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performance art, volume XXVI, Act I |
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Dear Reader,
Press play! Welcome to the first-ever Performance Art showcase of The Salal Review. For 24 years, our magazine has existed in print form, and for only a handful of those, we have lived here, too, at www.salalreview.com. It is with immense excitement that we have the opportunity to share the works of performance art on this page, and to plant this dream within you so that, together, we might help it grow.
Enjoy! Amber Lemiere & The Editors |
MUSIC
"October Kinda Sucked" original electronic music and production by Avenir | Mix by Matt Jefferson
"I wrote and produced this piece as a way to better digest my feelings. Eventually, I worked up the courage to share it with others. I used a music DAW called Fruity Loop Studio to create this piece, and also did the signing. All of the instruments (with exception to the electric guitar) were electronically produced. The songwriting process began with the creation of the chorus using the synth you hear at the start of the song. Then came the drums, bass, vocals, etc."
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"Dear Mom" musical performance by Halie Carter | Recorded by Avenir
"This is an original song that I wrote based on the letters that I write to my mom after losing her to cancer on November 21, 2023. Each verse has a little bit of each letter that I have written her so far, and the song ends with 'sincerely haliebear' because that is what she used to call me and that is how I sign off on all of my letters."
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"Rules of Beauty" vocals & original song by Olivia Higgins | Produced by Tyler Higgins & Eric Lemiere (instruments)
"The song is about beauty standards in society, and how to look past them and focus on what matters most."
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SPOKEN WORD
"My Spirit"
spoken word poem by Max Smith
spoken word poem by Max Smith
"I wrote this to a friend in an attempt to describe my life experience. I was repressed and numb to myself and the world around me."
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My spirit, the very cosmos that gives me this sight, these thoughts, these perspectives.
My spirit, which was born in the heart of a million dying stars, she fills me with this ability to experience life. This vessel has been corrupted by modern society. Sullied by years of “moments” that, over time, caked this spirit in mud. Which dries and hardens. Smothering the most vital of energies found in this cosmos. That which drives us to be. That which is found in all things. The connection to her life giving energy resides inside of me. Between her gift to me and all other things is only my body. My mind. And there it is. The cosmos desires to experience itself. Building bodies and minds to create the illusion of separation. Of uniqueness. This particular separation in me has become too thick. Too foggy. She cannot see herself. She cannot feel herself. She has forgotten herself. Where she came from. What she is. What she was literally born to do. She has forgotten and she is where I begin and end. So, I have forgotten. My body, my mind. My spirit. They are lost. |
VIDEO & MUSIC
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"Aeolian Disposition" ambient electronic by Shmoaf
"This is an original improvisation using an analogue synthesizer; recorded in one-take onto a 4-track cassette recorder, which was then slowed down. The video is all original footage taken by the artist and was created using a basic video editor. The essence of this piece is about the artist embracing their transition to the Pacific Northwest from the Southwest (US)." |
"Bells DnB" electronic music by Shmoaf
"This is an original piece created by Shmoaf. The audio portion was performed in one-take by Shmoaf (featuring Josh Kellar), using analogue synthesizers and a Pikocore. The video was created by Shmoaf using Kdenlive editing software, with original footage captured by the artist." |
VOCAL PERFORMANCES
The following vocal performances were created by 7 theater students with the support of faculty member Betsy Richards. The pieces were selected from our Volume 24 printed manuscript of The Salal Review, and they appear within the online magazine pages, as well.
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artist & performer bios
Avenir is a student at Lower Columbia College. His academic goal is to complete his associates and then transfer to Washington State University to pursue a mechanical engineering degree.
Emma Seter is a second-year music major at Lower Columbia College with a focus in musical theater. A very active member of LCC’s music program, she has been a part of multiple choral productions as well as a few dance numbers. She has been to multiple competitions and plans to further her musical education beyond LCC.
Halie Carter is a musician and a current student at Lower Columbia College. Part of her dream includes becoming a High School Music Teacher and inspiring students to follow their passion with music.
Jakob Burleson is an LCC Student who lives in Longview, and is currently working on finishing his general transfer degree. Though he only recently got into theater, he loves doing it, along with writing, reading, and occasionally drawing. He played the role of Peter in the 2024 LCC Spring Production of Stop Kiss which was his very first time being a part of a production! Despite this, Jakob is very proud, very excited, and deeply honored to be given the opportunity to be a part of something that the community will enjoy.
Laurien Zahn graduating with an Associate of Music Transfer from Lower Columbia College this June. After graduating, she plans to attend Portland State University to complete her Bachelor’s of Music (Voice) degree. Laurien will pursue her dream of becoming a professional opera singer, and her favorite classes are the ones that actively improve her performance skills. She loves singing in the LCC student choirs, spending time outside, and being with her family’s beloved pets. Homeschooled from age 5 to 17, Laurien was exposed to a lot of poetry and literature, but it wasn’t until she came to LCC that she discovered her passion for art. Her favorite thing about LCC is the wonderful community of teachers and peers that she has been fortunate enough to a part of.
