Local Music Feature: BC Campbell

Photograph by Jamison A. Johnson, Oct.8th, 2011 at The High Dive

If you are looking for a great new local band to check out, check out BC Campbell!!  I was memorized as I came into the room to catch the show Oct. 8th for Big High at The High Dive during the BC Campbell set.  My friend offered me a cozy well worn seat near stage where I just sat in awe listening to one of the best local groups I have discovered in a long time.  Their style mixed folk, alternative, and an ambient rock style that makes the listener ponder life.  People who enjoy the likes of Pink Floyd, Mazzy Star, Radiohead, and Cold Play will instantly connect with this artist.  The music is earnest and is the kind of music you listen to on a long road trip or sitting on the porch deep in self reflection.  

The songs connect with the human experience of heart ache, pain, and daily life in sing along ballads that soften even those with a rough exterior.  The song "The Little Things" off their new Sept 2011 INS Sessions EP reminds us to not let the little things get you down and to remain optimistic.

It is interesting that this particular self released EP records their music acoustically in the old INS Jail in the International District.  Rather than paraphrase BC Campbell's story, I will take an exert from their site http://bccampbell.bandcamp.com/:

"It was built in 1930 (think Shawshank Redemption). One night, years ago, when I was rehearsing at the old Hush Studios next door, I saw a riot there with burning mattresses being thrown from the top floor windows. We set up in one of the holding cells; there was graffiti written in tar on the walls, some of the windows were missing and you could hear the trains going by below. We wanted to transform the space"

 With an upcoming show at the famous local venue The Tractor Tavern in Ballard on Dec.13th, 2011, you can the opportunity to have your heart strings strummed too like we did.  

Video featuring a song from the God Help You EP

Also more about the band and connect with them on their Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter Sites:

http://www.myspace.com/bccampbell/music

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BC-Campbell/54146153440?sk=wall

https://twitter.com/#!/bccampbellmusic

Aaron Daniel, Vicci Martinez, and Emily Valentine @ The Showbox Market

Check out the latest Photograph sets!!

Brand new photography blogs!!

Check out my new Photography Blogs!!

• SnoBro: For all the things I see in Snohomish County

• See Seattle: See the magic of the Emerald City you don't always catch.

Wallingford Art Walk: A Thriving Community Center for Seattle Art and Music

Photograph Courtesy of Melissa Medler

An Article By Jamison A. Johnson

Event: Wallingford Art Walk First Wed, March 2, 2011, 6-9pm (And Every First Wed Each Month)

Just an arm’s length out of the shadows across glistening Lake Union is a thriving community who actively partners in supporting a vibrant diverse culture in Seattle suburban landscape.  Wallingford, Fremont, and the Greenlake area is well known for its celebration of culture, art, and music through its many colorful festivals and parades throughout the year such as the Solstice Parade, Oktoberfest, 4^th of July Fireworks Displays at Greenlake, and organized Santa and Zombie walks which have even obtained international attention.  This cultural mecca has also created The Wallingford Art Walk every first Wednesday.  Wallingford has a reputation now being a regular history for featuring quality live entertainment at its nearby pubs featuring local and world class artists.  Many of these events are free to the public and coveted by locals who live within walking distance.  On the other side of the I-5 over pass, many college students mingle with a diverse demographic here to grab some dinner, a movie, catch some live music at their favorite watering hole, and now see the latest established and upcoming artists each month.  This March 2, 2011 is special in particular because it features your favorite Gum Wall reporter displaying his photography at La Boulangerie Bakery off 45^th and a special acoustic music performance at the Wallingford Center at 6-7pm on opening night. 

Although this feature seems to lean towards a shameless promotion of my own work, I have always wanted to share this event which I have been attending now for a few months with those in our community and visiting.  It is news worthy because it suggests that this zip code is producing a noticeable art and music landscape for the area that is now influencing the world.  It is a special Bohemia in bloom and should be watched for future artists, events, and cultural movements here locally and around the world.  Although art has a rich history for centuries in Europe, we can see cosmopolitan Seattle’s contribution to world art here in our own backyard in the making and spreading through international students at UW, travelers, collectors, and migrating artists themselves.  What I am witnessing and fortunate in participating in has much wider scope than my own.  I have often witnessed many photographers, writers, audio archivists, and reporters highlight musicians, dancers, theater, events, and artists in this zip code alone.

