The Red Bats are pleased to announce that we have had our very first gallery showing! This past Friday was the opening of a show with the theme of “Art Inspired by Music and Music-Inspiring Art” at the Mill Gallery here in lovely Santa Cruz. We have managed to photograph some wonderful musicians in the year and change that we’ve been in business, and this show gave us a chance to highlight some of our favorite photos.

The artist we primarily focused on for this show is our pal Hod Hulphers, and we were lucky enough to place many photos of Hod on a column smack-dab in the middle of the entry to the gallery. If you stop by, you can’t miss it. It’s The Tower of Hod.

We’ve mentioned Hod a few times, so regular readers will be familiar with him, but – and I hope you’ll indulge me as I put on my Artiste Hat here – Hod is much more than a musician. Hod is an enigma. A chimera, if you will. We’ve photographed Hod doing a wide variety of odd things…Hod singing and playing his guitar in a tree, Hod suggestively eyeing a panty-clad stump, even Hod setting his lawn on fire. In short, Hod is pretty awesome. We hope you think so, too.

You can hear some of Hod’s songs here, from his album 1/2 Odar.

We also included some photos from a show by Birds Fled From Me, who made a big impression on Rebecca back in April.

For interested locals, our photos will be on display at the Mill Gallery for at least another week or two, or whenever they decide to switch them out. Come and see our work, and bow before the Tower of Hod!

This week, Metro Santa Cruz alerted locals to the emergence of Fusion. This restaurant/lounge is turning the old Pearl Alley Bistro into a nighttime hot spot thanks to the efforts of Pati Murray, who somehow manages to be organized AND fun. I worked in an office with Pati for several years before we both embarked on our own entrepreneurial ventures, and I know firsthand that Fusion has been Pati’s vision for a long time. It’s very exciting to see it taking shape at last.

The “soft” opening of Fusion happened back in February, and this Red Bat Photographer was on hand to take pictures and get some free drinks. The place is classy and intimate, with lighting that flatters the complexion. It’s a good place for all kinds of activities, from tipsy dirt-dishing with friends to sealing the deal with a client. An engagement ring produced in this venue would catch the candlelight quite nicely.

If you want to make friends, just sit at the bar. Maybe it’s the regulars, or maybe it’s Pati’s expansive energy, but I’ve never seen such relaxed, unpretentious clientele anywhere. People smile and introduce themselves. And the drinks are yummy. Go hang out there, and raise a glass to women who turn their dreams into sweet intoxicating reality.