Retro: Kimmer

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RETRO: KIMMER PRODUCTIONS TOURS THE MASONIC AND NOVI Posted: 09 Mar 2011 08:19 PM PST Kimmer and Paul Buono of Detroit's Masonic Temple Have some very exciting news.... I just opened a new show company. Retro: Kimmer Productions. I have been producing public events forever. Just got a bug to start doing big shows once more. Detroit needs some NEW GIGS!! Working on some exciting music gigs too which we'll talk about later... The very first thing I had to do was get into PT Barnum mode once more. Making the trek down to Cobo Hall for Autorama was my first step. Cobo Hall was my favorite venue and I used to work there 3 times a year. Love Cobo Hall. Just walking around inside puts me back in time and gives me a promoter rush. Masonic Temple Main Theater Once I began getting back into the groove I went and opened RK Productions. Busy building a website for my newest endeavor... Once I had a company name I needed some dates to begin selling my first show. I plan to do an all Detroit Fan Show for December 2011. It will feature essentially everything that is cool about DETROIT! Music, Sports, Theater, Film, Retail, Restaurants, Clubs, and Educational groups. Big project to be sure... Beautiful Masonic Architecture My choice of venue for this show is the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Formerly Rock Financial ?Showplace and Novi Expo. I just love the SCS owner Blair Bowman and he was the first call I placed. As much as I love Cobo Hall I wanted to begin in a supportive environment with friends. That would be with Blair and his great staff... Skating rink at Masonic where the Rockettes practiced I met with Blair and put some dates on hold for this year and 2012. Now to begin delving into the nuts and bolts or designing some really new and different events that the general public will enjoy. New and different being the key words in that statement. Not the same old sportsman or home shows for me... Masonic Main Theater with just spotlights (so cool!) After meeting with Novi I went back downtown to scout The Masonic Temple. Recently I went to visit Masonic with Motor City Bad Boys Glenn Dean and Rikki St. James. We didn't take the extensive tour that day however. Masonic has over a thousand rooms as Masonic's rep Paul Buono told me. Kimmer in a box seat in the Cathedral On this trip I spent over 2 hours following Paul all over this massive building. It was a huge maze of theaters, chapels, ballrooms, lodge meeting rooms, and even an old swimming pool which was never completed in 1929 due to the stock market crash and following economic depression. We peeked into this old pool room and it reminded me of the Titantic! My photos were too dark to show it to you but at the BOTTOM of the pool was a DUCK!!! Dead duck as Paul told me LOL Masonci pool resident DUCK The chandeliers fascinate me and I got some really cool Phantom of the Opera style shots. I have seen Phantom at Masonic it is my favorite show of all time. Cool chandelier at Masonic Paul told all about how they produce Phantom of the Opera live onstage. How they drop that dramatic chandelier and pull the boat across the stage. Simply fascinating! Paul took me into so many cool places the average visitor never sees. The under floor catwalk where Paul goes in to change the stage light bulbs... Shades of Phantom! Paul with all the electrical for the Main Theater Loved checking out the electrical set up for the main theater. On this trip Paul turned up the house lights in all the rooms so I could really see the fabulous architecture. Just really fantastic! Paul Buono We really had such a great time hanging with Paul. This trip I wore my Reeboks so I could keep up with the man! After 2 hours I was really beat... Detroit view from the rooftop of Masonic Paul was taking through an upper hallway and suddenly asked me if I wanted to check out the rooftop! Heck YEAH!! We went outside and we were so high up it was a bit daunting. Also it was freezing! Had no coat on and the wind was really whipping. How many people have been on that roof? Great place to watch the fireworks during the Freedom Festival. Paul and Kimmer on the rooftop (how cool is that??) We met with Steve (below) the operations manager of Masonic and his guitar player son Matt. Matt toured around with me for a little bit until he got an urgent cell phone call and sped off. Great kid. Steve and Matt Checking out the new Novi Suburban Collection Showcase was a joy for me as well. I hadn't been in Blair Bowman's new building. The last time I was at a show in Novi it was Outdoorama at Novi Expo. This had to be in 1995 when I was doing my own shows in Oscoda and Alpena Michigan. I owned the Huron Ausable Sportsman Show on the former Wurtsmith Airforce Base. Beautiful logo drape hanging in the main lobby of Novi. The new building has some really glamorous rooms. Lots of room for exhibits, dancing, and live music. I plan to feature echibits with live music. Front entrance of SCS Novi It was exciting for me to walk into this beautiful building. It has been a long time (1996) since I had my own show company. I have learned so much more about Detroit since the 80's and I can't wait to pitch in to help Detroit take advantage of it's fantastic music industry. Blair Bowman It was so great to see Blair Bowman again. The last time I sat at a boardroom table with him I was there to hammer a deal for a Super Sale type show. As Blair says, Kim had a really good day! Meaning he gave me a really great deal on the building. (Novi Expo) Need that free parking Blair! SCS board room where we had our meeting Main hallway of SCS Beautiful lobby of SCS This building is just gorgeous! Can't wait to see it full of Detroit fans! Hard working show decorator Had to pop into a show under construction and shoot a photo. This show was beautiful with the blue carpet, pipe and drape. Nostalgic moment for Kimmer...

