Video Clip of The Week: Skating Polly, “Hollywood Factory”

Here in NYC, it looks like we are going to go straight from Winter into Summer, and the warm (read: Hot) weather cannot come soon enough, I tell you. I love this week’s Video Clip, “Hollywood Factory” from the rad LA-based punk/pop trio Skating Polly because it reminds me of the endless summer that is life in Southern California. Sometimes I wonder why I ever left.

Filmed in various southland locations that include Hollywood Blvd, someone’s backyard pool, and a soundstage where you get to witness Skating Polly rocking out in all of their their glam punk glory, this vibrant take down of the Star Making Machine will appeal to fans of mixed- gender combos from Hole to Kenickie. Not to mention, but you can see I am about , drummer Kurtis Mayo is playing an Amber Vistalite kit, and we know who else played that same kit, don’t we?  Hint: he was in LED ZEPPELIN, bitches!

“Hollywood Factory” can be found on the Skating Polly’s forthcoming studio album The Make It All Show, due out May 4th, 2018 (aka Star Wars Day!) on El Camino Media. The album was produced by the legendary Brad Wood, who’s worked with everyone (Google him). Tour dates are below! Enjoy!

Skating Polly Band

Skatin Polly Upcoming Tour Dates!

May 2nd @ The Camel in Richmond, VA
May 3rd @ Kings in Raleigh, NC
May 4th @ Tin Roof in Charleston, SC
May 5th @ Jack Rabbits in Jacksonville, FL
May 6th @ Vinyl in Pensacola, FL
May 8th @ Stubb’s Indoor in Austin, TX
May 9th @ Three Links in Dallas, TX
May 11th @ Marquis Theater in Denver, CO
May 12th @ Black Sheep in Colorado Springs, CO
May 14th @ RecordBar in Kansas City, MO
May 15th @ Raccoon Motel in Davenport, IA
May 17th @ Empty Bottle in Chicago, IL
May 18th @ Loving Touch in Ferndale, MI
May 19th @ Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, ON
June 1st @ Opolis in Norman, OK
June 2nd @ Replay Lounge in Lawrence, KS
June 3rd @ Monocle in St. Louis, MO
June 5th @ High Watt in Nashville, TN
June 6th @ Milestone Club in Charlotte, NC
June 7th @ DC9 in Washington, DC
June 8th @ Mercury Lounge in New York, NY
June 9th @ Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia, PA
June 10th @ Once Lounge and Ballroom in Somerville, MA
June 12th @ Funhouse at Mr. Small’s in Pittsburgh, PA
June 13th @ Grog Shop in Cleveland, OH
June 15th @ Lee’s Liquor Lounge in Minneapolis, MN
June 16th @ Reverb in Omaha, NE

Pink Thing of The Day: Pink Soap That Looks Like Donuts

Pink Donut Soap
Photos By Gail

This tempting platter of mouthwatering Pink-Frosted Donuts is deceiving to the eye, for it is not actually a plate of sweet baked goods but a stack of fragrant soaps are also lovely to look at! Continue reading Pink Thing of The Day: Pink Soap That Looks Like Donuts

Christopher Chiappa’s Compositions at Kate Werble Gallery

Front Room Installation View
All Photos By Gail

When last we visited Kate Werble Gallery for one of sculptor Christopher Chiappa’s immersive exhibits, the place was covered wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling with Fried Eggs, and that was a good time. For his fourth exhibition at the gallery, Chiappa has installed in its front and back rooms two collections of what, on first glance, appear to be brightly colored, painted wooden tables. On closer examination, however, the at once familiar table shapes of Chiappa’s sculptures transmute and metamorphose into increasingly whimsical and delightful forms as you progress through the galleries. It’s a hoot.
Continue reading Christopher Chiappa’s Compositions at Kate Werble Gallery

Eye On Design: Skull Cap By Sol LeWitt

Skull Cap By Sol Lewitt
Photos By Gail

A pioneer of Minimal and Conceptual art, Sol LeWitt (19282007) is known for large-scale, geometric wall drawings, often using bold stripes of pure color to create rhythmic optical patterns. In 2001, he conceived the doors of a Torah ark for Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek in Chester, Connecticut, with the design of a six-pointed star within a circle.  The pattern was later repeated on this leather Skull Cap. The translation of LeWitt’s signature Minimalist style into a multicolored item of Judaica is at once cheerful and graphically striking.

Photographed in the Jewish Museum in NYC.

Skull Cap By Sol Lewitt

Vandal Restaurant Launches Pop Art Gallery in its Vestibule!

Vandal Pop Gallery
Image Source for Above Photo. All Other Photos By Gail.

Opening an art gallery inside a restaurant may not be an entirely original idea, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t happen more often. In fact, I think it’s a spot-on idea whose time as arrived! In a thrilling and logical partnership, TAO Group and Pop International Galleries have joined together to create a new art gallery in the vestibule of Vandal, one of the coolest contemporary pop art-themed restaurants and lounges in New York City. Continue reading Vandal Restaurant Launches Pop Art Gallery in its Vestibule!

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