Twist and Shout

Twist and Shout
Life is never straight (Joey Kulkin photo)

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Vignettes from Vermont: Dark Chocolate Brusque

Richard and Alex with their children, Jon and Rachel

BENNINGTON -- 5 wine stoppers. 3 colorful glass and metal wall decorations. 2 recycled metal fish decorations. One repurposed Grateful Dead 45 vinyl desk clock. One stoneware cracker dish. One two-bowl stoneware condiment dish. One John DeAmicis framed litho.

And ...

... dark chocolate brusque.

THE BACKGROUND:


Richard and Alex live in Hartford, Connecticut, and own a second home in Wilmington, Vermont, about 20 miles between Bennington and Brattleboro. He is a hotshot real estate lawyer. She leads the general counsel of a real estate firm in charge of $10 billion in properties across the country. They are the definition of power.

You look at Alex and think she's soft vis-a-vis Richard's personality yet you'd be wrong to think that, bubba. Finished first in her law class and worked her way up to the top of the firm's general counsel. She told AGD a story about the day her counsel held a must-attend meeting on a very rare day off, which she planned to spend at the spa. She enjoyed her spa day but did attend the back end of the meeting out of duty's sake more than anything. She shows up with pedicure cotton between her toes yet her boss tells everyone in the meeting that Alex is the last lawyer to fuck with because she'll cut your heart out. Hearing those words meant the world to her.

Richard, who paid off Alex's law school loans, lets Alex buy as much art from Fiddlehead at Four Corners as she wants. For an observer it's a fun little game to watch. His brusque flairs up and he pretends to be outraged that she wants to buy this pottery from North Carolina, and that glass piece from Jersey and those soap rocks from Oneonta. She, of course, lets Richard's brusqueness bounce off of her and fall to the floor. 


She gets her way.

This was AGD's first encounter with Richard:

"You're a salesman? Come sell me some art," is what Richard demanded of Art Gallery Dude one day last July when AGD was raw, only weeks removed a 23-year newspaper career. He was in no mood for anyone to tell him what to do let alone Mr. Arrogance from Hartford.

Come sell me some art?

Are you kidding me, dude?

I'll sell you something, buddy, and it won't be art was the first thought that crossed AGD's mind as he formed a smile and walked from behind the counter and stood next to Richard in front of two glass ciambella vases, one blue the other orange.

Richard looked orange vase, then held the blue vase ...




... and noticed a small air bubble atop the blue piece near the opening. AGD assured him that little imperfections are part of handmade art, especially pottery and glass.

"I like the orange one," AGD said.

"OK, wrap the orange one up."

Again with the marching orders.

Richard and Alex returned to Fiddlehead during the winter. Again he brusqued about the old marble bank turned art gallery when she wanted to buy two framed Judaica paper cuts by Anna Kronick, a sale in the $400 range. He wanted to know why she needed two pieces. Well, she sassed back, one was going in this room, and the other piece would go in that room. He rolled his eyes and said nothing then pulled out the plastic. It's not that he even objected to the pieces. He's Jewish. Had a bar mitzvah. He even liked the Judaica she chose to decorate their home in Hartford.

Thing is, his brusque was hungry to be heard. This amused AGD.

So yeah, that's Richard and Alex.

TODAY:


AGD thought about Richard the other day. Wonder when he'll roll back in here.

This morning, with Alex and the tots.

Big difference this time: Richard's personality had more cheer to it, less brusque.

They plan to retire in a year or two and want to start filling the Wilmington home with pretty things. And a sauna room. That's why Richard let Alex go nuts today. 5 winestoppers (even though he reminded her of the drawerful of winestoppers she has; but none of them are like these, she fired back), 3 colorful rectangular glass on metal wall decorations (for the sauna room), 2 recycled metal fish (for the sauna room), one repurposed Grateful Dead 45 vinyl desk clock, one green and white stoneware cracker dish (that AGD thinks should be a mashed potato dish), one green and white two-bowl condiment dish, one John DeAmicis framed litho with inspirational message.

And ...






... it became the biggest sale AGD registered as "manager" of Fiddlehead at Four Corners. 

Richard wondered what kind of deal AGD could provide considering the heft of the bill. AGD gave them a hearty discount. 

"We just like playing the game," Richard said. 

