The Shape of Things To Come

Right now our album is being made into little round cd shapes and in 2 weeks we'll have em in our hot little hands! This is just an 11 song debut, a history of all the songs we've written together with our old drummer Chuck Spurlock who is no longer in the band. Putting out this album has taken it's toll to be sure but I think we're ready to move forward up the mountain with our new drummer Guyton and get this record heard. We pressed a small 500 run so if anyones interested in getting this album let me know, we havent even discussed how much we're charging but it won't be expensive.
We had our first practice in 9 months yesterday and it wasn't as catastrophic as I thought it would be. However I did learn two things, one...my fingers ain't what they used to be and two...my guitar needs to go to the hospital finally. Alignment, intonation, the whole 9 yards....poor baby. My gigging amp is blown as well so being in a band ain't cheap! ;-(
Aside from getting this album out I'm juggling the June ART&COFEE show coming up as well as Gingerama in the same weekend. It's a good thing I have vacation next week, I think Im taking 2 solid days to work on record art before pushing it all aside for some R&R. Ok maybe 3 days...I know myself too well.
Remind me to post my hiking adventure here...let's just say it was not my intention to try and kill my boyfriend and there is a magical princess on a dashing steed who makes an appearance as well! Interested in The Shapes? We're linked in the sidebar of my blog!

oranges and merengue

Finally a day off and the sicky spell I've been under seems to be going away. Woke up today full of creative energy so I think I will tackle my studio today. Sold a L'Orange and have to make another for a customer. I am loving that I now have a working printer to help me with my fonts and designs, the possibilities just grew by leaps and bounds!
Woke up to an email- someone wants to give me a stash of their old records. BY ALL MEANS! Please pawn off your Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Loverboy and Hall and Oates on me..I will turn them into recycled record art and they will be loved once again!
I have also discovered a better way to attach the hangers on the backs of the records. Good ol' glue gun, is there nothing you can't do? So the records are just getting better with time and hopefully I'll have some time to work on a canvas soon. Theres a big juicy blank canvas sitting in my studio and I'm itching for some gallery time.
Speaking of which, I have had the pleasure of meeting up with an Art group in town called ArtLoveMagic that just seems to be doing the most amazing stuff. They throw art, music, live performance shows and they all seem very inclusive and open minded and dedicated to giving opportunities to artists wherever they can. Really?! In Dallas?!
I was fortunate to meet up with one of the founders over a big hunk of Norma's merengue pie and discuss the possibility of collaborating on something. I left with a good feeling in my gut that at long last I have met some people with some common ground after dealing with a lot of negative, pretension and territorialism that seems so rampant in this city. This feels good and I expect some good stuff to arise from this. If anything I definitely left our meeting inspired and hopeful.
Reconnected with an old friend who is helping me get my website back up to speed. So thankful. So thankful for nice friends who pop out of the woodwork with a smile and a helping hand. (Thank you Ryan Simpson!)
Hopefully my next post will find me telling you about The Shapes album thats about to be released. Heres a teaser photo of the cover...I really can't wait to get this thing OUT it's been years working on this thing and it only clocks in at like 31 minutes or something. Just a little heartfelt rock and roll album from a little band in Texas. Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!

check the sidebar on the left for a link to The Shapes facebook page!

Lollipop Shoppe's Rock and Roll Circus!

It's been 6 years doing it up in Dallas with guest dj's, fashion designers, artists, bands, photographers, dancers and a whole host of creatives who have passed through our doors. We'll be hosting our 6 Year Anniversary Party at the beautiful and historic Sons of Hermann Hall!
Join us upstairs for a Rock And Roll Circus~ come as you are or dressed as your favorite star! Prizes for best dressed rockstar/ circus character. Come dance among the stars and check out a hot set by musical guests "Black and Blue"-a Rolling Stones cover band sure to get you dancing. Guest DJ G will be on the decks to help get you in the mood and of course the Lolli Dollies go go troupe will show you how to shimmy!
Come see the Rock and Roll Circus Art Show featuring works by: Frank Campagna, Erik Schuessler, Richard Ross, Tempest Thompson, Sue Keomounghounh, Vanessa Neil, Jonathon Kimbrell, Carlos Canul, Edward Ruiz, Corbett Sparks, Tigerbee and Jim Thompson. Buy a piece and support local art and The Lollipop Shoppe.
Enjoy amazing feats by local performers! JEFF PLUNK, the one wheeled wizard, Logan the juggler will be on hand to wow and amaze! ALABAMA and her hot hula hoops! JET Spectacular Spinner of the Glowing Poi!
Makeup and Photography booth-come have your pics shot with real guitars rockstars, treats and freebies and more, be sure to get there early for one of the signature cd's from Captain Groovy!

***New Sponsors! AllGood Cafe in Deep Ellum, MAKE STUDIO and CLIFF NOTES both in beautiful OAK CLIFF, PARKER HAWN VINTAGE and GRATITUDE VINTAGE CLOTHING-thanks for your help, discounts and donations!

Parker Hawn Vintage is offering a $10 discount off any $20 or more purchase if you mention you're "going to the circus"! And Gratitude Vintage Clothing is offering a solid 10% off if you mention Lollipop Shoppe!

