52nd City: December 2006

Last Call for Sequined Bandit Masks

A bummer for those of us who dig small local businesses, though a boon for thrifty types who would like to get in some early Mardi Gras shopping: per the New Line Yahoo! List: Saint Louis Carnival Supply is closing, with all the trappings of Carnival - beads, glittery diamond masks, dyed feather boas et cetera - marked to move. Driving down Broadway, past meat-packing warehouses and motorcycle repair shops, it has been a cheerful little landmark, like when you're walking down Broadway in June and see rain-tarnished Mardi Gras beads hanging off the fence around Nooter Boilerworks. If you need ticket-tumblers, mylar baloons, tiaras, hula-girl skirts, amusing hats, well, now is the time to get them...

Fun with numbers

Please put these numbers together:

3132
49
34
12/28

Enjoy!

Free Show & No Show

Brett Underwood, he of the soon-to-be-gone No Show on KDHX, notes this free show on South Grand tonight. Wild horses and all that, for me:

A mix of THC and TLC have combined for one magical scheduling mistake at Mangia Italiano tonight. Come on down South Grand and enjoy the music of The Deserters (Mark Stephens and members of Carousel Cowboy: you know Danny, Ethan and Adam...plus Paul Staples, who may do some sort of solo DJ thang in between amp scootin'). Following and closing out the night will be a Sadeeq Holmes project involving Brian Sullivan, Eric Hall and some horns which promises to be wonderfully live and probably a little noisy. How you say, "free jazz"? It all looks good on paper, but lets see what happens when we roll your balls out onto the court and the elements of the night combine and collide into the wee hours. Or stay home and listen to the second-to-last ever episode of The No Show on KDHX. Like Eric Hall said this afternoon, "It takes a lot of teamwork to make this dream work." I can't be in both places but you can, so I think you should even if you have to sneak out and listen to your buzz in the car for a bit.

Brett Underwood
Host of The No Show (Jan. 4th is the final episode)
noshow@kdhx.org;
Writer, Event producer
http://www.myspace.com/brettlarsunderwood

52nd City in the P-D

Mary Delach Leonard of the P-D's Everyday staff wrote up a nice piece on the magazine, which was published in this morning's edition. Of course, you can find it at stltoday.com. But as the piece is kind enough to mention - several times, at that - print has advantages over digital, so I'd certainly encourage you to spend the 50-cents for today's edition. In fact, I'm walking up to Grand right now to do the same...

Erin Bode on "The Wire"

Songs and conversation tonight on "The Wire," KDHX 88.1 fm, from 7:30 - 8:00 p.m. If you can't catch it live - what with family commitments, Unconscious songs and what-not - you can stream the show for the next month at www.kdhx.org. Songs and conversation with Erin Bode, mere hours away...

P-D Weighs in on The Nights

Kevin Johnson of the P-D weighed in today on the possibility of Mississippi Nights shuttering in the very near future and the word is... definitively maybe. At least it's nice to know that - in the case of this particular story - the paper-of-record had as much luck in getting info as a little blog. Below, we liberally cut-and-paste the MN bit of Johnon's column from today's "Get Out":

After years of talk that the closing of Mississippi Nights was imminent, it might be time to say goodbye to one of St. Louis' most historic rock clubs.

But if the talk is true, this is one club that wil be greatly missed, and we're glad it has its eyes on the future.

An Unconscious Christmas

No good deed goes unpublished and no good plan goes as... well, planned. I intentionally booked a DJ spin on Xmas night, because I'd asked around and heard that none of the old Christmas warriors (the Unconscious, the Urge, Fragile Porcelain Mice, etc.) were planning any type of Yule get-together. Proving that the best laid plans are something or another, that first mentioned group, the Unconscious, are, indeed, playing a loose reunion gig at the Atomic Cowboy on Christmas, with the club open from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Here's hoping there's a late, late, late show, for those of us who'd like to be there but won't. Because, say, a band member said there'd be no show.

