Art Bazaar

Ramel Harold aka Beazthype visits the Art Bazaar.

Beazthype is a dancer, creator and all around entertainer. Ramel is part of the DCX crew and also the founder and organizer of Tha Pak Out, an annual Krump event for the Pak Movement. 

The Pak Out 2 is happening at the Alternative Gallery on Friday October 20th and Saturday October 21st and will showcase krumpers from across the planet taking part in various battles, workshops and a tournament where dancers will be competing for cash prizes. 

PAK OUT LINKS

IG: pakrump_

YT: Pennsylvania Krump

thebeastcamp.com (Krump training video)

ART BAZAAR LINKS

thealternativegallery.com/podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/art-bazaar/id1706562617

IG: ArtBazaarPodcast

FB: Art Bazaar Podcast

00:00 - Intro

03:40 - Having to inspire each other

05:00 - Comparing yourself to others

06:00 - What is Krump?

07:28 - Hybrid Krumpers 

08:32 - Tribe of Krumpers

09:57 - Tha Pak Out

11:56 - First Krump event in Pennsylvania

16:12 - Ramel discusses how Krump is uplifting 

17:58 - The Arts give you structure and world view

19:58 - Teaching the Krump Program in Allentown School District

24:35 - The organized madness of Krump

25:53 - The contributions of the creators of Krump

27:47 - Ramel traveling for Krump events

29:21 - Coming together to support each other

29:51 - Niche interests seem to have most support

31:37 - Pak Out 2

35:15 - Wrestling Belts, WWE, UFC 

37:24 - Gaming: Starfield, Cyberpunk 2077, Ghost of Tsushima, GTA

39:44 - Cinematic approach to new games

41:24 - The Staten Island Ferry is still free

42:38 - What's the importance of a good hype man? 

45:07 - Mixing audiences to crow support 

46:53 - Building your support structure over a period of time

47:36 - European Krump

49:10 - Building your support by hosting workshops

50:24 - Ramel's advice for anyone interested in learning Krump

52:28 - The diversity of Krump

53:33 - What to expect at Pak Out 2 

55:12 - European support for Krump vs. American support

56:21 - Vendors at Pak Out 2

58:06 - Perfect event for seekers of culture

01:00:29 - SHOUTOUTS!!!

01:01:35 - Watching 300 episodes of One Piece in 10 days

01:02:52 - Outro

On this episode of Art Bazaar we chat with Paul Caravasi, owner of Soulgrinder Zine, a magazine founded in 2013 that's dedicated to the underground heavy metal scene. 

Paul's been hosting a series of music shows at the Alternative Gallery since 2018 called Metal Assault, which are typically held bi-monthly. 

Recently, Soulgrinder also launched a record label which releases independent metal bands. 

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[email protected] 

facebook.com/soulgrinder.zine

IG: @wratchild114

www.soulgrinderzine.blogspot.com

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00:00 - Intro

02:00 - What is Soulgrinder Zine? 

04:26 - Any artist Soulgrinder is trying to work with?

06:00 - What other spaces are there for metal bands in the LV?

07:18 - Why Paul hosts shows at the AG

12:14 - South American Metal bands & the musician community

15:10 - Helping other cities start their own creative space

16:19 - How can people start hosting their own music events?

18:02 - So few music venues in the LV

19:02 - The LV needs a Metal Bar

20:22 - Growing up in Peru

23:06 - How Paul first got into Heavy Metal

25:33 - Heavy Metal venues in Peru

27:15 - Lima Metal Fest

29:37 - US bands playing in South America

33:03 - Where are the Peruvians in the US? 

34:46 - Soulgrinder Records

36:04 - Why is physical media important?

39:27 - The 2nd coming of Vinyl

43:06 - How Paul works with bands to release an album

45:03 - the environment of AG is for creating art

46:21 - The AG is telling its story

47:40 - Are any bands making a living from their art?

48:48 - How can we get more support for bands?

52:13 - Advice for anyone starting a zine or record label

52:42 - How people spend their free time

53:15 - How walking helps you meet people

57:22 - The potential of the Lehigh Valley

58:02 - Outro

Brother JT visits the Art Bazaar to discuss his 40+ years making music. His work ranges in style from garage pop to psychedelic, punk & can be very experimental at times. 

