#wonka gif hunt

[atimburtonfan]

Did she just flirt with Willy Wonka? Love it how Wonka looks so uncomfortable with it.

[wafflefries13]

First Date Ideas (Multi TWST Cast X Reader)

Summary: Short drabbles of where you would take your favorite Twisted Wonderland guy on a first date, and where he would take you.

AN: Pseudo part 2 to the asking-out fic I posted. Not really much else to say besides I really liked trying to come up with a bunch of unique ideas. Thanks for reading!

Cross-posted on my AO3 TheGhostInTheKitchen

Warnings: Fluff

Part 1: Asking them out

Ace: 

Where you take him: Arcade

It’s fun, it’s cozy, it’s classic, and it gives Ace a chance to show off. You both get a bunch of tokens, eat greasy pizza, and try your hand at the games. You take each other on in skeeball and Ace tries to convince you to go against him in the basketball game but you argue he has an unfair advantage. So you settle for the racing simulator. After, when you collect all your tickets, you pour over the prize counter, probably ending up with something not very impressive, or maybe a snow cone maker that stops working after the first three uses. But you’ll treasure it since it’s loaded with memories.  

Where he takes you: Carnival 

This boy is already a clown, put him back where he belongs.  Besides the fact that it gives him an excuse to impress you by winning prizes at the games alley, or trying to anyway, a carnival date fits Ace’s high energy. You can share popcorn and cotton candy while watching the circus acts and Ace will whisper to you explanations for the tricks the magician uses. There’s plenty of stuff to do and tons of fried food. It’s a classic for a reason. And he’d love it if you hold on to him on the rollercoasters. He ends up screaming more than you. 

Deuce: 

Where you take him: Petting zoo 

I just want to see Deuce fawning over baby chicks, is that so much to ask? NGL, I think he’d love it. You could go to some sort of tourist farm and check out the cows getting milked, sheep shearing or sheepdog herding, and collect eggs from the chickens (the kind that don’t hatch into chicks). I can also see Deuce getting into a grudge match against a goat that keeps bonking into his legs with his horns. At the end of the day you’ll sit at a picnic table eating some treats made at the farm and watch the sunset. 

Where he takes you: Botanical garden  

Deuce would want to do something classic, a surefire, tried and tested dating spot. I can imagine him being nervous, getting you flowers when you are already going to see more flowers. You’ll hold the flowers in one hand and Deuce’s, slightly sweaty, hand in the other. If they have a butterfly room, even better. They’ll have a little booklet with different species and you and Deuce go on a scavenger hunt to identify as many as possible. Winner gets kisses. 

Trey: 

Where you take him: At home food science experiment kits  

Did you ever see those at home science food kits where you made gummies and foam and other candy, usually themed to something really weird like monsters or worms? Yeah, you do those, half making fun of how weird it looks and half marveling at the cool effects of swirling all the different ingredients together. Will they taste amazing? Probably not, but Trey probably knows a few cool tricks to make everything a little more edible. 

Where he takes you: Chocolate factory tour 

Have you ever been to Hersheypark in Pennsylvania? There’s a whole section with a little dark ride that shows you the history of chocolate (that’s worse since they took the singing cow animatronics out), a cute interactive play, a trolly ride with chocolate samples, and two chocolate making experiences. You can stuff a giant Reese’s Cup (which is way too sweet IMO) or design your own chocolate bar including the wrapping. Anyway, there’s probably not a one-to-one replica, but with all that magic you can’t tell me there’s not something Willy Wonka-esque. You’ll both spend the day learning about the history of chocolate and chocolate making in Twisted Wonderland, capped off by making all kinds of treats. You’ll experiment with typical flavors, like raspberry, caramel, and nuts, to the more extraordinary, like jalapeno, lavender, and cheese. In the end, you’ll go home with a full box and a picture of the two of you, melted chocolate smearing your faces. (Trey will remind you at least three times to brush your teeth properly after all that sugar.) 

Cater: 

Where you take him: Thrift store

Listen, you find the right thrift store and you can find amazing treasures. And if not, well, you still find weird, kitschy stuff you can have fun ogling. You and Cater will take turns finding the best and worst outfits in the thrift store, having a makeshift fashion show by the changing rooms. Cater would, of course, take plenty of pictures for Magicam, labeling them #MeetMyNewPartner, #HeightOfFashion, #BestLookingCouple. You’ll also look through the aisles, coming up with backstories for all the various objects people have donated over the years. Whether or not you actually buy something isn’t the point. You end the day with plenty of pictures and at least three inside jokes that will drive everyone else crazy. 

Where he takes you: Crafting class

There’s been an emergence of cute crafting stores. Make your own bag, make your own candle, paint your own pottery, make a phone case, rug tufting, that kind of thing. Not only are they a cute and totally Magicamable couples activity, it also gives you both something to take home at the end of the day. Whichever you do, I can see you both making a craft for each other. Maybe you keep what you’re doing a secret until the end, filming your reactions when you reveal your crafts. If you pay close attention later on, you can catch him quietly admiring your gift. 

Riddle: 

Where you take him: Escape room 

Back during the NRC Halloween event, when everyone was stuck in the ghost realm, Riddle had a ton of fun solving those puzzles. I think he would love an escape room, finding clues and undoing locks, using logic and guile to uncover the story. He might get frustrated at the harder puzzles, but it’s all worth it when you work together to solve everything.  You get your picture taken together with a “We Escaped!” sign that you frame. It would be something unexpected but fun for the both of you. (TBH, I think he would love the Nancy Drew games. Maybe not the part where you keep breaking into people's things and stealing stuff, though.) 

Where he takes you: High tea and window shopping 

Riddle is going for a classic, something prim and proper for a prim and proper boy. I can see him reserving a table at a high class hotel for high tea, a table set with a beautiful porcelain teapot and a tower of tiny sandwiches and cakes. He’d order a bunch of different teas you could try. Afterwards, you would walk along the street, checking out shops and talking together. Bonus points if you both get to wear something fancy and cute. 

Leona: 

Where you take him: Picnic 

Look, while having the title of Ramshackle Dorm Prefect sounds fancy, you don’t have a lot of extra cash. You would need to do something simple and cheap but still meeting Leona’s royal tastes (You can’t tell me this boy isn’t a picky eater.) Thanks to the Culinary Crucible, you have a few new skills to test out. You find a big blanket in some old trunk in Ranshakle and pack everything together in a cute wicker basket. Maybe you’ll eat in the gardens where Leona always takes naps or go out on the beach to watch the waves. You both end up falling asleep with full bellies. (Leona won’t admit it, but he feels like that was the best food he’s had in a long time.) 

Where he takes you: River cruise with a fancy dinner 

Leona is going to see your cute picnic date and immediately one ups it with a super fancy and elegant river cruise with a full five course meal. It’s on a beautiful private yacht sailing down a river in the Sunset Savannah. You’ll sit on the deck, candlelight table, while perfectly dressed waiters serve you. This would probably backfire on Leona, though, as you tease him for acting the most prince-ly you’ve ever seen him. Not that you don’t have a ton of fun. By the time dessert rolls around, you’ve both ditched the fancy setting and started skipping stones in the wake of the boat. 

Jack: 

Where you take him: Canoeing 

Something relaxing and outdoorsy and fun. I’m thinking you’ll find someplace like the Ocklawaha River or Crystal River in Florida. A beautiful river with plenty of turtles and fish to spot, surrounded by lush forests or Everglades. If you’re more confident on the water, maybe you each can have a kayak, but I imagine something like you both share a boat. It would be fun to have a sort of eye-spy sheet, like who can spot the most turtles, identify fish, maybe catching sight of a manatee, and, wait, was that an alligator? You’ll end your journey at a natural spring. Dumping your stuff in the canoes, you’ll jump in and spend the rest of the day swimming in the cool water. Maybe you find a good vine or rope and swing out over the water. 

Where he takes you: Zip Lining and high ropes course 

More high energy and involved than a lazy day river trip, but it gives you two the chance to be close. I can almost guarantee Jack found out about the place you go to from Coach Vargas. You’ll get hooked up into harnesses and climb up to a vast network of bridges and ladders and obstacle courses hung between the trees like a giant athletic spiderweb. Maybe at one point you slip, and, although you’re perfectly safe with the harness system, Jack still lunges forward to catch you, blushing hard after as he realizes how close you too are. 

Ruggie: 

Where you take him: Food festival 

I imagine something like the Plant City Strawberry Festival, the Wilton Blueberry Festival, or the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Heck, even throw in the Epcot Food and Wine Festival if you want to have another Disney reference. Something county fair-like with plenty of free samples. You’re not sure who convinced who, but at some point you end up getting those cheesy headbands with springs on top and plastic versions of food bobbing around your heads. There always seems to be sketchy fair rides at these things, too, so you definitely cling to each other going down a log flume ride, kind of regretting how much you ate beforehand. But that’s not going to stop you from chowing down after. 

Where he takes you: Farmer’s market 

Listen, if something is good at a farmer’s market, then you know it’s the best. The big ones not only have plenty of great food, but also local performers and plenty of fun extras to buy. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s fun walking through the crowds and seeing all the different stands. You definitely get some super fancy ice cream, probably with some ridiculous flavors like lavender, parmesan, or licorice. Serving sizes always seem huge too, so you both definitely go home with plenty of leftovers. (You totally don’t notice that Ruggie has been paying with Leona’s credit card this whole time.) 

Azul: 

Where you take him: Game shop 

One of Azul’s vignette stories has him practicing throwing dice so many times until he’s able to completely control what numbers will come up. Sure, he might be in the board game club for fun, but also because he likes to win. So a game shop that hosts weekly game nights would be perfect not only for him to show off and impress you, but also a cozy space to have fun and take the pressure off first date jitters. Whether you have a game with just the two of you or join in with other patrons there, you can team up to strategize and win. I personally think something like One Night Werewolf would be perfect. (He does feel bad when he accuses you of being the werewolf, though. Too bad he’s right.) 

Where he takes you: Fancy restaurant 

It’s nothing compared to the Monstro Lounge, of course, But Azul is putting his best foot forward with a classic first date spot. Azul plans everything down to the most minute detail. He double and triple checks the menu of where you’re going before you even leave to make sure there’s nothing you’re allergic to and there’s something you’ll like. He goes all out: flowers, pulling out your chair, getting a bottle of something fancy and expensive to drink (non-alcoholic if you prefer). Of course, the moment you start complimenting him he turns red and starts tumbling over his words. Maybe you lean into that, enjoying teasing him, the switch from having everything under control to a mess of complex emotions. Still, you slide your hand across the table taking his, and you both have a perfect night. 

Jade: 

Where you take him: Make your own tea blend shop

Jade is an experimental guy. I think if he wasn’t the founder of the mountain lovers club he probably would be in the science club just to mix together every kind of chemical just to see what happens. You would take him to a small tea shop, maybe in town on Sage’s Island or somewhere else through the mirror portal. You would pick out matching tea cups then choose different flavors and leaves from the jars of dried tea. You could make up little packets of different custom blends, some of them stuff you actually think would taste good, some that just sound interesting all together. You and Jade could trade and drink them together back at the Monstro Lounge. 

Where he takes you: Mountain and cave hike 

This is kind of a gimme, but I think he’d want to show off all his knowledge of local mountain flora and fauna. He’s the only member of his club, which gives you plenty of time to be alone together and use the club’s budget however you want. He would surprise you by showing you an undiscovered cave entrance. Hopefully it’s not the kind where you have to crawl on your belly to get in. I like imagining something like Ruby Falls in Tennessee. He’d bring you in, turn off his lantern, and crowds of bioluminescent mushrooms would glow around you. 

