52nd City: November 2008

ASNB: Special on Sunday

Joshua Weinstein's got the holiday-programming bug at KDHX, which might be the best time of year to listen to the station, as on-air hosts empty the cupboard of all sorts of interesting items. On this coming seventh day, Weinstein's got a real treat. He'll tell about it below:

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This Sunday, November 30 "Sworn to the Drum" will perform on "All Soul, No Borders" between 10:30 and Midnight on 88.1FM. The group bills themselves as a "musical salute to the drum." They play improvisational jazz with a variety of world drumming infused. The group is led by Baba Mike Nelson. He plays trumpet, flügelhorn, conch shells, and assorted percussion including the bata drum. Sunday's line-up will include Aaron Parker on alto sax and flute, Mondel on congas, Ariel on Bass, plus the poetry of K. Curtis Lyle and vocal/rhythmic accompaniment by David A.N. Jackson. They are promoting an upcoming concert at The Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar next Sunday December 7 from 7-9PM.

I saw a version of this group at The Gramophone on Tuesday and I heard potential. I am glad that there is music being made like this in St. Louis. The sound was groove oriented, exploratory, and trance-inducing at times. Please help spread the word and I hope you can tune in.

In Music,
Joshua Weinstein

Happy Buy Nothing Day

Here's.

Info.

Lettuceheads!

'Tis the season of reunion. In this installment, the Lettuceheads return to action at the Tap Room. You can listen to the Lettuceheads on the radio this week, too.

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Friday, January 9th:
James Weber (Julia Sets, Xenophobe, Museum Mutters) http://www.myspace.com/themuseummutters
The Lettuceheads (members of Swing Set, David Lee and the House Rockers, Lydia's Trumpet, Three Fried Men, Aviation Club, the Painkillers)
www.thelettuceheads.com
Last to Show, First to Go www.myspace.com/lasttoshowfirsttogo

Day 11/SLIFF WRAP UP

Day 11

Day 10 part 2

Day 10 (part 1)

Day 9

The Long & Winding Road

PIXAR

Days 7-8

Sports of all sorts: bad sports and good sports

I have a talk radio problem, which I've noted to friends, family and students. Why it is that I wind up listening to 20-minutes of Lou Dobbs during the evening hours, I just don't know. Why my finger pushes 1120 AM during Rush Limbaugh's show, I cannot tell you. But it happens. Relatively often.

Not as often as I find myself shaking my head over sports talk programming. The recent loss of my first iPod and the bike's-staying-inside-kinda-temperatures has stimulated more in-car radio listening.

Now, I love the Foxhole on 1380 AM, from 10 a.m.-noon. Nominated them for a Kick Ass Award, in fact. But that's because the trio of hosts only use sports as a jumping off point for multiple other topics. According to Dan Caeser of the Post-Dispatch, the show may be on the move. Come next April, my clock/radio alarm might find a new home. Wherever the show turns up, we wish the Foxhole boys well.

On the other hand, I never feel particularly good about myself when tuning into the Kevin Slaten Show on the same station. This nightmare of a human being keeps it simple: bang on three or four topics a day, incite the angry-man contingent of listeners and take on beloved icons, whether it's logical, or not, to target them.

Yesterday, around 2:45, I happened to catch the balance of his show, which included listeners responding to his daily "rant," a feature he's been running with for quite a time. During the segment, a caller named "Trevor" (clearly affecting a stereotypically "gay" voice quality) rang up and said that Rams coach Jim Haslett was sexy, as was Slaten's voice. This, of course, lead to the predictable banter you'd expect, with Slaten eventually noting that he doesn't like gays calling and doesn't like gays.

I'd love to point to the audio clips of the show for direct confirmation of this, but links into Slaten's archive are dead today. Yesterday, the clips were up, but wouldn't play. (A common scenario with 1380's site.) Alas, as I wanted to pass along the clips to some local GLBT activists, along with the digits to KSLG's "fan line," 314-969-1380. So that people could, you know, call during noon - 3 p.m.

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As our comments section has been on the fritz for some time, the local GLBT rights organization ShowMeNoHate passed along this note for publication.

From: ShowMeNoHate
Email: ShowMeNoHate@Gmail.com
Website: ShowMeNoHate.com

Comment

I have a call into the Station Manager John Helmkamp telling him he lost a listener and will lose more listeners to his station if folks like Mr. Slaten continue their tone of hate speech.

