Redding had a pulse Saturday night. Redding was a place where something was happening.
People were walking around downtown discussing art, listening to music, laughing with friends. Residents were out and about again for the second month of the 2nd Saturday Art Hop. A total of 25 businesses (in both downtown and uptown Redding) kept their doors open from 6 to 9 p.m., so people could have an interesting night out.
It wasn’t forced enthusiasm. Frankly, it just felt like a cool downtown scene. I didn’t have time to see what was happening on the east side of the river, but on the west side, there were smiles and laughter and easy conversation. There was a lot of, “Wow, that’s really beautiful,” referring to a painting or photo or blown glass piece or found-object sculpture or that tune by the Flat Five Jazz Combo.
I loved it that young artist Lucas Juarez co-opted the breezeway at Sherven Square to show his paintings (excellent) and kind of “crash” the Art Hop. That’s the kind of momentum you want — everybody wanting in on it.
Artist Brooke Bartimioli stands beside her collage pieces at Pacific West Graphics on Saturday night.
I feel like I cheated the event by only stopping at Vintage Restaurant and Wine Bar (paintings by James Parks), the Velvet Loft (glass by Michael Hopko), Vintner’s Cellar (paintings by San Randall), Nathan’s Anthems (paintings by Louis Heiner) and Old City Hall (sculptures by Sky Titus and installations by Jason Rogalski). I missed a ton more than I saw. (For the record, there was some discussion by organizers about the possibility of starting an hour earlier.)
My little group finished the evening back at the Vintage, where the young guys who form the Flat Five Jazz Combo were packing up their equipment. I couldn’t help but be warmed by these talented recent high school grads (mostly Foothill) coming together, interpreting jazz and just seeming to love what they’re doing. Want to book ’em? Call Loren Asmos at 515-1343.
Like a lot of things Saturday night, they were completely in the swing of it.
