February Updates

Hello! This is Jackie, co-founder of Blank Slate. It's been a minute since I've written a blog post. Today I feel that it's appropriate because the only things I feel motivated to do are talk about Blank Slate and play with my pets. (I successfully played with Ruffles and Snowflake for an hour this morning)

TL;DR Blank Slate is a punk venue. Last night was fun. We have many upcoming events in February. The art gallery looks great. Our bills are scary.

"What is Blank Slate?" you may ask. It's a DIY venue in Elyria, Ohio. We host live music shows,  an art gallery, community get togethers, among other things. The whole idea is to provide a location for artistic expression and community. We are volunteer run and are always seeking out more people to get involved with us. We really want to see you book events in our venue.

You may now be wondering, "What has Blank Slate been up to?" Well, lots of sh*t!

Music Shows

For one, our hip hop game is only getting better and better. For months Eddy (co-founder and guy who books like all the music shows) booked a lot of hardcore, indie, and punk shows. But now I'm seeing a lot more hip hop shows booked mostly by Orcko Occult. And by "a lot more" I mean that there was one last Saturday, there is one this Tuesday 2/7 and Saturday 2/18.

Also upcoming is Anderson's PAL-entines day Lonely Hearts Open Mic on Tuesday 2/14 (ps Anderson is an art gallery juror & very important volunteer). I think there are plenty of open spots, if you're interested.

Shaun (a founding board member) has Meet Me in Montauk on Monday 2/13.  Eddy has an indie punk show on Friday 2/17 with Tiny Engines backed Signals Midwest.

Art Gallery

The art gallery team has been killing it. I'm so proud of Shelby, Michelle, and Anderson. I'm the administrator for the gallery, which means that I do a lot with coordinating artists and assisting the team. Shelby is in charge of the group. Together they select the pieces, install and take down the art, plan the monthly art receptions, and are there for weekly gallery hours. Yeah it's a lot of volunteer hours. Too bad we aren't applying to college anymore. This would look great on a scholarship application.

Last night we had our February Art Reception with live music performed by Matt Deulley (of A Work of Fiction). The gallery is currently featuring the work of artists Dan Manion (Athens) and Blair Griffith (Cleveland). Both of their work have similar themes of abstraction. But it's pretty sweet because they approach the idea in very different ways. Their work will be up all of this month. You can view it Sundays from noon to 3pm and also at any of our events. Next month we have artists Timothy Gaewsky (Cleveland) and Rhiannon Massaro (Wooster). Their work uses lots of color and are similarly trippy.

Film Screenings

Last night following the February reception we had a screening and discussion of Japanese thriller Woman in the Dunes hosted by Stephen (one of our artists back in November '16). It was super creepy and thought provoking. Now I'm wondering, "Would I be more trapped in my current life or enslaved/ enslaved with a lady in the dunes?" That doesn't make any sense to you? You just have to see the movie. Next film screening is coming up in a month or so.

Girl Gang

Michelle, Courtney (January '17 artist & very important volunteer) and I started the Girl Gang Meet Up a few months ago. Our goal is simply to help girls make friends with girls. And by girl, I mean any person who includes girl as a part of their identity. For example, if you are a non binary or trans person who is interested in being part of a girl gang, then I totally want you to come. I want moms to attend, too. At each meetup we have bitch support group and an arts and crafts project. The next event is Wednesday 2/15. I think we are making water marbled coffee mugs.

Finances

It's been a challenge to pay our bills for the last several months. Attendance at shows hasn't been great and that's how we make all of our money. Yeah we sell art and zines sometimes, but it's all about the money we make from admission at shows. I know, it's cold out and netflix exists. But I personally want to encourage you to come to shows! I'm working on being more fun, too, so maybe you will see me and we will become best friends 4 eva.

Alright, that's a lot of information. If you made it this far, congratulations and thank you! If this post got you thinking about how you can get involved, be on the look out for the March public meeting. The public meetings are a great way for new people to get to know us and for everyone to share ideas.I'll make a facebook event for it soon.

That’s Snowflake my pet rabbit ^^^

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Our gallery is seeking submissions for 2017! Each exhibition runs for one month. Emerging artists are encouraged to apply. Check out blankslateelyria.tumblr.com/gallery for the details. #blankslateelyria #blankslategallery #callforsubmissions #artgallery

Every Sunday from noon to 3pm the gallery is open. Our gallery showcases Ohio artists for one month long runs. We are currently accepting submissions for February 2017 and on. For more info on how to submit, see blankslateelyria.tumblr.com/gallery or contact [email protected]. (Also, during gallery hours we are accepting clothes donations to go to a local charity. Any donations are appreciated!) #blankslateelyria #elyria #artgallery #donations #artsubmissions (at Blank Slate Elyria)

For the month of December, Blank Slate Gallery is exhibiting the work of Anderson Rush, Michelle May Norman, and Shelby Fickel. These three artists have worked as a team to start this gallery. Now we are taking a moment to explore their unique styles displayed side by side. Refreshments will be provided. Music is TBA. #blankslateelyria #blankslateelyriagallery #blankslategallery #artistsreception (at Blank Slate Elyria)

