Seattle Twist

Fantagraphics Bookstore kicks off Black History Month on Saturday, February 4 with the debut of two diverse books. Seattle-based music scholar Pat Thomas, author of Listen, Whitey!: The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965 – 1975, will be joined by Seattle authors Mark Long and Jim Demonakos, who together with cartoonist Nate Powell created the graphic novel The Silence of Our Friends.

While researching this book project in Oakland, archivist Pat Thomas discovered rare recordings of speeches, interviews, and music by noted activists Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, Elaine Brown, and others that form the framework of this definitive retrospective. Listen, Whitey! also chronicles the forgotten history of Motown Records’ Black Power subsidiary label, Black Forum, which released politically charged albums by Stokely Carmichael, Langston Hughes, Bill Cosby and Ossie Davis, among others. Obscure records produced by African-American sociopolitical organizations of the period are examined, along with the Isley Brothers, Nina Simone, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Watts Prophets, Roland Kirk, Horace Silver, Angela Davis, H. Rap Brown, Stanley Crouch, and others that spoke out against oppression. Thomas will give a slide and music presentation, and limited number of advance copies of the book will be available to the public. Also making its debut is a companion CD of the same title from Seattle-based Light in the Attic records. The album features rare tracks from African-American activists like Dick Gregory, Eldridge Cleaver, Last Poets, and others, with protest music by Bob Dylan, John and Yoko Ono, Gil Scott-Heron, Roy Harper, and more.

The Silence of Our Friends is the semi-autobiographical tale of Mark Long. Set in 1967 Texas against the backdrop of the civil rights struggle, a white family from a notoriously racist suburb and a black family from its poorest ward cross Houston’s color line, overcoming fear and violence to win the freedom of five black college students unjustly charged with the murder of a policeman. Co-authored by Jim Demonakos (founder of Seattle’s Emerald City Comicon), and drawn by award-winning cartoonist Nate Powell, The Silence of Our Friends is a new and important entry in the body of civil rights literature.

Join these remarkable authors on Saturday, February 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) in Seattle’s colorful Georgetown neighborhood. Phone 206.658.0110.

Please read this important message from our friends at Ghost Gallery, which many of you know. We at Seattle Twist believe in supporting local artists, and worthy causes like this. It would be super cool if you could contribute a few bucks to them in this effort.

Flood Insurance Deductible

As many of you have already heard, we had a flood in the main front gallery and petite works room on Wednesday, Jan. 11th. All is cleaned up (Thank you Cait, Sophie & the Flood Crew!), but there was quite a bit of damage, both to some goods, books, antique furniture, electronics and some structural damage. Lots of little things adding up to be a big cost.
The building owners are refusing to take responsibility for the incident, therefore we’re scrambling to get everyone compensated and the ceiling repaired ASAP.

We do have Insurance, along with a very large deductible, which is where we really could use some fast help!
To make it fun, and a perk for you, here is the deal:

If 100 people each donate $10 (or more), we will have a party for all of you! DJ, Drinks, Dancing, Awesome.

Also, those who donate will EACH receive a Gallery Membership ($50 value), which gets you 20% off Boutique items, and 10% off Miniature Art for 1 year. (Out of town folks can have this honored with phone/online purchases)
If you’re already a member, then you will receive a bottle of wine on us, in addition to the party:)

Be sure to leave your full name along w/email address so I can make out your Membership Card.

We wouldn’t be here without all of you, so Thank You in advance!
Love,
Ghost

HERE IS A DIRECT LINK TO THEIR FLOOD INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION PAGE

Also, their Facebook event page for this is here, if you’d like to share.

Ghost Gallery website

Provocative cartoonist Tony Millionaire will appear in Seattle at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, January 7 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for a book signing and art show. He’ll be exhibiting brilliantly sedate work from his new book 500 Portraits, recently released by Fantagraphics Books.

500 Portraits collects over two decades of work by the beloved creator of Drinky Crow’s Maakies, Sock Monkey and Billy Hazelnuts. Tony Millionaire’s gorgeous fountain pen illustrations, which combine naturalistic detail with strong doses of the fanciful and grotesque, include the famous (Bob Dylan), the infamous (Abu Ghraib soldier/model Lynndie England), the fictional (Yoda), the animal kingdom (a cockroach), and everything in between. Literary figures (Hemingway), literary characters (Don Quixote & Sancho Panza), Hollywood legends (Steven Spielberg), comics icons (Hergé, Daniel Clowes, Hernandez Brothers, etc.) and historical figures (Hitler) also figure prominently. Many of these 500 portraits were created for The Believer, the magazine founded by Dave Eggers that Millionaire helped define visually with images of interview subjects in every issue.

