Three Questions with LONNIE HANzON

Artist Lonnie Hanzon of Hanzon Studios is selling out, hosting an Emancipation Auction over the first two weekends in November, with the goal of ridding himself of his past. Really.

Well, the obvious question is, what's next?

Yeah, it does seem to be the Big Question. The response is, "Stay Tuned." All I know is that all of this Ð my physical belongings, my artwork, my past Ð has to be gone before I make that decision. I'm killing off my own character. Why? I lost my voice somewhere along the line, with everything going on. . . . I doubt I'll leave the arts, since I've been doing it for 20 years. I'm entertaining lots of ideas, making no commitment. I have to get to know myself. . . I'm hearing a lot of "You're very brave, " from a lot of very brave people. I don't know. As an artist, you get used to risk. Every time I do a public work, I'm risking everything. Anyway, I feel that, I'm doing what I'm supposed to as an artist, an observer, a recorder of this society. I'm feeling a part of what's going on in the world.

Is this event allowing you the fantasy of attending your own funeral?

I guess so. I've been told many times that "You'll have a huge impact after you're dead." We tend to be a society who believes in dead artists. And this event has certainly let me see how people really think about me. It's been interesting. Of course, too, every artist fantasizes about hanging a huge show and selling out. I'm doing that. . . .Since August, I've created 52 paintings. Because there is no value, no gallery, no critics. . . and I don't care if it's worth $5 or $5,000 -- it's the best work of my life.

Is there symbolism behind shaving your head? Hair has traditionally held tremendous meaning. (Lonnie will shed his famous long hair on preview night, Nov. 1.)

Wait until you see the publicity shot. It's amazing. I'm lying down on an incline, with my hair all pulled up and my arms above my head. I'm nude to the waist, well, actually, to my pubes. I'm like this 118-pound guy. I could never have done a nude shoot until this moment. I'm beyond embarrassment. I'm baring it all, in a literal sense. Oh, so, the hair. It's 38 inches long. The time I spend brushing my hair every day is a meditative time. Visions of what I want in life revisit me in that time every day. I have realized I have to let go of those ideals; "the crops are tainted." There is a saying, "burn the fields, trust the soil." Farmers have to do it all the time. I'm hoping I, too, can find my original seeds. By cutting the hair off, I am letting go symbolically and literally. It may turn out that by letting go of all this, all my dreams will be manifest. ~Kimberly MacArthur Graham

Find out more about the artwork auction at www.hanzonstudios.com or call 303-436-1895. Tour the for-sale studio at www.kentwoodcity.com If you'd like to attend one last Hanzon-designed event, purchase a ticket for the October 27 Cabinet of Curiosities masquerade ball benefiting the Webb-Waring Foundation. Contact Mary Schaefer at 303-315-3314 for details.

Music Notes

Big Head Todd and the Monsters have formed a record label, Big Records, and recently hired Mark Bliesener as the band's personal manager. Bliesener has earned a national reputation as a music business expert, running www.bandguru.com from his Denver office (see back issue from March 2001-- ---three questions with). After agonizing in major label limbo for the past three years, Todd Park Mohr and bandmates Brian Levin (drums) and Rob Squires (bass) have regrouped and are re-energized. The Monsters's new record, Riviera, is slated for an early 2002 release, and the band will pay a highly anticipated show at The Fillmore Auditorium New Year's Eve. For more, see www.bigheadtodd.com

The Rocktoberfest benefit raised $9000 for the American Red Cross. The two-night event held October 5 and 6 featured 30 local bands on three stages in LoDo. Look for more fall festivities from Rocktoberfest next year.

The folks booking music at House of Rock in Northglen and the recently revamped Sheridan Saloon are looking to integrate more musical styles into both venues. Original acts are encouraged to try these places on for size. Contact SLAM Productions at 303-837-1473.

The Strippers Ball, a favorite among many Denverites, is scheduled for November 3 at the Zodiac Lounge, 1523 Market St. Here is the chance to meet your favorite male and female entertainers from PT's, Cheerleaders, Hardbodies, Bare Assets, and Play Girl. Local bands Brethan Fast and To Each His Own join the fun for your listening pleasure. Doors open at 5 pm with a $10 cover. Call 303-667-9897 for more info.

New People: Jerry Lentini, former bassist for Tequila Mockingbird and Dear Marsha is now playing with Xiren. The full band will be on deck for a gig Oct. 27 at the Soiled Dove with On Second Thought. . . Battery Park welcomes two new members. Todd Davis now plays keyboards and Skye Perry is filling in the low end on bass. The new BP line-up participated in a New York City Fire Fighters Disaster Relief benefit last week with friends Moving Matter and You Call That Art? New Tunes: Gravity Struck (www.gravitystruck.com) released Flat on the Floor this week. The band is signed to Ft. Collins label Hapi Skratch records. Kenny James' project, The Witching Hour, has officially released the highly anticipated new record, Angels in Shadowed Blue. Find out more at www.thewitchinghour.net
~Judy B

Fashion Clip

Don't you just love Halloween? The annual pseudo-holiday that turns the city streets into a surreal fashion show of the bizarre and macabre. This year the tricky holiday falls on a Wednesday, detonating a week-long costume party like an MTV Spring Break on quaaludes. So snatch a costume, fill your pockets with favorite treats, and go get yer' freak on!

October 26, Rock Island is hosting "Jonestown" brought to you by the creative folks at Tempus Terram. The evening will feature a pre-Halloween massacre with fire displays by Caution Theatre, film and lighting performances, and dark electro-industrial music. Visit www.rockislandclub.com for more details.

October 26 is also the big date for the legendary Exotica Erotica Ball at the Boulder Theater. This year the theme is Odyssey 2001, and will include interplanetary installations by Concept-object, a dance and fashion performance by Christy Harris, and Boulder's own Motion Underground dancers. DJ Flow will be breaking out the beats with all proceeds funding the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Costumes are required. Go to www.bouldertheater.com for more details.

October 30 is the date for She Boo II, the Snake Pit's Tuesday night Ladies night, with DJ's Garth and Eli. The night will feature a retro costume party and contest. Don't miss the Snake Pit on October 31st, when the club will be dressed as the Streets of London for a Jack the Ripper theme party. Sherlock Holmes will be on hand to hunt down the infamous assassin, and costume contests will abound. Visit www.snakepitdenver.com for more information.

When you're done hitting up all your neighbors for candy, go check out Cabaret 13, Christian's newest night at Pure. DJ Kostas will be turning out the beat-treats, Melinda is on hand to twist and weave fire, and Wendo provides all the art. Naughty or Nice is the theme of this costume encouraged event -- and if it's anything like Christian's previous parties -- this is one not to be missed. Call 303-260-7511 for more information.

~Kity Ironton