Indie Biz of the Week August 13, 2009

Indie Biz of the Week
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Charles Chocolates
Yes, my neighborhood seems to have had more than it's fair share of chocolate factories in the past..well with Scharffenberger closed we are sadly down to just one within walking distance (jealous much).
As if making delicious artisan chocolate is not enough to bring you into their store, they now serve Blue Bottle coffee!!!! Yep, that coffee, blue bottle + chocolate= happy days.

At first Charles Chocolates can seem a bit intimidating, like you may not be worthy if you are not versed on the history and origin or the precious cacao bean. From the super designed packaging ( I admittedly tried the chocolate for the first time, solely based on the aesthetics of the packaging, ah, marketing...) to the ultra clean store, it can be scary.

I have to say though, what made me more inclined to go check out the factory/store in person was seeing the owner Charles on the Food Network challenge program. He was competing in a chocolate challenge and pretty much bombed. Not that I am happy he failed, but it humanized the chocolate for me. Somehow seeing him showing us his vulnerabilities on TV, in front of millions, felt comforting to me. So I walked down to the store and went inside. What I found was a friendly staff and lots of free samples!! mmm chocolate.

So I am a big fan of mixing chocolate and fruit, Charles has these "Orange Twigs" that melt in your mouth. Here is the description online..." delicate milk chocolate ganache with a hint of fresh orange is coated in a thin layer of 65% bittersweet chocolate and then finished with a sprinkling of confectioner's sugar."...if you want to be my new BBF bring me a case of these...just saying....

all images are from the Charles Chocolates website..and that gift box pictured....edible..

Charles Chocolates
6429 Hollis St
Emeryville, CA 94608
510-652-4412
charleschocolates.com
Showroom Hours :Tuesday through Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm
to find out about taking tours see the website

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What's up at Blankspace?
"How Do You Know" a group exhibit of 16 Irish Artists curated by Gallery 126 in Galway, Ireland.

The show at Blankspace runs through August 30th. We are hosting a Tea this Sunday 3-6pm, come by and check it out. Participating artists include: Vera Klute, Paul Murnaghan, Padraig Robinson, Christopher Banahan, Jackie Nickerson, Emma Houlihan, Adelle Hickey, Bernie Masterson, Emmet Kierans, Fiona Chambers, John Jones, Theresa Nanigian, Paul Hickey, Helena O'Connor, Tanya O'Keefe and James Hayes.

Blankspace is proud to present a group exhibition curated by Gallery 126 in Galway Ireland. Blankspace has worked with 126 for over a year to produce exchange opportunities for local artists from both cities.

Local Bay Area artists will be exhibiting work in Ireland at the end of August. Both galleries share similar missions and goals when it comes to producing exhibitions; 126 and Blankspace are both artist run exhibition spaces that promote strong conceptual approaches and experimentation in artmaking.

In other news I rearranged the gallery store and brought in some cute new items. I am very excited to launch our online site, if all things go well it will launch at the beginning of September...I will keep you posted.

I also created a mural for the back wall, it had been a while since I had done a wall drawing, so I just went for it..here is a pic.


Blankspace would like to thank everyone who lent us equipment and time to make this exhibit happen including: Kala Art Institute, Eric Sanchez, John Wehrle, Sam Lopes, Brian Caraway, Keith Boadwee and The Compound Gallery as well as the Irish Arts Council and Gallery 126's Jim Ricks.

Indie Biz of the Week and other tidbits August 8th

Indie Biz of the Week
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Urban Ore
So I am sure you all know about Urban Ore, but I have recently rediscovered how great it is. Until recently I had no particular hard to find item that I was in want or need of until I started restructuring the store area of Blankspace and then I began to realize I needed to take a walk over and check out the goods.

Not too surprisingly I found what I needed, some decent base board and some other cool stuff. Well... I may be getting a bit addicted to going over and checking what new items they have. Mostly I don't need a thousand old doors or windows, but I find a bit of inspiration from being around all the old wood and furniture.

The best part for me is that the people who work there seem to being going back to the old ways (I am referring to the old location in Berkeley) when you could haggle and often come away with free stuff included in your purchase. That makes me happy to be able to haggle a bit, for a while it was frustrating to go in and get attitude AND pay high prices at a salvage shop.

