Fine Line: 'Deep Ellum' Section

I gotsta be a part of a really amazing project and snuck in a little-bitty camera to capture some of the behind the scenes stuff….more on this exciting news later…

So’s ya know, the above footage is pure-dee, raw, non-edited, non-mic’d, non-produced, non-directed, non-thoughful, non-cross disolved, non-credited, non-drunken, lots-o-fun-fer-us video…

…the good one’s a’comin’ soon…

This week’s DFW Painting Band of the Week goes to fabby Dovetail! Perfect timing too cuz they are having one heck of a EP Release party at Trees this coming Friday night…

Michelle Parsons of Envy Magazine writes…

…Their record, produced by Dallas’ own Salim Nourallah (Pleasantry Lane Studio) and Rip Rowan, could best be described as an amalgamation of greats like Roy Orbison, Jeff Buckley and Queen—good, solid songwriting that will transcend any fad or decade. Their influences are, not surprisingly, more about quality classics. “We like timeless music. Whether it’s Jeff Buckley, Johnny Cash; whether it’s Timbaland making beats, it doesn’t matter. If it’s good music, it’s good songwriting, then there is a place for it in our influences,” says drummer Aaron Haynes.

The artists that comprise Dovetail are not part-time hobbyist musicians, but rather devotees to their creation. All of their time and money is put into their musical endeavors. When asked if there was anything else they would have done besides music, a resounding scoff and headshakes abound. “For me, and I know for everybody in this band, if we weren’t playing music, there is no Plan B. This is what we have to do,” says Haynes.

Frontman Philip Creamer agrees, “It’s not just the thing we’re choosing to do … this is what we have to do. There’s not another option.” And herein lies the difference between Dovetail and, quite frankly, most every other local band just playing for fun on the weekends. For Dovetail, this is their day job. Creamer’s younger brother Daniel explained he opted out of going to college, and bassist Scott Lee says it’s not for the prospect of rolling in dough. “I think if all I wanted was to make money, there are a lot easier ways to do it than to be a musician…”

This Friday Dovetail celebrates the release of their new EP, “Love is War“. This event will take place at the most legendary venue in Deep Ellum, Trees.

Even though this band has only been around for a few months, it has started a major buzz in the Dallas Music scene, while attracting the attention of numerous fans. We feel that this CD Release party will have the same effect!

Dovetail is made up of writing duo, brothers Daniel and Philip Creamer, and choice rhythm section Aaron Haynes (drums) and Scott Lee (bass). The band formed in July of ’08 and immediately locked down at Pleasantry Lane studio to record its first album, “Love is War.” With Salim Nourallah at the controls, a truly rare chemistry was discovered between producer and artist. The band began playing shows in April ’09, and is making an impression on new listeners with each live performance. Front man, Philip Creamer, draws from varying influences, most notably Jeff Buckley, and Bono, while the band creates a truly timeless sound, drawing from 60’s rock influence, while delivering modern, ear catching performance.

Durn fine line-up, too…

8:00 – DJ Hoyotoho (also in between band sets)
9:00 – They Were Stars
10:00 – The Orbans
11:00 – Dovetail
12:00 – Hendrick
Doors: 7:00 PM
18 and up
$10 – $15
Pre-sale tickets are available through Frontgate Tickets

Let me offer you another little piece of advice. If you see Method Entertainment or John Solis’ name attached to a show. Just go. It’s always going to be great.

Even though it was pouring, and I mean pouring down rain throughout the entire event, I still say it was a raging success.

DART Green Line riders came out in droves to sample food, music, artwork and everything else fabulous Deep Ellum has to offer.

Big thanks to Randee Prez (our stop’s organizer extraordinaire), Tiffany Kieran and Frank Campagna for their splendid work coordinating the Mural Project and all the good folks who came out in the storm to show their Deep Ellum luvin’! Also a big thanks to the Barry Annino and the Deep Ellum Foundation for their help and support.

