October 30, 2007
Go South for Animal Index: Release Next Weekend
As this note concerns one of our writer/editors and as I doubt she's going to plug an event featuring her own work, it's up to me to note that Stefene Russell's long-form poem, "Go South for Animal Index," will be released on the popular musical compact disc format next weekend. The November 9th gig will highlight the new disc, compliments of Poetry Scores, along with an invitational art auction. Details are as follows:
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GO SOUTH FOR ANIMAL INDEX
Art opening, silent auction and multimedia release party
Produced by Poetry Scores
At Hoffman LaChance Contemporary
3100 Sutton Boulevard in Maplewood (just south of Manchester)
7 p.m. Friday, November 9
On Friday, November 9 at 7 p.m., the local arts group Poetry Scores will host "Go South for Animal Index," an art opening, silent auction and multimedia release party. The event will be held at Hoffman LaChance Contemporary, located at 3100 Sutton Boulevard in Maplewood.
"Go South for Animal Index" is a poem about the atomic bomb by Stefene Russell, a poet from Salt Lake City who grew up downwind of the Nevada nuclear test site and has since transplanted to St. Louis. Poetry Scores has set her poem to music, mostly as rock songs by Three Fried Men. A CD of the score will be released at the November 9 event, published with the annotated text of "Go South" and essays by the poet and by the musical co-producer, Chris King.
A number of local artists have been invited to make new, original art that responds to the poem in a show curated by Jenna Bauer and Robert Goetz. This work will be available on silent auction at the November 9 release party. Confirmed contributing artists are:
Jon Counoyer - Greg Edmondson - Jenna Bauer - Lyndsey Scott - Jason Triefenbach - Melanie Persch - Sue Hartman - Stan Chisholm - Robert Goetz - Brett Williams - Andy Tolch - Kim Humphries - Marie Oberkirsch - Jaime Gartelos - Tim McAvin - Gena Bradey - Carmelita Nunez - Chris Dingwell - Mike Behle - Sandra Marchewa - Robert Van Dillen - Daniel Shown - Bryan Reckamp
- Eric Woods - Diana Lucas - Braden Persch - Dallas Woodson - Melina Rodrigo - Alicia LaChance - William LaChance - Michael Hoffman
Admission to the event is free. The Poetry Scores multimedia release of "Go South for Animal Index" (signed, limited first edition of 200) will be on sale for $15. The art will be on sale by silent auction. Proceeds from the silent auction will be divided evenly between artist, gallery and Poetry Scores.
Poetry Scores is an arts group devoted to the translation of poetry into other media. This year it incorporated with the help of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, which currently is assisting with its tax-exempt status.
So, join us for "Go South for Animal Index," an art opening, silent auction and multimedia release party hosted by local arts group Poetry Scores at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 9 at Hoffman LaChance Contemporary, located at 3100 Sutton Boulevard in Maplewood. It will be a bomb!
This event is sponsored by KDHX Community media, and Poetry Scores is supported by Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts.
For more information or directions, visit www.hoffmanlachancefineart.com. For more information on Poetry Scores, contact Chris King at 314-265-1435 or brodog@hotmail.com.
October 29, 2007
Open Lot Opens
Open Lot, located in a former yeast factory, is a new interdisciplinary studio/exhibition space in Lafayette Square (1310 S. 18th Street to be exact). Their first show “We’ll Talk More Later” is a collaborative affair featuring St. Louis artists Greg Edmondson and Lot dwellers. It takes place Friday, November 9th. The following evening Open Lot features the extravagant sounds of Pittsburgh avant-folk/noise/drone/acoustic/electronic musician Mike Tamburo.
Participants include recent grads from SIUE, Washington University, and Mizzou: Angela Malchionno, Aaron Jacobson, B.J. Vogt, Em Heymeyer, Jonathan Lisenby, and Jordan Hicks.
I’m very interested to see how this space evolves. You can find out more at their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/openlot.
October 28, 2007
Firecracker: Maryville Show
Earlier this week, I dropped by the Firecracker Press, on some pressing, important business. Eric Woods took a few moments out of our extremely challenging conversation to press a flyer on me, relating to an upcoming show at Maryville. Well, I forgot to post that up, but an e-mail received this evening, puts that reminder back in mind. For those of you out West County Way, here's a fine opportunity to check out some great letterpress art:
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OPENING: Thursday, Nov. 1st, 6-8 pm
RUNS THRU: Nov. 30
The Firecracker Press will be having an exhibition of printed work at the Morton J. May Foundation Gallery this Thursday night. The show consists of poster and printed materials we've produced over the past five years including work that's recently been published in the 2007 Print Magazine Regional Design Awards issue. We've literally wallpapered the gallery with printing and we'll be giving demonstrations on our newly acquired and totally adorable tabletop printing press.
The gallery resides in the same building as the campus library. Park in the Art and Design parking lot and walk to the east side of the library for the entrance.
Maryville University
Morton J. May Foundation Gallery
650 Maryville University Drive
ST. Louis, MO 63141
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Tel (314)776-7271
Web www.firecrackerpress.com
October 24, 2007
Dr. Sketchy @ Atomic
With a couple of updates going live today, I was reminded that I promised to post up something on the upcoming Dr. Sketchy event at the Atomic Cowboy.
