Wanna design and print your own fabric???!!! Check out Spoonflower!

This is the coolest thing! Now you can create your own design, upload it to this site and order what you want printed on the type of fabric you want! It is $18-32 per yard, so it's not so cheap, but for a special project, it'd be worth the splurge! Take a look and try your hand at creativity and design!

http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome

one more thing!

This is the website for SHINE Gallery. You must check it out! :: http://www.shinegallery.com/index.html

Vintage Memoribilia Exhibition & Sale December 4, 2009 - January 3, 2010

I am on the mailing list for La Luz de Jesus gallery in Los Angeles and this was part of the most recent newsletter. I hope I can get down to L.A. before it closes in January! Would love to take a gander at all of these vintage goodies!




Authentic period items from the 1910s through the 1950s, All guaranteed to be AUTHENTIC & VINTAGE. These toys and novelties are the REAL DEAL! Because these tiny treasures are available in multiples, we are able to offer extremely LOW PRICES! Whether you are a collector or dealer, here is your opportunity to purchase pieces of history from a variety of pop culture categories: Bekelite, Celluloid & Plastic! Tin Toys! Novelties, Jokes and Magic Tricks! Circus & Carnival Memoribilia! Chalkware and Ceramic Prizes! Radios & Lighters! Souvenirs, Postcards & Matchbooks! Christmas Items & Halloween Masks! Sports Pennants, Buttons & Ribbons! Packaging and Advertisement Art! Plus a whole lot more, including unique, one-of-a-kind rarities.

Here's a chance to give your parents and grandparents the Christmas or Hanukkah of their youth! Or pass that rich tradition on to your own kids!

observation....

...so,the other day at work, one of the employees was looking at a Dwell magazine. I have had a subscription to this magazine, thanks to a very generous friend, for many years now. I have always enjoyed reading it, learning about architecture & architects, furniture and other tid bits of interesting information based on Mid Century design and how this period of the 20th Century influences and/or has grown into design that is relevant to us living in the early 21st Century. For those of us who are/have been fans of this style, you will know of the importance and popularity of Charles & Ray Eames, and Herman Miller, who produced many of their designs.

Winding back to the employee reading Dwell: He exclaimed how much he loves a couple of designs that were showcased in one of the houses, one of which includes the Eames Lounge Chair. His exclamation struck a realization inside of me. At 28 years old, he has discovered an appreciation for an icon of Mid Century design. Me, at 34 years old, I have been around antiques and vintage all of my life and gained an appreciation for this type of design in my early 20s, a decade and a half ago. This is when you could still luck out and find a pair of Eames Aluminum Group side chairs at the thrift store for $7 each (this really happened to me and I sold them for $500/pair when I moved out of L.A.)or a 1960s dated U.S. military aluminum office chair for $1 at the Salvation Army. Somehow, with my coworkers exclamation, all of these years of interest in Mid Century design suddenly seem old hat and tired and it left me wondering what is the next big design wagon to hop aboard? Of course there is nothing wrong with being interested or passionate about an Eames Lounger or Mid Century design in general, as there are so many amazing things created at this time, it just seems that it has finally reached a sort of ho hum in my mind.

With stores like Design Within Reach on the more expensive end and cheaper shopping options like Ikea and Target, who sometimes offer decent pieces inspired by Danish Modern/Mid Century Modern designs, anyone can go in and buy what they see on the pages on Dwell magazine. Of course there are many other companies who reproduce or manufacture under the original designs/names and all of these options offer the general public an opportunity to live in a home filled with these icons of design. The hunt for a piece that was produced during it's original production years is no longer necessary. The rarity and resulting expense of an original is not as important to the general consumer because they no longer have to hunt for it. The fashion/fad of this furniture has somehow caused me to loose my passion for it. Don't get me wrong, I will always appreciate a well designed, well made piece of furniture, but why follow the crowd? Why concern myself with hunting for that piece of furniture that will speak of prestige to those in the know? What is the next fad for vintage furniture collectors? Will they move up to the 1980s, like what has happened in fashion?

Personally, I tend to decorate with a bit of an eclectic flair. I had my moment of obsession with furniture from the 20s through 40s and with Mid Century/Danish Modern design for the 4 years I was a homeowner. I am at the point in life now where I understand that growing older (up!) is a process of evolution and that the items I surround myself with are a reflection of this evolution. I have one furniture piece that has stayed with me since I was probably 22 and it is a "Lane" made late 1950s side table that I have always used as my TV/VCR/DVD player center. I paid $5 for it at the Purple Heart thrift store in Long Beach, on a half price sale day. It stayed with my boyfriend at the time for a little while and came home to me when we broke up. When I think about it, it reminds me of all of the different styles of furniture it has sat next to over the years. Where will it go next? ...or rather, where will I go? ...and for that matter, in what direction will home decorating fashion head next, as well? Let's wait and see!

In the Crafty spotlight!

