Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "david garibaldi"

Is David Garibaldi the Next Andy Warhol?

2011-10-28T05:26:15Z

Sacramento performance artist, David Garibaldi, it was a sobering moment to sell out the Crest Theater on October 27, 2011. Starting out as a local graffiti artist, the now famous performance painter travels worldwide sharing his creativity and ultimately his passion. Debuting his newest show, “Garibaldi Live: A Live Music and Color Experience”, he surely did not disappoint. Lines filled the streets up well into the next block. Many onlookers were hoping to get tickets at the last minute, but the show was completely sold out. Fans of all ages poured into the theater with delight as many shared their personal favorites like his portrait of Albert Einstein and his ever touching portrait of Jesus Christ.

Many in line were friends of Garibaldi since high school, and even some of his teachers from his days at Sheldon High School, were in the crowd. They got a sneak peak of the artist when he was with his dancers in the alleyway, laughing and preparing for the performance. The limelight and fame has been embraced by Garibaldi and he still keeps a level head and a grounded disposition.

The smell of popcorn and creativity filled the lobby as Garibaldi enthusiasts raced to their seats to ensure optimal viewing. T-shirts and posters were for sale, but no merchandise could capture what was to take place over the next couple of hours. The anticipation was crippling.

Opening for Garibaldi was local musician Stevie Nader. Nader offered his rendition of easy, melodic tunes that floated over the crowd with ease. Featuring original songs, Nader also performed his rendition of “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People.

The second opening act was not as well received. Singer Wes Avery and hype man Arty Fresh performed about six rock- and alternative-inspired songs that proved to be too much for the crowd. Despite Avery’s active presence in the aisles, audience members were not enthused. At the end of the already overly lengthy performance, one audience member laughed when Avery mentioned he had CDs for sale. “Yeah right,” he chuckled.

Despite the lack of adoration for Avery, fans were almost ecstatic while waiting for Garibaldi to finally come out and show off his debut show, Garibaldi Live.

Of course, no Garibaldi performance is complete without the accompaniment of a live DJ mixing tracks and providing live music. With a special guest appearance by Mayor Kevin Johnson, the introduction seemed to create mass hysteria. The crowd jumped up from their seats to cheer for the mastermind behind the Garibaldi enterprise.

Starting the show off with another artistic medium were the masked comedic troublemakers of the show, the CMYK dance crew. One of the performers created iconic images with spray paint and stencils in a style clearly inspired by the work of the U.K. artist Banksy. Banksy evolved his graffiti on the streets in London, using a series of stencils to create paintings faster and without getting caught.

The new addition to the show certainly proved to be a success. Stencils of Jaws, the guitarist Slash, the Apple icon and even Madonna were sprayed on small black canvas piece that were tossed off the stage. After stenciling a Justin Bieber picture complete with a spray painted heart, Garibaldi handed it to an adoring audience member — again, something new to his original routine.

The Crest filled to the brim, and lights and music combined into the perfect scene for Garibaldi’s work. Painting a “Hope”-inspired creation started his performance off right. Garibaldi created portraits of cultural icons such as pop singers Bruno Mars, Rhianna and John Lennon. With the introduction of a Beethoven portrait and an audience member’s portrait painted live on stage, it was evident that this was the next stage in Garibaldi’s performances. Using regular Sherman Williams paints and black stretched canvas he transforms colors into art with music.

Many “first-timers” were elated and simply shocked at the magnitude of skill Garibaldi brought to the stage. Longtime fans were even more enthralled in Garibaldi’s magic. Between bringing out Christian artist Lincoln Brewster, who is locally know from Bayside Church in Roseville, and all the dance choreography with CMYK, the show was indeed the full package. Throughout his performance, Garibaldi seemed to be under a spell from the electronic beats pouring from the DJ booth. He was a machine and a solider for his craft. He was unstoppable.

One of the most talked about creations was the Salvador Dali portrait created on glass. Again, this was something never performed on stage by Garibaldi. The largest painting ever created by Garibaldi was a sobering experience for many. The self-portrait, done in pieces, was at least 15 feet tall and it was indeed phenomenal.

