Entries that are linked in the "what have I been doing" list below are creative performances, works, and projects that I was either at the center of, or directly involved in. Strewn about between these linked "events" are activities by others that I produced or presented, as well as other occurrences that had a direct influence on what I do.
I started this on January 23, 2009, after talks with my wife Sandra, my son Aaron, and my sister Lisa. (Thank you!) Latest update: December 16, 2017, and still much remains to do...
This is the first time I've ever stopped long enough to look back, and even though I've only gone through a hand-full of files among the four cabinets I have stuffed with them, I'm already surprised as hell.
Why now? I've been searching for a way to organize the archives for years. Because I'm always forging ahead into the next thing that I have to do, the documentation has always been in such a deconstructed mess that I've feared no one would know what to make of most of it if I were to ever disappear. So this is my explanation. To my wife and my son and my sister, but also to my friends and all of the amazing creative folk that have helped me and created with me and inspired me to keep moving even though I'm always just so damned tired. I hope they'll all enjoy going through this as much as I'm enjoying putting it all together.
All images bordered in red can be enlarged in a new image window. If you want them to.
Anyone who has news of events that I'm missing or have forgotten about, or any corrections, photographs, recordings, programs, anecdotes, appreciations, details, memories... Please don't hesitate to call, write, e-mail, knock on my door, and help me flesh out this monstrosity.
On the Icons: A visual trail of crumbs to help give a better sense of the flow of activities.
Concourse: Mentor Charles Ventrello's legendary jazz 4tet invited percussionists Joe Scutella and I to join in 1976. By mid '77 I was the drummer-half of the rhythm section with bassist Dave Blaetz. I left Concourse in '83, and I'm still
playing with Dave.
Writing: Essays, newspaper articles, columns, poetry, prose, journals, reading appearances, books, and mentions of unpublished works that have nonetheless had an impact.
Music (various): This is what I do—Playing drums. Special projects, short-term gigs, guest appearances, one-offs, theatrical ensembles, etcetera!
Time/Space Ltd: Damun Gracenin's face, member of Ed Myers' Performance Art ensemble. Ed... I hardly know what to say. If we did kindergarten together we'd get all A's in "Works well with one another." He refined my way of "...gathering the diversity and rearranging it,"—words, gestures, sound, staging. Everything.
Samuel Beckett: "I filled ten feet of shelf space... with criticism, unpublished ephemera, video and audio tapes... attended symposiums... world premieres, produced and directed three programs of the one-act plays, joined the Samuel Beckett Society, subscribed to the Journal of Beckett Studies, and gradually drowned. It was a good death..."
Miscellaneous Theatre: Sucked in initially as a member of various music ensembles, which somehow led to all sorts of trouble, including tech work, props-mastering, production, directing, and anything else that might keep me involved in such a fulfilling community. (Image is a mask by Brently Michael Davis)
APE: Lenny Bove, just off a long project with Tom Herman (Pere Ubu) Had this idea about a duo that would play with pre-recorded rhythm and effects tracks. Sound files to come...
Alternative Arts Series: May through October, 1984. I have *77* productions listed, and I've not finished yet. Ed Myers and I, the C0-Producers/Directors of this violent storm, are both lucky to be alive... The image is Ed's mouth, as used in the AAS logo.
Kangaroo Court Publishing: In 1984 dear friend Lonnie Sherman had a wayward collection of manuscripts dropped in his lap, and once I realized I was making books, all hell began to break loose. I carried it around the world before collapsing in a heap in late '89. (Original KCP logo by Barb Finney)
Field Theory: An amazing improvisational "Jazz Power Trio" that began as a duo of Frank Butrey and I only to be pushed through the roof when we added Dave Blaetz on bass. This band had quite the following; we could slay a concert audience and make a bar-crowd go wild.
Blood Pudding: Ick (the name)... But the group itself was a blast. Between the quirky Popp songs, the hook-infested Cuneo pop tunes, and Tom Arndt's thrumming behind me, we made one hell of a crazy rock band.
DiBello/Bodine: D.A.M.N. / Dance Art Music Network. Rick DiBello and Alethea Bodine mount multi-media stage-works and futuristic musical extravaganzas, and they often invite me in. (Image from DiBello Design.)
Shen & Bones Performance Group: The Butoh-inspired dance group, child of Lani Fand-Weissbach, whose work I became involved in beginning with DiBello/Bodine, and then moving forward to collaborations wth J.A. Popp's Weirdo Theatre. (Image of Fand-Weissbach)
Joseph Allen Popp's Weirdo Theatre: Popp had a dream-band in mind and we all said yes. The main 4tet of Popp, Gray, Cornelius, and I work like limbs on a single body. (JAPWT mole-skin logo from a J.A. Popp graphic)
if/then: I introduced myself to guitarist Ian Smith by telling him we had a gig and that we were not to give it another thought until it was time to play. It worked, and it keeps working, a pure start-from-zero improv duo that often adds a 3rd or 4th guest to keep things lively. Circuit-board graphic is as right as can be.
Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins: I'm still not sure how this happened. It's all good though!
MONSTRO: I was so thrilled to be invited into this Ian Smith project. Ian on guitar and laptop and spoken mayhem. Joe Rumball on bass. A whale of a band.
The Treble-Makers: The first cover band I've been involved with in 40 years... Willie Cotter on guitar and vocals, Ray Reilly on bass, and a set-list of mid-'60s rock'n'roll.
FALL RISK: A dream band! Joseph Allen Popp on guitars and effects boards and Freddy Krugger on bass (finally!!!). Intense, Beastly, Drone-Hop Rock'n'Roll Improv on Wheels. May well be the best band I've ever been in. MAY BE.
So, what have you been doing?
1956.12.25 / My own private Academy of the Performing Arts, Part 1
1958.00.00 / My own private Academy of the Performing Arts, Part 2
1959.00.00 / My own private Academy of the Performing Arts, Part 3
1956.12.25 • My own private Academy of the Performing Arts, Part 1
Christmas, 1956. I'm 3½ years old, setting up my first drum set.
My first teachers were my Aunt Carol (who made a living doing big band and country western and wedding gigs down in Florida well into her sixties), and my Uncle Dickie, one of my hometown's most popular small combo players, whose legs I'd guess those are on the lower left.
My Grandfather, Dick Abbey, always had the Pall Mall going.
1958.00.00 • My own private Academy of the Performing Arts, Part 2
Spring, 1958. My first theatrical role, just a few months after my fifth birthday.
It was a harrowing production of Old McDonald at Perry Elementary School.
I was cast as one of the doomed chicks, a great experience—being involved
in such a tight ensemble of young talent. (I'm front row, second from left.)
My Grandfather, Dick Abbey, was outside, just below the window,
sitting in the sun with a Pall Mall going.
1959.00.00 • My own private Academy of the Performing Arts, Part 3
Early Summer, 1959. I was six years old, and had moved on quickly, taking on a broad spectrum of roles now, mastering in quick succession song and dance (on the hassock in my 'wears singing "Sixteen Tons" in the voice of Tennessee Ernie Ford), classic theatre (as one of Thyestes' sons, on a platter with Billy Mumy in his first stage role), and comedy (creating the legendary "Smart-Ass Cowboy Akimbo"). My mother is pictured here doing makeup. My sister is about to drown herself out of envy.
My Grandfather, Dick Abbey, who was my Stanislavski,
could hardly breathe unless he had a Pall Mall going.
January 2, 1970. I was sixteen years old, and this is an early and quite positive review that I received while on a long impromptu road trip fearlessly embarked upon in the dead of winter. My mother ("Let me tell you about my mother...") had destroyed a large stack of my vinyl records, torn down all of my Hendrix posters, and destroyed whatever other dear things were at hand, all in response to my not being able to find a TV dinner hidden somewhere in the dark corners of the freezer. (I was probably a little high at the time.) She had ended her tirade with a flourish, screaming "Either get rid of this shit, or GET OUT!"
So I walked out the door.
Less than 48 hours later, I was in the snowy mountain backroads of Virginia, on my way to being arrested late the next afternoon in Chattanooga, on the Tennessee-Georgia border, where I would then spend eight days locked up in a juvenile detention center.
After thus asserting myself, my life would become much more interesting.
1971.00.00 • My own private Academy of the Performing Arts, Part 4
Deep Summer, 1971. My first Performance Art piece. It was conceptual, okay?
"Man and Stick." I can't really remember how old I was, am I in Panama City? Something something primitive. There's a method here, but too much sun, a large Korean is teaching us to poke pin-holes in raw eggs and suck them out of the shell. I needed a break, I had come far, in a circuitous sort of meandering conflagratory... configuration... Of a path. A winding path... Oh, the hell with you.
My Grandfather, Dick Abbey, who always had a Pall Mall going,
had died of a heart attack when I was twelve.
One day long, long ago in a land very close to here, Dave Blaetz was walking along West 8th between Walnut and Chestnut Streets, and he heard a most horrible and appealing din coming down from a window or out through a door, and upon investigating, he discovered Joe Scutella and me having at an apartment full of percussion and flutes and guitars and Fisher-Price™ musical toys. Once Charles Ventrello and the other members of Concourse were informed, they invited us in.
Dave and Joe Scutella searching for pulse tracks
at the West 8th Street 2nd floor loft, print dated May of '77.
The Many Moods of Concourse... The original Quartet morphed into a very original Sextet in late 1976.
Dave Blaetz—new members Joe Scutella and Rick Lopez—Charlie Fisher, Bob Laskey, and Charles Ventrello
at the 5th Street loft rehearsal space, ca. late '76 or early '77.
Photos: Ted Kull
In addition to the concerts listed below, there are recordings of several rehearsals and jam sessions
spanning 1976.11.10 through 1979.05.18 listed here.
