January. I was going to say that it’s the cruelest month, but some fact-checking googling has rudely informed me it’s April. Really? April? Because January’s all gray and miserable with the sluggish false promise of new beginnings. Also, it may snow today – not like, a lot, but enough to give people an excuse not to go out without the actual satisfaction of a thick snowfall. Ugh. Cruel, I say. Nuts to you, T.S. Eliot. So January, cruel although not cruelist it is. And with the first of the year falling on a Saturday, it means today is First Friday, although many people may (incorrectly) feel they missed it last week, or assume that the city is dead. So these listings are sort of a grab bag of everything coming up. Shall we? (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Philadelphia’
Oktoberfest-ish
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
Where can I wear my favorite outfit?
If you’re a long time reader of the blog, you know how much I love Oktoberfest and all its trappings. You also know my unending frustration with the lack of quality (in my very specific definition) Oktoberfests in the area. C’mon! Wasn’t this area settled by the Germans? Curse their history of being the most well integrated European ethnic group! I want dirndls and food and old people dancing! Due to frustration carried over from last year, as well as technical issues, there was no Oktoberfest round up in early September, as there sorta was no point to it. We missed covering Brauhaus Schmidtz‘s week-long celebration. BUT that doesn’t mean that there aren’t Oktoberfest-ish events coming up. Mostly beer oriented, it’s better than nothing! So get your date books out and add these events: (more…)
Blog drama and beers
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010People have been asking if Art in Bars has been caught up in the blog / small business kerfuffle that broke a few weeks ago regarding the blog tax. Years ago I went to a blog conference hosted by Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, and one of the concepts repeated many times was if you monetize your blog, you ought to just go ahead and pay the city for a business license. Do you see any adds anywhere on this blog? No, because I am lazy and poor and haven’t set aside the $300 to make AiB a real legit business and chase after the pennies that advertising could bring in. That and there has been waffling with professional-type friends who alternate in opinion as to the best status to glom to. Perhaps we’d make a better non-profit.
Anywho. If you’re interested in this issue and others, the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and the Department of Revenue in association with I-SITE, P’unk Ave, and Independents Hall are hosting a Bloggergate Happy Hour “conversation” tonight at National Mechanics from 5-7PM. This conversation is for small businesses owners, entrepreneurs, creative-types, and the self-employed and will be about taxes, the business privilege license and other issues. I’m of two minds. This might be really interesting and have worthwhile information for me, or it will devolve into paranoid screaming. Think I’ll check it out. There’s no information about any happy hour specials but one can assume that it will be the standard $3 off pitchers, $2 off special drinks, $1 off pints that they generally have. Because that is important to me; what I can save drinking nervously in the corner listening to political types do damage control while the ill-informed rant.
National Mechanics 22 South 3rd St
Not your cup of tea? Interested in getting your drink on sans conversation? Tonight Wednesday September 8th Bridget Foy’s is hosting GIN & SIN. Their Plymouth and Beefeater local representative wants to buy you a gin-based drink at their bar at 5PM. Bridget Foy’s 200 South St.