Now before you go and jump on my back about Mr. Slaten's rights to speak freely I totally agree Mr. Slaten can use his First Amendment here - it is a talk show, I understand. But the station must weigh in if they subscribe to Mr. Slaten's policy of not liking gay people to call in the show. Just substitute Mr. Slaten's word "gay" to "Jew", "Irish" or "I just don't like Catholics." People would raise their eyebrows.

We have Free Speech but we must remember "if we make a bigot's bed, we got to sleep with them too." Kevin Slaten just opened a can of worms for the advertisers (some who many are gay friendly, I know because I frequent them); the other listeners who have gay siblings, family members or who are maybe - gay! Call the station manager John Helmkamp 314-436-3283 and tell him this leaves a bad mark on their station.

Thanks.

DAY 7

Benefit for All Along Press

There’s a nice little show going on at The Tin Ceiling on Friday Nov 21. The bands Theodore, The Red Headed Strangers and solo performer Suzie Gilbert will be playing a benefit show for All Along Press. The money raised for the show will go to help pay for operational costs of All Along which has a shop right next to the Tin Ceiling and offers workshops and classes on all types of printing for anyone interested. Recent artwork from Cameron Fuller, Matty Kleinberg and Travis Russell will be on display as well. Whether it’s screen printing, typesetting, block printing or anything else that has to do with printmaking, All Along Press can do it or show you how to do it. They encourage neighborhood involvement and participation by empowering people with the means to express their creativity.

Where – Tin Ceiling Theatre
3157 Cherokee St
St. Louis, MO 63118

When – Friday Nov 21 @ 8pm

How much - $7.00 (cash bar will be available)

Why – To help All Along Press keep on keeping on.

DAY 5

SLIFF Day 5

SLIFF Volunteering/last night

SLIFF Day 4

Hoffman Lachance Contemporary, v. 3.0

Dropped by Hoffman Lachance Contemporary in Maplewood today, there to run an errand. Painter/curator Michael Hoffman dropped by during my lengthy hang-out session with the good folks from Poetry Scores. He mentioned that the gallery would soon be moving, with one more show in December, before sliding up the block to 2713 Sutton, a storefront just around the corner from Manchester. He mentioned that the proximity of that intersection would do wonders for the walk-in trade of the gallery and it certainly is closer to the action, just a few paces from Monarch, Tiffany's Diner and the Saratoga.

If you want to see the old space one more time, we'd suggest the 52nd City-tied Poetry Scores event next week. (Our own Stefene Russell is on the advisory board of that poetry/film/music collective.)

The Inferno

The Inferno
Sunday, 11/16/08
3:00pm
St. Louis Art Museum

I am so ready for this. The Inferno is a fully restored print of terrific cinema from 1911. It is Italy's first feature film and we are so lucky to be able to see a fully restored print in a theater setting.

It takes Dante's The Inferno and amps up the fantasy and magicalness.

The film also offers us a rare moving glimpse of popular of pre WW1 European pop culture.

To make it all better you get the cherry on top of having New Music Circle provide the film score.

Day 3

I just stopped by the Tivoli to get tickets for later this week. The Micro Budget Filmmaking seminar was in progress. this seminar is a great thing because it tells filmmakers how to make the movies they want within the parameters of common fiscal sense.

Of Time & the City
12:30pm
Tivoli

Liverpool is one of my favorite cities in England. Besides the Mersey and surrounding Docklands it has a rich, blue collar history steeped in shipping and manufacturing. Culturally the city gave us The Beatles, Echo & the Bunnymen and loads more. But what people often overlook about Liverpool is that the city has a rich diverse tapestry to it. it's definitey blue collar somewhat today but the burgeoning arts scene continues to transform the city.

But I digress...
Terence Davies documentary chronicles his affliction from, passion for and love affair with the city.

-Rob Levy

Schrader

I saw 'Adam Resurrected' last night. It was a solid film with great acting from Jeff Goldblum. I would not have expected him to have it in him. After all, he's been so schmaltzy in his previous films.

Mr. Schrader mentioned before the film that it would play on the coasts for a week this year before openng in wide release around March of next year.

I am a serious fan of two of his films, Raging Bull and Taxi Driver. I saw saw The Walker at the SLIFF last year and found it funny as well. I guess what I like about his films is that they are very different from each other but taken as a body of work they are all very rich and colorful.

One of the great things about Film Festivals is that they have provide an opportunity to interact with the creative folks behind the films. This gives the film watcher a chance to see what makes them tick which is pretty cool. For this film Paul Schrader was on hand to intro the film and do a Q&A afterwards. He seemed cordial and happy to be in town.

The Festival was indeed in full swing. the Tivoli lobby was busy and active and people seemed buzzed and energetic about the Festival.

