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Been working on new wood paintings.
Some need more work- some need me to leave them alone for awhile.
Any feedback is welcome.
I have some new good things in my head.
Can't wait to get started this week
(all new paintings (C)kimebuzzelli art
Check out this amazing picture of my friend Caro-- seems it may be influencing things
DUBLAB turns 7!! LA's underground music kids have been providing an online radio station for music heads of all styles to listen and sample the latest music. Last night Frosty (Dublab's happy leader)- secured the ultimate party location...the GHOSTBUSTERS firehouse. Everyone ventured downtown L.A. to celebrate seven years of great music with DJ sets and live performances by Mia Doi Todd- Devendra Banhart, Daedulus, D.J. Nobody, Jimmy Tamborello and many more. Entertainment also included Motion graphics, live screenprinting, and the Mochilla Magic Photo Booth. Upstairs Frosty curated a DreamScene music Poster show. Artists were asked to create a "dream" music venue poster including favorite artists (living or dead) and make magic.
Here was the evening's maestro
artist Albert Reyes and designer Matteah getting lively
Brittzy getting shy
Carlos Nino and Farmer Dave share a hug
DubLAB D.J Joseh and Devendra Banhart get the turntables ready --
Gaby and Caro
THE POSTER ART
this one is mine...
this is the one everyone else thought was mine-
I love this picture cause it looks like a Pilsbury Dough Boy commercial- look at that giant finger in the belly
Mr. Dave Cooley and his lovely lady
although D.J. Kutmah was ill- this picture represented him nicely.
singer Mia Doi Todd gets barefoot while she and Andreas make beautiful music
Happy 7 years DUBLAB- thanks again
Leave it to London Fashion Week to inspire strange fashion feelings in me. I've been sitting on the floor for weeks uninspired, hoping for something to fall from the sky. Looks like some clouds make have dropped in to say hellllo.
At the Roksanda Ilincic show - giant puffy bows and white powder puff clouds graced the runway. Sarah Mower, a writer at the show described the look as " cocktail dressing that teeters on the brink of being a bit bonkers". Sure does. 
Dark cloud enters the scene...Curious designer of alien pod couture- Gareth Pugh. You know this stuff is so scary- I love that it's considered "ready to wear". Ah yes- to that Sci-Fi Convention and perhaps to the insane animated world of Gareth Pugh. This strange creative force turns out to be a soft-spoken boy who says he was inspired by watching Ridley Scott's 1985 fantasy movie Legend, "where Princess Lili dances in a white room and becomes her darker self."
Don't you love that this model's name is actually Emily Strange?
I'd have to say my favorites so far--because they seem fascinating to paint-- are the fantasy designs of BASSO and BROOKE. Their 20's style dresses with exotic travel prints, birds, moths and butterfly wings look ready to float off to some make believe party- past the cloud dresses of Roksanda Ilincic. These rich colorful feathers and scales- seem to be headed for that Kaisik Wong in the sky. (Legendary costume designer who passed away in 1990 of AIDS)
Oh Irina in tangerine-
this one reminds me of a Zandra Rhodes painted silk print
(all photos marcio Madeira)
since I brought up inspirational fabric artist Kaisik Wong-I should note that vintage clothing collector Cameron Silver is in the process of making a book on Kaisik Wong. The hard cover book will be put out by Rizzoli and titled the Radiant Sun. I cannot wait! I know that Cameron appreciates amazing talent and will deliver a book as prized as my Native Funk and Flash.
I have admired the apparel artistry of Kaisik Wong since I discovered the craft bible Native Funk and Flash. I only wish that Wong had not passed so young- --Imagine what futuristic creations could've exploded from those genius hands? Even Balenciaga designer Ghesquiere couldn't resist imitating the designers touch.
"It was shocking to see something so similar, that my uncle's genius has been recognized after all this time," Wong's 24-year-old niece Katherine Wong said.
Her father Kailey Wong agrees. "I'm not saying he's [Ghesquiere] is copying or anything -- but that he's influenced. Fashion repeats itself. But Kaisik was truly an innovator."
I just had to include these amazing shots of Pandora- Kaisik Wong's fashion muse-
look at this Kaisik Wong one-piece dream...
