What's happening at The Arizona Consortium?

We are featured on About.com. To read - Click on the link http://nonprofit.about.com/u/sty/profiles/causeofweek/Building-a-Multicultural-Arts-Center-in-AZ.htm  Joanne Fritz, Nonprofit Charitable Orgs Guide, says: “You must take a look at the wonderful Blue Guitar Magazine. I love the intergenerational aspect of all the contributions. Wonderful reading!”        

rebeccadyer@theblueguitarmagazine.org . For more information, visit www.theblueguitarmagazine.org .

rebeccadyer@theblueguitarmagazine.org . For more information, visit www.theblueguitarmagazine.org .

We participated at the Scottsdale Quarter Holiday performance project on Saturday, December 10/11. Nikki and Grace Tordil, Jonathan Gabriel, the AZ Classical Kids, Zhanna Tevan and Neil Dicks performed. Many thanks to all the performers. You were amazing!!! A huge thank you to Lynita Johnson of the Scottsdale Quarter for securing the event. To see a short video click here- Scottsdale Quarter Holiday Performance  To see images from the event click here: http://t.co/1B1FOOhF 

It is a comforting thought that, in this era of financial cuts to anything resembling the arts and writing in particular, our State of Arizona actually has a Consortium for the Arts. Sure, it may not be the grand-scale financing that we all might wish for, but we do have support.

The Consortium is supported in part by the Arizona Commission for the Arts with funding from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.  All of us who support our local PBS station and NPR should rejoice. We are part of that bigger picture too.

The Blue Guitar is the Arizona Consortium for the Arts on-line literary magazine. It is free and offered up to the public as a showcase for the various talents our State is proud to sponsor. To access the magazine, please go to their website, www.theblueguitarmagazine.org , where the current Fall Issue  is available for your free downloading and reading pleasure.  

The Blue Guitar offers a selection of art, poetry, and a variety of writing talents.

 Folks, please help spread the word that the issue is now available for free downloading by letting your family, friends, students, classmates, co-workers, and colleagues know! We should be proud to live in a state where this kind of support is available.

By the way, one of my essays, Arizona Winter Sunrise , and one of my poems, A Barrio Christmas, are featured in this Fall Issue.

Thank you so much. Enjoy and forward on if you wish.

The Summer 2011 Issue features all-Arizona writers, poets, artists, musicians and musical and dance groups, including: Arizona Classical Kids • Carrie Backe • Renee Bau • Alicia Bay Laurel • Lynn Black • Effie Bouras • Evonne Bowling • Marjory Boyer • David Chorlton • Joshua Daniel Cochran • William W. Don Carlos • Jonelle Farr • Hilary Gan • Jonathan Gabriel • Ehren Fritz Gerhard • Grupo Folklorico I’naru • J. Michael Green • Cora Holley • Tobi Lopez Taylor • Joan McConnell • Kaitlin Meadows • Sara T. Moore • Kelly Nelson • Andrew Pentis • Tye Rabens • Issac Real • Hannah Richard • Esther Schnur-Berlot • Michael E. Singer • Natalia Spannaus • SMUDD rock and roll band • Lilvia Soto • Zhanna Tevan • Dustin Volz

Click on  www.theblueguitarmagazine.org  to read and download the Summer 2011 issue

June, 2011- Many thanks to United Networking Group for hosting "A Break From Business - "Support the Arts" Summer Event " on Friday, June 17, 2011. Thank you Eric Aceves for organizing the event. To see Images  http://animoto.com:80/s/RGnwLhXOiPdKzpsyTh596Q

May, 2011

On Sunday, May 22, over thirty people came to the A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS and Letters  at Dog-Eared Pages Books. For four hours writers and musicians kept the open mic going and the crowd entertained. Hosted by local novelist, Ken Weene, the open mic was the focal point of a lively event. In addition to The Consortium for the Arts, attendees learned about such groups as The Phoenix Film Society, The Downtown Chamber Series, The Arizona State Poetry Society, The Downtown Central Phoenix Writers’ Meetup, and The Arizona Author’s Association. Many thanks to all of the talented, creative authors, poets and musicians that participated, it was loads of fun!  You can watch it here.  A huge thank you to Chair of Event, Kenneth Weene, Melanie Tighe and Phoenix Body Mind and Soul magazine and everyone for all your hard work and for advertizing this event. The Consortium and Dog-Eared Pages have decided to combine our monthly “meet and greet and arts and culture talks” and continue the open mic format from 3-5 PM on the last Sunday of every month, so bring your art, poetry, stories or music.
 

