Sam Metrigueye delivers scifi music with a story to tell

Sam Metrigueye as The War Doctor, checking out a "friend."

When an attorney branches off into science fiction themed music, a stage name may be in order. Enter “Some Metry Guy.”

With the often slurred pronunciation of the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, the artist was born. Facebook wouldn’t let him use Some Metry Guy as a page name, so he eventually became Sam Metrigueye, singer/songwriter and artist. Sometimes called “That Metry Guy” and sometimes simply “Metry Guy,” his label varies as people try to describe him. His music, however, is a constant – a constant delight, that is. A blend of rock and roll, techno and folk, his tunes sound deceptively simple, even as the clever lyrics transport the listener into fantasy world.

Sam has performed in various venues over the years, including the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus’ annual Chewbacchanal. Armed with a guitar, he brings original lyrics infused with science fiction references, such as “Drunken Nerd Blues.” He’s adaptive, as well, with such alternatives as “Drunken Nerd Blues (Space Cadet Version).”

In the single song, he celebrates the franchises of Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, DC Comics and more. Over time, he’s rewritten lines to accommodate changes in the scifi world, such as updating the number of Doctor Who regenerations. He acknowledges that he gets a thrill when an audience sings along with him on the signature number.

In addition to his Youtube channel, his music is available on his Bandcamp page, NumberOneMusic, iTunes and Spotify.

Besides his music, he expresses his creative side with handcrafted items in his Etsy store. From wall décor to costume pieces for role play, he offers a variety of items for fellow members of scifi fandom.

The multitalented Some Metry Guy provides listeners with thought-provoking music and art, even if they aren’t too sure about his name.

Originally appeared 06/10/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/sam-metrigueye-delivers-scifi-music-with-a-story-to-tell

Art contest to celebrate anniversary of Bad Wolf Bar and Grill

When two scifi-loving people purchase a neighbor bar and grill, a name change may be in the stars. For Timothy and Alicia Dardar of Marrero, LA, the choice of a new name took time. They put together a list of potential nerd-related names and finally settled on Bad Wolf Bar and Grill.

The name creates an instant connection with Doctor Who fans - an “oh, THAT Bad Wolf” reaction, says Alicia Dardar - but it doesn’t exclude people who aren’t Whovians. The Dardars liked the accessibility inherent in the name.

They will celebrate two years as proprietors of the restaurant and bar on July 1, 2016. As a part of the anniversary celebration, the Dardars have announced a contest to design a new logo for the business. The deadline has been extended to June 13. The couple will choose a group of finalists and put the designs on Facebook for the final selection. They will adopt the design with the most “Likes” as the logo going forward.

More than simply a neighborhood bar and grill, Bad Wolf offers a place where nerds and jocks can coexist, according to Alicia. A group in one corner may be discussing the latest Star Wars news while another group is debating the Saints’ upcoming season. The décor features both worlds as well, with an array of nerdy and sports art and decorations.

Another feature of the establishment is the frequent special events put on in conjunction with Nerd Love NOLA, a local event planner specializing in parties with a science fiction flavor. Game nights and mini-cons appear on the calendar regularly. During “down” times, the restaurant offers the use of three pool tables, two dart boards and video poker.

While there are hamburgers, hot sausage and chicken sandwiches on the menu, other selections have themed names, such as The Bad Wolf (a burger with hot sausage, egg and cheese) and C-3PO (chicken, bacon and Swiss cheese). Tacos come as Chocobo Tacos (chicken and bacon tacos with housemade ranch) and Anorith Tacos (shrimp tacos with horseradish aioli).

Because the establishment serves alcohol, the staff enforces an Over-21 Only rule. The bar offers specialty mixed drinks (with fanciful names like Serenity and DHARMA Initiative) as well as a long list of available beers. The full menu can be found on their Facebook page.

With the contest entry extended through June 13, artists over 21 years of age have a chance to win a nice prize as well as have their work highlighted throughout the business’s signage and print materials. Check out the rules and submit your design to Bad Wolf Bar and Grill.

