Chicken Fried Therapy: April 2008

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Sitting On Sushi and Cloud Nine

Thank heavens I didn’t remove my eye makeup when I went to bed at 3 am this morning. With this leftover eye shadow, certainly I am looking better than I feel today. I mean, no need to waste perfectly good eye makeup, right? So with my sultry, smoky eyes I just ventured out for some scrambled eggs and refried beans – or as I’m calling it, a Helping of Hope.

I had a big time last night.

First of all the Women and Their Work party was a roaring success. We had a thick crowd of people with great attitudes and the energy was fabulous. Everyone embraced the performance art, the silent auction caused a row which drove the bidding higher, and despite the fact this was a non-profit event, we had plenty of booze. It was a hell of a party.

For me, the most fun was celebrating with two of my nearest & dearest friends who are on the board of Women and Their Work. These are the birds who got me involved in this event and it was a real treat to collaborate with them on all the party planning. I love our portrait on the sushi stools.

My good friends KK and SalGal of The Midlife Gals were a riotous addition to the scene. They set up camp in this funky niche replete with chain link curtains and a mod white leather mattress. They lured unsuspecting souls into their little padded cell to interview them and overlay their irreverent editorial. It was a hoot. I’m sure we’re all going to regret our on-camera antics when the footage hits you tube.

But of course I’ll share the link with you the moment I have it.

After the party I hopped over to the Saxon Pub because I had my heart set on hearing Seth Walker. You may recall from my report on Springfest, Seth Walker was a highlight of that festival for me. I’ve been spinning his tunes round the clock for the past two weeks and am keen to see him play just as often as I can.

So imagine my delight when I sauntered up to the Saxon Pub in my party clothes and Seth Walker was standing right outside! Oh my heavens, oh my heavens, oh my heavens.

Now we all know I have a long history of going shy when seeing musicians up close & personal. Over the years I’ve had run-ins with Charlie Robison, Cody Canada, Cory Morrow and Jim Lauderdale – just to name a few. But inevitably when given the face-to-face opportunity to speak with them, I totally freeze up. I just panic like a schoolgirl and flee.

But last night I broke my curse. Granted I was flustered and breathless and babbling like a fool, but hey, I had a little exchange with Seth Walker. And I even pulled myself together to ask for a picture.

Hee hee hee.

He was just as down-to-earth and sweet as he could be. I wouldn’t have expected such a smokin’ hot electric bluesman to be so sweet. Mrs. Walker clearly raised a very polite son. Then of course he and his band cranked things up on stage and I was putty for the rest of the night. Hot damn! That boy was pouring on the blues and he was pouring it on thick.

Just between you and me I think he was singing ‘Steady’ right to me.

I know, I know. They say musicians can’t see a thing up there under those lights. But I’m just saying…right to me.

The whole night was such a gas. My feet are killing me from dancing in these evil heels, I’m wearing eye makeup that I first put on about 5.30 pm yesterday, and I have to switch into mommy mode any minute. But I’m on cloud nine. The art party was sparkly and fun. I got to boogie down to some delicious blues tunes. And I chatted with Seth Walker.

Kick that around for awhile.

Click Here to Keep Reading...

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Come See Me Get My Butt Kicked in Ping Pong

Women and Their Work is a non-profit organization in Austin, TX that promotes women artists. The heartbeat of their operation is their centrally-located art gallery, which has won ‘Best Gallery’ in Austin at least five times in recent years.

Since launching in 1978, Women and Their Work has promoted 1,787 artists in 248 exhibitions, organized 109 music, theater and dance events, 19 literary readings, 13 film festivals, and 328 workshops.

These birds are busy. And they are damn good at what they do.

Which why I am deeply privileged to be involved with their 30th Anniversary Celebration. This Saturday April 19th, Women and Their Work is hosting a bash that is not to be missed:

Saturday April 19th from 7 until 10 pm
Be a part of the year’s most entertaining and unpredictable party

Click Here To Get Your Tickets Online

There will be a silent auction with wonderful art by Kate Breakey, Candace Briceno, Diana Dopson, Joey Fauerso, Malou Flato, Martha Gannon, Emily Tracy-Haas, Jan Heaton, Lance Letscher, Bonnie Lynch, and Denise Prince Martin.

There will be all sorts of InterActivities such as playing ping pong with national champs. That's right, you heard me. Ping Pong. Now I don't think I'm very good at ping pong -- but then again I've never played in heels. Could be my magic weapon. Don't you want to come see how this plays out?