Floyd: 

Where you take him: Roller derby 

You can’t tell me this boy would not absolutely love watching a bunch of people going super fast while trying to beat the hell out of each other. He would immediately pick a favorite team and buy all their merch. Even if it’s just a small local circuit he’ll make his own merch for the two of you to wear while you cheer them on. Floyd already likes shoes, specifically sneakers, so I think he would really like the idea of roller skating, going as fast on land as he can in the sea. Your next date will be at a roller rink. 

Where he takes you: Laser tag 

Similar to going to a roller derby, Floyd would love the energy and competition of laser tag. He’d be vaulting over the barriers and launching sneak attacks against other players. Maybe you two would team up and top the leaderboard or maybe he’d hunt you down in the glow-in-the-dark black-light game room. Afterwards you can catch your breath in the lobby and eat junk food. You’re not sure if you’re excited or nervous when he mentions paintball. 

Kalim: 

Where you take him: Hands-on science museum 

Coming up with a first date idea to impress Buys-A-Restaurant-Chain-Because-You-Said-You-Liked-Their-Breadsticks-Once-Kalim is a little harrowing. Sure, you know he would like whatever you have planned, it’s the thought that counts, but that doesn't mean you don’t want to try and show off a little. You eventually find a hands-on science museum. Think the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia or the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose or even WonderWorks. It’s something that keeps you active, jumping from exhibit to exhibit to try out all kinds of new things while pretending you're learning. Sure, most of the other people there are kids, but that doesn't stop either of you from having fun. With Kalim’s experience with all his younger siblings, you soon have a small army helping you with the replica dinosaur dig site. 

Where he takes you: Fused glass class 

Kalim’s first instinct is to go big. Throw a parade, rent out a theme park, buy a private island. This little ball of sunshine is way too excited to think anything through. Maybe Jamil mentions that you might be intimidated by such an overwhelming show of wealth on a first date, or maybe he implies you need to work up to something that extravagant. Whatever the case, Kalim agrees to start small. He’ll take you to a stained glass shop that offers classes in Silk City. You’ll take a fused glass class together, where you take shards and rods of other colored glass, placing them gently together in a shape. The owners fire the final product leaving you with a beautiful hand-made ornament. Kalim hangs it by his window back in his dorm room, smiling whenever the light catches it. (He’s still thinking about that private island, though.) 

Jamil: 

Where you take him: Aviary 

Jamil mentioned in one of his vignettes that he would want to own a parrot one day. So why not give it a test run with a variety of different parrot species, and throw in some parakeets, falcons, lorikeets, and canaries while we’re at it? You buy cups of food and the birds will fly down to perch on your arms and heads.  The parrots, in colors ranging from green and yellow to blue and purple and red, show you how they dance and talk. There’s a game you can play with them where you hold up different objects and they’ll tell you what they are and what they’re made of. There’s even a falconry show where the birds swoop out into the audience. At the end of the day, the tour guide makes a joke about lovebirds that you both pretend to ignore. 

(BTW, did you know President Andrew Jackson had a parrot that cursed so much it had to be removed from the room during his funeral because it kept swearing? The more you know.) 

Where he takes you: Dance class 

Mr. Jack Of All Trades, Master Of All over here is definitely going to want to show off. No matter who asked who out first, he wants to reassure you, and himself, that you made the right choice agreeing to go out with him. So he sticks with something he knows best, something he has fun with, and something he can easily introduce you too. Whether it’s a classic ballroom dance, salsa, or classic Scalding Sands folk dancing, Jamil just loves the chance to be close to you. It might be better if you have two left feet so he can show off leading you. By the end, you're both sweaty and exhausted, muscles aching pleasantly, but you're also both laughing and wondering if you should enter a couples dance competition. 

Vil: 

Where you take him: DIY spa night 

Like I said before, you don’t exactly have a lot of extra cash, so I can see you relying on a lot of DIY tricks. You’re hoping to impress one of Twisted Wonderland's biggest triple threats with scented candles (bought half-off at Sam’s), homemade avocado hair masks, coconut oil and honey face masks, and a jade face roller and gua sha set you have no idea how to properly use. Vil definitely appreciates effort, so he’ll love whatever you have set up. He’ll even show you how to actually use that jade roller and gua sha. 

Where he takes you: Private movie theater 

Let’s be honest, Vil isn’t exactly the most humble person. And you, a magicless student with pretty much no frame of reference for any pop culture or just plain cultural insights in this new world, are in the perfect position for him to show off. Vil would rent out a private theater showing the best and most iconic movies in all of Twisted Wonderland. Of course, he also shows you all of his films (Like I said, not so humble). He may give you the side eye when you insist on sharing a bucket of buttery popcorn, but if you gasp and laugh and applaud in all the right places I don’t think he’ll mind. 

Rook: 

Where you take him: Art museum 

Quelle beaute! No matter what kind of art museum you choose, modern, sculpture, impressionist, classical, whatever, Rook is sure to love it. He’d be the kind of person to carefully read each plaque to discover more about the artist and what inspired their work. He’ll praise each and every piece, only to turn around and compare it to your beauty. While this definitely will get you a few looks from some of the other visitors, you won’t mind because you know he’s being completely sincere with every word. At the end of the day, you’ll probably end up with an art book from the gift shop and you get each other prints of your favorite paintings. 

Where he takes you: Zoo 

You can take the boy out of the hunt but you can’t take the hunt out of the boy… Or something. We know Rook has a penchant for stalking the poor beastman students at NRC (I bet they have to warn the Savannahclaw first years every year), so I think he would also love admiring animals in a place where you’re actually suppose to watch them. Extra points if there are baby animals. Extra extra points if the zoo has one of those programs where you can go back and get close up encounters with some of the animals, like sloths or elephants. You both definitely get plushies of your favorite animals after. 

Epel: 

Where you take him: Motorcross 

Give the farm boy blood. We know from his dorm uniform vignette that he can ride a blast cycle. Checking out a motorcross race or just a show exhibition would be a high energy outing for you both. Cheering in the stands gives him a chance to cut loose from the stricter rules of decorum in Pomefiore, and sometimes it’s just fun to watch things go fast with a chance of crashing. Maybe you can rent one, or borrow one from Ingenhyde back at NRC, and go for a drive. He’ll probably go a little too fast, maybe from nerves or excitement or just to have to hold him a little tighter. 

Where he takes you: Ice skating 

Do you know how to skate? Great! He’ll take you out to a frozen lake in the middle of a beautiful forest near Harveston. Some place only the locals know about. It’ll be something right off a Christmas card with glitter snow and a perfect clear blue sky. Don’t know how to skate? That’s fine too! You’ll go to an indoor rink, somewhere where the ice is guaranteed to be smooth and won’t crack under your feet. If you’re just learning, please hold on to him and let him teach you, it’ll make him feel super manly and swell with pride. No matter where you go, you both get hot apple cider after, maybe cuddling together in front of a warm fireplace and sharing a warm quilt. 

Idia: 

Where you take him: Cat cafe 

You’re going to need a good excuse to get Idia out of his room, and this is a pretty good reason. Ideally, you would find a place like Tashirojima, the cat island in Japan, but a good old cat cafe will work just as well. You’ll find the least busy time to go which should help Idia’s social anxiety. But once you both settle into plush low chairs and get surrounded by cute kitties, he won’t even notice anyone else. The cafe sells cute frozen cat treats shaped like cat paws that you buy to encourage the cats to come closer. You snuck in some catnip, and you both spend the day enveloped in cute warm kitty cuddles. 

Where he takes you: Video game night 

The boy is a nervous wreck around other people on his best days, so when he decides to venture on a date he’s going to go with something he’s most comfortable with. You’ll camp out in his room for the date. He’s gone to great lengths to make it nice, plenty of snacks and soft pillows and blankets. He’ll introduce you to some of his favorite but entry level games first. Maybe something Animal Crossing adjacent, but I have a soft spot for point-and-click adventure puzzle games. Eventually, you’ll end up playing doubles on something more action oriented, Idia showing you all the best tricks and combo moves. (Ortho is secretly taking pictures to show at the wedding he’s already planning for you both.) 

Sebek: 

Where you take him: Salmon fishing and grill  

You like it because it gives a chance to get out in nature and be alone together, he likes it because he gets to catch his favorite food and prove he can be a provider. Sure, it just might be a first date, but Sebek likes to think ahead and he’s definitely taking your budding relationship seriously. You two go out into the woods, probably near where Camp Vargus was held, and set up next to a river. While most of the day is hanging out on the bank and talking, there’s always a jolt of excitement when one of your lines starts to tug and you pull out a beautiful gray and pink salmon. Sure, there was that one time when the fish slapped Sebek with his fin until it slipped from his hands, but you both agree to forget about that (you don’t forget, in fact you think about it often). Around midday, you both realize you’re kind of squeamish when it comes to cleaning fish. Sebek puts on a brave face and cuts them up while you make a campfire. Is it the best meal you’ve ever had? No, definitely not. Are you picking fish bones out of your teeth for the rest of the evening? Yeah. Did you two have a ton of fun and are already planning your next date? Of course. 

Where he takes you: Tournament 

Does Twisted Wonderland have Renaissance fairs? Who knows, but considering Briar Valley still has knights, they definitely have tournaments. The Bead Brawl is sort of similar to what I’m thinking, but there’s more of a focus on what we would think of as traditional medieval events. Stuff like jousting, sword fighting in full armor, and archery. I don’t think you go all the way to the Briar Valley for this, it’s probably more of a smaller local fair with less serious competition. I think Sebek will be a spectator at this event, but that doesn't stop him from commenting on the participants. He tells you about his own training with Lilia and Silver. He’ll be boastful and loud, but you know him well enough at this point to tell he’s nervous under all the bravado. He wants to make sure you’re having a good time but is too stubborn to actually ask. There are definitely giant turkey legs, homemade soda and mead, and chimney cakes to stuff yourself with. He’ll enter a visitor competition, something fun and light like an obstacle course, and win you a prize. At the end of the day there will be a traditional dance at the fair and you both twirl together under lantern light.

Silver: 

Where you take him: Bookstore date 

Whether a big chain store or a cute local owned place, the idea is the same. First, you both find the cheesiest romance novel cover in the store. Next, you checked out the cook books, looking for the weirdest and worst sounding recipes (you joke about getting it for Lilia then laugh at the glare he gives you). Finally, you both choose a book for the other that you’ll read then reconvene to talk about at your next date. You find him an adventure book, something you would have called epic fantasy back in your world. He gets you a collection of well known fables and myths from across Twisted Wonderland. He’s slightly worried that you’ll be insulted in his reference to your lack of cultural knowledge of your new world, but you love it, especially the gorgeous illustrations for each story. 

Where he takes you: Horse riding along the beach 

This can go one of two ways, depending if you know how to ride a horse/are comfortable around them. If you know how to ride, Silver will borrow someone’s horse from the equestrian club for you to ride. If not, you’ll ride behind him, arms hugged around his middle as you cuddle close. Either way, you’ll ride down to one of the beaches along Sage’s Island. You’ll ride along the beach, darting in and out of the waves. Silver will probably have packed a small picnic that you can eat while watching the sunset. He ends up nodding off for a little while you take a break lounging on some dunes, but you kind of like him leaning on your shoulder like that. 