Coming up in November and December, I'll be sharing table space at a few Indie Craft sales in SF & LA! Along with my partner in crafty crime, Mireya of El Ponk fame, we'll be joining forces for 3 big events! First is November 8th: INDIE MART @ Thee Parkside in SF. Then we've got 2 shows in LA:: PATCHWORK in Santa Ana on November 15th & UNIQUE LA in Downtown LA at the Cal Mart bldg on December 5th & 6th. I'll post more details as I get them!

I'm including some pics of new owl plushies and pics of the last INDIE MART in July, so you can get an idea of what we've got in store for your shopping pleasures!!!

Soul Fever! is back at Otis...Wednesday night!

Hey Folks! Soul Fever returns to Otis Wednesday night, October 28th! Get your dancing shoes on and start your Halloween weekend a little early! See ya there...8pm till midnight and it's Free! Happy Hour drink specials extended till 9pm!

This Weekend! Friday & Saturday nights full of SOUL!

First off, Friday night is a special mid-month edition of WHERE IT'S AT!



Come on down to Mad Dog In The Fog @ 530 Haight Street, SF for the best in Funk, Soul, Disco, R&B & Modern Soul! It's free and starts at 10pm!

Then, Saturday night, I'll be guesting with Covi & Ryan at the Noc Noc, located just across the street from Mad Dog for FUNK & SOUL! This is also free and starts at 10pm. See ya in the Lower Haight for some booty shakin'!

Flyers from Summer WHERE ITs AT! gigs...

Hello, helloooo, HELLOOO!!!

Yes, it looks like I've been on hiatus for the entire summer. I apologize to those of you who have been waiting for a new post from me. It seems as though I've had quite the summer and start of fall. A lot has happened! Many more Wake the Towns at Mad Dog in the Fog, a new reggae night added at the Missouri Lounge in the East Bay last Thur of the month and best of all, I've started 2 new Soul nights in SF! I have a bi-monthly (every 2nd/4th Fridays) and a once a month (usually last Wed) at Mad Dog in the Fog and Otis, respectively. The nights are called Where It's At! & Soul Fever. I share the decks with my dj partners in crime, Shawn & DJ Big Willie. We play everything from 60s R&B to Motown/Tamla/Gordi, to funky, funky soul, disco soul & boogie! We do it the old school way, strictly vinyl, baby!





The next Where It's At! is actually this Friday night, October 16th! We're doing a special night, since last weekend we traveled down to Morro Bay for a friend's wedding. In addition to this, on the 17th, I will be guest DJing with Covi & Ryan at Funk & Soul at the Noc Noc on Haight & Fillmore! Two nights of fantastic, booty shakin' tunes in the Lower Haight! Don't miss it! Where It's At! will be back on track for the 4th Friday next week!

Okay, now that I'm back up and running with my blog, let me collect a few pics to post for ya'll and I'll update you on what's been going on and where we'll be going next! Keep your eyes and ears sharp! See ya soon! Cheers!!!

special WAKE THE TOWN this Saturday!

A special Memorial Day weekend edition, as well as special East Bay location: Wake the Town, Hotshots of Rocksteady and Reggae will be heading into the East Bay town of Oakland for the second time!

This is a monthly DJ night that happens every 1st Saturday of the month at Mad Dog in the Fog in Lower Haight...but for all of our fans, friends and family, we're throwing a bonus party in the East Bay! Parkway Lounge is a fantastic spot, good strong drinks and a snazzy atmosphere. If you were here on our first bonus night back in January, you know it was off the hook! Starts @ 10pm and goes till closing. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes 'cause you won't be sitting down for long!

Specialty "Roach Coaches" are all the rage!

I just logged on to my blogger and got a notice that my friend Mireya of el Ponk! fame just finished blogging about the Kogi BBQ Truck that has been creating such a buzz around L.A.. A friend of mine is working on getting a chowder and seafood truck going here in the SF/Bay area and I recently read an article in Dwell magazine (well, March's issue, anyway) about mobile eateries. Check out the article here: http://www.dwell.com/articles/mobile-eateries-square-meal.html

"With street food enjoying a renaissance across the United States, it may no longer be necessary to steer clear of trailer fare. From coast to coast, top chefs are trading frenzied restaurant kitchens for the tight quarters of a mobile unit, transforming what we can expect from meals on wheels." *Taken from the Dwell blog site.

For Mireya's blog: http://elponk.blogspot.com/2009/05/koji-bbq-truck.html
Kogi BBQ Truck website: http://kogibbq.com/

My old hood in L.A. was full of these trucks during afterhours on the weekends and a few regulars could be found all nights of the week...however!...they're the O.G. ones, offering typical Mexican/Salvadorean fare and cheap prices to go along with the tasty food. Rambo's Taco's always made me laugh...but they had quite the following! Guess with all this hubub about the Kogi trucks and the other guys spotlighted in the Dwell article, we'll be seeing more of a variety of food offerings! Convenient, and a novel experience included!

Oh, if you're in L.A., here's the locations where you're gonna wanna be for the Kogi:

Roja
6PM-9PM@JANM - 1st & Central in Little Tokyo
10:00PM-1AM@4100 Bar - 4100 Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake

Verde
6PM-9PM@Miracle Mile - Wilshire & Cloverdale
10PM-1AM@Sawtelle - Check our Twitter

They're gonna be in my old hood tomorrow night: Eagle Rock...Oh well...I'm a couple of years too late!