I'm still not 100% sure what to say about this unusual endeavor. Instead, I will go visit.
The website.
And the video.
Wm. Stage at Mad Art
Wm. Stage will probably always be known best for his long-standing column, "Street Talk," in the Riverfront Times. But even for that paper, he wrote two other columns and always kept himself busy with outside pursuits, from writing true-crime books to process serving to publishing postcards. There's always a story when you run into Wm., and you might do that anywhere. The track. A corner saloon. The annual Polish festival in North St. Louis. He's that kinda get-around guy.
He'll be in one place soon enough, as a Mad Art exhibit features his words and photography. Details here:
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WM. STAGE BOOK SIGNING
& PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AT MAD ART
Writer-photographer Wm. Stage will sign copies of his book, Pictures of People, at Mad Art Gallery on Thursday, November 1, 2007 from 7 to 10 PM. In addition, Stage will hold forth on his writing and photography pursuits spanning nearly three decades. Some 40 pictures of people from the book will be on display for that evening only.
Pictures of People is a collection of 80 black-and-white candid photographs exposed from 1982 to 1993. Subjects hail from diverse pursuits and every level of society. The famous, the infamous, and everyday working stiffs all share a common bond, scrutiny before the lens. Most subjects were photographed in Saint Louis, either natives or artists/lecturers passing through. Text is limited to name, occupation, locale and year photographed. Among those pictured are former Cardinals’ manager Whitey Herzog, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, novelist-visionary Ken Kesey, mountain climber-environmental activist Sir Edmund Hillary, actress-comedian Brett Butler, poet-filmmaker Yevgeny Yevtushenko, novelist T. C. Boyle, and monologist Spalding Gray. An expanded version of this book may be viewed on www.pixofpeople.com.
A working journalist since 1982, Wm. Stage has interviewed and photographed thousands of people from every walk of life. He has taught photojournalism at Saint Louis University School for Professional Studies. He attended the week-long Photojournalism Workshop, offered by the University of Missouri-Columbia’s School of Journalism and held in a different Missouri town every year since 1946. In 2007, he became an occasional commentator on NPR affiliate KWMU, located on the campus of University of Missouri-St. Louis. Other books by Stage include Ghost Signs: Brick Wall Signs in America [1989]; Mound City Chronicles [1991], Litchfield: A Strange and Twisted Saga of Murder in the Midwest [1998] and Have A Weird Day: Reflections & Ruminations on the St. Louis Experience [2003]. He lives and drinks in the City of St. Louis, where photographic opportunities abound.
Mad Art is located near the A-B Brewery at 2727 S. 12th Street St. Louis, MO 63118.
For more information please call 314.771.8230 or 314.567.8697
Wiktor's Studio: Open House
If you've not had a chance to visit Wiktor Szosatlo's studio, there's an opportunity this weekend, as one of his pieces is slated for a trip to his native Poland. Working in a variety of artistic media, his studio's really a fascinating place. Details:
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A commission piece I have been working for almost a year now is about ready to leave for its final destination in Poznan, Poland. The welded stainless steel 7' tall sculpture titled: "At Long Last I Got To Like Myself The Way I Am" shows a mirror image of the same person running to (finally) embrace himself...
The party will take place this Sunday, Oct. 28, 12 noon till 6 pm on the sidewalk in front of my studio at 4398 Chouteau Ave @ Newstead where the sculpture will be displayed. Beverages will be provided and the studio will be "open" for browsing. Please bring all your deserving friends...
Wiktor
October 22, 2007
Cabin Inn Details
We noted a couple days back that the Cabin Inn the City would be reopening soon, under the auspices of Atomic Cowboy founder Peter Venezia. The former Kick Ass Award winner chimed in today with some e-mailed thoughts on what's to come, starting this Friday night, when the City Museum hits 10 years of age:
"I am going to operate it as a bar for a few months, then we may put a kitchen
in, have the Cabin Bistro. My brother-in-law, Jim Fiala of the Crossing, LILUMA and Acero. is going to be my partner. My spin on it is going to be: give it a needed facelift (my kinda mod style), have cheap drinks, funky decor, nice people and killer music. Something Downtown is lacking. The hours are going to be: Fri/Sat 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m."
October 21, 2007
That's Stupid
That's right...the theme for the next issue of 52nd City Magazine is STUPID and we'll be celebrating at a stupid fun release party at AMP (4199 Manchester) this Sunday, October 28th. Festivities start at 5pm and we'll have a prize for the stupidest costume/outfit. The swell guys at AMP (former Kick Ass recipients) are providing drink and appetizer specials. Admission is free. Issues of the magazine are $8. Come on down and get plain silly with us.
- Great new cover art by Firecracker Press!
- Writing by Michael Allen, Aaron Belz, Chris King, Jim Klenn, K. Curtis Lyle, Piedmont Chris Johnson, April Seager and Mike Steinberg.
- Topics like Gary Coleman, wigs, washing machines, mustard, feet and MORE!
