SUNDAY August 1st 6:30-8:30PM
Come to the Soundry’s Monthly Media Swap to exchange and discuss your favorite books, records, movies, films, comics, and whatever else you can think of!  If you want your item back, include your name, phone number and email somewhere on the item.  Caution: don’t bring your only signed copy– the most careful borrower is bound to make mistakes.

Great conversation, great people and great free stuff!!

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY!
SWAPPABLES:
* BOOKS           *DVDS         *ART SUPPLIES

*RECORDS      *ARTIST TRADING CARDS

*COMICS          *ART      *POETRY     *INTERESTING ODDITIES

THIS SATURDAY AT THE SOUNDRY

SEE gymnastical feats of athletes elastic, the fantastical works of artistes iconoclastic, at a bicycle blow out incomparably bombastic;

that’s right ladies and gents, boys and girls,

It’s BIKETASTIC!

We invite you, free of charge to the non-profit bicycle benefit of the season, supporting international non-profit organization Bikes for the World.  Since 1995 Bikes for the World has shipped over 47,000 bikes to non-profit partners in Africa and the Caribbean for “low-income farmers, small-business people, and students, as well as salaried and volunteer community health, literacy, and agricultural extension workers.”*  Helping people get to work, school, and providing cheap transportation in health services, Bikes for the World is an exemplary organization; we are honored support.  Can’t get to the opening? Click here to make a donation.

But don’t forget the artists; in the Soundry’s Gallery you will find nearly 70 works of bicycle inspired art.  Some notable examples are Lisa Wagner’s brilliant freeform weaving utilizing the (inner tubes) of Bicycle tires. Lisa is a 3rd generation fiber artist, (inspired) by the show to venture into mixed media.

Also on display will be a truly unique collage, the result of a blind collaboration by (7?) different artists; what exactly is a blind collaboration?  A mystery picture was split into 7 blocks and given to 7 different artists, each of whom completed their part with no knowledge either of who the other artists were or what the larger picture was.  The finished piece is an eclectic, one of a kind work representative of the conceptual and aesthetic aspects of cycling as seen though the lens of art.

And just in case, allow us to tempt you with a HID Model Niterider bike light for raffle and a ten dollar off certificate from spokes for each five dollar ticket.  And don’t forget the Auction Items– we’ve got something for everyone, from a one hour bicycle riding evaluation with recommended adjustments courtesy of Synergy Fitness Training, to a design consultation with Commonwealth Home Remodelers, Inc., to the ever desirable 1 month Soundry membership.  Not only this, but the lovely ladies of the Syn-fit Bicycling Team will be modeling at the in-show Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-art School session, so bring your pencil and sketchbook and remember, it’s all for the benefit of Bikes for the World, folks.

In the words of our current partner in art and director of Bikes for the World, Keith Olberg, “Biketastic celebrates cycling culture and that the DC cycling community has an extraordinary future which efforts like Biketastic, Bikes for the World, Phoenix Bikes, WABA, Potomac Peddlers and so many other groups are forging.” We’ll take care of the culture today, Keith, but the extraordinary future is in the capable hands of Bikes for the World and the other organizations coming together in support of it, at Biketastic and all over the world.

Here are a few of the remarkable groups supporting a cleaner greener world through their love of Bikes:

Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA)

Fairfax Advocates of Better Bicycling (FABB)

Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT)

Phoenix Bikes

GMU Bicycle Village

Potomac Peddlers Touring Club

And of course, reader and prospective attendee, your support is what makes this benefit possible, so have a Biketastic day!

* “Who We Benefit.” Bikes for the World. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 July 2010. <http://bikesfortheworld.org/
     index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29>.

Welcome, gentle reader, to The Amplifier, a new incarnation of the Soundry blog wherein you will find chronicled the oddity, spectacle and charm that make The Soundry so remarkable. Please, settle in, put your feet up, and let me tell you about a little place in old town Vienna.

Have you ever wondered where artists go to see art? Where poets go to hear poetry? Where musicians go to hear music, or where baristas go for coffee?  Wonder no more; you’ll find them all here at The Soundry. An oasis for the parched artist and lover of art, The Soundry boasts a studio space, a gallery, a stage, screen printing facilities, a gourmet cafe, and a constant flow of shows, weekly and special events, classes, and three flavors of open mic.