For those of you remembering the group's classic blend of rocky funkiness, please report in with your first-hand accounts, thanks.

Mayor Slay on YouTube

Being a weekly visitor to the old Farmer's Market, I recognize a few faces from the latest video missive of Carson Minow's, found at MayorSlay.com and... now at YouTube, as well.

Here's a link to the SFM piece: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=MayorSlay.

What a Book!

While at the Webster University library last week, I happened across a copy of Dick Gregory's autobiography "nigger" (1964, E.P. Dutton) in the stacks. It was a book that I wanted to pick up for some time, if only because of Gregory's occasional appearances in the old Gaslight Square district. What I found, though, was a fascinating account of life in St. Louis during the late-'30s through the mid-'50s, at which point Gregory took a track scholarship to SIU-C.

The first third of the book contains the St. Louis-specific material, but Gregory's accounts of facing racism as a star college athlete, breaking into show business in a competitive Chicago market and then seguing into a lead role in the civil rights struggles of the South (and, true, the Midwest). The material was compelling enough that I had force myself to put it down, in order to not run through the 232-pages in one reading.

For those who might know Gregory only for his recent forays into writing diet books and taking on odd causes, this is a wonderful primer to the man's early days. And it's another "must have" for any comprehensive STL book collection. While I'm returning my copy to WU today, I'm planning a trip to Dunaway Books for this afternoon, as well, in hopes of adding this one to the personal bookshelf. From there, it'll be a much loaned-out work, I'm certain.

Saving KYMC

I've definitely heard about KYMC far, far more than I've actually heard KYMC. But the left-of-the-dial radio station's been a stalwart of both the Westplex and the local music scene for the better part of three decades, so it's with some concern that there's an open letter/website going live, indicating that 89.7 fm may soon be no longer.

Here's a link to the site: http://www.savekymc.net/.

If so moved, they're looking for letters, e-mails and calls of support to the West County YMCA, to keep the station afloat after the New Year.

In fact, if we're in wish-list mode, it'd be nice to not only hear that the station's still going to be active, but to hear that streaming could go live. Matt Distelrath's "Hindsight" show is probably my favorite on the local airwaves, but the low wattage of KYMC's made hearing it an impossibility. Here's hoping that his show gets picked up elsewhere on the dial. (Can KDHX get cooler? Would the Point invest in a quality rock show? Dunno, dunno.)

More X-ellent X-mas music: Bert Dax

Okay, don't get the wrong idea. Just because I posted twice this week about Christmas music doesn't mean I like it. In fact, I shouldn't admit it, but I really hate it (perhaps because I got brainwashed as a kid by my psychedelic parents, who dismissed all Bing Crosby as "schmaltz"). But some of my favorite songs by St. Lou bands have been on the Bert Dax Xmas CD compilations. (Oh - and Graddaddy's "Allen Parsons in a Winter Wonderland" passes muster, too). Don't know why. Just is. So - per Brett Underwood, per Eric Hall:

"In case you wanna be one of the people who knows stuff, here is some stuff to know: This Friday and Saturday night are two CD release shows for the fifth volume of "A Very Bert Dax Christmas", which features contributions from Peanuts (Eric Hall, Nazeer Sadeeq Holmes, Jeremy Brantlinger), Precious Movements (featuring members of Phonocaptors and Walkie Talkie USA doing a remix/one-up on the Peanuts tune), Sex Pube Mario Viele, The Bureau, Monads, Rats & People, Transmitters, SkareKrau Radio, The Manillas, Mustardfish, and Learn, Artist. The CD kicks a lot of ass. Give it to your family this year and show them what the season is really about. In fact, you can come to the shows and buy past Bert Dax Christmas CDs, or pick them up from Vintage Vinyl if you can't wait. The Friday night show is at Lemmons and stars The Transmitters, Mustardfish, The Monads, and DJ Like A Light Bulb! featuring The Kaucasian Kristmas Karolers (Eric Hall, Jaime Gartelos, Jeremy Brantlinger, and Nazeer Sadeeq Holmes). The Saturday night show is at The Way Out and stars Rats & People, SkareKrau Radio, The Manillas, and Learn, Artist.
Either show will only cost you $5, or you can attend both for just $10.

