Feburary 2010 ~ The Roots and George Clinton
January 2010 Cover ~ Suburban Celebrity
Back in 2001, when I lived on Melrose and Fuller in LA, there was a club on East Melrose called 42. The owner had a deep love and appreciation for French burlesque style cabaret and traditional fan dance. 42 was amazing. Over time word of mouth grew and folks started packing the tiny venue to see live stage shows featuring the sensual pulchritude of some of LA's most talented burlesque performers. Later that year, the Pussy Cat Dolls started doing weekly shows at The Roxy on the strip. I hung out at The Rainbow after our Viper Room, Key Club or 
Roxy shows with Sean Healy Presents, so I saw a lot of the scene grow on the strip. The Dolls weren't very famous at the time, but the popularity of 42 helped give LA an appetite for this art form. Soon, celebrity guest dancers started to appear with the dolls doing hella sexy, campy grinding sets. One night I saw Hef roll up and get out of his limo with three lovelies in tow to attend a Pussy Cat Dolls performance and I knew that they were onto something huge.
Amber Lee is Reno's hottest, hard rockin'Go-Go hard body. Well-known in the club scene for her high energy work at 210 North & Xtreme @ GSR, Lee is doing for Reno Go-Go what the Pussy Cat Dolls founder Robin Antin did for burlesque in LA. Lee's new company, Suburban Celebrity, is poised to make a splash in 2010. Lee's developing the first Go-Go casino show that will showcase elements of Burlesque, Hooping, and Hard Rock Freestyle dance, opening doors for an entire wave of improvisational dance professionals to get in and get noticed in the industry.
December Cover ~ Bizarre Guitar & Guns
Photos by Jamie KinghamA man’s values can be revealed by his creed. But his character is forged by what he overcomes, and is proven by his deeds. One would be hard pressed to find a closer, more solid, loving relationship of mutual respect and admiration than the one shared by Bizarre Guitar & Guns owner Greg Golden and his son Grant. My dad is my best friend, idol and mentor, says Grant. It’s rare to see both the respect and generosity of their camaraderie. These guys love each other’s company. Friends and family members say they have an almost telepathic connection; finishing other’s sentences and knowing how each other relate in a situation. Both men exhibit a fierce competitiveness and penchant for peak achievement. The pair possesses a passion for baseball. Grant was a two-time all American shortstop, which also happened to throw a 95 mph fastball. Greg is a National Certified Umpire, who was a standout in the Over 40 Triple-A league in Fairfield, California. The senior Golden, whose first sport was boxing, also passed this interest on to Grant, a heavyweight boxing prospect and martial arts expert with twenty years of fight training. Both Goldens are well-known for finishing any trouble that comes their way.
Photos by Jamie KinghamA 4th generation Northern Nevadan--Golden Valley bears his family name--the elder Golden, the son of a tough-as-nails carpenter/ boxer who ran up an astounding 153-0 record as an amateur, got his first guitar when he was seven, and he was hooked. “On my 7th birthday, I got a used ’57 deluxe tweet amp and a ’56 two-tone Fender Strat with a maple neck. I could play a C & D chord right off the bat,” recalls Golden. “I played that guitar until I was 14. My parents sold it back to the rancher neighbor next door for the $100 they originally paid for it. Twenty years later, my parents bought the guitar back from that same rancher for $500. I sold it to the Rolling Stones in 2000 for a small fortune,” remembers Golden with a smile. 
Photos by Jamie Kingham
After graduating from UNR with a degree in accounting, Golden would fairly master the art of buying and reselling guitars, after opening his first small shop, a 400 sq ft storefront in Sun Valley, in 1972. What made him become a collector? “It’s kind of like loving the best of the best,” states Golden. The guitars of the 50’s and 60’s are like the Stradivarius.” His son Grant observes, “Every thing my dad does, he does 120%.” The majority of Golden’s business is derived from outside the region. From his single Reno store location, Golden has been able to build a national reputation for quality, selection, service and excellence. Golden’s list of celebrity clients reads like a who’s who of modern music. “I’ve sold guitars to Randy Travis, Ric Neilson of Cheap Trick, Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Merle Haggard (’50, ’51 Telecasters),” notes Golden. Santana, who favors ’52 Les Pauls and ’57 Stratocasters, has purchased over fifty guitars from Golden. Collectors come from as far away as Europe and Japan, to choose from the largest selection of rare and vintage guitars in the world. Bizarre Guitar’s high security vault is home to the most expensive guitar on earth: a mint condition 1959 Les Paul Standard with 100% stock flame top and unsoldered electronics.
