From the Director’s Chair
Scenes From a (multi) Cultural Life
For at least thirty years, one of the main topics of conversation among us has been "Diversity," an idea that often sails under the flag of "Multiculturalism." Many moons past, we started by talking about how to "create diversity," (as though we could!) and have progressed finally to the point at which we talk about how to "celebrate" it. But the lesson of my own life tells me that Diversity is simply the state of grace in which we Americans live.
Past Events

Act Two Guild Fundraising and Fashion Event to be a Royal Affair

Indian Community Eastside Gala Raises $125,000 For Tateuchi Center

Tateuchi Center Joins Medina Days Fun as Concert In The Park Sponsor

PACE Guild Event, Silhouettes of Style 2010—Talk of the Town, Raises More Than $100,000

Act One Guild’s Sixth Annual Candlelight Dinner Raises Thousands for PACE

“Vintage-chic Band” Pink Martini to Perform at 2009 Candlelight Dinner to Benefit PACE

We look at the dance to impart a sensation of living in an affirmation of life.

Martha Graham

Tateuchi Center Joins Medina Days Fun as Concert In The Park Sponsor


CONTACTS:
Linda Bonomi, Tateuchi Center
425.462.0092  |  lbonomi@tateuchicenter.org

BELLEVUE, Wash. (September 23, 2010) — Tateuchi Center (formerly known as PACE) presented the Tuesday Concert in the Park on Aug. 10, 2010 at the Medina Days annual community celebration. A packed audience enjoyed outdoor performances from Mark O’Connor and Friends as well as Vince Mira.

The unique, melded style of Mark O’Connor and Friends, new to many, filled the air with “New American Classical” music. As The Los Angeles Times recently noted, O’Connor has “crossed over so many boundaries that his style is purely personal.” A product of America’s rich aural folk tradition as well as classical music training, O’Connor’s creative journey began at the feet of a pair of musical giants: an innovator of the modern era of American fiddling, Benny Thomasson, and French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. Between these marvelous musical extremes, he absorbed knowledge and influence from the multitude of styles and genres he studied. Violist Gillian Gallagher and Cellist Patrice Jackson joined O’Connor for this special performance.

The evening’s second performer was Vince Mira, a country/Americana baritone whose rise to fame has captivated America. Born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in San Antonio, Texas, the young singer/songwriter was discovered by entertainment producer Chris Snell (creator of the famous Seattle nightclub, Can Can) while playing for tips in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Mira’s first album was produced by John Carter Cash &8212; Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s only son — and recorded at the Cash Cabin in Nashville, Tennessee.

Prior to the completion of “Cash Cabin Sessions,” the Vince Mira buzz had already begun to spread. He was first featured on KOMO News in Seattle, and Good Morning America (GMA) soon picked up the story. Two weeks later, Mira captured the nation with a breathtaking live performance on the show for over five million viewers. Subsequently, the Ellen DeGeneres Show aired the clip, and Ellen personally invited Mira to appear on her program, where he received a standing ovation. He most recently recorded with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam for Stone’s upcoming “Hank Williams Tribute” album.

“Medina Days is a wonderful event that truly celebrates the neighborhood and the bond that the people of this community and the surrounding areas share,” says John Haynes, Tateuchi Center executive director and CEO. “We were honored to be invited to produce the Concert, which opens the week of festivities each year. It was very satisfying to have this opportunity, at a time when we are still fundraising to build Tateuchi Center, to show our future audience what they can expect to see and hear when we open our doors in 2013. I was especially delighted to present these two dynamic and diverse artists, who are a reflection of the quality programming we are planning for Tateuchi Center.”

Medina Days ran from August 10–14, 2010, and featured the Concert In The Park, community softball games, neighborhood block parties, and a community parade and carnival. For more information on the event, visit www.medinadays.org.

About Tateuchi Center — formerly Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE)

The new identity of Tateuchi Center, formerly known as PACE, celebrates a $25 million grant from the Tateuchi Foundation, one of the largest gifts ever given to a cultural organization in the Pacific Northwest. Poised to become one of the premier performing arts venues in the Pacific Northwest and the first of its kind in the burgeoning area across Lake Washington from Seattle, known throughout the region as “the Eastside,” Tateuchi Center is committed to the power of the Arts in human lives. The Center will present artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment experiences of the highest quality — great performances that reflect the diverse interests, and honor the cultures and customs of its neighbors. It will expand arts education opportunities; provide a performance home for select regional arts organizations; promote the interests of working artists; engage and develop new audiences; encourage participation in the arts; contribute to the economic vitality of the region; and serve as a cultural center for Eastside residents. Tateuchi Center will be located in downtown Bellevue on the corner of NE 10th Street and 106th Avenue NE. The Tateuchi Center Campaign has raised $60M to date and Groundbreaking is targeted for fall 2011.