Once the show was over, fans and Garibaldi collectors were able to silently bid on paintings done on stage that night. Since the majority of the proceeds are going to charity, Garibaldi is extremely close to reaching his goal of donating $1 million. Michael Knittel of Folsom purchased the Lennon and Dali portraits.

“I consider Garibaldi to be the next great American pop culture artist, nothing shy of the artist Andy Warhol,” he said.

Without a doubt, David Garibaldi pulled out all the stops for his hometown. After the show, many fans went to Garibaldi’s Facebook and Twitter pages to thank him for his performance and left inspiring messages for the artist.

One fan said it best: “In the words of Bruno Mars, you’re Amazing!”

Garibaldi Live: Really. Freakin'. Awesome.

2011-10-19T15:41:24Z

The Crest Theater will soon be filled with adoring and screaming Garibaldi fans once more. On October 26, performing live at the Crest Theatre will be the Sacramento native and world famous performance artist, David Garibaldi.

Garibaldi’s works are known for wowing crowds. The artist travels nationwide and overseas to showcase his talents on something as simple as an empty canvas.

Music feeds into his performances and crowds go wild. Many admiring fans guess and wonder what the painting will be when he is finished, but they are always astounded and amazed. Once he has your attention, that’s it - you’re hooked.

Garibaldi has created everything from the King of Pop to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. His portraits include Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Jimi Hendrix, Audrey Hepburn and even Mickey Mouse, just to name a few.

When asked how he is able to work so hard, but make it look so easy, Garibaldi answered, “The hardest part of my job would be all the preparation that goes into a show... I am the artist, but I am still incredibly hands on and I have a vision that I want to come across.”

Of course, with any performance, practice makes perfect. The time and effort that it takes for creating just one show is incredible.

Garibaldi Live is one of many shows and performances that Garibaldi has done in Sacramento. Having Sacramento as a hometown, he is devoted to somehow “give back” to his community.

“Sacramento is my hometown and I have planted roots here.”

Garibaldi has given so many great things to the city of Sacramento. He painted a fan-inspired “beHeard” mural at the corner of J and 20th, and he created the well known under-the-sea mural on a small apartment building on N street. It is refreshing to see someone rise to stardom and still be so humble and grateful, an attribute than many star performers have lost.

Garibaldi Live will feature opening acts such as musicians Stevie Nader and Wesley Avery. David’s charismatic performance will surely be in attendance with this new amazing show. He describes the show as a “whole new experience with over the top production, different theatrical elements [and] the largest painting I have done on stage yet.”

When asked how he would describe Garibaldi Live in three words or less, he replied, “Really. Freakin.’ Awesome.”

Garibaldi’s shows always provide something for all age groups. If you have yet to see him live, he will inspire you to create. Garibaldi Live takes place on October 26, 2011 at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, Calif.

For more information, visit www.garibaldiarts.com. To purchase tickets, please visit www.tickets.com

Think Big announces Citizen Architect finalists

2011-09-16T22:19:39Z

Designs for an outdoor amphitheater, an open-air plaza and a walk of fame were announced Tuesday as the top three contenders in the Think Big Sacramento Citizen Architect competition – a contest to design a portion of the planned entertainment sports complex.

The contest, which began in July, has been touted by the Think Big Sacramento committee as a way for the public to “leave its legacy” on the new complex, according to a press release.

Ideas submitted by Troy Bedal, a sporting goods store manager from Roseville, Shaun Baland, a state worker from Lincoln, and Gary Bladen, a recent UC Davis graduate working on sustainable development, were chosen as the top three out of more than 20 submissions.

Think Big Sacramento Project Manager Jeremiah Jackson said the design competition was intended to give members of the public – people who aren’t necessarily artists, architects or actual designers – a chance to put a personal stamp on the arena project.

“It’s all about concepts and ideas,” Jackson said. “We wanted (a design) that could really become an iconic symbol for community engagement.”

