10.31.2007 4:00 pm

Black Diamond Heavies team up with SCOSAG Friday at Lucas

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Despite the headliner’s name, it will be a bright and colorful night at the Lucas School House this Friday night. The Black Diamond Heavies (read my previous interview here) will play in support of the South City Open Studio and Gallery for Children (easier name: SCOSAG.)

The children’s art school, located in Tower Grove Park, is holding its annual Harvest for Art event.

Four bands will play the stage upstairs: The Heavies, Palookaville (with Bob Reuter and SCOSAG founder Jenna Bauer), Firedog and Jessica Butler and the Usual Suspects.

I talked with SCOSAG Executive Director Carolyn Simon about the event over some killer Blues City Deli sandwiches.

âThe artists are mostly Wash U. affiliated,” said Simon, who has a BFA in print making from Washington University. âTom Huck is definitely our headliner. He donated a beautiful piece called Playland. It’s a two by three foot wood cut that’s one of his most family friendly pieces, that’s probably why we got it.”

Patrons will bid on seven pieces of artwork by Huck, Belinda Lee, Lisa Bulawsky, Brandon Anschultz, Tom Reed, Milton Holmes, and Bauer.

Celia Shacklett, also of Firedog, will MC the event and sing songs that were written by SCOSAG summer campers throughout the night. Shacklett also teaches a children’s music class at the studio.

âThe zombie songs seem to be most popular,” said Simon, who was named Director in September after Bauer decided to move on to spend more time on her art. âThe kids write sweet songs - you know, songs about friendship, rainbows and zombies.”

Simon hopes Harvest will help her attain her goal of establishing the studio in the community, sort of like a COCA for the south side.

âThe immediate goal is to solidify the organization and look for more marketing avenues. We’d like get more involved with the city and vice versa,” said Simon. âWe have a really solid board with very invested and dedicated people who like to roll up their sleeves and get dirty!”

At the event, there will be DIY T-shirt making and student pottery for sale. Appetizers by L’Ecole Culinaire will be served and Bombora Vodka will be pouring free drinks to promote their brand

As a unique add-on, VIP ticket holders will receive a live CD of the concert to be mailed after it’s produced.

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Harvest for Art

Lucas School House, 1220 Allen Ave. at Allen & Gravois

VIP Doors at 6 pm, general doors at 7 pm, music starts at 8:00 pm

$20 ($40 for VIP) sold at the door or call 314-865-0060 or email scosag@gmail.com

or in advance at the Lucas box office.

SCOSAG’s second Fall session runs from November 5 to December 17: http://www.scosag.org/Classes/

Band Links

BDH: www.blackdiamondheavies.com

Firedog: www.myspace.com/hityourmark

Butler: http://www.saucemagazine.com/article/9/21

Palookaville: http://www.myspace.com/bobreuter