Story collection update
As some of you know, I’ve been working on a literary journalism (or creative nonfiction) collection for a year and a half or so. Just wanted to update you all on that. I recently finished a 3,800-word story about the Diplomat, a historic apartment complex in the shadow of the Strip – and my home for the last four years. Now I’m working on a story about the Blue Angel, a weekly motel on East Fremont Street – and my home for seven days in late May.
The Blue Angel story, tentatively titled “My Week at the Blue Angel,” will be about 15,000 words and, I assume, the centerpiece of the collection. I have some solid material to work with: poetic color, conversations with the tenants, an interview with Betty Willis (who designed the Blue Angel sign and sculpture). I’m really excited about this story.
Anyway, I hope to finish the story and collection in the next few months. Then I’ll continue to shop it around.
I’ll keep you all updated.
Posted: 6/23/2009 at 2:34:00 PM | Updated: 6/23/2009 at 2:41:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
ABC News tours the tunnels
Jeremy Hubbard of ABC News put together one of the better TV pieces I’ve seen on the tunnels of Vegas. Blue, a dog who lives with several folks in a tunnel along I-15, is clearly the star. Also, Hubbard plugged Shine a Light at the end of the story. Nice!
Here it is:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7298615
Posted: 4/12/2009 at 9:51:00 PM | Updated: 4/12/2009 at 9:52:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Shine a Light update
No one died during Shine a Light’s first trip into the tunnels, so we’re considering it a success.
Seriously, we accomplished at least a few things. Two groups went in five or six tunnels and got acquainted with the terrain and the people who live down there. Kristi found a kitten in an open-air channel and helped reunite it with its mom. My group, which included David, Lacey and Macheo, helped Brian – who lives deep in a tunnel near the Rio – get treatment for an abscess on his stomach. (Brian could’ve stayed in the program and gotten off the streets, but chose to return to the underworld.)
Of the 35 to 40 people we talked to in the tunnels, only a handful expressed interest in getting out. Obviously, this is going to be a challenge. But we’re forming relationships and we hope to nurture them.
We were short on bottled water and canned goods – and the homeless always appreciate nice, comfortable socks. If you can spare any of these items, please contact Fuilala Riley of HELP of Southern Nevada at 702-369-4357 ext. 238 or friley@helpsonv.org.
Posted: 3/31/2009 at 3:14:00 PM | Updated: 3/31/2009 at 3:15:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
With a little HELP from my friends
“May the Good Lord shine a light on you,
Make every song your favorite tune.
May the Good Lord shine a light on you,
Warm like the evening sun.”
“Shine a Light”
The Rolling Stones
I’ve started an organization to help the hundreds of men and women living in the underground flood channels of Las Vegas.
With apologies to the Stones, Shine a Light is a collaboration between me, HELP of Southern Nevada and its affiliated organizations. I’ll escort drug counselors, caseworkers, social workers and other specialists into the tunnels twice a month. We’ll offer water, food, clothes, blankets and other items, when available, to the people we encounter – but more importantly, we’ll offer services, including housing, drug, medical and mental-health counseling, case management and referrals.
Founded in 1969, HELP of Southern Nevada is a charitable organization that helps families and individuals overcome barriers and attain self-sufficiency through services, training and referrals to community resources. For more information on HELP, call 702-369-4357 or visit www.helpsonv.org. To volunteer or donate money or items (water, canned goods, clothes, blankets, toiletries, etc.) to HELP, contact Fuilala Riley at 702-369-4357 ext. 238 or friley@helpsonv.org.