Concourse changed gears in early '77;
Doug Werner appears in early February
(earliest known session 1977.02.11,
last known session 1977.08.13)
and would stay through August of that year,
while Charlie Fisher disappeared in early March
(last known date was 1977.03.12),
with RL taking over the drum chair.
(back) Dave Blaetz, Bob Laskey, RL
(front) Charles Ventrello, Doug Werner, Joe Scutella
Rick Lopez (buoy-1,2, spring guiro-1, agogos-12,, finger cymbals-1, tambourine-2, afuche-2)
{RL Archive, Recording}
Dave Blaetz strings up.
the 5th Street loft rehearsal space, ca. 1977
Photo: Ted Kull
1977.04.00 • Charles Ventrello's Concourse: Armed Robbery [Documentary Soundtrack]
Broadcast May 1, 1977 / PBS Documentary, WQLN Public Television
April, 1977 / WQLN Studios, Erie, PA
Tape, Sd-A+B / C-45
1. unknown tracks [30::00]
Charles Ventrello (tenor sax, soprano sax, flute), Bob Laskey (el-guitar), Doug Werner (Fender Rhodes piano)
Dave Blaetz (bass), Joe Scutella (percussion), Rick Lopez (percussion)
"Armed Robbery was an original drama written, produced and directed by Tony Machi for a premiere on WQLN-TV for Law Day 1977. It won a PA Bar Association award that year and was played in high schools locally for many years after that. Stylistically, it predated Law & Order with its procedural format and documentary feel. ....it also had in its cast a young prosecutor who played himself and went on to have a pretty illustrious career of his own in politics—Tom Ridge."
—Tony Machi correspondence
March 17, 1978 / The New Spectator, Gannon University, Erie, PA
Short Story: "Murray #1", by Rick Lopez
A Gannon University Literary Journal.
(I was channeling an overwrought version of Vladimir Nabokov.
The real one used to bring home beautiful butterflies; I was bringing home a baby bumblebee.)
{RL Archive; The New Spectator, March 17, 1978, p.10}
August 29 & 30, 1982, 9:00pm / Erie Art Center's New Art Series, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
An Evening of Samuel Beckett's Theatre / Program II
Not I
Mouth: Linda Gamble
That Time
Listener: Jerry Wilson
Produced and Directed by Rick Lopez, quaqua Productions
Production Assistant: Ed Myers
Originally scheduled as a Play, Not I double-bill.
The former was cancelled less than two weeks before the performance. From the program:
"Beckett once forbade That Time and Not I from performance on the same bill. The obvious similarities between the two will be explanation enough as to his reasons (he has stated that they are of the ‘same family’...I see no alternative, apart from cancellation; the fact that the second performance of Not I last December was nixed due to illness has also contributed to my decision..." —R. Lopez
Jerry Wilson, in That Time
{Doug Reider Erie Times Showcase June 17, 1982, p.3; Program}
1982.11.11 • "The Expectation-Shattering Originality of Italo Calvino" [Published Work]
November 11, 1982 / In the Erie-Times Showcase
Book Review: if on a winter's night a traveller, by Italo Calvino
(Article will appear in new window)
{RL Archive; Erie-Times Showcase, November 11, 1982 p.16}
January 26 through 30 & February 2 through 6, 1983, 8:00pm / Behrend Studio Theatre, Penn State-Behrend College, Erie, PA
Silver Apple of the Moon (World Premiere)
The Cast: Jim Skiff, John Skiff, Carolyn Brust, Bill Robbins, Lili Pintea, Ed O'Keefe, Stephanie Marra, Judy Hatalsky
Sean McHugh, Joey Fiorilli, Denise DiGiorgio
The Orchestra:
Jim Skiff (guitar, voice), Pam Verity-Harris (violin, mandolin, dulcimer), Tony Costa (clarinet, recorder)
Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (percussion)
Director: Paul Iddings
Music & Lyrics: Jim Skiff
Book: Igor Stalsky
Sadie Award, Best Musical 1983
{Review by Robin Dile, Erie Times-News January 26, 1983} 1983.03.00 / Sometime during early March of 1983, Lenny Bove makes a phone call, and APE is born...
March 23 & 24, 1983, 8:00pm; March 25 & 26, 1988, 7:00 & 9:30pm / Gannon University Theatre, Erie, PA
Epidemia / Written & Directed by Lucian Zabramny
The Cast: Mark V. Moorehead, Larry Keiser, John Skiff, Anita Canzian, Marjorie Styer, William Steckler,
Stan Tuznik, Ron Strecker, Mary Rinn, Kiki Zambroski
Live sound by:
Pam Verity-Harris (violin, voice), Rick Lopez (percussion)
Original music by:
Jim Skiff, Pam Verity-Harris, Dave Blaetz, Rick Lopez
August 20, 1983, 2:00pm / Erie Fest, Erie, PA
On a stage fronted by hay bales (why?) with a mock wooden fence along the front edge with tacked on wagon wheels,
all behind a huge dining-area tent in an empty lot on the east side of State Street between 8th & 9th Streets.
November 2 through 4, 1983, 8:00pm, with a 2:00pm matinee on Friday / The Warner Theatre, Erie, PA
"To celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther."
Ted Martin's Milkwood Productions Presents Luther
Directed by Ted Martin
Written by John Osborne
The Cast: John S. Shaughnensy (Martin Luther), Ed Hess (Hans Luther), C.R. Schmitt (Brother Winand),
William E. Speicher (John Tetzel), Paul Iddings (Cajetan), Mark V. Moorehead (The Knight), Jim Gandolfo (Pope Leo X)
David Held, Frank Vitale, and many, many others.
Assistant Director: Michael Baum
Sets: Lynn Lockrow / Lighting: George Schneider / Music Direction and Organ: Kevin J. Sadowski
Propsmaster:Rick Lopez, who wrangled palace interiors, churches, and a marketplace filled with carts and booths and fruits
and vegetables and children and chickens and dozens of costumed extras onto and off of the massive Warner Theatre stage.
Oh, and three Rotweilers leashed on lengths of heavy iron chain.
{RL archive; Erie Times-News Showcase November 1, 1983 p.12 Sec.B; Erie Times-News November 3, p.11 Sec.A}
1984.04.19 - The preview articles begin to appear.
R. Lopez saying something outlandish, again; Ed Myers raising an eyebrow.
Feature by Tom Weber, Erie Times-News Showcase,
April 19, 1984 p.3
1984 ◊ The Alternative Arts Series ◊ 6/2 to 10/7 (over 70 productions...)
Rick Lopez and Ed Myers heading into the zone.
I recall the idea coming to us at the very end of '83, between Christmas and New Years, that dead week when everyone is recovering from the first holiday and prepping numbly for the second. I'm not sure I would have gone willingly into '84 had I really understood what we were going to try to do. Over 70 productions in the span of 16 weeks? Impossible... Ridiculous... And then Ed introduced me to Pataphysics: "The science of imaginary solutions," and we were off.
The intent was to gather all of the cutting-edge regional "outsider" talent that we could into a summer-long schedule of artistic activity that would operate out of a single venue. What we ended up with was a core of seven resident groups (Time/Space Ltd, Calliope Dance Troupe, Erie Jazz Co-Op, In All Seriousness, APE, quaqua Productions, and Kangaroo Court) as well as a Guest Director Theatre Series, a Harold Pinter Film festival, a New German Films festival, an Installation Art gallery series, theatre workshops, a Benefit Concert Series, Multi-media events, lectures, and several special programs that all came leaping into our nets as we were putting the rest of it together.
Yes, it was incredible. Yes, it nearly killed us both. And you think I'm kidding... [more to come]
Mr. Busy working the phones.
The AAS logo / Ed Myers trying to explain something to Meredith Monk.
After six months of preparatory insanity, the series quietly got underway
mid-morning on Saturday, June 2, when theatre director Ted Martin
threw open the doors on his acting workshop.
A week later the first production...
1984.06.02 - Theatre Workshop: Ted Martin, 11-week program (through 1984.08.11) /
10:00am - 2:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.09 (1) - Theatre Workshop: Ted Martin, 11-week program (through 1984.08.11) /
10:00am - 2:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
June 9, 1984 / Kangaroo Court Publishing, Erie, PA
Nuts & bolts-bound paperback, tipped in plate on cover Published and Edited by Rick Lopez and Lonnie Sherman
Contributors:
—Ron Androla
—Jacques DuLumiere
—Rick Lopez
—Ruthann Robson
—Gene Avery
—Chuck Eschweiler
—Patrick J. McKinnon
—Lonnie Sherman
—Fred Behrendt
—Haywood Jackson
—Jack Micheline
—Belinda Subraman
—Chandler Brossard
—William R. Johnson
—Todd Moore
—Jon Varga
—Charles Bukowski
—Arthur Winfield Knight
—Kurt Nimmo
—Richard Wilmarth
—Steve Doering
—Ligi
—Kirk Robertson
—Paul J. Wolfe
Baby Bird Portfolio: Ed Myers
Cover and Title Page: Cheryl Knox, adapted from an etching in Boy Traders in Australia, artist unknown.
Binding Concept: John Baird
Translation of three Jacque DuLumiere poems + Bio : Terry Cuthbert, Oxford (UK)
Inside Back Cover: Page torn from a notebook by Jack Micheline and handed to Ron Androla
after Micheline's reading at ClaySpace, August 6, 1983.
"All submissions published with original typos, punctuation, missplelligns, etc.—as received."
Kangaroo Court #1
Front Cover
One of the four illustrations
from Ed Myers' Baby Bird portfolio.
