Red Bat Photography is very proud to be the official photographer for Santa Cruz NEXT, a local organization whose mission includes “actively promoting access to and development of economic, social and cultural opportunities” and “connecting Santa Cruz’s next generation of residents to the community at large” (I got those phrases from their newly revamped website).

Recently (well, actually, two months ago, but time has a different meaning during WEDDING SEASON), this organization had a lil’ shindig at the Del Mar Theater. People gathered to chat, network, enjoy great deals on delicious beer and kombucha cocktails, and watch the premier of FOOD, Inc. The Red Bats were there to shoot the participants. Here are a few photos from that evening. You can visit the Santa Cruz NEXT site to read their post about it and see more photos.

Click here to learn more about Santa Cruz NEXT, and here to learn more about FOOD, Inc.

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!

Speaking of digging through archives…I was recently doing a bit of spelunking in the Red Bat PhotoCave (TM), and came across some photos we shot waaaay back in October 2007. Red Bat Friend (TM) Peter is pals with the dudes in a band called Mr. Stitches in Sacramento, and they were playing before a movie premier. We couldn’t stick around for the movie, but we did get a few shots of the band!

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.