Hydroplaning home after the last show: I'm deconstructing this evening, and deciding it doesn't get more prototypically ideal than this.
Started off as planned; dropping the kid off to czar at Allentown Music. Ben Joe was playing to an audience of passers-by due to a snafu in the brochure. Headed down to Allendale to catch Configuration Dance Theatre. I've seen them perform before; professional, classically trained, spend a lot of time en pointe, but not "tutu foo-foo", if you know what I mean. Superb combination of athleticism and abstraction. I was particularily moved (to tears) by "Deportation" which was choreographed by Joseph Cipolla (artistic director), and danced to music by Sigur Ros. Gorgeous.
This show ran over, so I was too late for Michele Costa's "Box"across the street at Rust Belt. Swung by Allentown Music again in time to see Eleven80's packing up their gear,
and half a set by Crappy Stick. That was intriguing and enjoyable.
Blah, blah at home, then over to Squeaky Wheel to see "The Voidologists" whom I had missed at the Noise Fest on Monday. I HAD to go see this act, which was described as a footnote on their promotional material as sounding "like a robot orgy in hell...gone wrong". I thought they deserved an audience just for their marketing acumen. "They" is a misnomer; "The Voidologists" are essentially one techy guy named Dave that puts it all together in his basement, backed by a video his sister made. That last sentence makes it sound like kid stuff; au contraire; this was the audiovisual equivalent of being run over by a tank, and enjoying the experience. I was thrilled. For those with an acquired taste, NOT to be missed. At Squeaky Wheel at 6pm on Saturday.
Continued over to Nietszche's to see "Peanut Brittle Sattelite" who allegedly had been compared to the Mahavishnu Orchestra. That's starting to traipse on messin'-with-my-religion territory, so I was skeptical. (Case in point; first time I walked into my college boyfriend's dorm room, and saw 'Birds of Fire' on his turntable, I thought I was mated for life.) I was delighted to discover they were not as far off the mark as I would have thought (that's a big compliment). TWO drummers, bass, guitar, violin, keyboards. Sorta jammy(read:improvisational), but not in a bad way.
Then home. Tomorrow.............
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Film Photographers of Greater Buffalo Exhibit @ El Museo
The Film Photographers of Greater Buffalo are currently exhibiting at El Museo. El Museo is located at 91 Allen St.
The opening reception took place on Friday July 25th. The turnout was incredible! Folks who stopped out for the opening were treated to a spectacular display of photographs. The photographs represent a diverse range of subjects and styles. Many of the photos are hand developed and printed by the artists.
Thanks to everyone that attended the reception on Friday and anyone else that has visited El Museo since the opening. We'd like to also sincerely thank the Infringement staff, volunteers, and El Museo Staff for their assistance and putting together an awesome festival!
The exhibit runs through August 3rd, please stop by and check it out!!!
The opening reception took place on Friday July 25th. The turnout was incredible! Folks who stopped out for the opening were treated to a spectacular display of photographs. The photographs represent a diverse range of subjects and styles. Many of the photos are hand developed and printed by the artists.
Thanks to everyone that attended the reception on Friday and anyone else that has visited El Museo since the opening. We'd like to also sincerely thank the Infringement staff, volunteers, and El Museo Staff for their assistance and putting together an awesome festival!
The exhibit runs through August 3rd, please stop by and check it out!!!
What did I miss? What SHOULDN'T I miss? Etc.
The fates scheduled an out-of-town trip for me that made me miss the first 5 days of the festival, and left me too tired to venture out on Night 6. Now I'm stuck catching up with work and will surely miss even more. Still, I want to hear from folks about:
•great shows I missed completely (guess I'm a masochist)
•great stuff you've seen that is coming back later in the festival
and maybe even
•things I should be glad I didn't see.
The posts from Curt R and Chris and Vendetta have given me some sense of all of the above, but I want to hear more more more, especially from those of you who haven't spoken up thus far. I can at least experience the festival highlights vicariously, after all.
•great shows I missed completely (guess I'm a masochist)
•great stuff you've seen that is coming back later in the festival
and maybe even
•things I should be glad I didn't see.