{RL Archive}
1984.06.10 (1) - Fran Resch Installation Art: "Channeled Frustration" (through July 1) / 7:00pm, ClaySpace Gallery, Erie, PA /
[Erie Times Showcase July 7, p.19; The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.10 (2) - Erie Jazz Co-Op: Reach with Frank Butrey (electric guitar), Basil Ronzitti (piano), Charles Ventrello (reeds),
Henry Jacobson (bass), Floyd Williams (drums) / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA [Erie Times-News Showcase June 7, 1984 p.4; The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.12 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers
{RL Archive}
1984.06.14 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.15 (1) - Theatre Workshop: Ted Martin, 11-week program (through 1984.08.11) /
10:00am - 2:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.15 (2)
1984.06.16 - Parris Baker and the Black Ensemble of Performing Arts: "‘Cause It's the Way We Feel" /
Theatre production (two evenings), with Parris J. Baker and Rachel McGill / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.17 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: (unknown group) / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.19 to 1984.06.23 • Alternative Arts Series In Residence
at the Erie Arts Festival / The Dispatch Building Stage
1984.06.19 (1) - Kangaroo Court Publishing: Readings with Lonnie Sherman, Ron Androla, and Fred Behrendt /
7:00pm, Arts Festival, Dispatch Building, Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
Erie Times-News daily schedule update for the 19th had In All Seriousness listed opening for APE—See 1984.06.23...
I'm skeptical, imagining IAS doing the Saturday evening on the 23rd as being more likely. Looking for clarity...
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.20 - Jack Todd Trio (Erie Jazz Co-Op), with Jack Todd (Hammond B-3), others /
6:30pm, Arts Festival, Dispatch Building, Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.21 - Lenny Bove: ÜRSONATA, a phonetic tone-poem by Kurt Schwitters /
8:30pm, Arts Festival, Dispatch Building, Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.22 (1) - Parris Baker and the Black Ensemble of Performing Arts: "‘Cause It's the Way We Feel" /
Theatre production (two evenings), with Parris J. Baker and Rachel McGill /
7:00pm, Arts Festival, Dispatch Building, Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.22 (2) - Concourse (Erie Jazz Co-Op) with Charles Ventrello (reeds), Sheldon Peterson (el-guitar),
Dave Blaetz (bass), Kayle Brecher-Kull (voice), Matt Ferguson (drums) /
8:00pm, Arts Festival, Dispatch Building, Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.23 (1) - Reach (Erie Jazz Co-Op) with Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Basil Ronzitti (piano),
Charles Ventrello (reeds), Henry Jacobsen (bass), Floyd Williams (drums) /
6:00pm, Arts Festival, Dispatch Building, Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.23 (2) - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen,
Rich Tryzbiak, Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... /
7:00pm, Arts Festival, Dispatch Building, Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
Erie Times-News daily schedule update for the 23rd only had the Frank Butrey Quintet listed.
Erie Times-News, June 17, Sunday Arts Festival Schedule insert, and daily schedule updates.
1984.06.22 - Theatre Workshop: Ted Martin, 11-week program (through 1984.08.11) /
10:00am - 2:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.24 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: Crossover featuring Dave Calabrese / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.26 - Harold Pinter Screenplay Film Fest: The Servant (1963), starring Dirk Bogarde, Sarah Miles, Patrick Magee /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.27
1984.06.28 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.29 Electronic Music by Dr. Leroy S. Williams and Kayle Brecher-Kull + ÜRSONATA
June 29, 1984, 8:00pm / ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
The Program:
Hallwalk (Brecher-Kull) a Piece for Tape
Urban Walk (Brecher-Kull) a Piece for Tape & Percussion
Rick Lopez (toms, cymbals, organ bellows), Kayle Brecher-Kull (slot drum, fry-pans, saw)
Inner City (Williams) a Piece for Tape
Silver Wind Song (Williams) a Piece for Tape & Clarinet
David Sublette (clarinet)
Questar Too (Brecher-Kull) Electronic Verse in Sections
ÜRSONATA
Lenny Bove performs ÜRSONATA, a phonetic tone-poem by Kurt Schwitters / Recording
4 Movements: Rondo / Largo / Scherzo Trio Scherzo / Presto Cadenza and Finale
Introduction by Diane Bove
Rick Lopez and Kayle Brecher-Kull
The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers
{RL archive; Program insert}
1984.06.30 - Style Wars (Screening of the "Urban Art Film") + Break-Dancing Performances
3:00 & 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
Master of Ceremonies: Parris J. Baker
Ground Control
Al Vicary, Frank Vicary, Harry Vogel, and John Zadorozny
Ultimate Chill
Brian Caruthers and Kenny McCoy
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.06.30 - Fran Resch: Artist's Closing Reception for "Channeled Frustration" (Exhibit June 10th through July 1st) /
7:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.01 • Time/Space Ltd: HEY! + James Vredevoogd Lecture
July 1, 1984 / ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
James Vredevoogd / Lecture
Professor of Fine Arts at Edinboro University and founder of the Performance Ensemble
A presentation on Performance Art...
HEY! / A Performance by Ed Myers
Performers:
Ed Myers, Mark Tanenbaum, Ed Hess, John Baird, Anita Canzian, Vic Pancerev
(need update on credits)
Asst. Producer & Sound: Rick Lopez
Sound Design: Dave Blaetz
Voice (Introductory Recording) & Light: Fred Behrendt
Poetry Recording:Soft Shoe, Dierdre Baldwin
Puck Drops Engineer: Ted Kull
Production Assistant: Parris J. Baker
Costuming: Cindy Behrendt, Ed Hess, Ed Myers, The Erie Civic Ballet
James Vredevoogd, adressing the moment.
With several audience members identified,
perhaps incorrectly.
The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers
{RL archive; Program}
1984.07.03 - Harold Pinter Screenplay Film Fest: The Pumpkin Eater (1964), starring Anne Bancroft, Peter Finch,
James Mason, and Maggie Smith / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.07 - Michelle Bergeron: "New Works," Gallery Installation ...through July 28 / Opening, 8:00pm, ClaySpace Gallery, Erie, PA
["Self-Expression Comes Alive", by Fred Behrendt, Erie Times-News Showcase, July 12, 1984; The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.07 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
+ "Special Guest Appearance" by Concourse alumnus Rick Lopez (percussion)
The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers
{RL archive; Program}
1984.07.10 - Harold Pinter Screenplay Film Fest: The Caretaker (1964), starring Donald Pleasance, Alan Bates, Robert Shaw /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
July 13 & 14, 1984, 8:00pm / ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
Sun and Moon: The Stonecutter's Veil
Written by Jim Skiff and Pam Verity-Harris
Directed by Lucian Zabramny
with Carolyn Brust (Stonecutter's Heart), David Scribner (The Stonecutter), Natalie Hammond and Mark Dick (Dream Weavers),
Jim Skiff (vocals, guitar, trombone), Pam Verity-Harris (vocals, violin, guitar, dulcimer, mandolin, recorder, finger cymbals)
John Thompson (Narrator)
Lights: Rick Lopez
Costumes: Chris Zabramny
The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers
{RL archive; Program}
1984.07.15 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: The Jack Todd Trio, with Jack Todd (Hammond B-03), Frank Butrey (guitar), Tim Driscoll (drums) /
Concert Series, AAS Resident Group; Erie Times-News Showcase, July 15, p.13F] / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.17 - Harold Pinter Screenplay Film Fest: The Birthday Party (1968), starring Robert Shaw, Patrick Magee,
and Dandy Nichols / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.18 - Performance Art Forum: Pieces by Tom Vredevoogd (Performance Ensemble, Edinboro University),
Fran Resch (Allegheny College), and Ben Bainbridge (New York University) / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.19 - Local Film-makers: Regional film artists screenings / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.21 - The Erie Art Museum Presents: Anthony Braxton Solo
1984.07.22 - Rakish Paddy: An Evening of Traditional Irish Music with Pam Verity, Peggy Fowler, John Dreibelbis,
and John McCutcheon / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.24 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.25 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: The Alan Perry and Susan Grey Group / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.26 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.07.27
1984.07.28 - Snow White: Parris Baker's Black Ensemble of Performing Arts An adaptation of the classic Disney Tale,
starring Bayfront Ballet Director Sharon Battles, "...and The Seven Dwarves are played by break dancers." /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers
{RL archive; Program}
1984.07.31 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.01 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: (unknown group) / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.03 - Performance Art: Pat Saunders, "Original pieces, including Negatively Speaking and Ceramics Demonstration." /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
84.08.04 • Kangaroo Court + Kayle Brecher-Kull + Field Theory
August 4, 1984, 8:00pm / ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
Kangaroo Court: Readings
Lonnie Sherman, Fred Behrendt
Recording: C-90, Sd-A
Kayle Brecher-Kull: Two Electronic Pieces
Kayle Brecher-Kull (voice, pre-recorded tapes), Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Field Theory
Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
"The whole deal painted as it happens by artist John Baird" [...on a nine-yard long canvas.] / John Baird: Wallpaper Works
Lopez, Butrey, and Blaetz...
...digging.
