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Événement
The Painter and The Poet
Theres been many artistic siblings throughout history. To that list, we present the Shorttes, who are bringing to the table something a bit different. On Thursday 12/5, sisters Jedidiah and Petra will be presenting an audiovisual event at the Strand Theater in Hudson Falls titled The Poet and The Painter. Jedidiah, who records soulful R&B-and-pop covers and original material under the name Sola, will be performing a 14-song set with a band. Petra, aka visual artist Opened Book, will simultaneously paint a piece that reflects the inspiration and mood evoked by Jedidiahs vocals. While theres certainly a performative aspect to The Poet and The Painter, the Shortte sisters ambition extends beyond that of entertainment. Art doesnt just reflect life; art translates art, said Petra. This space is a way to educate people. Ill retranslate her artistry through mine.
To that point, Petra encourages other creatives to come out and bring out their camera or sketch pad and be part of creating more and more fruitful things.
Jedidiah notes that the Strand event is their first time doing this particular collaboration. This past February, the two held a show at Jive Hive Live where Jedidiah sang while Petra applied makeup on her sisters face. The experience highlighted the essence of what theyre looking to accomplish.
We were both embracing how the show was going and what we wanted to showcase, she said. I was performing, but I was also performing with her art on my face.That February night and the upcoming appearance at the Strand serve to underscore the closeness of 21-year-old Petra and 22-year-old Jedidiah, as well as the important role creativity plays in their lives. The Shorttes, who moved to Saratoga Springs from Killeen, Texas, in 2014, have been pursuing their artistic passions since their mid-teens.
Petras interest in painting began in middle school after viewing a Bob Ross video in art class and feeling moved by the way he could fully immerse himself in his work. It became a passion when her brother bought her an easel, canvas and paints for her 16th birthday. Shes been creating and selling her work since.
Singing has been a part of Jedidiahs life since she was a little girl. She grew up singing in her church and in high school, took vocal lessons and performed in her schools acapella and choir programs. Around the age of 16, Jedidiah began writing material of her own and began performing it for the first time in September 2023, an experience that she describes as very liberating.
Both Jedidiah and Petra are comfortable creating and working on their own. But The Poet and The Painter not only allows them to delve further into their creative pursuits, but also grow their own relationship. Jedidiah has been working on the setlist since the end of September, assembling a batch of songs that are meaningful to her and known to both siblings. Despite that familiarity, Petra was caught off guard by some of the selections, causing her to remark, maybe I dont know my sister quite as well as I thought.
Petra plans on using that surprise to guide her work and is heading into the evening with no set idea as to what she wants to accomplish. She noted that when the pair did the song-and-makeup performance her planned makeup plans changed into something completely different based on the energy in the room and her sisters voice.
This is going to be a conversation with my sister when were our most authentic selves, Petra said. Shes super vulnerable and guarded, and I am as well. Well be vulnerable together onstage, and something new will come out of it.
At first glance, it would seem like Petras contributions would be the more improvisatory of the two. But Jedidiah anticipates her onstage demeanor will adapt to meet Petras vibe. Although she knows the songs shell be performing, she notes that the order of the material is still up in the air and may change on the day-of, based on my adrenaline and how Im feeling. Right now, the idea of channeling that energy into a shared moment with her sister has Jedidiah feeling similarly to Petra.
Its kind of like reliving our childhood together, she said. Its like were having a slumber party, except instead of being like, OK, lets hang out with each other in your room, itll be on-stage and instead of girl talk, well be painting and singing.
Jim Shahen Jr.
Freelance Arts Writer
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AdresseStrand Theatre Hudson Falls (Afficher)
210 Main Street
Hudson Falls, NY 12839
United States
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| Chiens bienvenus : Non |
| Non-fumeur : Oui |
| Accessible aux fauteuils roulants : Oui |
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