Designer Con returns to the Pasadena Convention Center on November 20th, 2010
Now in its fifth year, Designer Con (formerly Vinyl Toy Network), is an annual art and design convention that smashes together collectible toys and designer apparel with urban, underground and pop art. Starting at 10 am scheduled activities include:
Goodie Bags will be available for $5 each on a first come first served basis. There will be 100 limited edition Designer Con bags filled with toys, magazines, pins, stickers, and surprises!
Spoonful of Star Wars™ Art Exhibition featuring over 100 paintings of vintage Star Wars™ action figures by Bwana Spoons from the collection of Dov Kelemer and Sarah Jo Marks.
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is the world’s premier alt.drawing movement that has now spread to over 100 cities around the world. Founded in 2005 in a dive bar in Brooklyn, artists draw glamorous underground performers in a variety of sexy costumes.
World’s Biggest “Blindbox Time” brought to you by Toy Break and Designer Con! Bring a blindbox toy from home or buy one at the show and take part in the largest recorded group blindbox opening.
So Analog Custom Show by Squid Kids Ink featuring dozens of customized So Analog retro cartridge figures!
Live Painting throughout the day! Attending artists include Doctor A, Bwana Spoons, Scott Tolleson, Ragnar, Joe Ledbetter, Buff Monster, Chris Ryniak, Mr. Toast, Ben Walker, Nathan Hamill, and more. Past shows have also featured artists such as Frank Kozik, Amanda Visell, Michelle Valigura, Tim Biskup, Buff Monster, Greg “Craola” Simkins, Angry Woebots, Mad, Miss Mindy, Jeffery Scott, David Horvath, Sun-Min Kim, Luke Chueh, and many more.
When: November 20th, 2010 from 10 am to 5 pm Where: Pasadena Convention Center, East Pavilion, 300 E. Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 Admission: $5 Website:DesignerCon.com
Tonight marks the opening of a double-header art exhibition featuring the insanely detailed drawings of Laurie Lipton and the unusual and creepy hybrid sculpts of Jessica Joslin atLa Luz de Jesus Gallery in East Hollwood / Los Feliz, CA. The show remains up until November 28.
“Motoring” – Charcoal and graphite on paper, framed 39.5″ x 29.25″
“This show was inspired by the Steampunk movement that is sweeping Britain. Instead of steam, however, my devices are mostly run by electricity and madness. I was vacuuming one day and noticed the amount of plugs and cables on the floor… a veritable wasp’s nest of wires and sockets connecting a hoard of gadgets and doo-dads intertwining around the house and my life. I was trapped like a fly in an electrical web. What had happened? Were these things making my life easier or more complex? I began with The Steam Punk Pocket Watch, an absurd idea of a time piece too huge & complex for anyone’s pocket, and went whirling on from there. These machines are designed to hinder, control and/or give the illusion of technology. I had a tremendous amount of fun creating the images and think that this show will touch anyone who has ever become entwined, up to the eyebrows, in the Technological Age.” – Laurie Lipton
Inspired by the religious paintings of the Flemish School, Lipton tried to teach herself how to paint in the style of the 16th century Dutch Masters and failed. When traveling around Europe as a student, she began developing her very own peculiar drawing technique building up tone with thousands of fine cross-hatching lines like an egg tempera painting. “It’s an insane way to draw”, she says, “but the resulting detail and luminosity is worth the amount of effort. My drawings take longer to create than a painting of equal size and detail.”
“Illusion of Control Tower” Charcoal and graphite on paper, framed, 59″ x 21.75″
“Stardust”
Jessica Joslin’s “Hybrids” is a circus of oddities, a mixed-media menagerie of unexpected creatures. A whimsical cat in a red leather harness harness pulls his polycephalic partner along on a wooden cart, blue and brown eyes gleaming mischievously. An exquisite two headed tropical bird with lush brass plumage preens on it’s perch. A troupe of monkey-cat hybrids engage in mysterious shenanigans, and truncated half-creatures preside over the festivities.
The creatures that populate Joslin’s world are intricate fusions of bone, brass, antique hardware and other bits and bobs. Sparkling glass eyes are inset in kid leather, giving these fanciful hybrids the illusion of life and animation. They seem ready to spring up and play, just as soon as no one is watching. In her work, Joslin celebrates wit, whimsy, ingenuity, insightful curiosity and skill. The finely wrought craftsmanship renders the hand of the maker at once visible (the miniature bolts, springs and joints which comprise anatomical structures are readily discerned) and invisible (there is a keen sense of their unique personalities, and as such, the illusion that they are not constructions, but rather living beings.)
