Phoenix Edition
issue 2 OCT 2013
+ art with concrete touvlo
CLINT WOODS seafood soul at little cleo’s by kimberly gunning
songbird coffee & tea house artist spotlight jesse perry putting arizona’s start-ups on the map + seedspot
joyride taco house central phoenix
fred tieken 78 years in the fast lane
melis jewelry
local app developers get creative + moxie 1 | Issue 2 | october 2013 - www.localrevibe.com
changing lives by the way we dress papercloud apparel emphasizing local local first arizona snoh balling snoh ice shavery
2 | Issue 2 | october 2013 - www.localrevibe.com
what’s inside | october 1st, 2013 Localrevibe digital magazine Issue 2 | October 2013
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songbird coffee & tea house
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artist spotlight jesse perry
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Published by Localrevibe Media Network, LLC. Design & Layout Kronos Creative of Phoenix
putting arizona’s start-ups on the map + seedspot
18 FEATURED ARTICLE
seafood soul at little cleo’s chef clint woods
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LOCAL
songbird coffee & tea house By Ashley Brand | Photos: Chris Kontakis
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After a little over two years searching for the perfect location, Jonathan Carroll and his wife Erin of Songbird Coffee and Tea House found a place on Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. Attached to the Phoenix Arts Collaboration building, monOrchid, Songbird recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in the heart of the arts district. “We kind of put our heads together and said
tea, blue lady black tea, and pomegranate
listen...you have a background in business and
mojito green tea, guests of Songbird can be
marketing and social media, I know the cof-
certain to get a truly unique experience with
fee scene,” Carroll said. “Let’s put our heads
every visit.
together and make this happen.” In addition to hosting events with the businessIt was that determination coupled with Car-
es surrounding monOrchid, Songbird also hosts
roll’s background in music that gave way to
events unique to the Coffee and Tea House.
the name of the popular coffee and teahouse.
Every Thursday night from 7 to 10 PM they will
“We obviously wanted something simple and
be hosting a board game night where guests
something cool. And I’m like, [Led Zeppelin]
can play the games provided or BYOG (bring
greatest band ever. Okay...Stairway To Heav-
your own games).
en, probably the greatest song ever. All right.
Along with a refreshing cup of Joe or a sweet
Let’s find a lyric in Stairway to Heaven.” And
treat, Carroll can also offer a bit of advice for
thus, Songbird was born.
aspiring entrepreneurs, “I’ll tell anyone who’s opening their business for the first time, just be
From those brilliant ideas and the presence
patient.” That just goes to show, good things
of fresh, local ingredients, it isn’t any wonder
come to those who wait.
Songbird has really hit the ground running. With coffee beans from Brazil, Costa Rica, and
Be sure to check out Songbird Coffee and Tea
India and loose-leaf tea from Maya Tea in fla-
House at www.songbirdcoffeehouse.com
vors like cinnamon orange spice rooibos black
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Jonathan Carroll
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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
JESSE
PERRY By Ashley Brand | Photos: Chris Kontakis
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After a quick tour around the Downtown Phoenix area it is quite obvious that Phoenix is home to talented and unique artists. Of those artists, the artists that choose the sundrenched, concrete buildings of Arizona as their medium deserve specific recognition. One such artist, Jesse Perry has been creating art since he was young. His earliest memories of painting were that of his mother working on a watercolor of native pottery at her art table. Upon his mother handing him the marker she was using, Perry scribbled a line across the picture. His mother smiled and said it was meant to be. “That one line is the root of my obsession with the creative process. Ever since then, art has been my life,” Perry says.
met many of the other local artists of Phoenix. Those artists and Perry have
Over the years, Perry has lived by a
in a desire in common to give back
mantra that promotes creating
to their community through their art.
art for a living and a life of hap-
“I am truly inspired by the local artists
piness. From this daily living
who work in downtown Phoenix,” Per-
ideal Perry draws inspiration
ry says, “I have the pleasure of know-
in many forms for his work.
ing and working with many of them.”
