1. GET YOUR HANDS ON SOME LOCAL GOODS
Since the Fresno Handmade Bazaar was such a success earlier this year, organizers The Soulflower Group have crafted a seasonal sequel — Saturday’s Fresno Handmade Holiday Bazaar. You can buy gifts — for you or your fam — handmade by Fresno’s indie artisans. This ain’t your grandma’s craft fair, though. It’s in a club with a DJ and drinks. Keep in mind that it’s only open to the 21+. [More]
Here’s what I really dig about local event organizers The Soulflower Group: They take ideas that you’re probably familiar with (and might be tired of) and add a different spin on them. Case in point: Their Soulful Sundays brunch series or their Fresno Handmade Bazaar.
The next thing they’re doing? Cross Pollinate, a singles mixer at Fulton 55 on Nov. 2. They’re advertising it as “all the best elements of a singles mixer. Only sweeter.” Says Devoya Mayo (aka Ms. Soulflower) about this new venture:
I think there are certain folks in this city who would rather poke themselves in the eyeballs with toothpicks rather than admit they’re single and don’t know how to find someone. I want to offer a cool alternative to the OkCupids, church organized mixers and the ever-offensive auctioning off of people to the highest bidder.
So there you have it, singles. If you don’t know how to find someone or you’re tired of the same ol’, same ol’, then put this one on your calendar. Get fly (the Soulflower Group would demand nothing less) and get out there.
1. ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR CANOE TO FULTON 55 If you ask me, the coolest show in Fresno this week stars Canadian band Royal Canoe, who is at Fulton 55 tonight and whose sound I really dig. They lead a plump lineup that also includes local indie rock faves Fierce Creatures and been-here-a-few-times-and-knocked-em-dead soul artist Ssssnake. [More]
1. SEE TWIN SHADOW You know how The Cellar Door in Visalia gets all those cool concerts? Well, organizers are saying tonight’s is the biggest one of the year. It’s with ’80s-inspired dance-pop act (and critical darling) Twin Shadow and the very groovy Poolside. In fact, I’ve heard people from L.A. and S.F. have been buying most of the advance tickets. Don’t miss out, local hipsters! Read this interview I did with Twin Shadow to get you ready. [Tickets]
Donald filled you in on ArtHop for tonight, but here’s something else I wanted to draw peoples’ attention to: The new and improved block of businesses near the Warnors Theatre and the happenings they’re bringing with them.
THE KNUX: A strong alternative tonight, especially if you’re a hip-hop fan, is The Knux show at Audie’s Olympic. It’s hip-hop with indie rock and electronica undertones. I dig, I dig.
NORTEC COLLECTIVE: Keeping going a nice helping of mid-week shows is Wednesday’s gig with Nortec Collective at Fulton 55. It’s Latin techno-meets-Norteno. The hype is big on this one.
SCARFACE:Scarface — the rap icon, not the movie character — is at Rome Nightclub on Thursday night. One of the most underrated rappers of all time? Definitely.
WU-TANG TRIBUTES AIN’T NOTHING TO EFF WIT:The Soulflower Group has another of its tribute nights lined up. This one focusing on the Wu-Tang Clan. If you’re not clearing your Friday right now, I don’t know what’s wrong with you.
Since we’ve opened our presents, played with our Christmas toys and are now waiting patiently for New Year’s Eve, we at The Beehive figured this would be a great week to look back at our favorite things from 2011.
We’re starting our week of 2011 Rewind posts by talking about local events. What was your favorite Fresno happening of the year. It could be something you just attended or helped put together or something you just heard was really awesome if you never leave the house.
Check out our picks and leave your own in the comments.
Tonight is the launch of the Soulflower Speakeasy at Starline, featuring New Orleans-bred poet/singer/emcee Sunni Patterson. It’s put on by the Soulflower Group, which is headed by Devoya Mayo. Some might remember she organized the Ahh Yeah Poetry Jam at Starline a handful of years ago.
Tonight’s event includes local poets Connie Owens and Stephen Mayu, art from Glen Delpit and tunes from the the Soulflower Group’s DJ team.
ALSO: The second semi-final for New Rock 104.1′s House Band Search is at Crossroads. I’ll be out there hosting again. If you missed the post with all the info, go here. Last week, Dislodic won, so tonight will determine who meets them in the finals next Wednesday.
1. BE A BARBARIAN Audie’s Olympic hosts a great lineup of indie rock bands tonight, in what promises to be a packed show. We Barbarians headline, and if you dig bands like Cold War Kids and The Walkmen, you’ll like them. Florida duo ANR, which gets a lot of MGMT comparisons, joins, as does local faves Strange Vine. We Barbarians sold out Audie’s earlier this year. With a new EP getting rave reviews, the show should be even bigger this time around. So get there early. [info]
1. BE A REAL AMERICAN
Not that you need us to remind you to celebrate Fourth of July — but, hey, we totally recommend it. Here’s a full list of fireworks shows around the Valley, some starting as soon as tonight. The Fresno Grizzlies game, of course, is a top pick. There’s also this “Celebrate America” Fourth of July carnival I juuuuuust found out about.
GET YOUR SUDZ: Fresno beer drinkers, raise your glass for this year’s Sudz in the City. It offers the opportunity to taste numerous brews inside Chukchansi Park, with live music, food, etc. More info here. When you’re done, go see “The Hangover 2.”
FAY WRAYS: Local rock band Fay Wrays are releasing their new album at Fulton 55 on Saturday night, with a big lineup of good local bands — Fierce Creatures, Achievement House, etc.– and a nice-looking poster. Look for free music from Fay Wrays on the site later this week.
SPOTTIEOTTIEDOPALISCIOUS: Another cool tribute night from The Soulflower Group — they do the Prince tribute and others. This one is dedicated to one of my favorite hip-hop groups: OutKast. It’s happening Friday at Audie’s Olympic. You better get up, get out and get something, Fresno.