What people notice first, and remember later, is the remarkable atmosphere of the place.  Walking in is like entering another hidden world, as can only be expected of an arts incubator in a building that formerly functioned as an auto body shop.  The strong sense of all-accepting community is renewed daily by the amazing and often bizarre people and  strange spontaneous events.  Still, visitors say, at the core the place is a spirit of easygoing fun.

After dropping by a few times, people will often say;  some one should write a book about this place–  a play, a movie!.   Where is the record of this extraordinary and ever-changing place?

It starts here.

It is the mission of the Amplifier to capture the eccentric essence of day to day life at The Soundry– and we choose to accept it.  If you have any ideas, want to submit an article, send them our way, or just come up to me and chat.   I’m Allison, the newest member of the blogging team, and I’ll be leading the effort.  Most evenings you can find me in the cafe typing away, snapping photos, working on mixed media art, or knitting.  I look like this:
portrait by Soundry member Elizabeth Reid

Come, take my hand and together we will embark on a magical journey through marvelous Art-i-corn stables, the grand temples of the mad monks of melody and counterpoint, and even unto the highest Soundry Staffers in the land, Thor, philosopher king of the Peaceful Mountain, and his beautiful Warrior Queen, Jen the Berserker.

I mean, Watch this space for features such as Character Sketches depicting the wide variety of Soundry folk, The Cafe Today for the latest on what we’re dishing up, Found Art for studio doodles and other oddments, Soundry challenges whereby you, yes YOU, can win a free coffee, and more interviews, quotes and pictures than you can shake a stick at.

Tune in next time for all these wonders and more, Right here at The Amplifier.  Thanks for reading– see you at The Soundry.

On Saturday Jolene Sugarbaker came into the Soundry for a visit! How pleasant! Check it out in this video clip she provided:

Check out more from Jolene here!

The Soundry has a lot to offer the creative subculture. Please review our membership options and consider joining the most exciting thing happening in Northern Virginia.
F*CK THE MACHINE MEMBERSHIP: You create. You need to be here. This membership gives you access to a our thriving society of creatives who are allergic to corporate culture. Perfect for visual artists, DIY-ers, Indie Crafters & Designers. No suits allowed.  CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Monthly: $99

Annual: $600

*unlimited access to shared studio

*plenty of art show opportunities

*members get wall space inbetween shows

*solo shows for those who are ready

*members can sell handmade items in our “store” throughout the year

*teaching privileges

*free wi-fi

*Coffee Bar on site serving micro-roasted espresso, smoothies, teas, Topless Bakery pastries, sandwiches and more.

*25% discount on classes

*invitations to members-only events

*members-only discounts & newsletter

*network and collaborate with other artists

*get exposure! The Soundry is open everyday from 8am-1am. What other art space is open 17 hours a day?

*Members can run a monthly tab in our kick ass coffee bar

CREATIVE ECONOMY MEMBER: A membership for the creative workforce that typically work from home. Bring your lap top into our studio and spread out in an inspiring space. Free wi-fi and meeting room available. Even a whiteboard!  A great way to get out of the house or traditional stale office environment. Perfect for Web developers, graphic designers and bloggers.  CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

*$5o per month or $500 annually

*studio access Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

*ability to reserve a meeting room for client and business meetings

*Free wi-fi

*Teaching privileges

*Keep a monthly tab in the coffee bar

*business profile on our website

TEACHING MEMBERSHIP: For those creative creatures who just want to teach and need a regular space, this membership is ideal.   CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Cost: $25 per month

*use of The Soundry classroom, chairs, tables and wash sink for art/craft/creative  classes.

*Soundry will provide web-based sign up form and link, shared spreadsheet to track your classes

*Classes are posted on our website with professionally designed graphic

*Classes are marketed to our Facebook group, Twitter & other social networks.

*Classes are marketed to our Constant Contact list through a professional newsletter that is sent to over 1,000 people.

*Teachers get 60% of class fees

SOUNDRY FRIENDSHIP MEMBERSHIP: BY POPULAR DEMAND! For supporters of The Soundry who don’t live close enough to take advantage of the space on a regular basis, but participate in art shows and events. For people who love us for who we are and who we aren’t.  CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

*$75 annually

*Waived submission fees to all Soundry art shows

*25% discount on classes

*Members-Only specials & discounts on drinks and events

*Feel good knowing you are supporting a scrappy indie art space in Northern Virginia

*Member Newsletter