The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers
{RL Archive; Erie Times Showcase July 7, p.19}
1984.08.05 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: Preston Williams' Nomads, with Williams (reeds), Bob Long (guitar), Ken Cornelius (bass),
Everett Eighmy (drums) / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.06 - AAS Benefit Concert II / PUNK: The D.T.s, Skwat, Thirsty Brats / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers
{RL archive; Program}
1984.08.11 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.12 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: Mark Gridley Trio (Cleveland), with Gridley (flute), Bob Fraser (guitar), Mike Wahl (bass) /
Concert Series, AAS Resident Group / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.13 - AAS Benefit Concert III—NEW WAVE / Plaid Teeth: Jack Dillen, Ken Forest, Ben Forest;
The Bedrocks; Rick DiBello and the DiBelltones / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.15 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
August 16, 17, & 18, 1984, 8:00pm / ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
Double-Bill Theatre:
Zoo Story (by Edward Albee)
Performers: David McNeill and C.R. Schmitt
Director: Ted Martin / Milkwood Productions
Lights and Sound: Rick Lopez
Just Another Detroit Jew (by Alex Clemente)
Performers: Sarah Keough and Rose Tatalone
Director: Alex Clemente
"...an original script specifically for this year's AAS... A modern parallel to Albee's Zoo Story"
{RL Archive, Program}
1984.08.19 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: Allegheny Jazz Consortium (Meadville), with Chuck Musone (piano),
Becky Musone (bass, trumpet, voice), David Sublette (clarinet), Floyd Williams (drums) / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.20 - AAS Benefit Concert IV ROCK: Ventura, Generic Beat, Hit'n'Run / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.21 - Recent German Films Series: Flaming Hearts (Walter Bockmayer and Rolf Buhrmann, 1978),
presented by Barb Finney, Erie Art Museum / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.22 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen, Rich Tryzbiak,
Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
August 23, 24, & 25, 1984, 8:00pm / ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
Double-Bill Theatre:
Zoo Story (by Edward Albee)
Performers: David McNeill and C.R. Schmitt
Director: Ted Martin / Milkwood Productions
Lights and Sound: Rick Lopez
Just Another Detroit Jew (by Alex Clemente)
Performers: Sarah Keough and Rose Tatalone
Director: Alex Clemente
"...an original script specifically for this year's AAS... A modern parallel to Albee's Zoo Story"
{RL Archive, Program}
1984.08.26 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: 18 Strings, with Frank Butrey (guitar), Sheldon Peterson (guitar), Brian Fels (guitar) /
Concert Series, AAS Resident Group / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.27 - AAS Benefit Concert V / METAL: Pyro, Satin Steele, Hammersmith / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.08.28 - Recent German Films Series: Marie (Hans Geisendorfer), presented by Barb Finney, Erie Art Museum / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
August 30 & 31, 1984, 8:00pm / ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
Act I
Susan Sielheimer Iervolina / Bharata Natyam
"...will perform a selection of pieces in this dance style"
SITAR
Doug Werner (sitar)
ALARIPPU
SABDAM
Susan Sielheimer Iervolina (dance), Doug Werner (sitar)
Firebird (music by Igor Stravinsky)
Ken Morrison (choreography and dance), Jacqueline Illig (dance)
A Bird From The Sea (based on Symphony for a Seabird from The Way of Chuang Tsu by Thomas Merton
Nancy Miodus, Patty Falkewitz, and Rene Vicary (dance)
Cori Terry (choreography), Leo Estes (Narrator)
Lifecycle (Music by Electric Light Orchestra)
Jacqueline Illig (choreography and dance), Ken Morrison, Patty Falkewitz, Don Halquist, and Krisy Parker (dance)
Calliope Dance Company:
Anti-frantic Alternative (music by Stephen Halpern)
Don Halquist, Patty Falkewitz, Ken Morrison, Jacqueline Illig, and Vic Pancerev (dance)
Rene Vicary (choreography)
Chacun N'est Pas Aise Qui Danse (music by Paul Winter Consort; Terje Rypdal)
Rene Vicary (choreography and dance), Patty Falkewitz, Jacqueline Illig, Ken Morrison, and Sarah Russell (dance)
Stephen Halpern (music)
I Have Food (music by Lenny Bove / Tuba's 14s
Don Halquist, Patty Falkewitz, Ken Morrison, Jacqueline Illig, Krisy Parker, and Vic Pancerev (dance)
Rene Vicary (choreography)
Consider The Source (music by ZZ Top)
Don Halquist, Patty Falkewitz, Ken Morrison, Jacqueline Illig, Krisy Parker, and Vic Pancerev (dance)
TILLIANA
Susan Sielheimer Iervolina (dance), Doug Werner (sitar)
Director: Rene Vicary
Lighting: Ed Myers, Sound: Russ Illig
Production Manager: Steve Sucato, Production Crew: John Catalino and Mel Skol
Costume Design: Rene Vicary, Jacqueline Illig, and Patricia Plasko
{Program; Event flyer}
1984.09.01 - In All Seriousness: Jim Gandolfo, Ralph Pontillo, Mark Tannenbaum, John Stockhausen,
Rich Tryzbiak, Gail McGauhey, Chuck Smith, occasional others... / Comedy Improv, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.02 - John Baird: "Wallpaper Works" "September 2, and other dates..."
(See 1984.08.04) Erie Times Showcase July 7, p.19
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.04 - Recent German Films Series: Willi-Busch Report (Nikolaus Schilling, 1979),
presented by Barb Finney, Erie Art Museum / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.08 - AAS Benefit Concert VI / BLUEGRASS & COUNTRY: (unknown groups) /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.09 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: The Frank Luria Group, (unknown personnel)/ Concert Series, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.11 - Recent German Films Series: Strong-Man Ferdinand (Alexander Kluge, 1976),
presented by Barb Finney, Erie Art Museum / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.14
1984.09.15 - Guest-Director Series: Vanities, Directed by Ben Agresti, with Mary Beth Finke, Carla Granato, and Tammy Roche /
Kitty Dilley (Assistant Director), Ed Myers (Lighting), Monica Williams, Barb Miodus, Barbara Rickloff,
and Paul Rickloff (Technical Assistance) / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.16 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: Concourse & the Perry String Quartet, Charles Ventrello (reeds, Arranger),
Sheldon Peterson (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Kayle Brecher-Kull (voice), Matt Ferguson (drums);
Perry String Quartet: Howard Lyon (violin), others unknown / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.18 - Recent German Films Series: All-Around Reduced Personality (Helke Sanders, 1977/78),
presented by Barb Finney, Erie Art Museum / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.19
1984.09.20
1984.09.21
1984.09.22 - Guest-Director Series: Vanities, Directed by Ben Agresti, with Mary Beth Finke, Carla Granato, and Tammy Roche /
Kitty Dilley (Assistant Director), Ed Myers (Lighting), Monica Williams, Barb Miodus, Barbara Rickloff,
and Paul Rickloff (Technical Assistance) / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.23 - Erie Jazz Co-Op: Convergence, Brian Fels (el-guitar), Bob Sadowski (keyboards), Tony Stefanelli (bass),
Matt Ferguson (drums) / Concert Series, AAS Resident Group / 8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.25 - Recent German Films Series: The Baker's Bread (Erwin Keusch, 1977), presented by Barb Finney, Erie Art Museum /
8:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
1984.09.25 - Special Film Feature: The Last Detail (1973), Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, Randy Quaid /
10:00pm, ClaySpace Theatre (1505 State), Erie, PA
[The Alternative Arts Series, Rick Lopez and Ed Myers, Co-Directors/Producers]
May 1, 1985 / 2nd Floor South, ClaySpace, 1505 State, Erie, PA
The only painting I've ever done. This has been in my former apartment window at the [now] ArtWorks building
at 1505 State since 1985. It will be removed eventually and become part of the PACA permanent collection. This
was an ode to a suicidal winter when I spent a LOT of time on that roof wishing I was not anywhere. The bottom
third was a hard glistening line of red enamel (my blood) that dripped down to the image's bottom. I've always
loved this, as well as the fact that 1) it's been there for 30 years (!), and 2) I'm not dead.
Here's the deal: Ed Myers and I had done "The Alternative Arts Series" in 1984. We started planning in January
(See 1984.04.19). We did 80-some productions from June 2nd through early October. We did everything: tech work,
production, PR, fund-raising, performances, copy-writing.... Skimming through the previous year you can see that
there were resident artists groups, performance art, a jazz series, a few film series, installation art, guest director
series, publishing ventures, break dancing, poetry readings... AAAAHHHHH!!! and it nearly, literally, killed us.
STRESS so bad that by late September Ed was on the floor unable to breathe, and I was calling Hamot Mental
Health for an appointment. I had a baaaaad winter coping after that, and did this painting the following Spring
as a survival homage. The place has a history.
{RL Archive; Photo by David Lewis}
1985.06.01 • the spider who walked underground, by Tony Moffeit [Small Press Publication]
July 1, 1986 / Kangaroo Court Publishing, Erie, PA
Kangaroo Court #5
Limited to 212 copies
12 copies "Out of Series," Signed & Numbered by author
(Info on papers coming...).
11 Half-tone Photographs: Title-page photo of Babicka, End-page photo of Connie Fox by the author.
Nine half-tones within text, progression/montage of Title-page and End-page photos (Slide show to come). Photolab Work: Kathy Merski
Publishers & Editors Rick Lopez and Lonnie Sherman
BABICKA
"Babicka, Chicago, IL, 1941.".
Photo provided by author.
Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
{RL Archive; Recording}
1986.12.11 - Dillinger Cover story, the Erie Times-News Showcase, December 11, 1986.
"Erie's Kangaroo Court small press brings Dillinger to life...," by Don McQuaid, p.11.
"Kangaroo Court making a Big Splash in the Small-Press World," by Lori Morgan, pp.11, 14.
Dillinger, by Todd Moore
Showcase Cover image by Gary Hardman
November 22, 1987, 9:00pm / Smuggler's Wharf, Erie, PA
Field Theory
Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
{RL Archive, Erie Times-News Showcase, November 19, 1987, p.9}
1987.11.00 - The American Poetry Center makes me their Northwestern Pennsylvania Regional Correspondent,
through March of 1989, when I handed off duties to Ms. Kim Krynock-Hanrahan.
1987.12.00 - Appointed to first of three terms on the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Literature Advisory Panel.
A distillation of 12 long and harrowing months into 2,000 brisk and battered words, written as the sun rose.