When the contest began, Mayor Kevin Johnson said, he hoped it would encourage someone from the public to create a “symbol of Sacramento and the surrounding region” and to build on the “grassroots support that has kept the Kings in Sacramento.”

A panel of celebrity judges, including local artist David Garibaldi and mixed martial artist Urijah Faber, narrowed down entries to the three finalists. The final winner will be selected by members of the public who vote in an online poll on the project’s website.

“To have a new project like this where the fans get to have a hand in it is just awesome,” Faber said Tuesday. “It’s great to give people an opportunity to be involved.”

Garibaldi congratulated the finalists on using a “creative process” to understand that developing their ideas was “more than just having an idea – it’s the inspiration behind it, too.”

According to a press release, entries were judged on feasibility and viability, design and creativity, and regional pride and sustainability.

Baland’s idea of a small outdoor amphitheater draws on inspiration from Cesar Chavez Park as a place for a variety of pre- and post-event activities.

“I envision a place for fans to gather, have a good time and have free entertainment and converse with each other before big events,” Baland said.

Bedal designed a walkway of bricks – a “walk of fame,” he called it – as a simple yet cost-effective idea.

The pathway would extend from the curb at the edge of the street to the front doors of the arena. Walls along the side of the pathway would showcase busts of local heroes and sports figures.

“Each brick will be personalized for everyone (who supported) the idea of a new arena,” Bedal said.

Bladen, a self-described “lifelong Kings fan,” submitted a plan for an environmentally friendly, open-air plaza. It would feature a terraced garden and lights powered by rooftop solar panels.

“It’s a celebration of what I think are the region’s main attributes: land, sun, water and a unique ecology,” Bladen said.

“People are our biggest commodity,” Think Big committee member Greg Hayes said Tuesday. “We want this arena to be about the people of this region.”

Hayes said online voting began Wednesday, and polls will remain open until the first week in November.

See the finalists’ designs and cast your vote HERE.

Melissa Corker is a Staff Reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Local artist features Kings faithful in 'Be Heard' mural

2011-05-17T03:30:59Z

Hundreds of Sacramento locals gathered at the corner of J and 20th streets in Midtown Sacramento late Saturday afternoon as world-renowned performance painter David Garibaldi showed appreciation for Kings fans by featuring them in his “Be Heard” mural.

Garibaldi requested photos of fans via Facebook and Twitter last week, and he chose 10 of the photos to display on his massive mural.

“I’ve never done anything quite like this,” said the Sacramento artist. “I was honored to give something back to the Kings fans, who are the ones responsible for the team staying in Sacramento.”

DJ Joseph One’s music echoed off the buildings and through the streets as crowds of people watched in awe and gossiped amongst each other over Garibaldi’s newest piece.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and have seen a couple videos, but this is the first time I have had a chance to see him in person,” said Kings fan Greg Maurantonio. “It was truly amazing to watch his idea unfold from start to finish.”

One of the lucky fans chosen to be displayed was Jarrad Hicks, who posted photos of himself, his mother and his uncle on Facebook on Friday.

“It really looks like me,” Hicks raved. “David called me a few hours ago and left a voicemail asking if it would be okay with me if he used my photo. By the time I called him back it was already 4:00, so I was happy he put me up there.”

Duane Hicks, Jarrad’s uncle, was also chosen and appears just below his nephew on the mural.

As Garibaldi finished his tenth and final portrait, he got on the microphone and asked fans to gather close as he put the finishing touches on the mural. “Be Heard,” the phrase that has gained praise through Twitter over the last few months, was spray-painted over the center of the group of portraits. Fans cheered as Garibaldi signed his finished piece and greeted a group of media to talk about his latest work.

Maloof Sports and Entertainment employees and Sacramento Kings ticket representatives were also onsite giving away “Be Heard” paraphernalia. Fans had the chance to ask questions first-hand and were encouraged to put down $100 deposit for 2011-2012 season tickets.

