Lee Joseph Publicity

Everything But The Kitschen Synch at La Luz de Jesus, March 7, 2008

Monday 24 Mar, 2008
Time: 01:16 AM

The 11th annual juried “Everything But The Kitschen Synch" show at took place at La Luz de Jesus Gallery on Friday, March 7 and consisted of over 150 pieces by 100+ artists including Ron Adkins, David Aronson, Jonathan Baker, Leigh Barber, Lou Beach, John Berger, Stephen Blickenstaff, Gary Both, Michael Brown, Dan Brown, Mark Bryan, Trent Call, Julian Callos, Chrystal Chan, Wayne Coe, Jenna Colby, Joey Coon, Will Crane, Mark Darcey, Edwin Daniel, Gleen C. Davis, Alicia Debrincat, Eben Dodd, Trace Drury, Dave Dziemian, Francisco Enciso, Luke Feldman, Barry Fitzgerald, Sam Foote, John Fortes, Lauren Gardiner, Mark Gleason, Jason Godeke, Brad Greenwell, Tamara Giuon, Yonas Galle, Gale Hart, Dara Harvey, Danny Heller, Andrew Helm, Scott Holloway, Bree Hranke, Virginia Jvanicki, Jeffifer Jelenski, Marti Dixon Jones, Jennfier Kensworth, Norbert Kox, Dennis Larkins, Carl Lozado, Hal Mayforth, Ryan Milner, Joel Nakamura, Nikki Nash, Richard Oliver, Christ Peters, Bob Pitt, Jjerome Prieur, Rick Resse, Bonnie Reid, Erik Sandverg, Paola Sao, Kim Scott, Anna Sea, Rafael Silveria, Alan Simensky, Mike Sosnowski, Sean Steppenwolf, Cameron Tiede, Magda Trzaski, Rich Tuzon, Ronald Velasco, Andrew Verhoeckx, Laura Wacha, Debby Wang, Mel Weiner, Sri Zeno Whipple, Martin Whitfooth, Davey Wong and Star 27. Here are some glimpses of the work on display. Photos by Ashley Edmond.

Jason Houchen

Francisco Enciso and model

Dale Sizer

Lauren Gardiner "painter of tiny paintings"

Annie A of Billy Shire Fine Arts and La Luz de Jesus

Lee Joseph, photographer Richard Edson and Kristen Edmond.

Jack Howe

Jason Houchen

Jessica Cooper

Richard Oliver

Guess who bought both of Jessica's pieces?

Art teacher Cheralynn Johnston and Black Maria's Sam Saga

The Velvet Hammer Burlesque book signing party and photo exhibition at La Luz de Jesus, Sat. Feb 23, 2008

Wednesday 27 Feb, 2008
Time: 12:02 AM

The Velvet Hammer was the brainchild of Michelle Carr and was created while she was still running the legendary Jabberjaw club way back in the 90s. As the LA club underground musical tide was slowly turning away from grimy altrock and truly ugly sounding AND looking riot grrrrlll to a more fun and way better dressed garage and surf scene, Michelle revived the concept of Burlesque as seen through the eyes of a bunch of crazy punkrockers. It was a no-holes barred amalgamation of old-style burlesque dancing, comedy, skits, magic and acrobatics in a completely unabashed and politically incorrect stew which included girls and guys of all shapes, sizes and sexual orientation. The shows were both amazing and hysterical. (Anyone remember the very first shows at this restaurant/bar across the street from The Dresden Room? Michelle had given us space to sell Dionysus stuff in the back!) By the time Michelle left the States for Berlin and ended the Velvet Hammer, there was a decade long history, a very impressive list of cast and crew, and a lot of truly amazing photographs. While in Berlin, Michelle landed a book deal to publish a mostly visual history of the Velvet Hammer. I had the pleasure of being the Velvet Hammer DJ for the last year of their performances which were held monthly at The El Rey and was in touch with Michelle and a few of the old crew. Upon Michelle's arrival back in the states I suggested a book signing and photo exhibition at ground zero for LA's alternative art, culture and lifestyle, La Luz de Jesus Gallery / Soap Plant / Wacko and it made a lot of sense; Michelle and many other Velvet Hammer alumni were at one time or another employed by Billy Shire and his truly legendary empire. La Luz de Jesus has had a direct impact on each and every one of us in many different ways.

We could not have imagined a better turnout. The store, main gallery (which still had on it's walls the very excellent Marco Almera, Bryan Cunningham and Kryss Sapp show) and back gallery which gave home to three walls worth of Visual Velvet Hammer History, were entirely packed for three hours straight.