Golden credits music for being a transformative force in his life. On December 22, he will celebrate his 50th year playing the guitar. “I come from musical family, states Golden. My uncle played a mean sax. My mother’s father was also a sax and trumpet player. My great uncle was the world famous Chester Barnett, professionally known as Bobo the Clown, who played many instruments, including the sax and trumpet. My mom was an incredible singer; my sister sings and plays guitar,” Golden notes.
With Grant now fully integrated into the day-to-day operations of the business, life is good for Golden, who recently married his beautiful soul mate Shanda. The notorious workaholic finds time to balance family and the books. Could anything be better? “My mother has one wish: for me to play guitar in a band,” says Golden. Modesty won’t allow Golden to gush about his own chops, but industry veterans consider Golden to be one of the most accomplished guitarists in the world. Golden has jammed with Cheap Trick, Billy Gibbons, Edgar Winter Group, and the Gibson All Star Band, among many others. As a touring musician in a major label act, Golden opened for Foghat. An informal jam session in his downstairs band room, offered a glimpse of the fire that Golden has for his instrument. Longtime associate and musical collaborator Mike Japp, a world renown singer-songwriter who’s penned hits for Brian Adams, Kiss and Aretha Franklin among others, says of Golden, “Greg is a very talented musician. His guitar playing is superb…He stands right up there with the best of them.”
When it comes to hitting the high notes, the Goldens are making beautiful music.
Oliver X
Artwork and Photo by Dianna SionNovember Cover ~ Ashlee Stone
All About Ashlee
When I met Ashlee Stone, I had no idea who she was. Sure, I knew she was a young drag queen who threw parties--and that I rarely got along with drag queens. In fact, the first time I met her, I was pretty intoxicated and decided to just be honest when she shimmed up to the bar next to me to get a cocktail. With my heavily lidded eyes I turned and said, “Oh My God, you’re Ashlee Stone.” She stink eyed me and then I said, “I hate Ashlee Stone.” Without batting a lash and with a big smile she said, “I love it, let’s go talk about why you hate me?” And that’s where our friendship started to bloom.
In the year that’s followed, I’ve been privileged to be involved in Ashlee’s private life as a friend, fellow dreamer and confidant. Most people don’t know that Ashlee’s rather shy with new people and only has a small circle of trusted close friends. Most of these friends are fiercely loyal to and for her. She also loves her little white dog, Bella.
Photo by Dianna SionArtwork and Photo by Dianna SionWhen you take off the makeup and glamour, you have a good looking guy who--if you didn’t meet while he was in drag--you really would have no idea he is Ashlee Stone. Stone was born John Gustave Ritter IV or “Goose” twenty-one years ago to a farming family from Yerington, Nevada. Most people assume he is a trust fund baby. I asked him about how he can live such a lavish lifestyle without a 9-5 job, and he told me that from the time he can remember, he worked the family farm and went to school. Instead of being paid, his parents chose to put the money into a trust, which is then doled out to him when he needs it. He also has an IQ of 157 and graduated at 15 with a 4.0 GPA. So, if he did want a mainstream job he could certainly have one. Instead, he’s following his dreams of being one of Reno’s reigning personalities by throwing fundraisers, modeling, starting a magazine, hosting fabulous parties and producing an internet show--with the intention of branching out nationally in the near future.
When I asked a few of his friends one final word to describe him/her I was given: astounding, generous, unique, talented, and of course, flawless. And if you know Ashlee/Goose as I do, then you know these words are true.
If you’d like to learn more about Ashlee Stone and any of her upcoming events, please visit her at www.ashleestone.com. For party info, text “Vanity” to 25827.
Jenny PezDeSpencer
Artwork and Photo by Dianna SionCover Art by Diana Sion
When I was asked by Oliver X to build an ad for Ashlee Stone, I had no idea I would soon be styling for Ashlee’s new look. I immediately found myself wallowing through piles of clothes, shoes, accessories and wigs. She was looking for a new image. Something a little more up-to-date, and wanted the unveiling of the new persona to coincide with her annual birthday celebration, where it would be “out with the old and in with the new”. A re-birthing.
