CREATURES FEST 2
A benefit for research on fighting Huntington’s disease in honor of late Creatures of the Golden Dawn pointman Mark Smith.

Saturday, October 5, 2013 6:00pm in EDT
Upper Saucon Social Quarters
4900 Lanark Road
Center Valley, PA

Facebook Event Page

Headlining will be THE GRIP WEEDS! out of NJ on Wicked Cool and Rainbow Quartz Records
THE IMPROBABLES – 5 blocks from the boardwalk in AC
CONSOLIDATED FUZZ – the last version of the Creatures
CROP CIRCLE – Kutztown psychcowpokes
ULTRA KINGS – the southpaw rockabilly stalwarts, with a right hook of surf
ALVIS TROXELL – acoustic brotherhood

This will be the same weekend as the Allentown Record Convention
Admission will be on a sliding scale of $10-$15-$20
Cash bar
Food will be available for purchase until 9pm

There will be a silent auction taking place. Please get in touch if you wish to donate for the auction. Musically and culturally-related items only please.

CreaturesFest was held on July 21 of this year,  in honor of Mark Smith, the lead singer of the band The Creatures of the Golden Dawn, who passed away from Huntington’s Disease in 2011.

Proceeds from the show which which happened at the North Penn Gun Club in Trumbauersville, PA benefited the PA Chapter of Huntington Disease Society of America.

Gregg Smith kindly wrote a bit about the show to share with those that couldn’t be there

Upon entering the concert room one was confronted with an array of photos of Woody Guthrie and photos of his writings in honor of his 100th birthday. Woody died in 1967 from Huntington’s Disease after spending the last 10 years of his life in hospitals.

In tribute to Guthrie, the show began with two great acoustic duos, Mike McMillan with Laurie Ann Hollinger, and Doug Ashby with Danielle Lubene, performing a sampling of Guthrie’s brilliant songs. Next the new group House of Fire with ex-Creatures of the Golden Dawn Mike Vallone presented a set of scintillating psychedelic with long drones and slow tempos, sounding in part like 1967 era Pink Floyd.

The next group to play, Consolidated Fuzz, are the guys that were in Mark’s last line-up of The Creatures; with JT on vocals and lead guitar. They performed a terrific set which included garage classics like: “It’s The Same All Over The World” and a retro surf instrumental dating back over 25 years to the very first days of The Creatures, They also performed more recent Creatures songs.

Wormwood Scrubs, with former early 90s Creatures lead guitarist Steve Schlack also presented some garage classics such as: “Love Is A Beautiful Thing” by The Young Rascals, “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” by The Kinks, and “Last Time Around” by The Del-Vettes as well as some classic Creatures songs from the 90s. Finally, The Insomniacs from New Jersey, who often played at The Funhouse in Bethlehem, closed out the show with a rousing set of The Jam influenced garage rock.

Of course this was a Memorial for a very sad set of circumstances – CreaturesFest honored the life and tragic loss of Mark Smith, someone who through music, brought joy into the lives of many near and far over the long span of 25 years. Also families from the local Huntington’s Disease Support Group were invited to attend and a clearly afflicted woman and her caretaker husband were seated at the front table. So this was not your standard Saturday night sock hop. In all over 2K was raised and one hopes new breakthroughs in research will soon lead to a cure for this neurological disorder….

There will be another CreaturesFest – to continue in helping raise funds for the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, and keep Mark’s spirit alive – this will take place on October 2013.

Gregg Smith – Mark’s brother

Read a local feature article about the event in Allentown PA’s Morning Call here

The First Annual CreaturesFest in memory of Mark Smith—lead singer of Lehigh Valley, Pa.-based band The Creatures of the Golden Dawn and advocate of the 1960s-inspired rock music genre known as “garage”—will be held 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 21, 2012, at North Penn Gun Club, Trumbauersville, Pa. Proceeds will benefit the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Smith died from Huntington’s-related complications at age 52 in 2011.

“A purpose of this premier event is to celebrate Mark’s life by featuring the music he loved. It’s also to raise awareness of Huntington’s Disease and to raise money for research,” says Scott Steinberg of Bethlehem, Pa., who is organizing the event with the help of a volunteer committee.

