VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

Music takes center stage at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston’s Steel Lounge Underground, September 25, 2009, 8-11 p.m.

This month’s Steel Lounge Underground is going to spill over with music. Helping celebrate Premium Goods 5th anniversary, Steel Lounge presents an amazing musical lineup of The ARE, Jaekim, Baby Jae of the Kracker Nutzz, and the band Neon Collars .

Presented with DJ Pooks and Josh Zulu, Steel Lounge Underground showcases Houston’s diversity and talent by bringing together musical artists representing a variety of genres and attracts an audience representing all walks of life. During the event, the audience is free to explore the exhibitions on view while enjoying the music. There is no charge for admission; cash bar. For your free Premium Goods swag bag, visit www. premiumgoods.net.  

About the Musical Artists

The ARE (Russel Gonzalez) is a producer/DJ from Houston, who’s produced records for talents such as Keyshia Cole, Lil’ Kim, Beenie Man, among others. A big record collector, he’s been producing/djing for about 17 years, and collects/specializes in funk, soul, hip hop, and more. He’s also part of the legendary production team Trackmasters out of NY (Notorious B.I.G, Nas, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, to name a few).

DJ Baby Jae is "The Infamous Party Rocker." An award-winning radio personality, turntablist, producer, performer, and co-founder of The All Mighty Kracker Nuttz, Baby Jae has been behind the turntables since the age of 11. His innovative style has made him one of the most respected and sought-after DJs in Houston over the last decade. Dance/house, reggae, funk, soul, Latin, and rock—all genres are covered from A-Z. Creating his own sound by seamlessly mixing and remixing, sampling, looping, scratching, and beat juggling—all live—Baby Jae is more than your average DJ. He's a performer.

Jaekim describes the sounds he loves as “The Sun, Moon, and Stars coming together in unison, to enjoy the sounds of chaos and order, simultaneously!” With influences too numerous to name, Jaekim credits MA & POP for his music-loving ways. Formerly known as DJ Theory, he worked with DJ Sun on the Soular Grooves radio show. “Mi, sampling percussion, Mai Self on keys & controllers, and Eye Ay Yai-Yai on turntables” combine together to form the one and only Jaekim.

Just categorize Neon Collars as music and that will give you the best idea of what you're in. From rock, soul, funk, jazz, and swing, layered with electronic sounds, to Latin-inspired grooves and blues bass, this addictive band is one that goes straight to your soul. Their sound is vintage, it's international, it's fresh, it's solid, yet risky. The band is Franchelle Lucas, lyricist; Denis Cisneros on all things strings; Carlos Conway, serving out bass to cure the masses; Ikechi Ojore, rhythmic expressionist; Eddie Moore, amusing ears with 10 note chords; and Justin "8months" Lewis, master of production. Dramatic lead guitar riffs, haunting vocals, fancy drum patters, soulful keys, and captivating production, Neon Collars wants you to feel the music.

About Premium Goods

Since October 2004, Premium Goods has set the trend for what to wear in limited edition and hard to find sneakers and urban inspired clothing. Located in Rice Village and winner of the Houston Press ‘Best of’ Awards (Shoe Store) two years running, Premium Goods has introduced Houston to brands like Creative Recreation, Crooks & Castles, and exclusive lines like Euro Puma, Adidas Consortium, and Nike Quickstrike just to name a few. In tandem with its sister store, located in Brooklyn, New York, Premium Goods is one of the most unique and exciting shopping experiences for novices just starting their collections and aficionados in the sneaker know.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Free from the land-use and zoning ordinances that shape other large American cities by separating residential, commercial, and industrial areas, Houston allows a mixed-use approach where disparate architectures and functions blend. In this often chaotic, jarring urban topography, many Houston artists have been able to carve out spaces and opportunities for themselves, their work, and their communities. No Zoning: Artists Engage Houston is the first museum exhibition to consider the current and past efforts of regional artists working in the urban environment. Through October 4.

Jason Villegas’s installations combine wall murals, video, soft sculpture, and performance. For Perspectives 167: Jason Villegas, the artist debuts a new site-specific installation created for the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston to mark his first solo museum exhibition. The installation, Invasive Species, is an extension of Villegas's ongoing narrative regarding the lifecycle of luxury goods and the ecology they create, from the factories that produce them to the beneficiaries of American aid in the form of exported bulk clothing goods. Through November 1.

STEEL LOUNGE UNDERGROUND SUPPORT
September’s Steel Lounge Underground is sponsored by Premium Goods. Steel Lounge Underground would like to especially thank DJ Pooks and Josh Zulu of Soular Grooves (www.soulargrooves.com). Listen to Soular Grooves every Saturday night from 9:30 PM to midnight on KPFT 90.1 FM.

Wine generously provided by HobNob.