It was standing room only at The Cabin recently for the first gathering of the Treasure Valley Arts Alliance. An outgrowth of meetings sponsored by the Idaho Commission on the Arts and the Boise Arts and History Department, it attracted more than 50 people willing to explore what an organization serving artists might look like.

After brainstorming for two hours, we were energized enough to set a second meeting: 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at Art Source Gallery, 1015 Main St. (BYO chair). Pennie Mackie and Melissa Chambers volunteered to run the meeting and take further steps to build the Alliance's internal structure, Melissa e-mailed.

"This is actually a very sensitive topic for artists, because we seem to have a built-in aversion to dry, 'left-brained' administrative details. I am realizing, though, how important it is to have that balance of support structure to creative whoop-de-do - and even though most of us right-brainers cover our ears and back out the door when we're told we need to do that work, we really NEED to do that work.

"So this meeting will be important because we want to keep the momentum going from the first meeting, keep increasing our numbers, and inspire artists to hang in there and contribute to building our infrastructure so we can all get to the whoop-de-do part we crave."

50 WOMEN

Teri Stein invented it, Carol Deasy and her daughter, Kim O'Brien, are hosting it, and Kathie Brack told me about it.

Their "50 Women" cocktail party moves from Teri's home to R. Grey Jewelry this year, but it's still a signature event for Boise Contemporary Theater, followed by a performance that evening.

"The origami theme for the event follows the play (Rajiv Joseph's award-winning 'Animals Out Of Paper') and will provide some fun ideas for the event at R. Grey - a little different venue for a fundraising event."

RSVPs would be nice, Kathie added, but last-minute arrivals are OK, too. It's Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 415 S. 8th St.; pan-Asian hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at 6 p.m., play at 8 p.m.; $50.

ETSY ON 1ST THURSDAY

What's Etsy? Bill Gates meets 10,000 Villages, sorta. It's an online marketplace (etsy.com) that gives virtual storefronts to thousands of artists and crafters worldwide who make work by hand.

Boise's own Idaho Indie Works Etsy Street Team does it F2F in the Pioneer Tent Building on First Thursdays, and Thursday, Dec. 3, is no exception. Check out their jewelry, kids' stuff, cards and art at Old Boise, 6th and Main. (www.idahoindieworks.blogspot.com)

JANE AUSTEN TEA

In honor of Jane Austen's birthday, the Jane Austen Society Idaho Region hosts a tea.

This year it's chaired by Susie Multanen and features Kim Wilson, author of "In the Garden with Jane Austen" and "Tea with Jane Austen," registration chairwoman Carole Stokes said.

Tea will be poured at The Grove Hotel at 11 a.m Saturday, Dec. 12.

"We meet four times each year, including our annual tea," Carole said. "Recent meetings have been a 'Regency Supper,' with dishes familiar in Regency England; an English Country Dance demonstration; and a tea-tasting class. Our book club meets six times a year to read works by, about and because of Jane Austen."

RSVP by Tuesday, Dec. 1, to Carole, 344-5037. $25 per person.

HUMANITIES COUNCIL GRANTS

Have a project that would encourage dialogue about local or national issues from a humanities perspective, enhance understanding of history or explore diversity issues? The deadline for requesting funds from the Idaho Humanities Council is Jan. 15, 2010; staff reviews draft applications in mid-December.

Recent grant awards, grant guidelines and information: www.idahohumanities.org, or 345-5346.

Freelance writer Diane Ronayne: dianeronayne@gmail.com