It seems, despite my constant hand-washing, I have caught the reading bug (not to be confused with the travel bug, which I’m trying to get). Over the past two weeks I have completed a collection of short stories and a rather sizable novel. And let me tell you, they were real page turners.

The first to be tackled was Skin and Other Stories, a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl. You  may know him by  his beloved children’s novels James and the Giant Peach, The Witches or my personal favorite, The BFG (big friendly giant), most of which have the common theme of children prevailing over evil and less intelligent adults.

The short stories making up this collection posess the same playfullness and whit as his children’s literature, but definitely contain  more adult situations, most of which end in unpleasantness. Fear not, the unpleasantness is reserved for those who deserve it. For example the cheating husband in “Lamb to the Slaugher” or the overzealous poacher in “The Champion of the World.” Each story ends with a socially relevant moral to it, much like those find in Grimm’s Fairy Tales or Aesop’s Fables.

Speaking of fables, the sizable novel I just recently completed was none other than the Fables novel Peter & Max. When I say Fables novel, I mean that this novel was written by Bill Willingham, the creator and writer of the popular comic series called Fables, which I am an avid reader as well. Well, basically I bummed all of the trade paperbacks off of co-workers (you know who you are).

Anyway, the comic series is awesome, but you don’t have to read the series to be able to enjoy this novel. It involves some of the characters from the series, but goes off in it’s own direction.

The story follows Max and Peter Piper, who are both the lengends behind many a nursery rhyme in their own right. This is what I love about Willingham’s work, so much research goes into his storylines. He has dug up every fable, nursery rhyme, fairytale and so on and has found characters who have been otherwise discarded through years of stories being retold. For example, did you know that Snow White  had a twin sister, Rose Red? I know I didn’t before I started reading Fables. Stupid Disney!

Wow, I’ve got a case of the rambles. Sorry about that. All and all they were both great reads and I hope you check them out sometime. If you do, let me know how you liked them!

Yesterday I came home to find a package waiting for me…

What could it be…

My copy of Peter & Max by Bill Willingham and…

… my awesome Stephen Colbert tote bag!

The best part is that I only spent a total of $5.18! That’s right, the shipping was free because it added up to over $25 and I had a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.

Oh the joys of frugal online shopping

Paul White’s remix of obscure rapper, Tranqill, sounds like hip hop that’s been run through the wash on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The crunchy blips, atmospherics, and haunting vocals carry the listener on a fluffy magic carpet ride to the stars.

Tranqill – Payroll (Paul White’s Clean Dub)

ArtistsinAuction

We are happy to announce that one of our affiliations, Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA), will be hosting it’s 5th annual art auction on Thursday, October 22.

Now is your chance to witness and participate first hand in a live auction that features a fabulous array of art, including works by more than 40 artists, such as Andy Warhol, Peter Max, Yoko Ono, as well as John Bisbee, Carole Feuerman, among many others.

The auction is curated by Helene Miller and run by Phillips de Pury & Company. All proceeds will benefit CMA’s outreach programs that are geared towards underserved children and “celebrating the artist in every child”.

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit http://cmany.org/art-auction/artwork.html

To view the ArtistsinAuction website click here.

Designer/illustrator: Steve Leialoha

Every year since 2001, when Congress designated September 11 as Patriot Day and a discretionary day of remembrance in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, the President has issued a proclamation calling upon government officials and the people of the United States to observe the day  with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time  and by displaying the flag of the United States at half-staff as the occasion is a day of remembrance for honoring the dead.

Never forgotten!

Here’s a re-posting of Peter Max’s “Peace on Earth” limited edition, hand embellished print. 

God Bless America!

LAS VEGAS ROCK AND ROLL!

Wanna know where you can find Twiggy, Meat Loaf, KISS, Elvis, Fleetwood Mac, Boston and more vintage collectibles all in one place?  I just listed some killer vintage originals at my new (second) Ebay ID - lvrocknroll.   See link at right column for all current listings……

Obey 'Woodstock Experience' Box Set Edition of 1,000 £395 Each

A multi-media boxed set limited to 1,000 numbered copies worldwide signed by Woodstock organizer Michael Lang and Arlo Guthrie. Featuring box cover design by Shepard Fairey and contributions from over 65 artists and musicians. Volume 1 presents 176 pages of stories illustrated with original artist correspondence, contracts, memos and maps from Michael Lang’s personal archive and behind-the-scenes photography, including the work of Woodstock’s official photographer, Henry Diltz. Volume 2 publishes the unseen photographs of Dan Garson the 17-year old who shot the entire festival on a press-pass from Michael Lang. Also included within every set is an authentic 1969 Woodstock ticket, a 7″-vinyl pressing, a Peter Max print, specially commissioned essays and a facsimile site map. Printed and hand-crafted in Milan, Italy. THE DEFINITIVE RECORD OF THREE DAYS THAT SHOOK THE WORLD. Check it out HERE

Peace on Earth

To finish off this Independence Day weekend, I felt it apropos to post this signed, limited edition print (hand embellished) by Peter Max.  God Bless America!