The only way to experience history in the making is to adorn oneself in the tastes, sounds, and color sensations present all around us.  I sincerely hope you too can experience the rich and profound with each step, restaurant, trip to local shops, or bar stool.  The experience of this warm and welcoming community transcends art for art’s sake because it is the home to many where they meet their best friends, love ones, co-workers, and new friends.  Wallingford is one of the warmest and most welcoming places in Seattle for visitors and its neighbors.  Come be a part of the community and share the sights, sounds, adventures, and flavors this unique neighborhood has to offer.  And, if you need some art in your life, there are plenty of good pieces to take home with you. Musical Performances in the art walk include myself at Wallingford Center, MDK and Roll One at Seamonster, Sandy Dickerson at Grizzled Wizard, and Charley Ackley at May.

(The Following was taken and quoted from the Wallingford Art Walk Page)

Artists:

Oasis Art Gallery - This month is the same 'Connectivity' exhibition - featuring Tina Koyama, Paul Lewing, Aziz Mohammed, Cara Kennedy, and Lisa Chancellor. We are also promoting our new Art Rental program! It's a great way for people to try out a piece of art before they buy and ideal inventory for stagers and interior designers, local Wallingford businesses, etc.

Blue Star Restaurant - Reino Carlson, one of our own, and his unique painting.

Fuel - Lou Samson

Windows Art Gallery - Alison Farmer & Ron Paul Baum

Minimalism, mind, mysticism

“what the eye of 3 can see

beyond the point and line

a world we can only create”

"My paintings invoke my journey of personal growth, both physically and spiritually. With each new work comes a further understanding of myself, the world and my relationship to it. Art is my passion, my fuel, my medicine, my voice, my perspective.” Ali "Creative minimalism is being in contact with a minimalist, metaphorical, observational moment in the physical present. An active, meditative point of creation. A very wide focus that condenses history and culture to my point in time in the art." Rob

Irwin’s Bakery and Café - Our artist for March will be Gregg Keplinger, drummer and drum maker. One of our regulars and definitely one of our favorites!! He also has a website and the link is: http://greggkeplinger.com/

Caffe Appassionato – Showcasing Seattle Mosaic’s Art mosaics. 

Seattle Mosaic Arts - Showing a specific type of mosaic that came out of a class that we held here in November with a local mosaic artist, Crystal Thomas. For March the mosaics here will be mosaicked glass flowers on top of very traditionally mosaicked porcelain background. Very beautiful. We'll likely have a few of Crystal's pieces as well.

Oom Yung Doe

Starhead Boy

Fainting Goat

Dana Kae Jonas

Grizzled Wizard

Siolo Thompson

Boulangernie

Jamison Johnson, Photography

Selena’s

Carol Hiltner

Wallingford Center

Ryan Henry Ward

Wally Pets

Matt Mitchell

Julia’s Restaurant

Xavier Lopez Jr.

SeaMonster

Sacha Blue

Changes

Matt Ballard

Bargain Fair Thrift Store

Melissa Medler, Photography

Fuerte Fitness

Kabul 

Andrew Young, Photography

***FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE WALLINGFORD ART WALK OR TO GET A MAP VISIT:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wallingford-Art-Walk/103267829710508

http://www.wallingfordartwalk.org

http://wallingfordartwalk.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ArtWalk_Map.pdf

Jimi Hendrix 68th Annual Birthday Bash at The Triple Door in Seattle and The Jet Bar in Mill Creek

by Jamison A. Johnson

Artists Featured:

Ari Joshua - Guitar/Vocals
Jabrille - Guitar/Vocals
Brandon Storms - Bass
Mike Stone - Drums
Steve Barci - Drums
Ty Bailie – Organ

And many Special Guests!


 

Multi-colored embers drift in the steady ice wind to this day from the flames of the eternal sonic torch immortalized as The Jimi Hendrix Experience that all started 11/27/42. The tube murmurs, Wah Wah echoes, and resonating fuzz still stings the ears and roots deep in the heart of generations as the beloved god father of blues, soul, rock, and funk music we know today. Jimi Hendrix didn't just compose sugar tablet music for the masses to get their quick fix music in a drive through. He started a style of playing, a thought process, and inspired many guitarists and musicians long after his death. For those in Seattle, he is musical family and a bedrock musical founder in our own community. He is a son and local hero that one day tragically never returned home who we appreciate and miss to this day.

