Contemplating Crime

Empty docks on the Hudson River as seen from the train
Empty docks on the Hudson River as seen from the train

We hung out with Frank DeBlase in the back room at Record Archive while Teressa Wilcox finished her set and the Goners set up. Frank was excited about his upcoming workshop at Writers & Books, a course in crime writing, where he plans to discuss plotting and plodding. I immediately knew what he meant by plodding because it is the method I prefer. I don’t like planning or knowing what will happen before it does. Frank leaned toward the plod but seemed a little torn. He has some stories to tell.

He was telling how he went to a writers’s conference in Philly and met author, Steve Hodel, son of George Hill Hodel who was friends with Man Ray and John Huston. After the elder Hodel died, his son Steve, a former LAPD homicide detective, came to believe his father was the “Black Dahlia’s” killer.

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Hip Shakin’

Frank DeBlase Hula Hooping at his anniversary party in Rochester, New York
Frank DeBlase Hula Hooping at his anniversary party in Rochester, New York

I used to compete with my sister trying to out hula hoop her and I got so I could keep it up for hours. Not any more. Peggi and I tried last time we in the Skylark and I could not even get it going. Frank DeBlase made it look so easy in the driveway of his home.

They have a Russian Constructivist garage out back where Anonymous Willpower played a two hour set of sizzling Bowie style soul with some choice covers. My favorite was their Smith take on the Burt Bacharach penned Shirelles hit “Baby It’s You.” All that was missing was the old WSAY dj dedication, “This song goes out to Frank and Deb on their fifth wedding anniversary.”

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Art Aficionado

Frank DeBlase photos at Record Archive - A View From The Pit
Frank DeBlase photos at Record Archive – A View From The Pit

There’s Nod right in the middle of Frank DeBlase’s “View From The Pit” show at Record Archive

Record Archive was hopping last night. There were about twenty five skateboarders out front on the unseasonably warm night. Inside Alanya offered us a can of ice cold Rolling Rock and Dick Storms had Nino’s pizza laid out on the table. It was hard to get an unobstructed view of Frank‘s photos. I centered my shot around Nod so I didn’t get Joan Jett or Ivy. There are hundred photos in this show and the prints were selling fast. So you better get over there before all the good ones are gone.

Art opening hound at Svan Aken’s “Audition” at RoCo
Art opening hound at Svan Aken’s “Audition” at RoCo

We go to a lot of local art openings but I’m willing to bet this fellow art aficionado goes to all the art openings. I usually see him chowing down at the refreshments table but last night he was checking out the Sam van Aken’s “Audition” at RoCo on East Avenue. His outfit was nicely cordinated with he work last night. Chas Davis had some nice big Paul Jenkins like paintings in the back room.

Back view of am Svan Aken’s “Audition” at RoCo
Back view of am Svan Aken’s “Audition” at RoCo
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