Last month when given the opportunity to cover the 70′s themed event with Art & Soul at Spin at The Standard in Downtown LA where a prestigious art exhibition and silent auction presented by The Andrew Weiss Gallery and produced by Sugarfly events was held to celebrate 20th century masters of fine art such as Picasso, Chagall, Miro and Dali, the guests got to experience the thrill to a live dance-musical performance by The Honey Noir Revue. The performance featured the Detective of Love solving another crime of passion in the style of the Pamela Grier action films of the 1970′s. In addition, the event displayed 70′s videos and a period soundtrack curated by renowned music producer and film composer Mark Governor.
As you enter The Standard Downtown’s renowned Spin social club and lounge, you are transported back to the chic and sensual atmosphere of a 1970′s cocktail party enhanced by vintage videos and a period soundtrack that will surely get your groove on and ignite the mood for love and passion. Throughout the event, guests were able to perfect their ping-pong diplomacy playing table tennis in a reserved section of the lounge at special discounted rates. However, the party kept going all night long with access to The Standard’s legendary rooftop bar.
Needless to say the event was a total success, dawned with original etchings, wood engravings and lithographs culled from rare editions and important collections while sampling 70′s themed appetizers and drink specials. Guests were delighted to partake in the delicious selection of tasty hors d’oeuvres and complimentary cocktails. The guest list consisted of long-time clients of The Andrew Weiss Gallery, influential movers and shakers of Downtown LA, art enthusiasts and important members of the press.
During the event, just before the start of the live performance by The Honey Noir Revue, it was my pleasure to be introduced to Mark Governor the musical’s soundtrack curator and composer. Dressed in the 1970′s clothes, well spoken, Mark was pleasant and welcoming. He talked openly about his inspiration that he acquires from looking at the piece of artwork and how it resonates with something deep within him, making a physical, intellectual and emotional connection to the artist. According to Mark, it is that emotional connection in particular, which triggers something in his mind when writing and composing music.
The performance itself by The Honey Noir Revue was directed and choreographed by Janet Roston of LA Rock Opera Company. Inspired by Pamela Grier action movies, it consisted of six dancers and a lead singer Bridget Graham who performed to a soundtrack provided by the contemporary soul band Honey Noir. The staging of the performance took up the entire room of the club where all the guests and the press were mingling and watching at the same time. It was all well staged as the dancers moved all over the room and in between the tables where many of the guest were sitting before finally entering the designated area of the stage floor. The whole atmosphere of the performance felt very authentic to the time period of the 1970s, which included the singing, dancing and even speaking dialog as well. It was more of a replay rather than display as the performance transported the guests back to the 1970s.
Lily Yu, the director of The Andrew Weiss Gallery and co-producer with Sugarfly events, did a brilliant job organizing the entire event, complete with fine arts and breathtaking performances by The Honey Noir Revue all wrapped in by an eclectic composer with style that is both lyrical and rhythmically driving. Overall, the event left a lasting imprint in everyone’s memory even after the evening was over.
Finally, when the performance by The Honey Noir Revue came to conclusion, the dance floor opened up for all the guests to show off their Soul Train moves as KCRW DJ Aaron Byrd rounded out the evening, spinning tunes that evoked the soulful spirit and groove of the time.
The next event will be on October 24th at Spin at The Standard in Downtown for another creative collaboration of music and art featuring some professional ping-pong action in the mix. Sugarfly, which produced this event, collaborates with art galleries, performing artists, music and theatre organizations, fashion designers and exclusive venues to create one of a kind events that join art, music, theater and style in an atmosphere that evokes and compliments the time period and essence of the featured artists and their work.