This Thanksgiving week we have the opportunity to commemorate together the inspiration of his birth into this world featuring live performances of his music. This event all started when a local musician Ari Joshua wanted to create an event in memoriam to the hero that gave him his first love of music and the electric guitar. He could still hear Voodoo Chile in his Dad's Volvo learning about the Wah Wah pedal and vowing if he was to accomplish anything in life it would be to play electric guitar with a Wah Wah. Hendrix changed Ari's world as he opted to go to the Hendrix grave site and strum a few chords in lieu of going to a football game and just play in his room as soon as he was home from school. His room was decorated in choice vinyl album covers like Axis Bold as Love. In college he took this love and organized mini Hendrix musical memorials and every Thanksgiving he has given thanks to Jimi Hendrix as his musical muse and mentor in spirit. Music gave Ari the fuel in local successes such as Swampdweller, Arisawkadoria, and Big High as well as a job he loves as the owner of The Music Factory where he pours his love of music into others. He intends to work with key members in the music community to continue to have these Hendrix events and develop a healthy music community through the start of a project called Critical Mass. The first mission of Critical Mass was to expand the Jimi Hendrix Birthday Memorial to include Portland (Goodfoot Pub and Lounge, 11/20/10) and Bothell (The Jet, 11/27/10) in addition to the Seattle show (Triple Door, 11/28/10). Future dates may include locations in Bellingham, Olympia, and out of state locations. Past guests have included The Leon Hendrix Mysterience, Sammy Drain, Joe Doria, Jabrille, Shawn Smith, Brandon Storms, Barrett Martin, to name a few. Ari's primary motivation is to simply share his joy and inspiration with others.

The question is: "Have you ever been experienced?"

The way I see it, Jimi Hendrix changed our lives and was there for us even after his passing as we played Wind Cries Mary sailing down the highway after a long hot day in the summer. He held us on our journey through thrashing winds storms of careers and chaos in relationships. When all seemed lost, he paved the way towards the wah, fuzz, distortion, dissonance, harmonies, melodies, methods of playing guitar, and of course the beloved Fender Stratocaster itself. I owned my first Fender guitar because Jimi Hendrix inspired me to it. I love feeling the weight of the wood, the cold of the steel strings, and hardware, and the snap of the plug before I jam along with Hey Joe when Jimi breaks out in his guitar solo. His tone intensity and very sounds create momentum, energy, and an instant response that you have to viscerally answer the call. I keep immediately reaching for my guitar and microphone and drift away with each dissipating melody as it becomes part of the air I breathe. I went to his grave prior to the monument a few years back and etched on parchment paper in neon crayons his grave stone and played my Stratocaster and left my pick in memoriam. I can still hear him tugging at my ear as it hugs the ground. I still have the memento, listen to his magic, and I peer into his photographs and allow him to voice inspiration to let go and allow synergy to happen in my musical moments. 

So to answer my initial question to you, "Have you ever been experienced," is "Well, I have." Now answer yourself and see you at the party, as just like last year's this is not to be missed. The Portland show has come and gone, but you can still get tickets and attend the Mill Creek and Seattle Dates!

Links for more information about event and Jimi Hendrix references and quotes that inspired this article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimi_Hendrix

http://www.jimihendrix.com

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147488731964382

http://thetripledoor.net

http://facebook.com/TheJetBar

http://www.facebook.com/goodfootlounge?v=wall

 

 

Love Will Carry Us All by Jamison A. Johnson

This song was inspired by 9/11. Its dedicated to those we lost and those that remain on...Love Will Carry Us All by Jamison A. Johnson

‘When push comes to love’…

An event preview article by Jamison A. Johnson. **Special Note: All images and quotes in article are taken from the organizers site and for use of event promotion only and subject to use and copywrite laws/regulations.

 

Archaic Bliss benefit party

@Club Motor this Thursday, June 24th

1950 S. 1st Ave Seattle 98134

Phone - 206-623-3230

doors at 630 event at 7pm

http://www.whenpushcomestolove.org/

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/114091

 

Imagine, if you will, a family member decides to violent slam you into a steel pole at top velocity tumultuously and unexpectedly without forewarning. You lie in shock and in pain as your body dropped full force to cold stone concrete not aware of the severity of your injuries and trying to recover your senses, pushing past the pain, and trying to process the assault that just occurred. When sharing this with your family they dishearteningly side with the attacker and leave you for dead.You find yourself passing out while driving, agonizing pain with each breath, and feeling paralyzed to actually make it up a few steps of stairs as your neck injuries makes the simplest movements seem anguish. Attending practitioners are sugar coating everything with an alarmed look on their faces as they try to minimize the shocking horror they feel just staring at your frail body.