Posted: 3/23/2009 at 10:49:00 PM | Updated: 3/23/2009 at 10:51:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Lost in translation
The German news magazine Der Spiegel published a story about Beneath the Neon and the underground flood channels of Las Vegas – apparently. See, the story is in German and I’m having little luck with online translators (unless, indeed, it’s written at a first-grade level and contains several non sequiturs). So I’m posting this one for my German-speaking friends. Maybe they can read the story and let me know if the writer, Hilmar Schmundt, shit-talked me or not.
http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/0,1518,611972,00.html
Posted: 3/15/2009 at 12:52:00 PM | Updated: 3/15/2009 at 12:54:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Another Las Vegas Advisor question
I answered another storm drain-related question for the Las Vegas Advisor, the newsletter put out by Huntington Press (which published Beneath the Neon). The question was, “The Las Vegas Valley is prone to flash floods. Have there been instances where transients were washed out of or drowned in the elaborate storm-drain system?”
Here’s my answer:
Located in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas averages only about 4.5 inches of rain a year – but it seems to all fall at once. Indeed, the resort city has a long and ugly history of flooding. In July 1905, two months after Las Vegas was founded, a thunderstorm soaked the dirt roads and wooden storefronts and sprawling ranches. (Minimal damage was done, as there was little developed property around at the time.) A series of floods swamped stores and homes, shorted out phone and power lines and shut down roads and railroads in the summer of 1955. And a July 1975 flood swept hundreds of cars from the parking lot of Caesars Palace, closed down a section of the Strip and claimed at least two lives.
The city’s most destructive modern-day flood occurred in July 1999, when three inches of rain fell in 90 minutes. The Las Vegas and Clark County fire departments performed more than 200 swift-water rescues and the water caused about $20 million in property damage. A week after the flood, President Clinton declared the county a disaster area.
Since 1982, more than 20 people have died in flash floods in Las Vegas. A handful of them lived in the city’s underground flood channels, or “storm drains,” which now span more than 300 miles and are home to hundreds of people.
It usually happens like this: A homeless man is drunk, high or asleep in a storm drain. Thunderclouds creep over the mountains and dump more than a half-inch of rain. A wall of water ambushes the man. If he’s lucky, he grabs his valued possessions – a duffel bag, clothes, his wallet – and fights his way out of the drain or finds refuge in a manhole shaft. If he’s unlucky, he’s swept away and drowns. Randy John Northrup was unlucky. A few days after a November 2002 rainstorm, his body was discovered half-buried in the Las Vegas Wash. He was 47 years old.
Most people I’ve met in the drains have a flood-survival story. On a cold and rainy Christmas morning, Jim got washed under the Orleans hotel-casino on his mattress. Firefighters rescued Mike hundreds of feet into a four-tunnel drain … just before he was swept under New York-New York and the MGM Grand. During the July 1999 flood, Ernie was trapped in a lateral pipe under I-15 for three days without food or drinking water.
“I’ve been lucky,” Ernie told me. “I’ve been real lucky. I’ve been through three of the big ones [floods] in here. I’ve been trapped in here for days when the rain got too rowdy. I’ll tell you what, Matt. I’ve seen God. Me and God have had some long talks, buddy.”
The lucky ones live to share their stories on the street. The unlucky ones are mentioned in news briefs buried deep in the morning paper, lowered into unmarked graves in downtown cemeteries and unknown to the millions of tourists who visit the Green Felt Jungle each year.
Posted: 1/11/2009 at 11:52:00 AM | Updated: 1/11/2009 at 11:54:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options
NPR tours the tunnels
Adam Burke filed a really cool story about Las Vegas and the storm-drain system underneath the city. Check it out at:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97800190
Posted: 12/7/2008 at 3:19:00 PM | Updated: 12/7/2008 at 3:20:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Thanksgiving in the tunnels: The final chapter
It rained the day before Thanksgiving, and the holiday forecast was bleak, so I was worried our trip into the tunnels was going to be canceled … and I’d be stuck with a year’s supply of canned goods and bottled water. But when I woke Thanksgiving morning, the sidewalk in front of my apartment was dry and the sky was partly cloudy. I geared up, stuffed some final items into the trunk of my car and rendezvoused with my friends Billy, Becky and Denise.
