Java.July.2017

MOLTEN
By Robert Sentinery
BUZZ
Coming off of a recent string of record-high temperatures, culminating with
the threat of a 120-degree day (only three have ever been recorded in Phoenix),
it has been a cruel, cruel summer so far. We peaked out at 119 on June 20,
but that was hot enough—as evidenced by the slew of viral videos of people
baking cookies in their cars and literally frying eggs on the sidewalk.
For our annual double summer (July/August) edition, we’ve decided to crank
up the heat. As one of the top glass-blowing studios in the Southwest, Circle
6 Studios is a veritable blast furnace of an operation. Artists from around the
U.S. and abroad come to use their impressive equipment, including a wall of
glowing furnaces ready to transform silica sand into the consistency of honey
at above 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.
One of the interesting aspects of Circle 6 is their successful outreach program
that brings in everyday people and teaches them the art of glassblowing.
They do classes, team-building events and even host birthday parties where
attendees get to make a piece and take it home. During their “Hot Glass—
Cold Beer” First Friday events, for $25 attendees get to watch national glass
artists work while sipping on craft beer (a different local brewery each month)
out of a handmade vessel that they choose and keep. Sounds like an evening
of fiery fun (see “Circle 6 Studios: Molten Glass for the Masses,” p. 12).
Anna Vivette is a singer who grew up listening to only classical music. Her
father was an aficionado and passed this passion on to her. At 16, she was
singing opera professionally with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. About 15 years
ago, Vivette packed her bags and left Chi-town for the sunny skies of Arizona.
While she no longer sings opera professionally, Vivette continues to pursue
her musical career. Her recently released solo album, entitled Pour Amélie—
dedicated to her now two-year-old daughter—features lush soundscapes with
Vivette’s mesmerizing vocals. She has also started a new band called Secret
Element, with her well-known producer Gardner Cole and renowned violinist
Thula Ngwenyama (see “Anna Vivette: Tuning the Spirit”).
It is not unusual for things happening on the West Coast to make their way to
Phoenix. The BlakTina Dance Festival is no exception. Founded in Los Angeles
by dancer, choreographer and producer Licia Perea, the goal is to bring
together dance artists of color—black and Latinx (a term inclusive of Latino,
Latina and people of mixed racial identities). Local dance artist Liliana Gomez
pitched Perea on the idea of bringing BlakTina to Phoenix, Perea agreed, and
the rest is history. The festival will take place on July 22 at the Black Theatre
Troupe building and promises to be a rare evening of dance artistry and cultural
connections (see “BlakTina Festival: Dare to Dance and to Dream,” p. 34).