Last night we attended the grand opening of the WIRED Holiday Store 2009, which is open November 21st through December 27th both in the form of an online store as well as a physical location in Meatpacking District of Manhattan.

Welcome to the Fifth Annual Wired Store. Here, you’ll find all that’s new & next in the world of WIRED: Cutting-edge technology & design… The latest in games & gaming… Cool new music & books… Hot new gear & gadgets… Indoor & outdoor inspiration… Products to help you lead a greener life… And the opportunity to own your very own WIRED-branded stuff.

Photo Gallery: Wired Holiday Store 2009

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photo by John Curley

Santacon 2009 events are currently being planned around the world this December as Christmas approaches. Over on santarchy.com I’ve been actively tracking the cities currently being targeted for Santarchy invasions.

To get a better idea of what Santarchy is all about, here’s my 40 minute documentary on the 1996 Santacon in Portland “You’d Better Watch Out: Portland Santacon ‘96″.

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photos by Scott Beale

I’m in New York City this week and last night I went to Diggnation NYC which took place in the beautiful Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center in Midtown Manhattan. Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht recorded another great episode of Diggnation in front of an enthusiastic live audience. They had fun shooting t-shirts out into the crowd with a t-shirt canon and at one point a giant remote controlled Squarespace blimp came out and flew around above the crowd.

Photo Gallery: Diggnation NYC

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NASA invited me to the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida to attend a special NASA Tweetup (#nasatweetup) for the Space Shuttle Atlantis launch of the STS-129 mission to the International Space Station. The Space Shuttle launched on Monday, November 16th at 2:28pm EST from launch pad 39A.

Here are my launch day photos & video that I uploaded live from the press center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, which is located 3 miles from the launch pad.

As part of the NASA Tweetup, we took a tour of the Kennedy Space Center, stopping by the Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF), Apollo / Saturn V Center and ended up with an amazing visit to a close up view of launch pad 39A with the Space Shuttle Orbiter in place on the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) ready for take off.

While touring Kennedy Space Center, we drove by a gigantic eagle’s nest (as big as king size bed) which has been home multiple generations of eagles for over 45 years. KSC is part of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, which is also home to alligators, wild boar, black bear, manatee, Florida panthers and over 330 species of birds.

Photo Gallery: NASA Tweetup Space Shuttle STS-129

NASA photographer Carla Cioffi has been shooting a bunch of great photos of the STS-129 NASA Tweetup and uploading them to NASA HQ Flickr account.

More Coverage:

- The Associated Press

- Central Florida News 13

- Space.com

- Star Stryder

photos by Scott Beale

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guest post by Doctor Popular

Stan Heller combines photography with anaglyph art to create his illustrations and comics (Anaglyphs are sterographic images that use special glasses with red and cyan lenses to create the illusion of dept). In 3D, a retrospective of Stan’s art, opens this Saturday, November 14th at Mission Comics and Art in San Francisco and runs through December 17th. The show collects 5 years of his experiments with 3D including images from his most recent book “Not Quite Here”.

Stan was also one of the few brave souls who attempted to create a 24 page comic during the recent 24hr Comic Book Day challenge at Mission Comics last month. You can read his 3D comic from that challenge here. Stan also collaborated with me on a this anaglyph to promote my 24hr comic BOOF!, which was created at the same event.

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AUTOMATIC, a benefit art show for RoboGames 2010 takes place on Thursday, November 19th at the Lowerdeck Gallery in San Francisco.

Do sentient machines dwell on the existential circuit
that leads to the spiritual 404 error?

Does being a machine mean just being a device:
literarily, artistically and literally?

Or does everything just boil down to everyone’s deep-seated need to crush all humans and plot eventual total world domination?

Find out at Automatic!

