ELA does it again

This July, Eye Level Art is starting two traditions: Improv Music Night on Tuesdays and Movie Night on Wednesdays.

Adam Parrott, musician and ELA's sound engineer, wanted to create a venue where musicians could get together with other musicians. This led to the creation of Improv Music Night.

The idea was modeled after war-era Milton's Playhouse in New York City. And just like Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker did at Milton's, Parrott hopes all the local greats will come out to Eye Level Art.

"As a freelance musician in the area, I end up playing with a lot of the same people and then not playing enough with others," Parrott says. "I want these nights to be a place where everyone can come and play together, not like a rehearsal. Maybe the musicians can try out something they're working on or premiere a new song."

Ron Wiltrout, Lee Barbour, and Simon Harding have already signed on to jam.

To follow up improvisational music on Tuesdays, ELA will show a movie on the back patio on Wednesdays. "The Boys of Summer Film Series" grew from both an artistic and marketing standpoint. The gallery wanted to show movies such as "His Girl Friday" and "Blazing Saddles" with iconic actors Cary Grant and Gene Wilder.

Classically cute boys --and Willy Wonka-- will always attract the girls. And, basically, girls draw more of a crowd.

"Girls don't go out alone," Parrott says. "And there's always a guy following her, whether she knows it or not or wants it or not."

The cupcakes will attract the girls too. Sugar Bakeshop will have goodies on sale at the gallery throughout the night.

"This is just a seed of what I want it to become," Parrott says of the film lineup. "I eventually want to show something people can't get on their own. Independent films. Something that makes people want to get together and be in the same space."

Of Improv Music Night, Parrott describes the outcome in a way that is applicable to movie night, the gallery and Charleston's art scene in general: "It's one of those things where you can put in two cents, and get out $10."