tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:59:16 +0000http://blog.izenman.com/izenmaniaBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-8583492106858912307Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:00:00 +00002008-03-25T12:59:16.336-07:00MusicLocal LifeBeerIt's a full week here in Izenmania territory, so I'll just jump right into it... Tuesday (that's today!): Go Local Or DieSince the majority of my readership come via feed»tacoma, this probably isn't news to anyone, but tonight at 6 PM the Local Life folk will be hosting the second of their Go Local Or Die charrettes, this one featuring Derek Young (Exit133), Amy McBride (City of Tacoma Arts http://blog.izenman.com/2008/03/three-days-three-things-to-do.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-8721006039188375411Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:10:00 +00002008-03-20T23:52:26.996-07:00MusicTacomaPerformingWe'll kick them right out. And then do you know what we'll do? We'll invite them back in, as politely as possible. We'll even hold the door for them. Just so we can kick them out a second time. Out of Sight, Out of Mind is, primarily, Don Izenman and his longtime collaborator, bassist Goodwin Trent. As you may or may not recall, I recently stepped in with them for a couple gigs, inspired by http://blog.izenman.com/2008/03/out-of-sight-out-of-mind-to-kick-out.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-3660495207294511421Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:05:00 +00002008-03-20T23:52:46.182-07:00MusicTacomaDeborah PageArtwalkArt(The above statement evaluates to boolean true) I spent the evening out at ArtWalk tonight. Started off at The Helm for the opening of their Children of Nature show. I generally fail at art criticism, largely because I just walk through, experience the art, and leave, without really absorbing artists, titles, etc. So let me just tell you that I really liked some of the pieces, and was rather http://blog.izenman.com/2008/03/deborah-page-wow.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-8625426100409377207Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:38:00 +00002008-03-19T14:40:39.763-07:00metabloggingHey kids... for a variety of reasons I have decided to make some changes in how I host my blog. The relevant bit is that it is now at http://blog.izenman.com rather than http://www.izenman.com. For the moment I'm leaving all the files up at www to aid the transition, after which I will redirect straight from www to blog until I start using www for other things. That is all!http://blog.izenman.com/2008/03/izenmania-done-moved.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-7254323271901887061Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:10:00 +00002008-03-14T20:14:35.563-07:00SiteCraftingTacomaArtI don't generally consider myself an artist, at least not in the conventional sense (by conventional I mean visual... I participate The Arts, primarily as a musician). I'm a mediocre sketcher at best, and I rarely draw anymore, with occasional exceptions. I certainly don't paint or sculpt or anything. But heck... sometimes an idea just sort of strikes you, and you run with it. So SiteCrafting, http://blog.izenman.com/2008/03/corporate-art-izenmania-style.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-6398163043801490788Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:45:00 +00002008-03-11T13:55:47.475-07:00TacomaActivismParkSomething has been bugging me for a couple weeks, ever since the Driscoll Incident. Dan Voelpel started it. Driscoll carried it on. Neither of them can really be blamed, though, because since then it just keeps going and going, popping up nigh everywhere. To quote Voelpel's Trib article: Fired up by the inspiration, some in the crowd decided they needed to act to take back Frost Memorial Park, http://blog.izenman.com/2008/03/were-not-conquerors-were-just-nerds.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-5861337245562935756Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:05:00 +00002008-03-09T22:18:13.144-07:00MusicTacomaMr. FusionWright ParkOkay, so as far as music goes, you'll mostly hear me talking about the now-mostly-defunct This Shirt Is Pants (probably in an effort to unload some of our pile of CDs on you... it's true, I'm shameless) or Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind, the group of my dad's that I've been playing with (March 27th, 7-9 PM at Rhapsody In Bloom, by the by). But in truth, my musical heart will always be in one place: Mrhttp://blog.izenman.com/2008/03/wright-park-fusion.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-2107874615737278878Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:55:00 +00002008-03-09T17:57:10.080-07:00TacomaTacomicArtThis fine piece of Tacoma cartoon commentary (originally seen here) is now a permanent fixture in my home: It looks down at me from above my computer/blogging station/recording studio to inspire my own personal blogger uprising. The Tacomic birthday party at the Helm was, like so many of these little gatherings, a joyous cluster of the Tacoma blogland community... everyone from http://blog.izenman.com/2008/03/izenmania-now-with-more-art.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-123741373477243875Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:05:00 +00002008-02-27T09:09:15.308-08:00TacomaRantChange(warning: this is another example of what happens when I "participate" in forums and discussions; I go, I watch, I listen, I say maybe one thing and then I go write my arse off) I attended the Go Local Or Die event/form this evening. Attendance was great... a core of Tacoma bloggers, business owners, artists and other concerned citizens. A lot was said by Jim Diers about what it takes to build ahttp://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/ownership-of-change-part.