Local Hiphop Showcase in Elyria, OH brought to you by Blankslate & Orcko Occult featuring Artist: Naisisreal Spazzo Cle Luvabstract F.A.C.T.S Jloblue Traff Lay Blacc Lil Dough DocThaMadman Seps DM Big Myke (This is not the Setlist order) Respect the venue! No Alcohol � , No Drugs, No BS! Hosted by Eliy Orcko Flyer Cred: Courtney Emery (at Blank Slate Elyria)

Surf-pop pals Canadian Waves are stopping by this December to give us the goods. Space Funeral is gonna make you dance in slow-motion. The Drawing Blanks will bring the garage to the basement. Ouster is gonna convince you to buy an El Camino and move to Tuscon. $6 for the touring folks Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. And As Always No Drugs. No Booze. No BS. All Ages. All Inclusive. All The Waves. (at Blank Slate Elyria)

The show. It started with Wolf Teeth. The Language, City Cop, Mercy Ties, and Birds in Row coming up next. #wolfteethisaband #blankslateelyria (at Blank Slate Elyria)

Deadline for submissions to Blank Slate Gallery is tomorrow. Check out our tumblr for the specifics on how to enter. #gallery #callforentries #realdeadline #blankslateelyria #elyria (at Blank Slate Elyria)

On Monday 10/24 Canadian prog punks and the first touring band to ever play our venue, our prodigal sons, Atsuko Chiba are coming back to Blank Slate to finish what they started. If you missed the last two times they came through back in April, you will surely want to make up for it this time.  Doors at 7pm, Bands at 8pm $6 for the touring band  #atsukochiba #diy #explorien #backtalk #blankslateelyria #elyria #elyriadiy #progrock #rsych #posthardcore #flyer (at Blank Slate Elyria)

Saturday 10/15 come and check out some local talent In downtown Elyria, Ohio. We'll be holding an open cypher after the performances as well! Admission is $5.00 #foxx #goldrose #eliyorko #lotheprince #jrzycity #facts #jloblue #mrdr #elyria #diy #flyer (at Blank Slate Elyria)

A Film in Color, a cinematic and heavy trio from Jersey are gracing us with their presence October 20th! Columbus math daddies, Vacation Forever will be playing, as well as Cleveland's young and sleepy trio, Homecoming Queen. $6 bucks gets you a night to remember and gets these great bands some cash in their pockets. No Drugs. No Booze. No BS All Ages. All Inclusive. All Things Considered (on NPR) #afilmincolor #vacationforever #homecomingqueen #blankslateelyria #indie #postrock #math #diy #elyria #flyer (at Blank Slate Elyria)

20 bands, 5 minute sets, what could possibly go wrong? Blank Slate would like to invite you to our first ever, Five Minute Fest!!!!!!!! If you want to sponsor, or volunteer at Five Minute Fest, please get in touch by either commenting on this event or sending us a message on Facebook. We'll have a backline setup so every band will be plug and play, we will have time keepers and referees to make sure each band gets exactly 5 minutes and not a second more. We're so excited about this very dumb but very fun idea and we hope you are too!!! Stay Tuned for more deets!!! The Bands: Varsity Pinball Kitschy Homecoming Queen Critter Shelby Lynn Sangdahl Spit Wretched Wizard Alomar Flipcoin Handsaw(IL) Vape Gun (Wooly Bear playing different instruments) Molly Stofko Vanitas Mikey/Jordan/Ricky(Name coming soon) Abstraction The Barker Brothers Actual Trains The Modern Marvels FloorVVeed Oust The Sponsors : TBD #fiveminutefest #5minfest #5minutefest #varsitypinball #kitschy #homecomingqueen #critter #shelbylynnsangdahl #spit #wretchedwizard #alomar #flipcoin #handsaw #yapegun #mollystofko #vanitas #thebarkerbrothers #actualtrains #themodernmarvels #floorvveed #ouster #flyer (at Blank Slate Elyria)

All bands playing must pick one band to "play as" for the entirety of their set. Featuring amplified and spoopy "ghost story" unamplified acoustic sets from local arteests. To be recorded live and available for online consumption ex post facto. AMPLIFIED SETS All Over The Place - playing as THE AQUABATS Younger - playing as THE FRONT BOTTOMS Stalemate - playing as WEEZER "Dog Wizard" - playing as FALL OUT BOY Barkers (the brotherhood) - playing as JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD some misfits - playing as THE MISFITS ......and a very special MONSTROUS reunion show by MECHA G!!!! Everyone's favorite Godzilla themed hardcore band!! GHOST STORY SETS House Of Wills - playing as THE MOUNTAIN GOATS Baldwin/Betty - playing as THE SMITHS George Dunne - playing as JOHN CARPENTER Dad Shorts - playing as JAWBREAKER Meteor Moves - playing as ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD Thomas Toomey - playing as CONOR OBERST Share if you care! #halloweenspoopyfest2016 #spoopyfest #blankslateelyria #blankslate #mecha #stalemate #houseofwills #baldwinbetty #georgedunne #meteormoves #thomastoomey #dadshorts #barkersthebrotherhood #dogwizard #dogbreeds #wretchedwizard #younger #allovertheplace #somemisfits #flyer (at Blank Slate Elyria)

Hello, world!

This is Blank Slate’s new tumblr. Why do we have a new tumblr? What happened to our old one? Why do we even need tumblr?

In short, the old one is outdated because it happened before Blank Slate opened AND because Jackie is taking a while to make a preeeety website for us.

Stay tuned for more info about music shows, community events, and the new art gallery.