Well, sadly, Sam Cooke was right about most of us. Last night, I saw the brilliant filmmaker, Ken Burns preview his newest documentary at the Belo Mansion, the headquarters of the Dallas Bar Association. The presentation was co-sponsored by the Dallas Bar Association. and the Dallas World Affairs Council. Burns was introduced by local attorney and author, Talmage Boston. Boston gave a very complete, and mercifully brief introduction, reminding the audience of the words of Stephen Ambrose, who said of Burns, “More people learn history from Ken Burns than anywhere else.” It’s certainly true that his PBS documentaries on the Civil War, Jazz, Baseball, and Jack Johnson present history in a particularly entertaining and accessible fashion. Burns told us all of his projects approach a very simple question, “Who are we?” The answer is an examination of our “true, honest and complicated past.”
Bill Holston
Articles by Bill Holston
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One the absolute highlights of my year last year, was participating in Pecha Kucha Dallas. Pecha Kucha (pronounced pechachka), Japanese for chit chat, is a lecture format that began in 2003 in Japan as a method for designers to use brevity to discuss their work. Now, the format has spread spread to include any innovative idea. The requirement is to talk about something you are knowledgeable about using 20 Power Point slides, timed at 20 seconds per slide. It seems like an unusual thing for a lawyer to say, but one of the values that I find increasingly powerful is brevity. There is something really powerful about being forced to remove extraneous words in order to make your point. Thus, the presentations in Pecha Kucha turn out to be particularly powerful. The organizers do a great job of getting a real cross section of ideas and people.
From its launch in Dallas, Pecha Kucha has been very popular. Last night’s event sold out quickly, so if you are interested in attending, keep your ears open and buy your ticket early. I know several people who wanted to attend and couldn’t. If you missed it, there should be some video from the event posted here: http://sparkforgood.wordpress.com/ And one note about the latest Pecha Kucha: all of the proceeds from the event are going towards Tsunami relief in Japan.
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Dates
Jan 6, 7 p.m.On New Year’s Day, our city lost one of the bright lights in our homegrown music community. Frankie Campagna (Frankie 45) died. He was 24. Frankie was a graduate of Booker T. Washington School for the Performing Arts. More importantly he was a graduate of virtually every musical venue in the city. Frankie, whose stage name was Frankie 45, was in the greaser punk band, Spector 45, voted best punk act at last year’s Dallas Observer music awards. The surviving members of the band are his friends: Adam Carter and Anthony Delabano.
Frankie grew up in Deep Ellum, the son of Frank Campagna, muralist and owner of Kettle Gallery. Frankie and his sister Amber (an accomplished visual artist in her own right) were well known to all of the bar owners, musicians, fans, photographers, artists and others that spent any time in Deep Ellum. I got to know Frankie because my youngest son, Fred, was playing in bands in his teens. It wasn’t long before I ran into Frankie.
Frankie 45 takes flight.
In all of my memories of Frankie, he’s wearing an enigmatic smile. He was unfailingly pleasant and friendly. His smile is mentioned in every one of the many memorial posts which filled the internet in the days since his death. He was also a real professional. Every time he was asked, if he could, he played. He played for charity, played for money, and played for the thrill of creating and entertaining others. He was one of the most entertaining singers I have ever watched. He literally leapt into the audience and exuded enthusiasm. No one in this city was a better showman. He left it all up on the stage every time.
I loved the obvious pride and affection both Frank and Amber had and have for Frankie. I don’t know of a family that was closer than those three. Frankie once said in an interview with the Dallas Observer: ‘My dad is one of the only people I’ve ever idolized, him and Joey Ramone.’ That quote says a lot about Frankie.
A memorial concert has been put together by his friends, most notably, Pete Freedman, the music editor of the Dallas Observer and a close friend of Frankie. Pete has put together a notable line up of musicians to send Frankie off in style. Frankie’s death is mourned by many, so this show should be well-attended.
A brand new Club Dada will be hosting the event. Confirmed bands are:
8 – Leg Sweeper
8:30 – The Double Downs (featuring members of Spector 45)
9 – Missile
9:30 – Here Holy Spain
10 – The Phuss
10:30 – The Marfalites
11 – Barry Kooda Combo
11:30 – THe BAcksliders
12 – The American FuseDoors open at 7. There’s a ten dollar suggested donation which quite fittingly, at the families request, benefit the Deep Ellum Community Association.
Photos courtesy of Spector 45
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Dates
Dec 5 thru Feb 6Since 1989, Bruce and Julie Webb have been collecting and displaying the art of self-taught artists. Ever since hearing Bruce Webb speak at October’s Pecha Kucha presentation during Dallas Idea week, I’ve been planning on visiting this gallery. This opening makes me sad I’ve just made my first trip there. It won’t be my last.
The Gallery is located a mere block away for Waxahachie’s historic downtown, in an old iron front building. The windows are filled with the art that ..read more
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I made my first visit to Sammons Park Patio Sessions yesterday to hear favorite Dallas songwriter, Doug Burr. I decided I wanted to walk, since I’d been sitting at a desk all day. So, armed with a water bottle and sun hat, I began the trek down McKinney Avenue. The walk turned out to be pretty pleasant, given the fact that it started to pour rain. It’s been so hot, I didn’t mind the rain. I arrived to find the ..read more