The posts from Curt R and Chris and Vendetta have given me some sense of all of the above, but I want to hear more more more, especially from those of you who haven't spoken up thus far. I can at least experience the festival highlights vicariously, after all.
the 10 % that isnt working or still a couple of disasters
couple things went wrong. the eleven 80's got screwed due to no soundguy at diablo. aron cole didn't have power outside laginappes. lara buckey was a no show at buffalo barfly. staples double booked the room thus providing stress (despite a vailiant effort by richie and i to eliminatite confusion) causing mr. hakim to leave, bwt to not show and on top of that dick whiskey's drummer bailed on him. shut eyes was a no show there last night. the wynne band blew off their show. also attendance is poor at nietzsche's and soundlab.
on the theater front i heard connelly's plays was a bust, and a waste of time for rust belt. apparently connelly didnt have a play.
on the theater front i heard connelly's plays was a bust, and a waste of time for rust belt. apparently connelly didnt have a play.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
massive synergy happening out there
One thing I've noticed out there is that there is some major seeds being planted out and about. The whole Gateway Gallery experience this weekend was incredible. Between the photo shoot and music and art in one place through out the day. Steven Meyers should be given a medal. Buffalo Barfly HQ had a quaint backyard session with Erie Lackawanna Railroad. Jim has been so hospitable and it's awesome to see that non-traditional venue work. He put up a banner we can decorate during the fest. Burnwood and Bon Vivant really taking off as premiere venues with wonderful success. These venues are sure to infringe year round. Tonight at Stillwater 112 people came to see Shapes of States followed by Laginappes' own Alex Kelly sing with Amungus in a beautiful space that truly is a work of art. The staff there was amazingly awesome. Great relationships are being formed across the spectrum city wide as we speak. I'd say 90% of the fest is going smoothly (at least the music portion). I hope everything is going well on the theater front.
Niagara Noise Fest @ Burnwood
No, this wasn't just an excuse to head over to Burnwood; I had some business at hand. That, plus I actually am a bit of a noise fan.
I arrived about 2 hours late, midway through the set of Black Bloc. This was a single performer with a hardcore attitude; lots of angry vocals and slamming metal. My irreverent eye did note that a few of the cans that were being sheared apart to full effect had previously housed some green tea, which seemed a bit incongrous.
Next band (whose name I failed to obtain) was much more subtle. Perhaps too much so; my favorite part of their performance was when the lone dog in attendance raised his head and yawned, and it was AUDIBLE!!
The Lazlo/Rozler noise project was next, and much more listenable. It was interesting to watch what devices were applied to more traditional instruments to produce atypical sounds. Most curious was a brandy snifter laden with what looked like nipple clamps sliding up and down the strings of a horizontal guitar (?).
Axis of Evil finished up the night. I had seen them before at an Infringement fundraiser a few months back, and had been impressed by their home-made instruments, sense of humor, and musical ability (not always evident with noise bands). Had to split early, but not because I didn't want to hear more.
I arrived about 2 hours late, midway through the set of Black Bloc. This was a single performer with a hardcore attitude; lots of angry vocals and slamming metal. My irreverent eye did note that a few of the cans that were being sheared apart to full effect had previously housed some green tea, which seemed a bit incongrous.
Next band (whose name I failed to obtain) was much more subtle. Perhaps too much so; my favorite part of their performance was when the lone dog in attendance raised his head and yawned, and it was AUDIBLE!!
The Lazlo/Rozler noise project was next, and much more listenable. It was interesting to watch what devices were applied to more traditional instruments to produce atypical sounds. Most curious was a brandy snifter laden with what looked like nipple clamps sliding up and down the strings of a horizontal guitar (?).
Axis of Evil finished up the night. I had seen them before at an Infringement fundraiser a few months back, and had been impressed by their home-made instruments, sense of humor, and musical ability (not always evident with noise bands). Had to split early, but not because I didn't want to hear more.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
kick ass shows at bon vivant!!
hey all you fellow infringers! mc vendetta here to let you know that my new venue, Bon Vivant (1862 Hertel Ave) is off to an AMAZING start. First of all, we had Extreme Exhibition! hosted by 29 Cent Productions (Josh Smith, the Rated-R Rockstar). I was featured playing my folksy guitar songs, then we had Chris Gullo, very funny new comedian, and then Anne Huiner bringing it home with her amazing poetry. All in all, the first show was a huge success, we broke the Extreme Exhibition record for donations to the artists, so we must've done something right. :) There is another Extreme Exhibition! show tomorrow (monday) night at 7pm. After the show, I warmed up the crowd for Breezee One, white-chick rapper from Detroit (if you saw her you're lucky, she's fun!). I loved her song that included "LTC! LICK THE CLIT, Lalala Lick the clit!" AWESOME!
The next night we had "Woman, Sister, Mother-A Celebration of Life and Love" which is a play from Entertaining Angels-a multi-talented group of women who sing, dance, read poetry and act out the different types of relationships that women have. I really enjoyed the performance, they have costume changes and everything! I loved the singing most of all because it seriously gave me goosebumps. It was very spiritual and not in the pushy way, which was good. This is a great show to see, also good family event. They have three more performances at Bon Vivant during the festival.