-Rob Levy

SLIFF Day 2

In case you want to avoid the masses at the Tivoli for Adam Resurrected here are some other fine films!

Late Bloomers
7:15pm
Plaza Frontenac
From Germany comes this geriatric comedy about Martha, an elderly widow who causes a fuss in her neighborhood by opening a lingerie store. Along the way the neighbors cause a big stink and she finds happiness and courage in her new endeavor.

Arrive early as it will draw a good sized crowd. Late Bloomers is a perfect film for you to take a mom or grandparent to. It also is a nice jumping point for that fussy friend you may have who knows nothing of foreign films.

Blind Mountain
7:00pm
Plaza Frontenac
From China comes a powerful yet dreary film about the illegal trading of women. It’s a brutally tough film with superb acting and gripping emotions. Despite it’s intensity I really enjoyed Director Yang Li’s previous film, Blind Shaft. As a filmmaker Li does a fantastic job of getting resonating performances from his cast. Not the happiest of films, but one that will stick in your craw for awhile afterwards.

Shadowland
10:30pm
Tivoli
This highly popular thriller was a sellout at the recent local Filmmakers Showcase. The plot revolves around Laura who is injured in an accident with no memory. She meets Julian, a man who may or may not be trying to help her. The drama intensifies as she delves deeper and deeper for answers. Director Wyatt Weed and producers Robert Clark and Gayle Gallagher will be on hand for a Q&A.

-Rob Levy

Updates on the KA's #5

Some updates on last night's event at the delightful Joe's Cafe.

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The two winners who weren't announced in our original press release were: Floyd Wright, a neighborhood activist on the South Side and former teacher; and Wiley Price, the longtime staff photographer of the St. Louis American.

Our mystery winner was Steven Fitzpatrick Smith, of Royale fame.

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In the day prior, we were given a nod by Melody Meiners at ToastedRav.com. Thanks to her for the play.

Winner Lori White - who may've stolen the evening's most-unexpected moment, with her spontaneous rendition of the National Anthem - has given us a nod on her blog.

We'll add any other blog mentions, etc., here. Please let us know if see-and-read any.

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Thanks to all who attended and gave feedback.

We believe it was the most special one of these, yet. The bar's gone quite high.

SLIFF DAY 2

I was flipping through Entertainment Weekly today and noticed that at least five of the films offered at this year's festival have an Oscar buzz around them or come highly recommened. Pretty cool.

Brian Spath, the man programs the Shorts for SLIFF and the engineer who keeps the trains running at the Cinema St. Louis Office has his own blog. You can dig it at

lordspathington.blogspot.com

A few things….

*Get tickets early for any films you want to see. Sell outs will happen.

*Plan on looking for parking as you figure out your schedule of films.

*Don’t be an ass to the ticket seller and staff at the venues. This is an extremely busy time for them so respect them ans work with them whenever possible!

*Rate the films. Your vote REALLY does count!

-Rob Levy

SLIFF DAY 2

Adam Resurrected
7pm, Tivoli

There are lots of nifty films on top to open up the weekend of the St. Louis International Film Festival but none are bigger is scope and hype than “Adam Resurrected,” the latest film from 2008
SLIFF Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Paul Schrader.

Targeted for wide release in time for the Oscars, Adam Resurrected a tense drama performed by an interesting cast. Schrader ("Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull) is a cinematic titan, Jeff Goldblum is known for odd and quirky roles.

On paper it seems odd to pair them in a project together; however their collaboration is generating a serious Oscar buzz. Goldblum reinvents himself as an ex-circus clown plunged into the horror of a Nazi concentration camp. Willem Dafoe co-stars is the creepy camp commandant who dehumanizes him by making him perform in the camp. The film also features a terrific turn from Sir Derek Jacobi.

Adam Resurrected will probably sell out so get your tickets early!

-Rob Levy

UNCONSCIOUS!: Friday, December 26

Sax player Paul Matulef confirms the good news, via electronic mail:

The Unconscious - Reunion
Friday, December 26
Lucas School House

Hip-hip-hooray!

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Hey, the Unconscious are on Myspace, too.

SLIFF Opening Night

"Humboldt County" a film by STL natives Darren Grodsky and Danny Jacobs kicks off the 17th St. Louis International Film Festival tonight at 7:30pm at the Tivoli.

The film examines the "shell shocked heart of the American Dream," through the lense of a UCLA med student. "Humboldt County" caused a stir at SXSW earlier this year and was picked up for widespread release by Magnolia Pictures.