“Clio and Loci”
Joslin grew up collecting flies off the windowsill to look at under her microscope. Ever since, she has been enchanted with collecting a magpie’s array of remnants from the natural world. The collection gradually grew to include obsolete bits of antique mechanical mechanisms, hardware and other oddball artifacts. In 1992, she began building the first beasts of this menagerie, using objects sent in a care package from her father, the same pieces that she’d collected as a child.
Orchestra Superstring features DJ Bonebrake of X on vibes and plays instrumental jazz music inspired by Afro-Cuban, Latin, and other modern influences. Composed of an eclectic band of well known Los Angeles musicians; Orchestra Supersting blends infectious beats and fresh rhythms in original tunes written by its members, and creates new interpretations of jazz standards. Their second album, “Easy,” will be released by Dionysus Records in February of 2011.
The Dick and Jane Family Orchestra featuring Jane Cantillon, Richard Ross, percussionist Mike Peffer (also of Biblical Proof of UFOs) and Dionysus Records’ Lee Joseph on bass plays a hybrid of folk, beat and garage – acoustifying Velvet Underground, feminizing Bob Dylan and featuring frontwoman Cantillon’s extremely infectious and humorous LA-centric originals.
The Skip Heller Trio features long time Dionysus Records recording artist and friend Skip Heller with Lee Joseph on bass and guest drummer DJ Bonebrake. The trio plays an all-acoustic country, roots and rock ‘n’ roll set showcasing Heller’s songsmithing, vocals and jazz, country and rockabilly inspired guitar playing.
The night starts at 9:30 and the cover is only $5.00. If you’ve never been to the pirate themed Redwood Bar and Grill, come early and hungry. They have some of the best comfort food, salads and sweet potato fries in Los Angeles!
Richard Kalisher loves art – so much that he publishes a magazine called American Contemporary Artthrough his American Contemporary Magazine Group. Since moving to Los Angeles from New York, Richard has become a fan of Southern California’s New Contemporary Art and started up a publication called Pop Surrealism Magazine which is dedicated to supporting artists and galleries in the New Contemporary Art Scene. Richard can be found attending art openings all over Los Angeles, checking out the works and chatting with the artists.
He has just released the second issue for Fall 2010 on the web and a print version will be available in a few days. We will hopefully be selling the magazine via Dionysus Mail Order as well!
BEYOND EDEN: Over 3,000 attend opening – Robert Williams honored – opening night pictures
L to R: Andrew Hosner (Beyond Eden organizer, Thinkspace Gallery, Sour Harvest,) Matt Kennedy (Gallery Director – La Luz de Jesus,) Robert Williams, Billy Shire (Owner, Curator – La Luz de Jesus,) Lee Joseph ) (Beyond Eden publicist and coordination assistance.) Photograph by Sam Graham
“…I’ve been coming to this place for 47 years and believe me, 10 years ago you couldn’t have this kind of art in this venue. Abstract expressionism, Conceptualism ruled here until right up until recently. If you come here and you take this for granted you are making a big mistake, cause a lot had to change in this country to have a show like this. I just want to thank all of you people and I’m just, overwhelmed, absolutely overwhelmed. “ -Robert Williams upon receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at Beyond Eden 2010
“We’re honoring one of the world’s most foremost artists of today. Not only is he a great storyteller, but a great painter.” – Billy Shire on Robert Williams at Beyond Eden 2010
From Andrew Hosner / Beyond Eden event organizer: BEYOND EDEN 2010 opened with a blast this past weekend drawing nearly 4,000 people total over the weekend to the beautiful grounds of Barnsdall Park and the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.
We would like to thank everyone who came out to support the artists and to extend our gratitude to the staff at LAMAG for making the event possible and nurturing it into such an overwhelming success. Saturday night’s opening reception alone drew well over 3,000 people and the energy in the air was palpable.
At 8pm when the time came to present the one and only Robert Williams with a Lifetime Achievement award, the venue was simply packed with a crowd of friends and revelers that stretched outside into the municipal gallery’s courtyard. Robert Williams, ever a gentleman, was gracious and ribald during the well received presentation.
