Monday, August 31, 2009

Original Knights of Swing at the Casa Loma

September 11, Big band ballroom and swing dance with the 24-piece orchestra The Original Knights of Swing at the Casa Loma Ballroom, 3354 Iowa (at Cherokee).

Doors open at 7:30 PM with a free dance lesson from 7:45 PM-8:30 PM.

Admission: $10.

For the complete calendar of events call 664-8000 or visit the Casa Loma online.

Casa Loma Ballroom
3354 Iowa Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63118

PHD Gallery Fall Open House



Join us at PHD Gallery for our FALL OPEN HOUSE!

This Saturday & Sunday, September 5 & 6, 2009, Noon to 5 PM

PHD Gallery hosts "Selections from the Gallery" through September 19, 2009.

On view are more that a dozen artists including:

  • Joe Chesla
  • Dennis DeToye
  • David R. Hanlon
  • Leslie Holt
  • Charlie Houska
  • David Lancaster
  • LeRoy Lottman
  • Metra Mitchell
  • Polly Saputo
  • Mary Beth Shaw
  • Susan Sullivan
  • John Tuccillo
  • Mark Weber

Jessica Baran of the Riverfront Times writes:

Selections from the Gallery - September has arrived meaning, among myriad other things, that the new exhibition year has begun. To mark the occasion, phd Gallery highlights some of the work by a dozen-plus artists that's been on display since late August in a wide array of media (from painting to photography to sculpture) at its fall open house, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 5 and 6 from noon till 5 p.m. at phd Gallery on Cherokee Street's antique row. Local artists will predominate; among others, the lineup includes Joe Chesla, David R. Hanlon, Charles Houska, Leslie Holt and Mark Weber. Not only can you admire re-creations of Old Master paintings invaded by Hello Kitty and hammered metal icons engraved with desperate pleas to God to reverse the artist's homosexuality, but refreshments will be amply served! The group exhibit will be on view through September 19 at phd Gallery.


PHD Gallery
2300 Cherokee Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
314-664-6644

Cranky Yellow's new social networking site

Say the Crankies:

Cranky Yellow releases a BRAND spanking new social-networking web site called Squishums! Share and connect things that inspire you! Post your art, photos, or favorite things and meet the people you've inspired! (it's in beta, so don't judge the ugly basic layout. It'll be better soon!) HELP US MAKE THIS BIG! SIGN UP AND START INTERACTING!

Squishums is for all the people who check a million blogs that inspire them. Now you can just spend a million hours on this site! Squishums is a new way to share and connect things that inspire you.

Visit Squishums here.

Get squishing!

Kudos to a Cherokee Street Mastermind

The Improv Trick has been recognized by The Riverfront Times as the 2009 Performing Arts MasterMinds for their work in teaching and performing improv with an emphasis on involvement in the Cherokee community. (click on the link for a terrific write-up on The Improv Trick.) And Bill Chott and The Improv Trick are due to be featured in the RFT this week!

Oher Improv Trick news:

Don't miss Bill Chott's Comedy Cabaret this Friday, September 4 at the Gaslight Theater. An early show for families, and a late night show for sophisticated audiences.

For more info, visit theimprovtrick.com

The Improv Trick
2715 Cherokee St.
St. Louis, MO 63118
314-922-1998

Studio space available on Cherokee Street

From Will Liebermann:

There is one studio/office space available located in the Cherokee Place complex. Owner-Agent has already secured occupancy permit for space.

There are restrooms, water fountain, alarm, and wireless internet that are covered by a small CAM charge. The spaces start at $200/month.

There is also one retail space available for $400/month it is over 400 square feet and includes utilities.

We also have a live work space under renovation that is 1200 square feet and available in October for $750/month plus utilities.

If interested in a personal showing, please send e-mail to williamliebermann (at) gmail (dot) com.

What's new with the Firecracker Press



  • Woo hoo and yay hay for The Firecracker Press, whose Finn's Motel poster (above) will be on TV this Fall. Look for it on "Lie To Me", starring Tim Roth on Fox. Get your very own poster right here.


  • The Firecracker Press will be part of Impressed by Design: Letterpress in the Heartland, which will bring together 5 incredible letterpress artists in one venue. See works by Amos Kennedy, Ken Botnick, Jim Sherraden of Hatch Show Print, Eric Woods of Firecracker and Brady Vest of Hammerpress.

    The event, a fund-raiser for the Edwardsville Art Center will take place September 5, 2009 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, at the EAC.

    More information here and here, where there is a link to purchase tickets.



the FIRECRACKER PRESS
314-776-7271

2838 Cherokee Street
Saint Louis, MO 63118

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Free Improv Comedy Show Tonight!

If you haven't been to the Improv Trick Comedy Underground for the longform jam, then tonight is the night you need to go! You will be amazed as teams of improv actors create an entire play-let, from a single audience suggestion, right before your very eyes! And tonight, we have, Doug Foehner, acid head guitarist, opening the show.

The Improv Trick Comedy Underground is located at 2715 Cherokee, between Iowa and Ohio. The show starts at 8:00pm with LIVE music. Doors open at 7:30pm. Admission is FREE and you may B.Y.O.B.

