They Say It's Your Birthday

What happens when several arts groups get together? Is the cacophony of culture so loud that the individual voices are drowned out? Or is each troupe stronger for proximity? In other words, when groups are housed under the same roof, do they vibe off of one another, improving creativity and collaboration? The short answer is yes, arts organizations are definitely more robust when they operate less like islands and more like a community. For proof pay a visit to the Kranzberg Arts Center (501 North Grand Boulevard) as it celebrates its first anniversary. This rehabbed structure in Grand Center is home to Craft Alliance and several theater groups, including Muddy Waters, HotCity and Upstream, and they all are getting together for a Grand Birthday Bash, happening from 1 to 4 p.m. To help them celebrate, adults and kids can throw clay on a potter's wheel, tour Craft Alliance's gallery, design a piece of enamel jewelry ($5 to $10) and more. Admission to the bash is free; learn more about it by visiting www.craftalliance.org.
Sun., Sept. 20, 2009