Tag Archives: Harrisburg

Aaron’s Mug & Little Amps Downtown

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(Heh.  See what I did there?  I’m so punny.)

I’m going to go ahead and say that Aaron Carlson is the Coffee Champion of Harrisburg.  For crying out loud, he’s the only one in the area who roasts his own coffee and it’s freakin’ delicious.  For over a year, his one location in Olde Uptown has been tucked away on the corner of Green and Muench for me to roll out of bed, mosey across the street, and get my daily fix.  Maybe I’m just a lucky little lady, but I couldn’t ask for a better neighborhood coffee shop/record store/music venue.  I’m totally pickin’ up what Aaron’s puttin’ down.

Bright and early this past Monday morning, Little Amps new location opened downtown on State and Second.  I’m pretty jazzed for the rest of Harrisburg to try a good cup of joe.  Cat’s out of the bag, party people, go check out the new shop!

http://littleampscoffee.com

 

 

 

 

 

Trojan Heart

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A friend once told me, “I wish Rebecca Miller could narrate my life.  Her singing voice is incredible, and her (speaking) voice is so soothing…”  He wasn’t wrong.  No matter what variety of sound is coming out of this woman’s mouth, it’s fantastic.  Last month, when the Abbey Bar hosted her album release, I had chills running up my spine.  She fucking killed it two sets in a row.  Hot damn, she can wail… Great show.

So I think it’s time to celebrate yet another gem in Harrisburg; but this one we have to let go.  Rebecca has been a strong voice in this town for a long time and in spite of being a boomerang before, she’s headed out again.  Portland, Oregon is calling.  Miller is going.  And her new album, Trojan Heart, is ready to travel across country with her.

Good luck, lady.  Go get it.

http://rebeccamariemiller.tumblr.com

Jordan, Photography Classes, and Dani Fresh’s Distractions

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Not pictured:  My distractions.

A couple months ago, I started to teach small photography classes at the MakeSpace.  It’s opened my eyes to the fact that I really enjoy sharing knowledge and helping other people who are eager to learn photography.  This fall, I’m looking forward to joining Anela (Selkowitz) and Haley (Harned) to teach at Danzante Urban Arts.  I’m a lucky lady to be surrounded by other talented and driven photographers.  I’m also incredibly lucky to have catalysts in Harrisburg that allow me the opportunity to share how tickled I am about making images with others.  So lucky, I’m just ducky!

This is Jordan.  He’s been at almost every class.  He’s attentive and engaged and certainly a patient soul.  He’s helped me focus on creating solid ways to share knowledge and brought me back down to earth when my ADHD kicks in.  Thanks, hot dog.  I appreciate you!  Not to mention, you’re a really swell friend…

Koji: Crooked In My Mind

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There’s a lot of highway between Harrisburg and here…

We grew up together in fire halls, youth centers, warehouses, coffee shops, and bars.  We’ve grown together, grown apart, impressed each other, pissed each other off, pushed and motivated each other, made it home safe with the other behind the wheel, and I can look back on these years and know how valuable his love is to me…  Andrew (Koji) is one of the most incredible friends I could have ever asked for… I can only inadequately attempt to describe the feeling I get when I stand behind him when he plays.  My gut settles, my heart rises, and I hear him.  In those moments, I also want everyone in the world to hear him.

He’s spent years playing his songs, fighting for causes, encouraging people to work for a better world, touring constantly, and growing as a musician, but he never managed to write a full length album… 

Until now.

This past Tuesday, Koji released his first full length, “Crooked In My Mind,” and Friday night, Exit Skate Shop in Philly hosted his album release party featuring Vinnie Caruana (IATA/The Movielife), Turnover, Modern Baseball, and Dads.  Kids packed into the shop for the show. They came to listen.  It was great.

Now it’s your turn to listen.  Koji “Crooked In My Mind”

Hell yeah.  That was awesome.

Love,

Fresh

 

STASH

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It’s that time again… Happy 3rd in the Burg, ladies and gents!  Dani Fresh is on the loose tonight!

