'Nothing': A Multi Media Event Featuring the Music of the Velvet Underground

This event is presented by 12 Milesnorth, a progressive arts organization based in Hastings-on-Hudson.

From 12milesnorth.org:

The 2400 square foot raw space located at 45 Main St. is being transformed into the “Silver Factory” for a multi-media Pop happening called “Nothing”.

The show is a creative collaboration between the talented musician, Milton and the Executive Director of 12 Milesnorth, Liz Liebeskind. The “happening” will feature the music of The Velvet Underground, films by Andy Warhol and performances that bring to life the studio environment in the Factory in the mid 1960’s.

During this time period Andy Warhol was moving away from art and focusing his attention on making underground movies. His studio, nick named the Silver Factory, was chock full of amphetamine and LSD, drop-ins, drag queens, Superstars, musicians including the Velvet Underground and Bob Dylan, dancers, poets, playwrights, art dealers and beautiful girls. At the center of all the comings and goings was Andy Warhol who enjoyed working hard while observing the avant-garde and the blending of high society with low life.

In 1965 Edie Sedgwick became an overnight underground film star because of Andy’s movies “Poor little Rich Girl” and “Kitchen.” From August through December of 1965 Edie and Andy were a New York media sensation. In early 1966 Andy met The Velvet Underground, signed on as their manager and produced their now famous “Banana” Album. 1966 also became the year that the “Exploding Plastic Inevitable” a psychedelic music happening was created for the DOM a new lower east side discothèque.

About Exploding Plastic Inevitable Andy states “We’re sponsoring the band The Velvet Underground since I don’t believe in painting anymore I thought it would be a nice way, a chance to combine music and art and films altogether.”

Decades later, The Velvet Underground has been widely acclaimed as the band that practically invented new wave music in the 60’s. Lou Reed describes his music: “The flower child music that was happening on the west coast had no relationship to the reality that we knew. We had as a goal to put together some rock and roll songs that had to do with what was really going on, for us in New York and around us and had some basis in reality.“

The Velvets music will be played by Milton on guitar and vocals, Julia Joseph on vocals and percussion, Ben Trokan on Drums, Sami Buccella on Bass & Piano, Martin Keartin on Guitar and Robyn Siwula on Viola, The evening will also feature actors Peter Sprague, Lourdes Blanesfeld, Dylan O’Brien and others.

“Nothing” is an exploration of the process inherent in the music, the films, the happenings, the humor and the chaos that Andy and his entourage encountered daily as they broke through pre-existing creative and social boundaries. The show uses film, lights, live music and live performance to create a multi media interactive happening that surrounds the audience and invites participation.