Do Kaltenbach!

Go see the Stephen Kaltenbach exhibit going through Feb. 21, 2009 at the Verge Gallery. This isn't the Kaltenbach you think you might know. Well, it is. But if your only experience with his work is the barn door sized painting Portrait of My Father in the Crocker Museum's post-modern gallery, then you're in for a surprise. Time capsules. Mines. Great-big-lush-black-velvet holes.


Photographer commands "Push the Kaltenbach!" Wife and Daughter comply (or attempt it.) This piece looks like a large naval mine fished out of the Strait of Hormuz, its detonating nubs polished off before being laid into the gallery. Stand near it long enough and a swollen, dischordant rumble emerges and fills that corner of the gallery.


The Verge is one big gallery surrounded by large artist's studios. Excellent use of the old Napa Auto Parts building at 19th & V Streets. Pictured above is a piece by Liv Moe (one of the primary movers in putting together the Kaltenbach show.)


More of Liv Moe's studio. Tim Foster, our guide through the studios (pictured right) with some Troublemaker.


I was pleased to discover that artist Michael King has a studio at the Verge.

King's street vendor suitcase with various items incorporating his sublime miniature drawings. I collect his wooden nickels, seen on the left panel of the display case and was delighted to pick up two more during this event!

Read Liv Moe's excellent piece on Kaltenbach in the January issue of the Midtown Monthly.

JAN 25 | It's all about the Haggis

Sunday, January 25, 2009
6pm
- - -
Poems-For-All presents
- - -
BURNS 250
A Burns Night Poetry Reading
Featuring
KEVIN JONES
- - -
Presenting
'HAGGIS: A REBUTTAL'
by Rachel & Richard Hansen
- - -
The Book Collector
1008 24th Street
Sacramento
Between J & K Streets
916.442.9295
- - -
Free

This year marks the 250th anniversary of
the birth of Scottish poet Robert Burns.
We'll mark the occasion with our annual
Burns Night Poetry Reading.

This year's featured reader, Kevin Jones,
is a scholar and poet who has proven his
mettle when it comes to getting tongue and
tooth around the challenging dialect of
Burns' poetry. You'll enjoy his reading of
poems by the National Bard of Scotland.

Burns Night is traditionally an opportunity
to heap praise upon the Scottish foodstuff
the Haggis. And Mr. Jones will, of course,
read Burns famous poem 'To a Haggis.' In reply,
Rachel and Richard Hansen will offer up their
'Haggis: A Rebuttal.'

Please join us for an evening of food, drink
and poetry. There will be an open-mic; an
opportunity to read poems that pay tribute to
Burns or his native Scotland. Anyone who
braves a go at reading a Burns' poem earns
themselves a dram!

Pointlessly small blank books for a cause

My daughter Ru and I have installed at the bookstore the tiny curio case pictured above so we can sell miniature items with all the proceeds going to Loaves & Fishes, a local organization that helps the homeless. The blank books are available now with a variety of odd covers; 50 cents each. Hemp friendship bracelets made by Ru will be available shortly. Forthcoming: irritatingly tiny calenders, address/phone books!