(all the photos from the Decades Fashion installation by Jeremy Scott)
About 5 years back, some stylist asked me to borrow some clothes that I made to style a fashion shoot for the FACE magazine. It was around that time that the SHOW PONY had a theme art/fashion show called TEENAGE Lust: and 10,000 other reasons I almost killed myself. I had made some screen printed dresses and school oxfords with crying teenagers and suicide letters handwritten on fabric and sewn into the pockets. The stylist pulled some of these "sad" pieces and this tea stained moldy lace party dress torn to shreds. I later found out that the photo shoot was for mysterious author J.T. Leroy. So when the FACE magazine came out- I was shocked to see the frail masked author in a weird wig eating a banana on a swingset in my creations. It was a weird spread- but nothing as weird as the story that has surfaced of J.T. Leroy as a mere hoax. I thought it was sort of funny that the new Spring 2007 L.A.M.B clothing line by Gwen Stefani seemed to mimic the styling of the author- wig and incognito.
(the Face magazine)
Here's a lil background update on J.T. Leroy as written
By Jack Boulware:
When Geoffrey Knoop confessed to the New York Times in February that his partner of 16 years, Laura Albert, was the one who wrote as JT LeRoy, the jig was up. For over 10 years, Albert, now 40, had fooled the literary world with her invented character, who wrote a confessional novel and stories based on his tempestuous life. The concept was tailor-made for the tragedy-redemption media racket -- LeRoy was a male cross-dressing prostitute whose mother pimped him at truck stops in West Virginia. He ended up a street urchin in San Francisco, turning tricks in the Tenderloin for heroin money, before learning to become a writer.
His books quickly became hipster samizdat. Celebrities like Lou Reed, Courtney Love and Tatum O'Neal gobbled the stories like candy and eagerly volunteered to perform his works at public readings. Movie producers smelled opportunity and bought film rights to his books. The indie film "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things," based on LeRoy's collection of stories, starring Asia Argento and featuring cameos by Peter Fonda, Winona Ryder and Marilyn Manson, opens this Friday in New York and Los Angeles. And Albert and Knoop's rock band Thistle toured the United States and Italy, thanks to lyrics by LeRoy.
As his fame grew, so did demand for public appearances. And so Knoop's half-sister, an aspiring model and actress, was recruited to play LeRoy in public, wearing a stringy blond wig and sunglasses. With the recent admission by Knoop, persistent rumors of the gigantic ruse were finally confirmed, and the LeRoy saga quickly collapsed and disintegrated into a mist of anger and recrimination.
(Photo of Laura Albert from Laura Albert's 1990s Web site, lauravictoria.com)
Do you think that the celebrity fans who were duped feel silly yet?
About 3 1/2 years ago, while sitting bored at the Show Pony...a mother came in toting the most adorable big eyed baby. The mother introduced herself as a handbag designer and then said she had samples in her car. She handed me her baby and then disappeared. I thought, wow...I could have a brand new baby today. Years later that same mother moved from WA to Echo Park and into the apartment below me. Today marked that adorable kid's 4th birthday!
That's right...lil Vinca confided to me today that she will be tossing her "sippy" cups into the trash- cause she is too big for that stuff. She also invited me to attend her Pony party. When I asked what a Pony Party was she looked at me like I was an idiot.
I later discovered that it meant wearing fairy wings and tiaras and combing the luxurious glitter manes of plastic ponies. She turned to me and said "we are making them much prettier". Girls are born to love ponies and sparkles- it's a proven fact. The level of cuteness and pink were at an all time high. Her pal turned to me at one point and said "we ate soap and I hope we don't take ill". I found out one of the adult guests had told them the candy rings were really soap.
The adults were sporting pink wigs and carrying plush ponies on sticks or busy eating cupcakes.
