See 5 new art shows and tour 75 artist studios. Visit us Tuesdays – Sundays 12 – 6 PM. These exhibits continue through July 18th. Admission is free and open to the public
This year everything is so very different from past years. As we cope with current events, helping our neighbors, supporting our causes and families, we asked artists to focus on art that portrays the past, the present, and future-hopes of summertime–the theme of the All Media Show.
Also, showcasing is Tim Harper’s exhibit (Deconstruct/Reconstruct), Tom Campbell’s show (I Wonder…), and a digital exhibit, Let’s Go Crazy – Abstract Art by Central Virginia Art League.
Returning to the studio as Watkins Family Hour, Sean and Sara Watkins consider brother sister a duo-centric record – yet one that feels bigger than just two people. With Sean primarily on guitar and Sara on fiddle, and with both of them sharing vocals, the siblings enlisted producer Mike Viola (Jenny Lewis, Mandy Moore, J.S. Ondara) and mixer-engineer Clay Blair to harness the energy and honesty of their live sound.
“From the beginning, our goal was to work on these songs to be as strong as they could be, just the two of us,” Sara explains. “And with a few exceptions on the record, that’s really how things were. It was a tight little group of us, working dense days where we could squeeze them in.”
Sean (who is four years older than Sara) adds, “Because of the limited amount of time we had collectively to spend in the studio, there was a general sense of urgency, which I think the three of us (Sara, Mike and I) kinda strive for on these days. We didn’t have that much time and that made it fun and exciting. It was just us, in one room, facing each other with some really great mics, often playing and singing at the same time, trying to capture what Sara and I do in a real way.”
For the first time, the Los Angeles-based siblings carved out time to write with each other, often during the naptime of Sara’s toddler. They took early versions of the new songs to Viola, who instinctively rearranged some of the song structures in an effort to draw attention to interesting lyrics or surprising arrangements.
“Mike brings a diverse musical-history to his production work,” Sean says. “He’s worked with a lot of people [from The Figgs to Fall Out Boy] that surpass just bluegrass or folk, but his sense of the songwriting craft and melody is right in line with us. He was bringing ideas that we would have never had, and vice versa."
As Watkins Family Hour’s first project since a self-titled debut album in 2015, brother sister begins with “The Cure,” which Sean was inspired to write after watching Tidying Up With Marie Kondo. The concept of throwing things away is evident in the lyrics; there’s also a sense of knowing that you’re in an unhealthy relationship, but still choosing to avoid fixing it.
“Part of the fun of being a songwriter is being able to write about something that started from an image and then transcends that image to speak to something greater,” Sara observes.
Sara chose the beautiful “Neighborhood Name” after hearing it on a record by Courtney Hartman and Taylor Ashton, while “Just Another Reason” is an original that Sean describes as having “a vague, nebulous vibe” lingering below the surface. In contrast, the instrumental “Snow Tunnel” is like an epiphany, titled after Sean’s memory of driving through Zion National Park, emerging from the darkness of a loud tunnel into a peaceful panorama of snow.
Moving from one landscape to the next – literally and musically -- is nothing new to Sean and Sara Watkins, who have performed separately and together for nearly their whole lives. Growing up near San Diego, they played countless shows at a local pizza place in Carlsbad, California, with their childhood friend, Chris Thile. As young adults, those three musicians broke out nationally as Nickel Creek, an acoustic ensemble that sold millions of albums, won a Grammy, and toured the world.
Encouraged by a local club owner in Los Angeles, Sean and Sara formed Watkins Family Hour in 2002 as an outlet to try out some original songs and a few covers that wouldn’t work in Nickel Creek. That club, Largo, has since become the home base for Watkins Family Hour, whose shows frequently pair musicians who seem to have little in common, yet find a shared language in their music.
With Nickel Creek on hiatus, Sean and Sara released multiple solo albums and pursued other collaborations, most recently with Sara’s involvement in I’m With Her. However, the siblings gravitated toward the idea of another Watkins Family Hour album after realizing that their calendars afforded them a rare opportunity to write, record, and tour together.
Their musical chemistry is clear on songs like “Lafayette,” an ode to Hollywood as well as the hometowns left behind by its aspiring stars; “Fake Badge, Real Gun,” about confronting authority figures as well as your own beliefs; “Miles of Desert Sand,” whose haunting coda underscores the vivid imagery of immigration; and “Bella and Ivan,” a playful instrumental named for a friend’s two dogs who love to wrestle.
Two choice covers complete brother sister. Warren Zevon’s poignant “Accidentally Like a Martyr,” which they unearthed for a tribute show, conveys all the complicated facets of love, and “Keep It Clean,” the rabble-rousing Charley Jordan gem from the ‘30s, serves as a grand finale, with David Garza, Gaby Moreno, and John C. Reilly all chiming in on vocals.
“That's just fun to sing,” Sean says. “Going into this record, we wanted to focus on the duo-centric thing, but this was a chance to lean into the group aspect, and have some of the people that have been a part of the Family Hour but weren't on the first record that we made years ago.”
However, brother sister remains exactly that – the result of a brother and sister creating music.
