Some images from Unwrapped, the Union Project's annual holiday fundraiser. They had a circus theme this year, complete with jugglers, a tarot card reader, hula hoopers, and slackliners.

Good times!

A few of the delicious details from Say I Do on Thursday evening, an eco-chic bridal cocktail party hosted by Simone Hudson of 5 Senses Events:


The other fab vendors that offered their services to help make the evening a success:
All Occasions Party Rental
ADS Lighting
DJ Jeremy Ganss
Coca Cafe
Grey Box Theatre
Dozen Bake Shop
Katy D Invitations and Greetings
Lendable Linens
M Catering
Mocha Rose Floral Design
Heather Ganss Custom Jewelry
Molly's Trolleys
and of course, yours truly
Kimberly Reed Photography

The lovely and talented Simone at 5 Senses Events has put together a bridal cocktail party that is shaping up to be quite the must-attend event for brides-to-be. I've attached the invite below, and I have to point out that space is limited and you must rsvp and purchase your ticket in advance here.

There's a gallery show in Braddock this weekend that I'll have a few prints in. I know several of the other photographers who are participating, and it looks like it will be a cool event. Food + Art + Supporting a great cause = you should go and have a great time. Bring a friend, or make one there.



Here's the info from their press release:
OBSCURAE Photography Exhibition & Art Lottery Event
Fundraiser sponsored by Braddock Redux hosted at the UnSmoke Systems Gallery
1137 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA
Curated by: Jenny Fremlin & Jodi Morrison, with special guest curator John Ryan Brubaker

Friday, December 5, 2008: Public Viewing / Preview Reception 7pm-11pm
Saturday, December 6, 2008: Public Viewing: 2pm ; Art Lottery: 4 – 7pm

Lottery Tickets: $45 through website; $55 at the Door
www.obscuraegallery.org

Art Photography Featuring Braddock Will Be Raising Funds for Community Projects

Braddock Redux, a community based non-profit, announces its sponsorship of a two-day photography exhibition/fundraiser, The event, OBSCURAE, will occur on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6, 2008. Benefiting the group’s continuing revitalization efforts of this historic steel mill town, OBSCURAE features more than 125 donated and framed photographs of Braddock from over 25 photographers that ticket holders will win and take home at the OBSCURAE art photography lottery. Public viewing of the work, open to all and free of charge, begins Friday from 7 – 11pm and continues Saturday at 2pm; the art lottery commences at 4pm Saturday. Those attending OBSCURAE, held at UnSmoke Systems Gallery at 1137 Braddock Avenue, are invited to take part in the gallery’s interactive photo booth designed by installation artist Merissa Lombardo and taste fresh-baked pizza by Josh Tonies made in Braddock’s very own outdoor wood-fire community oven located next to UnSmoke Systems. There is no charge to attend OBSCURAE and view the exhibition; visitors wishing to take home a work of art can purchase lottery tickets for $45 through the website, www.obscuraegallery.org, or for $55 at the door. The lottery offers supporters the opportunity to contribute to Braddock art and community projects with a partially tax-deductible ticket purchase. At the same time, supporters will be able to enjoy the exhibit, local food and drinks, the photo booth installation, AND leave with a limited edition framed art photograph. Photographs included in the lottery range from 8x10 to 13x19 and are mounted and framed using a variety of reclaimed materials. All pieces are stunning to display or give as a gift this holiday season.

Change is underway in Braddock as groups working with and within the community bring renewed energy to a town that many wrote off. Inspired by the town’s potential for grassroots urban renewal, many artists, social entrepreneurs, community organizers, urban homesteaders and others with a pioneering spirit are using the inherent energy in Braddock to fuel their creativity. It is with this spirit that OBSCURAE views the maligned town – turning a photographic eye towards the borough’s oft-overlooked beauty and the spaces amidst the former grandeur and “urban blight” that Braddock has come to represent for many in the Pittsburgh area.

Curated by Braddock residents Jenny Fremlin and Jodi Morrison, with special guest curator John Ryan Brubaker, OBSCURAE pays homage to Braddock’s unique post-industrial urban beauty. From the borough’s Victorian and industrial-era construction to particulars of its natural surroundings, each photograph captures a unique perspective of the town. Works are mounted and framed with found-materials from the community. In creating OBSCURAE, curators Fremlin and Morrison hope to encourage others to look deeper and appreciate the small wonders that drew them to Braddock. “The energy in Braddock is amazing, from the support of our neighbors who are long-time Braddock residents to curious people dropping in there is always something happening in this town. All of that activity and more is captured in the photographs that have been submitted by these brilliant photographers who have explored here and chosen to help the town that inspired their art by participating in this event” said Fremlin.

I had the great pleasure of photographing Unwrapped, the Union Project's annual fundraiser to celebrate the programming and arts that happen there. It's always a great time and this year was no exception. I've got to give props to Hilary Brown and her staff of over 50 volunteers who worked tirelessly to pull the event together. Also, my dear friend Simone Hudson of 5 Senses Events helped with coordination and event design this year, and all of the fabulous florals were courtesy of the talented (and super sweet) April of Mocha Rose. Without further ado, I've compiled a montage of some of the details from Saturday evening:

Liquid Sundays had a fashion edition at Olive or Twist Sunday night featuring clothes from Sugar boutique and shoes from Pavement. The bands the Lost Sea, Central Plains, and Thee Adora played. Good times. Some of the things that caught my eye throughout the evening:

I've been wanting to learn how to kayak for quite some time now, and it's one of those things I haven't gotten around to yet. When my friend Barb recently mentioned that she and her husband Steve go kayaking pretty regularly, I casually invited myself along.

Last night, the three of us rented kayaks at Mon Yough Outfitters in Millvale. Barb and Steve were kind enough to give me a quick kayaking 101 lesson (which was along the lines of- sit down, and paddle). Now, I don't mean to brag or anything, but it's like I was born to kayak. It just came so naturally to me, almost like I was a kayak prodigy really, that I was a little embarrassed when I quickly left Barb and Steve in my wake.

Ok, that's a lie. Really, the first 45 minutes or so I spent trying to keep from paddling in circles. After that though, I slowly started to get the hang of it, and really enjoyed myself out on the water. It was a beautiful evening, and soo peaceful and relaxing just slowly (and I do mean slowly) paddling along the river. If you've never been, I enthusiastically recommend it. You can rent kayaks by the hour in Pittsburgh (by PNC Park) and in North Park through Kayak Pittsburgh, and Mon Yough (where we went) also does hourly rentals.

I brought along my little point and shoot camera, and snapped a few photos while we were out. I wasn't certain that I wouldn't end up completely submerged at some point during our excursion, so I had the camera safely tucked away in a ziploc bag. The first photo (of Steve), is kind of hazy because I left the camera in the bag while I took the photo. :) The next two, you'll notice, are much clearer, as it was the end of our trip and my confidence was built up to the point that I was pretty certain the mere act of pressing the shutter button on my camera wouldn't cause me to topple overboard. (The first half of the trip, I wasn't so sure.)