If you missed Open Studios this year, don’t worry, there is always next year. A previous blog post already mentioned the Preview Party which had a record breaking 720 people in attendance. Special thanks goes to the River City Professionals for co-hosting the program, helping to promote the event, and bringing all of their members to party. In addition to the 150+ Open Studios artworks on display in the galleries, Pi on the Spot, also known as PiTruckSTL on Twitter was parked outside the building serving up fresh pizzas straight from truck’s oven. As a local phenomenon, Pi has been embraced by the St. Louis community and even Chicago based Senator, turned president Barack Obama has endorsed the iconic deep dish pizza with his seal of approval. Just recently, chefs of Pi were flown to the White House to caterer an event especially for the president. Alongside the Pi Truck, a Frosty Treats ice cream truck was also parked outside for those looking to fill their sweet tooth on a hot summer’s evening.

As an added bonus to the Preview Party, guests were encouraged to enter a bike raffle to win a Electra Pink Hawaii Cruiser donated by Big Shark Bicycle Company. Ramona Scott was the winner and stopped by the museum the next day to pick up her prize and even rode it home.

With temperatures reaching over 99 degrees, that still did not stop the devoted cyclists from riding over 14 miles and stopping at a variety of studios along the way. Led by Greg and Alex from Bike Shark Bicycle Company, the bike tour departed the Contemporary on both Saturday and Sunday at 10am. Special thanks also goes to Bike St. Louis, a division of Great Rivers Greenway for endorsing the program and helping to make bike riding in St. Louis safe and accessible.

Later that day, Director Paul Ha and Associate Curator Laura Fried introduced themselves at the museum to over 30 people that registered for a 4 hour bus tour to select studios. As visitors boarded the luxurious air-conditioned bus provided by BEST Transportation St. Louis, “Pops” the driver greeted them and drove them all over the city to studios chosen directly by both the director and the curator.

On Sunday, winners from our Facebook competition joined Joe and Jeff from Glide St. Louis Tours for a segway excursion to select artist studios. Director of Individual Giving & Stewardship Emily Klimek acted as the Contemporary representative on the tour. If you applied to win a spot on the segway tour, do not give up, become a Fan of the Contemporary on Facebook now and look out for the next opportunity on this platform. Those that won the Facebook competition also received a free meal ticket to the Open Studios BBQ.

What better way to end a whole weekend of programs and tours plus a Homegrown Summer for that matter then to enjoy barbeque from Pappy’s Smokehouse and ice cold beer from Schafly. The watermelon was sweet and chilled to perfection, but the pulled pork sandwich was definitely the crowd favorite. Normally, you would have to wait hours to get a taste of Pappy’s perfectly cooked BBQ, but at the Contemporary it was all there for the taking for only $10 a meal. In addition to the BBQ, sides, and beer, Ted Drewes frozen custard was offered as an additional summertime treat.

What could be more “Homegrown” than Ted Drewes, Pappy’s, Schlafly, 150+ local artists, and the Great Rivers Biennial exhibition? Well, you asked for it… the Rum Drum Ramblers, with upright bass, harmonica, and banjo guitars rocked the courtyard with down and dirty St. Louis blues. The summer might not be over, but this year’s Open Studios was the climax of the Contemporary’s Homegrown Summer, a series of programs featuring local art, food, and music.

On Thursday, June 24 over 350 people attended Concerts in the Courtyard at the Contemporary. The crowd drained two kegs of local Schlafly beer and consumed over 17 pounds of candy from local phenomenon Crown Candy Kitchen. All in an effort to support the local music scene, KDHX promoted the concert on the radio and Vintage Vinyl honored the museum with a spot on their famous marquee.

The weather was nearly perfect at 85 degrees with a slight cool breeze. As the sun began to set, Theodore opened the show with their signature folk sound. Traditional at first glance, but as the members start to integrate an accordion, an autoharp, a banjo, and even a trombone, a listener quickly realizes the level of musical talent the members bring to the table. As one member switches from an upright bass to an electric, dark  and honest vocals complete the musical narrative.

Standing alone as a solo artist, Syrhea Conaway of Syna So Pro looped guitar, bass, vocals, and occasionally, the violin, while tapping on multiple pedals on her self-constructed pedal board to create the illusion that she was being backed by an entire instrumental ensemble. Syrhea showed her experimental side by quickly moving around the stage and playing her various instruments to create a looping soundscape that would accompany the best instrument in the mix… her voice.

Blood Pony took the stage after Syna So Pro and delivered the same musical complexity, blending violins, acoustic guitars, trombones, and even a megaphone. The vocalist added a pop melody that only furthered their bright sound in the dark courtyard. Just as a classification came to mind, the musicians would switch roles, pick up different instruments and begin to play with a completely altered style. And their fans weren’t afraid to scream their name in support.

Each musical group told a story and N. Nomurai did not disappoint. With only three members performing, the local legend Eric Hall led the way by sampling, mixing, and creating an atmospheric noise that tuned itself into electronic euphoria. Part machine, part human, the members abandoned convention, as a bass guitar morphed into something a little less tangible. If you could not see the instruments, you might not know where all the sound is coming from. The dreamlike sound was continuous and free. The drums started softly then a collision of echoed buzz mutated the beat into punk aggression that melted into a planned narrative of well-execute musical technique.

Special thanks to Fauxto-Booths which set up a great set in the performance space and took pictures of guests at the concert.

On Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 6:00 – 8:30 pm, the Contemporary will host the third of a series of Thursday night events. This one is titled DJ/FORTUNE: A Night at CAMSTL. Guests will experience Mmmelt, an audio/visual performer who blends electronic compositions into video clips. Mmmelt will be performing one composition specifically for the event and inspired by the current exhibition, For the blind man…, and Coffee, the video installation by Ayse Erkmen. Guests can also take a look into their future with fortune teller, Victoria Michaels and snack on chocolate covered strawberries, which will be served in inspiration of the piece, One Pound Strawberries by the conceptual artist, Hans-Peter Feldmann. Guests receive free admission, and there will be free beer and wine. Just another way to experience contemporary art!

Erinn, the museum’s Manager of Donor Relations and Special Events, let us in on some of her most played music. Her list is below. I have collected a few staff members top song picks now…I am  wondering if there are any links in a person’s favorite music and what their job is. 

Haunted – Poe
Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell
Christmas Day – Dido
Don’t Leave Home – Dido
I Will Not Forget You  - Sarah McLachlan
Old City Bar – Trans Siberian Orchestra
Song for a Winter’s Night – Sarah McLachlan
The Story – Brandi Carlile
Via Con Me – Paolo Conte

If you want to hear these songs, visit the museum’s MySpace page here. (Don’t forget to “friend” us”!)

Kiersten, our Visitor Services Coordinator and Gift Shop Manager, shares some of her top music choices with us. Visit the Contemporary’s MySpace page to give them a listen. You can also see museum pictures and read and leave comments for us here! These are her choices…

LCD Soundsystem  All My Friends

Raveonettes  Dead Sound

The National  Mistaken for Strangers

Spank Rock  Bump

The Unicorns  I Was Born (A Unicorn)

Arcade Fire  No Cars Go

Gossip  Are You That Somebody

Radiohead  Weird Fishes/Arpeggi

Santogold  LES Artistes

Les Savy Fav  What Would Wolves Do

Broken Social Scene  Backyards

Vampire Weekend  Campus

The Dodos  Red & Purple

The Ting Tings  That’s Not My Name

Panda Bear  Bros Edit

She and Him  Why Do You Let Me Stay Here

The last of our Summer 08 series, the Playground of the Ridiculous, is tomorrow evening. The night will offer a film screening of The Stan Laurel Collection, poetry readings hosted by Observable Books, “The Revival!” by BenchPress Burlesque, and music by Curb Service. There is so much going on during these nights…there is always something for everyone. A blog post on Vital Voice said it perfect: “Most people I know would jump at a chance to hear live music or see a visual art exhibit – but they get a bit reluctant when I mention poetry readings and contemporary dance. Luckily, the Contemporary Art Museum has created an event that allows people to enjoy what they already know they’ll like, while getting a taste of something that might be a bit new to them.”

Read more here. And read about BenchPress Burlesque here.

A while back I mentioned that at times the Contemporary offers some really unique events to the public. It is time for another one! Tomorrow night is the first of a three-part series titled the Playground of the Ridiculous. For three Friday evenings this summer people can come to the museum (free admission) for art, music, film poetry, and theater. This Friday night there will be a film screening of Metropolis, poetry readings, dance performances by Atrek Dance Collective, and music by STRIVE, a piano-driven rock-pop band mixing sounds of The Fray and Switchfoot. (I also heard rumors of Opera Singers in the bathroom). This series is perfect for a variety of people; those who want to experience art, as well as those who want to experience a unique night out in a different type of setting with new kinds of entertainment.

Mary, the Contemporary’s Director of Finance and Administration shares with us her favorite music. Visit our MySpace page to hear the music, see a list of upcoming events, and network with us and our friends.

“Amazingly enough, I really don’t listen to a lot of music and coming up with a list of favorites would actually take some in-depth thinking. I don’t even own an I-Pod and I listen to news talk radio. I haven’t played my stereo in ages and I don’t go to concerts or clubs with music. I am so boring. However I do like anything Bluegrass or Swing and I’m hooked on American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance! (Such a dork).

My favorite music is when my 5 year old granddaughter plays her two notes from “Pop goes the Weasel” or the “Mississippi Stop Stop” practice routine that she’s learned at her beginning Suzuki violin class. She also has the sweetest little heavenly voice – but you have to catch her off guard because she won’t perform on command.”

Tomorrow evening the Contemporary will host Yawn Happy Hour, an opportunity to “unwind after work with an evening of art, music, and drinks at the Contemporary.” Events like these are always great because they allow community members to do something different. They can get drinks, listen to avant-garde music (performed by Yawn), browse through the museum and be social in a different, fun, art setting. Here is an article about Yawn Happy Hour in the River Front Times. You can also take a look at Yawn’s website.

Newest Contemporary staff member, Shannon, fills us in on some of her favorite tunes. You can hear all of these songs on our MySpace page. 

“I have the strangest taste in music; I’m not really sure how I can simultaneously be a Barry Manilow and Smashing Pumpkins fan, but I am.  My iPod is filled with every kind of music: classical, jazz, grunge, pop, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, so there is always something to listen to, no matter what kind of mood I’m in.  This is by no means my “top 10 favorite songs,” but I wouldn’t mind being stuck somewhere for a while with only these tunes to listen to.”

1.  David Bowie – Life on Mars

2.  The Rolling Stones – Ruby Tuesday

3.  The Smashing Pumpkins – Mayonaise

4.  Bettie Serveert – Unsound

5.  Prince – When Doves Cry

6.  Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

7.  Cake – Never There

8.  Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure

9.  The Cure – Lovesong

10.  Weezer – The World Has Turned and Left Me Here