THE DEN10: SEPTEMBER 18

It's going to be a beautiful weekend, y'all. So much is happening and the weather will be in the 80's after some rain on Friday and the dew point  will be just about perfect. It'll be the perfect opportunity meet up with friends for a night on the town and make plans to cap it all off with a late night dance party. It's also a good time of year to change things up a bit. Get unpredictable and go rouge by untucking that shirt, getting that septum pierced or just being little adventurous by checking out some venue or eatery you've never been to before. The Summer was great and all but change is good and the Fall is quickly approaching and is going to be as amazing as you're willing to let it be.

Questions or comments? Email glen@wedentondoit.com

Wednesday September 18
Stardeath & White Dwarfs / Spaceface / The Breakfast Machine | Dan's Silverleaf | 8PM | $10

Hailey's Does Denton Comedy Collective | Hailey's | 9PM | FREE PIZZA
We absolutely love comedy. We think it's hilarious. Plus there's no greater lure to draw a hungry college kid into a once glorious venue than by offering free pizza.

Thursday September 19

Distinguished Lecture Series Presents: Rainn Wilson | UNT Coliseum | 7PM

Friday September 20

Bethan / The Calmative / Plastic Habit | J&J's | FREE

Saturday September 21

Run Boy Run / AM Ramblers | Dan's Silverleaf | 9PM | $8

 2013 Denton Blues Festival | Quakertown Park | Sept 21-22 | FREE

Greenhouse Art Show | The Greenhouse | 1PM | FREE

Canning Pickled Okra with Courtney Jacobs | Cardo's Farm Project | 12PM | $20
Did you know Cardo's Farm Project moved out to 1599 Mingo here in Denton? Check out the new property and learn how to can that pickled okra. You can pickle that.

Tuesday September 24
Heartwarmer / Senor Fin / Robert Hokamp | J&J's | 8PM | FREE

Destruction Unit / Ukiah Drag / Sin Motivo / Glow God | Rubbergloves | 9PM | $7

DIME FEATURED ARTIST: SHEENA CROFT

Interview by The DIME Store, Photos by Sheena Croft 

1930s beaded silk chiffon dress with trompe de l'oeil bow bolero

For this month’s feature, DIME caught up with the amazing Sheena Croft of No Carnations Vintage. This lady is made of magic. There has to be at least 27 hours in her day. Not only is she the nationally-praised executive chef of Hannah’s Off the Square, but she also runs one of the best-curated vintage shops on Etsy. Read on to find out why this southern gal could give “the most interesting man in the world” a run for his money.

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Sheena, what originally drew you to vintage?

It was quality clothing that was affordable. I would find great labels to mix into my modern clothing. But more to the point it was about the trends at the time. I remember watching 'Desperately Seeking Susan' and seeing Madonna find that second hand jacket with the eye on the back. Suddenly the thrift store find was way cooler than before. We won't talk about the brightly colored crinoline I think I once wore to the seventh grade as a skirt.

1950s Lanz Swimdress

Did you come a vintage collector and by default a vintage seller, or visa versa?

I started collecting before I started selling. I sold jewelry on the side that I made and someone told me about Etsy for my jewelry. Not long after I realized I could sell vintage on Etsy. The first few items in the shop were from my own collection. Not really even clothes or items that would suite/fit me but items that I could not leave behind at an estate sale or thrift store. I just had to have them without never really knowing what I would do with them.

You're also the executive chef at Hannah's Off the Square. How do you balance having two very creative, very different jobs?

Both my love for vintage and my love for cooking fuel my creative side. Every day I think about how lucky I feel to do these things. Finding that perfect balance is everything but perfect. I try to use my down time away from the kitchen in a positive way. Vintage takes up a lot of that time, but selling has allowed me to set more financial goals for myself and that is a great freedom in and of itself. It helps that the vintage is considered a self-employment, so when my professional life needs attention and takes over I can adjust and set the Etsy job at a slower pace.