After the play we tried to host an open mic night but Saturday night is just not the right night for that. I'm hoping that the word will have spread more by next saturday and that our next open space will pick up. I decided that I would just play for our 5 audience members (most of whom were my friends or were related to me) so I busted out my guitar and played a few tunes. Then my roommate yells out "WE WANNA HEAR YOU RAP!" Not one to turn down requests, I jumped head first into my alternate persona and her extensive reportior. Towards the end of my set there were a whole bunch of young kids (probably 15 of them, about 8th or 9th grade) hanging around the door, peeking in. I told them to come in, and they asked if they were allowed to play too. I handed over the guitar and our drum kit to two kids who really rocked a cover of RHCP's Californication. They were really good for kids in 8th grade. Hopefully they will come back and rock out some more. Aah, infringement, you never know when a 13 year old might steal your show from you! haha.
So tonight, Sugar City Showcase rocked the socks off of about 50 different beats and hippies and punks and skater kids. There was an awesome creative vibe pumping throughout the space, from all the visual art they brought and displayed, to the videos they showed, music they played, poetry they read, funny commentaries they performed and the random questions that they answered. All in all, we had over 50 people at the show which was FUCKING AMAZING!! Everyone was respectful to the performers and the art and there was a lot of idea generation and inspiration flying around the room. It was also a great networking event for local artsy folks. I can only hope that their next show is equally amazing. They really brought down the house. Definitely check out their other showcase on Friday at Bon Vivant. The art is on display throughout the festival if you would like to stop by and see it.
Thanks so much to everyone who participates in this festival to make it the rollercoaster of sweetness that it is.
Enjoy!
Bon Vivant!
love,
vendetta
The next night we had "Woman, Sister, Mother-A Celebration of Life and Love" which is a play from Entertaining Angels-a multi-talented group of women who sing, dance, read poetry and act out the different types of relationships that women have. I really enjoyed the performance, they have costume changes and everything! I loved the singing most of all because it seriously gave me goosebumps. It was very spiritual and not in the pushy way, which was good. This is a great show to see, also good family event. They have three more performances at Bon Vivant during the festival.
After the play we tried to host an open mic night but Saturday night is just not the right night for that. I'm hoping that the word will have spread more by next saturday and that our next open space will pick up. I decided that I would just play for our 5 audience members (most of whom were my friends or were related to me) so I busted out my guitar and played a few tunes. Then my roommate yells out "WE WANNA HEAR YOU RAP!" Not one to turn down requests, I jumped head first into my alternate persona and her extensive reportior. Towards the end of my set there were a whole bunch of young kids (probably 15 of them, about 8th or 9th grade) hanging around the door, peeking in. I told them to come in, and they asked if they were allowed to play too. I handed over the guitar and our drum kit to two kids who really rocked a cover of RHCP's Californication. They were really good for kids in 8th grade. Hopefully they will come back and rock out some more. Aah, infringement, you never know when a 13 year old might steal your show from you! haha.
So tonight, Sugar City Showcase rocked the socks off of about 50 different beats and hippies and punks and skater kids. There was an awesome creative vibe pumping throughout the space, from all the visual art they brought and displayed, to the videos they showed, music they played, poetry they read, funny commentaries they performed and the random questions that they answered. All in all, we had over 50 people at the show which was FUCKING AMAZING!! Everyone was respectful to the performers and the art and there was a lot of idea generation and inspiration flying around the room. It was also a great networking event for local artsy folks. I can only hope that their next show is equally amazing. They really brought down the house. Definitely check out their other showcase on Friday at Bon Vivant. The art is on display throughout the festival if you would like to stop by and see it.
Thanks so much to everyone who participates in this festival to make it the rollercoaster of sweetness that it is.
Enjoy!
Bon Vivant!
love,
vendetta
Lone Ranger summarizes the last few.....
Sunday night and I'm dog-tired but GUILTY because this is the first legit entry I've made on the blog for BiF '08.
Taking a slightly different perspective this year because of my other responsibilities with the 'fest, you'll (I hope) see me doing some reviews of the venues I've been in while happily enjoying the role of CONSUMER.
Going back to Friday, comments must be made about Christina Wos Donnely's reading of
" The Largely Unexpurgated History of Scheherezade". I was acting as venue czar @ the Nina Freudenheim gallery on North, and was thus obligated to be there. Fortunate to be there as well....wonderful poem: moving story, gorgeous language, evocative delivery. The performance and the spare, elegant setting were absolutely complementary.
