Breven Angaelica Warren is the founder and producer of the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival. Formerly known as the Washougal Film Festival, the newly-named event will move to the downtown Vancouver Hilton and Convention Center this month. It will open on Wednesday, August 18 and close on Sunday night, August 22.

Breven Angaelica Warren, Producer, Columbia Gorge International Film Festival

The opening night starts with a reception followed by a screening of Earthwork, directed by Chris Ordal. In addition a film designed to be projected onto ice will be shown – on ice, with music.

Films will be shown throughout the day and evening on Thursday, Friday and during the day on Saturday – in four different theaters at the Convention Center. An awards ceremony will be held on Saturday night and prize-winning films will be re-screened on Sunday.

A filmmaker and producer who also works at other festivals like Sundance, Breven has scheduled more than 300 films, ranging in length from 1 minute to 2.5 hours. Numerous filmmakers are coming to Vancouver for the event. Admission to view the films is free! Trailers for some of the films are available at Trailer Addict . The complete film list is posted here.

What brought you to SW Washington?

My mother graduated from Washougal and my dad graduated from Camas so I was made here. They had me in Florida and I grew up in Florida and Jamaica. My family moved back here quite a few years ago and I came here to help them with what they were doing and I am a filmmaker so I brought my film projects with me.

I was living in Washougal and the community was so amazingly supportive of my filmmaking. A lot of times I would get the question, “Where can we see your films?” Unless you were on the film festival circuit I don’t know where you would see them. So I had the idea of starting a festival to share with the community what they were helping me make and to bring independent film to the community.

That is how I started the festival in 2008, largely to give back to the community as well as to offer another opportunity to filmmakers because the film circuit is very tricky to get into and it took me a long time to get my films on the festival circuit. In 2008 we screened over 300 films. Part of my mission is to have it free to everyone. It’s a terrible business model but I want to stick to that.

In 2009 we grew a little and had more films and more filmmakers come. We are in our third year and the Convention Center was available and we could have everything under one roof. So many filmmakers come in from out of town as well as out of country and we can offer them all the amenities.

What is the best kept secret about SW Washington?

Is it a secret that we have the most amazing nature opportunities here? I’m obsessed with the gardening here.

If you didn’t live here, where would you live?

Somewhere where I can create. I am more interested in my community, the people around me, than the location.

What’s coming up that you are excited about?

Absolutely the Film Festival and getting to share so many amazing films with so many people. And especially the quality of filmmaking. We have amazing films from all over the world. We represent about 40 countries and really breathtaking storytelling, creative art films, great narratives and wonderful documentaries.

What would surprise people to know about you?

I started working in the industry as a child. Got my SAG card at age nine. Also, I make installations. I construct things. I like to make large pieces of art. I love glue and tape.

Rebar. Plastic bags. Gasoline cans. Art? This weekend, there were dozens of artists at the Recycled Arts Festival in Vancouver who have transformed the rusted, the plastic and the bound-for-the-landfill into collector’s items. Esther Short Park was lined with more than 80 vendors displaying remarkable reuse talents. Thank you Clark County Environmental Services for a great event! A few lessons stood out:

1. I don’t have to feel guilty about those (now rusty) garden tools I left in the rain.

Rusty tools can create great yard art

More information available at Howling Heights Metal Designs

2. Plastic bags can become a thing of beauty.

If you can crochet, you can create beautiful bags and rugs from plastic bags

Lots of products available through Molly J Walter

3. Those splintery chopsticks from my favorite Chinese restaurant can have a new life.

Who knew that chopsticks were so versatile?

There are lots of choices to purchase at Kwytza Chopstick Art .

4. The bowling balls I have been collecting are just begging to be beautified.

Way more interesting than Victorian gazing garden balls

Visit Ta-Dah Handmade about artwork and classes.

5. My collection of out-of-style sweaters could become in-style, felted hats.

These sweaters look great as hats!

Visit Sweater Heads for a great selection.