- Web issue goes live on Sunday with even more writers and artwork.
October 20, 2007
CM's 10 on 88.1
City Museum's upcoming 10th anniversary will be the topic of conversation on The Wire this Monday evening, as we're joined by Rick Erwin, the CM Director and their promotional chief Kara Wall. This blogger and Amanda Doyle will be on with them on: KDHX, 88.1 fm, Monday, 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Corleone, Resurrected
Every year, the same resolution: see more local theatre. Every year, the same result: meh, tried but didn't make it. Does it count if I see a re-staging of the same play, across town, with a new lead? I may have to find out.
A couple weeks back, I took advantage of the NPTCO offering of "Corleone: The Shakepearean Godfather," at RAC's theatrical space. After getting my head around the concept for the first few minutes, this life-long "Godfather" fan settled in and enjoyed the production, with its' bare-bones set, gilded language and numerous allusions to subplots of the first "G" film. Enjoyable and it counted
against my resolution.
If you share the same goal for '07 and beyond, get started with this one:
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Just when you thought you were out, The NonProphet Theater Company pulls you back in!
The NonProphet Theater Company is proud to present a special encore presentation of their critically acclaimed production of Corleone ~ The Shakespearean Godfather. Due to popular demand (and six sold-out performances) this wonderful combination of the Bard and La Cosa Nostra will run for a limited engagement at the new Ivory Theater in South St. Louis for two weekends only.
Performances awill be November 9—18, with shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8:00pm.
Corleone - The Shakespearean Godfather is author David C. Mann's brilliant adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel and Frances Ford Coppola's film The Godfather. Mann, however tells the familiar story with a twist: with Shakespearean language. Mann saw many elements of a fine Shakespearean tragedy in Puzo's creation that it was almost a no-brainer to translate the Cosa Nostra classic into something that could have flowed from the pen of Shakespeare himself. Elements of family struggle, good vs. evil, deceit, murder, and a cast of untrustworthy characters kept you riveted to your seat in the theaters, and now they take on a new dynamic at the hands of David Mann.
Performances will take place at the new Ivory Theatre, located at Michigan and Ivory in the Carondolet neighborhood in South St. Louis (7622 Michigan Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111. Parking is available in a secure, lighted parking lot behind the theater. The theater is wheel-chair accessible.
For reservations either call 314-752-5075 or send an email to reservations@nptco.org, and be sure to include the following information: which performance you'd like to attend, how many seats you would like to reserve, and a contact number and/or email address. We will contact you with a confirmation.
Ticket prices are $15 for adults, and $12 for students and seniors.
The show is directed by Robert A. Mitchell, and reprising their roles will be Nicole Angeli, Aaron Orion Baker, Tyson Blanquart, Joseph Garner, Chuck Lavazzi, Jared Nell, Julie Venegoni, and B. Weller.
Unfortunately, due to a prior commitment, Andrew Michael Nieman- who originally played the role of Michael Corleone to rave reviews- will not be able to return for this encore presentation. Filling the role of Michael will be Richard Strelinger, who is no stranger to Shakespeare (having crafted and directed the last seven installments of Hydeware Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park) or to Mario Puzo's classic story and character.
Lighting and set design by Nick Uhlmansiek. Costumes by Russell J. Bettlach. Fight Choreography by Whitney Elmore.
October 19, 2007
Do Not Destroy Dana Smith's Artwork!!!
A progression from the last 15-minutes. All true.
1. I see that Dana Smith has added a new comment to our 52nd City Myspace page, a fantastic panting of a member of Shed Shot at a basement show.
2. I e-mail Dana, telling him that it's the coolest piece of work that I've seen from him. Like, ever.
3. He e-mails back, noting that the piece has been entered in Art Attack!, an upcoming SCOSAG benefit. He mentions that the piece could be destroyed soon. And that I should look up Art Attack!.
4. Unsure about Art Attack!, I see his link to the KDHX site, where I click on the info.
5. I post up the press release:
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KDHX Community Media and South City Open Studio and Gallery for Children (SCOSAG) present Art Attack! on Friday, November 16 at the South Broadway Athletic Club from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Art Attack! is Saint Louis' first and only rock 'n' roll art destructo-auction. Outrageous and chaotic, this competitive art event will benefit both KDHX Community Media and SCOSAG. The event features original works from 32 local artists, including local celebrities. Completed works may be viewed at the KDHX TV studio during regular business hours from November 1 until the day of the event. Works may also be viewed online.
Art Attack! is a single elimination tournament consisting of five rounds in which pairs of paintings will compete head-to-head. Audience response to each painting will be measured by an Applause-O-Meter, with the piece receiving the most applause progressing to the next round.
Losing works of art then face a perilous future in front of the Wheel of Misfortune. This large wheel includes six diabolical and imaginative ways of destroying the losing piece. If the Wheel lands on "Certain Death," it will be destroyed immediately. If not, the audience will then have a chance to save the piece by bidding on it for a minimum of $50 in the first round, $75 in the second, and so on. If the minimum is not reached, the piece will meet its demise without delay.
