Vegas filmmaker opens arthouse movie theater, premieres his directorial debut I.M. Caravaggio

Vegas filmmaker opens arthouse movie theater, premieres his directorial debut I.M. Caravaggio

A Christmastime Fashion Show At Las Vegas Arts District Benefits Blind Center Of Nevada

My model and photographer friends gathered together for a charity event in the Downtown Arts District. This event was called Christmas Couture – A Handmade Fashion Show. The fashion show featured original handmade clothing and accessories crafted from alternative materials from local Las Vegas designers. These included: Susan Tosches-Deneau (Altered Nations Designs), Flockflockflock, Jenna Sinatra from Jenacidel Designs, Victoria Pargas from Victorious by Victoria, and many others.

This was a benefit for the Blind Center of Nevada. The suggested donation was $5.00 at the door. The event was presented at the Emergency Arts and The Beat Coffee House, which is right near the El Cortez on East Fremont. The building used to be one of the Fremont Medical Clinics, and some of the rooms housing the artists and their work have remnants identifying them as the examining rooms that they used to be.

Opening the event was a presentation by clients of the Blind Center who performed Christmas carols as a handbell choir. Then the models strutted their handmade designs, which were created from wrapping paper, garlands, bows, and icicles. The audience was very appreciative of the efforts of all involved. Afterwards patrons could roam the two-story Emergency Arts building, checking out all the original art, clothing and jewelry for sale.

This event left me with a great feeling – it was one of those moments for me that showed the true Christmas spirit. I loved hearing and seeing the bell choir perform, and loved watching the models happily showing off their colorful Christmas attire.

East Fremont is becoming a hot spot of arts and entertainment: all the clubs, art galleries and bars that are popping up are an indication of all the great activity happening there and in turn drawing more people to the area.

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From XmasFashionShow

From XmasFashionShow

From XmasFashionShow

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-VegasJules ( Julie Kasperson ) can be contacted through her facebook page.

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R2K Studio In Las Vegas Is A Photographer’s Dream

There are so many things going on in the Arts District, which is in the Downtown area of Las Vegas. There’s First Friday, which is a monthly grassroots community festival showcasing art, galleries, performing artists, and vendors. An art installment, made up of two 45-foot giant “Paintbrushes” – neon and metallic sculptures by New York artist Dennis Oppenheim, were installed on July 29th at Charleston and Fourth Street and at Casino Center Drive, and serve as the Gateway to the Arts District.

Since April of 2010 Roxy Lee has been the owner, operator and creative force behind another addition to the District – R2K Studio. It is a spacious photography studio with one simple photographic ideology: “You don’t take a picture…you make it.” (credited to Ansel Adams). Roxy is a lively, vivacious former model who has owned a lingerie company called House of Hearts, and has done wardrobe styling for numerous glamour/boudoir photo shoots.

Roxy believes what sets her R2K Studio apart from others in Las Vegas is the fact that it is a “one-stop shop” for photographers and their shoots. She has props, sets, wardrobe and a full line of equipment available; sets and props are ever-changing so photographers will feel they have someplace fresh and new to use while shooting. She also offers the public a place for them to come for portrait services from Fashion Photography to Newborn Photography. She also offers a Shared Space Program (similar to a co-op) and a Photographer’s Agency.

On a recent First Friday, I was able to be present at R2K, which had its doors open to the public. I was put into use as a wardrobe and make-up assistant during a photo shoot, which was one of several that occurred during that hot Friday evening. Music blasted into the studio while photographers worked, models posed, and others stood by to watch or lend their support.

While R2K is a hub of creativity on First Friday, it is booked and utilized on other days as well. It is a welcome addition to the creative energy and environment that is the Arts District.

R2K Studio

Location: 1201 S. Commerce Street(at Colorado)
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Phone: 702-207-0R2K

Website: http://www.r2kstudio.com

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All photo credits: Julie Kasperson ( click pictures to enlarge )

-VegasJules ( Julie Kasperson ) can be contacted through her facebook page.