Lillia: 

Where you take him: Concert in the park 

A few steps down from a full on festival, I’m imagining a lush green park, couples and families spread out on blankets, food trucks surrounding everything making the park smell amazing, maybe a couple of craft tents with knick-knacks for sale. There will be a large stage set up for the bands. Lilia prefers heavy metal, but I think he would like any show that plays something high energy. You’ll set up an umbrella to give you both some shade as you watch the acts. Lilia will regale you with tales of his travels and he’d probably love hearing about all the places in your world. At some point, you both definitely spend time dancing ridiculously. Lilia takes plenty of pictures to show off back at Disamonia. 

Where he takes you: Esports competition 

When Muscle Red told his online bestie Gloomamurai he was trying to come up with ideas for a date, the later said, “I got you,” and set him up with front row seats to the premier esports competition in all of Twisted Wonderland. Arriving at the indoor arena, you get a giant bucket of popcorn to share and Lilia buys you some merch of his favorite team. If you don’t know a ton about esports or the game they’re playing, Lilia will be more than happy to explain the rules to you. You’re surrounded  in deafening cheers when your team makes a last minute score to win, hugging each other while jumping up and down. On the way back, Lilia promises to help you set up an account for the online game and teach you the ropes, while trying to remember to thank his friend when you kiss his cheek. 

Malleus: 

Where you take him: Mini-golfing 

You can’t tell me it wouldn’t be adorable to see a giant Malleus hunched over a mini-golf club trying to gently tap the ball into a hole. I can see him at the first hole swinging like a normal golf course, sending the ball twinkling away, Team Rocket style. Mini-golf is a classic first date, and I think he would like the normality of it all. You’re not trying to super impress him, just treating him like a normal boyfriend, a normal date. And it gives you both more time to focus on each other, between desperately trying to hit the ball through the moving fan blades of the windmill hole. 

Where he takes you: Historic castle ruins 

I can imagine Malleus panicking at first about where to take you for your first official date. Does he bring you to a ball in the Briar Valley? A romantic opera in perfect box seats? Do you start picking out your engagement rings? Instead, he finally decided on an old reliable choice, harking back to how you both first started bonding in the first place. He finds beautiful old ruins, either in Briar Valley or somewhere else, and you just stroll and talk. He’ll tell you about the architecture, maybe the history of the location, pointing out whatever interesting gargoyles he spots. You both understand you don’t need grand gestures or impressive and expensive dates. You’re both happiest being with each other.

[sophiexrph]

TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET GIF PACK

PUBLIC COMMISSION !! by clicking THE SOURCE LINK you will be redirected to a page with 459 gifs of TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as WILLY WONKA in WONKA (2023) made from scratch by me, sophie ! timothée was born in 1995 ! please don’t edit these or add them to gif hunts and like or reblog if you use them ! :) thank you so much to my commissioner, and click this link if you’d like to know more about my commissions !

[ironwoodatl01]

John Wick 4: 'But why though?'

John Wick isn't 'back'. He never left. He merely bided his time till the world needed him, needed the Baba Yaga to remind the world about the necessity of doing things with Style.

The importance of Style in John Wick 4 is inversely proportional to John's regard for the generally accepted rules of a firefight. The word Style was the running theme of John Wick 4, and the film's director managed to find a dozen ways to manifest Style on the big screen and crammed them all into a 2-hour-plus action movie.

Truth be told, he shouldn't have. Truth be told? He shouldn't have.

John Wick 4 starts with John making his move against the High Table after the events of Parabellum. John's strategy in this case is to make as big a mess as he can with his first move, then pop the heads of whoever comes to clean up the mess like a macabre game of Whack-a-mole.

In response to this, the High Table empowers the Marquis De Grammont with carte blanche access to the Table's resources and unleashes their new hunting dog against the infamous Baba Yaga. The High Table's new Hound wastes no time in drawing blood wherever it can by destroying the continental hotels, starting with New York, and the deaths that result becomes one death too many in John Wick's already full ledger of souls he has dealt the Ruska Roma haircut.

John, therefore, decides to cut off the head of the snake and goes to challenge the Marquis to single combat. According to the old laws of the High Table which governs the relationships between the members who sit at the table.

Along the way, John meets up with old friends at the Continental Hotel in Osaka, duels a blind man brilliantly played by Donnie Yen, and deals with a Man-Hunter who is saving John for when John's bounty gathers the requisite number of digits and zeroes to make him worth the killing.

John also beats up Scott Adkins wearing a fat suit.

Why though?

That question, that 'why though?' That was what struck me halfway through John Wick 4. The Osaka Continental was a gorgeously designed, Japanese-Themed Hotel for Assassins. Seeing Donnie Yen fight like a blind man was a creative exercise in character design, and Scott Adkins turning a single hand of cards into a work of art was a testament to the amount of work he had put in to prepare for his rather short, but impactful role.

However, none of these new characters and locations were really interesting.

Every new character and location had a point in John Wick 2 and John Wick 3; Parabellum. The D'Antonio siblings in John Wick 2 gave us an insight into the High Table and the conflicts among the table's members.

Cassian and Ares served by introducing the concept of Bodyguards as a counterpart and a countermeasure against Assassins.

In Parabellum, the Adjudicator and the Ninjas introduce the methods the High Table relies on to enforce their rules and rule over their subjects 'Under the Table'.

Even the Ruska Roma were poignantly important as the organization gave the audience insight into John Wick's childhood as a Belarusian orphan raised to serve the High Table.

Every character and location in John Wick 2 and 3 had a purpose as they answered questions about the John Wick universe and deepened the immersion of the audience into the story of John Wick's journey through the world under the High Table.

John Wick 2 and 3 interested me. John Wick 4, however, was a mind-numbing ride through willy wonka's chocolate factory with rivers of blood instead of chocolate, and trees that bore as its fruits lead and death. It's really cool, but why? What is the point of it all?

In John Wick 4, John goes to Osaka to meet an old friend, who is also the concierge of the Osaka Continental. A fusion of neon lights and Japanese tradition that is heavily inspired by the Yakuza motif. Japan's efficient modernity, clean steel edges lit up with gaudy neon, a monolithic testament to the present day beneath which lay the rigid adherence to the traditions that underscored the 'extreme way' of the Yakuza of old.

But why did John Wick need to go to Japan? As exquisitely thought out as the Osaka Continental was, what purpose did John Wick's detour to Japan serve?

That is the issue that underlies John Wick 4, what is the purpose of the Osaka Continental? What is the purpose of the Marquis, or Caine, or the Harbinger? All of their roles in the narrative could be replaced by characters already introduced in previous movies. The Harbinger could be the Adjudicator from Parabellum, Caine could be played by Cassian from JW2, and having John resolve his differences with these characters from the previous movies may have given John Wick 4 greater impact. According to the theme that the movie had about the end of John Wick.

Ultimately, John Wick 4 was a stylish movie that introduced new, cool things that pushed the story of John Wick to a new level.

But why though? When the story of John Wick was supposed to end?

[sbrown82]

What’s your favorite film of the 60s and 70s? And what’s your favorite Marsha Hunt film?

Oh wow, I have so many!

From the 60s:

“Lolita”

“Planet of the Apes”

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s”

From the 70s:

“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory”

“The Way We Were”

“The Godfather” (of course)

“A Clockwork Orange”

“Carrie” (I love Horror films from this era)

And it's funny because Marsha's been in a lot of Thrillers and Horror films, like she's literally a Scream Queen, but my favorite movies that she's been in is one called "Never Say Never Again" and "Blow-Up".

[bcntbouquet]

Plot!

send  PLOT!  to  discuss  potential  threads

// First and foremost, I welcome any and all threads with you !!!

Secondly, since you messaged me here can I assume you were thinking about interacting with one of my OCs? *excited excitedness* I hope it's not too cliche, but what about a thread where Derward is being hunted by other humans for stealing something (e.g. food, other necessity), and Ingvar comes to his rescue?

I would also love to have Wonka meet Hilda in a thread --- I feel like he would be easily impressed with her XP Derward could interact with Hilda too, of course, but he might be unfriendly towards her at first jsyk.

[thedaveandkimmershow]

Our Christmas Eve day ends up being a highly focused Christmas preparation event. So I leave the house around 9, maybe later, whilst Kimmer embarks on baking and cooking.

Not just baking and cooking for tomorrow, though. She makes samples as she goes. Samples we get to eat on the fly across the day.

Nine-thirty I'm at the Alderwood 16 buying tickets for Wonka, the movie we're gonna see as a family tomorrow, Christmas Day, at 12:30.

Ten o'clock it's Trader Joe's. Ten-thirty it's the Neighborhood Walmart. Back home by 11:30. I tag out. Kimmer tags in. And now she's out 'n about shopping.

Me, I'm in the house wrapping presents for family friends who're coming over Christmas night, I'm doing a bit of house cleaning with guests in mind, and I'm hanging the final string of outdoor lights (the non-blinky kind) from the front door to the end of the west side of the house.

I think I prolly did the lights first 'cause Kimmer didn't want me up a ladder without her being there as well.

Not sure why. 🤨🤔

So I get the lights done, Kimmer goes out, Kimmer gets back, she tags out and I tag in to go out and get the cat food both of us forgot to buy our first time out. After that, I'm on the hunt for a single pint of whole milk Linzy wants for the Land 'o Lakes hot chocolate mix she brought. She actually shows up at our place right as I'm about to leave to get the cat food... then she goes into the house to help Kimmer by decorating the tree with her choice of ornaments and ribbon stashed in three big crates of Christmas ornaments we collected through the years from Kimmer's original collection she brought into our marriage, to ones we bought together, to a separate collection we got from a friend of ours, to ones Kimmer made when we lived at the apartment.

There's a lot of opportunities, a lot of ways to go decorating our tree from scratch, is my point.

By the time I'm back, that tree is good and done.

And gorgeous.

It really is a helluva thing Linzy did.

Her own little Christmas miracle, as far as I'm concerned. ☺️☺️☺️

So now it's passed five and we're all back in the house together. Linzy decides it's time for a coupla pre-Christmas gifts. In this case, gift bags filled with specialty mugs and Land 'o Lakes hot chocolate. Mint for me. Trader Joe's chocolate butter cups for Kimmer, which, I now realize isn't so much hot chocolate as it is straight-up chocolate.

I definitely indulge before Linzy leaves for the day. And I thank her profusely becsuse Land 'o Lakes is a family Christmas classic.

Our favorite flavor?

Raspberry.

Reminds us of Kimmer's dad.

After that, Kimmer continues her holiday baking and cooking as Linzy 'n I work on the garlands and, in some cases, the lights that go with the garlands. By the time we're done, the inside of our home looks a lovely kind of festive.

And it's Christmas in our home again.

At some point in there, probably between seven and eight, Linzy slips away for a Christmas party as Kimmer continues baking and cooking and I continue wrapping presents. By this point, I'm wrapping the presents I scored for Kimmer.

I also take a moment to write a few thoughts in the Christmas card I'm giving her Christmas morning.

By nine-thirty we're ready to go and out the door to St. Mark's in Seattle where we experience the fanfare of Christmas, the candlelight of Christmas, the carols of Christmas, and a message that hits home at Christmas.

These midnight services never wrap at midnight, of course, and this one's no different. By the time we're rolling out of the parking lot, listening to the smooth tones of Nat King Cole gently singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem", it's just passed 12:30 Christmas morning, which puts us back at the house around 1AM.

