January 31, 2008
Reggi's Classes Start
Ed Reggi, the noted improv facilitator and teacher, is offering up new classes and he's got this to say about it:
"My Improv Acting classes start in less than two weeks. Remember: Monday February 11th at the Black Cat Theater in Maplewood. Spolin-based acting is not only great for the actor but also an important learning skill for anyone.".
Event: Spolin Improv Acting with Ed Reggi
What: Class
When: Monday, February 11 at 6:00 pm
Where: Black Cat Theater, 2810 Sutton, 63143
Info: www.edreggi.com
Uvee Hayes: Recording
Recent Kick-Ass award winner Bernie Hayes sends along a link to the St. Louis American, where writer Kenya Vaughn has written up a piece on Uvee Hayes. Her CD "Maintenance Man" is slated for release in 2008.
From the piece:
"I don't do all blues," Hayes said. "Every now and then I branch out. I'm not locked into any one type of style of singing."
For the piece in full, here's the link:
http://www.stlamerican.com/articles/2008/01/31/entertainment/living_it/livingit03.txt
South City Karaoke
Two unlikely spots for South Side Karaoke now have... karaoke.
Okay, I suppose some would think that Monday night karaoke at Mangia Italiano isn't such a jump. Replacing the long-running open mic night at the South City club and restaurant, karaoke's the rule from 10 p.m.-close on Monday nights.
Now, with the quiet laptop brigade in attendance last night, it was surprising to see/hear karaoke at Hartford Coffee Company, where Wednesdays are now given over to "Sweet Child O' Mine" from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. on the midweek.
Plan your life accordingly.
RIP: Bean'n'grain burger
After a visit to Tanner B's last evening - the second in three nights, I might add - I recognized this sadness: the bean'n'grain burger has been removed from the menu. This is apparently due to the crumbly nature of the burger. (Who complained about the crumblies? I'm COMING TO YOUR HOUSE!) I don't know what state of grieving I'm in, exactly, but I'm a far, far way from acceptance.
January 30, 2008
Celebrating Joe Besser!
After just noting the new show at the Pulitzer, I don't mind engaging in a little bit of lower-brow bloggery, noting that KETC's "Living St. Louis" has uploaded a video chronicling the life-and-times of Three Stooges member Joe Besser.
You can find the video at the "Living St. Louis" blog, which I also just recently came to find. A smart resource for a smart show. Here's Joe Besser:
Pulitzer's New Exhibition: Friday
The Pulitzer is launching a new exhibition this Friday night, Dan Flavin's "Constructed Light." You can find all the info here:
http://www.pulitzerarts.org/exhibitions/
Check out the front page for some video features, as well.
January 27, 2008
UEU314 Visits East Saint
A splinter cell of the Union of Urban Explorers, Local 314, has just visited East St. Louis. Agents Erasmus, Tobias and Jeffy arrived in East Saint only this morning, a decidedly sleepy Sunday in the burg's downtown. Parking just off of 4th Street, the trio wandered first to the Murphy Building (links at conclusion), a massive office structure with a curiously degraded back wall.
The Murphy attempt was seen as a precursor to an entry into the Majestic Theater, a strikingly faded beauty along the downtown streetscape of Collinsville Avenue. While the Majestic has one operating business - the compact Christine Beauty Supply - it's safe to say that no one's done commerce in the Murphy in some time; at least not any sort of legitimate commerce.
Within seconds of entering the Murphy - via, conveniently, an open door - the UEU members encountered a vintage wheelchair, found in a darkened interior, the air a good seven-10 degrees cooler than the outdoors. The strange sight (and chill) proved a worthy omen. This building is sick. The interiors have been wrecked by salvage folk, sure, but mostly by the weather, which has taken a terrible toll. Interior walls look like puzzle pieces, ill-cut for their purpose. Floors sag and the remaining office remnants are arranged as if by storm. From several vantage points, easy views to the streets of East Saint are apparent, views unblocked by, say, walls.