We started at a six-barrel storm drain that burrows under Industrial Road, Interstate 15, Caesars Palace and the Strip and opens at the Imperial Palace. In a side tunnel that runs parallel to I-15, we found a campsite that was home to six or seven people and a cute dog named Blue. We gave out Thanksgiving meals, blankets and winter clothing. Billy, who once lived in the tunnel, brought Blue a can of dog food (filet mignon flavored – the good shit!). We hung out for an hour or so – talking, smoking (no, not the good shit!), watching Blue scurry about in a fashionable headlamp collar – then lugged the few remaining items back to our cars.
Our next stop was a seven-barrel drain that rolls under Arville Street, the Orleans and the Home Depot and opens onto a barren flood plain at the corner of Decatur and Tropicana. I have a history with this drain – eerie shrines, madmen who can see in the dark and even “trolls” – and my stomach was hollow as we ducked into the south tunnel. About a quarter-mile into the tunnel, we stumbled on a man, Charlie, stretched out on a cot, half-asleep. We told him we were giving out food and drinks and he asked, jokingly, for a beer.
“I knew we forgot something,” I said.
We set a Thanksgiving meal on the foot of Charlie’s cot and continued into the darkness. The ceiling dropped. The drain widened. We could see into the parallel tunnels though square cuts in the walls, known as “equalizers.” What’s behind those walls, I wondered? What’s just beyond the range of our flashlights?
Very little, it turned out. We passed a deserted camp, turned around at the flood plain (the sky had darkened) and took the north tunnel back toward the outlet. Arching ceilings black with soot … declarations of love and hate scrawled on the walls … another deserted camp (or was that a collection of debris?).
When we ducked out of the drain, it was raining – and we decided to head home. Good idea. As we climbed in our cars, the sky opened up. It was tough to see beyond the windshield wipers.
We gave Billy, who’s transitioning out of the tunnels and into public housing, some of the remaining food and clothes. A few blankets and short-sleeve shirts are all that remain in my trunk. I’ll drop them off at Goodwill next time I’m in the area.
Thanks to Billy, Becky and Denise for helping prepare the meals, donating items and being good company in those long and lonely corridors. Also, thanks to Aly and Danna for their contributions. Those skinny silhouettes with cigarette-ravaged voices sure seemed to appreciate it.
Posted: 12/2/2008 at 3:40:00 PM | Updated: 12/2/2008 at 3:42:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Thanksgiving in the tunnels: Part II
Thanks to everyone who responded to my last post and donated goods. I have plenty of clothes to take into the tunnels, but could use more bottled water, canned goods and blankets. If you can spare any of those things and can meet this week before Thursday, let me know. Thanks.
Posted: 11/24/2008 at 2:05:00 PM | Updated: 11/24/2008 at 2:06:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Thanksgiving in the tunnels of Vegas
A few of you have asked how you can help the people living in the underground flood channels of Vegas. Here’s your chance. I’m going into the storm drains on Thanksgiving to catch up with friends and bring them food, water, blankets and clothing. I try to live sparsely – as a writer, I have no choice – and I don’t have a lot of extra stuff. So if you have canned goods, bottled water, blankets, sweatshirts, sweaters, winter jackets, etc., that you can spare, please let me know. (Mostly men’s clothing is needed, but there are a few women living down there, too.)
You can drop the stuff off at my apartment (I live near Paradise and Desert Inn) or meet me at one of my haunts: the Coffee Bean across from UNLV, Rejavanate (Flamingo and Pecos) or Tea Planet at Chinatown. Or I can pick up the stuff at your work or home, if I’m in the area.
If you’re interested, message me or shoot me an e-mail. Thanks.
Posted: 11/13/2008 at 12:26:00 PM | Updated: 11/13/2008 at 12:28:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Great party!
The Las Vegas Art Museum sure knows how to throw a party. The Vegas 360 book-launch party and photo exhibit opening was well-organized, well-attended and fun as hell. The museum’s staff is professional and really took care of the photographer, writers and attendees. It was an all-around cool event.