Most of the uber hipsters of the past have moved on to working record shops or install crews at various arts institutions, being replaced by some nice folks who have cute style and nice demeanor, yay, yay.

If you have never been, it is worth checking out.

Urban Ore
900 Murray St.
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 841-7283
Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-7pm; Sun 10am-7pm

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What's up at Blankspace?
We just re-opened this past Friday (hence the late blog post) August 7th with "How Do You Know" a group exhibit of 16 Irish Artists curated by Gallery 126 in Galway, Ireland.

The opening went smooth and was well attended. We had our neighbors two piece band called Front Junk playing outside between the galleries, fun stuff. We were also celebrating the opening of Obi Kaufmann's new space called Sweet[art] gallery. Located next door on the 6602 side of the Compound Studios. Yay Obi.

The show at Blankspace runs through August 30th. Come by and check it out.

In other news I rearranged the gallery store and brought in some cute new items. I am very excited to launch our online site, if all things go well it will launch at the beginning of September...I will keep you posted. I also created a mural for the back wall, it had been a while since I had done a wall drawing, so I just went for it..here is a pic.

Indie Biz of the Week July 30th 2009

Indie Biz of the Week
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Cal Overstock & Surplus
So I am sure you all know about Urban Ore, but what you may not know is that right down the street is a U.C. Berkeley building that houses many of the University's surplus items.

I was just in there this week looking for a table and wow, they have rows of chairs, desks, filing cabinets and random wonderful finds like bike parts old library card catalog files and large wooden drawers that looked like something out of a 1950's science lab...cool stuff.

The best part is most items are really priced to sell..cheap. Almost everything in the
warehouse can be purchased on the spot, but the more valuable equipment and computers are available twice a week at the public auctions. I have never attended, but my guess is if you really
want something , you will probably get it.

If you have never been, it is worth checking out.

Cal Overstock & Surplus

1000 Folger Avenue

The Marchant Building

Berkeley, CA, 94720

Phone 510-642-1186

http://businessservices.berkeley.edu/overstock/public

Showroom Hours of Operation:
Tuesday through Friday
8:30am - 4:00pm

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What's up at Blankspace?

Nothing right now, we are still closed for a summer break and will re-open August 7th 7-10pm
with "How Do You Know" a group exhibit of 16 Irish Artists curated by Gallery 126 in Galway, Ireland. Come by and check it out.

Indie Biz of the Week

Indie Biz of the Week
Local 123 is a new cafe that opened up down a little ways from Blankspace on San Pablo. I just checked it out for the first time on Tuesday. I can only comment on the coffee, well because, that is all I've had so far...but the coffee was very good.


The decor is clean and simple, and there is a great patio in the back...big bonus in the East Bay, so many cafes have either no outdoor space, or the space is very dark and dirty (yuck)..this is very appealing and thus far, clean.


Local 123 will also be hosting art exhibitions curated by Emma Spertus. The first show opens tonight!

Gabrielle Wolodarski and Jeff Stratford
June 17 - August 5
Opening reception: Thursday, June 25, 6-8pm

Emma has good taste so I expect that she will be producing some quality exhibits in the space.

Local 123
2049 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley
local123cafe.com

HOURS:

Monday to Friday: 6:30 am to 7:00 pm,

Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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BLANKSPACE NEWS
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We will be hosting a Sunday Tea( featuring Numi Tea) this
Sunday from 3-5pm. If you have not had time to come check out the current shows in the main gallery and project space, this is the perfect excuse.

We will be serving iced tea and snacks....

The show ends July 5th, we will be hosting a closing reception on First Friday, July 3rd from 7-10pm.

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R.I.P. Michael Jackson
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Indie Biz of the Week...open calls and more

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

Magnet Boutique, Berkeley, CA

Magnet is one of those places that you always wished was in your neighborhood. So even better that it actually exists.

Camille the proprietress of Magnet, is a super stylish, super sweet, petite powerhouse. Her keen eye for all things stylish flows perfectly into the decor of the store; with a minimalist approach, she has created a mixture of modern and vintage fixtures and furniture that combine perfectly to accentuate the fabulous clothing.

I bought a fabulous pair of wool/silk pinstriped pants there last year, that are still one of my faves. They are comfortable, stylish and very well crafted. Featured items in the store include denim, shoes, bags and of course great dresses and tops.