A friend in academia advised me to send this to the University of Illinois for possible publication, but they
turned it down. They loved the writing, but felt that it lacked "resolution." Of course it did! Just like life...
LOVETORN
(will open in a new window.)
"A tragedy in an indeterminate number of acts.
A true story. You may as well read it."
December 8, 1987, 7:30pm / Studio Theatre, Penn State-The Behrend College, Erie, PA
Rick Lopez and Lonnie Sherman of Kangaroo Court Publishing
...Where I first read LOVETORN, which had been written just a few days earlier. There was a standing-room only crowd,
and when I looked up after finishing the piece, everyone in the audience was weeping. Rather incredible, really.
1988.01.15 • Peaceful Warrior, a Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 15, 1988, 8:00pm / St. Patrick's Cathedral, Erie, PA
Peaceful Warrior (for Choir, Orchestra, and Jazz Trio)
The Erie Chamber Orchestra & The Shiloh Baptist Church Choir
Conductor: Bruce Morton Wright
Composition by Dr. Billy Taylor
Basil Ronzitti (piano), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
The Shiloh Baptist Choir (personnel unknown)
Orchestra:
Peggy Zeppenfield and Anna Myer (picollos), Holly Sydow, Peggy Zeppenfield, and Amy Myer (flutes)
Aaron Jakubiec and Ronald Richards (oboes), David Sublette, Patrick Jones, and Geoffrey Wands (clarinets)
Carolyn Wallace and Carolyn Borland (bassoons), Jack Gillette (contra bassoon)
Chris Rapier, Michele Schaaf, Laura Nelson, Jennifer Ashbaugh, and James Miller (horns)
Robert Dolwick, William Fairgraves, and Brian Hannah (trumpets)
Ronald Stitt, Leroy Williams, Kent Tucker, and Sloan Ladwig (trombones), Daniel Burdick (tuba)
Howard Lyon (violin, Concert Master), Maura Pelinsky, Dianne Tate, Keita Fukshima, Emilie Engel, Louis Nicolia,
Nina Spatford, Irene Cheng, and William Skerlong (1st violins)
Robert Rudolph, Brenda Dolwick, Darla Sue Widger, Susan Spatford, and Greg Berlin (2nd violins)
Jennifer Jansen, Hannah Petersen, Bettyanne Gottlieb, Janice Carlson, and Zanita Zacks-Gabriel (violas)
Ruth Ann Scanzillo, Jean Verdecchia, and Marian Byard (cellos), James Monhey, Jr. (bass)
Ruth Ann Scanzillo (harpsichord), Melody Rapier (harp), Mark Marchant, Bradley Amidon (percussion)
{Erie Times-News Showcase January 14, p.2; B.M. Wright; Ruth Ann Scanzillo}
1988.03.01 • Billie F, by Todd Moore [Small Press Publication]
"Made possible in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts." Special Colorcore™ hardcover edition grant from the Formica Corporation. Publishers & Editors Rick Lopez & Lonnie Sherman
Back inner leaf of jacket:
"The Work which adorns the cover
was commissioned specifically for Boogie Alley by Kangaroo Court.
The original is a magnificent 22x36
inches and hangs, wouldn't you know,
on the Publisher's wall."
Title Page
This publication included a special Limited Edition of 50 copies bound in Formica Color-Core™ boards...
Double-thickness: Monet Lavender outside, Royal Lavender inside, with bevelled edging...
Title, author, and graphic sand-blasted into front cover...
All bound in Black Moroccon Leather with the Chapbook hand-sewn into spine.
* This was the first application of Formica Color-Core™ as a book-boards material. (Images coming...)
{RL Archive}
1989.03.14 • California Poetry Renaissance: An Evening of Poetry
March 14, 1989, 8:00pm / Reed Arts Center, California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA
"California Poetry Renaissance presents"
An Evening of Poetry:
with Rick Lopez and Bart Solarczyk
{Program}
1989.04.08 • Airs & Tributes, by Dennis Brutus [Graphics and Book Design Project]
April 8, 1989 / Kangaroo Court Small Press Services, Erie, PA
Book & Promotional Materials / Project Design and Production by Rick Lopez
First Printing Limited to 500 Presentation copies, Signed & Numbered by author.
(Concurrent Second Printing, 1,500 copies for the trade, released May 15, 1988.)
Neenah Artone Spring Teal cover, with Crane's Crest 100% Rag text papers.
Half-tone photos: p.vii by Karen Bloumain; p.ix by Lamont B. Steptoe; Back cover courtesy of Africa Network.
Edited by Gil Ott; Introduction by Samuel Allen
Cover image from a photograph by Ahmed Yacoubi
Presented to the attendees of the Governor of Pennsylvania's Award Presentation Ceremony.
A vigorous opponent of apartheid, Brutus was banned in 1961, arrested in 1963,
shot in the back while trying to escape, imprisoned on Robben Island, and exiled in 1966.
Issued to commemorate the presentation
of the First Annual Paul Robeson Award
to South African poet and activist-in-exile
Dennis Brutus by Governor Robert P. Casey
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 8, 1989.
Airs & Tributes flyer.
{RL Archive}
1989.05.04 • "Pittsburgh Ensemble Brings New Music to Erie Art Museum" [Published Work]
May 4, 1989 / In the Erie-Times Showcase
Concert Preview: Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble at the Erie Art Museum, 1989.05.05
Joseph Allen Popp (el-guitar, voice), Jim Cuneo (el-guitar, keyboards, voice), Tom Arndt (bass, voice), Rick Lopez (drums)
Double-bill with Rub the Buddha
{RL Archive, Erie Times Showcase May 31, 1990, p.18}
An early Blood Pudding promo shot from Summer of 1990.
Jim Cuneo, Tom Arndt, Joseph Allen Popp, and Rick Lopez.
1990.06.23 • Blood Pudding: Here Comes the Pudding [Cassette]
BP-001 (CS) 1990
June 23, 1990 / American Artists Studios, Erie, PA
A-Side:
1. Say What You Please (Popp) [2:13]
2. You Don't Know What You Want (Cuneo) [3:13]
3. Hey Boy! (Popp) [3:00]
4. Bored (Popp) [2:52]
5. Here Comes the Pudding / Instrumental (Cuneo) [2:00]
B-Side:
1. Red Shift (Popp) [3:36]
2. Carmelite Home Run (Cuneo) [2:54]
3. I Don't Need No Rabbit's Foot (Popp) [3:45]
4. Eat and Grow (Cuneo) [2:08]
5. Here Comes the Pudding / Club Mix (Cuneo) [2:00.5]
Blood Pudding (from the liners):
Joseph Allen Popp: 1963 Fender Tele neck on a 1980 Charvel body w/ a Floyd Rose and the following effects—Boss-OD-1; DOD Chorus; Digitech PDS 2000; DOD Compressor; Morley Basic Volume; Effectron Jr. 1-Second Delay; Deltalab Boost; MXR Noise Gate; and a Midiverb II. All shoved violently through a Fender Twin Reverb. (All tracks / solos A1,2,3,4, B1,3)—Roland GR303/GR300 (B3)—Lead vocals (A1,3,4, B1,3)—Back vocals (A2, B2)—Lucky Charm Denial vocal (B3)—Harmonizer Ghoulie vocal (B1)
Jim Cuneo: Yamaha Keyboards, like so: PJ-85 Electric Grand Piano (A5, B2,5)—TX81Z Synthesizer (A1,4,5, B1,2,3,5)—Fender Stratocaster chewed by a Pro Co Rat and spat out of a Fender Twin Reverb (A2,3, B4)—Lead vocals (A2, B2,4)—Back vocals (B2)—Helium Duck Chorus (B1)
Tom Arndt: Fender Jazz Bass blown direct to board. (All tracks)—Yamaha PJ-85 Electric Grand Piano bass-line doubling (A4)—Back vocals (A2, B2,4)—Helium Duck Chorus (B1)
Rick Lopez: TAMA Drum kit: Custom built 18" bass w/ Duraline heads; 12" rack tom w/ Fiberskyn heads; 6x14" Chrome Snare w/ Remo Ambassadors; 14" floor tom w/ Duralines; Roto-Toms (mounted backwards to throw me) w/ Remo Ebonys: 13.5" post-Civil War era Snare (restored and tom-converted) w/ Fiberskyns; / The Brass: (Left to Right) 22" Kingston Ride; 15" Zildjian Heavy Hi-hats; 18" Zildjian Crash; 8" Zildjian Splash; 20" Zildjian Flat-Ride; 14" City-Mission 49¢ Special Dead Crash; 20" No-Name-Found-in-a-Closet Crash. All played with Duraline 65 Sticks, though faintly at times, since I do not hit hard enough, though at other times, truth to tell, I may hit too hard. (All tracks); "Or Some Other Trouble" running commentary (Subliminal, all tracks).
Additional Recording and Tweaks: 1990.07.03 and 07.06, American Artists Studios
Mix & Remix: 1990.07.20, 07.26, and 08.13, by Skip Niebauer & Sam Hyman Jr., American Artists Studios
Remastered: 1990.08.20 and 08.23, by Keith Veschecco, TRS Studio
Joseph Allen Popp (el-guitar, voice), Jim Cuneo (el-guitar, keyboards, voice), Tom Arndt (bass, voice), Rick Lopez (drums)
This was my last Blood Pudding gig. I no longer played my drums at all except for during the two brief periods per year that Frank Butrey would book Field Theory gigs. I was listening so intently at this point that I had absolutely no desire to play. (This story continues, and ends, in August of 1994.)