Christina confessed that she was led to this poem by her interest in harems, from a feminist perspective.
Thrilled with the experience, I purchased "Venus Afflicted", a collection of her poems that have me equally impressed. Not an easy thing to do; I find poetry a difficult medium.
Then shot west to Burnwood, which is the space I've been vibing on being spectacular while planning for this thing. The instincts were correct. A massive red stone warehouse on the far west side, this venue has a (recently) roughed out gallery in one room, and a cavernous performance space with stage and open sound booth in another. Bryan Lohr and two friends have been residing there for about a year-and-a-half (with very few of the usual amenities), getting rid of the inventory of antiques that came with the building, and getting it in shape for events such as this one, plus studios. Artspace, beware!
Qualia was playing while I was there. This has to be the half-dozenth time I've seen them play; always professional, always enjoyable. (see review from '07)
Yesterday I described in a lazy comment under Ron's latest narrative. Today; oops, garden walk and sprucing up my new home. Tomorrow I'm back on track. And you?
Taking a slightly different perspective this year because of my other responsibilities with the 'fest, you'll (I hope) see me doing some reviews of the venues I've been in while happily enjoying the role of CONSUMER.
Going back to Friday, comments must be made about Christina Wos Donnely's reading of
" The Largely Unexpurgated History of Scheherezade". I was acting as venue czar @ the Nina Freudenheim gallery on North, and was thus obligated to be there. Fortunate to be there as well....wonderful poem: moving story, gorgeous language, evocative delivery. The performance and the spare, elegant setting were absolutely complementary.
Christina confessed that she was led to this poem by her interest in harems, from a feminist perspective.
Thrilled with the experience, I purchased "Venus Afflicted", a collection of her poems that have me equally impressed. Not an easy thing to do; I find poetry a difficult medium.
Then shot west to Burnwood, which is the space I've been vibing on being spectacular while planning for this thing. The instincts were correct. A massive red stone warehouse on the far west side, this venue has a (recently) roughed out gallery in one room, and a cavernous performance space with stage and open sound booth in another. Bryan Lohr and two friends have been residing there for about a year-and-a-half (with very few of the usual amenities), getting rid of the inventory of antiques that came with the building, and getting it in shape for events such as this one, plus studios. Artspace, beware!
Qualia was playing while I was there. This has to be the half-dozenth time I've seen them play; always professional, always enjoyable. (see review from '07)
Yesterday I described in a lazy comment under Ron's latest narrative. Today; oops, garden walk and sprucing up my new home. Tomorrow I'm back on track. And you?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Now it begins... AGAIN!
Lordy, can the 2008 festival REALLY be less than 48 hours away? Here's your chance to post your thoughts on:
•shows you want to see
•shows you're part of
•the festival itself as it enters Year Four
•and anything else you want to say about Infringement '08.
If you're not a registered post-er on the blog, just hit the "Comments" link and type away.
If you want to BECOME a regular post-er here, email lynnlasota (at) gmail.com and let her know.
See you on the streets of Allentown--and beyond!
•shows you want to see
•shows you're part of
•the festival itself as it enters Year Four
•and anything else you want to say about Infringement '08.
If you're not a registered post-er on the blog, just hit the "Comments" link and type away.
If you want to BECOME a regular post-er here, email lynnlasota (at) gmail.com and let her know.
See you on the streets of Allentown--and beyond!
Just a Sample...
Ya gotta love this: Colin D. of the Buffalo News interviewing "Nobody" (aka Paul Painkiller) after the latter's presentation at our now-annual "Samples at Sample" press event as a photographer looks on. This intimate affair ("Samples," that is, not their tete-a-tete) features one-minute pitches for acts in the upcoming festival on a first-come, first-served basis. It's mainly for the benefit of the media, but it also gives the rest of us our first glimpse at what we're in for.
Many thanks to Jennifer Goetz and everyone else at Sample (that's the restaurant/bar that specializes in bite-sized goodies and cocktails you won't find anywhere else) for a terrific evening.
PS. If you want to see the end result of Colin's labors, check out the cover story on the festival in last week's Gusto (at least as long as it's online for free, that is) and his accompanying video segment, shot at "Samples at Sample".
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Gearing up for '08
OK, we already know you love the festival. Now we need you to share that love--by getting involved in next year's fest. We've formed a fundraising committee, which is meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 1, 2007, at Staples (253 Allen St., next to Spirits of Allentown). Everyone is welcome--and we need you.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Tales of self-infringement
I had to smile the other day when I was driving through Allentown and saw a guy sitting on a tree stump with his head bandaged. I don't usually derive amusement from the misfortunes of others, but I was pretty sure I recognized the big white strip of cloth wrapped around his skull. There's a very good chance that he was just following orders: orders from the "Self-Infringement" box in the window of Rust Belt. Orders that I put there.