Perry says, “The ambiguous symbols that lie in the
Crazed creatures with large eyes
foreground of my work rep-
and bunny ears, Arizona-loyal, tenta-
resent the question, why?
cle-bearing sea creatures and hearts
As long as we are asking
true to anatomy are just a few sub-
questions, we are moving
jects of pieces that Perry has complet-
ourselves forward,” Perry goes
ed over the years and can be viewed
on to say, “A question is the product
in more detail at www.rawartists.org.
of curiosity and curiosity is the desire
Jesse Perry continues to paint murals
to discover.”
downtown and currently has a few projects in the works. Be sure to check
Through Perry’s work with the Scotts-
out FilmBar at 2nd street and McKin-
dale Public Arts Program and working
ley, a 5-foot by 152-foot wall, and the
closely with the municipal and public
Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Ho-
art collection of Scottsdale, he has
tel project, a stairwell that stretches over two stories.
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Artwork by Jesse Perry Roosevelt Row
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Artwork by Jesse Perry FilmBar Downtown Phoenix
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SEED SPOT putting Arizona’s start-ups on the map By Kimberly Gunning | Photos: Chris Kontakis
Improving the lives of others, providing community support and practicing environmental sustainability are not efforts volunteers and non-profits should bear the weight of alone. As we become more locally conscious, our homegrown businesses are following trend, now more than ever. Supporting a purpose higher than financial profit is a business model that more and more entrepreneurs are following, and SEED SPOT is helping these start-ups find their way. An incubator for socially conscious, local-businesses, SEED SPOT’s Co-founder Courtney Klein Johnson says, “Our focus is around start-ups that are doing something good for the world or for the lives of people.” Johnson, an entrepreneur herself, benefited from the resources she had available to her while building her first business. At 21, she founded a non-profit called New Global Citizens, an organization educating high-school youth on international issues and connecting them to projects all over the world. New Global Citizens reached a million dollar endowment in 2010 and is in 37 states and 14 countries. “The only reason I had the success that we did was that I had great mentors and advisors that helped,” Johnson said. Following seven years with New Global Citizens, Johnson continued to mentor entrepreneurs. “I started to question, how is it that other entrepreneurs find that same support network?”
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It was while working with the Greater Phoenix Economic Council that Johnson met Chris Petroff, and they began working together towards the idea for SEED SPOT in December 2011. Their primary intent with SEED SPOT, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, is to retain and grow local talent. “If we’re not retaining our own talent, Austin and California and other cities are recruiting our startups out,” Johnson explains. “There are good ideas in Phoenix and we can invest in those ideas” SEED SPOT accepts a handful of local start-ups into an intense four months of curriculum designed to improve and cultivate each business. The full-time program offers guidance through business and financial planning, opportunities to pitch ideas, abundant networking connections, pairing with a professional mentor and office space, among other unique benefits. In its first year, launched July of 2012, SEED SPOT received 191 applications and, after a rigorous process of board reviews and interviews, 16 ventures were chosen to enter into the full-time program and 40 were accepted into the part-time, evening program. Businesses receive invaluable expertise and assistance in areas they are least comfortable in. Francisco Cervera, co-founder of eMoneyPool says, “Being a part of SEED SPOT was liking going through a mini-MBA program. We learned a lot of what we needed to grow our company, but there were also a ton of side benefits.” PoppyPocket Founder Julie Hyzdu adds, “The collaboration of the group was priceless. It was comforting to have other like-minded people going through the same thing. We could understand each other’s struggles and accolades.” Cervera, Hyzdu and Theraspecs Founder Hart Shafer list the professional network that is available through SEED SPOT as one of the greatest benefits, with 65 mentors and experts readily available to answer their questions.
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In May, SEED SPOT hosted a Demo Day designed for the graduates of the program to pitch their ideas. Over 650 people attended the event at Phoenix Symphony Hall, and it raised $815,000 in capital, generated over $1,000,000 in revenue, and resulted in 17 full-time jobs, 24 part-time jobs and 111 media stories. A few other program graduates include Paper Clouds Apparel, an earth-friendly shirt company using artwork from special needs individuals and giving 50 percent of the profit back to special needs schools and organizations; SitGREEN, an eco-friendly furniture company; and Gardenfly, a mobile app for backyard gardeners to buy, sell and trade homegrown produce. The biggest challenge in Arizona is capital, according to Johnson. Although the money is out there, much of it has not been unlocked, and SEED SPOT is working hard to establish relationships with investors. Sixty-two corporate partnerships have been formed since last year, each contributing a minimum of $5,000. “It’s as much about supporting startups as it is about building a community that can support startups,” she explains. In addition to the start-up incubator program and community building initiatives, SEED SPOT has focused in on Arizona’s business legislature. A bill was recently signed by Gov. Jan Brewer to include a checkbox on the Arizona business application for a “for-profit, in business for public profit” business type. The benefit corporation legislation is set to take effect December 31, 2014. “The goal is that we can put Phoenix on a map for having some legitimate startups,” Johnson says. Word is out and interest in the SEED SPOT model is extending across the country. In its first year, SEED SPOT was approached by 15 cities that expressed interest in starting something like it in their area. This year, Johnson and Petroff are hoping to document the business model, methodology and curriculum and analyze how it can be replicated elsewhere.