Tuesday Nights at the Improv Trick feature a sampling of longforms, like:

  • Dream (an audience member recounts their day, as our players portray that night's possible dream);
  • Armando (a player provides comedy monologues based on an audience suggestion, and the other players create a montage of scenes, based on ideas generated from the monologues);
  • Ugly Coyote: Harold (three different scenes revisited three times with palate-cleansing short-form games between).

So come on out for a riotous good time!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Art this Friday the 14th at Fort Gondo

From Maria Elena Marshall:

ELECTROSUGAR ELECTROSHOCK who were we talking about again?
Art Opening (mine)
Host: Maria Elena Marshall
Date: Friday, August 14, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts
Street: 3151 Cherokee Street
disposable moments - the mundane spectacle.

An installation by Maria Marshall.

Limited time only. Act now.

Self-awareness is what makes us human. Humans are decidedly in the world. We need to once again acknowledge what is around us. It does not end at acknowledgment, action is needed, but first we have to remind people that there is a world out there.

I want to be overwhelmed by something right in front of me; draw attention to the void.

Orchids, ribcages, hospital beds, and bus stops; all these fragments of what are around us ground us in the present. The disjointed, overwhelming here and now.

There is also the distinct possibility that this won’t come across in the slightest.

Drawings on the wall, a mattresses and wine — you know you want to come.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Tax-free weekend at City Art Supply +

From City Art Supply:

Thank you to everyone who stopped by during our sale last month. We sold a lot of merchandise and are working on re-stocking many items as well as purchasing new items.

This weekend in Missouri is the TAX FREE Holiday and City Art Supply is participating. So from August 7–9 all purchases will be TAX FREE.

Also, this month at City Art Supply our featured artist is Rebecca Comer. Saturday night, August 8, we’ll have a small opening for her from 6pm – 9pm with special musical guest .e

Please stop by for some tax-free supplies, a drink or two and some nice artwork.

Thank you.
City Art Supply
3215 Cherokee St
St. Louis, MO 63118
314-771-5375

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Stirrup Pants Chapbooks in the media

Two neat write-ups on Stirrup Pants Chapbooks, the recently opened shop at 2122 Cherokee Street.

A Riverfront Times article, and one on St. Louis Magazine's art blog.

Check it!

Rebus @ Firecracker Press



A MUST in AUGUST... Get up and get out to the Firecracker Press on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 to experience: THIS IS HOW MESSED UP STACKS UP! - the August REBUS Event! The Firecracker Press is a unique graphic design and letterpress print studio specializing in advertising and promotional campaigns, event posters, and limited edition products for clients large and small. Designs are transfered onto printable woodblocks that are carved by hand, ink is mixed by hand and fed, one by one, into historic presses that are more 100 years old! The Firecracker Press is the only studio of its kind in Missouri.

The man behind the curtain is the one and only Eric Woods: founder, owner, principal designer and printmaker of the Firecracker Press. Eric’s past experience includes working in New York as a book jacket designer, as an editorial designer for a Missouri newspaper, and as an art director for a St. Louis-based advertising firm. He started The Firecracker Press with a longing to “get his hands dirty” and found the craft of letterpress printing to be a perfect marriage of art and design. His unique experiences with different aspects of the design and advertising worlds along with the perspective that comes from making what’s produced at The Firecracker Press guides everything the studio creates.

Eric will speak on some "imPRESSING" subjects to start the evening that will surely get the wheels turning! After the "PRESSentation", the curtain will rise to PRINTING PRESS DEMOS! Matty Kleinberg, shop manager, will also be present demonstrating how to give the best PUNCH — stand by for a knock out! Leading to Michelle LeBeau with PR/Accounts.

Snacks and drinks will be available — roll in early and stay late for libations and vibrations! Plenty of street parking is available!

So come out and join us for what is sure to be the sizzlin' HOT and fun event! 5:30 - 8:30pm

Free for Ad Club members | Non-members $10 at the door

Must be 21 years of age or older

More information here.

the FIRECRACKER PRESS
2838 Cherokee Street
Saint Louis, MO 63118
(314)776-7271

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

WHAT CHEER?! BRIGADE @ CAMP

From Lyndsey Scott on August 3:

Hey neighborhood! Ready for more play?

Yesterday the 3200 Nebraska block was such pretty public space ... big ups to Carrie for getting horse rides and hip hop on the same page with plentiful cheese curls for all!

This weekend offers another joyful opportunity to get down -- The Community Arts and Media Project will host an exceptionally funky 20+piece marching band from the east coast.

Early, family-friendly show starts at 6:00 p.m. followed up by very danceable Javelin. Your $5-$15 donation will support the bike shop's continuing evolution! (Neighborhood friends and those in need welcome to donate $1 and/or volunteer time -- barter welcome.)

www.stlcamp.org
FRIDAY AUG 7 @ 6pm
3026 Cherokee Street
WHAT CHEER!? BRIGADE

Big Free Comedy Tonight!

