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This Saturday, I had a whirlwind evening attending two art openings back to back. The first started out at what used to be called “Ellie Herman Studios”, but now is Energy, Health, Strength Pilates (EHS) since it changed ownership. Nancy Myers and Tracey Sylvester decided what better way to have a new beginning than have a Grand Opening Art Party.A great event, there was appetizers of fruit, nuts, a variety of cheeses and crackers, beautifully displayed on top of Cadillac Reformers from Slanted Door, live music with bass, piano and a great vocalist from Lavay Smith Trio, and featured photographer Andrew William Schmidt and Illustrator Rob Reger of the famous Emily Strange. I was impressed how they converted the space to fit everyone. The only downfall was the low ceilings which caused the place to get very warm, very quickly.The place filled up fast with many dressed up attendees and many with kids. Don’t worry Pilates and Art Enthusiasts this won’t be the last time they throw a party. According to Nancy you can catch the fun quarterly. Here are some pictures of the event. Unfortunately I had some camera difficulties so not many came out.

My second stop was at My Trick Pony, in which I had a very informative conversation with the owner/Ring Master Matteo Tachini. If you have attended the site, don’t worry. He assured me the new and improved one will be coming out soon with much more information on the place and actual online sales of shirts.This great little spot located on 14th Street off of Church is lined with Pony Paraphernalia and white walls. Over the last 2 1/2 years it’s been open, they have had monthly art openings every first Saturday of the month. The featured artist this month is a beard fanatic, Sarina Eastman. Her collection, “Weird Beard How You Touch Me”, had many polaroids of bearded men with actual vials of hair you could purchase for $40 dollars. The other wall featured more collage pictures with yarn beards, drawings, and cut outs of beards. My favorite was the flyer and display that had the phrase written in a beard, “I wasn’t sure if I liked beards but they grew on me.”I feel the owner himself is an artist in his own way, and I must say that this would be the place to get your ever intriguing fun T-shirt ideas to come alive. With many graphics and the ability to convert your photograph to graphic drawings, this is not your cut and paste type of shirt shop.Matteo and his intern/lead clown, Mica Phelan, can get your shirt made in a day or two with only a 15 minute wait time during open hours. I think by far the coolest feature is the ability to host your own movie nights in the space and in return get great shirts made for the theme of the night for $30 a person. So check it out!