EDUCATED - 6TH GRADERS GET IT

One dark and stormy morning a few weeks ago, a few brave souls ventured into the rain to accompany 145 middle school students from Calhoun Middle School, a local Title 1 school, to the new Perot Museum of Science and Nature in Dallas.

One of these chaperones was We Denton Do It's own Glen Farris. Farris even went as far as to sleep in his chaperone T-shirt the night before to prepare for the event. Pajamas be darned! There were kids to accompany! Denton City Councilman, Kevin Roden, also played the part of chaperone that day. He biked from his house to Calhoun Middle School. Talk about setting an example, an appropriate one at that. Not only were these 6th graders making a trek from Denton to Dallas (many of whom had never even traveled out of Denton County Lines), but they would be using exclusively public transportation and their own beat-up Air Jordans to do so.

The trip was made possible by 6th grade science teacher Nick Amendola, who utilized a grant from the Denton Public Schools Foundation, donated train tickets from DCTA/DART and donations from several local small businesses in order to fund the event.

It took the cooperation of teachers, administrators, parents, business owners and involved citizens, but the day went off without a hitch. All of the students came back unharmed, in one piece, and a little more knowledgeable about dinosaurs and space. 

We were pleased to have our favorite videographer, WDDI's own Jordan Smith, able to tag along to capture all of the magic on video. These are the kinds of things happening in our community that we here at We Denton Do It love to see – different parts of our city coming together to collaborate and educate. 

​Check out the video above and then plan your trip to the Perot via public transit if you haven't already done so. 

This trip was made possible with the help of: ​

DCTA  I  DART  I  DENTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

DAN'S SLIVERLEAF  I  DENTON PRESBYTERIAN  I  LITTLE GUYS MOVERS​

PRINTED THREADS  I  SPUNE PRODUCTIONS  I  WE DENTON DO IT ​

The song for the video was graciously gifted by our talented friends to the south - Air Review. Their song "America's Son" can be purchased on itunes here.​

WEEK IN REVIEW: MARCH 18

Monday March 18
Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers | Dan's Silverleaf | 8pm | $10 / $15

Wednesday March 20
A Birthday Show: Spooky Folk / Barbar / New Science Projects / Peopleodian / Cool Womb |  J&J's | 8pm | Free
A great collection of Denton house show veterans and the fresh (and one of our new favorites) Cool Womb. The event page promises that Cool Womb will start "promptly" at 8:30pm. I read that but I don't believe it. Either way -- this is a show you want to show up on time to.

​Kraken Presents: Matthew Olzmann and Vievee Francis  I  Paschall Bar  I  6pm  I  Free Way better than your college grade open mic night - some super talented (published!) poets will be showing off their skills at the classiest bar in town. Put on your favorite tweed jacket, grab your smoking pipe, order yourself a scotch and soak up the culture. 

LA JEDER AND THE LEAKY HOME

​Heather Fossmo of La Jeder

Erik and Heather Fossomo have been traveling all over the US for the last nine months, bringing sweet songs and smiling faces to anyone they meet on the road. One of the most incredible things about their journey has been the experience of driving their 1986, 26 ft. long motor home nicknamed "Olga." Heck, they even named the tour after the thing. In the midst of their Ode to Olga tour, the musical act, aptly named La Jeder, is releasing their premiere music video for their ​song, "Leaky Home," also about Olga, their current lodging, and all of the problems she initially brought about.

The Denton-based band has decided to release this video exclusively through We Denton Do It for the next week or so until it goes wide, and we couldn't be more pleased. The video was shot and directed by Dentonite Sam D. Ramsey. Check it out below!

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: MARCH 14TH

Not too much going on this week unless your at SXSW but here are a few picks for the weekend for y'all.​

Friday March 15th ​

​House of Tinnitus Presents: Plack Blague / Violator X / Filth / Vulgar Fasion | Rubbergloves | 9pm | $1
I'd go to this just to find out what a "noise bummer session" is. That's definitely worth a dollar.
Max Stalling | Dan's Silverleaf | 10pm | $12

​Saturday March 16th​

​Milkdrive | Dan's Silverleaf | 9pm | $10
Self proclaimed "Jazz-grass" born from the remnants of the South Austin Jug band are always impressive if absoloutle shredding in every way possible impresses you.

PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT: WESLEY KIRK

Wesley Kirk is a man of many talents and endeavors. In addition to being a photographer, he also finds time to manage his own film distribution business, serve as president of the UNT Short Film Club, run a motivational poster campaign and that's just naming a few.  Wesley is an extremely motivated young man, and we look forward to what he will bring to our community of artists. We caught up with Wesley to see what he has to say. Here is Wesley Kirk and his binders full of women. 

photos by Wesley Kirk

​Tell us about yourself. 

My name is Wesley Kirk, but a lot of people know my photography by the name The Vision Beautiful. I’m a photographer/filmmaker from Fort Worth, TX. I like dressing sharp, listening to latin jazz & southern soul, watching Star Trek, going on adventures, making a fool of myself, and having long talks about outer space & cartoon shows.

My life in Denton is mostly spent at my computer, working on my businesses. Click Clack Short Films, a short film distribution company, Fail Better Posters, an inspirational / motivational poster company & social project, my photography company, and various other projects, collaborations, and schemes.

What brought you to photography?

I was about 12. My mom accidentally bought two cameras on ebay, and gave me the extra one, a fully-automatic 35mm point & shoot, not much better than a disposable camera. My dad had recently quit his job as an insurance adjuster, and gave me his 99 leftover rolls of film. They were both kind enough to develop whatever awful photos I took.

For my 17th birthday, my mom bought me a digital camera, not a good one, but one that would save them from having to develop all those awful pictures. Around that time, my friends and I started going on adventures around Fort Worth, exploring what we could, and I began to realize that photography was a pretty good way to keep some of my filmmaking skills sharp between movies.

Over the years, I ended up going on photoshoots more than film shoots, and people started knowing me more for my portraits than my short films. After a while, I finally started taking it seriously, getting myself a proper camera, fancy lenses, good equipment, and started perfecting my style.

Describe your style.

I'd describe my style as semi-candid cinematic portraits, where shoots tend to double as adventures.

What inspires you? ​

It’s hard to put a finger on what inspires me. I suppose the best I could answer is a good idea well executed. But what excites me most for a shoot is just a pretty lady, a fun idea we both came up with, golden light, and a place to roam around.

​How do you define a successful photograph?

Personally, I feel like a shoot was a success if I can't stop looking at the pictures. When I've captured that rare moment of reality looking as beautiful as it did in my mind's eye. It doesn't happen often, but every now and then, I'll do a shoot I'm so in love with that I'll keep pulling up the pictures again & again, and it'll remind me of when I was a kid and I'd spread out all my photos on my bedroom floor and think to myself "I made these."

What are the benefits and challenges of being a photographer in Denton?

The benefit is having lots of beautiful, talented, enthusiastic people around. There’s no shortage of gorgeous gals, brilliant artists, and fun people to collaborate with.

The challenge is finding good, new places to photograph. In Fort Worth, I had a variety of diverse locations, but Denton’s so small, it leaves me with few options to explore.

If you could be invisible for one day with your camera, where would you go?

I would time travel back to January 4th, 2010, Lesley Kerr’s last day in Texas, and I would photograph the way she looked at me, and the way we were together, our conversations and adventures. I wish I could remember it all better.

What is your favorite thing about Denton?

My favorite thing about Denton is that it’s small enough that I feel I can make a difference, make an impact, and leave my mark.

To find more from Wesley and to keep up on all of his scheming check him out on his....

​Website / Facebook / Tumblr / Instagram

DAVID KOEN'S 35D RECAP

The talented David Koen held it down with some great shots from this past 35D weekend. Here is his weekend in photos. 

