I talked with Josh Jubinsky, part owner of Inertia Records and Books in Five Points, about two new events that will be happening at the store. For people who aren’t familiar with Inertia you can check out the post interview with Josh Jubinsky on Urban Jacksonville to read all about it.

In this interview Josh and I will be discussing the Bizarre Market, which takes place on May 26th, and Freeschools which happen all May. Let’s get to it!

Josh, will you explain the idea behind the Bizarre Market?
Well the easy answer is that it’s like a flea market. The not so easy answer is maybe what it means to me, or how I’m hoping this becomes more. Essentially, dialogues over similar interests with previously unintroduced people.

Older people selling punk records, and younger kids getting excited about them and getting to share stories about shows. People sharing crafts tips and designs. People inspiring each other.

Do you have anyone lined up for the bizarre yet?
Well you Assemble folks. A few crafty purse and stuffed animal makers, some screen printers, some people selling records. An older woman emailed me about engraving things with her engraver, she does custom dog tags etc. A person who embroiders things with like, as an example they gave me, bunnies saying “fuck you.” Some people in town with record labels, or starting labels, they’ll have their releases and information available. It’s still a month away, hopefully we’ll have enough space for plenty of great things.

Where did you get the idea for the bizarre? Have you been to a bizarre like this before? If so what was the most bizarre thing?
Well people had always mentioned doing a punk rock flea market. That’s what this is basically, but semantics was a problem for me when calling it that. I didn’t want the name to make it feel limiting. ie. “punk rock”, or even “flea market”. I’m not overly creative at times though - the name actually can from my friend Anna, who used to do a “Bizzarre Market” in Richmond. I never was up there at the right time to go though. I think this will be different automatically, since it’s composed of Jacksonville locals instead of Richmonders.

The bizarre market has a punk, diy kind of feel to it. Do you feel like the inspiration for the bizarre draws on some of the ethics of these two genres?
Well it’s aruably a fringe culture kind of feel - I mean, we all know words like ‘punk’ and ‘DIY’ are loaded with cultural, economic and personal connotations. The word bizarre isn’t really convoluted by any of these factors at all, perhaps only by the word being changed from bazaar in this context. I do think one draws on upon the other, but the I just wanted to use a fresh word - something to make people have less of a bearing when they are trying to figure out what to expect.

You are doing a lot of great things at the store these days like speakers, the bizarre and the newly introduced Freeschool. Can you tell people what Freeschool is all about?

Freeschool, is just what it sounds like. It’s free, and hopefully you’ll learn something. We did it last summer and have classes on silk screening, bike repair, ceramics, plumbing, nonviolent communication and various speakers. We’re just getting this one and so far the only real addition of topics is a composting class. It’s basically about sharing knowledge and creating interactions.

Freeschools
Composting, June 19th
Teaching and traveling abroad, May 15th
Fix up your bike, May 22nd
Bizarre Market, May 26th

Assemble at Bizarre Market
Assemble will have a table at the Bizarre Market. I’m planning on teaching a class on building you own LED throwies and Mackenzie will have some handmade items to sell.