Letting it rip: The Do's Don'ts and What the fuck is this shit here: For Art Markets Flea Markets Holiday Markets Farmers Markets Gallery shows and...

Artist Farmer Craft Flea Holiday Markets and Galleries have become trendy and gentrified. A community is not trendy cool nor hip, but it takes years and generations  to nature build and maintain. By most measures gentrification is the negation "Columbusing" and destruction of an established community.

Columbusing In D.C.: When We “Discover” The Culture Of Others

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/audio/#/shows/2016-09-22/columbusing-in-d-c-when-we-discover-the-culture-of-others/92370/@00:00

 For those folks who have built community and been regular customers for decades and in some cases centuries these venues, are the life's blood of where one calls  home. They are places that one travels to as touch stones of humanity for food art simple pleasures unexpected merchandise and joy. Many have moved to areas just to be apart of vibrant rich diverse multicultural community based markets art shows and galleries.


After more that a quarter of a century as an artists exhibitor client historian and  human being at Eastern Market galleries artist craft Holiday and flea markets in United States and Europe- these are the rules...

Do

1. Do follow the golden rule ... at ALL TIMES!

Mathew 7:12 "Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you

shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets."

2. Do come and purchase at Markets and Galleries.
3. Do bring your friends and family to purchase at Markets and Galleries
4.  Do bring your well behaved children and if permissible (one hopes not) pets to Markets
5. Do ...do your research before you coming to Markets and Galleries all have websites face book  
      twitter and instagram..  So that you  know what kind of art produce and products are on offer and of those items which ones you wants to purchase when you come.
   

6. Do ask informed questions of the artists merchant gallerist or farmer after you have made a    
      purchase.
7.* Do remember at all times that the artists merchants farmers etc. are in business.
8.* Do keep in mind at all times that the artist merchant farmer are at these markets to SELL!
9. Do keep informed about the success new products new produce new pieces and....by following those merchants farmers artists on thier social media platforms: Face book instagram twitter and or....as well as on thier websites.
10. Do purchase often or exclusively from the markers artists farmers and small local merchants.
11.  Do LOOK!  Do listen! Do be present!
11a. Do remember to quote Market Manger Vernon Burnett..."These are small businesses, they can't survive on praise alone"
  12*. Do remember that you are interacting with artists merchants and farmers that have spent decades making marketing and growing.  It is thier life's work that you are in the presence of.  Do Respect it and them.
13.* Do be aware that many markets art shows etc are very very expensive many costing thousands of dollars for just a few days or a weekend.   We are there to SELL
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Do NOT


1.Do not come to markets to LOOK!   We ain't animals in a zoo.  We ain't the entertainment. Come and buy or stay your ass at home.

From the Washington Post
"For some growers, farmers markets just aren't what they use to be"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/for-some-growers-farmers-markets-just-arent-what-they-used-to-be/2016/06/21/c5d93644-3271-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html


2. Do not come to markets art shows galleries and take pictures.   We are not animals in a ZOO!   We are not a sightseeing side trip.  It's a market for  those who want to buy produce collectibles art and or rare products... not photography them.   If you are so compelled that you want to take a photo AFTER you have at least brought something from the human being working at the stand...on bended knee ask politely and be gracious as hell if the person tells you to fuck off or that you can take a picture of them  or their products or there presentation.   Slavery was  is evil -we artist farmers and merchants own our image our products our presentations not you.
3. Do not touch unless you ask first or are directed to do so.
or to quote Tom Rall Founder of the Flea Market at Eastern Market ... " When you're looking at items that are filed by category, replace them in the proper category when you're finished looking"

