LMAG comes to the BLVD

On the left is construction of the new Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery, tentatively expected to open in early summer, and on the right is the Arbor Lofts and Art gallery.

It has been almost six months since my column was axed by the newspaper, and I'm just now appreciating the joys of blogging. I can indulge my grandmotherly urge to show you photos of Charlotte or whatever I'm writing about; I don't have anyone "suggesting" that I shouldn't write about this or that; any typos belong solely to me, not someone downstream in the editing department; I can link to interesting sites; and I can swear if I want to.

My close friends will tell you I swear like a trucker. That I don't go beyond the occasional "hell" or "damn" in the blog is a testament to my concern for readers' sensibilities, not prudishness. I am a product of a Baby Boomer suburban upbringing, not Lenny Bruce, and I have nothing to prove. Swearing is usual counterproductive to communication, and communicating is my business.

Also, I don't have to worry about upsetting advertisers, so I can speak freely. It's an important distinction to remember that bloggers are not necessarily journalists, and are not bound by the ethics and attempts at impartiality that reporters strive for. Most of the time, bloggers are just riffing off the news-gathering work of real journalists, worrying it like a dog with a bone, looking for inconsistencies. 

That's a good thing; no one should be above scrutiny, but we need to remember that someone needs to get paid for doing the work of journalism, or the only people doing it will be those with an axe to grind. (See what I did right there, spelling "ax" with an "e"? I am not bound by the AP Stylebook, either.)

Why do I tell you all this? I write this preface so you understand that when I tell you something is wonderful, it is my concerted opinion. No one has paid me to say, or not say, anything; so I can freely tell you that I love the new revitalized downtown Lancaster.

My MGB parked in front of the Lemon Leaf on the fantastic new Lancaster BLVD, our wedding venue.

I have written for years of my love for Lancaster Boulevard. I saw businesses try and fail to make a go of it on the boulevard: Hangin' Java, the lovely second-hand bookstore, the kids' natural history store, and numerous restaurants. I patronized them, and other stores over the years: Daisy's Costumes, Tom's Cutting Chair, King Photo, Downtown Bistro, and Graphic Experience.

But my one-woman cheerleading wasn't enough for many of them, and no one business was strong enough to draw enough people downtown. What the effort needed what what it got: a complete street makeover, with the support of the city thrown behind it.

I was worried when I found out that the BLVD was going to be ripped up before my Oct. 2 wedding at Lemon Leaf. The street wasn't  finished, but my cartographer daughter made me a map to help my guests navigate the roadblocks. Now however, it is all open, and the last big construction is nearing completion: the new Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery. To see an artist's rendering of the new building, go here.

Graphic Experience co-owners Rena Patel, left, and Chris Calaba, with Rena's husband Vijay Patel, stand behind the piano painted by local artists and available to play during their open hours. Eventually, the piano will sit on the BLVD, waiting for strolling musician to take it for a spin.

Moving the museum onto the BLVD is a fantastic idea, it can't help but increase their traffic for the wonderful shows and exhibits they arrange. I spoke with Nick West, the museum curator, who is busy gearing up for the 26th Juried Art Exhibition that opens Feb. 5 and runs through Mar. 27, and for the second Museum Gala on Feb. 26. The Juried Show has an opening reception on Feb. 4, from 5-9 p.m. at the current LMAG location, 44801 Sierra Hwy. Lancaster. 

Prism: Through the Looking Glass is the title of the 2nd Museum Gala, and West said the theme takes its  inspiration from the glass architecture of the new building, "We're crossing this threshold into a new future with the building." West said the gala, being held in the current location, is a "fond farewell to this facility."

Dan Venturoli, president of the LMAG Associates, told me that the group is putting pressure in themselves to top last year's "urban chic" gala, Metamorphosis, held in the Arbor Lofts' parking structure. "It's the 25th anniversary of the Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery, and people are expecting something special," he said.

The Alice theme notwithstanding, this is not "rabbits and teaparties kitsch," according to Venuroli. "It will be a sophisticated take on Alice in Wonderland."  Through the Looking Glass is actually a chess problem laid out by Lewis Carroll, with Alice traveling a chessboard as a pawn, later becoming a queen; and the look will be "sleek and modern," with a dichromatic color scheme of red and white. Even the food will be red and white, according to caterer Maria Elena, of the Lemon Leaf. Leona Valley Winery will provide the wine.

"It will very different and artistic," Venturoli said. "The food is going to be very chic." Entertainment will dueling white grand pianos, to fit in with the decor, by 2Grand Entertainment. West said they were looking for a more "interactive event" this time, and they "want people to be very involved." The auction this year will be limited to the five painted antelope, so the official program will be shortened.

If you have never seen a dueling pianos show, you are in for a treat. I've never seen this particular outfit's show, but I have seen others on cruise ships and Las Vegas hotels, and they are great. The pianists conduct sing-alongs, teach hand gestures to songs, and pit one guest against another by playing school songs.

They will play an audience request, and if you don't like it, you can make them stop by tipping bigger for an alternate song. It's hysterical. 

The gala begins at 5:30 pm, and continues until 9 pm, with the after-party to the event beginning at 9:30 pm. The dueling pianos will play another set, and a DJ will come in so people can dance. 

Tickets are $100 for the gala only, $125 for gala and after-party, and for those starving artists in the lofts, a $25 ticket for the party alone.

Sponsors are still needed at levels from the Rook ($500) up to the King, Event Sponsor ($10,000) and all the chess pieces in between.

Venturoli said he realizes that people in the Antelope Valley support a lot of good causes, and this is not a good time of the year, but he hopes residents will support the museum, saying "funding doesn't come easily." Although the city is building the new building, there are costs attendant with the move, and support is necessary for operating costs.

Citing the trunk program, where LMAG brings art into the area schools, and the collaborations with the Children's Center for art projects, Venturoli said the museum's work is dependent on fundraising.

For tickets or information about sponsorships, contact LMAG at (661)723-6250 or via email at lmag.gala@gmail.com.