Ho."

New Year's Celebrations

No lack of interesting New Year’s eve activities in St. Louis this year.

YOGA MARATHON
I blinked twice when I read it. Marbles Yoga Studio (1905 Park Avenue) is hosting its Third Annual 24 Hours of Yoga New Year’s Eve Celebration. Apparently there will be live music, movies, and a silent auction to benefit HOPE HAPPENS. Start the year off all limber instead of all hung-over.

HOT TUB PARTY
And I’m sure most of you have heard about The Kim Humphries New Year’s Eve Hot Tub Party at the schmancy new White Flag Projects gallery. Sure to be the scenester event of the night.

Personally I enjoy listening to Earth Wind and Fire, playing board games, and drinking whiskey sours with a few friends over. Now that’s a party.

Shop Local: Holiday Gift Ideas

Okay, so last weekend I was able to check a lot of folks off of my gift list, thanks to the Independent Art Market. I do have 2-3 more things to get. I’m trying to shop as local as I can. Here are some ideas…

1. A chapbook from Observable Books. I couldn’t pick a favorite. You won’t be able to either. So buy all three. They are only $8 a pop and the design is snazzy. Small in size (stocking stuffer!), big on impression (poetry with a wallop!). While you are on the site, you can donate just an extra dollar to the Observable Books Holiday Fund Drive and support the Observable Books Poetry series.

2. I always find extra special gifts at Mezzanine Wearables, 389 North Euclid Avenue, in the CWE. They carry clothing and accessories from emerging designers and things that smell awfully nice. The owners are super cool. They’ve opened a men’s shop down the street—haven’t checked that out yet.

3. When a gift card to [insert big box store of choice here] seems just a little too impersonal consider a gift certificate to a St. Louis Originals local independent restaurant.

4. Every January I try to take a 1-2 night retreat. I reflect on the past year and make goals for the next year. Not to get all Oprah on you—but it really has helped me stay focused on my priorities. I don’t have time to go somewhere far away—so staying nearby is just the ticket. Dwell 912 offers a modern urban retreat. Treat someone you love to a zen-out weekend.

5. SKIF still makes the best looking and most interesting sweaters in town and Nina Ganci’s studio shop on Marconi is always a fun place to shop. Completely snuggable holiday bargains can be found in a low pressure atmosphere.

6. I know I don’t have to remind you to shop at Left Bank, Subterranean, or Dunaway Books. But I am. And I do want to recommend a book I just finished—The Best Food Writing of 2005. A little elf hinted that I may be getting the 2006 edition for Christmas. This series, edited by Holly Hughes, is a must have for the literate foodie on your shopping list. There wasn’t a dud in the bunch—really outstanding, passionate, and fun writing.

7. And of course many people on my list are getting 52nd City magazines. You too, can easily wow your friends or family with a holiday pack of magazines—get all three print issues from 2006 for just $15. Or better yet, 2007 gift subscriptions are just $40. And what to carry all the literary booty in? Well, a sturdy and stylish 52nd City tote bag, of course. Check out our Café Press store for more 52nd City gear.

Good Luck!

A Good Kind of Xmas Music

I am pretty sure that the only time I've seen the Dave Drebes Players is during the holidays; I have one especially fond memory of a show at the old Commonspace storefront in Grand Center, with Mary Lisa singing backup and Kurt Groetsch on bass. I'm all awash in nostalgia this season anyhow, because those weird frilly tree garlands are back in style- the ones that were big back in a time when the Heatmeiser was just a little stop-motion animation character and not a band - so to further the nostalgia (and that's a big chunk of what holidays are about anyway, si?) I may be trotting down to go see this; since it's got that other component so important this time of year, that is, it's for a good cause.