I loved the idea, and found it to be one of the most fun experiences ever. When I asked Ashlee what exactly she was looking for she replied, “Whatever you think Dianna. I’ll do whatever you say.” So, I looked at the opportunity as a challenge. I began looking through some of the hottest new trends in fashion; collecting catalogues, considering colors that would look best on her. Unlike her current statement hairstyle with a big bold blonde wig, and pink outfits galore, I thought that she would look wonderful with a more subdued look: darker hair, more of a neutral palette in her wardrobe, etc. So we went to town with our new attitude “fast-forward;” picking out the perfect articles of clothing for her upcoming photo shoot with me. The night of the shoot, we tried a few different outfits that all looked great on her. (Ashlee is a talented, professional make-up artist, but allowed me the honor to try something new with the way she was wearing her eyes.)
Artwork and Photo by Dianna SionWe used more browns and neutral colors; worked on more of a natural look. It all looked great on her. (It’s pretty hard to go wrong when your model is already gorgeous--without a touch of makeup on). I felt honored to get to work with her on her new image and enjoyed every second working with her. She is an absolute love!
Oct. 24 was her re-birthing party at The Red Martini. Everyone was so excited to see what Ashlee’s new look would be lke. So, the coffin was wheeled out onto the stage around midnight, with Ashlee inside. I was on stage with the coffin and had my cue as to when the door should open and Ashlee, in all of her new beauty, would come out and dazzle the entire audience. She was a vision in her short black feather wig and a very sophisticated evening gown. Everyone loves Ashlee. She is beautiful and kind, and there is no wonder why the Reno community voted her the “Best Celebrity Drag Icon.” This has certainly been one of the most fun projects I have worked on and I made a good friend at the same time. To get to experience fashion, fun and friendship while working is definitely a “fast-forward” experience!
Dianna Sion ~ Artist
October Cover by Matthew Goodsell
Since 2003 my work has been st
eadily evolving away from my early self taught experience in professional fantasy illustration towards a much more personal, more visceral, subject and style.
“Satirical,” “acerbic,” “dark,” words I often hear used to describe my paintings. I prefer simply to think of them as more real, more honest than my previous, purely fictional work. I haven’t completely abandoned my love of fictional elements, however, and I still use fantasy as a filter to comment on the very real, too often very painful feelings I see and experience in my daily life.
Beginning in about 2005 the paintings began to grow increasingly more self reflective, self debasing, and angry. A phase, fortunately, I have been able to grow beyond in the last few years and the latest works, as well as those still running around in my head, although no less powerful in their attempted commentary, are more balanced with messages of hope and perceived beauty than the darkness that drove many of the earlier paintings.
Almost all of the paintings start as woodless graphite pencil drawings on either cold press illustration board or watercolor paper. After the detailed portraiture is worked up in pencil I then finish the drawing phase with a light sketch of supporting elements before scanning the drawing into digital form. The work then continues, now painting digitally, at this stage I am often not completely certain of the detailed composition of the finished piece and the power of digital media greatly helps in this regard. Digital paints allow me much more freedom to experiment than I would dare with “real” paint on a fragile piece of board or paper. The composition is finalized digitally, experiments honed, and the painting completed. A painting takes anywhere between two weeks and a month to complete, depending on the complexity of the subject, and of course, the graciousness of my muse.
The wings ……. Well……. Would you accept, ‘they just started showing up.’
I am at a bit of a loss to pinpoint a specific event, or period, in which I began including them so frequently in my portraits. When I look at a model I often see wings. The closest metaphor I can fit is people as ravens, which of course, became the nucleus of the series. Creatures both beautiful and vulgar, terrifying and absurd, impossibly difficult to understand, and shockingly familiar at once, ravens, or is it human beings .....
I sincerely hope you discover as much in viewing the paintings as I do in creating them.
Best,
Matthew Goodsell
Matthew Goodsell’s path to art has been a circuitous one. Educated in the sciences, biology and molecular genetics to be exact, he went on to a naval officers commission immediately following his university graduation, and following four years of service to his country, has worked for various tech companies in the IT industry. Not exactly the expected path for an artist’s education and experience to be sure.
Although his path to art has been unconventional, its impact on his life has been considerable none the less. Whenever possible, then and now, his time is spent diligently working, obsessively improving his craft, striving to find the perfect vision in art and bring it to fruition.
He has worked in almost all traditional mediums, and has years of traditional experience that has paid significant dividends in his current work combining traditional mediums with the latest technological tools. His first love, graphite pencil, has been a mainstay of his recent work, and combined with the powerful digital tools of today he has adapted quickly, and well, to the new world of digital art.
