The LasT WorD ROCKS!
Moonstone Arts Center
Thursday, September 15
Report by: Bryant Nnadi
The LasT WorD is ground zero for the “Movement for a DoPeR PhiLLy.” It is an all-ages monthly open mic/performance art fiasco orchestrated by Saint Skribbly LaCroix and featuring the top readings and performances by the most eclectic performing artists in the Tri-State area.
I would have to agree with Skribbly's description, but let me add that this art fiasco is more than just a great place for wanderers to find poetry and live open performance art. The Last word is also ideal for young budding artists who need a stage to practice some of their in-progress work. Since I've been going to these episodes/ shows I've been getting the vibe that I'm in a practice hall, lightly critiquing my friends work in the library. It doesn't hurt that the lovely people who organized the event, cater including wine and an assortment of baked goods. I feel as if I had joined a private membership that fills a certain void inside.
The ambiance was subtle and still. I wished there were more women present, making the droves of masculine energy walking through the door and into the room more balanced, but like I said before; it's a good thing they serve wine here. One of my favorite bursts of energy at this event is when the host messes up the introduction of the next artist to the stage. First the host breaks out into his speech, which goes "The next Performer is going to leave nothing home,.." and then the crowd finishes "But he's going to leave it on all the stage." Now if Skribbly forgets how to finish this sequence, all of a sudden the audience starts to bombard him with barrage after barrage of Yo Momma jokes. It's one of the bravest acts and creative ways to keep the crowd engaged in a show. The whole place erupted in laughter when all of a sudden one joke made it to the stage in clarity going, "Yo Mama so freaky, she could suck peanut butter through a coffee straw." There was also a championship battle for Swag on the Mike between Mike joseph Johnson and Reem GameFace Hall. Both poets offered their own styles and think tanks for the audience to connect but in the end GameFace would emerge as the victor in a three part series, which lasted the whole first half of the night.
The performances were ok but I would be lying if I said that they were ground breaking or amazing. I didn’t even stay for the whole event after the first intermission. I had enough of the event for the first hour and felt like it was the perfect time to wander off into the night. I still recommend to giving the last word a shot. If not for the poetry, go for the drinks and baked goods. So if you looking for a relaxed environment where you can get a simple drink and listen to some poetry I would say hit up The Last Word every third Thursday of the month at Moonstone Book store. I placed the address below. Till next time, I’ll give you my adventures in the Philly nights.
Bryant Nnadi
Vanache on Twitter as @vanache_vida
facebook.com/vanache
http://www.vanache.us
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
MEGA Opening and Dance Party at Goldilock's Gallery
See correction and note on the presenting artists per the comments.-Adam 9/9/11
MEGA Opening and Dance Party at Goldilock's Gallery
Friday, September 2nd
By Emily Currier
In the warehouse space formerly housing the non-profit Basekamp, Goldilock's Gallery has opened up its glass door to the public this past Friday night, September 2nd. Oddly situated above the fancy pants restaurant Morimoto, the space is a sprawling warehouse that could promise to house interesting exhibits. Another perk of their location situates the gallery several blocks from Old City and its First Friday fare, creating an easy pool of exhibit attendees- if Goldilocks can get its act together.
As a new venue, Goldilock's Gallery will benefit from establishing a unique identity in the gallery and music venue soaked city of Philadelphia. Though it vaguely draws its name from both a fairy tale and an astronomical term, Goldilocks doesn’t feature any obvious allusions to either. Instead, the space is still crawling out of the ashes of the estranged non-profit Basekamp and struggling with organization along the way.
For their first official gallery opening, Goldilocks advertised the start time as 7pm on Facebook and as 8pm on their flyers. In the past, events at the space haven’t started up until 10pm, to avoid disturbing the neighbors, which seemed to discourage any early birds. The lack of attendees turned out to be a mixed blessing, though, as there was construction, complete with loud drilling noise and loose nails, happening in the space’s shop area until around 9:30pm. The first show featured work by a few of Goldilocks’ resident artists and was also primarily attended by the residents.
The event started to pick up around 10pm with a mixture of 20somethings touting their own six packs and wine bottles. Around 11pm, DJ Osagie started playing soul, funk, and rock vinyl for the sparsely populated dance floor. Many party attendees still milled around the exhibit space or poked their noises into residents’ studios. The majority of the party, though, ended up on the space’s expansive roof to enjoy a cigarette, the scenic view, and fresh night air. For a new space, Goldilocks relied on the 20something residents bringing in friends to the event, though they’ll have to put more effort than that to sustain themselves in the Philadelphia art scene.
Emily Currier
http://twitter.com/chimneytulip
http://culturemob.com/blog/philadelphia
MEGA Opening and Dance Party at Goldilock's Gallery
Friday, September 2nd
By Emily Currier
In the warehouse space formerly housing the non-profit Basekamp, Goldilock's Gallery has opened up its glass door to the public this past Friday night, September 2nd. Oddly situated above the fancy pants restaurant Morimoto, the space is a sprawling warehouse that could promise to house interesting exhibits. Another perk of their location situates the gallery several blocks from Old City and its First Friday fare, creating an easy pool of exhibit attendees- if Goldilocks can get its act together.