Christmas morning.

By the time we're in bed together courting sugar plums...

215AM.

Christmas morning.

Back in the day, back when I was a kid, that technicality of "Christmas" morning would have me all kinds of excited. As an adult, after a full day of transforming and preparing our home for Christmas...

Finally slipping into bed seems the proper reward for a job well done.

Merry Christmas!

☺️☺️☺️

[discoverdurhamnc]

Things to Do in Durham this Weekend (Mar 30 - Apr 2)

Check out our full Durham events calendar.

If you'd like to add an event to our calendar, submit an event here. Please check with the event owners to see if events change due to weather. Have a great weekend!

March Featured Event

The Hunt for the Golden Bulls with Bull City Burger and Brewery

The 13th annual “Hunt for the Golden Bulls”: a scavenger hunt inspired by the golden tickets from the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Throughout the month, clues and puzzles will be revealed on social media and at bullcityburgerandbrewery.com. The clues, once deciphered, lead participants to public spaces around Durham where a golden bull has been carefully hidden.

Golden Bulls #1, #2, #3, and #4 have been found.

Multi-Day Events

The Durham Savoyards presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Yeomen of The Guard at The Carolina Theatre

Do you need a comic operetta fix? In their 60th year, the Durham Savoyards are performing Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Yeomen of the Guard. The show promises a live orchestra, a travelling jester and his lovely lady, an assistant jailer interested in torture and comedy, a deviously flirtatious woman, a vanishing prisoner, sweetheart stealing, a blindfolded bride, a shot in the dark, a cock-and-bull story, and enough lies and connivances to make your head spin, if the headsman doesn’t get it first.

Fri, Mar 31 at 8:00 p.m.

Sat, Apr 1 at 7:00 p.m.

Sun, Apr 2 at 3:00 p.m.

$40

Events at The Pinhook

Thu, Mar 30 at 8:00 p.m. - Yolo Karaoke!

Fri, Mar 31 at 8:00 p.m. - ¡Tumbao! / Akita / Mami’s and the Papis!

Sat, Apr 1 at 7:00 p.m. - Horizontal Hold / Neill Wyeman / Osowa Tome

Sat, Apr 1 at 10:00 p.m. - The House Of Coxx Presents: Drag Divinity

Sat, Apr 1 at 11:55 p.m. - Rent Due Dance Party!!!

Sun, Apr 2 at 7:00 p.m. - Matty Frank / Debbie The Artist / Jr – LGBTQ Center Benefit!

Improv Comedy at Mettlesome

Thu-Sat at 8:00 p.m. | Romance is Dead: A Sketch Comedy Show About the Darker Side of Romance

Fri, Mar 31 at 7:00 p.m. | The Racket - See indie improv teams from around the Triangle show off their stuff.

Fri, Mar 31 at 9:00 p.m. | Hush Hush - Improv inspired by anonymous secrets from the audience.

Sat, Apr 1 at 9:00 p.m. | House Party - A mix of short-form (similar to Who's Line is it Anyway?) and long-form inspired by an audience interview.

All shows $8

Events at Motorco Music Hall

Thu, Mar 30 at 8:00 p.m. - Ryan Montbleau with Bryan Elijah Smith

Fri, Mar 31 at 8:00 p.m. - The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band with The Hooten Hallers

Live Music at Blue Note Grill

Thur, Mar 30 at 7:30 p.m. - Blood Brothers: Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia

Fri, Mar 31 at 6:00 p.m. - The Duke Street Dogs

Fri, Mar 31 at 9:15 p.m. - Wiley Fosters Play Foster Wiley

Sat, Apr 1 at 7:30 p.m. - Armand & Bluesology featuring Carter Minor

Events at Moon Dog Meadery

Thu, Mar 30 at 6:30 p.m. - 90's Trivia Night with The Durham Library

Sun, Apr 2 at 7:00 p.m. - Moon Dog Open Mic

Live Music at Sharp 9 Gallery

Fri, Mar 31 at 8:00 p.m. - Peter Bernstein/Joey Calderazzo Quartet

Sat, Apr 1 at 2:00 p.m. - Peter Bernstein Masterclass

Sat, Apr 1 at 8:00 p.m. - Peter Bernstein/Joey Calderazzo Quartet

Events at Arcana

Thu, Mar 30 - Matt Southern & Kit McKay and Tarot with Virginia

Fri, Mar 31 (bar opens at 8 p.m.) - Andrew Kasab and Tarot with Virginia

Sat, Apr 1 - Bardo Bloom Tarot with Rene

Sun, Apr 2 - Slow Teeth w/Robert Chamberlain and Tarot with Emily

Events at Rubies on Five Points

Thu, Mar 30 at 8:00 p.m. - Piedmont with Scivic Rivers

Fri, Mar 31 at 10:00 p.m. - DJ Bagaceiro Presents: Still Rising – A Tribute To De La Soul

Sat, Apr 1 at 10:00 p.m. - Renaissance Disko V with DJ Vsprtn Brings You The Fifth Edition Of Disko

Events at The Fruit

Thu, Mar 30 at 8:00 p.m. - Below Decks: Isabel Essence / Acfx 969 / K Ward / Miss Ashley

Thu, Mar 30 at 8:00 p.m. - Rabbit Foot Puppetry Presents: The Clown Car Rolls On

Sat, Apr 1 at 9:30 p.m. - Ignition Featuring: Popov (Form Music)

Sun, Apr 2 at 12 p.m. - The Fruit Flea: Monthly Flea Market

Ira Knight Presents From Myth To Man: Martin Luther King, An Interpretation at Walltown Children's Theatre

An audience talkback with actor and playwright will follow each performance. This original one-man play is currently touring colleges and universities in the United States.

Fri, Mar 31 at 7:00 p.m. and Sat, Apr 1 at 2 p.m.

$22

NCCU Dance Repertory Spring Concert at NCCU University Theatre

The Department of Theatre will present its annual Spring Dance Concert.

Sat, Apr 1 at 8:00 p.m.

Sun, Apr 2 at 3:00 p.m.

$10

Thursday, Mar 30

Relay Relay at Boxyard RTP

Relay Relay is the feel good, free-spirited indie pop group led by the husband and wife songwriting team of Hannah and Jamie Rowen. Their music blends retro soundscapes into a uniquely modern sound with powerful vocal melodies, vibey guitar riffs, dreamy synth tones and rich harmonies woven together with a strong pop sensibility.

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Free admission

Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works

Enjoy fresh vibes on the patio with DJ Deckades. Bring your own vinyl to share or just listen to what the DJ is spinning.

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Free admission

Boulders & Brews Meetup at Triangle Rock Club - Durham

Show up and climb at TRC Durham, then head over to Hi-Wire for some brews. Don't worry if it's your first time or haven't bouldered before; everyone's welcome.

Your first visit to the gym with the Meetup includes free admission and gear rental, and subsequent visits with the meetup are $15 and include harness rental (outside of meetups, day pass rates of $19 apply and do not include rentals).

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Al Strong Presents Jazz on the Roof at The Durham Hotel

The Durham is excited to bring back “Al Strong Presents.” A favorite rooftop event, it’s back by popular demand! Join us for live jazz music on the Roof overlooking downtown Durham.

7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Free admission, but space is limited

Live Music in the Taproom at The Glass Jug Beer Lab - Downtown Durham

Glass Jug offers local live music EVERY Thursday in their Downtown Durham taproom.

7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Free admission

Trivia Night w/Big Slow Tom at Clouds Brewing Brightleaf Square

Join Clouds Durham for Big Slow Tom's Trivia Night, every Thursday. Win some prizes, drink some beer, and show your smarts.

Enjoy $4 select draft and $5 rotating bartender's choice all night.

7:30 p.m.

Free admission

Friday, Mar 31

Tasting at Ten at Counter Culture Coffee

Every Friday morning at 10 am, Counter Culture Coffee opens their Training Centers to coffee lovers who want to learn more about Counter Culture Coffee’s high-quality, sustainably sourced menu.

10:00 a.m.

Free, but donations accepted

Carolina BBQ Fest (Dreamville Pop-Up/ Flea Market) at Studio Motif Durham

The Carolina BBQ Music Festival is an indoor/outdoor event curated to highlight North and South Carolina's emerging talent, such as performing and visual artists, brands, small businesses and content creators. Prepare for an action packed performance and networking with over 100's of creatives and like-minded music lovers from all over the Carolina's and the USA.

2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

$20

Durham Bulls Kickoff Party at CCB Plaza

Join us at CCB Plaza on game day starting at 3:30 p.m. for music from DJ Piddipat, free popcorn provided by Self Help and cornhole. You also won’t want to miss the special guest appearance from Wool E. Bull himself!

3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Free admission

Swing into Spring at the Durham Art Council Truist Gallery

Join the Durham Art Guild for a night celebrating the arts. It’s their first in-person event since 2019! Enjoy local entertainment, Art experiences, food and drink, and place your bids on fabulous art pieces and items celebrating the best of the Bull City!

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Free admission

Open Mic Stand-Up Comedy at Durty Bull Brewing Company

This weekly event takes place indoors in the Barrel Room, with seating available for nearly 100 people. There's no better way to unwind after a long week than a night of laughter with Ashley & Ebony. Interested in performing? Please contact Ashley and Ebony.

8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

21+

Free admission

Pub Karaoke at West 94th St Pub

Hosted by All King Entertainment.

10:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

Free admission

Saturday, Apr 1

parkrun Durham at Southern Boundaries Park

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate. It's up to you!

8:00 a.m.

Free admission

Durham Farmers’ Market at Durham Central Park

The Durham Farmers’ Market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, cut flowers, artisanal cheeses and breads, home-baked pies, honey, handmade chocolates, preserves, local wines, handmade soaps, fresh pasta, and artwork of all sorts!

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Free admission

South Durham Farmers' Market at Greenwood Commons Shopping Center

The market strives to support new and growing farms and vendors in the greater Durham area, and they are also home to some of the most iconic Durham brands around.

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Free admission

Durham Master Gardener Volunteers Plant Festival at Durham County Cooperative Extension

Join Durham County Cooperative Extension and other community partners for a fun and educational day. Learn about native plants, composting, beekeeping, bird-friendly habitats, the Durham Library seed library, local community gardens, patio gardening, and MORE. There will be kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits and a story time. While you’re there, learn about the Plant Sale the following week and the first 200 get a free plant.

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Free admission

Art-n-Soul Market at Mystic Farm & Distillery

Come shop handmade in this special setting. Mystic Farm & Distillery in Durham offers a unique place to gather and enjoy local spirits. The Art-n-Soul Market brings the best local artisans, food trucks and live music out to the farm for bourbon tastings, craft cocktails, food trucks and distinctive gifts you won't find anywhere else. Bring your friends and meet us at the bourbon farm! Dogs welcome.

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Free admission

Crafternoons at Gizmo Brew Works

Free pint with purchase of craft box. Choose from a variety of craft packages available for all ages.

12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, Apr 2

Public Tour at Duke University Chapel

Learn about the history, architecture, and life of Duke Chapel in this tour. The tour begins at 12:15 p.m., or immediately following the conclusion of the Sunday morning service, and lasts approximately 45 minutes. No reservation is required but if you plan to bring a large group please contact dukechapel@duke.edu. Meet the docent on the front steps of the Chapel.

12:15 p.m.

Free admission

Trivia at Navigator Beverage Co.