OK, so they're not really orders. Just instructions. Directions. Assignments. Scripts, if you will, created by Brian Milbrand and me (actually, some--like the bandage piece--are actually swiped from the Fluxus performances of Yoko Ono and her colleagues back in the late 1950s and early 1960s). Every one is different; a few contain variations on a common theme. I can't tell you how much I've loved working on this project: coming up with new ideas with Brian or on my own, putting them in sealed envelopes, and dropping them off at Rust Belt like a surrealist mailman when the stock got low.
I have also loved seeing evidence here and there that people are really carrying out their assignments. At a party last weekend I spotted someone wearing a prize ribbon he'd been given by someone else, and I knew immediately what was going on. I've also found crumpled pieces of paper, cryptic notes, and other traces of various missions.
So what about you? Have you reached in the box yet? (Hurry--you only have about 12 hours as of now to do it.) I realize some of the assignments are top-secret, but if you'd care to write about something you've done or seen thanks to the box, please do!
The year I missed the festival (part one)
See these people?
They are performing in The Tell-tale Heart at College Street, and as you'll notice, I am on the outside looking in. Got there too late, thanks to a lengthy search for a parking space in Allentown. (I actually had one right next to the gallery for Shakespeare in the Parking Space, but it wasn't a legal one, so I had to relocate, which took half an hour if you count running into friends on the street.) The door was closed, the room was full, and the stage was right next to the entrance. Damn!
It's just as well. Right now I fondly remember missing a day of the fest--only one, that is. I'm up to three and three-quarters now. Thanks to a huge backload of work and a looming drop-dead-line at my day job, I haven't seen a show since last Tuesday. (I'm counting yesterday as the three-quarters, because I was at least able to spot part of Exception from the car and see ten minutes of Squid Ink, and then host Shakespeare.) Very, very pissed off about missing so much after working for five minutes to help put it all together, and about not having time to blog as regularly as I would have liked.
So in lieu of scene reports or reviews of shows (I do still have plenty of each from the first weekend that I never got around to), I will post a few fleeting memories and photos I like, both here and in a future entry or two, in no particular order. You have my sincerest apologies for not posting most of these while the shows were still up and running. Oh, well: maybe next year.
Aidan Baker at Soundlab last Saturday. His set and Beta Cloud's marked the end of a long day of festivalgoing for me, and they were kinda perfect: soothing noise, to coin an oxymoron. Quiet music at a deafening volume, if you can wrap your mind around that. I know I can, and I bought CDs by both artists so I can relive that perfect moment any time I like. (Full disclosure: Not for everyone! I was playing Beta's Nephology in the car the other day, and my partner asked, "Is something wrong with the radio?" Ah, what a question!)
Live painting at the College Street Block Party last weekend. I like this photo (these four people should form a band, just so they can use this shot as their album cover), and I love the intersection of the party and the festival every year. Gracias to Mike Mulley for making the party happen, and to Jason Klinger for putting together the visual art component of the festival.
A rapper performing in Vendetta's Open Lot on Monday night. I didn't catch his name, but I also saw him at the open mic in the Steel Crazy lot on Tuesday.
S. Vestas' Squid Ink setting up in Days Park last night. As noted above, I only caught a few minutes of the show, but I'll see it tonight. These two women are famous around the fest for two things: an incredibly lax approach to start time (fortunately the Saturday crowd had a good sense of humor about waiting around for an hour for them to show up, which is a fairly common occurence) and even more incredible performances. Don't miss them. It was also fun to run into them at Jim's SteakOut, still in those sheep/goat/whatever costumes two hours after their show.
More to come!
They are performing in The Tell-tale Heart at College Street, and as you'll notice, I am on the outside looking in. Got there too late, thanks to a lengthy search for a parking space in Allentown. (I actually had one right next to the gallery for Shakespeare in the Parking Space, but it wasn't a legal one, so I had to relocate, which took half an hour if you count running into friends on the street.) The door was closed, the room was full, and the stage was right next to the entrance. Damn!
It's just as well. Right now I fondly remember missing a day of the fest--only one, that is. I'm up to three and three-quarters now. Thanks to a huge backload of work and a looming drop-dead-line at my day job, I haven't seen a show since last Tuesday. (I'm counting yesterday as the three-quarters, because I was at least able to spot part of Exception from the car and see ten minutes of Squid Ink, and then host Shakespeare.) Very, very pissed off about missing so much after working for five minutes to help put it all together, and about not having time to blog as regularly as I would have liked.