His current work consists of about half traditional media and half digital, typically both in the same piece of artwork. He still loves and works frequently with woodless graphite pencil but paints almost exclusively digitally. In addition to drawing and painting he has also begun to work in 3D artwork and animation, and is currently working on pre-production for an animated film.
Photo by Marilee Caruso
September Cover Girl Lauren Luck
“It’s not really about trying to be different, it's about being yourself.”
Photo by Scott Lomil Lauren Luck is a versatile, super smart young model who’s a joy to work with in every respect. Her intelligence is conveyed in each composition she rocks and her experience allows her to draw out the best from her lucky photographers. And yes, her curves are amazing too!
Collaborative Work
Since I’ve been in Reno, I’ve had the pleasure to work with Joy Wong Photography, Alex Lemus Photography, Kodamax Photography, JD Delacruz and High Class White Trash Photography, Reno Erotico Diablo and Jamie the Social Chemist, Sickly Sweet Designs, the Red District Fashion Show, Reagan Riot and the Atomic Ave. Clothing Line, Swest Photography, Thumpin' Magazine, Striper Josh and the Millers Chop Shop, Alchemy Motorsports, Chelsea Belflower Photography, David Sanchez Photography, Metal Jeff Photography and Bad Apple Concepts.
Photo by Marilee CarusoVersatility
I do Pin-up, Retro, Tattoo, Fetish, Glamour, and High Fashion modeling. I’m also a hair stylist, makeup artist, painter, writer, photographer, clothing stylist and I design and craft my own accessories line.
Education & Goals
Paul Mitchell the Reno Academy. My graduation date is Nov, 14th, 2009. After school, I’ll move back to the Bay Area to start an apprenticeship at a top salon. I’ll continue my modeling, editorial, makeup and hair work--and create some art on the side.
Photo by Marilee CarusoInspirations
Todd Schorr, Henry Rollins, George A. Romero, Sylvia Plath, Hussar, Dita Von Tesse, Bukowski, Gil Elvgreen, Alfred Hitchcock and my kick ass boyfriend James. All of these people inspire me for different reasons, and all are geniuses in their own right.
Tattoos
I've always wanted tattoos and waited till the age of 18 to get them. My entire left arm was done by Matt Howse at Spider Murphy's in San Rafel, CA. Some of the pieces are in remembrance of my grandpa who was Navy Seal in WWII. I frequently attend tattoo conventions, where I've done most of my tattoo work for magazines. I'm truly in love with tattoo culture and I can't wait to get more work done on my body.
Oliver X
Photo by Scott Lomil About the Cover
Our September cover was shot in photographer Marilee Caruso’s photography studio in Vacaville, California between Sacramento and San Francisco. The costuming is burlesque inspired with handmade details by the lovely Lauren Luck, who also did the makeup and hair. The set and sepia tone coloring also gives it that old western saloon feel. Thanks Merilee for allowing us to reprint this amazing shot. Check out Merilee’s work on Myspace, Model Mayhem or on her web site at http://www.marileecarusophoto.com/
Photo by Marilee CarusoPhotographer Scott Lomil talks about working with Lauren on the shoot.
The enthusiasm and openness to try new things was really the driving force behind this shoot.
For me, one of the high points was when I handed Lauren Luck a 30-inch razor-sharp katana blade and asked her to get creative with it. I must say I was impressed. The sword is heavy and a bit intimidating, but she wielded it like some kind of sexy pin-up samurai geisha.
Overall, it was a ton of fun and exactly the reason I got into photography. I want to give a special thanks to my lovely assistant Marla and to Oliver X. Your creative insights helped make this shoot a success.
Scott Lomill
August Cover
Photograph by Ivy Antonowitsch
The Quotable Phillip Brown
“I grew up in a pack of Republicans. I’m the first to say, ‘Cut down a tree and make me some paper’...And yes, I wear fur.”
Local icon Phillip Brown’s love affair with himself is oddly refreshing, if for no other reason than that he’s so damned excited about all things Phillip Brown. Brown’s masculine beauty is enhanced by a boyish wonderment and electric energy that’s intoxicating. This persona has helped make him a top artist’s model and an in-demand host for events like the 2nd Annual Fashion for Philanthropy, 28th Annual AIDS Memorial and the 3rd Annual Strip for Charity. In 2007, he was named Best Bartender in the Reno News & Review’s Best of issue.