Hosted by the Triangle’s Trivia team, Hammered Trivia, gather your team and post up to compete for prizes and enjoy an afternoon of great drinks, great friends, and great games.

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Free admission

Running Art Exhibits

Art Exhibition: 'Marc Chagall and the Bible' at Duke Chapel

In partnership with Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts (DITA), the Chapel is presenting an exhibition of prints of works by the distinguished, modernist artist Marc Chagall. Curated by the art collector Sandra Bowden, the exhibition, Marc Chagall and the Bible, features etchings and lithographs with biblical themes.

The Chapel is open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. but is sometimes closed to the public for private ceremonies

Runs through March 30

No tickets or reservations required.

The Textile Art of Debbie Secan in the Great Hall of the Golden Belt Campus

Debbie Secan fell in love with weaving as a teenager and has worked with woven structures ever since, in the textile industry and as a fine artist. The materials in her work are repurposed for environmental reasons and to exploit the breadth of resources we discard.

Runs through Mar 31

Mon-Sat from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Sun from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Free admission

The Art of Nicholas Edward at the Building 2 Gallery at Golden Belt Campus

Derrick Nicholas is the artist behind Nicholas Edward. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, he moved to Raleigh in 1995 and has been a Triangle resident ever since. A North Carolina A&T University class of 2008 graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, art has been Nicholas’ passion since the age of 6. He loves to express and create through various mediums including pencil, digital, and paint, and finds that each provides a unique and therapeutic satisfaction.

Runs through Mar 31

Mon-Sat from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Sun from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Free admission

Mi Casa, Your Casa Experience at The Streets at Southpoint

Designed to look and feel like an inviting home, Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 encourages visitors to come together and feel a sense of warmth and community as they step in, swing, and relax in one of the glowing red houses.

Runs through Apr 2

The Mind’s Eye: Gallery Members Exhibition at 5 Points Gallery

5 Points Gallery celebrates cleverness in the Year of the Rabbit with their new exhibit called “The Mind’s Eye”.

Runs through Apr 15

Free admission

Damian Stamer Collaborations: New Paintings at Craven Allen Gallery

Collaborations features both new paintings from Stamer’s continued exploration of home, memory, and place as well as a new body of work created in collaboration with Artificial Intelligence. Instead of his traditional process of using photographs as source material, Stamer used an AI text-to-image generator to compile reference imagery. The resulting oil paintings are visually striking and raise timely questions about our relationship with the digital world.

Runs through May 6

Free admission

Beyond the Surface: Collage, Mixed Media and Textile Works from the Collection at the Nasher

This exhibition includes approximately 40 works, primarily from the Nasher Museum’s collection. With a focus on collage, mixed media and textile works, Beyond the Surface explores how artists bring together disparate materials and ideas to create artworks that engage with all audiences.

Tue-Fri from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Sun from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Runs through May 14

Free admission

Patrimonio | Heritage at John Hope Franklin Center Gallery

A series of drawing interventions on “Llanchama” (Amazonian tree bark) by Peruvian/American artist Renzo Ortega.

Mon-Fri from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Runs through May 18

Free admission

Exhibits at 21c Museum Hotel

Whitney Stanley: We Just Be in the Vault Gallery

This We Believe in the Main Gallery

Runs through May 31

Open 24 hours

Free admission

Spirit in the Land at the Nasher

Spirit in the Land is a contemporary art exhibition that examines today’s urgent ecological concerns from a cultural perspective, demonstrating how intricately our identities and natural environments are intertwined. Through their artwork, 30 artists show us how rooted in the earth our most cherished cultural traditions are, how our relationship to land and water shapes us as individuals and communities

Tue-Fri from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Sun from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Runs through Jul 9

Free admission

Art of Peru at the Nasher

This gallery features ceramics, textiles, metalwork and carvings produced by ancient cultures across what is known as present-day Peru.

Tue-Fri from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Sun from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Runs through Dec 2

Free admission

[rightxonxmain-archived]

It wasn't that Aylmer didn't recognise Wonka so much as it was that he happened to be a small, blue, worm-like man and thus wasn't an acceptable patron of the former Gallery Gourmet or any establishment that offered food.

From the shadows and shrubs, he'd been watching the chocolatier for days now, but he'd decided it was time for a closer inspection—Well, not that close—Aylmer thought for certain he'd crawled by Wonka, unnoticed, see. No matter. His plans would just have to go into action a little earlier than anticipated. This was one VERY particular parasite when it came to host-hunting.

"... Good afternoon... Lovely day, just a lovely day...." The little creature blinked, taking in the portable workshop and the assortment of vials and switches within.

"Chocolate as it is doesn't agree with me, ah, but certain of the chemical compounds found within... Those I do find delectable..."

✿.｡.:* ☆::. 𝓞 pｅn

"I'm something of an inventor, a magician and a chocolate-maker!" The words came out of Willy's lips with glee, a wide grin plastered to his features. It wasn't often he ran into someone who did not recognize him at least a little as the man who ran the giant chocolate factory just past what used to be the Gallery Gourmet.

Whipping out his travel factory, he sets to pulling it open, washing his hands with the sanitizing station, and skimming over the ingredients thoughtfully. He looks at his new acquaintance expectantly, the excitement of getting to impress them building in his chest.

"Can I offer you something you might not have ever tried before? A Wonka chocolate, if you will. The best chocolate in the world! How do you like it? Dark? White? Nutty? Absolutely insane?"

[ladybossrp]

In the source link you’ll find 157 gifs [267x150] of Michael Malarkey as Lorenzo ‘Enzo’ St. John in The Vampire Diaries (7.01, 7.02, 7.03). All of these gifs were made from scratch by me for rp purposes. Please, do NOT claim as your own, repost or add them to your gif hunts. You can edit them as gif icons or in crackships, but please give me some form of credit if you post it. If you found these useful, please LIKE or REBLOG! Enjoy!

trigger warning: alcohol, violence.

[siremasterlawrence]

A Pig By Any Other Name

Part 1 - 3

Officer Thomkins has been a busy asswipe always on the hunt for a dominant partner.

All over the new app Spiral meeting one or more doms over a period of weeks on end.

He never has time for one person then he took today off to speak and see what comes.

Of course I am not really in the mood today when he messages me in typical stupidity.

Cracking a joke he says “hey pumpkin” I roll my eyes pretending to crack a glass on his head.

We agree for him to arrive at my place with all assigned items including a needle behind me.

He knocks on the door with very little insight except pitch black darkness and enters.

His ass closes the door so I grab his neck and inject the serum in to his system.

I kick the gurney towards him as his body

hit in time, I use all my strength to drag him fully on to it.

One last piece to my puzzle reaching for the bed straps and I tie him down.

Shove him on to the elevator, press few of the buttons and we descend in to oddly place room.

Yes it is like the whole Willy Wonka elevator shit one weird journey to my lab when the doors open.

I push him in to the middle of the room flick on a switch as the room swirls on around us.

The lights blow up in yellow glow as he woke up to see me, he struggles a bit trying to place it together.

“Medical fetish? Oh God! Yyyeeesss” he howls loudly.

Part 4 - 6

“Welcome to my Hospital” I state raising my arms to length and spinning showing off.

“Fucking pig” I state in a low audible sound the proceed to him.

“What’s next?“ he asks eagerly with a smile.

“So much, you have to wait and see.” I say in a sly effort injecting him again.

“Can you check to see if the lights are to bright? Just look up.” I point upward as the lights shift in multicolors.

“Everything is….is…..is” he attempts to say in vein.

“Everything is fine.” I finish for him cupping his chin and mouthing it out for him.

“Don’t bother your mind is now nothing more then malleable clay.” I state.

I kiss him on the cheek then slap him hard as to say this is mine.

I turn my back to him opening a draw and to grab a pair of scissors, I clip them in the air and then get to work.

Taking his shirt in my hand I begin to cut up diagonally ripping his shirt to shreds.

His police officer uniform comes undone at my feet till it lays torn on my floor.

All that’s lefts is man so use to being in any shape and form of power.

All that that is left is him naked on the table in all his splendor.

I lick my lips watching his body as I spray tan his body, clicking a button above a sonic ray is on him.

Part 7 - 9

“Fuck you! You piece of shit.” I whisper.

“Who is the main man here?” I continue

“Who is the Master?” I push him.

“I am your lord and Master”

“Speak pig!” I laugh in between my words.

“OINK!” He squeals loudly.

“Louder pig.” I yell.

“Ooooooiiiiiiiinnnnnnlkkkkkkkkk” he screams

“Mwahahahahaha” the laughter reverberate in to my walls.

“Good boi.” I make one last compliment.

“Sir Yes Sir”

“You can stand up now.”

“Kneel at my feet”

“Mwahahahahaha”

“This is only the beginning.”

The end

[vortexparadox]

Her gaze flicks warily toward Wonka’s hand the moment it comes close to her own, not for any true fear of him - she appears perfectly relaxed in his presence, considering that they should have been at odds with each other were she actually doing her duty demanded of her by Gallifrey - but rather for the very reason why, even in this surprisingly pleasant atmosphere, she keeps her gloves on at all times.

Having such sensitive touch telepathy can be a right pain at times...

Looking back up at him, her confliction is clear on his face at his offer, even as she tries desperately to keep from moving her hand away from him, not wanting to give him the wrong impression. The gloves may protect the both of them from accidental Contact, but even with them, she hasn’t been comfortable touching another - especially another Time Lord - in well over a century.

“But... why?” Carmen finally asks softly, her gaze studying him closely as though if she could just figure him out, she’d have all the knowledge in the universe to herself. “Why would you do that - risk that - for me?”

It’s not a ‘no’, but neither is it exactly a ‘yes’, as she struggles to make sense of the situation. Having the support of an older Time Lord would be invaluable on this unfamiliar planet, but... she can’t just put her trust into a former target so easily as to believe there isn’t something more to the offer.

“What it is you want from me in return?”

“Carmen…”

NOW AND AGAIN, THE UNIVERSE HAD A FUNNY LITTLE WAY OF THROWING SPANNERS INTO THE COMPLICATED, DELICATE WORKS THAT WAS LIFE - AND THEY WERE TYPICALLY NOT OF THE PLEASANT KIND. It was these sorts of occurrences that he himself had tried so hard to avoid; all he’d ever asked for was a quiet existence, a few hundred years of not having to tread the line between good and evil, peace and trouble, order and chaos. As far as he was concerned, as long as he had himself, his factory and his ideas, that was sufficient to satisfy him for the remainder of his many, many days on Earth.

UNFORTUNATELY, HIS SELF-ESTABLISHED TRANQUILITY HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY NONE OTHER THAN CARMEN SANDIEGO. Not even several centuries away from Gallifrey had been enough to make him forget about the Celestial Intervention Agency, and there was truly no-one better that filling those shoes than the Black Sheep, that brown-haired temptress that had invaded his inner sanctum and threatened to disrupt that which was dearest to him, all for a combined purpose of duty and curiosity. She was a wicked one in every sense of the word, and after he’d managed to back her into a corner during their first altercation, he should have seized the opportunity and erased her from the universe there and then.

HOWEVER, SOMETHING HAD STOPPED HIM FROM DOING SO - AND NOW, UPON HEARING THAT CARMEN WAS NOW PREPARED TO FLEE THE AGENCY AND BEGIN A NEW, SOLITARY EXISTENCE, HE WAS BEGINNING TO SUSPECT JUST WHAT THAT SOMETHING WAS. Here they both were, sat together, aligned by a mutual desire to remain hidden from the all-seeing-eye of Gallifrey, albeit for slightly different reasons - apart from The Doctor, quite possibly the only ones of their kind to actually have the chance of fulfilling it.

