Art, Music, & Fashion Collide at Harlow's for the Midtown Gala

2011-07-18T18:18:17Z

Harlow’s night club was converged upon Friday night by artists, musicians, designers, community leaders and culture enthusiasts to help support and celebrate the creative hub of Sacramento known as Midtown.

The 2011 Midtown Business Association Annual Gala included exhibits by various local businesses, performances by local musicians and artists, and a lecture by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California’s School of Policy, Planning and Development and author of, “The Warhol Economy: How Art, Fashion, and Music Drive New York City.”

Harlow’s was elegantly decorated with round tables on the dance floor topped with black linen, centerpieces of wine glasses holding peacock feathers and donated goodies including business cards, coupons and wine keys.

The patio outside featured local DJ and media company, Visao Media. Alex Trujillo and Erin Best ran projections and played an eclectic mix of electronic music which complemented the diverse and unique scene that was growing outside.

Exhibits were further back and included an exclusive mix of local shops and businesses in the downtown area. Flowers Couture by Susanne displayed some particularly beautiful and intricate hair accessories including many 1920’s vintage style headbands and clips. Bunker’s Attic featured mostly “vintage re-mastered” jewelry – handmade and unique. Exhibitors also included Time Tested Books, one of Midtown’s independent new, used and rare book stores; Maiya Gallery, currently displaying new works by JG Morales Villanueva, Dwight Head, Clifford Kluge and Mark Harm Niemeyer; Krazy Mary’s Boutique, carrying designs by many local designers as well as name brand and vintage styles and last but most certainly not least, Motives, a fully customizable high end mineral based makeup line.

“We empower every woman to look and feel beautiful,” explained Rita Lolenko, a Motives representative. “If you want to feel like a star, come get your makeup done by Motives – makeup for the stars.”

The evening continued with a very special and fascinating lecture by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett, Assistant Professor at University of Southern California’s School of Policy, Planning and Development and author of, “The Warhol Economy.” Currid-Halkett spoke eloquently about the art movement, how it is developed, why it happens where it does and what that means for the artists themselves, as well as its effects on the community - socially, culturally and economically.

Currid-Halkett argues that there are three types of “social milieu” that facilitate the cultural economy: Night Life, Industry Events and “in-situ” interactions which are essentially spontaneous interactions that have life changing effects. She cited various regions in New York where areas that were once considered highly undesirable places to live have been transformed over time by a convergence of artists and musicians and are now some of the most exclusive and coveted residential areas in the country. This is an example of how art and music can transform a place, explained Currid Halkett, not just culturally and socially, but economically as well.

Currid-Halkett’s thesis, that place matters, seemed all the more relevant as local Sacramento artists, musicians, and their supporters mingled in the Harlow’s courtyard and enjoyed each other’s performances inside. Huddled around the fire pit were local model Anastasia, subject of a featured painting by Jeff Musser; musician Ashley Maiden of the band Der Spazm, who will be performing Tuesday at the Press Club with French band Human Toys; spoken word artist Jovi Radtke, who will be performing at Chico Pride and Take Back The Night; as well as solo artist and gala performer Reggie Ginn.

All four women are local artists working in different genres who are, nevertheless, out supporting each other. The Sacramento Midtown art scene is a close knit community who appreciate each other for their similarities and their differences. When asked what makes the Midtown art scene unique, Anastasia said it best.

“It’s very much our own. We are influenced by other places, but we take it and put our own twist on it. Sacramento has ingenuity – we’re just a little different out here.”

The Various performers were perhaps the highlight of the entire event. Performers were grouped together in threes on stage, doing what they love. Jeff Musser, a local painter, worked on his picture of Anastasia, a dark, sexy and feminine piece, while local hair stylist Jessica Harrison of Spanish Fly created a classically beautiful look on stage. The two were accompanied by Jake Desrochers, aka Jake D. of the band Lonely Kings. His passionate songs about life and love inspired and set the tone for the continued performances.

Jessica Harrison was replaced on stage by Amithyst, an artist/hair stylist who constructed an elaborate and gravity defying hair style on stage. The model sat stationary while Amithyst fitted her with a handmade wig and sculpted the rest of her hair into an updo reminiscent of Marie Antoinette. Jeweled and painted, the model posed on stage.

Amithyst, a Sacramento native, has been doing hair in Sacramento for 12 years. She describes the fashion, art and music scene as going “nowhere but up. The influential people here are established and poised to make (this city) grow – it’s open for anyone to dominate.”

