THE FRESNAN

The Evening Post: What's Old Could Be New Again For Gottschalks

It's about as depressing as Fresno retail can get out there (unless you're a Gottschalks competitor) and Fresno was buzzing today with the news. I'll tell ya how much people were talking today about Gottschalks closing its doors: Ray Appleton actually did a full two hours of local programing, in Gottschalk's honor.

You know, there could be something really cool that could come of this. Yes, it's merely a dream at this point, but, it was said by a Gottschalks spokesman that this may not be the complete ending for Gottschalks.

What if they started from scratch? Went back to their roots and opened just one store, like good old Emil Gottschalk did. And, that one store was the original downtown store. What better place for a rebirth?

Adding to this little fantasy, what if the River Park store sat vacant and the re-birthed downtown store was thriving? Poetic justice. Ahh well, a Fresno kid can dream, can't he?

Music Box Fresno: New Video Release Day?

Tuesday is traditionally the day new CDs and DVDs get released and, apparently, it's also a day to release new videos from Fresno bands.

First up, the Fay Wrays (playing at Merced's the Partisan) with their new bass player, Paul Albert Harper. The Fay Wrays will be playing Chinatown Youth Center tonight with Sleepover Disaster and The Slowdown.


*The video's audio was edited with some sorta 'time warping' method.

Videos by two more Fresno bands after the break.

The Evening Post: If You 'Ask Me', Paula Is Awesome

The most underrated columnist on the Fresno Bee's staff is Paula Lloyd. Her Monday column "Ask Me" where she fields general questions about Fresno, is sweet gooey Fresnoness. In today's column, a one Bryan Harley asks Paula about the history of the Old Liberty Theater in downtown Fresno. Here is Paula's response:

At one time, all three of the theater's names could be seen on the building, telling its history: "Liberty Theater" painted on red brick on the side, "Hardy's" on the marquee and "Mexico" mounted on brackets on the front.

The red, white and green Mexico sign has since been removed.

The Renaissance Revival-style Liberty Theater was built in 1917 at 944 Van Ness Ave., near Tulare Street. The Kinema on Fulton Street, built in 1913, was probably Fresno's first motion-picture theater.

The Liberty Theater closed about 1929, but reopened to show "sound pictures" in 1931, after sound equipment, a new marquee and other improvements were installed. It was named Hardy's by its new owner, Gerald Hardy.

Hardy's was bought in 1967 by Trans-Beacon Theaters, which went out of business in 1971. In 1976, the theater was used for religious concerts and seminars.

In 1978, it was renamed the Mexico Theater, showing Spanish-language movies and staging live entertainment.

You may have heard Downtown Czar, Craig Scharton, recently talk about the Liberty on Flowing With Famous. He said it was a vaudevillian theater and is a perfect mid-size venue for concerts since it's made for stage acts and not showing movies (like the Crest or Warnors). This is big in this blog's book; a dedicated midsize concert venue that's built for good sound.

Please. Somebody. Paula, Craig, Bryan, Mayor Swearengin, anybody, bring the Liberty back to life again.

[NEW! Photo Credit: Bryan Harley]

Fres-Video: Brother Luke playing at the Starline

So, we chose to hangout at the Same Shape/Brother Luke and the Comrades show at the Starline on Saturday night and we've got a random song from it to show you. It's by Brother Luke and we're calling it "Under Cover" but that may be nowhere near the name.

Doesn't matter, just relax, watch and listen:

Monday Morning Hangover: Blogger Choice Awards

The Fresno Bee's "Peoples Choice Awards" came out in Saturday's paper. It's the awards where Bee readers vote for their favorite Fresno things, in every category you can imagine. This year's awards did seem to be more accurate than years past (at least more than Fresno Magazine's). But, some of the winners included much of the same: KMJ and Appleton, Starbucks, Pismo, In-N-Out and, of course, your mom for Best Late Night Ass.

While there wasn't a category for blogs, Fresno's blogosphere did get some respect by being deemed a "hidden gem". Along with an Interview With A Douche, there is a nice screenshot of Dumb Drum (page 40) and we manage to get sweet bloggy mentions to: Dumb, MsSolitaire, Queer Fresno, Bulldog Bounce and Da Blogs Da Thang.

But not all the local blogs, this blog considers its favorites, made it into the paper. Most notably and randomly: Ed Stewart, Gustav's Groupie, Weird Fresno, Fresno Fusion, Wide World of Fresno Sports, The Hive, Fresno Famous, This Is Conlan, South Of Sunnyside, Bio-polarity of Life...um, you know what? Just check the damn blogroll. They're all there: meh, lame and award winning.

Bloggiest Moment of the Week: Unknown Blogging Records Are Made To Be Broken

In case you're as lame as this blog and you're blog-scoring at home:

It's an official Fresno blogosphere record: 21 posts in one week from the Beehive's Heather McLane... in only five days. Not only that, a mild BLOG WAR!!! started up within her Fres-Know post between TV media and print media. Awesome. And, definately worthy of this week's Bloggy Moment.

Saturday Fresgeek: What's a Fresno Music Fan Supposed To Do?

Can one of these shows be Tivo'd or something?

The Starline will have a Fresno favorite: The Same Shape. They're backed up by Brother Luke and the Comrades, Style Like Revelators and Jonah and the Whale. [Time 8:30 Cost: 6]

Alright, so, decision is made, it's Starline tonight. But wait...

