If you are searching for that perfect indie-art gift for your special someone, look no further! San Jose’s Gallery AD hosts a yearly “Fresh Produce” showing where you literally buy the original, one-of-a-kind art right off the walls!
There is a website set up which has samples of the work, but it’s much more fun to actually be there and experience the art in person! However, given that all of your aren’t fortunate to be in the Bay Area for xMas, it is grand that they offer to sell and ship anywhere in the world!
Here are a few select pieces we like (click to enlarge):
For more information, contact:
Anno Domini (the second coming of Art & Design)
366 So. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 271-5155 www.galleryAD.com
Gallery & Store Hours:
Tuesday through Friday, noon - 7 p.m.
Saturday, noon - 5 p.m.
The funny thing about this message is that I feel like most people are doing this in life. Missing some really great things simply because they aren’t looking for them. The hard part here is to let a group of people knowing that they are missing something and getting them to go back and look again (that dancing bear just pops out at you once you go back and look).
So while your’e shopping this season remember to check for companies that are independent. Thanks
This month, D-Structure SF transformed their shop into a place of worship, paying homage to religious artwork and vinyl toys. Quite a good party, and they one-upped the typical show by adding stained-glass panels, wooden columns, and all the little accouterments which really made the environment cohesive with the spirit of the event!
Mighty is hosting ROFLthing tomorrow night (August 29th) featuring Andy Baio talking about Star Wars Kids, LOLcats micro-humor presented by Ben Huh, Eric conveying an emotion, Evil Berts aplenty, and most importantly, an open bar!
If you don’t know, just about a “billion” stores have opened in the last 5 to 10 years that are usually labeled street or urban. On one end of the spectrum you have stores that sale Shawn John, Phat Farm, Apple Bottom (oh wow, my stomach is getting quisy) and on the other end you have stores that open and only sale their own brand ( The Hundreds, Supreme, Alife, Huf). I have my preferences but I think we can all say that now days it’s difficult to bring the kind of flavor that can’t be denied in a retail location and shopping experence.
Enter Attic. Open since Jan ‘07 I’ve been checking for them for a long time and although I’ve never said anything about them before it’s not because they don’t deserve it. So why now? Well… they just get it. They have made an experience that can’t be matched. Having your own vision helps and not wanting to be like everyone else takes it to that extra level. But hey don’t listen to me take a look for yourself. (pics below) If you’re in LA make sure you go you won’t be disappointed.
When you think of Orange County California, almost the last thing that comes to mind is independent businesses! But unlike the Loch Ness monster, it does exist… even if you have to search a little to find it!
Take Ruby’s Diner, for a great example! Started off as inspiration from an abandoned building—turned 1940’s-style eatery—it has since exploded throughout the nation! With 27 locations (all taking individual and unique elements from the surrounding area, while still maintaining the traditional company style) they are seeing much success. Fortunately, the management is thoughtfully progressive, and inspires it’s high-caliber employees to provide consistent quality service!
That high-quality service is reflected in the food and atmosphere of the restaurant, and is noticeable the instant you walk through the doors. Employees are friendly, the place is spotless, and the food is delicious.
In fact, for the first time in my life I ordered food from a menu photo, and it arrived EXACTLY as it was pictured. Seriously! Light breakfast tacos—same position, same quality, same plate, same little red containers… everything. In a world of mass-produced food where everything is designed to look perfect but never quite comes close, this came as a huge pleasant surprise!
If you haven’t already been down to see the art and fashion stylings of D-Structure, then May is your month to do it. LEGENDmag attended their opening gala for the month and (as always) the peeps at D-Structure out-did themselves! This time bringing in some Correct fashion and wild-styled art collective work to the showroom!
LEGENDmag was down in the Lower Haight this weekend to help celebrate a wonderful showing of work by Aaron Nagel. D-Structure hosted the event and, as always, there was a mighty fine showing of people! The work is absolutely spectacular as you can see from the photos posted here. The DJ’s had the floor groovin’ and the bartenders were packed 4 deep. And before they wheeled away all the shelves, I got a chance to check out some of the fine threads they have… let me tell you! Some good indie stuff down there.
If you are in or around San Francisco during the month of April, it is well worth the stop.
ICONS by Aaron Nagel
Runs 4/4/08 - 5/1/08 at D-Structure
520 Haight St. (@ Fillmore), SF, CA
One of my new favorite shops is Rime in Brooklyn, NYC! There are alot of boutiques that open with really overpriced furniture and the cleanist possible layout and design. What they pay for in look and “appeal” they lack in warmth. You never feel cozee and the service almost never makes up for it.