We are proud to present the Spring 2011 Issue of The Blue Guitar Magazine - Dedicated to the People of Tucson. A huge Thank - You to Editor in Chief, Rebecca Dyer; Production Editor, Richard H. Dyer Jr., all the talented writers and artists, Marjory Boyer for artwork - front and back covers.

Click on The Blue Guitar   Spring 2011 issue. 

                                Editor's Note

                           Rebecca "Becca" Dyer

From a distance, as you drive into Tucson from the north, you can see the back of the Santa Catalina Mountains rise up. If the sun’s angle is just right, you can see the ridges of the range running smoothly up and downlike sinews. I say the back of the Catalinas only because when you live in Tucson, you become spoiled by the front views, nestled as Tucson is in a desert valley, comfortably cradled among four ranges — the Catalinas, the Santa Ritas, the Tucsons, the Rincons. It was almost a prayerlike chant reciting their names and their directions to remember them: the Catalinasto the north, the Santa Ritas to the south, the Tucsons (although we say Tucson Mountains) to the west, the Rincons to the east. It was impossible to get lost as long as you knew which mountain range was which.I was born and raised in Tucson and met my husband there at the University of Arizona. My side of the family still calls Tucson home. Growing up, I remember equating Tucson’s hot, dry climate and desert setting, its palm trees,brush, cactuses and mountains, with the Holy Land. This is what it must be like, I thought, this is what a spiritual place must be like. I still carry that spirit inside me. Call it what you will, but such a spirit has helped Tucson rise up after the unimaginable tragedy of Jan. 8.Like the strong backs of the mountains ringing it, the city bears its grief and pain with dignity. It is willing itself to keep going, to salvage what it can, to focus on the good, to continue to reach out to those seemingly unreachable.The rest of the state, indeed the nation and the world, could learn from such faith and perseverance, this unwavering sense of commitment and community.With this issue, our fervent prayer is that the healing power of hope, like the desert’s miraculous rain, will continue to renew and restore, and love, like the wildflowers that each year signal spring, will continue toabound. To the people of Tucson, especially to those who have suffered hardship and pain but continue to reach out and endure, this issue is lovingly dedicated.

A fashion runway workshop to benefit Arizona Consortium for the Arts charity is a huge success!


On March 12, 2011, Arizona Model and Actor Management partnered with Monique Fagre Swimwear to bring an incredible morning of "Runway Tips and Techniques" workshop to all the participants ranging from ages 5 to their 40s. The workshop was provided through the graciousness and generosity of designer Monica Samuels. Monica has a tremendous talent for design as well as a background in modeling and runway. She has worked with her swimsuit models on runways for Phoenix Fashion Week, Scottsdale Fashion Week and many other events. Monica's partner, Maria Elena Fagre, assisted with the workshop. The workshop was an incredible experience for all of the participants. Everyone received personal attention. The benefit of confidence and self-esteem building was evident from the participants' smiles, especially for the little ones.

Mesa Community College donated two classrooms for the workshop. The director of the Fashion Merchandising Program at MCC, Evonne Bowling, graciously planned for the classroom space and the runway. Also, Sondra Barr, the 202 Magazine's editor, arranged for Sam Evans to be the event's photographer.

The organizer of the event, Gail E. McCauley, president of Arizona Model and Actor Management and one of the advisers for the Arizona Consortium for the Arts stated: "I thought of an idea to give back to our community by making this workshop where everyone would benefit. The purpose of this workshop is for 100% of the proceeds to go toward this wonderful charity to support their arts and cultural events, projects and vision."

Elena Thornton, director for the Arizona Consortium for the Arts, was in attendance at the workshop and talked about the vision of establishing a multicultural art center with an open-door policy. Elena said that the consortium seeks to utilize an existing facility or to build a new one. She also shared the rendering of the dream facility with everyone. The rendering was completed by Effie Bouras, building designer, Mechanik Design Office, LLC. 

For more information about how you can join in the efforts and get involved with the Arizona Consortium for the Arts visit: www.artizona.org.
   