                                                        photo: by Camilla Mosely-Paslely of Vincent Gray and Tom Rall 

4. Do not bring poorly raised or trained children or pets.   We will correct them and or you.
5. Do remove sunglasses ear buds and phone when entering a booth.  Otherwise you are rude poorly raised and will be ignored.
6. Do NOT ask stupid questions.   These are generally asked by morons who have zero interest in purchasing ...or asked by asses who have the horror of a little knowledge and want to show off and not a buyer.   If you ain't seen it before tasted it before...you ain't gonna buy it.  YOU are at  a Market to shop.   YOU want to be educated or curious or just want information for trivial pursuit- go to a museum  or website or ask you damn momma.
7. Do not come to visit a artists merchant or farmer at Markets or Gallery shows.   We are there to sell not chat.   Do take us to dinner or drinks if you are in town, but at the markets be a customer.
8. Do not be rude ...don"t assume we don"t understand you  ....many merchants artists and farmers are polyglots. Silence is golden
9. Do not bargain with the merchant artists or farmer!
10. Do not ask the merchant artist or farmer to donate thier work! No we don't need the 'exposure!  If the rich folks at your charity or event love art et. al. so much they will/would come and buy it directly from us and donate it to the event charity themselves other wise...they are soul sucking asses that aren't worth shit and should not be catered too.
11. Do not ask the merchant farmer or artist how much money they make or made.
12, Do not try and sell products services to merchants artists farmers at Markets or galleries.

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What the fuck is this Shit here....

 Prejudice happens...history is an evil bitch  so deal with your shit.   History whether we like it or not has taught folks ignorant shit about other peoples history and cultures...

1. If you have never seen a...person making doing being.   Really really that"s a shame, but don"t share...we give not two fucks..  We are ....and we are at these venues like everybody else that you find normative to SELL....not be your cultural experience.
2. To quote ...Doris Little..."you might be my color but you ain't my kind"....Jesus wept at the amount of time one can watch folk head over to look at....as if staring at an exotic creature....Folk who look just like the artists merchant or farmer....YOU  looking ....you ain't doing me Us Them "a favor" by coming by...folk fought and died and still are dying for all of us to be appreciated based on our skills artistry humanity character....not color race or ethnicity.  If you don't like our work produce products based on there merits ...that is to say aesthetics design taste texture color smell ....keep moving .   We give not a fuck that our parents or grandparents came from the same countries or our hair kinks in the same way or our eyes tilt in the or....WE ARE THERE TO SELL not be your paysano cousin auntie sister or brother.

3.Men- women are not there to SMILE at you or with  flirt or....they are there to SELL there work period.
4.Same goes for men and transgender folk...they ain't there to be your piece of...buy or leave.
5. On intersectionality of bigotry classicism  or just on being a moron.
       a. Yes -were you in the Peace corps...wow...and you know that in said country this hand made object in front of you in America costs....in local money.   Wow so...since plane tickets to said country are so damn cheap not to mention hotel transport food.  Take your I want a bargain ass back to said country and buy if for...that local price. Oh and yeah  and for some reason you did not buy it in the first place...when you were their...but now your cheap bigoted stupid ass wants a bargain...sick!
     b. yes it is recycled...yes it is abstract...and yes I do have a masters degree from...in Sculpture Art History Psychics or I was a full time....for....before I changed careers.  Yes, I have been doing this for thirty or twenty years.  Yes, I have a studio a workshop with tens of thousands dollars of tools equipment...but yeah it is recycled....
6.Yes this shit happens ....we artists merchants farmers are human...so...if after more than a quarter of a century the vast majority of...purple or orange or blue folk that one encounters never buy anything and are by artists farmers merchants standards rude cheap vulgar ill informed and or....prejudice happens.  If you have no interest in buying...spare us the interaction...it leaves a stench and while there is a small minority of orange blue and purple folk that perhaps will buy... truth is....school your people for all our sakes.


7.Do not waste our time.   We know ...we see...we feel...ya'll got energy. This is our lives...if you ain't buying keep moving.  Your low self esteem ...total lack of imagination....sexism bigotry racism or envy poverty small mindedness etc.- are your problems- don't make them ours.   We do not want to waste a millisecond of our precious life energy on you.  We can tell before two seconds are up that you ain't buying shit...so don't bother...life is to beautiful to sweet to short.

