Local Artist Celebrates His 30th B-Day With Music And Art
Fran Schanz displays rarely seen paintings

What are you doing on Thursday, June 10th at 7:00 PM?

Well, anyone who is anyone is going to be Nelson’s Tavern, located at the corner of 11th and State Street for a unique event. Starting at 7:00 internationally known local artist Fran Schanz will be celebrating his milestone birthday with a rare display of a number of paintings he has created over the years, as well a band show featuring Solitaire Miles (7:00 PM start) and Hands Of Thieves (10:00 start).

Now, trying to talk to Schanz is like trying to tie a tornado to a hitching post but once you speak to him you will meet a very special man and, if you do catch him, don’t ask how old he is…he will admit to 30 so just grin and accept it.

Schanz started as an artist when he was a child. “When I was in the first grade I had a number of the childhood illnesses,” Schanz said. “My mom would try to entertain me by getting paper from a local cleaner and I would draw and paint on them…covering both sides.

Although he is a mainly known as a sculptor, Schanz has a large collection of paintings with names like Goat Head Soup, Big Bird and Sacred Ground. All of these were done in the abstract genre. “A number of the painting were created after a friend of mine, another artist, was killed in an accident on 12th St,” he said.

It was with his newest painting that he has made a major change in his style from monochromatic to full color although his newest piece is still definitely abstract.

He said that he likes Nelson’s Tavern as a place to display his work. “It’s like one place doing two things.” This is not the first time Nelson’s has displayed artwork. Last year they displayed artwork based on leafs and then a second show of custom designed skateboards. Schanz said that he likes that they are having his art displayed, his birthday party and some great music there that night adding that it should be a great time for everyone.

In addition to the show at Nelson’s Schanz is also displaying his work at the Merchantile Building at 14th and State Streets including an eight foot tall cross made out of beer boxes and a teddy bear called “The Cross We Bear” as well as a sculpture made of bowling balls and rare cigarette wrappers. Schanz also has a studio at 1505 State Street in Erie.
 

Editor's Note:

Born in Erie in 1945, Francis T. Schanz has spent his entire life involved in the local art scene. Schanz earned his BFA from Mercyhurst College, interrupted by a two-year tour of duty with the U.S. Army Infantry in Vietnam, during which he was awarded the Purple Heart.

He continued his studies at Edinboro University, earning an MFA in sculpture.

Schanz has exhibited in numerous area and regional competitions, exhibitions, performances, and installations. His work is held in private collections locally and nationally, including the permanent collection of the Erie Art Museum. Schanz has taught adult and children's art classes at the Erie Art Museum, Martin Luther King Center, Edinboro University, and other locations. He has also served as judge for numerous student art competitions.

Currently, Schanz is serving as the Executive Chairman of the Northwest Pennsylvania Artists Association. He owns and operates Schanz Gallery, 1505 State Street, Erie.

Comedy Benefit For Perry HiWay Hose Company
Kaye, Krieger and others set to perform

Audiences laugh out loud, as David Kaye shares side-splitting tales of his dysfunctional family affairs, and blue-collar upbringing in Pittsburgh, PA. As the last child born to a Polish steel mill worker and a Ho Jo's waitress, his wry recollections of life as the “baby brother” are candidly funny. “I grew up believing that my parents were not prejudice people. However, judging from all the beatings I took as a child, I now realize my parents hated white children.”

David's tongue-in-cheek observations have continued to set off boisterous laughter and applause in corporate boardrooms, college rathskellers, and smoky nightclubs throughout the country for over two decades. A former mechanical engineer and more recently, trained thespian, Kaye smartly lampoons life with countless comical vignettes.

Acting as narrator and cast, he morphs into a one man comedy troupe using manic mannerisms, outlandish dialects, and contorted facial expressions to convey vividly funny living snapshots of his many off-the-wall characters.

David Kaye's many credits include performances with Weird Al Yankovic, Richard Jeni, David Brenner, and Drew Carey. Along with numerous television appearances on ABC, Comedy Central, dozens of commercials and industrial films, and a starring role in the independent films, ”Creep” and “Saffronia”.