Bad Wolf Bar and Grill

5601 4th St

Marrero, LA

(504) 265-0738

Originally appeared 05/31/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/art-contest-to-celebrate-anniversary-of-bad-wolf-bar-and-grill

The Consortium of Genius creates blend of scifi and music and fun

Photo courtesy Lewis D'Aubin

When Lewis D’Aubin saw his first episode of Doctor Who in the early 1980s, he was hooked. He was so intrigued that he even remembers the title of his introduction to the Time Lord, The Stones of Blood.

A few years later, he found a group named The Companions of Doctor Who and joined them. He acknowledges that he was a bit of an introverted tinkerer. He built his own version of the Doctor’s robot dog, K-9, among other bits of fan gear and got involved with local conventions.

By the late eighties, he got into music and started working with local bands. D’Aubin learned to use a synthesizer and a drum machine, as well as learning recording techniques.

“The music and the fandom sides of my personality didn’t crossover immediately,” he says. He and a friend began to work on their own material. They wrote their own “silly songs” which they recorded for practice. By 1996, the practices had grown into The Consortium of Genius - aka COG - a group of mad scientists and lab assistants creating off-beat, original rock music as well as covering genre music. Their fearless leader Dr. Milo Thaddeus Pinkerton III is portrayed by D’Aubin.

Now celebrating their twentieth year of rock music science (or is that mad scientist rock music?), the group has gone through several incarnations as some members left to pursue other things and new members joined. Drumbot, the video droid on drums, was added to the group, as well.

“The members of the band are all a bunch of big geeks, too,” D’Aubin chuckles. He notes that, although they don’t make a lot of money, they do have a lot of fun. They dress in lab coats and other wildly scifi costumes.

The group plays at conventions, as well as special events throughout the region. The COG channel on YouTube (under DoctorPinkerton) offers a peek into the crazy, fun world of COG.

D’Aubin hasn’t stopped growing as a musician, however. About four years ago, a Victorian-garbed group premiered to play Dixieland, jazz and ragtime, rather than the heavy metal and rock sounds delivered by COG. Like the old novelty tune “I am my own grandpa,” he portrays Professor Milo Reginald Pinkerton (grandfather of MTP III) in a second band, The New Orleans Steamcog Orchestra. Billing themselves as a “Dixieland/Ragtime band with a difference,” the group includes Cogsworthy, a clockwork drummer.

With changes in radio broadcasting, novelty and comedic music has become more difficult to find, according to D’Aubin. With COG and the New Orleans Steamcog Orchestra, listeners lamenting the lack of such delightful music have an outlet. Both bands have videos on YouTube and albums available for purchase.

Originally appeared 05/30/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/the-consortium-of-genius-creates-blend-of-scifi-and-music-and-fun

Lena Prima describes how to make jewelry with travel theme in new book

Lena Prima creates music for a living. She writes and performs it, part of her family legacy as the daughter of the late bandleader, Louis Prima. Music isn't her only creative outlet, however. She also creates beautiful handmade jewelry as part of her Pennies from Heaven company. Now Leisure Arts has published a book written by Prima on making jewelry as part of its reference line and she joins the ranks of authors who share their craft through do-it-yourself books.

In “Wanderlust,” Prima shares instructions for making jewelry pieces inspired by her own travels. Her love of fun jewelry carries over into her designs for bracelets, necklaces, charms and earrings. The jewelry making guide offers a series of travel-inspired pieces, with a background story, materials list and step-by-step instructions for each design.

With section titles such as “Seaside Memories,” “Music Festival,” “Road Trip” and “City Girl,” the wide range of flavors becomes apparent. There are two project themes under each section, and themes can include more than one piece of jewelry. For example, the Sparkling Sand project under “Seaside Memories” provides instructions for a necklace, bracelet and earrings.

Crafters of all skill levels will enjoy the volume. Prima’s designs allow novice jewelry makers to succeed because she uses readily available findings and the only tools required are two pair of chain-nosed pliers. The finished products look great, creating an environment of success to encourage the newbie.

More experienced crafters will find inspiration which they can easily adapt to more intricate projects, as well as thrifty designs which utilize every bit of the purchased pieces in interesting ways.

“Wanderlust” is available at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn stores and online at Amazon.com in both print and electronic formats.