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-6636696502067557772Sat, 23 Feb 2008 09:00:00 +00002008-02-23T01:07:05.868-08:00MusicTacomaArtA couple different diatribes have come up recently in the Tacoma blogland, and they've got me thinking a bit (as I am wont to do, from time to time). The first is a Matt Driscoll interview with Girl Trouble's Bon Von Wheelie over at Spew. The main focus of the interview is on the world of pay-to-play, and the battle against it. This is something I know a bit about. This Shirt Is Pants played a http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/freedom-of-art-in-tacoma.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-6971844181637250462Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:25:00 +00002008-02-21T13:24:57.589-08:00MusicTacomaTheatreMoviesArtLike art? Movies? Music? Theatre? Then Tacoma's the place for you this weekend. There seem to be a remarkable number of different events all converging on these next few days. I'll do the highlights, and let you look into particulars yourself (lunch break isn't THAT long, after all) ArtWhat's today? Thursday. Which one? The third one, of course! That means it's ArtWalk time in downtown T-town. http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/art-your-little-heart-out-tacoma.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-8443902484268443622Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:25:00 +00002008-02-13T13:23:43.165-08:00MusicTacomaMr. FusionThis Shirt Is PantsMr. Freitas recently posted about his 10th blogging anniversary, and asked who/where we were 10 years ago. Upon reflection I've realized that 10 years ago (or thereabouts) was actually my first appearance on the Tacoma music scene. I was in 8th grade, 14 years old. I'd played piano for about six or seven years, guitar for three or four. I'd played saxophone in the school band for four years, so http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/ten-years-of-rockingfolkingwho-knows.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-304937395978268268Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:33:00 +00002008-02-13T08:38:09.613-08:00NightlifeBeerTacomaMeconisSpeaking of weekly traditions gone awry... for a while there, foos and booze @ Meconi's was the place to be on Friday night (if you worked at SiteCrafting, and wanted to keep seeing your co-workers after a 40-hour week of them). We even got a few of the Tacoma blogsters in on the action once or twice. Meconi's, for us, at least, had three primary draws: foosball, pool and fried things. The http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/this-weeks-excuse-for-fried-things.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-527424709509007988Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:30:00 +00002008-02-08T19:49:18.140-08:00MusicJazzbonesNightlifeTacomaBluesStill looking for something to do in Tacoma on a Friday night? Well, ordinarily I wouldn't suggest coming to me for recommendations on that front. Usually my Friday night consists of staying in, drinking wine and watching a movie, and I'm sure you could have thought of that on your own. But if for some reason you have, I would be inclined to recommend Henry Butler at Jazzbones tonight at 9 PM. http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/henry-butler-jazzbones-tonight.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-832674739624410343Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:35:00 +00002008-02-07T22:00:13.968-08:00MusicTacomaIzenmenWright ParkWhat? Rock gets to be a verb. Why not folk? Aaaaaanyway... every second Sunday of every month throughout the year, Tacoma Metro Parks hosts an acoustic concert, featuring local musicians, at the lovely W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Wright Park. Shows start at 1 PM and last about an hour and a half. This particular Sunday will feature the Conservatory debut of yours truly, the Izenmaniachttp://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/prepare-to-folk-out-at-conservatory.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-8351263089755576882Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:30:00 +00002008-02-08T19:52:59.188-08:00MusicTacomaWeb DevelopmentIt is known by most that I play a lot of music. I play shows (occasionally) with three different groups; I have recordings with two bands in addition to my solo work. About a month ago I decided that I wanted someplace to post these things on izenman.com. I wanted to be able to have my songs, shows and photos divided up into my various projects, albums, etc, with information at the band, album http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/beginnings-of-idea-tacomamusicnet.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-1792548306813252932Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:30:00 +00002008-02-04T09:38:30.092-08:00BeerTacomaThe Red HotHot DogsI love the Red Hot. I do. I couldn't rightly explain why. I was never a big hot dog fiend before. The Parkway is closer to me and has a wider beer selection (and a masterful cheese-steak sammich). But something about the Red Hot calls to me. For a while I had a great excuse to take that half hour walk every week: Monday Night Football with Freitas and co. Alas, that time is ended. So what do I http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/this-weeks-excuse-for-hot-dog.