Tubthumping

After a good day beating up on people who believe they are in a class of their own, I decided to do some tubthumping.  The first place I went to was Studio 659 in Whiting IN, for their live music and open mic night. When I arrived I saw Red Light Runner - Adrian Remierez and Dan Serapin.  I also saw artist Lauren Dunning, was hoping to see Sophia Rapata, and I did see Ed Smaron.  Michelle and David Milan arrived as well.  Everyone else, I did not know.

It was nice to have gone.  It gave me time to chill out.  They had tables and chairs out for the event.  The tables had paper draped over them, with a center piece of crayons, a candle, and a snack.  They were serving beverages too.  Lauren had a fun time melting her crayons in the candle flame and drawing on the paper.  I think the Studio put those things out just for her :)

Before the lights went down I shot a couple photos . . .

Of an interest to me was the very low lit room when the lights did go down. A photographic challenge if you will, to shoot and capture what I see without flash. Do realize that at this time in my photography, I do not use software to manipulate the images. I just set the camera and shoot. This first photo probably best represents how it looked with the lights off. The other photos are compensated for lighting at the camera when I was shooting.

The musicians were at the back of the store with just a black light shining.  The front of the store was lit by the window displays which gave a much warmer look.  A small light on the lower part of the wall was also present on each side of the room, as you can see in the first photo below.

What was interesting with the low lighting was the silhouette I was able to shoot in this next photo. The funny part being my light compensation is not showing what I saw, so this may be the first photo I will adjust and put back in the blog.

And you would have never known it was dark in the room with this next photo . . . though perhaps if you click on it to enlarge, you might think the photographer did not know how to focus or had a bit too much wine to drink. This was the same dark room as the reference photo far above, with corrections for lighting, and hand holding the camera.

This next photo may not strike you with any feeling, but for me, click on it and look at the tilted art on the wall to the right.  It looks as if the girl laying on her back is purposefully trying to tilt here head back to look at Adrian . . .

This next gentlemen has a great voice.  What was special to me was that his daughter was in the audience.  The admiration from her can be seen in the next couple of photos of her . . .

And the last photo at Studio 659.

I then drove to Paul Henry's Art Gallery in Hammond, where a Promise You Family showcase was taking place, featuring performances by:

Philos

Heirs

My Mountain

Nineteen Earlies

Uncle Mucles

Anchor

Unfortunately I arrived near the end.  What I did see and listened to was great.  The gallery was perfectly warm lit during the jam.  Probably between what Studio 659 had this night and what Paul Henry's has on Thursday nights.  

Please forgive me for this first photo.  This was when I first arrived.  I believe this is Mallory Rose of Heirs.  To listen to their music first coming in was a great delight . . . really cool . . .

Right after I shot the above photo, the set was done and the band changed over.  So some intermission photos next.

Philos Cult kept us in music between setups.

Inside Paul Henry's Art Gallery . . .

The last band that I did catch from beginning to end was Anchors.

David Black - Lead Guitar, Singer

CJ Morse - Bass Guitar

Austin Caldwell - Drums

I have to say these guys are good.  Mellow yet intense at the same time.  A very good sound . . .

I am hoping to stay in touch with Promise You Family so I can do more photo shoots.  Someone give me a plug into them please!

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Paul Henry's Acoustic Jam - Valentine Eve

There are pies, and there is The pie, and this pie caught my eye as soon as I walked in the door.

Bonnie Kaysen's Pie

Monday night was the gallery's Valentine's Eve chocolate pie contest.  I have to say this was a very enjoyable evening with a small crowd, just mingling and enjoying the event.

I have to give Michelle Milan a big thanks, for without the piano and her singing as background music, the ambiance would not have been the same.  Thank you Michelle!

David cutting a pie for the judges . . .

Other guests . . . and pie tables . . .

And to think, this photographer failed to photograph the other pie table . . . arrrrrr . . .

Judging the pies . . .

James and Amy Rummel - Judges

Some more Michelle providing our background music . . .

The judges . . . still confused . . . (actually they were great, and it was a filling judiciary responsibility)

And now, the winners of this years Valentine's Eve chocolate pie contest . . . drum roll please . . .

Marlene Duckett's refrigerated pie (accepting her award is Bill Ducket, shown below).

Dawn Diamantopoulos (below) won an award for her baked pie.

Bonnie Kaysen (below) won the participant award for bringing 4-pies (yum).

James Rummel (below) accepted the judges award.

A special thanks to Chuck Rocek for providing the "heart mobiles".  And . . . there have been delicious rumors of a possible 4th of July Eve pie contest!  Now, that might get me to bake a cherry pie the way mom use to make it . . . :)

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