Envision now with a major concussion trying to heal without the support of your family and your boss taking advantage of your weakened state and betraying you by stealing your hard earned commissions of $20K which could pay your medical bills. You go home to find you are locked out of your home with your things taken from you. You keep trying to work, going to multiple treatments, spend hours trying to deal with the situation legally, emotionally drained from the trauma and stress of just living and healing, physically disabled for life, and in pain constantly when you were once passionately vital, had a great job, and were financially and personally in a great position with your whole life ahead of you. How would you feel? What would you do? Would your world collapse and fade??

From the ashes rose a young woman whose countenance glimmers easily more brilliant than any celestial spotlight in the cosmos, whose smile could quell a stampede of raging vicious Kodiaks, and her vigor could rival determination of a an ocean of salmon splendor triumphantly battling to return to spawn.

Here is a quote and a small window into the back drop that fuels inspiration to this amazing event from their site @ http://www.whenpushcomestolove.org/ :

 

"Our friend, a Seattleite, fellow Ballardian, and fallen Angel, was nearly killed in an assault almost 5 ½ years ago. The injury left her with blurred vision, severe hyper kypho deformative scoliosis, stenosis, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, arthritis, morphed sitting position for her head, neck, spine, and hips, not to mention a plethora of specific ailments too long to list. The doctors, numerous specialists, and physical therapists say she will not fully heal and will need to find a way to live with the pain … she was 25 at the time of the accident and is now 31 years of age. Prior to the accident she participated in most sports, enjoyed Traveling and well, working.

As this was a family member that attacked her, she was unable in her dedicated search to find a lawyer who was willing to take on such a 'sticky' case. Left for dead by the person who did this and the rest of her family, she is undoubtedly a survivor, a warrior priestess, fallen angel. She had been in the Oregon and Washington Wine Business prior, and shortly after the accident, her boss ran off with about $20K in commissions and expenses.

She has made great strides in dealing with her chronic pain, although is very much still in survival mode. She has been left over $30K in debt resulting from seemingly unending medical bills, supplements, additional fees, acupuncture, x-rays, charged rent, and a whole lot of lost work. She has received eviction notices although continues to charge her rent, as healing would be quite a bit more difficult without a space. She had hoped to find a lawyer for both cases, although this has proved difficult. It is necessary that she see specialists, although much of this is not covered under DSHS (state disability funds). Since writing this, they have lost their checking account and credit card after having a credit score in the high 700's prior to, so they are struggling (to put it mildly) just a wee more."

 

For your convenience, I posted highlights directly from the event organizers, which looks like an amazing event in and of itself!! Going or supporting will go to a worthy cause. Just imagine being in that situation, having a great attitude about it in spite of it all, and having a community around you want to pull together and help you out with an event of this magnitude! I could not begin to express or capture the depth of delight and affection I would sense from her standpoint taking this all in. I think to truly get it, we should take the time to let it truly soak in our soul and then allow a rebirth through a renewed spirit and determination to not only take advantage of this special event, but truly take from this tragedy the victory torch of inspiration sparking motivation and a renewed vigor in our own journey. This event is also a stand for healing for us all in spite of all dead ends, obstructions, and what seems unattainable. I look forward to celebrating the victory with you all!!!

 

The acts are truly amazing reading about it on their site!! Don't miss some of the area's accomplished musicians, internationally and locally renowned burlesque/boylesque dancers, belly dancing, and fire dancing, and mouth watering culinary delights of tantalizing food and healing touch of soothing massage!!!!!!!

 

More about the event per organizers @
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127158133977081:

 

"A spectacular event unlike any other . .. .

.. . join us for an unforgettable evening that will tantalize your senses, blow your mind, & warm your heart ~:~ as we gather together in support of one of our own Seattles' fallen the best {and easiest} way we know how, by partying!!

.. . to benefit a local assault survivor who was attacked by a family member and is now disabled, may they have the resources, space and community they need at this time, aum ♥

We will be graced with live music by

John Ames of EQlateral will perform a set of electric cello music!