You have to click on these photos to see the full happy birthday effect
here's mommy in her top hat
this table was actually only 12 inches off the ground- pretty fancy digs for four year olds
here's little miss soap eater.
the adults begin the electric string game, after ingesting some magic fungus
Remember what I was saying about being "lucky"? Well I spoke too soon. Last week I gashed my left hand open on a clothing rack while cleaning the Show Pony, and tonight the right was paid a little justice. I was cleaning a cocktail glass when it shattered and a huge piece tore open my flesh. In the few seconds right before a giant flap of your flesh opens to reveal pain, you are actually shocked. Everything occurs in slow motion. You see the wound open, blood so red it seems fake hit the sink and then 5 whole seconds pass before you scream. You scream, not because it hurts yet but because you ought to feel pain. As I ran down the hall blood trailing in giant drops, down my legs- and onto my shoes...I thought perhaps stiches were in order. I've never had stitches but this was looking deep. Blood falling everywhere, down the sink, onto the bathroom floor. Then your heart starts beating someplace inside the wound and you fear you may never paint again. Anyway, a few cocktails later and a rag upon it has made me less careful. I just wanted to mention the luck has run out.
after the bleeding stopped I decided to take these:
GP thought I was retarded for regretting I didn't document the bloody floor.
my tolerance for hydrogen peroxide and or Bactine in an open cut has not diminished since the days of skinned knees as a kid, that shit burns
Last night over at SKYLIGHT BOOKS, our dear friend John read from his book "The Inertia Variations." For those of you who have never had the pleasure of an intimate evening with the poetry of Mr. John Tottenham- - you are missing out. Perhaps it's all in the dead pan delivery, or the English accent, or maybe even the way he continues reading til you can almost feel the energy leaving your torso, whatever the case you're hooked. You can almost picture a marigold room with barely any light and tattered doilies, furniture with a human dent formed from hours of listless lounging. The magic of Mr Tottenham's words are created from years of experiencing "nothing" I can almost hear the soundtrack to his sonnets with music by the FUGS... "Monday- nothing, Tuesday -nothing Wednesday, Thursday Nothing --Friday for a change a little more Nothing....nothing nothing nothing."
His book was put out by Kerosene Bomb Publishing- and is the perfect gift for pals who have a hard time getting something accomplished everyday.
The Inertia Variations are currently being adapted into song form by Matt Johnson of The The.
Here's one of his Walker series paintings...
here are some fine examples of his poetry:
XIX
I do not know the meaning of hard work.
But I do know what it means to adhere
To a schedule of diligent work-avoidance
As if it were a regular job: a strict routine
Of wandering around and lying down,
And brooding over wasted time.-
I don't like to mix business
With anything, least of all pleasure.
Nothing
---------
When I ask someone what they are doing and they tell me
They are doing nothing, they are, in fact usually doing
Something. Whereas if someone asks me what I am doing
And I tell them I am doing nothing, I am, in fact actually doing
Nothing. Few people, outside jails or hospitals, have spent more
Time lying on a bed looking at a wall. Or on a sofa, or in a chair,
Or on a floor. Or looking at a floor, or a ceiling.
Or with eyes shut.
XXXIV
-----------
I only take consolation
In other people's failure
In order to feel less lonely.
It is not that I am afraid
Of success. What scares me most
Is the work itself, the required effort:
Of what it will take out of me
And what it will leave me with.
Another DAY
---------------
Take some initiative...
Do something with your life:
I get up from the sofa,
Walk across to the table
And write these words
Down on a piece of paper.
Then I return to the sofa and
Fall asleep.
After John made some new fans laugh til they felt sick in the stomach, and better about their own apathy, we made our way to the Dresden for a drink. The intriguing thing about John Tottenham is that he is forever a mystery. You will never know where he spends his days, who he visits on his travels, or what he is truly thinking. His answering machine message is a mere mumble- and if he actually picks up the phone at all to talk, you feel important.
If you're really lucky- he'll invite you into his home and show you his amazing postcard collection and photos of him at seventeen. London school boys with curly hair--wow.
Speaking of LUCKY--check out the this morning photo of the tree that tipped over at the roots right next to my car. Imagine if that would've crushed by Benz. ouch
Yesterday in New York, clothing label Vena Cava (one of ten labels chosen to show for Spring 2007 made possible by sponsor UPS- ) opted to present a fashion installation vs. show on the runway. Vena Cava designers Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai have showcased their previous collections in four neatly decorated rooms. This time they selected the setting to be a whimsical BBQ on three astroturfed lawns with models taking on the roles of "daydreamers" and "misfits".
