Archive for the ‘People’ Category

NoCo native Lance Robertson is the star of Nick Jr.'s hit series Yo Gabba Gabba!

When Brad Pitt dresses up as you for Halloween and legions of crafters make artsy knick-knacks in your likeness, it’s safe to say that you’re officially a pop culture icon. That’s what happened this year to DJ Lance Rock (aka Lance Robertson), the star of Nick Jr.’s wildly popular kids show, Yo Gabba Gabba!…and yep, you guessed it, he’s a native North Countian.

Lance Robertson in his NoCo days. Photo: Hazelwood East

These days, Robertson sings and dances with a quirky cast of costumed characters, teaching kids about things like sharing and nutrition with the help of celebrity guests like Elijah Wood, Andy Samberg, indie band MGMT, and the hilarious Jack Black. But in 1983, he was just another Hazelwood East graduate, working at Streetside Records and Vintage Vinyl in the Delmar Loop.

In the early 90s, Robertson headed up the St. Louis techno band My Other Self, known for its dreamy, multimedia shows. He also ran the Loop record store Deep Grooves, specializing in dance music, and DJ’d at numerous parties and raves, some of which I attended.

Back then, DJ Lance was a colorful fixture in the local hipster/music scene, always present at cool shows and events. He seemed to know everyone, and everyone thought he was a super fun, talented guy.

DJ Lance: inspiring creativity in felt

Robertson moved to Los Angeles in the mid-90s, about the same time I did. (I saw him at concerts out there too.) After years of working retail, spinning records and playing in the L.A. band The Ray Makers, he was tapped in 2007 to be the host of Yo Gabba Gabba!, a silly, clever, musical kids show that feels like a hybrid of Pee Wee’s Playhouse and Sesame Street.

The show takes its name from the Ramones’ lyric “gabba gabba hey,” and it’s become such a huge hit (especially among Gen X parents) that Robertson and the rest of the cast are now on a nationwide concert tour. Will they come to St. Louis? I don’t know. But a 40-something man dressed in orange spandex, dancing with a monster, a dragon and a robot… Sounds like a classic NoCo character to me. Rock on, Lance!

My friend and neighbor Jack Thomas is an incredibly talented artist who often holds great parties at his studio, a secluded 1930s factory not far from the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Last night, Jack hosted a Halloween Hukilau, transforming his studio into a tiki wonderland and drawing all sorts of interesting and fun revelers. The party featured a groovin’ live band and many clever costumes, plus a raging bonfire, good food, dogs, truckers, and a gorgeous Hawaiian backdrop painted by Jack.

That was my NoCo Halloween, and it was a blast! So what did you do?

click on images for a larger/crisper view

Tiki Jack's Halloween Hukilau 2009

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Two of my favorite neighbors: Ferguson city councilman Dwayne James and the wonderful Auggie. Credit: Wiley Price - St. Louis American

Dwayne James is one of those people who everyone likes and every city needs. Since I first knocked on his door six years ago, asking him to please join our new Old Ferguson West neighborhood association, he has not only served as president of that association and been a key figure in its success, but he has also initiated a number of progressive, green-minded programs citywide as a Ferguson councilman.

It was Dwayne who strongly supported Ferguson’s Live Well initiative with Trailnet, encouraging residents to live healthier. And now, he’s spearheading the city’s first stand-alone 5K race, to be run as a twilight event on May 15, 2010.

For all his good work, Dwayne is finally getting some much deserved attention. Don’t miss this great write-up about him (with video!) in the St. Louis American.

Linda Schmerber, Jennings city historian, proudly shows the community's flag, which was designed by a local 8th grader in 1964.

Jennings is a city that most would say has “transitioned.” In the past 40 years, its population has changed so dramatically that what was once an all-white, middle-class suburb has now become a place where nearly one-quarter of the residents live in poverty and 79 percent of the community is African-American.

At its peak in the late 1950s and early 60s, Jennings had nearly 20,000 residents (5,000 more than today). It also boasted four Catholic parishes, and up until 1960, two thriving school districts. The city was incorporated in 1946 but its roots stem back to 1839, when James Jennings, a Virginia farmer and merchant, purchased 3,000 acres bordered roughly by I-70, Riverview Drive, 367, and Lucas & Hunt.

James Jennings worked his land with the help of 40 slaves, and when he died of tuberculosis in 1855, his property was divided between his wife, Ann Montague Jennings, and their six adult children. When Ann died in 1868, her land was subdivided and developed into homes, churches, farms and businesses – some of which still exist today.

It’s these historic treasures and the proud legacy of the Jennings family that Linda Schmerber has been fighting to protect for the past two decades. A Jennings resident for 48 years (off and on), she joined the Jennings Historical Society in 1987, served as president for 17 years, and now volunteers as the city’s historian and archivist.

A former Jennings landmark that no longer exists: the Janet Theatre

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If you drive on Hanley Road through Kinloch, you can’t help but notice the large vegetable garden that sprawls over several acres near Bradfield Drive. This tapestry of individual plots rests on land owned by Lambert Airport, but it has been meticulous maintained for decades by a group of locals who call themselves the Garden Boys.

Most are retired, and all produce a bounty of crops despite working directly under a very noisy flight path. Even in the winter months, the Boys meet at the site to play dominos and share a home-cooked meal, often inside the wooden shack they built themselves. They also donate much of the food they grow to needy families.

Photographer Deborah Weinstein has been documenting the group for several years and recently shared some of her photos with the St. Louis Beacon, for an article on how the NorthPark development was trying to bully the Garden Boys off of land that NorthPark doesn’t actually own. Nice.

Weinstein also produced a great audio/photo essay for CNN on the Garden Boys, who amazingly carry in all their own water! It’s a neat glimpse at a little NoCo slice of life. Don’t miss it!

Painter Dan Fishback runs a studio out of his home in Florissant

If you’re ever driving past Parc Argonne subdivision on N. Lindbergh, you might see a small hand-painted sign that reads “Artist Open Studio.” That means Daniel Fishback is busy doing what he loves: creating vibrant original paintings in the fresh open air.

Working from his garage/studio on Mondoubleau Lane, Fishback paints landscapes, portraits, and luminous depictions of homes, commercial buildings and animals. When his studio is open, the public is welcome to stop by and visit. Fishback has a wide selection of both original paintings and prints for sale, and he even accepts credit cards.

A small business owner for 15 years, he became a full-time working artist in 1999 and now participates in regional art shows throughout Missouri and Illinois. Just last week, he won second place in the drawing/pastel category at the St. Charles Plein Air Competition, meaning he created his winning entry in the open air while others were able to watch him work.

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