Vans shoe company has stores, shoe boutiques sell Vans…and now Vans has decided to team up with one of those boutiques, Off The Hook Shop, in Montreal, Quebec to bring you the first ever Vans partner boutique. Opening next week, Thursday May 5th is the first partnership that we can all only hope blossoms into many more stores all over this great nation and world we live in. Check out the vid!

VANS by OTHSHOP from Off The Hook on Vimeo.

The last show we went to at Last Rites Gallery was Genevive Zacconi and Tin a few months back. Not only was the art incredible, but the whole vibe of the night, and the gallery/tattoos studio was awesome. It is highly recommended that you attend this if you can.

Last Rites Gallery presents, solo shows by:
Anthony Pontius and Sarah Joncas

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 30th, 7pm-11pm

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP »»

I am the daughter of a truck driver and a bartender; and to be fair I ought to have 3 kids, stamps and bunny slippers I shuffle to the corner store in. But, somewhere on the statistical trajectory I was flung out of the boxcar and rolled down the hill into the 1930s and never returned. I could tell you some fluff philosophy about how the times were different with the adolescence of the industrial age and the emerging significance of women; but I would be full of it, the real reason I never left were the wing tips, the bow ties and the dust in the derby of a handsome stranger.

There are very few material reminders of that era still in circulation. Sure, there’s the Empire State Building but you can’t wear that to your best friend’s wedding and it could take you a lifetime to collect a few celebratory tokens of the time before tech OR you could be wildly grateful and rush online to visit the little treasureland known as DAPPER DEAN.
READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP »»

I was once in a creative writing class when I was a prickly fireball of bravado and wayward self confidence. We were asked to describe a Dali painting, all drips and egg yolks and ants and sexy stroking’s of the existential mind bone and I made up some emotional reaction which earned me a gold star…. one of those stars that leads you to believe you are far more talented than you probably are. And I walked out of that Community College through fields of cow manure with my chin up and the germinating disease of imaginary success. Why am I blathering about this?? A. I am trying to channel that little snotty asshole to write something about Joka’s “Victory of the Echo over the Sound (L)” painting  and B. because I am supposed to be commenting on something that I flat out, DO NOT understand. Hmmmph…

Fuck it, let me give it a whack.

After staring at JoKa’s latest creation about 300 times, “The Victory of the Echo over the Sound (L)” is just that…. a victory of the reaction over the action, neither of which would even be ascertainable without the sense which perceives both. Thus, a victory of a sense over a sense that only makes sense of its parent, or without it, makes no sense of either. The colors, captured only in staggering sunsets where gasses and light mingle and propose, marry and disappear. It is almost clear, I almost grasp onto it’s meaning, form and…. and then the light fades and I am left staring into the dark, the flawed imprint of a memory of what I think it is. You think I’m confusing? Go back and look at the painting.

He told me that the piece is the first part of a triptych in juxtaposing old Victorian girls over contemporary nudes. He said he is “touching upon the difference of sexual values/displays over the ages and which prevails over the other.” Then he writes….”no definitive point to be made, just musings on the idea”. And a musing it is, a beautiful, delicate, conundrum of musing.

My apologies for not doing the painting more justice with the stringing of words but let me remind you all that JoKa paints with toothpicks, he says it’s like meditation. You try and explain this guy.

Listen up Philadelphia!

THREE DJS GIVE IT UP FOR WORLD AIDS ORPHAN WEEK

PHILADELPHIA, PA – April 8, 2011 — Rich Medina, Nigel Richards and DJ Frosty are spinning at Fluid (613 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA) on Thursday, May 5th for Lunch Money as part of Orphan Support Africa’s World AIDS Orphan Week awareness campaign. 10pm-2am. $10 cover. 21+.
READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP »»

This is the new hype show! Watch it, love it, eat some pizza and watch it some more! PROBLEM SOLVERZ

***sorry for the ad in the beginning***

OH SHIT!!!! Yes this is really and yes it is amazing. Don’t try and pretend this isn’t the stupidest most ridiculous thing you ave ever sat and watched all the way through and felt so uncomfortable about. Now get out there and SMANG!!!!

Dear Japan, We Love You was a benefit put together by the 3.11
Project at Open House Gallery in NYC. Over 35 artists donated pieces that were to be auctioned off in a silent auction in which all of the proceeds will to go the relief effort in Japan. There were pieces there by Shepard Fairey, David Ellis, Christian Mendoza, Kenji Hirata, and Swoon, just to name a few. The atmosphere had a great vibe all night and people were in good spirits while trying to help out. In addition to the auction, which was a huge success, there was also live screen printing going on all night in the back room. I don’t know if they want me discussing specifics, so I will not divulge how much was made, but let’s just say that for a one night only event it was nothing short of amazing the amount of money they brought in for Japan. People gave generously for some amazing artwork and a great cause. Enjoy the photos. READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP »»

Photos and text by: Steven Speir

This past Saturday, April 9th, Masthead Print Studio hosted the art of Fresh Melt Water! The kids of FMW jumped at the opportunity to strut their stuff on paper again. Here they prepped limited edition prints of classic designs and all sorts of new flavor for your eyes! If you missed the opening then that’s your loss, because you missed out on some Sean MRG originals, collabos, beers, and good folks!

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP »»

Come and get it kiddies!

Brooklyn’s Matt & Kim are celebrating Record Store Day (April 16) with a special, kicked-up 7″ vinyl release. The limited edition 45 RPM record includes a remastered version of “Block After Block” and a “Cameras” remix featuring the Queen Diva of Bounce, Big Freedia. Matt & Kim will be signing copies of the RSD-exclusive release this Saturday, April 16th, at Grimey’s in Nashville, TN (1604 8th Ave South).

“Block After Block” and “Cameras” are both standout tracks from Matt & Kim’s most recent full length, Sidewalks, available now on FADER Label. The official Sidewalks US tour kicks off at the Sasquatch! Music Festival on May 28 and includes a performance at Bonnaroo on June 10.