Getting decent video was very much a challenge. I had the camera wrapped in plastic, but it didn’t really help much. I had one rock-star sightng, the divine Don Cento was boarding the train at some point during the day. Therefore, Shibboleth is featured in the video, as is Sorta’s “Water Music.” Seemed fitting.

There are so many special events going on this weekend. I’m going to start layin’ it out here on this post, and will most likely continue to add to it…or not cuz I gotta lotta territory to cover…

I’ve been a longtime fan of the magnificent George Wallace III, so his G-3 show has me positively giddy with anticipation.

The exhibit runs through Saturday, September 12th at Kettle Art Gallery.

I promise you’ll love everything you see…I drove around the block a couple of times last night looking for somewhere to park that don’t boot (I was plumb outta change), but no dice. However, the peeks I got inside Kettle made my mouth water for a George III collection. Don’t miss this one, kids.

UPDATE: Just got word from the folks at SMOKE and tonight’s event has reached capacity. Sorry kiddies, we missed our chance. However, I still highly recommend that you go on out and try ‘em! They’re are gonna be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

A BBQ joint for vegetarians! Now everyone can chow-down with glee! Smoke, the newest addition to Oak Cliff, is throwin’ the grand opening party of the century. They done brung in the big-guns.

Whatchoo talkin’ ’bout Willis?

Well, Kinky Friedman is going to be our host with the most and your musical entertainment couldn’t be finer with Slobberbone, Sarah Jaffe, Shoot Low Sheriff, Spooky Folk and DJ Repo on the vinyl.

Can you really ask for more? Yes. Yes, you can. Smoke will be serving-up some tasty vittles, including free samples…

A slow burn thick with Southern style has arrived in Dallas with SMOKE. Fresh from a renovation and concept overhaul, the Belmont Hotel’s restaurant reemerges as a homage to an old fashioned smokehouse, with hardwood cooking from scratch and authentic Southern flavors. Led by chef/co-owner Tim Byres, inspired by his recent travels to America’s smokehouse roots, SMOKE will offer patrons a culinary experience that satisfies both the palate and soul. Employing time honored cooking techniques and recipes with a commitment to local ingredients, SMOKE is down-home cooking done right.

With two dining areas, a bar and rustic casual patio complete with live music, SMOKE will lend itself to both the foodie and the come-as-you-are crowd. Chef Byres’ Southern Inspiration and appreciation for slow, hardwood cooking brings to Dallas a culinary experience to rival the best of the Deep South.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, patrons may order from a menu divided into four sections: at the Bar, for appetizers and small plates: From the Garden, for salads and vegetables; On the Stove serves hot sides and entrees; and On the Grill, for SMOKE’s Hearty section of barbeque and hardwood-fired meat, poultry, seafood and vegetables. The menu will also offer several vegetarian options. All menu items are priced $25 and lower.

Diners itching to get down to barbeque business can order it old school with SMOKE’s family style BBQ Scantron menu – No. 2 pencils included. The Scantron let’s diners select their meat portion size – Sandwich, 1/2 lb, 1 lb. – and sides, all by filling in a Cold War styled form. Akin to a sushi menu, SMOKE’s Scantron lets hungry patrons bypass the regular menu for quicker access to a hearty meal.

Once orders are placed, patrons can enjoy SMOKE’s breadbasket, fresh-from-the-oven cornbread served with Kentucky sorghum molasses butter and homemade sweet and sour jalapeno jelly.

Diners may select from a plethora of sides to accompany their meat entrees, each made from scratch and inspired by southern appetites. Options include Blue Cheese Cole Slaw, BBQ Pinto Beans, Really Good Potato Salad, and a variety of homemade pickled vegetables: green beans, carrots, jalapenos, cabbage, and bread and butter pickles.

Sit down, tuck in and savor the SMOKE.

Dinner at smoke: scratch cooking start to finish. All cured meats and fish are smoked in house. We bake our own breads and jar preserves. We subscribe to a farm to fork mentality. Utilizing our garden as well as local farms when available – including all of our meats, poultry, eggs and dairy. Simply put, everything
we serve is made here or as close as possible.