Hello!

I took a nice long walk today and ended up on a little hill park that overlooks the lake I live close to. My dog and I decided to relax a little and enjoy the sunshine and sailboats drifting around on the lake. I used to spend a lot of time hanging out at parks when the weather was nice...where I used to live, dogs were allowed off leash and made the whole park visiting thing with a dog much more enjoyable. Anyway, on days like this, with clear blue skies, I'd lay flat on my back and gaze upwards. It's amazing how perspective changes when you have no visual to assist in guaging distance. The sky is a massive expanse and reminds me that there will always be time to take a breath, no matter what life's stresses. Anyway, as I lay there, a couple of images came to mind of arial views of people laying flat on the ground, gazing upwards and outwards. Hope you enjoy!


(Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind)



(Charles & Ray Eames)

Hello! It's time to get down!

Hello Friends and Blogger World Peeps!

Sorry I've been absent for a couple of weeks. I've had so many things going on lately. I took on a freelance sewing job for the San Francisco Electric Tour Company. http://www.electrictourcompany.com/ I made patterns and have been cutting and sewing like a mad woman the past couple of weeks! 60 safety vests are the order and they new design is looking great! This company offers tours where you get to ride around on segways! So cool!!!

Also, Easter weekend, I took a short trip down to L.A. I played records at my friend's club in Long Beach Friday night...(get on the) GOOD FOOT! www.myspace.com/goodfoot www.goodfoot.org ; got to hang with my friends and family Saturday and then Sat. night went out to Soulside to support my friends and have a chance to shake my tail feather! Shawn, of Wake the Town fame, was guest DJ both Friday and Saturday nights! www.myspace.com/clubsoulside The weekend was a blast, but way too short!

This week holds a couple of notable events: first off is Tuesday evening HAPPY HOUR with me & my special guest and friend MINI @ TWISTER! Koko Cocktails is so gracious as to host my twice monthly musical journey experience!



Next up, my friend and DJ extraordinnaire, Mr. Ryha is guest DJ @ Monkey Time Wednesday night in SF. In his own words: "Spinning this WED April 22nd at Monkey Time with Sergio at Delerium on 16th near Valencia in San Francisco. A chance to spin 60's soul and 60's in general that I haven't had a chance to spin in years. Jamaican soul too of course."

for more info, check their myspace pages:
www.myspace.com/mrryha
www.myspace.com/sergioiglesias

Thanks for checking in! I'll see ya again soon!

TWISTER! @ Koko Cocktails in SF Tuesday 4/7 Happy Hour Special!

Come on down for Happy Hour drink specials and some smooth tunes that may just get you in the mood to tap those toes! Twister! is a musical journey through space and time and offers a wide variety of sounds and genres, smoothly pulling the common thread from one to the next. A bit heavy on the Soulful/Funky stuff, but travels into 70s soulful disco, 80s, UK alternative, Indie, Jamaican sounds, including Reggae of course, Brazilian, African, Afro-Latin, etc. etc. This is a 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month happening and I am happy to share the turntables with some really great SF area selectors!!! This week's special guests are Shawn (Upsetter & Wake the Town) and Juanito!!! Hope to see you at Koko's!!!!

"Der Phew-er"! ...and other skunky items of interest.

<

I'm on the email list for Kovel's "Komments", where they offer snippets of info relating to antique and vintage items of interest. The Kovel's also publish many books about antique and vintage items and collectibles. Anyway, todays email included a bit that I found quite amusing! "Der Phew-er"...a cast iron skunk figure with Hitler's head! For a person who made such an impact on the history of the world, it's kinda strange that something so light hearted was created...well, that's my 2 cents anyway.

This is what Kovel's has to say about it:
"During World War II, novelty anti-Axis items were popular. Many represented Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo and sold for less than a dollar. The Johnson Smith & Co. 1944 catalog offered several anti-Hitler items, including a cast-iron skunk figure called "Der Phew-er" ("shows Hitler as he really is"), a Hitler skunk ashtray, a Hotzi-Notzi pincushion (according to the catalog, FDR had one on his desk), and a Hitler squealing pig bank. Johnson Smith Co. is still in business in Bradenton, Florida, and still sells novelty items through its catalogs. Several different Hitler skunk figures were made in cast iron, chalkware, pottery, and plastic. Twin Winton made a ceramic Hitler skunk, Mussolini pig, and Tojo rat. "

For more info on the Johnson Smith Co. : http://www.johnsonsmith.com/

For more info on Kovel's Komments : http://e.kovelsonline.com/m/5caQdcn47bcER92bxnFnXNKkCyAyhAuQdFjWN46SLPzdHYJSrw

AND...on a lighter and non-historical note, here are a few appreciable items of skunky content that I found while parusing on Etsy.

by BerkleyIllustrations from Portland, OR


A most unique fur coat...yes, it is made from skunk fur! by Flapperflock from Redlands, CA


And the cutest little skunk plushy by LittleBear from Vancouver Island.

Enjoy!