The artist will be present to sign copies of his many Fantagraphics titles as well as the recent Encyclopedia of Hell and other works. The bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale St. in the heart of Seattle’s Georgetown art community. The evening will also feature the premiere of the short live-action film “Everybody Loves Drinky Crow” by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid.

Come celebrate the festive 5th anniversary of Fantagraphics Bookstore on Saturday, December 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Holiday cheer galore! Opening reception for “Playing Possum: The Pogo Art of Walt Kelly,” music by Sawsome (a female banjo and saw duet), complimentary refreshments, wandering Christmas carolers, and more!

We can hardly believe it’s been 5 years already. This wonderful experiment in promoting comix culture has been an amazing experience. Make plans to join us on this momentous occasion. The party coincides with the lively holiday edition of the Georgetown Art Attack with open art studios, exotic shopping, diverse dining and imbibing throughout the historic arts community.

We’re located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) only minutes from downtown Seattle. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

Roq La Rue
presents
“Lush Life 3″
group show invitational
opens Friday December 9th 6-9pm
music and festive treats provided!

Artists include: Femke Hiemstra, Chris Berens, Josh Keyes, John Brophy, Travis Louie, Marco Mazzoni, Madeline Von Foerster, Jessica Joslin, Joseph Park, Chris Conn Askew, Christian Van Minnen, Andrew Arconti, Lindsey Carr, Zoe Williams, Michael Alm, Corine Perier, Mia Araujo, Peter Gronquist, and Mia Brownell.

Roq La Rue is very pleased to end this year with a bang, by offering up some of contemporary art’s most exciting, technically skilled and imaginative artists who all created a work of art based on the theme of “Lush Life”. This is our third “Lush Life” show and the theme has quickly grown into some of most favorite and successful shows in our roster. While we keep the theme loose and subject to the artist’s interpretation,this year the work seems to skew heavily into flora and fauna territory. We hope you will join us for our big opening and holiday party on December 9th!

Chris Berens

Joseph Park

Photos courtesy of Roq La Rue Gallery

Facebook Event Page for “Lush Life 3″ Opening Party

The Matryoshka Show!

Curated by Michael Alm

Thursday, December 8, 2011

5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Ghost Gallery

504 E. Denny Way at Summit (entry on Summit side), Seattle, WA 98122

Join us in celebration of Matryoshka!

(pronounced mah-tree-YOSH-kah)

Curated by Michael Alm

Featuring:

Jess Rees

Rich Lehl

Chris Crites

Joey Bates

Troy Gua

Cait Willis

Kelly Lyles

Allyce Wood

Jody Joldersma

Kendal Tull-Esterbrook

Mary Elise Bolam

Ryan Molenkamp

Jessica McCourt

Laurie Kearney

Stacey Rozich

Tim Marsden

Zoe Williams

Michael Alm

Live Russian classical music set by Victoria Parker & friends!

Opens during BLITZ~ On view thru Jan. 8th 2012

Ghost Gallery

Facebook Event Page for the Matryoshka Show!

•  image designed by Kendal Tull-Esterbrook  •

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Make your way to the Georgetown Art Attack and get into the holiday spirit with holiday spirits on Saturday, December 10. Dozens of artists will open their studios and Georgetown’s many inventive enterprises celebrate the season with colorful exhibitions, sales and special events. A group from Choir of the Sound will wonder through the historic neighborhood dispensing cheer in the form of traditional carols and secular holiday songs. Don’t miss this sensational seasonal urban outing from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

Among the highlights: Fez-tivities at Georgetown Trailer Park Mall include a multimedia Fez-cast at the Trailer Park Cinema and bizarre holiday bazaars in vintage travel trailers throughout the park; The Firm features Crank-E-Joes: A Mechanical Engagement by Chris McMullen; Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery celebrates its 5th anniversary with “Playing Possum: The Pogo Art of Walt Kelly” featuring music by Sawsome; Georgetown Atelier is hosting its annual holiday party, featuring a small works painting sale, art by founder Tenaya Sims, and student work with food and refreshments provided; Miller School of Art presents a holiday show with nothing priced over $100; Sam Hamrick will be showcasing prints and cards at Full Throttle Bottles with a selection of hand made wine charms & champagne key chains by Erika Tedin; Over 40 fine artists at Equinox will host open studios with music and refreshments; Krab Jab Studio presents a holiday show with resident artists Mark Tedin, Milo Duke, Julie Baroh and artist-at-large Kyle Abernethy, featuring original art, unique gifts and holiday cheer; Keli, Roxanne, Denise and Janet invite the public to their inaugural event at the Roving Gallery in the old brewery complex; American Pie will display mixed media candy wrapper art by Eric Edwards; Calamity Jane’s mounts a photography exhibition by Cathleen Shattuck; The Nautilus Studio is having shows by painter Larkin and house artist Yvette Endrijautzki. Alluring dining, shopping, and imbibing opportunities abound in the enchanting industrial arts corridor.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants Association. Visit www.georgetownmerchants.org. A printable participants map can be found at: www.georgetownartattack.com.

