THE FRESNAN

FUSE Fest 2011: Reid Gives. You Give. Now Where The Hell Is The FUSE Lineup?

Last year Reid May's band, Trumpet Solo, played F.U.S.E. Fest and they had a good time. But you won't see a return to the lineup for Trumpet Solo because Reid moved out of state. So not metal.

Maybe it's a little bit of homesickness or he just plain likes giving back to Fresno's music community, because Reid created a EP specifically to raise money for this year's Fresno Urban Sound Experience. The Downtown Fresno music local music festival is happening Friday September 30th - Saturday October 1st.

If you download his $4 EP "Back To The Garage" off of Bandcamp, all the proceeds go to F.U.S.E. Now THAT is pretty damn metal. Listen and buy:

In other money-raising-for-FUSE-fest news, the Kickstarter Campaign is up and going. There are many days left but no reason to wait for the last minute to be a backer. You being a backer is how F.U.S.E. stays an authentic/indie/DIY style local music festival. We want to keep highlighting Downtown Fresno venues and local music talent, without having to get the corporate sponsor - Personally, we've been to enough shows with a Coors/Bud Light stage.

More F.U.S.E. news, the lineup announcement is coming soon. It'll be over 30 acts this year. No pre-party night because it's a full two day event. Should be fun to figure out which night has the best lineup and which night has the best venues. We say both.

Learnings: Be Green About Your Downtowness

Tonight at Fulton 55, Creative Fresno is hosting a Mindforum. This one is about "Living Green Downtown."

CF explains:

Want to know more about housing options downtown? Interested in a monthly electricity bill that is super easy on the wallet? Want to be able to walk to some of the best entertainment venues in town? This Mindforum is for you.

In partnership with Fulton 55 and Granville Homes, Creative Fresno will host another interactive presentation as a part of the MindForum Lecture Series. "Living Green Downtown" will showcase the innovative housing developments changing the landscape of downtown Fresno and the award winning programs being implemented as part of the "Fresno Green" strategy.

Speakers:

Darius Assemi, President of Granville Homes
Topic: successes and challenges of making a strong commitment to downtown and the environment

Joseph Oldham, City of Fresno Sustainability Manager
Topic: environmentally-friendly programs available from the City of Fresno

Plus, a "$100 Downtown Prize Package" will be given away as a door prize at the end of the evening featuring gift cards from downtown establishments.

The forum is free. It goes from 6 to 8pm. And a walking tour of Fulton Village happens after a interactive presentation at Fulton 55.

You Didn't Hear It From Me But: FUSE Fest 2011 Is September 30th AND October 1st

That's the rumor. Two nights. One Fresno music festival. September 30th and October 1st. Balls.

 

INCOMING!: Creative Fresno's 'Members Only' Party @ Storyland This Saturday

This is what Creative Fresno does in town. Basically, CF helps make Fresno a cooler place to live.

Saturday's Members Only Party happening at Storyland, is a good illustration of that: Three killer bands, lots of prize giveaways, drinks (bring cash), all while you're surrounded by the coolness of Storyland and supporters of Fresno.

Sounds like a perfect night.

Three bands are playing the party. Strange Vine is one. It could be said they're Fresno's best band at the moment (Fierce Creatures fans might disagree). They just got done playing a ton of shows at SXSW and a show in Mesa where they shared a stage with the Black Keys. This is Strange Vine:

Also playing, The Stone Foxes. They're three Fresno natives that now live in "the city". So happens they're the ones that got Strange Vine on the Black Keys bill. They're good too:

Thirdly, something a little different with Austin band Agent Ribbons. They came through Fresno last August and made a good impression on most that went. So why not bring them back? In fact, the band built a full tour around this Fresno gig. The ladies of Agent Ribbons:

Yes. This party is for Creative Fresno Members.. ONLY! (you gotta keep Clovisians out somehow). You can join here, or you can show up at Storyland at 8:30 Saturday night with $20 (bring cash) and become a member of an outstanding Fresno organization and get into a unique and great show.

[Disclosure: This blogger is a proud member of the Creative Fresno Board]

INCOMING!: Pecha Kucha Night Fresno #10 @ Fulton 55

The popular Creative Fresno event, Pecha Kucha, returns Monday night with the 10th installment. The theme this time is Tasteful/Tasteless. Head's up for you PK regulars: The venue has changed. There will be no Starline controversy this time around because Pecha has moved to Futlon 55. This will be a good one.

And HEY, look at this!: There is still time for YOU to be a presenter!

In case you don't know, here is what you do as a presenter. Here's what you may look like as a presenter. Basically, you show 20 images, each image stays up for 20 seconds while you present and you sorta rif on what image is on the screen.

Maybe getting interested? If you can get your 20 images together that are loosely based on the theme, before noon Saturday, you're a presenter too. Contact Pecha Kucha Fresno on Twitter or email: kiel@creativefresno.com.

For the rest of us, cover is $5 - $3 for Creative Fresno members.

