Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

Launch 2012 presented an exciting evening full of art and music on 20th Street between J and K Streets.

The front of the Midtown Art Retail Restaurant Scene (MARRS) building served as the stage for some great music. The Honey Trees, I’m Dirty Too and Doombird played and also featured a CD release and performance by Exquisite Corps.

Terra Lopez of Sister Crayon was also on hand and served as DJ for the event.

Terra Lopez at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

The first band to perform was The Honey Trees. The band is composed of musicians from Sacramento and San Luis Obispo. Becky Filip and Jacob Wick founded The Honey Trees in 2008. The current line-up includes Jacob’s brother, Aaron Wick on drums and Austin I'Anson on bass.

The Honey Trees at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

In between acts I was able to ask The Honey Trees a few questions about the event. The band members are very cordial and from the time I spent with them seemed to be a fun group to hang around with.

Filip noted that she’s from Roseville and Jacob Wick stated that the band is based out of San Luis Obispo.

When asked if they met in San Luis Obispo Filip said, “We met up here in Roseville.” Wick followed saying, “We met seven years ago and then the drummer Aaron who is my brother and Austin who’s a friend of ours play together in a band as well.”

Wick said that he met Filip and they started playing together in 2008. The foursome has been playing together as a group for about two years.

The Architecture Pavilion at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

Filip followed saying, “We’ve had people playing in and out of the band and we don’t have a set band yet so they fill in when they can.”

The Honey Trees shared that they were glad to have been part of this year’s Launch. Since they’re based in San Luis Obispo they usually don’t know about many of Sacramento’s events but would like to be more involved.

Filip shared that the event felt like a much larger venue than Second Saturday. The Honey Trees have played in Sacramento before. They have played at Luigi’s several times as well as at the Shady Tree and the Crest Theater and are looking for other Sacramento venues to play.

William Burg at Launch 2012 on 20th Street promoting Norcal Noisefest and his book Sacramento's K Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Honey Trees New also have record is in the works. Wick shared that they have a You Tube music video that’s doing well and has received a lot of attention.

At the moment they have no other events booked and are focusing on writing.

Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Honey Trees shared what they enjoyed about the show saying things like, “I thought it was really fun. It was cool to see people stop and actually listen to the whole thing. We fed off the audience as they showed their appreciation while we played. We got a lot of good feedback and enjoyed the show.”

Down the middle of 20th Street the magnificent work of talented architects and designers showcased work made out of recycled materials and original work.

The Bike Valet at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

The middle of the street was decorated with art, furniture, architectural and miscellaneous designs. An elaborate structure filled most of the middle of 20th Street by an Architecture Pavilion. The structures fascinated the many visitors to the event. The project was built out of cardboard bales showcasing a very creative use of the recycling process.

Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Architecture Pavilion will be on display once again on Saturday, July 28 at the Cesar Chavez Plaza Launch Music Festival event.

Launch Events’ Clay Nutting at one point welcomed guests saying, “Welcome to Launch Midtown Edition our little street festival is underway. Make sure you go to check out all the vendors.”

Nutting also introduced Jason A. Silva who designed the Launch 2012 Architecture Pavilion, “You might notice we have some amazing architectural installations and I love to introduce Jason to give us a few words about it.”

Jason A. Silva at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

Silva began by saying, “I’m glad you guys could all come. This is a really exciting opportunity that we’re able to present something that came out of the bowels from a bunch of us in my office.” Silva thanked people at his office as well as the firm of Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects.

A brief description of the pavilion was made by Silva. As he pointed to the structure that started near J Street, “It grows out of the ground and then stands up basically going through a birth. The growth period continues until a point of stability at the end. Then it’s sliced off and this is like the guts.” Silva’s enthusiasm as he spoke showed his passion for the project.

Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

Silva continued saying, “The cardboard and what it represents is the process where after the cardboard is gone it gets shredded up and the shredded process will also be fed into a digester at American River Packaging.” Silva noted that American River Packaging is a sponsor that provided all the cardboard used.

Silva continued and described the process further saying, “The cardboard will be mixed with a little bit of a food product, like squished up tomatoes and other things like plant processing and it will produce methane gas. The methane gas is fed into a turbine and then the turbine makes electricity which powers the plant that makes the cardboard so that a full environmental circle takes place.”

Jason Silva inspecting his design at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

Describing the rest of the structure Silva noted that the structure then grows out of the ground, almost like a phoenix. “It starts out from the earth and then grows again and then flies off at the very end,” Silva said.

The last piece of the structure was just as fascinating and Silva continued, “At the end we have a square structure that you slide in on the side and you’re able to look up at the sky and have it framed by the cardboard as well as there’s a mirror at the bottom that gives you a reflection up to the sky of the cardboard.”

The sky viewed from a mirror at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

Silva once again gave thanks to American River Packaging, Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects and SMUD.

I’m Dirty Too followed taking the stage to rock the Midtown Launch. Zac Brown on guitar and Jess Gowrie on drums make up this dynamic duo.

I'm Dirty Too at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

I'm Dirty Too at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

The local band played a series of songs that showcased Brown’s vocals and guitar while Gowrie held nothing back as her hair flew in all directions while she played the drums. The hard rock duo electrified the air.

Doombird brought their popular sound to the stage and delighted the audience.

Doombird at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

As I walked around the 20th Street earlier in the day I heard several comments about Doombird by several fans who indicated they came because Doombird was playing.

Doombird at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

One of Doombird’s fans, Dani Walker said, “I’ve been a fan for a while now and if you haven’t seen them play before you’re in for a great musical treat.” Walker’s words came to be as Doombird played a wonderful set.

The headline act was Exquisite Corps who also released their new CD.

Exquisite Corps was one of the most popular bands at last year’s Launch at the Greens Hotel.

Bryan Valenzuela’s lyrics, vocals and guitar were impressive and the stylish string section takes Exquisite Corps to where few bands have ventured.

Exquisite Corps at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

The harmonic compositions and blends by Krystyna Taylor on cello, Reylynn Goessling on violin and Krisint Arnold on viola add a pleasant and dynamic mix to their sound.

Robbyn Dean on Drums and Nathan Webb on bass add the rock blend into the mix creating for impressive performances. The classical/rock compositions leave new audiences in awe and Wednesday’s performance was no exception. Their performance was exquisite and delighted new and established fans.

Exquisite Corps at Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

It will be interesting to get public opinion after Launch 2012 ends but by looking at the audiences that have been showing up to each Launch event it appears to be a success.

Launch 2012 on 20th Street (Image by: David Alvarez)

Launch Events continues with the Launch x Fashion Showcase on Friday, July 27 and the Launch Music Festival on Saturday, July 28.