There are many awesome places to hang out in Evansville, especially after dark. I've been to many, yet not conquered all. But one of my favorite and most unique places to dwell in the darkness is the purple paradise on Franklin Street, PG.

PG is, as the website states, "a new art, culture, cafe, restaurant and performance space." What PG lacks in abundant square footage it makes up for in insane, crazy coolness. People of all different walks show up there without being judged, and the variety of entertainment is second to none. I've been a handful of times now and have seen a hilarious open mic comedy show where everyone performing slammed these young emo-looking chicks that looked like two prepubescent Justin Biebers sitting up front in fold out chairs, a bunch of sick metal bands with FULL OF HELL ending the night before they headed to Texas to play SxSW and most recently an eclectic electronic/hip-hop show with people I'd never heard of before, which was, as always, the shit.

After Red and I ate a delectable Hibachi dinner at Zuki downtown for her birthday, we decided to go out. I suggested PG, and that's where we landed. And then things got weird.

BRANDON KAELIN
BRANDON KAELIN
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Red and I grab a couple of drinks and make our way to the performance space. As soon as we enter this chick grabs Red by the hand, looks into her eyes and says in a sultry, sort of slurred way, "ARE YOU READY?" Red was like, uhhh, okay...then this chick starts dancing with Red. Red looked to me for help. I was no help.

Meanwhile, this cool electronic music was blaring courtesy of Evan Frenz aka Frenz(y). This guy was drinking two 40's, wearing a color changing LED helmet that looked like a Transformer head and his shit was still on point. Later he would explain to me that he worked as a designer on the Transformers movie and modeled his character after a vintage Transformer character named Frenzy. He built the bad ass helmet himself along with custom built guitars and analog synths. This dude's setup was legit. He explained everything in great detail to me--how every program, machine, synth and every piece of equipment he has functioned, which was f-ing awesome. I graciously tried to soak it all in, but I was slamming Little Kings and my memory just isn't that great. I know he uses some of the same shit as Deadmau5 and AraabMuzik and he's been producing for five years.  This is Frenz(y):

 

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Frenz(y) 2
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So this chick dragging Red around and "dancing" pulls Red over a giant speaker set up on the floor. Red tumbles down, spills her drink, and the other chick stumbles into Frenz(y)'s guitars, knocking one to the ground. He was displeased. Red's leg hurt, and she scurried back to me in a panic. The other chick was scolded and told to get out of the performing space. She sat in the corner for a bit, then got back up, and was in the process of getting kicked out. She negotiated her way back in. From what I understand, this happens often with said chick. Needless to say, that was Red's last dance.

After Frenz(y) wrapped up his set, a rapper named Fricktion hopped into the space and did his thing. He was good. I continued enjoying Little Kings and meandered around, mingling with people by the bar. I found Todd Elkshow, the owner of PG and took a picture. I took a piss or two, and wrote on the chalk board walls in the bathroom. We stayed for a while longer, enjoying another hip-hop group and an electronic musician that went by the name of Brims (spelling?). He said he hadn't been photographed in thirteen years. He also said he was nervous and had been pounding Miller High Life all evening. By that time, Red was ready to go, so we hit the road.

PG is f-ing cool. I can't wait to go back and see what kind of crazy entertainment will behold. It's a place for everybody, even dancing chicks that knock over guitars (not recommended). My cousin also had her brunch/bridal shower there a while back. Red, my mom and my seven year old daughter went. My daughter told me there were art pictures on the wall of of women kissing other women and boobs showing. Lol, that's culture I said.

If you've never been to PG, check it out already. There are chalk walls in the bathroom for God's sake and cool shit everywhere. Art. Drinks. Food. Talent. Interesting people. And check out that guy Frenz(y). He's 2 legit.

Here are a few more photos of the night:

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