So in lieu of scene reports or reviews of shows (I do still have plenty of each from the first weekend that I never got around to), I will post a few fleeting memories and photos I like, both here and in a future entry or two, in no particular order. You have my sincerest apologies for not posting most of these while the shows were still up and running. Oh, well: maybe next year.
Aidan Baker at Soundlab last Saturday. His set and Beta Cloud's marked the end of a long day of festivalgoing for me, and they were kinda perfect: soothing noise, to coin an oxymoron. Quiet music at a deafening volume, if you can wrap your mind around that. I know I can, and I bought CDs by both artists so I can relive that perfect moment any time I like. (Full disclosure: Not for everyone! I was playing Beta's Nephology in the car the other day, and my partner asked, "Is something wrong with the radio?" Ah, what a question!)
Live painting at the College Street Block Party last weekend. I like this photo (these four people should form a band, just so they can use this shot as their album cover), and I love the intersection of the party and the festival every year. Gracias to Mike Mulley for making the party happen, and to Jason Klinger for putting together the visual art component of the festival.
A rapper performing in Vendetta's Open Lot on Monday night. I didn't catch his name, but I also saw him at the open mic in the Steel Crazy lot on Tuesday.
S. Vestas' Squid Ink setting up in Days Park last night. As noted above, I only caught a few minutes of the show, but I'll see it tonight. These two women are famous around the fest for two things: an incredibly lax approach to start time (fortunately the Saturday crowd had a good sense of humor about waiting around for an hour for them to show up, which is a fairly common occurence) and even more incredible performances. Don't miss them. It was also fun to run into them at Jim's SteakOut, still in those sheep/goat/whatever costumes two hours after their show.
More to come!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
The Iffys are (almost) here again!
Infringement is all about thinking things up and then doing them--sometimes really fast. Case in point: during the 2006 festival, Kurt S. got the bright idea to create a tongue-in-cheek awards ceremony for the Closing Night Party. Think of the "Iffy" Awards as every bit as DIY as the festival itself. We made up a dozen or two categories, wrote them on paper plates, and handed them out at Nietzsche's.
This year's bright idea--which 'll take credit for--was opening up the awards committee even farther. Now you can:
a. Head to Rust Belt Books before about, oh, 6:30 p.m. or so on Sunday and look for this box right next to the front door:
(There are already about 8-10 instant winners in the box.)
2. Or you can come to Staples (on the early iside) or the party, grab a paper plate or two, and start creating Iffies then and there.
3. Or post your winner(s) in the comments section of this blog, or email them to me (use: ronehmke @ roadrunner.com), by 5 pm. Sunday.
So do it! See you at the party....
This year's bright idea--which 'll take credit for--was opening up the awards committee even farther. Now you can:
a. Head to Rust Belt Books before about, oh, 6:30 p.m. or so on Sunday and look for this box right next to the front door:
(There are already about 8-10 instant winners in the box.)
2. Or you can come to Staples (on the early iside) or the party, grab a paper plate or two, and start creating Iffies then and there.
3. Or post your winner(s) in the comments section of this blog, or email them to me (use: ronehmke @ roadrunner.com), by 5 pm. Sunday.
So do it! See you at the party....
Architecture's Sister
I had a vibe that this might be my "Wow!" performance of the festival, but I didn't know how wow.
One of my favorite concepts is the appropriation of space, as applied to relationships, buildings, movement, whatever.
From at least a theoretical standpoint, one of my favorite mediums (as an audience member) is dance, as it's simultaneously, absolutely, abstract and concrete. (In practice, it's really music, for its emotional/visceral impact)
Aaron Piepszny's ability to take up and move through space are beyond my descriptive powers. Let somebody else take up that task; comments, please.
Follow this guy. He's brilliant.
Check the schedule for when to see in these waning hours.
One of my favorite concepts is the appropriation of space, as applied to relationships, buildings, movement, whatever.
From at least a theoretical standpoint, one of my favorite mediums (as an audience member) is dance, as it's simultaneously, absolutely, abstract and concrete. (In practice, it's really music, for its emotional/visceral impact)
Aaron Piepszny's ability to take up and move through space are beyond my descriptive powers. Let somebody else take up that task; comments, please.
Follow this guy. He's brilliant.
Check the schedule for when to see in these waning hours.
