Each year, the Mattress Factory’s Urban Garden Party becomes the talk of the town as more than 1,000 attendees turn out to help support the museum’s mission with one heck of a fundraising party!

SUMMER IN THE CITY: THE 2010 URBAN GARDEN PARTY
Friday, June 18, 2010
7:00 PM (VIP Pre-Party at 6:00 PM)
The Mattress Factory is located at 500 Sampsonia Way in Pittsburgh’s North Side

Geekstar.com is part of the Urban Garden Party Street team. Please help me reach my ticket sale quota by ordering from the link posted below. Support the arts in Pittsburgh! Thanks so much!

TICKETS: BUY TICKETS HERE

http://urbangardenparty-geekstar.eventbrite.com

As the Mattress Factory’s primary annual fund raising event, the Garden Party is vital to the organization’s programming and has helped the museum push the artistic envelope for more than three decades.

London based DJ collective Eclectic Method will be headlining from 9 PM till 11 PM. You have to love these guys because they made a video collage of robots set to their music! I love robots!

Eclectic Method – Robots from Eclectic Method on Vimeo.

The night will also include DJ Omar Abdul, Artist Tim Kaulen & Sean Derry. There will be skateboards from Mr. Smalls Funhouse just like it’s 1988 all over again!

For one night only, many of Pittsburgh’s best restaurants and bars will come together to offer an amazing selection of delectable edibles and liberating libations. Their donations in support of the Mattress Factory are included in the cost of your ticket to the Urban Garden Party.

Food and beverages for the Urban Garden Party generously donated by:

TICKETS: BUY TICKETS HERE

http://urbangardenparty-geekstar.eventbrite.com

Where: Brillobox
When: Friday, July 24
Time: 9:30 PM
Price: $5
Who: Aaron Jentzen, U.S. Royalty, The Early Hours

DOWNLOAD A FREE SONG BY U.S. ROYALTY: EVERY SUMMER
(CTRL + Click on the Mac or Right Click to save on a PC)

U.S. Royalty: www.myspace.com/usroyalty & http://www.usroyaltymusic.com/

“With propulsive rhythms destined to move more feet than a parade for a queen, monarchial rule never sounded so good.” - Spin.com

U.S. Royalty was born in late 2007, birthed from the lifelong musical collaboration of brothers John and Paul Thornley. John (vocals and piano) and Paul (guitar) were raised in an extremely musical environment in a house filled with instruments, record collections, and often rocking all night at cross-generational jam sessions.

After playing together under various band names, the brothers connected with drummer Luke Adams while all three were sequestered in Indiana as students at Grace College. They championed everything from Oasis to David Bowie to Sam Cooke. The band also celebrated classic standards of the 1940s, the automatic touchstones of the 1970s, and the au courant vibrations of still viable acts like Sun Kil Moon and Rufus Wainwright. The trio banged around the heartland, polishing and experimenting, making the best of their less than conducive geographical location.

Eventually drifting back east to D.C., they plugged into the emerging scene bands, artists, fashion designers, and DJs contributing to the creative resurgence of D.C. nightlife. Through warehouse parties and happenings at small size venues such as DC9 and La Casa, they soon encountered D.C. indie rock journeyman bass player Jacob Michael. Jacob Michael joinged the band and U.S. Royalty became reality.

The winter months that followed were spent shivering around a single heater after ensconcing themselves in an abandoned trailer in rural Maryland. There the band crafted their initial set of songs, honing in on a sound assuredly contemporary but deeply steeped in resonant sounds of the twentieth century.

U.S. Royalty is currently playing a select number of shows along the east coast. U.S. Royalty is John Thornley (vocals, keys) Paul Thornley (guitar, vocals), Jacob Rabadi (bass), and Luke Adams (drums).

Last Saturday night, local fashion design company, People’s Cartel, sponsored Decade, an art and fashion event at the Double Wide Grill in Pittsburgh’s South Side. People’s Cartel designs and sells trendy T-shirts which come in a variety of neon colors (love it!).

The event was packed with concert goers and wannabe fashionistas. Decade featured local bands Life in Bed, Wizdom Band (reggae), and Landline. Geekstar was able to catch Landline and Life in Bed’s sets which sounded great. Pittsburgh has a fantastic local music scene and bands such as these are part of the reason.

