The Devil’s Playground Website

Hey y’all, a couple of weeks ago I set up a website for my new warehouse space, The Devil’s Playground. This past Saturday we had our first event and it went off without a hitch!

The Infintesmal Records BBQ V featured a ton of great local (and one traveling) bands, Bold City Beer and good food. The party kept on until about 4am. Thanks to everyone who came out and if you missed it, there will be other parties soon so don’t worry.

You need to pick up the new Infintesmal Compilation, {the real better Jacksonville plan} volume 3. It’s got 34 tracks of the best local music (+ some out-of-town friends) and it’s only $7. There’s even a previously unreleased Chicken & Whiskey song on there!

So from now on, all info on Unit 6 and The Devil’s Playground will be on the new site so add it to your reader, blogroll, links, whatever.

Return of the House Show

Just the other day, my roommate, Cherri, was lamenting the fact that bands don’t play house shows anymore. Freebird is too far and Jack Rabbits can be a bit expensive if you are on a budget and just want to catch a decent show. Shantytown has some great free shows and Fridays at TSI are typically pretty sweet and reasonably priced. But as far as house shows go, you don’t hear about them too often (I don’t at least). So when the crew that brought you the Laundromat Show announced a party in an Avondale abode featuring an almost identical lineup, I was left with no choice but to attend.

I thought it might be a little awkward at a party where I knew no one, but nearly everyone there had read the post I did on the previous show and were incredibly grateful and excited that someone got it, so I felt very welcome. Before the bands played, DJ Cholesterol treated us to an eclectic mix of sonic ear-tickles. It was all very cerebral. Eventually a pretty decent crowd had amassed with many of the same faces from the last show with quite a few new ones as well.

Around 11, Telepathik Friend fried our brains with his animated “wrapping”, knocked some shit over and nearly strangled himself with mike chords in the process. Guardians of the Thickets came on next with a slightly different line-up than last time and droned away. Late Great Magick Owl (or Ghost?) took the floor and incorporated a little interpretive dance into his set with some kind of cardboard costume as he writhed around like the dragon in a Chinese New Year parade. Finally, Wild Flower set up their musical gypsy seance and brought it all together. The whole experience was, as Avery put it, ethereal. Couldn’t think of a better word than that.

What was most impressive to me about it was how completely different the entire experience was. In both sound and ambiance, it was like seeing an entirely different group of acts. Chalk it up to the location, the intimacy of the setting, the ability to manipulate the lighting, or simply the lack of dryers and washing machines humming along, but it was completely unique. Watching these kind of performances gives you a sense of being truly connected with the moment. I probably mentioned something along these lines in the first post, but it bears repeating. You get the sense that this is the only time you will be able to see this particular performance. It is so dependent upon the environment and the general vibe, the ebb and flow of energy, that it could never be recreated in the same way.

Later, after the bands had cleared their gear, it was time for a freeform dance party extravaganza. You don’t get music and dancing like this at any Jacksonville discotheques, I’ll tell you that much!

Check out all the pics here.

Almost Home + The Party Program

Land ho bitches!

That might be just a tad premature but I am pretty close to being back from this particularly long underway and more than ready to shake off the salt and put my feet back on solid ground. There has been far too much rolling on these here heavy seas and it will be nice to not have to dodge objects (and people) that fly around anymore.

So here is my tentative plan for the weekend:

Friday 11/21
As I learned from this great little site that just popped up this week, there is an art show at The Metroplitan Lofts featuring the music of Shawn Lightfoot. You can check out some details on the Events page of the JaxScene Network and RSVP if you’re feeling polite.
Other options for the evening include Rockabilly Night @ 331. Never been, but been meaning to check it out. Also, some bands at TSI. Anybody got the inside scoop?

Saturday 11/22
One thing I really enjoy doing these days is getting drunk. So events that are focused on the art of drinking always catch my attention. Saturday is the Five Points Wine Festival featuring something like 400 wines with a donation (I heard $30) to support RAP and Big Brothers and Sisters. I think it might be nice to drink something other than PBR for a change, eh (shit, not in Canada anymore – gotta curb that)? RSVP and tell Jax you’ll be there!
I’ll also be checking out some apartments for rent in and around Riverside so wish me luck on that endeavour.

Sunday 11/23
Bike Polo at Zombie duh! Then it’s the Sunday cookout at Shantytown w/ DJ Boatshoes.

On another note, the JaxScene Network is doing awesome and far exceeded my expectations for its initial roll-out. Big ups to members Emily and Joy for getting the word out there.

TSI 3-Year Anniversary Party

The little dance club downtown is out of it’s terrible twos and officially a toddler. So to celebrate they are having a little party! Starts at 8 and goes on until 3. $7 21+, $9 under. First 100 through the door get free t-shirts. Free buttons and drink tokens to boot. DJs Dan & B from Intermission on the wheels of steel.

Before that you get off your hipster ass and vote with the crew that is meeting at Zombie Bikes today at 3pm to Bike The Vote.

Happenings: Oct 24-26

TGIF!

Friday, October 24

Green Retail Tour @ BBB Warehouse 1520 Main St – 5pm
Speaker – Jay McGovern 6pm
Free Obama signs then free beer at Shantytown!

Rocky Horror Picture Show Block Party @ The Florida Theatre – 8pm
Street Festival starts at 8pm and doors open for the movie at 11pm. Tix are $5 and prop kits can be purchased for $15.