The Smokin Jays (blues, funk) http://www.myspace.com/thejays

Blue Monster (funk, jam) http://bluemonster.muxtape.com/

Unite 180 (upbeat orchestral funk, etc) http://www.unitecentral.com/ http://www.reverbnation.com/unite180

 

In between musical sweats we will be teased by the enticing

Moon Sirens (bellydance trio)

Lilla Coy (burlesque)

Bootsy LeMuze (burlesque)

Whisper de Corvo (burlesque)

Sir Mark (boylesque)

Paris Original (boylesque)

http://www.parisoriginalboylesque.com/

Miss Kiymbah (fire dancing)

 

. ..Aside from all that fabulousness, we will have a Healing Temple area which may have a live altar, and live art as well as massage. Also in the works is what is turning out to be an amazing raffle! Seattle businesses truly do support their people! Come find out who :)~ There will also be a VIP area with snacks, THIS WILL BE catered fancy like.. .whether you're coming after work to enjoy music, food and relaxation or to make a night of it and get your dance on, perhaps you just appreciate artistry at its finest---there's something for everyone and then some, Enjoy..

Through music will come joy and connection,

Through connection and dance will come inspiration,

Through inspiration and connection will come community,

Through an inspired community will come healing, for all.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Making it easy to support really good causes, one burlesque performance at a time . .. .

 

Live somewhere else? Get some tickets for a local friend, it'll be the gift they never stop talking about *wink wink* nudge nudge... Live here? You'll need just this kind of a break about then: The planets say so!

 

Pssst… We'll have two photographers and two video folks capturing the event, so put on something fun ..and come have your heart and image captured ♥

Tickets $8-15

VIP Level $20

VIP Level plus Massage $30

 

♥, the No Faerie Left Behind Crew"

Muse and Intimacy: Seattle Living Room Shows

An article By Jamison A. Johnson

 

As a musician, I have always adored the intimacy and comfort of playing private parties amongst friends and sharing with a new audience. The coffee house gigs are a close second. One thing I noticed about Seattle Living Room Shows that was different was the amplified altitude of gratefulness and intimacy with the performers. I felt like I was a part of a family connected by our love of art and music. The patrons of these events were of the same spirit and brought open hearts to share in a collective experience with the performer as the ring master and nucleus. The room is often so silent you can hear the shutter clicks from cameras (much to the dismay of my friend next to me on the couch). My first show, I was amazed how well blended and mixed Lunar Sway and Selena Garcia were without a PA. The performers actually were using electronic instruments and sounding great blended keys, bass, guitar, and voice united in this magical living room.

The artists are world class and used to playing major venues around the country and internationally. This literally is an opportunity of a life time, as you can often meet and share a quality beer with the next equivalent of U2, Dave Matthews, Black Crowes, Ani DiFranco, or Fiona Apple. All of the artists I have met so far are without Napoleon complexes and truly want the same kind of experience the fans are hungering for. They feel safe in this positive environment from the occasional bouts of insanity they experience in bars and the open public. The fairy dust magic of the Seattle Living Room Shows Venue is hospitable, reassuring, and soothing as you sink into the couch, chair or sit next to your new friend on the white carpet cloud in anticipation to be carried away to and oasis where time stops by each note trickling into your ears.

My 2^nd Show was equally invigorating as I watched my good friend and extremely talented local musician Colin Higgins open for Brian Chartrand. Both were excellent performers, but I especially enjoyed the natural story telling ability that Brian would exhibit naturally almost by compulsion as he would often stop the beginning of a song to tell his tales. I enjoy meeting and conversing with such a diverse crowd and learning more about them. I adore being exposed to bands that commercial radio has ignored due to a lack of promotional bribery. If record companies utilized their intuition and cranium, they would come to these shows to peer into a crystal ball and learn of real fortunes and excellence in the making.

As I write this, I am about to be called through the portal once more to a mystical and mythical Seattle venue called The Loft to see a special performance of Buddy and Levi Ware. I look forward to the magic that will ensue and enthrall the audience with a growing addiction called Living Room Shows. Catch history before it fades to memories.

For more information, visit: http://www.seattlelivingroomshows.com

 

Arctic Sonic Treasure: Sound Dialog Improv @ The Seamonster!

 

An article Written by Jamison A. Johnson

 

The crisp air billows breathcicles through the arctic night in Wallingford as I journey from the ye ole Murphy's, where I met my good friend to catch up, to Seattle's best hidden musical pirate treasure chest: The Seamonster Lounge. Sources tell me what makes this loot so extraordinary is it is "The Spot" for seeing remarkable live musicians WITH NO COVER…EVER!! The brainchild behind this is none other than owner and sonic connoisseur Andrew of the band Haiku-Chi.

Stepping into the fray on Saturday proved to be no exception to the rule. The scent of sweet musical lavender permeated the room with rolling clouds of pixie dust in my head: No it wasn't the gin and tonic or pints I enjoyed with my friend! It was real organic jamming with Mesa of Big High and Kent of Sky Cries Mary rippin thundering jams with their Sound Dialog Improv buddies. They are simply astounding! It was real music in real time with real music lovers crowding in to resonate more.