6. You can teach an old, red gasoline can new tricks as a dog.

Low maintenance pet - perfect for empty nesters

More information available at Howling Heights Metal Designs

7. A cigar box wants to make music.

These cigar box instruments can even be amplified

Alan Matta at Hammered Frets has the details on his instruments at hammeredfrets@gmail.com

8. Wine bottles recycled into jewelry can be way more interesting than gemstones.

Beautiful glass beads made from wine and beer bottles

Learn about hand-torched, glass bead jewelry at Late Night Lampworks

9. Vases, light fixtures and other glassware can become stunning, luminescent statues for the garden.

These glass art pieces will never stop blooming in your garden

For details about these sculptures, email vondaquilts@comcast.net or visit their Facebook page Tiffany on a Stick.

10. Every nut and bolt deserves another chance.

Nuts and bolts start new lives

More work available at Fairy Forge.

Got stuff? Avoid the landfill. Get out there and start re-creating!

Deena Pierott is the Founder and CEO of Mosaic Blueprint, which she started in 2007 to help companies find great talent worldwide. She is the Founder of Urban Entrepreneurs Network, which focuses on women and minority businesses in SW Washington. A true whirlwind, she is also the Founder of International Black Women’s Collaborative, an online platform with more than 1,000 women from all over the globe. Deena is a governor-appointed Commissioner on the Washington State Commission of African-American Affairs and a Board member of Community Choices in Vancouver.

We spoke in the new Fireside Café at 63rd and Andresen in Vancouver.

Deena Pierott

Deena, what brought you to SW Washington?

When my husband and I were married, we were in LA and we wanted a place that was slower paced for our son. I remembered how nice this area was when my parents had bought a home right outside of Salem so my husband came up and stayed for two weeks and loved it and said “I think we should move.” We first moved to Lake Oswego and lived there for about five years and then came over to Vancouver. I was drawn to SW Washington. Even though it’s just a river away from Portland, it’s really different. There is more of a sense of community here.

What is the best kept secret about SW Washington?

Besides being such as wonderful and encouraging community – the scenery here. There is a scenic drive near La Center where they have a winery and parks. There is one old barn with a creek that seems like it is out of a Norman Rockwell painting. And it is only a couple of hours to Seattle, you can go to Portland for entertainment, you can go to the mountains, you can go to the beach. It’s a wonderful location.

What is your favorite place to relax or play in SW Washington?

If I have the time, I like to just grab a lawn chair and go out to Klineline Park and just read.

If you didn’t live here, where would you live?

New York City.

What is coming up that you are excited about?

I’m working on a possible diversity event to be held in New York City – Women in Leadership: The Hidden Communication Barriers.

What would surprise people to know about you?

I think people see me as an overachiever a lot and someone who is leading several causes, companies, etc. I think they would be surprised at my compassion and empathy. I do have a very soft side. I don’t think people understand how community driven or collaborative I am even behind the scenes. I will try to bring everyone in on something so that everyone can share a piece of the pie. It reminds me of a quote: “Integrity — When you do the right thing even though no one is watching.”

With performance skills way beyond their years, nine talented musicians filled the hall with stunning music yesterday at the 16th Annual Young Artists Competition of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Anyone who doesn’t believe in music education should attend a competition for young musicians.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body.” The performances immersed the audience in a rich “music bath” for two hours. Three of the musicians were selected by long deliberating judges to perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on April 17th and 18th at the Skyview High School concert hall. Each also won $1000 scholarships.

There is something very humbling about hearing a 14-year-old, who debuted with a chamber orchestra three years ago, move so gracefully through a Chopin concerto or a confident 16-year-old violist play Bartok. Like Yo Yo Ma and Joshua Bell, who first picked up their instruments at age four, most of the Vancouver competitors started playing music at very young age.

In the end, 16-year-old Fred Lu won the piano competition for his performance of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto for Piano no 1, op 1 in F-sharp minor.

Gold Medalist Fred Lu Playing Rachmaninoff

Daniel Vasey, a 15-year-old alto saxophonist won with John Williams’ Escapades, movement 3.

