Kelsey Bennet Unveils East & West Coast Exhibitions This Spring

ACCLAIMED PHOTOGRAPHER & ARTIST KELSEY BENNETT UNVEILS EAST AND WEST COAST EXHIBITIONS THIS SPRING.

THE ‘HONEYMOON PHASE’, A RETROSPECTIVE OF BENNETT’S WORK IN CELEBRATION OF HER LOS ANGELES DEBUTCOLLABORATES WITH CONCEPTUAL ARTIST AND FELLOW NEW YORKER B.THOM STEVENSON FOR ‘BOREGASM’ EXHIBITION IN NEW YORK CITY

Downtown arts darling Kelsey Bennett will be showcasing her work for the first time in Los Angeles this spring, just one week following her fine arts debut in New York City. The first will beBOREGASM; an exhibition and collaboration with conceptual artists B.Thom Stevenson. The pair first worked together as art directors for the colorful and tripped-out video for the New York band Skaters and their single “Schemers”. From that point on, Stevenson and Bennett both knew they shared a powerful chemistry and artistic vision to compliment one another.Immediately following BOREGASM, Kelsey will be venturing west for her Los Angeles debut with the HONEYMOON PHASE presented by the prestigious DRKRM Gallery. The exhibit will showcase a retrospective of Bennett’s work from the past four shows, as well as never before seen pieces from BOREGASM, and her exciting new project entitled HAGS. The exhibition will feature a spectrum of images from the downright surreal to breathtaking and intimate images of subjects, friends, and iconic artists such as Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and the James Brown impersonator Black Velvet among others.BOREGASM
Opening Friday, May 3rd
Fig19 Gallery, New York CityHONEYMOON PHASE
Opening Saturday, May 11th
DKRM Gallery, Los Angeles

Since 2010 artist and photographer Kelsey Bennett has had four solo exhibits in NYC and has received vast critical praise from the arts and culture world. Vanity Fair notably lauded her surreal approach, while BULLETT Magazine hailed her as one of the most exciting new visual artists around. After her last exhibition Tony Bennett: Portrait of an Artist at The Morrison Gallery (2012), The Wall Street Journal raved in a feature on Bennett that her impressive portfolio “far exceeds her years.”Bennett’s official west coast debut, HONEYMOON PHASE presented by the prestigious DRKRM Gallery will showcase a retrospective of Bennett’s work over the past four years as well as never before seen pieces.The exhibition will run the spectrum from downright surreal images to breathtakingly intimate portraits of fellow artists and iconic musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, and the James Brown impersonator Black Velvet among others.On May 11th Bennett will host an exclusive opening night for friends, family and press.  From May 12 to June 1st, her work will be open to the public revealing why 28-year-old Bennett has received so much positive attention and critical acclaim.DRKRM is an exhibition space dedicated to the display of popular cultural images, fine art photography, documentary and photo-journalism, cutting edge and alternative photographic processes. DRKRM is located in the historic Chung King Road of contemporary art galleries in Downtown L.A.’s Chinatown.

HONEYMOON PHASE
Opening Saturday, May 11^th

DKRM Gallery, Los Angeles

BOREGASM

 
Photographer Kelsey Bennett and conceptual artist B.Thom Stevenson will proudly reveal a collaborative body of work entitled BOREGASM at New York City’s Fig19 Gallery. The pair first worked together as art directors for the colorful and psychedelic video for New York based band, Skaters’ single “Schemers”. From that point on, Stevenson and Bennett both knew they shared a powerful chemistry and artistic vision.Together the two have created a thrilling new collection of work that explores and celebrates the age and art of distraction. “Boredom is the gateway to a daydream that can lead the brain into a welcomed escape from reality, a BOREGASM,” explains Bennett, who is a strong champion of the adventurous mind and a wandering imagination.This previously unseen body of work expresses what their minds would collectively look like in such a state.  B.Thom and Kelsey have created mind-bending collages with bright colors and wild visuals using 35 mm photos (taken by Bennett) and layered with mixed media (by Stevenson) mounted on aluminum.  BOREGASM is a celebration of restless minds and serves as a refreshing reminder that a mere blank stare can produce something that is by far, anything but blank.Kelsey Bennett’s recent solo exhibitions include Hypnogogia The Christopher Henry Gallery, NYC (2010), Scope Art Fair in, Florida (2010), Gawker Artists, On The Lam, NYC (2011), The Christopher Henry Gallery, Black Velvet: The Godfather of Soul, NYC (2011), The Lu Magnus Gallery, NY (2011), Fountain Art Fair, NY (2011, 2012) and Morrison Hotel Gallery, Tony Bennett: Portrait of an Artist, NY (2012)B. Thom Stevenson’s recent solo exhibitions include “CD Rom Com” at Envoy
Gallery, New York, NY (2011), War Wagon” a site specific installation at Bushwick Open Studio, Brooklyn, NY (2012), Cream Studios, New York (2012); and Bookmarc, New York (2012). His bookNo Time for Prayers (2012) was published through Bookmarc, a division of Marc Jacobs Intl. He has also created work for bands Skaters, Unsolved Mysteries, and Of the Opera.

