Blog Archives

December 22, 2011

The Blue Moon’s 8th Annual Christmas Eve Holiday Pageant / Midnight Mass

by

The 7th Annual Blue Moon Midnight Mass ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Jason Josephes (Booker at The Blue Moon, member of the Hopscotch Boys and “Jesus” during the pageant.) took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of my silly questions about “Blue Moon’s 8th Christmas Eve Holiday Pageant and Midnight Mass” by way of electronic mail. Not if, but when you get sick of your family on Saturday night, you know exactly where your annoyed soul needs to go. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Holidays.

Jason, I have questions about the Blue Moon Christmas Eve Pageant/Midnight Mass.

Jason Josephes (JJ): I am here to answer these.

So, what’s it like portraying the “Son of Man” once a year? Have you done it for the entirety of the tradition? What can we expect from Blue Moon Jesus and Friends?

JJ: I gotta be honest with you, Regis. It gets a little tiring. You’d think being the son of God would help me pull off a successful pageant each year. Ah, but I am merely me PLAYING the son of God. Not a huge difference, if I must be equal parts frank, humble, and full of shit. But if I could be Jesus playing me instead, it would help on the “make sure this all runs smoothly” tip. Therefore, for the first and perhaps only time, I am outsourcing my Christ robe. Jesus will be played by a special guest this year. Don’t worry, it’s not Anthony Keidis.

What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened at this event?

JJ: Hard to say, but it usually involves the midnight mass. Reverend Jenkins is an old school fire and brimstone guy but even the most methodical Methodist should re-up with their pharmacist every now and again lest serotonin levels drop to the single digits. Example: here is a picture of the aftermath of the midnight mass from 2008:

To see the aftermath (more…)

December 27, 2010

The 7th Annual Blue Moon Xmas Pageant & Midnight Mass [photos]

by

Blue Moon Xmas Pageant ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

While holidays with the family can be strange, we assure you whatever went down with your drunk uncle around the family dinner table had nothing on The Blue Moon’s 7th Annual Christmas Pageant and Midnight Mass. We’ve included some of the tamer photos here, but you can see the full-set on our Flickr.

Fair warning though: if you’ve ever described yourself as a fan of traditional values or hold the idea of Midnight Mass as sacred, don’t look at these. Also, some of the photos may not be appropriate for work or for those with weak stomach.

Blue Moon Xmas Pageant ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

Blue Moon Xmas Pageant ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Blue Moon Xmas Pageant ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Blue Moon Xmas Pageant ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

December 20, 2010

Our Year in Photos 2010: Blowdog

by

justanothernightathebluemoon

Blowdog at the Blue Moon ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

The man photographed above will be leading midnight mass (as he always does) at The Blue Moon Tavern this Friday, as another one of his many alter-egos: the Reverend Darnell Jenkins.

The things I have seen him do on the Blue Moon pool table on Christmas Eve make the above picture look like innocent child’s play.

If this intrigues or excites you more than horrifies or offends, we’ll see you at The Blue Moon on Christmas Eve.

December 2, 2010

‘Tis The Season: The Blue Moon’s 7th Annual Midnight Mass & Christmas Pageant

by

Midnight Mass and Wonder Bread Communion ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

This is how Christmas Eve planning conversations start in the Simmons household these days:

Mom: [sighing with hands on hips] “Can you make it for a family dinner before The Blue Moon’s Christmas Pageant?”

After four straight Christmases at the Blue Moon, Mom’s come to the realization when I leave the warmth of her home, I head straight to The Blue Moon for what is always one of the strangest nights of the year. Because for a devoted group of orphans, misfits and local musicians, spending Christmas Eve at the Blue Moon has become as much a holiday tradition as tinsel and mistletoe. And while I’ve seen some things I can’t unsee at Blue Moon Christmas Pageants, I’ve come to think of the pageant as my second family gathering of every Christmas.

This year’s will be the 7th Annual pageant with performances planned by pageant regulars: The Donner Vixens, Jesus & Satan, and, of course, a midnight mass by the Reverend Darnell Jenkins. However, the Pageant is looking for new blood and performers to participate in this sacrilegious night of celebration and if you have anything vaguely holiday themed or extra blasphemous, The Blue Moon wants to hear from you.

And even if you don’t have some talented holiday tidings to offer the evening, if you’re an orphan or misfit looking for something to do Christmas Eve or if you need a stiff drink after dinner with the family, we hope to see you at The Blue Moon. As our Mom’s know all to well, that’s where we’ll be.

The Donner Vixens at the Blue Moon ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Midnight Mass ::: photo by Abbey Simmons

September 16, 2010

Blowdog and Sneezy at The Blue Moon

by

Blowdog and Sneezy ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

This may have been two weeks ago to the day, not that our deeply troubled and slightly traumatized minds have been keeping track, but these photos are far too … well, you’ll see, not to share.