Lillyn Turpin is a running start student at Lower Columbia College. She enjoys cheerleading and reading. She plans to get her general transfer Associate Degree from LCC before transferring to a four year university.
Max Smith is a student in his first year of college working towards becoming a Registered Nurse. After a harrowing three decades of life experience, he was invited to the PNW by a close friend and never looked back. The dense verdant landscape breathed new life into a weary form which grows more spectacular with every passing day.
Olivia Blunt is in her first year at Lower Columbia College, and wants to get her MFA in drama/theater so she can become a director of plays and movies. She is an active member in LCC's Act One Drama Club, and has prior experience in both acting and backstage work at Goldendale High School. She is also an avid writer, and is published for her poetry by Appelley Publishing. Olivia is very passionate about the Arts and the community she has found at LCC.
Olivia Higgins is a local running start student at LCC, and she wrote Rules of Beauty when she was 13. She is a student and aspiring creative writer and loves to write poetry and songs.
Ryler Plank is in his first year at Lower Columbia College and is thrilled to be part of The Salal Review! Ryler loves comedy, particularly British TV shows and enjoys playing with accents. Ryler served on the running crew of LCC Drama's spring production of Stop Kiss and would like to get more into acting as it's something he's admired since being a kid. Ryler looks forward to his next year at LCC.
Shmoaf is an artist who aims to push the boundaries of music and video. Having lived in the region for about five years, they have been refining their ideas and seeking venues to display such. They are currently a student at LCC and hope to use the experience to further audio visual possibilities.
Emma Seter is a second-year music major at Lower Columbia College with a focus in musical theater. A very active member of LCC’s music program, she has been a part of multiple choral productions as well as a few dance numbers. She has been to multiple competitions and plans to further her musical education beyond LCC.
Halie Carter is a musician and a current student at Lower Columbia College. Part of her dream includes becoming a High School Music Teacher and inspiring students to follow their passion with music.
Jakob Burleson is an LCC Student who lives in Longview, and is currently working on finishing his general transfer degree. Though he only recently got into theater, he loves doing it, along with writing, reading, and occasionally drawing. He played the role of Peter in the 2024 LCC Spring Production of Stop Kiss which was his very first time being a part of a production! Despite this, Jakob is very proud, very excited, and deeply honored to be given the opportunity to be a part of something that the community will enjoy.
Laurien Zahn graduating with an Associate of Music Transfer from Lower Columbia College this June. After graduating, she plans to attend Portland State University to complete her Bachelor’s of Music (Voice) degree. Laurien will pursue her dream of becoming a professional opera singer, and her favorite classes are the ones that actively improve her performance skills. She loves singing in the LCC student choirs, spending time outside, and being with her family’s beloved pets. Homeschooled from age 5 to 17, Laurien was exposed to a lot of poetry and literature, but it wasn’t until she came to LCC that she discovered her passion for art. Her favorite thing about LCC is the wonderful community of teachers and peers that she has been fortunate enough to a part of.
Lillyn Turpin is a running start student at Lower Columbia College. She enjoys cheerleading and reading. She plans to get her general transfer Associate Degree from LCC before transferring to a four year university.
Max Smith is a student in his first year of college working towards becoming a Registered Nurse. After a harrowing three decades of life experience, he was invited to the PNW by a close friend and never looked back. The dense verdant landscape breathed new life into a weary form which grows more spectacular with every passing day.
Olivia Blunt is in her first year at Lower Columbia College, and wants to get her MFA in drama/theater so she can become a director of plays and movies. She is an active member in LCC's Act One Drama Club, and has prior experience in both acting and backstage work at Goldendale High School. She is also an avid writer, and is published for her poetry by Appelley Publishing. Olivia is very passionate about the Arts and the community she has found at LCC.
Olivia Higgins is a local running start student at LCC, and she wrote Rules of Beauty when she was 13. She is a student and aspiring creative writer and loves to write poetry and songs.
Ryler Plank is in his first year at Lower Columbia College and is thrilled to be part of The Salal Review! Ryler loves comedy, particularly British TV shows and enjoys playing with accents. Ryler served on the running crew of LCC Drama's spring production of Stop Kiss and would like to get more into acting as it's something he's admired since being a kid. Ryler looks forward to his next year at LCC.
Shmoaf is an artist who aims to push the boundaries of music and video. Having lived in the region for about five years, they have been refining their ideas and seeking venues to display such. They are currently a student at LCC and hope to use the experience to further audio visual possibilities.