Thanks to everyone who showed up!
Posted: 10/26/2008 at 9:43:00 PM | Updated: 10/26/2008 at 9:44:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Vegas 360 book-launch party
Early this year, shortly after resigning from CityLife, I wrote an essay for a book featuring panoramic photos of Las Vegas. The book, Vegas 360 (BrightCity Books), will be available at a launch party and photo-exhibit opening Friday at the Las Vegas Art Museum. Vegas 360 features 64 full-color photos by Thomas R. Schiff and essays by UNLV English professor Douglas Unger, CityLife staff writer David Surratt, Review-Journal special projects editor A.D. Hopkins and others. My essay runs with pictures of Caesars Palace and talks about what’s beneath the historic hotel-casino.
The Vegas 360 book-launch party and photo-exhibit opening will be held Friday, Oct. 24, from 5-7 p.m. at the Las Vegas Art Museum (9600 W. Sahara Ave. ). For more info on the event, call 702-360-8000 or visit www.lvam.org. For more info on the book, visit www.brightcitybooks.com (which is under construction and should be up soon).
Posted: 10/22/2008 at 1:55:00 PM | Updated: 10/22/2008 at 1:57:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
‘Food for Thought’ follow-up
As advertised, the “Food for Thought” benefit dinner was a really cool event. A lot of people showed up and I had a smart and inquisitive table. Thanks to Ken, Holly, Tom, Lou Anne, the other Tom, Veronica and my friend Billy (I think I got the names right) for an entertaining evening. Also, the food was outstanding.
The dinner benefited Nevada Humanities, a sponsor of the Vegas Valley Book Festival. This year, the festival will be held from Nov. 6-8 in downtown Las Vegas. For more info, visit www.nevadahumanities.org.
Posted: 10/14/2008 at 12:02:00 PM | Updated: 10/14/2008 at 12:03:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
A reminder …
The night of Oct. 12, I’m taking part in a really cool event that will support Nevada Humanities. It’s called “Food for Thought,” and it’s a benefit dinner with an interesting twist: Each table will focus on one topic, with a moderator guiding the conversation. Sample topics include: “The Xs and Os of Success,” moderated by UNLV men’s basketball coach Lon Kruger; “Drought Along the Colorado River,” moderated by Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Pat Mulroy; and “Politics in the Silver State,” moderated by author and Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith. I’m moderating a discussion titled “Beneath the Neon,” which will focus on who and what lurks in the underground flood channels of Las Vegas.
For more information on the “Food for Thought” benefit dinner, visit www.nevadahumanities.org.
Posted: 10/6/2008 at 3:22:00 PM | Updated: 10/6/2008 at 3:24:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Just joined Facebook
If you’re on MySpace and not a “friend,” please send me a request. My URL is www.myspace.com/beneaththeneon. Also, I just joined Facebook. Search for “Matthew O’Brien” and add me as a friend.
I know. I’m such a social networking whore!
Posted: 10/6/2008 at 2:58:00 PM | Updated: 10/6/2008 at 2:59:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Let’s do dinner!
The night of Oct. 12, I’m taking part in a really cool event that will support Nevada Humanities. It’s called “Food for Thought,” and it’s a benefit dinner with an interesting twist: Each table will focus on one topic, with a moderator guiding the conversation. Sample topics include: “The Xs and Os of Success,” moderated by UNLV men’s basketball coach Lon Kruger; “Drought Along the Colorado River,” moderated by Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Pat Mulroy; and “Politics in the Silver State,” moderated by author and Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith. I’m moderating a discussion titled “Beneath the Neon,” which will focus on who and what lurks in the underground flood channels of Las Vegas.
Admittedly, it’s not the most appetizing topic. And at $150, the dinner isn’t cheap. But the topic is no less appetizing than Nevada politics (thanks for pointing that out, Becky), the dinner is tax-deductible and it’s for a good cause.
For more information on the “Food for Thought” benefit dinner, visit www.nevadahumanities.org.