Agent Erasmus attempted a ballsy, Super Mario-like climb along some broken stairwells and eventually emerged on the Murphy's rooftop, a few tense minutes later. Meanwhile, Agents Tobias and Jeffy were perplexed below, facing a sequence of honeycomb entries and exits, none suggesting an opening into the drum-tight Majestic Theatre. Before Agent Tobias began a nerve-addled climb, himself, the telltale sounds of another presence were heard: clicks, clacks, steps. A homeless squatter? A spray can-wielding tagger? A really big dog?
Reconnoitering, the trio exited the structurally-wack Murphy, convinced that there was only one way into the Majestic, other than by key. What it would it take for that prospective journey was not on-hand. They cursed their luck, but decided to scale the stairwells of the nearby Spivey Building, just to enjoy the late-winter sun from the Spivey's scenic rooftop.
Entering the Spivey with no worries - another open door, natch - the trio made a beeline for the roof, up one floor, two floors, three. By about floor six, a clumsy blockade of doors greeted them. Agent Tobias noticed the figure of a man, awoken in a bed, two-dozen feet away. The head of a woman was soon spotted, alongside. Assurances were offered. A moment, or two, of negotiation took place and the climb continued.
The rooftop featured glorious sunlight and a clear view in all directions. Including a look down at the Murphy and Majestic. One, available for exploration by the crazy and the blessed. The other, impregnable, save for the craftiest of the crafty.
Eco-Absence on:
The Murphy
The Spivey
Built St. Louis on:
The Murphy
The Majestic
The Spivey
January 25, 2008
KISS, Live, Onstage
If you're like me, you believe there should be much more adapting of KISS into the theatrical world. In that case, you'll be equally excited by the Magic Smoking Monkey's latest show announcement. Penned by KISS uber-fan Jimmie Ousley, the show is the only logical extension of the man's healthy obsession with the '70s greatest painted rock band.
Don't believe me? Check: http://www.52ndcity.com/2007_10_ousley.htm.
So, then, the show announcement:
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On April 25th, prepare yourself for the biggest and cheesiest Magic Smoking Monkey show yet - "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park"! Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre brings to life the epic saga of the rock band KISS and their efforts to thwart a diabolical plan by amusement park engineer turned mad scientist Abner Devereaux. After uncovering his plans to use a KISS concert to unleash his evil robot clones, the band must use their special powers and exciting rock music to stop him!
In addition to KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park, Magic Smoking Monkey will also present a short "trailer" for "The Star Wars Holiday Special," before the main program.
Perhaps one of the most bizarre offshoots of St.Louis Shakespeare was the formation of the Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre, which specializes in some of the strangest and wackiest theater in St. Louis. This strange cousin of SLS was co-founded by Donna Northcott and Mitch Herzog, SLS' former Managing Director, and is completely independent from its parent company. The company performs in the late-night realm, and its first production was an all-live on-stage version of Ed Wood's classic "Glen or Glenda?"
This premiere production attracted sellout performances, and audiences have been genuinely appreciative of these truly goofy productions. In 2005, members from Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre released the award-winning indie comedy "Hooch & Daddy-O" which is available for purchase online and to rent through Netflix. Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre has been a mainstay of underground St.Louis theatre since 1996.
April 25 & 26, May 2 & 3, 2008
Friday and Saturday at 8pm and 10:30pm.
For more information, visit us on the web at:
http://myspace.com/magicsmokingmonkey
"Creating Media for Social Change" @ SLU
Personally, I have zero interest in this topic (no... wait... I do!) and the event's taking place on the quick, but... there may be some in our reading audience that will enjoy this topic and will have some time free on Saturday morning for a bit of new media action. At the very least, it's something to think about while waiting for the post-ironic return of the rotary phone.
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"Creating Media for Social Change" Workshop Planned
Event Details: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., January 26, Tegeler Hall, 3550 Lindell Blvd., Carlo Auditorium, St. Louis, MO, 63103
Saint Louis Justice and Peace Shares will hold a media workshop, Creating Media for Social Change, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, in the Carlo Auditorium of Saint Louis University's Tegeler Hall, 3550 Lindell Blvd. The event, sponsored by the University's Doerr Center for Social Justice Education and Research, is free and open to the public and all members of the SLU community.
