THE DEN10: JULY 30th 2014

This is our third Polar Vortex this year. How could we be so lucky? This one perfectly coincides with First Friday on the square which will no doubt be quite an event on our courthouse lawn. Make sure to hit the out of the way places like The LABB and The DIME Store for their special events. Don’t forget to tag your photos and make every second count because this thing we call summer is about to start wrapping up and before you know it, we’ll be stranded in our homes during finals week during the next Polar Vortex. It’s hard to complain, though.

Questions and comments may be directed towards glen@wedentondoit.com

Wednesday, July 30th
Flesh Born / Lyed / Anti-Patterns / Otters / TEDS | Macaroni Island | 8PM
No Jerks.

Thursday, July 31st
Moonbather / Milezo / Blessin’ | Rubber Gloves | 8PM | $5

Friday, August 1st
Marionettes Et Musique | The LABB | 8:30PM
On your First Friday cruise of the square PLEASE someone go check out this “evening of puppet shows and music”. Live music from voltREvolt, Jordan Batson and Cory Coleman. Also, there will be puppets. So c'mon. 

Summer Standoff | The DIME Store | 6PM
Think Wassail Fest except Lemonade and then add un-killable felt succulent plant making and you’ve got yourself a true near-end-of-summer party.

The Lead Pipes / Work In Progress / The Mothers / Jordan Higginbotham / Nils Mossblad | Amitea | 6PM
Get your fill of free teaccinos and live music plus special deals on selected merchandise. Has it really been 2 years since this place on North Locust opened? 

Dome Dwellers / Chase and Ryan Grave / Earnest Matthew / Devils in The Belfry | Andy’s Bar | 8PM

Saturday, August 2nd
Denton Community Market | Denton County Historic Park | 9AM - 1PM
If ever there was a Saturday to hit up the market for some goat soap and beef jerky, now’s the time. The weather should be moderate and this is a perfect place to people watch while sipping on your Coffeewright after picking up some fresh, local tomatoes from Cardo’s.

Monday, August 4th
Daniel Markham / Micah Schnaabel of Two Cow Garage | Dan’s Silver Leaf | 8PM | $7

Tuesday, August 5th
Joy Sores / Estates / Serious Shit | Macaroni Island | 8PM
No Jerks.

A HAVEN FOR HOUSE SHOWS

By Danielle Longueville 

Denton’s thriving “keep it local” culture continues to show its bountiful beauty to current residents and visiting outsiders (tourists, if you will) through a variety of individual expressions, including the perpetually blossoming medium, the house show scene. You've heard us talk about this youth-focused scene before, and how some of the most progressive and exciting upcoming-bands will often be found playing at these shows. Within this DIY music scene, one will find what we like to call "house show havens," semi-private venues dedicated to providing tenured and rookie bands and artists a safe place to showcase their new material, from one garage to another. This weekend, we had the opportunity to participate in the festivities of two fresh-on-the market havens: Mooney Manor and the Tron Collective. Read on to find out more about our experiences at each of the respective house show venues. 

Mooney Manor XI: Pick Up Sticks

Practicing picking up Eerily Similar Beings from DFW.

Practicing picking up Eerily Similar Beings from DFW.

A bit of a trek outside of the roughly three mile radius that generally encompasses the House Show community, Mooney Manor is a 2-story home safely tucked behind a large field within a sparsely-populated neighborhood, prime real estate for some serious tuneage. Complete with a lukewarm keg and fog machine tomfoolery, partygoers were subjected to the loud thrashings of local bands such as Eerily Similar Beings, The Orcanaut, Forth Worth’s Vicious Firs, and the Infamists. Needless to say, we were genuinely impressed with the showmanship of each band. Their dynamic energy, speedy tempos, and improvised shenanigans between songs were the right combination fit to keep an audience from wandering into the yard in search for five minute small talk conversations. 

Interested in checking out the aforementioned bands that played Mooney Manor? Check out the links below. 

