CUTE AS A PUP
Hey kids, wanna see something sexy, while benefiting a good cause? Check out the Pin-up Project (or what I like to call the PuP). The PuP was the brainchild of Albuquerque musician Eva Blaylock, who, along with her friend, former New Orleanian Samara Alpern, figured the hottest way to help victims of Hurricane Katrina would be through, uh, showing a little booty. Not just any booty, mind you, but the booties of 12 northern New Mexico ladies who are involved in the music scene-singers, band members, DJs-specifically, by creating a pin-up calendar with their images, all dolled up in teasing burlesque gear.
"Samara kind of spearheaded the project," Blaylock tells me in a recent phone conversation. "She lived in New Orleans, went to school there and came back in the wake of Katrina. She volunteered
with Common Relief, came back and she wanted to think of way to increase help and the was this idea. It just kinda snowballed."
Now, one might have political opinions about such an endeavor, but I can tell you this: The calendar is beautiful, glamorous, tasteful, generally well done. It's an exercise in playful fun rather than gratuitous skin-showing (all courtesy of photographer Emily Nash).
Which is not to say it's not hot.
Eleven of the calendar ladies are Albuquerque-based. Santa Fe's lone representative is none other than DJ Miss Ginger, who holds down the ones and twos at the monthly queer party U-Haul, as well as occasional forays into Madrid at the Mine Shaft and special events at High Mayhem. Lest you think that the City Different got shortchanged in its representation, you should know, Ginger is the cover girl for the calendar.
The other featured girls are Giovanna Alexis of Hit By a Bus, GoGo Destruction of Creepshow, Ashley Ek of Ki, Shannon Mullen, Rachel Lujan of Romeo Goes to Hell, Laura Marrich of The Gracchi, Antonia Montoya of Sin Serenade, Jonise Orie of Feels Like Sunday, Juliet Swango of The Foxx and Ella Vader of Unit 7 Drain.
As far as continuing calendar production for years to come, Blaylock tells me that's up in the air. "We've discussed it," she says. "It's a really big undertaking, but I'm definitely talking with other girls from other bands who weren't highlighted in this one."
In Santa Fe the calendars are available at Back Road Pizza (1807 Second St., 955-9055). There's also talk of having a premier party there, featuring Ginger and some of the other monthly ladies, so I'll keep you posted. Meantime, check out Blaylock playing bass and singing in her band PAN!C. The exclamation point, she says, is "cuz it's loud and raucous." And go to
www.myspace.com/nmrockspinupcalendar
for more PuP details. Or call Blaylock at 505-480-8598.
SPEAKING OF...
…loud and raucous, don't forget to go early to the burning of Zozobra to check out the lineup of local bands slated to play. Of course, Old Man Gloom's demise is always the main attraction, but it always fills me with pride to hear our little ol' favorite groups stretching their wings-and vocal chords-playing to tens of thousands of folks. Sol Fire, Amazing Larry, Ana Maria y Sangre Latino and Toast will be featured, but, for sheer energetic freak-out, my money's on Felonious Groove Foundation. This is a group that should really put, uh, a fire in your belly. The band plays a brand of almost California funk, much like the old Chili Peppers.
DJ MITOTE
For those of you wondering where the hell DJ Phylli's been, wonder no more. After holding down the fort for a bit at U-Haul, then receding from the music scene, Phylli will hit the decks again at Alegria's official grand opening (9 pm. Wednesday, Sept. 6. No cover. 2797 Agua Fria St., 471-2324). Melanie Moore, meantime, has a new Thursday night gig at Swig. Moore's really grown on me the past couple of years; even though, as we all know, I am not a particular fan of house, her selection is deep and smart, simultaneously laid-back and hardcore. I highly recommend checking it out (9 pm. Thursday, Sept. 7. No cover. 135 W. Palace Ave., 955-0400). Finally, the definitely laid-back Dj Dynamik returns this month to the Sleeping Dog Tavern (10 pm. Friday, Sept. 8. No cover. 114 W. San Francisco St., 982-4335). Dynamik's an SFR fave, due mainly to his impeccable taste in old soul, funk and hip-hop.