Summer is Short
Seems like I've been playing catch-up since this thing started, but the most ridiculous delay thus far is my review of "Summer Shorts" a series of short films presented @ Staples by Scott Kurchak. The first in a round of presentations was this past Monday, including the premiere of Scott's first film "Audition Day."
I've known there's some serious film talent here in Buffalo, but most of what I've been familiar with is the more left-of-the-dial stuff produced by the folks attached to Squeaky Wheel. Looks like there's room for some product with a different vibe.
Two of the three other films were from Buffalo artists; "Life in 3D" which features a young man looking incredulously at his life in Buffalo from a not-so-different persective, and "Boxed Out" an hilarious look at being outsourced by technology. Both were well-executed, well-paced, nicely framed, funny, and cute (and I don't mean in a disparaging way).
"Audition Day"'s debut was marred ever-so-slightly with some technical problems which resulted in poor resolution of the film. Still, highly digestible. This was a "longer" short, which outlined the preparations of a young actress for an audition. Possible (probable?) obstructions to her success were explored in a sequence of "what if" scenarios, many of which were LOL funny. Wistful, sweet, too; again, more than a worth-see. Fortunately, an opportunity to catch things both today @ 8 pm, tomorrow @ 5:30 at the above venue.
I'm certain the technical problems have resolved. The film was literally hot of the presses as it was rushed to its debut.
Seen immediately before/after "Summer Shorts" is "Rag Doll", a more abstact 5 minute film that allows the audience to endure being on the receiving end of a rather aggressive haircut.
I've known there's some serious film talent here in Buffalo, but most of what I've been familiar with is the more left-of-the-dial stuff produced by the folks attached to Squeaky Wheel. Looks like there's room for some product with a different vibe.
Two of the three other films were from Buffalo artists; "Life in 3D" which features a young man looking incredulously at his life in Buffalo from a not-so-different persective, and "Boxed Out" an hilarious look at being outsourced by technology. Both were well-executed, well-paced, nicely framed, funny, and cute (and I don't mean in a disparaging way).
"Audition Day"'s debut was marred ever-so-slightly with some technical problems which resulted in poor resolution of the film. Still, highly digestible. This was a "longer" short, which outlined the preparations of a young actress for an audition. Possible (probable?) obstructions to her success were explored in a sequence of "what if" scenarios, many of which were LOL funny. Wistful, sweet, too; again, more than a worth-see. Fortunately, an opportunity to catch things both today @ 8 pm, tomorrow @ 5:30 at the above venue.
I'm certain the technical problems have resolved. The film was literally hot of the presses as it was rushed to its debut.
Seen immediately before/after "Summer Shorts" is "Rag Doll", a more abstact 5 minute film that allows the audience to endure being on the receiving end of a rather aggressive haircut.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Not the kind of record I'm proud of
I'm not positive, but there's a pretty good chance that Wednesday, August 1, 2007 marked the first day in the three-year history of Buffalo Infringement that I did not attend a single event. (I did add about 30 brand-new envelopes to the "Self-Infringement" box and create a last-minute poster for Shakespeare in the Parking Space, but that doesn't really count.)
You may also have noticed that I've slacked a bit in my posting scene reports and show reviews--I've got plenty to say, and still hope to catch up before the festival ends, but after devoting most of my waking hours to festival-related tasks for the past month, I am so unbelievably behind on my actual paying job that I could work all day and all night and still be swamped.
So here's another opportunity for those of you who don't feel like joining the blog (which you're always welcome to do) to post your own thoughts about the festival in the comments section.
What shows have you seen so far that you loved? Hated?
Which ones are you looking forward to this weekend?
Which ones did you miss completely?
Which ones have you heard good (or bad) things about?
What's the first thing you intend to do when the festival ends and normal life resumes?
And so on. Feel free to add questions of your own and answer those, too.
Because I can't resist, and in a desperate attempt to make up for posts I haven't written yet, I'm gonna post my own replies as a comment and hope that others follow suit.
You may also have noticed that I've slacked a bit in my posting scene reports and show reviews--I've got plenty to say, and still hope to catch up before the festival ends, but after devoting most of my waking hours to festival-related tasks for the past month, I am so unbelievably behind on my actual paying job that I could work all day and all night and still be swamped.
So here's another opportunity for those of you who don't feel like joining the blog (which you're always welcome to do) to post your own thoughts about the festival in the comments section.
What shows have you seen so far that you loved? Hated?
Which ones are you looking forward to this weekend?
Which ones did you miss completely?
Which ones have you heard good (or bad) things about?
What's the first thing you intend to do when the festival ends and normal life resumes?
And so on. Feel free to add questions of your own and answer those, too.
