Japan, Bettie Page, and Serious Whimsy

I hope you’ve been well- I’ve been in hibernation and incubating MANY things I’m excited to tell you about. I must admit that I was rocked to the core by the devastating and ongoing events in Japan. Of course I’m not connected to Japan by birth or heritage, but I’ve been inspired by and head-over-heels in love with Japanese culture throughout my life. Now I am inspired also by their strength, and the confidence that they will rebuild (and surely discover and teach the world new things in the process). Not only in Japan of course is there massive upheaval and transformation occurring but around the world as nature and revolution transform the globe through riots, fire, tsunamis… I’ve been saddened to know the suffering that’s transpiring but amazed and inspired to see the change people achieved by rising up in Egypt. It just seems that the globe is in upheaval, and though I wish I could do more to help those in need, we do the most when we focus on what we CAN do, so below I’ve provided some alternative information I found about ways we can all help beyond the Red Cross, which many of you have already given to.

Back here in Brooklyn I’m very excited to announce that I’m putting on my first ever art show (at least, outside of a warehouse 😉 I’ll be showing my own art for the first time alongside a hand-selected group of amazing artists in extremely varied mediums, but all focused around the theme of SERIOUS WHIMSY. I’ve realized that’s one of the edicts by which I live my life- taking whimsy very seriously. It’s important.

Oh yeah, and Subatomic is going to Russia, and I’m helping the film release of the first ever authorized biopic of Bettie Page. The first really fun thing I’ll be doing around that is to present prizes and a specially dedicated burlesque set by the one and only Veronica Varlow at the next Swing House party on April 23rd, just one day after Bettie’s birthday.

Read on for all the details…

Rhiannon :: underANDabove ::

1:: Alternative Japan Relief Info: I know many of you have already given and know the main ways to do so, but in case you wanted to know here are a few ways to help besides the Red Cross that we’ve found

2:: THIS SATURDAY: Bettie Page’s Birthday burlesque with *Veronica Varlow*!

3:: MAY 21ST: Save the date! My first art show! Serious ( / ) Whimsy @ Halcyon in DUMBO

4:: Subatomic goes Vampiric and sets out to capture Russia. Yup. For reals.

underANDabove [Vol.1, Issue 18]

1:: Alternative Japan Relief Info (ways to help aside from/ in addition to the Red Cross)

Japan, we love you!!!

http://www.hearjapan.com/

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/03/crafters_come_together_for_jap.html

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/utterly-engaged/shelter-box-usa

2:: Saturday, April 23rd: Celebrate Bettie Page’s Birthday at Swing House

*note: I am helping to promote the release of a very special indie film about Bettie Page- the first that’s authorized and told mainly through her own words. I’ll be sharing more about this with you, but this is the big kick-off event: I’ve helped curate a special Bettie tribute by Veronica Varlow and we’re doing giveaways at this weekends’ Swing House!

Gemini & Scorpio
present

Swing House – vintage/remix speakeasy dance party & Bettie Page Birthday celebration
“Gatsby-era fun with a twist of new-school vibe” (Village Voice)

Sat, April 23, Shagri-La Loft, 100 Sutton St, Greenpoint, BK
8pm doors, 8:30pm dance class, 9pm-4am party
$15 with RSVP + themed dress/$20 door/$10 after 12am/$5 after 2am; 21+
Details & RSVP: http://www.geminiandscorpio.com/events.html
FB: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165929663460415
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gemini_scorpio (win free tickets!)

A costumed dance ball with blazing burlesque divas, exotic cocktails, live swingin’ sounds by vintage jazz bands, and re-bopin’ DJs remixing and reinventing vintage grooves, held in a soft-lit wood-paneled ski-chalet Brooklyn loft. The space is eclectic and cozy, with many secret nooks and soft couches to lounge on.

