No Pepper: Day 2

So the feedback I received since I announced this project has been epic to say the least. First, getting the support from Howard in and of itself makes me want to get this thing going regardless of whether the Kickstarter raises the funds. (Although without that it is almost impossible). Second, the support is coming from people whom I have never met which makes it even more apparent that this project is worth doing to more than just me.

That said I want to make something very clear…

This project is for Valentine’s and the people who love the joint. I want people to shoot me ideas and be a part of the storytelling. Every person who has ever stepped foot through the door has a story to tell. I, for one, knocked over a PBR during a set and lapped the beer off the stage.

I’ve had several bands get at me about being on the soundtrack – a nice mix of noise – ranging from jam to metal to punk to acoustic.

I also have plans on donating a heap of the proceeds (if there are any) to children’s music programs because let’s face it… Where the hell would any of us be without music?

As it stands right now we’ve got $175 in the first 24 hours which means we need to raise about $226 a day for the next 28 days. This seems possible. And I very much hope it becomes a reality.

This Friday I will be doing some preliminary shooting in order to put together a teaser. So if anyone wants to say a few brief words for that I will be at Valentine’s around 5:00 p.m. shooting some exterior shots and chatting with Howard about the project. I’m hoping this will show people how serious I am about getting this documentary out of my head and on “film.” (It’s all digital I know…).

Again, please, tell anyone who might give a half a fuck. I can’t thank you all enough for the early support but don’t let it stop here (it can’t or the project is fucked).

We will always have our memories (until we develop brain diseases from decades of partying). But this will ensure that we will always have a window into our favorite beer joint once the bulldozers turn it into a parking lot.

May 21, 2013
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: TG Branfalt Jr . Comments: Leave a Comment

No Pepper: Day 1

Today I launched the Kickstarter for the documentary I am trying to get started. “No Pepper” would look at the history of local Albany beer joint Valentine’s – the landmark club in the capital region.

Why now?

Simple.

Albany Medical Center (where my wife works, actually) is encroaching on the block in the name of Urban Renewal. Sooner or later the building’s owner will fold to the pressure and Valentine’s will either be forced to find a new home or close their doors for the last time. Either way it will be the end of an era.

Personally, Valentine’s was where I went to punk rock shows over a decade ago. It was the very first place my first band played out. I played there almost monthly for a couple years with my second band. They always treated us well and I have yet to hear about Howard or Mike treating the bands poorly.

They’ve been a home for those miscreants, myself included, who don’t dig the downtown or Lark Street scene in Albany.

My goal is to tell the story and explain the history of the venue through the lens of those who love the club. The club will always hold a special place in a lot of hearts.
So check out the Kickstarter and throw the project a couple of bucks.

 

May 20, 2013
Categories: Uncategorized . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: TG Branfalt Jr . Comments: Leave a Comment

Just a quick thank you…

…to Al Roney for having me on his show again today.

I will try and post the link of the interview if possible.

That is all.

October 24, 2011
Categories: Uncategorized . . Author: TG Branfalt Jr . Comments: Leave a Comment

Day 4 Occupy Albany pictures and updates

Occupy Albany continued into it’s fourth day on Monday, as temperatures dropped into the 50′s the night before.

The noon-time crowd was thin, less than 50 people were eating, talking and working in Lafayette, while the wind un-staked tents.

The Occupiers were focusing their efforts on community relations, the park was swarmed with reporters from CBS6, the Times Union and Gannet wire services. The group had set up a welcome/media tent in the Central Ave side of the park.

A code enforcement officer had parked on the edge of Lafayette, but was not interested in the Occupation. There have yet to be clashed between protesters and police.

Nate Seeley, 19, had spent the night in the park. He served donated food to anyone that approached him. He wore a hat and latex gloves while at his station.

“I’ve been fed here, so I should feed people, ” Nate said while serving a female protester vegan pumpkin soup.

The kitchen is now equipped with a hot plate powered by a gas generator.

Amero’s Radio host Jesse Calhoun had some concerns about a recent announcement made at last night’s General Assembly.

“They proposed some action pushing for Cuomo to pass the ‘Millionaires Tax.’ That is an Obama thing, and there was little discourse about this. They just seemed to bypass the voting and called it an announcement,” Jesse said, “Obama is a banks guy and you’re just feeding into his policy.”

