Seattle Twist

Seattle and the entire Pacific Northwest was hit by a major snow storm starting the week of January 15th with major snow fall seen on the 18th. By 1/20, it was already melting, but we went through some of the photos and found this great old song by Sherwood “Snowing in Seattle” and put them together in a little video.

“Janet in a Snow Yoni” by Ed

“Trader Pup and Hula” by Elicia

“Home” by Tamitha

“Snow Fro” by Yo Jo

“Hello Snow Kitty” by Cole

“The Hood” by Marlow

“Snow Peace” by Darcy

Tattoo artist Madame Lazonga interviewed by Seattle artist Billy King.

Women with scars from breast cancer surgery now have options to improve their lives. Tattoos applied to cover disfiguring operations are revealed by a cancer survivor and client of Seattle’s renowned tattoo artist, Madame Lazonga. “Kim” explains why she chose a full-body tattoo to cover her torso from shoulder, to chest, to hip.

A visit to Marlow & Jodavid Paint-by-Number Salon by Treasure Hunters Roadshow, hosted by comedian Andy St. Claire.

If Cher, Boy George, Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury got busy and created a love child, it would be Adam Lambert. Tuesday night he brought his Glam Nation Tour to Seattle to the Showbox Sodo for an incredible evening of camp, dance-pop and -rock and gave it all a light coating of goth.

The audience was an unusual blend of middle-aged women, younger fag hags, sexually confused young men and a few bewildered parents accompanying their children to the sold-out show.

Adam performed about an hour of dance and music — some of it big and loud with heavy beats, some of it soft and acoustic. His set included covers of Johnny Cash (“Ring of Fire”) and Led Zeppelin (“Whole Lotta Love”), proving that nerve and audacity are not two of his deficiencies. The band was tight, as were the incredible dancers, and the crowd swooned with each costume change.

The set list comprised over a dozen songs, mostly from his “For Your Entertainment” album. But the performance and costume changes, including a laser show, and the dancing were as much an attraction as the songs.

Even though he came in 2nd in the American Idol competition, it’s obvious that Adam Lambert is the number one winner in the pop/glam/goth/gay/dance category!

In case you missed the Solstice Parade on Saturday, here are some of the video highlights.

St. Mark’s Cathedral had a very special event last week, a fundraiser and benefit for the Gage Academy of Art.

We were guests of the very fabulous Christine and David Gedye and a bevy of glamorous swells, and enjoyed an elegant feast, incredible music, acrobats, dancers and a special evening inspired by Italian Commedia dell’Arts.

Gage Academy of Art was founded by Pamela Belyea, Co-founder and Executive Director & Gary Faigin, and is a powerful training school providing classical training to contemporary artists.

Gary Faigin and Pamela Belyea

The Sixth Annual Elvis Tribute show at Conor Byrne on Jan. 9th, 2010 was a fun night of music and revelry showcasing a lineup of stellar musicians. Here’s a taste of the entertainment below, and click on the ALL VIDEOS link to see full videos of all performances.  - jodavid

ALL VIDEOS

ALL VIDEOS

A lovely selection of Elvii from last year’s Seattle Invitationals Elvis-like Tribute Artists.

- video by Marlow Harris

- photos by Marlow Harris, JoDavid, Marissa Natkin, and  Michael Doucett

King of Retro, Charles Phoenix, made a rare Seattle visit and presented one of his hilarious slide shows at the Kirkland Performing Arts Center. Jeffrey and Erik had a fun and kitschy Scandinavian holiday party in his honor and a good time was had by all.

CLICK HERE for a complete photo set of Charles Phoenix’ visit to Seattle!

Cool Seattle instrumental surf band King of Hawaii opened for El Vez last week at the Tractor. Headed by Top Pot Donut King Mark Klebeck, this band captures the sounds of sunny Southern California with a Northwest sensibility.

December 2, 2009 – SEATTLE, WA. The third anniversary celebration for Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, December 12, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, promises to be an unforgettable affair. The event features appearances by an international cadre of compelling cartoonists and artists as well as the world premiere of PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE with editor Jacques Boyreau. An entertaining panel discussion will be held the following Sunday afternoon, December 13.

PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE: The Lost Art of the VHS Box collects colorful cover art from a selection of vintage exploitation genre films. Cleverly packaged in a VHS slipcase, this anthology celebrates the film format that changed pop culture forever. On opening night Portland-based editor and B movie aficionado Jacques Boyreau will unveil a monumental site-specific “Portable Grindhouse” mural designed by Candice Schroeder. Boyreau commissioned Schroeder to create an equally impressive mural for his “SuperTrash” movie memorabilia exhibition currently on display at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.

December 12 also marks the third anniversary of Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. To celebrate the occasion, Fantagraphics Books has assembled an amazing group of cartoonists to socialize and sign books. Among the stellar line-up of guests: Femke Hiemstra (ROCK CANDY) from Amsterdam, Paul Hornschemeier (ALL & SUNDRY) and Jay Ryan (BEASTS!) from Chicago, Portland’s Dame Darcy (MEAT CAKE), and Seattle’s own Peter Bagge (HATE), Jim Woodring (FRANK), Ellen Forney (LUST), Scott Musgrove (THE LATE FAUNA OF EARLY NORTH AMERICA), and Jim Blanchard (TRUCKER FAGS IN DENIAL.) Musical entertainment will be provided by Bagge’s pop combo CAN YOU IMAGINE? featuring Steve Fisk and an opening set by the enchanting DAME DARCY.

On Sunday, December 13 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery presents a panel discussion focusing on PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE. Five distinguished experts in the field will screen short clips from their favorite exploitation film and discuss its influence on their work, as well as the broader social implications of the genre.

Panelists include artist Lisa Petrucci (KICKASS KUTIES) of Something Weird, cartoonist Marc Palm of Scarecrow Video, Seattle Times pop culture critic Mark Rahner with film critic and curator Robert Horton, co-writers of horror comic ROTTEN. The panel is moderated by PORTABLE GRINDHOUSE editor Jacques Boyreau and will be followed by a book signing and reception. Admission is free as always.

Spring Fling Talent Show at Cafe Racer from Marlow Harris on Vimeo.

Judges Cissy, Schootzi the Clod and owner Kurt preside over a rowdy talent show at Cafe Racer in Seattle.

Rock Hushka discusses the work of jewelry artist Sarah Hood at the Tacoma Art Museum’s Northwest Biennial.

Sarah Hood (SarahHoodJewelry.com) creates unique jewelry pieces ranging from very wearable limited edition jewelry to one-of-a-kind sculptural art jewelry, and several of her pieces are on view at the Tacoma Art Museum Beinnial.

The Biennial considers recent developments and accomplishments by Northwest artists. The 9th Northwest Biennial focuses on the current aesthetic and conceptual concerns addressed by regional artists. Through an increasingly complex matrix of influences, Northwest artists adapt and shed ideas, media, and imagery to define themselves as artists while reinventing or restating the core notion of a Northwest artist. Because the concept of regional art continually collapses and rebuilds, the subtle shifts in the imagery, stylistic impulses, and conceptual foundations reveal how the regions artist community participates in the broad dialogue of contemporary art.

In these pieces by Sarah Hood, the artist takes a break from the real natural materials – leaves, pods, seeds – which have compelled her work for many years to create miniature, artificial worlds within the context of jewelry. Working with model railroad landscape materials allows her to create tiny snapshots of the natural world, scenes that can trick the eyes into believing they are seeing something much larger. In several pieces, this deceit is challenged by the combination of these small constructed natural forms with full scale, cast sterling branches which, in material, are equally unreal and illusionary.

The show will run through May 25th, 2009.

Baby, I’m amazed as the masterful Karaoke King Eric Fredericksen blows ‘em away at the On The Boards 30th Anniversary Party Friday night.

And check out the performance by the beautiful and talented B Bele Nesmith!

Tiny Hat Orchestra Reunion 2/14/09 from Marlow Harris on Vimeo.

Last song of the evening of the reunion of the Tiny Hat Orchestra.

Several other video’s from that performance on Seattle Twist here.