Blunt Club 10th Anniversary

Happy Birthday to my favorite hip-hop institute in Phx, who is constantly and consistently servin’ up the real ish on a weekly basis, the infamous Blunt Club. For its 10th birthday there was a 2 day celebration; the first night at the current spot (The Yucca Tap Room) and the second night at Hollywood Alley (dubbed “classic” Blunt.) This might be the first time I’m writing about the Bliggity here, but in my old blog many an adventure started (or ended) here. Yes, yes, it’s been a good run. Though I haven’t been around for the full ten, I’ve been here for half the time and those five years have been enjoyable indeed. Thanks, Blunt Club.

Day 1:

Your regular shenanigans sprinkled with a few surprises.   So good to see Miss D, Miss Kree, and Mr. Hyder!

Day 2:

Yessssssssssssss…..

I love the Hollywood Alley.  This is easily my favorite venue in the Valley. It’s got just the right amount of space x atmosphere  for me; enough room to maneuver but still intimate.  I remember when the Blunt took place here and an old man who had to be in his 70s/80s would come every Thurs just to sit outside and talk/hang with us as we came out.  I remember countless times of showing up so late that I never even made it to the door, so busy parking lot pimping my way towards the entrance.  In fact, I learned the most amazing way to greet a person here — by smacking the shit outta their shoes with your hands.  When someone greets you like that, you feel like a friggin’ million bucks — strangely enough the Universe wanted me to experience it again that night.  Lol, such good times. :’)

aZn.invaZn

One of the first things to drew me to the Blunt (other than the dope music that was bumping( was the live art that was always taking place.  So much great creative energy in one place!

Hold dee Line!

Pictured above is MoshaOne, flexin’ a new style.

Didn’t get the chance to catch the name of this artist, but really enjoyed this piece.  I don’t know if this piece was created entirely there, but the amount of detailing is astounding.

This is Mr. Jules Demetrius.  Yes, he makes art as well, but more importantly, me makes me happy. It’s been too long.

rrrrrooooLLLLLLLLLeeeRRRRCOOOoAASSsTTEERRRRRR!!!!

Two of my faves: Frank Gonzales on the left with the fly bird / MoshaOne declaring her love for butts. nO woRRies, i’m down with the big ones.

——————

Cheers to the Blunt Club!  Here’s to 10 more!!!

 

keepiN’ iT ReAL: Ma’Claim

I am a proponent of graffiti.  I completely support the idea of people reclaiming public spaces with art of their choosing instead of letting their senses be forcibly bombarded with advertising that was sold to the highest bidder.  As you may know graffiti largely started in NYC in the late 70s/early 80s in poor and underprivileged neighborhoods were the youth found a voice to express themselves.  The product was lettering or tags on walls, streets, subways, etc.  As time and the art evolved tags turned to structured letters with style, full-blown productions, and then jaw-dropping burners.  The majority of the styles were bold line, bright color, words/messages.  In keeping with the idea of Keepin’ it Real, I wanna take the time to showcase the graffiti-stylings of a German group named Ma’Claim.  These guys have taken aerosol art and evolved it to one of the highest possible expressions I can imagine — Photorealistic Graffiti.

Yes, all of that was created with spray paint. The reflection of the can is mind-blowing.

This piece is on a wall – the guy, the arm, the tattoo/graff on his wall, all achieved thru aerosol. Amazing.

Once again, the face, the hands, and the lettering, all a part of their production. Realistically fabulous.

Here’s another one with the photorealistic face, but paying tribute to the roots of the form with the different lettering and pieces filling in the figure.

Wanna be in even more awe and wonderment??  Pick up their book and feast your senses upon the “finest fotorealistic graffiti.”:

Don’t wanna commit to a book on your coffee table yet?  Peep out their website and blog!

 

A Matter of Life & Death.

What do they say? The only truth in this world is that we all have to be born, all have to pay taxes, and all have to die, right? Something like that, right?? … or did I totally butcher it?

After some eye-opening facts I’ve decided that not only do I not not have any faith whatsoever in large corporations with the dealings of my food and clothing, I am also not down to lay my trust in them when dealing with inescapable events of birth and death.

The Business of Being Born -
If I ever decide to procreate, please believe I’ll be doing at home with a mid-wife in a pool.  The only way to go in my opinion.  Once again it’s a subject where most of the other first-world countries already have this figured out and we’re still dragging our feet behind.  This simple act of a home birth might ultimately help the overall state of the family in this country as well since mother and child are able to bond during the process when their natural chemicals are at the height of bond-making.  Have no clue what I’m talking about?? It’s time to check this out, peep Netflix for the goods.