The store is not on the cheap side, but you definitely get what you pay for; well crafted, well designed pieces that will last more that one season.

BONUS, if you are on a budget Magnet is having a summer sale that is going on right now. Also, twice a year she does a huge blowout sale to make room for the new seasons items, I have found some amazing bargains there.

Double Bonus: Magnet is surrounded by three great vintage clothing stores Twisters, Dolled up and Icon. The perfect way to complete your look with some great vintage items.

Magnet

2508 San Pablo Ave
(between Blake St & Dwight Way)
Berkeley, CA 94702

(510) 848-1966

www.magnetboutique.com

Tues-Sat- 11-6pm, Sun 12-5pm



WHAT'S UP AT BLANKSPACE
"just because there are questions doesn't mean there are answers"

new collaborative work by
Sam Lopes, Joy Fritz and Friends

June 5 - July 5, 2009

First Friday reception:

July 3rd 7-10pm

“Just because there are questions, doesn’t mean there are answers” is a project inspired by a game of copy cat - where each artist tries to emulate one another’s style. The exhibition includes work by Joy Fritz, Sam Lopes, Matthew Momchilov, Matthew Pawlowski.

The exhibition of drawings and largescale wooden and paper mache artifacts are a result of the artists’ use of a game to stay inspired and connected to their queer histories and futures, of laughing in spite of deep pain, and constantly, creatively UNdefining themselves so that there are more questions and less answers.

BLANKSPACE HAS NEW GALLERY HOURS: THURS-SUN 12-6pm

visit our website for more info blankspacegallery.com

GALLERY STORE PROJECT SPACE

Spirit Orb Color Field
an installation by Emily Sevier

Emily Sevier has created an installation of fabric spirit orbs influenced by the chromatic explorations of the Color Field painters and by the graphic color patterns of the 1960s. The soft and floppy felt orbs radiate a bright energy welcoming the viewer from a homespun portal to the otherworld.

Along with the sculpture she is showing some great new drawings. Not to miss!!

JUNE 5- JULY 5, 2009
opening reception: JUNE 5th, 7-10pm
First Friday Reception: JULY 3rd 7-10pm

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COMMUNITY BOARD
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OPEN CALL

21 Grand is doing its first ever juried exhibition - the theme is "Wrong"

Jurors: Svea Lin Vezzone and Misako Inaoka

This exhibition is open to all genres including visual art (video, installation, painting, sculpture, drawing, photo, etc), sound/audio, performance-based disciplines, social practice projects and hybrid forms. Proposals for new projects and collaborative works are welcome.

Entry fee is $15
Deadline for entries: received by 6PM, Friday, July 17, 2009.
More info here:
http://www.21grand.org/wpress/?p=46

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ART IN THE BOX
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Subscribe to The Compound Gallery’s Art in a Box!

Each month you will receive a new piece of fine art by a different artist. Give the GIFT of ART for someone special or for yourself. By subscribing, you receive high quality works worth much more than the subscription cost AND you support local artists AND The Compound Gallery!

Our 11 featured artists are talented and creative individuals that create amazing and collectible, marvelous works of art. All artwork will be accompanied by the artist’s bio and will be contained in an 11” x 17” x 3” box. click here for more info.

FEATURED ARTISTS: Adrian Van Allen Audrey Roy Ben Belknap Crystal Morey Eric Sanchez Kerri Lee Johnson Lena Verderano Reynoso Matt Reynoso Obi Kaufmann Tallulah Terryll YaChin Bonny You

Indie Biz of the Week..and other updates

Lets get to it.

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK
Sweet Adeline Bakeshop is located on Adeline St @ 63rd St. in Berkeley.

This is a very cute and unpretentious little bakery. Lena (co-owner of The Compound Gallery) and I took a walk around our neighborhood this week and decided to make Sweet Adeline our destination. When we arrived after a pleasant stroll, we were hungry and ready for some good coffee. I ordered from their wall menu that changes daily with specials for sandwiches, quiche and soup. I ordered the turkey sandwich on their freshly baked focaccia bread. This was, I have to say, a spectacular sandwich-just the right amount of every ingredient-turkey, roasted tomatoes, and thinly sliced baby new potatoes with lettuce and dressing...yummy. Lena ordered the vegetarian friendly soup that came with croutons. Both meals were yum.

