Bishop Center Zooms in on a new season

By David Haerle

The Daily World

The Bishop Center for the Performing Arts has announced a new lineup of Friday night Zoom performances, beginning this week.

Titled “A Northwest Winter,” the free-to-view series runs weekly through the end of March.

“This winter we’re focusing on local artists and performers,” said Bishop Center spokeswoman Margo Hood, noting that performances are pre-recorded at the Bishop Center then streamed via its website and Facebook Live page.

Hood said the Bishop Center has been streaming performances since September with the online audience coming in at around 75 to 125 viewers, but she hopes to see those numbers increase by featuring some of the region’s best local musicians.

“I think they have been successful,” Hood said of the fall shows, adding that some local residents have discovered the Bishop Center thanks to these online offerings, which may bode well when the facility opens to theater-goers again.

“We’ve gotten some new patrons who have never been to the Bishop Center before, so I think this has been a positive, but we would always love to have more people watching,” said Hood.

In these challenging times for all artists, Hood noted, “We are paying the artists for performing.”

That is made possible by sponsors and local patrons, said Hood. “Without our donors we wouldn’t be able to provide this to the community.”

She also expressed gratitude to the series’ regular sponsors: the Grays Harbor College Foundation, the Marion J. Weatherwax Endowment, Grays Harbor Community Foundation, the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment of the Arts.

Anybody wishing to make a donation can do so via website (www.ghc.edu/bishop) or mail: GHC Bishop Center for the Performing Arts, 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive, Aberdeen, WA 98520.

Hood said she expects these online performances the be the norm for the Bishop Center for the foreseeable future.

”We’re hoping to be back by fall, but we don’t know how realistic that will be … depending on what the restrictions are — 50% capacity is not (financially) feasible for us. Hopefully, by January of next year, we might be back into the theater … but the safety of our patrons and performers is our top priority.”

The Shows

(All shows are at 7 p.m. on Friday at www.ghc.edu/bishop)

Jan. 22 — Local singer songwriter Amanda Ransom will share an evening of music, with a mix of acoustic pop, soul, R&B and classics. Playing both piano and guitar, Ransom presents covers from her favorite artists and original pieces that highlight her early years.

Jan. 29 — Local band Humptulips has been bringing its brand of “country with a twist of rock” for more than 10 years. The band offers a blend of modern top-40 country covers, a smattering of original material and some classic rock.

Feb. 5 — The Tiffany Maki Band presents an evening of musical favorites, shenanigans and surprises. The performance will include music of many different genres, even some you are not used to hearing from Maki.

Feb. 12 — Diaspora Dance Theater is a Portland-based contemporary dance ensemble led by the artistic direction of Oluyinka Akinjiola. Inspired by folklore of the vast African Diaspora, Rejoice’s performance repertoire weaves stories of adversity and hope in outspoken calls for social change.

Feb. 19 — Gordon Shaw is pleased to be returning to the Bishop Center to share his recent compositional works. Having completed a degree in music composition from the WSU School of Music earlier this year, he will share his efforts with the community that helped him get there. The pieces highlighted with this event do not all adhere to a single genre but are the amalgamation of extra-musical themes, motifs and ideas. Among his compositions, Shaw will perform “Kein Bedauern,” an original orchestral work that was first performed at the 2020 WSU Festival of Contemporary Art Music.

Feb. 26 — Two local rock bands from Grays Harbor will be featured in this Friday virtual show. Black Shepherd specializes in heavy blues/rock music, with originals and covers. This Way Out is a theatrical cover band that plays hits spanning from the 1970s to ‘90s.

March 5 — The music group Toons performs original material crafting their song inventory and members to suit any performance, venue or project. They believe music and art are the fabric for emotional well-being, overcoming barriers of communication, and cultivating new friendships across any divide. For this performance members of the Toons are: CD Scofield, Micah Jump, Kyle Baxter, Bill Brown and Wil Russoul.

March 12 — Songs for Another Day — A Virtual Musical Revue: Theatre and video dance together as the Bishop Center presents a collection of Broadway show tunes of loss, hope and love – all performed in Grays Harbor homes, yards, parks and neighborhoods.

March 19 — GHC Jazz Band & Jazz Choir: Enjoy performances from GHC students under the direction of Dr. William Dyer and Kari Hasbrouck.

March 26 — The Grays Harbor Civic Choir, directed by Kari Hasbrouck, will sing a Broadway show tune or two and other selections. Soloist Elliot Loundenback, a tenor and Mihn Thi Butler, on oboe, will be featured. The Concert Band, directed by Tiffany Maki, will present Broadway favorites featuring various ensembles and soloists.