For more information about Arizona Model and Actor Management visit: www.azmodelandactormanagement.com

March 2011

A benefit concert to benefit Arizona World Music Initiative and the Arizona Consortium for the Arts is a huge success!

Click Play Video to see some images from the event!

December 2010

Center for the arts - Annual Arts festival

Our Consortium had a booth at the Phoenix Center for the Arts – Annual Arts Festival December 3 and 4. Many thanks to Stacia Holmes and Carmela Ramirez, Phoenix Center for the Arts and the Phoenix Center Association for donating the vendor booth/space to us. The Festival was a great time for all! There were great artists showing their works and the food vendor's treats were delicious. There were many wonderful performances by children and adults throughout the two day festival, including, Gabriel Bey - Spooky Kool and friends music group performed and Groupo Folklorico I'naru Colorful Dance group performed. Everyone was thrilled to see the children's performance of the Classical Ballet Company under the artistic Direction of Cecilia Fisher. It is a program of the Maryvale Community Center. Thank you to Jorn P. Bates for helping to set up for the event and thank you to Cynthia Bowers of Phoenix Volunteers for helping recruit the wonderful and caring volunteers to help with the tear down and clean up.

The Blue Guitar Magazine - 2010 Fall Issue

November 2010

We are proud to present the Fall 2010 issue of The Blue Guitar Magazine. A huge thank you to Editor in Chief, Rebecca Dyer; Production Editor, Richard H. Dyer Jr., all the talented poets and artists, and Marjory Boyer for artwork front and back covers.

Click here to read Editor’s note and to read the magazine. www.theblueguitarmagazine.org

ArtFall Benefit

September 2010

Davin Lavikka graciously provided his new spacious gallery, Method, for an ArtFall Benefit to benefit our consortium.
Visit the gallery: www.methodart.com. Artist's reception for the Los Angeles photographer Jonathan Brandstein and his project, Sultans of Sand. Michael E. Singer performed beautiful melodies. Dare to Cook's Donna Dante and Samosa Hut's Julie and Rick Mukherjee offered tastings of their special delicacies. Senorita Limonita provided tastings of her fabulous (modified for the event) new frozen virgin margaritas. Olivia provided tastings of the ionized alkaline water. Many thanks to Crystal Achey for organizing this event.
Our sincere appreciation to Davin and Michelle Lavikka, all the participants and sponsors.Jonathan Brandstein's TV Interview:
http://www.azcentral.com Art Photo Exhibit

The Blue Guitar Magazine - 2010 Summer issue

August 2010

We are proud to present the Summer 2010 Issue of The Blue Guitar Magazine. A huge Thank - You to Editor in Chief, Rebecca Dyer; Production Editor, Richard H. Dyer Jr.
Welcome to the inaugural summer edition of The Blue Guitar!
www.theblueguitarmagazine.org

This edition represents so many firsts for us — our first summer issue — stemming from the need to showcase so many great submissions that came to us for spring, so many that our cup literally ranneth over. Also, after featuring in our first three issues the work of the winning artist in our cover design contest, as well as the work of the two runnersup, for the first time we have opened up the magazine to juried art — for this issue, the works reflect the theme “Images of Summer.” Distinctive writers, poets and artists — all Arizona residents — have contributed to our first summer
issue. At a time when our society’s one-size-fits-all mentality threatens to overwhelm, our individual voices struggle to be heard. We at The Blue Guitar magazine remain dedicated to these unique voices and are committed to bringing to you our readers their unique reflections of the human heart. As always, thank you for submitting and thank you for reading!

