MOTORCITYBLOG: January 2017

1/26/17

UPCOMING: Purgatory Film Fest, 12 March @ Tangent Gallery

Purgatory VII

A Cinematic Exploration of the Soul

March 12 2017

Bazaar 4p-midnight

Showtimes 5p, 7p & 9p

Tangent Gallery/Hastings Ballroom

715 E Milwaukee, Detroit

The DAMNED Exhibition of Enlightened Darkness proudly presents the seventh year exhibition of powerful cinema called the Purgatory Film Exhibition. Held on Sunday March 12th 2017 at Detroit’s Tangent Gallery, Purgatory will present approximately 90 minutes of short films of introspective, emotive and/or enlightened subject matters from filmmakers worldwide. This is not an industry-focused horror film festival, but a tributary showcase of the often redemptive films from the filmmaker’s personal collections.

And returning, the Purgatory Bazaar! Come early before each showing and visit over a dozen local artists selling their own original art, prints and merchandise. Help support local artists!

Admission is $10 ($5 matinee). This event is 18+ due to mature film and art content. A cash bar is also present for alcoholic and non-alcoholic pleasures.

The 2017 film schedule will be released by February 12th.

For further details, updates and film schedule, please visit:
http://www.PurgatoryFilmExhibition.com/

TONIGHT: Solace Sessions at Spread Art

Donations suggested

For more info:

www.detroitbureauofsound.com

THIS WKND: Breaking Borders TABOO @ Tangent

Breaking Borders TABOO

January 27-28, 7p-midnight

Tangent Gallery/Hastings Street Ballroom

715 East Milwaukee. Detroit, MI 48202

A celebration of the Forbidden through Art, Music, Fashion, Performance and more!

(Sponsored by Jagermeister. Now you have my attention.)

Friday, January 27th:

1/12/17

PHOTOS: Blackalicious at the Magic Bag 1-12-17

In a hip-hop career that has stretched past a decade, Blackalicious has earned respect the old-fashioned way–rising through honesty, commitment, and artistry. Blackalicious is an American hip hop duo from Sacramento, California made up of rapper Gift of Gab (born Tim Parker) and DJ/producer Chief Xcel (born Xavier Mosley). They are noted for Gift of Gab's often "tongue-twisting", multisyllabic, complex rhymes and Chief Xcel's "classic" beats.

Like a few other West Coast rap acts, including the Pharcyde and Jurassic 5, Blackalicious has generally favored what hip-hoppers call the "positive tip"; in other words, its lyrics have often been spiritual and uplifting rather than violent or misogynous. Like a lot of experimental alternative rappers, Blackalicious can be quirky and eccentric; nonetheless, spirituality is a big part of the group's music. Although Blackalicious wasn't formed until the early '90s, its members had known each other since the late '80s. Founding members Gift of Gab (Timothy Parker) and Chief Xcel (Xavier Mosley) first met in Sacramento, CA, in 1987 when they were students at John F. Kennedy High School. Neither of them was originally from Sacramento; DJ/producer Xcel (who was going by DJ IceSki at the time) was a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, while rapper Gift of Gab was from Los Angeles' suburban San Fernando Valley.

The two went their separate ways after Gift of Gab (also known as Gabby T) graduated from Kennedy High in 1989, but they were reunited in Davis, CA, in 1992. By that time, Xcel had become a student at the University of California at Davis and the Gift of Gabhad moved to Davis to form Blackalicious with him. UC Davis was where Xcel had started working with a hip-hop crew named SoleSides, whose members included DJ Shadow, Lateef the Truth Speaker, and Lyrics Born. SoleSides Records was the name of the SoleSides Crew's Northern California record company and in 1994, that label released Blackalicious' debut single "Swan Lake." Although not a triple-platinum smash, the single was a small underground hit that fared well among alternative rap audiences. The following year, SoleSides Records released a Blackalicious EP titled Melodica. By late 1997, SoleSides Records had transformed into Quannum Records, and in 1999, Quannum put out another Blackalicious EP, A2G.

In 2000, Quannum released the group's full-length debut Nia (whose title is the Swahili word for purpose). After being together eight years, Blackalicious finally signed with a major label when, in late 2000, the Californians were added by MCA. In April 2002, Quannum/MCA released Blazing Arrow, which boasted guest appearances ranging from vocalist Zack de la Rocha (of Rage Against the Machine) to the Roots' ?uestlove to veteran soul singer Gil Scott-Heron. After the requisite tour, both Xcel and Gab began developing solo material; Quannum released both Maroons' Ambush (Chief Xcel with Latyrx's Lateef the Truth Speaker) as well as a Gift of Gab solo LP, Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up. The pair returned in 2005 for their third album, The Craft, with a contract in hand from the Anti- label

1/5/17

DIRTY SHOW 18 Tickets on sale now!

Dirty Dhow 18 - Call For Art

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Dirty Show 18-Exhibition • February 10-18, 2017
Russell Exhibition Center • Detroit, MI USA

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Direct link to ticket website dirtyshow.brownpapertickets.com

Also at local Detroit area outlets (cash only):
Noir Leather-Royal Oak • Rivers Edge Gallery-Wyandotte
Found Sound Records-Ferndale • The Road Show-Roseville

Forward to Friend

1/4/17

Studio 8700 presents…THE TWO-HEADED RAPTOR SHOW

On January 28th be prepared for an art show unlike any other! The Two-Headed Raptor Show invades Studio 8700, Oak Park's newest art gallery/performance space.

The Two-Headed Raptor Show is the collaboration of two local artists and life-long friends Brendan Patrick and Tom Beste. Their unique artistic vision is brought to life at this show which will also benefit a good cause, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. More than 30,000 people are living with cystic fibrosis (more than 70,000 worldwide). Raising awareness of this disease is an important issue to both artists.

Blind artist Brendan Patrick and tattoo artist Tom Beste share an upbringing and residence in the Metro Detroit area, a lifelong devotion to the visual arts, and a passion for playing music in their rock band The Wretched Sights.

By Brendan Patrick

Brendan Patrick is a blind artist, but he hasn't always been blind. While fighting a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis, Brendan lost his vision at the age of 26 due to complications from treatment. Having been an artist his entire life, Brendan had to find new ways to create. Through trial and error Brendan has devised a new technique using a raised texture so that he can feel his painting. He also selects his paints by labeling all his colors with braille. Currently, Brendan is the subject of a documentary being filmed about his daily successes and struggles titled “Can't See Sh*t” by local indie filmmaker Rob Cousineau. Brendan's artwork has been showcased at different galleries across the nation. He also does public speaking events, all in attempt to raise public awareness of cystic fibrosis.

By Tom Beste

Tom Beste works in a variety of mediums and has been a professional tattoo artist for the past decade. He was originally taught how to tattoo by Brendan before his friend lost his sight. Tom works at Eternal Tattoos in Eastpointe and has been employed there for the past seven years. Tom's media of choice for the exhibit is oil paint on canvas. His subject matter is intentionally cerebral, both sensual and macabre with a dynamic use of color.

By attending the show you will support the awareness for cystic fibrosis as all monies collected at the door for entry will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. $10 per person for entry. Included with entry is a chance to win an original collaborated painting by Brendan and Tom, via raffle. Live performances will entertain throughout the night and there will be pizza and refreshments served.

The date is SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 at 7 pm-1 am and all ages are welcome. Studio 8700 is located at 8700 W. Nine Mile Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237, phone number is 248-965-2832 and more information can be found on their website www.studio8700.com.

For more information about the artists please visit their websites at www.tombesteart.com and facebook.com/BlindartistBrendan.