Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Arch Rival Roller Girls

I've been meaning to go see some roller derby for I don't even know how long. Finally the other night I got my butt out to Queeny Park to check it out.


The first bout was between the M-80s and the Rebel Skate Alliance.
(RSA has some of my favorite skater names. Stabby McCutcha, The Oregon Betrayal...I love it)

The M-80s won.

I may be able to give a little more insight to the bout itself as there seemed to be a play by play going on constantly. However no matter where I was in the whole place I couldn't understand a word those guys were saying. It sounded like they were broadcasting from down the street or something. On the plus side, you can grab a booklet that goes into great detail about the game and the players so you can follow along yourself just fine even if you showed up not knowing anything about the sport.


The second bout was between the Stunt Devils and the Smashinistas. The Stunt Devils killed it mainly because their jammers were sneaky fast little things and would slip right on through. I thought it was a more entertaining bout to watch even though it was a bit of a blow out. There was more action going on. 


You can find out more info about them here.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Dead Art Studios

The other day I was at a friend’s house where he works on some very interesting and I assume fairly unique art and was compelled to take some photos.

The process is the part I find most interesting. These are flesh-eating beetles working on the last bits of things that were once alive.


Most of LJ's art involves things that were once alive. Displaying skeletons, creative taxidermy, snake skin jewelry, etc.  

Working on a "devil deer"
Right now you can find him on facebook but he should be getting an etsy sometime as well. Check it out. I'm sure the stuff can only get more interesting.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Home Town Pride

21st Century Burlesque’s top 50 of 2011 recently came out and as I spend probably too much time following links and watching videos I think about how we are probably pretty spoiled here in St. Louis. Any show I could go see at just about any time around here has performers just as good as the best on the list. Several have made the list but even those that aren’t yet as recognized or even new to the game perform with real quality.


In 2010 I took a trip to New Orleans. My travel companions and myself went out to see a burlesque show and band one night we were there. Our overall take on it was that it was ok but not great. Kinda meh. We didn’t do a lot of research and it’s understandable to figure we happened across an amateur show. The thing is though, that wont happen in St. Louis. I’m not entirely sure why, but there is an incredible community here. I suspect it might have something to do with the Van Ella Studio. All the new performers seem to go through there and a lot of those that have been around a while teach or spend time there. I don’t think there is anything stopping people from just putting on a show, but no one seems to want to do that outside of the community.


The result is that if you’re seeing someone perform for the first time it’s amongst a show full of veterans. They’re all so supportive of each other and as the audience, we really reap the benefits.