Tuesday come on down to Koko's for TWISTER!

After some adjusting and thinking about how often I should offer my new DJ night, it has been decided that it will be every other Tuesday night, or more specifically, the first & third Tuesdays! March is a special month, because we've got 5 Tuesdays, so we get a bonus Twister! Come on down for a fancy concoction or a good old standby brew and some smooth tunes to get your dancing feet movin'! 6:30-9:30pm @ Koko Cocktails! See ya there!

Free Moral Agents to play at Bottom Of The Hill in SF on Saturady, 3/28!!!

An old friend of mine from my days in the LBC is a member of Free Moral Agents and they are headlining a show at Bottom of the Hill in SF on Saturday night. I'll be there and you should be too!

Here is their bio, as found on their myspace page:

"Free Moral Agents is the brainchild of Isaiah Ikey Owens, Grammy Award-winning keyboardist for The Mars Volta & De Facto.

The Long Beach, CA-based Owens initially started Free Moral Agents as a solo project. It has since expanded into a group effort, a result of Isaiah's decade-long career of collaborations with artists as diverse as El-P, Mastodon, Sublime, Saul Williams, and Z-Trip.

Free Moral Agents released their debut Everybody's Favorite Weapon on GSL Records in late 2004. With freestyle moments layered over vibrant melodies, heavy beats, and jazzy interludes, Everybody's Favorite Weapon was just the beginning of something that was no longer considered just a side-project.

While out on the road with the Mars Volta, Isaiah kept thinking of ways to expand Free Moral Agents. In 2006, FMA went from a solo effort to full six-member group and started improvising new material. With the lineup of Mendee Ichikawa (vocals), Reid Kinnet (Rhodes), Jesse Carzello (guitar), Dennis Owens (bass), Ryan Reiff (drums) and Isaiah jumping from keyboard to keyboard, FMA quickly came up with much new music and was in and out of the studio several times in 2007 and 2008,

Free Moral Agents is now gearing up to release their new album Honey In The Carcass Of The Lion, an EP titled Control This and a 10" vinyl collaboration with legendary Fela Kuti's drummer and Afro Beat co-founder Tony Allen titled North Is Red."

For more info, sample songs or to get connected, check 'em out here:
www.myspace.com/freemoral agents and www.freemoralagents.com

Next Wake The Town is April 4th!

Come on down for the best monthly dance club in San Francisco: Wake the Town! Hot shots of Rocksteady & Reggae! It's the place to be! This party happens every first Saturday of the month with some of SF's top "Jamaican sounds" DJ's. Mr. Ryha, Bryan Martin & Shawn (from the old Upsetter @ Mad Dog in the Fog) throw down some heavy tunes. This months special guest is Crystal! Be there or be square!

p.s. Flyer is another bit of my handiwork. If you like what you see, give me a shout...I'd be happy to hook you up with a flyer too!

Guest DJ spot with Adam @ FIRE CORNER!

Last Saturday night I, along with Mini & Bryan were the guest DJ's for Fire Corner, a bi-monthly Rocksteady/Early Reggae Revive party hosted by Adam (aka Revival Sound System) at Koko Cocktails! It was a bit of a slow night...I think the rainshowers kept people home, but in spite of that, we all had a great time and the music was as tasty as ever! I met a couple of interesting folks, had some good conversations and a few enjoyable drinks! A father & son duo who are German tourists happened into the bar and kept all of us pretty entertained. They kept telling me the party is only starting at 2am in Germany! Ah well. I got a free beer and a funny story outta chatting with 'em!

Fire Corner happens every first and third Saturday nights from 9:30pm-2am. Adam has a variety of guests share the turntables with him, many who have other similar or related nights around town. Koko's is a great place and Fire Corner offers great tunes to get your feet moving! (all details on flyer)

In case anyone's interested, here is my set list for last Sat.:

The Heptones - EVERY DAY EVERY NIGHT - Freedom Line
Johnny Osbourne - SEE AND BLIND - Come Back Darling
The Cables - LOVE IS A PLEASURE - What Kind Of World
Carlton and the Shoes - THIS FEELINGS - Love Me Forever
Dobby Dobson - LOVING PAUPER - Hottest Hits Vol. 1 Treasure Isle
Clancy Eccles - AUNTIE LULU - Fatty Fatty 1967-1970
Jackie Edwards - KEEP ON RUNNING - Sincerely
The Tennors - MASSIE MASSA - Rock Steady Intensified
John Holt - YOU BABY - 1000 Volts of Holt
Toots and The Maytals - COOLIE BABY - Slatyam Stoot
U-Roy - STICK TOGETHER - Version Like Rain
Count Stiky - WHAT DO YOU SO - Moodisc Quad Star Revolution
Prince Buster - PHARAOH HOUSE CRASH - Wreck A Pum Pum
Alton Ellis - REMEMBER THAT SUNDAY - Hottest Hits Vol. 2 Treasure Isle

i am a NIGHT OWL!!!