{Joe Popp Archive and Video}
1992.03.05 • "To Do This You Got to Know How" [Published Work]
March 5, 1992 / In the Erie-Times Showcase
Concert Preview: Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 1992.03.06
(Article will appear in a new window)
{RL Archive; Erie-Times Showcase, March 5, 1992 p.14}
July 5 through 9, 1992 / TRS Audio Studio, Erie, PA
Field Theory:
1. Pallbearer [8:09]
2. Pending Investigation [6:38]
3. Please Remain Seated [9:41]
4. China Outlet [6:43]
5. Life & Times [11:37]
Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
CD Cover graphic
by R. Lopez
Also includes two tracks ("Entitled to be Untitled" [7:28] and "Bass Bonita" [7:52]
by a quintet of Butrey, Blaetz, Basil Ronzitti (keyboards,; Charles Ventrello (soprano and tenor sax), and Joe Ruscitto (drums).
October 30 & 31, 1992, 9:00pm / Alliance Music Workshop, Philadelphia, PA
Recording, Sd-A+B, C-90:
1. unknown titles [ : ]
Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
CD release party for Field Theory: Life & Times
The second significant event of the year.
I found the most beautiful girl hiding in the bushes...
Oh no, I did not!
Actually, she was the best friend of guitarist Frank Butrey's Robin,
and Sandra MacGlaughlin arrived at the house early in the evening
to help with the pre- and post-gig festivities.
When I turned and saw her walking through their front door,
I just shook my head and gazed downward and began muttering:
"Oh my god... that's it... I'm through..."
September 5, 1993 / Riverfront Amphitheater, Columbus, Ohio
Recording, Sd-A+B, C-90:
1. unknown titles [ : ]
Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
{RL Archive, Recording}
In early 1994 I began working on a kind of trap that I called Baseball and the 10,000 Things. From the on-line index:
BB10K was a personal head-shot that I used to send out in the mails. A state-of-mind document. A test pattern. An attempt to find out whether or not I could order the swirl upstairs into a template that might work for someone else.
It has a chronology, so be aware of the dates. It has a "trajectory," of which more later. And for my purposes here, it works as an explanation of how I later arrived at my Twenty-Plus Questions, which may appear here, bit by bit, over the next several years.
BB10K proper consisted of four numbered issues spanning 18 pages appearing between February 1994 and February 1995.
This project grew out of a desire to explain some things to certain people, as since the death of Kangaroo Curt Publishing and my abandonment of the world of freelance, I had been working in the construction industry and was in daily contact with males of the hominid species, all of whom had large physical toolboxes full of hammers and drills and chisels and whatnot, but whose mental and spiritual toolboxes were essentially empty, or gigged out with tinker-toys and shit. It occurred to me that if I could set up some kind of template based on an aspect of the world of "guys" (as opposed to the world of thinking men), that I might be able to (possibly maybe) flip some heads, or change some stagnant minds, or cause a thought or two to be thunk. And so...
...I used baseball as bait. By the time that I had wrapped BB10K up a year later (time to move on to the next thing), I had subscribers on every continent except South America and Antarctica, it was being run on copy machines in big-city high-rise office buildings and redistributed, used as a hand-out on the Jay Buckley Baseball Tour buses during spring training, and eliciting me dozens of excited e-mails and envelopes full of postage stamps and an unending stream of various prop-like amenities.
1994.02.01 • Baseball and the 10,000 Things, Vol. I no.1 [Published Work]
February 1, 1994 / Erie, PA
Baseball and the 10,000 Things, Vol. I no.1, by Rick Lopez
To accompany The Artist and the Baseball Card Exhibit
"Large-format baseball cards by 150 artists and illustrators, curated by Murray Tinkelman..."
Pieces by artists from all around the country, invited by Tinkelman to do their interpretation of a baseball card.
Baseball Card Art
(will open in a new window.)
{RL Archive; tinkelmanstudio.com}
Before disbanding in August of '94, Field Theory had also opened for the Woody Shaw, and James Blood Ulmer groups at Artworks,
Suzanne Vega at Pal Joey's, and Airto & Flora Purim and Richie Cole ensembles at the Erie Arts Festival, among others. Dates unknown...
Frank Butrey (el-guitar), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
From mid-1991 until August of 1994 I only played my drums, or even thought about them at all, during the two brief periods per year that Frank Butrey would book Field Theory gigs. I was listening so intently at this point that I had absolutely no desire to play. I'm still not sure I understand what was going on there... This deep listening, which had me returning to deal with the "free jazz" and creative improvised musics that were born of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in Chicago (Braxton, Threadgill, Lewis...), and by Sam Rivers and friends in the loft-jazz era in New York City—among others everywhere—was a revelatory development for me, since my bigger, better, and more mature ears were now hearing so clearly that my interest was soon to evolve into one of the most magnificent obsessions ever: The Life of the Mad Discographer, which would begin with my posting of the neverending work-in-progress, The Sam Rivers Sessionography, in March of 1997.
This session would be my last known drumming gig until I began doing an occasional performance with Dibello/Bodine (Red in May of 1999); The Lucille Benefit in May of 2000; and DiBello/Bodine again in March and August of 2001. I was finally drawn back into playing for good by Joseph Allen Popp in early 2003.
{RL Archive, Recording; brain-pan}
1994.11.00 • "Throwing Out the First Pitch" [Published Work]
November, 1994 / Lip Mechanics, Erie, PA
"I've Done What I Can," by Rick Lopez
In Lip Mechanics, Number Six, Winter 1995, Doug Rieder, Editor.
—I Want a New Drug
—Help! I've Got Nine Inch Nails in My Head...
Baseball and the 10,000 Things,
Vol. I no. 4
(will appear in a new window.)
{RL Archive}
1996.06.00 • A Secretive Solo Performance: Have You Seen this Man?
June, 1996 / Between Philadelphia and Erie, PA
Have You Seen this Man? / A Performance by Rick Lopez
Photographs by: Sandra MacGlaughlin-Lopez
Bleach Job: Scott Farr of Hairporte
Brick Wall & Driveway Set: Frank Butrey and Robin Simmers
Clean-Shaven Concept: Aaron Lopez
A selection from the series of 40 photographs.
The precursor to this event had been my son's 19th birthday in June of 1993. "What do you want," I asked. "I want to shave your head," he replied. Okay then. I suddenly had a crew-cut for the first time in my life, and I found that it suited me: it was incredibly low maintenance, a shower now involving nothing afterwards but a quick pat of a paper towel to the scalp. No more time wasted styling my hair!
That began a series of like responses from him in subsequent years, so that he was often experimenting on me and my appearance during this era. In '96, he decided he wanted to see what I looked like without the facial hair, which was a place I hadn't visited since 1974. Soon after this sank in, he tacked on an addenda, requiring me to bleach my crew-cut blonde. "I can do that," I acquiesced.
A more detailed plan began to fall into place when I realized that this unprecedented face-shaving and hair-bleaching would coincide with an upcoming vacation, a chance to make something out of it. So I disappeared, and no one saw me in this state except for my wife, my son, the hairdresser, and John Vahanian, who took some split photos of me with my face shaved on just one side.
Then we left town and drove 450 miles to Philadelphia. That night I stumbled around in Frank Butrey and Robin Simmer's driveway for fifteen minutes while Sandra took some snapshots, and the next day we had them printed and I tipped them onto full sheets of paper that read, in wanted-poster style: "HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?" and we mailed them off to 40 strategic locations in Erie. The Roadhouse Theatre, the Erie Art Museum, select friends, some restaurants, present and former employers, and many, many others.
The result was quite unexpected. It turns out that over half of the folks receiving these in the mail had no idea who it was in the picture. It took some of them nearly a week to figure it out. When we came back there were places of business on West 12th Street with towering signs that read "Have You Seen Rick Lopez?" The Roadhouse Theatre had theirs taped to their concession-booth wall, right above the sink, where it was still hanging as recently as 2007... It all worked out really well.
{RL Archive; Photolog; Sample taped above the concession sink at The Roadhouse Theatre.}
1997.03.10 • The Sam Rivers Sessionography [Music Research]
March 10, 1997 (first published online) / A never-ending work in progress.
A definitive research document covering the career of tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers.
[190pp. printout, as of April 2009]
Session entries for all known recorded media, including official releases, radio & television
broadcast recordings, audience recordings, soundboards, and video. Also listed in chronological
order within this sessionography and its session entries are play-dates with no known recorded media.
1997.10.31 • The Marilyn Crispell Sessionography [Music Research]
October 31, 1997 (first published online) / A never-ending work in progress.
A definitive research document covering the career of pianist Marilyn Crispell.
[129pp. printout, as of April 2009]
Session entries for all known recorded media, including official releases, radio & television
broadcast recordings, audience recordings, soundboards, and video. Also listed in chronological
order within this sessionography and its session entries are play-dates with no known recorded media.
1997.11.17 • Smith Endowment Speaker Series [Reading]
November 17, 1997, 1:00pm / Studio Theatre, Penn State University-The Behrend College, Erie, PA
"Smith Endowment Speaker Series Presents"
A Reading by Rick Lopez
{RL Archive; Flyer}
1998.03.16 through 04.15 - Time Stops Photo and Book Display, Blasco Memorial Library, Erie, PA / Art Becker and Rick Lopez
1998.03.23 - Reading & Multi-Media presentation, Time Stops / 8:00pm, Library H.O. Hirt Auditorium, Blasco Memorial Library, Erie, PA
This should have been one of the most well-attended performances of my life, given the broad appeal of the subject matter and the attendant buzz over the project, but it was actually one of the most disappointing and poorly attended events I've ever taken part in—the Library publicity department forgot to do any of the things that it had said it would do, and I believe about 30 people showed up (thank you!) for the production at this brand new state-of-the-art facility. ...Oh well!
1998.03.31 • Time Stops, by Rick Lopez [Published Work]
1998.04.04 - Book Signing: 1:00-3:00pm, Little Professor Book Store, Erie, PA / Art Becker and R. Lopez
1998.04.16 - A review from the Erie Times-News by Dave Richards.
