NPR at ATA - April 15
Kalia carries her sign for the tax day protest by Preserving America’s Cultural Heritage
The day began at noon. Preserving America’s Cultural Heritage had a rally (MP3) in the space at ATA. We had the privilege of getting some insight into Jeffrey Vallance’s plan of using the “Preserving America’s Cultural Heritage” project to levy a 1% tax on all art sales that would then be used to fund living artists by interviewing the artist himself (MP3) . We also recorded a performance by the Alps (MP3) who played 3 acoustic guitars while the assembled crowd prepared their signs and practiced their chants.
Will Hammond with students Demario Martinez and Nick Casada
After the Preserving America’s Cultural Heritage rally dissipated, Will Hammond, a teacher at the Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology (BAYCAT), showed up with students Demario Martinez and Nick Casada to present their piece “KBAY-Hot Topic:Civil rights and Social Justice in the 21st Century” (MP3). After they presented their very professionally produced piece on CD Michael took some time to talk to them about the work that BAYCAT does.
After BAYCAT, NPR stalwart and producer Ben Furstenberg presented an appreciation of the brilliant work of James Coyle and Mal Sharpe (aka Coyle and Sharpe)(MP3) for his show “Idiomatic Scrimshaw”. It is worth noting that Mal Sharpe will be appearing at Edinburgh Castle on April 22nd as part of the “Hoaxes” show sponsored by Litquake.
Zefrey Throwell speaks with Noah and Fred from Warehouse 1310
Next up, Zefrey Throwell, a new friend to NPR and old friend of our friends Red 76 (who we interviewed last week) produced the first of what we hope will be many editions of “Fucking Midget”. In this episode Zefrey interviews Noah and Fred of Warehouse 1310(MP3).
Sarah Lockhart, Treasurer for Death and Taxes discusses the practicality of the 1% tax proposal of Preserving America’s Cultural Heritage
Longtome friend and collaborator Sarah Lockhart came in to wear her tax preparers hat on tax day. Sarah and I discussed the problematic aspects of Jeffrey Vallences 1% tax on art sales project. Who knew that Sam Durant’s monument to Huey Newton could also serve as a means to evade taxation?(MP3).
While taxday is a very important milestone for most Americans, by focusing on it we sometimes lose site of the important things. For instance, April 15th is, in addition to being the official deadline for submitting your taxes to the IRS, also a mere 4 days before the birthday of Chris Sollars. Chris runs a small gallery in the neighborhood call 667 Shotwell, he also lives there. Since he’s a neighbor and was ready to speak about the significance of his birthday, Chris and Michael sat and discussed the historical importance of April 19th.
(MP3).
what else is there to say: Dee Dee Russel !!!
As the day moves along and 5:00 hits we all start to drag a bit, even with all the fine programming that the neighbor’s of ATA have provided. That is why we asked the inimitable, enthusiastic, and energetic midwestern powerhouse Dee Dee Russell to come and wake up the neighborhood from 5:00-5:30. On April 22nd she won’t be appearing until 7pm. However will we make it through to hear Open Source Sex without the Caffienne jolt that is Dee Dee Russell (MP3).
Violet Blue and NPR favorite Michael Soldier on Open Source Sex
Now that Dee Dee has us wide awake…. perhaps a little dazed and confused… Violet Blue can insert the two for the 5 o’clock to 6 o’clock one-two punch (OMG are we using marketing slogans already?). Violet never disappoints with Open Source Sex (MP3) this week she brings Michael Soldier for his second NPR appearance. Michael and Violet are always a hoot, and the post show discussions are at least as good as the shows themselves. I don’t remember if Michael spoke of DVD extras in the interview, but if he didn’t… I know he and Violet were discussing starting their own seperate show soon. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed.
DJ Milton Parker gave us another hour of music this week. Last week was (IMHO) all about the guitar solo. This week was a little more ambient, but I was particularly impressed by this set because it introduced me for the first time to Wing.(MP3)
Keep checking back for updates. Next week we team up with Craig Baldwin and Other Cinema to cover the Hackers and Hoaxsters show.