Meow's live get up at Bridge Spot, DC
07/31/11 20:54 Filed in: Street art
Dropped by Bridge Spot in SE DC this afternoon and caught MEOW hard at work getting a big piece up on the back wall. He told me he was visiting from Arizona and doing some work with Albus Cavus. They gave him some leftover paint to get his first big tag up. Usually he does large stencil pieces. Photos here show the development of the piece, and some bear stencils he put up when the main piece was finished. Also noted a new DECOY mural on one of the huge concrete pillars holding up the 395 overpass.
Dreamweapon Performance on Saturday
On Saturday evening at the Marion Street Garden, DC psych-rock duo Obetrol (Barrett Jones & Gabriela Schneider) will perform a live version of original Velvet Underground percussionist Angus MacLise’s drone composition DREAMWEAPON, as a soundtrack to Kurosawa's film, Dreams. The performance will be broadcast via low-watt FM transmitter.
DREAMWEAPON is the creation of Angus MacLise (1938-1979), the original drummer for the Velvet Underground and collaborator with experimental luminaries such as musician Lamonte Young, filmmaker Jack Smith ("Flaming Creatures"), and poet Ira Cohen.
Bring a blanket and FM radio to hear the performance (& picnic, if you wish!) A project of City Blossoms, the Marion Street Garden
is an intergenerational garden that transformed an urban lot into a community learning space.
$10-20 suggested donation to benefit local avant-pop performance group banished? productions, that generates immersive
interdisciplinary art experiences for all.
DREAMWEAPON
SATURDAY JULY 30
8:30PM
MARION STREET GARDEN
1517 MARION ST NW, WDC
DREAMWEAPON is the creation of Angus MacLise (1938-1979), the original drummer for the Velvet Underground and collaborator with experimental luminaries such as musician Lamonte Young, filmmaker Jack Smith ("Flaming Creatures"), and poet Ira Cohen.
Bring a blanket and FM radio to hear the performance (& picnic, if you wish!) A project of City Blossoms, the Marion Street Garden
is an intergenerational garden that transformed an urban lot into a community learning space.
$10-20 suggested donation to benefit local avant-pop performance group banished? productions, that generates immersive
interdisciplinary art experiences for all.
DREAMWEAPON
SATURDAY JULY 30
8:30PM
MARION STREET GARDEN
1517 MARION ST NW, WDC
DC Zine Fest on Saturday
07/29/11 11:18 Filed in: Event
This Saturday, July 30, St. Stephens Church hosts the first DC Zinefest, which will include exhibits of self-published magazines and workshops about DIY printing and publishing. Participating zines include All Things Ordinary, Excite Bike, Gutwrench, Jenny Ambular, Kickscooter Getaway, Mixtapers Do It Better, Hoax Zine, See You Next Tuesday, and Give Me Back, among plenty other zines, distros, comic artists, and more. DC Zinefest “hopes to create a space for zine makers, writers, and self-published artists to share their work with each other and with the city of Washington, DC. By providing an opportunity to expo, workshop, and interact with zines, we strive to build and support a thriving DIY community.” The website has complete lists of exhibitors and workshops. This is a free event.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 30, 2011
St. Stephen's Church
1525 Newton Street NW (at 16th Street)
(Columbia Heights Metro)
Washington, DC.
Sound Scene 2011--experimental music live and interactive listening stations on Saturday, July 30
Sound Scene 2011: NATURAL SELECTIONS — Saturday, July 30
The DC Listening Lounge is proud to present our annual Sound Scene show. This year’s theme is Natural Selections, and will be open for one night only at the Goethe-Institut in Chinatown. Interactive audio installations, multimedia, and live bands including BLK w/BEAR, Black Snake in the Daisy Patch, Lost Bois, and Weed Tree. Plus DJ sets from Radio CPR djs.
8-11:30 pm
Goethe-Institut
812 7th Street NW
Gallery Place Metro.
Summerscream! Video Art 'n' Dance Party Tonite
Big art happening tonight at Comet Ping Pong, with local bands, DJs, & video artists jamming with some special out of town guests, including Kid Congo Powers (Cramps/Nick Cave/Gun Club) and Vockah Redu.