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photo by Scott Beale

The next Dorkbot SF takes place on Wednesday, November 18th at Noisbridge in San Francisco and features presentations by Anselm Hook (Augmentia – Scratching the surface of Augmented Reality), David Gessel (Stalking Slanderizing Trolls), Shelly Farnham (Steve the Robot H.E.Ai.D.: a Large Scale Generative Music and Laser Play Space) and Gian Pablo Villamil (360 Degree Panoramic Video Without the Megabucks).

See the Dorkbot SF #48 event listing for more info.

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photo by Jason DeFillippo

Supernova 2009, a conference on change in the Network Age organized by Kevin Werbach, takes place in San Francisco on December 1st at the Mission Bay Conference Center and December 2nd & 3rd at Wharton West.

The Supernova conference explores the transformation of computing, communications, business, and society in the Network Age. Now in its eighth year, Supernova brings together approximately 500 leading executives, entrepreneurs, intellectuals, government officials, and business practitioners to make connections, discuss emerging trends, and discover innovative new ideas and companies.

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guest post by mikl-em

Above Mark Growden performs “I’m Your Man” (a Leonard Cohen cover) from his new, as-yet-to-be-released album Saint Judas. This just released video playing live with his quartet was recorded in July at The Red Poppy Art House in San Francisco.

Mark has appeared numerous times on this blog. He is a long-time friend of the mirthful cephalopod, who has performed at Squid-related parties, benefits and even in Scott Beale’s kitchen.

He’s been a fixture in the San Francisco music scene for more than a decade, who has shown his musical versatility as a singer/composer who plays banjo, guitar, accordion, sax, and just about anything else he decides to pick up.

With his upcoming album, assisted by his long time band and a top notch producer, plus a renewed focus on touring, Mark looks set to increase his national reputation in the very near future.

I talked to Mark recently about his new CD, the show he’s playing this Friday to celebrate its release, his influences, his instruments, and how & when he writes songs.

A lot of great stuff, click the link below for the whole interview.

photo by Helena Price

Q: For those who aren’t familiar with your work, maybe you can give some reference points: who are some of your musical heroes? Who inspires you to do what you do?

At the core I’d say my 3 biggest influences are Igor Stravinsky (especially his 3 great pieces commissioned by the Ballet Russe), John Coltrane, and prison work songs from the American South.

But who or what inspires me to do what I do? Really, I do it because it’s what I do. I feel called to do it. It’s a service thing. It’s my duty. I tried stopping for a few years, but it became absolutely clear that I needed to use my gifts in music to serve the bigger picture.

photo by William N.

Q: Your music is dramatic, pulling in a wide range of musical styles from song to song, but not limited by any of those influences. Is there a shorthand description when you are describing your music to others?

You know, I’ve had a really difficult time with this over the years but I’ve been working on it recently. It’s difficult to fit into the traditional “iTunes” genres. The best I can do there is something like “Americana Cabaret.” But recently I’ve called it “Soulful, nuanced, and deep americana noir.” A fan recently called it “Bar stool spirituals and carnal hymns.” I like that.

Q: Your new album is called Saint Judas. It seems like a major breakthrough for you. First of all, are you pleased with how the album came out?

Yes. Very much so. I think it’s my best work to date by a long shot.

Q: Do you feel like you are reaching some new levels as an artist?

Definitely. I feel like I’ve come into my own. I’m comfortable in my skin now. I wasn’t before. There was a period where I think my relationship to my work was clouded by lots of outside factors and influences. Now I’m more clear about why I do it and how I like to do it. I play music because I’m called to play music rather than out of ambition.

Q: Many of the shows I’ve seen you perform were in small theaters or in warehouse art spaces. I know you’ve also played the likes of The Fillmore in the past, but for many fans it may be the first time they’ve seen you in a well-appointed theater like The Cowell.

This concert is going to be really special. There is a set designer, a lighting designer, and it’s a gorgeous theater. And hopefully we’re going to sell out.
[fyi: buy tickets here]

Q: In contrast to the small venue solo shows, you’ll have a full band. It’s the same band as on the record?