No Carnations logo

Your vintage clothing Etsy shop is highly successful. What makes your shop stand out from other vintage shops?

I tried to create a brand from day one. I also did lots of research about good cameras, taking quality photos, using photoshop for lighting issues. When it comes to vintage fashion, learning about labels and quality craftsmanship of textiles is equally as important. You need to know that a dress with a Ceil Chapman label can be sold for four times as much as another dress of the same style. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring Etsy sellers or vintage collectors?

My suggestion to other sellers is to research your medium to the fullest, and create a 3 year plan for yourself with attainable goals. I also want to say that social media is a huge part of what you can do to brand and get your product seen. Even when I neglect my shop for a week, I try to re-list five items each day, mention something about my shop on twitter and send out a few Instagram shots. I've had quite a few direct sales from social platforms.

1950s Silk Estevez evening dress with yellow rose print

Where can folks shop your collection?

There is a limited collection of items that rotate in and out at the DIME Store. You can find me on Etsy, and I am happy to take appointments to view and purchase from my personal collection, most of which is not available online.

Sheena Croft, Chef Extraordinaire and Vintage Collector Queen

Do you aspire to someday have a brick and mortar vintage boutique? Or would you rather stay creative in the kitchen full time?

I look forward to my older years, a retirement I suppose, when I can have an encore career. I dream of a nice little flower shop with a wall of vintage wedding & party dresses from the 20s-50s. Kind of a one-stop-shop for the vintage bride. I imagine friends hanging out as well, so I'll keep the kettle on and always have cakes, scones, soups and sandwiches waiting with a smile.

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The DIME Store is a shop and artist collective in downtown Denton, featuring art, craft, and vintage from 40+ local makers. Rachel Aughtry and Shelley Christner act as the "curators and purveyors" of the shop. When they're not at DIME, you'll find them behind their sewing machines or enjoying a margarita at Greenhouse.

WHAT WE DID: SEPTEMBER 16TH

It seems like a month has passed from last week's What We Did until today. In that period of time, we celebrated some Denton failure, heard lots of opinions on Walnut St., looked at a bunch of old cars and took the a-train on a trip to Dallas. What were you out doing this past weekend? Make sure to throw #WDDI on your photos from week to week to be included in our What We Did post. 

We went out to Viet Bites again and ate our heart's out for a forthcoming review. 

We remembered why the "Poached Bananas in Coconut Cream" at Andaman Thai was our favorite dessert in town. 

We could write poetry about the ice spheres encapsulated in the old fashioned's at East Side Social Club. 

The square was shut down to cars Saturday morning and afternoon in order to showcase...cars. Special cars, that is. The annual Arts, Antiques and Autos show saw lots of people milling about around the antique and strange cars and quietly bidding on silent auction pieces inside the courthouse. 

Come and Take It Denton was out and about again Saturday morning. 

Lots of interesting cars were on display, like this 2005 Renault to a 1999 Ford Focus with french fries on the dash that someone from out of town accidentally left parked on the square. 

Yeah, yeah...we know we talked about La Estrella last week, but we just love this place so much and we're there all the time. This is a mural on the east side of the building that had us wondering what was really in that carne asada (carne acid-a?).  

William Andrew Ganzer silently watched over the items in the silent auction held inside of the courthouse during the Arts, Antiques and Autos show. 

We gathered around the Well's Fargo building to once more celebrate the failure of the city of Denton to excavate a time capsule in a timely fashion. Both Glen Farris and Kevin Roden gave speeches on the matter.  (photo by Dave Koen) 

FishBoy played a couple of songs to get the crowd pumped. (photo Dave Koen)

We took the A-train to the Perot museum in Dallas again. This time without a bunch of 7th graders. (photo by @naysnews)

It's a great reason to take the train. Plenty of spots nearby and the weather is getting to the point where you won't be drenched in sweat by the time you arrive. (photo by @naysnews)

We found some spirit deep within us and cheered on the UNT football team on Saturday. Thankfully we were there to witness their victory over Ball State. We even got spotted dancing on the big screen. 