The next musical performer was Reggie Ginn, local singer-songwriter and musician. Reggie took the stage with nothing but her keyboard, confidently serenading the crowd with her haunting, passionate and soulful voice. Her lyrics and voice transport the listener to another consciousness, one that is simultaneously filled with loss and longing, and peace and honesty. Reggie plays all over town; her next show will be at Naked Lounge on H Street. Keep an eye out for her at the Chalk It Up Festival as well. She is currently working on her third album, “Passion in Perspective,” which will be out in a couple months.

Meanwhile, on stage, Amithyst was replaced by local tattoo artist, Britton McFetridge, owner and operator of the Royal Peacock Tattoo Parlor. McFetridge tattooed a loyal and very pain tolerant customer on stage. The work was beautifully elaborate and intricate, a large dragon which took up the man’s entire back. McFetridge calmly began his work, checking in occasionally with his client, who withstood the process with hardly a grimace.

They were serenaded by the soulful sounds of Andrew Harrison, whose blues, soul and Americana sounds brought a nice variety to the performances. Harrison’s authentic sound is influenced by Albert King, Jackie Wilson and probably most influentially, by Elvis Costello.

Last on stage was Alex Dorame of the Sacramento band, Killdevil, who took the stage with his guitar in hand and approached the microphone for a no holds barred performance. His raspy and powerful voice, accompanied by gritty, heartfelt lyrics, can be described as acoustic street punk, which might make it the most street of all. His music sounds like a confession with songs about drinking, lost love and good friends. Dorame dedicated his last song of the night, “Final Call” to Sacramento.

“This song is about good friends and appreciating them.”

His words seemed to sum up the meaning of the night - a coming together of good friends, appreciators of art and most importantly, a desire to make Sacramento great.

Transported to the 1940's by the Sacramento Swing Time Festival 2011!

2011-06-28T04:37:49Z

The So-Cal Speed Shop Warehouse was in full swing Saturday as it hosted Sacramento Swing Time 2011. This family friendly event included a wide variety of activities including a car show, pin-up pageant, arts and crafts workshops, swing dance lessons, an amazing lineup of rock-a-billy, psychobilly and big band swing bands. There was also, of course, a plethora of retail and food exhibits.

The parking lot was scattered with vintage cars dating from the 1920’s through the 1960’s, many with custom paint jobs and rebuilt engines. The chrome sparkled in the sunlight as the participants enjoyed beverages and relaxed in the sun, showing off their hard work and admiring the work of others.

Also outside were a variety of unique, handmade crafts from local artists. One exhibitor, Vintage Box 1947, offered wonderfully diverse and intricate veils, hats and elaborate clips adorned with flowers, feathers and jewels. ϋberella offered hand painted umbrellas, purses and bags, 100 percent handmade and all original artwork. And, what vintage affair would be complete without Trophy Queens custom purses and handbags, designed from classic car materials like vinyl seating, seatbelts and symbols.

Marilee Caruso Photography was on hand to host the Pin-Up Pageant. The heavily tattooed, classic beauties lined up in full makeup and hair, their faces painted perfectly and their hair curled and twisted into intricate designs. With not a hair out of place, the women floated across the floor and onto the stage where they were asked a brief set of questions. Who is their favorite old time singer? Who is their favorite modern day singer? And of course, what is their favorite classic car? The crowd cheered on the winner and the three finalists were awarded large gift baskets. The first place winner received a highly coveted photo shoot from Marilee.

Then there was the music - an eclectic variety of vintage inspired bands, designed to get your feet moving and your heart pounding. The linup included groups from all over California as well as the country. Bands included local Sacramento favorite The Afterlife and The Cockfight Kings, Jenny Lynn and Her Real Gone Daddies, The Twilight Drifters, Lost Dog Found, Hillbilly Hellcats, La Cholita, Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics, and last, but not least, Devil Doll.

Swing dance lessons were given by Johnny Ochoa, and students danced their newly learned moves to the big band sound of Lost Dog Found, a “no covers,” all original Bay area band that is hitting the swing scene hard. Catch them performing at the Midtown Stomp on July 29 and at the Rootstock Festival in Sacramento on September 17. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes! This band will get you moving.

The third annual Sacramento Swing Time 2011 was a fun-filled, activity-packed event great for families, couples and individuals interested in experiencing a nostalgic taste of the 1940’s. This event is on the books for next year, so don’t miss it!

Sacramento Festival

Art, Music, & Fashion Collide at Harlow's for the Midtown Gala

Transported to the 1940's by the Sacramento Swing Time Festival 2011!