WEEK IN REVIEW: MARCH 11

Not had enough? Ready for more? Good, 'cause this is Denton and naturally there's going to be some quality shows to attend for those of you who aren't diluted into thinking that playing Maggie Maes is going to get your "buzzworthy local act" signed this week.​

Monday, March 11​

Daniel Markham / Glossary / Water Liars | ​Dan's Silverleaf | 8PM | $7

Dead Leaf Echo / Joy Sores / Summer of Glaciers / Penny | Macaroni Island | 8PM | FREE
Another quality, free show from Macaroni Island. Remember kids, no jerks!​

​Tuesday, March 12
Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion / Savage & The Big Beat / Cool Womb | Dan's Silverleaf | 9PM | $5
Cool Womb is one of our recent favorites after seeing them in the J&J's Basement several months ago. It will be interesting to see how their rough around the edges brand of whatever you want to call it translates at Dan's.

DIME POP UP SHOP

Words and photos by Dave Koen ​

Big things are happening for Etsy Denton. First and foremost, they are no longer called “Etsy Denton”. They have changed their name to “DIME”, or the Denton Independent Maker Exchange. Second, they are opening a brick-and-mortar store only a short walk from the Square at 501 S. Locust Street. While the store doesn’t officially open until April 5, they are hosting a pre-party and pop-up show during 35 Denton.

Featuring fifteen local artists and craftsmen selling their goods, the pop-up shop had its opening from 6-9pm on Friday night. It was a great opportunity for people to come in and browse DIME’s new space where they will not only run a store but also put on workshops, art classes, and gallery shows.

If you weren’t able to make it, fear not. The event continues Saturday from 11am until 7pm with live music and fun. Come check it out and get a peek of what Denton’s creative class has to offer.

Follow DIME on Facebook for updates and future events.

HEY WISEGUY: MIFFED AT MEXICANA

Hey Wiseguy is a recurring column featured in Denton's Little D After Dark. Here, we are presenting a bonus edition of the Wiseguy column for 35 Denton. Make sure to check out Little D's new website when it's up!

​La Mexicana, "authentic" Mexican food for 35 Denton attendees. 

Hey Wiseguy,

I’m a waiter at a local restaurant called La Mexicana. It’s located on S. Locust St. over by Eagle. Anyways. I’ve worked here for about five years now and I’ve just put together that every March, things get kinda weird. For a few days in the middle of the month we have an influx of customers. Not just customers, but a specific kind of customer. I’m not sure how to describe them. They overly enunciate words such as cilantro or carne asada and they always ask for “off-the-menu” items.

We have a few people who come in at other times in the year (I think one of them is a local city councilman), but it’s always the worst in the middle of March. Anyway, as nice as it is to have the extra business, they don’t tip well and they make me feel really awkward. Do you have any tips on how to deal with these March people? Thanks in advance, Wiseguy.

Sincerely,

Miffed at La Mexicana

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Dear Miffed,

Email your Question to ​Hey Wiseguy

Oh no. We think that we might have been that person before. The temptation to roll “R’s” when given the opportunity is just too much to resist. Is hitting the “T” in “horchata” really frowned upon, as well? If so, we’ll stop it. Promise!

Anyway. I think I have half of an answer for you (we’re good at that -- it’s the full answers we have problems with). 35 Denton is a local music festival that happens every year in the middle of March. The bands booked at this music festival tend to attract the type of people you’re describing. The majority of the festival happens in or around the square, but oftentimes some of the crowd will eek out to other areas of Denton and you guys are pretty close, as-is. It’s good for our local economy, but hard on some folks' patience. 

“...think about temporarily changing the name to ‘THE Mexicana.’”

Anyway, attendees of this event are probably the patrons you’re having problems with. They tend to seek out the most “authentic” places of any given area and eat/shop there. Take it as a compliment! La Mexicana must be pretty authentic Mexican food in their eyes. We tend to eat our Mexican food on the EMTC (read East McKinney Taco Corridor), but to each their own. If you want them to stop attending your establishment, think about temporarily changing the name to “THE Mexicana,” putting ketchup bottles on the table or by having exclusively large-breasted women work as waitresses for a bit. They’ll stop showing up. Promise. If nothing else, just put up a sign that says, “Closed for 35 Denton. Go eat at La Sabrocita.” Then go fishing. They’ll be gone by Monday.