Tailgating includes the Mean Green marching band making their way through the crowds and into the stadium.  

Chili cheese Frito pie rounded out our football experience. 

Youthbitch from Portland, Oregon played a killer set at J&J's. (photo by Dave Koen)

WATER PISTOLS AT DAWN

It's Friday y'all. We stayed up way past our bedtimes and poured one out for the time capsule last night - so this morning we're nursing plenty of coffee and avoiding work by watching short but satisfying videos. We're especially fans of this one by local dude Wesley Kirk, who's work just doesn't disappoint. We certainly don't mind that it features one of our favorite funny guys Ron Lechler. We love seeing our favorite creatives come together and create great work that gets us through our Friday. Besides - who doesn't love a great water gun fight scene? 

AN OVERVIEW OF DENTON YOGA

by Naomi Wood

We aren't yogis by any stretch, but we can appreciate a good yoga class when we find one. Regardless of your fondness for Vinyasa, Chakra, or Hatha, at this point they're all fairly well represented in Denton.  Now if you can’t shove your legs behind your head while chanting mantras, no worries. We've gone out, stretched too much and done a little research on the various yoga facilities in town. While we're all the more zen for it, we've also got a bunch of information we'd like to share with ya.

One of the most familiar Denton landmarks, The Yoga Hut,  has been around for decades. It's been nestled in it's comfy little corner on North Locust since 2000. Their Buddhist-style frame attracts many curious glances, and although the healing garden is a bit overgrown, it could be a quiet refuge amidst Denton’s bustling streets. So if you like the shrine-y/temple feel,  you’re in luck! The yoga hut also doubles as a  residential space, where locals can live and stretch in harmony. Owner Lori Blunk follows the B.K.S Iyengar teaching, which focuses on the eight-limbed body. Now, this isn’t a human centipede style she’s talking about, the eight limbs are in reference to the eight steps of yoga, which include a focus on morality, observances, postures, breathing, senses, perception, meditation, and union.

The Denton Yoga Center on Congress was started by Denton native Becky Klett in 2008. Her therapeutic, alignment-focused practice can be adapted to all levels, whether you're a beginner or super zen. Whether you can barely touch your toes, or can simultaneously headstand while in camel pose, this studio may just be the right fit for you. The smaller setup and supportive community environment allows for more teacher-student interaction. Although Becky has been teaching yoga in Denton for over a decade, she still makes a point to walk through her classes and personally align her students.

““To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” ”

— Buddha

Valerie Warren of Authentic Yoga Life
Photo by Stephanie Smith

Maybe the kumbaya approach that the two previous studios embody are a bit much for your taste. If so, we featured the new Authentic Yoga Life studio that opened on Austin Street this past spring. Valerie Warren saw the need for a modern hot yoga studio in Denton, and jumped on the opportunity to be close to the square. This studio is bright, simple, and chic, and provides a vinyasa style that anyone would feel comfortable participating in.  

If yoga really isn’t your thing, but you’re still interested in subduing your stresses, you can head over to Seven Mile Cafe on Wednesday nights at 6:30, for a mindfulness and meditation session led by Kadampa Buddhist Teacher, Jenny Streit-Horn.

You might feel better, and if not, you can always grab a cup of joe afterward.

Namaste, Dentonites.

CANNED UPDATE

We’re less than a month away from the celebration of alcoholic beverages encased inside  aluminum and steel that has come to be known better as Canned, and we’re getting pretty excited at this point. Last Saturday Dallas had another Untapped festival at Gilley’s and while it was overwhelmingly awesome, it definitely left us waiting for more.

Thankfully, the folks over at Untapped (Canned’s mommy and daddy) were kind enough to share a few new pieces of info with us about what to expect come October 5th. Apparently, both Oak St. Drafthouse and the newly opened (but quickly embraced) East Side Social Club will play host. Between the two establishments (each owned by John Williams), over 170 different taps and over 100 different Texas-born drafts will be available for patrons to choose from. We’re making our drinking plans already.

