Name: Wes Winship
Twitter: @wzzwnshp
Website: burlesquedesign.com
What’s your job?
“I’m one of the owner/operators of Burlesque of North America. We are a graphic design and screen printing business plus webstore where we sell the work we create. My job demands change depending on what we’re busy with. For the past year, it’s been tons of design work for Arcade Fire, creating their tour posters, which I’ve been doing since 2004. I also maintain our screenprinting operations, fixing and upgrading equipment. Burlesque owns half of CO Exhibitions, the art gallery and shop located at Broadway and Stinson NE. So I’m part of running that too.”
Other than your job, what are your claims to fame?
“I dropped out of high school to do graffiti and publish Life Sucks Die, a graffiti, music, and other stuff magazine with a distribution of 10,000. When I was 18, I ended up getting the highest GED score in the state for that year. My friends crowned me king of the dropouts. Nine years ago, I got the bright idea to start Dre Day. With the help of just about everybody, it’s now a multi-city celebration that’s well on its way to becoming a national holiday. More recently, I helped start, run and DJ at Triple Rock’s Triple Double and Bomp!, the monthly party we had at Bedlam Theatre. We’re currently checking out all the options we can for a new home for the 500+ person dance party. Lately I’ve been contributing to the TV show Freaky Deeky. It’s super fun and also increases my perceived fame.”
What’s your relationship status?
“Single and ready to commingle.”
Where are you most likely to be seen?
“Triple Rock, First Avenue, CO Exhibitions, U of M reuse center, estate sales, Turf Club, Ax-Man, Northwest Graphic Supply.”
Where are you least likely to be seen?
“Any of the clubs on that stretch of First Avenue they close to traffic on the weekends. White hat bars.”
With what people are you most likely to be seen?
“Mike 2600, Shannon Blowtorch, the BRLSQ staff, Joseph Belk, Jonathan Ackerman, Heavy Metal crew, and whoever is working on pulling off big things just for the hell of it.”
Where were you born?
“Hanover, New Hampshire.”
What neighborhood do you live in now?
“Longfellow, south Minneapolis.”
What’s your ride?
“2010 black Prius. Bike every once in awhile.”
What’s the best way to start a conversation with you?
“In the club: start a dance-off. Lock eyes with me and show me what you got. Any other time: tell me something about you that’s fun and interesting. Don’t bust my chops about not remembering your name right off the bat. I’m horrible with that.”
Photo courtesy Wes Winship
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