Yes, exactly the same band. The lineup is: Chris Grady on trumpet, Alex Kelly on cello, Myles Boisen on Guitar, Seth Ford-Young on upright bass, and Jenya Chernoff on percussion.

Also the co-producer and engineer is Oz Fritz. He’s well known for his work with Tom Waits, Henry Threadgill and Bill Laswell. It is an honor to work with him. Actually, he’ll be doing the sound for the CD release concert as well.

Q: You are a true multi-instrumentalist; I’ve seen you make music on a guitar, banjo, accordion, baritone sax, even the handlebars of a bicycle. What was your first instrument?

According to my parents, my first instrument was percussion. They said that they kept a cupboard full of pots, pans and tupperware that I would play with wooden spoons. Apparently it was a favorite pastime of mine. But my first “real” instruments were lap dulcimer and recorder as a small child. I’ve always been a multi-instrumentalist.

photo by Steve Rhodes

Q: And then you had classical training, right?

Yes, I was trained classically on saxophone, flute, clarinet and percussion (especially timpani). I also started playing bass guitar in punk bands in the 80’s when I was in my teens. After that, I studied jazz improvisation and composing in college. After college, I went on to study Irish music (tin whistle and flute), Northern Indian classical music (bansuri), and Ghanaian drumming. Then when I was 24, all my wind instruments got stolen so I started singing. Soon after that I picked up accordion and banjo and began writing songs. If you had told me then that I’d have a number of albums out and be touring nationally as a singer/accordionist/banjo picker, I’d think you were crazy.

Q: How many instruments do you play?

Honestly… I don’t know.

Q: What is the most recent new instrument that you’ve added to your repetoire?

Piano. I’ve toyed around with piano since I was a child. But I’ve dedicated 2009 to studying classical piano. I love it.

Q: And does what instrument you write a song on influence its arrangement?

Absolutely. When people ask who my biggest influences are I generally tell them, “My instruments and the moment.” Each instrument brings out different qualities.

photo by durasoul

Q: Do you go through phases where you are intensely focused on writing new songs?

I do. But recently my priority is getting “Saint Judas” out. So I haven’t been writing much. Actually, let me clarify, I have gone through the inspiration/creative phase of writing on numerous new songs, but I haven’t sat down to craft and edit them. It’s just not a priority right now. Plus, beyond this album, I have enough material for another 2 albums already written.

But believe me, I’m looking forward to my next writing phase.

Q: Tell us a little about your approach to songwriting. Are your song ideas driven by musical ideas or by lyric or thematic ideas?

All of the above. Sometimes it’s words first, sometimes music. No set system. But I will say this, I try to keep the creative/inspiration phase separate from the crafting/editing phase. I treat a song like a brainstorm for a while, trying lots of ideas. Then I begin the editing and crafting. I enjoy both processes very much.

Q: I know that you’ve been on the road recently. How have the shows been?

The work has been received well. I’m returning to touring after a four year break and I was concerned that I maybe I had lost my fan base and would need to start over. But these last tours have been great for reconnecting with venues, fans, friends, radio stations, and musicians in cities I used to play on a regular basis. I’m happy to say that the fan base is still there.

Q: Where are you going in the near future?

A Northwest tour in mid/late November then down to L.A. for three months. And from L.A. I’ll tour the Southwest a couple of times. After that, I plan on doing residencies in various cities throughout the next year. People can always find out where I’m playing via the In Concert page on my website.

photo by Judith

Q: What are some things that will be different at the Fort Mason show, especially for folks who have seen you mostly solo and in small venues?

This show will feature my work in its full expression in an environment where it can really shine. The body of work on this album was written for a theater setting. And this is the most important show of my career to date. The SF arts community that Laughing Squid and I are part of knows this and has shown up in an incredible way. Lots of people are pitching in. Also, I’ll be joined on stage by my children Bela and Blue who will be singing backup on a couple of songs. Come on, that’s super special for me.

