Monday, August 24, 2015

"A Peculiar Crossroads: A Celebration of the Life and Art of Flannery O'Connor at Silver Meteor.

[A contribution to Art Taco from correspondent at large, Lydia Gottardi]

A Peculiar Crossroads: A Celebration of the Life of Flannery O'Connor"
Silver Meteor Gallery 8/23/15

Silver Meteor Gallery, an art venue/black box theatre, is a tiny bright star in the local theater firmament. It's latest production, "A Peculiar Crossroads: A Celebration of the Life and Art of Flannery O'Connor" is an entertaining and interesting short play, that shows us how the most memorable art often does more with less. This is a one-act, one-actor play brought to life by Betty-Jane Parks in a set suggesting the sparse furnishings of the farmhouse where the author spends most of her brief yet amazingly-productive life writing 2 novels and the many short works for which she is known and beloved. The audience follows the author as she moves from scene to scene, memory to memory, pausing to reflect on the writing life, the life of the artist, depicting with complete naturalness all the wit, spirit, sensitivity, and Southern charm of one of our most enduring writers. This theatrical experience is simultaneously stark and dense..shining forth with dialogue culled directly from Flannery O'Connor's own speeches and letters seamlessly woven into a portrait of a woman whose theology stands firmly behind a loving yet unblinking gaze at human imperfections within a modern mystery play, balanced with homespun humor between the light and dark of her moral universe.

This play will appeal to anyone interested in knowing more about 19th century American literature,  the history of the Southern Gothic genre,  and who loves thought-provoking monologue, intimate small theatre, and chickens (yes, chickens!), told first person in the writer's own wry yet gentle words, a behind-the-scenes look at the writing life.

Betty-Jean Parks conjures with uncanny veracity the form, personality, and charm of a writer as colorful and memorable as her creations.
Landon Green, in his directing debut, presents an experience that is taut yet smooth from beginning to end.

Producer Michael Murphy creates a linear set that takes the audience to spotlighted  niches that act like paragraphs for the monologue, creating separate yet contiguous scenes for each memory-experience in the author's life, kept lively through the variety of placement and alternately addressing an audience that is both real and off stage. This becomes an effective device in dissolving the traditional separation between audience and stage and is a unique and gratifying experience.

Altogether, this short play is as remarkable an experience as the woman it depicts: large in prosaic beauty, philosophy, practical advice for writers, and a glimpse into the dedicated life of an artist in a most balanced and refined collaboration between playwright, director, actor, and producer, a treat not only for Flannery O'Connor fans, but also for those interested in creative theatre production.

But wait! There's more....

After a brief intermission, the play is followed by a hilarious 1 minute newsreel from the author's life and then a 26-minute vintage television production of one of Flannery O'Connor's short stories starring Agnes Moorehead and a debut for a very young Gene Kelly!  Sticking around for this is highly recommended to fill out the night (ask and Michael Murphy might tell you about the nonHollywood ending of the story).

Lydia Gottardi

August 13-30, 2015.
Thursday and Sunday @7PM
Friday and Saturday @8PM

Personal Note: I saw this play, and agree with Lydia"s review. See this! It's wonderful.


Saturday, August 22, 2015

Starving Artists Movers Company.

Real Starving Artists have started a moving company. I know these guys and they're cool, fair, trustworthy straight-up people perfect for that upcoming move.

11440 Harborside Circle, Saint Pete

Call 727-422-8326

Thank you.

Luis

This Straigh Outta Compton Weekend, 8/23/2015

Summer is slithering by between hellish temperatures and the daily deluge, but the doldrums, never ending as they seem, take us slowly to the best time o the year, soon to come.



Last year the Clearwater Art Alliance held an event called Piano’s in Pinellas. A local artist, Junior Polo, was selected to take an upright piano and create a piece of artwork with it which would be displayed around downtown Clearwater. That piano drew my attention and I approached Junior about being one our artists. He joined before the doors were even opened and he contributed a permanent piece to the center – the very elaborate backdrop for our stage.

