December 2011

Whitton Record Release @ Cantina Los Tres Hombres

Sparks, Nevada – October 22, 2011 – 7 p.m.

Photo by Natalie GambleSinger-songwriter Whitton has taken giant steps toward breaking through success in her music career.  With an impressive list of song placements and major club appearances already under her, it is delightful to see the Reno native on the climb and making good in the industry.  We have local music impresario Todd South to thank for sending the talented artist and her publicist our way to help promote her upcoming record release event at Cantina Los Tres Hombres in Sparks on October 22, 2011 @ 7 p.m. 

Whitton’s videos and press materials show an artist on the rise, with an easy stage presence—evident even early on in her career travels.  The willowy blonde chanteuse and veteran road dog with the stunning Bettie Davis eyes, has a decidedly throwback persona that melds a juke joint jazz tonality, with light inflections at the end of her phrasings that recall Billie Holiday.  Her voice is sultry and emotive, with a round, soft feminine sweetness that can easily swing from folky to throaty and smoky.  Somehow these elements combine to make Whitton’s sound both fresh and familiar.

Whitton has been a guest vocalist on Showtime's Emmy-Nominated hit series "Dexter” and her recent tour in support of “Rare Bird” has brought her to the best venues in Los Angeles and Vegas, including performances at the Hotel Café and The House of Blues.

Her new LP, "Rare Bird" is available now with 10 new tracks including several co-written by Peter Fox (Rachel Yamagata) and Joe Solo (Macy Grey) and mixed by engineer Michael James (New Radicals, Hole).  Several tracks have already received feature film placements in:  SHE WANTS ME (starring Charlie Sheen, Hilary Duff and Josh Gad) and METH HEAD (starring Lukas Haas, Wilson Cruz and Necar Zadegan).  The "Turn off the Light" music video is also available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efa2Vtox40M

For a sneak-peek of Whitton's LP "Rare Bird", please go to: www.whittonmusic.com.

Tracks from Whitton's previous, self-titled EP also received placement in the 2011 films: THE 5TH QUARTER (starring Aidan Quinn, Andie MacDowell, and Ryan Merriman), EXIT STRATEGY (starring radio host Big Boy from Power 106, Jameel Saleem and Kevin Hart), and was featured on Delta Air Lines Sonicbids Radio Channel and in Delta's "Sky Magazine". WHITTON has recorded three full-length albums with acclaimed producers David Hauser (Redbone, Supreme Beings of Leisure, Iron Butterfly), Kevin White (writer for Billy Ray Cyrus) and Ronan Chris Murphy (King Crimson, Dishwalla).  She also has won numerous awards including "Best Female Acoustic Rock Artist" by the New York Music Festival.

Photo by Jeff FasanoWe spoke to the artist by phone and online to get her views on the music business, her busy career and her upcoming record release.

Reno Tahoe Tonight:  You worked with some accomplished producers and writers on your new album "Rare Bird."  Talk about your song-writing process, and the collaborative experience you had while recording the record. 

Whitton:  Each song off my new album "Rare Bird" came from a very personal place. Most of them were songs I wrote on guitar years before, but took the lyrics from them and put them over new chords and arrangements. With my producer/writer, Ian Coyne, he had a huge influence on the arrangement and production of this album. Being brilliant in his craft, Ian dissected the characteristics of my singing voice and we built around it musically. I also was fortunate to write with a handful of writers, Peter Fox (Rachel Yamagata), Joe Solo (Macy Gray) and the exquisite jazz pianist, Michael LeVan.  The process was enlightening and very eye opening.  I learned so much from everyone who played and wrote on this album.  I'll never forget it.  It's made me realize so much about myself and what I want.

Reno Tahoe Tonight:  You've done exceptionally well with film and industry song placements.  How early on did you discover the importance of the publishing side of the business?  What career-building advice can you give Reno's talented artists seeking breakout opportunities in the industry? 

Whitton:  Well, I can’t give too much advice on this because I’m still climbing the ladder of success!!  I think the most important thing to do is enjoy what you're doing. If it feels like work and beats you up until you’re blue in the face, it might be time to look into doing something else with your life.  My advice is own everything.  Own your recordings, equipment and do your best to hold onto your publishing rights.  But realize at the same time that you have to give some to get some.  To me, the only real way of getting a strong foot in the door is creating buzz—a fan base.  And how to do that is touring and TV/film placement.  If you’re lucky to get a great publicist or manager, that’s makes your job soooooo much easier.  I love the job of being the musician! Management/publicity can help get you interviews/reviews/press in the cities you tour through and much, much more.  It’s an arduous battle representing yourself. You can do it… but most people don’t like to deal with the artist.  Besides, being a salesperson isn’t one of my best qualities, I must admit.  Trying to pitch yourself wears you out—or at least me.

Reno Tahoe Tonight:  Talk about how you've been able to build your fan base and secure major showcase and performance engagements at top venues like House of Blues and Hotel Cafe?

Photo by Natalie GambleWhitton:  Consistency.  It takes a long time to develop a strong buzz. Networking is very important. Sharing the stage with fellow musicians and building relationships with them, fans and industry.  It's extremely important to have the "right" team of people. Performing in Los Angeles regularly, I've gotten handfuls of deals/offers from industry professionals… but that doesn't mean that any deal through the door is the right deal. You have to be selective and be aware.  But don't let fear take the wheel because you might end up in a dead end with no deal. Intuition and knowing what you want is key in finding the "right" team.

Reno Tahoe Tonight:  Your upcoming CD release at Cantina Los Tres Hombres is something of a homecoming for you.  Who's on the show bill and what do you have in store for your Reno fans? 

Whitton:  Yeah, I guess it is like a homecoming for me.  I'm excited to see old faces and new faces! I'm jazzed to perform at my brother's childhood friend, Shawn Plunket's restaurant.  Shawn's been like a big brother to me, so it's like I'm hangin' with my family as well.  I've heard fabulous things about local songwriter, Tyler Stafford, who's opening for me at the Cantina.  Also, one of my favorite funky bands, Jelly Bread will perform later in the evening. I'm excited to reconnect with Dave Berry (singer/guitarist), whom I toured with for a while years back.  It should be a wonderful night of just plain 'ole good music.  

Find Whitton on Facebook, Twitter and Pandora.

 Oliver X

October 2011

September 2011

And Then There Was One Too 

The Silver State Stars present And Then There Was One Too. This is the continuation of the popular comedy, And Then There Was One, which was performed last year at Silver State High School. This play is based on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, which was written in the United Kingdom in 1939 sold 100 million to this date, making it the best selling murder mystery novel. There are ten people or characters who are brought to the house on Cable Car Cliff for a masquerade party. Once G. Reef's body appears they start to accuse each other. One by one they hit the dust until two characters are left standing, the butler and maid. They believe that they committed the perfect crime, but it ends in a twist, and is filled with hilarious gags and dialog. 

And Then There Was One Too is being presented at the Carson City Community Center on: Thursday September, 22 and Friday September, 23 from 7:00-9:00pm.