Disclaimer: This review is based on a purchased copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Originally appeared 5/14/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/review/lena-prima-describes-how-to-make-jewelry-with-travel-theme-new-book

Artist, author Sara Bynum brings her story of children of war to film

Bynum on the film set

Film maker Saran LaJoie Bynum began life with everything stacked against her. Born of a wartime liaison between a Vietnamese mother and an African-American soldier, she was rescued from the street as an infant and taken to an orphanage. She came to the United States as part of Operation Babylift at the age of three. Once in the U.S., she began a new life with adoptive parents from New Orleans.

Although her situation improved, she still had difficulties. She encountered prejudice from many ethnic groups due to her biracial heritage. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home and she had to flee for a second time. Yet through everything, she maintains a positive attitude.

She has registered her information on sites dedicated to reconnecting service members and the children they conceived while on duty overseas. While she hasn’t found her birth father yet, her efforts led her to connect with the man she considered her Pretend Dad, Larry Taylor, a Vietnam veteran. He told her a great deal about what circumstances were like in those days. Taylor passed away in late 2015, but not before giving his blessing to her new project.

With her latest endeavor, she seeks to share the story of the children of war from their point of view. “Where I Stand,” a film based on a fictionalized version of Bynum’s life, begins filming in May 2016. In the script, an orphan of the war seeks her missing father and discovers he is suffering with cancer caused by the chemical warfare which took place in Viet Nam. The young woman seeks answers to his situation and runs into danger and intrigue as she investigates.

Bynum promises adventure and conspiracy in the independent film. As part of the process, she has started a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe to raise the rest of the budget. To join her efforts, contribute here. Look for “Where I Stand” in the fall of 2016. A book version will release after the movie’s release.

Originally appeared 04/15/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/artist-author-saran-bynum-brings-story-of-children-of-war-to-film

Artist Matt Litchliter shares dramatic color in pleasing southern images

Photo courtesy Matt Litchliter

Matt Litchliter belies the image of the starving artist in a dark garret. The young father of two serves as part of a successful internet company as well as painting dynamic award-winning pieces which draw the viewer closer and closer to enjoy the details he has added. His skills as a graphic designer carry over into his art with spectacular results.

Slidell-born Litchliter graduated two short months before Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 and found himself working in demolition, tearing out soaked sheet rock from damaged homes in south Louisiana, rather than working in art as he had planned. From there, he moved into carpet cleaning. The depressed air of the city at the time led him to paint uplifting images when he could and he started with jazz musicians. Later he added his fanciful images of skulls, including some showing the fantasy influence of Day of the Dead art. The result is compelling works of magical feelings.

His image of New Orleans television icon Sid Noel in character as Morgus the Magnificent made the cover of Slidell magazine, as did an image of zydeco musician Rockin’ Doopsie. One of his skulls won a mixed media competition in October 2015. A more recent win was the Chef Soiree poster competition, with a charming alligator chef stirring up the ingredients of the south Louisiana spirit.

He describes himself as an impatient painter, sometimes sketching and beginning to paint the work in a single day. His energy translates into colorful images to capture the imagination.

“I’m never satisfied,” he says, and notes he must battle the urge to keep tweaking the painting. However, his confidence in his work is growing as he sees more acceptance.

Like many artists, he faces the necessity to paint something which will sell in order to support his art, yet to keep it at an affordable level for the public. Toward that end, he is investigating the possibility of prints of his work and collectible ornaments of New Orleans themes. In the works is an ETSY store.

Reluctant to limit himself to a single style, he creates in many genres, as witnessed by the variety of his works. He laughs as he expresses a desire to fill a gallery with his work and yet have viewers believe several artists are represented.

To support his art, he works as a graphic designer for eMerge, designing websites and logos. His work hangs in several galleries, including Artists’ Galleries de Juneau in Slidell. His work is online, as well. Available for commissions through his Facebook page, Litchliter Art, he offers lively paintings with a jazz soul.