Live music until 1am: The LES Hot Club paying homage to classic gypsy swing of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, and Poum Tchak, here on tour from Marseilles, France, rocking out virtuosic gypsy punk swing. Bettie Page-inspired burlesque by glamorous diva Veronica Varlow and daring dance moves by Zahra Hasemian delight and titillate you. DJ Miss Bliss spins classic hot jazz and swing early on and between band sets. After the glitter settles, DJ Shakey throws down electro-swing beats into early morning. Handmade vintage-inspired photo booth by FilmCycle. Tarot readings by Marcy Currier (after 11pm). FREE basic dance class before the bands by Angela Harriell of The Love Show. Exotic cocktail menu featuring herbal concoctions by The House of St Eve and other delectable potions.

Celebrating Bettie Page’s Birthday (4/22) with giveaways from the upcoming authorized documentary “Bettie Page Reveals All!” by Mark Mori – dress to join the celebration. “Best Bettie” costume contest (men welcome!) at 11:30pm, with group photo and DVD voucher to the winner. The doc team will be shooting the party for possible documentary inclusion.

The Jazz Age never ended, it just got funky. Dress accordingly: “An event worth wearing that ridiculous zoot suit for.” – TimeOut NY; “Corsets and top hats tweaked with studs and leather are totally appropriate.” – The New York Times. Suggestions: vintage (1920s-1940s) with a modern twist, cabaret, burlesque, Weimar Berlin, classic Hollywood, classy, sassy, tailored, hats, feathers, sequins, beads. Effort required. Dress code more modern-friendly after 1am for the electro-swing dance party. Past Swing House details & photos:http://www.geminiandscorpio.com/e09-03-15.html

Twitter ticket giveaway: for every 20 new followers (starting at 1,600), we’ll give away a pair of tickets to one lucky winner, from now until 4/23: http://www.twitter.com/gemini_scorpio

3:: Subatomic makes Vampires, goes to Russia

SAT, APRIL 24 @ Milk in MOSCOW, RUSSIA w/John Forte (of The Fugees). Emch of Subatomic Sound System has the honor of collaborating with John Forte’ for the grand finale concert of his From Brooklyn to Russia With Love project: A tour, an international musical exchange, and documentary film. Check it out on Facebook

4:: Saturday, May 21st: Serious ( / ) Whimsy

underANDabove & Halcyon present:

———-Serious ( / ) Whimsy———

An art opening and party to celebrate spring and the lighter side of Brooklyn’s global cultural influence through art, music, and fashion…

Coming out of one of the deepest, longest, and snowiest winters we’ve ever known in NYC, this show gathers some of Brooklyn’s finest established and emerging artists to celebrate spring and the lighter, more whimsical side of life. The fact is that we take our “whimsy” very seriously here in New York, and even rely upon it to soften the harshness of city life and remember our inner whimsical child. Often whimsy can’t be separated from serious issues, as some of the art displays. Regardless of the medium and tone, much of it is inspired by street art, comics, toys, characters, and cartoons; things we can all have fun with even in the darkest of times. Featuring live “jazz-inspired” drawing, Small Works of Great Value (small original paintings, drawings, and prints at recession prices), and 10% off vinyl for that night only (for DJs and collectors of all kinds ☺).

If you’ve been to Halcyon, then you know that it’s a really special place that’s had several incarnations thoughout the years but always as a community shop where local artists, furniture designers, toys, and clothing are displayed and sold alongside a record collection that many DJs come miles to peruse and play. Now located in the heart of DUMBO where high art collides head-on with the world of street and underground art, many of the artists and DJs that have graced the walls and turntables at Halcyon include huge names who come there as a place to do something really fun and relaxed while they’re in town for some massive event. A community resource for over ten years, this show is also dedicated to them and designed to celebrate and help keep thriving Halcyon’s dedication to local arts.

Featuring Artists:

Ad Hoc (http://adhocart.org)

Rod Sanchez (http://www.rodsanchez.com

Charlie green (www.ckdub.com)

Erica Camille (http://www.ericacamilleproductions.com)

Aron Hunter Bregman (NYC debut!) (http://tinyurl.com/3j9n2dt)

Rhiannon Erbach-Gruber (First time showing!) (http://www.underandabove.org)

With DJs Scottie B (http://www.bluntedfunk.com/) and resident Halcyon DJs

Plus free beer and cupcakes, live jazz drawing, and live vocals

FREE to all, kids welcome, and afterparty will be announced at the event

Costumes welcome.

7-10pm