— Jodie Hurt. Via [poppytalk]

Hahahaha! Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to stay up late. I remember having a bedtime of no later than 9pm on weeknights and 10pm on weekends and how I'd lay in bed, unable to fall asleep...just staring at the walls and up at the cottage cheese covered ceilings searching for faces & animals & cars, whatever...like a regular kid might do in the daytime while laying in the grass at the park doing the same thing with the clouds overhead!

Now, as an adult, I find myself with the same patterns, staying up well past midnight, sometimes to 2 or 3am and then wanting to sleep in till 10 or 11am. 9-5 jobs are NOT my friends! This morning, I was scanning over the news page and noticed an article entitled "Top Jobs For Night Owls". Hmmm...well, sounds interesting! The job list doesn't really matter. What I found interesting is that there is actually a scientific name for people like me! Here's the intro to the article:

"At 2 a.m., most workers are asleep in their beds, blissfully unaware that their alarm clocks will sound in a few short hours. But for 41 percent of Americans, this is the time of day when they are most productive, according to a 2005 poll by the National Sleep Foundation.

You can probably pick these folks out of your own office -- they're your co-workers who slouch into work, never a minute early but often several late, bleary-eyed and lackadaisical during the earlier part of the workday.

Some might call it slacking, but science calls it something else completely. People with severe night-owl symptoms may be suffering from Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder, a condition characterized by extreme difficulty falling asleep before 2 a.m. and trouble waking early, according to the Sleep Disorder Channel. When people with this condition are forced to rise in time for 9-to-5 jobs, they are rarely at their most productive."

Okay, so next time I work on a 9-5 job and I get called into HR to be reprimanded for my 3 months of tardiness, I can recite "Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder" as my certifiably scientific reason! Hahah!

TWISTER! was a success!

Last Tuesday night Justin and Koko Cocktails in SF were so kind as to allow me a chance to put a long held idea into action. I had my debut night of my new bi-monthly Happy Hour DJ sonic experience: TWISTER! Steve Roberts the mastermind of The Aces High Rhythm & Soul Society (which I also belong to) was my first guest. We had a great time...a lot of our friends came out to support and even some of the bar regulars also chimed in on the enjoyment of our tune selections! We are still working out the exact schedule for the night, but be sure to check us out again next Tuesday, March 24th, 6:30-9:30pm. My special guest for this night will be Mark Gorney, AKA Tip Top Sounds and the host of two very amazing clubs of his own, Feel the Rhythm @ The Make Out Room, every 2nd Wed. 10pm-2am & Music Like Dirt @ Skylark every Friday Happy Hour 7:30-10pm, both in San Francisco and featuring classic reggae revives, rocksteady & the like.

TWISTER! is a musical journey through space & time...you will hear everything from 60s & 70s jazz, soul, funk & country, disco, 80s, UK sounds, Jamaican sounds, reggae, Brazilian, etc., etc. I hope you will come down to Koko's to join in the sonic journey! See ya there!

Oh, for a sampling of my last musical selections, in as close to played in order as I can remember:

Donny Hathaway - THE GHETTO - from Everything is Everything
Donald BYRD - STREET LADY - from Street Lady
Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band - SUNSHOWER - self titled album
Wilson Pickett - HELLO SUNSHINE - I'm In Love
The Isley Brothers - SPILL THE WINE - 45rpm
Leon Haywood - KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY - 45rpm
The Jacksons - BLAME IT ON THE BOOGIE - 45rpm
Silver Convention - FLY, ROBIN, FLY - 45rpm
Klymaxx - VIDEO KID - 45rpm
Leon Haywood - I WANT'A DO SOMETHING FREAKY TO YOU - 45rpm
George McCrae - ROCK YOUR BABY - 45rpm
Johnny Osbourne - HE WHO KEEPETH HIS MOUTH - from Come Back Darling
The Melodians - IT'S MY DELIGHT - from Rivers of Babylon
Miriam Makeba - PATA PATA - 45rpm
Alcione - OLERE CAMARA - from O Samba
Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 - YE-ME-LE - from Foursider
Stereolab - CADRIOPO - from Aluminum Tunes
Kraftwerk - NUMBERS & COMPUTER WORLD - from Computer World
Devo - GIRL U WANT - from Freedom of Choice
Action League - WE ARE SO FRAGILE - 45rpm
Joe Jackson - THROW IT AWAY - from Look Sharp!
Buzzcocks - I DON'T MIND - Singles Going Steady
Monkees - MARY MARY - from More of the Monkees
The Rolling Stones - SUSIE Q - from 12x5
Spencer Davis Group - KEEP ON RUNNING - 45rpm
Maxine Nightingale - RIGHT BACK WHERE WE STARTED FROM - 45rpm
Shorty Long - FUNCTION AT THE JUNCTION - 45rpm
David Ruffin - MY WHOLE WORLD ENDED (THE MOMENT YOU LEFT ME) - 45rpm
Eddie Floyd - I'VE NEVER FOUND A GIRL - 45rpm
Four Tops - SHAKE ME, WAKE ME (WHEN IT'S OVER) - 45rpm
Wilson Pickett - FUNK FACTORY - 45rpm
Major Harris - AFTER LOVING YOU - 45rpm
The Sweet Inspirations - SWEET SENSATION - 45rpm
Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose - TREAT HER LIKE A LADY - self titled
Deon Jackson - OOH BABY - from His Greatest Recordings
James Carr - THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO KNOW - from You Got My Mind Messed Up
Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers - BUSTIN' LOOSE - from Bustin' Loose

scooter

scooter
Originally uploaded by allerleirau

Found this while browsing on Flickr today... At one point in my life, I was what might be known as a "scooter girl" and even after all these years, I most definitely hold images related to scooters dear to my heart. Fun illo and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Owls are Everywhere! Questionetc. introduces the Owl Plushy!