We can’t stress enough what a huge honor it was to have Robert–the progenitor of contemporary West Coast art–there and to be able to present him with this award in front of all his friends and family. It was truly the crowning moment of an already amazing night that saw so many new people exposed to the thriving New Contemporary Art Movement. Long ignored by the mainstream, this movement continues to gain momentum and supporters all the while further breaking down the doors at institutions and museums the world over. A new generation of artists and art enthusiasts is rewriting the rule books and we are excited that BEYOND EDEN can serve as a vehicle of enlightenment and change.
Check out pictures from the opening night reception here: Check out footage of Robert Williams receiving his lifetime achievement awardhere:
Thank you all again for the magnificent support of BEYOND EDEN 2010 – we look forward to seeing you all again next year!!!
Free mai-tai’s
Free pupu’s
Dynotones LIVE!
DJ Big Tiki Dude
Anybody who knows even the slightest bit about the immensely popular resurgent Southern California Tiki movement is likely well aware of Tiki Farm. For 10 years, they’ve worked their tails off to reach the pinnacle position in the world of Tiki, providing Tiki enthusiasts worldwide with their most coveted artifact… the beloved object d’art known simply as the Tiki mug. On display will be the entirety of mugs produced by Tiki Farm to-date… we’re talking approximately 2,000 different mugs (plus bowls, shots, decanters & flasks) on display! When you enter into the faux lava rock grotto entry in the front gallery, 8’ tall Tiki Gods will greet you & loom over you as you peruse this most impressive exhibition.
Founded in the Fall of 2000, Tiki Farm is back at La Luz de Jesus for their third and most significant show to-date. Tiki Farm founder Holden Westland will be in attendance, the Dynotones will be keepin’ the joint jumpin’ with their driving Surf Sounds and DJ Big Tiki Dude will be spinnin’ an eclectic mix of Exotica, Hawaiian Style, Hapa Haole & Surf tunes. And of course, the mai-tai’s will be flowin’! Limited edition signed & numbered event posters by Dirty Donny will also be available
Soap Plant / Wacko will have a show exclusive line of six limited edition glaze variations, two new open editions, a handful of “weirdos” and “hard-to-get” Tiki Farm Mugs on sale at the event. They anticipate brisk sales of these mugs as is always the case with Tiki Farm limited runs. So if you’re free, Saturday evening, October 16th, we recommend that you head on out to this amazing show. The exhibition runs through the end of October.
A HISTORY LESSON PT 1
Punk Rock in Los Angeles 1984
A film by Dave Travis
Featuring live performances and interviews with
Minutemen, Redd Kross, Meat Puppets and Twisted Roots www.ahistorylesson.com
PREMIER LA SCREENINGS
Tuesday, Oct. 12
Redwood Bar and Grill
316 West 2nd Street
Los Angeles, California 90012 www.theredwoodbar.com
21 and over
8PM: A History Lesson Part 1
9PM: The Probe
10PM: Carnage Asada
11PM: The Amadans
12AM: A History Lesson Part1
Tuesday, Oct. 19
Redwood Bar and Grill
8PM: A History Lesson Part 1
9PM: Nerver
9:45PM: Bikos
10:30PM: Sylvia Juncosa Band + Special Guest Kat Arthur
11:15PM: Carnage Asada
12:00AM A History Lesson Part 1
Tuesday, Oct. 26
Redwood Bar and Grill
8PM: A History Lesson Part 1
9PM: Somos Mysteriosos
10PM: Carnage Asada
11PM: The Mormons
12AM: A History Lesson Part 1 Midnight screening
It has been said that Los Angeles and San Francisco were the last major metropolitan cities in which punk music scenes developed and once it hit California, punk changed shapes numerous times, spread to every corner of the United States and became a permanent fixture in popular culture.
In 1984, a teenage Dave Travis decided to capture punk rock in Los Angeles on video tape, a fascination and hobby that he would continue until 1997, logging in hundreds of hours of Los Angeles area shows and interviews. In “A History Lesson Part 1, Travis presents live footage filmed in the spring of 1984 featuring the Meat Puppets, Minutemen, Twisted Roots and Redd Kross interspersed with interviews of members from each group which examines and puts a perspective on the early years of “psychedelic” punk rock in Los Angeles and Phoenix, AZ. Each song by each group is presented from start to finish.
