‘Pretty cool’: Relic Boise neon signs could pop up as public art in Downtown Boise project
A collection of signs that could go up in Downtown Boise if a plan from the Capital City Development Corp. moves forward. Courtesy CCDC
From BoiseDev.com: A series of classic Boise neon signs could appear in Downtown Boise if a project envisioned by the Capital City Development Corp. moves forward.
Vangie Osborn has collected decommissioned signs from around Boise for more than 20 years and has long hoped to find a permanent, public place to display them. Several previous attempts haven’t made it across the finish line, but the CCDC’s effort could bring them to a public spot along Grove St. in Downtown Boise.
7 restored theaters and cultural arts centers along the Chitlin’ Circuit
Photo: artistmac/Flickr
From Roadtrippers.com: What The Green Book was to road trips, the Chitlin’ Circuit was to music during the era of segregation in the U.S. From the 1930s until the late ‘60s, a collection of Black-owned juke joints, dance halls, music venues, and nightclubs peppered throughout the South, Midwest, and East Coast provided a welcome space for Black patrons and performers alike. Hosting up-and-coming acts alongside established superstars, the Chitlin’ Circuit (named after the soul food staple chitterlings, with a nod to its post-war Jewish equivalent, the Borscht Belt) included venues both local (Mississippi’s clapboard 100 Men Hall) and lavish (Detroit’s opulent Fox Theatre).
Not all of the theaters and performance spaces have withstood shifting cultural winds over the past century, but many have been restored or repurposed into community arts centers or are returning to their roots, welcoming modern-day musicians and music-lovers of all genres and backgrounds. Here are seven of the must-see stops along the Chitlin’ Circuit.
Honour to see ‘ghost sign’ for family bakery uncovered
A 1920s ‘ghost sign’ for an old bakery has reappeared at Hastings and Penticton streets, and fascinated the public. Photo by Nick Procaylo/PNG
From The Province: These signs were from a Vancouver-based business called Shelly’s 4X Bakery. The 4X portion of the bakery’s name had a hidden meaning. It paid homage to the grind of his flour. It was ground four times for an extra fine texture that set his products apart.
The namesake behind this was a gentleman called William Curtis Shelly. Shelly was born in Ontario but moved to Vancouver to expand his bakery business. He grew this business and eventually sold it to Canadian Bakeries Ltd. (now Canada Bread).
9 Historic Dance Halls In Texas Where You Can Still Boot Scootin’ Boogie
Luckenbach, Texas
From Travelawaits.com: Texas country music lovers, boot scooters, and two-steppers claim their favorite dance halls from more than 400 historic dance halls across the state. You’ll hear Texas swing music from my favorites, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, George Strait, and Billy Mata, all keeping Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys music alive and kicking. You can find Red Dirt music from anywhere there’s red dirt, mainly south of the Red River, made famous by Stoney Larue or the Turnpike Troubadours (who have two sold-out shows coming up at Billy Bob’s). Dialing through the radio stations, you’ll hear lots of conjunto music, Mexican accordion, and Czech and German-influenced polka-style Tex-Mex music from the sounds of Los Texmaniacs playing early March at Gruene Hall. You can search YouTube recordings of these Texas music artists, including Lyle Lovett and his “That’s Right, You’re Not From Texas.”
Two unique buildings in Kellogg now listed on National Register of Historic Places
The Miner’s Hat, a former diner and drive-in built in Kellogg in 1940, has been officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places. (Courtesy of the Idaho State Historical Society)
From the Idaho Capital Sun: Two of Kellogg’s unique and recognizable historical buildings are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to a press release from the Idaho State Historical Society.
The Miner’s Hat, originally built as a diner and drive-in in Kellogg in 1940, and the Kellogg Boy Scout Cabin, built for the Boy Scouts and other youth organizations in 1945, were listed on the register in September, the press release said.
The Miner’s Hat, now home to Miner’s Hat Realty, is an example of programmatic roadside architecture, which was popular in America from the 1920s through the 1950s, said Jason Tippeconnic Fox, the national register coordinator at the State Historic Preservation Office. That kind of architecture combines innovative building shapes and advertising to attract the attention of passing motorists on busy thoroughfares.