Shortly after the art center opened, Clearwater Jazz Holiday announced that Junior would be the artist for Jazz Holiday 2015. In celebration of this, we are bringing the piano to the art center and launching a special display of his work. Junior will be here at the art center demonstrating his work and talking with people about what inspires him.

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Explore what it takes to become legend. Define what legends mean to you. Make a tribute to legendary acts and people.

BLOOM Art Center invites you to examine all this and more at Legendary, a new exhibit opening Saturday, August 22 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

BLOOM is located at:
910 5th Avenue N., St. Petersburg FL 33705
Admission $ 7

For this gallery-focused show, Bloom invited 25 artists to each interpret legends in their own way. The surprising results are exhibited for sale at our Legendary opening, when guests can enjoy chill DJ vibes, a donation bar, and our Bloom POD shop featuring small art in various mediums.

Throughout the night, Aerial Dragons will float high above you in displays of stunning performance art. And no one should miss the free self-guided tour of our painted building, displaying more than 15,000 square feet of exterior murals created by more than 30 artists.

Featured Legendary artists:
Allen Hampton
Aurailieus
Boo Ehrsam
Chon Mosley
Derek Donnelly
Emily Stone
Freddie Fred
James Oleson
Jeff Williams
Jennifer Kosharek
Jessi Donnelly
John Suarez
Justin Wagher
Korey Lightford
Mason Schwacke
Michael Vahl
Noelle Stillman
Reid Jenkins
Rheannon Cheri
Scott Hillis
Sebastian Coolidge
STOIC
THIRST
Von Zombo
Zulu Painter

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Strands of Sunshine








// A Fundraiser for The Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue //

Our sweet shop dog, Oscar, turns 10 years old this month! We're celebrating with a birthday party on August 22, and a two-week fundraiser for local non-profit pet rescue, Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue! 10% of all purchases made at Strands of Sunshine between August 18 and August 29th will be donated to this great rescue! PPPR saves small senior dogs and we want to help with their mission to rescue, rehab, and re-home these sweet seniors!

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***OSCAR'S PARTY DAY***

Saturday, August 22, 11am - 6pm

Stop by for some fun and to shop your tail off for PPPR!!!
-Treats & prizes for two and four legged friends!
-A visit by PPPR's Jamie McKnight & rescue pups!
-Artist Robert Phelps live painting Oscar's portrait!
-Oscar snuggles!
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Wait, there's more! Our friend Robert Phelps is donating a custom pet portrait, valued at $350, and we're raffling off tickets for $5 each / 5 for $20 during the fundraiser (Aug 18-29)
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How else can you help? Drop off an item from PPPR's Wish List: gift certificates to Sams Club or Publix (for rotissiere chicken for sick and critical patients), gift cards to Petsmart or Animal House for other food they need, donations directly to Partridge Animal Hospital on behalf of PPPR to help pay down the accruing vet debt and care for current cases.
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More about Pawlicious Poochie Pet Rescue:
PPPR is a 501c3 non-profit based in St. Petersburg, FL, founded in February, 2013 and caters to small breed seniors, handicap, critically ill, mainly focusing on rescuing from high kill county shelters all over the state of Florida that are scheduled to be euthanized. PPPR has rescued and adopted out over 200 dogs to date, including 60 so far this year.
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Saturday, August 8, 2015

This Sherlock Holmes Weekend, Saturday, August 8, 2015.

After the Deluge....




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 Michele Tuegel Gallery
320 Central Ave St Pete



Exhibition opening reception of large, abstract paintings by local Gulfport artist Judy Palaferro. Judy will be present to speak about her work during the opening Saturday night. [In conjunction with the Second 2nd Saturday Art Walk | St. Petersburg]

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Graphi-ko Gallery Keeps it Local with "Wild Out of the Box" the opening of a new show featuring animal themed art. The Gallery's proceeds of all artwork from the show will benefit Friends of Strays, a volunteer organization dedicated to the care and adoption of homeless pets, who operate a no kill shelter. Come and support local art and artists and a great organization.
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St. Petersburg's Second Saturday ArtWalk presents over 40 galleries and studios in the Waterfront Arts, Central Arts District, The EDGE District of St. Petersburg, Grand Central District Association and the Warehouse Arts District coming together as one arts destination.

