Maximon

07/17/2008 21:44:56 Saint Simone shrine at YJ's Snack Cafe at 128 West 18th Street in Kansas City MissouriEvery year in Kansas City, the patron saint of excess and vice makes his appearance in human form, usually around the end of October. Some lucky person, or persons allow his spirit to be channel into their body, and local people in the know, mainly artists who hang out around YJ's Third World Snack Cafe make offerings. It is said that if you made it home alright, safe and snug in your bed, after having a long evening of too much imbibement of some sort, then you can thank Saint Simone for your healthy situation. This year, it is rumored that Maximon will make his appearance sometime around the 28th of October, as he did in 2007 in New York. I thank Tiffany Thompson for shooting this video. I have just gotten around to editing it....
07/17/2008 21:43:14 Ste. Simone

Sunday 28 October 2007 22:23:00

In Other News

Reports back from Trucktoberfest in Topeka Kansas seems to be on the happy side. As promised, some folks uploaded some videos....


Again, I'm behind in my editing, so when I get around to it, I'll have some videos from the June 5th 2009 Truckhenge.

As Always

I try to have some regular features on this multi-media blog...

First is the livestreaming....

I am trying to make an effort to stream the Sunday night Jazz Jam at YJ's regularly from 8 to 10 p.m. Last Sunday, unfortunately, there was no jam, so I didn't. But Sunday 11 October, there was a jam, and there was a stream. If you click the on-demand button on the stream, you can see everything I've streamed so far...

Also, I have cross pollination of blogs going on with Chrometuna, and his regular talk show, which runs starts at 3 a.m. daily, so if you are up that late, go to www.justin.tv/chrometuna and chat with him...
Watch live video from Chrometuna's Super Natural Boloney on Justin.tv

Finally...
I have my handy dandy google calender with all the upcoming events in the area and beyond...


I am putting a call out for some hep with the calender and with covering the local art happenings. I am looking at you boB and Ryan...

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

1st 1st Friday for this blog

Tom Deatherage & the Late show Gallery
I set out purposely for the Late Show. I've been there before. I was introduced, as many people were by Bill Drummond. Tom is a very energetic survivor who lives and breathes art. I talked with Tom on camera about his current and future shows.

Tonight's show was featuring an artist named Travis Pratt. I also talked with him on camera about his show at the Late Show Gallery...

My great journalistic skills were showing when I realized I left the battery at home for my still camera. Maybe, I'm just trying to do to much...

Take 2 Productions Video projection

Unexpectedly, as in, I didn't plan it with my handy dandy google calender, I stumbled upon this display....
It was put on by Take 2, or T2. The people who were putting it on were a little mum about what it is all about. They just said go to the website... so there ya go.


Millage Gilbert

My last stop of the evening, or I should say our last stop as I had Tima along with me, was where I started -- YJ's Snack Cafe at 128 west 18th street. The had the great Kansas City Bluesman, Millage Gilbert playing out front. The chill early October evening with the harvest moon were the perfect setting for the impromptu street festival.


Chrometuna

This is unrelated to first Friday in KC. I have this incredible backlog of stuff I need to edit. I finally got through with my walk and talk with boB Cutler, otherwise known on the internets as Chrometuna. He has a nightly show he does on Justin.tv, which I have enbedded in my blog here....
Watch live video from Chrometuna's Super Natural Boloney on Justin.tv
As I type this, he and some of his friends/bandmates are putting on a festival in Topeka called Trucktoberfest. It is being held on the grounds of Truckhenge. They did this festival in the spring. Talk about the things I need to edit -- I was there with cameras, but it is part of the backlog. However, Justin.tv has a replay function much like livestream does, so if the people who put on Trucktoberfest tried to stream it, maybe it can be replayed. If not, I'm sure boB, or someone will upload videos. Mr. Cutler is very well known for his outspoken opinions, and his well traveled punk pedigree, which includes working for the likes of Patti Smith, and DOA among others. His band with his brother and friends is called the Klusterfux.

In the beginning of March, we walked around his hometown, Topeka, where he let fly some of his opinions...

Check out the Chrometuna show on justin.tv every night at 3 a.m.


Click the on Button to see what is being streamed on Svoboda...

If you click on the "On Demand" button on the bottom of the player, you can see Sunday nights stream.... just click on Sunday night, 27 September 2009.

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

The life of the art, live on your browser....

