February Updates
Hello! This is Jackie, co-founder of Blank Slate. It's been a minute since I've written a blog post. Today I feel that it's appropriate because the only things I feel motivated to do are talk about Blank Slate and play with my pets. (I successfully played with Ruffles and Snowflake for an hour this morning)
TL;DR Blank Slate is a punk venue. Last night was fun. We have many upcoming events in February. The art gallery looks great. Our bills are scary.
"What is Blank Slate?" you may ask. It's a DIY venue in Elyria, Ohio. We host live music shows, an art gallery, community get togethers, among other things. The whole idea is to provide a location for artistic expression and community. We are volunteer run and are always seeking out more people to get involved with us. We really want to see you book events in our venue.
You may now be wondering, "What has Blank Slate been up to?" Well, lots of sh*t!
Music Shows
For one, our hip hop game is only getting better and better. For months Eddy (co-founder and guy who books like all the music shows) booked a lot of hardcore, indie, and punk shows. But now I'm seeing a lot more hip hop shows booked mostly by Orcko Occult. And by "a lot more" I mean that there was one last Saturday, there is one this Tuesday 2/7 and Saturday 2/18.
Also upcoming is Anderson's PAL-entines day Lonely Hearts Open Mic on Tuesday 2/14 (ps Anderson is an art gallery juror & very important volunteer). I think there are plenty of open spots, if you're interested.
Shaun (a founding board member) has Meet Me in Montauk on Monday 2/13. Eddy has an indie punk show on Friday 2/17 with Tiny Engines backed Signals Midwest.
Art Gallery
The art gallery team has been killing it. I'm so proud of Shelby, Michelle, and Anderson. I'm the administrator for the gallery, which means that I do a lot with coordinating artists and assisting the team. Shelby is in charge of the group. Together they select the pieces, install and take down the art, plan the monthly art receptions, and are there for weekly gallery hours. Yeah it's a lot of volunteer hours. Too bad we aren't applying to college anymore. This would look great on a scholarship application.
Last night we had our February Art Reception with live music performed by Matt Deulley (of A Work of Fiction). The gallery is currently featuring the work of artists Dan Manion (Athens) and Blair Griffith (Cleveland). Both of their work have similar themes of abstraction. But it's pretty sweet because they approach the idea in very different ways. Their work will be up all of this month. You can view it Sundays from noon to 3pm and also at any of our events. Next month we have artists Timothy Gaewsky (Cleveland) and Rhiannon Massaro (Wooster). Their work uses lots of color and are similarly trippy.
Film Screenings
Last night following the February reception we had a screening and discussion of Japanese thriller Woman in the Dunes hosted by Stephen (one of our artists back in November '16). It was super creepy and thought provoking. Now I'm wondering, "Would I be more trapped in my current life or enslaved/ enslaved with a lady in the dunes?" That doesn't make any sense to you? You just have to see the movie. Next film screening is coming up in a month or so.
Girl Gang
Michelle, Courtney (January '17 artist & very important volunteer) and I started the Girl Gang Meet Up a few months ago. Our goal is simply to help girls make friends with girls. And by girl, I mean any person who includes girl as a part of their identity. For example, if you are a non binary or trans person who is interested in being part of a girl gang, then I totally want you to come. I want moms to attend, too. At each meetup we have bitch support group and an arts and crafts project. The next event is Wednesday 2/15. I think we are making water marbled coffee mugs.
Finances
It's been a challenge to pay our bills for the last several months. Attendance at shows hasn't been great and that's how we make all of our money. Yeah we sell art and zines sometimes, but it's all about the money we make from admission at shows. I know, it's cold out and netflix exists. But I personally want to encourage you to come to shows! I'm working on being more fun, too, so maybe you will see me and we will become best friends 4 eva.
Alright, that's a lot of information. If you made it this far, congratulations and thank you! If this post got you thinking about how you can get involved, be on the look out for the March public meeting. The public meetings are a great way for new people to get to know us and for everyone to share ideas.I'll make a facebook event for it soon.
That’s Snowflake my pet rabbit ^^^