Eerily Similar Beings
http://eerilysimilarbeings.bandcamp.com/

The Orcanaut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgDj8EuT9X8

Vicious Firs
https://www.facebook.com/ViciousFirs/app_178091127385

The Infamists
http://theinfamists.bandcamp.com/

SPONSOR


Mulberry Mansion: The Tron House Party 

Machete Western will take two, please.

Machete Western will take two, please.

During our time in Denton, we have seen some rather interesting performances by pretty eclectic individuals. However, this particular shindig had everyone bent over sideways. Austin-based murder surfers, Machete Western, pulled out all of the stops to show Dentonites how to get down. There was lipstick. There was silly string. There were studded-leather flame-throwing banana hammocks. Think Rocky Horror Picture Show, but with less choreography. They had it ALL. Fellow showstoppers of Thank You celebrated their inaugural house show performance alongside Machete Western and a slew of DJs and a experimental, unnamed group at Mulberry Mansion, a rookie venue located in yet another perfect, anonymous location.  With a multi-home complex and rather large parking area, this up and coming venue is home to not one, not two, but THREE separate stage areas, which rapid switches between artists, a house show treasure. Newbie Fine Arts group The Tron Collective were responsible for this evening’s festivities and plan to continue their endeavors through a series of installments throughout the summer. Tron Collective, we are ready for you.

Interested in checking out these bands? You can hear them here.

Machete Western
http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/complete_profile/481286#!/astrochrist

Thank You
http://www.thankyou2014.bandcamp.com/

 

Danielle Longueville is a house show enthusiast, funk vocalist and self-proclaimed foodie. When she's not doing freelance marketing and band booking, she can be found tucked away in her kitchen, relishing in the glory over her latest recipe, or front and center at a local performance in support of fellow musicians. She also loves zipping around town on her Fuji single-speed and making connections with like-minded, passionate Dentonites who are eager to boost the fine arts sector that thrives within our town. 

WHAT WE DID: JULY 28th

Another week, another set of beautiful pictures. Y'all are gettin' good at VSCO. Summer in Denton is normally when the college kids leave and the town gets a little sleepy. That hasn't really proved true this summer, as we're still exhausted from all of the activity the last seven days had for us and we bet y'all are, too. 

This week doesn't look to be any quieter. Tag your photos this week with #WDDI to get included in next week's What We Did. Click on the photos to be rerouted back to the original photographer's Instagram account. 

@Lynzi et co. spying the courthouse from the rooftop of what looks to be the Texas Building. 

@Lynzi et co. spying the courthouse from the rooftop of what looks to be the Texas Building. 

Are people that buy Bell and Oak leather goods just naturally great photogs? 

Are people that buy Bell and Oak leather goods just naturally great photogs? 

How long do y'all give this graffitti? 

How long do y'all give this graffitti? 

Pebble #WDDI is the best #WDDI. 

Pebble #WDDI is the best #WDDI. 

@Mevanecek and some awesome-looking Reuben from Metzler's. 

@Mevanecek and some awesome-looking Reuben from Metzler's. 

We scoped out the newly-updated collection in the courthouse museum. More on that later this week, though. 

We scoped out the newly-updated collection in the courthouse museum. More on that later this week, though. 

The Wednesday night Social Run at Oak St. Drafthouse. 

The Wednesday night Social Run at Oak St. Drafthouse. 

Behind the scenes of the pic at the top. 

Behind the scenes of the pic at the top. 

Man, we're running a lot of pics from @Lynzi this week. Good shooting, @Lynzi. Here's an empty stage at Rubber Gloves. 

Man, we're running a lot of pics from @Lynzi this week. Good shooting, @Lynzi. Here's an empty stage at Rubber Gloves. 

Mmmmm Ravelin. We're partial to the chocolate almond croissants, but will eat just about anything we see. 

Mmmmm Ravelin. We're partial to the chocolate almond croissants, but will eat just about anything we see. 

More fun street art. This time from @ChristianBlues. @exploredenton is a fun tag to search on Instagram if you haven't already done so. 

More fun street art. This time from @ChristianBlues. @exploredenton is a fun tag to search on Instagram if you haven't already done so. 