Have a look at the night's festivities!!

And, by the way, the book is beautiful! Pick one up if you have the chance. It's simply called "The Velvet Hammer Burlseque" by Michelle Carr.

Velvet Hammer founder - Michelle Carr!

Dainty Delilah Fruitbat

Michelle Carr and Barbara Duffy aka Bibi Poubelle

The Millionare and Barbara Duffy aka Bibi Poubelle

Vanessa Moselle and unnamed person.

Vera Duffy aka Fifi Poubelle

Vera Duffy aka Fifi Poubelle and former Velvet Hammer DJ, current La Luz publicist, yours truly!
With LA Punkrock legend, Hellin Killer

Billy Shire and our favorite art teacher Cheralynn Johnston

Kelly Hardy aka Jewel of Denial

Marie Astrid Gonzalez, Kelly Hardy aka Jewel of
Denial, Nick Ut

Selene Luna aka Bobby Pinz

Hope Urban aka Scarlet Fever

A very crowded La Luz de Jesus Gallery

Me again, with Kastle of Cool Girls.com

Vivian Mr. Uncertain and Selene Luna

Marissa Gomez aka Tipsy Toodles and Van Arno

Mr. Uncertain

Kari French aka Calotta Bleu and Husband Mickey

A crowded photo gallery

Jessica Daniels aka Fifi Le Bum and boyfriend

Maria Basaldu aka Senorita Bunnypants and daughter Olive

Melissa Duke aka Bubbles LaRue

Michelle Ora

Augusta

Ron Lynch

Corset maker Sue Nice and husband Ted

Jillian Lauren aka Sparkle Diamond

Fan Art Perez

The names have slipped right by us!

Andrea

Marc Graville and Annie Sperling

Craig Anton

A fan in her Lous Vuitton hat!

Craig Aton, Slim Evans, Marc Graville

Three walls of fantastic Velvet Hammer photographs!

The show remains up at La Luz through March 3. Go see it!

Igloo Tornado opening at Black Maria Gallery, Saturday Feb. 23, 2008

Tuesday 26 Feb, 2008
Time: 10:27 PM

IGLOO TORNADO opening at Black Maria Gallery, Saturday Feb. 23, 2008. Thankfully, the four-person Igloo Tornado show was still going strong when I got there at 10 pm on a very rainy Saturday after the Velvet Hammer book signing at La Luz de Jesus Gallery.

Four comics by the four members of Igloo Tornado.

Gin Stevens with his untitled Crying Elvis sculpture

Gin with another unnamed piece.

These are the first sculptures Gin has ever done.

Media - Polyurethane, Acrylic Paint, Plexiglas, an aquarium pump and Neon Lighting

Billy Shire from La Luz made it by after the Velvet Hammer Book Signing.

Tom Neely
"Brainwash," Okay" and "Sunday Afternoon"

Black Maria's Zara Zeitountsian and Billy Shire

Gin Stevens' "Untitled" - Chrome Plated Ceramic Bisque, edition of 3

Levon Jihanian and "Mindflyer" on the left

"The Zoologist" behind Gin

"Untitled" detail

More "Untitled" detail.

Zara with neighbors Carol Moore and Bobby Green from Bigfoot Lodge/Saints and Sinners/The Little Cave

Billy of La Luz, Zara of Black Maria and Bobby of Bigfoot Lodge ++

Scot Nobles and his "Songirds," each 6" by 6"

Our heros; Tom, Levon, Scot and Gin

Igloo Tornado!

"Bomp! Saving The World One Record At A Time" book signing party at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Feb. 19, 2008

Friday 08 Feb, 2008
Time: 09:19 PM

In celebration of the release of the "Bomp! Saving the World One Record at a Time” book, a signing party was held at La Luz de Jesus Gallery on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. The book, a compendium of "30 years of rock 'n' roll viewed from the garage," was written by Bomp! Co-founder, Suzy Shaw with journalist, Mick Farren. Together they tell the story of CA's seminal, rock 'n' roll independent record label and music zines Mojo Navigator (1966 to 1967) and Bomp! (1970 to 1979) and that means original writings by a host of hip and cool: Lester Bangs, Greil Marcus, Ken Barnes, Gene Sculatti, David Harris, Lisa Fancher and of course, the man behind the Bomp!, the much-missed, Greg Shaw. In attendance at La Luz de Jesus were Suzy, Mick, Joe and Mike Nolte of The Last, whose voices sounded just like they did on the “LA Explosion” album, along with DJ Audrey Morehead who supplied a Bomp! heavy set of vinyl. Also in attendance was a great crowd of lively fans and supporters.