December 8, 2008 - Theatre donations, Drake Well park, Free and Legal Holiday Downloads

Franklin's Barrow-Civic Theatre picked up a $5,000 donation from Joy Global.

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It's almost certain that the $6.34 million renovations for Drake Well park won't be completed (or possibly even started) by the time the Oil 150 celebration ends in December 2009

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Allegheny College's annual Senior Projects Exhibit, an opportunity for graduating studio art majors and art and technology majors to present their senior projects to the public, will open with a public reception in the Bowman, Penelec and Megahan Galleries on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m.map

“Shaping Spaces,” the title of this semester's Senior Projects Exhibit, will feature the work of eight artists. Jesse Beauchamp, majoring in studio art and geology, will construct an installation evoking the dramatic and secretive rearrangements of American landscapes that are the result of fossil fuel extraction.

Two art and technology majors will show their work: Rachel Berenson will invite gallery viewers to explore exotic locations through a web site she has designed, while Jessica Zeidler will juxtapose technical culture with traditional craft in an installation that combines digital forms with hand-sewn pieces.

The work of five studio art majors will be presented. Tom Kierzkowski will create a fantasy-narrative-installation that explores the limits of surveillance and privacy in a wired world. Calahan Malone will present a series of drawings that explore the fluid boundary between reality and imagination. Erin O'Boyle will present a children's picture book about an English teapot who generously offers assistance to her American friend. Andrew Slemenda will provide gallery viewers with a participatory experience, combining performance and installation to expose cultural ambivalence and anxiety about sexism, consumerism and nationalism. Maja Sweeny will show a series of prints depicting dream imagery.

The exhibit can be viewed through Tuesday, Dec. 16; please call for special hours during this exhibit. The Art Galleries, which are wheelchair accessible, are located in Doane Hall of Art, east of North Main Street, between College and John Streets. For additional information, call 814-332-4365.

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The Knickerbocker Hotel is hosting another “Haunted Tour Event” on December 13th 2008, and the members of Oil Region Paranormal Investigation Team will be part of the campy fun, I mean scientific inquiry. The cost for this event is $35 per person.

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You would look great with a Santa beard.

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10 Things Songbird Does That iTunes Can’t

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Free and Legal Downloads:

O’Death Live at the Bowery Ballroom on December 5, 2008

Every day through December 25, Amazon is unveiling a new holiday song available to download free for a limited time

My Brightest Diamond Live at Daytrotter

December 06, 2008 - Drummer needed and Arts Funding bias

At Venangoland, Pete Greene discuss residency requirements and the vocal madness of some Cranberry residents.

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LaTrobe Barnitz is looking for a drummer with a jazz/blues background.for his Oil City First Night gig at the Howling Dog. $50 for the night. Contact him at lbarnitz@clarion.edu

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While I'm pleased that 13 Pittsburgh area arts groups and 3 poets receive NEA grants, I'm also more than a little saddened at the biased geographic distribution of the awards.

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Free and Legal Downloads:
O'Death Live at Mohawk Place on May 18, 2008

Mogwai Live at Hammersmith Apollo on October 24, 2008

Erie's Photomedia Center's 2008 Open Juried Exhibition entry deadline is June 28

Open to all artists internationally working in any photographic media - including collage, digital, traditional and alternative processes, and new media. There is no restriction on subject matter. Selected works will be exhibited at the Photomedia Center, fall 2008. The Photomedia Center will select one work as its Purchase Award, which will be added to its permanent collection. One artist from the show will be selected for a solo featured exhibit at the Photomedia Center during its 2009 season. Accepted works may be offered for sale by the artists during the show.

Artists may submit up to 10 pieces by CD only (no slides or prints) for consideration. Entry fee is $5 per image. Entry fees are waived entirely for current Photomedia Center members or you may become a member at the time of entry. Payment can be made by check, money order, or by credit card electronically via paypal.


The acceptable file formats should be either JPEG or TIFF only. Please label images clearly with the work's title or provide a separate list clearly referencing image titles by number. Files must be no larger than 800 pixels on the image's longest side at 72 ppi. Label the CD with your name.

Any questions regarding the show or entry process, please contact info@photomediacenter.org.

All entries should be sent to:
Photomedia Center
P.O. Box 8518,
Erie, PA 16505, USA.

Absolutely no entries will be accepted via email. A completed application form is required and must be included with your submission. For notification, you must include either an email address or a self addressed, stamped envelope. If you wish the return of your CD, you must supply a self addressed, stamped envelope with proper return postage.

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Today is Bloomsday. NY's Symphony Space will stream its festivities tonight.

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The AP tells blogs to back off.

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The Trib-Review takes a look at Erie Bluffs

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Speaking of the Trib-Review, I'm pretty sure its a sign of the Apocalypse when a screaming liberal like me agrees with their wing-nut editorial page. It turns out that the thing that unites us is Mary Jo White's wrong-headed vote on the smoking ban.

This Pittsburgh area blogger also takes Senator White to task challenging her claims that there are already plenty of smoke free venues in Western PA.

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The East Bay Express profiles the muxtape service.

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Is it possible to have a crush on a piece of sporting equipment?

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Free and Legal Downloads:
O'Death Live at Mohawk Place on May 18, 2008

Dismemberment Plan Live at Black Cat on April 28, 2007

Mission of Burma Live at Great Scott on January 20, 2008