Random Sunday: Art Fest, Masks & Movies

When winter comes, there’s nothing better than waking up on a Sunday and knowing that you don’t have to leave the house for the entire day. It’s cold and dreary outside and there isn’t a lot going on, so there’s no guilt involved with wanting to linger over coffee and the paper, play board games, read books, watch TV, and just be lazy all day.

Knowing that those days are fast approaching makes me want to fit as much activity into my weekends now as I can. I’ll be able to do plenty of relaxing for the next five months.

Sunday was the one day of the week that the sun, not the alarm clock, woke me up, and since the sun hadn’t shined in four days, I woke up particularly happy and ready to start the day.

After drinking a quick cup of coffee and reading only the really important parts of the newspaper, I was out the door with Dave to drive out to the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center for the Arts for the First Annual Hidden River Art Festival.

The day was so perfect, the first day that really felt like autumn. The sky was strikingly clear and the temperature was high enough that no jacket was needed over my sweater. We parked our car in the giant parking lot and looked around. The art center is located in Mitchell Park and is surrounded completely by open fields and trees. White tents were set up next to the building and we could hear music coming from inside the fest.

We walked through the gates, and as always, my first thoughts went to food. I hadn’t had breakfast so I was starving. Dave got a cheeseburger and I had a brat, and once we were sufficiently filled, we got up to walk through the tents.

More than 80 Wisconsin artists were being featured at the festival. We strolled through, stopping now and then to look a little closer at this painting or that photograph. Paintings and photos made up the majority of the art, but we also saw sculptures, jewelry and clothing.

The artists stood in their respective corners of the tents, in many cases silently watching as people examined their work, and other times having conversations with the more serious potential buyers. I didn't linger too long over anything since I knew I wasn't able to make any purchases. I did, however, make quite a few mental notes about what I'd like to decorate my home with when the day finally comes when I can afford to.

Some of the paintings were a bit … ordinary … and a few of the pieces, like the huge stained glass lamp for $7,000, were just a TAD bit overpriced in my mind (!), but for the most part, the art was really impressive.

Having never been inside the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center, I definitely wanted to see it before we left. It was really lovely inside – I remember I had briefly considered it for a possible wedding venue when I first got engaged. The main room is very cozy and intimate and I'm sure it makes for some very elegant evenings.

The art festival was a pleasant way to spend an hour or two on a Sunday. I was glad there was food – and wine and beer! (too early in the day for us, though!) – and there was music, too, though when we were there, the music left much to be desired. The singer was obviously singing for the kiddies, but to me, an art festival doesn't really seem like a kid-focused event. I read that there was a kids' activity area, which made the whole thing more family friendly, but I still think some jazz music or something would have been more suitable.

We had a little time to kill before we were to pick up our engagement pictures, so as we were driving on I-94 and passing the giant pumpkin that I pass by every day on my way home from work, Dave said "let's go to the Halloween store!"



We won't be around for Halloween this year, but it was still fun to look at all the costumes and decorations inside the store. It was a bit hard to see anything clearly – everything was blazing orange! Our eyes did eventually adjust, but it felt like we'd crossed into another world when we went inside the giant tent.



The place was packed, as is to be expected. For a half an hour or so, we were those annoying customers who try on masks and wigs and touch things but leave the store empty-handed. Oh well – we had a good time!

You can't miss the Halloween Express store at State Fair Park – and it really is a one-stop-shop for the holiday! Any costume you can think of, some really elaborate decorations, party favors, all kinds of accessories – everything. It's a fantastic store.

After we'd picked up our pics, we went over to Mayfair Mall to catch a flick. It was Dave's turn to pick the movie, and he'd been excited for Jackass 2 since the previews started running on TV weeks ago. I went in expecting to be miserable for two hours. I did remember seeing the first one several years back – at Dave's urging, of course – and I did think it was pretty darn hilarious, but I'd heard just terrible things about this one.

I must admit, though, I laughed A LOT. It was a thoroughly entertaining movie. There were about three scenes in which I had to completely just cover my eyes and ears until Dave told me it was over, but besides that, I thought it was just a riot.

What I didn't think was a riot, however, was the four-year-old kid sitting next to me. This movie was rated R and was vulgar as all get-out, and yet there were at least five kids in the theater who weren't even ten years old. What terrible parents these kids have! Seriously people, know what a movie is all about before you take your little children to see it. Ratings are there for a reason!

Anyway … it was a really fun Sunday. We had the high-brow art fest, the low (LOW)-brow movie, and some random Halloween shopping in the middle. I love days like that, where anything goes. As I said in my post earlier today – a little bit of everything is the best way to go.

Comments

[Audra]

Cool pix from inside the Halloween store - I've passed by several times and always wondered what it was like!

[Matt K.]

I know what you mean! I went to SAW with my girlfriend and one lady brought here very young son along.

Then some people wonder where there kids get these crazy ideas from?

[Amanda]

I was just in town a couple of weeks ago and saw that giant pumpkin - how fun to have a Halloween store like that in the area! I love going into Halloween stores and just playing around.

And regarding the comment about kids at inappropriate movies, I think that calling their parents "terrible" is a bit harsh, but I do think that a little "stupid" is in order! And, how funny is it that I had the same experience as Matt K - a little kid at SAW 2 in the theater? Seriously, I was afraid when I walked out of there an I'm 24! I can't imagine what that movie can do to an 8-year-old.

[Christi]

Hmm...a child in a jackass movie? It's kind of funny that a childish movie isn't made for a child at all. Why the hell not? Because they swear? Because they hit themselves in the balls sometimes? What little kid hasn't done all of the above anyways! =) And where in the world can you shelter your child from all of it in the first place? We can't blame movies for bad ideas. There's a level of parental responsibility there to teach your child the difference between real and pretend.

But as for the ratings. Look at Ghostbusters and that's rated what...PG?? If that were "re-rated" in this day and age it'd be R for sure, or at least PG-13! And it's a KIDS movie. Ratings are relative to the time and unfortunatley we're in a time where we feel the need to overprotect ourselves.

I say as long as your child understands that Jackass isn't real life, you're not a horrible parent for taking them there. My parents took me to see "Private Parts" as a younger child and I think I turned out okay. I don't condone it, but I don't snub my nose either. Outside of our movie choices my parents still fed me a healthy lifestyle. I was lucky to never be one of those children who's parents wouldn't let me watch R movies until the ratings let me =)

Love you!

[Erin]

Hey, I'm not going to be an overly uptight and strict parent or anything, but a 4 year old does not belong at Jackass 2. Christi, I take it you haven't seen it so you have no idea what it entails - it's not just nut shots and swear words. It's GROSS, awful stuff, and a lot of the stunts kids might try themselves - a 4 year old doesn't know any better! And trust me, you didn't see these parents. I bet you a million dollars that they're not telling their kid "don't try this at home, honey!"

Duh, I didn't want to get into a big discussion about a dumb movie and bad parenting, but I stand by what I said. It's terrible parenting to take your kid to see Jackass 2!

[Dave]

*SPOILER ALERT*

Ya think a 4 year old should see a man collect "horse pudding" and then drink it? See the movie first then you can defend these parents.

[Charlie]

"horse pudding"

just thought that phrase deserved repeating

[Christi]

hahaha horse pudding.

I'm throwing up in my mouth a little bit. =)