Questionetc. would like to introduce the newest addition to our family! No, it's not another fashion accessory, but a cute little owl plushy, instead! He is so cute and could definitely been seen as a fashion accessory for your child, though! :D Soft and cuddly and wide eyed, his wings flap and feet waddle...and he's sure to be a hit with your child! One day, as I awoke and was laying in bed...this image of the owl came to me, so I set about that day to realize my vision. This is what resulted! I will be making more very soon to add to the family! Keep an eye out in my etsy shop: www.questionetc.etsy.com



p.s. This is a page from my new promo catalogue. Let me know if you would like a copy for yourself and I'd be happy to send one to you. :D Thanks for visiting!

The Melodian's to perform in Berkeley March 19th!

Hey Friends!
I'm back with an exciting announcement...The Melodian's will be playing at Ashkenaz in Berkeley on March 19th! My friend and DJ extraordinaire, Adam of Revival Sound System, will be spinning original Ska, Rocksteady and Early Reggae 45s as part of the show. Come out to support my man Adam and another one of Jamaica's golden performers, The Melodian's!



The Melodian's are perhaps best known for their song contributions to the movie, The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff. Rivers of Babylon and Sweet Sensation were 2 of the hit songs that helped make the movie so memorable. While these are both great songs, I've gotta say, "It's My Delight" (1969) is probably one of my favorite songs in their repertoir. Take a listen:



Hope you enjoy and perhaps I'll see ya on the dancefloor on the 19th!

Dark Matter of Fact, new solo exhibit from Christine Nguyen!

Hey, ho, whaddya know?! My good friend, Christine, is about to open a new solo exhibition of her artwork at the Angels Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro, CA (part of the greater Los Angeles basin). I have known her for many, many years and she's always been an inspiration! Her work is so unique and magical and wonderful...you've gotta check it out! www.lephant.com



This is what the press release has to say:
"Christine Nguyen: Dark Matter of Fact is the artist's second solo exhibition at the Center. In 2002, while still an undergraduate, Christine exhibited a body of early photo-based work in the Center's project space. Since that initial exhibition her work has exploded in complexity, composition and technique, building on the solid foundation of experimentalism and fantastic imagery found in her early works."

And her Artist Statement:

"My work draws upon the imagery of science, but it is not limited to technologies of the present. It imagines that the depths of the ocean reach into outer space, that through an organic prism, vision can fluctuate between the micro- and macroscopic. I have been developing a personal cosmology in which commonalities among species, forms, and environment become visible and expressive, suggesting past narratives and possible futures. The forms and environs in my work sometimes migrate into new pieces, establishing new systems. These systems imagine modes of transportation, communication, and regeneration. There are no waste materials in these worlds: vision is a renewable resource.

My recent work has been "photo-based", in that it combines drawing and photographic processes. "Negatives" are drawn on layers of Mylar, which are projected onto light-sensitive paper. The paper is developed in a color processor, creating a camera-less, photographic image. In addition to watercolor and ink, I use materials such as saltwater, seaweed, coral, minerals, and crystals to manipulate the "negative" and the print. The total process is similar to that of making a photogram."

- Christine Nguyen, 2009

Info for the show and Angels Gate:
February 28 - April 12, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 28, 2-4 pm
Gallery Hours: Tues - Sun, 10 am - 5 pm

Angels Gate Cultural Center is located at:
3601 South Gaffey Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-519-0936
http://www.angelsgateart.org/visiting.html


In October of 2008, she spent a month at the Marin Headlands Center For The Arts. She had been nominated and chosen to recieve a stipend for the month to spend the time creating a body of work that would be shown at the end of the stay. I had the opportunity to visit her studio space and gaze upon all of her amazing creations! Included here are pics of her photo based work and of her salt crystalized plant matter that seems to have become a 3-D ingredient in her newest work. Enjoy!

A musical legend...Lee "Scratch" Perry!

So, in a turn toward fortunate experiences, tonight I will be partaking of two very amazing ones: first, Mr. Lee "Scratch" Perry will be performing and I get to see him live and in the flesh!; second, he will be performing at the newly restored and thoroughly ornate Oakland Fox Theatre in lovely downtown Oakland!

For reggae fans and fanatics, you will know of the legends of Mr. Perry. I can't wait to see (and hear!) his crazy show...I know it's gonna be a blast! He's been in the music business since the 1950's and has worked with all of the best, famous and otherwise infamous Jamaican & other musicians throughout his years. For more info, chek out the wiki file or his official website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_%22Scratch%22_Perry
http://www.lee-perry.com/



This is fun and educational to watch:


And I can't forget the Oakland Fox Theatre! Take a look here to get an idea of the glory to be experienced with this decadent theatre:
http://www.foxoakland.org/

Bust magazine Product Showcase for April/May issue...