Hoochie's had a soft-opening at their new location on Saturday. We stopped by and had some beignets and oysters (pictures).

Hoochie's had a soft-opening at their new location on Saturday. We stopped by and had some beignets and oysters (pictures).

On our little museum tour we got to check out a storage room with a bunch of antique guns on loan from UNT's collection. 

On our little museum tour we got to check out a storage room with a bunch of antique guns on loan from UNT's collection. 

We already had the white gloves on before going into the museum. 

We already had the white gloves on before going into the museum. 

Flowers from Doves on Gardens purchased at the Community Market by @DentonKate.  

Flowers from Doves on Gardens purchased at the Community Market by @DentonKate.  

The side of one of our favorite taco places in town. La Estrella has lots of awesome murals at their location on McKinney St. The Dallas Observer actually did a story on La Estrella last week that you can read here. 

The side of one of our favorite taco places in town. La Estrella has lots of awesome murals at their location on McKinney St. The Dallas Observer actually did a story on La Estrella last week that you can read here. 

FRIDAY VIDEO THREESOME - July 2014

Every Friday that falls on a day that is a prime number when two is subtracted from it, we like to highlight three videos that deal with Denton. Anyway, click through for newest from Denton Staged, a documentary on a interesting housing development from yesteryear, and an interview with a man who claims he was a victim of police brutality in Denton. Enjoy your weekend, Denton. 

The newest from Denton Staged in which Camp David plays an acoustic tune at the corner of Fry and Hickory. 

Whitehawk Valley is a gated development just north of Denton. It was built in the 70's as a "platform to build and market zero energy affordable neighborhoods," and is still around today, but a little different. Preserve Denton recently put the above documentary from the 80's about the community on Youtube and we love it. 

Jason Wayne Bishop (also known as "Pooh") was recently arrested and is now claiming that he is a victim of police brutality. Denton Record Chronicle has the story and it involves a jailer who is currently on leave. Bishop's friends have recently created a FB page called Justice for Jason that recorded the above video interview. 

THE DEN10: JULY 23

We’re headed toward third base as far as this Summer is concerned, and we’ve finally got that 100 degree heat we’ve been waiting for so patiently. This week has it’s mix of house shows and a few things for the kiddos if they’re getting restless and are into Minecraft. Don’t forget to tag your photos and someone PLEASE take pictures of those Minecraft creations.

Questions or comments can be sent to glen@wedentondoit.com

Wednesday, July 23rd
Minecraft Live | Emily Fowler Central Library | 3PM | FREE
Kids love Minecraft so imagine the obsessive chaos that will ensue when you tell them to build a 3D minecraft world out of paper and art supplies. Had we been born after 9/11, this is something we would totally be into.

Thursday, July 24th
Wedding Jewelry: Jewish Brides | Patterson - Appleton Center for the Visual Arts | 12PM
This is the next installment of the intriguing and apropos lecture series on American Brides.

Donate Denton County Drive | Denton Bible Church 2121 Nottingham Dr | 8AM - 4AM
Serve Denton will be collecting items like dish soap, washcloths, notebook paper, lego sets and small toys to send to the unaccompanied refugee children that have fled the violence in South America. Get more info at donatedentoncounty.com.

Friday, July 25th
Mooney Manor VI: Pick Up Sticks | The Mooney Manor | 9PM
A classic house show featuring  Eerily Similar Beings, The Orcanaut, Vicious Firs and The Infamists.

10345575_547103622062677_9112179488359854703_n.jpg

Saturday, July 26th
House of Quad Saturday Night Fight Club | 222 S Mayhill Rd. | 7PM | $3
Sounds like a good old-fashioned open scrimmage. Go check out some roller derby. 

Layer Cake / Bethan / Mink Coats / Dripping Wet | Rubber Gloves | 9PM | Looks like Layer Cake is releasing an EP Cassette and this will be one of their last shows for a while (possibly ever). Great lineup on what will probably be a scorching summer night.