Posted: 9/30/2008 at 1:24:00 PM | Updated: 9/30/2008 at 1:26:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
In case you were wondering ...
Occasionally, I’m asked if it’s safe and easy to visit the art gallery under Caesars Palace. I recently answered this question for the Las Vegas Advisor, a newsletter put out by Huntington Press (which published Beneath the Neon). I’m posting the answer here, in case anyone is curious.
A: I’m asked this question regularly, but it doesn’t get any easier to answer. If I discourage people from visiting the art gallery under Caesars Palace, I feel like a hypocrite (since I still visit the gallery occasionally). If I encourage them to visit it and something bad happens – they harass the homeless, they get jumped, they drowned in a flood – I’d feel somewhat responsible. It’s kind of a trick question.
So I typically tell people to read Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas. Photographer Danny Mollohan and I explored the storm drains – spider webs, shin-high runoff, blinding darkness – so they don’t have to. Danny’s photos capture the grit, desperation and hidden beauty of the tunnels and I detail who and what is in them and why. It’s the next best thing to exploring the tunnels – and you won’t ruin your shoes.
If people have read the book and are still curious about the tunnels and art gallery, I refer them to Danny’s Flickr.com page (www.flickr.com/photos/dannymollohanphotography). It has more than 50 photos from the tunnels, many of which weren’t in the book. Also, in May, the Las Vegas Sun ran a story on the gallery; its website (www.lasvegassun.com) features pictures and videos, including an amazing panoramic pic.
Still, I realize, this isn’t enough for some people. They’ll want to see the colors come alive in person, hear their boots crunch in the gravel, smell the aerosol fumes, feel the coarse concrete canvas and taste the mildew on their tongue. That, of course, is their choice; flood-control maps are available online and Beneath the Neon doesn’t disguise tunnel locations. Just don’t tell the graffiti crews, cops, maintenance workers and madmen that I sent you.
Posted: 9/22/2008 at 1:25:00 PM | Updated: 9/22/2008 at 1:28:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Quick update
Not a whole lot going on right now. Just continuing to work on the story collection – I’ve finished seven stories and have three to go – and enjoy my free time. Reading, playing some basketball, traveling occasionally. Doing some freelance writing and editing to keep some money coming in.
Hopefully, I’ll have more to report in September.
Posted: 8/27/2008 at 11:43:00 PM | Updated: 8/27/2008 at 11:50:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Now that was cool!
A quick thanks to everyone who was involved in the panel discussion: Paco, Gary, Billy, and Ruckoh. Gary, Billy and Ruckoh, whom I assume don’t do much public speaking, were amazing! I thought they said some really interesting stuff. Also, thanks to Mike Wardle for sharing his space. Finally, thanks to everyone who attended the discussion; there were a lot of familiar faces in the audience: Tia, Laura, Chip, Cathy, Josh, Suzanne, my old CityLife co-workers Mike and Emmily, and many others. It was one of the more memorable events I’ve done in support of the book, right up there with the Decatur Book Festival.
Thanks again!
Posted: 7/21/2008 at 9:33:00 PM | Updated: 7/21/2008 at 9:35:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Panel discussion
If you haven’t checked out the exhibit and you want to, July 17 will be a good day to do it. There will be a panel discussion on life, death and art in the storm drains of Las Vegas and the exhibit will be open to the public after the discussion. It will also be a good day to buy the book. The Contemporary Arts Collective will be selling copies for $17, with part of the proceeds going to the CAC. I’ll be around to sign copies, if anyone wants one signed.
More details below:
As part of the month-long Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition, the Contemporary Arts Collective is hosting a panel discussion about life, death and art in the underground flood channels of Las Vegas.
The discussion will be moderated by local artist Brian Paco Alvarez and panelists will include Matthew O’Brien, author of Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas; “Ruckoh,” a graffiti artist who paints in the tunnels; Gary, a pencil-portrait artist who has lived in the tunnels for several years; and Billy, who moved out recently and is transitioning off the streets.