Portugal. The Man with Earl Greyhound, Wintersleep and Bermuda @ Jack Rabbits

Coyote Throat with Bridge and Tunnel, Oh Pioneers and Environmental Youth Crunch @ Shantytown

Saturday, October 25

Dark Art Celebration @ Seawalk Hotel in Jax Beach – 7pm
21+ $5, Under 21 $7

Sunday, October 26

The Zombie Walk
Starts at The London Bridge Pub at 2pm and proceeds to 9th and Main for the afterparty.

Don’t forget to check JaxScene for anything I’ve missed. It’s updated every day with the night’s goings-on.

Tonight: The Faint at Freebird Live

Tonight I will be at Freebird Live for The Faint show hopefully snapping pictures and taking notes for my new potential home at JaxScene (more on that later). I’ll be doing a live Twitter feed of the show so “follow me” if you aren’t already for up to the minute updates. If you’re there shoot me a tweet and come say hello.

Also playing tonight are Florida band, Summerbirds In The Cellar and The Show Is The Rainbow.

Upcoming October Happenings

Back in Texas, October is festival month. Every weekend there is another festival, usually centered around beer, with music and food and assorted shennanigans. While I haven’t stumbled across any big festival news (although I could be missing something), there are several events of interest coming up this month.

The Night Ride – Oct 11th
Okay folks, this is a can’t-miss event! If you are even remotely into biking of any kind, you owe it to yourself to check out this day and night-long celebration of the bike. It takes place in and around Five Points and Riverside and features an art show, bike polo, a tour of the Bold City Brewery, film festival, costume contest, biike workshops, and of course, a bike ride (at night). It’s sponsored by my “frequent” commenter over at Bike Jax and several other cool places like Anomaly, Fuel, Zombie Bikes, and Burro Bags. I will definitely see you there!

Foxy Shazam @ Fuel – Oct 12th
I have it on good authority that this is a must-see show. Never seen ‘em but sounds like fun and it’s the night before Colombus Day so no excuses. They open for Senses Fail (yuck!) and the tix are $15 so there will be plenty of time after they play to do something else if it’s a wash.

Jacksonville Green Expo – Oct 18-19
Help make Jacksonville a greener city and attend this expo. There will be plenty of exhibits and several how-to seminars aimed at helping you decrease your environmental footprint. Go Green! Also mentioned here.

Jonathan Appleseed @ Fuel – Oct 20th
This band is a lot of fun AND local. They open for Space Captain and tix are only $5 if you’re of legal drinking age and seriously, what the fuck else are you doing on a Monday night?

The Faint @ Freebird Live - Oct 23rd
That punky, dancy, crazy rock music you kids are so into these days.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Block Party – Oct 24th
The tip for this comes from Jacksonville Confidential. It sounds like a lot of fun and a chance to let your freak flag fly so grab a costume and a bag of props and be sure to check this out! And only $5!!!

Zombie Walk – Oct 26th
In celebration of World Zombie Day, join your fellow undead in a zombie walk from London Bridge Pub downtown to 9th and Main in Springfield. As mentioned here.

Reverend Horton Heat @ Freebird Live
Texas Psychobilly, fuck yea!!!

I’m sure there is tons more going on this month so if you got info, leave a comment and I’ll edit to add. Peace!

Fun Friday at Steamworks in 5 Points

So the plan was: go to wedding, skip out to see the Partisan the Sea show, check out the afterparty – simple, right? Didn’t happen that way.

Weddings are not my scene. Let’s chalk it up to painful reminders and leave it at that. So I fully anticipated paying my respects, downing a few Yuenglings and sneaking out to check out the Partisan the Sea political poster show at Churchwell Lofts, hosted by Joey Marchy of Urban Jacksonville. I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time but I ended up having such an awesome time with some new folks I met, I decided to let the evening roll.

After many beers and cigarettes with my nouveaux aimees, we realized we were the only ones left at the reception and decided to head for warmer climes. Seeing as how we were already in Riverside we had much to chose from but ended up at Steamworksin 5 Points. Upon first glance it appeared as your standard neighborhood bar ($2 PBR, FTW) but for the brave and the bold who venture further back into discotheque lighted dancefloor, all kinds of surprises await.

At around 11:30 they were playing some 60’s pop and psyche music which drew my new friends and I to the dancefloor to cut a rug. I was wasted and dancing like an idiot I’m sure but as the DJ segwayed into such classic tunes as The Ramones’ “Sheila Is a Punk Rocker”, Weezer’s “Pinkerton” and even (OMG) Neutral Milk Hotel, I let my inhibtions fade away and had the time of my life. I don’t know how the place runs on any other nights but Fridays are guaranteed fun!

And the good news is I have another (final) chance to check out Partisan the Sea on October 1st! As do you, so mark your calendars…

Happenings: 9/19-9/20

Finally, at least most of a weekend to do whatever. Here’s my plan, what’s yours?

Friday

5pm – Free Beer!!! – European Street on Park St in Riverside has teamed up with the new Bold City Brewery and they are giving their beer away for free. 2 kegs until it’s gone!!!

Later – It’s a toss-up. I’m leaving it to fate actually. The Black Kids are playing at Freebirds, which is bound to be awesome but also probably sold out. I entered the contest over at Jacksonville Confidential for free tix so if I win, that’s where I’ll be.
If not, I’m headed to Shantytown for this show.

Saturday

Next at Fluke in Five Points looks to be a pretty cool show/party. And who wants to turn down FREE BEER, hmmmm?
For now Saturday night is still open. I’ll update when I find something cool.

The Ivy Opening Photos

I am Happenstance has photos from the grand opening of The Ivy Saturday night.

Click here for the album.

Wait, is that line-dancing?

Looks like a good turn-out. Anybody care to comment on the playlist/DJ/anything?