National Dance Day Party | North Lakes Rec. Center | 9am
So You Think You Can Dance (yes, the TV show) is hosting a national dance party complete with dancing (why not), snacks, music, games and a t-shirt cutting workshop (of course they would). Learn the moves or you’ll get voted out of the city.

Old Warhorse / Dove Hunter / Black James Franco | Dan’s Silverleaf | 9PM | $8

Sunday, July 27th
Paschall Brunch | Paschall Bar | 12:30 
A potato crusted quiche assortment with Scottish eggs, bread and butter cucumber salad and a blubbery breakfast cake for desert is the perfect way to start wrapping up this mid summer week. Smoke free and kid friendly fun at one of Denton's best bars. 

Hickoids / Dim Locator | Dan’s Silverleaf | 5PM | FREE

Monday, July 28th
Greg Cote: Real Life Friends Tour | J&J’s Pizza | 9PM

 

Post sponsored in part by the Denton County Museum in the courthouse. 

Post sponsored in part by the Denton County Museum in the courthouse. 

3 SONGS: JULY 2014

We're chiming in before the month ends with 3 Songs, our monthly column featuring three recently released tunes from local artists that we've been digging lately. Read on to get a quick glimpse into the current state of the Denton music scene for the month of July. Today, we hear from the likes of localites Layer Cake, The Holler Time and Shaheed Floww. Oh, there's some fun videos in this month's column, too. We certainly dig these tunes, and hope y'all do, too. 

There's not much we can say to emphasize how amazing this video directed by Eric Michener of Fishboy is. Let's just say that it features the ladies of Layer Cake getting threatened by the ladies of Slayer Cake with a note proclaiming, "There can only be one cake band." That, plus super powers. Oh, the song is great, too. Layer Cake is playing their last show before an indefinite hiatus this Saturday at Rubber Gloves. More info on that here. 

 

Alt-country has long been a good fit for Denton and "One Way to Know," by The Holler Time makes us want to grab a beer just as much as any other tune with keys and slide guitar. This is a fun tune with plenty of noodling and good times. 



Lastly, we have a tune called "Gold Wrist" by local up-and-coming rapper, Shaheed Floww. Floww recently graduated from Denton High School and any time there's a reference to a Spongebob Squarepants character in a rap song, we obviously take notice. 

Post sponsored in part by Crossfit 940. Visit their new location off of I-35 and get fit!

Post sponsored in part by Crossfit 940. Visit their new location off of I-35 and get fit!

WHAT WE DID: JUNE 21st 2014

The polar vortex has come and gone, but wasn't it nice while it was here? We loved having 60 and 70 degree temps in the middle of July - even if it was only for a few days. But now, we're back to steamy days and sunshine all around. We won't complain though, we'll take this over 105 degree days for two months straight. And the thoughts of those days when we were iced in to our homes last December have us doing our best to not complain. But we sure enjoyed being outside and enjoying the cool while it was here. Seems as if y'all did too by the looks of a few photos. 

Click the pics, themselves, to be linked back to the photographer's Instagram account. Remember, keep on taggin' those pics with #wddi and we'll keep posting 'em up right here week after week. 

@everydaymodish knows how to keep cool - a little soft serve from Mr. Frosty's. It almost looks like a painting in this photo. 

@everydaymodish knows how to keep cool - a little soft serve from Mr. Frosty's. It almost looks like a painting in this photo. 

@powfinger caught our favorite 'mixologist' away from the bar with his feet up. 

@powfinger caught our favorite 'mixologist' away from the bar with his feet up. 

@mulberrystcantia turned 1 last week! Who drank margaritas in celebration? 

@mulberrystcantia turned 1 last week! Who drank margaritas in celebration? 

A few of @samnoel__'s  favorite things include the city of Denton and the great people it shares. This looks like a good time, so we won't argue. 

A few of @samnoel__'s  favorite things include the city of Denton and the great people it shares. This looks like a good time, so we won't argue. 

The courthouse on a rainy day. Shot by @b_meyerdirk. 

The courthouse on a rainy day. Shot by @b_meyerdirk. 