Another aspect of Canned that has us excited is something we didn’t expect. Denton Municipal Electric has partnered with Canned, promising that 100% of the energy used at the festival will be “wind-collected.” We’ve bragged on DME before, but this was something that will make us feel a little better after paying that August electricity bill. In addition, Sierra Nevada, the world’s most environmentally sustainable brewery will provide the beer garden and Keep Denton Beautiful will be present to educate the public on recycling and sustainability. All of this together makes Canned the most environmentally friendly festival the county has ever seen. Oh, and there’s gonna be beer and live music, too. Did we mention that?

Buy tickets here and buy them fast. Or, if you want to skip the ticketing fees, you can pick up tickets at Oak Street Draft House or East Side Social Club. Either way, get 'em quick, you don't want to miss this. 

THE DEN10: SEPTEMBER 11

Now that Free Week is over we find ourselves right in the thick of it. There's really no slowing down till December now with Canned Fest coming up Oct. 5th and a string of other major happenings that we've got our eyes peeled for.  It really doesn't feel like it's been an entire year since the Time Capsule fiasco of 2012. It's going to be a pretty busy week out there so be sure to check out all that Denton has to offer and remember to #WDDI your pics for the What We Did post on Monday.

Questions or comments? Email info@wedentondoit.com   

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Wednesday September 11
Social Run | Oak St. Draft House | 7:30 | FREE
Wanna go run three miles and then drink some tasty brews? This is your chance. I recommend Real Ale's Devil's Backbone.

Rheingau Class | Wine Squared | 7PM | $20 w/ RSVP
Wine Squared continues it's wine education with this bit on the German region of Rheingau. Sip on some wine and learn something for a change.

Shiny Around The Edges / Mines / Forbes and Lemons / Bukkake Moms | Macaroni Island | 8PM | FREE
No Jerks!

Thursday September 12
See You At The Capsule II: In Loving Memory of The Day Denton Failed To Open The Time Capsule | Wellsafrgo on The Square | 11:45PM
Has it already been a year? We're going to meet up and indulge in libations and maybe speak a few words about how even in the midst of failure, deprivation and healthy doses of disappointment that life is still beautiful and you've got to grab it by the horns and just own it. Let's own the fact that after they dug up the time capsule (on the wrong date) there was a newspaper inside from two days after it was buried. Let's grab our friends and hug 'em tight because in the midst of all the failure and deprivation, we'll always have each other and that's the foundation of what makes Denton a remarkable city.

New Works: Photographs by Jonathan A. Molina Garcia | Cora Stafford Gallery | 5PM | FREE

Friday September 13
Back To Cool: S. Good / AV The Great / James Battles B-Day Bash | Andy's | 9PM | $5
Check out AV The Great's Video we posted a few weeks ago.

Saturday September 14
Arts Antiques & Autos | The Square | 9AM - 4PM | FREE
The Denton Main Street Association takes over the square this Saturday with it's 14th annual Car, old things and art show. If you live on the square you definitely need not park on the square Friday night unless you want your 4Runner trapped between two 60's corvettes all day.

The Chris Watson Band | Dan's Silverleaf | 5PM | FREE
Get your blues fix on at Dan's this weekend. Pretty standard stuff but it's free and it's classic Dan's.

Sunday September 15
H.O.T. Presents - Pedestrian Deposit / Nite Shadez / Prisons / Sobering / Ascites | Hailey's | 9PM | FREE
Rob Buttrums's tape manipulation project, Nite Shadez will take the stage at Hailey's this Sunday. Pedestrian Deposit closes this night and all they're asking for is donations for the touring bands.

Tuesday September 17
UNT Smiles Day | 9AM - 4PM | UNT Library Mall | Free Hugs
This is a thing that actually exists. Bubbles, free hugs, stickers etc. PLEASE someone go to this and send us pictures!