These folks mean business when it comes to great (and interesting) food. The menu boasts such tasty treats as Foie gras & chicken liver pate with smoked red onion marmalade or smoke house salmon & duck egg mimosa with grilled asparagus or smoke duck breast marinated in cracked peppercorns, canella or Burgundy Beef, thick and smoky bacon, farm egg fritter, Smoke sharp cheddar, on a griddled honey bun with all kinds of pickles and BBQ fries…*drooooool…*

Check out the meat-lover’s menu here.

Check out the vegetarian menu here.

Breakast and Lunch.

Details:

Friday, September 11th
SMOKE!
Grand Opening Party
Hosted by: Kinky Friedman
Performances by: Slobberbone / Sarah Jaffe / Shoot Low Sheriff / Spooky Folk
DJ Spinnin’ – DJ Repo
7 PM

Deep Ellum Community Clean-Up sponsored by DECA and Recycle Revolution….Friday September 11th 5:30 to 7pm. Come out to help us clean-up the neighborhood before the DART Green Line opens on Saturday.

We need volunteers for light clean-up duties picking up glass, plastic, and other assorted items. We are going to gather at the Deep Ellum Community Center (2630 Commerce) starting a 5pm and heading out around 5:30.

Volunteers please join us for a free beer at the Bone afterwards for the Deep Ellum Community Association Mixer! Everyone is invited, regardless if you have time for the clean-up or not. the fabulous Clay Pendergrass will be spinning tonight at the mixer! Don’t you miss it! Don’t you dare!

Deep Ellum Community Association Monthly Mixer, Friday September 11 from 6:30pm to 9pm. Come meet friends and neighbors on the roof deck of The Bone, 2724 Elm Street.

Get a free drink ticket and $2 wells courtesy of DECA, Life in Deep Ellum, and The Bone! You will get an extra drink ticket if you help with the community cleanup!

“Walking Tall” a part of the Traveling Man Brilliance by Reel FX

DART Green Line Super Saturday Festivities, Saturday September 12 from 10am to 2pm. Come preview the DART
Green Line stations with food, drinks and entertainment at the 4 stations and free fares on the trains.

The Deep Ellum Community Association and the Deep Ellum Foundation have combined forces with DART on the Deep Ellum station to feature nearly 40 booths of Deep Ellum businesses, restaurants, and groups, along with entertainment by ArtLoveMagic.

Don’t miss it!

Art Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Saturday, September 12th 2-4 pm. The Deep Ellum Foundation hosts a Ribbon Cutting event celebrating the 30 fabulous new public murals in Deep Ellum’s Art Park. The Art Park is located along Commerce Street, Canton Street, and Good Latimer Expressway under Interstate 75. Just walk across Good Latimer from Bark Park Central.

Oh, hell yeah! Bolsa’s 1-Year Anniversary Bash. Happy Bullets, Theater Fire and Deathray Davies”. Benefits La Reunion. Oak Cliff. Geez, somebody get me a mop to clean up all this gush.

Hit it wit’me kiddies! Bolsa Paaaaartaaaay on Sunday, September 13th from 4-12 PM. You be schmucky if’n you don’t be there…

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More notable fabby picks:

Friday, September 11th
Sons of Hermann – Boys Named Sue CD Release w/The King Bucks
The Double Wide – Meat Radio Benefit w/Egner And Striplin Aaron Barker
Mokah – Summer Ames / Ashley Gatta / Aryn Michelle
Bryan Street Tavern – Solly
Love and War (Plano) – blacktopGYPSY
Dan’s Silverleaf – Will Johnson / Liz Durrett
Hailey’s – Thrift Store Cowboys / Old Snack / Ghost Owl

…check back here tomorrow for more info. on live music events (including Chatterton and Thrift Store Cowboys at Lola’s on Saturday – and lots more…flipside my darlings….

Rather than discuss every darn show in and around DdFW, I think I’ll try to keep my suggestions as to what sounds good to me…which a lot of shows usually do…so I’m limiting my choices to 4 per posting. Here’s my picks for this eve...