The workshop will begin with a look at tools individuals can use to gather news from alternative sources. Other items on the program include:
* Introductory show-and-tell overviewing new technologies.
* Basics of audio and video, photography, podcasting and RSS feeds.
* Integrating media into Web sites.
* A list of software, hardware and equipment to consider for your group's media production.
* Local sources of media production support.
Participants are encouraged to bring cameras, camcorders, laptops, recording devices and posters that show something they have created.
Continuing education units are available for the workshop.
For more information, visit www.jps-stl.org or call (314) 723-4991.
January 24, 2008
Free Movies @ Off Broadway
Once again proving to be the carrier of the old Frederick's Music Lounge legacy, Off Broadway's beginning an occasional Monday movie series. This coming Monday night, it's Mel Brooks on the big-screen, with "The Producers," "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein."
Remember when you left the house to watch films? Yeah, me, too.
January 23, 2008
Seeking: Sexy
Our next planned issue of 52nd City is Sexy.
Really: it's "Sexy."
If you have Sexy stories, photography, graphics or reportage, please let us know. Our hope to avoid a deluge of overheated prose, but the topic's got the potential for all kinds of interesting foolishness.
Send graphics and photography to: andrea@52ndcity.com.
Text to: stefene@52ndcity.com and thomas@52ndcity.com.
Thanks and we look forward to the submissions for this April quarterly.
Welcome: Fair Shares
You can't go too long these days without seeing/hearing/reading about trends in natural, healthier and more local food. Brett Underwood sent along a note about a local efforts, Fair Shares, which is dedicated to just such a cause.
From their site, a pinch of text:
Would you like to support local, but don't have the means to do so easily? Do you have difficulty getting to farmers' markets? Are you interested in learning how to cook seasonally, thereby eating the best-tasting, most nutritious food available?
Fair Shares is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting fresh, local, seasonal food into the hands of more St. Louisans--regardless of their income.
Bill Boll @ Way Out
Bill Boll, possibly the funniest guest speaker I've ever had at Webster and a star of YouTube, is playing the Way Out Club this Thursday night. If you've never thought that My Bloody Valentine could work in an acoustic, solo format, Boll's wanting to change your mind. He's also delightfully randy, despite playing a show at a family-friendly time, for all the parents/rockers out there:
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Hi everybody!
I'm performing my patented "controlled frenzy" acoustic set this Thursday night at the Way Out Club, and I'd love to see you there. It'll be an early show--perfect for all you 9-to-5'ers--so get there around 9 PM to enjoy all the fun.
I'll be playing both my "classic" originals and some new ones, as well as covers ranging from the Dresden Dolls to Matt's Dad's Basement.
Therefore, in conclusion, "Be there AND be square!"
Your best friend 4ever,
Bill Boll
January 21, 2008
Comedy on Parade: Mons. @ Mad Art
I'm unfamiliar with this Bill Chott character, but his new, Monday night series at Mad Art sounds like an interesting experience. It's also a nice way to incorporate more into our "theatre & improv" sub-section!:
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Did you know that St. Louis is the birthplace of one of the most physically and mentally challenging performance mediums known to mankind? We're speaking of improvisational acting. Or, as we know it today, improv.
The scene was set in the 1959 when improv legend Del Close came to St. Louis along with Elaine May and Mike Nichols and refined improvisational acting techniques into the art form we know it as today. The three were part of the St. Louis branch of Chicago's Compass Players, which were a direct precursor to the most legendary improvisation and sketch comedy group in the United States, The Second City . The company performed at the Crystal Palace in the heyday of Gaslight Square to great acclaim before its various members went on to groundbreaking careers in movies, television, books and Broadway.
Bill Chott- himself a native St. Louisian and an alumnus of Second City- wants St. Louis to embrace its comedy roots, and as such, is bringing the funny back to The Lou with a fervor not seen since the 50s and 60s.
Starting Monday, February 11, 2008, Bill is excited to present a whole new experience in St. Louis comedy: the debut of a weekly showcase aimed at spotlighting the burgeoning sketch comedy and improv scene that's alive and kicking right here in the Heart of the Midwest. It's called Bill Chott's Comedy On Parade.