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featured article
at Little Cleo’s By Kimberly Gunning | Photos: Chris Kontakis & Little Cleo’s
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Off of the beaten path in Central Phoenix, 7th Street and Montebello Avenue to be exact, lies Little Cleo’s Seafood Legend. In this once motorcycle garage, Fox Restaurant Concepts has transformed the space into a 1940s time warp, with its nostalgic and fresh seafood menu, jazz music and a classy neighborhood atmosphere, complete with original mechanic bays and awnings left intact. “We’ve talked about a concept like this for probably seven years,” Executive Chef Clint Woods said. “We always had it in the back of our minds, but we never really found the right spot.” Once the old mechanic’s yard and dealership was purchased for Culinary Dropout at The Yard, Woods, Sam Fox and his team knew they had found the perfect location for their oyster bar. The hidden seafood gem opened in May and is serving up all of the comfort foods guests would expect to find on the menu of an ocean-side oyster bar, with a bit of a twist, of course. “I wanted all that and then I wanted the experimental side that you don’t see anywhere else,” Woods says. From traditional fish and chips, king grab legs with butter and shrimp po’boy, to grilled octopus and Thai chili frog legs, Woods says, “You can be a foodie and try some new things here or you can have the classics that are comfortable and that you crave.” Woods has been with Fox Restaurant Concepts for 11 years, but his experience in the kitchen goes farther back than that. At 15, Woods applied for a summer dishwashing job at a restaurant his church’s youth minister managed. Finding out that the chef needed a cook, Woods convinced them to give him a shot at it. After his first day on the job, Woods said, “I knew right away that I wanted to do that for a living.”
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WE’VE TALKED ABOUT A CONCEPT LIKE THIS FOR PROBABLY SEVEN YEARS
After high school, Woods spent a little time in college, but decided gaining full-time experience in the kitchen was more beneficial. “I just couldn’t wait to get my name on a chef coat,” he said. He traveled around, working in California and Colorado. “[I] worked for people that I thought could really help me develop,” Woods said. Once motivated by title and money, as are most young chefs, Woods has strayed from the normal business-minded ventures with the opening of Little Cleo’s. Nestled in the same space as Culinary Dropout at The Yard, it is the twelfth restaurant to open in a string of successful Fox Restaurant Concepts, including True Food, Sauce and The Greene House. “This concept’s never been about money or anything like that for us. It’s been about having fun and playing with food and giving the guests something they can enjoy.” Woods says they’re not making much money and probably never will due to the margin on fish, and adds, “This is just all about what we’re passionate about.” When creating the menu, Woods takes a personal approach: “What do I like to eat? What does my family like to eat?” He says, “Everyday I crave something different and I like to have that on a menu.” What are his favorite menu items? “That’s tough. That’s tough ‘cause I love everything. I try to eat here a couple nights a week,” Woods says. He lists the Sweet Corn Hush Puppies made with fresh corn; ‘Bacon & Eggs,’ with house-made sturgeon bacon, creme fraiche and toast; and grilled octopus. He finally adds, “But how do you go wrong with crab legs?” Little Cleo’s aims to buy as much local produce as they’re able to and participates in the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, ensuring the seafood they serve has been environmentally fished or farmed. All of the seafood served at Little Cleo’s is delivered daily. With only a small, reach-in refrigerator to work with, once they’re out, they’re out for the night, until their delivery comes in the next day. Because of this, Little Cleo’s is open for dinner only, Monday through Saturday—Sunday being the only day they’re not able to receive deliveries.
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“There’s more soul here,” Woods says about his oyster bar. The family-friendly, blast-from-the-past seafood spot takes pride in its deep character and far-frommainstream location. Woods is excited about the area, “There’s a lot of growth happening around here. We love Central Phoenix.” Woods says that, at Little Cleo’s, “It’s really, really like how I cook at home. It’s like inviting people over and cooking dinner at my house. That’s what it feels like. Except I have someone else here to clean up the mess.”