The set-up reminded me of this band I was in back in Ohio called the FAMILY VAN. We sang a song written by Jason Drenik (Hairy Patt Band --fame) called "Three BBQ's in One Night". That song he wrote later inspired some John Waters fans to make a movie called " 3 BBQ's in a Night". ( Funny they never mention he wrote the song- never use it in the movie and never mention he wrote the original concept play based on the song, which I still have a copy of.) anyway back to the VENA CAVA fashion installation- which features girls spying on birds, inspecting frogs, peeling corn off the cob, climbing garden ladders and choosing a plump hot dog. What more do you need? Fans will be happy to see that they are still using their gypsy feather silkscreen image on the new collection. After watching "The New World" this week- I'm convinced we all need some sort of feather in our wardrobe.
(photos by Marcio Madeira- )
Thursday night project-
sit on floor in an uncomfortable position and look at magazines
because the overhead light is burned out and unreachable- paint & draw in near darkness.
Because the colors all seem the same in the half light- attempt to make happy art nontheless.
Perhaps due to the lack of water or human contact , I started crying while watching a Diane Sawyer
expose on Mean Girls in High School. What gives? Those evil 13-17 year olds who prey on other kids bum me out. The show focused on an experiment where they place small groups of 13-18 year old girls in various rooms and give them cell phones and computers. The girls are smart- honor students who do not know each other. One is even home schooled. Within minutes they are cruel and emailing hideous put downs to eachother. Thank God I didn't exist in the high school era of cell phones and myspace. Anyway I cried because Diane Sawyer interviewed one father who's sensitive son hung himself because he was bullied by these idiot High School girls. Why can't girls just be nice? I swear this made me want to go from school to school & lecture about the power of kindness.
Sometimes when I post fashion pictures on this blog- I get the occasional comments about "WHERE ON EARTH WOULD YOU WEAR THAT?" And my reply is --exactly. I don't check out magazines and websites obsessively to find everyday basic clothes. I am always looking for the latest visual fix. I want to to see things layered in a way that makes me want to pour piles of paints and pastels out onto paper. So far Spring 2007 Fashion week has delivered some safe stuff. Nothing has fed the brain or WOWIE Zowied me to make things. What I'm trying to say is that I look to the magazines to introduce a new way of thinking about clothes for the seasons- I never desire to own those actual designer frocks. It's just not my thing to waste money to wear "the item" of the season. I want to be influenced by the aura of them and pursue things from old shops. So when I see a show like ANNA SUI's Spring 2007 I get that feverish excitement. WHY? Because she has found a way to play BOW WOW WOW into a colorful spectrum of NEW YORK DOLLS--Turkish Carpet Patterns, Marie Antoinette and topped it all off with a Napolean hat.
She has also delicately disturbed the pretty pretty with a dash of torn stocking and street rough. That's always nice
.
this one makes me wanna sing Surrey with the Fringe on Top.
(all full photos by Marcio Madeira & close-ups by Don Ashby)
As far as taking it to the limit- you always have to hand it those Heatherette boys- this party pic of PARIS wearing her Heatherette runway dress is pretty fab.
I moved over to this neighborhood in 1999. At that point half of the Delmore building was boarded up like a Ghost town and the other side was occupied by a few galleries. At the very end you could find El Batey Market, a place where neighborhood kids scored candy and mothers could put it on their tab. In the seven years I've lived and worked in this building I have had the pleasure of seeing El Batey owner Evalia almost every day. She has shared her amazing enchiladas, saved packages for me and given me lovely Xmas gifts. In return I've styled her for a fab Flapper party & given her fun surprises.
This corner that Chango coffee House now shares with Evalia was once known as Chicken Corner. Chicken Corner was named after an Aaron Donovan mural that showed a bunch of crazy chickens. Bulging eyed chickens, one of them in leather, multicolored, painted and occasionally tagged and otherwise assaulted. (At one point someone tossed about a quart of tan paint over it and at least one of the chickens disappeared forever.) The mural was titled, “Moron.” When the Chango coffee house opened in 2004, its owners blasted out the mural in order to create a window on the side of the building. Pieces of it are mounted inside the coffee house in a sort of mosaic homage-slash-apology to the people who wanted the mural to stay. The day that Aaron moved out of his art space Delirium Tremens, he gave me all the pre-sketches of the Chicken Corner mural. I was honored.