Q: And the CD is on sale at the show? But I understand that it won’t yet be available nationally, right? Can you give us those details?

Yes. The CD will be for sale at the show. This is what the label is calling a “narrow release”. It’s mainly to share my album with my local fans. “Saint Judas” will come out nationally in March (on Porto Franco Records). That’s when we’ll do our big national media push and when it will be available in stores and on iTunes and other digital outlets.

I hope to see both old and new faces at the show this Friday. I can’t wait for the San Francisco community to participate in what is such a special night for me.

photo by Eli Crews John

For more on Mark Growden, check out his blog, his Facebook page, and @markgrowden on Twitter.

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“Speechless” is a new site specific public art installation by Brian Goggin located in the new Lafayette Library and Learning Center in Lafayette, CA. Brian will be unveiling of the installation this Saturday, November 14th as part of the grand opening of the library.

Festivities begin at 9:30 am – all ages are encouraged to attend. The grand unveiling commences at 10 am after a short parade from the old library to the new, whereupon a show of fantastic wonder will awe the community at large.

More on Brian Goggin’s “Speechless” installation:

Set against the new Lafayette Library a giant wavering bronze stack of paper rises. Had one taken a page from every book in the library collection – stacking one on top of the other – a stack of paper equivalent in height to this sculpture would result. The towering sculpture winds and teeters reaching absurd, precarious proportions. Wind has caught the top pages blowing them across the outdoor plaza, up and through the stairway corridor. Some pages furl in mid air, flying above the walkways while others wrap around trellis posts, past the library walls. Each fluttering page is precisely etched with “drawings” created with layers of text and graphics from the library’s books. The pages glide through the walkways creating a visual flow inspired by the natural air currents streaming through architectural gullies and star and planet constellations.

The bronze pages allude to all pages ever printed. The etched pages use as their pallet imagery scanned directly from books drawing from all sections of the library’s book collection such as philosophy, literature, math, poetry, history, biography, science, and of course art. The dispersing pages fluttering out from the toppling stack is inspired by the library collection’s grand expansion in size and new knowledge platforms beyond books. The expansion is visually alluded to in this site-specific installation – the concurrent transformation of how we learn is captured by the dynamic, dreamlike flight of the bronze pages wafting gracefully through the air.

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guest post by mikl-em

San Francisco musician Mark Growden is having a blockbuster concert event this Friday, November 13th at Fort Mason’s Cowell Theater to celebrate then release of his new album “Saint Judas”.

Tickets are on sale now for Friday’s show, and it is likely to sell out. Here’s a quote from a message that Mark sent to his mailing list last week:

This is the most important show of my career to date and I hope you can make it. It’s going to be special as it will feature my full sextet plus a beautiful set design by Isabella De Meulenaere and light design by Stephen Clifford.

Soon I will be posting some brand new footage of Mark performing a song off the new album and an interview that I conducted with him about the show, the new CD, and much more.

In the meantime, here’s a sample of Mark’s talent and musical inventiveness. A year ago, Doctor Popular filmed Mark playing bicycle handlebars as a wind instrument and talked to him about it–enjoy!

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Kinetic Steam Works Roll Out takes place this Saturday, November 14th where KSW will be rolling out their big steam powered toys at their new HQ in in West Oakland.

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Wonderfest 2009, The San Francisco Bay Area Festival of Science, takes place on November 7th at Stanford’s Hewlett Teaching Center and on November 8th at UC Berkeley’s Stanley Hall. Admission is free, here’s how to register.

Through public discourse about provocative scientific questions, Wonderfest aspires to stimulate curiosity, promote careful reasoning, challenge unexamined beliefs, and encourage life-long learning. Wonderfest achieves these ends by presenting series of scientific events to the general public. At most of these events, pairs of articulate and accomplished researchers discuss and debate compelling questions at the edge of scientific understanding.

via Susie

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City Arts & Lectures presents John Hodgman in conversation with Merlin Mann on Saturday, November 7th at Herbst Theater in San Francisco. Here’s more info.

