Your Love Got Me So Crazy

KELLY O

The haunting video of Antony Hegarty covering Beyonce’s ‘Crazy In Love’ was jarred out of my ‘to blog’ folder this morning (a shame-I should have found an excuse to post it a long time ago). Now I must nod my head to The Stanger’s Jen Graves, who wrote this insightful and well written piece about new street art (Gretchen Bennett) adorning the Sound Transit construction area-you’ll have to read it (worth it) to catch the connection.

Anyhow, the whole thing worked beautifully as a segue to post this video (both versions are up for your comparison pleasure). Enjoy.

RIP to ‘The Corner’

A pragmatic & inspired solution to a space that did nothing but add to the depressed & vacant facade of the intersection.

If you haven’t gotten wise to the project taken on by Jenny Asarnow @ the corner of 23rd & Union, you’ve missed your chance. In June of ’09 the dirt lot (kitty corner to now vacant Philly’s Cheesesteak) was transformed into an odd but visually pleasing collection of old doors, reclaimed wood & larger than life pictures of the corner’s regulars-transforming the empty space in to a multi-faceted homage to the neighbourhood, the people, & the possibilities.

'This is a powerful corner' -Saviour Knowledge

The second layer of the project was a true stroke genius, ‘From June-August 2009, The Corner opened up a phone line and asked people to call in, listen to stories, and share their own. Callers left more than 200 messages. Their stories collectively depict a rich and complicated place. Some stories aired on KUOW 94.9 Public Radio and Hollow Earth Radio. You can listen to all the stories on this Web site, where they’ll be preserved permanently.’ So go over to the still-standing website for ‘The Corner‘ & get lost in the stories, songs, & pictures that represent the area.  According to the Seattle Times more than 200 people called & left messages on the hotline. Over 875 called in just to listen, some for more than 20 minutes.

It came to an end last week however when Officer Tim Greely contacted Arasnow claiming they had received multiple messages that the pictures of Anthony Knowles (nickname Saviour Knowledge) was an issue after his recent run in with law for selling crack & carrying a firearm. Arasnow conceded to the wishes of the neighbours Tim Greely had contact with, & the whole display will be coming down August 31st. You’ve got until then to call in to share & listen, 877-R23-UNION (877-723 8646).

In place of the project we can look forward to this. (The writer of the article after the link doesn’t share my opinion, which would be that structures like the proposed encroach on the Central District & do not bode well long term, but the entry does have a good deal of information about the building. Cruise around the rest of the blog if you have a minute.)

On a final note, Jenny Asarnow says: ‘Our hope is that media producers and community groups will find this project useful and will steal our ideas’. I truly hope so. –SC

1.TownBusiness2.Video

1. TOWN BUSINESS
Long have I loved The Twilight Exit (now located on Cherry & 25th) for its stiff drinks, jukebox, fried foods, great bartenders, dog policy, & all around goodness as a drinking establishment. If you missed this bit of news from last Thursday, get ready to add one more thing to your lists of reasons to check out this place.  (If you choose to skip the link, the gist of it is that Chase Bank bank offered the owner a real estate boom inspired loan, then later shafted him on the deal. In spite, they hosted a free steak dinner for anyone who brought in paper proof they had closed their Chase account. Awesome.)  

 

 2. VIDEOI’m not a huge fan of Gorillaz (I know, I know). Talented filled as the project may be (sum of its parts & all that) I never really got into the concept or dug the animated bit. Not to mention ‘Rock Da House‘ has always felt like a depressing morning after in bed with another lover, in the back of my mind thinking ‘isn’t listening to this really all about you missing Deltron? Hm?’. Damn you follow up album! Anyhow, I was impressed with this video release for ‘Plastic Beach’. Sure it lags a bit with the whole live band introduction & that Bruce Willis part, but the first act makes the part of my brain intrigued with intricate & fantastic  creations, dioramas, & sci-fi movie models quiver with joy. Enjoy Murdoc’s narration of the band’s journey Plastic Beach. Oh yeah, & the whole gang is totally coming to Sea Town on 11/2.