Door at 7. Starts at 7:30 and goes 'till 9:30 10-ish.

Tuesday In Fresno: A Fresnan Quad' Header

>>>Begin your day of being a well rounded Fresnan with a Town Hall Meeting in the Tower District at the First Congregational Church. Mayor Swear' will be there, Blong Xiong too. Tell them what's what with Fresno. It starts at 6:30.

>>>Continue your Fresday with a drink battle at the Creative Fresno Bartender Challenge. "Design heavy weights Bruce Batti of Jeffrey Scott Agency and Layne Lev of Hundred10 behind the bar of the Elbow Room to see who can translate design excellence into bartending excellence." Yeah, we don't know who those dudes are either, but it doesn't matter. What matters is the tips go to fund Creative Fresno's Mural Project. It goes from 5 to 9.

>>>Keep it rolling at the Fulton 55 with blues/jazz/country/alt guy, Jackie Greene. It's nice stuff:

The Jackie Green show starts at 8pm with Fresno's Glen Delpit opening up. Cost is $20 (yikes).

Finish off the night at Audie's Olympic with Lance Canales & The Flood:

 


You do all that and you recieve a perfect score for being an awesome ass Fresnan.

Fresno Film Commission and Creative Fresno Make A Deal... and Then Make 'Variety'

A year ago due to budget cuts, the City of Fresno had to release it's Film Commissioners office. Luckily, the non-profit organization, Creative Fresno, took in the Fresno Film Commission so it could stick around and do some of the good work it was doing fostering filmmaking in Fresno.

But working under a non-profit's umbrella meant that the Commissioner, Ray Arthur, would have to pretty much do the same job he had been doing, only not get paid for it.

Well now the office and Creative Fresno are liking the deal so much they've signed up for three more years. This is big enough news that it made the pages of Variety, Hollywood's biggest trade paper. Cool stuff. And in the article, we learn that Fresno's had a good year, film wise:

In the interim the Fresno Film Commission flourished on the production side, with 33 film shoots in 2010, a 27% increase over 2009.

In case you're thinking "I guess it's a good thing the City Of Fresno dropped the Film Commissioners office." Well, in the article, our Commish explains why that isn't true:

Film commissioner Ray Arthur noted that it is not all good news, however. "While the number of productions has increased, the amount of revenue from those productions has fallen," he said. "Without marketing or operations budgets we are, unfortunately, unable to attract the number of Hollywood-based productions that we have in years past."

Much respect to Ray for the work he and all the Fresno filmmakers have done in the past year without getting paid. Hopefully at the end of the agreement with Creative Fresno, the city can afford to have the film commission around again.

*If you'd like to read the press release about the new contract that the Film Commission and Creative Fresno have, download this file: Download FFC P R 12411

Tonight @ Starline: Pecha Kucha Night Fresno #9

If you're new to the Pecha Kucha thing, Pecha Fresno has a brief history for you:

The event started in Tokyo by an architecture firm as a way to share and promote creative work. The event is now held in 327 cities. PechaKucha is Japanese for the sound of conversation or chit-chat. Thanks to Creative Fresno, we were the 140th or so city to do PKN. In 2 years we've had 8 events and close to 80 creative presentations.

Fresno is a city full of creativity. We have strong presence in design, fashion, architecture, and more. Local talent is continually showcased at PechaKucha Night Fresno.

Tonight is the 9th edition and the presentors are:

Byron Watkins
Caroline Wade
Ryan C Jones
Leo Rios
Melanie Davis
Ian Reith
Kiel Famellos-Schmidt
Joe Moore

And MC-ing is local comedian/everything, Travis Sheridan.

Tonight's focus is on Tradition.
Cover is a $5 donation ($3 for Creative Fresno members).
It's happening at Starline (831 E. Fern Ave) and goes from 7 to 9:30.

For The Civic Minded Fresnan: Tell Fresno Big Wigs Today You Still Want Cool Shit To Happen Downtown

 

Who the hell doesn't like a good budget workshop!? Usually that's, like, a solid Friday night for us. But the City Of Fresno likes to have their budget themed parties in the middle of the day on a Thursday. Whatever. In fact, they're having one today. And Creative Fresno is encouraging Downtown Fresno supportors to head on down to City Hall today and remind the Fresno Big Wigs to keep the focus on Downtown:

"Many of you might remember back in the early days of Creative Fresno how this organization really championed the City of Fresno putting solid long-term strategic planning into our downtown. From the downtown Blenders, to FUSE, to this organization's involvement in various downtown initiatives, Creative Fresno has always believed in downtown.  The Creative Economy Council original report and subsequent Report Cards, including the most recently released, the Sophomore Report Card, highlight the challenges and successes seen in the past few years. Many of us feel that really positive things, such as the PBID and specific plans, are great steps in the right direction. But we still have so much work to do on downtown.

