Bumping The Night Away

The Living Room Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA held an Artists’ Reception for their “Things that go Bump in the Night” Exhibition on Saturday November 2nd featuring the works of area artists. The evening also featured music by Wilbium and a presentation by The Reverend First Minister from The Unholy Sideshow. The reception also served as a Halloween Party which proved to be a welcomed extension of Halloween as its modern traditions of dressing up and sharing frightful experiences were evident throughout the night. A costume contest was held and a space for attendees to share their creativity by rendering sketches was established in celebration of the extended holiday. In addition to all this, The Living Room Gallery’s monthly raffle of artwork donated by some of the artists who were either showing their work in the show or lent their creative endeavors was held in support of the gallery.

Upon entering the venue, an immediate encounter with the bizarre touched the senses as the décor exuded an eeriness reminiscent of the scary dreams many of us has had as children. The work upon the walls and other areas of the Living Room reflected the mood embraced by the atmosphere created by the room’s adornments allowing their macabre qualities to consume the imagination of those who viewed the images. Some depictions brought about an uncanny fear which usually would have been alleviated by the presence of others who shared the experience but this would not be the case as the costumed denizens inhabiting every corner of the establishment inspired additional fears through their gruesome garb and characterized behaviors.

Still, this sense of Halloweenal dread was tempered by the laughter shared among the many who came to joyfully partake of the gallery’s well deserved reputation of presenting Artists’ Receptions surpassing their expectation of what having a good time consists of. The “Things that go Bump in the Night” Exhibition proved to be in keeping with this reputation especially since those who entered the venue gleefully became part of the show through their attire and mannerisms as they pretended to be the entities they aspired to become. The self induced laughter was a delightful contagion of which everyone within sight and sound of it embraced as the beneficial qualities of the infection permeating the room.

One of the many aspects of The Living Room’s Artists’ Receptions that has earned it the favorable reputation it has received throughout its existence is the quality and variety of entertainment it offers its guests. The November exhibit was no exception as the night began with music created and performed by Wilbium who has become a favorite among those who experienced Artists’ Receptions in the past as well as a number of Open Mic Nites the venue presents on a weekly basis. The electronic utterances of instrumental pieces Wilbium conjured from his keyboard flowed through the room enticing everyone who heard each note to take flight from their mundane experiences and allow themselves to soar to a new plane of awareness. Wilbium’s head gear signaled those who would embark upon his musical shuttle that he was happily willing to pilot them toward their uncharted destinations. And, fly we did while enjoying some marvelous aerial views seen from within.

After the music flights of inward imaginings came in for a landing and its passengers settled for reentry, conversations relating to the adventures and discoveries were abound. It was during this time when the evening’s host and gallery’s curator, Shane Izykowski, took to the stage in his priestly garb to bless the audience with some announcements unique to the exhibit and to reveal who were the winners of the costume contest. The competition had four categories which awarded costumes that were the funniest, the scariest, the sexiest, and the one considered the best overall costume among the many adorning the gathering.

The selection of the winners were determined by ballots completed by those attending the reception with prizes of artwork and trophies given to those receiving the most votes in each category. An uproar filled the room as each name was announced and its owner came to the stage to collect his or her prize. Unfortunately, I did not record the names of the winners for this article. I was too beside myself for not winning in the sexiest costume category to pay the proper amount of attention needed to do so. Smiles.

However, I barely had time to pout when it was announced Reverend First Minister from The Unholy Sideshow was about to take the stage with his mind boggling performance. After sharing a bit of history of the sideshow phenomenon, Rev began to astound those who eagerly took their place as close to the stage as possible to view feats seemingly contrary to what the human body is capable of sustaining. These demonstrations in the unbelievable made manifest began with a screw driver followed by an ice pick being driven up Rev’s nasal cavity. It continued with the performer being subjected to a series of traps ranging from a common mouse trap to one designed to capture a baby bear. When the unasked question to why he didn’t use a trap made for a grown bear which would have had steel teeth as part of the device, Rev responded, “I may be crazy, but I’m not fucking stupid.”

