From Glitz to JingerKroa

An atmosphere in preparation of the Halloween season filled the thoughts of those who wandered the streets of Stroudsburg, PA on Saturday October 24^th. Costumed individuals floated along the sidewalks as the aesthetic enticements the local galleries and party venues offered spirited them away to their domains. The galleries in question were the SOHO in the Burg Gallery and the Origins Gallery who held receptions for their exhibits and the party venue was The Sherman Theater's Living Room. Most of the events at these establishments occurred simultaneously so it was a busy night for art lovers (like me) to partake of.

My first destination on my pre Halloween trek was the SOHO in the Burg Gallery who held an Artists' Reception for their “Glitz...All Wrapped Up In One” exhibition which featured works created by local artists relating to the upcoming holiday seasons. The aroma of delicious foods prepared by Chef G (aka Guarino Cortese) chefIIgo@yahoo.com filled the air as the images placed upon the gallery's walls entreated the many who had come to view the work to marvel as each piece's intricate beauty.

The evening at the SOHO in the Burg Gallery was enhanced by the music performed by the band known as “Inconceivable” which consists of Steve Houser on Guitar, Gary Bonneau on Bass, Eric Bakke on Drums, and Tricia Ann Fellman on vocals and percussion. Together, they performed a number of fondly remembered dance-able tunes which the denizens of the gallery embraced with their hearts and their fancy footwork. Inconceivable can be heard at The Willow Tree Inn in Stroudsburg, PA www.facebook.com/willow.inn/?fref=ts during their Halloween Party which is scheduled for Saturday November 7^th.

The SOHO in the BURG Gallery is located on the corner of 6^th and Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA which was the location of the J. J. Newberry’s store. The gallery opened its doors to the public in April of 2012 and is owned by Andrea Robbins Rimberg who has become well known for her exuberant energies and creativity as many of her pieces are on display in prestigious galleries throughout the United States. The Glitz...All Wrapped Up In One exhibition will continue to be on display until December 31^st or later. The next exhibit is yet to be announced. In addition to the art exhibitions held at The SOHO in the BURG Gallery, the gallery offers a wide variety of classes designed to enhance an appreciation for the arts. You can learn more about The SOHO in the BURG Gallery, their future exhibits, and all the gallery has to offer the creative community by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Soho-In-The-Burg-Gallery/871129779587964 or their Website at www.sohointheburg.com.

After leaving the wonderful art and conversation I experienced at The SOHO in the BURG Gallery, I moved toward the The Origins Gallery who held an Artist's Reception featuring the work of Josué Fernando Guardia who is a Painter, Pyrography artist, and Illustrator. I arrived late so I missed the music performed by DJ Stylez and the art raffle which is one of the many functions the establishment is admired for. However, I did view the work of Mr. Guardia whose diversity in styles and approaches to his subjects (both internal and external) led me on a journey exploring the nether regions of my thoughts. The exhibit will remain on display until November 8^th and I recommend seeing it.

Josué Fernando Guardia was born in Lima, Peru. His mother was an executive Media Producer and his father was a Tailor. At a young age, he interacted with people from different backgrounds. He later won a National High School Art competition and left Peru at the age of 17 to study at La Guardia Community College www.facebook.com/LaGuardiaCC in New York, NY. Mr. Guardia's is has been shown in numerous galleries throughout the US and beyond. You can learn more about Josué Fernando Guardia by exploring his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/JosueGuardiaArtist/?fref=ts or his Website at www.josueguardia.com.

The Origins Gallery is located on the lower level of The Gamers Edge Comics and Games Store www.facebook.com/TheGamersEdgeStroudsburg?fref=ts which can be found at 580 Main St. in Stroudsburg, PA. The Origins Gallery is a contemporary arts gallery within the Pocono Art District www.facebook.com/ThePoconoArtsDistrict/?fref=ts having one of the highest and fastest sales records in the Stroudsburg area, provides a space to those who teach the arts to those who would like to learn from them, and continues to do everything with the local community in mind. Their next Artists' Reception is scheduled for Saturday November 14^th beginning at 6pm for their Collaborations Exhibition which will continue to be on display until November 22^nd. You can learn more about The Origins Gallery by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OriginsGalleryStroudsburg or their website at www.originsgallery.org.

I left The Origins Gallery and visited the Sherman Theater’s The Living Room who held their 1^st Annual Halloween Bash. The band known as JingerKroa www.facebook.com/JingerKroa was playing as I arrived and their overpowering Hard Rock and Heavy Metal renderings moved the gathering toward a still contemplation of every note and utterance conveyed by the ensemble. The band consists of Jeremy Gothard on Vocals, on Mike Miller Drums, Unkl Nicky on Guitar and HillBilly on Bass.

It was during a break in the music that a costume contest was held which featured a number of macabre and original outfits. Selection of the winner was decided by the applause created by the gathering with the loudest determining the best one. It was after this did JingerKroa retake the stage to perform their final selections which included an encore at the request of the crowd. As the final notes of their song faded away, the gathering began to share their farewells with one another and left the establishment with a deep sense of appreciation of all it had given them during the course of the evening. I left with the same sense of appreciation combined with the joyous memories of that venue and the others I visited earlier that evening. It was a great night and I'm glad I partook of it all. You'll find more photographs I took during my adventures in The From Glitz to JingerKroa Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154302183693761.1073741914.91146283760&type=3.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.