New record store and art gallery opening in the Crossroads

Though the holiday weekend made for thin crowds this past First Friday, there was still culture to be had. Thanks to Ari Crane, co-proprietor of the fledgling Mod modern art gallery and record store at 1809 McGee, I left First Fridays one record richer (and $10 poorer, though happily so).

Crane told me some months ago of his plan to open an art gallery and vinyl emporium in the Crossroads, but I had no idea it would be so soon. I was in the neighborhood in search of sweet Christopher Elbow affirmation and stumbled right upon Mod’s soft opening.

Along with a few vinyl racks — some nice jazz, soul, rock and even some classical — there was art on display in the big warehouse by local artists Shane Audley, Vanessa Lacy and Donna Gearman. Mod’s resident DJ and office manager, Elgin Smith, set up decks and was spinning records. Always on the lookout for badass male vocal jazz, I picked up Joe Williams’ Worth Waiting For, though there were tempting offerings from Coltrane, a Count Basie/Mingus record, a Yardbirds picture LP and other promising stuff.