Jini Dellaccio, Self Portrait, 1960 – copyright Jini Dellaccio Collection

I have posted about local rock photography pioneer Jini Dellaccio several times in the past, here, here, and here, where I labeled her a local hero.

I’m posting about Jini again here on Seattle Twist for two reasons. The first is to remind you of her current show running through December 16th at Photo Center NW on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Check their site to see a slideshow of a selection of her beautiful photos that are there on exhibit, and then see the show in person to experience the true art of her documentation.

The second reason I’m posting about Jini here, concerns the state of the current documentary film “Her Aim is True“ about Jini’s work, by British filmmaker Karen Whitehead.

I’ve been talking with Karen about her independent documentary production recently and how close she is to being able to finish her film for release. Jini Dellachio will be 95 years old next month. I believe in this project, and personally support it. Karen is in the final fundraising effort to complete the post work of her documentary. I would love to see her receive the funding she needs to complete this film documentary of Jini’s life as a birthday gift for Jini. Here is a press release below, and here is a link to a video appeal to the “Kick-Finish”  Donate Page for this film.

NOVEMBER 16, 2011

PRESS RELEASE FROM “HER AIM IS TRUE”

A DOCUMENTARY BY KAREN WHITEHEAD

ROCKING WASHINGTON DC FOR WASHINGTON STATE INDIE PRODUCTION “HER AIM IS TRUE”

With her Hasselblad camera, Jini Dellaccio documented a special moment in the early Sixties when rock music was striving to be more than bubblegum.

Her images signaled that the furious garage rock emanating from the Pacific Northwest spoke for a particular time and place.  And by decade’s end there was little debate that popular music could be a powerful personal and social art form.  Jini was visualizing punk before it had a name, grunge before the hype, and indie before it was cool…

On December 2^nd, British filmmaker, Karen Whitehead is hoping to kickfinish her film on this remarkable and virtually hidden story of a woman who pioneered rock photography years before Annie Leibovitz picked up a camera, with a benefit concert by Washington DC-based songwriter, Karl Straub and his new band, CrowTown. On drums is NBC’s bureau chief, Antoine Sanfuentes who moonlights as a rock n roller by night!

Karen is hoping to raise the costs for the final B roll shooting in the Seattle-area and invites the community to support this effort.

“Jini will be 95 in January and it is fitting that her distinctive life in art is revealed to a wider audience. Her artistry, much like the music she documented has been unheralded and confined to the footnotes of history for too long. Hopefully this film will change that.”

On the eve of launching this kickfinish campaign, Karen was interviewed by Maryland-based blogger, Kathi Rabil: (link is here)

Here is another link to a recent article/interview.

Check out the trailer, other clips and production stills here.

contact: heraimistrue@karenjwhitehead.com

Facebook link - Jini Dellaccio Documentary

Jini Dellaccio Documentary Donate Page

Thank you! –  JoDavid

•

Sensational Seattle counterculture cartoonist Peter Bagge will appear in Georgetown at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 25. The book signing will be followed by a performance of his power pop combo Can You Imagine? featuring Steve Fisk next door at the MIX nightclub.

We’ve recently seen a deluge of books by earnest young rock journalists chronicling the history of Seattle’s grunge movement. But nothing quite matches Peter Bagge’s authentic observations during that era. Bagge’s work went beyond satire to help shape the attitude and aesthetics of the only significant youth movement to emerge from the Pacific Northwest. His comix still resonate today, as a new generation of readers discover his over-the-top, yet totally accessible approach to cartooning. Bagge will sign copies of his iconic Hate comix anthologies as well as more recent work, including his rockin’ all ages romp Yeah! Pick up some perfect personalized gifts for a song.