The excitement will continue throughout five nerve-rattling rounds until the final winner is announced. The creator of the winning piece will win $1,000 cash, as well as the comfort of knowing that their art will live on.
Art Attack! will also feature the gritty blues of Casey Reid and bluegrass-punk of The Monads in between rounds.
Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door at 7:00 p.m. or for advance purchase at the South Broadway Athletic Club.
The South Broadway Athletic Club is located at 2301 South 7th Street in St. Louis, Missouri.
Art Attack! is a non-smoking event.
October 18, 2007
Vanishing St. Louis
Just perusing this site, after a middling-long conversation about preservation a couple hours ago. Don't think that we've yet pointed to it:
http://vanishingstl.blogspot.com/
October 17, 2007
Kick Ass Awards: Date Set, (Some) Winners Announced
The - wow - fourth annual Kick Ass Awards are set, at least in terms of a venue, a day, a time and a few winners.
The event will be hosted for the first time at Duff's, the venerable West End restaurant and a venue that's long hosted literary and artistic events on Monday nights, the spot's usual evening of closure.
Ours will be held on Monday, November 26, from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
A partial list of confirmed winners includes these names:
The Dock Ellis Band: purveyors of classic country music
Bernie Hayes: author, professor, radio vet and all-around great guy
Local Harvest Grocery: South City's hip new spot to shop and nosh
Dana Smith: artist, found online at www.asbestossister.com
Josh Weinstein: jazz advocate and host of KDHX's "All Soul, No Borders"
Check our site for updates between now and event.
October 16, 2007
October 15, 2007
New Site for Cinema St. Louis/SLIFF
Cinema St. Louis and the upcoming St. Louis International Film Festival can now be viewed in a new light, with the long-awaited new website launched today.
The SLIFF calendar for November 8-18 can be accessed. And you - yes, you - can find out about fabulous volunteer slots at the Fest. Did I mention recently that I'm the volunteer coordinator for this year's event? No? I am!
Enjoy the site and the fun process of sorting out where to be, when.
Beers of Bell's Brewery Dinner @ Mangia
Mangia Italiano is tossing of its occasional beer dinners, with a six-course meal on Thursday, October 25. The items will be paired with beers from Bell's Brewery. This is what's on, er, tap for the evening:
Roasted beets (tossed with herb goat cheese and beet reduction) & Winter Wheat; seared sea scallops (over butternut soup) & Amber Ale; pan-fried pork medallions (w/ braised apples and greens) & Pale Ale; smoked chicken tortellini (w/ black mole sauce) & Porter; beef stew (w/ caramelized onions and spaetzle) & Kalamazoo Stout; brown sugar and almond bread pudding (w/ housemade ice cream) & Cherry Stout.
Start's at 7:00 p.m., reservations for $50 at: 314-664-8585.
Rock @ CBGB
Found an old-fashioned and hand-lettered flyer for rock shows coming up at CBGB, all of free and all of them (ahem) limited to 21-up's. The gigs are booked by Bert Dax, which is a label, not a man, though a label run by a man.
The rundown:
Tonight: Nerve Parade (STL) and Call it Radar (desc. as "Miami angle rock..."???)
October 22: Stuporhero (Seattle), the Museum Mutters (STL, featuring frequent 52nd contributor James Weber Jr.) and Learn, Artist (STL, as heard on the 52nd City Sound CD)
November 3: Bunnygrunt, Rats and People, Quief Quota (all STL and all celebrating Eric Hall's 39th birthday)
See ya there, at least once, if not twice, though unlikely all three times.
October 14, 2007
Dock Ellis @ Royale - tonight
I thought I had something special with the Dock Ellis Band. A few months ago, the band and I spent a morning together that I thought was meaningful for all involved, as I took snaps of them in the old Powell Square Building. Well, this morning, I checked Myspace and found that the band not only picked up another member, they took photos with someone else! And the kicker: they did so at the Carondelet Coke Plant! Oh! The horrors!
Through tears of rebuke and guilt, I have to note that the Docks are playing the Royale tonight, which might seem a strange place for a classic country band to be playing a Sunday night gig. But it only gets weirder, when you consider that a non-broadcast talk show and jackets-only coronation ball are also slated for the same evening, which should feature basically everyone I know in some form or another.
Wiping away tears, here's the bulletin from the Dock Ellis Myspace page:
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Sunday, 14 Oct 2007, 06:30 PM - The Royale
3132 Kingshighway
St. Louis, Missouri 63139
Cost: free
Description:
The Royale is presenting the third annual Free Candy show with the formal Royale Coronation. This exclusive party will be held on Sunday, October the 14th from 6:30 to 9 with a variety style show by Tom Weber and Amanda Doyle of Free Candy featuring the Dock Ellis Band, Clownvis Presley and many more fun acts. This is a look sharp event/dance, so please dress accordingly. They will be unveiling the Royale’s new neon and bejeweled crown which will sit atop the sign.
We hope to see you there!
Granite Vintage (-1), Cabin Inn (+1)
Granite City Vintage Vinyl
I always liked the Granite City Vintage Vinyl, though I liked it much more in theory than in practice, as I seldom actually went to the store. But I enjoyed the notion that when in Granite City, I could enjoy the same quality record buying-experience that I enjoyed on my more frequent trips to University City. More importantly, the store gave countless Ill-Side kids a chance to buy quality music at a real record store, instead of whatever chain was nearest.
