Embracing Arlington Arts Talks

Composer, filmmaker and musician Liza Figueroa Kravinsky gives us an in-depth look into the official music of DC - GoGo. Having composed the original "GoGo Symphony" - a blend of go-go music with classical compositions, Liza founded the GoGo Symphony Ensemble to perform the number and other original songs. Hear her unique and interesting story from working with Prince and well known GoGo bands like Trouble Funk and Robin Power's Uptown Dames in this podcast. Also get insight into how GoGo evolved and its links to pop and funk music.

Architect and owner of the Paola One Design company Paola Amodeo gave us details on the creative process of all types of architectural design in our podcast interview. Find out how she entered the profession via Japanese tea ceremonies, how she begins each design project, assistance she provides clients who do and do not have artwork, and insight into the quality of houses constructed in the 1940s. Also find out her family's unique living arrangements when her house renovation project was underway.

Amy Wratchford, President and Founder of the Strategic Planning (and more) consultancy The Wratchford Group discussed all the many diversified services her company provides non-profit arts and theater organizations. From fundraising to organizational analysis to storytelling to EDI to financial management, her consultants cover it all. Also get specific insight into a grant program - Employee Retention Tax Credit - which still has money on the table available to non-profits to cover salaries. Much valuable information in this interview!

Arlington County's "First Lady" and fierce arts advocate Megan Beyer was a distinguished guest on "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks." We talked about the need for a White House Office on Arts and Culture, what is Virginia Humanities focusing on, her previous work as the Director of the President's Committee on Arts and Culture in the Obama Administration, her advice to arts organizations struggling during this pandemic, and much more. So glad Megan is in our corner fighting for the arts!

Mikael Manoukian, Co-Owner of Manoukian Brothers Oriental Rugs talked about the unique concerts the shop (called the "Rug Shop Concerts") has been hosting since the pandemic hit. Get the details on the bands set to perform in May, as well as planned concerts in June as part of the Blues Festival. Also hear why he started hosting these events, what types of other artists will be performing in the future, and whether these events will continue once the country reopens. Such a wonderful contribution back to the community!

Visual Artist Kate Fleming is interviewed in this show about her ambitious and laudable "50 States Project" which captures the United States at a specific - and tumultuous - time. Find out where they have been, how the project changed after the COVID pandemic hit, how they decide where in each state to visit and some of the art pieces already created as part of the series. Also learn about how she became a professional artist and how to keep abreast of their travels and artwork as they visit the remaining 33 states.

Actor Dina Soltan joined us for such an interesting conversation about how she got into the theater industry via the United Kingdom and Egypt, and finally landing in the DC region. Also find out what exactly a "Donor Relations" job in the theater entails, her responsibilities as part of the Artistic Collaborative managing Avant Bard Theatre Company, why this shared business model is so effective and her favorite types of roles. Also get the details on her upcoming virtual performance at Mosaic Theater Company.

Actor Alyssa Sanders and Director Megan Behm joined us to talk about their new Artistic Collaborative with three other theater professionals to manage Avant Bard Theatre Company. Hear about their respective roles in the shared leadership theater business model, and why they believe this new model is a big improvement over traditional management styles, is becoming more popular in the DC region and why it will lead to less hierarchy in theater management. Also learn about some of their upcoming online programs.

The Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Maria Manuela Goyanes was a guest on "Embracing Arlington Arts Talks" for a wide-ranging and insightful chat. Get details on the group's jam-packed digital production line up, the "Play At Home" series that put money into playwrights' pockets, and the Miranda Family Fellowship program to help young theater professionals from historically excluded communities. Also hear her honest assessment of progress on the diversity front in theaters in a post-COVID world.

Actor Sara Barker and Actor/Director Demone Seraphin give us all the details about the new Artistic Collaborative now managing Avant Bard Theatre Company. Find out about this new business model of shared responsibilities, how the collaborative came about, sneak peek into some upcoming online events and their civic space to discuss important issues in theater like EDI and safe spaces called the "Bard's Action Corner." Also find out what Demone labels as the "gift" of the shutdown.