BOREGASM will be open to the public from Friday, May 3 until May 16 at the edgy downtown Fig.19 Gallery in the Lower East Side of New York City.

Makeup Artist: Hilary Montez

Twenty year old, Hilary Montez has been makeup obsessed since the day she picked up her first makeup brush. She had always enjoyed being her own canvas, until people began asking her to do their makeup, and that is when she knew this was something she had a passion for, and decided to pursue it without any doubts. “Katy Perry & Lana Del Rey are my biggest inspirations because they are both beautiful, powerful women that went for their career and succeeded.”

Hilary has worked on a few independent films for the University of Southern California as a makeup artist, and has also been a makeup assistant on a short film which was shot in Los Angeles.

This past weekend, Hilary worked an event in Orange County with RAW Artists where she was able to showcase her talent on the four lovely models above.

The talented artist has also done makeup for a wedding which was located in Laguna Beach, and will soon work another wedding in San Diego. For bookings, she can be contacted at the addresses pictured below:

Insomniac and Exchange LA Announce the Launch of ‘Extended Hours’ (10 p.m. – 6 a.m.) on Saturdays

Taking place in Downtown’s historic core Saturday, April 6, 2013,

featuring a four hour set by Victor Calderone

Los Angeles, Calif. – April 1, 2013 – Insomniac, the world’s premier dance music event producer, and Exchange LA, voted DJ Mag’s #60 club in the world, are proud to announce the launch of ‘Extended Hours’ at ‘Inception Saturdays.’ This event will mark the beginning of Exchange LA’s new extended hours of operation on Saturday nights.

‘Inception Saturdays’ hosts Dance Music artists from a multitude of genres (House, Electro House, Progressive House, Trance, Deep, Techno) and incorporates Insomniac’s unique brand of enhanced production, design and a Funktion-One sound system. The ‘Extended Hours’ portion of Inception Saturdays (3 a.m. – 6 a.m.) will feature the best in Techno, Tech House & Deep House from top local and international dance music artists.

“People just don’t want to leave the venue at 3 a.m. when the lights turn on and the music stops. Many of them want to dance until the sun comes up,” says Dominic Saldana, marketing director of Exchange LA. “We are excited to pilot our new hours of operation in conjunction with Insomniac’s Saturday night event series Inception. People can count on the music to be top notch from beginning to end.”

The launch of Exchange LA’s new ‘Extended Hours’ will feature a four-hour headlining set from world-renowned DJ/producer Victor Calderone, with opening and closing sets by Tara Brooks and Steve Prior.

For full information on event details, please visit Exchangela.com

To purchase tickets to Inception, please visit the event listings at Insomniac.com

Insomniac

Insomniac produces innovative music festivals and events featuring immersive multisensory environments enhanced by state-of-the-art lighting and sound design, large-scale art installations, interactive circus and theatrical performances, boundary-pushing special effects and pyrotechnics, and fan participation.  The quality of our fans’ experience is the company’s top priority.  Insomniac’s premier annual event, Electric Daisy Carnival, is one of the largest, most spectacular music festivals in the world. Insomniac has produced more than 250 music events and for more than 3 million attendees in California, Nevada, Colorado, Washington, Texas, Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico.  Founded by Pasquale Rotella, Insomniac has been based in Los Angeles since it started in 1993.

Exchange LA

“You only have to see Exchange LA to ‘take stock’ of what it used to be. Once the official dwellings of the LA Stock Exchange’s downtown activity — which closed its operations in 1986 as fiscal business fled to other parts of the city — the building’s four floors were unveiled as Los Angeles’ most ambitious club concept in 2010. Designed by Samuel Lunden and built in 1929, this opulent eleven-story Art Deco building is no longer run by fat cat investors, but the article of affection for the world’s most successful DJs (Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, AN21, Max Vangelli).”

- DJ Mag

Pieces (Of Ass) 10th Year Anniversary

Last night PIECES (of ass) returned to Los Angeles for a special one-night only engagement at the Fonda Theatre to celebrate the 10^th Year Anniversary of this groundbreaking theatrical sensation. 

Th sold out event was attended by a number of celebrity guests including Moby, Brandi Glanville (RHOBH), Seth Green, Zachary Levi, Andy Dick, Lance Bass, Anna Trebunskaya from “Dancing with the Stars” and Go Daddy’s breakout star Jesse Heiman.   Glanville and Heiman set off a media frenzy as they reenacted his famous make-out session with Bar Refaeli.

The cast was made up of 12 dynamic women including; Alison Haislip, Alysson Holt, Amy Lindsay, Betsy Cox, Caroline D’Amore, Ivory May Kalber, Jasmine Dustin, Samantha Schacher, Suzy McCoppin, Tami Farrell, Vanessa Gomez and Jennifer Gimenez. Each cast member presented a “piece” that explored what it is that defines an attractive women – from the perks and privileges, to the problems and pressures. It was a show by women, for women, and about women.