On October 1, though, the store shuttered quietly. No sale. No hoopla. A shame, in that my video collection is compiled from the bones of dying video stores and I never felt bad enough about taking advantage of a retailer's woes to not buy from their going-out-of-business stock. Alas. In a node to the late Granite's employees and long life, I bought $56 of very-needed music in U. City yesterday. (And might I say, Vintage is radically altering the price of many used CDs. Yesterday, I picked up various bits for $3.99 and $5.99.) In short, support your local record retailer.
The Cabin Inn
Little birdy say: The Cabin Inn will be reborn (yay!) on October 26, during the 10th anniversary celebration of the City Museum. The club will apparently be booked and managed by Peter Venezia (yay!), founder of the Atomic Cowboy's original location, and a partner in the Grove venue. Don't know much beyond this, but City Museum types are known readers of this site, so we're hopeful for some added insight/corrections/additions.
Cannot wait.
October 12, 2007
Soccer on the Radio
Just got this note about a new soccer show on the radio, which will air weekends on KSLG, better known as ESPN 1380 on the AM dial.
Here's the intercepted note, from co-host/producer Tony Hubert, a longtime fixture on local sports radio and a true, dyed-in-the-wool soccer fan:
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Tomorrow I am beginning a new radio show called the Saturday Soccer Report on 1380 ESPN. It will air at 1:00 this Saturday, and we have a special 2-hour show next Saturday the 20th from 4 until 6. I will be hosting along with my partner Joe Pelusi. We definitely would like to get some phone calls so tell people not to be shy.
Everything soccer is what the show is. Tomorrow's guests will include Lori Chalupny and Jeff Cooper. Lori is scheduled for 1:15. The show is sponsored by St. Louis Soccer United.
October 11, 2007
Harvest for Art
52nd City pal Rocky McCalla sends along notice of the upcoming Harvest for Art, a SCOSAG benefit in its second year. The fact that it's called a "mishmash" is the winner here. It's a word that's unnecessarily underutilized:
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Who: South City Open Studio and Gallery (SCOSAG)
WHAT: Harvest for Art 2007: Five bands & seven local artists come together for one night!
WHEN: Friday, November 2, 2007
WHERE: Lucas School House ~ 314-621-6565 ~ www.lucasevents.com, 1220 Allen Ave. at Allen & Gravois
TIME: VIP Doors at 6:00 PM. General Doors at 7:00 p.m. Show starts at 8:00 p.m.
COST: VIP: $40 ~ GENERAL ADMISSION: $20 Get your tickets by calling: (314) 865-0060 or emailing scosag@gmail.com. You can also purchase your tickets from the Lucas School House box office.
WEB: For more information visit: www.scosag.org
HARVEST FOR ART
SCOSAG’S 2ND ANNUAL MISHMASH OF MUSIC AND ART!
(Saint Louis) September, 2007. The South City Open Studio and Gallery (SCOSAG) will kick off the holiday season with another great party: Harvest For Art on Friday, November 2, 2007 for an exclusive art auction (seven artists) and music by five bands.
The doors at the ultra hip Lucas School House (www.lucasevents.com) open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Bands include: local singer songwriters, Firedog and CELIA, the sultry Jessica Butler Trio, a reunited Palookaville and the bluesy rock & roll act-- Black Diamond Heavies!
Harvest for Art will also host an exclusive silent art auction of unique and beautiful work by St. Louis artists including Tom Huck, Belinda Lee, Milton Holmes, Brandon Anschultz, Tom Reed, Lisa Bulawsky and Jenna Bauer. {See artist information sheet for more info.} There will be pottery for sale and a Do It Yourself tee-shirt design station! Not to mention, Firecracker Press Posters for sale!
General admission tickets are $25 and include hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary concoction by Bombora Vodka! VIP tickets are $50 and include advance entry (6 PM), complimentary snacks, two complimentary concoctions by Bombora Vodka and a complimentary CD of the music recorded live from the evening! Get your tickets by calling: (314) 865-0060 or emailing scosag@gmail.com. You can also purchase your tickets from the Lucas School House box office.
All of the proceeds stay directly in Saint Louis and benefit The South City Open Gallery and Studio. It is the Mission of The South City Open Studio and Gallery to provide a safe and educational environment for children to explore the Arts and also to strengthen the ties within the St. Louis neighborhood, its families and its youth.
October 10, 2007
Solitary City @ Beverly Gallery - Q&A
This Friday evening, three local photographers combine on the show Solitary City at Beverly Gallery, the ordinarily woman-only space at 3155 Cherokee. This time out, the three shutterbugs are all fellas and they've combined to create a project in which each's work bounces off the other, as they examine architecture and the urban condition, both in St. Louis and around the world. Their show will run roughly 7-10 p.m., though you should be safe in arriving within 60-minutes of either side of that timeframe.
