Arts Devo

Gratitude walk If there’s ever been a Thanksgiving to take inventory of the good in one’s life, it’s Thanksgiving 2016. In antidote to the post-election venom poisoning Arts DEVO’s spirit, I intend to absorb as much love and warmth of family and friends as possible before returning to the fight.

For now, I’m taking advantage of a break in the rain and the student-free streets to venture downtown to soak in the sunshine and the art at some of our local cafes. I highly recommend it as a free, post-Turkey Day distraction. My itinerary:

• Celebrating Table Mountain at Upper Crust Bakery & Cafe: photographs by Wayne Wilson. Clean, impressive color shots of the natural world in the backyard of the photographer’s hometown of Oroville.

• Art Show at the Naked Lounge: David “Pondo” McMillian’s fun drawings, paintings and impressive graphic-design pieces.

• ink by Bob at Has Beans Cafe: Bob Garner’s typically small-scale, often abstract thick-lined ink work is a favorite of mine and there is a great variety of expressive pieces on display. I especially enjoyed the mysterious-looking “Monk” (only $55!).

The greatest gift of all Be the cool one at your holiday gift exchange and buy your friends and family local art! See our Festivities Calendar in this week’s issue (page 32) for details on some of the local-goods-focused affairs—most notably Chikoko’s annual Bizarre Bazaar (with more than 20 vendors) at the Chico Women’s Club, Dec. 10-11; and Idea Fab Labs’ Holiday Maker Market, Dec. 17, featuring art and goods from local makers.

And for any artists who want to get their goods in the game, there are still a couple of local opportunities. The Bizarre Bazaar is all filled up, but the Idea Fab Labs event is accepting submissions through Dec. 6. Visit ideafablabs.com/showcase for details. Also, Chico Art Center is renting out spaces in its gallery for its annual Winter Gift Show, showing Dec. 2-28. Vendors pay between $100-$200 for the space, fill it up with art, and start stacking the cash! Setup starts Nov. 28, so visit chicoartcenter.com soon to reserve your spot.

Call for performers Speaking of the Bizarre Bazaar, as always the women of Chikoko are kicking the weekend off with their annual Voom Voom Variety Show on Friday (Dec. 9), featuring a typically eclectic range of performances. Interested acts can send an email to chikokoclothing@gmail.com.

And speaking of off-the-wall performers, if you’re interested in the Voom Voom show, you might also want to submit your act to the Chico News & Review’s annual Keep Chico Weird Talent Show at the El Rey Theatre, Jan. 28 (or, if you’re a visual artist, submit to the KCW Art Show at 1078 Gallery, Jan. 26-28). Check out facebook.com/keepchicoweird for submission guidelines. Deadline is Dec. 14!