I’m excited to tell all of you art-lovin’, city-struttin’, party people that tonight is the grand opening of Stash, a vintage collective boutique at 234 North Street!  Stop by to welcome Jess, Anela, Jen, and Haley to the neighborhood and check out their carefully selected collection of men’s and women’s vintage pieces, as well as housewares and jewelry.

And can I just say, I’m really proud of them.  The shop looks beautiful.  Congrats, my loves!

Peek into the Stash!

 

Jersey Mike Memorial Rock & Run 5K

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Holy shit!  That was a ton of people!

After running out of race bibs at 350 people and having at least another 50 to 100 people walking, I realized that Jay Bowser put together what Jersey would have called a “gift.”  This event would have been the rock & roll equivalent of a sold out show at the Abbey Bar.  And in case there was a doubt in your mind, that’s incredible…

On Saturday morning, we were an enthusiastic crowd of people who came together to raise money for Mikey’s kids, show his family love and support, and show Harrisburg how he brought us together.

There is much love here.  That’s important.

TODAY’S THE DAY, HARRISBURG

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Today’s the day, Harrisburg.  Today is always a good day to work towards making this city better.  And there is a groundswell of positive people in Harrisburg that are here to be the movers and shakers that will hit the ground running, rebuild, incite action, and maintain the good things happening here.

Tara Leo Auchey is the creator and editor of today’s the day Harrisburg, an online community news publication.  Through ttdHBG, she aims to “facilitate the free exchange of news, ideas, and calls to action which better the City of Harrisburg in any way.”  She writes a column for PennLive and the Patriot News called “Q&A with tla,” where people can ask questions pertaining to the City of Harrisburg and she will develop an informed, mindful answer.  Tara also writes monthly for The Burg Magazine and you can find past articles she’s written on the Roxbury News website.

Boiled down, she’s here to spread good the vibe.

Here is Tara in real life:

Freefall, Jay, and a Hundred Unhappy Seagulls.

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Sometimes your business is a lifestyle.

Jay Bowser isn’t just a talker, he’s a doer.  He’s fused everything in his life together and made himself into a compelling, dynamic tool performing interactive branding for businesses.  And don’t blink, because my man moves fast.  Business, life, wit, and damn, that guy can run.

Life and business combined, he’s a motivator and a friend.  I have awesome mentors, motivators, and friends.  I had people tell me at different times to hit the ground running.  But I’ve never had anyone literally tell me to run and I don’t have a choice because if I don’t, he’ll chase my ass.  Literally and figuratively.

This is Jay Bowser:  unapologetic to anyone who expects him to be anyone other than himself, unorthodox views, practical life experiences, clever as all hell, and reputable intentions.

The MakeSpace

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The MakeSpace is a row house converted into artist studios and a community room that is intended for art shows (individual and collaborated), classes, projects, live music, collecting art materials, or whatever the swelling artistic hearts desire.  

I bet I sound like a broken record. The past few months I found myself enthusiastically spewing the phrase, “Have you been to the MakeSpace yet?!” almost on the daily. The opening has ignited immeasurable inspiration. The collaborating MakeSpace artists love this town. Art can be done anywhere but they chose HERE.  Through experiences, networks, and riding together on the same wave length they are existing as a creative catalyst for each other and the City of Harrisburg.

Boom!  Check it!

The Artists:

Leah and Fisher

Ian Kanski

Liz Laribee (Director)

Amanda Owens

Cat Rios

Upcoming events:

Live Music on Wednesday January, 16 at eight o’clock with a $5 suggested donation:  L’ASTRONAUT and HELLO SHARK

Fresh Prints:  a group exhibit is on Friday January, 18 from six o’clock until ten o’clock.
JACKIE BURKE (Harrisburg)
MICHAEL FISHER (Lancaster)
BRENTON GOOD (Camp Hill)
STEPHEN MURRILL (Harrisburg)
TENNYSON TIPPY (Philadelphia)
LEAH YANCOSKIE (Lancaster)

Go absorb:  http://hbgmakespace.com