Sunday night this blog embarked on a new, somewhat cutting edge adventure in blogging. As I have written before, this is a multi-media blog. The main emphasis of multi-media blogging is live streaming, or as some have called it, life streaming. I have been involved in the jazz jams at YJ's for several years. Lately I've started streaming the jazz jams live. With the introduction of the new blog, Svobodakc.com, I am hoping to do more events live. Eventually I'd like to go for sponsorships and grants for these streams in order to try to bring Kansas City's arts scene to the world. For now, it's just a little hobby that I do to keep myself busy. I am using a combination of software, hardware and mobile devices to try to bring live events to the web, anywhere, anytime... anyway. I am testing out software that acts as a switcher and streaming program. So far it has proven to be very powerful and effective. One problem, though, to anyone who has seen the SvobodaKC.com stream, is that the software puts a bug on the output. When I scrape together the funding, I will get rid of that, as long as I see no major flaws in the system. As far as the jazz goes, in the city and at YJ's, I have seen a number of quality individuals who are keeping Kansas City's musical legacy alive. I like to call it the legacy in blue. One big shame in our fair city is that we have such a great heritage in music, but much of it is like a lot of neighborhoods in this city, abandoned and weed choked. I visited Memphis, Tennessee in March 08, and found a city that was proud of it's musical history and has turned it into an economic powerhouse. Our city's musical legacy goes to waste economically for this city, as we let it crumble on the east side, mired in racism and short sightedness. When will people wake up and see that there is a great economic opportunity here? Preserving our musical legacy is not merely a historical nice thing to do, but is an important part of who we are as Kansas Citians. Just as important as our national parks and monuments, the legacy that jazz has left on the world is greater than any mass media movement ever, and Kansas City was central to the development of that legacy. However, too often, hearing the words, "this is a Pendergast town" often means that we are haunted by destructive selfish forces that hold us down and make us a backwater in the eyes of many people in this world. So, it is heartening to see people doing something to preserve this legacy, from all the individuals who keep the Mutual Musicians Foundation going, to the jazz jams, such as YJ's, where musicians get to develop their chops, to all the youth programs that pass on the legacy, these people deserve our appreciation and support. Maybe someday, the jazz district will be a profitable enterprise, and not an expensive museum of sterilized history. I am thinking Beale Street here. As far as my live streams, I'm going to break a little rule of mine here, and include it in the calender.






Watch live video from Chrometuna's Super Natural Boloney on Justin.tv
I will see how this works in addition to what I stream on livestream....
Click the on Button to see what is being streamed on Svoboda...

If you click on the "On Demand" button on the bottom of the player, you can see Sunday nights stream.... just click on Sunday night, 27 September 2009.

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

Bobey

I began putting my new Google Calender to use. I walked to Screenland tonight for a showing of Berdella, the Movie. Perhaps you've seen stickers with the menacing man wearing glasses with the word Bobey beneath it.
" I talked with the directors of the new movie tonight. They said that no matter what, anything involving Bob Berdella in this city would evoke emotion and controversy. To make a horror flick is what these two directors, who both have day jobs wanted to do. They chose subject matter involving a real looming figure in the not too distant history of Kansas City where there are real people who still remember and still feel the pain of that history, some of whom were in the Screenland Theater as I talked to Bill Taft and Paul South, the creaters of this newest addition to the horror genre in Kansas City. They say Berdella will run through Sunday at Screenland. Showtimes are Saturday, September 26th at 7:00and Sunday, September 27th at 7:00. The website for the movie has everything you need to know and more. I took on some pretense of being a reporter tonight and shot some video, asked some questions on camera and took some pictures.

Screenland in Kansas City Missouri.

Screenland post modern sign in Kansas City Missouri.

Bobey t-shirt, Screenland in Kansas City Missouri.

Berdella t-shirts, Screenland in Kansas City Missouri.

Berdella posterst, Screenland in Kansas City Missouri.

Screen shot of Berdella: the Movie, at Screenland in Kansas City Missouri.



Watch live video from Chrometuna's Super Natural Boloney on Justin.tv
I will see how this works in addition to what I stream on livestream....
Click the on Button to see what is being streamed on Svoboda...

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

More Mission Statements, or is that missing statements?

I got some mention on another blog....here. It feels good to be noticed. Now, if I can only do something worthy of notice. Other than lifes regular trials and tribulations, I haven't been fully able to take on this other full time, albeit, unpaid second job. I have been updating the google calender regularly as a feature of this page, but I wasn't able to make it out and report on one of the events in that calender as I planned. I believe that was a film fest at
La Esquina (an Urban Culture Project space). Not so good for a mulit media blog that is supposed to report on the arts in KC. Hopefully I can do better tomorrow and at least sample some of the life of Kansas City. I could use some help on that. So, if you are inclined to help the creative scene (cue ray of light from the heavens here) then befriend me at my facebook account www.facebook.com/svoboda.kc

