So our whole crazy Potluck Wednesday idea started off with the biggest potluck of them all — our massive blowout to support the Garfield Park Conservatory on July 6. And then July 13 we had a spelling bee. And then THIS week, we had Eleanor Friedberger. And if those three don’t make a total potluck, I don’t know what does.
So! We’re carrying on this new tradition of extreme Wednesday miscellany with two more events in the coming weeks. Coming on July 27: A benefit for the film Parallax Sounds, a French-Italian-Brazilian (I think) production that explores the relation of the physical landscape of Chicago to the evolution of the post-rock movement of the 1990s and beyond. Director Augusto Contento was named one of the most promising filmmakers of his generation by FilmCritica magazine, and his previous work, Roads of Water, is the only film ever to be distributed by UNESCO (which is pretty cool). The new film, still in progress, features interviews with Steve Albini, Ian Williams, Azita Youssefi, Damon Locks, and Ken Vandermark, who also composed the score for the film.
The filmmakers have been shooting around town since November, and the project has recently been covered by the Reader, Pitchfork, and Chicagoist in conjunction with the group’s new Kickstarter campaign to raise an additional $10,000 to complete production. Go to the Kickstarter page to watch an excerpt from the film — which is abstract, but very lovely — and, of course, to donate.
OR, you can come to the Hideout from 5:30-8 PM on the 27th and enjoy FREE BEER (and possibly wine) plus pizza from Pizza Metro, while you listen to a DJ set from Damon and watch a 20-minute preview of the film. For just $20 clams! Because, c’mon – it may not be world hunger, but art is always a good cause. And, hey! Stick around afterward for the Immediate Sound Series’ CD release party for Starlicker, aka Rob Mazurek, John Herndon, and Jason Adascewicz.
THEN! On August 3, we have a Letter Writing Party sponsored by the awesome Letter Writers Alliance. They supply the typewriters, you supply the human touch. There’s NO COVER, and it will be superfun. In their words:
“In this era of instantaneous communication, a handwritten letter is a rare and wondrous item. The Letter Writers Alliance is dedicated to preserving this art form; neither long lines, nor late deliveries, nor increasing postal rates will keep us from our mission.
“As a member of the Letter Writers Alliance, you will carry on the glorious cultural tradition of letter writing. You will take advantage of every opportunity to send tangible correspondence. Prepare your pen and paper, moisten your tongue, and get ready to write more letters.”
My friend Bonnie, aka the organizer, informs me that she has scored a beauty of a machine for this event: “A 70’s era turquoise Smith Corona Eeel-let-tric typewriter. It is compact, it hums & purrs & bumps & dings. It’s going to ROCK.”
Hot fun in the summer, is what I say. Yes? Yes! See you there, one way or the other.
Soup and Bread 