This is a reminder that these markets are thousands of years old.  They have existed through out every country or peopled place in the world.  They are not new hip cool or trendy but ancient.   We farmers artists and merchants have spent in some cases the last moments days weeks of our lives...at markets some knowing that there days were numbered...some just gone before the next festival market opening harvest.  This is our life.  It is rare! It is precious.   The goal in this list is not to have a second wasted on folk who do not come to these places and spaces to buy.

Witnessing

Sonda T. Allen
Turtle's Webb 

The Flea Market at Eastern Market is....

Best Flea Market in DC 2016 -Readers Poll Washington DC City Paper 

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofdc/poll/goodsandservices/2016/best-flea-market

                                                                http://easternmarket.net/


OK so,,, I ain't open minded.    After 30 years After welcoming ten of thousands of customers hundreds of exhibitors many still there and working after being an incubator for businesses in the DMV after surviving several take over and destruction fights with the DC government  after founding and growing the Downtown Holiday Market  after losing half its spaces to construction redevelopment and gentrification an again surviving* again*  after being the life line for many artists we all know it is the Best Flea Market in DC....the country...the world....just saying...I ain't open minded.

                          Founder of The Flea market at Eastern Market : Tom Rall...looking into the future                                                               and the past at the same time....

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/bestofdc/poll/goodsandservices/2016/best-flea-market

On ...Art and supporting it....NOW... at Eastern Market and...everywhere....

" I recently read..."We got to support our artists and celebrate their work, and do our part to ensure that the American creative spirit that has defined us from the very beginning will thrive for generations to come." —President Obama

https://www.colorlines.com/articles/dc-rapper-tarica-june-tackles-gentrification-and-power-anyway



John F. Kennedy-

President John F. Kennedy: Remarks at Amherst College, October 26, 1963 - Transcript


"The artist, however faithful to his personal vision of reality, becomes the last champion of the individual mind and sensibility against an intrusive society  and an officious state. The great artist is thus a solitary figure.  He has, as Frost said, a lover's quarrel with the world. In pursuing his perceptions of reality, he must often sail against the currents of his time. this is not a popular role. If Robert Frost was much honored in his lifetime, it was because a good many preferred to ignore his darker truths. Yet in retrospect, we see how the artist's fidelity has strengthened the fibre of our national life.

If sometimes our great artists have been the most critical of our society, it is because their sensitivity and their concern for justice, which must motivate any true artist, makes him aware that our Nation falls short of its highest potential. I see little of more importance to the future of our country and our civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist.

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him. We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth. And as Mr. MacLeish once remarked of poets, there is nothing worse for our trade than to be in style. In free society art is not a weapon and it does not belong to the spheres of polemic and ideology. Artists are not engineers of the soul. It may be different elsewhere. But democratic society--in it, the highest duty of the writer, the composer, the artist is to remain true to himself and to let the chips fall where they may. In serving his vision of the truth, the artist best serves his nation. And the nation which disdains the mission of art invites the fate of Robert Frost's hired man, the fate of having "nothing to look backward to with pride, and nothing to look forward to with hope."

I look forward to a great future for America, a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose. I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty, which will protect the beauty of our natural environment, which will preserve the great old American houses and squares and parks of our national past, and which will build handsome and balanced cities for our future.

I look forward to an America which will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft. I look forward to an America which will steadily raise the standards of artistic accomplishment and which will steadily enlarge cultural opportunities for all of our citizens. And I look forward to an America which commands respect throughout the world not only for its strength but for its civilization as well. And I look forward to a world which will be safe not only for democracy and diversity but also for personal distinction.

Robert Frost was often skeptical about projects for human improvement, yet I do not think he would disdain this hope. As he wrote during the uncertain days of the Second War:

Take human nature altogether since time began...