Ask an Artist – Darla Jackson
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010Tshombe, a million months ago before the hacking issues (still have that 404 error on our landing page and haven’t been able to fix it, sorry) sent some ask-an-artists questions to sculptor Darla Jackson. And she answered them! Devotees of Art in Bars may be well aware of Ms. Jackson’s name, as she shows quite a bit in the city, in addition to being a member of the Other Women’s collective, also curates shows in alternative venues. I (Sequoia, the “editor”) am also unabashedly a fan of her work. If only there was room in my living room for that dead mother deer. She has quite a busy showing schedule this fall, so let’s learn all about what Tshombe decided to ask her about being an artist. (more…)
The Mint Julep
Saturday, May 1st, 2010It is a life goal of mine to attend the Kentucky Derby. Mostly because I love outrageous hats. And gambling on horse races. But the third reason I would like to attend is of course the cult of the particular tipple the Mint Julep, which now a days is neglected all year long save for today. I know someone who’s been to the derby before and the stories she tells are a-maz-ing. (Well, all the stories she tells are amazing, but the derby ones are particularly a hoot and a half.) Alas, it is a dream deferred for now. Chances are, you may have just found out that it’s derby day, and are wondering how you can get into the spirit. I suggest smashing up some mint and getting smashed at home, as it’s a lovely day for hanging out on stoops, roofs, or back yards. But if you’re feeling social, or not in a self bar tending mood,¬† lots o’ places around town are celebrating by breaking out specials on Mint Juleps. If you are an ambitious drinker, you could plot your course and be thoroughly trashed today. But that wouldn’t be very genteel. (more…)
Ask an Artist Erin Murray
Friday, April 9th, 2010
Erin Murray - Ugly and Ordinary Animal Hospital
By Jenn Sharon
What is there to say about today’s Ask an Artist artist Erin Murray? More than you’d think! After getting her BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art back in ’01 Erin returned to Philadelphia and it’s art scene with a mission. She’s been shown various places around town including the Painted Bride, Projects Gallery, F.U.E.L., Artist’s House, Center for Emerging Visual Artists — just to name a few. Her paintings of urban structures will strike a chord in any metro minded mortal. She recently took about 2 years off while she was building her Fishtown multi-unit house/artist space practically from scratch, and now that she has captured her vision for that building in 3-D, Erin is focused on returning to her art. I recently got the opportunity to chat with Erin about her views on different citrus fruits. No, wait, art– her views on art. (more…)
I know where your servers drink
Thursday, March 18th, 2010It’s no secret that ¬†I can’t even begin to pay the bills by working at a gallery. And as this is not a monetized blog, I do childcare to make ends meet. This means I work a lot of hours, and often consecutively at multiple jobs. Meaning, I might sit in the morning, work the gallery till the evening, then go to another family while the parents go out at night. One such Thursday evening I came home at around 10:30 (early night) feeling murderous. My partner wisely thought we should go out rather than cook in, and given my love of Mexican food and the lateness of the hour, we opted for Xochitl. (more…)
Opportunities for Artists
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010Hey, artists. Looking for some opportunities to get shown / curate / get involved? Marvelous. (more…)
Weekend Arty Things – hashtagclass
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 
Found image. Which I agree with.
 
UPDATE: I was totally confused. This is happening in NYC. So Philadelphia is now participating in the #class at Winkleman Gallery¬†this Sunday March 7th from 5-8 P.M. Suggested by the artblahg, The Artwake will involve a eulogy followed by a panel discussion. The people at Rebekah Templeton are looking for folks who are interested in volunteering to participate and providing topics to discuss. They’ve created a blog where folks are invited to post thoughts and ideas, the theory being that even if one is unable to attend the event they can be part of discussion. Beyond the wake and the blog, the organizers state that they “are pretty open in terms of other ideas” and are looking for individuals or groups who are interested in participate in other ways. So get on your anarchist artist thinking caps, kids. (more…)
Kelly Kozma and Bridgett Bonn Wagner
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Kelly Kozma If I Could
As you may know if you’ve come here through the book of faces, tonight is the opening reception for painter Kelly Kozma and jewelry artist Bridgett Bonn Wagner at Tu Belleza Studio on Liberties Walk.
Full disclosure – I had some classes with Kelly at Moore back in the day. Never met Bonn Wagner, just have seen her work online. Meanwhile, you may have seen Kozma’s work before at Ten Stone – although finishing up her BFA this year she has participated in many group shows and independent exhibitions throughout the city.¬† Creating colorful compositions that meditate on the relationship between materials in art, Kozma paints an approachable dialogue between the negative and positive space where geometric and curvilinear coexist.
Brigett Bonn-Wagner Resources Necklace
Bridgett Bonn Wagner creates works that straddle the relationship between the wearable object and sculpture. Her delicately crafted jewelry is simultaneously beautiful and slyly thought provoking social criticism. Imminently wearable, Bonn Wagner creates lasting conversation pieces beyond the typical, challenging the notion of what adornment should be.
We’re excited because Art in Bars actually helped hook up these artists with this non-gallery space, and we hope to be able to continue to facilitate more opportunities for emerging artists in the future. Don’t worry, we’ll keep prattling on about cocktails, concepts, and collectives on the blog.
If you want to attend the opening, as previously stated, it is tonight Friday February 12th from 5-7 P.M. ar Tu Belleza Studio – 1021 N 3rd St. Work will be up through the end of the month.