You pretty much can’t go wrong with a Macon Greyson show…like…under any circumstances…ever. They are (and will always be) one of my favorite bands ever. (Hint – this blog was named after a Macon Greyson song)

Add to that, they’s playin’ at Adair’s which happens to serve-up the coldest beer and the tastiest burgers around…and…no cover charge.

Friday, September 4th
Adair’s
Macon Greyson
9ish – Free

If you are in the mood to leave your wife, or simply lust after beautiful and talented young ladies, then Opening Bell is your place tonight.

The lovely and talented Camille Cortinas, Becky Middleton and Summer Ames are performing and it will be quite impossible not to fall in love.

Friday, September 4th
Opening Bell
Summer Ames / Becky Middleton / Camille Cortinas
8:30 PM – $6.00 suggested donation

Photo by the absolutely FABULOUS Erica Felicella

T’ain’t nuthin’ happier than a bunch of talented bullets and you’ll get so drawn in by jaymz, you may lose your way home.

Friday, September 4th
Lee Harvey’s
Happy Bullets / Drawn by Jaymz
9ish – Free

So. Like I have a Gutterth sticker on my back window. And. Like last week, I was pumping gas, and this kid rolls up behind me and says to me, “dude, you like those Gutterth shows? They rock!” All could reply was, “dude, you are so right…”

Tonight’s no exception. It’s another Gutterh Greatness…and it’s free.

Friday, September 4th
Gutterth Presents:
Sleep Whale / Dust Congress / Geistheistler / NSP / Emil Rapstine
Freebie – All Ages – 8 PM

Here’s one for da’ ladies…

Friday, September 4th
Lola’s
Michael Lane of Braker Lane / Brent Best (The Drams/Slobberbone) / Isaac Hoskins (the Heelers)
Doors at 8 – Show starts at 9 – All Ages – $6.00

Honorable (must-go) Mentions: (yeah, yeah, so it’s hard to narrow it to 4…oooooh shaaaaaduuuup…)

The Doublewide – The Angelus / Tre Orsi / The Hope Trust
Granada Theater – Wayne “the Train” Hancock
City Tavern – Airline / Quiet Company / Archetypes
Love & War (Plano) – Radney Foster & Jon Christopher Davis
Dan’s Silverleaf – Miss Leslie and the Juke Jumpers

I’ve been a longtime fan of the magnificent George Wallace III, so his upcoming G-3 show has me positively giddy with anticipation.

The exhibit opens on Wednesday, September 9th (the night I’m attending) and runs through Saturday, September 12th at Kettle Art Gallery.

I promise you’ll love everything you see…

A promoter just informed me that one of her bands had to move to Poor David’s Pub cuz Club Dada informed her they were closing their doors.

I ain’t been hanging on any of the local media blogs’n'such as of late, so what’s the scoop? Anybody?

Update: well it seems I’m the only one in town who didn’t know Dada had closed. Hm. Call it working in Plano and living in Richardson, I suppose.

It’s a really long story…all of which you’ll see and hear about in due time…let’s just say that the above video is a the first of many teasers…

*title stems from an annoying low-carb diet that’s really pissin’ me off…*

Tonight we have another sweet, sweet show with Salim Nourallah and the Dufilho’s, along with I Love Math, and the divine Buttercup. This li’l shindig goes down at Bryan Street Tavern and will, I assure you, be one hella grand time.

Friday, August 28th
Bryan Street Tavern
Salim Nourallah & the Dufilho’s / I Love Math / Buttercup
9 pm
Free

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Darling Rahim never disappoints, so don’t disappoint him by not enjoying his show tonight at City Tavern. Seriously. You will so thank me in the morning.