“Funding research is important because Huntington’s tears families apart,” adds Gregg Smith of Wescosville, Pa., committee member and Mark Smith’s brother, noting that their mother also succumbed to the disease.

New Jersey-based garage band The Insomniacs will headline. The event will also include live performances by the following bands, all of which feature at least one former member of The Creatures of the Golden Dawn: Consolidated Fuzz (Lehigh Valley-based garage); Strange Haze (New York City-based garage/psychedelia); House of Fire (Philadelphia area-based neo-psychedelia); and Wormwood Scrubs (Lehigh Valley-based garage infused with British invasion). Plus, other local musicians—Danielle Lubené (of The Danielle Lubené Band), Doug Ashby (of Tavern Tan) and Mike McMillan and Laurie Ann Hullinger (both of The SaddleTones)—will perform a musical tribute to Woody Guthrie, who died of Huntington’s Disease and whose 100^th birthday is this year.

In addition, CreaturesFest will feature a display of Woody Guthrie’s life and lyrics. A silent auction will feature CD box sets, gift certificates and original artwork. A raffle will feature T-shirts and CDs and the recetly released Creatures of the Golden Dawn LP. Food and drink will be available for purchase from the onsite kitchen and bar.

A Lehigh Valley native, Mark Smith formed The Creatures of the Golden Dawn—formerly known as “The Creatures”—in the mid-1980s. Known for its monthly performances at The Funhouse, Bethlehem, the band also played venues in Philadelphia, New York City and as far away as Moscow. The band recorded several CDs of predominantly original songs, which are featured on Sirius/XM satellite radio’s “Little Steven’s Underground Garage,” a show produced by Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. While the group endured many personnel changes over the years, Smith remained constant, continuing to sing, play harmonica, and write and record original music and lyrics until his death. Smith also hosted his own weekly “Exploding Plastic Inevitable” show on WLVR, 91.3 FM, the radio station of Lehigh University, Bethlehem. A limited-edition compilation LP titled “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground” was recently released on Los Angeles-based Dionysus Records.

Huntington’s Disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is no cure and only one FDA-approved treatment. Huntington’s Disease may affect cognitive ability and mobility; symptoms may include depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, involuntary movements—known as “chorea”—and lack of coordination. As the disease progresses, concentration and short-term memory diminish, and involuntary movements of the head, trunk and limbs increase. Walking, speaking and swallowing abilities deteriorate. Eventually the person becomes dependent for all care. Death can result from complications, such as choking, infection or heart failure.

Event admission is $20 per person at the door. North Penn Gun Club is at 2555 Tollgate Road, Trumbauersville, Pa., 18970

The event is sponsored, in part, by All That Salon, Emmaus, Pa.; The Compact Disc Center, Bethlehem; and Double Decker Records, Allentown, Pa.

If you are interested in helping to sponsor this event, contact Scott Steinberg at
610-868-5775.

Art Cars – The Art of Bleeding – Fancy Space People
Doggie Diners – a Drunken Marionette?

These are just SOME of the MANY things in store on February 4

 

Artcars

www.artcarfest.com – www.artcaragency.com  and their artists including ArtCar Fest co-founder and famed filmmaker Harrod Blank will be appearing at the event – here’s some of the artcars that will be on display: Click to see Amanda Jensen’s La Locura Cura. Click to see Scott Alan’s Spaced Bug. VainVan & CandyHome by Emily Duffy, photo also by Emily Duff, taken at the Enchanted Forest in Salem, OR. June, 2011, all rights reserved

Doggie Diners

John Law will be driving to Santa Ana with two buses full of people with the Doggie Diners in tow. These iconic monolithic whimsical objects are the SF Cacophony official mascots. They are one of John’s contributions to the world of Chaos, Cacophony and Dark Saturnalia. Click here to see a preview from the cross country documentary “Head Trip.” Click here to read an article about John’s Doggie Diners in the SF Gate

Bieno Svengali, a safe and sane family first performer (like legal fireworks) will perform his intoxicated marionette. Check out his court ordered letters from kids.