Gold Medalist Daniel Vasey Plays John Williams

Natally Okhovat, 17, won the strings competition, impressing the audience with Saint-Saens popular and moving Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, op 28.

Gold Medalist Natally Okhovat Plays Saint-Saens

Stunning, inspirational performances—it was enough to send one home to practice for a long, long time.

Leah Jackson is the owner of Angst Gallery, which she opened in 2008 in downtown Vancouver. She curated the award-winning Baby Boomers exhibit at the Clark County Historical Museum and is one of the founding members of the Mosaic Arts Alliance and the Sixth Street Gallery. As an artist, she works with steel and welded art, jewelry, painting and glass. She is also a founding member of Bike Me! Vancouver, a bicycle advocacy group interested in cycling education and fun on the streets of Vancouver.

Leah Jackson, Owner, Angst Gallery

What brought you to SW Washington?

I moved here in 1993. I was born in Portland but moved back to this area from Southern California in 1993.

What do you love about SW Washington?

That there is access to all of the camping and hiking and water. There are lots of arts and good food. There is access to a LOT of good stuff!

What is the best-kept secret about SW Washington?

The abundance of artists here. There are so many artists that there aren’t even enough places to show their work.

What is your favorite place to relax or play in SW Washington?

I like to play in downtown Vancouver. There is a lot to do down here. There is good food. It’s easy to walk around. Easy to find parking. It’s all easy.

If you didn’t live here, where would you live?

Seattle.

What’s coming up that you are excited about?

I’m really excited about a new art conversations group that has formed in Vancouver. We meet the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. to talk about art issues including visual arts, music, dance, theater, any kind of art. We meet at a different venue each month so anyone interested in attending should email artconversations@gmail.com.

What would surprise people to know about you?

The fact that I ride motorcycles and snowmobiles. It’s not just about my bicycle advocacy!

Gian Paul Morelli grew up in Canton, Ohio and moved to Longview from Manitowoc, Wisconsin and the Capitol Civic Center in 2007 when he accepted the position of Executive Director of the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. He lives with his wife, Marykay Morelli, who is Community Relations Director of Community Home Health and Hospice, which is located in Longview and Vancouver.

In 1980, the historic Columbia Theatre was scheduled for demolition. The demolition equipment was staged for the job when Mount St. Helens erupted. The contractor who was poised to tear down the theatre and his crew were hired to deal with clean up from the eruption. This gave a group of citizens the opportunity to raise the funds needed to save and develop the building. A $11.3 million renovation of the theatre is underway and a grand re-opening is scheduled for February 4, 2010. The theatre’s current season is underway at the Rose Center for the Arts at the Lower Columbia College in Longview.

ZEST: What brought you to SW Washington?
Gian: I wanted to apply 30 years of arts management experience to a new project. Plus the size and extraordinary potential of the community of Longview. We love so many things about it including the nearby ocean and Cascades. I love smaller communities. They have a huge amount to give. We love the Olympics a lot, too.

ZEST: What do you love about SW Washington?
Gian: The geography, the weather, gardening, the terrain. We really DO love the weather. It’s always interesting.

ZEST: What is the best kept secret about SW Washington?
Gian: We found a yoga class that meets at a church in Longview at 7 a.m. in the morning, five days a week and it only costs a buck! My flexibility has gotten much better and I’ve taken off the 17 pounds that I put on when I got here!

Another secret: I have been surprised and delighted at some of the talent you find here. I went to the Eagles hall in Castle Rock and found a guitarist who is just a killer and you think, “Where did this guy come from?” Avocational musicians are really extraordinary here. This is really great stuff to hear.

ZEST: If you didn’t live here, where would you live?
Gian: Probably Albuquerque, New Mexico.

ZEST: What’s coming up that you are excited about?
Gian: The re-opening of the Columbia Theatre on February 4, 2010 with a performance by the Smothers Brothers. I’m really excited to clue in the rest of SW Washington as to what this theatre means and to show off this new facility.

ZEST: What would surprise people to know about you?
Gian: I’m a rabid Ohio State fan and love avant garde modern dance. I also love the television show, Hee Haw!