Parker Hawn Vintage
AllGood Cafe
Make Studio
Cliff Notes Prolonged Media
Sons Of Hermann Hall
Black and Blue band

Bands, Band Aids and the Art of Breathing

I'm pretty sure I looked a lot like that for the last couple of months but lookee, it's Santa season and it's time to put on a good face now. I've been in recovery mode and let everything fall softly from my tree like little shaken leaves. Drift, drift till there was nothing on my plate. It was nice, but peace can't last forever and in true form I started getting busy just around the time of the holiday season. A quiet kinda busy though, I'm not sending out the press releases and trumpet calls yet!
I have some new works and one in progress but I'm unhappy with my digital camera (hey Santa, are you reading this?) so I'm not even going to shoot them right now. It's just about time to enlist the help of my photographer friend Sam Bortnick, almost all these new pieces need to be shot for the portfolio. And the portfolio needs to be sent to some galleries, and that is my big plan for 2010.
The Shapes are set to rev up practices this week, which is all my fault for slacking on...but I've been real careful about lifting stuff and possibly sending myself back to the house of pain. Stupid back! I really don't know how Keith Richards does it, say what you will about Keith Richards but the dude is old as dust and can still do stuff I am finding it treacherous to do right now. The album is waiting on artwork (also my fault!) but should be done soon.
The Lolli Dollies are in gear working on new tee shirts and getting ready for an upcoming shoot with photographer David Mausey (who did some wonderful stuff with The Shapes)and also have plans for VIDEO. Will update when it hits youtube.
Lollipop Shoppe will POP back on the scene after the Holiday Hooplah- backs still on the mend and standing around djing for hours is still not in the cards, plus it's REALLY hard not to wiggle when James Brown starts playing. Don't tempt me!
Thanks for reading this boring hoohah, a basic update...I'm still alive (this is a recurring theme of my blog hmmmmmm)and hoping everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

The Shape I'm In

Well, I got two gigs with The Shapes...one is tonight at The Lounge on Elm St opening for the Tomorrowpeople and the other is tomorrow night at the Dallas Museum of Art. These should be fun, but I can't help but feel a twinge of apprehension as I am in INJURY mode and will probably have to sit while performing both shows. Blues style!
I know I haven't updated here in awhile but since last I blogged I sustained a back injury that has been very painful and which I'm still suffering through. Physical therapy, meds and the headache of dealing with insurance companies. BLAH! But the show must go on and go on it shall....might be the last shows for awhile though as
a. I need to heal
b. The Shapes need to release this damn album already!
Hopefully see you out and about soon!
9/17- The Lounge on Elm 9:30p we start The Shapes, Stephanies ID, Tomorrowpeople
9/18-Dallas Museum of Art- Late Night at the DMA with the Lolli Dollies, DJ Rid, The Shapes

BUZZ!

I have so much to update here but first things first....
A little promo for my friend Eddie Ruiz over at Avenue Arts Venue:



Coming soon....Chinese lantern Festival Pics, My Cats, Mad Hatters Tea Party and Chocolate Fest. Oh and theres an Opossum living under my house I found out! An Opossum! Creepy looking little thing too!

Meet the Lolli Dollies!

Maybe you didn't know this but in Dallas, Texas there are some real life go go girls who are keeping the sixties alive. Those girls would be the Lolli Dollies, my go go dance troupe of five years strong!
Our love of the sixties, vintage fashion and having a great time has brought us five ladies together to get the parties started. We do real retro dance routines in beautiful outfits and boots and usually show up with photographers in tow to take the party up a notch. We dance officially for the Lollipop Shoppe events but also make special appearances and collaborate with others who want to make their parties and events even more fab! You can come meet us all at the next event on Feb 28th, come have your picture taken with Dallas's original retro go go troupe! And add us up on myspace to keep in touch with all things sweet!

Doings in Dallas

Feb 14, smooch day! Maybe you don't wanna split a bottle of wine at some fancy schmancy Italian restaurant. Maybe you wanna get out on the dancefloor and get sweaty with EVERYONE! You little minx, then head over to my friends party cause girls know how to throw em best!

Dancing in Dallas

Be sure to come out to The Smoke and The Lollipop Shoppe as we knock the month of February off your calendar in the most fun way possible!
Suit up and dance it up with the mods on February 27th at The Smoke. Then come back for our birthday bash at the Lollipop Shoppe as we celebrate 5 big long years doing it up in Dallas! It's a Mad Hatters Tea party so come as your favorite Wonderland character or wear your maddest hat...however you come you are guaranteed a great time! And yes, I am totally playing "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane!

All Systems Go Go!

photo courtesy of Dylan Hollingsworth Photography

Me and my Go Go gal pals the Lolli Dollies are gearing up for our next event and another new routine. Go Go dancing can be so gruelling sometimes! I'm hoping we can get our new routine recorded to video so we can show all our fans out there in youtube land. But anyway, dance practice is what I do Mondays and Fridays for now until the end of next month. Sure beats the boring ol' gym if you ask me! Wanna know more about the Lolli Dollies? Visit the myspace page http://www.myspace.com/lollipopdolls and keep up with the she-nanigans here!

