Fine Line: May, 2009

GrabYourBeans.com
TimMiller.com

Please join us…

Thursday, May 28, 2009
Carter Albrecht CD Release
Granada Theater
8 PM
Purchase Tickets

Testify, March 12, 2009
Amazon.com Review:
If you’ve found your way here, you probably already know the story, and there’s no reason to retell it. If you don’t know the background tale, it’s easy enough to piece it together online. What you DO need to know is that this album is gorgeous and a showcase for a magnificently talented musician.

Carter was a musical genius – on piano, on guitar, lyrically – basically every phase of the game. He should have been a rock god (or classical titan – he could play either end of the spectrum with equal command). Instead, he was a local legend in Dallas. We took him for granted while enjoying his good nature and his talent. You were likely to bump into Carter & share a word at the bar with him right before he (and whatever band he was in) took the stage & lit it up.

This album is definitive proof of his brilliance. Sparkling piano playing, beautiful layered harmonies, perfect guitar work (electric & acoustic, jazzy or straightforward rock), tight arrangement, and insightful, winking, smart lyrics.

Spread the word. Buy this album. In a musical landscape that somehow finds room for Britney Spares (yes, I know how I spelled it) to Sigur Ros, this CD should be heard by everyone.

Jesus is Alive (and Living in London) can be purchased on iTunes.

Tune in tonight….

May 21, 2009, DALLAS, TX – Reel FX Creative Studios and Brad Oldham Inc. today reveal significant details surrounding their series of sculptures entitled, “The Traveling Man.” The sculptures will sit at three different sites near DART’s Deep Ellum Rail Station and represent the latest additions to DART’s public art program. Installation of the sculptures has started and is scheduled for completion the end of August, before the Green Line opens September 14.

Brandon Oldenburg of Reel FX Creative Studios and Brad Oldham of Brad Oldham Inc. were awarded the contract to create the sculptural series after their concepts were selected by DART in 2007. Since that time, the team has worked to complete the final design, engineering and construction phases of what has been dubbed “The Deep Ellum Gateway Art Project,” a moniker chosen by DART to signify that the three sculptures will serve as a welcoming gateway to all the visitors who enter Deep Ellum.

“The concept behind The Traveling Man is not a representation of a single element of Deep Ellum – rather, it uniquely encompasses many aspects of the community,” notes Brandon Oldenburg, VP Creative for Reel FX. “It was important to us that our design not only celebrate Deep Ellum’s heritage, but also represent what we hope for the future: a resurgence of traffic to our streets and businesses and a thriving artistic community for decades to come.”

“The design, engineering and construction strategies involved in this sculpture series are as unique as The Traveling Man concept,” noted Brad Oldham, whose company is responsible for fabricating, constructing and installing the project. “The sculpture at Swiss and Good Latimer is 38-feet tall. When working in this scale, how the pieces are built is as important as keeping the design approachable to engage viewers. We enjoy the challenge of building unusual pieces. Collaborating with Brandon and the Reel FX team on the concept has been a great experience and now the community can watch as we bring The Traveling Man to life in Deep Ellum.”

The team has launched a website to keep the community informed of its installation progress as well as providing detailed information on the story of The Traveling Man. The website is www.deepellumgateway.com and will be updated throughout construction with concept imagery, photography, video clips, fun facts and will ultimately capture candid thoughts of those involved. The Traveling Man also has his own Facebook page. Search “Traveling Man Dallas” on Facebook to become a fan and be the first to receive updates.

About The Traveling Man Sculptural Series:

Three sites have been selected for the sculptures. These locations are: the corner of Good Latimer and Swiss Avenue, the corner of Good Latimer and Gaston Avenue, and the corner of Good Latimer and Elm Street. The iconic Traveling Man is the focus of each location, although he is posed differently at each site. The poses not only tell The Traveling Man’s story, but also represent aspects of the rich history of Deep Ellum.

The Traveling Man – Walking Tall

Corner of Good Latimer & Swiss Avenue

The largest site, on the corner of Good Latimer and Swiss Avenue, will be home to The Traveling Man – Walking Tall. Here, The Traveling Man, in walking pose, stands tall at 38-feet high, creating a stunning welcome to neighborhood visitors and residents. He takes a jovial step from the southeast side of the lot at the corner of Good Latimer and Swiss Avenue. In this single step, he links the neighborhood with the rail station, soaring above the station.

The sculpture is comprised of a thick steel “skeleton” and the “skin” of the sculpture is brushed stainless steel connected with hundreds of visible stainless steel monobolt rivets. The stainless steel birds on the ground serve as functional seating as well as part of the sculpture. The birds are polished to a mirror finish: the same material as the famous Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Xeriscaping effectively complements the tone and feel of the sculpture and incorporates a circular concrete pad surrounded by crushed rock.

The Traveling Man – Waiting on a Train

Corner of Good Latimer & Gaston Avenue

At the southwest corner of Good Latimer and Gaston Avenue, The Traveling Man – Waiting on a Train leans against a concrete portion of the original Deep Ellum Tunnel, a nod to the tunnel that served as an entrance to Deep Ellum for so long. Here, the Traveling Man waits for the train as he strums his unique guitar. This location helps “frame” the Deep Ellum Rail Station and is located across from The Traveling Man – Walking Tall sculpture, providing a gateway entrance to the neighborhood. In this pose, The Traveling Man shows that he’s an artist. The birds surrounding him represent the spirit or art form that The Traveling Man shares with fellow travelers. The circular shape of the guitar body resembles the core of his own body, reminding viewers his music comes from his heart.