DESPITE THIS, THAT DID NOT DETRACT FROM THE FACT THAT THIS WOMAN WAS, QUITE POSSIBLY, GOING TO BE THE UNDOING OF HIM, IF SUCH A OUTCOME WAS DESTINED. Regardless, his instinct, something which had never failed him before, was trying to tell him that, against all odds, this wasn’t going to be an unhappy ending. Was he dwelling on it all too much? Perhaps. He seldom cared much for rationality, though - in his mind, he needed to act.

HE INHALED, OFFERING CARMEN AN EXPRESSION THAT EXPRESSED PERFECTLY THAT HE WAS NOT IN THE MOOD FOR HUMOUR. Leaning forward, his hand instinctively rested across the table, tentatively close to Carmen’s own.

“Let me help you. Let me hide you from them. If what you say is true, then I’m still a missing target, and they shan’t know where to find me for a good while yet…the factory can accomodate you until you’re ready to move on…”

@vortexparadox​ gets this random thing because this has been in my head for a while now and Wonka falling for the person he initially wanted to kill is a vibe right now.

[ericstefani]

WONKA “There’s gonna be a lot of garbage today”
Re-edit the file “Garbage.psd” to sync picture with the soundtrack. I had cut it in four spots in order for the dialogue to match. Then go back to the original color-animation work and try and match the edits I did in iMovie.
To get it right I have to look at the edit frame by frame then remember the last frame of each piece of film then cut out the middle between them and then when I make the MP4 the edits are corrected.
Last night I was working at the front scene reworking lips sync (which came up much better. Then I started working from the back to the front and I got mixed up on the edit.
I like to make a copy of the soundtrack and try a new version of the edit incase anything goes wrong and so I can revert to the original and this complex scene has Wonka moving with moving mouths and the backgrounds are “masks” hiding other possible mouth shapes. It’s hard because if I need a mouth I have to hunt for it, because it’s hidden behind the background. I enjoy knowing I did the best possible job I could. I can always go back and smooth out the animation of the character but not until the lips sync is just right.

[cagenewman]

Pajamas, shower and a hot cup of coffee -- in the morning, anyway, I know there's plenty of coffee here if I really want some. It's alright, I've come to accept it, you know? Oh yeah, it's hard to fault him for some of the causes we do things for, and the fact that the money goes to a good purpose… but I still worry. I don't want things to grow to the point of the little guy getting pushed out to make more room for the big man, you know? But it's hard to complain on a night like this. Nice choices! I tend to go for the classics, cowboy movies, Good Will Hunting, The Wizard of Oz… Oh, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! I wish I could take the credit, honestly.

I can feel myself easing into it more and more as time goes on. Though, I do have a good set of cozy pajamas callin' my name. You are an old man when it comes down to it. An old soul, if we're bein' honest. No, but I can see where you're coming from. If he does put on a lot of events and makes changes to the town, they should be for the residents and helping to make Merrock better, so I like that it's for Lake Malory and helping to maintain it. Steel Magnolias is my favorite movie, so I always watch that. But I also really love Big Fish. What about you? What's your favorite movie? Or a comfort movie? I was going to say that it was a bold choice for you, but I can see it now knowing it was all Colton's doing.

[discoverdurhamnc]

Things to Do in Durham this Weekend (Mar 23-26)

Check out our full Durham events calendar.

If you'd like to add an event to our calendar, submit an event here. Please check with the event owners to see if events change due to weather. Have a great weekend!

March Featured Event

The Hunt for the Golden Bulls with Bull City Burger and Brewery

The 13th annual “Hunt for the Golden Bulls”: a scavenger hunt inspired by the golden tickets from the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Throughout the month, clues and puzzles will be revealed on social media and at bullcityburgerandbrewery.com. The clues, once deciphered, lead participants to public spaces around Durham where a golden bull has been carefully hidden.

Golden Bulls #1, #2, and #3 have been found.

Multi-Day Events

Trevor Noah at DPAC (very few tickets remain)

Fri, Mar 24 at 8:00 p.m.

Sat, Mar 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Sun, Mar 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Mon, Mar 27 at 8:00 p.m.

National Collegiate Fencing Championships at Cameron Indoor Stadium

$30 for all sessions, $15 youth/student/senior

Thu, Mar 23 - Sun, Mar 26

2023 Retrogothic Film Series at The Carolina Theatre

RetroGothic is the counterpart to the beloved Splatterflix Film Series, but this one is for those who prefer their horror movies to involve polite vampires in velvet capes.

Fri, Mar 24 - Sun, Mar 26

Events at The Pinhook

Thu, Mar 23 at 8:00 p.m. - Officially Certified Indy Concert

Fri, Mar 24 at 10:00 p.m. - Dreaming Of The 90’s Dance Party

Sat, Mar 25 at 8:00 p.m. - Saints and Sinners Burlesque Show

Sat, Mar 25 at 10:00 p.m. - Queer Agenda Latinx Edition

Sun, Mar 26 at 3:00 p.m. - Prisoner Letter Writing Day

Sun, Mar 26 at 8:00 p.m. - Sweet Home, Bonies, Frankie And The Slight Incline

Live Music at Blue Note Grill

Thur, Mar 23 at 7:30 p.m. - Juke Joint Thursday: Julia Vo & Co

Fri, Mar 24 at 6:00 p.m. - The Duke Street Dogs

Fri, Mar 24 at 9:15 p.m. - Country Cruel

Sat, Mar 25 at 7:30 p.m. - Diane Carter & DCB

Live Music at Sharp 9 Gallery

Fri, Mar 24 at 8:00 p.m. - Kenny Phelps-McKeown Quartet: Tribute to Buster Williams

Sat, Mar 25 at 8:00 p.m. - Kate McGarry/Keith Ganz Quartet

$27.55

Events at Arcana

Thu, Mar 23 - Creme Cabaret Burlesque

Fri, Mar 24 - Tarot with Kathleen

Sat, Mar 25 - Darrien Rutherford and Tarot with Heiltje

Sun, Mar 26 - Slow Teeth w/Robert Chamberlain and Tarot with Emily

Events at Rubies on Five Points

Thu, Mar 23 at 8:00 p.m. - Erie Choir

Fri, Mar 24 at 10:00 p.m. - Perfect Kiss: All Vinyl New Wave & 80’s Dance Party

Sat, Mar 25 at 10:00 p.m. - Ill Digitz & Play Play

Improv Comedy at Mettlesome

Fri, Mar 24 at 8:00 p.m. | Well Seasoned - All Durham. All Black. All comedy.

Fri, Mar 24 at 9:00 p.m. | Hush Hush - Improv inspired by anonymous secrets from the audience.

Sat, Mar 25 at 8:00 p.m. | Bull City Press Presents... - The newest reading series from Bull City Press brings you poetry, fiction, and nonfiction from established and emerging writers for free on the fourth Saturday each month.

Sat, Mar 25 at 9:00 p.m. | Golden Age - Improv inspired by an interview with a local artist.

All shows $8

Thursday, Mar 23

Dusty's All-Star Circus at the Durham Armory

A modern adaption of the classic American Circus in an intimate atmosphere. See feats of aerial skill, juggling, comedy, and acrobatics.

4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

$40+ (admits 2 adults and up to 4 children)

Vinyl Night with DJ Deckades at Gizmo Brew Works

Enjoy fresh vibes on the patio with DJ Deckades. Bring your own vinyl to share or just listen to what the DJ is spinning.

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Free admission

Boulders & Brews Meetup at Triangle Rock Club - Durham

Show up and climb at TRC Durham, then head over to Hi-Wire for some brews. Don't worry if it's your first time or haven't bouldered before; everyone's welcome.

Your first visit to the gym with the Meetup includes free admission and gear rental, and subsequent visits with the meetup are $15 and include harness rental (outside of meetups, day pass rates of $19 apply and do not include rentals).

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Live Music in the Taproom at The Glass Jug Beer Lab - Downtown Durham

Glass Jug offers local live music EVERY Thursday in their Downtown Durham taproom.

7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Free admission

Trivia Night w/Big Slow Tom at Clouds Brewing Brightleaf Square

Join Clouds Durham for Big Slow Tom's Trivia Night, every Thursday. Win some prizes, drink some beer, and show your smarts.

Enjoy $4 select draft and $5 rotating bartender's choice all night.

7:30 p.m.

Free admission

Hits! The Musical at The Carolina Theatre

Dionne Warwick, 6-time Grammy Award winner and music legend, presents Hits! The Musical – 90 minutes of pure joy with extraordinary singing, spectacular dancing, hundreds of costume changes and state of the art lighting and sound that will leave you amazed.

7:30 p.m.

$39+

The Black Bourbon Guy at Bull City Solera Part Deux - The Rise of Ryes at Bull City Solera and Taproom

Join Che, The Black Bourbon Guy, for an evening of whiskey education and tasting with dueling rye whiskeys themed "the Rise of Ryes." Che is a wealth of whiskey information. Tickets are limited to 20 people.

9:00 p.m.

$40.89

Friday, Mar 24

Tasting at Ten at Counter Culture Coffee

Every Friday morning at 10 am, Counter Culture Coffee opens their Training Centers to coffee lovers who want to learn more about Counter Culture Coffee’s high-quality, sustainably sourced menu.

10:00 a.m.

Free, but donations accepted

Events at The Fruit

7:00 p.m. - Larry & Joe's Album Release Party (Nuevo South Train)

9:00 p.m. - The Live From The Living Room Tour

10:00 p.m. - United House Productions Presents Max Low And Luxo

The Second City Swipes Right: An Incomplete Guide to the Ultimate Date Night at The Carolina Theatre

It’s love at first laugh with The Second City. Bring your partner, lover, significant other, spouse, friend with benefits, friend with EXTRA benefits, platonic BFF, or your spectacularly single self to The Second City Swipes Right: An Incomplete Guide to The Ultimate Date Night, the brand-new experience you’ve been aching for. Spend a naughty 90 minutes with our caliente cast of comedians as they (consensually) annihilate everything that turns us on — and off — about love, dating, relationships, and everything else in-between the sheets.

8:00 p.m.

$33

S.G. Goodman with H.C. McEntire at Motorco Music Hall

8:00 p.m.

$25 advance, $30 at the door

Open Mic Stand-Up Comedy at Durty Bull Brewing Company

This weekly event takes place indoors in the Barrel Room, with seating available for nearly 100 people. There's no better way to unwind after a long week than a night of laughter with Ashley & Ebony. Interested in performing? Please contact Ashley and Ebony.

8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

21+

Free admission

Pub Karaoke at West 94th St Pub

Hosted by All King Entertainment.

10:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.

Free admission

Saturday, Mar 25

parkrun Durham at Southern Boundaries Park

A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate. It's up to you!

8:00 a.m.

Free admission

Mystic Highland Games at Mystic Farm & Distillery Company

Scottish music, dancing, food, and athletic competition.

9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Adults $25, under 21 free

Crafternoons at Gizmo Brew Works

Free pint with purchase of craft box. Choose from a variety of craft packages available for all ages.

12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Sunset Float at Falls Lake Durham

Join Two Sisters staff on the water for a Sunset Float. You will paddle a short distance to a perfect spot for sunset viewing. Along the way you may encounter water birds and wildlife getting ready for the approaching night.