Civilian Art Projects & Sasha Lord Present are calling it Summerscream! Here’s the personnel list:
DJ Kid Congo Powers & DJ Ian Svenonius
Heavy Breathing (Dark, Dancy & Electro, former Apes, Washington D.C.)
http://soundcloud.com/heavybreathing
Vockah Redu (Bounce Rap, New Orleans) Vockah Redu creates an experience with their strong elements of performance art and dance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EgkDayyBaA&feature=player_embedded#at=109a
PROJECTED VIDEO ART BY THE FOLLOWING ARTISTS: Chajana denHarder (DC), Courtney Egan (New Orleans), Billy Friebele (DC), Carolina Mayorga (DC), Jonathan Monaghan (DC), Laura Napier (NY), Rob Parrish (DC), Alberto Roblest (DC), David Sullivan (New Orleans), Luke Wyatt (NY), & more!
Cost $10
10:30 pm-1:30 am
Comet Ping Pong
5037 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
DC Burlesque Tonight
DC’s own Capital Tassels & Tease burlesque group performs tonight at Red Palace on H St., NE. Hosted by local burlesque stars L’il Dutch and Rev. Valentine, the show features DC & Baltimore starlets Velvet Kesington and Petra Precocious, along with the Red Palace debut of Valeria Vox plus burlesque-virgins Minxy du Jour, Flora Bush, Sin D Strange, Tttie Roosevelt and Adora Coquette. The show gets started at 9 pm, and you’ll need to ante up $10 at the door. Be sure to check out the displays of carnival sideshow artifacts sprinkled throughout the club!
Noise Show on Saturday
Kingdom of Sharks, FUN, and Soft Pieces at Bella Cafe & Bar in DC
Saturday, July 23, 8:00 pm
Bella Cafe
900 Florida Ave., Washington, DC 20001
202-705-2020
Amazing electronic noise performer Soft Pieces (pictured) in rare appearance with two other noise acts!
KINGDOM OF SHARKS
Kingdom of Sharks (named after the ocean) is the moniker of Virginia resident, Christopher S. Feltner (b. 1978). Noise synths, effects pedals, voice, breath, plastic and metal objects, didgeridoo, microphone, guitar, samples, vibrator, and imagination are the current tools utilized to manipulate sound, and study its ability to shape emotion. Opinions vary, but the most common word used to describe KoS pieces is "dark."
FUN
"group comprised of 2 carbon based lifeforms, show glimpses into a literal, brutal & TRUE world. Sounds with heavy concepts behind them, mostly focused around the lack of “true fun” interpreted in various ways and/or various sources. Some maybe uncomfortably naked, bare, raw. Others smushed up in the crowded subway car, rush hour. Post Non-Music.
SOFT PIECES
Zach Mason (b. 1977) created the Soft Pieces project to join organic, improvisational performance with the versatility of modern tools, pairing spectacle with subtlety to create a memorable experience for each audience member. Soft Pieces has shared bills with performers as diverse as Blevin Blectum, Caustic Castle, Tim Hecker, Jandek, Matmos, and Reuben Radding. Zach currently lives in Maryland.
Saturday, July 23, 8:00 pm
Bella Cafe
900 Florida Ave., Washington, DC 20001
202-705-2020
Amazing electronic noise performer Soft Pieces (pictured) in rare appearance with two other noise acts!
KINGDOM OF SHARKS
Kingdom of Sharks (named after the ocean) is the moniker of Virginia resident, Christopher S. Feltner (b. 1978). Noise synths, effects pedals, voice, breath, plastic and metal objects, didgeridoo, microphone, guitar, samples, vibrator, and imagination are the current tools utilized to manipulate sound, and study its ability to shape emotion. Opinions vary, but the most common word used to describe KoS pieces is "dark."
FUN
"group comprised of 2 carbon based lifeforms, show glimpses into a literal, brutal & TRUE world. Sounds with heavy concepts behind them, mostly focused around the lack of “true fun” interpreted in various ways and/or various sources. Some maybe uncomfortably naked, bare, raw. Others smushed up in the crowded subway car, rush hour. Post Non-Music.
SOFT PIECES
Zach Mason (b. 1977) created the Soft Pieces project to join organic, improvisational performance with the versatility of modern tools, pairing spectacle with subtlety to create a memorable experience for each audience member. Soft Pieces has shared bills with performers as diverse as Blevin Blectum, Caustic Castle, Tim Hecker, Jandek, Matmos, and Reuben Radding. Zach currently lives in Maryland.
