MorYork's Clare Graham Talks "Secret Songs"

--located at the corner of York Boulevard and Ave. 50--has served many functions throughout its history.

Before being converted into a studio/gallery by artist Clare Graham 27 years ago, the building at 4959 York Boulevard was a skating rink. Before that, it was a Safeway Market.

Now, MorYork has transitioned to another use: musical venue.

Five months after closing to the public for Second Saturday Gallery Night in late December, MorYork reopoened it's doors on May 25 for , a free concert series featuring Los Angeles based musical acts. 

"MorYork's collection is currently available for viewing by appointment only except on Secret Songs night," said Sarah Fitz, who is promoting Secret Songs. 

Graham told Patch that he was pleased that MorYork was once again serving as a venue for cultural exchange.

In December, MorYork closed its doors to the public for monthly art exhibitions after Graham said he was approached by Council District 14 staff members who sought to charge him with fees for the large numbers of patrons he drew to his gallery and the alleged drinking and drug use that attended them.

"They were talking to us about liability and legal issues," Graham said. "If anything happened, it would be our problem. We didn't want a lawsuit."

CD14 Staffers have denied that they ever threatened the fees.

MorYork hosted art exhibitions for six-and-a-half years and often served as the focal point of Second Saturday Gallery Night before Graham closed its doors in December.

"Everything is organic and has a lifespan I think our art scene had a lifespan of about six and a half years," Graham said. "Now its moving onto something else."

With the studio opening on Fourth Fridays instead of Second Saturdays, Graham said he's hoping to draw more manageable crowds and less attention from the city.

"We've always wanted to encourage cultural exchange, and with these bands, we still get to engender that," he said.

This month's acts include:

Mad Gregs Mad Gregs is the collaborative musical effort of John Wood (currently playing keyboard for the Black Keys), Lewis Keller (of Lissie), Jason Golday, and Devin McNulty. Often in four-part harmony and with diverse instrumentation (including bass clarinet, harmonica, plastic whirlies, and miniature drumming robots), the band creates a pleasantly palatable yet extremely unique sound, culling descriptions as welcome as "chamber pop" and "the post- modern Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young," and as inaccurate as "the Beach Boys on acid" (considering that the Beach Boys were on acid and Mad Gregs generally are not).

Adam Arcuragi The folk/soul troubadour Adam Arcuragi has been reeling in addicted fans with the music that some call “Death Gospel.”
Together with the Lupine Chorale Society - a revolving cast of talented musicians - Arcuragi makes music that erupts into a veritable tent revival of songs that you can’t help but clap, stomp, or sing along to. Hear his music on NPR: http://www.npr.org/artists/17081755/adam-arcuragi

Bunnies & Kitties  Rafael Bustamante is the heart of Bunnies and Kitties, a collaborative folk act. Folky on the surface you get the sense that Bunnies and Kitties would just as much enjoy listening to some Dr. Dre 'tracks' as cracking jokes on stage in a mix of thoughtful music and entertaining antics.

"I was amazed by the quality of the bands at last month's show," Graham said. "It's so vital to walk into something you have no prior experience with."

Secret Songs returns to MorYork Gallery on Friday, June 22 from 7-10 p.m. at 4959 York Boulevard. The event is free and open to the public. More information about Secret Songs can be found on the event's Facebook page.