My PICK of the WEEK is BAM Fest which stands for Beer, Art and Music Festival. BAM is a benefit fundraiser for 18th Street to support their international visiting artist programs. Yes it does cost $35.00/$40 at the door, but it is for a great cause.
If you don’t know about 18th Street Arts Center, it is a wonderful supporter of the arts. They consistently offer wonderful art, theater, spoken word and music events. Stop into their current exhibit entitled, Collaboration Labs: Southern California Artists and the Artist Space Movement. Curated by Alex Donis, this exhibition is part of the Getty Foundation’s initiative, Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA, 1945–1980.
If you are a beer lover….this is for you… And I am told there will be a wine tent for all of us winos…yum….I’m goin’ for sure. Buy your tickets early and save $5 off the door price. The list of breweries is HUGE, see below for more and check the website.
BAM Fest is a celebration of locally produced art, music and the finest craft beers around. With 20-plus breweries, 4 bands, 3
galleries, open artist studios, an artist marketplace, gourmet organic food provided by the Green Truck, bold and flavorful authentic Mexican dishes by the Border Grill Truck and sublime banh mi and Vietnamese tacos from the Nom Nom Truck, BAM Fest 2011 is expecting a huge crowd, so get there early.
There is lots more info on their website….but this year 18th Street is teaming up the Library Alehouse and Naja’s Place. Also other breweries include New Belgium and Stone Brewing as well as Ladyface, Bootlegger’s and Strand Brewing. For all you true beer connoisseurs, this year BAM Fest is showcasing unique Belgian-style beers on tap, including Duvel-Moortgat, Brasserie d’Achouffe and Ommegang. OK, so maybe today, I should be a beer drinker.
For $35 you get unlimited sampling of some the best craft breweries around, and the first 500 people who purchase a ticket will receive a commemorative Duvel/BAM Fest 2011 tasting glass. Let’s not forget about the MUSIC…there will be live sets by four incredible bands including JT ROSS AND SPEEDWAY, UPSTART, THE DUSTBOWL REVIVAL and THE ORLANDO NAPIER BAND.
The event runs from 1:00 pm till 5:00 pm. $35 tickets on sale until Sat, Oct 8, noon. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $40, pending capacity also on their website and in person at the Library Alehouse, 2911 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA. 90405. For more information about BAM Fest 2011 and 18th Street Arts Center. http://18thstreet.org
=========================================
Wednesday October 5, 2011
Tonight, enjoy a panel discussion led by art critic, Peter Frank. The subjectis Orpheus In The Modernworld: Adi Da Samraj’s Aesthetic Ecstasy. This group of LA writers and friends of the late artist and spiritual teacher will discuss his later work and the aesthetic philosophy of Adi Da Samraj. The panelists include Bill Bush (Founder of Artweek.LA), Shana Nys Dambrot (writer/curator), Gary Coates (author, professor of Architecture at Kansas State University) and Stanley Hastings (Co-Director of Da Plastique). The event will be held at Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Beverly Hills, (9606 S. Santa Monica Blvd 90210) from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
=========================================
Guitarology happens tonight at Melody Bar & Grill (9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 90045) offers some fantastic players from 8:00 pm till 11:00 pm.Mr. Ira Ingber is guest hosting. Guitarology will be ending soon. It’s the last month. Get there early, reservations suggested. 310 670-1994.
=========================================
Thursday October 6, 2011
Stop by the Steve Turner Contemporary Gallery located at 6026 Wilshire Blvd, 90036 at 7:30pm for a discussion about performance and art. with Lee Lyncy and Marnie Weber. The Murder of Hi Good, a single channel video installation by Lee Lynch opened in September. The centerpiece of the installation is Lynch’s sixty-minute dramatic, revisionist western that relates to the murder of California’s most infamous Indian hunter who lived in Tehama County in the 1870s.
=========================================
In West Hollywood, Gallery1988 Melrose presents “The Butcher Kings” at 7:00 pm. The show features the work of artists Alex Pardee and Skinner who have been living together for the past two weeks creating artwork for this exhibit. (Don’t want to see that apartment…I swear, I’ve dated guys like these). Gallery 1988 Melrose is located at 7020 Melrose Avenue, CA 90036.
=========================================
La Luz de Jesus Gallery celebrates 25-year anniversary with a group show featuring more than 260 artists, each of whom have
created a piece of art and written an essay about their experience with the gallery. In 25 years of groundbreaking exhibitions. The reception runs from 8:00 pm -11:00 pm.
=========================================
Stay in Silver Lake, and pop by the gallery, Weekend. Enjoy the exhibition, “Pure Vegetable Kingdom” which features the work of Ian Trout. The opening reception runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. Weekend is located at 4634 Hollywood Blvd., 90027; 510 206-4001;
=========================================
Or stay in Venice, for First Fridays on Abbot Kinney. Most of the stores below will be starting around 6:30 pm, but remember it is Venice. Stores stay open till around 9:00 pm, sometimes later.….With the recent arrival of food trucks upon the boulevard, some stores have decided to close early. However, here is a list of some shops that have confirmed with me that they will indeed be open and participating in the event. I’m sure there will be a few surprises.