Friday, August 28th
City Tavern
Rahim Quazi & the Supernaturals
10 PM
$5.00

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You canNOT miss The Whole Show, show, at Kettle Art Gallery on Saturday, August 29th. It’s simply too fantabulous to pass-up…

Details:
THE WHOLE SHOW
Silent Auction. All pieces start at just $25.00
Artists include the following: Alexandra Harris, Amber Campagna, Andrew Tolentino, Ange Fitzgerald, Barry Kooda, Brian Crawford, Brittney Scheffer, Cathy Miller, Cheryl Baker, Chris Doucet, Clint Scism, Corey Godfrey, Courtney Huntress, Dylan Hollingsworth, Edward Ruiz, Erica Felicella, Frank Campagna, George Fowler, George Wallace III, Guy Reynolds, Hal Samples, Havi Frost, Jason Ice, Jessie Smith, Jonathon Kimbrell, Jorge Dominguez, Kate Mackley, Levi Leddy, Mark Nelson, Mike Salcido, Pat Ramseur, Orlando Hernandez Cerda, Randy Dillon, Richard Brannin, Richard Ross, Rick Fender, Rob Conover, Rosalinda Gomez, Scott Dorn, Scott Mankoff, Sean Fitzgerald, Susan Migdol, Travis Bush and Tyson Summers

This beautiful sucker is one night only, so don’t screw it up.

Saturday, August 29th
Kettle Art Gallery
7:00 PM

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Oh, YEAH BABY! Listen-up kiddies near and far, getcher arses out to the Granada Theater Saturday night for The Gourds! Woohoo! Tag in The O’s and Mama Sweet, and what you have, my friend, is a not-to-miss show.

Saturday, August 29th
Granada Theater
The Gourds / Mama Sweet / The O’s
Doors at 7 – Show at 8
Purchase Tickets

Need a li’l Texas Country fix after your place of worship in Sunday? I got just the place. Shiner Sundays continue at Love & War in Plano this Sunday with the oh-so-dreamy Jesse Dayton. It’s a pretty darn fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon, plus, you can have your Sunday cocktails.

Sunday, August 30th
Love & War in Texas (Plano)
Jesse Dayton / Tom Mcelvain
2 or 3ish
$12.00

Deep Ellum Welcomes New Public Artwork to Art Park

Dallas, TX – A Ribbon Cutting event will welcome the new public artwork to Deep Ellum’s Art Park on Saturday, September 12th. From 2-4 pm, the Deep Ellum Foundation invites artists, residents, and visitors to enjoy more than 30 new outdoor paintings.

The concrete sculptures that have greeted visitors since the mid 90s have been repainted for the first time in over a decade. Immediately following the DART Super Saturday event a few blocks over , the Deep Ellum Foundation will host the Art Park Ribbon Cutting. Art Park is located along Commerce Street, Canton Street, and Good Latimer Expressway under Interstate 75. Just walk across Good Latimer from Bark Park Central.

Thanks to funding from the Farmers Market Tax Increment Financing District, the entire Deep Ellum Connector is getting a makeover. The lights that illuminate the sculptures after dark are the result of electrical repairs to Art Park’s lighting system. The lights have not worked for years, but now they shine brightly on the new paintings.

The Deep Ellum Foundation is also working with the Texas Department of Transportation to add mural paintings to many of the highway columns under Interstate 75 as the next phase of the Art Park project.

“The lighting improvements were critical to light the artwork at night and to increase public safety in the area,” says longtime Deep Ellum developer, John Miller of PlanB Development, who is a member of both the Farmers Market and Deep Ellum TIF boards.

“The benefit of the art installation goes a long way in connecting the Farmers Market community to Deep Ellum.”

The Deep Ellum Foundation organized a contest to select the new images for Art Park. A selection panel reviewed the 60 plus submissions and selected a variety of styles, colors and imagery to adorn the sculptures for years to come.

Jasmine Donnell, a Deep Ellum resident and local artist, painted a sculpture that happens to be one block from where she lives.

“There are so many talented artists in the Deep Ellum community, I was honored to have been chosen. Most of my art is normally just viewed by friends, family and clients through my work. So, it’s personally gratifying to have my art displayed in the neighborhood I live in, for the people I admire the most,” explains Donnell.

