Image by Chris Brown from Nelson Gallery
By Melinda Johnston

Well, folks, it’s that time of year. Even though we’ve had to suffer through tacky red hearts and ribbons since Santa was tucked away, how many of you still haven’t bought your someone something? You have too, you know. Even if he or she has proclaimed that all that commercial, overpriced sentimental slop is just that, you still have to do something. Believe me on this one. And just because you are single, that doesn’t let you off the hook. Send something to your mom. If not your mom, I bet there is an elderly single person living alone near you who could use a Valentine. (There, now, don’t you feel better about yourself?)

We all know that you are supposed to buy chocolate, flowers and diamonds, but you don’t have to go that far. Even if all you get your someone is a beautiful Valentine’s card, you’ll win some points. The problem with cards, though, is that most of them are overpriced crap. My mom still sends me cards for Christmas, birthdays, Easter and whatever else you are supposed to send cards for, but I have steadily refused to buy them for any purpose for many years now. Cards are starting to be five bucks a pop. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather get a more expensive present than an overpriced piece of paper with some sappy slop on it. Even if your present budget is only five bucks, you can get a lovely organic chocolate bar with that. So, in short, I just don’t buy cards. Until now.

A good friend of mine, who goes by the nom de artiste of cameraman, has produced a series of Valentine’s Day cards that I can support. The cards feature (...read more...)

Pictures, captions, endearing asides by Dorothy-June Fraser, Esquire

January 14th, 2007

Extry!Extry! Jazz history made this past weekend when legendary bebopper Lou Donaldson came to Vancouver for the very first time for a three night engagement at the Cellar Jazz club (please do NOT mistake this for the Cellar Nightclub, seriously) on West Broadway.
As he's recently celebrated his 80th birthday, he was in fine form, with charm only known by those performing for half a century.
Joining Lou were the fabulous Randy Johnston on guitar, Mike Ledonne on the B3 (oh, the B3!) and Fukushi Tainaka on drums.
The warmth of the keys and long-standing classic numbers brought the Cellar (which was filled ass-to-elbow) to its collective knees- there was no banter form the audience, a hush and reverence spread to the corners of the tiny club and the evening went by like knives through warm butter.
Besides the lineup of classics like "Blues Walk" and "Alligator Boogaloo", Lou and his Quartet played compositions by Parker, Davis and the band members, not only highlighting a long and storied past wit Lou himself, but also giving the audience a chance to see the individual talents of the musicians themselves, solo. This exists so much more provolently in jazz, and the extent of it is far-reaching. With one of the mainstays (and arguably requirements) for jazz being improvisation, it seems as though jazz players are infinitely more capable of realizing the talent of those around them, whether it be their own band, or a jam session, or some sort of late-night impromptu festivities.
The tight sets were all indications of the fact that not only was this history in the making, it was something else, maybe something this city can cling onto in our decline of the arts. Which I suppose is (...read more...)

The Process of Regifting
nothing and everything by Dorothy-June Fraser

So, the holidays are here, and winding down, everyone's belly out and properly uncomfortable. And we'll go in for the second round today.
Since Vancouverites don't really know too much snowy magic, it seems as though we're missing out on a lot that is quintessentially Canadian. Of course, I also hate snow and would probably not enjoy it in any real way; I want the concept. The happiness that the holidays seem to bring to those out in smaller, "old-tymier" places; carolers, piles and piles of gifts and chocolate, those little cracker things that never work.
Oh, hold on. No, I don't.
I really don't need an animatronic Santa. And while I do miss the cold, stinging air of Calgary in December, it is all the better that I don't have to go crazy and put up huge inflatable Santas and teddy bears (yes, the house on 12th and Nanaimo-ish).
Xmas has come, pillaging once again. Piles and piles of wrapping paper are being tossed unceremoniously into alleys, behind armchairs, wherever. It is now the purge.
As I sit in my living room listening to some compact discs, I am reminded of simpler times…blah blah blah.
Let's get back to doing things not hungover, no more turkey…except those leftovers.

Please, be good and take care on New Year's Eve. Seriously. I will-
I promise.
You be good, too. Nothing like the holidays to ruin a good year ahead, or behind...

ATTENTION: BLIM WILL BE CLOSED NEW YEARS DAY
...Go and see the fallen trees in Stanley Park before they are all gone. it is a sight to see and remember... Happy 2007. Love Blim.


Blim December 27- January 2, 2006

Wed December 27: Open Studio/ Level 1 Screenprinting Workshop
Thur December 28: Open Studio/ Level 2-4 Screenprinting Workshop and Open Studio
Fri December 29: Open Studio/ X-Massacre ( film event )
Sat December 30: Open Studio/ Action Vacuum ( music event )
Mon January 1: CLOSED
Tues January 2: Open Studio/ Open Studio

Blim Custom Printing and Button Making

Blim Gallery - January 2007

Blim presents:
A Pretty Murder
New Art and Sound Installation Devon Haag, Kent Lins, Trevor Jacobson, and Sara Gold

Opening: Saturday, January 6 - 8:00pm.

Show Runs: January 6 – 27, 2007

One evening, I heard a noise from above. A call, like sandpaper on silk, roughened by time and use, compelling me to look up. Shiny black feathers, a bullet of coal, swooping with determination to beat the setting sun. And then another, and another, and another. The sky suddenly filled with creatures of beauty, soaring, plummeting, talking together like excited children. I reveled in their freedom and mystery. I ached to fly with them. Instead, I walked on, eyes fixed skyward, following the inky blackness moving east. An epiphany of crows. A pretty murder.
Art Installation by

Devon Haag -

Age 36. Neophyte artist, science geek, bird-hugger; odd looking in a striking way; seeking like-minded crow lovers. Likes long walks on the beach, Sunday brunches, new shoes and fat cats.


Kent Lins -
Age 42. Artist, blogger, photographer; rugged good looks; single, seeking soul mate. Likes herbal tea, buying roses, and giving massages.
Sound Installation by Lost and Found

Trevor Jacobson -
Age 29. Sound (...read more...)