Dave Drebes Players
5th Annual Holiday Performance
Thursday, December 14th
7:00pm

$2 cover to benefit the South City Open Studio and Gallery
and the Potter's Workshop

House Concert at 3940 Cleveland, in South City.

"beautiful melodies, interest provoking lyrics, festooned and fine musicianship"

The Dave Drebes Players:
Jenna Bauer, bass
Dave Drebes, keyboard
Fred Hessel, guitar
Matt Siemer, guitar
Kraig Schnitzmeier, Drums
Jeff Smith, Drums
Butler Miller, musical direction
Brian Marston, audio production

News from Observable

Two good bits of info from the South Side HQ of Observable Books.

First, the thrid and newest chapbook is out on the press, Cole Swenson's "Ghosts Are Hope." The attractive, little book (designed by Firecracker Press) is available at several local booksellers, specialty art fairs and sales and via the Observable site.

Secondly, the press release for the next Observable Reding has been readied, for an early January, themed reading. (Oh, how Observable loves those themed readings! As do we.) Following is the text:

January 4, 2007, 8 pm
Observable Readings Presents
Four poets named Robin in...
ROCKIN' ROBINS
At the Bottleworks in Maplewood
More info at http://observable.org/readings/

Robin Behn's Horizon Note won the Brittingham Prize from the University of Wisconsin Press in 2001. She has authored two other books of poetry: Paper Bird (Texas Tech, 1988) and The Red Hour (HarperCollins, 1993). She directs the M.F.A. Program in Creative Writing at the University of Alabama .

Robin Ekiss's work has appeared or is forthcoming in Poetry, The Kenyon Review, The Gettysburg Review, New England Review, Prairie Schooner, Gulf Coast , and elsewhere. Her first book manuscript was a finalist for the 2004 Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets .

Robyn Schiff's first collection of poems, Worth, was published in 2002 and appeared on Fence magazine's list of Most Notable Books for that year. Originally from New Jersey , Schiff now lives in Chicago , where she is a visiting professor in the English department at Northwestern University .

Robin Beth Schaer works at the Academy of American Poets and has taught writing at Columbia University and Cooper Union. Her poems have been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and have appeared in Rattapallax, Small Spiral Notebook, Denver Quarterly, and are forthcoming in Spinning Jenny.

Lights out at Mississippi Nights?

For the past few days, I keep running into extremely tied-in local scene types who are talking about this. And though I haven't seen an official announcement in local publication or website, the idea that Mississippi Nights is closing after New Year's Eve seems a good bet. Though an e-mail to the club's main employees hasn't come back with an affirmative, too many indicators suggest that the club isn't going to open door after December 31, not the least of which is a website that doesn't go past that date.

That's not a fun option to consider for many, myself included. Even though my attendance at Nights shows has slipped in recent years, with only a handful of trips to the Landing staple this year, what exists is still a memorable connection. There was a time when I could find myself at the Nights multiple times month, with so, so many memorable nights spent in the music hall, a thought that has to be true for many.

Among the national acts I can recall, simply top-of-head: Rain Parade, Souled American, the Dead Milkmen, Lush, Faith No More, Magnapop, Let's Active, Green on Red, Chris Isaak, Dramarama, Public Enemy, the Charlatans, Ani Difranco, Sonic Youth, Bob Mould, Screaming Trees, Majesty Crush, the Something Brothers, Veruca Salt, the Sounds and Tricky. It was the only place I ever saw Nirvana and Television. And was the home of the show that most sticks with me to this day, Ministry, then touring with a 10-man lineup and at the height of their impact. Hell, I even remember hearing the full-ska version of No Doubt.