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Obey offers The Guns Of Brixton (Paul Simonon) limited edition print Posted: 09 Mar 2011 01:37 PM PST He was responsible for the classic Guns Of Brixton bassline and now the Clash bassist has been immortalised in a new limited edition artwork - The Guns Of Brixton (Paul Simonon) limited edition print by Obey. Obey is, of course, Shepard Fairey and this is unmistakably his artwork, based on an original Clash-era photo by Kate Simon. The print is sized at 18 x 24 inches, signed by both Shepard Fairey and Kate Simon and limited to 450. Just one per household allowed to be bought, you can secure one online for just $75. Find out more at the Obey website Via Switched On Art

1980s Puma TT Super CC trainers reissued Posted: 09 Mar 2011 12:27 PM PST Not an obvious reissue, but the Puma TT Super CC trainers are back on the shelves, in their original white and black colourway. TT stands for tassel tennis, with these shoes designed for that particular sport back in 1980. In 2011, they're back with a mesh and suede upper, as well as much the same silhouette and in a limited edition. £49 is the price. Find out more at the End Clothing website

Wool Cape from American Apparel Posted: 09 Mar 2011 10:40 AM PST While the Winter months draw to a close, there's still a chill in the air for most of us through Spring. That's good enough excuse to indulge in some snug outerwear shopping, with this Wool Cape from American Apparel providing the perfect option. The cape's structure has an instantly sixties feel, with a wide a-line shape and high collar. In a rich navy wool fabric, it's reminiscent of The Beatles' classic Help capes. The cape's androgyny lends itself well to a mid-sixties aesthetic with a short mid-thigh hemline that can create daring femininity. Get it now from American Apparel for £145. Find out more from the website

Bird Vanity Case by Kate Garey Posted: 09 Mar 2011 10:23 AM PST Vanity cases may have fallen out of favour as a must have over the years, but a handful of retro designers are still lending their expertise to pieces with cutesy kitsch. This Bird Print Case by Kate Garey has a charming combination of vintage inspiration and modern design. The pale green and white polka dots establish a great fifties look, while the graphic bird print has a modern twist on a fifties and sixties feel. The ideal addition to your luggage collection, the soft case is practical and spacious along with its sweet exterior. It's available from Urban Outfitters now for £22, exclusively online. Find out more from the website

Retrouvius LDF Tubular Framed Chair Posted: 09 Mar 2011 08:25 AM PST Retrouvius architectural salvage have a limited number of these rather attractive Tubular Framed Chairs left from last years London Design Festival. The festival was held at the V&A museum and Retrouvius were asked to design the Exhibition Road entrance space - they incorporated these chairs which were part of a cafe area. The chairs have woodens seats and backs contrasting with bright metal tubular frames.They also have a built in desk, handy for resting your cup of tea and slice of cake on. They cost £70 + VAT - check them out here.

Tiki Lounge Sign Posted: 09 Mar 2011 08:09 AM PST   Wood lettering making proclamations of "Home", "Eat" or "Love" are pretty common, but this is the first Tiki Lounge Sign I've seen. It has been created by Etsy seller, Studio 724 using baltic birch, which has been distressed and given a blue finish, adding to its vintage look. It would look good hung above your home bar next to your Shag print. There is also a diner sign in a similar style. It costs around £30 plus extra for shipping, prices of which the seller will provide if you ask. Buy it online at Etsy.

Retro Kitchen by Patrick Edgeley Posted: 09 Mar 2011 07:37 AM PST   The Retro Kitchen print is another print by Patrick Edgeley, whose retro-influenced work we've mentioned previously. This one has a decidedly mid-century feel to it, featuring coffeepots, teacups, bowls and canisters decorated with florals and leaf patterns that you would see on enamelware by Catherineholm. Needless to say, it would be great to hang in your kitchen. The print measures 50cm by 70cm and costs £60 from Box Bird.