2nd annual Blue Guitar Festival of the Arts

April 2010

Event a smash hit with attendees
On April 18th, the Arizona Consortium for the Arts held its 2nd Annual Festival of music, arts, cultures. Additionally, the inaugural of the The Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and the Spring 2010 edition of The Blue Guitar magazine was celebrated  at the ASU West campus in Glendale. The all-volunteer event was free and was attended by many people from the community throughout the day. They were welcomed by Rebecca Dyer, the Editor in Chief of the magazine, Elena Thornton, president of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts, and the sponsor of the event, Nuha Sarraj, president of the ASU Kurdish Youth Club. The community was treated to a robust sampling of music, opera, ballet and readings by writers in The Blue Guitar magazine and The Blue Guitar Jr. magazine. It was truly a history-making day, made possible through the planning and organizing of the consortium’s cadre of hardworking volunteers.
The event began with musical performances by the Consortium’s talented Arizona Classical Kids under the tutelage of Maestro Zhanna Tevan. They played a variety of music from Russian to Italian to classical. The Arizona School of Classical Ballet students under the direction of the school’s director, Nadya Zubkov, shined as Nika Kocharov performed a variation from The Nightingale; Sasha Zapalova performed a Russian dance from Swan Lake and  Danielle Williams performed Havanola. Some of the pieces are from their upcoming performances at the Herberger Theatre on May 15 and May 16. 
The audience enjoyed Jonathan Gabriel’s music and songs of the '60s and '70s. Opera singer Maria Restivo filled the room with her exquisite and powerful soprano and entranced the audience, performing a few selections from Madame Butterfly. The community enjoyed a Filipino martial arts presentation by two sisters, Nikki, 10, and Grace Tordil, 9. Both are sixth-graders at Luke Elementary School. Their father, Leo Tordil, played the drum. Maureen Thorpe, wearing a beautiful, traditional, gold-trimmed sari introduced her mom, singer Edna Elizabeth Abeyasundra, who was wearing a colorful sari. Edna is from Malaysia and sang traditional as well as American songs. She was accompanied by local musician-songwriter John Calvert. Folk singer, acoustic guitarist and harmonica player Neil Dicks entertained the audience with his wonderful repertoire of folk songs and music. The audience also enjoyed the hard-rock sounds of Vincent Alexander Chavez and his group.

Arizona writers and poets who are published in the Spring 2010 Issue of The Blue Guitar magazine also read their work. Rebecca Dyer, the magazine's Editor in Chief, led the introductions of the readers. They read from their poetry, nonfiction essays and short stories. Those writers and poets who read, many of them currently in or alumni of the ASU MFA creative writing program, included: E.A. "Ed" Cervino, Cathy Capozzoli, Eman Hassan, Sean Medlin, Joshua Hunter Hensley and Richard Fenton Sederstrom.

Rebecca Dyer and her husband Richard H. Dyer Jr. worked tirelessly and diligently to bring to the community The Blue Guitar magazine, a brilliant work of art. The pages are filled with carefully chosen themes that colorfully and perfectly flow from page to page. The front cover and back cover were created by longtime local artist, painter and teacher Marjory Boyer; her colorful works are also inside the magazine. The featured artist is our third-place cover contest winner Holly Wagner. The community is grateful to the Dyers for this exquisite gem of a magazine, a gift they have created for our enjoyment, and we are already looking forward to the summer edition. The magazine is published online at www.theblueguitarmagazine.org. Also, to submit for the summer edition, please visit the Web site, where a call for submissions will be posted beginning June 1.
The audience also was treated to SMUDD, a local rock and roll band; their repertoire included tunes from the '60s, '70s, '80s and even a current top 10 song. We look forward to many future events by our local performers, artists and writers.

The Arizona Consortium for the Arts is a nonprofit, 501c3 tax-exempt organization. The Consortium's vision is to establish a multicultural arts center, including offering programs to help nurture and support underserved and underprivileged populations through the promotion of the arts. To learn more about The Arizona Consortium for the Arts, how you can join, help and to support future programs, please visit www.artizona.org or call 602-263-5373

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Scottsdale Chronicle  -"Non-profit online magazine benefits local artists"
By Josh Louchheim
Issue date: 9/22/09 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: The Blue Guitar Magazine cover was painted by Marjory Boyer
The Blue Guitar Magazine (BGM), the recently released online publication from The Arizona Consortium for the Arts, is currently seeking new talent to showcase in its next issue.
The Arizona Consortium for the Arts is a non-profit assemblage devoted to aiding and assisting Arizona's performing, literary and visual artists.
"The magazine is an arm of the Consortium that we can get out into the community," says Rebecca Dyer, editor in chief of The BGM. "This is our gift to Arizona artists and writers."
Local artist Marjory Boyer who has been a member of the Consortium for a year describes the Consortium as a great organization that not only promotes the arts but also gives the artists the opportunity to show their work for free.
Boyer is also the winner of The BGM's cover art competition, and her painting is now the face of the magazine.
The first issue was published during the spring season. Its 57 pages showcase a play, four short stories, five works of non-fiction and the words of 14 different poets, as well as four other canvases painted by Boyer.
"We've envisioned it to be a lot bigger than it is now, but reality has set in," adds Dyer. "But at the same time we've also seen that there is a lot of potential and I think once we get our name out there, hopefully more people will contribute."
The magazine is currently accepting submissions for its fall issue which is due to come out between the end of October and the beginning of November. The literary fields encompass poetry, plays, short stories, and non-fiction essays.
"For artists it's a struggle, and I want to make it easier," says Elena Thornton, co-founder of The BGM. "We want to have people visit our site and join our cause to build up the magazine so they get the recognition."
Good material keeps coming in everyday, so don't wait until the last minute send your work in, suggests Dyer.
All work must be 100 percent original and produced by Arizona residents. Visual art such as paintings and sculptures can be submitted as well but won't be shown until later issues. For more information visit www.theblueguitarmagazine.org.  