Two of the three participants - Brett Beckemeyer and Alan Palmer - answered some questions earlier this week via e-mail. That interview follows. After the short Q&A, Beckemeyer provides some additional thoughts on happenings around the intersection of Cherokee and Compton this Friday night.
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1) How do you three know one another?
[BB] I met Alan Palmer through a mutual friend a couple of years ago, but it was not until later that we discovered affinities in our common photography hobby. We discussed having a show together about a year ago. One day Nate Sampson noticed some of our work on my desk at the architectural firm where we both worked and that led to his joining the show.
2) How many pieces are involved for each of you?
[BB] We set a goal of around 10 photos per artist. However, this show was always intended as a collaborative dialogue; we have put together a series of tripartate works in which each artist is represented, with only a few exceptions. In total there are 34 photos, divided by three. Folks will have to come to the show to see how that math works out :)
3) How hard was it to take such vast quantities of work, only to boil the shots down to the final number?
[AP] The most difficult part of the selection process, at least in my experience with it, has been grappling with pulling photos out my own archives. As a group though, I think we've been on the same page as to which photos worked and which didn't. We've been rotating and reviewing each other's portfolios for almost a year now, and after many rounds, I think we've arrived at a cohesive collection.
4) Why this particular venue? What drew you there?
[AP] I happended to be introduced to Galen while we were in the midst of getting things together, and he was open to the idea of us putting up photography show at Beverly. Fort Gondo, Beverly, and Snowflake all have great reputations for hosting independent art, and I knew Galen would keep things DIY and allow us any artistic freedom that we needed. Oh, and the Beverly smells nice :)
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There's also an opening reception at Fort Gondo:
www.fortgondo.com/fortgondo.htm
A closing at Snowflake:
www.snowflakecitystock.com/Art_Info_Page.html
And music by Ryne Watts and Campfire Club at Beverly, at 9 p.m.
October 09, 2007
Sunflower Cinema @ CAMP
Found a lovely yellow flyer for a continuing film series at the Community Arts and Media Project, CAMP, found at 3022 Cherokee. The film series, Sunflower Cinema, has two slated films, with a $4 donation accepted. (It took me a minute to sort out the NOTAFLOF phrase, but I beleive it to mean "no one turned away from lack of funds.")
The pair of films slated, with blurbs:
Thursday, Oct. 11: "Majados: Through the Night": "Mojados" is a revealing documentary that follows four men into the desperate world of illegal immigration on their 120-mile, cross-desert journey across the U.S./Mexico border.
Thursday, Oct. 25: "Paris is Burning": Filmed in the mid-to-late 1980s, "Paris is Burning" chronicles the ball culture of New York City and the poor, African American and Latino gay and transgendered community involved in it. Many consider it an invaluable documentary of the end of the "Golden Age" of the New York City drag balls as well as a thoughtful exploration of race, class and gender in America.
Show-Me Blowout @ Off Broadway; Q/A with Kopper
The Show-Me Blowout is taking place this weekend at Off Broadway and we asked the organizer, Jeff "Kopper" Kopp, a couple questions about the event. What we got back is a fairly comprehensive set of answers on the project. Enjoy.
How'd this whole event come together? What was the genesis of it?
Wow, that's quite a story. OK, here goes:
I suspected there were some bands around the region that I was missing out on, and so I went on Myspace one day and clicked on the "Music" tab... from there you can do a search for bands by musical style. This was the first time I'd seen or tried out this feature, so I thought, what the hell, I'll see what kinds of bands are calling themselves "garage" around St. Louis and beyond. So I first searched for St. Louis. There were many that I'd never heard of before, and most of them were probably using the term "garage" as in "garage band" rather than "garage rock" (relating to the style of music descended from '60s rock'n'roll), as they didn't really have that raw, primitive, fuzzy sound that I've grown accustomed to. Subsequent searches around the state revealed similar results, although I surprisingly found several that not only matched my tastes in style (either "garage rock," "garage punk," or more or less just great, groovin' punk/rock'n'roll).
A couple of those bands are thus included in this fest: The Rich Boys (who were originally the TV Eyes when I found them), and The Modern Primitives (who were going by the name of The Secondhands at the time). I was already familiar with bands in Springfield and Columbia (Thee Fine Lines and Monte Carlos) from seeing them at previous shows, and knew of Jeremiah Kidwell's new band in Kansas City (Pink Socks), as well as another band I found via the GaragePunk Forums message board, The Bleeding Hands. Another band I found by doing those Myspace Music searches was a band from Warrensburg called T.C Banks and the Hatchetmen. I suddenly had a pretty good list of garage (or similar) bands from all over Missouri, so I thought, what the hell, I'll try to
put together a festival and see if I can get some of the bigger-name garage rock bands from the state (thinking at the time of The Untamed Youth from Columbia - Deke Dickerson's old college garage/surf band, and The Royal Nonesuch from Springfield, part of the '80s garage/psych revival that toured extensively throughout the Midwest). I talked to my friend Bill Streeter about it and he loved the idea and encouraged me to move forward with it. So I called Steve Pohlman at Off Broadway, and he, too, thought it was a great idea, so we picked an open weekend on his schedule and I started contacting the bands to see if they wanted to play.