Because I can't resist, and in a desperate attempt to make up for posts I haven't written yet, I'm gonna post my own replies as a comment and hope that others follow suit.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Up For Round Two
Sunday night I promised the youngsters in Qualia I'd have a review posted sometime in the next few days...it's seventy-some hours and counting, so here goes...
Actually, I'm going to condense things and discuss two bands here. It's really hot, I'm lazy, and these bands share a few things in common.
I was sorta iffy when I saw the band dragging their gear in. Buncha earnest white kids that met (most of them) at City Honors. Young!! Perhaps toying with the whole rock star thing??? No; Qualia is composed of some serious musicians who have studied their craft, are comfortable with their instruments, know what they like, and know what they want to say. Sorta trippy, they describe their output as "Experimental music rooted in jazz, psychedelia, and progressive rock". (King Crimson?; no, Mogwai, etc. A friend of mine heard the psychedelia moniker and dismissed them as an, eww, jam band) They've put some effort into their myspace website, too, including the requisite video. The group consists of Jon Emerling, James Warren, Adam Fix, and Harvey Barnes; I forget who's attatched to what 'cuz it's been a few days, but definitely MORE than a worth see!!!
As is Dali's Ghost. Last night, one woman sitting next to me (who I recognized from yoga class) looks at me incredulously and says, "I can't believe I never heard of them!!!!!!" Exactly!! Perhaps a few (very few) years older than the kids upstairs, these guys have logged some serious miles in pursuit of their sound. Stylisticaly versatile, their music includes funky baselines, wailing guitars, aggressive drumming, on-target vocals, and the occasional trumpet. They switch from guitarbased rock to jazzy riffs to ballads and back seamlessly. Having a frontman with the allure of Kurt Cobain (but living) will not hurt their popularity.
Both bands will be playing @ Soundlab's Psychedelic Infringement on Friday, along with Fountainhead and Drivers to Warsaw, whom I have yet to see.
I plan on heading over.
Oh, additional comment, the back room at Staples is small, but has a really good sound. Nice addition to the venue option for smaller shows. Thanks, Adrian.
Actually, I'm going to condense things and discuss two bands here. It's really hot, I'm lazy, and these bands share a few things in common.
I was sorta iffy when I saw the band dragging their gear in. Buncha earnest white kids that met (most of them) at City Honors. Young!! Perhaps toying with the whole rock star thing??? No; Qualia is composed of some serious musicians who have studied their craft, are comfortable with their instruments, know what they like, and know what they want to say. Sorta trippy, they describe their output as "Experimental music rooted in jazz, psychedelia, and progressive rock". (King Crimson?; no, Mogwai, etc. A friend of mine heard the psychedelia moniker and dismissed them as an, eww, jam band) They've put some effort into their myspace website, too, including the requisite video. The group consists of Jon Emerling, James Warren, Adam Fix, and Harvey Barnes; I forget who's attatched to what 'cuz it's been a few days, but definitely MORE than a worth see!!!
As is Dali's Ghost. Last night, one woman sitting next to me (who I recognized from yoga class) looks at me incredulously and says, "I can't believe I never heard of them!!!!!!" Exactly!! Perhaps a few (very few) years older than the kids upstairs, these guys have logged some serious miles in pursuit of their sound. Stylisticaly versatile, their music includes funky baselines, wailing guitars, aggressive drumming, on-target vocals, and the occasional trumpet. They switch from guitarbased rock to jazzy riffs to ballads and back seamlessly. Having a frontman with the allure of Kurt Cobain (but living) will not hurt their popularity.
Both bands will be playing @ Soundlab's Psychedelic Infringement on Friday, along with Fountainhead and Drivers to Warsaw, whom I have yet to see.
I plan on heading over.
Oh, additional comment, the back room at Staples is small, but has a really good sound. Nice addition to the venue option for smaller shows. Thanks, Adrian.
Murphy's Law - Channel cancels
So I get this in my mailbox this morning...
"Channel has been asked to perform at the big civic center in boston as an opener for the Dave Matthews Band on the side stage for 2 days in a row. this is the biggest opportunity the band has seen yet.
The band is in the beginning stages of signing with a label and this is the first effort in that.I hope you understand" damon fowler - channel
I want to be pissed, but I can't blame them
"Channel has been asked to perform at the big civic center in boston as an opener for the Dave Matthews Band on the side stage for 2 days in a row. this is the biggest opportunity the band has seen yet.
The band is in the beginning stages of signing with a label and this is the first effort in that.I hope you understand" damon fowler - channel
I want to be pissed, but I can't blame them
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)