When I had to hit the rest stop, I read the chalk omen "writing on the wall" in front of me and found out they have other remarkable nights of music at the picturesque and ambient bar. They have open mic Mondays which is rumored to involve a good friend of mine who is an amazing musician in his own right. On Tuesday I saw they had Sound Dialog Improv again: 2 xs in a week isn't enough, let me tell ya! They also feature McTuff which is my favorite 3 piece combo that has taken me on many carpet rides and are the answer to my three wishes. I still remember the magical Valentine's Day when I saw them at the magical and mystical venue called "The Loft" after my first run in with my favorite "One Man Banned (Band)" named Aaron Daniels. They even have cabaret also…crazy! This is serious entertainment overload for any innocent bystander to take, but somehow I must survive to keep coming back.

My only grievance with this melodious oasis is the illumination deficiency where the band sets up. They could use another one of those lamps or a pleasant and elegant soft spot light or two for us poor photographers that hate flash and have to write a blog…hint hint!

My recommendation is to take part in Seattle's musical history revival movement at the Sea Monster Lounge and live the dream with good friends like Sound Dialog
Improv's wielding of exhilaration to the sultry and sensational Shanghai Burlesque show. Get there early for a couch seat!

A Christmas Byzantine: The Hallway Gallery celebrates 2009 with Small works Opening

Small Works + One Big One Gallery Opening, December 4 – January 31, 5-9pm reception.

An exclusive report written by Jamison A. Johnson

Drums thunder echoing the songs of Christmas along Bellevue Way as Snowflake Lane is under way celebrating an annual Christmas tradition and shopping season. Tucked away and nestled in the warm hideaway that is Bellevue Place is home to Bellevue's new cutting edge art gallery Hallway Gallery.

Erik Hall and Amy Spassov, both artists and administrators of the gallery, added a sense of clarity and awe as patrons, collectors, and artists visited this beacon of enlightenment in Bellevue on Friday night. As pioneers in the metamorphosis of Bellevue's newly forming art district and art's scene, the Hallway Gallery offers more than fine art pieces from reputable and highly collected local and international artists such as Sjer Jacobs, Gretchen Gammel, and JD Hansen. They offer a glimpse into a crystal ball with vision and clarity.

Unlike the Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery located across the courtyard, Hallway gallery specializes in seeking emerging artists on the rise and undiscovered talent that will be the envy of any collector's gallery of works. Its works evoke a piercing glimpse into a darker and emotive frame of mind that hosts the form of taste and refined, but also raw passion and emotion that moves beyond feel good neutral pieces that corporate America graffiti's their walls with. The pieces at Hallway gallery are several leagues in the depths challenging how the viewer perceives their world, themselves, and view's art before they come up for air.

This night the gallery featured many small works by several artists and a large piece that towered above the side walk by Amy Spassov. Its lure enticed even the most avid Seattle art hermit who normally shuns the sterile sight of designer hand bags, fall suit collections, and a parade of luxury SUVs. Tonight it became the unifying Golden Spike commemorative that joined the human locomotive travelling now to East and West as it had been done with the first transcontinental railroad in 1867.

Joy and great mind opening perspectives were felt in talking with James Key, a refreshingly modern artist that has visual character and love of color like the late bright flavor of Warhol, but the richness, texture, dimension like you have never seen in a work of pop art or really anywhere. His work is two dimensional, layered in sights of familiar organic and industrial forms and color, and with light adds another dimension due to the raised decorated glass in the frame which casts the still shadow of its subject. Most notably was a tree in a bright solarized landscape. His draw tended to add a refreshingly flavorful Seattle crowd which told many tales of grandeur and adventures. Geography, music, and the history of the area added to the rich discussions of art and passion that opened up worlds to those who in good spirits attended as they sipped on some smooth glasses stained in Malbec.

Combined with the other galleries and faithful Bellevue Art Museum, downtown Bellevue is gaining currency with Galleries like Hallway in a destination for both the sale of art and an influence of culture.

The budding annual arts festival, the growing Bellevue theatre, and the establishment of the several night clubs featuring talented live performers and comedians, have taken Bellevue from social ghost town into the arts rich cosmopolitan center for trade and ideas much like the early Byzantine Constantinople where shoppers at the Lincoln Square can view a world famous Chihuly piece as they sail up the escalator on the way to see the latest blockbuster film.