And it must be a little more in favor of man,

Say a fraction of one percent at the very least...

Our hold on this planet wouldn't have so increased.

Because of Mr. Frost's life and work, because of the life and work of this college, our hold on this planet has increased."

I concur with both presidents past and present; and I will work hope pray and fight...to make their words flesh...

witnessing 

Sonda T. Allen 

Turtle's Webb

Twas the night before The DownTown Holiday Market....

*Twas' the night before The DownTown Holiday Market

And all through the DMV not an exhibitor was sleeping not even those who were not going to set up for weeks. There houses were packed with art objects and such- soaps jewelry paintings scarfs maps and even hats The exhibitors were hoping wishing and praying that lots of customers would come down there and shop.  The DMM team was all nested snug at there desks while visions of what could go wrong danced in their heads. Tom Rall in his hat and Mike Berman in his beard had just settled down to there PC and MAC.  When down at the Holiday Market there rose such a clatter that Rudy Coates got on the phone and told them something was the matter.

They both tore down town in a flash.  Mike was so upset his hair almost grew back.  The moon, on the breast of new fallen snow gave the place an eerie glow. When, what to there wondering eyes should appear, but a man and some friends gone on not so long ago: on the wind could be heard a Coltrane riff, while the breeze blew and moaned like Dizzy and Miles..  Tom said , "hey man" it was John Harrod and crew...there was Alex Becky Gene Kent Larry and Mr. Booker too- Danny Bill Tom Cathy Marta Mitch and Isaiah .  To the top of the tents they sailed in a sench

As they drew back there heads  

 Tom Rudy and Mike cried out with fright, "what are ya'll doing here on this cold dark night"

As the dry leaves that before the wild hurricane flew Tom Rudy and Mike did not know what to do.  Down to the information booth John came with bound.

 He was dressed all in fur from his foot to his crown and his clothes were all fly with a red Kango on his head and stacy adams on his foot. His eyes- how they twinkled! His cheeks were so rosy his paunch shook like jelly. With a pull on his eggnog and a tug on his cigarette  he gave a shout out to Rudy an a handshake to Tom then looking Mike right dead in the eyes said, " don't be a shit, remember what I taught you ,the city and exhibitors can both act like twits."  Then in a flash, on the top of the tents he flew.  With a quick wit and a chuckle Rudy shouted, as John flew ..."ya'll here to do some early holiday shopping too!" And in each little tent, the next day it was true, the exhibitors were to find a small pile of money waiting - it was true.  In a wink of  John's eye and a twist of his head- he and his heavenly crew started fading away.  Tom Rudy and Mike heard them exclaim as they were fading into night....Happy Christmas to all and may the sales be just right!

 By: The spirits of  Market 5 Gallery and The Flea Market at Eastern Market
*loosely based on the poem "Twas the night before Christmas" by: Clement Clark Moore (1822)
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_________________________________________________________________________

The Downtown Holiday Market 
http://downtownholidaymarket.com/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5a0476fce4b0204d0c1714e1
https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/11/17/7-dc-holiday-markets-that-you-dont-want-to-miss/
http://www.10best.com/destinations/district-of-columbia/washington/articles/festive-shopping-awaits-at-d-c-s-downtown-holiday-market/
https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHolidayMarket/?fref=ts

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Thousands-Skip-Mall_-Head-to-DC-Holiday-Market_Washington-DC-356252401.html

"I, too, am America.": Meechai Phulsuksombati at Eastern Market

Crossing the Bar

"Sunset and evening star,

      And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

      When I put out to sea,

   But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

      Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

      Turns again home.

   Twilight and evening bell,

      And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

      When I embark;

   For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place

      The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

      When I have crost the bar."

By: Alfred Lord Tennyson

___________________________________________________________

On Sunday last every now an then I swore I heard your voice...