Come out and support the locals! They done good!

The film is $10 and can be purchased seperately from the reception!

There is a fancy schmancy reception from 5:30-7pm for $35 before the film for those who wish to help out Cinema St. Louis. You get a ticket to the reception, film and an after party drink ticket!

-Rob Levy

KDHX Blog: Up and Running

If you've not seen it, here it is.

Early contributors include editor Roy Kasten, Andy Coco, Annie Zaleski and Sunny Boy Mason.

Another Winner: Floyd Wright

We're happy to announced the remaining, pre-determined winner of the 2008 Kick Ass Awards: Floyd Wright. Here's some of the info, compliments of the letter that nominated* Floyd: "I once spoke with you about Floyd Wright who is tremendously deserving of recognition and your Kick-Ass award. He is always recognizing and praising others for their efforts throughout South City for development and beautification, while his own efforts at stabilizing, development, and beautification in the Southwest Garden Neighborhood have gone on for three decades without fanfare." Well, here's some recognition and praise back atcha, Floyd.

* Nominations? Who would've guessed?

Bleeding Deacon

Got a question about this earlier today and here's the update, compliments of co-owner Mike McLaughlin: the Bleeding Deacon, near the intersection of Chippewa and Gravois, is open. The bar is still in "soft open" mode, but you can roll in there anytime this week, after 11 a.m.

Our 12th nominee, at the 11th Hour

Oi! Sorry it took me so long to post, but I suppose I have nothing against suspense. Our final Kick-Ass nominee is the excellent Floyd Wright, otherwise know as The Superhero of Shaw. See you all tomorrow night!

A new winner: Wiley Price

Just a quick update on the Kick Ass Awards - as featured in yesterday's Deb Peterson column. A new winner's in the ranks: Wiley Price, the staff photojournalist of the St. Louis American newspaper. We were tipped to Price's good work, though we were already familiar with his shots, which dot the news and sports pages of the paper weekly. We look forward to hearing from Price, along with our other winners, this Thursday @ Joe's Cafe, 7 p.m. on.

Brock! Such language!

Firecracker Sells Out

Hopefully, they will:

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The Firecracker Press is having a huge sale this Saturday.
We clearing things out to make room for new holiday inventory.

Posters - $10.00 and up
Cards - $1.00 and up

NO TELLING WHAT WE'LL PUT UP FOR SALE. IT'S CRRRAZZZY!

Saturday, November 8th
from 11am - 5 pm

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|t|h|e| |F|I|R|E|C|R|A|C|K|E|R| |P|R|E|S|S|
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2838 Cherokee St. - StLMO 63118

Tel (314)776-7271
Web www.firecrackerpress.com

Kick-Ass Awards: Thursday, 11/13

Fifth Annual Kick Ass Awards
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Joe’s Café, 6014 Kingsbury, St. Louis, MO, 63112
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (6:30 doors)
Free, all-ages
www.52ndcity.com
www.kickassawards.blogspot.com
Contact: thomas@52ndcity.com

The Fifth Annual edition of St. Louis Kick Ass Awards will be held on Thursday, November 13, with a live presentation at Joe’s Café, Bill Christman’s whimsical, one-of-a-kind, retro-futuristic (and booze-free) music venue in the heart of the Skinker-Debalivere neighborhood. The awards will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will run until approximately 9 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

The St. Louis edition of the Kick Ass Awards launched in the early winter of 2004, based on the popular Austin, TX, event begun earlier that year by writer/raconteur Spike Gillespie. Since then, nearly 70 St. Louis individuals, organizations and other entities have been honored by the publishers of 52nd City, who promote this annual event, dedicated to folks in the community who often don’t get the praise they deserve… or, in other cases, folks that the publishers of 52nd City really, really dig. (For a full list of previous winners, you can check: www.kickassawards.blogspot.com.)

This year’s recipients make up our most delightfully diverse group ever, including:

* The Angry Black Bitch, aka Shark-Fu: provocative commentary on all subjects, dished out in blog-sized bites
* The Cupcake Project: quite likely the only “experimental cupcake blog” in the entire United States, based right here in the river city
* The Fox Hole: the most amusing sports show on the AM dial, featuring Maurice “The Mayor” Drummond, Martin “Marty Mar” Kilcoyne and Andy “Strick Nasty” Strickland
* Lucas Hudson: a winner for his work as both editor of the Vital Voice newspaper, as well as his role as the market master of the Old North Farmer’s Market
* The International Institute: a long-running, landmark South Side organization dedicated to serving the needs of New Americans from all over the globe
* Kosha Irby: an Associate Athletic Director at Saint Louis University, who slips plenty of good deeds into his 70-hour workweek
* George Malich: actor, improviser, star of “A. (anonymous),” upbeat advocate of the arts and a room-brightener, always
* Phil Valko: a resident of Old North, rehabber, board member, avid cyclist and twenty-something ass-kicker in a variety of progressive causes
* Lori E. White: blogger, urban explorer, dancer, actress, and, most importantly to us, a relentless advocate for The STL in a wide variety of media
* Josh Wiese: musician, neighborhood activist and all-around good guy; if only the City of St. Louis had a few thousand more of this personality type