Enjoy live music at Joe’s restaurant. Tonight’s show features Grammy-nominated artist John Beasley with his quartet, sharing the stage with Bennie Maupin. That is pretty amazing!!! There is no cover charge. Call for an RSVP 310.399.5811; Joe’s Restaurant is located at 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice CA 90291.
Now continue on, there is a lovely shop called Altered Space Gallery 1221 Abbot Kinney Blvd., who will be featuring tiny bronze sculptures by artist Ria Charissa of Swallow (see image), as well as the work of Carla Caruso. Music by Twoversusone.They will be serving refreshments. 310 452-8121;
Back again across the street off Santa Clara, is Nitespa, 1301 Abbot Kinney, a lovely beauty spa and shop that will have all kinds of specials which come with complementary beverages consisting of herbal teas, red and white wine and beer.
There will also be art and jewelry for sale. Enjoy their handpicked spa soundtrack, rosemary water and organic teas. Open till 10:00 pm. mini-makeovers and specials on all treatments. The entrance is on Santa Clara.
Keep going north and on the right side is Ananda, stop in for some snacks and refreshments. They have beautiful things. Ananda is located at 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd. (310) 399-4186. Directly adjacent, pop into Skylark 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd who will also be open 310 392-9099;
Bohemian Exchange kicks off their Halloween blow out sale. The sale runs from Friday October 7th until October 31, 2011.
Bohemian Exchange offers sassy edgy designs at amazing prices that can double for a flamboyant costume. Beautiful carnival type masks with feathers and gems are also available. Be provocative and create your own mysterious look this Halloween while adding a fabulous accessory to your wardrobe. Don’t wait to the last minute….kids. Get your costume started tonight! It’s gonna be a fun time, refreshments will be served. So come on by, get your groove on and purchase a Henna tattoo and Hair extensions.
Bohemian Exchange is located at 1358 Abbot Kinney, at California 310.396.3044;
Stop into the G2 Gallery, Enjoy a fascinating presentation about spiders by photographer Rebecca Jackrel and arachnid enthusiast, Miriam Schulman. Yes there will be live spiders. (eech, as long as there wine too, I’ll be fine) Miriam Schulman will explain why these little creatures are so important to both our rural and urban habitats. G2 Gallery is located at 1503 Abbot Kinney. Admission is $5 at the door, which will directly support environmental charities. 310-452-2842;
You won’t be able to miss Zingara Trading, right next door at 1507 Abbot Kinney for their First Friday event. They will be offering snacks and their famous S’mores.310 392-6424;
Stop by Robin’s Sculpture Garden and enjoy the music of Tommy Santee Klaws, accompanied, by aerials in the sky. Robin’s Sculpture Garden, is located at 1632 Abbott Kinney. This one tends to start later, 8:00 pm till 11:00 pm. Popcorn & Beverages, but there is a $10-$15 donation suggested.
One final stop for First Friday on AK… see fashions from Show Me Your Mumu, and Anna Bruce Designs, who will be featuring local artists as well as serving refreshments. These are both just outside of the garden, so you won’t have to pay the admission fee.
=========================================
Saturday October 8, 2011
What about a fabulous trip to Joshua Tree? Go for the weekend. Enjoy nature, hiking and art. Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency presents their TOUR DE FORCE at Joshua Tree Art Gallery.
Support an organization who supports artists. Check out their website to read about their Joshua Tree Highlands Artist in Residency program. Tonight’s event is their opening gala reception featuring a group show from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Five years ago Frederick Fulmer and Jim Berg stepped up to the plate and sponsored the first annual JTHAR program. This year they are joined by co-sponsors Sarah Kennington, Steve Bardwell, Ruth and Steve Rieman. JoshuaTree Art Gallery is located at 61607 29 Palms Hwy., Suite B from 6:00 pm till 8:30pm. http://www.jthar.com/
Also if you would like to plan a trip, check out this lovely Joshua Tree Vacation rental. Just say you heard about it on LA Art Party and that you would like to attend the art exhibition and you get a 10% discount…Yeah! Treat yourself to a romantic weekend.
Norbertellen Gallery presents their ANNUAL FALL INTERNATIONAL / ELEVEN, TWELVE, FOURTEEN group exhibition. Stop in for the artist reception from 6:00 pm -10:00 pm and meet and greet the artists. This show features 15 emerging artists such as Kim Berg, Nancy Caster, Fabian Landgrave, Graeme Whittle and more. Norbertellen Gallery is located at 215 W. 6th St. #110. 818 662 5041;
=========================================
Since you are downtown, pop over to Hold Up Art, where celebrity photographer, Sunny Bak shares her photos in her latest exhibition entitled “Boys and Dogs.”