THE MEAT PUPPETS
The Meat Puppets started playing punk rock in their hometown of Phoenix, Arizona out of a feeling of alienation. After sharing a bill in Phoenix, Black Flag invited The Meat Puppets to play a show with them The Cuckoos Nest in Costa Mesa, CA. The group played their chaotic shamanistic psychedelic punk which messed with the minds of the hardcore punks in the audience who started a riot during their set. This prompted Greg Ginn of Black Flag to invite The Meat Puppets to record an album for SST. The group recorded “Meat Puppets 1” over a non-stop three day session while tripping on acid at Unicorn Studios in West Hollywood. A year later, the group returned to the studio and with a more structured and coherent approach for “Meat Puppets 2.” Three songs from that album were captured live on May 5, 1984 at Perkins Palace in Pasadena, CA. Melons Rising and Saturday Morning capture the bewitching feeling of “Meat Puppets 1,” while Lake of Fire captures the new direction they were moving towards with “Meat Puppets 2.”
The Minutemen were the original punk band from San Pedro, California. Bassist Mike Watt, a childhood friend of guitarist D Boon says that Boon’s mother taught him how to play bass. When the two first started playing together, they tried to cover rock songs, like American Woman and Black Dog. Then they saw a punk rock show one night in Hollywood and had the revelation that they could play their own music. Boon would write phrases on scraps of paper and Watt would put these to music. Watt would write songs with beginnings, middles, and ends. D. Boon would write songs with just verse and chorus. The songs were short, often less than a minute long. They would write solos into the songs so the other players could rest. Boon had a thing about ideas and principles; he and Watt would talk and argue about everything, even having to pull over at a library while driving between towns on tour to resolve a debate they were having about European History. They philosophized that their world was divided into two parts; Gigs and Flyers. Gigs were the shows. Flyers were everything else which would get people to the shows. Records, radio, videos; these were all flyers to the Minutemen. Six Minutemen songs are featured: A History Lesson Part 2 and Jesus and Tequila from Hollywood’s legendary Cathay De Grande and No 1. Hit Song, Martin’s Story, The Big Foist, and Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs were captured at The Olympic Auditorium.
Paul Roessler formed Twisted Roots in 1981 after the demise of the Screamers. The original lineup featured Paul’s sister Kira on bass and Pat Smear of the Germs on guitar. The band enjoyed instant success as a punk rock super-group followed by a period of chaos emerging with a new lineup featuring Dez Cadena of Redd Kross, Black Flag and The Misfits on guitar. This lineup would soon metamorphosize into DC3. Roessler was heavily influenced by Public Image Limited and took to heart Johnny Rotten’s philosophy that it was about musical anarchy not political anarchy. The songs Never Was, Mommy’s Always Busy in the Kitchen, and Love Your Friends were captured in May of 1984 at the Music Machine in West Los Angeles
Redd Kross were teenagers from Hawthorne, CA who started playing shows with Black Flag while some of the members were still in Junior High School. Though they gigged with punk bands from the South Bay, they felt that they were outsiders because they were obsessed with pop culture and felt more of a connection with rock star persona than their punk rock peers. Three songs were filmed at the Pomona Valley Auditorium in June 1984: Janus, Jeanie, and George Harrison, Linda Blair, and Annette’s got the Hits. The band at the time consisted of two pairs of siblings: Jeff and Steve McDonald and Dave and Vicki Peterson of The Bangles temporarily replacing the freshly departed Dez Cadena before guitarist Robert Hecker joined the group. This was Peterson’s only show with the group.
Videographer Dave Travis grew up in Los Angeles where his dad worked as a cameraman for NBC and CBS news as well as TV shows such as “Chips” and “Fantasy Island.” When he was 15 his dad handed down to him an old video camera and he began shooting punk rock shows in Los Angeles. He eventually became a freelance video editor, working on projects such as Black Flag’s “Slip It In” video as director and editor, “1991 the Year Punk Broke” featuring Sonic Youth and Nirvana as editor, the Kurt Cobain memorial for the 94 MTV Music Awards as editor, and many more. Travis also ran a recording studio with his sister, bassist Abby Travis, called Tarantula Ranch and in the mid ‘80s helped pioneer the desert Generator Shows.
Travis captured punk bands on video in L.A. for 14 years until 1997 when he decided to put down his camera. In 2000 he became a teacher with stints at John Adams Middle School teaching World and U.S. History and Santee Education Complex, a High School in South Central, L.A. teaching History and Economics. After spending nearly a decade as a teacher, Travis re-united with his passion for video and began digitizing and restoring his old footage. “A History Lesson Part One” is the first fruit harvested from his archive.