Rime is the antithesis of this new school buy your customer mentallity. Not only is the service friendly, they actually make suggestions and if they don’t have it in will offer to order it for you. I miss this kind of thing and Rime Does it well. They could use more jeans but I’m not mad at them. Make sure you check them out.
We LEGENDmag’ers love to eat almost as much as we love patronizing indie establishments. So when the two things merge into one, it is almost always a win-win!
Today was one such experience. Rai-mon and I took a hankerin’ to some breakfast and decided on Bette’s Oceanview Diner in Berkeley, CA. After a some Google Maps jostling, a little street parking action, and a short walk, we arrived at Bette’s.
First thing you see—even before you enter the door—is that the place is packed! (Note: We did not know that today was a holiday for many out there, and I imagine this place remains extremely popular on weekends) Then you look up and notice the GIANT slice of pie hanging from the ceiling. It is massive (yes, that is it in the photo). And after that, things become blurry in a mad rush of rumbling tummy, marvelous odors, and a flurry of waitresses.
Then your food comes. Oh goodness… and behold it was delicious! Practically all conversation stopped at our table for the first half of the meal, while we scarfed-down German pancakes, regular pancakes, omelets, bacon, turkey sausage, and cantaloupe. Perfect.
More than enough to make you forget that there is no ocean view! (Although we hear that from the roof, it is spectacular!)
Some people get it right. Compostion “a store for design”, in the BelMar District of Denver, Colorado has one of those such people at the helm (Hi, Jen). We ran across her shop while in search of Denver culture (it’s not as hard as you might think). There’s something about the way they tie in all of the different products they sell.
From jewelery and clothings, to beds and books it’s just a well put together shop. When we get our pic in the mail we’ll share but until then, go an sign up for their website relaunch list. We here from a good source it’s going to be a doozy.
LEGENDmag was out at yet another great Evil Breaks event last night, featuring The M.O.D., Influence, Jay Vigor, Kuze, and Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist …and there was plenty of goodness to go around. If you haven’t ever been to a Bassdrop event (held at Shine in San Francisco, CA), you are missing out big-time. Always a fun crowd, and no cover… they import some great party-pleasing DJs and the bartenders always whip up great drinks! Oh and there is a free photo booth in the back so everyone can get their freak on!!
So if you haven’t already, head on over to the Evil Breaks website and sign up for their mailing list (scroll to the bottom) or check out the individual DJ pages, and we will see you at the next party!
LEGENDmag hit up a great spot in Emeryville, CA yesterday. The bartender was on tap; the music played a broad range of Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop, Classic Rock; and the vibe was definitely chill. Two of our editor’s were on site to give their official opinion… (and this officially starts the new weekly feature we are going to call “Editor’s Battle”):
kc! — Great vibe in this place. Really open space, with music that you can easily talk over. The location feels like you are in a desolate (good), back alley, without being clostrophobic. Drinks were a little pricey, but Larsen the bartender really hooked up some innovative concoctions. I think this is going to be a monthly frequenter for LEGENDmag staff!
Rai-mon —Kitty’s has this middle ground vibe between college-joint energy and grown-folks maturity that I haven’t quite felt anywhere else before. The slant towards Caribbean drinks and food is something that adds a lot to the overall feel, and those empanada’s are crazy good! I’m sure kc! will hate me for this but he coined a phrase while we were there as well. Larsen made this really good drink with cherries that was just a little sweet and still very strong, not like lame club drinks full of sugar. kc! dubbed it a “sweet man drink”! Gotta luv that!
kc! — Thanks, punk (…remember, payback’s a bitch….)
Hey everyone, time to dig in your pockets and give what you can. That same way you hear NPR on the radio trying to gather support for a show, that’s what Sol Collective is doing. Community organizations need comunnity support. Here’s the word from the Sol Collective Art Gallery.
“Sol Collective needs your help! As many of you may know, the Sol Collective is run by a volunteer staff. We provide arts and cultural programming for the community as well as youth classes and events, both on site and in the community. Those of you who attend our events know, they are usually free or on a donation basis. We do a lot of events, put time and energy into them, while holding down other jobs. Those other jobs have been paying the rent for the space. Unfortunately we have come to a point where we can no longer do this without community support. We may be closing our doors in a few months if we do not raise funds. Donations are tax deductible. If all of our friends on my space donated $10-20 dollars, it could keep our doors open for over a year! If you support what we do,please donate ,we would like to continue to serve the community..LOve Please check out our website too! www.solcollective.com”