Tickets are $5 for students and children under 12 years of age and $10 for adults. Call (775)- 883-7900 for more information. Peter Stephenson who starred as Clayhorn last year and this year says, "It's fun, funny, and murder mysterious. “The director Ms. Gardner says, "The show has a wonderfully creative cast that will ensure many laughs."

Artistry in Motion

Reno’s Battle Born Derby Demons

Take on O town Derby Dames

“Artistry in Motion”

Reno, NV. -  Reno’s own Battle Born Derby Demons (BBDD), are set to take on O-Town Derby Dames of Ogden Utah, Saturday, July 16!  We are returning to Rink on the River as an official Artown event!

Join the Battle Born Derby Demons a community based non-profit organization "in the round" for flat track roller derby while experiencing local live art courtesy of the David J. Drakulich Art Foundation and live music by Hella A Capella.  This is a family friendly event for all ages and tastes.  Enjoy the freedom of expression while also reveling in the art of competitive sport. Support local art while supporting local sports! 

Gates open at 6 p.m.  Skating starts at 7!

Tickets are &10 in advance and $12 on bout day, $5 for ages 6-12 in advance, $7 bout day and as always, FREE for 5 & under..

Discounts for students and military with ID are always available.  Those wearing Superhero Beer Crawl costumes will also get a discount at the door.  Tickets are available through BrownPaperTickets.com, Prism Magic in Sparks or from your favorite Derby Demon!!  A portion of this bout’s proceeds go to DJD Art Foundation for Freedom of Expression.

Boom Bap Back

In the last decade, mainstream rap music has gone soft. It has strayed too far from its grimy, sordid origins. Instead of ubiquitous classics like Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, record execs dole out mindless trash like Drake’s Thank Me Later.  It’s hard to tell how many years “Find Your Love” has set “Deeez Nuuutz” back. If I had to ballpark it, I’d say at least 25 years– before Rakim reshaped the identity of rap music. In fact, in a XXL interview, Dr. Dre commented on the current direction of rap. His opinion was that it’s been happy for long enough. I think this comment was less of a general statement than it was a call to action. Rap is a form of storytelling. Take out the heart and you’re left with a meaningless shell. Today, the kicks and the snares of the 90’s boom bap era are drowned-out by electronica and auto tune. Standards have been reduced to a formula; a formula that relies on making money rather than relaying a message.

Being safe didn’t shape the greats of yesterday and it won’t shape the greats of tomorrow. This isn’t exclusive to music. It applies to everyone, in all walks of life. Progress requires people to break the proverbial mold; to be bold. You have to have the audacity to question the status quo. Eminem once rapped that “there's more music to make, keep makin' new shit, produce hits to break the monotony. What’s gotten into me? ” The same thing that’s consistently ebbing away at individuality, the mainstream media.

Hell: The Sequel is not your predictable mainstream cash cow. It’s first weeks sales brought in 160,000 units. Compare that to Eminem’s Recovery  raking in 741,000 and you’re looking at a 78% decrease in sales. By today’s Soundscan standards, that’s a monumental failure. It isn’t though. Royce da 5’9’’s telltale braggadocio and Eminem’s unflinching anger make certail that Hell is a true fans album.  

Aside from one sing-songy hiccup, Hell plays out like a flashback to a genre that originally accrued Eminem and Royce da 5’9’’ a fan base. It represent their return to horrorcore— a genre that catapulted Eminem to superstardom, but has since been brushed to the wayside. Like

horror films, horrorcore is often misunderstood. Critics panned Night of the Living Dead  when it first came out. They got so distracted by the content that they failed to see it for what it was: an allegory for racial tension and the general paranoia that plagued the 60’s. The same is true for horrorcore. Artists within the genre are commonly labeled as Satanists and womanizers. Some may be. However, a more accurate understanding of the genre is that it is blunt. It wallows in the decadence of the human condition rather than delusions of grandeur. The irony of it is many, now legendary, artists started their careers in horrorcore. To name a few, Method Man’s Tical, Mobb Deep’s Juvenile Hell and Biggie’s Ready to Die were all characterized by their explicit imagery and racy subject matter.   

Although there have been glimpses of throwback grit within Eminem’s recent repertoire, the majority of his tracks have pandered to radio acceptability. Royce, on the other hand, has maintained his unapologetic crass. My guess is this is because Royce hasn’t experienced the amount of success that Eminem has. Therefore, allowing him more freedom. Whatever the reason, Royce has apparently reawakened Marshal’s deranged alter ego Slim Shady. Combine the graphic imagery of a Slim Shady LP Eminem and the syllabic slaughter of a Death Is Certain Royce da 5’9’’ and you remember why this duo is leagues ahead of their mainstream counterparts.

Found Footage

In 1980, Italian director Ruggero Deodato created a film that sickened audiences. That film was Cannibal Holocaust. It was overly graphic and highly offensive. It garnered so much controversy that Deodato was arrested at the premier. Authorities were under the impression that Deodato’s Amazonian foray was a real-life documentary. The art of cinéma vérité was still a seedling. Therefore, authorities believed Deodato was screening a snuff film.

Aside from making audiences lose their lunch, Cannibal Holocaust set cinematic precedence. It introduced the idea of ‘found footage.’ This technique allowed for a sense of realism. Shaky-cams and point-of-view shooting gave the impression that what you were watching had actually happened. More often times than not, you find yourself murmuring “did that really just happen,” or “was that real?” Being the first horror mockumentary, this reaction was inevitable. The explicit sexuality and grisly close-ups were unprecedented in the mainstream media. Grindhouse flicks typically don’t get the theatrical treatment and Cannibal Holocaust is a perfect example why.

Ever since I made my friends watch Cannibal Holocaust, it’s been damn near impossible to get them to consider any of my other suggestions. So, it wasn’t a big shocker when no one wanted to watch The Troll Hunter with me. Sucks for them.

If Cannibal Holocaust introduced the idea of ‘found footage,’ then The Troll Hunter reintroduced it in a big way. Instead of solely relying on the novelty of cinéma vérité, director André Øvredal pays close attention to a considerably intricate plot. What exactly are trolls? Why do some turn into stone while others explode? As we later find out, some troll species can reach over 200 feet tall. Given this, how does the average person not know about them? All of these questions are presented and then methodically answered. Point in case, you do not need to be a troll expert to fully enjoy TH.

TH is a product of natural progression. It takes Deodato’s seedling and matures it. The characters have a lot to do with this maturation. In CH the characters are painfully contrived and obviously disingenuous. It’s impossible to find yourself invested in them as genuine people. The characters in TH are the polar opposite. Initially, the documentary crew is skeptical. This places them and the audience side-by-side. However, as the evidence mounts, so does the believability. Hans, the troll hunter, is a mild-mannered, matter-of-fact type. He doesn’t expect the film crew, or the audience, to instinctively believe in trolls. So he brings the trolls to us.

By

Cody Liska 

June 2011

Hangover Part II Review 

Text by Cody Liska

Dude, Where’s Our Friend Part II

Will The Hangover Part II measure up to its wildly successful counterpart? We’ll see.

