Man…. I have known Dennis almost 40 years, he is the one that introduced me to this place…. A great guy who dropped what he was doing and came up here to do the layout on the Futurian because after 10 rolls of fine line tape I realized that I had zero artistic ability… he nailed it, great guy and salt of the earth. One of the few people that really gets it….
Should be a blast! Witchita has a massive night time show/cruise every year and this year Dennis decided to throw a show inside of the show. Setting up camp at his shop Artist at Large he wanted to be a magnet for all things cool and have them enjoy some tunes from live bands while they were there. The universe thought they threw a kink in the plan when the city forced the yearly town event to a different date. With bands, food trucks and friends already booked and flying from all over earth Dennis said fuck it, parties still on! they shut down the street for blocks and had one hell of a party! He has some photos on his Instagram and I think @travisfromkansas took video which if I can find it I’ll edit to this post. I’m sure he’ll poke his head in but September next year Wichita will be the place to be for sure! Edit: found it.
Sounds like the Wally Parks of Kempsville. Thank You Ryan and Dennis for the heads up. Enjoying the treats in F. A .S.
I’m hauling PJ to college that week—an absurd odyssey in a batshit vehicle that’ll test the limits of not only my emotional range, but my sanity as well. If the stars align and the highway gods don’t curse me, I’ll swing by on my way back from the wilds of California. But it’s going to be tight, real tight. And if I do make it, I know you maniacs are going to have a field day ripping into my roadtrip chariot—I’ll deserve every bit of it.
Pictures of the chariot! I say that as I’m embarking on a similar odyssey next week and going to try my best to at least drive something old.
Not HAMB friendly. Rivian Truck. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-rivi-journal.531988/
LOL... I was kicking myself for not having my car done, because Wichita is within striking distance. I also lack the reading comprehension. September 2025... I plan to swing that!
Huge fan of Dennis from way back in the Halibrand days. -Abone. PS. There ain't NO WAY your kid is old enough to go to college....
The event was a blast this year, and looks to be even better next year. The Midwest Beatniks are being tight lipped with the details as they are working on the plans but the venue change shows promise as The Cotillion is a fantastic live music venue. Car Show outside, bands inside? Should be a blast. Thank you to @Tim for linking my video of the event this year above. Moving to Wichita has its privileges, and I'm okay with that!
Why? If it’s not your thing, just move on. People spend too much time b.I.itch’n about crap that just doesn’t matter in the long run…
Shouldn't need an explanation, I mean come on. Nobody respects Ryan more than me for what he has built and maintained here, well into its third decade, but he absolutely should get publicly roasted for this.
Hey @Ryan The artwork of Dennis McPhail is truly in a class by itself. Purely from my artistic view point, I have the mental image of "R.Crumb", looking over Dennis's shoulder and whispering, your work is kick ass young man, bravo! Thanks from Dennis for posting this.
Little update from Dennis via IG and a flier that shows when the Australia date is as well! Because what’s better than a beatnick party? Two!
I've seen many many shows at The Cotillion and can't wait so see how it functions for this event. It really seems like a perfect venue for what the Midwest Beatniks have in mind.
Here is the flyer for this year. I’m still debating possibly ending the Oklahoma Hot Rod Hundred there…. Talked to Dennis about it a couple times now.
The Jalopy Journal