When you meet Brown, you’re immediately struck by his rapier wit, vocal rasp, and hyper banter. “I’ve always worked in the straight community—and thrived. I’m notorious in the gay community. People are surprised that I’m so opinionated.” The self-promoting dynamo is full of contradictions, yet not conflicted. He drags up phenomenally, but did not build his name in high heels and a dress. “Some people’s first impression of me was of this tiny gay man in booty shorts leaping over the bar at The 5 Star and bouncing a belligerent drunk out of the joint on his ass,” he reflects.
Vain. Coy. Flippant and foul fifty percent of the time, Brown is a work-in-progress--whether the cameras are rolling or not. “Honey, the cameras are always rolling,” he corrects. I recently witnessed what was undoubtedly a clutch of straight party-goers’first truly gay moment: a close encounter with Phillip Brown. Their hell-fire journey from innocence to pure shock was hilarious. I didn’t even know there were gay Tasmanian Devils.
I spoke to Phillip Brown about his favorite topic, and of course, it was raw and uncut. Hey, careful with that thing!
Me, me, me, me!
I always say that vanity is my favorite sin. I try to be sincere about everything I do—even if it’s loud, vulgar and hurtful. My mouth has made more enemies in polite culture than I care to count. But hey, a stupid idea is a stupid idea. I don’t pull punches. That’s not how I play. I won over most bullies in school by being part of the joke, rather than the brunt of it. Smiling is one of the greatest feelings in the world. People love to laugh. I try to give that to people.
I’m with the brand
I hated my name when I was growing up. But eventually it kinda stuck. As I developed more attitude I was like, ‘Shut up, I’m Phillip Brown!’ I think it’s funny that my name has become one of the foundations of my career. Modeling was never one of my ambitions. I mean look at me, I’m short. I’m lucky to have had my picture taken by the top photographers in town like Alex Lemus, Franz Szony, Dawn Lewis, Dana Nollsch and Ivy Antonowitz. My image has become my brand.
Projects
I’m all about my clothing line right now. I’m super excited about that. The line is very fun and sexy. Once everything is sorted out, my tv show will be amazing. I want to be the gay Oprah. So many people know me from my voice because I’m loud and obnoxious. My podcast segments on Your Gay Reno with Angela Brooks were well received, so I think I’ll rock television.
Style
It’s cliché but style really does come from within. Reno is a melting pot; just don’t get any on you. I used to be like, ‘Oh your from Lemon Valley...Your mama let you put that on?’ But style is changing in Reno. The art scene (and we finally have one) has helped change things here—definitely. A nice fitting white t-shirt and jeans is simple and cool.
Photograph by Ivy AntonowitschThe first time I ever wore my “I Hate Phillip Brown” t-shirt was at an Eddie Reynoso party. I’ve been fortunate that the local scene-makers like Meredith Tanzer, Jenny O and Tonya Marini have embraced me. Whereas some of the ‘others’ have not.
Dish
What do I hate about the scene? The wannabe snots. They’re not even very good at it. So many of the cliquish gays here have an attitude like they’re somebody; they end up stepping on toes and pissing people off. If they want to learn how to be fierce they need to travel more.
Fag Hags
I don’t have one of my own (frowns). My opinion of fag hags is that everyone needs someone to stroke their ego. I was once a dirty breeder, so if my fag hag was hot, I’d be like, ‘Thinkin’ about it.’
Check out BINGO! With Phillip Brown @ the new Tree House Lounge 555 East Fourth Street on Sundays benefiting the GSA--or as Phillip Brown calls them the "Baby Gays."
Oliver X
BURNING MAN
Please send us your pictures, poems and stories you would like to share about Burning Man and we will post them for you on our web site.
Send submitions to mizchvus@sbcglobal.net
Welcome Home......
Mawkish love poem to Burning Man.
By Jerry Snyder
Heart of the Playa
Hearts of fire
Hearts of lust
Hearts of heat
Hearts of dust
Glittering ephemeral brigadoon
Magically dissolving as quickly as it is constructed
Ramshackle refugee camp for the
Metaphysically dispossessed
Unreal city, paved with desire
Shrugging memory from its shoulders
Hearts of passion
Hearts of pain
Hearts of flash and
Hearts of flame
Streets of infinite improvisation
The widening gyre exploded,
In this anarchic symphony
There are no worst but only best
Sunset scorches the sky
Chased by fossil flames
Every atom prepares for conflagration.
