Saturday in Frederick (11/10/18) - Stephen Blickenstaff/Black Butterfly (Taurean Washington)/JB Dunn

You can find yourself at many cool events any Saturday in the Frederick area. Here is just a small glimpse into what I was able to catch yesterday through videos, pictures and words.

Stephen Blickenstaff Art Show - 13th Oddball Holiday Extravaganza: The show features many unusual and peculiar pieces of monsters, pin-up girls and other freakish displays. Blickenstaff’s annual set-up at 8829 Yellow Springs Road, Frederick, MD (Frederick County Professional Firefighters Local 3666) has reached the thirteen year mark. When asked how it felt to still be doing art shows (this one in particular) after so many years he said, “I do them for myself as much as anything else. It’s fun to get out my art and be around friends; It’s normally all put away around the house and I only get to see digital versions of it.” His art is truly striking in any format but seeing the originals, especially his detailed paintings and drawings, is astonishing. When asked what keeps him going, Blickenstaff replied, “It’s what you live to do (as an artist). I can’t not do it. If there’s a napkin at a restaurant, I’m drawing on it. I’m not worried about money or if people are going to buy it, that’s all secondary.” (Video walk through below and pics at end of article)

Black Butterfly Art Exhibition @ Delaplaine Arts Center - This is simply the kind of event I am thrilled about having in Frederick; A regional artist doing a pop-up art show based on Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly”? How freaking cool! The album was playing as you walked through the show and in the two times I visited throughout the day there were a diverse and sizable crowd in attendance. Taurean Washington is the artist responsible, a Frederick native who graduated from TJ High School, Frederick Community College, and Hood College. When asked what inspired him to do the project he said, "I have always been inspired by hip hop. Over time, my practice evolved to where I could create a series based on a whole album from a particular artist. Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" was the perfect album to start. This album had so many things that I could identify with. It took me about 4-5 months total to put together 16 paintings." As far as where you can find his art and his future projects, he stated, "You can find my work at www.taureanwashington.com and my Instagram @artybtaurean. Also, my next event will be on February 2nd at Slayton House Gallery in Columbia MD from 1-3:30pm. The next project in February will be based on the album Yeezus by Kanye West." (Video walk through below and pics at end of article)
JB Dunn @ New Market Plains Vineyard - First off, it’s amazing how many options there are in the area as far as wineries/craft breweries, and most feature live music. This one provides a great scenic hangout (as many others do). It’s down a long rocky road by adventure park and is quite serene. The music space/wine tasting room is in an outdoor pavilion covered by strong see through plastic with heaters that make winter weather tolerable. The only downside was the crazy wind yesterday which often shook the outside. JB Dunn played with the utmost passion to the three people who were there at the time. He played a wide range of covers as well as a handful of original tunes. His raspy vocals and precise guitar playing make for a perfect blend of folk and indie music. Luckily more patrons showed up before I left. (Video below and pics at end of article)

Banned in DC/Punk the Capital (Cynthia Connolly/James June Schneider) @ New Spire Arts - November 3, 2018

On Saturday night a decently packed room full of troublemakers (old and young) gathered for a retrospective look at DC Punk as Cynthia Connolly and James June Schneider hosted a Banned in DC/Punk the Capital event at New Spire Arts.

I cannot express how special it is to have something like this happen in Frederick. With New Spire Arts and the soon to be completed New Spire Stages, this could really be the beginning of some pretty cool happenings in the area. The last extraordinary occasion in which our city was graced by DC Punk was 5 years ago when Fugazi and Minor Threat’s Ian Mackaye and his wife Amy Farina (the Warmers, Ted Leo) played as The Evens for an impromptu show at the Bike Doctor. Who remembers that? (Probably not as many as you’d think, the show seemed to fly under most peoples’ radar.) HOW AWESOME. IN FREDERICK? YES! Anyway, back to the present...

Connolly shows a photo she took of the Weinberg marquee in Frederick
when Fugazi played there many moons ago.

The evening began with a heartfelt statement from Frederick's own Andy Stout (Miss Lonelyheart) on how the event was made possible and his own relations and experiences to the DC punk scene over the years, including opening for some of the bands mentioned later on. Afterwards, Schneider discussing details about the upcoming film Punk the Capital before screening some outtakes from the project. It first included a legendary radio benefit fundraiser which The Cramps, Urban Verbs and The Chumps played that really got a lot of younger minds to embrace punk in the nation’s capital. Next was a bit on the rebellious and uncontrollable SNL performance in which Fear took the stage and incited a riot-like scene and destroyed a lot of expensive equipment, and for this we have John Belushi to thank as he recruited the band for the show (Connolly and other DC punks were in the audience. She recalled a funny tidbit where a pumpkin was smashed on stage right before the camera was cut off). One of the last segments that was especially relevant to Frederick was the zine section that went through many independent DIY publications discussing music, art and politics which is what Subversive Zine (who sponsored the event) has been able to do for some time now. All in all, I’m looking forward to when the full film comes out in the Spring of 2019.

Andy Stout opens the night and thanks those who made it possible.
Photo by: Tom Berard

Next, Cynthia Connolly presented two different slideshows based on the book she helped create and publish: Banned in DC. Her first slideshow consisted of her recent art and how the DC punk scene really influenced her current work and the DIY ethos that can inspire many to get out and do something, a recurring message throughout the night.

The second slideshow comprised of many photos from concerts as well as vintage show flyers and other saved music relics. Connolly discussed her experience in putting together the book and the trials and tribulations that nearly stopped the book from coming out - many publishers refused to put the book out because of its punk contents and mild nudity.

The coolest part of the event had to be the attendance of many locals who were involved in the punk scene in the time period the book details. Slickee Boy Marshall Keith, Marginal Man’s Mike Manos and prominent Cramps Bad Music For Bad People cover artist Stephen Blickenstaff.

All in all, Connolly and Schneider expressed the desire for everyone in the audience to continue making music/art and to support the local scene. It only takes a few people to impact the lives of so many.