BRidging THE Disconnect

I was asked to write something about Bridging THE Disconnect, however I wasn't really feeling it since it was my idea.  But, the other night, I watched the movie "Get Him to the Greek".  Now, I have wanted to put an idea together for a show for some time and I wound up trusting a musician who was on the Sunset Strip back when Guns N' Roses was coming up to get a graffiti inspired artist (who was doing live painting) to where I was at ON TIME.  Well, on time is a relative term when they were coming from an opening night of a solo art exhibit at SC State which is an hour or so away that ended at 8 and "start time" was 8.

 

THE Dubber

Simeon Twitty

Live Painting by: Cedric Umoja

Merch booth by Boom City: "unique graphic t-shirts for men and women". 

The university had changed the date after I had the date of March 21st for my idea, so I am thankful that everyone involved still went through with it.  I however did have Rich Owensby's song lyrics in my head that go something like, "everything that can go wrong will go wrong....".  Which reminds me that it never crossed my mind that while doing live painting, while having other things going on, that someone may need an easel.

Unfinished work by Cedric Umoja.  March 21st 2013.

 Since I have had time to sort this out in my head, it is not so much the other things as it is the equivalent to a place that calls themselves a concert venue that does not have a pa and such equipment for bands.   Apparently, a few people had already thought of Ms. Jeanne Bourque, currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer. We all decided not to ask her, but if she knew I'm pretty sure she would have wound up there in high spirits beside her other half, lugging the easel up the steps by herself.

• Donations can be sent online through Paypal at artsails@aol.com
• And mailed to Jeanne Borque- PO Box 4478- West Columbia, SC 29171

Now I know people think my interests have changed, but they really haven't.  In an area that lacks rockstars, Cedric Umoja is one and he doesn't even play music.  Yet, he reminds me of all my favorite rockstars from elsewhere.  He didn't like the show flyers because he was just painting and his picture was just as big.  So, I am sure he really liked the article that made it into the SOUND BITES section of Free Times.

For those of you reading this here is a short comparison. Cedric Umoja is to art what Jeff Shields (Stereoside, Stone Rider) is to ROCK music.  I have already done a write-up on THE Dubber.  He was just  unsettling into Columbia, SC about 5 years ago.  He is a visionary, comparable to Master Evan R. Saffer (Fixer, Evan Russell Saffer, part owner of Kave in NYC).  

THE Dubber's listening party by Kayode Photography.
March 21st 2013
Used with permission.

You see, I sold my soul to Evan and Stephen Bazzel (Uncrowned, Ghost Radio) in an empty parking lot behind what used to be called Headliners and prior to that was a hospital.  I personally don't think it was a coincidence that Cedric was at the last show Uncrowned played (with Stephen on vocals) in Columbia a couple months ago.  And I might still have my soul if there were more people than band members that night many moons ago.  You see Master Evan and Stephen have each also dabbled in poetry.  Thankfully, my soul is scattered throughout the nation instead of being sucked up in a place where many dreamers leave or give up.

I wish Simeon Twitty the best of luck in his future endeavors that include voice over school, in I do believe Utah.  There are some things all successful ARTists learn over time: there is too much business and you respect who makes the "ART".

I would also like to thank everyone that came out to the first BRidging THE Disconnect.  There were about 40 people throughout the night, including Preach Jacobs from Free Times. 40 people is a lot when you used to help a promoter and have seen all your favorite touring bands and then some play in front of less than that, shows combined.  

Boom City actually made money, which was what I was most concerned about.  Angel Lopez, the designer, who is also in at least 3 bands as well as an visual artist used to bartend at Headliners.  Somehow we never crossed paths until working in the kitchen of the Garden Deli, the old location of the stage and bathroom of Red Tub, previously a very unwritten about brothel.

Thanks to: 

• John, Missy, Bill, Reece, Ross, Mike, the one and only Stephanie Christie, Kelly, nICK, Brian, Mikki, Lindsey Martin, Mommafox, Mat, Heather, Jack, Brandon, Crystal, Eric, Hannah, Devin, Mike, Morgan, Super Squirrel, Anthony (RIP), Piggy D, and more I am sure.

• Northstar, who hosted, recorded the event, and also tried finding an art easel.

• Kayode Photography for showing up.  He is on another level. 

• Al Black, host of Mind Gravy, for scattering seeds.

• Mustafa of Izms of Art for making the show flyers.

Mustafa and Cedric Umoja's Live Art Wall at Love, Peace, Hip Hop.
Main St. Columbia, SC. April 13th 2013.

• THE Dubber who already knows.

• Mark, who first told me about Boom City and now lives in Austin, TX. The poems still hurt.  I hope you stay away from too much whiskey.

• Spiryt.......