OSDH&CP social run! Get fit Denton! This happens every Wednesday and you should go check it out if you haven't already. Photo by @awroman79. 

OSDH&CP social run! Get fit Denton! This happens every Wednesday and you should go check it out if you haven't already. Photo by @awroman79. 

Everyone loves to run! Photo by @jeremyandshelly. 

Everyone loves to run! Photo by @jeremyandshelly. 

City hall and a few overflow rooms were packed last week for the meeting over a possible fracking ban. The votes of council were cast. They decided (5-2) to not initiate the ban then and there and now we wait until November and our chance to take our voices to the ballots. 

Even cacti love the polar vortex. Especially at the home of @pastranastudio. 

Even cacti love the polar vortex. Especially at the home of @pastranastudio. 

@taylorbunch_ even caught her cat enjoying the open windows and cool breezes. That, or evilly plotting. This does kinda look like an evil cat. Good luck with that, Mrs. bunch. 

@taylorbunch_ even caught her cat enjoying the open windows and cool breezes. That, or evilly plotting. This does kinda look like an evil cat. Good luck with that, Mrs. bunch. 

@ianharber made sure to snap a shot on a double date of friends enjoying ice cream on the square. 

@ianharber made sure to snap a shot on a double date of friends enjoying ice cream on the square. 

All kinds of stuff happens on the Tuesday night bike ride... thanks for the photo of the Denton Staged productions, @anthonynajera90! 

All kinds of stuff happens on the Tuesday night bike ride... thanks for the photo of the Denton Staged productions, @anthonynajera90! 

Sanger (a small town about ten minutes north of Denton) just recently had a free splash park installed. We went on one of last week's less rainy days and scoped the place out. 

Sanger (a small town about ten minutes north of Denton) just recently had a free splash park installed. We went on one of last week's less rainy days and scoped the place out. 

@joshpiers is totally in love with his new b-day gift - a @bellandoak wallet picked out by his amazing wife.

@joshpiers is totally in love with his new b-day gift - a @bellandoak wallet picked out by his amazing wife.

Brutal Juice made it loud and awesome at Dan's. Caught in action by @dearedeker. We aren't still calling these "reunion shows," are we?

Brutal Juice made it loud and awesome at Dan's. Caught in action by @dearedeker. We aren't still calling these "reunion shows," are we?

What We Did is sponsored in part by Twisted Bodies Pilates on S. Elm near Bet the House BBQ. PIlates and yoga with a twist. 

What We Did is sponsored in part by Twisted Bodies Pilates on S. Elm near Bet the House BBQ. PIlates and yoga with a twist. 

@rowdybridges contemplates the infinite while watching birds take flight. 

@rowdybridges contemplates the infinite while watching birds take flight. 

@woolgatherdsgn spend her Sunday Fun-day making awesome stuff for her shop. 

@woolgatherdsgn spend her Sunday Fun-day making awesome stuff for her shop. 

@christianblues keeps spotting all the cool stuff Denton has hidden behind it's corners. 

@christianblues keeps spotting all the cool stuff Denton has hidden behind it's corners. 

@thepaigels munches on some Loco Cafe for lunch. 

@thepaigels munches on some Loco Cafe for lunch. 

@kelleylb, we support your need for the chicharron and La Sabrocita does it oh so well. Keep it up! 

@kelleylb, we support your need for the chicharron and La Sabrocita does it oh so well. Keep it up! 

THE NEAR-FUTURE: WEST OAK COFFEE BAR

Words and Images by Will Milne

Matt Fisher, one of the owners of West Oak Coffee Bar. Photo provided by West Oak Coffee Bar.  

Matt Fisher, one of the owners of West Oak Coffee Bar. Photo provided by West Oak Coffee Bar.  

West Oak Coffee Bar is a few months away from being open for business and there's lots about it to be excited about, but we're here to talk about one thing and that one thing is chocolate milk on tap. We went and checked out the the space earlier this week and while there wasn't too much to see yet (aside from an extremely large space filled with some cool old stuff), we did learn quite a few excited things about the coffee shop that have us pretty excited.