Attended: "Stand By Your Man" A Tribute to Bonnie and Clyde

Notorious outlaws, art and beautiful hats inspired by Depression era America...of course I was in attendance. I was also excited this art/fashion show was a mere few blocks from my house in Oak Cliff. "Tara to the T Studios" shopfront gallery was well attended with the guests milling from viewing the art of Joey Seeman to trying on Tara Tonini's smashing new line of chapeaus, that's fancy French talk for "hats". Both artists, a notorious couple themselves, were there to answer questions and generally be charming.
Joey Seemans art consisted of some large and small acrylic paintings of everyone's favorite outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde. The couple was depicted with ghastly blue skin, rendered in the muralist fashion of the WPA with a touch of tattoo artistry creeping in. Some paintings were done on shot up car doors, a grim reminder of the infamous demise of the gun toting bank robbers.
Tara Tonini's feathered and bejeweled felt hats were elegantly displayed in vintage luggage and antiquated shelving, beckoning viewers to try them on. She had an array of hats for men and women as well as hair accessories- all hearkening back to the era when things were much simpler and somehow more glamorous. When I asked for pricing on her unique one of a kind line I was amazed at how affordable everything was. Tara told me "I want my friends to be able to afford these". At that price I walked out of there with a hunter green beauty with coral jewel work and my pocketbook intact. In these times of economic hardship that's something to tip your hat to!
Did you miss the closing reception for this show? Visit these sites to view, purchase and get more information :
Stand By Your Man on Myspace and
taratothet.com

Around Town

I'm part of this group called Etsy Dallas and it looks like they're about to revamp the whole shebang and allow new members in. Be sure to check their blog and apply if you're interested, hit the link-
Etsy Dallas Blog.
Also in the world of craft- my darling friend Tara of Tara to the T is having a closing reception on her Bonnie and Clyde show. The details are on the flyer

looks to be a cool event. Outlaws+ cool hats+art= I'm there!
In not so wonderful news or even local...actor Patrick McGoohan (The Prisoner)finally escaped and is no longer with us. Thanks for some great shows Number Six!

Dallas Doings

from the Rid himself:CONVULSE YOUR VOCAL NODES INTO SONIC SUBMISSION

from eleven to two

Drink Specials

ALL HAIL ZIGGY PRESLEY


from Kettle's myspace bulletin:
Kettle will be cooking for 2009. To kick this year off we're starting w/a neighborhood movie night that surely will kick ass. No cover charge and visual overload supreme.
Following this our next opening will be a one person show by original Kettle crew artist, Judith Lea Perkins, on Saturday 1/ 24.
Mark your calendars accordingly because both nights are not to be missed
So DO!

I spy with my little eye

Lollipop Shoppe OCTOPUSSY SPY PARTY

We're throwing a sneaky spy party and everyones invited to the mission! DJ's PandaFlower and TigerBee will be on decks to supply you with an arsenal of suspiciously sexy tunes. Femme Fatales in go go boots THE LOLLI DOLLIES will seduce you onto the dance floor.


Come as your favorite spy, Bond character or the villain that you are! We'll be showing Octopussy and enjoying an explosive evening of dancing and drinks!
Get there early for dinner, stay for dancing and dessert!

My Little Woman in her Go Go Boots

DJ Tigerbee and the Lolli Dollies Go Go Dancers at the Dallas Museum of Art

This was a fun evening at the Dallas Museum of Art, I got to spin some swingin' 60's tunes while my go go dancers did their thing. I only wish it was a little brighter in there but I guess the Rauschenberg needed some dim time. I'll be posting more about the fabulous world of go go soon! (real retro go go...not nudie bar go go)

ReadyMade

I was a bad craftista and forgot to hip you to ReadyMade Magazine being at the DMA last night for crafty fun! But in case you didn't go and make a lamp with your own two hands you can still catch ReadyMade tonight as they'll be speaking at the museum about DIY culture and materials. Sounds right up my alley, I've been an avid reader of the magazine for a couple years now. And someday when I get some space I can actually try and make some of the fabulous projects that lie within it's pages. I remember a bike rack project that seemed doable.



A Conversation with Creators of ReadyMade Magazine: DIY Culture and Materials

When: Friday, Sept. 19, 9 p.m.

Where: Dallas Museum of Art (DMA), 1717 North Harwood Street, Dallas

Cost: $5 - $10

Join the creators and editors of ReadyMade Magazine as they discuss the creative reuse of materials from a do-it-yourself design perspective. This event is included in general admission to the Late Night at the Dallas Museum of Art. For more information call 214-922-1826 or visit DallasMuseumofArt.org.

Information from the venue.

Free Love Fridays

I'd like to do this semi-regularly (time permitting)on Fridays. I posted a bulletin via myspace asking for 5 people to step up who wanted something promoted here and in my bulletin section and this lovely lady was the first in line. This was submitted by the lovely Melissa of Melissas Deluxe fame- sounds like a great time if the sun pops out to join in the fun! Just a little local love on a rainy Dallas day. Heads up for the next 4 contestants!