The Norae Shanty is based on Korean karaoke rooms called “ Norae bangs” (song rooms). The Norae bang (pronounced “ nō–rāy–bŏng”) is essentially a scaled down version of a karaoke bar, a small room with karaoke equipment and comfortable seating that groups of people rent by the hour. These bangs provide participants with simultaneous visual, audible, and emotional experiences. Yet unlike the sometimes competitive and embarrassing nature of the karaoke bar experience, the norae bang provides up to a dozen participants a cheerful and supportive environment for a more comfortable exchange. Ice fishing and ice house culture is similar to the bang phenomenon in Asian urban centers. Bangs, like ice houses, serve as a retreat, a small and isolated space for groups to participate in a shared activity away from the stress of everyday life. The Norae Shanty was developed to provide new and intersecting populations with the opportunity for soulful exchange.

To preview a list of tunes you can sing and to learn even more about his Norae Shanty check out Mike’s website.

Move over Baby Einstein, Barney, and the Wiggles! Mama and Papa have found a brand new bag of tunes that’s sure to have kids embracing bands ranging from Bloc Party and Sufjan Stevens to the Beatles, Björk, and Metallica and genres that run the gamut from world music and funk to classical, African, and bluegrass well before their teen years. If you’ve fallen behind in your parental duties to impart impeccable musical taste to your offspring, or at least expose them to new types of music, never fear–Walker employees are here! We’ve discovered groups creating music both you and your little ones will enjoy. Three Walker families share tips about the types of tunes they listen to together. Each highlighted several artists they’ve recently been spinning at home or in the car.

Holly and Witt Siasoco (teen programs manager) and their one-year-old son Rey rock out to anything by Dan Zanes, formerly of the Del Fuegos. His album Rocket Ship Beach was recorded with his talented friends, including Suzanne Vega, in his Brooklyn basement. A new fave is Zanes’ latest release Catch That Train! The Siasocos also share a love of some of the newer Flaming Lips albums, such as Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots and The Soft Bulletin. This past fall they discovered the band Wee Hairy Beasties, a collaboration/project of Jon Langford and other members of the Mekons.

Marty Broan and Siri Engberg (visual arts curator) share all types of music with their children, Simon (6) and Eliza (4). They load up their iPod and let the tunes flow randomly. As the kids start to identify the songs they prefer, Broan puts their favorites into playlists. The kids always enjoy sing-along tunes, but lately have also shown an appreciation for those with lyrics they might not understand as well as music without any vocals. One of Eliza’s most requested jams is a 17-minute version of Phish’s “ Runaway Jim,” and Simon favors the James Brown band’s instrumental work-up of “ Tighten Up.” The family has also found a selection of artists who have recorded children’s material that adults also enjoy, such as Ralph’s World’s fun hit “ Dance Around.”

When Haylee (12) was younger, she and her dad Dave Bartley (senior registration technician, pictured above) rocked out together to Zanes and crew in concert. She has since branched out to the Beatles-mania stage. Haylee trusts her dad to DJ most of the time, but her personal favorites include Thievery Corporation and Fall Out Boy.

First Amendment Arts is proud to present “ Dessert,” the collaborative art of 6-year-old CohenMorano. Much like the title of the show, the art has no grand illusions to be anything but a sweet feast, but for the eyes rather than the taste buds. When asked about why he named the show as such, he simply replied, “ Dessert is really good.”

From the age of two (with a little help from dad, Gangsta Rap Coloring Book artist Aye Jay), Cohen’s watercolor paintings have traveled the globe to a “ Who’s who” of modern art, spanning graffitists, fine artists, printmakers, tattoo artists, as well as clothing and toy designers. Once in the artists’ possession, they have carte blanche to do whatever they wish to one of Cohen’s watercolors before shipping it back to eager little hands.

What has come back has been nothing short of stunning, from Barry McGee’s intricate pen work, Shepard Fairey’s iconic stencils, Chris Ware’s animals on parade, to Mark Ryden’s interpretive use of negative space. With the number of pieces now well over one hundred, artist Jack Davis (of Mad magazine fame) called Cohen “ another Ralph Steadman.” Other artists involved in the show include Juxtapoz regulars Bigfoot, Kaws, and Gary Taxali, Ego Trip’s Brent Rollins, rappers Rammelzee and Z-Man, gig poster giants Art Chantry and Frank Kozik, and Burlesque’s own Aaron Horkey, Todd Bratrud, and Mike Davis. While these collaborative pieces will not be for sale, this is a very rare opportunity for Twin Cities art enthusiasts to come see work from all of these artists in the same place at the same time.

When not painting or drawing, Cohen is your average 6 year old. He loves going to kindergarten, watching cartoons, eating mac and cheese, and everything Star Wars. This last October, Cohen was asked to design a skateboard for Foundation’s limited edition “ F Art” deck series, and his work has been featured in recurring blog entries on the respected art website http://fecalface.com

The show will run from June 16th through July 17th, 2007.

We will have an opening reception on June 16th, 6-10PM (note: no late night afterparty) with music from DJ Mike the 2600 King.

Both Cohen and Aye Jay Morano will be in attendance.

We will also be serving a giant array of desserts, so come hungry!

First Amendment is located at 1101 Stinson Blvd at the corner of Broadway and Stinson in NE Minneapolis.

(612) 379-4151

http://firstamendmentarts.com

Gallery hours:

Monday – Friday: 12 – 5PM

Weekends: by appointment

Some other links of interest:

http://www.mumblemagazine.com/407lilcohenmorano.htm

http://www.foskco.com/fartdeckprogram