This weekly independent comedy showcase will feature some of the best edgy comics in St. Louis including Gabe Kea, Josh Arnold, a video featuring Bob Odenkirk and Paul F. Tompkins (both of the acclaimed HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David), sketch and improv from The NonProphet Theater Company, The Fingerbreaker Brothers, Brand X, East County and many more surprises. Start setting Mondays aside for the best comedy in town!
The show will be produced weekly at the MAD ART Gallery in Soulard, located at 2727 South 12th St. at Lynch St., right next to the AB Brewery. It was a jail, then an Art Gallery....now a Comedy Funhouse!
Tickets are $10 at the door and include two free drinks. Join Bill and his guests in this exciting experiment in local comedy.
Doors open at 7:00pm and the show begins at 8:00pm (subject to change).
You may know Bill from various appearances in some of the most hilarious films and television shows in the last ten years, including The Ringer, Saturday Night Live's TV Funhouse and the late, great Dana Carvey Show. Bill as also made notable appearances on Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Invader Zim, Third Rock From The Sun and Monk.
For more information, please visit www.theimprovtrick.com, or email info@theimrpovtrick.com.
Typewriter Tim
Ordinarily, when posting up a little press release from folks, it's our tradition to add a pithy introduction. In this case, the text itself is so wow-worthy that there's not a whole lot else to say:
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Typewriter Tim Hits a St. Louis Return with "Typedelic"JGB
(January 7, 2008, St. Louis, MO.) He's the King of the Keys, The Shaman of the Shift, The Ringmaster of the Return: St. Louis' own Typewriter Tim Jordan returns to the stage with a whole new act: Typedelic. Known for his daring performance art and musical experimentation in the 1990s, Typewriter Tim was talked about in all the papers, radio, and on the street as 'the naked dude who paints wild, intense canvases, JGB onstage and makes some bitchin' rap-rock-pop music with a typewriter.'
Ten years later, after successful stints in Atlanta and LA, he's still all that. But he's put some clothes on and funked up the music a bit with a fresh new back-up band. Never fear, the typewriter—and Tim—remain up front, and they're kicking off this new carriage arrangement with a big DING! at the Lucas Schoolhouse on Wednesday, January 23rd.
The sound? "Think organic, anti-pop music," Tim says, interspersed with lots of music-backed readings from children's books and classical literature. "We're talking everything from Dr. Suess and Shel Silverstein to Plato, Burroughs, Keats and Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. Tim says the productions have a very stream-of-consciousness vibe, and no two shows will be the same.
"However, it's done in a psychedelic/funkadelic 70s style and execution. This will be high energy—every song is designed so that it's impossible not to nod your head and dance. We’re talking sexual. Verrry sexual!" he says.
Despite the sexual vibes, it is an All-Ages show in a smoke-free venue. The party should start around nine and taping of the show is welcome and even encouraged. "We want to get the word out about Typedelic," Tim says. "We're not selling our music, we’re giving it all away and every live show will later be posted on YouTube." Typewriter Tim guarantees the audience will be keyed up enough to hit return again and again.
The Lucas Schoolhouse is located at 1220 Allen Avenue, at Allen and Gravois, in Soulard. Call 314.621.6565 for more information.
(Says Brett Underwood:) ...and I've got him down at the Schlafly Tap Room on Saturday, February 2nd with Illphonics.
http://www..myspace.com/schlaflybeer
January 17, 2008
New Issue of 52nd City & Free Candy - Sunday!
A double-bill, of sorts, this weekend at the Hartford Coffee Company. On Sunday evening, 52nd City will be offering the newest print issue, "Foreign Exchange," with a 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. release event at the little coffee shop at Roger and Hartford. We'll have some mad deals for folks buying multiple copies and/or subs to the magazine.
In the first of our double-dip release events, we're happy to be teaming up with St. Louis favorite (and perhaps only) live, non-broadcast talk show, Free Candy. This special edition is special for many special reasons: a new, special start time, 6:00 p.m.; the special appearance of original Candy co-host Julia Smillie; and some special guests including, but not limited to, Debbie Baldwin of The Ladue News.