Hearts of anguish
Hearts of zeal
Hearts of peril
Hearts of steel
Spirits of flesh gathered
A pulsing mass of light and rhythm
And love, beating love
Then a collective gasp as the crystal desert night
Explodes, gunpowder burning oxides and flame
Sear from eyeballs to root chakras
Every soul perfectly cleansed
Of Banal Sin
If only for that moment
Hearts of fire
Hearts of lust
Hearts of heat
Hearts of dust
Burning Man Primer by Richard Aloysius Sheehy
I mounted my fat-tired bike and peddled in the direction of the showgirl--but stayed off the dirt road. It had been pummeled into a fine light tan dusty powder that made steering difficult. Besides, listening to the fragile soil crack beneath the wheels and leaving a crumbled line behind was a pleasant indulgence. I passed the showgirl. She wore a gold sequined thong and high feathered plume. However, glancing overmy shoulder, I confirmed her gender as male: his package was extraordinary in size thru the thin fabric. I assumed he was participating in a drag show or something. Then I noticed other people in groups of three or four were dressed oddly as well. For all the funny clothes, I thought maybe a masquerade ball was on the agenda. But as I got closer to the central camp, I began to suspect ‘weird’ wascoatederigur.
Suspicious, I realized everyone had colorful and flowing or tight and artificial garb-- inappropriate for desert survival. Some were goofy, some sexy. Some people had nothing on at all. One man, striding quickly in just a pair of sneakers, appeared to have a series of fine golden rings that pierced the length of his, um, well...urethra. I wondered, “With all those holes, how does he...?” When I nearly ran my bike into the burnt frame of some kind of wrecked torpedo shaped vehicle. I stopped and examined a streak of blackened earth under and behind it. It was still smoking and at least as long as a car, but for the crumpled front end. It looked like a crash landed rocket ship left to burn...days ago.
Despite being directly behind the dark fabric covered central camp, no one seemed concerned, and I guiltily left the wreck without notifying the authorities. I turned right toward a wide opening and saw a large group of maybe thirty or forty white robed individuals with lanterns hanging from a yolk over their shoulders. They walked slowly and silently north. I followed, passing a large pile of antlers stacked high in the shape of a dead tree. It moaned from an apparently hidden speaker system and was on wheels. To my right was another big tree, this one in copper surrounded by an octagonal redwood decking. For leaves, it bore small licking flames. The copper tree also dripped water, under which some naked people appeared to be showering. Going further, I passed the slow lantern procession, looked up and saw, way off in the distance, a tall wooden stick figure on a stack of hay bales. I instantly recognized The Burning Man and sped off to introduce myself.
People in fanciful garb were crisscrossing the open desert as I peddled up to the statue. Some on bikes gussied up like their riders, and some in weird little vehicles reminiscent of alien space craft. Eventually, I came to a solitary fire extinguisher sitting unattended at the end of a long thick rope, perhaps three inches in diameter, which lay out from The Man base. I looked up and rode closer. It seemed immense. His face had an odd shape, the skin of which reminded me of paper Japanese walls. His arms were extended like he was a schoolmaster letting school kids out to recess. I saw people climbing up the huge bales and hanging out on a platform at the feet of the structure.
I dropped my bike into the dirt and approached The Man. There were people all around, some were dancing to some drums, others sitting or standing around. There was a feeling of electricity and people seemed excited. I wanted to get up the structure right away and be a part of it all, but the bales were big, requiring both arms and legs to mount the façade. In nervous reverence, I climbed--helpful hands along the way--finally reaching the platform.
The Man stood bolted to a plywood floor, attended by a uniformed bearded man inredlipstick and a khaki pleated skirt. I recognized him as a Ranger. Several other people were sitting there enjoying the view. I greeted the Ranger, but was too awestruck to speak. I saw the enormityof the encampment, affectionately called Black Rock City, defined by the Lamplighter’s work. There were huge objects scattered around the desert before me, artwork too large and too unusual for this far away place. People were everywhere – randomly wandering like ants. Off in the distance, I could see a ship made of upright pianos floating on the dry sea of clay. A three story lacy structure, unfinished, was being erected to the north. Immediately below me were a group of people playing that old game Twister – only naked.Some folks were mischievously slipping out of hidden compartments in the hay. I stood directly beneath The Man, spread my arms wide and grabbed his legs. I noticed tightly wound bolts of wax-soaked burlap were coiled throughout the structure. “Wow, I thought, “This is the coolest thing I have ever done.”
Richard Aloysius Sheehy
Last month, tickets to the progressive culture and art festival known as Burning Man went on sale, and you can bet that my mother was right there waiting for them with cash in hand. This will mark the fourth year she has made the trek to the playa to live for a week with the most basic supplies, and the sweaty, alkaline covered masses. Nearly everyone I encounter on a day-to-day basis is a Burner. In my adult life, Burning Man may be the single most important factor in the growth of my relationship with my mother--and I have never even been to the event.