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changing lives by the way we dress by kimberly gunning
In the history of the world, nobody has
than happy to share that their artwork
to focus his life on. Angry and at a loss
ever been attacked by a shark while
was designed by sixth-grader Noah, a
for what to do, Thornton wandered for
wearing a Paper Clouds Apparel shirt.
Special Olympics swimmer, and that
a few years until he found a drawing
Paper Clouds Apparel’s Facebook sta-
half of the money from the sales sup-
hanging on his mother’s refrigerator
tus read something similar when the
ports the International Downs Syndrome
while visiting her in Northern California.
company first began. The unproved,
Coalition.
but speculated, shark-proof apparel
On the school bus route his
has more than just creative wit behind
Paper Clouds Apparel Found-
mother drove each day, there
it; it has heart for making a difference in
er Robert Thornton began the
was a little girl who would
the world—big heart.
company in December 2009,
spend her time drawing, and
aiming to show the world the
often gave his mother her
Every two weeks, Paper Clouds Appar-
artistic talents of individuals
drawings as she got off the bus
el features shirts, hats and bags printed
with special needs, while help-
to go into school. This was one
with artwork created by individuals who
ing to improve their self-es-
of them. “I spent the whole en-
are part of a particular special needs
teem. Being able to see their artwork on
tire night just mesmerized by it,” Thorn-
school or organization. At the end of the
a t-shirt, hat or bag, “That’s something
ton said. The next morning, he woke up
two weeks, 50 percent of the proceeds
that’s going to stay with them for the
thinking the drawing would look great
go directly back to the school or organi-
rest of their lives,” Thornton says.
on a t-shirt.
The story behind Paper Clouds Appar-
At a point in his life where he wanted to
el began with nothing more than a little
do something that mattered, Thornton
piece of art.
latched onto this idea and began work-
zation, and local individuals with special needs are hired to package the items. Wearing a trucker hat with a longtongued, oval-shaped frog printed on
ing odd jobs to save up money. Bar-
it, or a t-shirt sporting a pink piggy with a
After seven years of playing professional
tending, road construction, bouncing,
curly tail may create some conversation
baseball in Mexico, multiple injuries re-
selling vinyl window covers, “Anything I
with friends and strangers, but that’s the
moved Thornton from the game, and
could do to get extra money coming in
best part. Those who are asked are more
left him searching for something else
to get this thing off the ground—I was doing it,” Thornton said. Along the way, Thornton re-connected with Joe Armstrong, a friend who he had met while working at Z’Tejas almost a decade earlier. Thornton told Armstrong about his plans and Armstrong immediately wanted to get involved.
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With no money to invest, but the heart to help, Armstrong’s creative mind has given Paper Clouds the witty personality it has—the imaginative Facebook posts, email newsletters and even the name. “He is the most creative person I know,” Thornton said about Armstrong. “I don’t
I didn’t start this business because I want to drive a Maserati. I started this business because I really feel like we can change lives doing what we’re doing
understand how his brain works.” Rounding out the team is Sara McClel-
erything at that school…Their students
lan, her unofficial title: “overall badass.”
[will] have any tools they could ever
McClellan moved to Arizona after leav-
need to be as successful as possible.”
ing a big-time editor position in France, which had left her feeling uninspired.
Thornton and his team are working hard
She reached out to Thornton, asking if
to acquire national attention and sup-
she could volunteer her time to help in
port, but right now Thornton is burning
any way needed. “She has just blown
the candle at both ends to keep things
us away with what she’s been able to
moving forward, working 100 hours per
help us with…I just feel blessed to have
week between Paper Clouds Apparel
someone like that,” Thornton said.
and his job at Postino.
Paper Clouds Apparel has partnered
“Obviously I didn’t start this business be-
with various organizations and schools
cause I want to drive a Maserati. I start-
including Autism Speaks, South Florida
ed this business because I really feel like
Autism Charter School, St. Dominic Sav-
we can change lives doing what we’re
io Academy and Sounds of Autism. Al-
doing,” Thornton said. “If I have to work
though Thornton has initiated many of
two jobs for the rest of my life to keep
these partnerships, schools and organi-
this going, then I’m going to do it be-
zations are beginning to come to him
cause I believe in it so much.”
for help. Paper Clouds Apparel, a SEED SPOT “Our End goal is always to get big
graduate, keeps business local by pur-
enough to where it doesn’t matter who
chasing high-quality t-shirts from a
we’re
teaming
up
with.
