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There's Nothing to Do in Toledo
Bunchs Lunchbox | 03/24/2010 7:00 am
It's boring. It sucks. Why would anyone stay here?
There is nothing to do.
For me, a good city's got great food, art, and music; cool bars, good people, and an already strangled police force about to get ripped to shreds, allowing me some breathing room (*cough*) … you know, a little party freedom.
Spring is here.
If you've got a head about you, a flask, and the right friends, you can have the time of your life on Friday night. That's this Friday, March 26.
You're on your own for food ? there's no shortage of good eats here ? but if you need a recommendation, visit the Dining Directory at Toledo.com, EnjoyingToledo.com, or email me at [email protected].
Here's the music, art, cool bars and good people:
Toledo Museum of Art ? Quest For Fire Studios at the TMA Community Gallery
It's been a while since I can remember the Museum showcasing such an array of young and up-and-coming local talent in the Community Gallery, outside of the annual Toledo Area Artists Show. For this exhibition, Quest For Fire Studios and Friends take over the gallery, showcasing a broad diversity of work from more than 25 local artists -- everyone from hobby artists and business owners to professional artists and designers and university instructors. The artists and the public celebrate with an opening reception this Friday, beginning at 7 p.m.
Each artist involved in the show was asked to create one piece of art based on a selection from TMA's collection. An image of the selected work will be featured along side the artists' works for reference. This exhibition is an un-juried, uncensored project put together by local art studio, Quest For Fire Studios.
The reception will feature snacks, a cash bar, and a set of soul, funk, and hip-hop music spun by DJ Folk.
The artists include: Terry A. Burton, Nathan Masternak, Joseph Vogt, Richard Reed, Donald King, Keith A. Hasenbalg, Yusuf Lateef, Greg Tarrant, Scott Horn, Carl Porreca, Neil Harrington, Aaron Paula, Chris Pacak, Debra Malinovsky, Luke Ellison, Elliott Rogers, Christopher Rogers, Ivan Kende, Thomas Lingeman, Dustin Bork, Jerry Gray, Anthony McCarty, Tina Gionis, Dustin Hostetler, Jemma Hostetler, Erin Elizabeth Keaton, and Kerry Krow.
2445 Monroe St. www.toledomuseum.org
Parkwood Gallery ? Barton, Makar, Weiss Exhibition
While you're headed to the Museum, be sure to stop into the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo's Parkwood Gallery across the street. From 6 - 8 p.m., the Parkwood will celebrate the opening of its second exhibition of the 2010 season, featuring the work of Sam E. Barton, Laura Makar, and Mary Weiss. This exhibition includes a unique installation by Laura Makar that sees the gallery filled with drawn bodies flying, climbing, dancing, and falling into, out of, across, and around the two-story tall space. The break dance-themed characters are complimented by Sam Barton's painted works, with comment on hip-hop themes and black pop culture, with an interesting social critique and compliment at work. These two artists are rounded out by the ceramic work of Mary Weiss, whose sculptures and vessels interestingly compliment the hung work with social, political, and personal commentary.
The exhibition will run from March 22 to April 30. Grazing and refreshments provided. Free and open to the public.
1838 Parkwood Ave. (corner of Monroe St., across from TMA). www.acgt.org
Ottawa Tavern ? The Black Atlantic, Big Kitty, Sangsara
By far, this is the biggest show that the still green-eared OT has played host to. On their first proper US tour, Holland's Black Atlantic are fresh off a debut at Austin's coveted South By Southwest festival. The band plays stripped-down indie folk-ish music that is garnished with the heart-wrenching/soothing, soaring vocals of band leader and singer-songwriter Geert van der Velde. This band is no doubt destined for success, catch 'em while you can in a small, intimate venue.
Listen to my interview with Geert here!
Joining the bill is a two-piece psych-garage-folk act from Chattanooga, Tennessee, the infamous Big Kitty. Too in the middle of a US Tour, Big Kitty balances out this show with raw, hard-edged, yet comforting songs that do what folk music does best - pull at your heart strings and open your mind. Last, but never least, Toledo's own Sangsara will take the stage with a set of delightfully surreal, trippy, and beat-oriented work that has long made them one of Toledo's most popular live bands. Doors at 9 p.m. No cover. 1815 Adams St. www.otavern.com
www.myspace.com/theblackatlantic www.myspace.com/bigkitty
Frankie's ? The Bronx/Mariachi el Bronx
The Bronx is a punk band thats got a lot to boast about. For one, they're taking off on a full-fledged European tour shortly after they play this gig here in Toledo. Two, not only are they a great punk band in a beer-slugging, barroom party kind of way, they have developed a fantastic alter-ego via Mariachi el Bronx. On the band's latest album, the band has gone in a decidedly different direction, playing Mexican folk-inspired indie/punk that sounds as fun and refreshing as anything else I've heard lately. The Bronx/Mariachi el Bronx shares the stage this night with the likes of Violent SoHo, Dead Country, and The Fight Within. Doors are at 8 p.m. $12 advance, $15 at the door. Tickets available via Culture Clash and Ramalama Records. 308 Main St. www.frankiesinnercity.com
Wesley's ? Old School Fridays
In between all the live music this night has going on, be sure to pop into Wesley's for The Best DJ Dance Night in the City (voted by Toledo City Paper readers). DJs N.Mattimoe and Todd Perrine have been holding the beat down at Wesley's for a handful of years now, keeping asses wiggling and drinks flying from the bar with banging sets of old school hip-hop, funk, electro, and even a little cock rock and hair metal now and again. 10 p.m. No cover. 1201 Adams St. www.wesleysbar.com
Woodchucks ? Tyvek, Awesome Color, Wee, Fangs Out
If a good old-fashioned filthy rock show is what you fancy for a Friday night - make this a must-make stop on your list. Detroit's poppy-garbage punk outfit Tyvek rock the night with a set of snappy, art school style Stooges-inspired tunes. They share the bill with Cincinnati's Awesome Color, a psychadelic punk band with plenty of attitude and rock n roll heart. Cow-punks, weirdos, and alt-psych fans will once again delight in the appearance of Toledo's WEe, and of course, the two piece garage rock of the inimitable Fangs Out!. This party starts at 9 p.m. Tickets available at Culture Clash Records. 224 S. Erie St. 419-241-3045. www.myspace.com/woodchuckstoledo
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