JT has been in scores of bands over the years including the Original Sins. He put out his first album under the name Brother JT in 1991, releasing nearly 30 albums in that time. He's toured with bands such as the Replacements, Kinks and the Ramones, and his music videos played on MTV when that use to mean something. 

You can stream his tunes and of course purchase physical copies of his work by visiting brotherjt.com

00:00 - Intro

01:50 - History of Brother JT performing at the AG

03:30 - Playing in different types of venues

04:54 - What Drives JT to be creative

07:29 - The sanctity of the musician's practice space

10:06 - Providing more spaces for musicians

11:31 - Recording in your practice space

13:12 - Recording in a studio after several years

14:45 - The shared experience of a band creating together

16:14 - Artists are lucky because they discovered what they love

17:13 - Documenting oral histories

18:11 - Brother JT's early years of playing music

20:12 - Streaming & Physical media

22:45 - Brother JT's animated music videos

24:53 - Early Musical Influences 

26:48 - Bands JT played in early on

28:00 - Touring Europe & Playing with Big Bands

30:12 - Airport Music Hall

31:16 - Playing outdoor shows

32:07 - JT's ideal performance space

33:07 - Brother JT discusses being a performer

34:09 - Trippin Balls

37:53 - Brother JT talks animating 

38:50 - What JT's listening to these days

41:00 - Free music publications

43:20 - Brother JT's history with WMUH

44:44 - Brother JT's upcoming show at the AG

46:41 - Creating a more cohesive music scene in the LV

50:06 - The need for more music venues

58:59 - Advice for young musicians

01:00:11 - Brother JT discusses being a prolific musician

01:03:18 - Outro

Today on Art Bazaar we'll be chatting with artists Emily & David, co-owners of Rugged Imperfections, an independent company that creates custom ordered handmade tufted rugs. 

In addition to offering customized pieces, Rugged Imperfections often collaborates with artists to bring their designs to life in a totally different medium. Emily & David run the company from their studio here at the Cigar Factory, where Emily first started as a studio artist working in graphic design before expanding into this new medium. 

You can view their work & of course place on order by visiting their Instagram Rugged_Imperfections

Mark Melara joins us at the Art Bazaar on this episode to discuss cinema, writing, AI & the Double Strike in Hollywood. 

Mark Melara is a writer from Los Angeles, CA who's written for shows like Superior Donuts starring comedian Jermaine Fowler and the remarkable Judd Hirsch. Not keeping his writing to just television, Mark also co-wrote the video game Freedom Finger, which is available on all gaming consoles and he's currently developing a Y2K era video game into a TV series for a major studio. 

00:00 - Intro

01:21 - NYC Film Industry & Celebrity Ghost Stories

04:25- Mutiny against the production

09:08 - When NYC was built for artists

10:38 - Road trip from NYC to LA

17:20 - What interested Mark in becoming a writer? 

20:08 - Getting first jobs in Hollywood

21:36 - WWE Monday Night Raw

22:30 - Moving to LA to become a screenwriter

23:00 - Working with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

26:15 - Trying to produce original screenplays

27:18 - Surf Pope

29:53 - Matt Berry

31:48 - The Writers Strike & SAG-AFTRA Double Strike

34:23 - History of labor strikes in Hollywood

38:27 - Corporate Greed

41:00 - Is the Double Strike coming close to an end? 

43:08 - Wealth Inequality 

43:55 - Artificial Intelligence is changing our world

44:53 - How do people spend their free time? 

46:00 - The spirit of the people on the picket lines

47:42 - The Wall Street speech

48:35 - More support for artists after the Double Strike

51:05 - The pandemic was a pilot for Universal Basic Income

51:50 - Andrew Yang

53:15 - Artificial Intelligence being used for language learning

56:00 - Would AI have invented art without humans having invented it first?

57:45 - AI is an even bigger issue for SAG-AFTRA

58:15 - Actor Stephen Fry has voice unknowingly replicated by AI

01:00:14 - What happens if negotiations breakdown again during strike?

01:02:35 - What is a mini room? 

