PBR Book Club's Chat with Sam Pink

Last night, The PBR Book Club chatted with Chicago author Sam Pink via the internet.  While club members drank beers at The Eighth Street Tap Room, Pink casually joked about "Hot Styles" t-shirts and Chicago hot dogs.  He also answered questions about  his inspiration and writing methods for Rontel.  Most characters in the book are based on real life people: Pink actually has a beloved cat named Rontel, and the street performers scattered throughout the book are based on people Pink observed on the streets and subways of Chicago. 

And Pink's real life beverage of choice?  Old Style or King Cobra.... (Sooo Chicago, Sam!)

Read the full transcript of Sam Pink's chat with the PBR Book Club here: http://pbrbookclub.blogspot.com/2013/04/transcript-of-chat-stylins-of-sam.html

Open Studios at KU

Artist Steven Prochyra in his studio

We visited the yearly event where KU students clean their studios and open them up to the public.  This year drew big crowds.  Here are some of the artists and work we saw today. 

inside Prochyra's studio

Steven Prochyra has been working with conducting an electric field through the body.  The field is recorded on a computer screen in a terrain rendering graphic.  We stood on the pads and tested it!

Prochyra at work

Brianna Guian

"Wild Hunt Mask"

Brianna Buian

"The Hitcher"

We Spotted @Boredintellect and took his pic in front of his work

Seanna Hunter

Seanna Hunter

Jake Oxnard in his sculpture studio

His current work combines plants with iron scultpure

Joshua Lee Robinson in front of his painting "Visitation"

Der Lee's incredible work

Eli Gold in his studio.  Eli currently has his teapot collaboration project that his created with elementary school children on display at the Lawrence Arts Center

Brian Hawkins in his Studio

Brian is currently working on an impressive animation project.  

He discussed work process with us.  His background as a printmaker has helped prepare him for his current work, especially in the areas of constructing and planning.  He tells us he enjoys spending a long period of time with an image, working with the layers and the lighting. 

A Wet and Cold April Final Friday

Fourth of July at Love Garden

The art scene was quiet last night for April's Final Friday as the cold and rain kept large crowds away.  However, we found some terrific treasures particularly on Massachusetts Street.  The best score for the evening was hearing a fantastic set by The Fourth of July at the Love Garden.  We adored Wonder Fair's unseasonal summer pool drinks to accompany underwater paintings by Columbia's Kristen Martincic.  We also liked the large pop art-type painting by Kim Kearns at Hobbs.  

Here are the party pics from The Love Garden and other art spaces:

Fourth of July at Love Garden

We spotted a member of Ponyboy At Love Garden.  Ponyboy has a new CD out. 

Looking at records and listening The Fourth of July

Painting by Kim Kearns At Hobbs

Painting by Kim Kearns At Hobbs

 

Artist Joshua Holland at the Pig

Lost Art Space

Round table academic talk at the Lost Art Space

Work by Kristen Matrincic At Wonder Fair

At Wonder Fair

At the Fox Trot opening

LAC Art Auction: Fashion Statements

The Lawrence Arts Center rolled out its red carpet for the annual LAC Art Auction.   LA was there reporting and snapping photos of the glitz and glamour of the fashion statements made.  Interesting trends this year include designer shoes, anti-glitz stances, and Mad Men inspired dresses.

Red was a color trend in this year's auction

We loved the Mad Men inspired dresses we saw

We adored Jason's red plaid shirt

Molly in an elegant black silk dress

Miz Mooz red shoes

Wayne looking handsome in his suave sweater/sports coat combo

Susan Tate looking incredible in this tight fitted red cocktail dress

Nerd Nite Party Pics: Cults, Clubs, and Secret Signals

Nerds love secret societies and cults, and last night's Nerd Nite at Pachas was packed! In case you missed it, here are the party pics and recap.

Courtney Shipley, presenter of "No comprende! It's a riddle: The mysterious sounds of numbers stations"

Lots of laptops at Nerd Nite.  Becky Harpstrite checks the tech side of presentations

Chad 'PoFo' O'Bryhim, presenter of "The Not-So-Secret Society of the Hash House Harriers" with Wonder Fair's Meredith Moore

Even school board members go to Nerd Nite

Paige with a friend

KPR interviews Jon Kaleugher II

Discussing what pose to have their picture taken in

Librians checking out self help and other books 

Travis Weller scheming his next Nerd Nite event

Cutest couple award

Abby Oclese

Andreas heard short wave radio number codes as a child in Germany

RECAP

Meredith from Wonder Fair started the night with a brief presentation about secret societies and the original 18th century Illuminati of Bavaria.

Aubrey, an archivist at the Dole Institute, shocked us with the news that Bob Dole is still alive. She presented documents about growing concern for cults in the 1970's.  Materials were written and collected about the impact of groups such as the Ministry of Reverend Sun Myung Moon who ran covert businesses to support its opperation such as The Rocky Mountain Elf Works(?!)

Samples from Courtney's numbers stations were eerie. Started during World War I and used for cold war spy activity, these codes were ( and may still be) a source of communication and instructions.  Some aired consistently for years.  Long phrases of numbers sometimes started with music.  The simple kit for this secret spy activity is a short wave radio and a one time non-reusable pad.

Beer wins over notes for the last presentation on the secret society of the Hash House Harriers.  As if anyone in Lawrence needed another excuse to drink a PBR, The Harriers is an international running and drinking club started at the turn of the 1900's.  "If you have the right pair of socks and a funny name, you can be a part of this secret society."