The panel discussion will start at 6 p.m. July 17 at the Arts Factory. After the discussion, Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition will be open to the public and O’Brien will sign copies of his book. Part of the proceeds from book sales will go to the CAC.
Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition provides locals and tourists the ability to explore the underground flood channels of Vegas through the eyes of Alvarez, who re-created the storm drains in the CAC’s gallery using water elements, gravel, debris and graffiti. The comprehensive exhibit includes artifacts, video with footage from O’Brien’s adventures in the tunnels, and black-and-white photography by Danny Mollohan.
Established in 1989, the Contemporary Arts Collective began as an extension of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Fine Arts, providing a venue for students to share ideas, concepts and to exhibit their work. In 1993, the CAC became a nonprofit organization to further expand the promotion of contemporary art through outstanding exhibitions featuring both local and national artists and educational programs. Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District, the CAC is dedicated to promoting contemporary art through avant-garde exhibitions and educational programs within the local arts community. The CAC is funded in part by the Nevada Arts Council, Nevada Community Foundation, the Arts Factory and benefactors, patrons and CAC members.
The Contemporary Arts Collective is located in the Arts Factory at 101 E. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 101. For membership or additional information, call 702-382-3886 or visit www.lasvegascac.org.
Posted: 7/7/2008 at 3:37:00 PM | Updated: 7/7/2008 at 3:39:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
The exhibit
Well. I have to say, I was blown away by the exhibit. Paco went crazy with it. It’s totally insane, in a good way.
Good turnout for the opening reception, too: Tia, Pj, Dahn, Mary Beth, Trinity, Joan, Josh and a bunch of other people. It was a good party.
There are a few other opportunities to check out the exhibit: the pre-First Friday opening (July 3), First Friday (July 4) and the panel discussion and book signing on July 17. Also, the CAC is open from 12 p.m.- 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment (702-382-3886).
Posted: 6/28/2008 at 10:12:00 AM | Updated: 6/28/2008 at 10:13:00 AM | Add Comments | More Options
Exhibit reminder
Paco has put a lot of work into Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition and it’s coming along nicely. The walls of the gallery have been bombed by graffiti artists who hang out in the drains, a homeless camp has been assembled, and a side room features artifacts, photos and excerpts from the book. Dude’s not messing around.
I hope you all can make it to the opening reception Thursday night and the panel discussion July 17. Details below:
LAS VEGAS – The city’s underground flood channels are the background for Matthew O’Brien’s adventures in his book, “Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas.” Now, the channels are also the inspiration for the Contemporary Art Collective’s latest exhibition opening Tuesday, June 24—Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition.
The month-long exhibit provides locals and tourists the ability to explore the underground channels of Las Vegas through the eyes of local artist Brian “Paco” Alvarez, who has recreated the storm drains in the CAC’s gallery using water, gravel and graffiti.
The comprehensive exhibit includes artifacts as well as a video with footage from O’Brien’s adventures in the tunnels, and black-and-white photography from Danny Mollohan.
The grand opening reception is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 and the pre-First Friday reception is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3.
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, O’Brien is scheduled to be on hand for a book signing and panel discussion regarding his experiences in the storm drains. Former drain-dweller Billy will also be on hand for the discussion.
Armed with a flashlight, tape recorder and expandable baton for protection, O’Brien explored the Las Vegas storm drains for more than four years. He discovered bizarre miscellaneous items, art and architecture and—most interestingly—people. His adventures in this uncharted underworld are chronicled in “Beneath the Neon,” which was published by Huntington Press in June 2007.