Who needs those crazy sixties drugs when you have wild colors like these to induce you into trippy psychosis?

Not me!!

For more information on Peter Max, visit michaelmoldart.com.

I am embarking upon the production of a feature documentary film called “Standardized Testing” in collaboration with Kelly Overton of PATH (People Protecting Animals & Their Habitats).

This pioneering, controversial and hilarious film follows PATH founder Kelly Overton, an overachieving activist who has degrees from Harvard, Tulane, Columbia and UMASS, as he attempts to return his diplomas and get his tuition refunded in an effort to bring attention to the dangerous and wasteful biomedical research being done at the universities.

In order to begin production on the film, the legendary artist Peter Max (http://www.petermax.com/) and activist Mary Max (http://www.kindgreenplanet.org/) have offered to host a production launch party – featuring food, drink, and special celebrity guests!

To purchase tickets, click here:
http://www.ppath.org.

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Special guests include: Golden Girl – Rue McClanahan, Actress -Ally Sheedy, International Phenomenon- Princess Superstar, CNN Commentator -Jane Velez-Mitchell, Glamazon Lifestyle Guru- Chloé Jo Berman, Healthy Chef – Alexandra Jamieson, and yours truly, The Discerning Brute- Joshua Katcher. More special guests to be announced!

Featuring food & drink from 4 Course Vegan, Candle Cafe, Vegan Treats Bakery, Tuthilltown Spirits and Blackwell’s Organic Gelato!

Friday, June 19th 2009
6:30 to 8:30 pm
The Max Studio
37 West 65th Street, 7th Floor
New York City

I would love for you to join me, and tickets start at just $100, and all proceeds go to PATH’s efforts to produce the film.

• $100 per individual ticket
• $350 for ticket and signed & dedicated Peter Max poster
• $1,000 for ticket and signed & dedicated Peter Max poster and signed & dedicated The Art of Peter Max book*

To purchase tickets, click here:
http://www.ppath.org

Pass the word on Facebook!

It’s Technology Tuesday at Pittsburgh Business Radio 1360 AM WMNY. That means the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo are behind the mic, powering up TechVibe Radio from 3-6 p.m.

Another star-studded lineup awaits listeners. Guests will include:

• RJ Lee Group
• Silver Tree Solutions
• Vivisimo
• Duquesne’s Entrepreneurs Growth Conference
• Pop artist Peter Max

If you can’t tune in, stream it or find us on www.talkshoe.com (search for Pittsburgh Business Radio)

It’s a smidge gloomy outside, but we’re hoping it’ll clear up by happy hour. TRIO? Belmont? Little Woodrow’s? 219 West? Can’t decide.

If free booze is your thing, though, you won’t want to miss Austin Monthly’s May issue party at the Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery on West 6th. Be the first to see the Peter Max collection (May’s cover artist) as it arrives in Austin. Complimentary Cosmos, Lemon Drops, and wine as well as food by NoRTH: Modern Italian Cuisine (mmmm). 6-8pm.

Please click on photo for full view and caption.

Continental Airlines (Houston) will launch daily nonstop Boeing 777-200 ER service between the Newark (Liberty) hub and Shanghai on March 25, 2009.

March 24, 2009, Vegan Food and Wine Tasting at The Max Studio

Come meet Yours Truly: Joshua Katcher, and Chloé Jo, as well as Golden Girl: Rue McClanahan, Moby, Morgan Spurlock, and Dan Pirraro as “Celebrity Guest Wine Pourers” at a special evening to benefit PCRM. Hosted by Mary and Peter Max and PCRM president Neal Barnard, M.D., Featuring food and wine from Bonobo’s, Candle 79, Dessert Diva – Fran Costigan, 4 Course Vegan, and Organic Vintages. Register NOW as tickets are going fast!

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March 14, 2009, ARFF 20th Anniversary Gala

Bob Barker, of The Price is Right fame, will host the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) 20th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at 7 p.m., at the Broward County Convention Center. Pamela Anderson is the guest of honor. The black-tie-optional affair will provide members and supporters the opportunity to meet, mingle and relax while enjoying an exciting, eventful evening. Highlights of the gala will include a gourmet vegan dinner, an open bar, silent and live auctions featuring items from actress Kim Basinger and basketball player Yao Ming, and book signings by PETA’s Ingrid Newkirk and PCRM’s Dr. Neal Barnard. All proceeds from the gala will be used to fund ARFF’s Humane Education program, which has educated thousands of schoolchildren in Florida on veganism, companion animals and wildlife. Tickets for the gala are $250 and can be purchased by calling (954) 727-ARFF or visiting www.arff.org <http://www.arff.org>