you can provide food, water, and shelter for birds and other wildlife — right in your own backyard at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 23, at the Barbey Maritime Center, 1792 Marine Drive. The Creating Backyard Habitats event is free. From simple to elaborate — learn how to attract more species diversity, which berry-producing shrubs are bird favorites and how to naturally provide three seasons of nectar and pollen for hummingbirds and other pollinators. Get inspired to attract more birds to your back- yard. Gardeners will learn about the Backyard Habitat Certification Pro- gram that supports home gardeners in their efforts to create natural backyard habitats. A TRIBUTE TO CREEDENCE AND JOHN FOGERTY YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS! All The Hits! Sou’Wester Garden Club plant sale Saturday, May 26 Starring Randy Linder 9am-Noon Seaside Convention Center Wide Variety of Plants & Planters Get your tickets now! 503-325-5922 x55 (Box Office) or www.libertyastoria.org Raffle and Silent Auction