Hello Friends!
I just submitted an ad for the Bust Magazine Product Showcase for their April/May Music issue, featuring Lily Allen! Keep an eye out for Questionetc. Handmade Fashion Accessories!



Also, if you like Birdy, keep an eye out in my etsy shop...I will soon be posting a variety of colors and configurations in brooches, hairclips and combs!

Oh...and I can't forget about film!

I came across this film last night while I was browsing on Netflix, "Mio fratello è figlio unico" or "My Brother Is An Only Child" (2007). Lucky me it was an instant watch and it offered a bit of what I've been craving in film lately, romance, a meaningful storyline and interesting details. Set in Italy in the 60s & early 70s, it's a great piece about the struggles & conflicts of 2 brothers, family & politics of the time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and if you're interested, here's the trailer. Perhaps you will enjoy it as well!

A couple of things for today's post...musical & crafty!

On the crafty side of things, my friend has recommended this blog to me on several different occassions. The Design Sponge: www.designspongeonline.com/2009
Take a look here for a pretty fun party idea!:
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/02/diy-project-kates-vintage-wine-clips.html




AND!...One more bit of info/recommendation I garnered from hanging out with my bro recently...The Mizell brothers, Larry & Fonce. This is what The Allmusic blog has to say about them:
"The sibling duo of Larry and Alphonso "Fonce" Mizell revolutionized the sound and shape of jazz-funk—fusing the commercial sensibilities of Motown with the virtuoso musicianship of the Blue Note stable, the brothers (collaborating under their Sky High Productions aegis) produced a series of now-classic LPs of uncommon beauty and elegance, characterized by soaring horns, cosmic synths, celestial string arrangements and sublime rhythms."

To read the rest of the biography, take a look here:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:azfqxq8sldte~T1

...and here's a taste of their work:


If you like hip hop, you will most likely recognize some of the samples that were borrowed from songs that the Mizell bro's helped to create.

One more thing...

...I also had this blog to assist me in finding some of the music I shared in the last post. It's called Feel It! So, take a look and see what kind of musical lessons you can take home with ya!
www.darcysfeelit.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

Darcy, the blog owner, offers quite the amazing bit of info/insight on some pretty obscure musicians, as well as some we all know quite well...but either way, the blog is definitely worth a view if you love music!

Recent musical discoveries!

I mentioned in a previous post that my bro recently came to visit. As a fellow music lover, we had a blast taking the tour of a few of our local record stores and I had fun being overwhelmed by the amount of musical knowledge he has to offer...record shopping with him is also quite a HUGE music lesson! Whew! Wipe that sweat off the brow! Anyway, he recommended this band, Cymande...I'm really digging 'em, especially this song:


And for a pretty cool mix, take a listen to this Jurassic 5/Nightmares on Wax/Cymande - Linguistics on the Slide Mash-up I came across on YouTube, incorporating the above song. I'm honestly not usually one to like remakes of any original anything, but this dude combined a couple of my fave musical artists to come up with this successful tune. Check it here:


He also made me a bit more hip to The Yardbirds...where've I been??!! The following clip is a bit from the 1966 flick Blow Up by Michelangelo Antonioni. It features perhaps the first notable guitar smashing scene that became such a legendary thing for future bands, such as The Clash (see cover of London Calling)


And here are a couple of tunes I came across during one of my YouTube forays:
Chris Bartley- Gotta Tell Somebody (About My Baby)


Dee Edwards - Why Can't There Be Love


and this one, thanks to both my friend and my bro, for introducing me to Gloria Scott:


Hope you enjoy my musical foray for the night!

Some Things I find Interesting...

Over the weekend I watched quite a few programs on the local PBS station. One of which was a special devoted to Mike Douglas, host of one of the most ground breaking talk shows of the 20th Century. I found him to be quite fun and inspiring to watch and spent some time on YouTube watching clips of his show. Notable guest(s) John Lennon & Yoko Ono offered an amazing bit, while they support one of Rock & Roll's legends, Chuck Berry on stage.

**Plus, you gotta check out Chuck's kicks & the shirt sleeves dripping with fringe! Pretty cool!

If you'd like to know about Mike Doughlas and his show, you can find more info about him here: http://www.themikedouglasshow.com/

AND!...my brother came to visit me a few weeks back and we got to talking about shows we loved as kids and he reminded me about "Mad Monster Party?"...do you remember this one?! Why don't they make things like this anymore????!!!!


I think the closest to this might be Coraline (and in retrospect, Nightmare Before Christmas), which seems pretty enchanting. :D


But somehow still not the same!

Zombies are coming!!! Look out!

Some hackers had the good fortune of being able to pull a joke on many unsuspecting drivers in their early morning commutes. Check it out!