As it turned out, The Bleeding Hands could not do it. One of the guys in the band is a teacher or something and was going to be in Southeast Asia for the school year. That was kind of a letdown, because they were one of the bands that I was really excited about. So with them out, I had to find a replacement, and that's when I remembered a surf band from Kansas City called the Von Hodads, so I asked them if they were interested, and they were. I never could reach The Royal Nonesuch. My previous email for the band wasn't getting any response, so I gave up on them, thinking I'd just try to find someone else to headline one of the two nights... my idea then was to get The
Honkeys, since they'd just played the Rock'n'Roll Prom at the Way Out Club and have a pretty strong local following. The Untamed Youth proved to be too expensive, since only one of the band member still lives in Columbia, with Deke in L.A. now and the others elsewhere. Their guarantee was pretty steep as it would cover all of their travel expenses to come to St. Louis. I regretfully scratched them from the list and began looking for another headliner. That's when I thought of The Cripplers, who I knew never really broke up because the last I'd heard, they had stopped playing because they didn't have a practice
space anymore (this was over two years ago). I emailed Jeff Sigmon (guitar/vocals) and asked him if he could bring the band back together to play this, and he agreed so long as we didn't dub it a Cripplers "reunion" show. The Honkeys also agreed to play, but there was an issue with Jeff Positive (the guitarist, now living in Chicaco) who may or may not have to tour with some other band during October, so they couldn't get me a confirmation until August. So I waited, and in the meantime got all of my ducks in a row (picked the ten bands to play, five each night). August came and Jeff agreed to play the show,
so The Honkeys were in! But that only lasted a week. Not five or six days after telling me this, he was offered a touring gig with another Chicago band that needed a fill-in guitarist for some shows in the U.K. I guess this was an offer that he couldn't refuse, because he took it, thereby cancelling The Honkeys' appearance at the Blowout.
By the way, I got the name of this thing from Deke Dickerson's old Missouri rock'n'roll fanzine called "Show-Me Blowout" that he put out back in the late '80s/early '90s. There were only three issues of this 'zine, but they're great. I have scans of the covers of each on my Flickr account if you need them. Deke said it was cool for me to use the name of his 'zine for the name of this fest (I think he was very flattered by that, actually), and I thought it was perfect for what I wanted to do: showcase the best garage/surf/rock'n'roll bands in the state of Missouri. Anyway, once The Honkeys cancelled it left me in
kind of a bind. I didn't know where to go after that... and came really close to calling the whole thing off. Without a strong headliner one of the two nights, I feared there wouldn't be enough "pull" to get people to come out, since St. Louis can be a VERY finicky music community.
On a whim, I asked Jeff Hess about The Geargrinders. From talking to him a few years ago, I knew he was interested in putting together a new lineup for the band, which was always his brainchild, anyway. The original lineup broke up under not-so-happy circumstances, so I knew the possibility of getting all of those guys back together was pretty slim. But Jeff's most recent band (The UnMutuals) had recently split up and I knew he wasn't really doing anything musically, so I figured he might be looking for some excuse to get another band going. He was intrigued by the idea of getting a new lineup for The Geargrinders together and began thinking about who to make up the band with. Since he was already friends with Jason Edge, drummer of The Honkeys (and
Exene Cervenka's husband as well as the guitarist for her band The Original Sinners), I guess the obvious thing to do was to get the other members of The Honkeys to back him up. Cullen (bass) and Micah Edge (Jason's brother and the organ player for The Honkeys) agreed. But Jason wanted to play guitar, not drums, so Jeff had to seek out a drummer. He found one in an old friend of his from another prior band, Hippies in Flames, who originally formed in the '90s in St. Louis but had relocated to Seattle about 10 years ago. This guy's name was Ben Reagan, and he now lived in L.A., had another band going, and had also
recorded and played with classic L.A. punk band the Feederz (famous for their "Jesus Entering From the Rear" song that was included on Jello Biafra's "Let Them Eat Jellybeans" comp. LP on Alternative Tentacles from the early 1980s). Ben Wah (as he calls himself) had always bugged Jeff about wanting to be in The Geargrinders, so he agreed to do it and began flying to St. Louis to practice! So at this point, I had my other headliner. The Geargrinders' name hadn't appeared locally since 2000, after they played their last shows and
three of their songs appeared on my old regional garage/surf/rock'n'roll comp, "Landlocked & Loaded!" (TIRC Records, 2000). And Jeff's popularity locally with his KDHX radio show as well as his involvement with the Arch Rival Roller Girls (he's a Jeerleader) helped me realize that we could probably drum up some good excitement about his old band playing again, especially since they
featured several Honkeys backing him up, with one of them being a direct link to one of the nation's favorite '80s punk bands, X (Jason Edge > Exene Cervenka > X). (By the way, Jason and Exene live in a historic mansion just outside of Jefferson City now.)
Is this the dream list of bands? Did any get away from you?
Yes: As mentioned above, The Untamed Youth (Columbia), The Royal Nonesuch (Springfield), and The Bleeding Hands (Kansas City).
From what you're hearing, are there going to be some outta town folks coming in for this? I take it there will be.
