We’ve been wanting to do this particular session with Mab Just Mab—“DC’s Own Sideshow Girl—FOREVER. I mean, honestly, when will you get a chance again to draw someone hammering a nail up their nose? Sitting in the emergency room with your first born child after a particularly ill-advised game of kindergarden Truth or Dare? I don’t know. Take a look.
Thanks to Mab Just Mab, for putting on what might have to be one of my favorite sessions of all time; thanks to this session’s sponsors, Atomic Books and Flying Dog Brewery; thanks to Jeff for the amazing gallery of photos you see below (and one above); thanks to Russell for slinging booze and tunes; and thanks to Alexis for emceeing the whole thing.
And special thanks to all the artists who contributed artwork for this recap: Cecilia Strakna, David Wright, Jeff Lance, Mike Hasson, and Stewart White.
Our next session is Monday, April 9th with Eyrie Twilight of Black Tassel Boolesque. Doors at 6, start at 7 – get there early to get a good seat. It’s going be a neo-Victorian/steampunk-esque extravaganza.
GiGi Holliday is easily one of our new favorite people. We’ve been hoping she’d model for Dr. Sketchy’s Baltimore for years, but as a general rule we rarely ever approach someone. We wait for them to approach us, because we’ve learned this lesson the hard way: unless the person comes to us, they seem much more likely to be unreliable, cancel at the last minute, what have you.
So, we just patiently waited for someone to introduce us. There was a flaw in our plan, though—everyone just assumed we’d already met. For two years we twiddled our thumbs to no avail.
Luckily, one night after an Ottobar show and about four shots of Jager, I said “Fuck it,” walked up to her, and basically said, “Hey, Alexis and I run Dr. Sketchy’s Baltimore. You interested in modeling?”
We took a quick break so GiGi could have a breather, and then it was time for the 5-minute poses, the first of which 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, you draw with a rabid porpoise.
The two winners received mystery concoctions from Russell at the bar. Nope, I have no idea what was in them. Bad decisions and shame, I suspect.
It was then time for GiGi’s halftime performance! You’ll have to go to one of her shows if you want to see a full routine, but here’s a few teaser photos.
The 10-minute poses were next. the first of which was our second contest of the evening, which was the best incorporation of “Be Kind, Rewind” (in honor of the closing of Video Americain‘s Charles Village location) for Blood by Mark Ryden, from Atomic Books up in Hampden. Extra points were given for incorporating The Fifth Element, since GiGi’s performance was based on the movie’s Diva Dance.
A quick break and it was time for the first 20-minute pose of the night and our third contest, the best incorporation of Tarzan, for one of two prizes: Animus by Seonna Hong, from Baby Tattoo Books, or a copy of Sabrina Chap’s Oompa! Sabrina is raising funds for her next album, if you want to help, head over here. As of this writing, she’s only a quarter of the way to her goal.
Thanks to GiGi Holliday for doing a stunning job; thanks to our amazing sponsors, Atomic Books, Baby Tattoo Books, and Sabrina Chap for the great contest prizes; thanks to Jeff for the photography above; thanks to Russell for spinning tunes and booze; thanks to Alexis for rockin’ the mic; and thanks to all of you for making it a particularly fun session!
By the way, we’re going to start experimenting with our blog post formats. Between you and me, I think they run a little long, and carry a little more punch if they weren’t a big ol’ novel. Don’t be surprised when the next one of these is a little different.
What’s next?
Mab Just Mab, DC’s Own Sideshow Girl! A glasswalker and blockhead, escape artist and ukulele fanatic, she has been featured in several documentaries and books on sideshow revival, and performs solo, with The Accidental Circus and as a pillar of the Cheeky Monkey Sideshow.
Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve brought you performers from such faraway places as Australia, New Orleans, and Essex, but I can guarantee you have never, ever, drawn anything like this. I’m not even talking about drawing at Dr. Sketchy’s, I’m talking about drawing ANYWHERE. Unless you were raised in a circus, and were allowed to just loiter about all willy-nilly for hours on end with your sketchpad, you’ve never drawn this.
We’re talking nails, broken glass, and stuff I don’t want even to allude to just in case you’re so appalled, so horrified, so frozen in fear you won’t come!
I’m telling you, folks, bring a spare pair of drawers. You might need them.
Oh, and one last thing, Mab Just Mab is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. If you’re in one of those “I broke eight ribs so don’t make me laugh” situations, your life might be in mortal danger.
There’ll be great prizes from Atomic Books & What Katie Did, not to mention beer specials from Flying Dog Brewery!
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.
Dr. Sketchy's Baltimore 