#boremont

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Damian Lewis as Boremont - Your Highness (2011)

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Damian Lewis as Boremont - Your Highness (2011)

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Damian Lewis as Boremont - Your Highness (2011)

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Damian Lewis as Boremont - Your Highness (2011)

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Damian Lewis as Boremont - Your Highness (2011)

[victoriahousetx]

Manifesting Mantis Fest

Fine artistry, live music, fashion design, drag shows, film screenings, hook suspensions, tarot, and massage, oh my! This is just a mere taste of the spiritual smorgasborg that was the Preying Mantis Arts and Music festival, hosted by Beaumont artist Nathan McCray. The forecast for the second annual event was less than promising; the fickle Texas weather taunted in the days preceding the event, being sunny one day and a downpour the next. Luckily, the festival gods smiled upon us in all their glory; the day could not have been more stunning!

The sun shone through a makeshift pergola of branches, casting shadows over Latricia Badgett, frontwoman of The Ron Jeremies, as she laid out her homegrown wares of abstract paintings, custom essential oil blends, and sprouts from her garden. Woodblock printer and graphic designer Maurice Abelmon set up shop next to the stage, a bohemian creation of reclaimed woodwork, and proceeded to outfit two of the performance artists of his latest project, Avatar Archetypes. Kyle Gaspard and Garrett Hoffpauir worked tirelessly to create a soundscape for the 300 or so attendees as they wandered the festival grounds where they were body painted by artist Betty Smith, enjoyed the delectable dishes from Dat Mac, and perused the shops.

Vendors boasting a variety of goods and services, such as Will Daley’s resinwork, Kailee Viator’s mixed media assemblages, and Jackie’s Herbals, lined the parameter of McCray’s property where he lives and works on personal projects that range from mixed media paintings to handcarved driftwood sculptures. Many of his creations dotted the whimsical grounds with intricate designs and inviting faces, adding to the surreal scenery. One of his sculptures, a spinning wheel aptly named the Trance Inducing Holographic Time Machine, was a commonly used landmark for locating the makeshift catwalk utilized for the drag performances as well as Betty Pruitt’s fashion show, whose designs explored the concept of twin flames.

Beyond that was the area designated for hook suspensions by Adam Newgins, a local tattooer and piercer. A crowd formed as the rigging was set, but a hush fell over the gathering as Cody Haynes was slowly hoisted into the air, suppressing groans that veered between euphoria and agony. Those who couldn’t stomach such a thing meandered in different directions, some checking out film screenings run by the Boomtown Film and Music Festival team, others venturing to the booths of Kevin Clay and Xenia Fedorchenko to print a custom shirt.

First-timer John Rollins proclaimed, “I didn’t like [the festival]. I loved it!” He described the event as a “beautifully crafted mix of art, music, good times and all the creative energy you’d ever want in one place,” and right he was. As the sun disappeared beyond the trees, the bonfire grew and the crowds dispersed to their respective pockets of people, simultaneously venturing out to catch the array of sounds drifting from the stage that featured the likes of newcomers Dogs With Hands, local favorite Snorlaxxx, and Isreali two-piece outfit, Dodies.

Michael Edwards, one of the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to help bring the event to fruition, said everything turned out to be the best time he’s had in Beaumont in a long while, with “flashing vibes, those fun soothing tones, and quirky noises. McCray was overjoyed at the best turnout they’ve had thus far, and is quick to exclaim that he couldn’t have done it without all of the helping hands. “It was a great day of celebration for the amazing artists and performers that we are so lucky to have in our community!”

BY Melody Boyd

Photos Shane Brown & Bryan Lee

[victoriahousetx]

Burn Out Brighter

I had a moment with Chris Boaz, Drummer of Burns Out Brighter and we cover origins of the band and telling us how Burns Out Brighter really brings it. So let's take a look at what Chris wanted to reveal with us here at High Street Times! Burn Out Brighter is a lyrically driven Pop Punk band from Orange, Texas. We deal with real topics such as depression, overthinking, and the occasional break-up song.

Toney:  What would you say is your main influences? Music, Family or your past?

Chris: Definitely a mixture of the 3! Lyrically our songs deal with everything from depression to family troubles to ex-girlfriends, and of course musically we have the bands we've always looked up to and have drawn influences from.

Toney: What was starting the band like - would you say you had it easy or rough in the beginning of your bands development?

Chris: I'd say we as a whole have had it pretty easy so far! We've gone through a couple lineup changes through the past 2 years that we've been a band, never any bad blood between past members, just different path that life drew us to. As of now, that's the only really "rough" challenge we've had to face.

Toney: What song in your EP discography says the most about you and Burns Out Brighter?

Chris: "The Fall" for sure. Sonically it sums up our sound as a band pretty well and it displays some of the main topics we discuss lyrically. It's also the first song we ever wrote together as a band so it holds a special place in our hearts.

Toney: Was there any difficulty in your creative and musical process that really made the bands development stand out?

Chris:4. I feel like from the beginning it's been pretty clear the sound we've wanted to go for, and even the newer members that have come into the band have hopped in and contributed so much to the creative process. We've definitely butt heads before, but you're going to get that when 4 guys with lots of different musical tastes get together, but at the end of the day, the sound we've got is something we're all proud of.

Toney: How would you say Burn Out Brighter's career is going in the local area surrounded by so much talk and support?

Chris: There's still a long way to go, but we're doing pretty good for a band that has only been together for 2 years! We're lucky to have a lot of friends in the area that come out and support, and for all the different bands that we've made friends with, it makes things a lot easier when there's so many bands lifting each other up and helping each other out.

It was great of Chris to lend a few moments to High Street and let us pick his brain for a bit. The band Burn Out Brighter is on Facebook and Spotify! Chris had some final words to the fans and readers:

"The one thing we want to do as a band is inspire people to figure out what they're passionate about, and to go out and do it. We hope you enjoy our music and can come away with something hopeful and positive, thanks for listening."

Burn Out Brighter is

--Tanner Royal: (Lead Vocals/Guitar)

--Austin Confer: (Guitar/Vocals)

--Reid Manley: (Bass)

--Chris Boaz: (Drums/Vocals)

BY Toney Emmons

[victoriahousetx]

Wake Up Beaumont Podcast

    My morning routine of near lethal coffee consumption and a gruelling run has recently been shaken out of its monotony by our own Julia Rodriguez and her Beaumont-centric podcast Wake Up Beaumont! Ranging from breaking down what districts are and how they work to city council candidates, Julia has set out to ask questions and bring the answers to the attention of potential voters and the politically ignorant alike.   I found myself stopping mid-stride many times during a run to laugh at the relatable humor or to intently listen to the incredibly interesting interviews where many previously unknown issues were brought to light. In one of the first episodes we listened to our host struggle with her journalistic ethos and the impact of her words in the face of scandals brought out by two of the candidates running for seats on the district 4 school board. In the end Julia left us with the resources to educate ourselves on the issues and a plea for action in the upcoming election. I have a lot of praise for the show and very few complaints, most of which, like the low volume of some interviews, have been solved in recent episodes. Julia, what you are doing is a great service to our community. Your enthusiasm for change is infectious,  and you inspire action on the part of your core listeners. It's time to Wake Up Beaumont!  

BY Shane Brown