Bagge’s signing will be followed by a musical performance at the Mix with Can You Imagine? This mostly female pop combo is eerily reminiscent of the intergalactic rock group depicted in Yeah! Michelle, Rachel and Sue are joined by Bagge and legendary musician and producer Steve Fisk, combining to form a fairly amazing and unexpected delight.

Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale Street in the heart of Seattle’s Georgetown arts community. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00. Phone 206.658.0110.

Roq La Rue Gallery
presents

Femke Hiemstra
” The Timid Cabbage “
new drawings
and

Ryan Heshka
” Instinction “
new paintings

Opens Friday November 11th from 6-9pm
show runs through Dec 3rd.
Music, refreshments provided

Femke Hemstra

Femke Hiemstra’s meticulously tight, jewel like mixed media paintings and exquisitely rendered black and white drawings are homes to a dark fairytale land where inanimate objects come to life and frolic with animal neighbors. Lollipops become ship captains, strawberries become giant wrestlers, and vegetables become Halloween gods with lantern eyes. Femke occasionally uses typography in her work, using words from various languages and letters in her paintings to further enhance the narrative while still retaining a playful sense of mystery, or as a visual device to frame in the scenery, as if you were looking at her world through a secret window. Drawing from a range of influences, from firework wrappers to Japanese woodblock prints, Femke’s use of both pop culture detritus and child-like fantasy create a vibrant playground for the imagination, with each piece looking like a portal for a fantastic adventure, which is left up to the viewer to imagine the story that lies inside. This show will feature 11 black and white drawings, which depict the adventures of a “The Timid Cabbage”, based on a poem written by artist Charles Krafft.

Ryan Heshka

Ryan Heshka unapologetically pays homage to Golden Era sci fi pulp while creating a style that is also uniquely his own. He explores themes of man vs nature, (even though often the “nature” is from another world) as well as the exploring the ideology of pushing the limits of science as a tool to help and further mankind, and the technological terrors that can be inadvertently unleashed as a result.
His work is acrylic painted on wood panel, heavily varnished and embellished with tags cut from pulp magazines, which serve as inspiration and explanation of each piece.

at

Roq La Rue Gallery

•

Adventurous art mavens will descend on Georgetown on Saturday, November 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for the Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack. Many area artists open their studios to the public for this monthly event, joined by the creative enterprises that support them. The diversity of visual and performing arts programming continues to distinguish Georgetown’s lively Art Attack.

Among the highlights of the November 12 installment: Paintings by Diana Pharaoh at Calamity Jane’s; Regional underwater photography by Tom Radio at the enchanting, nautically-themed Nautilus Studio; Landscape photography by Adria McGrath at American Pie; Krab Jab Studio presents “Lost and Found”, a collection of paintings by Amy Pleasant with additional art by Julie Baroh, Milo Duke, Mark Tedin, Kyle Abernethy, and jewelry by Beau Bond; Art at the Top of the Stairs features bronze sculpture by Louise McDowell and Donna Van Norman, watercolors by Eunice Nammacher, work by Sally Jones, and Evergreen Guardian Imports’ goods from Nepal including a collection of Thangkh paintings with music by Charlie Hiestand and friends; Georgetown Trailer Park Mall kicks off the holiday season with a live Fezzcast Dance Party, Outdoor Cinema, Drunky’s Barbecue and an eclectic preview of local designers in vintage travel trailers; All City Art presents “Bubble Yum” by Mary Enslow and “Art at a Steal” featuring small and affordable art by 9 Seattle artists at All City Coffee; Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery opens “Short Run,” an exhibition of small press publications and artwork by Max Clotfelter, Patrick Keck, Martine Workman, Elaine Lin, Jason T. Miles, Chris Cilla, Andrice Arp, Tim Root, Billis Helg, Marc Palm, Eroyn Franklin, Tom Van Deusen, Tim Miller, Tory Franklin, Jesse Reklaw, Sean Christensen, and Erin Tanner, curated by Kelly Froh; “Derek Bruno Does Work” display continues at The Firm; Georgetown arts activist Amanda Michele Dellinger offers “Heart of the Attack” guided tours at artsenabler@gmail.com.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants Association. www.georgetownmerchants.org. A printable map of participants can be found at www.georgetownartattack.com.

Don’t miss the October 8 installment of the Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack. We welcome our newest neighbor Elysian Brewing as they host their annual Great Pumpkin Brew Festival at their new facility on Airport Way S. Over 50 flavors of pumpkin beer from area brewers will debut, including a batch from Georgetown Brewing. Can’t brew too much beer in our little arts community. Nosiree!

