My good friend and, until recently, neighbor Derek Erdman has a big art show this Saturday: Without Wax: 14 Years of Derek Erdman in Chicago (RSVP to derek@nationalheadquarters.org), presented by National Headquarters. Sadly (for us Chicagoans), Erdman moves to Seattle next month.
I have a few photographs in the Art of Touring show (“A multi-media exhibition of work by musicians, inspired life on the road while touring”) that opens tomorrow night at Johalla Projects in Chicago, including the two above: The Artist Sometimes Known as Prince, from a 1993 Chicago Theater performance, and Cat Power at the Pitchfork Music Festival in 2007.
Participating artists include Ken Vandermark, Pat Sansone (Wilco, Autumn Defense), Tim Rutili (Red Red Meat, Califone), and Steve Krakow (Plastic Crimewave Sound, The Secret History of Chicago Music). A list of all artists can be viewed here.
Opening Reception: July 16. 2010, 7-11pm
July 16. 2010 – August 7th. 2010
Johalla Projects
1561 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
I had an incredibly inspiring workshop last week with the fabulously gifted and imaginative photographer Frank Ockenfels 3. Ockenfels bestowed each of us with a 2′ square silver card and sent us to Home Depot to scrounge together whatever hardware light sources we found interesting. I’m not at liberty to discuss the remaining depraved, bizarre rituals that he inflicted upon us, but l can say that our mantra was “less light” and that the mystical and enigmatic “starting a conversation” incantation was used liberally. All of us attendees got along swimmingly and had a great time over the 3 and a half day class. In the evenings we watched fascinating presentations with great photographers including Douglas Kirkland, Jock Sturges, Ockenfels, Joel Meyerowitz, Kenro Izu, and Ed Kashi. Really illuminating and energizing.
Here are a few photos I shot at the workshop.
I’m happy to be participating in the Chicago Alderman Project, an art show which involves fifty artists depicting the fifty aldermen of the Chicago City Council. I shot Scott Waguespack for this project–he represents my ward, the 32nd–at my studio, where we were joined by a writer and photographer from the Chicago News Cooperative who covered the shoot for a story that was recently published in the New York Times (I can hardly believe that my longtime dream of having my ass depicted in a world class periodical has now been fulfilled). There’s an opening reception for the show this Friday, from 7-11PM at Johalla Projects Gallery, at 1561 N. Milwaukee Ave.
I had a chance to get a sneak peek at the show, and there’s some great work by artists including Derek Erdman, Casey Stockdon, Jennifer Greenburg, Andrea Jablonski, and Melissa Ann Pinney.
Here’s an outtake from my photo session with Waguespack.
Opera-Matic is having a benefit tonight (I recently posted a photo of one of their incredible works, the Momentum Mori Project). More details from this event’s Facebook page:
This month’s Peace Party at Danny’s Tavern will benefit Opera-Matic! With DJ’s: Josh, Jocelyn, Jeff and JNaomi.
Opera-Matic brings new musical-theatrical works to public spaces, employing sustainable design and re-use. By combining a traditional practice with fresh expression and innovative technology, Opera-Matic seeks to transform common spaces into accessible venues for a new sustainable art form, encouraging audiences to meet in informal spaces and share a musical experience.
Opera-Matic is committed to raising awareness of local cultures and respecting the values and priorities of communities through collaboration with community groups, schools and associations.
This event will help raise funds for parades and performances in 2010.
Monday, November 9th, 2009. 10PM at Danny’s Tavern, 1951 W. Dickens Chicago IL
UPDATE: Laura Ann makes and sells jam. She was on a fruit gathering trip when she had the motorcycle accident. Also, Syd Straw’s now on the bill.
The Backwards Clock Society (featuring Billy Corgan, former Electric Prune Mark Tulin, and Kerry Brown) will headline a benefit for Laura Ann Masura who was unfortunately involved in a motorcycle accident last month resulting in multiple injuries. The November 8th show takes place at the Echoplex in LA. Sharing the bill with the BCS will be Happy Stars, The Pulsars, Tim Rutili (of Red Red Meat and Califone), Pity Party, and Light FM. Masura used to play in the band Motorhome, along with Josiah Mazzaschi (now fronting Light FM) and Kristen Thiele; I shot the band back in 1995 for the Reader—see below (Masura’s in the dress). You can purchase tickets for the benefit here.
The enormously talented Denise Keim and I are teaming up this Saturday for a one night, two-stop photo show. I’ll be showing brand new work along with some old favorites, including stereo (3D) slides. Denise has a plethora of gorgeous black & white prints. I’ll be at my studio, and Denise will be at hers for the duration of the show (we’re hoping to have a video linkup). Look for the stream of indicator stop bath on the sidewalk between the two buildings. Please stop by both studios Saturday night if you’re in Chicago and free. Here are the addresses:
Denise Keim 2219 W. Belden Ave 773-294-7699 Chicago, IL 60647
Jim Newberry 2068 N. Leavitt St 312-485-1879 Chicago, IL 60647
Google Map
View Denise Keim/Jim Newberry Bilateral Photographic Exhibition in a larger map
UPDATE: Derek Erdman will be spinning from his vast collection of Fall records.
Last night I shot these pictures of Lawrence Peters, a contender for the Hardest Working Man in Show Business title (since the G.O.S. has left the planet), who has broken his heel and badly needs some dough to get it fixed and cover other related expenses. There’s a benefit this Saturday at The Hideout . Here’s the lowdown:
Saturday, September 19th, 9 to 11:30pm
The Hideout- 1354 W. Wabansia
A Tribute to the Fall
+ Benefit for Lawrence Peters (Lawrence Peters Outfit, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Velcro Lewis Group, Golden Horse Ranch Band, Mar Caribe, Hardscrabble…)
An evening filled with the brilliant music of The Fall as interpreted by local luminaries The Thin Man, Grimble Grumble, Plastic Crimewave Sound, Blasted Diplomats, Dorian Taj, Bleary, Punk Band, and Pritchard. Proceeds will go to Lawrence Peters to cover the many, and surprising expenses of a broken heel (medical bills, living expenses, rehabilitation, medicine, and lots of lost income). Come on out and support this local musical stalwart/ Hideout bartender/ music booker….
A raffle will be held for a print by Jim Newberry, posters by Bob Hartzell, and possible other goods. $8 admission. Don’t miss out!
You can catch Dr. Stanley this Sunday in the Chicago suburbs. More information and some great video clips at The Reader’s The Blog. I shot this at the Old Town School of Folk Music in 2003.