Phoenix wholesale company,
That we’ll have a fan base
getting the designs print-
large enough that we can
ed by a Tempe printing
help these really, really
company and employ-
small schools and small organizations
that
really, really need
ing
local,
needs
special
individuals
for packaging.
the help,” Thornton says.
It’s a win-win from every angle and receiving feedback from parents
Thornton explains that if Paper Clouds
whose children have been able to see
Apparel can raise as much money for
their artwork on clothing makes the long
the smaller organizations as it can for the
hours all worth it, according to Thornton.
larger ones, “That’s going to change ev-
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www.papercloudsapparel.com
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snoh balling
By Morgan Tanabe | Photos: Chris Kontakis
Nestled in downtown Phoenix is a shop that gives new meaning to frozen desserts. While ice cream, gelato and frozen yogurt are all the rage, Snoh Ice Shavery offers a lighter, more refreshing alternative with a unique line-up of delicious and exotic Asian flavors. Like ice cream, Snoh treats maintain the creamy texture of the favorite frozen delight. Customers can create their own concoctions pilling the desserts high with the traditional toppings like strawberries, mangos, and Oreos. Snoh creates their signature liquid glazes in flavors like chocolate, caramel and black sesame to drizzle over the dessert adding an additional punch of flavor. Fanatics interested in a more exotic toppings may layer on almond pudding, boba or sweet red beans. The shaved ice eatery is a revelation to the Valley offering delectable frozen snow that is anything but ho-hum. For the more ambitious customer hoping to experience traditional snow, customers can try flavors like Thai tea, green tea or taro sprinkled with Lychee fruit and Mochi Balls. The journey of the unique shavery originated on a small island in South China. While Americans identify the fluffy treat as shaved ice, it is known to locals as BaoBing. While the dessert’s popularity has already swept through Los Angeles, Snoh is a leader of its kind in the Valley. Just like the shaved ice itself, the shop is no usual ice cream parlor. The stylish storefront offers a modern feel. With wood floors and spacious booths and tables, the shop offers customers a quaint experience in a contemporary setting.
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Emphasizing Local By Kimberly Gunning | Photos: Chris Kontakis
What connects us with the city we live in—Its unique character, local businesses, tight-knit community? Phoenix is one of America’s quickest growing cities, rated No. 8 in Forbes “Fastest-growing cities of 2013,” citing a 2.7-percent population growth for the year. Many seek out the Valley for a sunny refuge from the cold and for its social scene, but despite the increasing population, Valley residents have struggled to connect with the Phoenix culture. Local First Arizona (LFA) is working to-
general rooted community as rea-
wards changing how desert dwellers
sons they preferred Chicago to Phoe-
view the city they live in and connect
nix, and why many still consider the
with what it has to offer.
city they came from as their “home,” even after living in Phoenix for more
Before the organization began in
than half of their lives.
2003, LFA Director Kimber Lanning says she would commonly hear people
“I think it’s easy
say, “This place had no soul; this place
to live in a place
has no culture.” A small business own-
and not interact
er, Lanning grew frustrated by these
with
comments, knowing they weren’t true.
businesses,” Lanning says. Those who
the
local
don’t feel connected are often not Lanning took it upon herself to look
investing in local charities, not shop-
into why others seemed to feel such
ping local and possibly not even vot-
disconnect. Throughout her research,
ing in state elections. She says, “They
Lanning said, “When I talked to peo-
don’t feel accountable to this place
ple about why they loved Chicago so
because they don’t feel connected
much, they told me the locally owned
to it.”
businesses. They said it a million different ways.”
Lanning decided to organize LFA for that reason, first and foremost. “If we
People listed the local restaurants and
can connect people better to this
shops, the city’s walk-ability and the
place, we can turn this whole thing
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around,” she explained. The organization is also aimed at helping to put local businesses on a level playing field with the large, corporate companies. LFA is working to educate the public about the effect large corporations have on our local economy—These companies export our wealth, receive
Phoenix, Tucson and Cottonwood of-
large subsidies and our tax payers pay
fices and has become the largest lo-
for their employees’ health insurance.
cal business coalition in North Ameri-
Whereas, consumers who buy local-
ca, with over 2,400 participating local
ly are keeping up to three times the
businesses.
amount of money in the state, helping to improve the economy.