1930s Triangtois art deco dolls house up for auction at Boldon Auction Galleries Posted: 09 Mar 2011 07:33 AM PST Some time back, we highlighted the Lundby midcentury-style dolls houses and furniture, examples of which can often be found on eBay. But here's something that's much harder to find - a 1930s Triangtois art deco dolls house. It's up for auction at Boldon Auction Galleries, which is in the Newcastle area. Don't worry - you can absentee bid if you want it and don't happen to be local. We suspect fans of art deco housing just might, a superb period miniature house with plenty of detail, right down to fireplaces and light fittings. Yes, it needs a bit of work, but with a guide price of between £50 and £80, it's not a lot for something we suspect is incredibly rare. See the interior over the page, with the auction taking pace on 16th March 2011. Find out more at the Boldon Auction Galleries website

eBay watch: L'Utopie Du Tout Plastique 1960 - 1973 book Posted: 09 Mar 2011 07:14 AM PST If you want to start collecting space age design of the 1960s and '70s, don't buy anything until you own a copy of L'Utopie Du Tout Plastique 1960 - 1973, a copy of which is on eBay right now. It's an exhibition catalogue from 1994, specifically for an exhibition of space age design at the Brussels Foundation for Architecture. That has long gone, but the catalogue has become the definite guide to the area of design, featuring names and brands including Ettore Sottsass, Joe Colombo, Verner Panton, Maurice Calka, Anna Castelli, Eero Aarnio, Peter Ghyczy, Vico Magistretti, Gae Aulenti, Giotto Stoppino, Marco Zanuso, Maurer-Becker, Cazenave, Kartell, Guzzini, Archizoom, Artemide, Superstudio, Videosphere, Ericofon, Olivetti, BrionVega, Braun, Panasonic, Weltron, Courrèges, Cardin…you get the idea. 158 pages, 194 illustrations and even though the text is in French, non-French speakers will still find much in the detail on offer. Always expensive these days (especially as it's looming out of print), the copy we've spotted on eBay is just £5 right now. Find out more at the eBay website

Sega Arcade Nano Keychain Posted: 09 Mar 2011 06:50 AM PST Ever get an urge to play an old school arcade game on the go? You can with the Sega Arcade Nano Keychain. Just as long as you happen to be near a TV. Choose from two units, the  Sonic Arcade and Virtua Fighter 2, the first of those offering Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic Spinball, Sonic 3D Blast, Alex Kidd, Air Hockey, Naval Power, Cannon, Fight or Lose and Checker within the mini control pad, the latter with Virtua Fighter 2, Shinobi III, Golden Axe, Golden Axe III, Alien Storm, Snake, Spider, Bottle Taps Race, Bomber and Hexagons. Just plug into a TV and you can enjoy those Megadrive classics once more. When you're not playing, it hooks up to your person or fits into your pocket. Both are on pre-order now, £12.99 is the price for each. Find out more at the Firebox website

Wild and Wolf 'Folklore' Enamel Teapot Posted: 09 Mar 2011 06:29 AM PST Folklore is a new design created by Nina Jarema, inspired by the Ukranian forests of her childhood and used to decorate a range of homewares including this Enamel Teapot. Nina's decorative motifs incorporate woodland creatures and have a retro seventies feel thanks to a distinctive paisley element to their design. The pot is enamel coated and suitable for either tea or coffee. Enamel has long been used to make camping crockery and this pot would make a great accessory for a comfortable camping (or "glamping") holiday. The pot costs £14.95 and you can buy it from Bloomsbury & Co here.

Cockney alphabet print from Rockett St George Posted: 09 Mar 2011 05:29 AM PST This new print from Rockett St George lists the cockney alphabet, starting with ' A for Horses' and including all the classics like 'T for Two' and 'U for Me'. Also known as the surrealist alphabet, the alphabet has been presented in the style of an old-fashioned bus blind and is just under 183cm tall. Don't worry if some of the humour escapes you, as they've also put in the explanations in brackets.  The print costs £65.  Buy it online

Lilliput Robot collectible from Bodie and Fou Posted: 09 Mar 2011 05:20 AM PST We've had a design influenced by retro robots only recently, with Clifford Richards' clocks, but you can pick up a replica of one of the original toy robots from Bodie and Fou who are selling this Lilliput Robot collectible.  The Lilliput robot first appeared in Japan in the 1940s and was thought to be the first mass produced robot toy. This replica of that first robot, produced by Fantastic & Co, includes a wind-up key that allows the robot to move forward with its arms swinging.  Strictly a piece for adults, rather than kids, the robot costs £9.95 Buy it online

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