Memorial HS toots its own horn(s).

It’s hard to beat 2009’s flurry of local album releases (over 40) but 2010 had its share of notable artsy events. Here’s a sampling of interesting arts accomplishments from local folks in the last twelve months ...

• Basement punk venue Nate’s Dungeon celebrates ten years with “Decade of Dungeon.”

• Slow rock super group – with multiple ties the Chippewa Valley – GAYNGS appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

• Local band Vacation Dad (drummer Andy Todryk) got a good track review on Pitchfork’s “Forkcast” blog.

• Local singer Sean Carey (of Bon Iver) and local-ish band Peter Wolf Crier release albums on Jagjaguwar

• The Michael Rambo Project stages a show allowing audience members to help control their music through an iPad.

• State Theatre completes major art gallery renovation.

• By adding a 20 minute “pre-show” sets the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series in Phoenix Park is able to showcase almost 40 different local bands throughout the summer.

• Local illustrator/UWEC prof. Ned Gannon has his work featured in Cricket Magazine.

• Eau Claire Children's Theatre opens new Oxford Theatre.

• Stout student designs award winning chair.

• Former local Johnny Stanton plays bass for country star Heidi Newfield and appears on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

• Stout prof. wins international award for fashion design based on recycled jeans.

• Four local middle schoolers have their artwork displayed at the state capitol.

• UWEC marching band plays a Vikings game.

• Singer/songwriter Brian Bethke wins a song writing contest promoting the film Last Rites of Ransom Pride.

• Memorial High School qualifies to compete at the Essentially Ellington festival in New York (yet again).

• And once again, holy crap, Flute god Peter Phippen is nominated for a Grammy.