I believe there will be, but it's hard to gauge. Advance ticket sales have been slim, but I'm sure we'll have a small group coming from out of town. Craig Moore (the bassist/vocalist of the '60s garage band GONN is coming in from Keokuk, Iowa for it, and he'll be joining The Nevermores and The Geargrinders on stage for a couple of songs, including The Geargrinders covering the old Gonn classic from the Nuggets box set, "Blackout of Gretely").
Do you get to enjoy the music on nights like this? Or are you consumed with making sure that things needing to get done get done?
No, I wouldn't do it if I didn't get to enjoy the music. But I'm sure I'll be busy with stuff, too. I'm a good multi-tasker, though.
October 08, 2007
More BAG at Rosebud
Caught Josh Weinstein - of KDHX's "All Soul, No Borders" - at the station recently and he mentioend that the Black Artist Group was offering up a handful of additional performances this fall. One was last night, so this a bit late in promoting that show. But several more are slated for coming Sunday evenings. Thanks to Josh, here's the remaining schedule:
BAG presents 2007 Fall Season
Sunday, Oct. 21
Friday, Nov. 2
Friday, Nov. 16
Sunday, Dec. 9
All shows 7-9PM
At the Rosebud Cafe
Scott Joplin House State Historic Site
2658 Delmar Blvd
St. Louis
Admission is Free
Join our email list to receive information on each event by writing:
bag_blackartistgroup@yahoo.com
Sharesleuth in Wired
Former Post-Dispatch business writer Chris Carey is featured in a recent edition of Wired. Been meaning to link this for a week now, but, boy, time sure does fly. At any rate, it's an interesting read and points to some coming trends in the convergence of new media and specialty journalism:
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/15-10/mf_sharesleuth?currentPage=all
October 06, 2007
Mary Jo Bang: Reading Today
The first time I heard Mary Jo Bang read was at the first Art Outside, at Aaron Belz's excellent 10/10 (ten poets, ten minutes) event inside the Bottleworks. It's rare to find a quiet poet who can read as compellingly as the noisy poets; the noisy poets will grab you attention with volume, and hopefully with the volume there's something redeeming in the work itself. She read a piece called "The Eye Like a Strange Balloon," based, I think, on a Guy Maddin film of a similar name. She was not noisy, but brilliantly focused, and every word she read had a gravity to it (unlike, ironically, balloons of any sort, even strange ones). Her work actually reminds me a lot of Maddin's films - built in some silvery noir otherworld, full of images that are exotic but somehow familar, pulled up straight from the unconscious.
She's just come out with a new book, Elegy, which received raves from uber-poet Marjorie Perloff:
“The loss of a child—especially an only child who is in the prime of life—is one of the most painful experiences anyone can have and one, common sense tells us, almost impossible to render in an age of sensory overload. But Mary Jo Bang’s Elegy is the grand exception. In its insistence on “the inexhaustible / Need to be accurate,” Elegy is wholly absorbing. Avoiding all self-pity, false comfort, sentimentality or finger pointing, Bang’s terse, oblique poems anatomize grief, guilt, and mourning in pitiless detail. Do things ‘improve’ by the end of the year whose progress this heartbreaking book charts? Not really, but the reader is transformed. I know of no contemporary elegy that has its power.”
Bang is reading from her new book today (October 6) at 3 p.m., at the Big Read in Clayton at the Boeing Author Tent (on Central Avenue between Carondolet and Forsyth). Also reading today will be Carl Dennis and Sally Van Doren, with a book signing and a panel following the readings. In music, this is what you'd call a "power trio;" there's probably a more dignified poetic-like term for three accomoplished, talented poets reading together, though unfortunately my vocabulary is stunted in this regard, so I'll just have to say, "don't miss this! It's a trio of talented and accomplished poets, reading together."
October 02, 2007
Blessing of the Animals
St. Louis being the Catholic town it is, it makes sense that a Blessing of the Animals would be announced via the Gateway Arts listserv as well as through liturgical channels. From what I hear, all of the mounted police have a tradition of taking their horses down to Christ Church Cathedral for this; and if ever there was a Catholic Saint for me, it's the animal-loving St. Francis, whose feast day falls this week (hence this event). It looks acutally looks somewhat secular, as the invitation is to "all people and their pets." Judging from the exotic creatures that show up for the Krewe of Barkus Pet Parade, arguably one of the most popular parts of Mardi Gras, I wouldn't be surprised if some alpacas, goats and chinchillas weren't part of the procession. Certainly there will be a parking lot full of waggy, sniffy happy dogs:
"All people and their pets are invited to 'The Blessing of the Animals.' This special prayer service features music, multimedia images of pets and a memorial to departed animal friends. There will be treats for dogs and cats as well as refreshments for their human companions. All animals must be on leashes or in carriers or cages. Free parking on the Cathedral lot and on the street.
Start Date: 10/7/2007
Start Time: 4:00:00 PM
End Date: 10/7/2007
End Time: 5:00:00 PM
This event is free.
Address: 1210 Locust Street
City: St. Louis
State: MO
Zip: 631032322
Phone: (314) 231-3454