AGD wasn't going to quibble because they're among Fiddlehead's elite customers.

Instead of waiting 15 minutes for the wrap job, Richard walked the family down Main Street to the chocolate shop, but before leaving he asked AGD if he wanted something.

"Sure, dark chocolate with no nuts. Thanks!"

The family returned 15 minutes later and Richard handed AGD a white bag ...




Even brusque can be layered in sugar and cocoa. AGD should know. 

Because when he describes Richard as the kind of fella with a dark chocolate brusque personality, he's really describing himself, too.

UPDATE:

AGD set his one-sale record today as well as his three-day record.

Before the big sale, mom and daughter bought THESE.

After the big sale, this family from Valley Forge bought THESE.

At 4:40, Patricia came back to buy THESE.

It's 4:47. AGD just took a bite of Richard's dark chocolate. Sweet and Brusquey!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Vignettes from Vermont: Ali Secor, Glassblower

Ali Secor's glass pendant necklaces are for sale
at Fiddlehead at Four Corners. Click to embiggen.
Want one? Call Fiddlehead (802) 447-1000 (AGD photo)

BENNINGTON -- Melanie Weils was walking the dog one day in Collar City when she noticed a sign in the window of Prism Glassworks. The sign encouraged apprentices to apply.

Melanie walked the dog home and told her girlfriend.

Ali Secor applied.

Twenty months later Ali Secor of Troy via RPI via Mount Anthony High via Shaftsbury is an accomplished glassblower whose pendant necklaces are for sale at Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery in downtown Bennington.

The names of the pieces above (left to right) are butterscotch dots ($25), honeycomb ($42), large blue/white spirals ($66), red/black with dots ($42), black sandblasted ($42) and butterscotch twisted ($25) as is the piece Ali brought to Fiddlehead on May 17 ...




... the taller, thinner piece in her right hand, that is.

Ali played field hockey and lacrosse at Mount Anthony ... 




... and it was MAU girls lax coach Tom Otero who stumbled into Fiddlehead one Sunday morning in May to tell Art Gallery Dude about one of his former players whose artistic wares, he thought, might fit right in with Fiddlehead's theme of fine, fun, funky and functional.

One thing leads to another ... and Ali walked into Fiddlehead days later with the 2 pieces you see in the photo above. She met Fiddlehead owner Joel Lentzner, who not only liked her work but loved that his gallery could showcase a local glassblower.

Six weeks later, today, Ali returned with 6 new pieces.

Ali Secor went to RPI to play lacrosse, though that didn't last long. She also went to study biochemistry, though that didn't last long, either, and she switched to psychology and biology. She earned degrees in both.

And yet, the 23-year-old chose a career in glassblowing.

She uses terms like "unobtanium frit" and "vac stack" when describing the process of blowing glass and explained how the molecular makeup of glass "is almost like liquid but it's a solid" and that's why artists can do so many cool things during the "annealing" process.

Ali blows funky-cool glass tobacco pipes for Prism but is looking toward the future. 


"I want to get out of functional and get into sculptural," she said before showing AGD an example of sculptural glassblowing in the form of a "networked pyramid" she made for Melanie, with whom she lives.



Below are 2 videos, the first a 6-minute affair with AGD today. Below that is an 8-minute video of Robert Mickleson demonstrating his skills during a class at Prism Glassworks.





Friday, June 21, 2013

Vignettes from Vermont: Bit O' Whimsey, Full O' Regret

Bit O Whimsey by Kandy Myny

BENNINGTON -- "Alexandra" asked Art Gallery Dude for advice in late March during a chat on Facebook. The chat ended this way after she told him she was offered the job of her dreams in Coastal Paradise. She wanted this job in this town, more than anything.

AGD: Then you're a fraud if you don't grab the happiness that the cosmos just dropped in your hands.

Alex: That's a strong way to put it. And not incorrect.

AGD: Just making sure you realize the weight of my words.

Alex: I'm letting that sink in.

Two months later ...

Alex said no to the dream job in Coastal Paradise because her husband didn't want to sell the home, uproot baby and plant new seeds a state and a half away. He *would* support her career move if she *really* wanted him to -- yes, honey, I *would* eat maggots if you *really* want me to prove I love you -- and it was that kind of passive-aggressive response that made her ruminate long and hard.