Waiting on a Train is a 9-foot tall sculpture sitting on a stained concrete pad. Its internal construction is steel, and the exterior of the sculpture is brushed stainless steel with hundreds of visible stainless steel monobolt rivets. He is leaning against a large section of the former Deep Ellum Tunnel, which will create a seating bench behind the sculpture, looking toward Deep Ellum. The birds are mirror-finish polished, cast stainless steel like the birds at both other sites. Lighting and landscaping mirror the other locations to create a cohesive feel throughout.

The Traveling Man – Awakening

Corner of Good Latimer & Elm Street

To tie the rail station into the neighborhood, the corner of Good Latimer and Elm Street is significant as this location not only brings The Traveling Man concept into the heart of the neighborhood, but also encourages visitors and residents to gather, recharge, and continue exploring Deep Ellum. The Traveling Man’s eight-foot-wide head rises from the ground as if he is emerging from the earth below Deep Ellum. As people meet, talk, sing, wait, and spend time in Deep Ellum, they can lounge on his approachable head. In addition, the birds offer their bodies to guests for generous seating. The path encourages visitors to step off the sidewalk to enjoy a short respite and watch the activities of the busy intersection.
Like the other two sculptures, this sculpture is made of brushed stainless steel while the birds are cast stainless steel, polished to a mirror finish. The site is xeriscaped, matching the other two sites, with crushed rock and stained concrete.

The completion of the Green Line and the official unveiling of the sculptures will be celebrated with a unique line-up of events in September. Details pertaining to those events will be revealed at a later time by DART.

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Updated DART Rail expansion maps can be downloaded in a high-resolution format at www.DART.org/newsphotos.

A schedule of projected opening dates is available at www.DART.org/factsheet/greenline or www.DART.org/expansion.

Learn more about Reel FX Creative Studios and Brad Oldham, Inc.

Lance Lester Interviews Matthew & the Arrogant Sea from Cindy Chaffin on Vimeo.

I never get to hang with my Denton folk much, no’mo’….but I got to see Matthew and the boys, last night for…like…30-seconds…got chased off….I miss that darling boy…gotta hit little D sooner than later….

VOTE…fercryinoutloud…

Join us today!

Ms. Tiffany did the video honors, and did a bang-up job…took me a week to edit it down cuz I couldn’t decide on so many shots!

We missed the Happy Bullets and El Gato, cuz we ran outta battery power, but they were awesome!

PS – We tried the live streaming, but had issues with audio and Internet connections…sigh…damn technology.

Ya really need to join us at Off the Grid tomorrow night. It’s an artistic extravaganza! 17 fabby artists “connecting a powerful surge of visual art.”

The Dallas Independent Artists Community is an umbrella organization dedicated to bringing unity to the artists and collectives of Dallas, and to bringing purpose and vision to the work of the individual artist…

…’nuther words, it’s a good thang.

Friday, May 8th
VIP Off the Grid Building
7-10 PM
30% of all Proceeds Benefit the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center

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After the exhibit, scooch on over to Bryan Street Tavern for the patio unveiling! Those super-terrific Mumble’s are performin’, so it’s sure to be a great time.

Friday, May 8th
Bryan Street Tavern
Performing: The Mumbles
6 PM – 2 AM
Free

PS – The celebration goes on all weekend with performances by Hard Night’s Day, The Drams, Lo-Fi Chorus

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Saturday you’ll find us at Club Dada for the Ultra-Splendid-Ultraviolet Benefit.

Da’deal is…The Happy Bullets, The O’s, The Felons, The Boom Boom Box, Lovie, El Gato, Moncho Poncho will perform starting ’round 6 PM.

Proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation…

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That’s why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner – rather than later.

The UltraViolet Rock Show is a benefit with the specific goal of raising funds to support research to find a cure for cystic fibrosis. Violet’s Daddy plays bass in El Gato, and Mommy heads up Lovie. Violet was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 15 mos. old in November of 2006. Our first year, we raised just over $8,000 and last year we rounded out at $13,750. Thank you to everyone who supported and continues to join us in our fight to find a cure for CF.

There will also be a silent auction of original artwork by local Dallas artists.

What else? Silk Screening, CDs, T-Shirts, Stickers, Photo Booth and more fun than you’ll have the rest of the year!

Saturday, May 9th
Club Dada
Ultraviolet Benefit
Performing: Lovie, The Happy Bullets, The O’s, Moncho Poncho, The Felons, El Gato, The Boom Boom Box
6 PM
$7.00 Donation

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING FROM CLUB DADA RIGHT HERE ON FINELINELIVE.COM

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Sunday is Deep Drink’n'Dine. A bunch of us meet over at Pepe’s and Mito’s on Elm in Deep Ellum, ’round noonish and eat away our hangovers, then polish off several hair of the dogs…Drop me a line if you wanna join us and I’ll save ya a seat.

Come join Samples’ Gallery to take a peek at “Peep Show”, a look into the lives of Mike Arreaga and Andrew Tolentino. Peep Show is a collaborative exhibition of photographer, Arreaga and mixed media artist, Tolentino. In an interactive showing of mixed-media work, photographs, and installations.

Through a walk-in video installation and other collaborative efforts, “Peep Show” translates monotonous every day terrains in to beauty as perceived by the two artists. Viewers are encouraged to interact with some of the work, peering through holes, not just looking but feeling texture and pulling off elements to put them where they see fit.

The exhibition will open with a reception on May 1st from 7P.M. to 10P.M. Free refreshments will be available to guests. Hal Samples’ Gallery located at 2814 Main street, Dallas TX, open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 P.M, and free of charge.

PS: Below is the LIVE VIDEO STREAM you can see tonight! Starts at 7:00 PM.