Think Sound on the Sound just likes sweet folk harmonies and Ballard beards? Think again. September 2nd was like walking into 2007 in the best way for us. The Blue Moon was filled with old friends and favorites, some of whom hadn’t taken the stage in over a year. The night felt secretive and slightly dangerous and possibly illegal … ah, the good old days. Of course, in 2007 there were no home-made foam machines, but just as he did back then, Blowdog and his antics stole the show.

If you ever see the name Blowdog or Sneezy on any bill or attached to any band: show up, stand back and expect the unexpected to explode. And maybe, just to be safe, don’t wear your favorite shoes.

Blowdog and Sneezy ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Blowdog and Sneezy ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Blowdog and Sneezy ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Blowdog and Sneezy – Foam Finale ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

See more photos from The Terrible Twos

December 30, 2009

Our Favorite Photos of 2009: Chuck Yay-Grr

by

Dave and Holly ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

The photo’s from the Chuck Yay-Grr reunion show at the Sunset Tavern is one of our most viewed sets on flickr from this year. I’d never seen Chuck Yay-Grr, and it was still a ridiculously fun night. The pictures tell a sordid, and often times wacky, tale.

yaygrrr

Blowdog of Chuck Yay-Grr! ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

July 11, 2009

Stoic Swine at The Sunset Tonight

by

blowdogart1

Before enjoying a plethora of musical choices tonight (No Depression Festival, Robin Pecknold/Drink for the Kids at Neumos, The Ironclads & The Hands at Mars Bar, Thee Emergency for Free at The Nectar, The Pharmacy at The Comet, Mad Rad at Chapel…) I highly recommend you make your way to The Sunset Tavern to support another talented local artist, Stoic Swine.

On this blog, Stoic Swine is best known as Blowdog of the dearly departed Hopscotch Boys. His performances, which we’ve described as “part art, part felony” were confrontational, dark, abrasive, fascinating, enthralling, and totally unique. The same can be said of the artwork he creates under the name of Stoic Swine.

While I’m no art critic or historian, Stoic Swine’s pieces evoke the same sort of reaction in me as his performances as Blowdog: enamored revulsion. As Stoic Swine describes his own work, “soul in the soot, head in the ether.”  His art, like his performances, toes the line of grotesque, in a way that makes you want to see more, not less.  It is raw, honest, totemic, evocative, and I think, beautiful in it’s portrayal of the flaws and vices of man. Much like Blowdog on stage, it’s work you’ll either love or hate, there’s no middle ground. I for, one, love it. 

So does The Sunset Tavern on Ballard Avenue, which is currently hosting Stoic Swine’s latest collection, “YESTERDAY’S HERO, TODAY’S GOAT.” The artist describes his work, created just for this show at the Sunset as:

Spanning from the fumes of the room’s storied past (from shaky Chinese restaurant to a debauched sailor dive) to its present lore as one of the city’s finest rock clubs, this work was created specifically to be installed in the legendary Sunset Tavern. All portraits on display are of figures I could imagine, at one time or another, filling the Sunset with their gregarious personalities and drunken behavior as they unwittingly question life’s greater existential formalities. Hopefully no amount of their blood, sweat or ejaculate has been spared in my faithful depiction.

Tonight the bar will be hosting an artist’s reception during Ballard’s Art Walk  for Stoic Swine and his work from 6 to 8pm.

To see more of Stoic Swine’s work, check out his blog: Gift Horse Mouth

December 24, 2008

Our Favorite Photos of 2008

by

Sneezy and Blowdog of the Hopscotch Boys ::: photo by Abbey

Tonight these two will be hosting their 5th Annual Blue Moon Christmas Pageant, snow be damned and we guarantee you it’s an event worth donning snow-shoes to get to.

See more Hopscotch Boys Photos on our Flickr

December 24, 2008

Happy Holidays from Sound on the Sound

by

Santa Blowdog ::: photo by Josh

Hope you are all able to dig out of the Seattle snow and spend the holiday’s with your family and friends.

Sound on the Sound will be skiing to the Blue Moon tonight if that’s what it takes to make it to the 5th Annual Blowdog and Sneezy Christmas Pageant, and we’d love to see a few familiar faces there.

December 5, 2008

Our Favorite Photos of 2008

by

Hopscotch Boys :: Groundhog Day @ The Blue Moon :: photo by Abbey

Every once in a great while, like every 5,000 snaps, you catch exactly the moment you hoped to catch. This photo, of Blowdog from the Hopscotch Boys getting hit in the face with a can of Rainier during one of the craziest shows I’ve ever witnessed survived, is doubtlessly one of those photos.

In another year sadly filled with break-ups of a number of phenomenal bands, no loss was as great as the Hopscotch Boys. Despite going to every Hopscotch Boy show ever played from the moment I discovered the band, there wasn’t a single moment of a show or even listening to their album Sad and Lonely Eyes, that I was anything but enthralled and enamored. For me this shot is the epitome of those shows and I am proud to have caught it.