Locally, too, so many bands stick out, for whatever reason: Uncle Tupelo, Small Ball Paul, Gravity Kills, Nov. 9th, the Nukes, the Stranded Lads, Ultraman, the Dazzling Killmen, Murder City Players, MU330, Enormous Richard, Tripstar, Black Sand Hand, Big Fun, Oliver Sain, Waterworks, Corporate Humour, the Finns, Blank Space, A Perfect Fit and Ulcer Inc. There were countless nights of dropping in for the Urge, the Eyes and the Unconscious. And special gigs like the Mississippi River Music Festival and the St. Louis Music Awards. Ah! The day of free admittance and free passes! Ah!

Admittedly, I have no final word to hang my hat on and, again, maybe there's something out already released or written that confirms this. Some skepticism deserves to remain until it's in writing from the club, rather than mused about on a blog.

An example: at the Royale, late last night, a musician who played the stage many times was dubious.

"I'll believe it when I see it," he said, literally slumping his head and shaking it. "I've been hearing for 20 years, 'this is the time.' Like I said, I'll believe it when I see it."

And though the current schedule doesn't have that KO-punch show that I'd like to catch before the end of the year, I feel the need to head down to the increasingly-isolated club. (After all, the MegaSino's wrecking ball has already claimed neighboring buildings to the north.) When it comes to the rumor of the club's demise: I do believe it and do, once more, want to see it.

News from Chapel

I popped by the Chippewa Chapel at Off Broadway last night, one of a surprisingly healthy number of attendees, considering the chilly temps. A couple bits of info stuck out:

The club will now host the traveling open mic once a month. On February 3, a Frederick's Music Lounge rememberance show will be celebrated, noting the (roughly) one-year passing of the venue.

Meanwhile, we overheard that the Wormwood Scrubs and two-thirds of Thee Dirty South (Bob Reuter and Marc Chechik, sans drummer John Baldus) will be touring Europe, kicking off in February. Bob Reuter in Europe... the mind reels.

Lastly, 52nd City is co-sponsoring a show on Friday, December 22, "A Very Merry Christmas Spectacular," a multi-band bill booked by Mike Tomko's Tomko Bomb Co. concern. Saw the name on a huge banner with my own eyes.

Events!

Sometimes, flyers, e-mails and posters just find you. A nutty number just came into my life and who am I not to share?

Tonight: At White Flag Projects, "lively panel discussion with artists Brandon Anschultz, JeraldIeans, Eva Lundsager and Daniel Raedeke. The artists will discuss their workand ideas, all under the thoughtful moderation of gallerist Jim Schmidt. It's sure to be a provocative evening of conversation, and an active
audience makes these things so much better - so please come by and help stir it up."

Friday, Dec. 8: "Anthill" multi-artist show at 2016 Marconi, 6-9 p.m., w/ Daniel Axe, Emily Bax, Benjamin Beaury, Jenni De Suza, Genevieve Griffin, Regina Kearns, Larry Robinson, Camillo Spiegelfeld.

Friday, Dec. 8, 8-10 p.m.: 52nd City Variety Show @ the Independent Art Market, featuring DJ Play, Jesse Irwin and host Gavin Tartowski.

Sunday, Dec. 10: Arsenal vs. Chelsea, EPL soccer, broadcast live at 10 a.m. at O.B. Clark's in Brentwood. I am addicted. Ain't no denyin'.

Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m., "Arty Movies by RD Zurick," Webster U. Film Series: from the filmmaker, "I want to share some piece of video beauty that I am proud to hav recently created. I am just as exicted about you being there as I am seeing them on the very big screen with the excellent Webster projection. I'd like to call my works visually abstract symphonies buy maybe they're just picture songs of places I love." Roy's a character. I cannot wait!

Saturday, Dec. 16: Cycling Photography Exhibit, Mesa Cycles, 1035 S. Big Bend: cycling photography by Matthew James, Kurt Jambretz, Eric Filcoff and Daniel Elavsky.