Michael Lagocki’s image reflects a character he calls “Haley”. He is glad to share her love with Deep Ellum.

“Outdoor art is about sharing something with the community. My intent with my piece was to bless the neighborhood, maybe put a smile on a few faces, and share a positive emotion.”

The project did, indeed, connect the community. Passersby stopped to ask what was going on, and to watch the artists in action. Many residents taking their dogs for a stroll in Bark Park Central walked over to say hello. Some interested onlookers even staked out for hours.

“It was amazing to see how many people came out while we were painting. They took pictures and thanked us for the art,” tells Lagocki.

Many of the participating artists will be on hand at the Art Park Ribbon Cutting to answer questions about their pieces and listen to feedback from the community. The Deep Ellum Foundation invites everyone to come enjoy some refreshments and take in the new scenery.

For more information about the Art Park Ribbon Cutting-
Contact: Lee Ann Stone
Deep Ellum Foundation
(214) 747-3337
def@deepellumfoundation.org
www.deepellumfoundation.org

**Carolyn Collins’ photos in order of appearance:
David Rodriguez in action
Jasmine Donnell and Kate Langley (with parents) working on their sculptures
Eddie Walker painting “She’s DET”
Michael Lagocki and “Haley”
Many locals stopped by to watch the painter

I know this might be a little late in the game, but I fell sick to some kind of flu-thingie late Thursday night and I’ve barely left my bed since.

If you get this in time, go ahead and head to the Prophet Bar tonight for a mighty-fine show. The Burgundy’s include a couple of my longtime favorite musicians, David & Ronnie Bates (think Moonshot Radio). This new project es muy bueno, and if I wasn’t still feeling ultra-sickie and overly queasy, I’d be front and center.

Here’s what they say…

When The Burgundys burst headlong onto the scene, they were immediately snatched up by Royalty Records.

True to style, The Burgundys attacked their first record with reckless abandon, hammering out a group of uncompromising, kick-in-the-crotch songs that exemplified their take-no-prisoner live shows.

Attacking life with the same reckless abandon, the band was asked to “tone down” their lifestyle before releasing the album. The Burgundys reacted to this criticism with their usual fervor, setting Royalty Records ablaze, destroying their recordings and losing their label in the process.

Uncompromising as ever, and continuing their full-force onslaught of a lackluster worldwide music scene, The Burgundys were spotted by none other than entrepreneur, magazine mogul, and shipping magnate, Admiral Davenport Viceroy. With his marketing savvy, and ability to bankroll his own ventures, Admiral Viceroy had the foresight to launch a brand new record label, custom-built for his biggest coup to date…

The Burgundys. Now, the Burgundys, along with Admiral Viceroy, are set to release their first album… a second time… on Viceroy Records. As for their live shows… from the first chord, The Burgundys kick you in the chest, knock the wind out of you, and never let you take a breath until the lights go out.

They bring hard-driving, hook-laden rock, reminiscent of Cheap Trick and Supergrass. For The Burgundys, life is about rock, and rock is about the show.

…m’kay then, I’m crawling back to bed…

Saturday, August 22nd
The Prophet Bar
Downtown Formula / Culebrastance / Dead Beat Poetry / The Champion Sea / The Burgundys
Doors at 8 PM
$8 – $10
All Ages

A Canvas for a Cause – Reel FX Creative Studios – Deep Ellum, Texas from Cindy Chaffin on Vimeo.

“Hopelessly Devoted to You II” – Deep Ellum Film Night at Kettle Art Gallery in Deep Ellum from Cindy Chaffin on Vimeo.

Wow. SaveDeepEllum.org and Pegasus News reports that my friend Brian Barnaud passed away. I’m still in shock. I reconnected with Brian a few months back when we met in Deep Ellum and figured-out that we went to high school together. I’d see him almost everyday thereafter, as we were neighbors. Brian was such a great guy, and a very talented photographer. He’ll be very very missed.

