The Downtown Chamber Series

January 24, 2011

If you’re a local in the Valley of the Sun, you likely already know about First Fridays and Artlink’s Art Detour. Another piece of the urban experience in downtown Phoenix is The Downtown Chamber Series. Members of the Phoenix Philharmonic Orchestra perform small chamber pieces in urban art spaces. Guests enter an atmosphere filled with art and mingle with each other before seating to live chamber music just feet away. There is an intermission giving everyone a chance to enjoy a glass of wine and scope out the space. The musicians are very approachable and give tidbits behind the music they play and the instruments they play.

These images were shot at the series performed last night at The Ice House in downtown Phoenix. If you have never explored the space before you surely will have to find a way to visit an event there. Look for upcoming concerts and other information with The Downtown Chamber Series group on their website, http://downtownchamberseries.org/Index.html.

Program:
Debussy, Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, arr. for harp and flute
Salzedo, Pentacle for harp duo
Canteloube, Chants d’Auvergne for soprano, flute and harps
Françaix, Suite for Flute Alone
Piazzola, L’histoire du tango for flute and harp

Musicians:
Lynne Aspnes, harp
Elizabeth Buck, flute
Maria Jette, soprano
John Wickey, harp

Exhibition:
ASU art students, including sculpture, foundry and photography.

Here is a sampling of some of the photos I took for The Downtown Chamber Series. Click the images for a larger view, Enjoy!

These striking sculpture pieces were created by Benjamin Phillips.

Even in spaces with designed lighting, I don’t hesitate to bring in a small light to make the photo pop more. In the above photo I set a flash under the table without using a gel to match the ambient light. Sometimes that creates better color drama in the background. The colors below were created with the same flash but using different theatrical gels. I love bringing color into environments.