Art and Community, World Travel and Rock Icon Doug Yule

Megan Sukys
09/25/2008

In a new book called "Art and Upheaval," Bill Cleveland details the transformative power of art from around the world – including right here in Seattle. We also talk to Beth Whitman to explore how world travel and foreign cultures can shape the way you see the Puget Sound.

At 2:05 p.m. – Wanderlust And Lipstick

International travel involves foreign countries, new people and languages, and exotic food. Staying at home involves the same places, same people, and same food. Yet travel writer Beth Whitman has found that traveling abroad changes the way she lives in her hometown. Beth lives here in Seattle and she runs the travel website Wanderlust And Lipstick. She's also the travel blogger for the Seattle P–I. She tells Jeannie Yandel how she lives in Seattle differently as a result of all her globetrotting.

At 2:20 p.m. – Art and Community

A phoenix recently arrived at The High Point Community in West Seattle. The bird is a painting in the midst of sculptures of flamingos, skuas and eagles. High Point is a former housing project that is being rebuilt. It may sound like a simple beautification effort, but Bill Cleveland sees it as an example of the fierce power of creativity. Bill founded the Center for Art and Community in Bainbridge Island. And, in a new book called "Art and Upheaval," he details stories of the transformative power of art from around the world – including right here in Seattle. It was a play in Ireland that set him on a journey to see how far community art could go in changing society.

At 2:40 p.m. – Misha Berson Theatre Reviews

Seattle's busiest theatre season coincides with the national political season. It's appropriate, then, that many local plays are tackling political themes. Seattle Times Theatre Critic Misha Berson brings us reviews and previews of "he Vertical Hour" at ArtsWest, "The War Party," at Seattle Public Theatre, "All The King's Men," coming to Intiman, "Saint Heaven" and "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues," at Village Theatre, and "Spring Awakening," coming to The Paramount.

At 2:50 p.m. – Doug Yule, From Rock Icon to Violin Craftsman

Legendary rock producer Brian Eno once said that only a thousand people bought The Velvet Underground's first record. But every one of them, he added, started their own band. That sense of the band's fervent influence has carried on for over four decades. And for a few years, one of The Velvet Underground's key members was Doug Yule. Doug now lives in Seattle, and he doesn't talk much about his Velvet Underground years. Today, what he's really passionate about is folk music. He rediscovered this love just a few years ago when he started building and repairing violins. Doug Yule speaks with Jeremy Richards.