SPLURGE.

Splurge 2

2008-10-26T02:39:00.004-06:00

Issue 2. Here it is for your viewing pleasure. You can also download a pdf version by clicking the corresponding button above, or by clicking the link in the right column. Latest version of Macromedia Flash recommended for flash viewing. For full screen, click on the top right button of the flash window below.

Splurge 2

Final Countdown.

2008-10-20T18:49:00.003-06:00

The time has come. This Saturday, Splurge 2 will hit the hands of the readers, and all the while supporting local campus radio and local street press. Here's a recap of the day's events on October 25th.

Edmonton Micropress Underground Small Press Fair.

12pm - 4pm
Free to attend
Showcasing a taste of local Edmonton small press, and what it has to offer.

Splurge 2, Urban Graffiti X, Grand launch.

4pm - Late!
Featuring Live Music, Live Dj's, The CJSR Fundrive booth, and a whole lotsa fun!
Live Acts Include: Thea Vs. Loki, Great Lemongrad, How We Laugh Like Friends, Dreamleese, The Blazing Violets, The Southern Pink, A.O.K. (Assault Of Knowledge), & The Yells.
Only $5 for 8 Bands, and all funds raised goes to CJSR and Edmonton Street News!

Hope to see you there!

2X: Splurge 2, It's In The Works.

2008-09-15T05:33:00.007-06:00

"Twice the Zines. Twice the Charities. Twice the Excitement."

On Saturday October 25th, Greensleeve Editions, CJSR, and theArtery present the launch of not one, but two zines on the same day. Greensleeve's Splurge (on it's 2nd issue), and Urban Graffiti (on it's 10th issue) are being released together in support of the CJSR Fundrive, and Edmonton Street News. Also being unveiled on October 25th, is the inaugural installment of Edmonton's newest micropress affiliation: Edmonton Micropress Underground. The Fair will be free of charge (held from Noon to 4pm), and will feature a collection of local E-town Micropresses, their representatives and publications.

Following the fair is the days main event, which is being held on the main level of theARTery, will feature live music from local bands: Thea Vs Loki, The Blazing Violets, The Yells, The Southern Pink and more. The main event will go from 4pm until 12am. $5 Cover.

All proceeds from the door and Zine Donation Box will be given directly to CJSR in support of the fundrive, and Edmonton Street News.

Come out and have fun in support of your local campus radio and street newspaper. It promises to be a splurging great time.

Recap: Fair $0. Bands $5.

A Word From Your Friendly Neighborhood Small Press Beast

2008-06-15T20:49:00.004-06:00

Plans are afoot for the next zine launch which is in mid production. The next issue sports a new look, a new direction and a few other interesting surprises (Spoiler warning ahead!):

Larger page format
Increased page number
Color cover, possible color all throughout

Also in the works, is a new venue for the release party. I'm in process of pinning one down, but I'm currently working with these needs in mind:

Multiple rooms to facilitate the linking of a live music show, and a small press fair with tables for other micro-pressers to show off their wares
Possible live broadcast over the radio from the show to help promote the bands and bring other media closer together with the small press community

These new developments, and my venue goals are all in keeping with my goal of bringing the micro-pressers and zinesters of Edmonton closer together, increasing local awareness of the importance and effect of literary self-expression on the cultural development of our urban centre, and to bring cohesion to micro-pressers who have yet to find it in other associations around town.

Also planned for this event will be the inauguration of a new way for Edmonton micro-pressers to connect, network, and share ideas about new projects. Expect more information on this front in the coming weeks as plans solidify for its unveiling.

Any comments or suggestions, submissions for splurge, or ideas otherwise are always welcome at my email: deadheaddevo@gmail.com.

SPLURGE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

2008-04-25T02:13:00.003-06:00

Splurge is currently looking for submissions for the next issue. If you'd like to have your voice heard, read through the submission guidelines below and see what you can come up with! We look forward to seeing your work!

SPLURGE welcomes any and all critiques, comments or ideas concerning the nature of the articles, the general effect of the publication personally or otherwise, and even on the zine itself. We also encourage submissions of anything you feel worthy and fitting within future issues of a literary, photographic, otherwise visually artistic, or sardonic nature. And Besides. The worst we can do is find out where you live, break in, and leave a cordial note of how and why it didn't fit on your fridge.

_MANDATE: SPLURGE is a Zine that decodes and defaces the ostentation of contemporary consumer culture; pulling back the thin veneer of our so called "Modern" existence to show the ugly truth of what lies beneath our daily actions and inactions, revealing the depths of depravity inflicted by this disney-replica of reality that demands the sacrifice of the real for the hyper-real. Their price is cheap: just everything you are.

SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS:

_LITERARY: Prose, Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, and Creative Non-fiction are all acceptable. No set essay structure needed, quotations optional (although citing of web/publication sources are encouraged if used). Hold no punches. It can include personal experiences, observations, anything. Most important is your thoughts and feelings on the state of society and the effect of consumerism on modern culture. Please limit word count to 2000 words or less.

_PHOTOGRAPHIC: Photo Essays, and Portfolio's Excerpts are both accepted. Please send HI-RES scans of the piece(s), no originals please.

_VISUAL ART: Any art excluding that of a Photographic nature is accepted for possible inclusion as background for page spreads or inclusion elsewhere throughout the publication. Please include along with the piece any suggestions you may have for possible use. Please send HI-RES scans of the piece(s), no originals please.

_CLASSIFIEDS: Classifieds of a socially/politically relevant and sardonic nature are accepted for use in the classifieds section of SPLURGEZINE. Please no derogatory, defaming, or hateful speech.

Send all correspondences/submissions to:
SPLURGEZINE,
c/o Devin McCawley,
email: deadheaddevo@gmail.com

SPLURGEZINE retains the right to reprint ALL accepted submissions in anthology form. All other rights revert to the respective artists and authors. Compensation is made in copies upon publication.

They Came, They Danced, They Splurged!!!

2008-04-16T03:20:00.005-06:00

After a four year hiatus from micro-press publishing, Greensleeve Editions launched the inaugural issue of Splurge, edited by Devin McCawley -- a zine which decodes and defaces the ostentation of contemporary consumer culture: by any means necessary -- at Edmonton's Black Dog Freehouse (10425 - 82 Avenue) on Sunday, April 13th, 2008. Payment for the zine was in the form of charitable donations (see earlier posts for more info). Besides the Black Dog donating their space for the event, the following bands also donated their own excellent performances to the cause: TEAM BUILDING, HEADBAND, and THE BLAZING VIOLETS. Big Rock Brewery also donated a dollar from every Big Rock sold during the launch to our chosen charitable recipient for the event: Edmonton Street News. A very big thank you to everyone who donated their time, energies, and cash to make this launch a success, both up front and behind the scenes (you know who you are...wink, wink) and to all those who came out to the release party. An especially big thank you goes to the owner and management of the Black Dog Freehouse, Big Rock Brewery (for their forward thinking), and to the bands -- without your participation, there wouldn't have been any event.

For those of you who didn't, or couldn't, make it to the launch, free copies of Splurge are now available for download as pdf files.

Remember to support your local food bank, homeless shelter societies, and youth shelters.

We are our brother's keepers.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS.

2008-04-14T14:48:00.004-06:00

Splurge is currently accepting submissions for Issue No. 2. All interested, please download a copy of Issue No. 1, along with a copy of the submission guidelines on the second to last page of the publication. Go forth and write, photograph, and subvert! We look forward to seeing your results.

Splurge Hits The Streets.

2008-04-13T14:20:00.001-06:00

Here it is. Finally. After much waiting and crossing of fingers, Splurge has made it's way to publication. For your viewing pleasure below is a flash version to flip through if you haven't yet gotten your hands on a copy. For full screen, click the square button in the top right corner. You can also download a pdf version by clicking the corresponding button above, or by clicking the link in the right column. Latest version of Macromedia Flash recommended for flash viewing.

Specific Specifics, Specified!

2008-04-09T15:15:00.005-06:00

Here's a little background information on the charities and what they need from you on Sunday, April 13th.

Edmonton Street News Background:

Edmonton Street News is an independent publication produced by volunteers and sold by vendors on the street. ESN is produced by a small group of volunteers, and as such, money is needed to pay for printing costs and to cover other expenses such as vendor badges, stamps, envelopes, gas, printer cartridges, bank fees etc. Edmonton Street News is the only street news paper in the city that provides an actual voice for the homeless and those marginalized by poverty; a perspective from those inside the problems, as opposed to a view of an outsider-looking-in.

What Edmonton Street News needs most from you:

Cash donations
Your Thirst! (for every Big Rock pint sold on the 13th, Big Rock is donating $1 to ESN)

The Food Bank Background:

Edmonton’s Food Bank was born through the realisation of two factors by a small number of individuals from various local non-profit organizations: hunger was affecting the lives of many of their clients and edible food was being wasted in the community. There was a desire to reconcile these realities and to establish a channel for surplus food from the food industry to those who were experiencing food insecurity.

