Jews and Catholics, Martin Berger and the Photography of the Civil Rights Era, and The Olio

Jews and Catholics

“Winston-Salem's face-melters. Brain splattering upright bass meets fuzzy frantic guitars at car chase rhythms with vein burst vocals.” Those are some of the words that have been used over the years to describe the highly unique Winston-Salem band Jews & Catholics. Independent Weekly says the band channels everything from The Ex and Mission of Burma to Sonic Youth and Archers of Loaf, melding it all with memorable, slightly agitated melodies.

Jews & Catholics played their first gig together on May 15^th 2005, and the duo (and later trio) have been giving 110%, wringing every last drop of sound out of their instruments for audiences ever since. For the past decade guitarist/singer Eddie Garcia and upright bassist Alanna Meltzer-Holderfield have been conjuring up a seemingly endless list of musical styles and song structures, and pairing them all with hooky melodies that invariably come with a twist. 

After 10 years on and off the road, recording critically acclaimed albums, and energizing crowds all across the Southeast, Jews & Catholics are ready to pursue new projects on their own. So today we look back on two of their most recent releases beginning with an interview with Eddie and Alanna that David recorded from April of 2010 just ahead of the release of their much anticipated album "Who Are? We Think We Are!" It was produced by the legendary Mitch Easter, and at that time, Jews and Catholics were still the duo of Eddie Garcia & Alanna Meltzer-Holderfield and drum machine.

After that, it's an interview from 2013. That year, Jews & Catholics  followed up the album Who Are we Think We are with the release Civilized. This time recording with Ryan Pritts, the duo expanded to a trio, incorporating the drumming of Tyler Reeder.

The band's current drummer is Jay King, and on Friday November 7, Jay will join Jews & Catholics for their final concert together. The band's unique blend of power trio rock, classical, and punk will be on full display at The Garage in Winston-Salem. It's the end of an era…Jews & Catholics will be joined by Ghost Wolves. Music starts at 9 PM and tickets are just 8 bucks. 

****

Martin Berger and Freedom Now! Forgotten Photographs of the Civil Rights Struggle

For many the civil rights movement is remembered through photographs of black protesters on the receiving end of white aggression. In his book, Seeing through Race: A Reinterpretation of Civil Rights Photography Martin Berger shares the reasons behind iconic images from that era, but he argues that blacks changed America through their action, not their suffering. His exhibition Freedom Now! Forgotten Photographs of the Civil Rights Struggle illustrates the power of black activism in driving social and legislative change. 

Berger is acting Dean of the Arts, and Professor of History of Art and Visual Culture at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Martin's exhibit Freedom Now!  Forgotten Photographs of the Civil Rights Struggle opens Monday, November 10^th at Hanes Gallery on the WFU campus. His free public lecture and reception is Monday, November 17, at 5:30pm in Scales Fine Arts Center, Room 102. 

****

The Olio and Rebeccah Byer Rush

Pablo Picasso once said "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up”. The Olio Hot Glassblowing Studio Director and Founder Rebeccah Byer Rush thinks she may have found the answer. Her Winston-Salem Mill Works non-profit is focused on entrepreneurship, community, sustainability, the arts and education. The full service glass studio and gallery offers a variety of workshops and classes as well as mentorship programs and a youth apprentice program that's near and dear to Rebeccah's heart.

The Olio's Grand Opening Celebration Weekend begins Friday, November 7^th with a 5:30 pm ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor Allen Joines. The party continues through the weekend with glassblowing demonstrations, food, live music, dancing and fun! Hoots Flea is Saturday 11-4 and The Breathing Room turns One Year old from 5-9.

http://youtu.be/wQN1-n__AGs?list=UUliwOkvVIx722IWrbBAnbeg