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-3633787017389461278Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:34:00 +00002008-02-04T09:04:09.839-08:00SidewalksTacomaAs a constant pedestrian (I've never owned a car and am not fit enough to manage the surrounding hills on a bike with much success), I've noticed an awful lot of construction happening that disrupts sidewalk traffic. The church going in on 7th and Tacoma, whichever [Girl's Name] Heights Prium is finishing up on 6th, and all the hoopla surrounding Wright Park redevelopment. Anyway, I ran across http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/adventures-in-pedestrianism-episode-i.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-307013315475825083Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:19:00 +00002008-02-02T14:45:17.157-08:00TacomaBusPublic TransitHuh. It appears that, for whatever reason, people seem to actually be listening to me rant. I suspect I just stunned them with sheer volume of wordage and they haven't quite figured out that I am making things up as I go along. So to continue that trend... I've brought up the subject of public transit either vaguely or in very specific instances recently, but the fact is that it's a big subject http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/one-more-rant-public-transit.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-5371681855180589495Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:15:00 +00002008-02-01T14:49:19.640-08:00TacomaEconomyDowntownWell, I ran out of things to say last night because it was late and my memory was getting sketchy. But now... more! First off, a continuation of the downtown retail connectivity question. Riding the Link to work today I noticed (or re-noticed) the big enormous gap just north of BKB, stretching for what could easily be three or four shops. I am guessing, from what I know of the area, that this http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/economic-jibba-jabba-part-two.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-3344273969996315881Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:30:00 +00002008-02-01T09:14:39.611-08:00TacomaEconomyDowntownI took part in the AngelouEconomics Young Professionals focus group for the development of an Economic Development Plan for Downtown Tacoma at the Varsity Grill tonight. Despite the project leaders' best efforts, there did end up being some fairly interesting discussion. Okay, that's a bit harsh. Their PowerPoint slides raised a few questions that sparked many a random tangent, which was really http://blog.izenman.com/2008/02/economic-jibba-jabba-look-out-kids-its_01.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-7971800975654493237Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:14:00 +00002008-01-29T09:35:31.285-08:00TacomaEconomyDowntownDowntown Tacoma is on the blogging brain, and with good reason. We seem to be inching closer and closer to having an awesome downtown. So now it is time for this humble blogger to do his part. The city's Community and Economic Development Department has brought in AngelouEconomics to help develop an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the area. From the project website: In order to provide ahttp://blog.izenman.com/2008/01/izenmania-to-focus-on-downtown-tacoma.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-7100106008048061103Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:16:00 +00002008-01-12T21:39:05.632-08:00MusicTacomaRecordingWell... "business" is kind of a strong word. Nobody's going to want to come to my apartment to record except for me. But that's alright. I've been playing music for most of my life, and recording in earnest off and on for the last quarter of it. My first serious band, Mr. Fusion (an acoustic songwriting collaborative duo), recorded our first album in 2003 in the University Place backyard of my http://blog.izenman.com/2008/01/izenmania-studios-open-for-business.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-7385669166681544888Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:09:00 +00002008-01-10T08:29:01.891-08:00TacomaIzenmenBroadway CenterGarrison KeillorgigHey kids! If you read Spew today you know that the incomparable Garrison Keillor (of Prairie Home Companion fame) is coming to town tonight to spread his usual brand of laid back good cheer and humor at the Pantages. Less publicized (except to those whom it actually affects, presumably) is the pre-show BCPA subscribers reception. If you happen to be there between 6 and 7 PM tonight, drinking http://blog.izenman.com/2008/01/opening-for-garrison-keillor-but-not.htmlizenmaniatag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2691280350773308675.post-3522789024721301552Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:11:00 +00002007-12-27T09:11:03.417-08:00TacomaCondosMeccaAdvertisementsDowntownI ride the Link to and fro a couple times a day, and last week I started noticing these posters. They're nigh impossible not to notice, spanning the full height of the trolley's joint section, advertising the forthcoming Mecca Condos. Now, I'm certainly no marketing expert, but I have some concerns. I'll just work top to bottom: (Unfortunately, being NOT Kevin Freitas I didn't have my camera onhttp://blog.izenman.com/2007/12/i-just-hope-they-remembered-to-bleach.htmlizenmania