Wes' Field Trip 2

DHC 6th annual Holiday kick-off celebration, to the Union Street Gallery, to The Robots, and ending with Lou Shields. I wanted to do more . . . had time to do more. Just recovering from being under the weather, I paced it, and stayed inside as much as possible.

I started the day off early to catch the holiday celebration in Hammond. What a great town. I just wish we would buy local to support communities like Hammond. 

This was a great event, as shown in Debra's blog (click here). (Debra is a great photographer, very different from mine, a very unique eye.) I was too early to catch the kids, and that early in the morning it was windy and cold. So I found shelter at Paul Henry's Art Gallery. David is always welcoming. He stood me over the hot air vent to thaw out, and to sing some Christmas songs. Here are some photos inside Paul Henry's . . .

The next stop was to the Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights. I was raised in Glenwood. I lived on the side of Glenwood that went to Homewood-Flossmore High School, and the other half of Glenwood that I went to grade school with went to Bloom High School.

Chicago Heights was part of my stomping grounds, like Homewood, South Holland, Lansing, Calumet City, Olympia Fields, even out to Matteson. In all these years, all this driving around town, I had never been down Otto Blvd. So today was a first, and a great first.

I had seen announcements for exhibit openings at the Union Street Gallery. The place is unique. It reminds me a bit of the Zhou B Art Gallery. One thing that struck me was that I did not see too many photographs. Hmmm . . . maybe I need to find some space there.

Here are some photos . . .

Friend Leon Sarantos was exhibiting . . .

After some rest at home, I went out to catch my buds, The Robots. It is always fun hanging around these guys. You never know what the crowd will do. I think Bob Sherman has a lot to do with that. Oh, maybe Pete does because of his guitar play. No, Danny, because he gets down with the bass. No, I think it's Ed because drummers rock. TAKE YOUR PICK!

That was a short stay. I wanted to get over to the Zombie Club to see Lou Shields. I tend to spread myself thin with all the musicians I want to photograph. Out of everyone Lou and The Robots have gotten most of my attention.

Lou enjoys roots music. It is in his blood. It is different, a throwback in time, yet real enough today that you feel it. Check Lou out when you have a chance, and tell him Wes sent you.

Now please realize, photographing in the Zombie Club is a challenge because it is so dark there. To get enough light into the camera, the shutter speed is slow, hence keeping an image in focus, especially a moving Lou, makes for some challenging photography.

I hope you enjoyed my day trip. It was a trip, pun intended. I need to do more of this. It's fun!!!

Click on this line and read my copyright.

Paul Henry's Acoustic Jam 168

Do you want to treat yourself to some enjoyment? Well, I have the place for you . . . Paul Henry's Art Gallery and their Thursday Night JAM. Though note, because of Thanksgiving week, it will be a Wednesday night JAM for that week.

Lots of artists from our region visit Paul Henry's to exhibit their work, and to show up specifically on Thursday nights for the open mic acoustic JAM. Nothing electric, except the lights, coffee pot, and for this time of the season the heater!!!! Acoustic at it's best.

SHOP LOCAL!!!!! Because Paul Henry's attracts local artists from the region, you can do your holiday shopping at Paul Henry's and support our local artists. Remember, this applies to all year long as well.

Paul Henry's is a treat because of the local talent. It is a treat on Thursday nights because you never know who is coming, or what pot luck food is being brought in. There is a $5 cover charge if you want to come in and enjoy the artists (musicians, poets, and more), the coffee, and the pot luck table. If you want to perform, or bring a pot luck dish, it is $3. You get to meet the local artists, talk to them, buy their art, and if you so desire you can commission work with them. The music and poetry varies from the first timers to people who have been doing this for years. Do not be surprised when someone goes up front to perform, and you see others just walking up to join the JAM. This is purely an inspirational, motivational, uplifting experience.

Here are some photos of the 168th JAM for you to enjoy . . .

Lou Shields has become the Stewart of this historic guitar. It was given to him by Jim Quattrocki. The guitar is called "The Mole" and was made and played by John Henry, "The Mayor of Maxwell Street". Lou is the appropriate person to become the Stewart, because of his passion for our past and to share it with us today.

I arrived late, and left early. So what is see is a slice of the event. A slice of good hearted souls enjoying life, enjoying the arts. You need to go at least once in your life . . .

Paul Henry's Art Gallery

416 Sibley Blvd.

Hammond, IN

Facebook

Tue - Fri 10:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Sat 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Sunday Noon till 5:00 PM

Thursday Night Jam Starts 7:00 PM

Click on this line and read my copyright.