*WHAT? Long Form Improv Comedy & Jam!!*
*WHEN? **Tuesdays at 7:30pm!*
*WHERE? Improv Trick Comedy Underground! *
*WHY? It's Fun! It's Funny! It's FREE! *

** *AND This Tuesday August 4th ONLY!!*
By special arrangement: local psychotronic acoustic guitarist *Bill Boll* opens the show with his sometimes touching, sometimes humorous, *always dynamic* combination of originals and covers.

*Bill Chott's* Improv Trick Comedy Underground is located at 2715 Cherokee, between Iowa and Ohio. The show starts at 7:30pm LIVE music and doors open at 7:00pm. Admission is FREE and you may B.Y.O.B.

What the heck is longform? If you've never seen longform improv (and even if you have) you will be amazed as teams of improv actors create an entire play-let, from a single audience suggestion, right before your very eyes!

Tuesday Nights at the Improv Trick feature a sampling of longforms, like:

- *Dream* (an audience member recounts their day, as our players portray that night's possible dream);
- *Armando* (a player provides comedy monologues based on an audience suggestion, and the other players create a montage of scenes, based on ideas generated from the monologues);
- *Ugly Coyote: Harold *(three different scenes revisited three times with palate cleansing short-form games between). Ugly Coyote stars: Lindsey Barrow, David Imler, Mike Lara, Han Lim, George Malich, Theresa Masters, John Stumpf and Ric Syberg.

A typical (though there's nothing typical about it!) longform night also features several short form games, musical numbers, and opportunities for audience members to get up and "jam" too!

If you're a fan of longform ... come on out! Maybe even join the jam? If this sounds like some sort of freaky spectacle ... then come to the freak show and meet the freaks!

Please visit www.theimprovtrick.com for more information.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Original comedy August 6-8 at the Tin Ceiling Theater



Seen in NYC! Come see the St. Louis premiere!

"Ridgefield Middle School Talent Nite", an original two-person comedy about a very "talented" middle school

  • Thursday, August 6 at 8pm
  • Friday, August 7 at 8pm
  • Saturday, August 8 at 8pm
  • with a special LATE-NIGHT SHOW Friday, August 7 at 10pm
Created and performed by Jo Firestone and Dylan Marron

"Ridgefield Middle School Talent Nite" is a comedic tribute to middle school talent shows everywhere and the ugly and/or passion they try so hard to contain. An original play created and performed by two people who like themselves more now that they are no longer in middle school, "Ridgefield Middle School Talent Nite" is a play for anyone who ever thought it couldn't get any better than a moon bounce.

The Tin Ceiling
3159 Cherokee Street
(at the corner of Cherokee and Compton)
St. Louis, MO 63118

Tickets are $10

For ticket reservations, email ridgefieldtheplay (at) gmail (dot) com

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Meth, Hotdogs, Bigfoot and Sledge Hammers



From the gang at Cranky Yellow:

Hello Crankies!

Time for our annual, once in a while newsletter!

We've got some major happenings and goings-on you're gonna want to check out! Here be the list:

Friday, August 7th, from 7-11: Meth and Hotdogs in the main gallery and Claude in the installation room!

Meth and Hotdogs features 30-40 deranged artists and their mischievous creations! Cartoon dogs doin' naughty things, homicidal bunnies, and more! All this wrapped up in Missouri's no.1 Industry and no.1 pastime! Hotdogs (and veggie dogs) will be served! You'll have to hook the Meth from somewhere else though!

Claude! Claude is a big brown bundle of brumbly charm! This plushy creature has traveled the country, bringing joy to children, solving mysteries, and eating lots and lots of snowcones! Is he a bear? Is he a yeti? Is he my really hairy uncle? Find out for yourself and have your picture taken with him!

Bands, bands, bands! Here's Cranky Yellow's upcoming band schedule:

Sunday, August 2nd: Tiny Tornados, and Sleepy Kitty
Tuesday, August 18th: Tyler Bisson, Broken Records

Other stuff:
Remember everyone, the third Friday of every month is "bring your sledgehammer to Cranky Yellow Day"! Everyone who brings in a sledgehammer gets two free buttons from our button pile! Or perhaps something else lovely for free! (Void for anyone from New Hampshire). No, really. We're serious.

Also, we are still looking for artists! We have lots of space to fill and we love supporting and promoting the work of the coolest cats in Saint Louis (and beyond)! If you or anyone you know does some neat artwork, craftwork, videos, literature, music...ANYTHING...have them contact us or come by sometime!

In addition, we are looking for local bands to play in our underground venue! If you can rock "the house", so to speak, please give us a "brrr, de nrrr, nrrrrr" (guitar sounds) sometime soon!

Finally, Cranky Yellow needs volunteers! We are working on putting together a street team to help us spread the word! Contact us if you'd like to help out! Yay!

And as always we are located at: 2847 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis MO, 63118! Visit us!

Thanks,
-The Cranky Yellow Team of Awesome Losers


Cranky Yellow
Phone: 314-773-4499
 
http://bestmile.blogspot.com/