Beastie Boys; photo by Sunny Bak
Though Bak has photographed numerous celebrities, she is perhaps, best known for her photos of the Beastie Boys and the “Licensed to Ill” tour.
Sunny also co-created a best-selling book, Pupple, with Garrett Simmons which features dogs dressed up as famous people spoofing People magazine. This exhibit will feature both.
Sunny Bak is an incredible photographer, I highly recommend this exhibition. Reception starts at 7:00 pm. Hold Up Art is located at 358 E. 2nd Street, 90012. http://www.sunnybak.com/
=========================================
At Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave,Frank Pictures (A-5) offers HIGH BALL, an exhibition of baseball themed kinetic sculpture and multi media paintings by Greg Jezewski, Opening runs from 5:00– 9:00. 310.828.0211;
=========================================
\While you’re there…pop into The Robert Berman Gallery (C-2) to see the show “Paid to Play Illustrating Los Angeles: 1945 – 1985.”
Album cover, The Section by David Willardson_Capitol Records circa 1970s
Paid to Play is the first of several exhibitions to appear at The Robert Berman Gallery which fall under the umbrella of Pacific Standard Time. This unprecedented collaboration, initiated by the Getty, brings together more than sixty cultural institutions from across Southern California for six months beginning October 2011 to tell the story of the birth of the L.A. art scene.
It opened in September, but it’s a fabulous show, you gotta see it. This exhibition features artists who earned their living as illustrators. This exhibition offers some incredible, pin-ups and collectables.http://www.robertbermangallery.com/
=========================================
In Culver City, Thinkspace offers a group show, entitled “In the Wake of Dreams.” The exhibition features artists Stella Im Hultberg, Mari Inukai, Audrey Kawasaki and Amy Sol
=========================================
Stay in Culver City, and stop by Rumors (formerly the Rumor Mill), at 11739 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90066. Enjoy an artist reception for Dusan Kralik while you enjoy live music with Rick Mayock and East of Lincoln from 7:30 till 10:00pm.http://therumormill.us/
=========================================
Sunday October 9, 2011
Now to my PICK of the WEEK…..Get your butts to 18th Street Arts and support a great cause, BAM Fest which stands for Beer, Art and Music Festival. BAM is a benefit fundraiser for 18th Street to support their international visiting artist programs. So THERE is a bit of a pricey ticket….$40.00 at door/$35.00 pre order, but it’s ALL YOU CAN DRINK BABY!!!
For $35 you get unlimited sampling of some the best craft breweries around, and the first 500 people who purchase a ticket will receive a commemorative Duvel/BAM Fest 2011 tasting glass. Let’s not forget about the MUSIC…there will be live sets by four incredible bands including JT ROSS AND SPEEDWAY, UPSTART, THE DUSTBOWL REVIVAL and THE ORLANDO NAPIER BAND.
And I am told there will be a wine tent for all of us winos…yum….I’m goin’ for sure. Buy your tickets early and save $5 off the door price. Here is a taste of the breweries, but the full list is on the website…way too many to list.
18th Street Arts Center’s International Visiting Artist Program is a worldwide leader in artist exchange programs and provides one of the few international artist exchange programs in Los Angeles. 18th Street has hosted artists from two dozen countries: Australia, Austria, Cameroon, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Cuba, France, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, South Korea, Sudan, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
Don’t forget to stop into their current exhibit entitled, “Collaboration Labs: Southern California Artists and the Artist Space Movement.” Curated by Alex Donis, this exhibition is part of the Getty Foundation’s innitiative, Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA, 1945–1980The event runs from 1:00 pm till 5:00 pm. $35 tickets on sale until Sat, Oct 8, noon. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $40, pending capacity. http://18thstreet.org/
=================================================
Special Tuesday October 11, 2011 Event
On Tuesday Oct 11, South on Wilshire presents singer/songwriter Geoffrey J and friends. I just wrote an article about him for
the Santa Monica Mirror…comes out this Friday. He is a wonderful performer…and they are extending the happy hour till 8:00 pm. I’ll be there…so come on by.
Geoffrey will be performing his own original roots folk music roots music. His songs offer a large amount of passion for such a young performer. His organic approach to songwriting allows his lyrics to be vulnerable yet direct. His melodies sometimes haunting, are also upbeat, memorable and consistently entertaining.The show starts at 8:00 pm and runs till 11:00 pm. South is known for its incredible Southern food, Chicken and Waffle Sliders, Gumbo, BBQ Pork Ribs, Mac N Cheese, Sausage Bread, Southern Fried Chicken etc. This bustling sports bar is the happening place to be on the weekend. People come for the great tasting food, the always jumpin’ packed bar and the huge flat screened TVs place strategically across the sprawling restaurant and bar.
South is located at 3001 Wilshire Blvd at Stanford Ave in Santa Monica 90403.