LYRIC LEAK: KALEO KAUALOKU OF SPOOKY FOLK

by Harlin Anderson

photo by Christopher Hughes 

While bellied up to the bar at local haunt Dan’s Silverleaf the other day, talk turned to the first single, “Notion," from the forthcoming Spooky Folk album, Youth is a Notion. As if on cue, the Miss Petra Kelly entered the building. It didn’t take long for her phone – containing said single – to get hooked up to the bar’s PA system. It took even less time for most of the crowd to stop what they were doing and start listening. We fell hard for the new track, so we fired up the interwebs for a remote chat with recently relocated Spooky front man, Kaleo Kaualoku, on music, getting old, and life in the mountains.

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The new album – especially this first single – deals heavily with the concept of youth. Is this something coming from your own life - or a response to a trend you see in the world today?

Kaleo Kaualoku: It's definitely something that comes from me.  I always carry a bit of self-doubt when it comes to my accomplishments, and the older I get, the less I feel I've done.  Even though this is an irrational paranoia, I think the concept that time is running out is something that drives a lot of people to do more, be more, try more, etc...  I'm basically trying to be a hopeful cynic, stressing that if you've squandered your time so far, there's nothing to be done but get up and do something about it.  Time will not pity you.

The song also lets me approach youth from another perspective - it kind of sucks.  Let's face it, we all did/said/thought stupid, inane things in our late teens/early twenties.  I still do, but a bit of age and experience have severely reduced the frequency that said vapidity exits my mouth.  A big part of me is glad that I won't ever be twenty one again.

The first line of "Notion" is fantastic kick in the teeth. How did you arrive such a crushing starting point?

KK: I like the idea of starting the song off with the bummer of a statement that your youth is not going to last forever, and you are going to get old and die.  I know it's not revelatory by a long shot, but sometimes being blunt is pretty heavy and effective.

There is an unmistakable 90's vibe radiating from this single. Is that a conscious decision? How does that mesh with the prevailing theme of youth?

KK: It wasn't on purpose.  It's really just the natural result of Spooky Folk becoming more of a rock band.  I remember that while writing the music I thought that it kind of sounded like a Weezer song.  Maybe that's a connection to youth, replicating my 9th grade playlist?

"It's true we're fighting to lose" is a fascinating line. It's got the potential to be bleak as hell, but it doesn't quite play out with the sense of resignation we'd expect. What's going on there?

KK: It's acknowledgement of the futility of our desire – while also affirming that we're still alive, fighting for something.

"I'm looking forward to the things that come to pass/ Even though they never really seem to last" is probably the most bizarrely upbeat/hopeful part of "Notion." Moments may be fleeting, but is it possible to carry over or hold on to the joy we get from them?

KK: It most definitely is!  I'd say that the memory of the moment is better than the original event itself.  It's all that we'll ever really have of that moment in time.  But that's just half of the meaning.  The flip-side is meant to be taken with a bit more pessimism.  We have things to look forward to, but they'll just happen and be over, so why really care?  I like to imagine that this song is being sung by a sarcastic Debbie Downer.

“Youth is a notion that is crooked as crime
Death lies in waiting in these shadows of mine ”

— Spooky Folk

You recently moved to Colorado. How does that complicate the process of completing an album - or even simple things like practicing?

KK: Luckily we finished tracking the majority of the album before I left.  This summer has been spent with the rest of the band wrapping up a few loose recording ends, a few still remaining.  Me being out here has slowed us down a little bit in that I'm not able to give instant feedback on a take or what have you.  But we're still on track to release this album by the end of the year.

What do you miss most about Denton?

KK: I miss my friends.  I miss the feeling of community.  I miss being able to walk into a club and find a friendly face.  But most of all, I miss the tacos, particularly La Estrella.  Please go give those wonderful people your patronage as often as you can!

Any plans to come back and visit - maybe even play a show - anytime soon?