In addition to LFA, the 501 (c)(6) for local business memberships, the Lo-
We now have one of the most progressive adaptive reuse programs in the country
cal First Arizona Foundation 501 (c)(3) was established in 2007, with the goal of building sustainable local economies throughout the state. In 2012, LFA saw a 70-percent in-
According to Lanning, there are four
crease in business memberships, the
identified objectives of LFA. First is
launch of Fuerza Arizona—the nations
the consumer piece—the “buy lo-
first Spanish language Local First pro-
cal” campaign; second is the busi-
gram—and partnered or participated
ness-to-business piece, localizing the
in over 50 community events, among
supply chains; third is increasing in-
other landmarks.
state tourism; and fourth is being an active player in the support of state
Launching this fall is a new campaign
policies that are in favor of local busi-
called “Become a Localist.” Lanning
ness.
says, “It’s the first time in the history of the organization that individuals can
The organization has had its hands
join Local First—You don’t have to be
in several state policies, including
a business.” For $20 per year, “local-
changing the adaptive reuse plans
ists” will be able to enter to win prizes,
for the city, making it easier to open
experiences or discounts and have
a small business in an older building.
opportunities for VIP treatment from
“We now have one of the most pro-
local businesses—A great way to get
gressive adaptive reuse programs in
to know the local community and fall
the country,” Lanning proudly states.
in love with Phoenix.
LFA employs 12 staff members for its
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touvlo
By Ashley Brand
Rudyard Kipling once said, “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” This sentiment never rang more true than in the mind of Yolanda Esquer, owner and creator of Touvlo.
Touvlo (TOO-VLO) was formed after Esquer made a block with her family’s surname on it for a family photo shoot. The photographer’s compliment on the unique prop planted a seed that grew into the brilliant concept three years later. “I love languages and words,” said Esquer. This is evident in company name, Touvlo. After much consideration, it was settled. The Greek name for “brick” would be immortalized in more than just stone from that point on. “I just liked the way it looked on paper and the sound of it,” she noted. While Esquer does not have a storefront yet, she has been able to meet with local businesses such as Butter & Me Bakeshop where her blocks are now sold. Esquer will also be present every other Saturday beginning in September at the Gilbert Farmer’s Market. Believing that lasting business is built on friendship Esquer said, “I love doing this market because I like to talk with my customers.” As a native Arizonan herself, Esquer enjoys doing business locally but also ships her creations across the United States, the UK, and Japan as well! Visitors to her website will see that she is able to do commissions for blocks of all sizes with pretty much any subject matter. Sizes range from business card size for single names or words to large blocks used to accommodate inspirational phrases. “Words, whether written or spoken, invoke powerful feelings. Surround yourself with positive ones,” Esquer said. For those who are new to Touvlo and what it offers they will soon realize, “words are powerful when set into concrete.” Be sure to check out Touvlo at www.touvloconcreteblocks. com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.
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jewelry designer flaunts rockstar line
By Morgan Tanabe
In the world of jewelry, Melis needs no introduction. What began as a line of hair accessories ten years ago has evolved into a bold, and colorful line of jewelry and leather cuffs inspired and created from raw material. Unique and passionate are two words to describe the unparalleled vibrancy of the renowned artist. Name the celebrity, and they’ve worn Melis’ line. From ZZ Top to Faith Hill, Melis’ edgy and outspoken style showcases a line unmatched to others. “I am a perfectionist, as all artists are, however, I do not like my designs to be perfect,” Melis explains. “I like the stones to be raw and pure, not symmetrical and finished or I like leather to have rough edges and imperfections. I am from Dallas, so I have brought both the rustic feel and Texas roots into my line to make my pieces ‘a little bit country and a little bit Rock ‘n Roll!’ From her humble beginnings in 2001, to distributing her line nationally today, Melis’ optimistic perspective is engrained and embedded in her jewelry. “When I had the idea for the leather cuff line, SKINS, I knew very little about leather,” Melis says. “I am still perfecting my skills in the process. Where there’s a will, there’s a way right?” With a brand message like “Bring out your inner Rockstar,” Melis is unquestionably eccentric—and her jewelry line mirrors that expression. Melis is introducing several new ventures for Phoenix Fashion Week including a vegan line of cuffs created for Dolcessa Swimwear. She will also be unveiling some headbands and headpieces for the occasion. “I love the way Phoenix Fashion Week helps us to step out of our box while staying true to our brands,” Melis says. “Collaborating with the designers is incredible, and not only do you become close to one another and see their vision for their collections and the runway, but you develop wonderful friendships and partnerships that are treasured. They truly do become family.”