On the last day of May, Alex updated AGD: Should have listened to you. (Husband) didn't want to move. I should have overruled him. Full of regret.

Alex and AGD talked about The Decision the other day.

An hour later, AGD opened a box that arrived from Shelby Township, Michigan. Inside were 10 of Kandy Myny's wonderful Bit O' Whimsy prints on wood. 


Fiddlehead at Four Corners customers buy them in droves.

There was a new print in this order, one AGD hadn't seen before, the one you see in the photo above -- happy-smiley woman riding her bike, scarf in the wind, following her dreams on the adventure of a lifetime -- and it struck a chord in AGD vis-a-vis Alex and her regret.

Here are the other Kandy Myny pieces. Love something? Call (802) 447-1000.


















Friday, June 14, 2013

Vignettes from Vermont: KC Tiffany the 16-year-old potter part 2: 1st sale

KC Tiffany and her 2 newest pieces mid-process;
they'll be for sale at Fiddlehead at Four Corners
by the end of next week. (AGD photo)

BENNINGTON -- KC Tiffany walked into Fiddlehead at Four Corners today with 2 pieces of "bisque" pottery. Bisque means they were fired in a kiln for 24 hours up to 40,000 degrees and lost their clay properties. In other words, she told Art Gallery Dude, "the chemicals fused" and raw clay has become pottery.

Next she'll glaze the pieces -- one will be a large and sturdy tumbler, the other a soup bowl or vase -- followed by another 24 hours in the kiln at Vermont Arts Exchange. KC plans to glaze the tumbler "sky blue" but only within the grooves of the cool design.

Here's a close-up of the bulbous tumbler (click to embiggen) ...




KC left Fiddlehead.

Twenty minutes later a woman walked into the old marble bank turned art gallery looking for the funky raindrop-looking spoon things with crushed glass melted into the middle ...

... made by KC Tiffany.




The woman bought the only set of 4 Fiddlehead had for sale. The sale also means KC Tiffany the 16-year-old from Shaftsbury has gained professional status as a potter.

The woman said she's giving 2 of them as a gift and keeping 2.

"Fantastic" and "utilitarian" are words the woman used while telling AGD why she bought them. "You can use them for spoon holders or chopsticks or a table decoration or a coaster. They're fun to look at. They're so organic and go with anything."

KC has started the production of more spooners ...




They'll be ready in another week to 10 days.

Her other piece at Fiddlehead -- a Winnie the Pooh honey pot -- sells for $40 and there will be several of the two-blue "dragon-scale" bowls within the next few weeks.

Watch a video of KC talking about these pieces HERE

Monday, June 10, 2013

Vignettes from Vermont: Fiddlehead at Four Corners to feature 16-year-old Shaftsbury potter KC Tiffany

KC Tiffany's thick, sturdy pottery wares are for sale
at Fiddlehead at Four Corners. (AGD Photo)
Take a Google Street View tour of Fiddlehead HERE

BENNINGTON -- Clay thrower KC Tiffany of Shaftsbury threw herself into the world of professional pottery today by agreeing to sell her sturdy, durable and gorgeous wares at Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery in downtown Bennington. KC is 16.

KC brought two pieces into Fiddlehead today, a Winnie the Pooh honey pot and a two-blue bowl for soup, cereal, ice cream or maybe jellybeans. Neat interior, too. 


"My mom calls it a dragon-scale design," KC said in the video below.

"I really like it. It's unlike any glaze we've had in here," Fiddlehead co-owner Nina Lentzner said of the blue bowls, which will start selling in a few weeks.


"KC's spoon holders pleasantly surprised me. They're unique and add a nice Bennington flair to the gallery," Fiddlehead manager Joey Kulkin said. 

"The pieces she brought in today impressed me because there is so much character and personality in them. Not to mention the honey pot and blue bowl are thick and heavy. Definitely built to last."

Also for sale is a set (4) of teardrop-shaped spoon rests with recycled glass that's crushed and melted into the center. KC said they can be used for teabag rests, too. She plans to make two or three more sets in the upcoming weeks.




For now KC's honey pot and spooners share a Vermont wood table (painted by Nina Lentzner) with the pottery of Alison Evans (Maine) and Exotic Sands of Bill Tabar (Utah).