Ok- so this leads me to the mysterious discovery today...
My neighbor came up the stairs today with an ancient embossed floral leather belt that seems salvaged from the Shakespeare era. I gasped as she revealed her husband found it at the hidden junk shop behing El Batey and Chango spaces. WHAT!?
How could a thrifty junk shop not be sniffed out by me and my pals?
We've lived and worked here a few years shy of a decade and no one ever mentioned the tiny antique space tucked behind my home? What will we discover next, an amusement park under the building attatched to a bowling alley? Hidden tunnels to the lotus flowers? I asked Evalia today about it and she simply said, "ah yes, my brother in law once owned the place for 15-20 years and he passed a year and half ago and his son is cleaning it out." Sometimes you have to really explore.
Speaking of mysterious spaces here in Echo Park- what is with that enigma glass box across the street from the Delmore?
Well rumor has it that the young girl who lives there told a source that her uncle builds fences and doors and created this front yard piece as a display of his craftmanship. Hmmm. I had hoped it was a time machine or an elaborate aviary.
If you fancy yourself to be crafty, creative or spilling with mad style...check out the latest issue of online N.E.E.T. magazine. N.E.E.T. was invented by talented web designer and artist Stephanie J, who hails from the UK. The fun zine was launched in December 2005 and keeps getting better and better. Each issue features different DIY designers and one of a kind creations that when clicked on link up to the individual web page for that item! The best thing is that they are always seeking new photographers, illustrators and fashion darlings to contribute. If you think you have something to share-- or want to submit as a writer go check out the zine here:
http://www.neetmagazine.com/
or contact them at their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/neetmagazine
Ever since I can remember, I've been drawn to accessories that are absurd or unnecessary. Maybe it's because my mother was a hair pro who could transform my waist length hair into fishtails or create headbands of braids. So it's no surprise that one of my favorite things to collect is vintage hair clips and headbands. These are three of my favorites:
Of course in honor of New York Fashion week- I must salute Marc Jacobs new Spring hair details...
MASSIVE Gems always shout happy hair is under here.
( MJ pictures marcio madeira--details Don Ashby)
Some people are just blessed, they have the magnetic smile, perfect DNA, gorgeous singing voice and ability to create things. The incredible designing duo Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk possess all these heavenly qualities. Obviously fueled by a love for all things precious and vintage, these girls can make magic out of material. In only five seasons they have made timeless collections and cultivated an impressive fan following. The thirties and forties seem to be a heavy influence in their new 2007 Spring line. Darling doll like dresses with models in floral net hats and white knee socks. Imagine pixie pastels and ladylike shapes. This new collection of faded floral chiffons and whimsical polka dots are perfect for tea or riding a bike through the park.
I've always been a fan- these women know how to have fun with fashion
my favorite girl Irina
with fans like Lou who needs anyone else?
you can check out more on their new 2007 line here:
http://www.millaj.com/model/jovovich-hawk.shtml
or on their myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=75039950
of course here is my man Mr. P. at the premiere of DUMMY starring Milla as a Klepto Klezmer band leader
(photo at:stefano_giovannini@yahoo.com)
About 8 or 9 years ago, I had someone in art school tell me that I looked like Susan Cianciolo's sister. Unfamiliar with the artist/designer...I did some research. I found some pictures, none that looked too similar to me (perhaps our hair color?) but definitely a connection to the work. At that time I was an installation artist mostly making dresses from wallpaper and stuffing little pod like shapes and torsos. I was inspired by fashion but could barely sew. I adored artists like Annette Messager, Sophie Calle, and Eva Hesse. After school, I moved to L.A. and discovered an amazing fashion story on Susan Cianciolo in PURPLE magazine. I loved the way she seemed to scatter all her creative energies into so many tasks. The precious way she manupulated common materials and arranged them into personal installations. All the objects carrying the components of some secret or story.