Garibaldi has performed at numerous venues and events over the last five years. He was invited to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in July, 2006 where he painted a portrait of Mick Jagger. In September of 2008, he opened for the Blue Man Group’s tour in Canada and the United States. He also opened for Snoop Dogg during halftime at a Golden State Warriors game in November of 2007.

The Sacramento native and life-long Kings fan was honored to give something back to the community.

“I was contacted by the Kings and was asked if I would want to paint something, and of course I said yes.” Garibaldi said. “I wanted to paint something to show the diversity of the city, and I wanted each portrait to be distinctive.”

The last couple of weeks have given Kings supporters hope after fearing the loss of their beloved team since the closing weeks of the season. Starting on May 3 with Mayor Kevin Johnson’s announcement that the Kings would be staying in Sacramento, followed by the “Here We Rally” gathering last Tuesday in Cesar Chavez Park, Garibaldi’s performance capped off one of the happiest stretches in recent memory for Kings fans. No doubt the fans have been heard and will be reminded each time they pass the corner of J and 20th.

Arts/Downtown Champion to Receive Service Award at Sac Film & Music Festival

2010-07-23T01:08:54Z

There are few people in this town who have consistently done as much to promote film, music, arts and Downtown Sacramento as Sid Heberger, managing partner of the Crest Theatre. Now, after years producing, hosting and promoting multiple film festivals, she is receiving the 4th Annual Film Arts Service Award during the opening ceremonies for the 11th Annual Sacramento Film & Music Festival.

From the Festival Program:

Sid grew up in Sutter Creek developing an early love for film and historic architecture. She moved to Sacramento to attend college and in 1986 became involved in the re-opening of the historic Crest Theatre, leading to a management position two years later. Now CEO of the Crest’s operating company, Sid has overseen multiple renovations of both the marquee and the interior, including selection of historically authentic materials and design components. Sid has produced multiple classic film events, Trash Film Orgy, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Comedy, and the All-Sketch Festival. She co-directs the Jewish Film Festival, hosts and supports multiple other film festivals, serves on the board of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, served on the Mayor’s Arts Initiative Film Committee, and is a Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commissioner. She lives in Land Park with her husband Bill, son Nicolas, and Lhasa-Poo Dusty.

"Our Festival and many others would suffer without the Crest as the perfect downtown venue and Sid is a friend, a supporter, a sponsor, and an amazing resource for an arts organization such as ours" said Festival Founder and Co-Director Nathan Schemel.

Past Film Arts Service Awards recipients include Shawn Sullivan who has a remarkable track record teaching animation at Sheldon High School and watching his students go on to great success at companies such as Pixar, Bill Bronstein who has directed the Tower of Youth film festival for many years and championed the cause of youth filmmakers, and Ron Cooper, Executive Director of Access Sacramento and the force behind 11 years of their "A Place Called Sacramento" screenwriting and filmmaking program.

In a small-world connection, Shawn Sullivan is also credited as a mentor in the success of local performance artist David Garibaldi, who will be performing at this year's Festival on Thursday, July 29th, following a premiere screening of "Walking Dreams," a new documentary about his work. A charity auction of David's work follows the performance and benefits the Friends of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and the Festival.

The Festival opens with a reception catered by Festival Sponsor Rubios at 7pm tomorrow (Friday, July 23rd). The opening remarks and Award presentation are at 8:00pm followed by a screening of the documentary "Official Rejection" about the trials and tribulations of getting an independent film into film festivals. The screening is followed by an after-party at Festival Sponsor Cosmo Cafe.

Full Festival information and ticketing links can be found at www.sacfilm.com/schedule.html.

All-Screening Passes are $60 at the Crest Box Office (a 50% savings over those bought online) or $30 for students. Most individual screening tickets are $10. Opening night tickets that include both parties, the award presentation, and the movie are $15.