Two Riverside theatres are loaded to the hilt. Tickets are sold out. A barrage of twenty-somethings populate the seats. Among the crowd are people dressed like their favorite bumbling Hangover drunkard. Alans and Stus stumble into the theatre. Phils stroll in. It’s hard to tell if anyone is intentionally dressed like Phil, or if they’re just sporting khakis and a button-up. None the less, everyone is in good spirits. The cracking of beer cans and clinking of bottles on cement floors create a drunken symphony that acts as a perfect segue into The Hangover II.

The Hangover II delivers the same formula as the first, but more outlandish. This seems to be the main point of contention for purists. Instead of continuing with the tried and true formula, these purists believe that a more ‘original’ route should have been taken. I completely disagree. I like familiarity. And so does $4 billion worth of Pirates of the Caribbean fans. The fact is, hater’s gonna hate. No matter what. I know ‘cause I was one of them.

I wasn’t initially a fan of the first Hangover. I just couldn’t stop drawing comparisons between “Dude, Where’s My Car.” Group of guys wake up. Hung over, they attempt to piece together the previous night in order to find something they’ve misplaced. During the search, calamity ensues. It seemed like a shameless knockoff. I was far from impressed when I walked out of the theatre.  However, something happened after I watched it a second time. I became a fan. Maybe it was the comedic nuances I took notice of. Maybe I actually judged it based on its content rather than comparisons. Whatever it was, I liked it.  

Expectations are high. People around me chit-chat about the ‘epicness’ of things to come. As the lights dim, everyone hoots and hollers. This excitement is no doubt Todd Phillips’ fault for successfully reintroducing the raunchy R rated comedy. All I have to do is whisper Old School and you know exactly what I’m talking about. Before Phillips, Matt Stone, Trey Parker and the Farrely brothers were really the only directors making audiences cringe. Movies like There’s Something About Mary and Orgazmo pushed the limits of common decency. The Hangover II doesn’t just push the limits of common decency, it obliterates them.

What draws me to Todd Phillips’ movies is their transparency. They never try to be anything they’re not. Phillips never tries to sandwich some misplaced morale between the outrageousness and the quirkiness of his stories (ala Judd Apatow). If you go to a Todd Phillips movie, you know exactly what you’re in for. And that’s exactly what The Hangover II delivers. If your mind’s in the gutter, forget the butter. Sodomy, tongue-in-cheek racism and transvestites populate the laugh-out-loud parts of Hangover II.  They’re no accident. They’re meant to make you gasp and cackle.

The onstage relationship between Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis is on point. It’s authentic, believable and most of all its relatable. Friends do weird shit together. Call it stupid, call it simple, but that’s the overarching message I got. Random things happen in life. Some are funny. Some are ridiculous. And some are downright tragic. The only thing you can do is take it in stride; surround yourself with loved ones. And always remember to laugh, because life is only as serious as you make it.

Hip Hop Open Mic Night

Hip Hop Open Mic Night at Filthy McNasty’s

By Desi Felker

                Of the many subjects I’m unqualified to write about (heart surgery procedures, calculus, baking the perfect souffle) hip hop music probably cracks the top ten. I love hip hop, but I’m well aware of my ignorance when it comes to understanding the genre. So when I decided to check out Hip Hop Open Mic Night at Filthy McNasty’s--held every Tuesday--with a friend this past week, I wasn’t sure what to expect or how to assess it.

                The DJ kicked off the night around 9:30 with a thumping bass and fun, catchy beats. Initially there were only a couple rappers warming up the stage, but as the crowd grew, so did the energy and the number of performers, and I found myself laughing and enjoying myself. I enjoyed diverse performances from a diverse group, including several female rappers and some rather interesting “battles.”

                Thankfully for my friend and I, we blended into obscurity at the bar as the scene played on. Before we left, however, we were approached by several performers and encouraged to join in. “You don’t have to rap about how you got a big booty,” stated Mecca, a Reno-ite who both performs in and hosts the event. While we appreciated the invitation and the friendly reception of the regulars, we eventually declined (more for their ears’ benefit than for ours).

                One would expect that a hip hop open mic in Reno would bring about a good number of awkward, suburban-bred “artists,” and they could be right. This night was by no means a display of skilled, worldly artists or emerging stars in the hip hop scene. But I realized as the night wound down that that’s not really the point; the point is to enjoy some good beats, to do what you love, and overall, to have fun.

“This was better than karaoke!” My cohort declared as we left. And it was.

Reno RiverFest

Reno RiverFest 2011 @

Wingfield Park May 6-8

Text and Photos Brittany Fowell

The Reno RiverFest is an event that draws people from all over the country who enjoy the outdoors and I must say since I haven’t attended the Reno RiverFest in years I found myself a little intimidated biking down the street, which was now being bombarded with road blocks and 5-year olds with more skills on their bike than me.   However, what else should I expect when Reno holds a 3-day event to attract outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country.  The kayaking events were a site to behold.  It was no surprise with the amount of snow Tahoe and Reno has accumulated over the past 8 months; the Truckee River is high and moving fast.   Consequently, when you strolled down Riverside Street you couldn’t help but notice the spectators awestruck by the Truckee River, which only added to the kayaking events.  Friday the 5th brought great crowds out to watch the "freestyle" competition held in front of Sierra Tap House, where kayakers were throwing down some serious technical moves in the river. Front flips, back flips and the occasional misty flips, these kayakers had a thing for flare and the audience loved it.  

Aside from all the water acrobatics, the RiverFest had a tremendous turnout of street food vendors as well as various stands handing out swag, and of course--beer.   In view of the fact that temperatures were breaching 73 degrees on Arlington Ave, bathing suits were visible everywhere and the frozen yogurt and beer girls were really hopping.  There was something for everyone.  Bounce houses, deep fried pickles, charity booths, free pin wheels, and huge plastic bubble balls that allowed people up to 120 pounds to run around on water inside them were just a few of the tents set up around town for your viewing pleasure.  One of the great things about strolling around at the RiverFest was the vendors.  They didn’t hesitate to hand out free sample or let you handle the merchandise.  I loved the miracle water beads that were made out of contact lenses and promised to water your plants up to 3 months. No, I‘m not kidding this was by far my favorite booth.  

Saturday, aside from looking somewhat like Halloween, yes in May, was the RunaMuck event.  RunaMuck is a team running race where the participants run through an enormous mud puddle, this may not sound like a big deal, but the teams are dressed up in various costumes such as; angel and devil, bumblebees, coupled with a moving tiki bar, mario cart, and fruits and vegetables along the course.  Laura Levin, a 22-year old UNR student, who has grown up here, states that her favorite thing about the Riverfest is witnessing the creativity displayed in all the people’s costumes. 

The Reno Riverfest is one of the most exciting stops in the Riverfest series, according to announcers.  It is not only about how much we as a city love to drink and party, but it is the general buoyant attitude that seeps out of our bones when we are outside enjoying people with the same mind-set.

If you happened to miss this years festivities not to worry, here’s an idea for next year to shake that Friday/Saturday hangover, or take your mom on mothers day, and/or both, just jet on down to Wingfield Park to, drink a beer, eat a caramel apple, and chat it up with a stranger, and, oh ya, watch some epic kayaking as well, at the Reno RiverFest.   

