Wesley Case wrote a great piece about us in the Baltimore Sun. Check it out!
(Of course, WordPress is acting like an idiot today and won’t let me create links. Here’s the URL. I’ll make the link more elegant later when WordPress stops acting up.)
Last session was probably Little Luna’s last session ever at Dr. Sketchy’s Baltimore. In a few short weeks she’ll be on her way to New Orleans to become some sort of vigilante crimefighter-slash-shrimp boat captain. Why is she leaving us? Do we not have enough criminal shrimping operations for her to go all Batman on?
By the way, the Baltimore Sun covered this session too—their piece should be in Monday’s edition. When it comes out, I’ll add a short blog with a link.
Anyways, Little Luna finished in style. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started.
After the 1- and 2-minte poses, we took a quick break, and then it was time for the 5-minute poses, the first of which was the non-dominate hand contest. If you’re right-handed you draw with your left, if you’re left-handed you draw with your right, and if you’re ambidextrous we feed one hand to the shark.
The two winners received mystery concoctions from Russell. What were they? Capri-Suns? Gasoline infused vodka shots? I have no idea. We maintain plausible deniability for a reason.
After that, it was time for a recess so folks could sneak a smoke, refill a Harvey Wallbanger, push someone off the jungle gym—whatever. Then it was time for the 10-minute poses . . . . . . and FISH CHAOS.
I managed to turn off my fancy video camera when I thought I was turning it on at EXACTLY the worst moment—which triggered a truly epic cursing fit several hours later. Luckily, Alexis and I don’t take SHIT from technology; she was filming backup with her phone. It’s not the greatest video, but it gives you an idea.
I’ll leave the rest to the video.
Why was there a shark attack?
Really folks, there are no thought processes going on. It’s all white noise up top. I can tell you, you better run for your lives if I ever get a hold of a giant robotic Tyrannosaurus Rex.
They’re expensive (I’ve checked), so you’re probably safe…
…unless someone reading this has one I could borrow/have. Call me. [thumb up, pinky extended, hand to ear]
What were talking about? Dinosaurs?
The 10-minute poses. –Alexis
Oh. Right.
The second 10-minute pose was our second contest of the evening, ye’ old random noun contest. The crowd picked “oil spill” this time around. The winner received a pair of back seamed stockings from What Katie Did.
Another break for folks to top off drinks and fend off fish and it was time for the 20-minute poses. The first was a another contest, the goal being the best homage to Edward Gorey, since it was his birthday the week before. The winner received The Strange Case of Edward Gorey by Alexander Theroux from Atomic Books, which is in Hampden on the corner of Falls Rd and the Avenue. It’s easily the best bookstore in Baltimore.
The last pose of the evening was also the last contest, the goal being the best incorporation of polar bears since it was International Polar Bear Day. The winner received Oompa!, Sabrina Chap’s CD. If you missed her session in January, check out her stuff, and if you’re feeling patrony, support the making of her next CD.
A quick aside about the fish . . . a lot of folks did some pretty amazing things so that all worked out.
First, lots of thanks to Brian and Missy for letting us buy a helium tank off of them, they ROCK. Second, it turns out the tank was only enough to fill one and a half fish. Two hours before the session I ended up having to make an emergency run to Flowers By Chris, who I’m sure thought I was crazy over the phone. They finished filling up the shark for me, though, no charge. The night wouldn’t have happened without them. Next time you’re in Mt. Vernon and need flowers, maybe shoot them some business.
Third, I don’t know if you remembered, but that Monday was a FUCKING WINDSTORM. If I’d tried to walk those two fish to the Windup from Mt. Vernon, I would have been screwed. Luckily, Missy was a superhero AGAIN and gave me a ride to Windup.
Unfortunately, at that point we couldn’t get into Windup because Russell was held up in traffic, so then we owe thanks to Victor who runs the check-cashing shop next door, who gave us shelter till Russell arrived.
So, next time you need, umm, a check cashed or payday loan, go to Victor.
Oh Baltimore, I love you.
Then, THEN, the light-rail delayed Luna, luckily, Valeria Voxx, a past model, happened to be on hand and volunteered to go get her.
THANK GOD. Otherwise y’all would have spent the night drawing fish.
ANYWAY, super thanks to Little Luna who did an amazing job (while having a cold!)—we’ll miss you—if you get murdered in New Orleans, we’ll make fun of you since you’re from Baltimore and better fucking represent; thanks to our sponsors Atomic Books, Flying Dog Brewery, What Katie Did, and Baby Tattoo Books for the great beer specials and amazing prizes; thanks to Russell for slinging drinks and booze; thanks to Jeff for the nifty photos above; thanks to Alexis for holding the ship on course, sharks-be-damned; and thank you to all of you for making Little Luna’s last night at Sketchy’s such a great night.