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Joyride Taco House to Open in Phoenix Joins Postino Central, Windsor, Churn and Federal Pizza to fulfill Upward Project’s At the nexus of where innovation meets old Phoenix glamour, Joyride Taco House is set to rise from the preserved bones of an iconic North Central Phoenix landmark in December 2013, revealing not only the bold, fun and energetic styling’s shared with it’s sister restaurant Joyride East, but serving as the fifth and final piece to Craig DeMarco and Lauren Bailey’s nucleus of restaurants that have come to define an iconic stretch of Central Avenue. Neatly tucked between Postino Central and Federal Pizza, and directly across Central Ave. from Windsor & Churn, Joyride Central will occupy a 4,200 square-foot space on the Northwest corner of Central Avenue and Colter Street (5202 N. Central, Phoenix, 85012), what once served as Aiello’s Italian Restaurant and long before, revered Humpty Dumpty Coffee Shop. The entire building is currently being refurbished and polished by Upward Projects and Mike Rumpletin of RSP Architects, peeling back the layers to reveal the building’s original character, while incorpo-
more than 9 varieties served family-style on made-to-order torti-
rating some modern updates including a wraparound patio with
llas, each overflowing with house-marinated meats, fresh, crisp
retractable floor-to-ceiling glass walls that will seamlessly blend
veggies, and responsibly sourced fish served simply grilled or
the indoor and outdoor spaces.
decadently battered. Joyride packs a hearty punch with flavorful Mexican-inspired Salads, Burritos, Tortas, and “Especiales”
When complete, playful splashes of color and a well-worn
like rotisserie chicken with house-made guacamole, rice, gua-
beach vibe will disarm guests stepping in from the bustling rou-
jillo pepita salsa and aji Amarillo, or slow-braised beef and red
tine of daily life. The décor features carefully procured found
chile tamales with corn, cotija and poblano served with pinto
items and concrete patterned tile will be
beans and roasted veggies. All of this is
present throughout, while iconic Tom Dixon
complemented with a robust menu of
copper shade lights will define the center-
“Cocteles”, Draft/Bottled/Canned Beers,
piece wraparound bar. Not to be missed
Vinos, Tequila and perhaps best of all, an
is the building’s original expo line, a bold
inventive list of Agua Frescas made daily
wall crafted from exposed flagstone, offer-
with love. Mix and match flavors such as
ing a glimpse into the kitchen through an
pineapple, almond horchata, strawberry,
eye-catching, arched pass-through.
cucumber mint and citrus with the “spike legend,” a guide that helps you pair your
Back in the kitchen, Chef Chris Newstrom heads a team of cu-
choice of tequila, vodka, gin, amaretto, rum and Frangelico with
linarians (Minerva Orduno Rincon, Monica Castillo, Sean Currid
your desired flavor. Perhaps best of all, “Cocteles”, Draft Beers,
and Kurt Jacobson) composing a Mexican-inspired menu in-
Agua Frescas and Vinos are $5 everyday until 5pm.
formed by authenticity, but not beholden to it.