This month, Keep Saint Petersburg Local (KSPL) is partnering with the arts districts. Olga Bof, Founder/Executive Director of KSPL states, “Since Keep Saint Petersburg Local launched, our Independent Business Alliance has supported the monthly ArtWalk. KSPL includes artists, art galleries/studios, museums and other cultural institutions among its members. Our mission is to work to build a thriving local economy and a unique community, and the arts are very important to St. Pete. KSPL is happy to return as a sponsor this year.”

Be the first to see new affordable works of art, as ArtWalk is Opening Night where many galleries and studios premiere new works. Some are only open on ArtWalk, and many offer demonstrations and refreshments. It’s impossible to take in the entire ArtWalk in one night! Plan to drive, walk, or take the trolleys to visit the districts of your choice. Our free trolley shuttles will have an art guide on board talking about each venue on our one continuous trolley loop.


Parking
Free parking can be found on 1st Ave N and 1st Ave S from 15th St. to 30th St., The Clay Center of St. Petersburg, MGA Studios and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum. Download the map and list of participants to plan your festive art evening at http://www.stpeteartsalliance.org/

The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, the Arts Association St. Petersburg Inc., the EDGE District, the Grand Central District, and the Warehouse Arts District associations coordinate St. Petersburg’s Second Saturday ArtWalk. The St. Petersburg Arts Alliance strives to be the community voice, the umbrella organization for the arts -- facilitating artists, arts organizations and creative businesses to work collaboratively; empowering the growth of the arts community, and driving arts-related economic development.

Trolley starts here at 5pm
Craftsman House Gallery – 2955 Central Avenue - Support your locally-owned businesses at the closing day of our Once-a-Year Studio Sale, where local potters sell their slight imperfections at amazing prices. The gallery features clay, blown glass, jewelry, wood, furniture - all housed in an historic 1918 Arts & Crafts bungalow. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Craftsman-House-Gallery/158706022997

Charlie Parker Pottery – 2724 6th Avenue S. – Summer Of Fun. Fun demos and unique pottery for the home or garden, as well as great gift ideas. https://www.facebook.com/events/1592710867657779/

Zen Glass Studio – 600 27th Street South - Enjoy live glassblowing, auctions, demonstrations and a gallery show of our newest creations. Featuring the works of Zen Glass artists Joshua Poll, Dave Walker, and Christian Zvonik. https://www.facebook.com/ZenGlassStudio

Duncan McClellan Gallery – 2342 Emerson Avenue South – Help us Help them: Belize 2015 Medical Mission Fundraiser. Join the supporters of Nokumbaya,( a locally based organization dedicated to bringing medical relief to the peoples of South and Central American). Meet & greet the mission team, and learn about their work with the children of Belize. http://dmglass.com/events/help-us-help-them-belize-2015-medical-mission-fundraiser-on-saturday-august-8/

Clay Center of St. Petersburg - 420 23rd Street South – Stop in to try your hand at Clay printing. Do an actual print to take with you. Learn about the technique of Clay printing throwing on the wheel and handbuilding. https://www.facebook.com/ClayCenterofStPetersburg

Dazzio Art Experience Gallery & School of Art - 535 22nd Street South - Premier Gallery & School of Art....."where we believe that all people are meant to be creative, learning in a fun and relaxed atmosphere"...Let Us Release Your Creative Genius! https://www.facebook.com/dazzio.art.experience?fref=ts

Soft Water Studios - 515 22nd Street South - Featuring TranzLucid, a group show of artists who work at Soft Water Studios and MGA Sculpture Studio. TranzLucid refers to the etheral quality of light through matter and the meaning we attribute to meaning itself. https://www.facebook.com/sws.art.art/timeline

Mga Sculpture Studio – 515 22nd Street South - A commission driven sculpture facility that specializes in the design, fabrication and installation of sculptural objects in a variety of mediums from cartable materials to metal fabrication. Currently working on several large scale commissions for local private entities and across the country. https://www.facebook.com/MgaSculpture

Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum – 2240 9th Avenue S. - The charcoal renderings of the award-winning master portraitist, Adrian Pickett Jr. Gifted in the use of many mediums including acrylics and oils, Pickett’s current passion for charcoal stems from the challenges it presents. He has developed a style of artistry that allows his charcoal renderings to exude soulfulness and the use of hues and shadows gives off a colorful presence. The artist views his vision as a gift, and feels his creativity derives from a natural force. https://www.facebook.com/WoodsonMuseum/timeline

Gallerie 909 – 909 22nd Street South – She is Music: Meet featured artist Salaam Muhammad. Artist talk on her amazing body of work. https://www.facebook.com/events/957023430997854/

Morean Center for Clay – 420 22nd Street South - Annual Member's Show. Also hosting a pot luck dinner during the opening that is open to the public. Please bring a homemade dish in a handmade dish if you wish to participate. https://www.facebook.com/CenterForClay

Richard Clark and Jim Corp - Five Deuces Galleria Building - 420 23rd Street South - Paper and paint, prints and canvas. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=739036012796403

Woodfield Fine Art Studio - 5 Deuces Galleria Building, #3 @ 222 22nd St. S. - New commissions started and other works completed. Plus, abstract works from the "escape" easel are on display. https://www.facebook.com/woodfieldfineartstudio?fref=ts

Nancy Smrekar Art Studio - 2135 3rd Avenue South, Unit #5, Five Deuces Galleria Garden Building. Featuring acrylic/oil paintings in impressionism, realism, and abstract styles by emerging artist Nancy Smrekar. https://www.facebook.com/nancysmrekar.artist

Cory Allen Contemporary Art - 2121 Second Avenue South - Pop-up Church of Scientology, featuring The Shroud of Scientology. https://www.facebook.com/coryallencontemporaryart?fref=ts

St. Petersburg Opera Company - 2145 1st Ave South - Craig Petersburg has been a visual artist, designer and art educator for decades. He has exhibited and is collected in Europe and the United States. This exhibition of paintings and objet d'art will reflect the diversity of his visual vocabulary including: acrylic paintings, furniture and found objects. https://www.facebook.com/StPeteOpera

Trolley Starts Here at 5pm
Creative Clay – 1114 Central Avenue - 20th Anniversary with good art, good folk. New exhibit, Mirage, highlights paintings from our collection. Painted Poetry featuring paintings inspired by poems. Chant the Trees, a progressive acoustic folk duo perform live. https://www.facebook.com/events/675544829214150/

Michele Tuegel Contemporary – 320 Central Avenue - Opening Reception: Judy Palaferro - Spilling. Solo show of large abstract expressionist paintings by local Gulfport artist Judy Palaferro. https://www.facebook.com/MicheleTuegelContemporary/timeline

The Gallery – 200 Central Ave S. - Acclaimed artist from India, Dhiraj Choudhury. On display for a limited time, these works represent an exclusive selection of Choudhury’s work over many decades, creating a unique vision of culturally inspired compositions described through vibrant colors and spiritual subject matter. Inspired by a love for humanity and a concern for the world at large, Choudhury offers us an opportunity to transcend into his experience and desire to help others. https://www.facebook.com/thegalleryart

SHAPIRO'S Gallery – 300 Beach Drive NE. - Showcasing the finest in American made contemporary crafts. Blown glass, jewelry, pottery, wooden boxes, and sculpture. https://www.facebook.com/shapirogallery

Florida CraftArt – 501 Central Avenue – World on a String: Masters of Puppetry featuring over 100 puppets from around the world. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Florida-CraftArt/352815711033?sk=timeline

The Art Lofts of St. Petersburg, FL – 10 Fifth Street North (upstairs) - Heat Wave. A group show of work by Artlofts artists in various mediums celebrating summer. Shop for paintings, jewelry, stained glass, photography and sculpture. Then visit with the artists in their working studios. https://www.facebook.com/artlofts