Reading about this and watching the clip reminded me how much I thoroughly enjoy zombie movies, especially the ones from the 80s or before! This would include "The Return of the Living Dead" & "Day of the Dead (both 1985), "Dawn of the Dead" (1978), "Night of the Living Dead" (1968)...well, you get the picture. I don't really go for remakes of any movie and this definitely goes for these flicks too. I must say I did enjoy "Shaun of the Dead" quite a bit and "28 Days Later" was pretty good too, and these are both newer. For a slight twist on the zombie genre, you've gotta look up some old Hong Kong flicks, such as "Mr. Zombie" & "Haunted Cop Shop I/II" which are technically considered 'Vampires', but seem like more of a vampire/zombie cross breed. You've gotta see for yourself to see what I mean!


For a bit more in depth details about Haunted Cop Shop, check here:
http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews/haunted_cop_shop.htm

Enjoy!

Unusual observation for the day...

...so, in reading over the MSN news page this morning, I came across this headline: "Wife pleads guilty in death-by-exercise case". HUH????! So, I had to click on it and read the story...

"Cops say video shows her pulling 73-year-old man around in swimming pool". Apparently, this woman, age 41, was pulling her husband, age 73, around in the pool and not letting him rest. He later died of a heart attack. What a crazy story and such a terrible thing to read about. For more crazy twists, you should read the article.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29195978/?GT1=43001

And, as an aside, while we're in the line of unusual observations, if you have not seen Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman's Late Show this past week, it's worth a viewing:

Happy 50th Birthday, BARBIE!

Yes, 2009 marks the 50th birthday of America's favorite fashion doll! Barbie Millicent Roberts turns 50 this year! Congratulations and a very Happy Birthday to you!
Barbie in 1959

and Barbie's 50th Anniversary edition 2009


In honor of her 50th, there was a most amazing fashion show at Bryant Park's NY fashion week. "Fifty designers, including Vera Wang, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Carmen Marc Valvo and Marchesa, all created special looks for everyone's favorite fashion icon." For an article about the show and photos, take a look here: http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/fashion-week/article.aspx?cp-documentid=17839530>1=32013

Barbie has meant many things to me throughout the years, a fantasy land of fashion, trips in the Barbie motorhome, parties in the Dream House, concerts with the Rockers...so many experiences lived out with friends and our dolls. My mom made me some really amazing clothes from official Barbie patterns from the 60s (which I still have, BTW!). When I was learning to crochet, I made orange crochet ponchos for my dolls. And when I finally got too old to play with them, they became a collection and then it was the hunt for the old ones from the 60s and early 70s. The details put into the clothing from 1959 thru to the early 70s was just amazing! Lined with satin, real zippers and buttons, quality fabrics...they were made as if for a real person, only in miniature! Quite impressive!!!

A couple of years ago, I decided to sell off the majority of my collection, because I wanted them to go to someone who would enjoy them more than I was...I felt that it was a shame that they were packed up in boxes and not on display to be enjoyed and played with...so, off they went to new homes, thanks to eBay. :D I did keep a big red trunk full of the dolls and clothes that I played with as a child. Those were too personal for me to part with!

I think Barbie is an amazing doll...to have stood the test of time and to be celebrating 50 years of existence says so much about Mattel and the many creative people who have worked on the Barbie & family dolls all these years. Always at the forefront of fashion and trends, I think she will be around for many more years to come! Congrats and Happy Birthday Ms. Roberts!

For pics of dolls from the '09 collection, take a look here: http://www.angelicdreamz.com/store/Barbie_2009.html

For a bit on the history of the doll (& links to shopping, news & events) take a look here: http://barbiestyle.barbie.com/history.html
and here:
http://groups.msn.com/barbiessecret/thehistoryofbarbie.msnw

And Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie

Still here...

...okay, so this time an entire season has slipped through my fingers without me even really realizing it. Whew! Not that you all are so anxious for a post from me, but here goes:

First of all, I'd like to wish everyone a very Groovy Valentine's Day!


I've recently been working hard at putting together a promo catalogue for the Questionetc. Handmade Fashion Accessories collection. Here's a couple of the sample pages:







In addition to this, I have posted a slew of new items in my etsy shop and will be posting more over the next week...please visit! http://www.questionetc.etsy.com/

Etsy Buy Handmade Questionetc

Since last you've heard from me, I've been invited to join the Ace's High Rhythm & Soul Society DJ crew! Springtime will be our debut and if you're in the San Francisco area, keep an eye out! To stay on the track for our upcoming events, check in or sign up with us here: www.myspace.com/aceshighrythmandsoul


And one final notice...if you're into classic reggae tunes of the Original Skinhead era from '69-'73, you've gotta visit Mad Dog in the Fog for it's monthy DJ 'do, WAKE THE TOWN! Three of S.F.s top selectors, Bryan Martin, Shawn from the old Upsetter and Mr. Ryha, along with top notch guest DJ's, throw down the boss tunes every first Saturday of the month! Come join us March 7th!!!


...and as an aside, if you're in need of a flyer or other graphic design creation and like what you see with my Wake the Town flyer and the Questionetc. catalogue , feel free to send me a message. I'd love to hear from you!!!

Until next time, have a wonderful weekend and stay warm and dry where ever you are! Cheers!!!