Tokyo Garden is hosting Sleepover Disaster's return from the South By Southwest Festival. Plus, there is Ovideo (featuring former members of American Sloth, IG88, and The Sleepover Disaster), and Tasso. Famous Whitewater even told Bubba about this show. [Time 9:30 Cost: 5-ish]

DAMMIT, hate it when a decission has to be made. Ohh and I don't even want to hear it, Audie's/Club Fred, with your Straight up Sinning..... and not a peep, Full Circle, with your Super Lucky Catz show.

Friday Fresgeek: Many Options For Supporting Fresno's Music Scene

Do we like local music a little too much? No, because it's not possible. Friday night in Fresno: It's always filled with music and cover charges that are all over the place:

KUPPAJOE'S: Run Kid Run, Wavorly, Ruth and A Current Afair. The price may be a little steep but since there won't be beer to waste money on, more cash for cover charges.  [Time: 8 Cost: 12]

CLUB FRED/AUDIE'S OLYMPIC: A night of blues with The Corby Yates Band, That Guy Kevin and Toby Cordova. [Info: Flier Time: 8:30 Cost: 10]

STARLINE: It's probably not necessary to point out there will be metal tonight. Just read the band names and you KNOW there's metal going down: KHYRAL, WDNFRA, RED CASTLE ARMY and DESMA. [Time: 9 Cost: 10]

PALOMINO'S: This place has really stepped it up as a Friday night venue. Tonight has indie bands Boomsnake (from San Diego) and Writer. [Time: 10 Cost: 2]

MILANO'S: Some blues and native music with Lance Canales, a little alternative pop with Gabe Rola, a couple beers, a few slices and the Fulton Mall. How could you go wrong with that? [Time: 9 Cost: 6]

CHINATOWN YOUTH CENTER: Still unsure of this venue, but there is a grip of bands playing there tonight. Check it for yourself.

WHAT IN HELLS ARE YOU DOING? Not enough gets covered here so feel free to leave a comment about what you suggest a Fresnan does this weekend or come back and tell us how things went for ya - and, as always, it is preferred that you do your reviews, drunk.

Flowing With Famous: Fortified With Downtowny Goodness

It's finally time for another Flowing With Famous podcast and Famous Whitewater, joined by this nerd, go back to the Downtown well. It's such a deep well, why the hell not?

You'll be listening to:

• Podcasting in the middle of an open restaurant (thank you, Hero's).
• Downtown and Kern Street do not need Forest City.
• Calling out KMJ's Chris Daniel.
• The new old Roller Derby Girls.
• Famous Choice Awards getting silly.
• More mid-size venues in Fresno.
• Post Rogue Festival talky talk.
• It'll Grow Back is touring Fresno.

You can listen in by downloading this: fwf120.mp3 or using the player below:

You can find some more recent Fresno podcasts by checking here.

Focused On Fresno: Where is This Sign? Edition

Heater? Don't know what that means. Anyway, where in Fresno is this sign found? Answer after the jump:

The Evening Post: An all new meaning to the name Clovis 'High'

Ahhhhh, this is so awesome... so... so awesome: The grandson of the Mayor of Clovis was arrested today for allegedly growing pot in his home. Alright, kinda crazy, but not that crazy. The topper is: the gandson was living with the Mayor during this.

Could you have picked a better city for this to have happened in? No. No way. Thank you Fresno Bee and ABC 30 for allerting us to this story. And, head up, Mayor's grandson, you are totally cool with us.

*Think the Clovis High pun is bad? You'd be right. Can you think of a better one?

Happening Tonight: Kentucky and San Diego Tag Team Madera

Indie rock fan advisory: Go to Club Fred's/Audie's tonight if you want to see San Diego indie band Weatherbox because they won't be playing anywhere else in town on Thursday. No, really, Fred's is your only option for that particular band. That also goes for Madera's Buffalo Guns and a Louisville band on tour with Weatherbox called: Mansions.

We can tell you're not so sure about this lineup. Well, sure the eff up with this:

Weatherbox

Get Your Gullet In Shape: Sudz In the City 2009

It's the drinkiest drinking festival West of the Fulton Mall: Sudz In the City.

Every Fresno Spring it brings us: Beer, beer, a little wine, beer, tacos, beer, music, drunk assholes, drink tickets, lines, beer, out of beer, police in riot gear, pedicabs down the Fulton Mall, hangover and plenty of regrets.

This year's beer drinking fest' is again at Chuckchansi Park (better than that Boxcar Parking Lot, that one year) and is happening May 23rd. Yes, we know it's way too early to be talking about this but, seriously, this is the number one question asked around town this time of year: "When is Sudz In the City?"

Well, now we know ahead of time. The only thing we don't know is: Why isn't this happening on the Fulton Mall? Make it happen in 2010, Downtown Associates.

UNDERRATED: Fresno Donut House

Fresh donuts. Open 24 hours. Fresno is in the name. Why aren't you going there more?

(Location: Shields and Blackstone)

Expose your Nerdy Blogger Fanboy-ass to the world!

CafePress is getting some nice Fresno blogger business lately. Recently Fresno Famous set up a merchandise shop there. Now, the local blogger who is rated #1 among guys named Conlan, This is Conlan, has his own t-shirt line.

Don't worry about the price, get on the site and buy one immediately! In fact, you should next day air it so you'll have it in time to impress all the Beehive bloggers at the meet and greet Thursday (*heee he hee*, sorry, this blog can't stop giggling at the prospect of a meet and greet for bloggers).

And yeah, the Famous stuff is cool too, but I'm kinda partial to the old school logo, shirtage.