Established in 1989, the Contemporary Arts Collective began as an extension of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Fine Arts, providing a venue for students to share ideas, concepts and exhibit their work. In 1993, the CAC became a non-profit organization to further expand the promotion of contemporary art through outstanding exhibitions featuring both local and national artists and educational programs. Located in the heart of 18b— the Las Vegas Arts District. Today, the CAC is dedicated to promoting contemporary art through avant-garde exhibitions and educational programs within the Las Vegas arts community. The CAC is funded in part by the Nevada Arts Council, Nevada Community Foundation, The Arts Factory and benefactors, patrons and CAC members. The CAC is located within the Arts Factory at 101 E. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 101. For membership or additional information, call 702-382-3886 or visit www.lasvegascac.org.
Posted: 6/22/2008 at 11:34:00 PM | Updated: 6/22/2008 at 11:35:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Las Vegas Sun
There’s a story about the art gallery under Caesars Palace in today’s Las Vegas Sun. Be sure to check out the panoramic view of the gallery on the website. Very cool!
Here’s the link:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/27/underground-gallery/#/Graffiti/
Posted: 5/27/2008 at 1:07:00 PM | Updated: 5/27/2008 at 1:08:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition
Local artist Brian “Paco” Alvarez is putting together an exhibit based on Beneath the Neon. The exhibit – Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition – will open June 24 at the Arts Factory’s Contemporary Art Collective and run through July 24. The opening reception is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 26.
More info below:
LAS VEGAS — The city’s underground flood channels are the background for Matthew O’Brien’s adventures in his book, “Beneath the Neon: Life and Death in the Tunnels of Las Vegas.” Now, the channels are also the inspiration for the Contemporary Art Collective’s latest exhibition opening Tuesday, June 24—Beneath the Neon: The Exhibition.
The month-long exhibit provides locals and tourists the ability to explore the underground channels of Las Vegas through the eyes of local artist Brian “Paco” Alvarez, who has recreated the storm drains in the CAC’s gallery using water, gravel and graffiti.
The comprehensive exhibit includes artifacts as well as a video with footage from O’Brien’s adventures in the tunnels, and black-and-white photography from Danny Mollohan.
The grand opening reception is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 and the pre-First Friday reception is at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3.
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, O’Brien is scheduled to be on hand for a book signing and panel discussion regarding his experiences in the storm drains. Former drain-dweller William Wieland will also be on hand for the discussion.
Armed with a flashlight, tape recorder and expandable baton for protection, O’Brien explored the Las Vegas storm drains for more than four years. He discovered bizarre miscellaneous items, art and architecture and—most interestingly—people. His adventures in this uncharted underworld are chronicled in “Beneath the Neon,” which was published by Huntington Press in June 2007.
Established in 1989, the Contemporary Arts Collective began as an extension of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Fine Arts, providing a venue for students to share ideas, concepts and exhibit their work. In 1993, the CAC became a non-profit organization to further expand the promotion of contemporary art through outstanding exhibitions featuring both local and national artists and educational programs. Located in the heart of 18b— the Las Vegas Arts District. Today, the CAC is dedicated to promoting contemporary art through avant-garde exhibitions and educational programs within the Las Vegas arts community. The CAC is funded in part by the Nevada Arts Council, Nevada Community Foundation, The Arts Factory and benefactors, patrons and CAC members. The CAC is located within the Arts Factory at 101 E. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 101. For membership or additional information, call 702-382-3886 or visit www.lasvegascac.org.
Posted: 5/16/2008 at 7:57:00 PM | Updated: 5/16/2008 at 7:59:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options
Update on the second book
I’ve finished six of the nonfiction stories I’m working on for my second book. A theme has materialized: off-the-beaten-path Vegas. The stories are about strippers, prostitutes, social workers, ex-cons and transients and they’re set under Caesars Palace, in prisons, trailer parks, weekly motels and sewage plants.
I’ve written a 10-page proposal that includes a working title, synopsis, outline and bio info and I’ve sent it to a few agents and publishing-company editors. I also sent them a few of the stories.
If you know an agent or editor who may be interested in reading the proposal and some of the stories, please let me know.
Posted: 5/5/2008 at 10:47:00 PM | Updated: 5/5/2008 at 10:49:00 PM | Add Comments | More Options