We’ll have snacks and beverages, and beer to slake our thirsts when we are done.

11am to 5pm on Saturday the 27th
11am to 5pm on Sunday the 28th (unless we finish early!)

Tasks include many things like – painting some safety stripes on the floor, changing door handles, improving storage, and closing up open electrical boxes. Something for everyone!

We are also in need of some items that you may have lying around:
- Commercial door hardware (must be openable from the inside, even when locked)
- Brightly colored concrete paint
- A closing all-metal cabinet for flammable liquid storage (doesn’t have to be an “official” flammable cabinet)
- Material for a drywall patch
- 2 fire extinguisher “hangers”

Phoenix Asylum’s 2nd Fridays Art Openings are designed to provide artists and performers with a venue in which to showcase their art and to provide you, our community, with a rich artistic and creative experience. The Phoenix Asylum has a strong vision around providing this experience to a growing audience.

Which is why, with saddened hearts, we have decided to cancel this month’s Circus of Love 2nd Friday event, previously scheduled for February 12.

We have set a high bar for ourselves, and high standards sometimes come at a cost. As part of our effort to ensure that these events happen safely and legally, we have applied to the City of Boulder for a Special Events license to cover the next several 2nd Fridays events. This application triggered a property inspection that included five (!) city officials.

Given the age of our building and the types of activities that have been historically held there, we have been informed that we have some work to do to bring the space up to code for the types of activities we wish to conduct. In order to protect the long-term vision of our space and maintain a positive working relationship with the City, our strategy is to complete the work on the space before holding additional events. Suffice it to say, that we have learned from the experiences of NIMBY in San Francisco!

We sincerely apologize to you and to our artists and performers for the last minute notice. This situation came to our attention and a decision was made within the past 48 hours. Many of our artists have worked hard to prepare for this show, so we welcome any suggestions on other venues in Boulder looking for artists. We want to help make this right for the participating artists.

Keep reading for more information on what we need to accomplish in the space and how you might be able to help.

We have a few tiers of work to do. First, we will tackle some simpler issues which will give us a clean slate for continuing with the activities of an artists’ workshop. These include such items as:

–Having the electrical work (which appears to have been strung together over the course of decades) inspected, repaired and approved by a certified electrician. If you know of any Master Electricians who would be sympathetic to our cause (and bank account size), please let us know!

–Reconfiguring some of our storage areas to account for safety around electrical boxes

–Rework some of the details of the loft and stairs

–Properly mount our fire extinguishers to the wall

–Switch the door handles on our doors as well as the direction in which one of the doors swings.

We plan to announce ongoing work parties to accomplish these tasks as quickly as possible. Please check back regularly and feel free to stop by to lend your support. We will need all the help we can get.

Second, we will evaluate and create a plan for improving the space so that is up to the level necessary to hold the style and size of events we plan for future. We are awaiting lists from the City as to what improvements will be needed under such a plan. But, to give you an idea of what we may be looking at, it may include items such as:

–Upgrading the bathroom and adding an additional room. If you know a certified plumber who may be willing to help us with such a project, please let us know!

–Altering the doors to the property

–Significant investments of time and money.If you know of any philanthropic-minded arts lovers, now would be the time for an introduction!

We feel very honored to have such a resourceful and creative membership and community. So, while this is a minor setback, we are confident that the Phoenix Asylum will continue to burn brightly in everyone’s future. Stay tuned here for more information and updates on our progress.

Much Love,
The Phoenix Asylum Inmates

Time:

Come at 6:00 for networking and to grab a drink.  Films start at 6:30

Series Designers:

Terry Welty and Caroline Kert

Have an idea for the next film series?  Contact Caroline at carolinekert AT yahoo DOT com

1)  January 31

6:30 Kill Bill Vol. I  (2003)
8:30ish Kill Bill Vol. II (2004)

Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece is a stylistic homage to his personal favorite genres: kung fu, samurai, spaghetti westerns, exploitation, and revenge films.  The Bride, Uma Thurman, has been horribly wronged.  Join her as she seeks revenge against a gang of trained assassins.

2)  February 21

6:30  Let the Right One In (2008)  Swedish, with English subtitles

The Best Coming-of-Age-Vampire-Movie. Ever.

Austere and frozen–all the best things about Sweden.  Is 12 year-old loner Oskar’s new next door neighbor really a vampire?  And, will she be his girlfriend?

8:30ish Mulholland Drive (2001)

Caroline’s pick for best film of the decade earned David Lynch the Cannes Film Festival’s Best Director Award.  A dark, erotic, innocent, bright journey into…um….yeah.  You figure it out.

Packed with memorable scenes and amazing performances, including a career-launching performance from Naomi Watts.

3)  March 14

6:30  Memento (2000)

Terry’s favorite film of the decade.  The perfect example of using the design precept “form follows function” as it relates to film.  Will Leonard (Guy Pearce) get revenge against his wife’s murderer, despite being unable to remember new clues for more than a few minutes at a time? Forget “Dark Night” (our main character will), this is easily Christopher Nolan’s best film.

8:30ish Lady Vengeance aka Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005)  Korean with English Subtitles

This final installment in Park Chan Wook’s vengeance trilogy stands alone (as the trilogy is thematic, not based on characters or plot).  Stunning visuals and breathtaking use of color.  Not for the faint hearted.

Caroline