The Art Of Bleeding

Created by Reverend Al of the Los Angeles Cacophony Society, The Art of Bleeding produces ego-destabilizing programs on safety and medical education out of an actual ambulance. This time the lovely latex clad nurses will be joined by Chuckles Klown and other cartoon characters in  an demonstration of needle safety for both live and video presentation. Often staged from an actual ambulance, our performances utilize a perturbing mix of cartoonish costumes, puppets, vintage educational films, animation, and thinly veiled medical fetishism to create a sort of “paramedical funhouse.” Find out more at  www.artofbleeding.com

Asscar

On his way to Santa Ana, Charles Linvill parked his Asscar (that would be a car decorated with dog asses) overnight in front of the Motel 6 in Redding. The next morning, Asscar was completely covered in the motels finest linen due to numerous complaints. The maid delegation that met Charles at the car said they would pray for him. Charles reported improved gas mileage after their meeting.

The Fancy Space People

Can a ridiculously attired Los Angeles Glitter rock space cult, channeling cryptic messages from Fancy Space really save the Earth and usher in a new Golden Age? The Fancy Space People began when the unlikely duo of Germs drummer Don Bolles and quirky solo chanteuse No-Ra Keyes started receiving communications from invisible entities claiming to be from “Fancy Space,” asking them to present their leaders’ (presumably) benevolent messages to the people of Earth, secreted within neo-classic rock tunes. Told that they were chosen not so much for any musical talent they might possess, but more because they would fit into the elaborate space outfits, Don and Nora, neither of whom had much going on at the time, readily agreed. Their songs range from moody Mellotron space hymns to Glitter Rock stompers, Snow Pop to Psychedelic Prog Epics, 60s Girl Group to 70s Krautrock, and remind one of T Rex, Bowie, Abba, Sparks, and even Amon Duul II. Fancy Space People video

SCHEDULE:
Film

 “Into the Zone: The Story of the Cacophony Society“

Benefit Preview Screening at
The Yost Theate

2/4/11, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

307 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Click for Advance Tickets

Website: intothezonemovie.com

EXHIBITION

“The Cacophony Society Zone Show: You May Already be a Member”

February 4 – April 15

Reception: 2/4/11, 7:00 -10:00 pm

 Grand Central Art Center

125 North Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Admission: FREE

2/4/2011 SCHEDULE:

3:00 Cocktail reception (Yost Theater)

4:00-5:30 Screening (Yost Theater)

5:30-TBD Q&A   (Yost Theater)

6.30-11:00 Block Party (Grand Central Art Center Plaza)

 7:00-10:00 Exhibition (Grand Central Art Center Main Gallery)

Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Art Park

LAMAG Benefit Auction – Sunday, May 1st · 3-6 PM

Final plans are in motion for the Auction and Party featuring more than 100 artists’ work to benefit the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. Don’t miss this evening of creativity and fun with a mix of artists and creators, business, cultural, and civic leaders – all celebrating LAMAG’s legacy and its bright future.

LAMAG is L.A.’s gallery and they need your support! To purchase tickets: Click here. To Preview the art works: Click here.

All proceeds from the benefit and auction will go to support the gallery’s innovative exhibitions, stimulating special programs, provocative lecture and educational events, cutting-edge curatorial initiatives, and insightful catalogues and publications.

Hors d’œuvres and wine are included in the price of admission. Music will be provided by DJ Colin Kim plus be on the look out for the Untitled Collective’s interventions that reveal (or conceal) layers of meaning and mystery.