American author and humorist John Hodgman has appeared as the Resident Expert on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” “PC” on Apple’s “Get a Mac” TV ads, and was the headline speaker at the 2009 Radio and Television Correspondents dinner in Washington D.C. After graduating from Yale in 1994, he toiled in the trenches of the publishing industry. The experience led Hodgman to write an ironic advice column for McSweeney’s entitled, “Ask a Former Literary Agent.” In his first book, The Areas of My Expertise, Hodgman explores topics from the idiosyncrasies of famous detectives to Colonial jobs involving eels. In his role as Resident Expert on “The Daily Show,” Hodgman has offered insight and commentary on art authentication, presidential candidate style, hurricane season, and mixed martial arts. Hodgman’s latest book, More Information Than You Require, deals with more of the esoteric, charming and just plain eccentric topics that catch the author’s fancy. From tips on buying a computer from a street vendor to get-rich-slow schemes, John Hodgman’s humor revels in a culture saturated with experts of every stripe.

Creator of the website 43folders, Merlin Mann seeks to help ordinary people find “the time and attention to do your best creative work.” Mann’s forthcoming book Inbox Zero, will be published by HarperStudio in 2010.

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photos by Scott Beale

A few photos from last night’s Halloween Benefit for Ace Auto’s Bill the Junkman at CELLspace in San Francisco.

Photo Gallery: Ace Auto Halloween Benefit

UPDATE: Here are more photos of the event by Helena Price.

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photo by Luke Sharrett

photo by Jewel Samad

New York Times’ The Caucus reports on Halloween at The White House, where Barack Obama dressed as a casual President and first lady Michelle Obama in a cat woman outfit, greeted over 2000 trick-or-treaters at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

So what kind of loot did the president prepare?

A white-and-blue box of M&Ms — imprinted with Mr. Obama’s autograph — and a sweet butter cookie made by the White House pastry chef. And in keeping with the theme of healthy eating inside the White House that Mrs. Obama has promoted, the children were also given a dried fruit mix of cherries, apricots, pears, apples and papayas.

photos by Jonathan Ernst & Kristoffer Tripplaar

United States ambassador to the United Nations Susan E. Rice dressed up as Goofy and The White House press secretary Robert Gibbs came as Darth Vader.

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photos by Scott Beale

Here are a few photos from last night’s Pre-Halloween party hosted by Violet Blue and Ben Metcalfe the Blogger Bungalow III.

Photo Gallery: Pre-Halloween at the Blogger Bungalow III

UPDATE: Here’s Violet’s write-up and photos on the Pre-Halloween shenanigans.

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photos by Scott Beale

Here are a few photos from the first night of the Tom Kennedy Art Auction to benefit the Ripper Journey Foundation. On November 7th there will be a Rock Star Hat Party, followed by a Closing Night Party on November 12th.

Photo Gallery: Tom Kennedy Art Auction

Here are some more photos and video from Emily Duffy.

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photos by Scott Beale

A few photos from last night’s Full of Win Happy Hour with Cheezburger Network CEO Ben Huh at Citizen Space to celebrate the release of the three new books based on their blogs I Can Has Cheezburger?, FAIL Blog and GraphJam.

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Spider Ball, an annual fundraiser for the Black Rock Arts Foundation takes place on Halloween, this Saturday, October 31st at The Bently Reserve in San Francisco.

Spider Ball is an annual fundraising Halloween extravaganza hosted in tandem by The Bently Reserve and Playa Love, a Burning Man camp dedicated to promoting local organizations and communities both on the playa and at home. Thrown at the historic Bently Reserve, it is a halloween celebration with an underground approach of decadence and elegance that is all freak and funk. There is the main banking hall hosting the main stage performances, beds to chill around the perimeter, a separate chill room and 6 bars.

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