And you don't want to miss the other InterActivities such as wii, xbox, guitar hero, Atari, performance dance, disco dancing, quick draw portraits, and comedic video interviews with our good friends from The Midlife Gals.

Don’t you want to show your support for the women of Texas who keep putting the ART in PARTY? Here are some easy ways to help:

1. But a ticket and come drink and dance this Saturday night
2. Email this post to anyone and everyone
3. If you can’t make the party, then consider becoming a friend of Women and Their Work

Women. Art. Parties. Libations. It’s a good combination – help us keep it going for another 30 years…. Click Here to Keep Reading...

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Jumpin Like a Hothouse Georgia Juke Joint

Last weekend I was in Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate my cousin’s wedding. I should probably go ahead and take this opportunity to issue a formal apology for my unabashed, feverish, relentless, revival-style, reckless abandon on the dance floor.

Damnation they had some good music at this wedding!

My cousin works in the music industry so it’s understandable that the music was a top priority – and they nailed it. I can’t remember the last time I had such a good time at a wedding. And it started with the rehearsal dinner. I polished off my delightful piece of Elvis cake – red velvet of course – and we danced to the band until they scraped me off the dance floor and forced me onto a bus to head home.

But no worries because we got to do it all over again the next night. Bigger and better.

The Breeze Kings played at the reception. An Atlanta-based blues band with a hipster sound and spicy little edge. When was the last time you showed up at a wedding reception and the lead musician was pulling out a collection of a dozen different harmonicas?

I can’t tell you the names of the songs they played, but it was all so good that I danced like my life depended on it. We’re not talking socially polite dancing that you do when your priest and grandparents are nearby watching. I’m talking full-tilt, shake-it-til-you-break-it, boogie-til-you-just-can’t-boogie-no-more.

I’m pretty sure I shamed the entire family name. I’d love to blame it on too much liquor, but I only had a couple of glasses of wine. I’m telling you it was The Breeze Kings. The Breeze Kings and their live, hoppin’, swingin’, grab-you-by-gut-and spin-you-round-and-round live music.

A fabulous female blues singer named Sweet Betty joined the band for a few numbers and blew everyone away. Now I am no stranger to the powers of a great southern songstress, but good night nurse this lady could sing! Everyone had goose bumps. I’m pretty sure she saved my soul.

Whew. Thank heavens I can cross that off my to do list.

I loved it all. Of all the gamillions of weddings I’ve been to, I’m not sure I have ever seen a bride and groom bring so much of their own personality to the whole affair. And they looked ridiculously happy and totally in love.

So just when I thought it was time to retire my very high-heeled dancing shoes…

As every wedding party seems programmed to do, we made our way back to the hotel bar like a flock of sweaty homing pigeons. We arrived at the very large bar area to find another live band, the remains of two other wedding groups, and civilians in street clothes. With badges.

Aha. A convention.

Turns out a group of Developmental Biologists were in town and hired a band for their convention. I couldn’t shake the feeling I needed to be a little closer to that music. So I saddled up to some of those Developmental Biologists, but sadly they wanted nothing to do with the likes of me. I, however, was undeterred. I found some friendlier Developmental Biologists, who frankly seemed infinitely more in charge of things, and they graciously invited me to come listen to the band.

The BooHoo Ramblers are a roots/country/blues/bluegrass band from Decatur Georgia, and they are fabulous. A mix of original songs like “Outta Here” – which I instantly loved – and some well-chosen cover tunes. Patrick, who is from Ireland and utterly adorable, played the fiddle like he had placed his own bet with Johnny and The Devil.

I'm here to tell ya that hell did break loose in Georgia and Patrick went home with the shiny fiddle made of gold.

Meanwhile the lead dude Clark Ashton sings and plays guitar while tapping his foot on a tambourine on the ground. I was mesmerized. I spent half the time trying to figure out if he had it on some sort spring action. But no, he’s just that good. The BooHoo Ramblers were electrifying, soothing and haunting all at the same time.

It was loads of fun. So much good music in one little ole evening I could barely process it all. And the dancing! I may never walk again. I’ll be sore for weeks to come. If I’d known there was going to be so much dancing I would have prepared so much differently. I would have stretched. And hydrated. And worn comfortable shoes.

Oh hell, that’s a lie. The shoes were fabulous.