Hot, established and emerging artists in the auction include:
Kim Abeles | Edith Abeyta | Suzanne Adelman | Lita Albuquerque | Juna Amano | Michael Arata | Edgar Arceneaux | John Baldessari | Judie Bamber | Kireilyn Barber | Christopher Barbour | Lou Beach | Barbara Berk | Richard Bilow | Sandow Birk | Caroline Blackburn | Richard Bilow | Jodi Bonassi | Amy Bouse | Angie Bray | Tony Brown | Nancy Buchanan | Anita Bunn | Rude Calderon | Jo Ann Callis | Max King Cap | Castillo | Ching Ching Cheng | Anthony Clarkson | Joe Davidson | Roberto Delgado | Raoul de la Sota | David DiMichele | Renee Dominique | Dana Duff | Sam Durant | Val Echavarria | Edem Elesh | Shepard Fairey | Nicholas Fedak II | Alice Fellows | Judy Fiskin | Kathi Flood | Martin Gantman | Carol Goldmark | Orestes Gonzalez | Phyllis Green | Todd Gray | Mark Steven Greenfield | Iva Gueorguieva | Mary Addison Hackett | Doug Harvey | Charles Hachadourian | Marybeth Heffernan | Bonita Helmer | Juan Carlos Muñoz Hernandez | Anne Hieronymus | Linda Jacobson | Gegam Kacherian | Mike Kelley & Michael Smith | Siri Kaur | Yoichi Kawamura | Soo Kim | Nicholette Kominos | Maddy LeMel | Christophe Leroux | J.J. L’Heureux | Peter Liashkov | Ronald J. Llanos | Nuttaphol Ma | Daniel Joseph Martinez | Meg Madison | Barry Markowitz | David MacDowell | Charlene Matthews | Mineo Mizuno | John Mooney | Aaron Morse | Manfred Müller | Rosalyn Myles | Kristen Neveu | John David O’Brien | Chris Oatey | Stas Orlovski | Ara Oshagan | Sheila Pinkel | Mei Xian Qiu | Megan Quinn | Stuart Rapeport | Tony de los Reyes | Rebecca Ripple | Frank Romero | Charlene Roth | Joy J. Rotblatt | Scarlett Rouge | Ross Rudel | Alison Saar | Betye Saar | Lezley Saar | Connie Samaras | Gwen Samuels | Richard Serra | Michael Sheehan | Kyungmi Shin | Peter Shire | Karen Sikie | Nathan Singer | Anna E. Siqueiros | May Sun | Kent Twitchell | Yosuke Ueno | Mauricio Vallejo | Margo Victor | Margaret von Biesen | Pat Warner | Marnie Weber | Weegee | Wayne White | Alexandra Wiesenfeld | Norton Wisdom | Karen Frimkess Wolff | Nan Wollman | Augusta Wood | Michiko Yao | Liat Yossifor | Mary Younakof | Liz Young | Carrie Yury

Guest Auctioneer: Alex Slato, Associate Director, LA Artcore

BENEFIT COMMITTEE:
George Billis Gallery LA
Edward Cella, Edward Cella Art + Architecture
Mary Leigh Cherry, Cherry and Martin
Stephen Cohen, Photo LA/Art LA Projects
A. McLean Emenegger, Milo + Mclean/Mclean Fine Art
Kristi Engle, Kristi Engle Gallery
Sidney Felsen & Joni Moisant Weyl, Gemini G.E.L.
Lauri Firstenberg, LAXArt
Emi Fontana, West of Rome Public Art
Peter Frank, Huffington Post/Fabrik Magazine
Kathy Gallegos, Avenue 50 Studio
Eric Garcetti , LA City Council
Edward Goldman, Art Talk KCRW
Andrew Hosner, Thinkspace
Merry Karnowsky, Merry Karnowsky Gallery
Nowell J. Karten
Tom La Bonge, LA City Council
Steven Lavine, CalArts
Hillary Metz
Merry Norris, Merry Norris Contemporary Art
Jack Rutberg, Jack Rutberg Gallery
Billy Shire, La Luz de Jesus Gallery
Franklin Sirmans, Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Rose Soshana, Rose Gallery
Louis Stern, Louis Stern Fine Arts

SPONSORS:
Artillery Magazine, Barnsdall Art Park Foundation, Fine Art Solutions, Finishing Concepts, Jeff Kies Custom Picture Framing, and New Alchemy Framing

For donations and information contact:
Meg Madison, Program Committee Chair
Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery Associates
meg@megmadison.com / 213.393.9333