The pleasure did not end with the sandwich and coffee, I decided to try their macaron cookie that was filed with a blossoming orange butter cream-really? This cookie was to die for. Not only was it light and tasty, but the orange blossom taste stayed in your mouth like a taste explosion. When we left to continue our stroll I still had the pleasant aftertaste in my mouth. So, so, so tasty.

The whole meal was a winner, not something you can often say about the many Cafes that pepper the East Bay landscape. Sweet Adeline delivered from start to finish.

...and two bonus items in my eyes-The ENTIRE counter staff was friendly and happy to answer my questions about the pastries! and they have a water bowl out front for the pups!

I walked out of Sweet Adeline with a satisfied tummy and a feeling that everyone who worked there enjoyed their jobs and had a love for the food served.

Sweet Adeline Bakeshop
3350 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
Telephone: 510-985-7381
www.sweetadelinebakeshop.com
HOURS:

Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat, Sun 8am-5pm

WHAT'S UP AT BLANKSPACE

Currently on view at Blankspace:
the main gallery show:               Renee Gertler: Modality Room
and the gallery store show:       Jessica Dacher: Remember Me Forever
 more info at blankspacegallery.com

COMMUNITY BOARD

Open Call

Oakland Art Gallery and Pro Arts Present
Bay Area Currents 2009
Selections by Kevin B. Chen, Intersection for the Arts

Deadline for entries: May 15, 2009

Click here for the Pro Arts Gallery Open Call page with online registration
form and more info.

Indie Biz of the Week..and other updates

Hey All,
I am going to stand on my soapbox again this week and preach the importance of following up with good intentions. I know we all have them, when we say, "I have to get over to that gallery or new shop,"...well please do, we all say we will support and then for what ever reason we don't get ourselves over to the shops...well guess what if you don't come, they will go..away.

I am asking you all to make every effort to help support all of these small businesses, even if you go and just spend $5, it adds up and keeps them going....

The EastBay Express (also an indie newspaper) has continued their campaign for shopping and supporting local. The 2009 Indie Revolution, below is the copy from the campaign.

Can you truly shape our society?

Yes you can!

Join the Indie Revolution to find out how! Not only is it free, it's inspiring, empowering, educational, and hopefully stimulates your "feel good" brain nodes. Each month you'll receive a packet in the mail with ideas and tips on how you can personally make a difference in our community. The theme changes each month.

Click here to get this month's journal.

To join the Indie Revolution and receive a hard copy of the monthly journal as well as special offers and invitations, simply email your name and mailing address to: Indie@EastBayExpress.com

INDIE BIZ OF THE WEEK

FiveTenStudio

Located in Old Oakland, this store/gallery
is nothing but awesome!  FiveTenStudio was
founded by Alfonso Dominguez and Sean
Matthews.They specializes in functional
limited edition objects and furniture.
Dedicated to the promotion of local designers,
artists and craftsmen.

Alfonso and his family have been working really
hard to make Old Oakland a destination. In
addition to FiveTenStudio he and his family have
their hands in the restaurant business with Tamarindo,
his wife owns a cute boutique called Mignonne and
I hear that he is involved with a new bar opening soon....

Right now FiveTenStudio is featuring custom audio components by
Audiowood: works by Joel Scilley. These are beautiful handcrafted
one of a kind turntable decks.  Also in the space are audio
components by a variety of artisans including craved wood speaker
pods and amplifiers by GLOW Audio.

FiveTenStudio
831 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607

Get Directions(510)451-9900
fivetenstudio.com
Hours: Sun-Wed appointment only, Thurs-Sat 11-6pm












DON'T MISS BLANKSPACE'S 3 YR ANNIVERSARY PARTY & OPENING RECEPTION
for artists Renee Gertler & Jessica Dacher-THIS SATURDAY 7-10PM

blankspacegallery.com

Hey speaking of indie biz the Oakland Indie Awards are happening
again this year.You can nominate your favorite Oakland Indie Biz
by clicking here.
The Indie Awards are a program of One California Foundation.
They are hosting third third annual awards party on Friday,
May 15, 2009 at 5:30 pm at The Crucible at 1260 7th St, Oakland.
This event will celebrate the spirit and community impact of
Oakland's independent businesses and artists.

umm..maybe blankspace could be nominated...just saying...