01:04:46 - Any advice for aspiring writers?

01:07:33 - MAJOR UPDATE ABOUT WRITER'S STRIKE

This episode of Art Bazaar features pop artist Chris P. Jones, who's work often features iconic characters from film, music & outsider culture. Chris's work is colorful, bright and usually bursting with attitude. 

In addition to being an artist, Chris P. Jones has also helped create several art spaces over the years as a co-founder of Eye Candy Studios in Kutztown and Popmart gallery in Bethlehem. He's also a co-founder of Mad Road Artists, an art collective that combines live musical performances and live painting, usually with a central theme, for a unique art experience. 

Chris Jones is an Allentown native and has been working in the Allentown art scene for over 40 years. You can see his work by going to chrispjonesart.com

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https://www.thealternativegallery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thealternativegallery

https://www.instagram.com/alternativegallery/

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• 00:00 - Introduction
• 02:37 - Chris' Pop Art Style
• 03:37 - Doing art as a kid
• 04:52 - Showing art for the first time
• 06:27 - Allentown Art Scene in the 1980s
• 07:47 - Smashing an organ at EGAZ
• 09:32 - Art spaces having to focus on making money
• 10:16 - Starting Eye Candy Studios in Kutztown
• 12:33 - Starting Popmart in Bethlehem 
• 14:33 - Showing art in Allentown pre-Alternative Gallery
• 16:00 - Allentown's Art Scene 2012
• 17:51 - Golden Era Gallery at the Americus Hotel
• 19:18 - The Allentown Art Scene today
• 20:44 - Niche businesses can re-build a city
• 23:09 - Pulse Weekly and the power of local cultural newspapers
• 25:37 - Double Decker Records has it right
• 26:55 - Pricing your artwork when vending
• 27:42 - The benefit of selling prints of your work
• 28:38 - Mad Road Artists
• 31:55 - Hunter S. Thompson
• 33:05 - Adapting Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas into a movie
• 35:09 - Charles Bukowski
• 37:41 - Chris Jones and the City of Angels
• 44:31 - Gallery trip to Asheville
• 46:49 - Allentown lacks live music venues
• 48:18 - Government moves slow, which is why we need DIY spaces
• 48:48 - Artist Takeover
• 53:10 - What motivates Chris Jones as an artist
• 53:47 - Advice for artists getting started
• 54:16 - AG Print Works
• 55:26 - How prints can help you make a living
• 56:21 - Memorable experiences working with Alternative Gallery

On this episode of Art Bazaar, we talk with Paul Solarte & Dan Cao, breakdancers with the Hidden Characters Crew, also known as HXC. 

Hidden Characters is a breakdancing crew founded in 2002 here in Allentown, PA by local b-boys. Many of the dancers were still in high school when they formed the crew and have since gone on to perform around the world. Most of the original dancers are still involved and still dancing and a new generation has also stepped in to keep the culture going. 

Dan has been with the crew since 2016 and Paul started working with Hidden Characters in 2018 and officially joined the crew in 2022. In that time they've worked on organizing practices, sponsorships, community outreach as well as hosting their own events. One such event is taking place right here at the Alternative Gallery on Sunday September 17, 2023 and is called Breaking Steel: Nothin But Style.

Breakkonnect - https://breakkonnect.com/event/2290

Facebook Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/210942465135452

Instagram - @Brknsteel

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https://www.thealternativegallery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thealternativegallery

https://www.instagram.com/alternativegallery/

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• 00:00 - Introduction
• 01:45 - Getting started with dance
• 06:22 - The Gathering/Philly Breakin Scene
• 9:58 - Breakin Crews in Allentown Then & Now
• 11:23 - Practice spaces post-Pandemic
• 13:50 - Open Floor at the AG
• 14:43 - What's Krumping? 
• 16:12 - All Styles
• 17:27 - What's a normal dance practice like at AG? 
• 18:30 - The community of breakdancers
• 21:16 - Traveling to dance
• 24:40 - South American Breakers
• 26:51 - Way more breakin events in the Tri-State area
• 28:28 - Dance events taking place at colleges
• 29:05 - What's causing the breakin community to grow so quickly?
• 30:12 - Why is breakdancing getting the Olympic push now? 
• 30:45 - Culture Vulture
• 32:05 - Not compromising your art, create selfishly
• 33:38 - Improving the Allentown dance community 
• 34:42 - Schools being a central location for dance practice & events
• 37:58 - Getting more linked in with local colleges
• 38:47 - Creating more opportunities for the youth
• 39:45 - Advice for those getting started in breaking
• 41:35 - How has dancing changed your lives? 
• 42:50 - Food as art
• 44:00 - Getting harassed by the cops for dancing
• 47:42 - Brkn Steel: Nothin But Style