The honey pot costs $40,
set of 4 spoon rests cost $24;
KC is making more spoon rests


"I'm almost inclined to buy the honey pot," Kulkin said, "but instead of using it for honey I'd fill it with Jimmy Joe's clam chowder."

KC, a swimmer and photographer, is renting space at the Vermont Arts Exchange in North B, where she will throw her clay and cook her wares in the kiln. 

Here's a 3-minute video of KC touting her wares ...


Vignettes from Vermont: Graffiti Vault Unplugged (Episode 1 Review)


"This is a good thing. It's good to be
playing music in town again after
years of it not happening."

BENNINGTON -- This live-stream music show from the vault is going to work. Bank on it.

Seth Bartholdi and Brandon Olson performed 17 songs on the debut of "Graffiti Vault Unplugged!" from inside the chalk-filled guts of Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery. 

Seth and Brandon comprise half of the Bennington rock band Vice-Versa, which spent 6 hours Saturday recording a 7-song demo album at Soundmind studio on Main Street in Bennington. 


The original 2 members of Vice-Versa rebounded last night and strummed and plick-plucked their acoustic 6-strings pretty well in the 84-year-old bomb-proof gold vault while singing several Vice-Versa songs and covering America, Pink Floyd, Oasis, Zeppelin, Chili Peppers, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Bad Religion and 7 Mary 3. Brandon led an Irish folk song called "Black and Tan" that rings with themes of the IRA.

Fiddlehead manager Joey Kulkin asked Seth to do at least one Oasis song -- "Songbird" -- and the 19-year-old Southern Vermont College student delivered as well as one can expect after he learned the chords and words in 5 days. Turns out "Songbird" is his girlfriend's favorite love song so he had extra motivation to learn and play it with special oomph.

Brandon is Vice-Versa's drummer and a 16-year-old Mount Anthony High sophomore who picked up a guitar 9 months ago out of boredom. The endearingly sweet and shy kid called himself "musically illiterate" so he learns to play by watching Brandon. He paid homage to his rocker dad Ron Olson by performing "One Of These Days" and "Two Hearts" -- songs the elder Olson wrote 25 years ago. They would dominate airwaves and iPods today.

Fiddlehead owner Joel Lentzner, watching the Google+ live-stream overseas, priased Brandon during Zeppelin's "Going to California" when the kid got as close to falsetto as he could: "He does a pretty good Robert Plant."

Seth performed "The First Time", which he wrote about his father. His father texted a few minutes later and told son he was watching and loved the tribute.

From a technical standpoint, the visual was strong with a new webcam but Kulkin told this blog that he needs to find better microphones for future GVU! shows. The live-feed also dropped at the 52-minute mark which is why there are 2 parts to this performance.

Just before they went live, Kulkin told Seth and Brandon to make Graffiti Vault Unplugged! their best performance. "For the last week I've been listening to the Halloween '94 Phish show from the Glens Falls Civic Center and it's one of the best music shows I've ever heard," Kulkin said. "It wasn't Madison Square Garden or some other big venue. On that night they gave their heart and soul to Glens Falls."

The heart and soul of Vice-Versa gave their best effort inside Fiddlehead's bomb-proof gold vault at the old marble bank turned art gallery.

Performing this Sunday (June 16) is North Adams guitar god Tommy Marshall and his ax wingman Sam Clement of Bennington. Maybe 6 people will watch this performance.

Here's a photo gallery of Seth and Brandon in action, then the music.

"This is a good thing," Seth said of Graffiti Vault Unplugged!" It's good to be playing music in town again after years of it not happening."






































Sunday, June 9, 2013

Vignettes from Vermont: Graffiti Vault Unplugged (Episode 1: Vice-Versa)





BENNINGTON -- Conceptuality becomes reality at 7 tonight when Graffiti Vault Unplugged! debuts after a month of planning. Bennington teens Seth Bartholdi and Brandon Olson of Vice-Versa, on the heels of their 38-minute test-run a few days ago, will perform for real and showcase several of the band's songs (and a few covers) inside the bomb-proof gold vault at Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery.

You are watching GVU! via Google+ Hangout and YouTube. It's the only way you can appreciate any of the music that emanates from the Graffiti Vault, which got its name on October 13 after Fiddlehead owner Joel Lentzner painted the interior walls into chalkboards and, with gallery manager Joey Kulkin, told customers to Chalk It Up!