“It felt really good to dig into the potential of two people,” Sara says. “There are a few songs on the record where Matt Chamberlain comes in to play drums, and we filled in the low end in a few cases with Mike Viola playing MOOG or piano, but the primary goal of this record became to see what we could do when it is just the two of us. The arrangements and the writing were all focused on that. Listening now, I'm really proud of what we did. These are songs that would not have come out of either one of us individually, and it feels like a band sound, like this is what we do, the two of us.”
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, & Discover. PNC Arena is 100% cashless.
PNC Arena Ticket Office presented by Ticketmaster.com: 919.861.2323 PNC Arena and Carolina Hurricanes Business Office: 919.861.2300
PNC Arena Ticket Office hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10AM to 4PM. Closed Friday through Monday, unless an event is taking place the Ticket Office will open at 12PM. On event days, the Ticket Office will be open through the start of the event. PNC Arena Ticket Office is located at the south end of the building, directly across from Carter Finley Stadium.
Wheelchair accessible seating and mobility impaired seating are available in all levels of the arena and at all price levels. Lower level seating is located along sides and ends, club level seating is located along ends, and upper level seating is located along sides, corners, and ends. Sight and hearing impaired seating is available in the lower level corners.
The MetLife Stadium Box Office will accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Personal checks will not be accepted.
Ticketmaster Will Call may be picked up at any open ticket window. For all events, non-Ticketmaster will call orders may be picked up at the designated will call window. Will call tickets will be available beginning at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled start time for the event.
Box Office: 201.559.1300, tickets@metlifestadium.com - General Ticket Inquiries - ADA Ticket Inquiries Guest Services: 201.559.1515, info@metlifestadium.com
MetLife Stadium Box Office is open Monday – Friday 11am – 5pm. The Box Office is located in the West VIP lobby. Please park in Lot G, enter through MetLife Gate and into the large glass doors labeled “West VIP.”
MetLife Stadium is fully accessible including all concession stand locations, merchandise stands, ATM's and seating areas. Accessible seating for guests with special needs is available on all levels and in all price ranges. Elevators are located in the southeast (SAP), southwest (Verizon), and northwest (Pepsi) corners of the stadium. Ramps are located at the north and south entrances. Seats with removable armrests are located throughout the stadium. A limited number of wheelchairs are located at each of the entrance gates to transport guests with limited mobility to their seating area. Guests may contact the MetLife Stadium at 201-559-1515 or ADAinfo@metlifestadium.com for more information or any additional needs for non-NFL events. MetLife Stadium ADA Ticket Questions call 201-559-1300. New York Giants ADA Ticket Purchases call 201-935-8222. New York Jets ADA Ticket Purchases call 973-549-4585. For wheelchair accessible and limited mobility patrons for non-NFL events, please click on the "Request Accessible Tickets" icon on the right side of the page to be taken to a dedicated page for accessible seating purchases. Please request the total number of wheelchair plus companion seats or limited mobility plus companion seats within the same wheelchair dropdown box so you may sit together.
The Box Office accepts Cash , Visa , Mastercard and American Express as methods of payment.
Will call is available two hours prior to the start of the event. Will call is part of the South Ticket Office, on Autumn St near Santa Clara St. Customers must present the actual credit card used for the purchase, a photo ID and the Ticketmaster confirmation number in order to receive their tickets.
The ticket office can be reached at (408) 287-9200 during business hours.
The Box Office is located at the South East corner of the Arena, on the corner of Santa Clara St and Autumn St. Box Office hours are as follows: Mon - Fri .......... 10:00AM - 3:00PM Saturday & Sunday .... Closed
SAP Center has designated seats for both wheelchair accessible seating and their companions. However, due to size constraints, companion seats will not fit a wheelchair. So patrons needing wheelchair accessible seating must purchase a wheelchair accessible seat as the SAP Center cannot turn a companion seat into a wheelchair accessible seat.
Instant Car Repair Edmonton is organizing a free online webinar on the 3rd Monday of every month where you will get to learn how to choose the right tires for your car.
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Contact us before the 3rd Monday to register your entry to the webinar. You can also visit our website to see our work in Edmonton, AB. We are a group of certified car mechanics in Edmonton giving more than 200 vehicle repair services at your home. You can depend on the continued support of our local certified car mechanic who can help you to tire swaps and keep you rolling smoothly for years to come.
Will Call opens 2 hours prior to performance.
TSJ Ticketing: 408-792-4111 TSJ Ticketing -Monday-Friday 10am-5pm 408-792-4111 or in person at the City National Civic (including Broadway San Jose) 135 W. San Carlos 2 hours prior to show at CPA- Walk-up only Print your e-tickets, we are not able to scan off mobile phones at this time
The Box Office at the CPA is only open on the day of a performance beginning 2 hour prior to show time. Tickets for Broadway San Jose can be purchased Monday- Friday; 10am-5pm at the City National Civic 135 W. San Carlos (Just ½ block away. There is a white curb out front for parking)
Two accessible platforms in the orchestra on either side of row 27 can accommodate wheelchair patrons and their companion. Please call the box office at 408-792-411 (Monday-Friday; 10am-5pm) prior to event to check availability.