Girl Talk @ Stage AE

December 7, 2010/”Gregg Gillis Day” via @therealgirltalk

Pretty excellent to finally have a mid-sized venue that can accommodate acts that exceed Mr. Small’s capacity, and are more modest in fanbase than Sir Paul McCartney or Lady Gaga. Stage AE reminds me of the Electric Factory from across the state (corporate-sponsored pseudo-rave space, basically), but with way better acoustics and a free-er alcohol policy. All-ages, with no over-21-only area? Doesn’t matter to me, but this set-up is just pleading for underage drinking dollars.

Girl Talk was Girl Talk. It’s been all good vibes between me and Mr. Gillis since “LC and Lo” from Bone Hard Zaggin’ (kick off with the My So-Called Life “go now, go” whisper, and you’ve got a devotee for life). Last I saw Girl Talk was at Johnny Brenda’s in Philly. A couple hundred, at the most, fit in that place. I was in the shoulder-to-chest sweat, as was everyone. Your neighbor’s sway was your signature move. I loved the bruises of the dancefloor then. Chipped a tooth ‘round then. Got a black eye another month from a flying elbow. Lost years of hearing to the bass beat, and would go out in cotton fabrics that breathed, and sneakers. Ready for the fight, more or less.

Friday, stood on the balcony above and watched as thousands of them kids — i.e., well, my friends — lost their shit on stage and crowdsurfed. Toe-tapped, and that’s the way I like it lately.

Followed with I Made It Market on the South Side on Saturday. Always a pleasure. The empty storefront next to the REI was too teeny to comfortably contain the crowds, but I’ve never returned from such an event empty-handed or anything less than giddy. Picked up a lovely print from Kassondra Amada and a neat paper cutting by Kathryn Carr (dogs on a tandem bicycle? amazing). Now joining all the other framed-but-unhung art in my apartment. One of these days I should just grab some nails and have a go with the hammer.

The cold’s struck, so I’m doing a lot stuff that doesn’t at all make for interesting blogging: Netflix, yoga, puppy cuddles, popcorn + hot cocoa, and baking things that are better off shared.