The perfect headline performer for any occasion, David Kaye always delivers huge laughs with his original wit, rock solid act, and genuine comedic talent.

Chuck Krieger started comedy in the early 90s’, for the country’s first Funnybone Comedy Club in Pittsburgh.

He is a steel city original who has worked steadily for "The Bone", where he remains a club favorite. He has had appearances on TV, hosted a comedy radio show, released a CD, and has been on countless radio shows. Chuck has also taken his energetic, sarcastic style to top clubs in the north east, and has also played many top clubs in the mid west, including Zanie’s in Chicago.

Chuck is also the headline comedian for Steel City Comedy Tour, traveling the country from Florida to California, playing packed venues full of transplanted Pittsburghers. Chuck is known for his hysterical, relatable, material.

His quick wit and crowd work, are sure to make him a crowd favorite wherever he performs. Along the way, has worked with some of the industries best. Chuck has shared the stage with such acts as Lewis Black, Mitch Fatel, Jim Florentine, Jim Gaffigan, Artie Lange, Patton Oswalt, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Weird Al Yankovic.

The benefit is set to start at 7:00 PM at 8281 Oliver Rd on June 12, 2010. Call 814-864-0680 for information and/or tickets

Annual Pride Erie Picnic June 12th

We are at the spiffy Rotary Pavilion, which is close to the 3 cabins near the Waterworks Beach. The Pride Picnic runs from 1 to 6 PM. We will be serving food from 2 to 4 PM, and the family portrait will be taken at 4 PM. Photos of the site, as well as previous events viewable by clicking here. The location has electricity, a small kitchen with a cooler, a larger dining area, restrooms in the same building, and a lovely floating dock nearby.

Hot dogs, meatballs, and beverages will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass. Paper plates and plastic silverware will be available. Donations gratefully accepted. We ask that those with online access register before the event by clicking here. Please stop at the check in table when you arrive to either confirm your online registration or fill out the form. We will have name tags, if you like. You can use your first name, full name and/or screen name if you choose to wear a name tag.

We also ask that you bring a non-perishable item for the Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA. We are also asking for volunteers to serve 1 hour work shifts in the kitchen area or at the registration table, as well as cleanup. This helps ease the workload for all.
As always, everyone is welcome. Feel free to bring your friends and family. Parents are responsible for taking care of their kids. (There is playground equipment near the pavilion.)

We’ll begin at 1 PM with games, including the ever popular volleyball. We will also be including activities for children 3-12.

We will have photographers who will be taking photos. You can be in photos or not, as you choose. In addition to the photos of folks enjoying the picnic, we will also have an area where folks can have their photos taken for the EGN Friends and Supporters web page. Again, all photos are optional. We will be including the photos on Erie Gay News’ home page and in an upcoming print edition.

Bring lawn chairs, blankets, rollerblades and sunscreen. Volunteers are asked to help with clean up, cooking and set up. If you would like to volunteer, contact Michael Mahler at (814) 456-9833 or email info@eriegaynews.com. You can also sign up to volunteer when you register online.

Because of state law, alcohol and sales by outside vendors are not permitted. Please respect this. If you bring alcohol, or are obviously drunk, you will be asked to leave the picnic.

Second Sundays At The EAM
Centers on family creativity

Starting June 13, the Erie Art Museum will kick off a special hands-on summer program series for families hosted on the second Sunday of every month from 2-4 p.m. Children ages 5 and up will explore new art-making processes and learn to see through the eyes of artists. These arts & crafts-style programs are “cool enough for kids and easy enough for adults,” said Kelly Armor, Director of Education and Folk Art.

This month’s theme, “What is a Museum?” will explore the concept and character of museums through art-related projects and discoveries. Future programs will take place July 11 and September 12 from 2-4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children/students, and free for members.

The Museum offers additional opportunities for artistic expression just for kids: First Fridays, Art Camp for Kids, Art of the Magical Forest, Photography for Kids, and Parent Child Clay among others. A complete list of classes for kids and adults is found at www.erieartmuseum.org.