I could use help with the calender, especially. However, if you are looking for an excuse to get out and sample some of the area arts/culture/music, I could use some help in the way of pictures and perhaps even a few written words on what the event was and what happened. Now, I realize that by saying that, I am opening myself up to a whole lot of garbage. By that, I mean, for instance on my calender, I don't think that having ad nauseum repeating daily events such as Billy Bob's Band at Klebe's Kountry Klub that happens every MTWRFSSu night or Karoake Night at the Swingers Club, or things like that would be appealing to anyone, and would make it hard to find events that people would be interested in. So, I have to make exceptions to that, like, for the most part, no bands, unless it is a festival of some sort or if it has some other special attributes. Like for instance, Bob McWilliams, who does Trail Mix on KPR out of Lawrence, has a lot of interesting folk programs that he does and participates in. You will note he is hosting Greg Greenway in his livingroom in Lawrence, Kansas on Thursday 8 October.

Bob McWilliams, who hosts Trailmix on KPR.

I've beat some bushes amongst my friends to see if they are interested in lending a hand. I have a good friend in Topeka who is interested in some cross-pollination among sites. He does a show on Justin.tv every night and often during the day. It has proven to be very popular. I asked him if I could embed it here....
Watch live video from Chrometuna's Super Natural Boloney on Justin.tv
I will see how this works in addition to what I stream on livestream....
Click the on Button to see what is being streamed on Svoboda...

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

WHERE THERE IS ART, THERE IS HOPE

In My Opinion

Often, when I talk about art, I'm given a look like what I am saying is trivial and frivolous. After all, with the major problems all around us, violence, poverty, hopelessness, etc, isn't art a bit of a luxury, and elitist? I contend, that if you go to an area with no art and culture, you will also find these problems prevail. I think there is a direct link. However, even in the most threadbare areas, there is at least some form of human creativity going on, often in defiance of the prevailing attitudes and totalitarian authority. Oftentimes when a creative community find its way, and starts maturing, the surrounding communities as a whole benefit economically. This is not trivial, but the corporate state seems to view organic creative enterprise as a form of competition, and large fiscal political organizations only tend to recognize that which is corporate as a means to develop major metropolitan areas. The result is often sterile, corporate, temporary and is expensively subsidized for the life of the development, often at the expense of roads, sewers, parks and programs for the middle class and poor. Often when looking for a programs that can benefit the most for the least amount, those that promote creativity and self-expression offer the most bang for the buck and reach the most people. However, what is usually the first choice are the programs that cost the most and benefit the fewest. Art and music programs will not solve all social ills but they will go a long way to reaching a lot of people. If you want to make a more liveable viable city, put a lot more into art.

Click the on Button to see what is being streamed on Svoboda...

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

Here we go....

LOVE GARDEN MOVE

Yesterday, on our trip to Lawrence, I discovered that Love Garden is moving. Love Garden is a record store in Lawrence that has been around since 1990. That is about 19 years for those of us keeping count. There have been many record stores that have come and gone in that time.... Recycled Sounds, Groove Farm, Spiney Norman, among many many others. I noticed the new location on our walk downtown.... This is from their website.... Love Garden is moving. It’s been 19+ years at 936½ Massachusetts St. - and yes, we're a little sad to see it go. The other side of the pillow is always cooler - and that's what we foresee for the new location: 822 Massachusetts. The new space should be open on Monday, September 7th. Starting Friday, August 28th, a stock reduction sale will start at the old location that you’ve come to know and love…936½ Massachusetts St. As we walked on downtown, I also noticed that the old location is still open... The new location has better frontage and visibility, so, hopefully it will be a successful move.

NEW WORK BY LAUREN MCENTIRE AND SARA DIRKS

While I was enjoying a day in Lawrence, I was neglecting to attend a show by Lauren, who I know as a barista at my favorite coffeehouse, YJ's. So, while I wasn't able to make it Friday night, I am going to post the information here. Please forgive me, as I am copying the information from the flyer... New Work by Lauren McEntire and Sara Dirks opening Friday September 18th 6-10 PM open through October 16th THE FRAME GALLERY 1415 WESTPORT RD KANSAS CITY, MO 64111 www.framegallerykc.com

IN MY OPINION

This is my opinion and nothing more. I want to congratulate Jeff "Stretch" Rumaner on his new job in the Kansas City Missouri TIF commission. I think he is more than qualified for the job and I would also like to congratulate the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Mark Funkhouser, on a wise choice. I believe this to be a good move because Stretch is a businessman and artist who has worked hard for his success, and has also as have many artists in the area, been affected deeply by tax increment financing re-developing the area that has come to be known as the Kansas City Crossroads. I believe his business acumen coupled with his abilities as an artist will bring a badly needed fresh outlook on the post. I thought I'd end this by embedding the '09 mardi gras parade video, which ends with Stretch wishing us all a happy mardi gras.... Svoboda KC

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com