Bridge Spot Happening
Incredible scene today at Bridge Spot, with a brand new Albus Cavus mural on one wall, and a Tabi Bonney video shoot, along with the business as usual of skating and ramp building. Otherwise known as Garfield Park in Capitol Hill, under the 295 overpass, Bridge Spot is a semi-sanctioned skate spot in SW DC, and a great spot for street art. On this visit, a brand new mural covered one wall, the result of an Albus Cavus workshop lead by Tim Rogers and Peter Krsko, with contributions from Decoy, Wyze and Ster. The angel holding the skull is also a Decoy piece. Lots of cool stuff painted by the kids in the workshop, along with big pieces by each of the leaders. Local hip hop artist Tabi Bonney must have liked the mural, because it was forming a key backdrop for the video he was filming for his new single “Hip Hop in Love,” complete with a troop of dancers. They also seemed to like the skaters (including the crew I was with), because they got dragged into the photo shoot with some of the dancers/models. DC-based artist Rosina Teri Memolo was one of the photographers documenting the shoot, and sticker artists Jaws and Panic were lurking around, adding some slaps to the environs. Meanwhile, some older skaters, including Stan Karbine (Stop Fakin skate video, and Convoy team rider) and Manny Law interrupted their ramp construction efforts to coach some of the models in the fine art of skateboarding for the cameras.
Chessie Returns!
07/16/11 11:22 Filed in: MISC
After a ten-year absence, Chessie has returned to the Chesapeake Bay, having been photographed near Calvert, MD. First spotted 17 years ago, the manatee was thought to be a sea monster, like the Bay’s equivalent of Nessie. Chessie originally hails from Florida, but has made the swim northward several times. Once he was airlifted out of the water and returned to a manatee habitat near Orlando. Other manatees have been spotted in the Chesapeake and even further north on the Atlantic seaboard, but Chessie himself can be identified by a distinctive scar he received from a boat propeller. See Washington Post article for more info.
African American Civil War Museum Reopens This Weekend!
The African American Civil War Museum reopens this weekend with a Grand Opening Celebration lasting three days, from Saturday, July 16-Monday, July 18. The museum tells the stories of the slaves and freed blacks who participatied in that conflict. The museum, originally opened in 1999 with about 700 square feet, but recently moved across Vermont Avenue to 5,000 square feet in a former school building renovated with funds from the DC government.
The museum, at 1925 Vermont Ave. NW, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The African American Civil War Memorial and “The Spirit of Freedom,” a sculpture by Ed Hamilton that honors African American soldiers and sailors of the Civil War, can be visited 24 hours a day. The memorial, across Vermont Avenue from the museum, is at the U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo Metro stop.
Hot Noise Monday
Monday, July 18, at CD Cellar in Arlington::experimental, improvised guitar music from Morgan Evans-Weiler (Boston) and Layne Garrett (DC)
MORGAN EVANS-WEILER is violinist/electronic improvisor based in the Boston area. He works to explore not only the realm of sound, but also the means of how we produce sound. Not so much interested in the answers, he is more interested in the questions that arise from endless experimentation. He programs electronic music using PureData, improvises on violin and prepared violin, and composes map scores. Current projects include; Morgjul (w/Jules Vasylenko), Katze (duo w/ Noell Dorsey), Batshit (w/Flandrew Fleisenberg and Jules Vasylenko), duo with Howard Martin, duo with Peter Evans (Theorist)and he frequently performs with Bostons Noise big band – Grizzler, and movement/sound project BodyDrama.
