Arts DEVO

I ♥ San Francisco The thousands of us waiting at the back of the pack leading up to the starting line at the Bay to Breakers 12K last Sunday were corralled inside a perimeter of blue porta-potties. And as the breeze floated in off the bay, the air was overtaken by the fresh accumulation of thousands of gallons of pre-race waste. Don’t get me wrong, Arts DEVO had a great time running in his first Bay to Breakers, but the smell and that scene were noteworthy, especially in contrast to the fresh and exhilarating winds breaking off the ocean at the other end of the race. I wasn’t nude, nor was I dressed for the costume party, I was just there to test myself and see if I could run the width of San Francisco. Turns out I can, and that seven-mile-long party train along with the sights (and smells) of the city, Golden Gate Park and the Pacific Ocean made it the best run ever.

Speaking of smelling like ass
I think I like the smell of the fair. It has a funk all its own, and Chico’s own Silver Dollar Fair—starting tonight and running though Memorial Day—is no exception.

Combine the sticky sweetness of cotton candy with the frialated goodness of foods on sticks; mix in a some of that hot grease lubing up The Zipper and a little sprint-car exhaust; add to that some of the steaming fog emanating from the cross-crapping over in farmworld and just a pinch of carnie musk, and you have pure, hot, summer magic. It’s a powerful bouquet, one that immediately brings to mind childhood memories of kicking up dust in flip-flops and stealing kisses on the Ferris wheel. Maybe I don’t really like the fair’s smell, but that’s beside the point. If you’re gonna do it, it’s best enjoyed by just accepting everything it has to offer—let the fair soak in until your sweat is properly seasoned and you’ve become one of the gritty, carefree spirits of the Midway. And when you’ve given in and are truly brave, slide your ass onto the sparkly vinyl of one of the giant chain-powered torture cages and spin, spin, spin away until the pink-tinged chunks of corndog spray forth inside your clown’s washing machine in the sky.

New energy in town There’s a new art-and-music space in town, in the Gasoline Alley complex on Highway 32 (near the old “46” art space, in suite 57). Energy Plant Arts will be holding a grand opening this Friday, May 25, to celebrate the debut of what they are calling a “multimedia art studio,” featuring a recording studio, rehearsal space and gallery space. They also provide a live sound service and will be hosting occasional live events, like the one Friday, which will be a showcase of local hip-hop talent, with Lynguistix, TyBox, Himp C, Big Slim and DJ Ted Shred.

Rudy G It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since beloved local sax-man and photographer Rudy Giscombe died. With the anniversary of his birthday coming up, his friends and family have put together a huge party at the Sierra Nevada Big Room to celebrate the man. Saturday, May 26, a who’s who of local musicians will play through the night—from his old band mates (Lew Langworthy, Greg D’Augelli, Nate Furgason and Shigemi Minetaka) to a couple of super groups featuring everyone from Big Mo to Bob Littell. The whole event—which will include a buffet dinner and an auction of Giscombe’s photos—will be a benefit for local aspiring students of the arts. Visit www.celebratingrudy.com for info and to purchase tickets for what promises to be just the sort of festive, celebratory night that Giscombe would have loved.

Go Cats! Gotta give a shout out to AD’s bro-in-law and team equipment manager Tom Wigton and the rest of the Chico State baseball team out in North Carolina for the Division II college World Series. Kick some ass, guys!