In April 1980, an ad hoc committee began investigating the possibility of establishing a food bank to serve agencies located in the inner city. Interest was high among these agencies to provide meal or snack programs to people in need. With funding provided by the Marian Centre, an official from Second Harvest Food Bank (Phoenix, Arizona) was asked to attend a workshop to provide his expertise. Following several meetings, an official steering committee was appointed by the participating agencies to carry out the planning for the Food Bank until the organization became legally incorporated and an official Board of Directors was elected.

On January 16, 1981, the Edmonton Gleaners Association, more commonly known as Edmonton’s Food Bank, received it’s official charter of incorporation and Canada’s first food bank was born.

What the Food Bank needs most from you:

Beans with or without pork
Canned meat
Canned fish
Canned fruit or vegetables
Peanut butter
Powdered milk
Baby food and formula
Macaroni and cheese dinners
Pasta and pasta sauce
School snack items such as juice boxes and granola bars

The Bissell Centre Background:

The growth of urban centres brought new social challenges. Immigrants arrived while in transit to a place in the country, young men came to the city to earn money in order to support the voyage of their family, and many returned from the country side to find work during winter, hoping to supplement their meager farm income.

In 1910 an urban mission was established in Edmonton by the Methodist minister William Pike and his wife, Florence. The mission was located on the North-west corner of 96th Street and 103A Avenue, where the present Police Station now stands. The mission offered language programs, a place to socialize and religious services. Some years later, the Presbyterian Church also built a mission in the vicinity. The logical direction—joint programs and services—was taken in 1919. The McQueen Institute came into being, later, after the 1925 formation of the United Church of Canada, known as the All People's Mission. (In Winnipeg, nine "All Peoples Missions" operated through out the city since 1907, under the leadership of the Rev. J.S. Woodsworth). The mission grew and expanded programs for new mothers, children and youth, and during the 1930s added services for those on low income: a place to sleep, meals and clothing.

With the help of a legacy from Torrence E. Bissell new premises were prepared. Saturday night concerts were held every week. The old blacksmith's shop was demolished to make way for a new brick building, officially named The Bissell Institute. Church services were held every Sunday. During the war the Japanese congregation found a home here. This was made up of people who had been forced to leave their homes on the West coast.

As the city of Edmonton grew, the need for the programs offered at the Bissell Centre increased as well. More people on low income were living in poor housing than ever before. By the 1980's Bissell had once more outgrown its facility. In 1989 the Centre moved to a renovated warehouse a few blocks north.

Today, nearing a century of missionary service, the vision of the Bissell Centre is to make Edmonton a city in which neighbour helps neighbour to find wholeness.

The growth of urban centres brought new social challenges. Immigrants arrived while in transit to a place in the country, young men came to the city to earn money in order to support the voyage of their family, and many returned from the country side to find work during winter, hoping to supplement their meager farm income.

In 1910 an urban mission was established in Edmonton by the Methodist minister William Pike and his wife, Florence. The mission was located on the North-west corner of 96th Street and 103A Avenue, where the present Police Station now stands. The mission offered language programs, a place to socialize and religious services. Some years later, the Presbyterian Church also built a mission in the vicinity. The logical direction—joint programs and services—was taken in 1919. The McQueen Institute came into being, later, after the 1925 formation of the United Church of Canada, known as the All People's Mission. (In Winnipeg, nine "All Peoples Missions" operated through out the city since 1907, under the leadership of the Rev. J.S. Woodsworth). The mission grew and expanded programs for new mothers, children and youth, and during the 1930s added services for those on low income: a place to sleep, meals and clothing.

With the help of a legacy from Torrence E. Bissell new premises were prepared. Saturday night concerts were held every week. The old blacksmith's shop was demolished to make way for a new brick building, officially named The Bissell Institute. Church services were held every Sunday. During the war the Japanese congregation found a home here. This was made up of people who had been forced to leave their homes on the West coast.

As the city of Edmonton grew, the need for the programs offered at the Bissell Centre increased as well. More people on low income were living in poor housing than ever before. By the 1980's Bissell had once more outgrown its facility. In 1989 the Centre moved to a renovated warehouse a few blocks north.

Today, nearing a century of missionary service, the vision of the Bissell Centre is to make Edmonton a city in which neighbour helps neighbour to find wholeness.
The growth of urban centres brought new social challenges. Immigrants arrived while in transit to a place in the country, young men came to the city to earn money in order to support the voyage of their family, and many returned from the country side to find work during winter, hoping to supplement their meager farm income.

In 1910 an urban mission was established in Edmonton by the Methodist minister William Pike and his wife, Florence. The mission was located on the North-west corner of 96th Street and 103A Avenue, where the present Police Station now stands. The mission offered language programs, a place to socialize and religious services. Some years later, the Presbyterian Church also built a mission in the vicinity. The logical direction—joint programs and services—was taken in 1919. The McQueen Institute came into being, later, after the 1925 formation of the United Church of Canada, known as the All People's Mission. (In Winnipeg, nine "All Peoples Missions" operated through out the city since 1907, under the leadership of the Rev. J.S. Woodsworth). The mission grew and expanded programs for new mothers, children and youth, and during the 1930s added services for those on low income: a place to sleep, meals and clothing.

With the help of a legacy from Torrence E. Bissell new premises were prepared. Saturday night concerts were held every week. The old blacksmith's shop was demolished to make way for a new brick building, officially named The Bissell Institute. Church services were held every Sunday. During the war the Japanese congregation found a home here. This was made up of people who had been forced to leave their homes on the West coast.

As the city of Edmonton grew, the need for the programs offered at the Bissell Centre increased as well. More people on low income were living in poor housing than ever before. By the 1980's Bissell had once more outgrown its facility. In 1989 the Centre moved to a renovated warehouse a few blocks north.

Today, nearing a century of missionary service, the vision of the Bissell Centre is to make Edmonton a city in which neighbour helps neighbour to find wholeness.

What the Bissell Centre needs most from you:

Warm Winter Jackets
Sweaters
Gloves
Toques
Footwear (in good condition)
Socks (new)

All of these charities and organizations need our help!

Please bring any mix of donations to the release party to get a copy of the magazine.

Unexpected Promotion!

2008-03-21T03:23:00.007-06:00

While looking through my favorite Andy Warhol biography I found a couple of unbelievable images! Check them out for yourself! Click for fullscreen!

Help me promote Splurge, just like Andy! More finds to come!

Updates Updates Updates.

2008-03-19T01:00:00.011-06:00

So here we are. Mid-Late March is coming up quickly, and the venue (The Black Dog Freehouse) is still awaiting it's re-opening. In response, I've re-slated the opening once more to a time that the bar has been confirmed to be up and running for at least a week. The new date for the release party is, drum roll please... Sunday, April 13th. Doors open at 2pm, Bands at 5pm. The show is completely free of charge. $0. The band lineup is: Team Building, Headband, and The Blazing Violets.

And now for a few interesting details regarding the unique nature of this launch.

The Release Party is being framed as more than just a chance to get your hands on the zine. It's called BYOD (Bring Your Own Donation's). A local street paper called Edmonton Street News (a non-profit, donation based project) is going to be the main beneficiary of what I can only see as the first time a small press has ever attempted to support it's local community in this manner. Other beneficiaries are the local Food Bank, and the Bissell Centre (another two non-profit groups that really support and provide the necessities of life to the marginalized in Edmonton). The donations are being garnered in the following ways:

When you go to pick up a copy of Splurge (setup at a table), instead of paying me for a copy you will have three choices of who to donate to and how much:

Cash donations going directly to Edmonton Street News via Linda Dumont (Editor of Edmonton Street News)
Warm clothing donations for the Bissell Centre
Non-perishable food donations for the Food Bank

Hopefully in this way I can not only inspire people to start supporting the local community, but also create awareness on how much help these groups need so they can in turn provide aid to the many people of Edmonton who really need their support.

The second prong of this benefit party is all thanks to Big Rock. Along with the Black Dog Freehouse (who is gracious and adventurous enough to try something like this with me), Big Rock is sponsoring the event, and like the rest of us, they are also putting their money where their mouth is. For every Big Rock pint sold on the entire day of the release party, they are donating $1 to Edmonton Street News. If 200 people are in attendance and have 2 Big Rock pints each, thats $400 dollars. 250 people? $500. And so on. And with hour long sets from three bands, I know I'll be downing more than 2 pints.

What all of this means is that if you don't care for the zine, and think charity drives and local non-profit groups are silly, by coming down to see a free show with some wicked bands and drinking a few too many cool, refreshing pints of Grasshopper (or perhaps you're a Traditional or Espresso Stout fan), you're still doing your part to help support the local community.

A copy of the Poster and Press Release Form are available above to download, or by clicking the respective links.

Be there or be square.

SPLURGEZINE Weblog Up And Running!

2008-02-04T08:50:00.001-07:00

This, the 4th of February 2008, marks the inaugural launch of the first web outlet for the new, up and coming wordbomb zine, known as 'Splurge'. At the helm, is Devin McCawley [aka 'dhd' or 'deadheadDevo']: your editor, typesetter, fellow culture-jammer, and all around shit-disturber. As of today, the zine is near completion, with a launch date set for sometime in April. This publication has been a labour of much love/hate, and has been in the works for nearly 3 years.

The release of 'Splurge' also accompanies the reincarnation of a once thought defunct micropress: Greensleeve Editions.
[ITS ALIVE! ITS ALIVE!]