For those unable to attend - boo! - 52nd City's should be at the usual spate of bookstores, record shops and other fine retailers by the end of the weekend. Free Candy, though, will only be a memory for those in attendance. We hope to see you there, 3974 Hartford, this Sunday, 5:00 p.m.
January 16, 2008
Chapbook Sale @ Observable
Who loves poetry?
Who loves poetry in chapbook form?
Who loves to get a really good deal on chapbooks?
Then, I submit the following, submitted to us by our main man, Aaron Belz:
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Hey all -
Observable Books wants to sell fifty chapbooks this week, so if you order a Gabe Gudding or Cole Swensen chapbook ($8), you'll get one of the Observable anthologies (of your choice) FREE. I'm ending the offer Friday at midnight. No shipping charges! Paypal accepted.
These books are designed and printed by Firecracker and are really gorgeous.
Aaron
January 10, 2008
Observable Tonight
Need some culture tonight? Some beer? Aaron Belz is making the former available and Brett Underwood will set you with the latter. Observable tonight!
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Reminder, tonight Dana Goodyear, author of Honey and Junk (Norton, 2005) and former senior editor of the New Yorker, will read with Aliki Barnstone, poet-in-residence at Mizzou and author of Blue Earth (Iris Press, 2004).
The latest RFT ran a nice notice -
http://www.riverfronttimes.com/search/events.php?oid=445528
More info here, including directions -
http://observable.org
Hope to see you there!
January 08, 2008
Ska's the Limit Anniversary Show
Well, there's not a lot lacking in the release below, so we'll let it speak for itself, though we will note that the recent Ska-liday show at Off Broadway, featuring MU330 and the Murder City Players, was an SRO affair, with little room for stragglers; the show sold-out well before 10 p.m. We'd guess that this one may have a similar outcome, so if it's of interest, purchase tix early:
Seventeen cheers for Paul Stark!
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88.1 FM KDHX SKA'S THE LIMIT 17TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Saturday February 23, 2008
Off Broadway
3509 Lemp Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118
Doors open at 6:30 pm – Music Begins at 7:00 pm
All Ages Admission : $15
Advance tickets available and encouraged at
www.offbroadwaystl.com
Proceeds to benefit KDHX St. Louis Community Media
"KDHX Ska's The Limit," the longest continuously running Ska radio show in the world is celebrating it's seventeenth anniversary. Since it's inception in 1991, "KDHX Ska's The Limit" has presented a weekly showcase of a variety of musical styles related to early 1960's Jamaican Ska music. The original Ska music, a precursor to Reggae, combined elements of Caribbean Island Mento and Calypso rhythms, big band, swing, jazz, boogie woogie, and R&B to create a unique musical style.
In the years since, contemporary Ska music has been influenced by Rock and Roll, Punk Rock, and many varied sources of international Pop music. "KDHX Ska's The Limit" host Paul Stark continues to highlight the history and modern innovations in Ska every Friday evening on 88.1 FM KDHX St. Louis Community Radio and world wide on the internet at www.kdhx.org.
On February 23rd, In celebration of it's seventeenth anniversary, "KDHX Ska's The Limit" is presenting an evening of performances by some of the leaders of
contemporary Ska music: The Toasters, formed in New York City in 1981, are
beginning their 27th year as an international touring band. The band has logged a staggering 4,000+ live concert appearances on stages all around the world,
and amassed a humongous catalog of music, including 15 albums and DVDs, countless videos, singles and EPs and innumerable compilation appearances. In 1997, Billboard Magazine's lead article dubbed them "New York's Ska Pioneers." With their eclectic, instantly recognizable and idiosyncratic sound the group has
been branded as the "Miles Davis of Ska" and the "Ramones of Ska" alike.