That inspired Kulkin's book series "Chalk It Up!" (here) and then Kulkin created Graffiti Vault Unplugged! in May after hearing how great the vault's acoustics were when Robb Bower performed for the first time in public a song he wrote for his late mom (here).

So here we are with Graffiti Vault Unplugged! But the show is not exclusive to music. "We'd love storytellers and poets to perform," Kulkin said, "and any newsies who want to interview movers and shakers in Bennington or Vermont."

Graffiti Vault Unplugged! also launched a Facebook page (here).

GVU! is live every Sunday night at 7 o'clock on this blog. There are plans to expand to a weekend schedule.

Kulkin said upcoming musicians include Tommy Marshall (North Adams) and Sam Clement (Bennington), Ben Mackin (Bennington), Tom Sampsell (Bennington) and Uncle Grizz (Bennington). Kulkin is working on getting other acts such as Berlin, Oingo Boingo, Boogie Down Productions and hey, even Miley Cyrus to play the Graffiti Vault. 


If you want to perform contact Kulkin at getartbehappy@gmail.com or just stop into Fiddlehead at Four Corners, the old marble bank turned art gallery. 

It's this building ...

Take a Google Street View tour inside Fiddlehead (here)

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Vignettes from Vermont: Graffiti Vault Unplugged! (The Preview)

Seth Bartholdi in the Graffiti Vault
at Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery

BENNINGTON -- Acoustic friendly vault. Good music. Streamed.

Those are the 3 components of "Graffiti Vault Unplugged!" -- the new music show that takes flight at 7 Sunday night at Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery in downtown Bennington.

Two members from the Bennington band Vice-Versa will play inside the chalk-filled guts of an 84-year-old bomb-proof gold vault, and the only way to appreciate the music is by watching a Google+ Hangout on this blog. BLOG!

Fiddlehead at Four Corners manager Joey Kulkin created Graffiti Vault Unplugged! to give Bennington musicians, poets and storytellers a steel-encased, graffiti-filled venue to perform live for the world. Every performance will be taped, too. 


Seth and Brandon gave the vault a test-run earlier in the week. 

Watch the 38-minute, 8-song set below.

A new webcam will make Sunday's 1st official show look and sound nice 'n' crispy.

Seth Bartholdi (19), Brandon Olson (16), Dylan Olson (18) and Michael Elliot (16) comprise Vice-Versa, which formed in 2009.

Seth (guitar, vocals) graduated Mount Anthony High in '12 and attends SVC. Dylan (keyboards, vocals) graduated from MAU and Brandon (drums, guitar, vocals) and Michael (bass) will be juniors.

Here's a little Q&A with Seth and Brandon, the mainstays in Vice-Versa:

1: How did performing in the Graffiti Vault exceed your expectations? What could have been better?

Seth: My experience was excellent. It was fun, fluid and it sounded absolutely great. I had a lot of fun delving into acoustic music and trying to do so much with so little equipment. Overall it was just great. We just need to make ourselves a set list.

Brandon: My experience at the vault was fun. I get very nervous in front of a camera but it was fun overall.

2: Who are your musical influences and why?

Seth: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd (lyrically, at least), the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Bad Religion and the White Stripes. Basically, I'm fascinated with what someone can do with a guitar in its simplest forms. The idea of creating such diverse sounds from one machine just perplexes me. I also really dig any artist that can put an honest meaning in a song. I think if you don't want to tell the audience anything with a song, whether lyrically or musically, then there's no point in playing it.

Brandon: My musical influences are mainly Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Hendrix. Pink Floyd's lyrics have meaning for me and John Bonham is just a boss and I love Hendrix's style of playing guitar.

3: Talk about the chemistry you and Brandon had last night and how you plan to deliver an even stronger set Sunday.

Seth: The chemistry felt like it always does: simple, easy, just jamming to play good music. To sound better? We know what to expect now, so we're ready to come in wiht new songs and give everyone a great show."

Brandon: Me and Seth kind of think alike when we play. When we are playing, if me and Seth are singing a melody, both of us will go to the same harmony at the time.

4: On Brandon's new endeavor ...

Brandon: I've had a drum set since I was 6 but I didn't start playing until I was about 11 or 12. And I started playing guitar about 9 months ago because I was bored and I've always wanted to learn.