KK: I'll definitely be back to visit soon!  No Spooky Folk in Denton for the immediate future, but there are some exciting things happening and upcoming announcements.  In the meantime, people should go check out the other bands that SF members are a part of!  Jesse has Tiger, Tooth, and Paw; Scarlett is in New Science Projects and Fishboy; Petra is in all of the bands.

photo by Dave Koen

If you haven’t yet had the chance to give “Notion” a listen, we suggest you rectify that oversight with a quickness. It’s one of our favorite jams of the summer, and it’s sure to remind certain age demographics of that oh so sweet spot in life known as the 90’s. We think it’s the perfect soundtrack for a cold beer and a ramble down memory lane – however old or young you happen to be.

Spooky Folk Is: Kaleo Kaualoku, Jesse Clay Perry, Petra Kelly, Scarlett Wright, and Chris Brown

Get the lowdown on all things Spooky here.

“Notion”

Youth is a notion that is crooked as crime
Death lies in waiting in these shadows of mine
Don't try to argue with aging or fate
The end is then hurried rather sooner than late

We're all just drowning in this passing time
The reasons burn but will not be defined
I'm looking forward to the things that come to pass
Even though they never really seem to last

It's true we're fighting to lose
It's hard to swallow the truth

The sun will stop burning when the day comes to end
Fires extinguish but then ignite again
Our time is stolen it was not meant to last so
Enjoy what we've taken 'cause the end's coming fast

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Harlin Anderson is the underground BBQ champion of Denton, Texas. When he's not digging through crates of vinyl at Recycled Books or Mad World Records, he can be found manning the smoker on the back patio at Dan's Silver Leaf - or wherever there are hungry musicians. His lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three furry children: Earl, Jake, and Nanette the Pocket Beagle. He prefers to stay comfortably within the Denton city limits at all times.

WHAT WE DID: SEPTEMBER 9TH

First Friday is starting to become a Denton favorite around these parts. It ranks up there with Twilight Tunes as far as consistent fun goes. We hit up several different places in and around the square that were participating in First Friday - there were more things to check out than we had time to see! We hope to see a few more businesses taking part in this monthly celebration. Aside from that, we also had the pleasure of seeing some live music and enjoyed being our normal, fat selves, cramming food into our gullets. Check out some photos from our aforementioned exploits below and make sure to throw #WDDI on your pics for inclusion in our weekly photo roundup!

The last of us finally tried Goldmine BBQ and were sadly left with the same impression others have had. Above is the "burnt ends" appetizer. Not only did they have the visual appeal of dog food (covered in a syrupy sweet sauce, even), but they weren't even actually burnt ends. The rest of the meal followed suit. Maybe things will turn around soon. We hope so. 

First Friday seems to be building up some steam. Scrap and The DIME Store both had free beer, UNT had a wonderful display of Denton photos (look below), and lots of folks were out, milling about. Above you can see the crew behind Denton's Ugly Rugger brewing Company set up sharing their suds at DIME. 

We caught Chambers at St. David's on a busy Friday evening. We're hopeful that we'll be seeing more shows at this beautiful building soon. 

DIME also had free crafts for First Friday attendees. We tried our hand at embroidery. 

Paschall bar hosted a listening party for Midlake's upcoming album. We checked it out and were pleased with what we heard.

We found out that our breakfast taco dealers, La Estrella, serve some delicious menudo on Saturdays and Sundays. We suggest grabbing a bowl next weekend. 

The "Photographs of Denton" exhibit at UNT on the Square features the work of many photographers and their viewpoints of Denton. We highly suggest checking it out. Heck, it is free, afterall. 

While we haven't been inside in a while (sorry, Mike). The exterior of El Guapo's caught one reader's eye on their way down to DIME for First Friday last week. It's a great walk from the square, if you haven't tried it yet. 

We had reason to head south on the train this weekend to check out Delta Spirit as part of Untapped. It made us all the more anticipated for Canned, which will be here before you know it.