If you need a Fix(ation)…

Posted on November 11, 2009

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Fixation opening at the Connor Contemporary Art Center this past Saturday night.  I thought it was a great turn out for all the photographers despite the innocuous presence of the Metro Police Department.  I heard they were hitting on the women more than patrolling who got free Pabst Blue Ribbon.  I’m sure my 16 year-old cousin was happy about that.

Special thanks goes out to Pooja for getting all our friends together for the event.  It’s been an exciting time for Blue Lotus Photography and the both of us hope it keeps up.

If you had you photo taken by “Fast Car” Tracy in front of the makeshift mural, you can check the photos on the Pink Line Project’s Flickr page.

Here’s a copy of my accompanying essay that was up with the photos.  Have a read if you missed out on Saturday…

“STD!  STD!  STD! STD! STD!”

Any latecomer to the sold out U.S. Regional Air Guitar Championships at the 9:30 Club this past summer may have wondered what they were walking into.  A chant proclaiming sexually transmitted diseases is peculiar enough, but on this night the crowd was cheering for Sanjar The Destroyer, whom had just finished rocking out to “Wayward Son” by the band Kansas.

In a city where strings are pulled and power moves are made daily, a group of guitarists gathered backstage at arguably the best DC music venue; all in hopes of wowing a crowd without the use of real strings, without the use of an amplifier, without the use of a dreamy lead singer.  All they had were thirty seconds, an outfit to make Hendrix jealous, and the baddest windmills, duck walks, and shred moves ever played on… well, air.

From fifteen contestants and two rounds of elimination, two guitar heroes were left standing:  Sanjar the Destroyer (STD) and Lance “The Shred” Kasten.  Even with a scoring criteria based on stage presence, technical merit, and “airness,” it wasn’t enough to proclaim a winner.

An “Air-Off” would be required…

The judge: the audience.

The band:  Boston.

The instrument:  humid Washington, DC summer air.

So who won?  The answer is in the air.

- Amit Mehta

Bhangra Dance Classes in Washington, DC

Posted on November 6, 2009

Jay Patel has already brought bhangra dance to your home via his popular DVD, Bhangra Beats. Now, you have the opportunity to work up a sweat at his bhangra classes held every Wednesday from 7-8PM at the Washington Sports Club in Dupont Circle.  Jay’s music selections are great and his instruction style caters to every level.  Check him out!