For booking contact
booking@ahistorylesson.com
For general information contact
video@ahistorylesson.com
For video services contact
video@ahistorylesson.com
To sign up for the mailing list:
list@ahistorylesson.com
BEYOND EDEN – Los Angeles’ first new contemporary focused event returns for a second year with a strong lineup of artists, galleries and special events!
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C.A.V.E. Gallery: Paul Chatem, Andy Haynes, John Park, Euth, Gosha Levochkin, Macsorro, Jason Hernandez, Jennifer Springman, Eatcho, Craww
Carmichael Gallery: Surprise installation
CoproGallery: Anthony Ausgang, Becca, Luke Chueh, Mark Garro, Billy Norrby, Nouar, Kathie Olivas, Chris Peters, and Martin Wittfooth
Crewest Gallery: Miguel Paredes, Man One, Else, Chaz Bojorquez, Mason Brown and PaperMonster
La Luz de Jesus: Damian Fulton, Karen Hsiao, Yumiko Kayukawa, Danni Shinya Luo, Nathan Ota, Robert Palacios, John Puglisi, Christopher Ulrich and more!
LeBasse Projects: Morgan Slade, Andrew Hem, Melissa Haslim, and J. Shea + a special installation from Shark Toof
Thinkspace Gallery: Aaron Nagel, Brett Amory, Caia Koopman, Craig “Skibs” Barker, David MacDowell, Derek Gores, Jacub Gagnon, Jeff Ramirez, Katy Bisby Kevin Titzer, Scott Radke, Stella Im Hultberg, Yosuke Ueno + a special installation from Dabs Myla
PLUS a special showcase celebrating underground art event Cannibal Flower’s 10 Year Anniversary featuring works from Kelly Berg, Young Chun, David Cooley, N.S. David, Joka, Mear One, Louie Metz, Michael Pukac, Gustavo Rimada, Brian Robertson, Van Saro, Erik Siador, Crystal Sylver, Win Wallace, and Jaime ‘Germs’ Zacarias alongside live painting demonstrations from John Park, Euth, Anthony Clarkson, and Michael Pukac
Saturday Night at 8 PM – Beyond Eden organizers along with Billy Shire and Matt Kennedy from La Luz de Jesus will present an award recognizing the contributions of artist Robert Williams
Also on Saturday Night – Cannibal Flower’s DJ L Croskey a/k/a DJ Mr. NumberOnederful (Bitter:Sweet) & X-Point.
All weekend Beyond Eden 2010 will be screening “New Brow”
This film documents first hand accounts from the artists, galleries and collectors who started and continue the new American art movement and includes interviews with artists Adam 5100 – Anthony Ausgang – Van Arno – Gary Baseman – Shawn Barber – Glenn Barr – Tim Biskup – Kim Cogan – Joe Coleman – Curve – Mike Davis – Ewik – Natalia Fabia – Sherpard Fairey – Jeremy Fish – Helen Garber – Camille Rose Garcia – Mike Giant – John John Jessie – Eric Joyner – David Choong Lee – Mars-1 – Liz Mcgrath – Niagara – Anne Faith Nicholls – Shag – Todd Schorr – Isabelle Samaras – The Pizz – Mark Ryden – Robert Williams, spotlights galleries Copro Nason Gallery – La Luz de Jesus – Merry Karnowsky Gallery – Roq La Rue – Shooting Gallery – Thinkspace Gallery – White Walls – Varnish Gallery and features publications 9mm Books – Juxtapoz – Hi-Fructose – Fecal Face – Raw Vision – Weirdo Deluxe and many more.
The Beyond Eden Bar (Saturday only) will be serving specialty cocktails featuring Krome Vodka along with locally brewed Hollywood Blonde Beer and other beverages served in biodegradable cups – with proceeds going to Latino Arts LA
Kaiser Permanente donates Additional Free Parking
If the Barnsdall lot is full, there is plenty of extra parking for Beyond Eden, in the Kaiser Permanente lot, walking distance from the event. The top of the lot is available to us and just mention while pulling in your there for ‘Beyond Eden’. The address for Kaiser Permanente is 4715 Sunset Blvd. Park on Rooftop, take the elevator Down to Level 2, cross the street to Barnsdall Park and use the stairs or elevator to the Park!
