Photos From Ryan Humphrey’s Fast Forward

This past Friday, I DJed the opening reception for the BMX-themed Ryan Humphrey’s Fast Forward at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. In between punk songs, myself and Strawberry Jam were able to snap some photos. Below are some choice pics taken by the latter. The exhibit lasts until August 14th. More info can be found on the gallery’s official website. We highly recommend checking this out.

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Thanks!

The FTL Collective would like to thank everyone who helped make our 1 year anniversary party last Saturday so amazing. It’s kind of risky to recite a list of everyone we want to thank because we’re bound to forget someone, but we’re going to do it anyway.

Thanks to the people behind The Bubble for letting us throw our birthday bash at your space. That includes everyone from the door people to the bartenders to the people that helped set up and clean up. Thanks to Manifest Test Subject, Lavola, Ryan Alexander, Retrocities, Brady Newbill, The Goddamn Hustle, and Travalonia for the great performances. Thanks to all the artists who showcased their incredible work at our party: Ari Justin Rothenberg, Luzalma Gonzalez, Rachel DeJohn, Laura Atria, and South Florida Camera Club members Danny Hammontree, Tracy Mendy, Nancy Goldwin, Jayne Villamizar, Lauren Britz. Thanks to Frank for cooking up some delicious food on the grill. Thanks to Kimber Kirton (Penelope Lane Photography) for bringing her zany photo booth. Thanks to Green Room for donating some delicious bottles of vodka for the party. Thanks to every single person that attended the party. It really meant a lot to us to see everyone out there. And thanks to everyone who has taken the time to check out our website over the past year. We appreciate all of our readers, even the ones that couldn’t make it this past Saturday.

If you weren’t able to make it, here are some tunes from some of the bands that performed. Enjoy.

Manifest Test Subject – Castle Crashers
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/17093680″]

The Goddamn Hustle – Bodies
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/16067493″]

Ryan Alexander – Catacombs & Caves (acoustic)

Retrocities – City Nights and Written By Machinery (live @ Propaganda)

Travalonia – Camera Failure (live @ The Bubble)

 

 

Art And Music Collide For Gallery Saturdays At Green Room

every Saturday, local art, music, and local foodies showcase their talents at Green Room

With the emergence of FAT Village art walks, Digital Love Thursdays, The Bubble, various artist collectives, the opening of Laser Wolf, downtown music fests, and the food truck invasion, there’s no doubt that Fort Lauderdale’s local scene is on the rise. That doesn’t mean we should be complacent; there’s always room for more venues and events for artists, musicians, and local foodies to showcase their craft. Thanks to the incredible support of the people behind Revolution and the stronghold of regulars for Digital Love, the new-ish downtown venue Green Room will now become a destination for local art and music lovers through the weekend, not just Thursday nights. Starting this Saturday, May 28th, the Green Room will introduce Gallery Saturdays. Below is the official press release:

Green Room Gallery Night Grand Opening

Art and music collide this Memorial Day weekend at Fort Lauderdale’s hottest new lounge, Green Room, the newest addition to the Revolution-America’s Backyard complex. On May 28th, Green Room kicks off its newest night, Gallery Saturdays, which will take place every Saturday night. Each month Green Room will feature a variety of local artists in the lounge’s loft area, which has been transformed into a sleek, new gallery space. The grand opening will feature Fort Lauderdale’s most sought after artists- Sean Murdock, Laura Atria, Laura Marie Peterson, Solé Del Real, Gina Bentivegna, and John Bernasconi. Eye and ear candy abound at the lounge’s grand opening! In addition to art displayed in the gallery, the grand opening event will include a live and gallery art exhibition by Gina Bentivegna, video installations by Ana Perez, delicious treats from CloudNine Cupcakes, and a fashion show by famed Fort Lauderdale designer, McLaine O. as well as a sultry burlesque show by The Reckless Dames. Local band, Pretty Please will be performing live and later, DJs Andie Sweetswirl and MIG will provide the soundtrack for the night.

Drink specials include $2 PBR, $5 shots of Jack Daniels and a special on craft beers.

Admission: Free

If you couldn’t tell already, I’m very excited about everything that’s happening at Green Room. This blog was formed to promote all kinds of local art, music, and businesses — now with Gallery Saturdays, we’ll get all that every weekend. Come out this Saturday and check out the event for yourself. With this many creative types merging in one space, it’s sure to be a great time. RSVP to mig@ftlcollective.com for FREE CHAMPAGNE from 9-11. Hope to see you out there.

For full disclosure, I (Mig) help put together nights for Green Room. Regardless, I promise you that my excitement is very genuine and not just to get heads in the door. It’s indisputable that this weekly event/venue will be a great addition to the arts scene in Ft Lauderdale.