Shopping the way it ought to be

Let me get all sappy for a second. For over twenty years I’ve gone Christmas shopping the first weekend of December with my mom, three aunts, and two cousins. We gather together in St. Louis from across the Midwest and tear up the town. For me, the camaraderie of this event is way more important than the actual shopping. We laugh and cry more than we buy, but I haven’t missed a shopping weekend with my family yet.

I also never miss an Independent Art Market, and one takes place this weekend at Shaw’s Gallery. This is where I really seriously shop for the holiday season. I’ve bought pottery, stationery, and cookies for in-laws, a silk-screened t-shirt for my brother, jewelry for friends, and I confess—I’ve treated myself to some pretty swank silk-screened tea towels. If you prefer high-quality, hand-made, unique, affordable gifts, there is no better place to drop your hard earned dollars than with local hard-working artists.

And to enhance your shopping experience, this year the Art Market team is offering a sake, sushi and fashion cocktail reception, a broad range of musical performances, poetry readings organized by Observable Books, and a variety show organized by 52nd City. (Yes that’s us—we’ve attended Art Markets of the past, so we were delighted to be invited to be a part of it this year’s event.)

The Independent Art Market proves that holiday shopping can be fun.
Get out of the malls and into the galleries this season!

What: Independent Art Market
Where: Shaw’s Gallery, 2 blocks east of the Botanical Garden (4065 Shaw Blvd. 63110)
When: Friday (6pm-midnight), Saturday (noon to midnight), and Sunday (noon-6pm)
Schedule of Events
Participating Artists

Roberts at the Contemporary

I'm stealing the title of this post from the title of an e-mail I got earlier today dubbed, yes, "Roberts at the Contemporary." I've never been to one of these Select Nights, not because I have an issue against DJ's, beer, or contemporary art. In fact, I enjoy all three elements, singly or mixed. I think it has subconsciously has to do with a coughing fit I once had at the space, when I was shushed by Paul Ha. It was one of those scarring moments in life, really, though it has little, if anything, to do with "Roberts at the Contemporary" this Thursday night. I will note that this is an evening when I should break my away-from-CAMSL streak, as people have long asked me if I'm related to the artist Larry Krone, despite the fact that we spell our names differently. That, too, is of, at best, marginal relevance to Roberts' post. Please read:

=====

This Thursday I will be playing records at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis from 6-9 p.m. I am very excited about this for three reasons. First, I haven't played out very much of late, and am itching to provide nice background music for casual conversation while you enjoy your favorite Jay-Z-endorsed Anheuser-Busch product and examine the remarkable work of artists Larry Krone, Janaina Tschape and Michael Paul Britto.

Second, I just purchased a bunch of new records that I would like to share; many of them are quite funky. Third, the Contemporary is an absolutely beautiful space for music. The beats bounce off the walls -- which usually sucks, acoustically speaking. But in certain circumstances, like this one, the tracks (I'm thinking dub, oddball ambient techno, and Prince, Diplo, Missy Elliott and Talking Heads) will be bouncy, as well, so the result will be akin to, say, wearing those funny-looking Nike running shoes with springs in the heels and jumping on a mini-tramp which is placed on a regulation-sized trampoline. Music's gonna fly all over the dang place. Those prone to seizures
should take their medicine. All others should wear safety glasses.

Randall Roberts, aka DJ Li'l Edit, at the Contemporary this Thursday, December 7, 2006, from 6-9. No cover. Free food. Inexpensive beer.

Observable Poetry Rings in Early This Week

I keep a mental sticky note for the first Thursdays of the month, which is, most of the time, when Aaron Belz's Observable (poetry) Readings occur. But, since this is the season to drink spiked eggnog, wear argyle legwarmers and purchase live mistletoe from Bayer's Nursery, things are busy over at the Bottleworks. If you go to Maplewood on Thursday to hear poetry, you will likely find instead a holiday beer-tasting or an Xmas party.