6:30 p.m - 8:30 p.m.

$30

Orpheus and Eurydice at The Carolina Theatre

In this eternal love story, Orpheus despairs over the sudden loss of his new bride Eurydice. Pitying the ailing bard, Amore (Venus) tells him that he can recover his lost love by descending into the underworld, and bring her back on one condition: he must walk in front of her and not look back until they have reached the world of the living.

7:30 p.m.

$8.84+

Brazilian Party at Mezcalito

Brazilian music featuring DJ Vera.

11:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Free admission

Sunday, Mar 26

Venezuelan Market at Durham Central Park

Enjoy Latin live music and cultural dance while shopping and learning what local vendors have to offer.

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Free admission

Public Tour at Duke University Chapel

Learn about the history, architecture, and life of Duke Chapel in this tour. The tour begins at 12:15 p.m., or immediately following the conclusion of the Sunday morning service, and lasts approximately 45 minutes. No reservation is required but if you plan to bring a large group please contact dukechapel@duke.edu. Meet the docent on the front steps of the Chapel.

12:15 p.m.

Free admission

Trivia at Navigator Beverage Co.

Hosted by the Triangle’s Trivia team, Hammered Trivia, gather your team and post up to compete for prizes and enjoy an afternoon of great drinks, great friends, and great games.

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Free admission

DPW presents "DPW FOREVER: STEEL CAGE SHOWDOWN" at the Durham Armory

Pro wrestlers from all over the world return to downtown Durham with it's very first ever steel cage main event.

7:00 p.m.

$20-55

Events at Moon Dog Meadery

1:00 p.m. - First Sunday: Blues Jam

3:00 p.m. - Language Exchange

7:00 p.m. - Moon Dog Open Mic

The Boom Bap with #SampleSaleMusic at Hayti Heritage Center

Two award-winning artists continuing in a long tradition of music and performance. Two students of craft. Two artists who are serious about making this art for the people. Join them to celebrate 50 Years of hip hop.

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

$15

Running Art Exhibits

Art Exhibition: 'Marc Chagall and the Bible' at Duke Chapel

In partnership with Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts (DITA), the Chapel is presenting an exhibition of prints of works by the distinguished, modernist artist Marc Chagall. Curated by the art collector Sandra Bowden, the exhibition, Marc Chagall and the Bible, features etchings and lithographs with biblical themes.

The Chapel is open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. but is sometimes closed to the public for private ceremonies

Runs through March 30

No tickets or reservations required.

The Textile Art of Debbie Secan in the Great Hall of the Golden Belt Campus

Debbie Secan fell in love with weaving as a teenager and has worked with woven structures ever since, in the textile industry and as a fine artist. The materials in her work are repurposed for environmental reasons and to exploit the breadth of resources we discard.

Runs through Mar 31

Mon-Sat from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Sun from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Free admission

The Art of Nicholas Edward at the Building 2 Gallery at Golden Belt Campus

Derrick Nicholas is the artist behind Nicholas Edward. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, he moved to Raleigh in 1995 and has been a Triangle resident ever since. A North Carolina A&T University class of 2008 graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, art has been Nicholas’ passion since the age of 6. He loves to express and create through various mediums including pencil, digital, and paint, and finds that each provides a unique and therapeutic satisfaction.

Runs through Mar 31

Mon-Sat from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Sun from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Free admission

Mi Casa, Your Casa Experience at The Streets at Southpoint

Designed to look and feel like an inviting home, Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 encourages visitors to come together and feel a sense of warmth and community as they step in, swing, and relax in one of the glowing red houses.

Runs through Apr 2

The Mind’s Eye: Gallery Members Exhibition at 5 Points Gallery

5 Points Gallery celebrates cleverness in the Year of the Rabbit with their new exhibit called “The Mind’s Eye”.

Runs through Apr 15

Free admission

Beyond the Surface: Collage, Mixed Media and Textile Works from the Collection at the Nasher

This exhibition includes approximately 40 works, primarily from the Nasher Museum’s collection. With a focus on collage, mixed media and textile works, Beyond the Surface explores how artists bring together disparate materials and ideas to create artworks that engage with all audiences.

Tue-Fri from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Sun from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Runs through May 14

Free admission

Patrimonio | Heritage at John Hope Franklin Center Gallery

A series of drawing interventions on “Llanchama” (Amazonian tree bark) by Peruvian/American artist Renzo Ortega.

Mon-Fri from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Runs through May 18

Free admission

Exhibits at 21c Museum Hotel

Whitney Stanley: We Just Be in the Vault Gallery

This We Believe in the Main Gallery

Runs through May 31

Open 24 hours

Free admission

Spirit in the Land at the Nasher

Spirit in the Land is a contemporary art exhibition that examines today’s urgent ecological concerns from a cultural perspective, demonstrating how intricately our identities and natural environments are intertwined. Through their artwork, 30 artists show us how rooted in the earth our most cherished cultural traditions are, how our relationship to land and water shapes us as individuals and communities

Tue-Fri from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Sun from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Runs through Jul 9

Free admission

Art of Peru at the Nasher

This gallery features ceramics, textiles, metalwork and carvings produced by ancient cultures across what is known as present-day Peru.

Tue-Fri from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Sun from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Runs through Dec 2

Free admission

[ryanellisphoto]

#152 — Saturday, March 2nd, 2019 — Ryan Ellis Photography - Detroit Street Photography Session #152 — Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 (ca. 1971) - Nikkor 55mm f/1.2 (ca. 1971) - Tokina 60-300mm SZ-X f/4-5.6 (ca. 19??)

Hart Plaza Shredded Flags - Bogeyed and Bug-Eyed - Street Preacher - Sunn Studio Detroit - Cameroonian Vacationers - Hart Plaza Flags - Harper Florist - Detroit Public Library - Detroit Institute of the Arts - Wayne State University Sign - Orange Yarn Mop - Roy R. Rowlands

Arrived @ 8 AM

Departed @ 5 PM

527 photos (and also 7 videos) taken in 9 hours with but 48 “keepers” among them, rendering a self-accepted 9.10% “success” rate at a leadenly 58.56 shots per hour (what I desire to achieve, at the least, as I cover the streets is a 10% “success” rate paired with a pace of 100 shots per hour).

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PREFACE:

A week ago (last Saturday), after my Detroit Street Session ended, I went to meet with my friend, Mr. E.P., to be a guest as he photographed folks in Highland Park at an old stamping factory. Before I knew it, I was informally assisting his efforts at his request by moving things around during the shoot, which was my humble honor. The next morning (last Sunday), at 4 AM, I awoke with the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. My neck (on the right side) felt as secure as a spiderweb thread strung above and across an inferno (my head holder was in the hands of an angry throb). I cried, though I did not cry well (crying is essentially impossible for me nowadays), and I wept like this without any comfort in sight. Ibuprofen helped somewhat in the coming days, and I healed a good bit (though noticeably not fully). I took time off work to heal, and I now face the prospect of quitting my day job on account of this horrific turn in my wellbeing. There was melancholy in imagining how I would hang a camera strap around my neck all day to do as I have done before. Today was my test. Could I keep coming back to seek my passion through the pentaprism? I thanked the Lord that it was Winter still. I thought that the cold might “ice” my wound. I wrapped two scarves tightly around my neck like a neck brace, and I took 400 mg of ibuprofen when I arrived (I could have taken more; I should have taken more; I wanted to see if I could face the pain). I made it nine-hours despite the pain, and I hope my “top ten” shots from the day are not just a point of pride for myself; I hope I still have it in me to make things others might like too.

S.D.G.

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PATH TAKEN:

Greektown - Over the past several weeks, at this juncture, I would have changed into my Carhart bib. It was around 25° F outside with 10 MPH winds in the morning, but yet it did not quite feel cold-enough to justify the extra layer. It ended up reaching around 33° F in the afternoon with the same winds. It was a beautifully live-with-able, climate-wise, day in the city I do not love (but am learning, ever so sluggishly, to appreciate).

Campus Martius Park

The Esplanade on Woodward Avenue - I experimented with my Tokina SZ-X 60-300mm f/4-5.6 lens, using the zoom in video mode to trace the light up signs on one side of Woodward Avenue reflecting on the windows of the building on the other side of the avenue. I also spied a scene with a Detroit firetruck and police cruiser with glorious steam behind them coming up from the manholes. Attempting to satisfactorily-frame a video clip with a 300mm zoom lens forces me to disdain my $20 miniature tripod and wish for a nicer alternative. There is an overpriced camera store an hour from my home that I treat like the last branch I reach for as I fall down a cliff. I suppose I will have to visit that shop soon if I am going to be able to rely on my gear to do more of what I want it to do.

Spirit of Detroit Plaza

Hart Plaza - The other day, I fell asleep with my iPhone plugged into a charger. When I woke up the next morning, both cameras on the phone (as well as the LED light) were no longer functional. As a photographer, this was a left-handed sword stuck into the gut for me, and I yearned to be able to post on my Instagram the continuation of the shredding of the American flags in Hart Plaza. I may email mayor Mike Duggan (Detroit’s seventy-fifth mayor) and a local news organization about this tattered American standard debacle.

Campus Martius Park - Last Saturday, in Highland Park, I met two men that were in the “Art Deco Society” for Detroit. Being a lover of Art Deco myself, I asked them an obvious question: “What is the greatest building in all of Detroit?” They were torn between the Guardian Building (my #1) and the Fisher Building (my #2). I walk by the Guardian Building just about every week, because it is in the heart of Downtown Detroit. The Fisher Building is a number of miles away in what is known as City Center (beyond downtown and even midtown). I decided then to hunt for the Fisher.

Fox Theatre

The LCA (Little Caesars Arena)

MOCAD

The DIA (Detroit Institute of the Arts)

The Detroit Public Library - There was an older gentleman waiting near Woodward Avenue for the library to open up for the day. He and I chatted for a minute, and I shared with him my antipathy regarding the otherwise breathtaking Italian Renaissance-style building that housed the Detroit Public Library. There were names etched into the Vermont marble near the top of the building, visible from Woodward Avenue. They were, from left to right:  Aeschylus; Archimedes; Socrates; Plato; Cicero; Caesar; Aristotle; Epictetus. :—:— I was perplexed at the choices as well as the order in which the choices appeared. I do not know much about half of the named men. I do know that Socrates taught Plato, who taught Aristotle, who taught Alexander the Great. I was curious why Cicero and Caesar appeared between Plato and Aristotle. I was also curious why Alexander the Great was omitted from the listing. Certainly, Cicero was one of the greatest minds of the last twenty centuries. It is because of Cicero that I adore Latin (well, Augustine’s adoration of Cicero’s Latin writing is what made me start teaching myself Latin [it is said that to read Cicero in Latin is the closest one can get to hearing music through language]). The ultimate irony is that above the front door to the Detroit Public Library, these words are inscribed:  “Knowledge is Power” :—:— I laughed with the man I met outside the library regarding what I thought was a silly disparity. How much did that building cost to erect only to have such a blunder (in my layman’s opinion)? I hope to go inside the library and seek the answer to this one day soon (I fully expect [or at least hope] to hear a sensible explanation to correct my unsatisfactory opinion of the selections and ordering of the names on the front of the library).