What do you get when you mix the chugging rhythms of Jamaica, the energy and emotion of American Motown, and the over-the-top pub/rock of the Pogues? Now in their 15th year, Chicago's Deal's Gone Bad draws its influences from classic Jamaican and American artists, to create a sound that is a uniquely modern combination, unlike anything else on the scene today. Deal's Gone Bad shows are a combination of soul rave-up and island dance party, with the force and energy of any punk band worth their salt.
Also appearing that evening in the non-smoking, all ages environment of Off Broadway Nighclub is the debut of a new band of St. Louis musical veterans dubbed Jesse Irwin and The West Memphis Country & Western Ska Destroyers and local Ska-Punk trio The Red Light Runners, as well as other surprise guests.
Proceeds from the show will benefit KDHX St. Louis Community Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to building community through media, with diverse and independent voices that enrich the perspectives of their audiences. KDHX promotes civic and cultural participation by providing the tools, technology, and training vital to informed, creative expression.
January 07, 2008
Retro Weekend
Well, I just had the strangest, music-driven retro weekend. Like, ever. Between interviewing Angelo Moore, receiving dozens of St. Louis CDs in a lump batch, sifting through two years of late-'90s RFTs and the occasional bit of live music and e-mail, it was all a bit much.
1. Caught Aviation Club at Off Broadway. They were fantastic. Really, really great. There was a moment, too, when they had three female dancers on the floor. All were affecting a dance style that I haven't seen since the last time I watched "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion." Which I totally dug. Turns out, one of the groups that spun out of Aviation Club, the Lettuce Heads, will be performing soon: Friday, March 14 at the Focal Point, for an 8 p.m. show. Promised: 23 new songs and seven that were only played once, according to the group's impeccable press kit.
2. The AC show was sponsored by Jet Lag Magazine, celebrating a year on the web at www.jetlagmag.net. Though I love having the zine available in that form, much better is the act of reading originals. I bought 12 copies, in bundled six-packs, from founder John the Mailman. Despite all the years I've known of John Korst, I'd never met him; and, come to think of it, I didn't say "hello," so we're still that way. Love the issues, of which only one was already in my possession. Buying more soon.
3. The same day, I got a note via Myspace from Korst, who has a page for the classic piece of STL wave, "Test Patterns." If you don't have this piece of vinyl, check Record Exchange and plunk down whatever the cost might be. For the life of me, I could swear that I okayed the Myspace friend request, but I can't find it, at all. Please pass along the page, if you would.
4. Lastly, I got a note from Larry Dersch, who played with a classic band from St. Louis, Common Ailments of Maturity. They moved to Boston right around the point that I found myself at clubs, but I enjoyed their vinyl output and still spin a bit of it, for sure. Dersch notes that he has a new band, A.K.A.C.O.D. With two of the group's three members as alumni of Morphine, you can get a quick sense of them through that namecheck. You find more precise info on them at either: www.myspace.com/akacod or www.akacod.com. There's a good chance the band will be in town during mid-February, with one Midtown club a distinct possibility. We'll certainly punch that info up here, when known.
Vital Voice Relaunches
There's been a fair bit of behind-the-scenes work going on the The Vital Voice in recent months and the efforts will be seen shortly. Following's some info from the Voice on a happy-hour and unveiling on the new concept for the paper:
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New Format! New Content! New Attitude!
On January 11, 2008, the Vital VOICE will start the year anew and re-launch with a redesigned front page, improved content, new sections and guest columnists through out the year. The first themed issue (January 11) will coincide with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday and focuses on civil rights, racism, diversity and the upcoming elections.
At 5:30 p.m., publisher, Pam Schneider will host a RE-LAUNCH PARTY at Atomic Cowboy located at 4140 Manchester Ave., in the Grove. There will be complimentary drinks provided by Bombora Vodka and snacks provided by Atomic Cowboy.
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Times: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Date: Friday, January 11, 2008
Location: 4140 Manchester Ave., In the Grove
Info: 314-289-2999
January 06, 2008
Eric Hall and Fred Friction channel Neil Young
I'd heard about the post-Christmas night Neil Young tribute at Off Broadway, but only just that. Didn't go. Didn't see and hear. At least, not until tonight, when Eric Hall sent along a YouTube video of his performance with Fred Friction.