Who’s posing next?
Photo by Sarah Kimble, flyer by Aaron Bush
GiGi Holliday – “The chocolate that melts your heart!” – of Sticky Buns Burlesque is posing for Dr. Sketchy’s Baltimore, Monday, March 12th!
If you’ve been spending nights out on the town wisely, you’ve seen GiGi perform with Sticky Buns or other folks over the last year or so, either at the Windup Space, Illusions, or other assorted high-class entertainment venues.
Since Dr. Sketchy’s patrons are known for their hard partying, I understand those boozy nights might be a little hazy, so I’ll help you out – GiGi was the awesome part of your night. You know, the part before the bartender cut up your credit card, your significant other left with the fire marshal, Paco Fish drop-kicked you with a pair of stilts because you rushed the stage, and the BPD forced a rabies shot on you as a condition of your release.
GiGi was that beautiful siren on stage, that luminous beauty who made you feel so special, so lucky to be alive, that you were SURE no one would mind if you did three more pickle shots and set fire to Russell’s beard.
It’s okay, it happens.
Well, guess what? You’ll get to draw the entrancing GiGi, and if you feel inspired to set fire to Russell, NO ONE WILL JUDGE YOU. GiGi Holliday makes people do crazy things. We understand. GiGi understands. Russell doesn’t, but, well, who cares?
GiGi describes herself as “the nerdy girl in the corner playing dress up.” Lord knows Dr. Sketchy’s has gotten lost on more than one geek tangent . . . you’ll love her. Trust us.
There’ll be drink specials from Flying Dog Brewery, bitchin’ prizes from Atomic Books and Baby Tattoo Books, and we can guarantee you we have resolved the whole inflatable shark infestation issue.
That’s for Candy del Rio AND the photography by Carlo Pizarro, her partner in Stereo Vision Photography.
Don’t know if you know this, but a lot of the photos for our flyers over the years have come from Stereo Vision. You’ve been seeing their work for years, whether you realized it or not.
[Yes, years—this summer will be our 4th anniversary. Expect lots of “lawks!” in our communiques from here on out.]
Candy did a bang-up job—there was all sorts of good drawing to be had.
Once everyone’s drawing hands were nicely warmed up, we took a quick breather so folks could top of their beers and sneak a coffin nail, and then it was time for the 5-minute poses.
The first was the non-dominate hand contest, where if you’re right-handed you draw with your left, if you’re left-handed you draw with your right, and if you’re ambidextrous I’m the Queen of England.
The two winners recieved something mysterious in a glass from Russell behind the bar. We don’t monitor that shit for deniability reasons.
Another break so folks could call in flat tires/working late/stuck-in-traffic to their significant others, and then Candy del Rio did a burlesque number for ya. The video camera messed up though, so if you missed it—well, that’s what you get.
Quick break and then it was THE LAST POSE, the pose where everyone must decide, “Do I bolt early so I can watch an episode Step by Step before bed, or do I say “fuck it,” line up three shots, and draw like Picasso on two boxes of wine?”
Thanks to Candy del Rio for a rockin’ session; thanks to her and Carlo Pizarro for letting us use that Stereo Vision photo above; thanks to our amazing sponsors Atomic Books, Flying Dog Brewery, What Katie Did, and Baby Tattoo Books; thanks to Jeff for the slick photos making up a good chunk of this blog; thanks to Russell for the booze, space, and tunes; and last but not least, thank you to Alexis for keeping a firm grip on the mic and the emergency dead-man-switch connected to the gas line.
What’s next?
This Monday, Little Luna’s LAST SESSION EVER.
Photo: Cheryl Fair
That’s right, Little Luna is pulling up stakes and heading south, supposedly to New Orleans, but she’s pretty quick with the lies, so Lord knows where she’s going or why. Is she running from the mob? Did the fuzz catch on to that whole smuggled Mima birds thing? Is this all a trick so we’ll all buy her drinks for a month and then she’ll put on a wig and swear to be her own twin sister just moved to Baltimore?
Just. Don’t. Know.
Little Luna is one of our most popular models ever, so don’t miss her last session. Doors at 6, start at 7. 18+ to draw, 21+ to drink, 92+ to set Russell’s beard on fire for a $1.