Arts Devo

DEVOtions: Overflow edition Arts DEVO has been distracted and maybe a little insane lately. The lists and notes have gotten out of control in the recent tumultuous weeks and have put a strain on the old Energy Dome. So, let’s just [sweeps arm across desk in one violent motion] get rid of most of that mess and move forward with a more digestible plate of local arts tidbits:

Two super interesting art shows opening this month: Amanda Teibel, aka Absolute Ama, shares “a universe where dystopic vibes and pastel paradise collide” in the paintings of her Euphoria exhibit at the Naked Lounge. Reception tonight (Dec. 6), at 6 p.m. And, on the south side, a two-character show with the illustrations and mixed-media of She Wolf and Tiny Shiv is already under way (reception featuring the musical explorations of Cat Depot is next Saturday, Dec. 15).

James Snidle Fine Arts has already mounted its final show, featuring the works of Avery Palmer and Stan Sours, and tonight (Dec. 6), at 6 p.m., is both the reception and going-away Christmas party for the gallery. The show will be up for the rest of the month, but get over there tonight to give hugs, enjoy some cheer and thank Snidle for three decades of arts exhibition in Chico.

Chico State writing and literature instructor Rob Davidson celebrates the release of his new two-novella collection, What Some Would Call Lies—a meditation on “life, art, and the vicissitudes of memory”—tonight (Dec. 6), 7:30-9:30 p.m., at 1078 Gallery.

And speaking of the 1078, the gallery reached another milestone at its new location last week. Sunday, Dec. 2, was the first “loud” show at the Park Avenue spot, and I am here to report that it has a pretty killer setup. An actual stage has been built into one side room and the sound for the maiden performance of Beehive—a one-drum-machine two-man band featuring man-of-many-hats Jake Sprecher on vocals/guitar and the badical Brandon “Bud” Armienti on bass—was big and bright, just how it should be for a noisy garage rock crew. There’s additional sound-dampening work in the plans, but it’s already a pretty rad all-ages venue. Hats off to the gallery’s music committee members Donald Beaman and Mathew Houghton and all the volunteers making things happen for the scene.

For the many artists and musicians who lost the tools of their craft in the Camp Fire, there are efforts big and small being made to help put art supplies and instruments back into people’s hands. As campaigns come into focus, I’ll do my best to spread the word here, so please send your friendly arts editor a note if you know of any, such as the one spearheaded by the California Bluegrass Association. Many of the group’s members and supporters lost their gear in the fire, and its GoFundMe campaign to replace instruments has already raised nearly $40,000. Visit tinyurl.com/gofundmebluegrass to contribute.