I Don’t Wanna Be Your Lover For The Weekend

Well, we got spoiled last weekend, so we’re due for a slight letdown the following week. This Thursday kicks ass, but Friday and especially Saturday aren’t overly packed with activity. Luckily, we managed to scrounge together a couple of note-worthy events for your weekend. Here’s where you might find us this weekend:

Thursday

Twilight Notes & Freedom Art have put together a great lineup of exhibiting photographers for this month’s Dialect at Brew Himmarshee. You know the drill by now — lots of art, a handful of chill DJs, craft beer specials, and a large gathering of some of South Florida’s most creative types. All the specific details can be found on the Facebook event page. Make sure to check out yesterday’s interview with the mega talented Danny Hammontree, one of Thursday’s exhibiting photographers. Party is from 8:30 to 12:30 at downtown Brew, 209 SW 2nd Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The limited edition silk-screen poster by Jose E Lopez of Freedom Art. Available for purchase at Thursday's Dialect at Brew Himmarshee..

Depressed Buttons perform at Green Room on Thursday May 12

Just a block away from Dialect, Digital Love hosts Depressed Buttons, the side project of 3 members of popular group the Faint. Signed to Diplo’s record label Mad Decent, these guys are sure to please the crowd with their electro laden remixes and originals. There’s a cover of $14, but readers of the FTL Collective can get in for free. RSVP to mig@ftlcollective.com to get on the guestlist for FREE entry into tonights soiree.

Friday

An Evening Of Experimental Music at the Arts And Culture Center Of Hollywood sounds really interesting. There is a slew of participating artists (the list can be found here) and unconventional music by fsik huvnx, Pocket of Lollipops, Richard Vergez, and Susan Telemetry. The event starts and ends early (6pm-9pm), so it’s a good idea to start your Friday night here. Admission is free for members, $10 for non-members. It’s located at 1650 Harrison St., Hollywood, FL.

It’s a hardcore music throwdown at Rocketown. The 2 day event is called Bringing It Back For The Kids at Rocketown and features some heavy hitters such as Terror, Casey Jones, Evergreen Terrace, Stick To Your Guns, and Shai Hulud.  Only want to go one day? Here are the set times for all the bands. Bands start at 6pm. Single day tickets are $20. Rocketown is located at 371 S Federal Hwy, Pompano Beach, FL.

Saturday

Wait…free entry, free massages, free cupcakes, free drinks, free live music, and free-to-view art. That’s exactly what’s happening at the closing of the month-long Earth Day Fest at 1310 Gallerey in the Sail Boat Bend Artists Loft (1310 SW 2nd Ct, Ft Lauderdale, FL) from 7pm – 11pm.

Everymen is performing at the Poor House. This band puts on a great show. The lead singer’s fire breaths, ’nuff said.

The Strikers versus Tampa Bay game at Lockhart Stadium should also be fun. We’ve been having a blast at the soccer games. Kick off at 7:30.

Next door, the minor leaguers from the Palm Beach Cardinals and Tampa Yankees face off for an epic Florida State League battle. First pitch at 6:30.

Sunday

I got nothing. Lay off me!

In addition to this weekend preview, make sure to also check out South Florida Music Obsessed for Lauren’s weekly listing of music events in all of South Florida. Despite covering a lot outside of our metro area, she does a great job with her local only Around Town posts.

Interview With Danny Hammontree, Artist At This Thursday’s Dialect

By Strawberry Jam

Thursday, Twilight Notes and Freedom Art are teaming up for this month’s Dialect to bring you another exceptional night of art and music. This time they’ll be featuring nine photographers from the South Florida area and DJs Kent Lawlor, Mikey Ramirez, and Adam Foster. Come and lounge in the intimate comfort of Brew, soak up some good tunes, and perhaps buy some art to take home with you. We’re super-excited for this one and below have an interview with one of the artists, Danny Hammontree.

Photo by Danny Hammontree

This will be your second time participating in Dialect but you’ve been around for a while. How and when did you get started in photography?

I have always had an interest in photography but didn’t get into it seriously until 2003 when I bought my first serious camera. In the beginning I started shooting everything but most of all my children. At one point I thought I wanted to to do glamour/fashion photography but quickly developed a distaste for it. In 2005 I also developed a huge distaste for George W. Bush and the decision to go into Iraq. I heard about an anti-war rally in Miami and went down to photograph it. My intentions in photographing were because I was against the war but also because I felt it was a great way to photograph people without having to ask them first if I could. When I got home I quickly posted my photos to art and photography communities I was a part of online namely deviantART and Flickr and got great responses from them. This feedback fueled my interest and I began hunting down opportunities to photograph social and political events I was most interested in and most importantly believed in. I feel the meshing of passions made my photography better and inspired me more.

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Happy Birthday, Bubble!

By Strawberry Jam

If you weren’t able to make it to The Bubble’s 2nd Birthday bash this past Saturday, you’re in luck because we’re about to get you caught up.  Below is a short vid from the night, which went down with almost a dozen bands, plenty of art, things to buy, delicious tofu tacos by Munchie One, and of course Birthday cake.  Please pardon our home movie skills, or lack thereof, as we were having much fun.  Thank you to The Bubble, the artists and musicians, and all the locals for coming out and making it an awesome night.

Make sure you add The Bubble on Facebook for info on future events.