"It's a love story..." —Nice.
Sports Section front page,
review of Time Stops
1999.04.26 • The William Parker Sessionography [Music Research]
April 26, 1999 (first published online) / A never-ending work in progress.
A definitive research document covering the career of bassist William Parker.
[370pp. printout, as of April 2009]
Session entries for all known recorded media, including official releases, radio & television
broadcast recordings, audience recordings, soundboards, and video. Also listed in chronological
order within this sessionography and its session entries are play-dates with no known recorded media.
1998.04.27 • The David S. Ware Sessionography [Music Research]
April 27, 1998 (first published online) / A work in progress.
A definitive research document covering the career of tenor saxophonist David S. Ware.
[64pp. printout, as of April 2009]
Session entries for all known recorded media, including official releases, radio & television
broadcast recordings, audience recordings, soundboards, and video. Also listed in chronological
order within this sessionography and its session entries are play-dates with no known recorded media.
2000.05.01 • Evan Parker's High Tide [Music Research/CD-ROM]
May, 2000 / BBC Radio, Jazz on 3, London, UK
A CD-ROM multi-media adaptation of the Jazz on 3 program "High Tide" on BBC Radio 3, which included my Marilyn Crispell Sessionography, along with concert segments of the Evan Parker Quartet with Marilyn Crispell (piano), Barry Guy (bass), and Paul Lytton (drums), animation, interviews, and biographies.
The BBC's digital production
of Evan Parker's High Tide CD-ROM
was also released as a special insert
with Issue #195 of The WIRE (May, 2000)
May 28, 2000, 6:00pm / Erie Art Museum Annex, Erie, PA
Blood Pudding (6:00pm) / Reunion...
Joseph Allen Popp (guitars, vocals), Kevin Cuneo (keyboards, guitars, vocals)
Tom Arndt (bass, vocals), Rick Lopez (drums)
Art Auction (7:00pm) —
Auctioneer Mark Tannenbaum offering donated pieces by:
Patty Baldwin, Brian Pardini, Shelle Barron, Art Becker, Dan Burke, Gary Cardot, Karen Dodson, Mark Feinstein
Brad Lethaby, Kathy Merski, Fran Schanz, Mike Tkach, John Vahanian, and many others...
Noise Floor (8:00pm)
Rick DiBello (guitars), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Joseph Allen Popp (guitars), Ken Cornelius (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Lucille Abbey, 1915
Lucille Abbey, 2000
{RL Archive}
2000.09.26 (1) • The Glenn Spearman Sessionography [Music Research]
September 26, 2000 (first published online) / A never-ending work in progress.
A definitive research document covering the career of the late tenor saxophonist Glenn Spearman.
[58pp. printout, as of July 2009]
Session entries for all known recorded media, including official releases, radio and television
broadcast recordings, audience recordings, soundboards, and video. Also listed in chronological
order within this sessionography and its session entries are play-dates with no known recorded media.
2001.03.02 • The A.R. Penck LP Discography [Music Research]
March 2, 2001 (first published online) / A never-ending work in progress.
A research document covering the career of German artist and musician A.R. Penck.
[30pp. printout]
Session entries for all known official releases,
with copious LP cover art images by Penck and impenetrable discographic mysteries everywhere.
Here is the benevolent countenance of A.R. Penck.
I arrived here via a William Parker Sessionography entry for the Penck recording Going Through, and after being exposed to his work repeatedly while searching for session details, I found myself so taken by the images that I decided they deserved a home.
• Here are some sample images meant to tempt my artist friends into checking out the actual document.
Not long after tackling the Penck works, I began to realize that I now had 13 various discographies on-line. Over a dozen people whose work I had to keep up with, track down, and flesh out. A handful of these documents had transformed from simple discographies into all-encompassing historical books that covered not only all recorded media, but every single performance of any kind that I could find.
I had unofficial "interns" all across the US, Canada, and Europe (some have been tracking information for me for several years), and I seem to have coined a term by starting to refer to the histories of my five main subjects as "Gigographies." I really had to take control (of myself) and focus down, so between early 2003 and late 2004 I would begin to let go of over half of these trails, and I now maintain only the Sessionographies of Marilyn Crispell, William Parker, Sam Rivers, Glenn Spearman, and David S. Ware, and of course the LP Discography of A.R. Penck.
Question: What exactly is this "leisure time" people keep mentioning to me?
August 24 & 25, 2001 / The Roadhouse Theater, Erie, PA
the bone floor
Anima
Shen & Bones Performance Group:
Lani Fand-Weissbach, Laura Swedenborg, Marykate McDevitt, Alethea Bodine
Noise Floor:
Rick DiBello (guitars), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
(texts by Anne Sexton, Octavio Paz, and Lani Fand Weissbach)
Carpenter
Choreographed, composed, and performed by Rick DiBello
pRO_dUCT
Performed by Chronic Dance:
Alethea Bodine (choreographer), Lani Fand-Weissbach;
and the mutants: John Biggie, Brad Ford, Heather Hertel, Kate McDevitt, Amy Root, Dawn Rosenberger, Lara Snavely
Noise Floor:
Rick DiBello (guitars, compositions), Joseph Allen Popp (Popp-sickle Stick solo), Dave Blaetz (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
April 4, 2003, 10:00pm / Bleu Kats 2, Forward Hall, Erie, PA
Live at Forward Hall / 2003.04.04
JAPWT-45 #001 (CD-single) 2003
1st Set:
1. Chicken Bath in a Hole (Gray) [5:30]
2. Sway (Dean Martin) [3:36]
3. Michelle... death crib 2000 [7:25] JAPWT-45 #001
4. Flame (WT) [7:12] JAPWT-45 #001
5. You Can't Get a Job (WT) [8:43]
6. Jack the Cat (Popp) [7:46]
7. Vestibule [10:43]
Joseph Allen Popp's Weirdo Theatre
Joseph Allen Popp (guitars), Rob Gray (vocals, theremin), Ken Cornelius (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Shen & Bones Performance Group
Lani Fand Weissbach, Alethea Bodine, Doug Lodge, Kate McDevitt, Charmain Koehler-Lodge, Keegan Boulton
Graphics: The Whiskeyman Art Company
{CD-R; RL Archive}
2003.04.18 • The Jokermen: Celebrate the Songs of Bob Dylan
April 18, 2003, 10:00pm / Docksider, Erie, PA
The Jokermen:
Eric Walker (vocals), John Hyatt (guitar, vocals), Frank Singer (guitar), Kennedy Thompson (vocals, keyboards, percussion)
David Blaetz (bass), Matty Walker (percussion), Rick Lopez (drums)
THE JOKERMEN was a group of "all-star" regional musicians from northwestern Pennsylvania and Buffalo, NY. We performed four shows from 2001-2003—all at the Docksider in Erie, Pennsylvania. The local press called the shows "unconsciously good." Each show was designed as a musical tribute to well-known artists, including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, and Dylan (again) [this date], respectively.
—Matty Walker, moreaboutmatt.wordpress.com/music/
Graphics: Matty Walker
{RL Archive; moreaboutmatt.wordpress.com/music/}
2003.04.26 • Joseph Allen Popp's Weirdo Theatre + Shen & Bones
April 26, 2003, 7:00-9:30pm / Erie Art Museum Frame Shop Gallery, Erie, PA
Images From Beyond Reality: New Works by Joseph Popp
Opening and Reception for an exhibit at the Erie Art Museum Frame Shop Gallery
Joseph Allen Popp's Weirdo Theatre Chamber Group
Joseph Allen Popp (guitars), Rob Gray (vocals, theremin), Ken Cornelius (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Joseph Allen Popp's Weirdo Theatre ("Medium Version")
Joseph Allen Popp (guitars), Rob Gray (vocals, theremin), Ken Cornelius (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
{RL Archive}
2005.04.01to2005.04.03 • Pictures of the Floating World: An Evening of Dance Theater
April 1, 2, & 3, 2005 (8:00pm 1st and 2nd; 2:00pm on the 3rd) / Gannon University's Schuster Theatre, Erie, PA
"...an evening of dance-theater featuring choreography by Lani Fand Weissbach,
with additional choreography by Sondra Fraleigh"
un-earth(returning)
...performed by Shen & Bones company members Alethea Bodine, Keegan Boulton, Sara Lawrence, and Doug Lodge
...sets by Karen Dodson's Windy Vestibule Productions
Joseph Allen Popp (guitar), David Blaetz (acoustic bass), Rick Lopez (percussion)
The program also included: When I Say I Love You, Lani Fand-Weissbach and Robert Bingham (duet created by Sondra Fraleigh) Burning, Lani and Elizabeth Spadafore (duet created by Lani Fand-Weissbach) A General Theory of Love, the company Waking Woman/Messy Beauty, Solo created and performed by Lani
(Text by Daria Fand; Costumes by Charmaine Koehler-Lodge; Original soundscore by Joseph Allen Popp;
Sets designed by Karen Dodson's Windy Vestibule Productions)
June 1, 2007, posted at 2:40am / Erie, PA to New York City and back again on May 25th through 26th
A Memoir...
... of the trip to New York City for the Sam Rivers Trio reunion concert
with Dave Holland and Barry Altschul at Columbia University's Miller Theatre on May 25th, 2007.
Travellers: Rick Lopez and Aaron Lopez
Music by:Sam Rivers (tenor sax, soprano sax, flute, piano, voice)
with Dave Holland (bass), and Barry Altschul (drums)
Planetary Alignments, Bird Sightings, Totemic Travels,
and the Revelations in Events Unfolding
December 5, 2008, 7:30pm / Erie Gallery Night, Erie Art Museum Annex, Erie, PA
if/then/what?/huh?
if = Ian Smith (guitars), then = Rick Lopez (drums), what? = Dave Blaetz (bass), huh? = Sheldon Peterson (guitars, percussion)
{RL Archive}
2009.04.17 • Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
April 17, 2009 / Pine Junction, Tavern in the Pines, Findley Lake, NY
Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
Sturgis Nikides (el-guitar), Rowdy Bodine (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Feature article
by Dave Richards
Erie Times-News Showcase,
April 16, 2009.