Jesse wrote on his Facebook page about the proposed Millionaires Tax, “It’s fine if you still want to support it, but let’s be honest, if you do, then you should start chanting ‘We are the 72 percent!’

There is still no law enforcement observing the park during the day.

October 24, 2011
Categories: Occupy . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: TG Branfalt Jr . Comments: 1 Comment

Occupy Albany Day 3: Pictures and updates.

Occupy Albany lived to see another day, following the rumors of  possible eviction by local and state police last night.

As previously reported here early this morning, Saturday night was not issue free. Around 10pm an altercation occurred in the park when protestor Brad Russell was accosted following a heated exchange with two men, Army veterans who had recently come home from a tour in Afghanistan.

One of the men took exception to Russell’s sign, specifically his use of the American Flag and bald eagle.

“State police told me that he was in town getting treatment at the VA,” Russell said, “They asked if I would accept an apology in lieu of pressing charges.”

Russell did accept the man’s apology and did not press charges. It appears no charges have been pressed at this time.

“These two guys were reeking of liquor, he was screaming in my face and threatening me,” Russell described, “I said to him ‘I have said everything I need to say to you, you are obviously drunk’ he took a half turn and faked like he was going to go off, then he grabbed my sign. The two of us went to the ground, I ended up on top of him he kind of face planted,” Russell said.

During the short scuffle, according to Russell, the Occupiers were chanting “We are non-violent.” Russell sustained no serious injury in the incident.

An Occupy Albany press release was sent Sunday morning informing the incident was “not affiliated with Occupy Albany.”

The mood is still very upbeat in the quiet park. Morale is still high, and during the day children join their parents in holding signs making this a very family friendly occupation. Smokers leave camp to light up. (I was actually asked to move further from camp, because of the presence on the children).

For now the rumors of both eviction and police empathy persist throughout camp, yet neither can be wholly confirmed at this time.

October 23, 2011
Categories: Occupy . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: TG Branfalt Jr . Comments: Leave a Comment

2:17am 10/23 Occupy Albany Update

A short conversation with Albany occupier dherics via Twitter following reports of possible eviction from Lafayette:

TG:  Still camping?

dherics: “Everything going strong at 1am. State police recommended more open sidewalk.”

So far only one arrested, seems to be “drunk local” not protestor.

Note: Lafayette is not far from Pearl St, which houses many bars. Albany is home to Saint Rose and the University at Albany, therefore home to their student body.

So far no sign of Albany Police Department forcing eviction. Lafayette Park is half New York State land though, so if the protestors Occupy that area of the park they will become Trooper prey.

 

 

 

October 23, 2011
Categories: Occupy . Tags: , , , , , , , , , . Author: TG Branfalt Jr . Comments: Leave a Comment

Photos and Notes from Occupy Albany Day 2

Nearly 20 tents were still pitched in Albany’s Lafayette Park on Saturday morning, the first morning since the Occupation started. Albany police, fire, EMS as well as State Troopers had shown up the night before, leading the protestors to believe they would be kicked out of the park at 11:00pm, when the park officially closes. By 2:00am the park was clear of police and emergency vehicles.

According to a media release by APD Spokesman James Miller, “The protest proceeded through the night peacefully. Protestors stayed on the sidewalk on the edge of the parks and were respectful. No one was arrested for any violations overnight,” the release said.

According to many protestors the word on the street is that the APD rank and file will not evict the protestors, and has informed them that the tents could stay up, but nothing could be physically constructed in the park.

Their “kitchen” had been stocked by volunteers with Brueggers bagels, coffee and fruits for the first Occupation breakfast.

“So far it’s been really good, the cops were fine,” said Patrick Buonacore of Albany, “I slept here last night, there were about 75 of us total, I’ll keep sleeping here until they evict us, but they haven’t tried to yet,” he said.

Passing cars honked as they drove by, and some offered support with peace signs.

The General Assembly meetings will be held daily at 5:30pm.

“We expect more people at the GA,” said Robert Eaton who had brought his son with him for the overnight camping, “A lot of people are working during the day, but they’ll be here later.”

The Occupation will continue indefinitely.

October 22, 2011
Categories: Occupy . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: TG Branfalt Jr . Comments: 4 Comments

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