Graphi-ko Gallery/ Jewelry – 669 Central Avenue - Wild Out of the Box the opening of a new show featuring animal themed art. The Gallery's proceeds of all artwork from the show will benefit Friends of Strays, a volunteer organization dedicated to the care and adoption of homeless pets, who operate a no kill shelter. Come & support local art & artists and a great organization. https://www.facebook.com/events/836081123153955/

The Local COOP - 645 Central Avenue - Inside the Crislip Arcade. 10% discount with any diaper donation to benefit Baby Cycle. The Local COOP is a new donation drop location for Baby Cycle. Featuring 30 local artists and hand crafters. Come by to check out our constantly changing inventory of locally handcrafted gifts, home decor, and kids items. https://www.facebook.com/TLCStPete?fref=ts

St. Pete Art Works - 635 Central Ave - "Walk With Me", a watercolor series by FreddieFred. Live Entertainment: singer-songwriter Chris Cava. A co-operative art gallery featuring the artwork of 23 local artists in a wide range of media. https://www.facebook.com/St.PeteArtWorks?fref=ts

Strands of Sunshine – 8 Sixth Street N – Featuring local artist Alexandra Vasquez. Alexandra studies art at Creative Clay, where her colorful paintings of Mayan-inspired designs have been featured in several collective exhibitions. “Mayan Summer” is her first solo show, and she will be on hand to discuss her paintings. https://www.facebook.com/events/1452754195025550/

Morean Arts Center – 719 Central Avenue – Carter Venture talk at the Gallery to showcase his exhibit after winning last year's Best in Show at the annual Members' Show. https://www.facebook.com/events/102258373447242/

ARTicles Art Gallery & Custom Framing - 1445 Central Avenue – Surface Tension: New work by Nathan Beard and Nin McQuillen. Nathan Beard's new series of pastels on paper, Pond's Edge, depicts the commingling of water and plant life by contrasting celebratory gestures with a soothing color palette. Nin McQuillen's intimately scaled sculptures are a synthesis of line, shape and surface that evoke the harmony of standing stones and totems. With these bodies of work, both artists explore new media in pursuit of beauty. https://www.facebook.com/ArTiclesIncCustomFramingArtGallery/timeline

Art Central Studios - 2109 Central Avenue, 2nd Floor - A group of seven established visual artists - Bill Drugan, Kevin Nodland, Carol Dameron, Mary Grieco, Frank Lewis, Herb Snitzer, and Zala Highsmith. Look for the huge mural recently painted on our building's east wall. https://www.facebook.com/artcentralstudios?fref=ts

Creative Soul Studio : Coffee, Wine, Art – 2425 Central Avenue - Featuring a showcase from the winners of the 2014 and 2015 Files and Film Juried Photography Shows. As this is not a juried show, the exhibitors will be free to let their creative juices flow. https://www.facebook.com/CreativeSoulStudio?fref=ts

Our partner associations also have great listings for art events!!
Grand Central District Association
Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association

Choose 4 or 5 to visit this Saturday then come back the next Second Saturday to visit more!

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Files & Film is announcing it's first Winners Showcase. This photographic art show features the award winners of 2015, and 2014. Artists are given the freedom present photo artwork with no jury, no fee. Some artists will take the opportunity to curate their own wall.

2015 Winners
Heidi Clapp-Temple, Fine Art Photographer (Juror's Award)
JGomez Fine Art (Juror's Award)
Joey Vadder (Juror's Award)
Photo Mixed Media and Fine Art Photography by Michael Conway (ARTicles Art Gallery & Custom Framing's Choice Award)
Joel Dominguez (#1 People's Choice Award)
Alison Amick (#2 People's Choice Award)
Kyle Fleming Photography (#3 People's Choice Award)

2014 Winners
Gabriel Ramos (Juror's Award)
Emelle Lee (Juror's Choice Award)
Photography and Design by Jessi Donnelly (ARTicle's Choice Award)
Marta Rhine (#1 People's Choice)
Jay Cee (#2 People's Choice)
Etn Art Evan Thomas Niemann (#3 People's Choice)

Join us for Second Saturday! No cover.