It's... interesting. And, now, I can kinda, sorta understand why the soundman killed the power. Kinda. Sorta.
Here are Eric's liner notes and a link:
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here is the video of "sample and hold" fred friction and i did for the neil young tribute show at off broadway the day after christmas. everyone else at the show played very faithful guitar-based versions of his better known tunes, so i picked something from "trans", which might be his most hated album. in that environment, i think we stole the show, fred in particular. im playing a qchord (electronic autoharp) through distortion pedals and doing some processing on freds vocal with a little digital delay (sampling, holding) and a vocoder. he had never heard the song, so we duct taped the lyrics inside the classifieds from the paper. that way hes looking through the classifieds for something to sample and hold, which ties perfectly with the subject of the song. then he used a toy cell phone for the customer service section of the lyrics. off broadway is a non-smoking venue and james weber jr put a cigarette in the fake hand in freds jacket pocket. after that jason hutto lit it, causing the audience to cheer and the bartenders to yell and throw coasters at us, to which fred responded by turning towards the bar and spraying yellow foam out the fly of his pants. that was right about the time the soundman turned us off. nonetheless, the booker loved it and asked me to put together a longer set for the bowie tribute next month. im thinking the labyrinth soundtrack... enjoy, or just scratch your head. eric.
January 05, 2008
Angelo Moore @ City Museum this Weekend
Thanks to the good folks at the City Museum, Bill Streeter (of Lofistl.com) and I were able to meet with Angelo Moore of Fishbone, who's at the City Museum this weekend under the guise of Dr. Madd Vibe. At the CM, he's playing the newly refurbished pipe organ, along with playing some sax and spitting some poetry. Last night was his first night of a three-day/night residency and Bill and I asked him a few questions, which brought... some answers. As Bill mentioned, they weren't always the answers to the questions, per se, but they were entertaining.
And, hey, who doesn't want to hang out with Angelo Moore on a Friday night? Even for a few minutes, it was cool to catch up with a performer who's probably deserving of the legendary label, resplendent in his bowler and vigorously working down a green-and-yellow lollipop.
52nd City: I'm thinking a lot of people do what Bill did earlier - and what I was going to do, too - which is telling about shows that they saw you at back in the day. Is it fun to hear those stories.
Moore: A lot of people think of us here at Mississippi Nights. Is that still there?
52nd City: There tore it down last year for a casino.
Moore: WHAT? They tore it down for a casino? A casino? Wow. There's a lot of shit like that going on in LA right now. Tearing shit down and building new buildings.
52nd City: What makes the shows exciting these days, as opposed to the old days? Do the crowds feel different today?
Moore: Do they feel different?
52nd City: Well, are 18 and 20-year-olds today as crazy as they were when I was 18 or 20?
Moore: I think they're less crazy and shit. Depends on where you are. It's hard for me to tell because I'm on-stage and coming from a whole different perspective. Yo, check it out. We play to a lot of different crowds. And some of them are pretty hyped. There ends up being some crowd-surfing every night, so... Shit! Yah!
52nd City: I saw this (City Museum) Fishbone show. What was special about from your angle?
Moore: Just the whole interior, man. The whole interior. It does a lot for creativity. There's an underwater scene. We're Fishbone and there's this whole underwater scene. That sting ray, that manta ray over there!
52nd City: How'd this gig come around, was it Gi Cassilly?
Moore: Givonna, yeah.
52nd City: I have a feeling it's not something she had to talk you into, that it was something you really wanted to do.
Moore: Aw, yeah, dude.
52nd City: This is maybe trivial, but I've wanted to ask you this: I heard that John Cusack in "Say Anything" was playing Fishbone on that stereo, and they overlaid the Peter Gabriel track, instead, into the movie.
Moore: The Peter Gabriel song?
52nd City: Yeah, the famous scene where he's holding the stereo.
Moore: Well, I don't know. I know that there's a Fishbone track in there, "Skankin' to the Beat." But I don't know that story. I haven't seen that movie in a long time.
52nd City: I don't mean to make everything generational, but it's gotta be interesting to have people coming out with the kids, who were seeing you way back when.