The Department of Mortuary Science (for Wayne State University) - It did not smell like anything outside of this building, but then again, it was a 24° F morning! Hahaha. This is as close to the Fisher as I could get. It was then 10 AM, and I had an 11 AM appointment to make with my pal, Roy. I took a photo of the yet-distant Fisher Building with my 300mm lens before releasing it from my sights. I will catch the Fisher another day!

University of Michigan Detroit Center

Mack Avenue

Milano Bakery - Arriving fifteen-minutes early, my security guard pal that looks after the bakery commiserated with me. I told him of my insane week that included the neck injury (much more craziness than what I recounted in this write-up happened, as happens sometimes). He had similar and crazier tales to trade with mine, and he left me with much encouragement. I always feel imbued with apotheosis (pretty good word) by such outright kindness; I dare say such treatment makes me a merry man (and to that, I say, “Let it be!”). Truth be told, Roy did not show much of a tan at all for having spent the previous two-weeks in Florida. He took his truck-mounted camper and Harley to a campsite in the panhandle part of the state. He met with a realtor and scoped a $150K fixer-upper in a $250K “working-class” neighborhood six-miles from the ocean. The area in which he hopes to soon reside is in the middle of several nature preserves and is largely devoid of tourists—for now (it is slowly being converted into a course of tourist traps). He plans to list his Michigan home in April and be gone not long after. I will miss him, and I told him as much a few times. He reverberated in kind in each instant.

Bert’s Market Place Jazz - I hopped in Roy’s red Mercedes, and we parked at Bert’s (I think of Bert, the owner, as the black Willy Wonka of Detroit [he is a man of wonder and universal kindness]). Peckish but picky, the two of us were; we skipped Bert’s and headed to get tea leaves at Rocky’s instead.

Rocky’s Nuts

Dearborn Fresh Supermarket - Roy took me to a favorite supermarket of his in Dearborn after complaining Rocky’s sold their loose leaf black tea for $20 a pound. It was $6 a pound at this place.

Urban Bean Co. - Roy and I had our regular beverages (he had an espresso [double shot]). I had an overpriced ginger drink.

Avalon Cafe and Bakery - I ran into a group of Cameroonian (central-African) vacationers here that were trying to locate B-Dubs. I volunteered to be their temporary tour guide to help them find the Victorian-Era (ca. 1840’s-1870’s) building that housed the largest Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in America.

Buffalo Wild Wings - I photographed the vacationers here before heading back toward my car with the things I bought at Rocky’s. They had spent the day tracing black history through the city of Detroit. I hope their day continued with as much charm and glee as had been described to me by their chaperone.

Greektown - I had loose leaf teas from Rocky’s in a grocery bag clipped to my camera bag that I wanted to drop off at my car before making one last pass through the city. On my path back, a homeless man put a pair of brand new (still in its packaging) winter gloves in my face, offering to sell me them (I was wearing gloves at the time myself). I was disgusted. Someone likely had given those new gloves to him to keep him warm, and he preferred, rather, to make quick cash (possibly for his next score) off them. I had not seen any homeless folks yet in the day. Earlier in the week, to redirect my pain into a noble cause, I bought ten pairs of size 9-12 men’s long black socks from the dollar store that I filled with gospel tracts. “This man would have sold the socks,” I reasoned, and I walked away in sadness and bitterness having not given him anything but a brief scolding for crying wolf, as it were.

Donald “Sunn” Anderson’s art stand - For the first time in 2019, I saw my good friend, Mr. Anderson, with his art stand set up in Greektown. He told me about his brick and mortar studio space / store front and said I should check it out (it was nearby).

Monroe Street - I saw a man walking a bike down the sidewalk, which to me says “bad day” or “flat tire.” He looked familiar—like a homeless man I met last summer on a bridge in Eastern Market (also walking a [different] bike then). I asked him if his bike had a flat. He said no and added that he found the bike left under a bridge for three days and decided to take it as his own. I told him it was not his and that he should return it immediately. He said that a “known drug dealer” he knew claimed it, though the man refused to acquiesce it, since the dealer was mean. I figured the bike was stolen and that the “known” dealer was his dealer. I recalled how this homeless man told me last summer how he had just been released from a long prison sentence for a crime committed in his youth. The world had entered the Digital Age while he was locked up, and, by Providence, he had connected with a homeless service, called “Southpoint,” that provided training in computers, which resulted in his working for Dan Gilbert’s loan company. I hinted at our previous conversation from this past summer. The man claimed no knowledge of “Southpoint” and said he was never given such a job, though he admitted he was the man from last summer. He lied to me before as well as now! Feeling pity for the man, I gave him a pair of the socks I had on me. He snatched them from my hand and forcefully stuffed them into one of his front coat pockets. We parted ways, and my mind split under the weight of my naivety. I have told innumerable homeless folks since that summer meeting about this “Southpoint” resource that was nothing but a druggy’s deception.

Campus Martius Park - A faithful street preacher, named Reuben, was with his little boy plying his professed faith to the people passing his portable P.A. system. I walked up to him and told him I had great pictures of him if he would just send me a message. I handed him one of my business cards, and he smiled and apologized for not getting in touch before. I wanted to capture the man on camera before I left, so I started super close with my Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 lens and finished with my Tokina SZ-X 60-300mm f/4-5.6 lens (as zoomed in as I could muster). :—:— In my passage out I ran into a third “homeless” man with freshly-laundered folded blankets and a large smart phone and plenty of food atop a state-of-the-art walker. Judging by the quality and condition of the items he lugged, he seemed to have a home. Determined not to be fooled again, I rejected his pleas for monetary help and walked on by (albeit with a heavy heart at my coldness toward him).

Capitol Park

David Klein Gallery - I asked the kind folks at the gallery about the latest MetroTimes cover picture. It looked just like the Low Rider style of a recent showing at the gallery. They said they were not in cahoots with the magazine and lamented that fact, since it could have been excellent publicity for their recent Low Rider-themed gallery showing.

Campus Martius Park - I again photographed the street preacher and his young son. I wanted to get a shot of the two near one another with the son imitating his father. The shot in my “top ten” is as close to that goal as I could attain in the time I spent shooting there. I caved and gave the (”third”) homeless man a pair of socks, though when I tossed them at his hand, they fell short and hit the sidewalk, making him pick them up. This was an absolute accident, and I again felt bad (I am all too apologetic; am I becoming Canadian? The Windsor Hum must have buzzed my brains bonkers!).

The Hudson Site 

The YMCA - Photographer, though I am, I do not look at everyone around me always. As I was on the lookout for Mr. Anderson’s brick-and-mortar studio space/storefront, a fourth homeless man passing against me in the sidewalk exclaimed at me, “Eastern MarkeT” (emphasizing the final letter in the word “market”). I looked up, startled, and I asked if he worked at Eastern Market too. He glared at me with the wildest eyes a mentally-drained man could manage, and I looked him up and down. He had on a coat that unzipped into a blanket that seems to be the universal winter uniform of Detroit’s homeless. Preoccupied with my goal of finding Mr. Anderson’s spot, I walked away without giving him another word.

Donald “Sunn” Anderson’s brick-and-mortar studio/storefront - I was amazed by Mr. Anderson’s storefront. His window art skills are fantastic.

Greektown - I saw the “fourth” homeless man (from just before) ahead of my planned path back to my car, so I ran up to meet his pace on the sidewalk and asked him what his outburst from before was about. He said I had told him there was work to be found in Eastern Market and that he had sought a job there to no avail. I apologized for his wasted efforts and told him he had done a great thing to get on with finding work for himself. I gave him a pair of socks, and he pocketed them with grace in his front coat pocket. I asked him where he was staying. He said he lived under a certain bridge. Our conversation continued through different topics. He said he had girl problems. Trying to peer-ify him, I joked back (referencing the famous Jay-Z song), “I feel bad for you, son!” The joke was lost on him; he blankly looked forward and kept walking. At right about that time, I reached Mr. Anderson’s stand and broke off to chat with him instead.  

Donald “Sunn” Anderson’s art stand - I told Mr. Anderson that every self-respecting business in Detroit needs “Sunn” to shine upon its windows. He laughed. I was serious. There should be a campaign to get his art all over Detroit in this medium.

Greektown - Parting with Mr. Anderson, I caught up again with the “fourth” homeless man. I brought up his girl problems and asked what happened. He replied that a lady he had gotten with “bogeyed” him. Unfamiliar with what this meant, I asked for clarification. He loudly shouted some gibberish at me, at which point I locked eyes with a beat cop that happened at that moment in our walk to be to our right. I gave the policeman a bug-eyed look of pitying confusion about the homeless man’s outburst and walked onward. When out of earshot of the policeman, I told the homeless man that such an explosive response to a level-headed question was not socially proper and added that we were done for the time with our conversation.

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WHAT WENT ON ON THIS DAY OUT IN DETROIT?

I sought to find if I could shoot street photography despite my pain from an injury incurred exactly a week ago. I think I succeeded, though my mobility was limited. :—:— The torn American flags in Hart Plaza were still (and further) torn. Unable to post about them online at the time, I think I should email the mayor and a news organization about this embarrassment. :—:— I fell into four odd interactions with some of the homeless in Detroit today. I want to learn the best advice to pass onto them.

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⋰B⋰U⋰Z⋰Z⋰W⋰O⋰R⋰D⋰S⋰

“Inside baseball” concepts talked about in this Detroit Street Photography Session  —

● Carhart Bib - I used to have to seek shelter from the winds and the cold more often when it got “bone-chilling” cold (~15° F) before I started wearing Carhart overalls on colder outings. This “bib” also lets you get low without dirtying your regular clothes underneath (as a tall fellow, I find extra goodness in lower angles).  

●  Mini Tripod - Get one. Get a good one that stays put when you set it. Learn from my mistake, and buy yourself a steady, sturdy mini tripod. I swear by mine any other time. You will get too much camera shake if you try to steady (by hand) a drooping (cheap, like mine) tripod.

●  Art Deco - There are almost a dozen Art Deco buildings / structures in Detroit (The Guardian Building; The Fisher Building; The Penobscot Building; The Livingston Lighthouse; The Rackham Building; The David Scott Tower; The Federal Building; The Detroit Free Press Building; The Macabees Building; The Water Board Building). Art Deco as a style is marked by modernistic aesthetics made with luxurious materials and executed with precise and complex designs. The 1920′s may well be my favorite decade of all time, and so, I am head over heels that Detroit has so many glorious Art Deco remnants yet extant. For any photographer, I would assert, such pretty pieces make for great pictures. :—:— Wherever you find yourself shooting shots, know what is around you and why it is there and why it is important (if at all). To borrow a phrase found atop a not-Art Deco building in Detroit: “Knowledge is Power!”

● Digital Age - We are in the Digital Age (a name for the present era that our offspring may change in a lifetime [or in eight]). To be in the present means you have the past to play off of. The sixteenth-century super-genius, Martin Luther, thought he was beyond spoiled to have press-printed books to use for study (this was a vast improvement in convenience over enormously-expensive and rare hand-copied scrolls and books). We have computers (and who knows what else in coming years?). A great photographer that sells his (and his father’s) prints in Eastern Market gave me great advice when I asked for his best wisdom for pursuing photography. He asked me, “is that a digital camera you are using?” I answered affirmatively. He said, “you basically have unlimited shots, given the memory card’s capacity over and above any film camera roll, so shoot everything you want to shoot, and take multiple shots each time.” We are in the Digital Age. Be retroactive if you like, but know that there are liminal conveniences that may teach you as much or more than dated, sometimes less-convenient approaches.

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