The Speakeasy – Closes May 13

Organized by Kansas City-based artists Sean Starowitz and Andrew Erdrich, The Speakeasy aims to create a center within our emerging cultural corridor for the kind of increasingly prevalent creative work that New York-based artist and writer Gregory Sholette describes as dedicated to the “imaginative exploration of ideas, the pleasure of communication, the exchange of education, and the construction of fantasy, all within a radically defined social-artist practice.”

Opening Reception: Friday, April 6, 6-9pm
Location: La Esquina/ 1000 W 25th St. KCMO 64108
Exhibition Runs: April 6- May 13, 2012
Gallery Hours: Fridays + Saturdays 12-6pm, Sundays 12-5pm + special events
Website: thespeak-easy.org
Special Events: (see the Speakeasy’s complete calendar at thespeak-easy.org)
“BBQ Migration” featuring Eric May’s E-Dogz truck – April 6, 6-9pm
Presentation + Discussion with Marc Fischer of Temporary Services – April 13, 6-9pm
Curated Reading organized by Jordan Stempleman – April 27
BREAD! micro-granting dinners each Sunday evening (excepting Easter)
Panel Discussions on topics including Creative Labor – April 7, 21st Century Philanthropy – April 18 + Non-Profit vs. Non-Non-Profit models for arts + cultural centers – April 29
Live Music by Gamelan Kenta Kasturi – April 14, Grisly Hand with Howard Iceberg + the Titanics – April 21, and Umberto + This Is My Condition – May 5

Featuring a bar (serving sandwiches, coffee, and drinks) that doubles as a podium for lectures, a communal table for meals and conversations, a reading and research room, display areas, and space for creating, The Speakeasy will function as an “evolving, experimental temporary cultural center. “ Within this conducive environment will unfold events, panel discussions, conversations, lectures, collaborations, object production, and more, presented by and including a diverse roster of participants from Kansas City and elsewhere.

Among the featured visiting participants are Eric May (Chicago, IL), Temporary Services (Chicago, IL), and Wes Janz (Muncie, Indiana).  Kansas City participants include CartWheel, Julia Cole, Tori Abernathy, Alex Pope/Vagabond, La Cucaracha, Phresh Prints Co-op, and Field Trip Publishing. 

The Speakeasy will also feature Boulevard Beer, Oddly Correct Coffee, and custom sandwiches by The Local Pig, The Rieger, and others.

For a complete schedule of events, biographies of participating artists, and more, visit http://thespeak-easy.org.