Rock Ballet Vortex

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre Presents the Rock Ballet Vortex 

Reno, NV - The Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch will come alive with ballet grace and passionate rock, dance, Broadway and alternative music as A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents the rock ballet Vortex July 22nd and 23rd as part of the Artown celebration.  

Artistic director Alexander Van Alstyne has choreographed an exciting contemporary ballet that will be like no other you have ever seen. Imagine ballerinas performing grande jetés to music by popular rock artists. The stage will feature scaffolding and exciting props and sets that will create a visual spectacle that can not be missed. 

Featuring a cast of extremely talented performers from Reno and starring guest artists from Ballet West, the rock ballet Vortex will feature demanding and passionate movement inspired by the dynamic of the music.

The performances of Vortex are at 8:30pm July 22nd and 23rd at the beautiful Bartley Ranch Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater. Ticket prices are $15 and $20 for adults. Students with I.D. only $10. This is a PG 13 show. Special VIP tickets that include wine/beer and hors d’oevres are available for $40. The gates open at 7:30pm for picnicking and the VIP party. Tickets can be purchased online at avaballet.com, by calling 775-762-5165 or at the Bartley Ranch box office the nights of the shows. 

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is the resident ballet company for the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. They are northern Nevada's largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of performing experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe. 

Vortex is a part of the Artown festival July 1 – 31, 2011. The month long summer arts festival features more than 300 events produced by more than 80 cultural organizations city wide with major funding provided by the City of Reno. 

Mark your calendars now for this spectacular production. For more information call A.V.A. Ballet Theatre at 775-762-5165.

Scatter Brain

Reno, NV— Scatter Brain is a solo exhibit at the Holland Project Gallery featuring the artwork of Seattle artist and musician Troy Ayala. Opening June first, the exhibit's collages take a humorous and unique look at the influences of modern culture on people’s realities. 

"I usually focus on distorting body parts so I can create awkward characters, whether they're fun or uncomfortable."Ayala says in regard to his collages. His process involves rifling through thrift store magazines, books and VHS to pick images. From there Ayala morphs the photos and images into own creations, often adding paint "for a little pizzaz." The end results are artworks that posses both social commentary and a strong sense of humor. In an older piece, Darkest Boys, this pairing of commentary and humor is shown in a woman’s torso being replaced by beer cans. All together the exhibit will feature over 20 of Ayala’s collages. 

Aside from art, Ayala is also a member of the Seattle bands Stickers and White Coward and the now defunct Reno band Short Hair. His current projects include collaborating on album art for Reno band, Elephant Rifle's upcoming EP.  

Scatter Brain will run June 1 through June 20 with the gallery open Mon-Fri 1-5pm. The opening reception will be held Fri. June 3 from 6-8pm at the Holland Project Gallery located at 30 Cheney Street in Midtown Reno.  

For more information on Scatter Brain or the Holland Project Gallery, please contact Sarah Lillegard at sarah@hollandreno.org or 775.287.6882.

Harvey Milk Day

May 16, 2011

Local groups hold Inaugural Annual Harvey Milk Day and Candlelight Memorial

Reno, NV – May 22, 2011 

Reno City Plaza, 1^st and Virginia Streets, Reno

6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Reno will be a part of the global celebrations of the birthday of Harvey Milk, the former San Francisco City Supervisor who was the first openly gay man elected in the state of California.  He was assassinated in 1978 during his term of office by San Francisco City Supervisor Dan White.

On his birthday each year, cities around the world celebrate in remembrance of his legacy and to spread Harvey’s message that “you gotta give’m hope.”  Reno will join the rest of the world on Sunday, May 22, 2011 with its inaugural memorial.

http://www.buildourcenter.org/

http://www.harveymilkday.co/events/reno-harvey-milk-day

Follow the event on Twitter at #HarveyMilkDay or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107576005997263

Acting With The Stars

The SSHS Stars Present…

Acting With The Stars

Friday and Saturday,

May 27^th and 28^th

7pm

Pez Sez

Interpol

April 13. 2011 The Knitting Factory 

After the new self titled Interpol album dropped I was thrilled, until I listened to it. I could barely get through it and have since only listened to it about 5 times. So, when I heard they were coming I was very concerned about this show. In fact, as I was waiting for the 10am tickets sale time, I started to think maybe I should wait to purchase them.  Thank god I ignored myself and went with my heart. This was one of the best shows I have, honestly, ever seen. 

I was worried it was on a Wednesday and that I would be tired for my Clark Kent job the next day but the only bands to play were Interpol and School of 7 Bells (think My Bloody Valentine or Pretty Girls Make Graves).  It was fucking amazing… short and so very, very sweet, with no crappy filler bands. 

Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge Interpol fan and this was, obliviously, not my first show--but it was the best one.  The Knit is a small venue and anywhere you were was a good view even with the huge crowd Interpol drew.   When they stepped on the stage the crowd sighed and went nuts opening with the song, “Success” from the new album.  But it was played faster than what I had heard and it was so much better live.  I was dying!!  Followed by, “Narc and Evil” off of Antics.  The crowd was singing and swaying.  They even did “New York Cares” from Turn on the Bright Lights which is the album me and my long time love, Bunni, listened to over and over again when we were first together 8yrs ago.   

For me Interpol is more than just a band; they are a love affair.  Whenever I have been completely sad or completely happy they have always fit the bill of how I feel.  When I hear the lyrics from “Not Even Jail”:

“Remember take hold of your time here/

Give some meanings to the means/

To your end/Not even jail.” 

These Lyrics always say to me that nothing should ever, I mean ever, hold you back. And that your jail, could just be you holding you back.  I have always loved this about Interpol: their lyrics inspire me and make me swoon like no other band ever has.  I thank them for this.  For those of you that did not make this show. YOU SUCK. You missed one hell of an event and hopefully they will grace us again with their enormous presences.

Hats off to Gary Pike at The Knit you really scored with this one!

5 out of 5 Pez

May 2011

April 2011

March 2011

Feburary 2011

Five awesome fashion houses and designers show off their unique Halloween themed creations with the creative styling assistance of Ethan Douglas Salon and the Paul Mitchell School on Saturday October 30, 2010 @ 9:30p.m. Zombies, Vampires, The Icons of Horror and some of the sexiest outfits and models around, will light up a night full of party revelers at the resurgent West Street Market.

The night will kick off with Reno Tahoe Tonight's Best Bloody Mary Contest featuring mixologists from The Foxy Olive, Strega Bar, A Slice of the Peak, Se7en on West and 775 Gastropub from 7-9 p.m....So Before you crawl through Reno for your Halloween festivities, join RTT mixology columnist Desiree Sarchet, music columnist Jenny PezDeSpencer, and Reno’s Best Bartender 2007 Phillip Brown, to support your favorite bar by tasting and voting on the Best Bloody Mary. $10 gets you five custom crafted Bloody Marys!

Ed Adkins' Zombie Crawl will then descend on West Street Market and 19 other downtown locations to benefit Brian Williams' awesome non-profit organization Think Kindness.org. The Crawl begins at 8pm.