I wandered into China Town one evening to find a new art gallery opening. There was a zine dedicated to her work- which I puchased. I told the owner I loved her artwork, he smiled and agreed it was fascinating. The owner of the gallery turned out to be her ex- husband and former Alleged Gallery owner Aaron Rose. We ran into eachother about a year later when he came to my store to interview me for a Japanese magazine. We became friends and he was the first person to offer to paint a sign for my store. Which we proudly discovered one day after he had just hammered it up there almost annonymously. Weirdly enough he appeared out of no where in a Milan airport when my boyfriend and I were stranded in Italy-- and shared a coffee with us. Anyway, I mention all this, because these strange encounters have followed since that first mention of her. In 2004 I went to Japan and had work along side hers at Mike Mills shop HUMAN. This small space housed his lovely fabric designs and collaborations with other artists. That same month Japanese NYLON magazine featured a story on artists who are also inspired by fashion. I was happy to grace the same page as Susan.
Susan will be showing her fashion line for CONE Denim Sept 6-20. The display will be at the Sears Peyton Gallery at 210 11th ave. suite 802 in New York. After New York, Papermag will bring the show to Lace here in L.A. Her versatility as an artist, musician and film maker make her unique. Photos of her studio reveal a place jam-packed with fabrics, drawings, watercolours, photos, found illustrations, and books. She was quoted as saying , ‘I leave the result to chance, fate, destiny, my passion and my need to create’.
FALL Fashion week is about to discover the wonderful world of GREY ANT. Taking his runway show to NYC to debut his Spring 2007 line, Grant will bedazzle the crowd with help from the Hysterica DANCE Company. Perhaps taking off where the cockettes left off, this collaboration is sure to be mezmerizing. The Dance Co- was founded in '97 (thank Sir Ryan Heffington) and exists to explore collaborations such as this- with fellow designers- artists, filmmakers, composers and musicians.
Who is the tall Midwestern man (usually in headbands) behind the designs?
Grant Krajecki of Grey Ant discovered his mom’s sewing machine as a young boy. Using her simplicity patterns, he surprised her with clothes he’d made. At 21 he left Chicago for Hollywood and began creating costumes for porn film stars, ice capades and showgirls. In June of 1998, with money saved from a year of working the early shift at a local coffee shop, he launched Grey Ant. In his spare time, Krajecki continues to support the local theatre companies that sustained him early on, creating original costumes free-of-charge. He also hosts amazing sample sales that keep the less fortunate ladies of the East Side decked out in jumpsuits and high waisted pants.
designs from previous collections...
Says the fashion bad-boy Krajecki, “I like giving conservative things a sick spin."
here's Jared Leto at the VMAs wearing Grey Ant while carrying a cake
(c)Getty images
The Spring 2007 show is scheduled for Sept 14- in NYC.
Grey Ant clothing can be found at:
www.shopbop.com and at www.greyant.com
here's my first pair of high waisted Grey ANT pants
Ever since I was a young girl, the coming of FALL excites me. Something about the "back to school" supply aisles and the smell of new shoes. Maybe it's all those years wasted on School uniforms that I long for the Fall issues of every magazine. Every year on the night before school started I would try on outfit after outfit for my sister. She would take a "mental" picture of them and then tell me which one was the best choice. Even though the cool winds of September seem far off, I'm anticipating layers and knits, knee high socks and long sleeves. Here are some items from the "DREAM ON Little DARLING" pages of fashion frocks.
Purple silk chiffon mini by Azzaro:
Ahhhh PUCCI...
metallic foil flower blouse by Anna Sui...luscious
picture this electric green dress by TIBI with a black leotard and tights
Burberry blueberrry chiffon dress followed by their white lace tiered dress (mere $5000)
Fabulous FALL details
Oh, Chloe...you're breaking my heart
(if you desire--most of these gems can be found on http://www.net-a-porter.com/am/Home.ice
VENA CAVA's fall 06 sweetness
I made this painting a few years ago... but just recently rediscovered it, and on the same day checked out the latest issue of POP magazine featuring London lovely KATE MOSS in a similar swirl of candy colored hair.
The editorial spread features exaggerated make-up, wigs and loads of vintage--including Bulgari's entire vintage jewelry collection -priceless necklaces!
this young model- Tania is only 15 yrs old.
during the shoot Kate was excited about adopting an entire persona rather then just posing.
she describes her lust for life, and that she feels most alive when she is on her back...
look at Sadie Frost in her ruby red lips and flame colored hair.