POV: A Family Undertaking – This offers a great closer look into the business of death; everything from the initial death/embalmimg procedures onto coffin sales, onto the seminars that funeral directors attend to learn new sales techniques.  Besides side-stepping the money making machine the friends and family also get to see and feel the actual process of losing a family member, also thereby making the loss that much more manageable for the people who are left behind.  This not only helps people understand the cycle of life and death better, they will have a better grasp of their own feelings in the aftermath of the loss.  People are healthier all around with these steps it seems. Might be able to stream the whole thing by clicking thru.

So you heard it hear first.  I, DubbaLubba, wish to have a home birth and burial when the time comes for each event, respectively.  Maybe we’ll still convene here at this humble blog when those occasions arise; or at least somewhere in the Cloud.

 

naiL$ DiD: heeeere kitty kitty

it’s true. i’m a certified pu$$y lover.

and since my spring has been nothin’ but on-the-go, i’m esp. a lover of that fa$t pu$$y.

so i tried to take a shortcut and use the cool frame apps i’ve been playing with since starting with instagram and though the phone cam and the apps are fun for phone-viewing, the quality just can’t compare to an actual digi cam.  serves me right for being a little lazy!  from now on, only real pictures on the blog – phone pics are for instagram/tumblr/twitter.

p.s. can you tell i was feelin’ some oldskool SuPAnAiLS inspiration?

 

recaP: TEQUiLAZONA 2012

What can I say?  Per usual, these NPR fundraisers are nothin’ but solid gold HiT$.

This recent Tequilazona was no exception – don’t believe me?  Check it out for yourselves:

Had the honor of lending a hand the busiest entrance with a few other brave individuals; as you can see from the picture above the heat was on.  Fifteen mins til opening and the line was already forming with people who want.their.tequila!

We were working off of iPhones and other handheld technology for hours.  Eventually the flood slowed down to a trickle and we were able to take a seat and refuel with a bite to eat.

~WELCOME~

This was the best booth at the event!  I really loved the display and the uniqueness of the skull-shaped bottle.  All of the skulls painted as sugar skulls was a nice touch (the super HUGE skull bottle in the back doesn’t hurt either!) Apparently all of these bottles were “hand-painted by school children in Mexico” … I don’t mean to judge, but come on now, let’s be honest, those poor kids are *more than likely* being taken advantage of.  If this company happens to compensate said school children adequately, I will recant my words.

I’m really hoping this blinged-out baby was *NOT* done by schoolchildren in Mexico.

The GROWN-UP version of Jungle Juice

Organic Margarita & Daiquiri mixes!  :9

There were booths upon booths of tequila to be had/sampled/shot, but I’m the kinda woman that wants to get my cheW oN. I was happy to see the food vendors were bringin’ their “A” game as well. :9

Chicken Taco – no brainer at a tequila fest.

Brisket! A lovely addition to the menu – people were LiNED UP for this one.

Delicious brisket bites with slaw.

Some tequila-infused dipping sauce and bread – dessert if you will.

Not pictured:  the sushi rolls with salsa/ceviche topping.

All in all it was a great night for a great cause.

!!!ViVA LA NPR!!!

 

KeepiN’ iT ReaL: Embroidered Portraits

Yes, put that thread and needle down granny and move over, there are some new guns in town.  When I think embroidery I always picture that simple stitched “Home Sweet Home” deal hanging in some quaint living room.  At it’s most heightened form I can only imagine those lovely embroidered flower and garden scenes found in classic Chinese art and decor.  But never, ever, not even in the furthest corner of my mind did I envision human portraits being embroidered, and never would I imagine that more than one person was out there doing it. And doing it in a big way.

Brace yourself… and hold onto your socks.  First up, the sweet needle stylings of David Kornrumpf:

those glasses are no joke.

rockin’ a THiZZ face

hipster central

Too friggin’ fabulous, right? I really love how modern and contemporary the subject matter is – obviously the thread master here a young, hip cat as well.  It’s so refreshing to have the young subject matter juxtaposed with such a homely/elderly craft. Love love love it!

Check out his website for more info.

Next up we have the equally talented (but not quite as hipster) Cayce Zavaglia:

just look at the blending/feathering of the hair!  FAB.

the close-up view is pretty mind blowing

but seeing the back is even more so!  peep the front and back… yes, that shit cRAY.

See more of Cayce’s work here.

—————-

Though these pieces are relatively small in size, I imagine that the detail that is achieve thru thread here is also achieved thru many hours of putting that thread through the fabric.  Thinking of the pattern work and such is extra crazy when considering the plaid shirt the kid is wearing in the above piece. Yowzers.  Seeing these works definitely makes me think twice about how hard it is for me to stitch a button. LoL!

 

recaP: BiG BRAiN Awards 2012

The 3rd Annual Phoenix New Times BiG BRAiN Awards was held recently and CYPHERS: The Center for Urban Arts had the great honor of being a finalist in the “Performing Arts” category.  This award is given the best and brightest new businesses and organizations around the Valley of the Sun and being acknowledged for making the community a better place just 2 months into the game is an astounding feat anyone could be proud of.  Shit, as a friend and supporter, you knoW, I was more than proud to attend the award ceremony.