Originally appeared 02/13/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/artist-matt-litchliter-shares-dramatic-color-pleasing-southern-images

Southern artist Jaime Ortega brings nature into focus

When fine artist Jaime Ortega picks up his brush, he most often calls on images of nature to populate his work. Whether he’s painting an impressive buck or a detailed image of one of the many nuts which become omnipresent in autumn, he brings nature to life with vivid colors and original perspectives. As one of the artists of Artists’ Galleries de Juneau in Slidell’s Olde Towne, he displays work on many surfaces. From a giant saw blade to wooden artist palettes, he will not be limited to a single size or shape.

His newest project, the nut images, are on 16 X 20 inch canvases. He shares pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts and more, turning a treat for the mouth into a treat for the eyes.

Ortega’s first painting dates back to when he was six years old. His mother, an artist in her own right, told her children to paint something. He painted a nautical scene from World War II with a battleship under attack by airplanes. He continued painting throughout his school career, in advanced art classes. Following high school, he attended New Orleans Art Institute for more than two years until joining the U.S. Army.

After his military service, he spent time in the convention industry as an artist, designing the convention and show settings. He found the sharp edges necessary in much of the work bothersome.

“I never did like my draftsman side,” he observes, preferring to soften edges in his work to draw the viewer deeper into the piece rather than breaking the sweep of view with a hard edge or angle. His work is inspired by the Impressionists and his aspiration is to feel that he paints as well as the historic figures of the movement.

“There are color changes but no linear delineations between any two objects in a painting,” he explains. “From the background to the girl’s skirt, it just changes colors. And then that skirt has to change colors as it goes around the light and then back to the background on the other side.”

Although born in New Orleans, Ortega now lives in rural Mississippi where he can study his favorite subject, nature, at will. Art fans can look forward to more images of natural wonder from him.

Originally appearer 12/14/2015 at http://www.examiner.com/article/southern-artist-jaime-ortega-brings-nature-into-focus

Art exhibits to enjoy during your visit to Mardi Gras

Although visitors come to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, there’s a lot more to the Crescent City than parades and partying. Take time to enjoy the museums and free venues for art around town for a delightful change of pace. Beyond the art galleries in the French Quarter, visitor can find many artistic treasures in the city. Check venue hours during the hectic days of the Carnival season to avoid disappointment. Here are a few to get you started.

Jackson Square

The artists surrounding Jackson Square present a colorful introduction to the New Orleans art scene. The eclectic genres available assure something for everyone. Browse along fence to see the work of up to two hundred artists, operating on licenses granted by the city. Looking is free, and visitors might find the perfect piece to purchase as a souvenir of the visit.

Woldenberg Park

Across Decatur Street from the square, climb the steps to the Riverwalk and turn right along the path to visit another free venue, Woldenberg Park, sixteen acres of green space and art leading toward Canal Street. The park operates under the auspices of the Audubon Foundation which also operates the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, among other attractions. Sculptures and mobiles dot the park, giving art lovers an open-air viewing experience along the bank of the Mississippi River. Watch river traffic glide by for a glimpse of reality art in motion.

Dutch Alley

Tucked away behind the buildings lining Decatur Street at Dumaine, a circular fountain hosts a band in silhouette. The characters captured there welcome visitors to Dutch Alley, a combination of open-air art exhibit and art gallery. Step into the alley and meet Jacques the Butcher by Eric Kaposta, who greets visitors entering the Alley.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Go beyond the boundaries of the French Quarter and into the Warehouse District to enjoy art created by a wide spectrum of southern artists. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art boasts multiple floors of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and installation art. The reasonable admission fee coupled with the variety of artists makes the O an excellent destination for any art lover. The Confederate Museum next door will interest history buffs.

Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans

Stroll across the street from the Ogden Museum to reach the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans and another reason to love the Camp Street museum corridor. Park once for access to both art centers, plus the National World War II Museum.

New Orleans Museum of Art and Besthoff Sculpture Garden

Venture out of the French Quarter and Central Business District for a visit to a New Orleans legacy, the New Orleans Museum of Art. Although the traditional museum facility requires an admission fee, the stunning open air Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA does not. More than sixty sculptures dot the peaceful garden, including the iconic Hercules the Archer which stood at the main entrance to the museum for decades.

Originally appeared on 02/24/14 at http://www.examiner.com/article/art-exhibits-to-enjoy-during-your-visit-to-mardi-gras