Reno Tahoe Tonight's Halloween Fashion show will feature a 44-foot runway provided by Mac's Stage Rentals, two festival model tents courtesy of Reno eNVy, a paparazzi wall, three fog machines, a custom sound installation by FRQ CTRL's Duke Goff and some of the hottest designers and indie labels in town, including: Nor Nev Clothing, 6 Feet Deep, Catherine Sweet's Nightkind Productions, Christine Saari Designs, Naughty or Nice and zombie hair/makeup and gore prosthetics by Paul Mitchell Salon School and Ethan Douglas Salon.

This fashion event is RTT's 5th runway event since March of 09 and it's going to be a mix of old school campy horror, street fashion, goth and sensuality--and it's all FREE!

Special thanks to our models and fashion coordination team headed up by Abby Whitney, Nellie Davis, Mishelle Wright, Letishia Lindblom, Elisika Arango, Robert Day, Grace Avila, Yung German (Forever Yung Salon) Amy Tucker, Design on the Edge, Oscar Perez and all the guys and gals who put in time on the hair and makeup!

” I think I invented The Bloody Mary …It happened on a Night before a Day and I felt I should take some good, nourishing tomato juice, but what I really wanted was some of your good Smirnoff Vodka. So I mixed them together, the juice for body and the vodka for spirit, and if I wasn't the first ever, I was the happiest ever.” –George Jessel 1956

October 2010

To explain one’s self is a difficult task to undertake. The best analogy that I can give is that I’m a visual artist; my canvas of choice being the female form. The female form (figure) is perceived in many different ways in our society. To me it is associated with elegance, strength and beauty. I aspire to embody these attributes and accentuate them through my creativity and designs. I invite you to set aside any pre-conceived notions that you may have about what a woman’s body could, or should be, and see what I see.

Though I have earned a solid reputation for my corsetry and costuming skills, Atomic Ave Clothing Company is by no means limited to these specialty fields. The website will also feature my handmade hats, hair flowers, and veils. Aprons, dresses, gloves, and lingerie will be available as well as vintage inspired undergarments.

Burlesque can mean many different things. I have no doubt that when most people reading this article think of burlesque they think of the recent peak in the Burly-Q revival and how it has been portrayed to the masses via television shows, local casino productions, and Hollywood.

The Desert Rose Revue’s Halloween Show: “Costumes & Cabaret” is 18+ and it will take place at The Club Cal Neva Event Room (located at 38 East Second Street) Friday, October 29. Doors open @ 7:30pm. The show begins @ 8pm. Tickets are $10 in advance and $13 @ the door. This will be a burlesque only event consisting of over a dozen acts that have never been seen before, as well as breathtaking new performers. Not only do the ladies in this show perform with me, they model for Atomic Ave Clothing Company as well. With the variety of talented women who rotate through the revue, there’s always something for everyone.

Local Ink

Triumph Tattoo

Marsili: Back then the Naval Recruiting Command and Training Command was located on 32nd Street--which was where most of the ships would pull in. At one point that's where they trained the Top Gun. Out there at Miramar--but they moved that out to Fallon. North Island was where the carriers would berth...All the planes would get off first; then they'd pull in there. Doc Webb was the only artist I got a tattoo from in San Diego. There was one place called Painless Now, but there was nothing painless about it. But you build up your tolerance and everything. I took my friend down to a place on Broadway, a Filipino guy named Felix. He was getting an eagle about the size of half of a dollar bill. Every time the guy put the needle down he was wincing. He was a mess. He kept shakin’. He had to stop for a while. He went to get a drink. He finally came back and somehow he was able to finish.

In the 60’s, 35% of the population of San Diego was military. I don’t get tattoos anymore. My last tattoo was in 1976, but I keep up on what’s happening. It’s amazing how the art form has evolved. I talked one time with Lyle Tuttle in the early 70’s. He’d had a full five or six page article in Time Magazine. He had gone over to Tahiti. By then I think his body suit was about three-quarters of the way done. He went in with the natives and the author of the article credited him with really bringing the art form into the limelight. He had tattooed most of the members of The Allman Brothers band, Janis Joplin and other celebrities.

September 2010

Cover Story

Golden Valley Son

RTT: You first started dabbling in buying and selling guitars at that time. How did that evolve?

RTT: What do you think has allowed you to keep your edge in this field over 36 years, several recessions and eight presidents?

RTT: Tell me about your involvement with Jackson and Charvelle.

Saving Sarah

August Cover Story

When someone in your life has cancer, the sun shines less bright, food tastes bland and words cannot express the dread that runs through your veins. My mother’s cancerous lump was found in her breast in 1996. For five years she went in and out of surgery, radiation, chemo, hope and remission—until it returned to take her in 2001. The anxiety I felt during her treatment caused me to lose sleep, lose my breath, act out in violent outbursts, and battle panic, futility and depression. My best friend on earth was dying and I couldn’t help her.

I know what Sean Murray and his wife Sarah are going through. The hope and dedication that’s buoying the Reno couple, newlyweds after ten years together, is like a real life version of The Notebook. Sean’s Save Sarah campaign brought their plight to our attention, and we want to honor and support this special young couple by sharing Sarah’s story in her own words.

RTT: Tell our readers about the journey that cancer has led you on since your diagnosis.

Sarah: In November of 2005 I found a lump in my right breast. It felt like the yolk of a hard-boiled egg. I knew immediately that my life as I knew it was about to change completely. My entire battle seemed to flash before my eyes in just a few seconds. I heard a voice tell me that, “I was going to go through a lot of shit, but I was going to be OK.”

I went to my doctor and requested a mammogram. After a sonogram was able to detect the mass, I was scheduled for a biopsy. I was diagnosed with stage 3A Breast Cancer in January of 2006. I'd just celebrated my 26^th birthday on Christmas. When I heard the doctors’ voice tell me, “You have cancer,” I literally fell to my knees crying. I was completely floored, beyond devastated.

I was immediately thrown into a tornado of information and life or death decisions. I had to choose an oncologist, a surgeon, a plastic surgeon, a radiation oncologist, and an o.b.g.y.n. oncologist, it was all very overwhelming.

After finding my medical team at UCSF, I began chemo and ovary suppression right away. They’d found another tumor in my lymph nodes under my arm. The docs wanted to see if my tumors would shrink before operating on me. All of this came along with multiple scans before and after chemo.

I had a lumpectomy in June of ’06. The surgeons didn’t get clear margins, (there was cancer in my body still). They scheduled me for a “re-excision” right away. Again, they weren’t able to remove the rest of the tumor. I was then scheduled for a right breast mastectomy. This time, literally everything was gone. I felt a strange emptiness and sense of loss. I certainly mourned for my breast. After that I went through radiation therapy to make sure there weren’t any escapees.

Then, in January of ’07 I began a clinical trial for the drug Avastin. It’s a drug that was proven to reduce the risk of recurrence in lung, and other cancers and they wanted to see if it had the same benefits with breast cancer. I’d soon find out that one of the side effects of Avastin was “poor wound healing”.

In March, my stitches opened and my tissue expander was exposed. The hole was about the size of the tip of an eraser on a pencil. I had to have what I lovingly call, an emergency boob job. They replaced my expander with a regular implant. I was taken off of Avastin for a month. After that I started back up on the clinical trial and got on with life. I was even back at work.

