My NW Indiana and More

Friday, February 24, 2012

77th Acoustical Jam - Paul Henry's Art Gallery

Jim Murzyn and Dave Guiden

I saw Jim (left) and Dave (right) last week at Studio 659. They had another friend with them that played bass that night. If you like country style music, follow them . . .

Lou Shields

Lou is still the staple of the house playing his delta bluegrass style music. He is original and entertaining.

Michelle Milan (less the Honey)

Michelle keeps coming back with a smile, putting a smile on our faces too.

Have a Seat, Let's Jam

Don Taylor

Don brings his mellow music from my era. I was able to see Don act in the play Sordid Lives at Beatniks on Conkey, and it was a joy to see his versatility in art.

Steve Early

Steve is doing some very nice work. You can tell he is not one to cut short the quality of his performance, and at the same time try new stuff. The one song he gave us a glimpse at was very good!

I did not get a photo of Riana Zona who sat with Steve on his second song. She is an angel. I would like to here more from the two of them. I did take a video of Steve and Raina, however it is high res right now and would take you forever to download. I will make some time to reduce the size so I can link it here.

Thomas Matecki and Rich Alvarez

Gallery Groupies

Spoo Willoughby

Spoo Groopie

Open Seating

Sophia Rapata

I must say I was impressed with Sophia. Her presence looks like she belongs in front of people performing. Given I was trying color temperature settings, it made it a bit difficult to get enough shutter speed to properly frame the photos of her. I would like to hear more of her music along with the art she creates, and to photograph more of her. Oh, and she did bring in more art pieces this week.

Mycul Hanus and Leticia Marquez

I must say, it was fun listening to these two. They were very expressive vocally and in movement. I thought it was refreshing.

Then Accompanied by Alex Powell

When Alex joined in, the group picked it up a notch I think. The three of them together made for some really nice music / entertainment.

Tigva Gold

Adrian Remirez

Adrian was at his best this night. Some real soul gut digging was going on there, and great rhythm . . .

Then Second Round of Fun

The second round came. Again, I was very impressed with the Michael, Leticia, and Alex.

With the Honey

Some People areThirsty

Lauren is either thirsty or sticking her tongue out at me. I choose thirsty.

Then There's Spoo

History Blog for Paul Henry's Art Gallery Thursday Night JAM . . .

76th Acoustical Jam - Paul Henry's Art Gallery

75th Acoustical Jam - Paul Henry's Art Gallery

74th Acoustical Jam - Paul Henry's Art Gallery

73rd Acoustical Jam - Paul Henry's Art Gallery

72nd Acoustical Jam - Paul Henry's Art Gallery

71st Acoustical Jam - Paul Henry's Art Gallery

Thursday Night Jam Session

Paul Henry's Art Gallery - Thursday Night JAM 12/29/2011

For more information where to park and get in:

Paul Henry's Art Gallery - Hammond, IN

Also, a link to a promo video for you. If you may also want to search "Paul Henry's Art Gallery" on YouTube for additional vids . . . Paul Henry's Art Gallery Jam Night Promo vid

And here is a link to the gallery's home page: http://www.paulhenrysart.com/

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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Sordid Lives - Beatnicks on Conkey, Hammond IN

This was my second week attending a production at Beatniks on Conkey. And once again, a sold out house. As last time, I only took photos prior to and after the play using no flash. I hope there is enough photo for you to enjoy!

The play, "Sorted Lives" by Del Shores, was directed by C. Dale Kelley. I have to say, the small venue, a lot of props, and a large cast, played out very well. As advertised, Sorted Lives is a black comedy about white trash! It is very comical, adult, and I felt every character in the play had a part drawing you in.

My son and I arrived about 30 minutes early. Some of the audience was already there when we arrived.

The set was cool. Though you don't see it, unless you went to the play, the set multi-function and was rearranged every chapter. It was cool to watch everything transform in front of you like that. And I mean in front of you, because of the small venue. Very cool!

As said, it was a full house opening night. It excited the audience as much as it did the actors.

Everyone did well. I walked away with several fun feelings from this production. First, though they prepared you in writing, verbally, and you saw it waiving around and were in anticipation, the gun with blanks that was shot still scared the daylights out of you. After the first, the rest came easy.