So listen up! The Observable Reading is tomorrow night at Bottleworks (7260 Southwest) at 8pm, and it is going to be very, very, very good. (Well - they're all very good, but I think even those who don't like poetry much will really dig this reading.) Reading will be Gabe Gudding and Piotr Gwiazda. From Aaron's blurb on the site:

Gabriel Gudding is the author of two books, A Defense of Poetry (Pitt Poetry Series, 2002) and Rhode Island Notebook (Dalkey Archive Press, 2008). His work appears in such anthologies as Great American Prose Poems: From Poe to the Present (Scribner, 2003). He teaches literature and creative writing at Illinois State University.

Piotr Gwiazda is the author of Gagarin Street (WWPH, 2005). His poems have appeared in Barrow Street, Columbia, Drunken Boat, Hotel Amerika, Rattle, The Southern Review, Swink, Washington Square, and elsewhere. He teaches modern and contemporary poetry at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

and finally, excerpts chosen by Mr. Belz to be printed on the promotional posters, to give you a wee taste of what to expect:

POEM IMPLORING THE RETURN OF MY BUTT

Dear Sir--I have lost my butt. It was a
frail butt not unlike a dog's. Now
that it is gone I am concerned
about its recovery as my legs are
grating against my abdomen.

Sincerely,
Gabriel Gudding

FOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

At times I can barely understand myself,
living in the place called Brainwash.

My visitors talk to me in headlines.
I reply with absurd proverbs.

-Piotr Gwiazda

Belz adds at the bottom of the flyer: "Dress casual. It's OK to be late. Lots of beer!"

Amen. The snow will be melted too. Come down!

Fixture = Languid = Friday

Okay, people, it's not like we're living on the ice planet Hoth. It's cold, yes, yes. Our garages are frozen shut, sure. Some of us have even taken nasty spills, gotcha. But, at least for those of us in the South Grand neighborhood, it's time to go out and have a beer. A member of the following musical group noted that Fixture is playing at Jasoom tonight. You might not know the name, but you may very well know the players. Here's the info, straight from the source:

Esoteric, experimental and elusive, the FIXTURE instrumental trio will be appearing at Jasoom, 3210 S. Grand Ave. (across from Cheap TRX) on Friday, December 1 at 10:00 pm. Three dollars at the door.

FIXTURE is comprised of three original members of Languid, a critically-acclaimed and popular band with a long history in St. Louis. The funky, mellow and unexpected grooves served up by FIXTURE formed the core of the Languid musical experience.

Josh Kohn - guitar
Stephen Lindsley - bass
Peter von zur Muehlen - percussion

The evening will open with a solo guitar set by John Bolduan.

FIXTURE and Friends
Friday, December 1, 10:00 pm
Jasoom Revolutionary Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
3210 S. Grand Ave.

This Sunday at Hartford: Art and Free Candy

Jeesh, how about this snow day? I have been outside a few times this morning, and the sun shining through the prisms of so many ice crystals nearly blinded me with its brightness. It's really lovely. Not being native to the Midwest I am still wowed by the sheer sparkliness of ice storms.

As brilliant as those ice prisms: an art show, opening at Hartford Coffee on Sunday December 3, featuring 52nd City's own Thomas Crone, along with Dana Smith, Andrea Day, Chris King, Tom Lampe and Brendan Dulaney. Click the links for some little previews of the art that'll be hanging. Also that Sunday, the next installment of Free Candy! with Amanda and Julia, following the art opening. I expect the atmosphere to be warm and jovial, with many excellent pieces hanging on the wall and a lively edition of Free Candy (see below). Hope to see you there!

THE DETAILS:

Sunday, December 3
Hartford Coffee Company, 3974 Hartford (@ Roger) Free, maturish
audience only, 7 p.m., 314-772-5947, amanda@freecandy.net

Delightful show prequel, in the form of a new art show featuring
the photography/artwork of Thomas Crone and friends (Dana Smith,
Andrea Day, Chris King, Brendan Dulaney, Tom Lampe) from 5-7 p.m.