You came to America when?  In the late 1960's...  I remember you telling Daniel Jessie Cleveland Ms. Doris I and... about your long hair pony tail and motorcycle riding days back then.  You came to America already trans cultural being both Thai and Chinese.   Like many folk you have worn many hats...having owned stores sold flowers worked in almost all capacities in restaurants and...

Not in Thailand but in America you met and married...Pia a women from home in this new land.   Then came as your wife has always called her "My Michelle" your daughter.  At the market  it was always Michelle is studying this Michelle is doing that Michelle graduated from Michelle is going to...

Back in the day from 1992 until the fire in 2007 on Sundays at the Flea Market at Eastern Market I set up across from you and Pia...  It was the best time...In 2009 when I started writing about the market the love fun community friendship silliness kindness generosity diversity that I lived and witnessed was the driving force behind my words.  

                         Meechai Phulsuksombati, Charles Ellis and Sheila Little ( Oct. 2010)

                                              Meechai Daniel Barker and Sheila

                                   Meechai Charles and Sheila  being 'wrong' and silly

It was these gifts that Meechai brought with him and  gave freely to his new home: America.  Like many after years of hard work and sacrifice Mr. Phulsuksombati suffered no fools if disrespected.  It was on more than one occasion;  his voice could be heard...(even above Jessie's) telling some idiot where to go to find the bridge they could jump off.

Meechai was ole school" don't start none won't be none". There are many many many Meechai stories...that ....well.... I aint telling but ask....Daniel about that time they lived together in West Virginia or about Meechai's Elvis impersonations or the many times he would cook up a huge pot of spicy chicken Thai style and bring it to the Market to share or about...

On a personal note: Once at a show in Bethesda; I was not having a good moment, my tent was blowing all over the place...from out of know where here comes Meechai with weights and wise counsel...He and his wife had a kiosks in the same area and saw me...

A gift given...it was not long after 9/11  that he and Pia became American citizens.  I was honored to be asked to attend.  I have a complex relationship with my country because of that 'pecular institution' and all the preceding history.  However...the folk that come here like Meechai have added changed shared overcome given so much ...that, that day sitting there with Meechai and his family in this room full of everybody...what I realized was that they have given me America...our America.

Witnessing with love, 

Sonda

______________________________________________________________

On October 24, 2015 Meechai Phulsuksombati passed away.

______________________________________________________________

I, Too

BY LANGSTON HUGHES

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

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For Meechai and all those who loved him...because he would have loved this....

2015....Fall at Eastern Market has arrived!

It's Fall at Eastern Market so....it's time to JAM!

Cause"...you are livin' for the weekend..."

At the classic timeless John Harrod joint' shop until you drop....Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturdays and the historic, always and forever, don"t mess wid' da'...
Flea Market at Eastern Market on Sundays.

As the classic saying went back in the day at The Flea Market at Eastern Market

"Time to stop and shop today"...author of this little ditty set up in the north hall on Sunday's

memories....

_____________________________________________________________________________

Wait For It!!!

http://downtownholidaymarket.com/

______________________________

witnessing, 

Sonda Tamarr Allen 

Turtle's Webb

Hot Fun in the Summer Time at Eastern Market

The "Hawk" is hiding, spring done sprung and Fall is coming, but right now: the heat is on!

It is summer time at the Market and there is no better time to think about Christmas shopping before the crowds and that new look you want for your house garden yourself or the micro people (children) for the fall.

The glory of the almost tropical outside shopping experience that is the Arts and Craft festival on Saturdays and the historic Flea Market at Eastern Market on Sundays in the summer time.  I mean who needs a vacation in some exotic clime when you have the market every weekend.

 The star of this show is the 'real' fresh fruit and veg. that one can purchase from Knopp farmers and Greenhouse, Sunny Side Farm or other farmers and produce merchants under the farmers shed.

Sonda T. Allen

Witnessing ,

Turtle's Webb