Like the festival itself, my mother is almost beyond description. At a time when it was impossible to get in, she dropped out of UC Berkley to work in Donner and live on Tahoe’s nude beaches. She is a rabble-rouser, a child of the 60’s and 70’s who bucks authority, protests, writes letters and raised me to be proud, and defiant of injustices I find in the world around me. When you compare us, I am downright plain. I went straight through college after high school, married my high school sweetheart, and hope to work in government.
This dichotomy--the free spirited mother and the conservative child--often set us in opposition, limiting my ability to connect with her. When she first told me that she was going to be attending Burning Man, I was quietly ashamed to tell my friends. I knew nothing of the true nature of the Burn, or of the community. It was just another thing about my mother I thought I would never understand. That will never be the case again.
Prism Magic
Every morning I ask myself that question: "What will I manifest today?" and at night I ask "What did I manifest?"
That question is so important to me that I had Meghan paint it above our classroom door. I wanted the classroom to be full of people manifesting something creative, inspiring and wonderful.
Right now I'm backed up on things to manifest. Shipments are arriving daily. I have costumes to sew, (I promise Barry. You WILL get your bunny suit. I PROMISE this will be manifested in the next week.) Steve is doing his best to get all the tie-dye special orders done and both Meghan and Amy have been putting in extra hours to help me get everything out.
Driving here today I made a mental list of things to manifest. Writing this email was one of them. Getting the boxes out of the classroom was another. Search for petticoats, organize my sewing table, order more fabric (there's a bee costume that really needs to hit the playa), drop off the shirts to the silk screener for Dave (Happy birthday by the way Dave) and eventually call my Mom.
A friend said to me over the weekend "Can't believe that Burning Man is almost here."
I can't either. I can hardly wait but at the same time I could use a few more hours in my day or the ability to clone myself. (Now there's a scary thought.)
I want to take a minute to thank all of you who tell me that you read & enjoy my emails. We have over 1500! names on our email list. Plus there's a group of you who forward my emails. Wow. That really makes my day knowing that you care enough to say something to me in person and plus you spend the time forwarding. Thank you. You keep me going.
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In this issue:
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1. I really need to sell these gorilla suits!
Evolution: Gorilla suits. Need I say more?
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2. Blinky stuff
I've gotten in more blinky things than I had last year.
What's back:
**Martini shakers that make great playa cups.
**Those groovy fans that work great on the front of a bike basket.
**Blinky tunnel lights that you hang down your back so you can be seen from behind
What's new:
**Wands
**Head boppers
**Heart or star pins
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3. Petticoats Petticoats Petticoats
What's coming in:
**Short sexy petticoats in red, pink, black, black with red trim and white. $25 each **Return of the "goth" petticoats in 8 different color combinations. $45 each **Square dance petticoats. I'm on the search & have my buyers looking for me.
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4. On the road again
Lauren: Thurs-Sun American Legion, South Lake Tahoe
Steve: Kings Beach Fri-Sun
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5. Misc stuff
Do any of you sew? I'm getting people coming in almost daily in a panic looking for someone to sew for them. I'm backed up and can't take any more projects. (Yes Barry. It's all about you right now.)
I realize this email is pretty much all about Burning Man. For us Burning man is our "Christmas". I promise we'll get back to our regularly scheduled emails in September.
I also know that when I hit send I'll think of 10 more things that I forgot to put in this weeks email. Oh well.
Off to manifest!
What will you manifest today??
Lauren, Steve, Sabra & crew
Prism Magic Clothing
2161 Pyramid Way
Sparks, 89431
775-356-5577
877-366-5577
Become a fan on Facebook! Prism Magic Clothing & Imports.
Burner Bikes
The spirit of Nevada boiled over with excitement and anticipation for this year’s Burning Man Festival, the annual celebration of expression in the Black Rock Desert. (By the time readers see this article, the event will be well 
Photo by Hayley Baultunderway.) Recently, while at the Nevada Museum of Art, I had the pleasure of meeting several of the warm, open-minded individuals known as “Burners.” When asked why she attends the festival, Cari Lockett-- or “Divalicious” as she’s known on the Playa--described Burning Man as “cultural evolution in progress.”