In case you haven’t seen the numerous news segments starring Frank Campagna, Sergio Garcia, Richard Ross and the rest…or in case you haven’t read the constant stream of press on various news sites, blogs, etc….just in case….gander below…

PS – The “Deep Ellum” welcome Frank painted is positively brilliant. He. So. Awesome!

The Good Latimer Corridor
As you may be aware the Deep Ellum neighborhood has been busy preparing for the DART Green Line opening in September 2009. In keeping with the long standing area tradition of creativity we at Kettle Art have joined forces with the Deep Ellum
Community Association and hand picked a fine group of artists to paint a
new Good Latimer series of murals. All artists have had the month of July to create these pieces and are nearing completion at this time.

Please join us on site for a celebration of this effort
Saturday, August 8th from 4:00 – 6:00 PM.

This event will be followed immediately by a closing reception
for the muralists exhibit, ‘To Be Scene’ at Kettle Art

All works are for sale and this event is free and open to the public.

The Crew
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
top from left:

*Sean Fitzgerald, Richard Ross, Tyson Summers, Cathey Miller, Judith Lea Perkins,
Brian Crawford, Sergio Garcia, Michael Cissell, Al Jamerson and Issac Brown.

bottom from left:

**Tiffany Kieran, Amber Campagna, Mark S. Nelson, Issac Davies, Joe Skillz, ***Frank Campagna.

*President of DECA
**Sponsorship and Publicity
***Art Director
This Project made possible by the Deep Ellum Community Association

Sponsors include:
The Deep Ellum Foundation
The Demeter Project and their venture ‘It’s a Grind’
the Deep Ellum Enrichment Project
and Kettle Art.

Wall space donated by the George Reeves Co. and Allied Printing.

Assistance provided by
Knox Paints,
2616 Commerce,
Randee Prez,
and Statewide Remodeling.

Petey was on the Pugs and Kelly Show today on 1360 AM, talkin’ ’bout the Dallas Observer Music Awards shindig this weekend and next Tuesday night. I must say, the boy did me proud. Kudos for talkin’ up the local scene and even ol’ Deep Ellum.

Dallas Kids and Artists Creating Magic Again
2nd ArtLoveMagic Youth Workshop July 24th

Deep Ellum reaches out to Dallas kids with its youth art program. 501(c)3 organization, the Deep Ellum Foundation, teams up with Dallas art and performance collective, ArtLoveMagic, to host the second ArtLoveMagic Youth Workshop Friday, July 24th, 2009.

After a successful premiere workshop in May, new energy for the interactive art program sparked the interest of Deep Ellum benefactors.

Jeanne Blanton, local real estate and property owner, is founding the Don Blanton Art Endowment Fund in memory of her late husband. Cultivating an appreciation for art, especially in kids, is very important to Blanton. Her first donation from the endowment is a sponsorship of the ArtLoveMagic Youth Workshop.

Madison Partners, LLC is a mainstay property management and real estate company in the Deep Ellum community. Madison Partners’ CEO Susan Reese is happy to support the new program.

“I believe that the interconnections between solid community and the arts are far-reaching. It is with exposure to the arts and hands-on experience within the arts that young people experience the joy, challenges and beauty of creating. In return for supporting this opportunity, our community becomes the beneficiary of more involved, more sensitive, more complete citizens.”

The July workshop will connect kids from Boys and Girls Club Dallas and Arlington’s SafeHaven with artist mentors from ArtLoveMagic. Five visual art genres will be offered to the students. The kids will draw, paint and cartoon alongside the artists. Students will also try their hand at creating pottery and graffiti art.

The interactive model is a fun, different approach to teaching art techniques, tells Michael Lagocki, ArtLoveMagic co-founder.
“This is not like a classroom where the children are taught from the front of a room, using a pre-planned lesson. The kids are in the mix, touching the tools, reacting to what the artist is creating live, just as the artist is reacting to them. Every outing is absolutely unique because it is dependent on what the artists and the kids create together.”

Art, fun, and learning make the workshop an unforgettable experience for all involved. Pizza at lunch tops off the day, and leaves lots of smiling faces in its wake.