I greatly enjoyed the contrast spotlighting the character Bitsy Mae Harling, played by Pattie Shaffner, at the beginning of each chapter. And the character Ty Williamson, played by Niko Elliott, who to me was the most powerful given the directing, acting, and lighting. And I cannot forget the character Sissy Hickey played by Andrianne Bacavis. That was so powerful I do not want to smoke a cigarette ever! (Dang, keep those rubber bands away from me! You need to go see the play . . .)

I liked the entire play. My hat is off to all who took part in its presentation! The next two photos are of the cast at the end of the play.

The cast of characters . . .

Pattie Shaffner who played Bitsy Mae Harling

Nikko Elliott who played Ty Williamson

Adrianne Bacavis who played Sissy Hickey

Kim Bernstein who played Noleta Nethercott

Bonnie Johnson who played Latrelle Williamson

Andrea Creasbaum who played LaVonda Dupree

Don Taylor who played G.W. Nethercott

Rip Johnson who played Wardell "Bubba" Owens

Tim Murray who played Odell Owens

Bridget Barnett Choe who played Dr. Eve Bolinger

Jon Fetsch who played Earl "Brother Boy" Ingram

Wayne Puchkors who played Reverend Barnes

Beatniks on Conkey

418 Conkey Street

Hammond, IN 46324

(219) 852-0848

www.beatniksonconkey.com

BeatniksOnConkey@sbcglobal.net

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Tubthumping Saturday Night

After a good day beating up on people who believe they are in a class of their own, I decided to do some tubthumping. The first place I went to was Studio 659 in Whiting IN, for their live music and open mic night. When I arrived I saw Red Light Runner - Adrian Remierez and Dan Serapin. I also saw artist Lauren Dunning, was hoping to see Sophia Rapata, and I did see Ed Smaron. Michelle and David Milan arrived as well. Everyone else, I did not know.

It was nice to have gone. It gave me time to chill out. They had tables and chairs out for the event. The tables had paper draped over them, with a center piece of crayons, a candle, and a snack. They were serving beverages too. Lauren had a fun time melting her crayons in the candle flame and drawing on the paper. I think the Studio put those things out just for her :)

Before the lights went down I shot a couple photos . . .

Of an interest to me was the very low lit room when the lights did go down. A photographic challenge if you will, to shoot and capture what I see without flash. Do realize that at this time in my photography, I do not use software to manipulate the images. I just set the camera and shoot. This first photo probably best represents how it looked with the lights off. The other photos are compensated for lighting at the camera when I was shooting.

The musicians were at the back of the store with just a black light shining. The front of the store was lit by the window displays which gave a much warmer look. A small light on the lower part of the wall was also present on each side of the room, as you can see in the first photo below.

What was interesting with the low lighting was the silhouette I was able to shoot in this next photo. The funny part being my light compensation is not showing what I saw, so this may be the first photo I will adjust and put back in the blog.

And you would have never known it was dark in the room with this next photo . . . though perhaps if you click on it to enlarge, you might think the photographer did not know how to focus or had a bit too much wine to drink. This was the same dark room as the reference photo far above, with corrections for lighting, and hand holding the camera.

This next photo may not strike you with any feeling, but for me, click on it and look at the tilted art on the wall to the right. It looks as if the girl laying on her back is purposefully trying to tilt here head back to look at Adrian . . .

This next gentlemen has a great voice. What was special to me was that his daughter was in the audience. The admiration from her can be seen in the next couple of photos of her . . .

And the last photo at Studio 659.

I then drove to Paul Henry's Art Gallery in Hammond, where a Promise You Family showcase was taking place, featuring performances by:

Philos

Heirs

My Mountain

Nineteen Earlies

Uncle Mucles

Anchor

Unfortunately I arrived near the end. What I did see and listened to was great. The gallery was perfectly warm lit during the jam. Probably between what Studio 659 had this night and what Paul Henry's has on Thursday nights.

Please forgive me for this first photo. This was when I first arrived. I believe this is Mallory Rose of Heirs. To listen to their music first coming in was a great delight . . . really cool . . .