Two more set, announced winners will be added shortly, along with our annual mystery winner, plucked from the event audience and brought onstage for the wild adulation that automatically comes with winning a Kick Ass Award. We’ll also have some “special” treats, including guided meditation and the appearance of a classic St. Louis sports mascot… really!

In short: St. Louis’ weirdest, free-est awards show is back. Please spread the word.

-30-

City Art Supply Update

More news from Cherokee Street, see below...

Hello,

The shop is coming along nicely as we plan for what's being billed as our "Grand Opening". We've been open since early October but thought it might be nice to have a little celebration in conjunction with our first art show.

This Friday, Nov 7 will be our Grand Opening. We'll be open from 10am - 10pm so please stop by if you're in the neighborhood.

Current items in stock include -
Flashe Paint
Micron Pens
Gamblin Oils and Mediums
Speedball Acrylic Inks
Higgins Waterproof Inks
Museum Mount
Various Paper
Plus many more items…

Please note: Starting Friday Nov 7 - Sunday Nov 9 all brushes and canvases (including the custom canvas already made) will be 40% off.

We'll also have a free raffle for a $50.00 and $20.00 gift certificate on Friday at 10PM but you do not have to be present to win. We will contact both winners after the drawing. Customers can sign up for the raffle throughout the day on Friday.

At 7pm on Nov 7 will start the first of a series of informal exhibitions of art by local talent. We're very happy to have for our first show Jessica Russo and Jeff Robtoy.

Jessica's acrylic paintings are quirky, colorful and humorous. Jeff's small series of animal people illustrations will get you thinking and bring a smile to your face. Both artists have a knack for detail that gives their work a weight while still being lighthearted and fun.

Snacks and refreshments will be served during the show.

Coming up next month - Dec 6 will be our next show with the CHEROKEE PRINT LEAGUE HOLIDAY SALE!

Thank you.
City Art Supply LLC
3215 Cherokee St.
St. Louis, MO 63118
Now Open
Wed - Fri 10am-7pm
Sat 10am-6pm
Sun 11am-4pm
314-771-5375

Improv/noise: tonight @ Lemp

This is a big-time gathering. Thanks to Eric Hall for sending along:

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Beginning at 8pm this Wednesday, November 5th at The Lemp Neighborhood
Art Center:

Thollem McDonas (piano)
Zimbabwe Nkenya (mbira)
Matt Dill (guitar)
Dave Stone (saxophone)
Mark Sarich (cello)
Jeremy Brantlinger (drums)
Nazeer Sadeeq Holmes (piano)
Eric Hall (electronics)
Max Wood (violin)
John Tamm-Buckle (laptop)
...improvising in numerous smaller combinations and permutations, to be followed by a full ensemble set at the end. This is a once-in-a-lifetime line-up designed to explore multiple approaches to spontaneous music creation and collaboration.

Barack On!

This morning the polling center was busier than I've ever experienced in my 20+ years of voting. At 6:00 a.m. everyone was in good spirits and the line moved quickly. Inside, there were at leat 30 stations for our precinct--a mix of paper ballot stations and electronic voting stations with far fewer of the latter. It was a very mixed demographic, but there did seem to be A LOT of younger voters. Very anxious and excited about the day...

Happy birthday to our own Thomas Crone. If you see him out and about today, wish him well. It is a milestone birthday for him.

Bailoutsleuth.com

Couldn't find a more bewildered person than myself, when it comes to discussing that whole, dadgummed bailout plan, up there in Washington, DC. But I've still enjoyed dipping into the new site bailoutsleuth.com, which is edited by former Post-Dispatch business reporter Chris Carey. His sharesleuth.com has been covering stock trading for a couple years, but his stories about this bailout business have been coming at a much faster clip, with a dozen stories posted since the start of October.

I may still not "get" the whole story (I thank/blame my collegiate choice to completely skipping classes involving numbers) but with independent sites like bailoutsleuth, I've got a chance.