Photos:

1) Sid Heberger, recipient of the 2010 Film Arts Service Award

2) Festival mini-poster

3) David Garibaldi, who performs live on July 29th at the Crest Theatre

Disclaimer: Tony Sheppard is Co-Director of the 11th Annual Sacramento Film & Music Festival

26 Films in Production for the 10x10 Filmmaker Challenge

2010-07-09T20:24:06Z

If you happen to see people filming around town, and if they also seem to be in a hurry, there's a good chance they're making a film for this year's 10x10 Filmmaker Challenge, a program of the 11th Annual Sacramento Film & Music Festival. Now in its 7th year, the 10x10 challenges filmmakers to make a 10 minute film in 10 days, on an assigned theme and using assigned elements such as quirky props and the Festival's mini-poster.

Last night, filmmakers and prospective cast and crew members arrived at the Art Institute of California, Sacramento (a Festival sponsor) in enough numbers to require a move to a larger room. In fact, the 26 teams that signed up to participate caused the maximum running time of each film to be truncated to 8 minutes for only the second time in the program's history.

After hearing the rules (make it quickly and make it clean!), teams used a pre-assigned number from 1-26 to select their props. They were also assigned two quotes from a well known movie which they are required to work into their scripts or otherwise include in the finished film, with each team's assigned movie being different. Props came in mismatched pairs and included such items as a teeny-tiny tea service and a lug nut wrench, a pair of foam swords, and a 54" inflatable shark and glittery apple. Quotes came from movies as diverse as Twilight and Gone With the Wind.

This year's 10x10 theme is "Lines" - chosen for its wide variety of potential interpretations, including such dissimilar contexts as ticket lines, airlines, electrical lines, family lines, political party lines, and stem cell lines. A quick search in wikipedia reveals approximately 50 different interpretations of the theme. Additionally, this is the Festival's eleventh year and the poster is designed around the parallel lines of the number 11.

Teams have until 7pm on Sunday, July 18th to complete their projects and the finished films will be screened at 5pm on Sunday, August 1st at the Crest Theatre, as the closing screening of the 10-day Sacramento Film & Music Festival. Films are judged on overall quality, and best use of theme, props, and quotes. And, for the first time this year, films will also be judged in several acting categories, thanks to the help of the Festival's newest partner Studio24, a full-service talent management company located in midtown.

The Festival runs from Friday, July 23rd to Sunday, August 1st, with 25 ticketed events and, at last count, over 140 films. The Festival is also hosting the world premiere of a new documentary about the work of Sacramento artist David Garibaldi, followed by a live performance and an auction of his work on Thursday, July 29th. Tickets and Screening Passes are available at the Crest box office and through tickets.com.

More Festival information and the complete schedule can be found at www.sacfilm.com.

Disclaimer: Tony Sheppard is Co-Director of the Sacramento Film & Music Festival

Photos 1-5 by Paul Le:

1: The Art Institute of California, Sacramento

2. A moment of shock as the Festival Directors realize how many teams there are

3. Filmmaker Jared Martin of Davis displays his props

4. Pre-numbered movie quotes wait to be claimed

5. One pair of props

6. Sacramento Artist David Garibaldi, who will perform at the Festival on Thursday, July 29th

7. Festival poster - designed by Paul Le of midtown's Sol Design

For Art's Sake announces its Creative Action Plan

2010-05-28T05:28:09Z

"Great cities deserve great art," Mayor Kevin Johnson said as he addressed an audience of 400 Thursday night at Sacramento State's University Theatre. The occasion was the final monthly meeting of the For Art's Sake initiative, an effort to revitalize the arts in Sacramento.

Good Day Sacramento's Mark S. Allen hosted the event. The main objective of the evening was the unveiling of the organization's Creative Action Plan, a detailed guideline to invigorate the local art scene over the next four years.

The three central goals of the plan are as follows: to strengthen cultural infrastructure, improve access to the arts and arts education and invest in talent and the creative economy. At the end of the night, all audience members were sent home with a newspaper-style copy of the plan printed by the Sacramento Bee.

