I Survived Another Birthday to Play Santa

Way independent, baby, so far out in left field I'm invisible sometimes, but here's a chance to see the Kitchenpoet.

My first print exhibit will open in the Palace, on December 4, during the First Friday Gallery Walk, 5-8pm. It should be a smashing affair with music and a full bar. The American Humanics Student Association will hold a raffle, and there's a rumor Mayor Engen is coming. 

Here's an image I should have included in the Halloween coverage. It was taken in one of my favorite places, a vortex of zootown energy.

Don't worry; be happy.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood.

It is never to late to be what you might have been.

The tyranny of the rat race is not yet final.

Follow your dreams and do what you have to do.

Give it your best.

Perseverance furthers.

etc., etc., etc.

Hey, the old kitchenpoet had another birthday. I was all right with having it the night before, but on the morning of Friday the 13th, when I faced the reality of being 62... I wasn't in my best frame of mind, when I arrived downtown, but my friends quickly turned that around. Allow me to repeat again, I love Missoula and the people who live here. The creative energy of the young people making music and pushing the arts in zootown blows me away.

All the woulda, shoulda, couldas in the world don't mean shit to a tree. I won't focus on my regret for not arriving here sooner, but I will emphasize how glad I am to finally be home.

I have many plans for the future crowding into my head. By next fall semester, I want to be a student at the U. The photojournalism program is excellent, and I want to be part of it. On the home front, I must learn post production skills with Photoshop CS3. Anybody out there already moved up to CS4 have old instruction books you could pass on? I must learn to make posters and flyers. Also, survival depends on learning to actually do business with my art and make it pay.

Plenty to do, and right now I have to clean out a closet. See ya on the flip side.

Day of the Dead 2009

My timing seems to be improving some, as I age (more on aging in the next post). I found myself in perfect position to capture the Day of the Dead parade from beginning, as seen above, to the end.

My favorite thing is the steamroller prints.

I like this shot because of the juxtaposition of the moon and the street light. This appears to be an ode to librarians, but I'm not sure.

Due to popular request, there are 45 images from this event on flickr. Since the archive is overflowing with 6000+ photos, I've been limiting most of my music coverage to 10-15 images per band, or event, but Day of the Dead is too big for that restriction.

This Band Kills Fascists

Look out fascists. This Band Kills Fascists presents a dynamic challenge to your reign.

I saw these guys, when I went to the ZACC basement to hear TSMF. I bring this up now, because they will be in the Palace, another zootown underground venue, on Sunday, November 15. That show will also feature Electric Dandelion, one of my favorite bands. That's tomorrow night, and I apologize for the short notice.

Yes, there are more images of this band and of TSMF, who also played this night, over on the flickr archive.

My class on event photography is Tuesday (11/17) at ZACC. I'm going over my notes and prepping for that. My show opens in the Palace on the First Friday in December. I expect y'all to be there. That show is looking good if I do say so myself. I'm looking forward to the February show in Food for Thought. That one will require a larger outlay of capital to put up, and I don't have the capital yet. In addition, I keep working to document as much of the zootown music scene as I can.

Thank you for visiting the Kitchenpoet.

Halloween Report 2009

My favorite Halloween party is the one in the Badlander/Palace complex, because it is a maze of interconnected venues with something different happening in each one. As I entered on this Halloween, the Twister championship was in progress, and soon the victor stood triumphant.

Then the rappers took the stage with Tonsofun and Linkletter starring.

Next door, the Mermaid and Siren were spinning away.

Everywhere people wanted their pictures taken.

In front of the Golden Rose, I found a plastic surgeon and one of his satisfied clients.

For me, the highlight of the evening was Secret Powers covering Abbey Road in the Palace.

They were followed by the Volumen doing Ziggy Stardust.

Meanwhile at Charlie B's, Mudslide Charley was rocking some old time blues.

The Union Club is a popular spot, especially on Halloween. As usual, the club filled to capacity and the line stretched towards the corner. They were waiting to see Russ Nassett and the Revelators.

Russ wasn't in costume, but his son dressed up a bit, and the crowd had a good time.

The streets were full of people in costume.

It was a busy evening keeping the Kitchenpoet on the run. There are more images from that night on the flickr archive. Each set has a title beginning with Halloween and ending with 2009 sandwiching the venue. Check them out, and look for the Day of the Dead report coming soon.

New Band: Punchy and the Knockouts

My friend, Madison, has a new band, a trio, named Punchy and the Knockouts.

The bass player also plays with TSMF. Speaking of TSMF, they were in the ZACC basement tonight, and I will have photos of them up sometime.

Behind Madison, is a drummer named Dez, who has a terrific look.

Rolling for Hellgate

Palace hosts benefit for Hellgate RollerGirls.

In between bands, PBR freebies were tossed to the crowd. T-shirts and posters were for sale at the Rollergirl table. A charming young lady gave the old Kitchenpoet a peck on the cheek for buying a poster. I was already happy, because Rooster Sauce is one of my favorite bands, and both El Gato Zombi and Reptile Dysfunction have been on my must see list for a long time.
The goal is to get a roller league going in Missoula. I understand they are looking for vacant warehouse space for a rink. One of my friends said he couldn't wait to see them rolling.

El Zombi Gato is unique and soon to be no more. They powered the opening for this benefit. The band will make one more appearance before going the way of all things. When you see the ad for it, put it on the calendar and be there.

Next up: Reptile Dysfunction

What can I say? Adelaide knocks me out, and Davy Jones and the Count are the liveliest guitar players in a town full of great players.

Look for all three bands by name on the flickr archive. Each name will be followed by the date October 22, 2009.