In July, I had a check up with my surgeon. She found that there was a tiny, (the size of a needle head), hole in the bottom of my incision--again. She convinced me to let her stitch me up there in the exam room, (big mistake). A week later I was in back in the hospital with an infection. I had to stay for 5 days. (Keep in mind that I was traveling back and forth to San Francisco every time I had to have a procedure done. UCSF has everything in one place, which was convenient, but 3-4 hours away from home.) This was only the beginning of what I refer to as, “The Summer of Surgeries.”

I was released from the hospital for my infection on July 15.

On July 19, my stitches opened again and my doctors finally decided to take me off of Avastin. When I went in to have them re-closed, they tried surgical super glue. My scar looked like a geode.

On July 23, my stitches opened again and I was admitted back at UCSF for surgery #6 to replace the implant with a smaller one to take some tension off of the scar.

On August 18, my stitches opened again. This time the hole was about the size of a dime. I could see the implant. It was so creepy. I felt so fragile. August 20, I had another surgery replacing the implant with an even smaller one.

On September 12, my stitches opened again. This was the largest hole yet, (See Photo). I drove back to UCSF to be re-admitted for yet another surgery.

On September 14, I had a Latisimus-Dorsi Flap surgery. They exchanged the implant and used part of the muscle and skin from my back to cover the implant and patch the hole in hopes that it would give my skin something familiar to heal over and around.

On October 16, my stitches opened again! I went back to UCSF for surgery #9 where they removed the implant so my body could heal without a foreign object there. I was left looking and feeling completely and utterly abused.

Shortly after that I began hyperbaric oxygen treatment to help with the healing. I lay in an oxygen chamber for 2 hours a day for about 30 days. I would watch movies or sleep, usually both. It did help and I was able to escape surgery for almost a year.

In September of 2008, I had my re-construction. I decided to remove my left breast as well. I was so over dealing with all of this cancer bullshit!

I had completely returned back to normal life. I was the manager and catering director at Bistro 7. Sean and I were looking forward to celebrating our 9-year anniversary together. Life was really good.

Then, in March of this year I found a lump on my neck. I went in to see my oncologist here in Reno, (I have one here too). By the time of my appointment, I’d found two other lumps. I was sent in to have blood work done, and scheduled for a biopsy. My tumor levels in my blood were elevated. I went in for surgery #10.

A couple days later it was confirmed. My cancer was back: Stage 4. I was so devastated. My oncologist immediately scheduled me for full body scans. There was tumor uptake found in my liver, spine, lungs, clavicle and in my brain.

I was sent to St. Mary’s to have the Cyber Knife surgery for the tumors in my brain. It’s a targeted radiation to the area where the tumor is and the surrounding tissue only receives trace amounts of radiation. After that I went in to have my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, (surgery #12). It turned out there were tumors in my ovaries as well. The cancer I have is estrogen receptor positive, so any estrogen in my system is like fertilizer for the cancer. I began taking Femera, an aromatase inhibitor, and they started me on Zometa to keep my bones healthy.

My treatment so far has been successful. For a while there it got really scary. I was loosing weight really fast and I was scared that I wouldn’t be strong enough to fight this. But as of now, I’ve gained 10 pounds and maintained a healthy appetite. My doctors say that they don’t see any reason to schedule chemo at this time, so right now I’m in a bit of a holding pattern.

RTT: Cancer is synonymous with death and fear in this society. How has the disease affected how you look at time, and how you see yourself and the world around you?

Sarah: I definitely see my life as being much more precious. I make sure to take time every day to stop and smell the roses. Whether it is admiring the clouds in the evening, or spending quality time with my loved ones, I make sure to appreciate every moment to its fullest.

RTT: During my mother's treatment, I told friends that I was not prepared to witness how physically painful cancer can be. I never knew it hurt. Talk about pain management in your treatment.

Sarah: Better living through chemistry! I have some very odd pain that comes and goes. Luckily the most painful times I’ve had, I’ve been well medicated. There is of course the emotional pain that is very hard to treat with drugs. I’ve had to come to a point of acceptance. This is my life and I’m going to live it the best way I can, for as long as I can.

RTT: For people who might now be experiencing the initial stages of a cancer diagnosis, explain what kind of psychological, spiritual and emotional stamina is involved in coping with this disease. What resources have you availed yourself of to deal with your cancer?

Sarah: You have to be your own advocate. Take control and find out as much as you can about your situation and your options. You have to be strong and fight for your life. If you’re not ready to stand up for yourself, you may as well throw in the towel. There is so much support out there. You just have to be willing to do some legwork. I’ve received help from the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen foundation, the Reno Cancer Foundation, Mom’s on the Run, etc. Reach out to your loved ones and to your community. The resources are there.

RTT: How huge is it to have someone like Sean in your life to go through this with you, and how has he dealt with the disease?

Sarah: I couldn’t have made it this far without him. He has been by my side every step of the way. I can’t imagine how it must feel for him. I believe he has literally saved my life with his love. We just got married a couple weeks ago. After almost 10 years together, we are still such giddy newlyweds. (I love you husband!)

RTT: Sean, describe for people what it's like to have a loved one battling cancer. What reserves of strength and faith have you had to tap to both cope and assist with their care, recovery and day-to-day life?

Sarah having cancer is not the first time I’ve had to deal with a loved one and this illness. I lost my father to bladder cancer just before Sarah was first diagnosed in 2006. Before that, I lost my mother to alcoholism in August 2001, just before 911. So it's safe to say my life has been a bit of a mess for the past 10 years.

A couple years after my mother passed away, my dad remarried and was on a course to change his path from a meat and potatoes tough guy who didn't talk much, to a more sensitive and laid back lifestyle while preparing for his retirement years. This was a welcomed change, since my father was a workaholic and had spent most of his marriage to my mother working two jobs and dealing with her ever worsening alcoholism. He was changing his diet, getting more exercise and just taking time to really start enjoying his "over the hill" years with his new wife Susanne, when he found out he had cancer.

My father's situation was like so many others that I have heard stories about. Here is this tough guy (that was a San Francisco firefighter for almost 30 years), who never went to the doctor unless it was a last resort, and before we knew it he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. 6 months later he had passed on. This was the hardest and most painful thing I had ever dealt with in my life.

When I found out that Sarah had breast cancer the first time, I freaked out. It had only been a few months since the passing of my father, and I was defiantly unready for another blow of this scale. My "fight or flight" instinct kicked in. All I could think about was my father and watching him suffer through chemo and eventually pass away with me and our close family members by his side. All that was going through my head was "I cannot go through this again with Sarah; she is only 26 years old. How can this be happening?"

There were times when I would be driving home from work and I thought, "What would happen if I just kept driving and never looked back?" But then my responsible side kicked in, thanks to what my father had taught me growing up. "Ok, we need to deal with this; we can beat it!" Then we started the long road of doctor’s appointments in the Bay Area, chemo, and all the rest that comes with fighting cancer.