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Creative Soul Cafe
2425 Central

Files & Film is announcing it's first Winners Showcase. This photographic art show features the award winners of 2015, and 2014. Artists are given the freedom present photo artwork with no jury, no fee. Some artists will take the opportunity to curate their own wall.

2015 Winners
Heidi Clapp-Temple, Fine Art Photographer (Juror's Award)
JGomez Fine Art (Juror's Award)
Joey Vadder (Juror's Award)
Photo Mixed Media and Fine Art Photography by Michael Conway (ARTicles Art Gallery & Custom Framing's Choice Award)
Joel Dominguez (#1 People's Choice Award)
Alison Amick (#2 People's Choice Award)
Kyle Fleming Photography (#3 People's Choice Award)

2014 Winners
Gabriel Ramos (Juror's Award)
Emelle Lee (Juror's Choice Award)
Photography and Design by Jessi Donnelly (ARTicle's Choice Award)
Marta Rhine (#1 People's Choice)
Jay Cee (#2 People's Choice)
Etn Art Evan Thomas Niemann (#3 People's Choice)

Join us for Second Saturday! No cover.



Files & Film is announcing it's first Winners Showcase. This photographic art show features the award winners of 2015, and 2014. Artists are given the freedom present photo artwork with no jury, no fee. Some artists will take the opportunity to curate their own wall.

2015 Winners
Heidi Clapp-Temple, Fine Art Photographer (Juror's Award)
JGomez Fine Art (Juror's Award)
Joey Vadder (Juror's Award)
Photo Mixed Media and Fine Art Photography by Michael Conway (ARTicles Art Gallery & Custom Framing's Choice Award)
Joel Dominguez (#1 People's Choice Award)
Alison Amick (#2 People's Choice Award)
Kyle Fleming Photography (#3 People's Choice Award)

2014 Winners
Gabriel Ramos (Juror's Award)
Emelle Lee (Juror's Choice Award)
Photography and Design by Jessi Donnelly (ARTicle's Choice Award)
Marta Rhine (#1 People's Choice)
Jay Cee (#2 People's Choice)
Etn Art Evan Thomas Niemann (#3 People's Choice)

Join us for Second Saturday! No cover.

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ART SHOW FEATURING NEW WORKS BY STOIC ANUNNAKI BASED ON THE ANCIENT STORIES OF GILGAMESH.

WHERE: THE AMSTERDAM

WHEN: SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH

OPENING RECEPTION: 7pm-10pm

Music provided for the reception by:

Mountain holler-
Atmospheric reverberating solo acoustic psych wizadry. He will be releasing a cd that night from his last performance at The Nine10 along with album art by STOIC.

@[NjQyMTgzOTU5MjA4MTA3Omh0dHBzXGEvL20uZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3Byb2ZpbGUucGhwP2lkPTU0ODk0MDIxMTgwNzU1Njo6:@[NjQyMTgzOTU5MjA4MTA3Omh0dHBzXGEvL20uZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3Byb2ZpbGUucGhwP2lkPTU0ODk0MDIxMTgwNzU1Njo6:@[NjQyMTgzOTU5MjA4MTA3Omh0dHBzXGEvL20uZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL3Byb2ZpbGUucGhwP2lkPTU0ODk0MDIxMTgwNzU1Njo6:https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=548940211807556]]]

DJ KALANI-
Witch kicking psychedelia and weirdo synthesizer gut blasting tunes. The man with a million vinyl faces!

There will be a gallery talk at 9 o'clock where stoic will talk about the pieces and mythology behind the works. ONLY 60 LIMITED EDITION BROCHURES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!

RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR FOR $5.00. AT 10 A FEW NAMES WILL BE DRAWN! WINNERS WILL RECIEVE ORIGINAL PAINTINGS!

AFTER 10 O'CLOCK THE AMSTERDAM HAS PROVIDED AWESOME BANDS TO BLAST THE NIGHT AWAY!

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT!!
POSTS


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