Arts DEVO

Sports Arts DEVO often wishes there was a reason to have a column here devoted to sports. Because, this week, I want nothing more than to add my voice to the “Linsanity” and talk about the New York Knicks‘ Jeremy Lin, the Chinese-American Harvard grad who wasn’t recruited out of high school, wasn’t drafted by any NBA team, was cut by two teams after making it to the league, and has (as of this writing) started six games at point guard for the Knicks (after being sent down to the D-League by the team). In those six games, he’s averaged 26.8 points and 8.5 assists, and led his team to a 6-0 record, along the way capturing the imaginations of everyone who loves the game with his twisting drives and late-game heroics. With that said, I’m forcing myself move onto the appropriate topics:

Music Two shows: Friday, Feb. 17, at Cafe Coda: OG noisemaking duo The Americas are in their Chico birthplace this weekend to get crazy with some Chico homies (Surrogate and Miracle Mile) as well as the full-speed fully distorted punk-rock assault of Seattle’s Police Teeth. And, if there’s a show featuring AD’s favorite weird-folkie Fera, you can bet that he’s being joined by all kinds of other wonderful weirdness, like at Caf” Flo this Tuesday, Feb. 21, when fellow local Bran Crown joins the bill with Olympia, Wash., indie-folk/sound-collage project Letters, and the solo “electro-loop-pop” of Davis’ Poppet. Pure goodness.

Film Former Paradise resident Alex Bridgman is unveiling his new documentary Beyond the Chair at the El Rey Theatre this Saturday, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. The documentary follows Andrew Shelley, who despite being confined to a wheelchair due to the effects of muscular dystrophy, decides to set off on a backpacking adventure across the world.

Words Local writers Lin Jensen and Susan Wooldridge will be featured readers at a poetry slam hosted by Chico’s ACLU Friday, Feb. 17, at Subud Hall (574 E. 12th St.). The theme is “Justice and Injustice,” the cost is $5 and if you would like to read call 965-0577 to sign up.

Also, gotta give a big shout out to Chico writer David Cassel who, under his pen name Moe Zilla, had an article he wrote on his blog Me and My Kindle (www.beyond-black-friday.com) about Family Circus creator Bill Keane featured on Reader’s Digest‘s list of the 20 Best Reads of 2011 (joining the likes of Woody Allen and writers from New York Times Magazine).

Art A couple of new art shows open Friday night (Feb. 17): Avenue 9 Gallery is hosting a two-person exhibit (reception 5-8 p.m.) featuring the stone sculptures of Augie Velasquez and computer-manipulated photos by Darren Names. And RayRay Gallery opens a group show (reception 6-9 p.m.) called Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, its first show in its new shared space—The Last Stand comedy venue.

And… money! Yes, arts and artists need money to create and to live, and local artists have been increasingly taking advantage of the fundraising powers of Kickstarter.com. Currently, there are five active local projects seeking funding, including one for the production of a new album by dread-headed troubadour Kyle Williams. I was most impressed by the beautiful work by ceramic artist Kelly Lynn Daniels (www.dancingclay.blogspot.com), who is seeking funding for further training at a school in North Carolina. And the rewards she is offering those who help out are her amazing pieces of art! Search for “Chico, Ca” and help local artists make it happen.

And, speaking of helping out, as you’ve probably read in previous columns of my CN&R colleagues, our friend, local artist and all-around beautiful human Janice Porter is in Arizona receiving cancer treatment at the Oasis of Healing Center in Mesa. More than $23,000 of the $30,000 target of the online campaign has already been raised, but more help is needed. Visit www.giveforward.com/forjanice to donate.