As a new venue, Goldilock's Gallery will benefit from establishing a unique identity in the gallery and music venue soaked city of Philadelphia. Though it vaguely draws its name from both a fairy tale and an astronomical term, Goldilocks doesn’t feature any obvious allusions to either. Instead, the space is still crawling out of the ashes of the estranged non-profit Basekamp and struggling with organization along the way.
For their first official gallery opening, Goldilocks advertised the start time as 7pm on Facebook and as 8pm on their flyers. In the past, events at the space haven’t started up until 10pm, to avoid disturbing the neighbors, which seemed to discourage any early birds. The lack of attendees turned out to be a mixed blessing, though, as there was construction, complete with loud drilling noise and loose nails, happening in the space’s shop area until around 9:30pm. The first show featured work by a few of Goldilocks’ resident artists and was also primarily attended by the residents.
The event started to pick up around 10pm with a mixture of 20somethings touting their own six packs and wine bottles. Around 11pm, DJ Osagie started playing soul, funk, and rock vinyl for the sparsely populated dance floor. Many party attendees still milled around the exhibit space or poked their noises into residents’ studios. The majority of the party, though, ended up on the space’s expansive roof to enjoy a cigarette, the scenic view, and fresh night air. For a new space, Goldilocks relied on the 20something residents bringing in friends to the event, though they’ll have to put more effort than that to sustain themselves in the Philadelphia art scene.
Emily Currier
http://twitter.com/chimneytulip
http://culturemob.com/blog/philadelphia
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Movie Monday at the Troc August 22 - Beavis and Butthead Do America
Movie Mondays at The Troc, Monday August 22
“Beavis and Butthead Do America”
by Emily Currier
Being a girly girl during my adolescence, I missed out on the whole phenomenon of “Beavis and Butthead” (I eventually got on board with the spin-off of “Daria”). But when a friend invited me out on a Monday night for a $3 big-screen movie, I felt I couldn’t resist. We made sure to show up before 7pm to make those three dollars really count- for the movie, a free beer and popcorn, and towards $3 at the bar. Basically, the night turned into a cheap drunk.
Armed with our free beers and popcorn, Jon and I took a seat in the small bar area upstairs at The Troc. There was some sort of delay on the movie, so they kept the early birds satiated by showing episodes of “Beavis and Butthead” on the TVs in the bar. With our spot right next to the blaring speakers, our attempts at conversation were drowned out by early ‘90s punk music videos and punctuated chuckling. So, instead of dwelling on catching up with an old college friend, we continued to drink PBRs. Being clever, poor, and an alcoholic, I figured out we could pool together our $3 tokens towards a $10 bucket of four PBRs. Three beers for $2, not bad, Troc.
A slow stream of tattooed punk types filtered into the bar and added their chatter to the deafening noises of Beavis and Butthead’s nasal dialogue. Instead of seeming like an atypical event, Movie Mondays at the Troc are an apparent regulars’ hang out, regardless of the movie playing. The bar was packed by the time the doors to the big screen were finally opened up around 8:15. The movie screen drops down the Troc’s main stage and audience members sit on cushioned rows in the balcony. Unlike in expensive, stifled (and sober) movie theaters, audience members were loosened up to laugh out loud and hoot-n-holler along with the movie. The stupid, stupid movie.
Emily Currier
“Beavis and Butthead Do America”
by Emily Currier
Being a girly girl during my adolescence, I missed out on the whole phenomenon of “Beavis and Butthead” (I eventually got on board with the spin-off of “Daria”). But when a friend invited me out on a Monday night for a $3 big-screen movie, I felt I couldn’t resist. We made sure to show up before 7pm to make those three dollars really count- for the movie, a free beer and popcorn, and towards $3 at the bar. Basically, the night turned into a cheap drunk.
Armed with our free beers and popcorn, Jon and I took a seat in the small bar area upstairs at The Troc. There was some sort of delay on the movie, so they kept the early birds satiated by showing episodes of “Beavis and Butthead” on the TVs in the bar. With our spot right next to the blaring speakers, our attempts at conversation were drowned out by early ‘90s punk music videos and punctuated chuckling. So, instead of dwelling on catching up with an old college friend, we continued to drink PBRs. Being clever, poor, and an alcoholic, I figured out we could pool together our $3 tokens towards a $10 bucket of four PBRs. Three beers for $2, not bad, Troc.
A slow stream of tattooed punk types filtered into the bar and added their chatter to the deafening noises of Beavis and Butthead’s nasal dialogue. Instead of seeming like an atypical event, Movie Mondays at the Troc are an apparent regulars’ hang out, regardless of the movie playing. The bar was packed by the time the doors to the big screen were finally opened up around 8:15. The movie screen drops down the Troc’s main stage and audience members sit on cushioned rows in the balcony. Unlike in expensive, stifled (and sober) movie theaters, audience members were loosened up to laugh out loud and hoot-n-holler along with the movie. The stupid, stupid movie.
Emily Currier
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