Seth and Brandon most likely will play "Two Hearts" -- written by Ron Olson (Brandon's and Dylan's dad) in the '80s. Ron Olson has performed in several bands over the years. 


"Two Hearts" -- the last song in the set below -- has a great hook and easily could be on the radio today; we're looking at you, EQX.

Graffiti Vault Unplugged! 7 o'clock Sunday. Spread the word then watch it on this blog from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Also, check out the GVU! Facebook page HERE.

Here are Seth and Brandon, half of Vice-Versa, during their test-run.



"Chalk It Up!" is the name of the book series
and you can buy all 3 volumes HERE

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Vignettes from Vermont: Graffiti Vault Unplugged! (The Test)

Seth Bartholdi (left) and Brandon Olson of Vice-Versa
(Art Gallery Dude photo)

BENNINGTON -- Two of Bennington's rising rockers performed for 38 minutes last night during the launch of "Graffiti Vault Unplugged" at Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery. The only way you could have watched their 8-song set live was by tuning into this blog. 

It's the only way you'll be able to appreciate Bennington's music scene -- acoustically speaking -- when GVU! becomes official Sunday night.

Seth Bartholdi and Brandon Olson of the band Vice-Versa helped Fiddlehead's manager work out a few kinks by playing and bantering in the Graffiti Vault -- the old bank vault turned nouveau music stage surrounded by tons of impenetrable steel that provides beautiful acoustics. Back when Fiddlehead at Four Corners was Vermont Federal Bank, from 1929 to 1997, it was the vault they used for big cash, gold and personal safe-deposit boxes.

Fiddlehead owner Joel Lentzner painted the interior walls into chalkboards last October, provided a big box of fat chalk and encouraged customers to go big and colorful. That led to the "Chalk It Up!" book series and then the idea for Graffiti Vault Unplugged! emerged last month when "The Poughkeepsie Kid" -- Robb Bower -- used his 6-string and performed a song he wrote for his mom. The acoustics were phenomenal, as was the song, and here we are.

Seth and Brandon covered Pink Floyd, Men at Work, Bad Religion, Led Zeppelin (twice), America, Dylan and performed 2 original songs, one written by Seth ("First Time") and the other by Ron Olson ("Two Hearts").

Art Gallery Dude produced the test-run using the built-in cam on his MacBook Pro.

Live-streaming is nothing new to ex-journalist Joey Kulkin, whose newspaper career went into the shitter last June after 23 years, but not before created two live-stream productions -- Trentonian TV, El Latino TV en Vivo! -- at The Trentonian and spent much of 2011 and '12 building and engaging audiences, and mending fences, through talk shows, breaking news events, poetry readings and music. 


Two of the music performances are below with Kelly Carvin (during the L.A. Parker Show) and Oscar Torres (during Carlos Avila's Spanish talk show).

Kulkin planned to expand with live-stream music shows showcasing Greater Trenton's strong music scene. Then the ax fell. It happens.


But one thing leads to another and ...

... a year later AGD is resurrecting his plans for live-stream music that showcases the many diverse talents in Greater Bennington with Graffiti Vault Unplugged. 


Early performers will be guitar god Tommy Marshall of North Adams and Ben Mackin of Bennington. Without getting too technical, it's a Google+ Hangout streamed through YouTube and embedded into this blog. You click on the link to this blog, hit play in the YouTube box and watch musicians perform and banter.

But GVU is not limited to music. Storytellers and poets are encouraged to perform in the Graffiti Vault as are newsies who want to interview Vermont newsmakers.

The only thing AGD plans to change for Sunday's official launch of GVU! is a USB webcam to provide a crisper visual and USB mic for better sounds.

There is a ton of music talent in the Bennington region and Graffiti Vault Unplugged! plans to showcase as much of it as possible. Want to perform music or tell stories or read poetry or interview newsmakers? Email getartbehappy@gmail.com and we'll start the process.

GVU! will air live at 7 o'clock Sunday nights on this blog. Vice-Versa will perform for real as if it was MTV Unplugged or something.

AGD also set up a Graffiti Vault Unplugged! Facebook page HERE.

Here are photos from last night's set followed by examples of music on Trentonian TV and El Latino TV en Vivo! followed by the 38-minute performance by Seth Bartholdi and Brandon Olson of the Bennington band Vice-Versa.