SFR Picks: A Maverick Portrait Maker

This gal's lens has seen it all

When your lens has stared down some of the most well-known faces in the world (think Cher, Tom Hanks and Bill Murray), you can easily consider yourself a maverick. And that’s probably what Karen Kuehn was thinking when she created her new book, Maverick Camera.

The photographer now lives on a ranch in Peralta, New Mexico, but the images in her book, and an upcoming exhibit at photo-eye Bookstore and Project Space opening on Friday, are from her time in New York City in the late '80s amidst the rise of punk rock and an art awakening—think Basquiat around the time he was dating Madonna.

"It's probably the same as shooting someone like you, or your mom and dad, if you're not affected by people like that," Keuhn says of snapping celebrities. "For me, everybody is on an equal plane; I try to give the same amount of respect to somebody whether they're a celebrity or the guy next door."

Portraits aren't Keuhn's only projects. She's had photos in publications like Vanity Fair, National Geographic and The New York Times and says she relies on collaboration in her storytelling endeavors. "It's really about co-creating instead of about an individual ego creating something," she says. "I try to capture something that's a little different, to tell a story."

Keuhn does tell SFR there was one time she was starstruck. "I was only in awe of one and it's because I grew up on his music: ... James Taylor," she says. "In seventh grade I had his Sweet Baby James album and it came with a poster; I had it up for years in my room, and when I met him it was like getting to meet my hero."

Each copy of Maverick Camera is signed, and there are only about 300 left, so they won't last forever. Keuhn says she ultimately hopes people walk away from her work learning "to care about people." (Maria Egolf-Romero)

Maverick Camera Opening Reception
3-5 pm Saturday Feb. 25. Free.
photo-eye Bookstore,
376 Garcia St.,
988-5152

The In-Between

Just about a year ago, we told you about roots/rock songwriter Cidny Bullens, and we bring him up again for a number of reasons. Bullens not only has a storied career working with icons like Elton John, he’s a deeply confessional lyricist/performer who touches on all aspects of his journey in his one-man show,

Somewhere Between

. Whether it’s living as a trans man, the loss of his daughter to cancer or the trials and tribulations of working in the music industry, nothing is off-limits. Get ready to feel inspired, but also to hear some damn fine songs. (Alex De Vore)

Cidny Bullens: Somewhere Between:
7:30 pm Friday Feb. 24. $20.
Adobe Rose Theatre,
1213 Parkway Drive,
629-8688.


The S Stands For Sweet

When you’re the kind of dude who created NATO and the CIA, become an accomplished pianist, dropped nuclear bombs and reportedly read so many books you lost track of them all, you’re bound to have claimed a few starry-eyed fans. Such a man is Harry S Truman, 33rd President of the United States and topic of an upcoming lecture from Noel Pugach, professor emeritus of history at the University of New Mexico. Pugach reportedly delivers his lecture

as

Truman; everyone else reaps the benefits.  (ADV)

Noel Pugach: Harry S Truman:
1 pm Thursday Feb. 23. $10.
St. John's United Methodist Church,
1200 Old Pecos Trail,
982-9274.


Phat Tuesday

Some years ago I found myself standing on Guadalupe Street during Mardi Gras, drunk as all get-out. I thought I’d imagined the faint sounds of beats and brass traveling up the street, but as the cacophony grew, so too did my curiosity. Like some sort of magical ghost band, The Hill Stompers Band appeared—fanciful outfits, drum line, horn section and stilts—playing the funky jazz of New Orleans. They’ll be out again this year, starting at the

Cowgirl

then moving along through the downtown area to places like

Secreto

,

Low 'n' Slow

and the

Palace

. (ADV)

Mardi Gras Pub Crawl:
6:30 pm Tuesday Feb. 28. Free.
Starts at Cowgirl,
319 S Guadalupe St.,
982-2565.


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