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Princess At The Mirror Doing Hair


Princess At The Mirror Doing Makeup


Solo Getting Makeup

First Friday Downtown Las VegasBrings the Hot, Funky Art Scene

Group Of Guys Attending First Friday

I haven’t attended First Friday in over a year. Because of my work schedule, and my general laziness, I haven’t felt motivated to attend. But now that I’m shooting models in the area during LV Glam, and hanging out more in the Downtown area, it seemed the right time to see what was happening and what I’ve been missing.

It’s June in Las Vegas. It should be hotter than hell here right now, but for some reason, it hasn’t been. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hot. While you are walking around admiring the art and listening to the music and watching all the people, you are burning up on the asphalt, until the sun goes down and you can get some relief.

For those people not familiar with what First Friday is, it is a huge block party held the first Friday of every month in the Downtown Arts District. Since its inception in October of 1992, it has grown into Las Vegas’ premier arts happening, combining art appreciation, street theater, live bands,and lots of people-watching. Free trolleys take patrons on arts tours throughout the evening. I usually take one starting at the Government Center, and make sure I get back on one before they stop their shuttling, usually by 9:30 p.m. They start picking up riders about 6:00 p.m. and you can catch one every 20 minutes or so.

The El Cortez Hotel & Casino is now sponsoring a trolley stop. It takes riders from the El Cortez to the Funk House trolley stop and back again. For a while they were charging admission to First Friday, at its main hub at Colorado and Main, where all the central activity is, including live bands and food and drink for sale. But they must have stopped charging admission, because we wandered freely amongst all the people and exhibits and were not stopped for admission.

At the Brett Wesley Gallery, I spied a wonderful chair and ottoman designed by Gaetano Pesce, a famous Italian architect. According to Victoria Hart, the director of the gallery, these pieces were very special and rare to have in our area. I thought they were whimsical and fun. Just wish I could afford to have them sitting in my house. But a girl can dream.

I also visited R2K Studio, a new photography studio in the Arts District owned by Roxanne. She welcomed my friend Drew and me warmly, and then went back to her photo shoot with a bevy of female friends that she recruited to model for her that evening. The studio offers 25 x 55 feet of unobstructed shooting space and 30 foot-high ceilings, lighting equipment and backdrops. My current budget does not include renting studio space, but hopefully in the future I can utilize their services. Plus they have a monthly drawing for free studio time, and all I have to do is drop off my business card and I’m entered to win.


Guitar Chair

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All photo credits: Julie Kasperson ( click pictures to enlarge )

-VegasJules ( Julie Kasperson ) can be contacted through her facebook page.

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LV Glam a Bright Spot During Memorial Day Holiday

This was my second LV Glam in two months. I’m still nervous about my skills, because I keep comparing myself to the pro photographers who work alongside me, shooting the models that attend every month.

LV Glam is the brainchild of Adam Martinez of Vegas Music and Film. It is a live networking event and provides a creative platform for the photographer, model, makeup artist, body painter, fashion designer, and hair stylist. May’s networking event went into its new summer hours, from 4-8 p.m., and for me, it keeps on getting better and better, month after month. Much to my happiness and delight, we had three male models to work with: John, Anwar, and Zack, in addition to the four female models present, which included Victoria, Princess and Heather. We also had a talented MUA (make-up artist)/hair stylist named Sabrina, and three fashion designers: Beverly, Victoria, and Zack.

I think I felt more at ease this time around, considering it was only my second Glam, and I was surrounded by so much talent and creativity. The property where Glam takes place is in the heart of the Arts District, in Downtown Las Vegas. It becomes a focal point of activity during the monthly First Friday event. But for now, it was ground zero for fashion and glamour.

I was very happy to see male models attend this month’s Glam. My interest and focus is on the male model, and it’s been difficult for me to convince male models to attend Glam. The event is free for models; photographers pay a $25 fee to attend and shoot. Both times I’ve attended the shooting goes past the official ending time; there are no time limits where creativity is involved. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in what you are doing with a model that you lose track of time and are having so much fun that you don’t want to call it a day.

Some LV Glam Photos By Julie Kasperson

( click photo to get a larger image )


Anwar

Heather

John

Zack, Princess, & Anwar

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All photo credits: Julie Kasperson ( click pictures to enlarge )

-VegasJules ( Julie Kasperson ) can be contacted through her facebook page.

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