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April 2009

Arts consortium, Blue Guitar magazine launch annual arts festival; event a smash hit with attendees

 
On April 26th, the Arizona Consortium for the Arts held its First Annual Festival of music, arts, cultures, and the celebration of the inaugural spring issue of The Blue Guitar magazine at the ASU West campus in Glendale. The all-volunteer event was free and was attended by many people from the community. They were welcomed by ASU West student body President Andrew Clark and by the sponsor of the event, Nuha Sarraj, president of the ASU Kurdish Youth Club. The community was treated to a robust sampling of music, dance, a Kurdish Fashion Show and readings by writers in The Blue Guitar magazine. It was truly a history-making day, made possible through the planning and organizing of consortium Co-Founder Elena Thornton and a cadre of other hardworking volunteers. The sound equipment was skillfully operated and generously donated for the day by local singer, songwriter and musician Brian Willia. 

The event began with musical performances by the Consortium's talented Arizona Classical Kids under the tutelage of Maestro Zhanna Tevan. They played a variety of music from Russian to Italian to classical to "America the Beautiful." The Consortium's Artists in Motion children's dance group led by instructor Diana Matatova, an ASU student, performed traditional Bucharian dances in colorful costumes, then quickly changed and entertained the audience with a hip hop dance.

The dances were followed by an equally colorful Kurdish Fashion show by ASU students and their friends, as well as readings by the Arizona writers and poets who are published in The Blue Guitar magazine. Rebecca Dyer, the magazine's Editor in Chief, led the introductions of the readers. They read from their poetry, nonfiction essays and short stories. Those writers and poets who read, many of them currently in or alumni of the ASU MFA creative writing program, included: Nadine Lockhart - poetry, Fernando Perez - poetry, Melanie McCuin - poetry, John Haaheim - fiction and poetry, Cathy Capozzoli - poetry, Chris Emery - poetry, Ryan Holden - poetry, Stephanie Austin - fiction, Lilvia Soto - poetry, Meg Files - poetry, Bill Warren - nonfiction and John Ledford - fiction.

Also, ASU Professor Guillermo Reyes' one-act play Dudes of Orpheus was performed by ASU students Stephanie Martinez, Matthew Konecni, Kevin Sahakian and Monica Ekabutr, and was followed by a talk and lively discussion between Professor Reyes, the actors and the audience.

Rebecca Dyer and her husband, Richard H. Dyer Jr., worked tirelessly and diligently to bring to the community The Blue Guitar magazine, a brilliant work of art. The pages are filled with carefully chosen themes that colorfully and perfectly flow from page to page. The front cover and back cover were created by longtime local artist, painter and teacher Marjory Boyer. The community is grateful to the Dyers for this exquisite gem of a magazine, a gift they have created for our enjoyment, and we are already looking forward to future editions. The magazine is published online at www.theblueguitarmagazine.org. Also, to submit for the fall edition, please visit the Web site.

Folk singer, acoustic guitarist and harmonica player Neil Dicks entertained the audience with his wonderful repertoire of songs and music. The audience also was treated to Inis, a local Irish Band, who can regularly be seen at the Lis Doon Varna Irish Pub in Peoria.

Local rock band the Hunger Artists were the last performers of the day with a combo of singers, three guitars, drums, trumpet and xylophone.

We look forward to many future events by our local performers, artists and writers.

To learn more about The Arizona Consortium for the Arts, how you can join us, and to support future programs, please visit www.artizona.org or call 602-263-5373.