As colorfully dressed as their owners, several bikes made a stand-out appearance, including the fuzzy “Twiddle 3”, decorated by veteran burner Will Dearing or “Zypher.” The Reno Bike Project offered free valet services to patrons who arrived by bicycle. Lane Buossa or “Bikelane” explained that the goal of this non-profit group is to “get everyone on their bicycles” and to serve as a “community bike shop”.
Debra Berry describes Burning Man as “freedom from the default world.” I couldn’t imagine a nicer crowd to escape with.
Hayley Bault
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July Cover Story
Artist Chor Boogie
“This is Jazz. This is Hip-Hop. This is movement.”
All art is local. The web has made that assertion incontrovertible. It’s not the exposition of color or form that makes this so, but the revealing of the artist’s soul. I conceptualized Reno Tahoe Tonight Magazine to provide a trampoline for incredible artists in all mediums. This piece on Chor Boogie represents a fulfillment of a total commitment to expose and celebrate great artists from around the world.
I met Chor Boogie on Facebook after my girl Shelly Brown said, “You’ve got to see this!” There after, I found myself stuffing rhythmic odes, free verse and haiku into the comment boxes below his work like a groupie. I felt like Columbus.
This fool is deep! Technicolor ghetto cubism; rolling prismatic waves of texture, depth and shape pressing on the edges of two-dimensional confinement. There was weight and gravity in the perfect roundness of his circles. Sheen. Luster. Light. Fluid expression in the rendering of an eye peering through an abstract dreamscape collage on a skid row concrete masonry unit wall. His appendages leap off the composition like a pressed on Mr. Potato Head game piece. Untutored technicality in his clinically straight lines executed in free hand with a spray can—upside down. This could lead to dancing.
I had to reach out.
Message: “Dude I wanna tap your brain about the urgency of street art as an expression of the outsider artist’s gallery within.” Oliver X
Message: "Let’s do it. Come down to the Bay, I’ll put you up for a few days and we’ll knock it out.” Chor Boogie
Disco!
Me and videographer Anthony Moore smashed down to the Bay (missing most of the Nada Dada Motel exhibit in the process) and posted up in the Hotel Des Arts, right outside of China Town on Bush Street in Frisco. The entire hotel was adorned in Chor’s work; it’s an evolving gallery of energy, light and color. The artist’s signature avatars (sure to be collectibles someday) were posted on tiny wood block canvasses above eye level in the second floor foyer. The center five-story ventway enclosure featured a collection of Chor Boogie murals that were stunning. Clouds, puzzle pieced abstracts and avante explosions of color raised three stories up what could only be seen through risk of eviction.
After a soul food breakfast of chicken and waffles, we met with Chor to film him at work doing a mural with fine artist Jet Martinez in preparation for the grand opening ofOakland’s Old Crow Tattoo Shop.
Self-taught, Chor picked up a spray can around age nine and was hooked. He’s since painted the 2008 Olympic Mural in Beijing. He was one of two graffiti artists commissioned to paint the first street mural in Dubai. He’s shown in Brazil and is honored down under. Chor’s collaborative peers are legends of the game: Phase2, Vulcan, Pose2, Apex and Mear One. But only a handful of visual artists on the planet are in his league. Fewer still have his vision, character and realness.
Influences
Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Dali.
Uniqueness
“Confidence and originality are the keys to what I do. I started out doing a lot of realistic portraiture, and Vulcan was like, ‘Why don’t you take that to the next level?’ And I did. I just took it there. Now when you see my work you say, ‘That’s a Chor Boogie piece.’”
Color & Movement
“Colors have healing attributes, if you believe in that sort of thing. It’s therapy to the viewer. It’s music to me. That’s where the boogie comes in. Through improvisation I express movement. It’s in the shapes and forms rendered on the spot. Nothing is planned, outlined, or sketched. The execution of this comes from my focus. I just go for it.”
Technique
Chor’s miniature Boogie Birds, adorably round Chiclets, are the smallest paintings ever executed with a spray can. His now signature upside down spray technique has been mythologized, but is really quite simple. “The upside down technique releases the pressure to a fine point, like an airbrush. The resulting detail I get is a matter of practice doing it over and over. Like Shaolin movements. I work with the form in layers--gradients of layers—to create depth.”
Chor Boogie will be on an East Coast Tour with Pose2 and Albus Cavus July 16-August 16. Catch him for the opening of Beauty & the Beast, in collaboration with Cope 2 at Mid City Arts inLos Angeles September 26th. Find Chor on Facebook: Chor Boogie or on http://www.chorboogie.com/
