Sharyn Shoots

The Only Way Out Is Through
As a resident of the Twin Cities I feel lucky to have access to so many art galleries and other creative spaces. Just last week I attended a Red76 curated event and another evening caught one of the ARTERY TWENTYTEN performances, hosted by The Soap Factory. There is always something happening around town.

This week? The long-anticipated opening of Smell the Glove: a Spinal Tap Art Exhibit. I managed to get my submission in for this group show (albeit a little late). A friend paid me the compliment of calling it my Mapplethorpe. But you’ll just have to swing by the exhibit to see for yourself! One of my models asked me not to post the photo on the internet, and to keep his identity anonymous. But if you come to the PG-13 opening Saturday night, August 7th, you will have the chance to check it out.

This weekend contains other photographic adventures as well. I have an engagement photo shoot lined up for a lovely couple, which may include some of their household’s critters. And I will also be sharing a booth – selling prints and postcards and whatnot – at the Uptown Art Market which is going on at the same time and very near the annual Uptown Art Fair. Stop by and say hi if you can.

Land of the Freaks
Despite or because of problems swirling around me, music still remains my constant. I can lose myself in it and forget my troubles for a bit. Thankfully my Saturday night was jam packed with a musical cornucopia. After too many missed opportunities I finally bore witness to King Khan and The Shrines. More photos here. Earlier in the evening I caught Skoal Kodiak at Art-A-Whirl in what may have been their best set since the Simultaneous Fest a couple of summers ago. And later on I was treated to the unexpected awesomeness of Milwaukee’s The Chain. But I’ve unintentionally contributed to their mysteriousness (they have no MySpace page or recorded songs!) by failing to photograph them.
Update: There are some song snippets here. Thanks Adam!

Strike Another Match, Go Start Anew
Friday saw the end of an era. My friends’ band, Charles de Gaulle, played their final show (one of the members is moving out of state). It was a solid last stand, played with Falcon Crest and Meth & Goats. But CDG will be missed. More photos here.

The Rhythms of Repetition
Last night was like a bizarro world reunion at the Triple Rock. So many folks I hadn’t seen in years, all gathered together just like so many times before, but for the first time in about a decade. The reason? Local hardcore favorites, Disembodied, re-formed and played along with Coalesce – to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Extreme Noise Records. The anniversary shows continue through July.

Here Comes That Cold Sunrise
Spring is here, technically. And we’ve even experienced some Spring-like weather recently. But today has been a rainy Monday chock full of gloom and doom. To snap out of my funk I am going to look ahead, to the many music festivals and other adventures that are on their way. Particularly All Tomorrow’s Parties in New York.

Fun In A Muddy Field
Last Sunday I went on a little field trip with my friends’ band, The Chambermaids, to a place I hadn’t heard of before. The Franconia Sculpture Park just outside of the Twin Cities. I’m pretty pleased with the results.
Bonus: Some more photos, from their show at Eclipse Records last Friday night.

No One Should Call You A Dreamer
The soundtrack to my week has been a strange combo of Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, old gems from The Psychedelic Furs, and new music from The Oscillation. But I also got out to a show last night, to check out some live music and be among friends. The Chambermaids / Kid Dakota / Retribution Gospel Choir at the Triple Rock Social Club. Today I am a little sleep-deprived but totally content.

Dark Dark Dark
A favorite local band, currently on tour. These photos were taken during a very hot and sweaty in-store performance at Treehouse Records. Also? Check out the Swoon project they are somehow collaborating with. Interesting.