{image1} Every week it seems I find a new reason why this city is great. Random reason No. 138: Red Light's Asian Massive. Self-taught sitar player Brian Kasprak teams up with the tabla talents of Neil Qusba for an evening of Indian improv infused with the contemporary dance beats of DJ J-Money. They sit barefoot on a mattress, offering their audience the best in bollywood and bhangra, and all you have to do is sip your mango martini and listen.
It's the most pleasantly relaxing night off the couch you'll find anywhere and it happens the first Wednesday of every month (so that still gives you a few weeks to figure out what "bollywood" is). Even if Indian dance pop isn't your thing, the probability of gaining a smidgen of culture while you're there is pretty high. At the very least, if you ask nicely, I bet the guys would let you hit their hookah. (I said hookah, not bong.) The next one is scheduled for Dec. 1 at 10 p.m.
I hope you all made it out to the Art vs. Craft fair at Turner Hall on Friday or Saturday. It was a fantastic display of the variety of artistic talent that this city has to offer. Yes, there were vendors from all over the country, but many of the highlights were homegrown. If you didn't make it but wanted to, there's a chance for you to catch up on some of the crafty-cool things you missed. Cortney Heimerl and Vanessa Andrew (aka Madamchino) of the local design company, Fasten, will exhibit their wares Nov. 20 at the Living Room gallery's "Fashion for Goodness Sake" fashion show. The show will feature 13 local independent designers, including Fashion Ninja's Areka Ikler. Visit noemadesign.com for more information about this show and the designers.
{image2}While we're exploring the realms of local art, Milwaukee's own Correa brothers, Julian and Adam, are getting some well-deserved attention for their work. Last weekend they participated in the Hide House artists' open studio tour, "Hide and Seek," which featured their latest project, a wall-sized graffiti-style mural collaboration with artist Jason Walz. Coming together, these artists intermingle their personal layers of skill and aptitude with skewed and thoughtful text, villainous squirrels, and the lucid dream possibilities of a Krylon landscape.
The brothers have started their own business called Sign Here, which offers services in fresh and innovative sign making, murals, sculptures and illustrations. To see more of Julian's work, visit jcwashere.com. Adam will be the featured artist this Saturday at UPROC's gallery night, which includes DJ Dapo on the turntables and free refreshments. They're only charging a dollar at the door, so go check it out.
Before I go, seeing as I am a woman of my word, I'd like to mention the grand opening party for Niche. As I mentioned a few weeks back, this East Side vintage clothing and fresh vinyl shop would like to formally introduce itself to you over a few cocktails and live music. So, Friday, Nov. 19, owners Justin Grall and Brandi Kupsky cordially invite you to their party at the Hi-Hat. Doors open at 9 p.m., and there's no cover.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