Beyond the wood and mural by local artist, Dan Black, that is currently covering the construction going on at West Oak Coffee Bar is a large, two-story space that has a heck of a lot of potential. Anyway, back to the chocolate milk... West Oak Coffee Bar will have many things on tap including craft beers, nitrogenated cold brewed coffee, and most important chocolate milk. 

Plans for the front. 

Plans for the front. 

When we stopped by the space, located next door to McBride's Pawn, we got the tour from Matt Fisher, one of the owners and a Lantana firefighter. Fisher is excited about West Oak Coffee Bar and hopes to have it open in October of this year. The space will be outfitted with a Linea PB espresso machine, a recent update to La Marzocco's top-of-the-line classic espresso machine. Intelligentsia, headquartered out of Chicago, will be the primary roaster featured, but expect to see lots of local roaster Bookish Coffee's beans abounding the through shop. Bookish roaster, Clay Rozell, is also a partial owner of the space. West Oak is a third wave coffee shop, so expect to see all of your favorite, artisanal brewing methods including the Kalita Wave, V60, and Aeropress at their slow bar. Aside from coffee, beer, and wine for your beverage consumption, there will be a full commercial kitchen cranking out plenty of awesome desserts that we hope to hear more about soon. 

west oak coffee upstairs 2.jpg

As far as the space, itself, goes, the design inspiration for West Oak Coffee bar is actually the very building that envelopes them. The space, which, until recently, was partially used as storage for McBride's Pawn, has seen many businesses come and go through it's doors including a shoe store at one point. West Oak plans to keep as much of the charm of the space as possible during the construction/restoration phase, including part of the original ceiling in a room upstairs and some of the signage from the shoe store. The lighting in the space is all repurposed (save for two fixtures). There will be recessed doors and a nice patio out front where the mural currently resides. 

Aside from all this, Fisher plans on turning a portion of the upstairs into a shared workspace of sorts. Featuring a communal table to facilitate meetings/networking and plenty of amenities to make the spot appealing to creatives. With the demise of the almost-open Trade community workspace last year, this could be a potential boon for Dentonites. 

There's a lot to make us excited about West Oak Coffee Bar. October better get here pretty damned quick. 

THE DEN10: JULY 16

Still recovering after the epic public hearing last night? We are too. So here’s a bunch of music and even a class on building your very own Cigar Box guitar to get your mind off things, you know, if they didn’t go the way you wish they had last night.

Don't forget to tag your pics of all your local-fun-times with #wddi to be included in our Monday post! 

Questions comments and recommendations may be directed toward glen@wedentondoit.com.

Wednesday July 16
Dana Falconberry / Fool’s Reverie / Warren Hearne | 615 Austin St. | 8PM

DDM: Street Gnar / Fungi Girls / Shy Boys / Dripping Wet / Prism Cloud | J&J’s on The Square

Thursday July 17
Narrative Film Race Kick-Off Party | Banter | 9PM   The last film race was pretty inspiring - so we urge all of the local up and coming film makers to join in on the 48 hour fun. 

We Don’t Know: The Best Funk Band in Denton, TX | Dan’s Silverleaf | 8PM | $7  Who doesn't want to get down and get funky? It's summer. 

Friday July 18
Dark Rooms / The Hope Trust / Clay Thrash | Dan’s Silver Leaf | 8PM | $8

Saturday July 19
Spiderweb Salon 2nd Anniversary Extravaganza | 1200 Ridgecrest Circle | 4PM  Supporting and creating local art since 2012. Time to celebrate all those 'zines and great live performances. 

Cigar Box Building Class | Miller Guitarworks | 10AM

Prawn / football, etc. / Two Knights | Macaroni Island | 8PM
No jerks.

Moonbather / Peopleodian / Diamond Age | Dan’s Silverleaf | 10PM | $7

Sunday July 20
DHLF Christmas In July: The Holler Time / The Days / Taste of Herb & The Holiday Lighting Orchestra | Dan’s Silver Leaf | 4PM