An interview with Garrett Skindell, member of the Underground Artist Association and theremin/turntable wizard for those crazy Nostromos cats.

On Friday and Saturday, April 4th & 5th the Underground Artist Association will present the second annual Bleu Cat Stew (Bleu Kats 2) at Forward Hall. The event will feature two stages of music, visual art, performance, independent films and spoken word.

John Johnston recently had the opportunity to speak with Garrett Skindell about Bleu Kats 2. In addition to his involvement with the UAA Garrett also is a member of Nostromos.

JJ: So, for the uninitiated, what is Blue Cat Stew?

GS: The Blue Cat Stew was the brainchild of a group of artists, musicians and other creative souls to try to create a showcase for the wealth of talented and creative people in Erie. We formed a loose knit group and called ourselves the Underground Artist Association (UAA) with the intention of throwing shows that combined & juxtaposed many diverse forms of expression all in one place. The model was the old "psychic deli" from when we were younger. We wanted to combine many different genres (music/art/performance art/film/poetry/etc) under one roof...last year we threw the first Blue Cat Stew... we like to call it a "Stew" because there are a lot of unique ingredients that go into it... on stage and I slide around trying to keep up.

JJ: Who is involved in this Underground Artist Association? Can anyone who wants to contribute join? Is it a collective or more like a group, operated by several individuals?

GS: Collective is a great way to describe it. The idea was to create a network by which local artists, musicians, performers, etc. had a forum to pimp their wares, so to speak. Where creative people could break into and help cultivate the scene here. The goal is to create an environment to promote the incredibly talented people in this town...there really is a glut of creative expression here in Erie...by that I mean there are more producers of music, art, film and theater than there are consumers...our goal is to level the plane.

As far as who can get involved, our aim is to be an open forum for the undiscovered to break into the scene.... or maybe, for those who want to get involved in the scene, but didn't know where to start...the Blue Cat Stew would be the place to start.

If you want to join the UAA, go to our website and click "join"... send us your email & we'll put you on our list & notify you of fellow members shows...If you have a show coming up, send us your info & we'll send a notice out to all members... right now we have a pretty impressive email list... If you want to contribute or submit your art, we are accepting digital submissions at our website, www.artgodz.com click on the "art submission" button and follow the directions...any problems? Click on "contact" and email me.

JJ: OK, now for some details..who's playing this year and when? Why don't you explain the second stage and the art, performance and poetry aspect? I'll interject here, my main interest in Blue Cat Stew has always been bringing all the mediums of art together. I feel that people, musicians included do not consider music art and it is...an expression in the medium of sound. Anyway talk about the acts this year. Also, why does UAA bring in out of town acts?

GS: Glad you asked about the second stage...I'll start there & move to the lineup after...the second stage will be just off to the right side of the main soundstage at Forward Hall...on that stage, you'll be treated to wildly diverse forms of entertainment from some of the most creative local minds in the area...all of this takes place in between the bands...Five bands each night, Friday , April 4th & Saturday April 5th...we've booked poets, performance artists, one act plays, DJs and some eclectic musical performances...

This year we are calling the event the Bleu Kat's 2...it sounds the same as Blue Cat Stew, but we're just to darn clever to let something like that slide...soooooooooooo, from now on its official...this year, its the Bleu Kat's 2.

The UAA is very proud announce this years lineup:

Friday night's headliner will be none other than LAKE TROUT!, an amazing band from Baltimore that is truly pushing the bounds of music into the future... please click on their link & check them out for they are the real deal...Lake Trout will be supported by the mighty Frog Tree Gorge Band, Joeseph Allen Popp's Wierdo Theatre, 3-Bop, and Mo Rebo...the second stage acts on Friday include our featured poet, Sean Thomas Dougherty who has appeared on the Lollapaluzza stage, Dan Wilcox on harp (think pearly gates, not harmonica), Shen & Bones (dance/performance art), and George Looney (poet).

Saturday's lineup is rockin'... New York City's very own Douglas Leader will headline Saturday's festivities...also on tap, The Witching... 5 women, infinite rock & roll featuring former Erieite, Ruby Beil on vocals, Erie's new punk rock torch bearers Black Rose Diary, the Human Being Lawnmower Experience and the Telefonics.

The second stage will be rollin'... featuring Diecaster, DJ Something Else, "Naomi in the Livingroom" a one act play featuring Sean Morgan, Kelly Rodland and Michelle Shields, Two Feet Under Productions presents "the Young American" (performance art), and Chuck Joy (poet).

We are really trying to pack a months worth of entertainment, culture & rock into a weekend at an affordable price...you can come for happy hour on Friday and never leave... and never want to... one of the other things I'm very excited to add to the "stew" this year is the participation of the Great Lakes Film Association... They have agreed to allow us to view an assortment of independent films on the stage right side of Forward Hall... The great news is, we've been granted permission to view the Academy award nominated "The Collector of Bedford Street", nominated for short form documentary film...This is quite a big deal for us...we're thrilled... plus there could be even more in the works... who know what surprises could crop up by the first weekend in April???