Although in its inaugural year, the initiative already has made huge progress. The most notable accomplishment is that Sacramento was selected as the launch city for the John F. Kennedy's Center for the Performing Arts' "Any Given Child" program, which will focus on putting art back into public schools. Sacramento was chosen out of 27 cities, but the program will expand nationwide after it has been launched.

The event wasn't solely for the announcement, but for entertainment as well. Local artists of all genres took the stage. Kicking off the event was a dance performance entitled "A Chicano Story" by Sacramento State students. Sacramento's Poet Laureate Bob Stanley then read his poem "Time for the Arts." Sacramento Area Youth Speaks (SAYS), a teenage slam poetry collective, demonstrated their literary skills as they moved from the crowd to the stage.

Two local but internationally known performers also came to show their support. Blues rocker Jackie Greene played three songs with his guitar and reminisced about his early song-writing days in downtown Sacramento.

To finish off the night, performance painter David Garibaldi hyped up the audience with a painting of Michael Jackson to a medley of his songs. Garibaldi also spoke about Sacramento and his development as an artist.

As the crowd shuffled out of the theatre, Sharon Gerber, a major organizer of the initiative and the Mayor's Arts Liason, commented on the event's success.

"Tonight was a celebration of the local talent that we have bragging rights to," Gerber said. "We don't have to import talent. We have phenomenal talent right here in our backyard."

For Art's Sake will meet again in September to start implementing the Creative Action Plan. For more information, visit www.forartsake.org.

Photos by Jonathan Mendick

1. Painter Garibaldi in action

2. Jackie Greene

3. Slam poets from SAYS

4. Poet Laureate Bob Stanley

5. Sharon Gerber

6. Mayor Johnson with Jackie Greene

Local artist David Garibaldi motivates at arts community meeting

2009-10-29T01:52:30Z

Sacramento-raised painter David Garibaldi delivered a poignant speech at Wednesday's "For Art's Sake" meeting. The 26-year-old thanked Mayor Kevin Johnson and the city for its support and guidance when he was growing up in Sacramento.

While Garibaldi was a high school student interested in the arts, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission recognized his potential and sent him to California State Summer School for the Arts on a full scholarship, he said. Garibaldi credited this and his high school art program with helping him redirect a creative fire that led him to graffiti the streets of Sacramento, inspiring him instead to become a performance artist.

The "For Art's Sake" initiative launched in June and holds meetings once a month, the fourth Wednesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m., in different locations throughout the Sacramento area. "For the next three and a half years, the arts initiative will be something I'm fighting for," Johnson said in a previous meeting.

More than 150 people showed up at Hot Italian pizzeria at 16th and Q streets to see Garibaldi deliver a speech and visual presentation. He is currently a licensed artist with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the Bob Marley Estate and Jimi Hendrix Estate, as well as an official Disney artist in the Disney Fine Art program. He recently performed his art show "Rhythm and Hue" as an opener for Blue Man Group and Snoop Dogg.

After the meeting, Hot Italian served pizza as members of the arts community mingled. The Sacramento Press spoke with some of the attendees.

"It's nice to have a mayor bringing this type of support to the arts," said Jay Bridges, of a film initiative called 916 Hollywood. He said the company will help bring Sacramento to the attention of the film industry, and also praised the level of support Johnson has received from corporations.

"It's really inspiring," said Kathy Ossmann, a singer and president of the Sacramento Master Singers board. "This is the first real support for the arts that raises public awareness and focuses on the arts."

She also addressed questions of whether or not the initiative was accomplishing enough.

"The most concrete accomplishment is being accepted for the Kennedy Center's 'Any Given Child Program,' (but) one year is a short time to accomplish something like building a new facility," she said. "This is much more about public awareness and perception, so I'm not disturbed nothing more concrete has been accomplished."

Next month's meeting will not take place on the fourth Wednesday of the month, due to its proximity to Thanksgiving. Instead, it will be held Nov. 18 at the Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H St.

For more information, please visit http://www.cityofsacramento.org/mayor/forArtsSake.