Schedule of events / viewing hours:
Saturday, October 9th 6PM-11PM
Opening Reception with live painting, a sponsored bar, & tunes from DJ Mr. NumberOnederful (Bitter:Sweet) & X-Point
8PM – special presentation of a lifetime achievement award
to Robert Williams Admission is Free / Open to the Public
Sunday, October 10th 1PM-6PM
Art viewing / Last chance to see the exhibition
Arrested Motion
Art Ltd.
Artillery
Blik
Daily Dujour
Hi-Fructose
Juxtapoz
Lee Joseph Publicity for the Visual Arts
Living Color Graphics
Pop Surrealism Magazine
Sour Harvest
Visual Art Source
Beyond Eden Award Presentation Ceremony For Artist Robert Williams:
At 8pm on Saturday, October 10, the organizers of Beyond Eden along with Billy Shire and Matt Kennedy of La Luz de Jesus Gallery will present a lifetime achievement award to artist Robert Williams.
Williams is a painter, cartoonist, and founder of Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine. Williams is one of the originators of Kustom Kulture and in the late 1960s – early 1970s, was part of the Zap Collective, along with other underground cartoonists such as Robert Crumb and Gilbert Shelton. His mix of California car culture, cinematic apocalypticism, and film noir helped to create a new genre of psychedelic imagery. Williams’s first ground breaking book, “The Lowbrow Art of Robt. Williams” released in 1979 gave name to a new “movement” which has stuck to this day. The title of the book was meant as a statement on the current “Highbrow” tone of the Art world and how Williams’ work did not fit in with this idealism. In the 1980s Williams caught the frenzied vibe of the punk rock movement and found his next audience. IN 1994, Williams began the magazine JUXTAPOZ which propelled to fame many new artists and rose to become one of the highest circulated art magazines. Williams consistently remains vital to the new contemporary art scene and his works, shows and appearances are highly sought after and attended. http://www.robtwilliamsstudio.com
“My paintings are not designed to entertain you, they are meant to trap you, to hold you before them while you try to rationalize what elements of the picture are making you stand there.” Robert Williams
“Williams’ influence on alternative art is immeasurable” Barrett S. Bingham
Beyond Eden 2010 will be screening the film “New Brow”
“New Brow” is a feature film presented by Humble Pictures in association with the Shooting Gallery, San Francisco. The film documents first hand accounts from the artists, galleries and collectors who started and continue the new American art movement and includes interviews with artists Adam 5100 – Anthony Ausgang – Van Arno – Gary Baseman – Shawn Barber – Glenn Barr – Tim Biskup – Kim Cogan – Joe Coleman – Curve – Mike Davis – Ewik – Natalia Fabia – Sherpard Fairey – Jeremy Fish – Helen Garber – Camille Rose Garcia – Mike Giant – John John Jessie – Eric Joyner – David Choong Lee – Mars-1 – Liz Mcgrath – Niagara – Anne Faith Nicholls – Shag – Todd Schorr – Isabelle Samaras – The Pizz – Mark Ryden – Robert Williams, spotlights galleries Copro Nason Gallery – La Luz de Jesus – Merry Karnowsky Gallery – Roq La Rue – Shooting Gallery – Thinkspace Gallery – White Walls – Varnish Gallery and features publications 9mm Books – Juxtapoz – Hi-Fructose – Fecal Face – Raw Vision – Weirdo Deluxe and many more. www.newbrowfilm.com
The Skip Heller Trio
Saturday Oct 2, 8pm
Live At Rafa’s Lounge
1836 W Sunset Blvd (at Glendale Bl)
Los Angeles, CA 90026
suggested admission: $3
“An American hero flying below the radar.” — Time Out New York
The Skip Heller Trio — featuring Lee Joseph on bass and Mark Borinstein on drums — once again takes the stage at Rafa’s Gallery, a
tiny and charming venue at Sunset and Glendale in Echo Park. Ostensibly a country band, the trio is also colored by a love for 60s garage rock, Philly soul, exotica, and Roger Miller. The crack rhythm team of Joesph and Borinstein is a perfect match for Heller’s virtuoso jazz-meets-bluegrass guitar and his soulful baritone. The great Patria Jacobs opens.
Also worth noting about this show: it’s Heller’s birthday party.