The People’s Cartel fashion show consisted of American Apparel-esque models dancing on a lime green shag rug stage next to the band’s stage. The models threw People’s Cartel T-shirts out into the crowd and Geekstar happened to catch one. Click here to view the Decade event T-shirt.

I was able to capture a few photos during Life in Bed’s set and one little video. Enjoy!

YouTube Direktvideo link

all photos  © geekstar.com.

all photos © 2008 geekstar.com.

This past Sunday night, Liquid Sundays hosted their first ever fashion edition featuring fashion shows with clothing and accessories provided by Pavement and Sugar, boutiques located in Lawrenceville. The event was held at downtown Pittsburgh’s Olive or Twist, one of my favorite martini bars.

Fashion by Pavement and Sugar at Olive or Twist

Local models showcased clothing, accessories, and shoes from Pavement and Sugar. Pavement sells some of the most fashionable shoes that I have found in Pittsburgh. Typically, I order all of my shoes online but I will now be purchasing my shoes at Pavement when I want something artsy or a bit funky. The boutique also sells really cute urban style purses and super soft T-shirts with graphic design inspired silkscreens. Sugar sells eclectic clothing that’s perfect for the girl who wants to be comfortable yet unique at the same time. I appreciate the fact that Sugar sells clothing that features lesser known local and national designers. These boutiques remind of me small independent shops that I shopped at in Portland. They add to Lawrenceville’s burgeoning design district.

Flash the DJ provided music throughout the evening. Flash DJs at Brillbox and is half of the duo (with Huck Finn) that spins at Buzz Candy. Buzz Candy is a dance party held the first Thursday of every month at Brillobox in Bloomfield. Buzz Candy features indie and electronic music that is SO fun to dance to!

In addition to the fashion show and live DJ set, three local bands performed at the event including The Central Plains, The Lost Sea, and Thee Adora. I have seen all three bands previously at clubs throughout the city and they each put on a great show at Liquid Sundays.

The Central Plains is one of my favorite local bands. They have a folk indie sound and consistently sound great live. I can sum up their set by saying I wished they played longer. It was a smooth set and they members are very talented musicians.

The Central Plains

The Lost Sea played next. They delivered an energetic show with a clean sound. The Lost Sea was a crowd favorite and I enjoyed that they seemed to be having a lot of fun. I love when a band has great stage presence. It helps set the tone at any show or event.

The evening was rounded out by Thee Adora. Thee Adora is a fairly new local band featuring members from Soulharmonic and Zao. Thee Adora features a female singer, Stacy, who has one of the strongest vocals I have heard in a long time. Thee Adora plays indie rock with some songs having an 80′s influence. My favorite part of the Thee Adora set was watching bass player Dan Martin and guitarist Marty Lunn caught up – or should I say “lost” – in their music. It was quite entertaining watching them play; you could tell they were feeling it. The band sounded fantastic.

Thee Adora

Photography was also on display by local artists D. Holmes and Nicholas Coppola. Unfortunately, the event organizers did not list the names of all the photographers displaying their work on their literature so I am missing a few names in this post.

Podcamp Pittsburgh also covered the event via blogs, podcasts, and photograpy. Liquid Sundays partnered with the tech group to combine traditional media with new media. You can find links to their post by visiting LiquidSundays.com. Podcamp Pittsburgh is hosting a free conference next month on October 17-19. Geekstar has attended the past 3 years. The event focuses on all mediums of social medium and in the past featured guests from Rocketboom, Alive in Baghdad, and Tiki Bar TV. Guests of all levels are welcome from newbies to professional social media developers.

Liquid Sundays happens Sunday September 7, 2008.

View more information about the event by clicking here.

I am coordinating photographers and social media experts to cover this event. Liquid Sundays is a local event that occurs every other month and features local artists, bands, spoken word performers, and fashion designers. The goal is to bring recognition to Pittsburgh’s thriving art and music community and to inform residents about this fabulous ongoing event.

Interested in participating and being on the guest list?

Email    sarah at geekstar.com   with the following:

• Name
• Email address
• List if you are a photographer, blogger, podcaster, press writer or photographer etc. (Photographers are asked to upload their photos to Flickr.com with the tag liquidsundays and also liquid sundays)
• URL of blog, website, podcast if applicable
• If you would like to conduct interviews with the bands or organizers, please note in your email.

I will add your name to the guest list for Sunday night. Your guests will need to pay admission. The guest list is for press only. Thanks!