Moore: That's a trip, yeah. That shit's pretty crazy. I've got a 10-year-old daughter.
52nd City: What does she like about Fishbone?
Moore: Oh, she likes it.
52nd City: I'm going to try to get this up tomorrow. What should people expect when they come in tomorrow and Sunday?
Moore: In here?
52nd City: Well, with you.
Moore: Well, man, they're going to see this guy. He'll be wearing a saxophone and talking to them as Dr. Madd Vibe. And he ain't going to give a shit if they're listening or not! HA-HAH! Ah-ha-ha-ha. That's how you gotta do it and that's how it's going to come out. It's going to be really good. That's when I'm working off of and that's what I'm trying to remember.
Pic at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51252573@N00/2169226491/.
January 04, 2008
Famous Ficitonal: Mad Art 2Nite
Like that little 2Nite in the title? How cute!
Okay, I know about everyone in this show and half of them have handed me a flyer. And, yet, the day of the event, there's still no post-up at America's favorite website. For shame.
So:
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Famous Fictional: Portraits from Comics, Television and Movies
January 4 to January 28
Opening reception January 4, 7 pm to 11 pm
Mad Art Gallery is proud to present Famous Fictional featuring portraits from comics, television and movies. Work will include paintings, illustrations, and sculptures of some of the most famous, or infamous, characters from comics, television, and movies. This exhibit opens on January 4, 2008, and runs through January 28, 2008.
Famous Fictional includes work from Brian Hurtt, Matt Kindt, Luby, Dan Zettwoch, Jason Robards, Anchovy, Dan Wilson, Brian Yap, Nathan Poetzscher, Jon Reed, Sacha Mardou, Sharlene Kindt, Matt Reedy, Jenny Cimino, Ron Weaver and more.
This exhibit assembles an accomplished group of artists. Dan Zettwoch is an independent comic creator and operates the website USS Catastrophe, often cited as one of top locations for alternative comics readers on the Internet. The site features several original works and sneak previews by the cartoonists, and hosts the first of a new generation of on-line mini-comics stores. Zettwoch's work is often featured in the Riverfront Times. Matt Kindt self-publishes the comic PISTOLWHIP, along with many others. His online comic Super-Spy has been recognized by several industry publications.
A free, opening reception will be held on Friday, January 4, 2008, from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Cash bar available.
January 02, 2008
RIP: Kenrick 8 Cine
Midway through last semester, I left a so-so class session at Webster and thought of catching a movie. Don't recall why that group left me in such a squirrely mood, but "Superbad" seemed like an immediate antidote to the problem. And Kenrick 8 Cine was just a five-minute drive from campus.
Past-tense used in the above, because Kenrick 8 is closed, with the eight-screen theatre shutting down over Thanksgiving. Based on my last visit there - which featured myself and three other people for a rush-hour show, in a massive, 500-seat hall - this doesn't come as a big surprise. And, frankly, it's just part of a trend of moviehouse closings, brought on by all the expected, tech factors in today's entertainment world.
As a teen, I spent some years living outside of South St. Louis (gasp!), most of it clocked just inside the Webster Groves/Shrewsbury border. That meant that my neighborhood moviehouse was the Kenrick. It was a 12-minute walk, through the then-in-construction Kenrick housing developments that were springing up from the vast, unused portions of Kenrick Seminary's grounds. To date myself further, I pretty much took in all of Michael J. Fox's star-making vehicles there: "Teen Wolf," "The Secret of My Succe$s," and, of course, "Back to the Future." That wasn't exactly yesterday, was it?
So I'll miss Kenrick. Maybe the idea of the Kenrick, more than the actual place itself, which hadn't undergone much of in the way of an update since its construction in 1984. And, maybe, I miss the idea that kids in that area won't know the fun of walking to a theatre for the cheap, day shows on a sunny, summer's afternoon, one of the cool bits of growing up suburban.
If you've never been to the neat Cinema Treasures site, it features write-ups on a dead theatres. They've already got an updated obit for the Kenrick, which you can find here:
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/6677/