LAYNE GARRETT is a known character in DC's experimental music scene, playing both solo as well as with the out-jazz/noise-rock duo, Weed Tree. Layne's music is entirely improvised and frequently involves modified and home-made instruments from banjos and guitars to synthesizers and scrap metal. The subtle sounds of experimentation and carpentry grow from a collection of noises to an entrancing and frequently adventurous composition both minimal and fully symphonic at once.
monday july 18 at the CD Cellar, 2670 Wilson Blvd., Arlington MD 8pm sharp over by 930
MORGAN EVANS-WEILER is violinist/electronic improvisor based in the Boston area. He works to explore not only the realm of sound, but also the means of how we produce sound. Not so much interested in the answers, he is more interested in the questions that arise from endless experimentation. He programs electronic music using PureData, improvises on violin and prepared violin, and composes map scores. Current projects include; Morgjul (w/Jules Vasylenko), Katze (duo w/ Noell Dorsey), Batshit (w/Flandrew Fleisenberg and Jules Vasylenko), duo with Howard Martin, duo with Peter Evans (Theorist)and he frequently performs with Bostons Noise big band – Grizzler, and movement/sound project BodyDrama.
LAYNE GARRETT is a known character in DC's experimental music scene, playing both solo as well as with the out-jazz/noise-rock duo, Weed Tree. Layne's music is entirely improvised and frequently involves modified and home-made instruments from banjos and guitars to synthesizers and scrap metal. The subtle sounds of experimentation and carpentry grow from a collection of noises to an entrancing and frequently adventurous composition both minimal and fully symphonic at once.
monday july 18 at the CD Cellar, 2670 Wilson Blvd., Arlington MD 8pm sharp over by 930
Guinness World Record Set in DC: Largest Anklung Ensemble
On Saturday, July 9, 5182 people joined together in Washington, DC, to form the world’s largest anklung ensemble and play “We Are the World” to set a Guinness World Record. Something of the kazoo of Indonesia, the anklung is a bamboo instrument that plays one note when shaken. To play a song requires multiple anklungs each tuned to a different note. Most of the people participating in the record setting event had never played the anklung before, which demonstrates how easy it is to play.
Angklung maestro Daeng Udjo flew in from Indonesia to guide the ensemble with hand gestures coded for each note. He lead the group through two versions of “We Are the World” as well as John Denver’s “Country Road.” The event was part of a larger Indonesia Festival taking place that afternoon on the Washington Monument grounds. The Jakarta Post, of Indonesia, documented the world record.
Weird music tonite!
Check out some experimental music tonite! Local electronics artists Violet and supertrio Fast, Safe & Effective play along with Taiwan via NYC vocal improvisor Jen Shyu. Artist bios etc: INFO: dc-soniccircuits.org
Tuesday, July 12
Doors 8:00pm
$5.00
Bella
900 Florida Avenue NW
Washington, DC
http://www.belladc.com
INFO: dc-soniccircuits.org
Tuesday, July 12
Doors 8:00pm
$5.00
Bella
900 Florida Avenue NW
Washington, DC
http://www.belladc.com
INFO: dc-soniccircuits.org
Be a part of the world's largest Angklung Ensemble! Guinness record attempt with bamboo handbells on the Mall!
As part of this Saturday’s Indonesia Festival on the National Mall, the Indonesian Embassy is organizing an attempt at the world record for most angklung players performing at once. Angklung is a bamboo instrument, a bit like an Indonesian equivalent of handbells; everybody has a single note and you play it whenever it's time for your note to happen. To watch a video demonstration of the angklung and learn more about the event, check out the Indonesia Festival website.
According to the Indonesian ambassador to the US, Dino Patti Djalal, those interested in joining the event “can simply show up on Saturday, July 9 at Washington Monument Grounds around 4 pm (the world record attempt event begins at 5 pm), but they are strongly recommended to register beforehand at indofest2011@embassyofindonesia.org.” Participants are asked to wear a red or white shirt. In return for participating, you will get a certificate stating that you have set a world record, and also a Balinese udeng hat (for men) and a scarf (for women). Plus you will get to keep the angklung you play.
street art
07/05/11 22:35 Filed in: Street art
Street art in DC
Arturo, Diabetik, Jaws, Panic, etc representing on 14th Street, NW.
Save the date: Sonic Circuits Fest, Sept 14-18
Get ready for five days of weird sounds when this year’s Sonic Circuits Festival rolls around, Sept 14-18. Highlights include international noise “stars” Sudden Infant and The Haters; British free improvisors John Butcher and Keith Rowe; young local dudes Les Rhinoceros, who scored big cred with their recent Tzadik release; and Ecstatic Peace recording artist Okkyung Lee, among many others. Check out the Sonic Circuits site for more details, natch. This year also marks the debut of their Kickstarter campaign for some needed funding.