Our guest on this episode of the Art Bazaar is Glen Tickle, a New Jersey based comedian who's appeared on Dry Bar, the Travel Channel and Sirius XM. Glen has also performed at the Alternative Gallery many times, being a regular at our open mic as well as taking part in live comedy shows. 

On September 15th he'll be releasing a new comedy special and album titled Glen Tickle Against the World Crime League.

GlenTickle.com

https://www.youtube.com/@GlenTickle

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https://www.thealternativegallery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thealternativegallery

https://www.instagram.com/alternativegallery/

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• 00:00 - Introduction
• 01:45 - Traveling for shows
• 03:18 - College gigs
• 14:53 - Do you travel with other comedians?
• 16:38 - Chicken Festival
• 19:04 - Tell jokes to people while they're working
• 20:53 - Doing clean comedy
• 24:02 - Going viral
• 34:06 - Pursuing Hungarian citizenship
• 40:40 - Stand-up comedy as art
• 47:14 - Late Night Comedy
• 50:02 - Community of Stand-up comedians
• 51:28 - Terrible shows
• 52:41 - Glen Tickle Against the World Crime League

We speak with the co-founders of the Alternative Gallery in our premiere episode.

Brandon Wunder, Jay Echevarria & Rob Riegel discuss why & how they started the Alternative Gallery in 2012, what the experience has been like and how other artists can start something similar.

The Alternative Gallery is a non-profit arts organization located in Allentown, PA.

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https://www.thealternativegallery.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thealternativegallery

https://www.instagram.com/alternativegallery/

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https://www.instagram.com/artbyjayechevarria/

https://www.instagram.com/kon_flict/

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• 00:00 - Introduction
• 04:09 - Showing art in the Lehigh Valley pre-AG
• 07:22 - How artists in America lack resources & Support
• 15:04 - Why we started the Alternative Gallery
• 18:24 - And just like that, we had an art gallery
• 21:25 - Location isn't everything
• 23:20 - Our first retail space
• 25:12 - Problems at the hotel
• 28:28 - Moving to the Cigar Factory & first impressions
• 38:30 - The barter deal that kept us going
• 40:43 - How the neighborhood shaped our mission
• 45:51 - Allentown ArtsFest
• 51:29 - Surviving the Pandemic
• 54:43 - Non-profits have to be ready to pivot
• 56:38 - Where do you think you'd be without the AG?
• 59:18 - Artists need your support! 
• 01:04:05 - How you can support even without money
• 01:04:52 - Advice for new & young artists
• 01:06:47 - Tips to make vending easier
• 01:08:19 - Best ways for artists to take payments
• 01:09:42 - Standout moments from the first 11 years of AG
• 01:12:16 - Growth has given us a deeper understanding
• 01:14:58 - We love doctors! 
• 01:15:37 - What does the future of AG look like to you? 
• 01:18:18 - Every city & town needs an art space
• 01:21:23 - Let us know if you want to start your own space! 
• 01:25:41 - Social & cultural organizations are what empower the people
• 01:27:22 - Find the artists like yourself and work together! 
• 01:28:22 - Outro

What is art? What does it mean to be an artist? 

The Art Bazaar podcast attempts to answer questions like this & more by having deep discussions with artists of all mediums.

We'll discuss topics ranging from cinema, technology, architecture, city-planning and everything in between.

This podcast is chockfull of useful tips for young & emerging artists, shines a light on unique creators and explored the inner workings of culture & creativity. 

The Art Bazaar podcast is brought to you by the Alternative Gallery, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday. 

So be sure to subscribe to the podcast and we'll see you at the Art Bazaar.