During this time I was a wreck. I had to change the hours I was working at a local video game company as an Audio Director to part time, just to help take care of Sarah. The stress of work and Sarah's treatments proved to be too much for me, and I ended up quitting my job altogether. Supporting Sarah was my full time job now. I was feeling so many emotions at this time: helpless, angry, confused, strong, weak, love that is so intense it hurts, and tired--man was I tired--physically and mentally.

But we got through it. The cancer was gone! Our lives slowly started to get back to normal. I went back to work, but was now making a lot less money in a different field. Sarah went back to work in the restaurant industry and started to move into fine dining management.

Things were good for the most part, but a few things stayed with me that were not there before. Stress. I have always been a bit of a stress case, but now I was having borderline panic attacks. Insomnia. I have always been a night owl with my music/dj career, but now even when I’m not working, or playing a show, a 4 or 5am bedtime is not unusual. This was troubling for me.

When I found out Sarah's cancer was back and had spread, I was crushed once again. But this time was different. We were both "seasoned cancer veterans" now. The first few weeks were filled with disbelief and anger. But then we decided to turn this into a catapult for positivity in our lives. We finally decided to get married and to go on our first vacation in 8 years. I also decided to start the "Save Sarah" campaign, because the first time we went through this, we did it mostly on our own and silently. The time for silence is over. People need to know about this and even if the exposure makes one woman check herself more frequently, then we have done what we set out to do.

Music has always been a big part of both our lives, and has been a major emotional outlet for me during all these rough times. After working in the audio industry and as a nightclub dj for 17 years, I am in a good position to promote "Save Sarah" at events like our monthly "Hustle" party. Now we have a real purpose other than my need to express emotion through music. The only issue now is that I just cannot handle the stress that comes along with event promotion on my own. Many friends, event promoters, musicians, businesses, and others have started to step up and help spread the word to help save Sarah. Just a few weeks ago, a few friends skated on long boards and roller skates 72 miles around Lake Tahoe during the "Skate for the Cure" event June 28th and 29th. This was all done with Save Sarah as the main driving force behind this year's event. I was amazed by the love, dedication, and support we received.

RTT: What's the next step or stage for you in your treatment and how can people help?

Sean: We will continue to fight, and with all the love and support we have received so far, I am convinced we will get past this and spread awareness all at the same time.

Sarah: Right now my doctors are continuing to keep a very close eye on me. I just had an MRI to see how successful the cyber knife surgery was. I continue to go in for blood work every few weeks to keep an eye on my tumor markers, liver function, etc. I’ll be having scans taken every couple months to keep an eye on the size of the cancer. I still have palpable tumors all over my body, which I am keeping a very close watch on.

The best way to help is to raise awareness in young women. It’s so important to feel your boobies! And for you men out there, to feel your testicles! Early detection is key. My cancer wasn’t genetic. I can’t stress enough how important it is to be in touch with your body and your spirit. We’re all able to do it; you just have to take the time to listen.

Cancer is really expensive. My bills are outrageous right now--even with insurance. I was just getting caught-up from the first round. There is a good deal of treatment that isn’t covered. Most eastern medicinal practices are just now being acknowledged as beneficial in the treatment of diseases. I know times are tough right now, but anything you can donate, even $5 helps. I have a website set up: www.savesarah.org. On the left side of the page you can find a link to my pay pal donation box. I have a message board to keep everyone updated on how things are going. It’s a great place to leave messages of encouragement as well.

Burning Man Film Festival

@ the Knitting Factory

Thursday, August 19th from 4 -10pm

The film festival is offered in part as a fundraising effort to support the current art installation “Duel Nature” by Kate Raudenbush – currently on display on the Riverwalk in downtown Reno, Nevada. The Burning Man Reno group will also benefit from proceeds from the film festival and related sales.

March 2010

Our community's most gifted visual artist will completely recreate The Chocolate Bar with the exquisite accents and detail he's become known for in his creative work. Join us Friday, March 5, 2010 7pm, for an amazing evening of fantasy, in celebration of the opening of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland at the Summit Mall's Cinemark Cinemas. The Chocolate Bar will host "Franz's Tea Party." Come as your favorite Alice character and receive discounts on drink specials. See you there!

Feburary 2010 ~ The Roots and George Clinton

January 2010 Cover ~ Suburban Celebrity

Back in 2001, when I lived on Melrose and Fuller in LA, there was a club on East Melrose called 42. The owner had a deep love and appreciation for French burlesque style cabaret and traditional fan dance. 42 was amazing. Over time word of mouth grew and folks started packing the tiny venue to see live stage shows featuring the sensual pulchritude of some of LA's most talented burlesque performers. Later that year, the Pussy Cat Dolls started doing weekly shows at The Roxy on the strip. I hung out at The Rainbow after our Viper Room, Key Club or Roxy shows with Sean Healy Presents, so I saw a lot of the scene grow on the strip. The Dolls weren't very famous at the time, but the popularity of 42 helped give LA an appetite for this art form. Soon, celebrity guest dancers started to appear with the dolls doing hella sexy, campy grinding sets. One night I saw Hef roll up and get out of his limo with three lovelies in tow to attend a Pussy Cat Dolls performance and I knew that they were onto something huge.

December Cover ~ Bizarre Guitar & Guns

Photos by Jamie KinghamA man’s values can be revealed by his creed. But his character is forged by what he overcomes, and is proven by his deeds. One would be hard pressed to find a closer, more solid, loving relationship of mutual respect and admiration than the one shared by Bizarre Guitar & Guns owner Greg Golden and his son Grant. My dad is my best friend, idol and mentor, says Grant. It’s rare to see both the respect and generosity of their camaraderie. These guys love each other’s company. Friends and family members say they have an almost telepathic connection; finishing other’s sentences and knowing how each other relate in a situation. Both men exhibit a fierce competitiveness and penchant for peak achievement. The pair possesses a passion for baseball. Grant was a two-time all American shortstop, which also happened to throw a 95 mph fastball. Greg is a National Certified Umpire, who was a standout in the Over 40 Triple-A league in Fairfield, California. The senior Golden, whose first sport was boxing, also passed this interest on to Grant, a heavyweight boxing prospect and martial arts expert with twenty years of fight training. Both Goldens are well-known for finishing any trouble that comes their way.

Photos by Jamie KinghamA 4^th generation Northern Nevadan--Golden Valley bears his family name--the elder Golden, the son of a tough-as-nails carpenter/ boxer who ran up an astounding 153-0 record as an amateur, got his first guitar when he was seven, and he was hooked. “On my 7^th birthday, I got a used ’57 deluxe tweet amp and a ’56 two-tone Fender Strat with a maple neck. I could play a C & D chord right off the bat,” recalls Golden. “I played that guitar until I was 14. My parents sold it back to the rancher neighbor next door for the $100 they originally paid for it. Twenty years later, my parents bought the guitar back from that same rancher for $500. I sold it to the Rolling Stones in 2000 for a small fortune,” remembers Golden with a smile. Photos by Jamie Kingham

November Cover ~ Ashlee Stone

Artwork and Photo by Dianna

Photo by Dianna SionArtwork and Photo by Dianna SionWhen you take off the makeup and glamour, you have a good looking guy who--if you didn’t meet while he was in drag--you really would have no idea he is Ashlee Stone. Stone was born John Gustave Ritter IV or “Goose” twenty-one years ago to a farming family from Yerington, Nevada. Most people assume he is a trust fund baby. I asked him about how he can live such a lavish lifestyle without a 9-5 job, and he told me that from the time he can remember, he worked the family farm and went to school. Instead of being paid, his parents chose to put the money into a trust, which is then doled out to him when he needs it. He also has an IQ of 157 and graduated at 15 with a 4.0 GPA. So, if he did want a mainstream job he could certainly have one. Instead, he’s following his dreams of being one of Reno’s reigning personalities by throwing fundraisers, modeling, starting a magazine, hosting fabulous parties and producing an internet show--with the intention of branching out nationally in the near future.

