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Bump N Grind > Weekly PicKs
  May 8, 2008
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I’ve never climbed a 14’er, which seems to be a right of passage for most Colorado residents. If I was so daring and earthy, I would expect that at the onset, I would be quite enthusiastic about this adventure, about conquering the elements and challenging my body and mind. But then as I am woken up at some ungodly hour by my outdoorsy friends, I may start to have some doubts.

As they begin trekking at lighting speed while I could begin to wonder what the hell I was thinking, and how if I were in my right mind, I would be rolling over and dozing off to sleep again had I chosen to say “no” to this invitation.

Between dizzy spells, feelings of nausea and wheezing, the morning sun welcomes me into the day, as if to sing the Gloria Gaynor song, “I will survive.” Yes, goddamn it, I’m not going to give into this damn mountain. Although the air is a bit thinner, it is actually refreshing and crisp, and as I get higher, the sights of my surroundings start to fuel me to the top. And when I get there, the feeling of accomplishment I have with my friends who me along confirms that I was right to say “yes.”

Again, I have yet to speak from experience, but I have heard those 14’er stories from friends over a pitcher of beer and a basket of cheese fries. But this scenario came to mind to me during this last week stretch before our Street-2-Screen celebration kicks into gear next Thursday, May 15 with the screening of BOMB IT at Starz FilmCenter.

I got my first dose of negative, verbal aggression from a caller, whose name I believe is Mr. Johnson (first name omitted on purpose), according to my caller ID. He never would give me his name. But it was quite the one-sided conversion as he yelled in protest to our upcoming graffiti celebration, leaving me little opportunity to speak. He compared my support of the graffiti community to that of supporting abortion and arson, if that give you any idea to the nature of his call.

I was happy he made the effort to ring me up because it confirmed why Street-2-Screen was created: to educate and create a discussion surrounding both vandalism and the support of our local artists and art community.

Yes, Mr. Johnson, I may be crazy, but not in the way you think I am. I appreciate your admission that you didn’t know anything about graffiti other than the tagging you see in your neighborhood. But ignorance is not always bliss, especially these days. If you choose to attend (and we would appreciate a more civilized manner than what you expressed on the phone), we are presenting our Education panel that is free and open to the public. We hope to open people’s eyes (including yours) by presenting the positive programs that are taking place and what the future may hold for more mural programs in Denver.

Although you couldn’t stand me using the term “graffiti artists” because you only see them as vandals, solidifies why the Commerce panel is taking place, presenting how these artists are building lives for themselves and their families through their own businesses, how corporations are embracing their craft, and how they contribute back to society through youth programs.

You might want to take my suggestion and check out the film BOMB IT, which will also give you some insight into how graffiti is expressed in places all over the world. If after all that, you are still as adamant as you were earlier today, I would have much more respect for your highly negative and insulting opinions of me and what I’m trying to do here. We can then agree to disagree.

Mr. Johnson, I thank you for your call. And I hope to see you at one of our events. Maybe you can learn something from us and maybe we can learn something from you. At least there will be a dialogue (hopefully, a civil one). But this time, it’s not going to be one-sided.

We also present this week, some pre-event insight for your reading pleasure, courtesey of Keith White from Your Name In Graffiti, the company that will be providing live graffiti talent Friday, May 16 at our Street-2-Screen party at The Falcon, and will be part of our Panel Day on Saturday, May 17 at Starz FilmCenter. Jef Hoskins also spent some time with TOPR and Conceit, the former of which will be performing at the S2S party and the following Saturday night at Redfish Fish House in Boulder.

Thanks to Lisa Kennedy and the Denver Post for their inclusion of Street-2-Screen in their BestBets entertainment section today.

Cheers,


-Kim Owens, editor
kowens[at]kaffeinebuzz.com

www.myspace.com/kaffeinebuzz

 
>>Kaffeine Buzz Weekly Picks

Paper Dolls' Naughty Mambo Pin-Up Party – Friday, May 9 – 3 Kings Tavern – Denver – 8:30pm, $10 ADV/$12 DOS, 21+

When I was talking to a friend of mine about the Paper Dolls photo session concept, she asked if it was an alternative Glamour Shots? I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but yes, I suppose it is. But the creator and photographer Jim Narcy has taken the spark of the pin up girl that shot out of the ‘40s and flamed it into a modern day way to celebrate the female form.

This Friday, May 9 at 3 Kings Tavern, Paper Dolls pays tribute to Mother’s Day with a party for the winners of their pin-up contest for mother's ONLY.