To add to the craziness of the performance, Rev brought out two small beds of nails onto the stage and invited members of the audience to sit atop of one which was placed upon his chest while he laid upon the other. Two young men obliged him in helping to create his prickly sandwich as many among the gathering audibly expressed their disbelief of what they were witnessing. As if being pricked by the nails weren’t enough, Rev took pins and stuck them through his cheeks, eyebrows, and neck. I’m tempted to say sight of seeing Rev placing the objects in sensitive areas and the empathetic cringes it inspired kept the audience on pins and needles, but I won’t.

The Reverend First Minister ended his performance with an invitation to the audience to staple denominations of US currency to parts of his body. Anatomic areas were assigned to various economic values with more painful and intimate spaces requiring some major expenditures. Although the crowd demonstrated an enthusiastic blood lust, all a number of them were able to afford was the opportunity to staple some money onto his ass. Still, the sight of seeing this done with such gusto proved to be priceless.

According to my friends at Wikipedia, sideshows were created as an extra or secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair, or other such attraction. It often showcased bizarre and unusual features which included exhibitions of deformed humans referred to as “Freaks,” exotic dancers, and performers who (like The Reverend First Minister) presented demonstrations seemingly defying the physical limitations of the human form. The prevalence of the sideshow declined as television began broadcasting several of the performances and those who enjoyed them were able to do so for free.

However, a revival of the theatrical form took place in the 1990s by adding an “extreme” element to the traditional presentations. Through Rev’s performance during the Artists’ Reception, The Unholy Sideshow proved itself to be an apt example of this new incarnation of the form. In addition to The Reverend First Minister, the remainder of the troupe consists of Davey Danger, Catalina Askew, and Jay Sin Aces with each member having their own set of skills and attributes that is said to have the ability of never failing to impress a crowd. They have performed at circuses, burlesque shows, and other venues where the curious come to be amazed. You can learn more about The Unholy Sideshow by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/theunholysideshow.

After the breathtaking performance, many shared conversations to confirm with one another what they have witnessed is indeed what they thought they witnessed. It was only a few moments that transpired until Shane took the stage to verbalize the gathering’s wonderment and to begin the selection of raffle tickets to determine who would win the donated pieces of art offered for the evening. Anticipation engulfed the crowd as each number was read until the climax of the words “It’s me” rang its clarion call igniting the room with congratulatory applause. The evening came to a close with a repeat performance given by Wilbium who utilized a series of images projected on a screen that enabled the imaginations of those who partook of the presentation to be guided by the depictions of the objects shown.

The concluding performance given by Wilbium proved to be a fitting one for the evening as the many who embraced the excitement the Artists’ Reception offered gladly accepted the opportunity to partake of the respite found in the spiritually calming effects of the sounds and images the multimedia musician created. Still, a seed of the excitement that was planted and germinated throughout the event grew in the hearts of many as they left the venue along with the anticipatory desire to return to The Living Room Gallery the following month in order to be enhanced by the art, enchanted by the conversations, and to be amazed by all the wonders the reception will assuredly have to offer.

The Living Room Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA exhibit titled, “Things that go Bump in the Night” will continue to be on display until November 30th. Their next exhibition will be held in December featuring several artists whose names are yet to be announced. This will be followed by their next group exhibition to be held in January 2014 which invites local artists to submit their work for their “Inspirations” exhibit. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Things that go Bump in the Night Artists’ Reception in The Living Room 2013 Gallery Part 4 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151751090710421.1073741841.636000420&type=1 and Part 5 at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152011186945421.1073741872.636000420&type=1.

The Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. Shane Izykowski serves as curator of The Living Room Art Gallery and is also the co owner of The Prime Photography Gallery located in The Stroudsburg Studios in Stroudsburg, PA. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information about the venue, what it offers to the community, and how to participate and become involved with the art related work it does.

In addition to their exhibitions, The Living Room presents a weekly Open Mic Nites which occurs every Sunday Evening beginning at 6pm. Musicians, Poets, Writers, and anyone who would like to share their talents with an eagerly accepting audience are welcomed to participate. There is occasionally a featured band or performer scheduled each week that enhances the enjoyment of the event. You can learn more about The Living Room Open Mic Nite Series at it’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom?ref=ts&fref=ts.