The offending left-hand stick, from the Friday night session.
Injury report #1, Dr. David C. Lesseski, physician in attendance: (still to come...)
The blood... Well, my doctor (who was in the audience) promises to do an injury report—need to remind him. I go into this "zone" when I play, so I'm often not really aware of what's going on "outside," and the first night I blew out a blister, and I didn't notice until we were finished with our set and I found that my stick was stuck to my right hand—I had bled so much that as it dried it had congealed and formed a very thick glue-like adhesive. Lovely! The second night, I failed to notice that I had smacked a knuckle on my left hand on a slightly off-target rimshot, and it removed a one-eighth-inch square divot of flesh and poured out into my left upper pant-leg for who knows how long, but I didn't know how bad it was until I got home and found that my pants were caked inside and out—the whole top of my thigh—with blood that had been hammered into and through them. My entire upper leg was scabbed by blood from my finger! Isn't this interesting?
{RL Archive}
2009.04.18 • Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
April 18, 2009 / Bobby's Place, Erie, PA
Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
Sturgis Nikides (el-guitar), Rowdy Bodine (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
with guest Lance Elbaum (percussion)
Opening set: Burny White and Claude, with Lance Elbaum on percussion
Followed by a SOLO set by Sturgis Nikides on National Steel guitar.
Sturgis was followed by a blues jam, with Burny White on rhythm guitar.
Sturgis Nikides
Photo by Marian Sawyer
The offending left pant leg, from the Saturday night session.
Injury report #2, Dr. David C. Lesseski:
{RL Archive, "The Man of Steel," by Dave Richards, Erie Times-News Showcase April 16, 2009 p.20}
2009.06.26 • Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
June 26, 2009 / Bobby's Place, Erie, PA
Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
Sturgis Nikides (el-guitar), Rowdy Bodine (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Opening set: Burny White and Claude, with guest Willie Cotter
Followed by a short SOLO set by Sturgis Nikides on National Steel guitar.
{RL Archive, "Music Muse," Erie Times-News Showcase June 18, 2009}
2009.06.27 • Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
June 27, 2009, 10:00pm / Jamboree in the Pines Blues Festival, Pine Junction, Findley Lake, NY
Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
Sturgis Nikides (el-guitar), Rowdy Bodine (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
The lineup: Backwoods Bluegrass; Stealth Blues Bombers; the Duke Sherman Blues Band;
A short SOLO set by Sturgis Nikides on National Steel guitar; Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
{RL Archive, "Music Muse," Erie Times-News Showcase June 18, 2009}
2009.07.31 • Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins + Generic Beat + Monstro...
July 31, 2009, 11:00pm / Bobby's Place, Erie, PA
The lineup:
Empty Clip: unknown personnel
Monstro: Ian Smith (guitar and laptop shenanigans), Joe Rumball (bass), Steve Shaner (drums)
Hello Kitty Death Squad: DJ G-spot aka Garrett Skindell (theremin-turntables-keyboards-samples-percussion),
Doogie MacGregor (vocals, tenor sax), Joe Cieslak (tenor sax), Greg Szuba (guitar),
Mark Waldinger (bass), Mike Robertshaw (drums)
Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins: Sturgis Nikides (el-guitar),
Rowdy Bodine (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Generic Beat: Dan Smith (vocals), Xtine aka Christine Lorraine Mankowski (bass and vocals),
Mark Emhoff (guitar), Roger Prehoda (drums)
{RL Archive}
2009.08.01 • Sturgis Nikides and the Electric Assassins
August 1, 2009, 4:00pm / Erie Art Museum Jazz and Blues Festival, Frontier Park, Erie, PA
2010.10.21 • Torn Curtain + BANG 4 + Fiuczynski, Grey, & Throckmorton
October 21, 2010, 8:00pm / The Metropolitan, Erie, PA
Torn Curtain
Rick DiBello (guitars, soundtracks), Alethea Bodine (voice, slinking), Doug Russell (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
BANG 4
Steve Trohoske (bass), Frank Singer (guitars), Joel Polacci (percussion), G. Calvin Weston (drums)
Fiuczynski, Grey, & Throckmorton
David Fiuczynski (guitar), Tony Grey (6-string bass), David Throckmorten (drums)
"Dovetail Gallery Presents: BANG!
...Live documentary! From set-up to tear-down we will be videotaping the entire event... Chris Beiswanger performing in the martini bar between sets... local graffiti artists from the SEEDIS Group tagging the Metropolitan building while the event is taking place. Dave Ashby will be creating a light/graphics show."
{RL Archive}
2010.10.30 • Joseph Allen Popp's Weirdo Theatre Orkeztra + Ahimsa Beat + Liquid Nixon
October 30, 2010, 9:00pm / Crooked i, Erie, PA
Joseph Allen Popp's Weirdo Theatre Orkeztra
Joseph Allen Popp (guitars), Rob Gray (vocals, theremin), Lou Nicolia (electric violin), Ken Cornelius (bass), Rick Lopez (drums)
Ahimsa Beat
Steve Trohoske (bass), Frank Singer (guitars), Joel Polacci (percussion), Brad Amidon (drums)
Liquid Nixon
Jamie Houston (vocals), Michael Graham (guitar), Mike Kemp (Chapman Stick), Jason Lewis (bass), Steve Barone (drums)
{RL Archive; CD-R}
2010.11.21 • Joseph Allen Popp's Cellular Multiverse
November 21, 2010, 7:00pm / Benefit for Art Becker, Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA
Joseph Allen Popp's Cellular Multiverse
Joseph Allen Popp (guitars), Rick Lopez (drums)
—This was perhaps the worst gig Joe & I ever played. We had nothing...
[Also appearing: Aaron Forsyth (and band); Joe Dorris and friends; The Heliotropes; and Sam Hyman Trio.]
May 6, 2013, 7:00pm / Basement Transmissions, Erie, PA
if/then/what?
if = Ian Smith (guitars, percussion), then = Rick Lopez (drums), what? = Dave Blaetz (bass)
{RL Archive}
2013.06.01 • Rick Lopez vs. &mpers&ndm&n: Intruder Window [Recording]
Private Release (CD-R, 100 copies) 2013
June 1, 2013 / My House & Josiah's House, Erie, PA & Portland, OR
Rick Lopez (voc, texts), Josiah Haughwout (beats, music, manipulations)
1. TAPall TAPtogether TAPnow [2:12]
2. He Was Selling Clothes [2:42]
3. Rick Has Got Some 'Splaining to Do [1:56]
4. Okayouttathestorewithmycoke [2:44]
5. Blooper Reel [1:11]
6. Mental Health, All Right [2:14]
7. GHB [1:09]
8. Lovetorn [2:37]
9. Pipestove Hat [1:12]
10. Hardboil [2:31]
—Tracks 3,4,5, and 6 recorded March 23.
—Track 2 recorded March 24.
—Tracks 1 and 7 recorded April 8.
—Track 8 recorded April 22.
—Track 10 recorded April 24.
2014.06.12 • The William Parker Sessionography [Published Work; Music Research]
June 12, 2014 / 19th Annual Vision Festival, Judson Memorial Church, Brooklyn, NY
A definitive research document covering the career of bassist William Parker.
Centering 1011, 1st Printing Ltd. Edition, 482 pp, 370+ illustrations, 8.5x11, 3.2 pounds / $50.00 List
Book Release and Signing, 19th Annual Vision Festival
Cover Design by Shelle Barron; Book Design & Layout by RL; Cover Art by Jeff Schlanger
{RL Archive; Adam Holquist 13.12.05; Video by Tom Weber}
2015.10.21 • The Mary Halvorson Sessionography [Music Research]
October 21, 2015 (first published online) / A work in progress.
A definitive research document covering the career of guitarist Mary Halvorson.
Session entries for all known recorded media, including official releases, radio & television
broadcast recordings, audience recordings, soundboards, and video. Also listed in chronological
order within this sessionography and its session entries are play-dates with no known recorded media.
The Erie Reader,
September 14-27, 2016 Vol.6 No.19
{RL Archive; Rick Lopez, Producer}
2017.03.31 • Digital Media Fest Afterparty with FALL RISK, Clone 334, and more
March 31, 2017, 9:00pm / Behrend Digital Media Festival After-party, Urraro Gallery, Erie, PA
FALL RISK: Joseph Allen Popp (guitar), Fred Krugger (bass), Rick Lopez (JMdrums)
—1. Hey Jonny-O...; 2. Fall'n'Roll; 3. Lackawanna Line; 4. Bridge Screw Saviors
FALL RISK: Joseph Allen Popp (guitar), Fred Krugger (bass), Rick Lopez (JMdrums)
Monkey Stomp: Fred Ferko (6-string bass), Jon Gold (bass), Ryan McCall (drums)
{RL Archive}
2017.10.17 • Fall Risk + The Indeterminates + Kid Millions' Man Forever
October 17, 2017, 9:00pm / ElectroFLUX Experimental Music Series, Jekyll & Hyde's, Erie, PA
FALL RISK: Joseph Allen Popp (guitar), Fred Krugger (bass), Rick Lopez (JMdrums)
The Indeterminates: John Johnston (guitar), Gina Rullo (theremin), Adam Holquist (keyboards), Fred Krugger (bass),
Erik Mildner, Pat Bolla, and John Colpitts/Kid Millions (percussion)