Broad Ripple Gazette vol 9, no 1

 first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Dale Bernstein: Vanity Abandoned
artist reception Thursday, January 12, 5:30 – 7:30
show hangs January 6 – March 2, 2012
JCC Art Gallery
Arthur M. Glick JCC
6701 Hoover Road
free, all ages, the gallery has generous hours from early morning to evening.

I’ve spent hours admiring Dale Bernstein’s photographs online and I can’t wait to see them in person. I promise not to touch, although it will be a challenge. 

We’re lucky enough to have the talented photographer living on our town. New York born, Dale had the privilege of working with some of the world’s greatest photographers during the mid 1980s, including Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Horst P. Horst, and Robert Mapplethorpe among others. Dale now has a commercial studio working with corporate clients and advertising agencies and is known for his specialized work with the wet plate collodion process.

Wet plate collodion is an old timey way of developing photographs – think of the portrait photographs of your great-great-grandparents taken over a century ago. Wet plate collodion requires that the plates be developed before they dry. The process is very labor intensive and Dale had to build some of his own equipment and mixes his own chemicals to achieve the stunning look of his work.

The wet plate process also catches every detail of the portrait subject – most of his pictures are close ups that reveal every facial flaw. I’m guessing that is where the show’s title comes from.

You can meet Dale (and enjoy some fine snacks) at the artist’s reception, Thursday, January 12 from 5:30 – 7:30.

www.jccindy.org
 

Charlie Krone and Brent Schlemmer: Acoustic Duel to the Death
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Ripple Inn
929 East Westfield Blvd
9:00, 21+

I’m a big fan of Charlie Krone and his awesome sense of humor has a lot to do with it. And he’s a fine musician. I’ll let Charlie tell the story of this show: 

“TWO SHALL ENTER, BUT ONLY ONE SHALL LEAVE. Actually, we'll probably both leave, but one will likely be really chafed, and there may be calluses involved.

“Brent dips the ladle deeply into the well of cover tunes. A stellar and soulful voice and (last I saw him) a beautiful 12-string provide the medium for one of the coolest songbooks I've heard performed in a long time.

“Brent and I (Charlie Krone) compliment each other well. Whereas Mr. Schlemmer digs deeply into the heart of music, I merely scrape the cream off the top of the milk jug like my mom used to do in her little Ukrainian village in Philadelphia. Pissed off her grandmoher. 

“I will present a helping of guilty pleasures and a peppering of my own songs, which draw from tales of tails, invasive medical procedures, and tragic stories of coitus interruptus.

“Be at The Ripple Inn on January 12 - yeah, it's a Thursday. What of it? It's also my dad's birthday, so there will be a tribute to the old man as he is freakin' awesome and more people should be like him.”

Nora again: I’m embarrassed to say that I have not been to The Ripple Inn yet, and they just celebrated their one year anniversary. I’m looking forward to checking it out. 

www.therippleinn.com
 

Elvis Birthday Bash
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Locals Only
2449 E. 56^th Street
doors open 9:00 pm, 21+, $8

Looking to put a little shake, rattle and roll in to your new year? This is the show for you. Come and celebrate what would have been Elvis Presley’s 77^th birthday with some awesome bands playing tribute to the King.

Wayne Bertsch created what is now an annual must-attend concert. Wayne is a great champion of local music, seeing hundreds of bands a year and drawing the weekly Barfly strip in NUVO. Last week he had a multi-page feature comix with his take on the Christmas Carol. I was thrilled to make a guest appearance with Barfly and Jesus.

The musical lineup for the evening includes the Danny Thompson Trio, who channel Elvis’ rockabilly phase like they were in his band. Seriously swinging stuff. Elvis tunes will also be covered by the ska band, Circle City Deacons, R&B influenced PK and the Big Stir, and twangy blues punkish one-man band Toe-Knee Tea. 

Locals Only is a wonderful place to hear music. You can expect great service, a terrific selection of beer and bar goodies, and way-better than expected bar food. My guess is that you might be able to order an Elvis inspired special that night. I vote for a peanut butter and banana sandwich.

If it is your first time to Locals Only you’ll find plenty of parking in the lot in front of the venue and in the surrounding area. You can typically grab a table or a spot at the bar. There is waitress service and the kitchen is open late.

localsonlyindy.com