I like creating things that have unnecessary frou frou, as Office Space calls it- "Flair". In the past few weeks I've been painting little tiny paintings for my babydoll dresses. If you fall in love with the magic flair - you know where to find them (Show Pony Boutique and Screaming Mimi's)
in my dreams- everyone looks like this all the time
I woke up today in Chicago. I have to say this is the best city in the U.S. Sure it's summer and I haven't had an extreme cold wind- but it's really amazing. Something about the clean streets and magical river view make me want to go explore stuff. I went today by myself to visit the old Marshall Fields Department store...it's been a landmark here forever. The MACY's is going to be taking it over this week officially. It's sort of sad, like a passing of Christmas windows long long ago. I couldn't believe the old signs and giant patina clocks that protrude from the building. The inside has art deco light fixtures and elaborate columns. The view down from the inside is breathtaking. My friend Brad opened a great "old style" diner on Eleventh and named a sandwich "the Marshall Fields " sandwich. He said he wanted to pay tribute to the ladies who lunched there back in the day. This week he was told the item had to be removed from his menu or risk legal action. I looked up this info on Wikopedia:
Marshall Field (1835-1906) was the wealthiest man in Chicago of his time, worth an estimated $100 million when he died. Originally working as a clerk for Potter Palmer, he saved half of his $400/year salary, and in 1865 with his partner Levi Leiter bought Palmer's dry-goods store. Field and Leiter eventually became "Marshall Field and Company".
Originally opened in Chicago in 1852 by Potter Palmer, eponymously named P. Palmer & Co.. Four years later, in 1856, 21-year-old Marshall Field moved to Chicago from Pittsfield Just prior to the Civil War.
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That is old.
That is some history. This whole city is old and amazing- every corner something profound.
the tiffany stained glass ceiling
To top it all off- today was the opening day for the new LUSH soap store at the bottom of this building.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last night we ended up at the Green Mill- WOW
talk about 99 years ago. We had the best time! Here is the low down--
Throughout its uproarious history, The Green Mill Jazz Club has played host to a number of famous - and often infamous - celebrities. Opened in 1907 as Pop Morse's Roadhouse, the "Mill" was a stopping place for mourners to celebrate the passing of a friend before proceeding to St. Boniface's Cemetery. By 1910, new owners had converted the roadhouse into the Green Mill Gardens, complete with lantern-lit outdoor dancing and drinking areas, and boasting such headliners as Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor and Sophie Tucker. Actors Wallace Beery and Bronco Billy Anderson also visited the Gardens, hitching their horses to the outdoor post and settling down for a drink after a days work filming westerns at nearby Spoor and Anderson Studios.
As the twenties roared, The Green Mill became mobster territory when Al Capone's henchman, "Machinegun" Jack McGurn, gained a 25% ownership of the club. Manager Danny Cohen had given McGurn the 25% stake to "persuade" comedian/singer Joe E. Lewis from moving his act south to the New Rendezvous Café at Clark and Diversey. McGurn managed to convince Lewis by slitting his throat and cutting off his tongue. Miraculously, Lewis recovered, but his songs never regained their lush sound. The incident was later immortalized in the movie The Joker is Wild, with Frank Sinatra as Joe E. Lewis and a Hollywood soundstage as The Green Mill. Of course, his interest piqued, Sinatra had to visit the club.
Throughout the 1930s, '40s, and 50s, The Green Mill continued to pack 'em in with a heady mix of swing, dance and jazz music. Uptown crowds from the Aragon Ballroom or Uptown and Riviera Theaters would "stop in for one" before or after shows. Business began to slip in the mid-seventies, and in 1986, present owner Dave Jemilo bought The Green Mill and restored it to its prohibition-era, speakeasy décor.
Ok with all that --in mind, let me say that this place is straight out of an old movie. There are old old old regular customers, a door man with a bear claw around his neck and handlebar mustache and young swing kids decked out in their big band gear. The bandstand was enormous and sounded like an old record your grandma always played.
Problem is that I have absolutely no rhythm. So when you tell the older men who invite you to dance that you really can't...they don't believe you til they feel your feet crushing theirs and you nearly tumble into the trombone player.
this is where I ended up of course- Mr. P has to eat cheezeborgers after hours
Tonight is the opening premiere of the movie -- I can't wait! Mr. P was on Chicago radio twice today- being funny on the loop.