What is PIECES (of ass) you ask?

Well PIECES (of ass) is a hilarious and heartbreaking, poignant and provocative off broadway play that has been ranked #1 in Los Angeles and New York since it’s first debut in 2003! It is an evening full of fabulous fashion, a star studded setting and a lively interactive audience.

Adrienne Pierce

Open Up Céline!

You’re in luck Céline fans in LA! Last Saturday, Céline quietly opened its doors at the heart of Beverly Hills on 319 North Rodeo Drive between Miu Miu and Montblanc. The two story Rodeo Drive locale adheres to creative director, Phoebe Philo’s signature minimalist style with monotone palettes and scanty decor. Although Celine has been rather quiet about their Los Angeles opening, shoppers have already rushed to look for their coveted handbags!

Opening Ceremony X Spring Breakers

As Spring break is upon us and the movie Spring Breakers is here to motivate us to be in accomplice with a drug dealer named Alien, Opening Ceremony is going on a different approach. A collection that is inspired by each of the main characters of Spring Breakers is here! Even though I found that the attire in the movie was so called “slutty” or “trashy” it’s still a fun collection to look at!

All five of the main characters have their own specific symbol to represent them in the clothing line: a glow-in-the-dark alien (Alien), a pair of green dolphins (Brit), a pink marijuana leaf (Candy), hot pink dripping ice cream cones (Cotty), and an inverted purple cross (Faith) that are printed on sweatshirts, jerseys, bikinis, beach towels, and bandannas, priced from $20 to $90. There are also “HARMONY” and “SPRING BREAK 4EVER BITCHES” bracelets. The full collection hits Opening Ceremony stores in New York and Los Angeles and the Internet March 22.

So if you’re thinking of a way to start of your Spring Break, maybe this collection will do the trick.

Spring break forever bitches!

Style Fashion Week LA : Style PR

Last Friday night was the celebration and showing of Style PR’s new collection in their showroom which included designers such as Roxanne Nikki, Bryan Hearns and Michael Cinco.

What an amazing night full of inspiration and style! The first collection to walk down was Roxanne Nikki. With the beautiful fabrics she used: velvet, fur and so much more, it created the classy and edgy vibe that was a great start to the night.

Bryan Hearns was up next. Their beauty look was definitely on trend, using the middle part and wet hair looks it was easy to tell that the collection was going to consist of edginess: with futuristic and interesting textures. Even though all of the garments were only for women, it still struck to me as an excellent collection.

Last but not least, Michael Cinco. The opener for his show was a beautiful dark princess dress that didn’t over dramatize the concept or fell under the theme; it was perfect. As the crowd sat in awe, more amazing garments came out; a full headpiece also came into play that was put together with what looked like a skin tight bodysuit. The men’s section of the show also tied in with classy and extravagant; covered heads and oversized hoods created a dark, majestic fairytale.

Jay Z and Justin Timberlake Coming to a Town Near You

Jay Z and Justin Timberlake have confirmed to go on a 12 city tour together in the summer called the “Legends Of The Summer” tour. Last time Jay Z collaborated his tour with Kanye, they sung “Ni**as in Paris” nine times in multiple locations. So it’s safe to say you’ll be hearing “Suit & Tie” alot of times.

What do you think? Are you ready for an epic summer tour season?

The tour dates are here as follows:

July 17: Toronto, ON (Rogers Centre)
July 19: New York, NY (Yankee Stadium)
July 22: Chicago, IL (Soldier Field)
July 26: San Francisco, CA (Candlestick Park)
July 28: Los Angeles, CA (Rose Bowl)
July 31: Vancouver, BC (BC Place Stadium)
August 4: Hershey, PA (Hershey Stadium)
August 6: Detroit, MI (Ford Field)
August 8: Baltimore, MD (M&T Bank Stadium)
August 10: Boston, MA (Fenway Park)
August 13: Philadelphia, PA (Citizens Bank Park)
August 16: Miami, FL (Sun Life Stadium)

Topshop & Topman Wows Shoppers on Opening Day

An amazing and over the top opening from Topshop and Topman was served on a gold platter. With Demi Lovato performing and hundreds of people crowding the new store, it is sure that Topshop and Topman is getting great publicity and attention.

Yesterday, at the opening, people waited in line as early as 5 am to claim to be the first one in the store; DJ’s blasted the area to treat the customers without boredom and coldness. Not only did they receive music, but they recieved cotton candy, lemonade, gift cards ranging from $20 – $1000, temporary tattoos and how can I forget male models in short shorts! Kate Bosworth made an appearance too!

Sounds like my cup of tea!

Once everyone was well treated to the goodies Topshop and Topman gave to the customers, everyone was excited to see Demi Lovato taking the stage to perform one of her hit singles “Give Your Heart a Break”.

After the great outcome and reviews from the opening, we know hands down this is the store to do your 2013 Christmas shopping in.