Kaffeine Buzz: How did you decide to create Paper Dolls and what have you learned from your clients along the way. Are they looking for something other than your standard lingerie photos?

Jim Narcy: I decided to create Paper Dolls-- A Pin-Up Party because I fell in love with the concept of the company as a whole and the effect it has on our clients. You can't separate "A Pin-Up Party" from the name Paper Dolls. Our photo shoots take up the better part of a day and are done is a social setting among friends or a group of ladies that are interested in a certain pin-up theme. This social environment nearly eliminates the pressure of being in front of the camera-- worrying about not having a perfect body etc. Besides, who has a perfect body? It doesn't exist. When clients are relaxed and feel the freedom to play in front of the camera it allows me to capture their spirit. This is where true beauty emanates. The results have been outstanding and often surprising. Clients are regularly overjoyed and say to me, "Oh my God! I never thought I could look that good!" The boost in self confidence and true joy I see in their eyes is a great reward. I discovered a noble purpose in what I do and it’s not just about making money or "taking pictures of hot chicks." Personally I shoot a lot of editorial work and from time to time photograph professional models. Contrasting this reaction with the typical "ho-hum" response I get from professional models is striking. These are the elements that sold me on the company. MORE


Yo! Magesty, Does This Offend You, Yeah?, Astra Moveo, DJ Michael Trundle - Saturday, May 10 - Bluebird - Denver - 8pm, $10 ADV/$11 DOS, 16+

“If you can’t get past the name, get out of the way.” – from www.myspace.com/doesitoffendyou

Fresh off their weekend at Coachella, Does It Offend You, Yeah? arrive to a rather sparse, but highly energetic reception at Slim’s in San Francisco. The turnout is probably partly to blame on their set being at the barely rock-o’clock hour of 9pm. Considering that this is a two-band bill (with Yo Mejesty the headliner), one would expect a later start.

A bit more of a crowd had gathered by the time the boys took the stage after a twenty minute push-back, presumably for the room to fill. Drummer, Rob Bloomfield is strangely missing as the band begins. The band intruduces themselves to a rousing applause, and someone yells, “You guy were great at Coachella!” Singer/bassist, James Rushent replies in his British accent “Thanks”. Before they begin, someone else yells, “Tell us a story about Coachella,” and all Rushent has to say is, “Portishead stole the show.” MORE


TOPR, Dick Nasty, Foul Mouth Jerk (GFE), DJ ATM, Input, Drzen - Friday, May 16 - The Falcon - Englewood - 8pm, $6 ADV/$8 DOS, 16+

Next Friday, May 16 San Francisco rapper, TOPR, will arrive with his crew - Dick Nasty, Foul Mouth Jerk (GFE), and ATM - ready to perform with Denver's Input and Drzen at the Kaffeine Buzz Street-2-Screen graffiti and hip-hop party at Falcon Bowl.

But first - Kaffeine sat down with TOPR and Conceit, who are both local legends in San Francisco Bay Area rap and are united in their focus on expanding the recognition of themselves and their crew while maintaining an allegiance to the self-motivation of independent hip-hop that is undeniably the most singular influence on their style. Well, that and maintaining a healthy buzz…

The two rappers have collaborated on numerous singles, mix-tapes, albums, groups, and expansive crews during their years in San Francisco.

Having just disbanded his Strangeface collective (which included TOPR and dozens of other members), Conceit recently took first place in a YouTube Video contest, winning him an Interscope record deal and $10,000 from Guitar Center. As a result, he also garnered attention from local press and, via the internet, from individuals all over the world. MORE


Your Name In Graffiti Live Artists - Street-2-Screen - Friday, May 16 - The Falcon - Englewood - 8pm, $6 ADV/$8 DOS, 16+

The idea of offering customized graffiti art to others was generated by graffiti artist Wiser. This idea was made a reality with the assistance of Dynamistic Productions and graffiti artists Kanz and Dread.

Your Name In Graffiti originated from the idea that everyone can enjoy graffiti; from little Johnny to Grandma Zalinsky.

We strongly believe that graffiti can be appreciated by everyone, given a proper introduction to it. Adults tend to experience graffiti on personal property, resulting in a negative perception. Kids are introduced to it now in the media, but do not have any real connection to the art form itself. We at YNIG are promoting the understanding of, and connection to, graffiti art by helping humanity flex its right brain, one piece of artwork at a time.

As YNIG grows, the idea of a “starving artist” will fade as more help and opportunities become available to dedicated artists. MORE

 
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