Henry Miller Quote from Tropic of Cancer

...a favorite author clears up my view on art well before I internally summarized it myself...

QUOTE:

"I have no money, no resources, no hope. I am the happiest man alive. A year ago, six months ago, I thought that I was an artist. I no longer think about it, I am. Everything that was literature has fallen from me. There are no more books to be written, thank God.

"This then? This is not a book. This is libel, slander, defamation of character. This is not a book, in the ordinary sense of the word. No, this is a prolonged insult, a gob of spit in the face of Art, a kick in the pants to God, Man, Destiny, Time, Love, Beauty...what you will. I am going to sing for you, a little off key perhaps, but I will sing. I will sing while you croak, I will dance over your dirty corpse...

"To sing you must first open your mouth. You must have a pair of lungs, and a little knowledge of music. It is not necessary to have an accordion, or a guitar. The essential thing is to want to sing. This then is a song. I am singing."

AMMO presents work by LOREN SCHWERD

The directors of AMMO are pleased to present an exhibition of works by Loren Schwerd, from her acclaimed series of hair sculptures, “Mourning

Portrait”. The exhibition opens on Saturday, August 15, with an opening reception from 6 -9pm, and will be on view at AMMO, located at 938 Royal

Street in the French Quarter, through September 16, 2009.


“Mourning Portrait” is a series of memorials to the communities of New Orleans that were devastated by the federal levee breaches following Hurricane Katrina. The sculptures are made of human and synthetic hair extensions and wigs that were discarded outside the St Claude Beauty Supply in the fall of 2005. The sculptures interpret many of the abandoned homes of the Ninth Ward.

Schwerd draws on the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century tradition of hairwork, in which family members or artisans would fashion the hair of the deceased into intricate jewelry and sentimental objects and memento mori. Hair serves as the essential metaphor of this exhibit, by evoking a sense of profound intimacy and absence.

Her sculptures portay individual residences, many of which are no longer standing. Collectively, Mourning Portrait venerates the less of entire neighborhoods and communities. Schwerd’s “Mourning Portrait” series was featured on the cover of the November 2008 FiberArts Magazine, and has toured extensively in the United States.

FOR A SNEAK PEAK OF THE SHOW: CLICK HERE

The Fairytale Experiment visits New Orleans

Visit the Fairytale Experiment at XO Studios, back from the summer haitus!

The Infection Spreads... Seattle Strikes Again!

Folks have been giving us some mad love on the NoLA Rising T-shirts so we thought we'd take a moment to share some of the photos we've been getting. We just recently put them in a couple of local stores, Winky's and Buffalo Exchange.

Winky's is located in the Lower Garden District conveniently near Juan's Flying Burrito (I said get your grub on while you're down there). Buffalo Exchange is in the Garden District near Slim Goodies (I'm seeing a food theme here).

If you can't make it to New Orleans, then we'll be glad to send you one like we did the people we have below...

NoLA Rising, helping the good times roll since 1973...or 2005 depending on how you look at it...





More photos to come later this week featuring our friends in Boston...

Tactical Stencil Lab :: Kill or Die

Burlesque 101 :: Classes by Bella of Fleur de Tease

As many of y'all know, here at NoLA Rising world headquarters, we like to support all things New Orleans. Dance and theater is no exception. Our city has always had a rich nightlife and one of the more enjoyable outlets that has been thriving again is the burlesque scene.

One such troupe in NoLA is Fleur de Tease and they describe themselves as such:

Fleur de Tease is a premiere Variety Burlesque Revue. This modern twist on a classic vaudeville show has something to please and tease every audience member. Magicians, fire eaters, comedians, aerialists and of course beautiful burlesque dancers all make up the core members of the troupe. Special guest artists such as sword swallowers, singers, and other circus acts make each show a unique and different experience so no two programs are ever the same. Please join us and be prepared to thrill your senses with the lovely burlesque beauties, the comedic cuties, and talented tricksters of Fleur de Tease.

But, how does this burlesque scene develop and how do the girls learn such seductive dance? For women in the city who are interested, where do they go to find out more? A Burlesque 101 class would answer most of those questions...

Every Thursday night at the Crescent Lotus (located at 3143 Calhoun) from 6:30 to 7:30, there are Burlesque classes for every skill level. No need to make a reservation as you can just show up for lessons. However, it's recommended you bring a pair of comfortable heels...pink sunglasses are obligatory...

And if you're unsure of going, on the group's facebook page, Bella says, "Most of the girls in the class have had little or no dance experience! Have no worries."

For more info: Burlesque 101 is designed for anyone and everyone to learn the sexy art of the tease. Class is only $10 per person and promises an amazing adventure into the world of burlesque every time. Call Bella at 504-912-1734 for more info.

BURLESQUE 101

Kids Go to The Woods...Kids Get Dead

A night of horror and mayhem when “Kids Go To The Woods… Kids Get Dead” Premieres at The Marigny Theater! Featuring an art exhibit by New Orleans own Stephanie Stelmach.

"I Absolutely Love This!" - Sarah Jahier www.Fatally-Yours.com

"A Lot of Fun" - Kelsey Zukowski www.HorrorYearbook.com

"Best indie horror flick I've seen all year!" - Gregg Dumont www.KillerReviews.com

Do you remember staying up late to watch your favorite horror host on local television? With VHS tape in hand to record all the action (and hopefully not tape over anything important - like your home movies) this nearly forgotten ritual was a mainstay of our youth. "Kids Go To the Woods... Kids Get Dead" brings back the classic slasher flick - horny teenagers, worthless cops, a crazy war vet and a masked killer, Complete with VHS Static, fake commercials, and vignettes with horror hostess Candy Adams..

It's Casey's (Leah Rudick) birthday and to celebrate her and her friends are headed to a cabin in the woods for a wild weekend of sex, drugs and partying. A crazed Killer (Joseph Campellone) has other plans for them and it's up to Casey's younger brother Scott (Andrew Waffenschmidt), aided by a mysterious novel that seems to spell out their fate, to find their only hope of survival.

Screening - Sat. Aug.8th at The Marigny Theater located @ 1030 Marigny ST (Corner of St. Claude and Marigny), New Orleans, LA. Doors open at 11:30pm, movie at 12am Admission is only $5.

For more info about the movie please check out www.KidsGetDead.com or email michaelhall@darkstarentertainment.net If you are doing a review we’d be happy to give you some exclusive pictures and video clips.
Full press kit - Includes an information packet, trailers, and pictures. Approx. 50mb .zip file.
http://darkstarentertainment.net/kgd/presskit/KGD_EPK.zip

Download only the information packet. Approx. 5.6mb .pdf file.
http://darkstarentertainment.net/kgd/presskit/KGD_EPK/KGD_EPK.pdf


Thank You,
Michael Hall
Writer / Director