The event took place at Hotel Saguaro in Scottsdale, AZ.  After handling the parking tip and making our way inside, it was an interesting mix of vendors/booths to see.  The [small] main stage was in one room with  many retailers/fashion vendors selling everything from vintage fashion, costume jewelry, to blow outs and make-up application.  It was pretty crowded and hot in there.

              

 

…Did I mention the model installation/live art/tableau thang that was going on?  These poor guys, not only did they have to stand with a hot spotlight melting their faces all night, they also had to withstand the savory aromas of the bacon + sausage biscuits and gravy that were being handed out right in front of them.  Such professionals.

After wandering out of that room to find what kinda trouble there was to be had, I found a lower level with several rooms filled with food and art.  Luckily these rooms had slightly better ventilation and pockets of cool air could be found workin’ the rooms.

These guys totally make an a$$ kickin’ organic line of hummus, butter, and ice cream. Yes! *arm pump*

Some sweet sushi stylings by Squid.

In line for some alcohol-infused ice cream. :9

some live painting that was just ‘eh.’

              

on the left: original art and handmade furniture / on the right: digital prints and a few paintings

My favorite piece of the night!  This awesomely classy & monocled cat bust had a tiny scene within his top hat – take a close look!  Definitely the best one of the bunch.

This fabulous red cowboy hat was mosdefinitely the best headdress of the night – plus. he was a total ham on his mini-guitar. (((sigh))) I must really have a thing for old bearded men!

After makin’ the rounds and finding out what the different offerings were, it was soon time to make our way back to the main stage area for the award ceremony.  Needless to say, the room got even hotter:

The winners of this years BiG BRAiN awards!

Sadly enough my homies from CYPHERS didn’t win,

but it’s all good as it was an honor to be recognized and nominated.

1/2 way hitchhikers don’t cry!

Now onto the after party!!!

 

Talk to Me…

Ooooooooooooh boy, I have been friggin’ LOViN’ the new TEDTalks series on Netflix!!!  Available for Instant Streaming, the TEDTalks series is an awesome library of “ideas worth spreading” on a variety of topics.  So far I’ve checked out:

*Chew On This

*Sex, Secrets, & Love

*Smart Laughs

*Building Wonders

*Defying Disease

I’ve completely loved all of these so far (in fact I’ve been inspired to start practicing “Weekday Veg” because of one of the talks!) and there’s still a ton of other subjects to devour and delve into as well.  It’s super handy that each of the topics include a number of different talks that can range anywhere from 25/30 mins to just 4/5 mins depending on the speaker and their story/wish/idea.  Since these are basically just footage of the talks taking place at the TED convention, there isn’t a lot of heavy cinema/imagery to stay glued to; I find these to be the perfect companion in the background of paperwork, creating, packaging, cooking, folding laundry, etc., etc.

Without a doubt TED is at the forefront of thought/practice/ideas at this time (think the SXSW for science/technology/etc) and I’m extremely pleased that these talks have been made available to us poor souls who haven’t had the chance to attend this event IRL.

Woooooooooohooooooo!!!

*Rock Out*

Please believe I’ll be checking out the entire library!

 

naiL$ DiD: White Diamonds

this ain’t the fairy tale perfume of Elizbeth Taylor, but these white diamonds mosdefinitely have never let me down yet:

try your hand at them and lemme know if they bring you any luck.

———————

on a side note: so i’m giving the whole instamadness thang a try — let’s see how it goes.

wanna play? it’s el_dubious

 

!!!TEQUiLAZONA – April 14, 2012!!!

Yes friends, it’s THAT time of year again – the weather is warming up, suits are coming off and sandals are  coming out – time to celebrate with an array of handcrafted tequilas and public radio!!! I’m very pleased to announce that the 3rd Annual Tequilazona Festival is taking place next Saturday on 4/14/12.  This event has SOLD OUT the last two years, so don’t sleep, DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS ONE.

Feast your eyes upon last years public debauchery:

Taste test in the whip!

shot shoT shOT sHOT SHOT!!! / Best Fit

it’s for a good cause!

…hours later… and no one’s tireD!!!

This event will take place in the same venue, Tempe Marketplace.  It’s pretty sweet location since it has a wonderful outdoor / indoor feel – perfect ambiance for fundraising!!!  The inner courtyard is closed off with the booths of the Festival so you get to party in the center of it all with regular shoppers/movie goers still doin’ their own thang outside of the fundraising bubble. Last year there were some amazing fish tacos, I hope they’re back this year. *fingers crossed*

————–

Need more details?

what you’ll be drinking

who you’ll be hearing (and they’re good)

how much you’ll save by buying in advance

BUY TICKETS NOW