Artwork and Photo by Dianna SionCover Art by Diana Sion

Artwork and Photo by Dianna SionWe used more browns and neutral colors; worked on more of a natural look. It all looked great on her. (It’s pretty hard to go wrong when your model is already gorgeous--without a touch of makeup on). I felt honored to get to work with her on her new image and enjoyed every second working with her. She is an absolute love!

October Cover by Matthew Goodsell

“Satirical,” “acerbic,” “dark,” words I often hear used to describe my paintings. I prefer simply to think of them as more real, more honest than my previous, purely fictional work. I haven’t completely abandoned my love of fictional elements, however, and I still use fantasy as a filter to comment on the very real, too often very painful feelings I see and experience in my daily life.

Beginning in about 2005 the paintings began to grow increasingly more self reflective, self debasing, and angry. A phase, fortunately, I have been able to grow beyond in the last few years and the latest works, as well as those still running around in my head, although no less powerful in their attempted commentary, are more balanced with messages of hope and perceived beauty than the darkness that drove many of the earlier paintings.

The wings ……. Well……. Would you accept, ‘they just started showing up.’

Although his path to art has been unconventional, its impact on his life has been considerable none the less. Whenever possible, then and now, his time is spent diligently working, obsessively improving his craft, striving to find the perfect vision in art and bring it to fruition.

September Cover Girl Lauren Luck

“It’s not really about trying to be different, it's about being yourself.”

Photo by Scott Lomil Lauren Luck is a versatile, super smart young model who’s a joy to work with in every respect. Her intelligence is conveyed in each composition she rocks and her experience allows her to draw out the best from her lucky photographers. And yes, her curves are amazing too!

Photo by Marilee CarusoVersatility

Photo by Marilee CarusoInspirations

Photo by Scott Lomil About the Cover

Photo by Marilee CarusoPhotographer Scott Lomil talks about working with Lauren on the shoot.

August Cover

Photograph by Ivy Antonowitsch

I always say that vanity is my favorite sin. I try to be sincere about everything I do—even if it’s loud, vulgar and hurtful. My mouth has made more enemies in polite culture than I care to count. But hey, a stupid idea is a stupid idea. I don’t pull punches. That’s not how I play. I won over most bullies in school by being part of the joke, rather than the brunt of it. Smiling is one of the greatest feelings in the world. People love to laugh. I try to give that to people.

Projects

Photograph by Ivy AntonowitschThe first time I ever wore my “I Hate Phillip Brown” t-shirt was at an Eddie Reynoso party. I’ve been fortunate that the local scene-makers like Meredith Tanzer, Jenny O and Tonya Marini have embraced me. Whereas some of the ‘others’ have not.

BURNING MAN

Suspicious, I realized everyone had colorful and flowing or tight and artificial garb-- inappropriate for desert survival. Some were goofy, some sexy. Some people had nothing on at all. One man, striding quickly in just a pair of sneakers, appeared to have a series of fine golden rings that pierced the length of his, um, well...urethra. I wondered, “With all those holes, how does he...?” When I nearly ran my bike into the burnt frame of some kind of wrecked torpedo shaped vehicle. I stopped and examined a streak of blackened earth under and behind it. It was still smoking and at least as long as a car, but for the crumpled front end. It looked like a crash landed rocket ship left to burn...days ago.

Despite being directly behind the dark fabric covered central camp, no one seemed concerned, and I guiltily left the wreck without notifying the authorities. I turned right toward a wide opening and saw a large group of maybe thirty or forty white robed individuals with lanterns hanging from a yolk over their shoulders. They walked slowly and silently north. I followed, passing a large pile of antlers stacked high in the shape of a dead tree. It moaned from an apparently hidden speaker system and was on wheels. To my right was another big tree, this one in copper surrounded by an octagonal redwood decking. For leaves, it bore small licking flames. The copper tree also dripped water, under which some naked people appeared to be showering. Going further, I passed the slow lantern procession, looked up and saw, way off in the distance, a tall wooden stick figure on a stack of hay bales. I instantly recognized The Burning Man and sped off to introduce myself.

People in fanciful garb were crisscrossing the open desert as I peddled up to the statue. Some on bikes gussied up like their riders, and some in weird little vehicles reminiscent of alien space craft. Eventually, I came to a solitary fire extinguisher sitting unattended at the end of a long thick rope, perhaps three inches in diameter, which lay out from The Man base. I looked up and rode closer. It seemed immense. His face had an odd shape, the skin of which reminded me of paper Japanese walls. His arms were extended like he was a schoolmaster letting school kids out to recess. I saw people climbing up the huge bales and hanging out on a platform at the feet of the structure.

The Man stood bolted to a plywood floor, attended by a uniformed bearded man inredlipstick and a khaki pleated skirt. I recognized him as a Ranger. Several other people were sitting there enjoying the view. I greeted the Ranger, but was too awestruck to speak. I saw the enormityof the encampment, affectionately called Black Rock City, defined by the Lamplighter’s work. There were huge objects scattered around the desert before me, artwork too large and too unusual for this far away place. People were everywhere – randomly wandering like ants. Off in the distance, I could see a ship made of upright pianos floating on the dry sea of clay. A three story lacy structure, unfinished, was being erected to the north. Immediately below me were a group of people playing that old game Twister – only naked.Some folks were mischievously slipping out of hidden compartments in the hay. I stood directly beneath The Man, spread my arms wide and grabbed his legs. I noticed tightly wound bolts of wax-soaked burlap were coiled throughout the structure. “Wow, I thought, “This is the coolest thing I have ever done.”

This dichotomy--the free spirited mother and the conservative child--often set us in opposition, limiting my ability to connect with her. When she first told me that she was going to be attending Burning Man, I was quietly ashamed to tell my friends. I knew nothing of the true nature of the Burn, or of the community. It was just another thing about my mother I thought I would never understand. That will never be the case again.

The spirit of Nevada boiled over with excitement and anticipation for this year’s Burning Man Festival, the annual celebration of expression in the Black Rock Desert. (By the time readers see this article, the event will be well Photo by Hayley Baultunderway.) Recently, while at the Nevada Museum of Art, I had the pleasure of meeting several of the warm, open-minded individuals known as “Burners.” When asked why she attends the festival, Cari Lockett-- or “Divalicious” as she’s known on the Playa--described Burning Man as “cultural evolution in progress.”

July Cover Story