Elsewhere in Georgetown: Celebrate the season in the Georgetown Trailer Park of Terror with an outdoor cinema, indie art venues and live music by The Sweet Spots; the Nautilus presents sinister “Games of Pain and Sorrow” and other sculptures of organic materials by James Bassett with performances by Acep the Magician and Orryelle Bascule Defenestrate; legendary underground cartoonist Trina Robbins presents the work of illustrator Nell Brinkley at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; Calamity Jane’s displays intaglios by Inga Scheibel and mixed media by Kree Arvanitas; shadow boxes by Morbid Anatomy on view at American Pie; Krab Jab Studio hosts a Halloween show featuring artists Jeff Menges, Mark Tedin, Julie Baroh, Milo Duke, Morbid Anatomy, Luke Green, Yvette Endrijautski, Peter Pan, Amy Pleasant, RK Post, Sam Hamrick, Kyle Abernethy, Wendy Wees, and Beau Bond; the Georgetown Art & Cultural Center opens “New Clear,” a show curated by unique families of Seattle’s Joanna Hall featuring Lilly Warner, Joanna Hall, Justin Kane Elder, Karie Jane and Sam Mikolon with a live DJ; Deborah Scott’s “Waiting for Prince Charming” continues at All City Coffee; and “Does Work,” a site specific installation by Christopher Derek Bruno remains on view at The Firm. Our SoDo neighbors at the Sunny Arms are hosting “Art on Airport,” an all day open studio. Georgetown arts activist Amanda Michele Dellinger offers “Heart of the Attack” guided tours at artsenabler@gmail.com.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants Association. See www.georgetownmerchants.org. For a map of participants visit: www.georgetownartattck.com. “Like” us on Facebook.

September 13, 2011 – Seattle, WA. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery welcomes two diverse professionals in the field of comix for an extraordinary event on Saturday, September 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Editor and curator Warren Bernard will discuss cartoons in the service of commerce in connection with his new book and exhibition Drawing Power: A Compendium of Cartoon Advertising. He’ll be joined by provocative contemporary cartoonist and visual artist Tom Neely presenting his new graphic novel The Wolf.

Drawing Power examines the use of comic strip characters and cartoonists themselves as pitchmen for commercial goods beginning in the late 19th century. The colorful book and accompanying exhibition survey the American institution of cartoon advertising featuring comic strips, commercials, slogans, and merchandise employed to appeal to a broad range of consumers. Comics historian Warren Bernard has an extensive background researching and archiving material for important books, exhibitions, and institutions, including the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress. Bernard also serves as the Executive Director of the annual Small Press Expo (SPX) in Bethesda, MD.

Los Angeles artist Tom Neely will appear to read from and sign his new graphic novel, The Wolf. The book tells a simple love story, but one woven with surrealist horror, werewolf lore and its own brand of nightmare logic. With The Wolf, Neely progresses from the traditional cartooning style to a form that blends a fine arts approach to imagery. Neely’s paintings and illustrations have been featured in galleries, magazines and literary journals, as well as records, posters and CDs for bands like The Melvins, ISIS and Wolves in the Throne Room, among others. Earlier this year, he garnered attention as one of the authors of the cult hit mini-comic Henry & Glenn Forever. Neely’s self-published novel, The Blot, won an Ignatz Award in 2007 and made it onto several of the industry’s “best of” lists that year, including “Best Comics of the Decade” in The Comics Journal.

Listing information

Drawing Power exhibition reception and slide discussion with Warren Bernard
Special guest Tom Neely presenting The Wolf
Saturday, September 24, 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) Seattle 206.658.0110 www.fantagraphics.com
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM

Roq La Rue
presents

Yumiko Kayukawa
” Coming Home ”
new paintings

opening Friday, September 9th 6-9pm!

Japanese painter Yumiko Kayukawa jokingly says “My father is Ninja, my mother is Geisha…and I was raised by wolves!” and that playful irreverence is also seen in her dynamic, rock-pop, color saturated paintings of independent women surrounded by animal totems and Japanese traditional motifs. As much influenced by the natural world as by fashion, film, and hard rock, Kayukawa’s paintings are vivid slices of east-western fusion full of symbolism and sly puns.

Kayukawa’s celebrates her ten year of exhibiting by returning to Roq La Rue Gallery where her career was first launched a decade ago. We hope you will join us for the opening night party!

Roq La Rue Gallery

“Purveyors of Fine Pop Surrealism

and Contemporary Art Since 1998″

www.roqlarue.com