JJ: Now word on the street is that you received some corporate sponsorship this year...let us know about this and talk about UAA walking the thin line of taking sponsor money, which sometimes is necessary for events like this, and staying true to art. Also, was it difficult to get the Great Lakes Film Festival involved?

GS: I didn't address your earlier question with regards to why the UAA brings in out of town acts, but it relates to the sponsorship issue. The goal of the UAA & the purpose of the Bleu Kat's 2 is to promote and cultivate the local talent... but at the same time it is to attract top shelf acts to come to Erie (instead of skipping us for Pittsburgh, Buffalo or Cleveland). For if up and coming out of town acts are exposed to some of the hospitality Erie venues & Erie crowds have to offer, more will come ... and still more will want to come...and that can only be good for the area... Its a give & take situation and its far more constructive for the scene than say a "battle" of bands where half the bands that performed & kicked ass are called losers?!?!?!? where its a competition like battle of the network stars or something...rather, Bleu Kat's 2 is a collaborative effort to help unite and challenge the various genres & help support, promote and inspire each other.

As far as corporate sponsors...bring it on!!! Snapple??? you want some??? we got some...Motorola???yes, we do accept cash!!! Sponsorship won't change the content of our show, just the scope & size of what we are able to do.

The UAA will gladly accept any contribution that will allow us to continue to bring top flight art, music and culture to Erie audiences and keep ticket prices under $10...Remember, the idea is to make the connection between the medium's producers and the medium's consumers... We have to hope the consumer still has some money left in their pocket to buy someone's CD or painting or sculpture...that wont happen if they have to pay $20+ to get in the door... I am very confident we are going to reach our goals and will be able to keep ticket prices under $10 each night!!! If you are interested in supporting the UAA and would like to become a sponsor, go to www.artgodz.com, click on "contact" and email me...put "BK2sponsor" in the subject box.

Securing The Great Lakes Film Association was easier than you might think... Luckily, one of our UAA members had contacts with the GLFA and was able to secure them for the show...So it wasn't really as difficult as it would seem...I'm really looking forward to the Great Lakes Film Association's involvement in this years "stew"... these films can only add to the flavor.

JJ: Will there be any nudity involved in Blue Cat Stew or are we just hoping for the unrealistic? Also, is this all-ages? and, to piggy back on that question will there be alcohol available or is it BYOB??

GS: At this point I haven't had an opportunity to review very many pieces that have been submitted...but with all the art that is being submitted, I'm sure there will be many nudes...lets hope anyway...I'll be better able to answer that question the closer we get to showtime...but, no its not unrealistic at all, really...In fact, I'd pretty much count on it...I'm staunchly pro-nudity... I've voted pro-nudity in every election since the Carter administration.

Last year, was an all ages show due to the fact that Forward Hall hadn't received their liquor license yet...We were concerned and hung the nudes exclusively on the Stage Right side...This year, though, they now have their license, so the Bleu Kat's 2 this year will be a 21 and over event.

Now, now, now...those of you out there under 21, don't fret... the UAA has events in the works for the under 21 crowd in the future (patience, young Jedis)...Forward Hall is a very posh room...Alcohol will be available...They have two bars and plenty of view...so leave your booze at home and spend the weekend enjoying a months worth of smart, eclectic & diverse entertainment.

JJ: OK, seems like a great time. Any further comments or anything else we should know?

GS: The only thing I can add is to spread the word about the show...tell your friends...Stay tuned to Energy WERG-FM90 to hear a preview from bands like LAKE TROUT and info on the "stew"... If you know an artist, send them to www.artgodz.com and have them submit their art digitally...you can join the UAA at the same website... Support the bands and artists involved...buy a CD or a piece of art or just go to their website & sign their guest book or something...every little bit in the positive direction helps...

PlayErie.com would like to thank Garrett Skindell for taking time to participate in this interview... thanks Garrett!

Here is the official lineup with all the names of all the acts participating in Bleu Kats 2 * = mainstage, - = 2nd stage
Friday April 4th, 2003	Saturday April 5th, 2003
* Lake Trout - Dan Wilcox(harp) - Doug Lodge (movement) * Frog Tree Gorge Band - Sean Thomas Dougherty (featured poet) * Joseph Allen Popp's Weirdo Theatre - "Kingdom of Man" by: Shen & Bones (avante guard japanese dance/butoh) * 3-Bop -Cubic Hair (performance art) - George Looney (poet) * Mo Rebo	* Douglas Leader - Diecaster * The Witching featuring Ruby Beil - DJ Something Else * Black Rose Diary - "Naomi in the Living Room" (a one act play featuring: Sean Morgan, Kelly Rodland & Michelle Shields) * the Human Being Lawnmower Experience - "the Young American" (performance from Two Feet Under Productions) * telefonics