As the name
might suggest, Joyride Taco House is all about the tacos, with
32 | Issue 2 | october 2013 - www.localrevibe.com
Exploring Fred Tieken’s
78 Years In The Fast Lane By Nicole Royse
An explosion of color, figures, and words beautifully layered, take you through the life of Fred Tieken as you walk through the monOrchid gallery Many people first encountered Mr. Tieken’s work last year with the mural “The Buzzz” which is located at Vermillion studios 124 W. McDowell Road, Phx. Now we fast forward to March 2013 where his artwork “The Artist” had been picked to be the face of Art Detour 25. What many do not realize is Mr. Tieken has only been painting and exhibiting his artwork a few years, however he has quickly garnered a great reputation as a major artist. Painting has been liberating for Fred, allowing him the freedom to paint whatever he wants, a departure from the constraints of his prior graphic design career. Through his painting he explores and shares his life experiences with irony and wit. “It was Curator Justin Germain’s idea to use the exhibition to tell the story of how I came into the art world through the influences I’ve had and the events that led me to expressing myself on canvas” said Tieken. His lovely wife Gail came up with the title but Mr. Tieken stated “we collaborate on just about everything”. The fun title “78 Years In The Fast Lane”, references the artist turning 78 years old, his brilliant careers in both music and graphic design, and a love of cars and racing. Viewing Mr. Tieken’s artwork we see a skilled artist, expressionistic and painterly in style, mixed with aspects of his graphic design background. His subjects revolve around his incredible life referencing his music career and family. His work has a unique style with subjects subtly abstracted and brought to life with a bold color palette and heavy outlining of figures and words. This is clearly seen in his painting entitled “First Friday”, which is a depiction of what the people he has encountered while at First Fridays’ downtown. We are also shown a new series of paintings entitled “What Was Is” featuring 4 simple, bold, and geometric paintings reminiscent of
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his graphic design days. These are a drastic departure from the majority of his expressionistic work on display. These paintings are prominently exhibited adjacent to the ironic and humorous mixed media work “Art Imitates Art” that depicts a miniature version of the “What Was Is” series being exhibited in an imagery art gallery hinting at the artists’ perception of the art world. When asked about the subjects of his paintings Fred simply stated “ The subjects choose me! I am an avid people watcher. I’ll get a snapshot in my head but when I start to put it out there, it takes on a life of its own”. At first glance his work is very reminiscent of Basquiat, with layers of imagery, words, and bold colors like with “Blue President”. The viewer’s attention is drawn across the gallery to a large blue male figure holding a paper with the words “official document” at closer examination we are able to clearly understand the artists’ opinion on the subject. When asked about his favorite piece in the exhibition he really connects with “Love At First Whiff” but says “all of my work is my favorite, I would not be showing it, if it weren’t”. A wonderfully entertaining and well curated exhibition as a whole, bringing new life and excitement to the monOrchid for the opening of their fall season. The exhibition is a fantastic retrospective of Fred Tieken’s work created thus far. We look forward to seeing more from him in the future. “78 Years In The Fast Lane” runs 9/6-10/12 open every Friday 6-10pm & every Saturday 11-4pm. The monOrchid was one of the 3 galleries chosen by Phoenix Art Museum Contemporary Art Curator Sara Cochran to be apart of this year’s Artlink Collectors Tour on September 21, 1-4pm. The monOrchid Gallery will also be celebrating Fred Tieken’s birthday at the gallery on September 27th 6-10pm. Mr. Tieken has several upcoming solo exhibitions downtown: Gallo Blanco on November 2013, Obliq Gallery for February 2014, concluded with his first exhibition on Grand Avenue for Art Detour 26, March 2014 at {9} The Gallery. For information about Fred Tieken: www.freddietieken.com The monOrchid: www.monorchid.com
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everyone’s creative with moxie By Ashley Brand | Photos: Chris Kontakis
Navigating the iTunes App Store can be exhausting when searching for the perfect photo editing and photo sharing apps. Now, with Moxie, iPhone users can rejoice! The merge between being able to create unique filters from scratch and sharing said filters has arrived. Everyone’s creative with Moxie. Developed by Kyle Stewart, marketed by Suzy Crawford, and designed by Todd Scheuring, Moxie allows mobile photo fanatics to choose from over 150 textures to build a filter using layers similar to Photoshop. Crawford states, “it could be one layer, it could be five layers (…) and then other people can take that stack and place it on their own photo.” So, how does a technology lovers dream come to fruition in Moxie? “From the app called Pictwo. Which is just [the layering of] two photos,” Stewart says, “so taking that idea much further, we kind of came up with Moxie.” “We’re providing (…) this ever-evolving source of unlimited photo filters,” Sheuring says. Instagram and other apps that have a set number of filters that are static will be put to shame by this app that is rising in popularity. Crawford says, “it allows people to share artwork and other people to re-use how they made that artwork on their own photo.” Thus establishing a never-ending stream of new ways to edit personal photos. The most noteworthy feature in Moxie’s arsenal is it is not an app “where you take a picture, press one button and then all of a sudden it looks like nineteen seventy six,” Scheuring describes. Choose from layers such as sand, bokeh, brick and even 23 choices from outer space, altering the strength and presence of each layer, a filter unlike any other can be used, shared and talked about through this, as Crawford says, “collaborative artwork network.” Then, name the new filter and share it with friends and other Moxie users on a social feed. www.moxieapp.co
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