Words by: Chris Svetlik.
Photos by: Chris Svetlik and Sam Goldstein
Last Friday the Honfleur Gallery had the opening of a new exhibition in a bright spiffy building in the Anacostia neighborhood. Poised on charmingly-named Good Hope Road, the Honfleur sits next to a series of dollar stores, including the first all-night dollar store I’ve ever seen – fun.
The exhibition being unveiled was titled ‘Reincorporation Jamboree.’ I couldn’t really figure out what that meant, but the art was all pretty and fun and colorful. Probably the coolest was the series of photos downstairs showing dudes doing crazy/sexy shit. Like one of a bunch of men beating on a pinata in their Jockeys.
There was also a great big old-timey country-looking bucket of beer, as well as Charles Shaw galore – for free! God bless gallery openings.
Then came the band – the Bellevederes. A nine-piece funk and soul band from Baltimore. Despite being fearsome contenders in the World’s Whitest-Looking Funk/Soul Band Contest, they definitely knew how to get down. Horns blazed lines that would make even Herb Alpert think twice. The two docile-looking lady-singers turned out to have some major pipes. And the guitarist had a killer beard. They had their shit together.
Despite the fact that everything played was irresistibly danceable, the crowd started out being shy and scared to move their bodies. But eventually the funky jams and the two-buck Chuck kicked in and a few brave/cool souls got down on the dancefloor.
The gallery owner Amy was out snapping pics and mixing it up with the crowd and the band, who she’s buddies with. Apparently she also plays cello in a band that plays music like in David Lynch movies, so keep your eyes out for that.
Another gallery down the street, Vivid Solutions, was also having an exhibition – something about books, wallpaper, and mystery. I never made it cause the band was too cool to leave at Honfleur. Luckily Sam snapped some pictures at Vivid Solutions.
and now some more snaps by Sam:
this rocks! hard!!
July 28, 2009 at 7:42 pmWish I was was there. My son is Sean, the keyboard player. So long from Bethlehem, PA
July 28, 2009 at 8:11 pmIf anyone is interested to know: The show (at Honfleur’s sister space, Vivid Solutions) pictured at the bottom was a solo exhibition by Chandi Kelley called Timelines. It was amazing…
July 29, 2009 at 8:59 amYes, the show at Vivid Solutions was awesome…thanks for the brief mention cause I’m sure the artist info. that your mates picked up at the show was hard to read and then translate into something other than “books, and wallpaper, or something…”
July 29, 2009 at 11:36 amChris – nice article, even better pics. No question you’ve got a sweet gig.
Makes me want to come back to DC now…
July 29, 2009 at 1:02 pm
hey chris, cool pix….
July 28, 2009 at 6:11 pm