Additional press info follows including overview, press release, imagery:

• Doors open 6:30 PM Sunday Sept. 7 at Olive or Twist (Liquid is upstairs)
• Wi-fi will be availble for live blogging, uploads, etc.
• Photography and video are permitted
• For press requesting interviews, there will be special section of the bar TBD where you will be able to conduct interviews during set times at the event. Please note in your email to    sarah at geekstar.com   if you will be participating.
• Photographers: Please upload photos to Flickr.com and tag them with liquidsundays and also liquid sundays
• Social Media: Please tag posts with liquidsundays and liquid sundays

Event information, press release, photos, and URLs to help you with your post follows.

Drink specials: $1 off Yuengling drafts and $5 signature ‘Liquid’ martinis

Price: $5

Fashion show with fashion provided by these Lawrenceville boutiques:

• Sugar Boutique
• Pavement

Music by local bands:

• The Lost Sea (myspace.com/thelostsea)
• Central Plains (myspace.com/thecentralplains)
• Thee Adora (myspace.com/theeadora)

Including special guest: Flash the DJ

www.liquidsundays.com

Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=22550925749

Myspace: www.myspace.com/liquidsundays

Pittsburgh, PA On Sunday, September 7, 2008 Liquid Sunday will be hosting their first ever Fashion Edition at Olive or Twist downtown.Lawrenceville area boutiques, Sugar and Pavement, will be providing two runway shows alongside music from The Lost Sea, Central Plains, TheeAdora and Flash the DJ.A bi-monthly event, Liquid Sunday features Pittsburgh’s most talented bands and artists. Doors open at 6:30 with the showcase commencing at 7:00 p.m. Cost is $5 and you must be 21 or over

Liquid Sunday began in March of 2007 as a way to showcase local Pittsburgh musicians, bands, artistis, and spoken word performers. The event was developed by Ryan Phipps and Dan Martin of Soulharmonic. “We recognized that Pittsburgh has some extremely talented musicians and artists and we wanted to find a way to help promote the local scene,” says Phipps.

With a host of volunteers, the event has become extremely successful featuring local bands such as the Takeover UK, Life in Bed, Shade, Soulharmonic, Lohio, Donora, and many others. In addition, an incredible array of work from many local artists has been displayed. Much of the artwork is available for purchase.

For a complete listing of past participating bands and artists, please visit Liquid Sundays at myspace.com/liquidsundays.com. 

Liquid Sundays: Fashion Edition
Date: Sunday, Sept. 7 2008
Location: Olive or Twist (140 6th Street, Pittsburgh PA; Over 21 show)
Price: $5
Fashion by Lawrenceville Boutiques: Sugar and Pavement
Bands: The Lost Sea, The Central Plains, Thee Adora
DJ: Flash the DJ

The Central Plains:

The Lost Sea:

Liquid Sundays official flyer:

Liquid Sundays is just around the corner. Mark your calendars for this local event which supports local bands, artists, djs, and designers. Liquid Sundays are a lot of fun and a great place to make new friends while supporting the local creative scene.

Date: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Time: 7 PM-11 PM

Location: Oliver Twist (140 6th Street, Pittsburgh PA; Over 21 show) ($1 off Yuengling drafts and $5 signature ‘Liquid’ martinis

Price: $5

Fashion by:

• Sugar Boutique
• Pavement

Music by:

• The Lost Sea
• Central Plains
• Thee Adora

Including special guest: Flash the DJ

Lately, I have been getting many compliments on my new shorter hair-do. It’s a Katie Holmes inspired bob with an edge. I want to give Dritan a big shout out for not only being one of Pittsburgh’s most fab hair stylists but also for being a great friend! Dri is excellent at color, cuts, and staying ahead of fashion trends. You should call him now to schedule your next hair appointment. Dri often is a lead stylist at local fashion shows. His work also can be seen on the cover of Maniac Magazine.

Visit his website at: www.dritanazemi.com

This year the ladies held the first annual (I think) tacky Christmas Sweater making party.

It was an afternoon filled with tofu, wine, and chocolate.

(….and puff paint, glue guns, and glitter)

I went a little overboard with a a theme of pink fur faux hawk and holiday kittens with crazy eyes.

See more photos here…

Why is it snowing in this photo?

Fierce.

Just for fun I am including the Talladega Nights Dinner Prayer.

It was a part of my Christmas Eve with friends, Chinese take-out and Wii fun.