This Thursday, the Fresno City Council will be holding a budget workshop at 1:30 at City Hall regarding the Downtown and Community Revitalization Department. If you can, swing by and remind our City Councilmembers that we need to stay focused on downtown and invest in the DCR.

If you can't make it in person, please go to www.fresno.gov and send an email to your councilmember -- or to all the councilmembers. Let your voice be heard."

Budget Meeting: Downtown and Community Revitalization Department
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Scheduled time: 1:30 p.m.
Fresno City Hall
Council Chambers

*[photo stolen from here]

If You're Looking For Some Place To Start Drinking Tonight, Why Not This Friggin Thing

Let's just hope Palominos suffered no water damage.

If you're wonder what these Bartender Challenges are all about, Creative Fresno describes:

Creative Weekend Choices For Any Fresnan

FRIDAY

The first Friday of the month means it's Blender time. The Creative Fresno event that, in the words of Blake Jones "It's sort of a happy hour get together for creative types who want to either: a) change the world or b) have a good time." Yeah, something like that.

This month's edition is a little bit more special as it's happening in an interesting venue: Urban Salvage Central Valley. It's kinda their grand opening and CF is helping celebrate. There will be some cocktails and appetizers. Plus some music from the aforementioned Blake Jones and the Trike Shop. If that isn't enough, we hear that there's going to be some fire-breathing stuff from Jamie Holt.

Where: Urban Salvage Central Valley - 1515 Broadway Street
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Web: www.creativefresno.com

SATURDAY

Yes, the Bulldogs have a game against SLO, but there is alternatives for the non football fan. Downtown at the DCAC, street closures and good times:

 

Incoming!: 'One Night At Tokyo' This Saturday

The Creative Fresno mural fundraising event, One Night At Tokyo, is back this Saturday. This version has quality local music from Bicicleta, Almost Winter and Love Pollution. That's not your everyday Fresno mix of bands, should prove interesting. And its late start time gives you somewhere to go after you're done seeing Mayer Asshead.

Let's get geeked up for the show and check out some Love Pollution at the now defunct venue, The Captive:

*Sweet flier done by Antilabs.

F.u.S.E. Fest 2010: Help Kickstart This Year's Festival!

October 23rd is when Fresno's local music showcase called the Fresno Urban Sound Experience takes place. We already know a good chunk of the bands (another round of band announcements coming soon) and it's kinda exciting to us local music nerds.

You're going to have an opportunity (you can't be everywhere at once) to see around 40 music artists that day. It's a lot of bands and they deserve to get a little somethin' somethin' for their efforts. Right? That's where you can come in and help - and get a little somethin' somethin' for YOURself in return.

If you were at Pecha Kucha on Monday, you know that F.u.S.E. got approved to be a Kickstarter project. That's what that nifty widget up there is all about. Basically, if the F.u.S.E. "project" reaches $2,500 in donations, the festival (actually, the bands) gets that money. If not, it's all erased and we go home dissillusioned and start bad emo bands. (more kicking info found here)

So go over to the F.u.S.E Kickstarter page, watch the video, look at what kinda swag you can get, see if there is a level you can afford, be a backer and an awesome Fresnan.

*Key thing to remember, F.u.S.E Fest is put on by Creative Fresno, a non-profit tax-deductible outfit.

Starline Tonight: Pecha Kucha Vol. 8 [-9-10]

 

It's the eighth volume for one of the most creative things going in Fresno: Pecha Kucha. No, Fresno didn't start the thing, it just feels like. Every volume has been a success and this one looks to continue that run. This volume's theme is number (you know, cause it's 8_9_10 today). Here is your list of presenters:

• Craig Kohlruss
• Shannon Hunter
• Enrique Meza
• Bob Kepford
• Nick Gundry
• Tim Schulz
• Anthony Taylor
• Alexa Westerfield
• Barry Falke with Alisa Manjarrez
• Jenn Goforth
• Cynthia Cooper
• Josh Tehee

Rembember: if you like sitting down, get there early. Doors should open by 7 and it's only $4.

Bartender Challenge: Taste Fresno Guy vs. Badger Guy

It's been a year but Creative Fresno's 'Bartender Challenge' returns tonight with a couple of local internets notables: James Collier and Kiel Famellos-Schmidt. 

If you've never been to a challenge, two folks (that don't normally bar-tend) work the bar for a few hours and battle for your tips. Tonight's is at Palomino's. The person with the most tip money wins bragging rights and stuff. All your tip donations go to Creative Fresno's mural fund. This is how we get more sweet public murals around Fresno. Cool? Yes.

If you don't know James, he created Taste Fresno and Picture Fresno (mostly) and does other fancy stuff. And Kiel, he's an up-and-coming local architect, runs Archop, helps put together local parks and (most important to us) keeps Fresno safe from random Badger attacks.

To find out more about Creative Fresno's awesome, check Famous Whitewater's recent related post. For a refresher on CF's Bartender Challenge, check out this classic one with a video done by Will: