Wednesday, November 23, 2005
TLP November 23, 2005
Hey, friends.
Short and sweet Lex Pro with three new contributors. Thanks to Dickie Haydon and Jackson Silvanik for their help with The Picks. And, thanks to Blake Wilkinson, whom I’ve been badgering to write something for six months now, for the review of Tender Forever’s new cd.
Two shows this past weekend (weekend-extended, I guess) reaffirmed my belief in the power of live music and public experiences. Calvin Johnson and Tender Forever absolutely charmed me (in a very Jonathan Richman sort of way) on Sunday night at Underlying Themes. Next night, same spot, The Thing and Joe McPhee crushed me with their visceral wailing. I left both shows floating. So, it is with renewed vigor that I implore you, GET OUT GET OUT and see something new! There is so much good stuff going on in this town.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Ross
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
** Sunday, November 27 - African Dance Workshop @ Mecca
This Sunday, November 27 from 2-3:30pm, Mecca presents an African dance workshop with accomplished teacher, artist, actress, storyteller and dancer Kibibi Ajanku, director of the Sankofa Dance Theater in Baltimore. For more information, contact the studio at info@meccadance.com or by phone at 254-9790.
** Thursday, December 1 - A double dose of interesting film opportunities …
OK, film enthusiasts, you’ve got two worthy events to choose from next Thursday.
At 7:30pm in the auditorium of the Oswald Building on the campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (formerly LCC), our friends at the Bluegrass Film Society will be screening the Russian film “Kukushka” (English Title: Cuckoo). Here’s a synopsis from the Sony Classics website, “September of 1944, a few days before Finland went out of the Second World War. A chained to a rock Finnish sniper-kamikaze Veikko managed to set himself free. Ivan, a captain of the Soviet Army, arrested by the Front Secret Police 'Smersh', has a narrow escape. They are soldiers of the two enemy armies. A Lapp woman Anni gives shelter to both of them at her farm. For Anni they are not enemies, but just men.” The screening is FREE and open to the public. http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com
At 8:30pm at the new Mecca location (451 Chair Avenue – just off S. Broadway near Bolivar – across the street from UK’s Reynolds Bldg), the Outside the Spotlight jazz and improvised music series presents “The Animated Adventures of Knox: an emotional portrait in sound and image,” a new work by New York filmmakers Tom Abbs, M.P. Landis, and Michael Sanzone with a live soundtrack to the screening provided by NYC free jazz quartet Frequency Response (see The Picks for more info). Admission is $3, all ages welcome. http://outsidethespotlight.blogspot.com, http://knoxmovie.com
** Help KFTC while doing your holiday shopping online
An easy way to contribute to our favorite community activist organization, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth. If you sign up with iGive.com with KFTC as your cause and then access any of more than 600 online stores through the iGive site a percentage of the purchase will come to KFTC. There also may be a $5 signup bonus to KFTC if you make purchases within 45 days of becoming a member. To sign up go to http://www.igive.com/kftc and then follow the instructions. The only thing to remember after that is each time you go online to shop is to go to the iGive site first to sign in before accessing the store you plan to shop at.
** A quick look ahead …
A little slow these next couple of weeks, but things explode in the second week of December. Specifically, the Dec.9-11 timeframe is packed with great haps. Here’s some info to help you start mapping out that weekend:
>> Friday, December 9 - Outside the Spotlight 3rd Anniversary Celebration/Performance @ Firebird Studio – The little weird-jazz series that could turns three with the help of the NYC’s Sabir Mateen Quartet and Cincinnati’s ISWHAT?! Fire-jazz, hip hop, and FREE cake and wine – can’t beat that. Show starts at 8pm. Admission is $5, all ages welcome. outsidethespotlight.blogspot.com
>> Fri-Sat, Dec. 9-10 – Mecca presents “Muse, A Reverence to the Divine Deities of the Ancient Worlds” @ Lexington Children's Theater - A collaborative performance between Mecca, the UK Dance Program, and famed NYC dancer/choeographer Dalia Carella based on the works of Ruth St. Denis. It’s been a long time since Mecca’s last large scale conceptual production (has it been three years since “One Veiling” sold out Singletary Center?). You don’t want to miss this one. meccadance.com
>> Fri-Sun, Dec. 9-11 - Rogue Theater presents “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll” by Eric Bogosian @ Underlying Themes - The Rogue Society Players, Russell Williamson’s renegade theater troupe that stormed the scene a couple years ago with a wonderful reworking of “Waiting for Lefty” (which they staged at, among other places, The Dame), tackles Eric Bogosian’s “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll” in the Underlying Themes loft. Forget your previous staid and boring theater experiences, and go see what innovative independent theater can be.
** And, while we’re looking ahead, why not look waaaaaaaay down the line …
>> Sunday, January 15 – The new Lexington Underground Performing Arts Series debuts at Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short St. Outside the Spotlight has provided an outlet for touring experimental/jazz/improvising artists to present their music to Lexington. LUPAS, a monthly series (3rd Sunday of every month at Firebird), is designed to give local artists working in that vein a chance to stretch out. For more information, email informationactivists@yahoo.com
>> Saturday, February 25 – Lexington’s 3rd annual Mardi Gras Jazz Parade! Outside of the city’s unofficial Halloween parade aka Mecca’s “Thriller!” resurrection, the Mardi Gras Jazz Parade is Lexington’s only true example of a people’s parade. It’s freaks in the streets making joyful noise and celebrating the opportunity to celebrate. And, you can be a part of it (c’mon, all y’all have a bit of freak in you). Check out http://lexingtonmardigrasparade.blogspot.com for more info. And for a sneak peek at the band we’re hoping will lead the parade, check out http://www.burntsugarindex.com.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Wednesday, November 23 through Wednesday, December 7 :::::::::::
:: Thursday, November 24 ::
SEXUAL DISASTER QUARTET w/Q*BURNS ABSTRACT MESSAGE @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
Need to beat a Thanksgiving retreat from your family? The Dame’s the spot. SDQ will fill the night with groovy groovy funky stuff and Q*Burns will be spinning a late-night set to help you dance off your Thanksgiving excesses.
:: Friday, November 25 ::
SCOURGE OF THE SEA w/NANA AND THE BOY NOISE and MARK CHARLES @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
Whenever someone asks Bub at Gumbo Ya Ya (you know Bub – the big, charming, bald guy who greets you with a “hey, boss” when you enter the S. Broadway location) what a sauce tastes like, he always says, “you tell me” and grabs a sample for them. I’m growing weary of typing “great local indie/folk/rock” for Scourge of the Sea, so I’ll direct you to the new tracks they have up on Myspace.com and let you tell me what they sound like. Seriously … can someone help me with a more eloquent description of these guys. I feel like I’m doing them a huge disservice. http://myspace.com/thescourgeofthesea
Show up early, you don’t want to miss Mark Charles. It’s our friend Mark Heidinger of the Apparitions playing a solo set.
:: Saturday, November 26 ::
PARLOUR BOYS w/PETTICOAT, PETTICOAT, IN ENDEAVORS ITALYA and THE OXFORD FARM REPORT @ Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short St – 7pm, all ages, $5
Parlour Boys - Well-rehearsed and even better-dressed, it's safe to say you'll want to bring a dance partner along when seeing these guys. Upon first listen it's obvious that these 5 gentlemen have more than a few U2 records in their collection, but their songwriting and live show are clear indications that they've done their fair share of rock 'n roll research. They also don't play all-ages shows very often, so if you're under 21 and haven't had the chance to see them yet, I'd steal $5 from Mom's change purse. http://www.parlourboys.com.
Petticoat, Petticoat - (words by Jackson Silvanik) - This lady and 3 young lads seem to be Lexington's only true indie-pop outfit. Though they draw from many present-day indie-rock icons, their music would not sound out of place on a mixtape of classic songs from the 60’s and 70’s. This four-piece showcases the vocal talents of the beautiful Kristin Messina, and she wastes no time proving that she’s not just a pretty face (though she is that, as well). Their recently self-recorded and released EP, "White Love," is now available at all of their shows. If you're planning on checking them out, be sure to wear a few flowers in your hair. http://myspace.com/petticoatpetticoat
In Endeavors Italya - Featuring members from the now defunct Sink Or Swim, IEI have quickly become one of Lexington's hottest young bands. Playing virtually every show they can get on, Gerren, Clif, Patrick, and Del have built up a noticeably loyal fan base in only the past few months. Combining aggressive guitar riffs and vocals with danceable bass and drum patterns, one could easily compare these kids to At The Drive-In, Les Savy Fav, or Beep Beep. http://myspace.com/inendeavorsitalya
The Oxford Farm Report - Okay. Take the better half of Elvis, a dash or two of Primus, and a healthy dose of We Vs. The Shark. Now you've got The Oxford Farm Report. After witnessing this band's ridiculously bipolar tendencies, one can see that their influences stretch from one end of the musical spectrum to the next. Oh, and they're also a 3-piece. Needless to say, it's required that each one of these boys give 110% of their efforts to the songs they perform. And trust me, they do. http://myspace.com/theoxfordfarmreport
– Dickie Haydon
[Full disclosure: Dickie plays guitar and sings in Petticoat, Petticoat. That’s why Jackson filled out that part of the preview.]
:: Thursday, December 1 ::
film screening with live free-jazz soundtrack – “The Animated Adventures of Knox”
accompanied by TOM ABBS & FREQUENCY RESPONSE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Avenue
8:30pm sharp!, all ages, $3
NYC bassist Tom Abbs has turned out tons of quality work lately with ensembles including Active Ingredients (with trombonist Steve Swell, saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc, and percussionist Chad Taylor), Triptych Myth (a trio with pianist Cooper-Moore and Taylor), and Transmitting (with NYC poet Jane LeCroy and Cincinnati mc Napoleon Maddox of ISWHAT?!). For better or for worse though I’ll always remember him for almost coming to blows with the aforementioned Swell after a September 2003 gig at Natasha’s Café. Yeah, you’d assume it was typical touring-related frustrations – p’haps old dude’s always hogging the car stereo or running his gums about something about which he knows nothing. Nope, this was about the playing. Near fisticuffs over musical shortcomings in front of a crowd of maybe ten people (including the wait staff)! These guys take the music seriously.
Anyhoo, Abbs makes his first return trip to Lexington since that infamous Natasha’s gig with his Frequency Response ensemble (which features members of the Chicago Underground Duo and Sticks and Stones) next Thursday. The group will be providing a live soundtrack for a new film by Abbs, M.P. Landis, and Michael Sanzone entitled “The Animated Adventures of Knox.” Here’s an excerpt from Abbs’ director’s notes: “The Animated Adventures of Knox chronicles the development of emotional states throughout a lifetime. Your sense of love grows and changes. Your sense of guilt can grow and take over. Your self-awareness, your sense of wonder and the sense of your place in the world, each grows and changes and can go off track. Once madness has come, it is forever a part of you. It's an internal world, an ongoing drama that controls perception. These patterns are the biggest characters in my life. The interactions of these characters define me. The dramatization of it all is just an attempt to gain some respectable level of self knowledge.” Expect a meditative, (mostly) abstract exploration of personal and urban landscapes. And, hopefully, no fisticuffs.
For audio and visual samples, check out http://jumparts.org/tomabbsounds.html and http://knoxmovie.com.
[Full disclosure: I helped organize this show.]
:: Friday, December 2 ::
“Open Studio” @ UK’s Reynolds Bldg, off S. Broadway near Bolivar
5-10pm, all ages, FREE
Open Studio, UK’s sprawling annual showcase of student artwork, can feel like a flea market. Save for the 2nd floor gallery (which usually houses a juried exhibit of work by upper level students) and the photography room, the work usually appears in cluttered groupings along hallway and classroom walls and ledges. Purusing the work is visually exhausting, but like a flea market, time spent digging through the mess occasionally leads to an exciting discovery.
The rub of this Open Studio evening may be a musical performance by percussionist Jordan Munson and friends. Munson and five others will be playing sculptures while Jason Corder (lights like windows) and Chuck Moreland (Tryptamine Arkestra, psychoactive sound) sample and remix the sounds live. If that weren’t interesting enough, the loosely conducted improv will be based on the narrative of Siddhartha.
As per usual, organization for the event is seemingly non-existent. So, I can’t tell you exactly when the performance will go down (even Jordan didn’t know). My best guess is that it’ll begin sometime around the middle of the event. So, 7:30ish? Just a guess. You’re going to have to show up, hang out, and hope for the best. There’ll be free food and beverage to keep you company.
:: Also worthwhile in the November 23 – December 7 timeframe ::
Wed/Nov 23 WILL HOGE @ The Dame
Wed/Nov 23 MY MORNING JACKET w/VHS OR BETA @ The Louisville Palace (Louisville)
Sat/Nov 26 SUNDAY VALLEY w/THE DEEHAWKS @ The Dame
Fri/Dec 2 CRACKER (acoustic) @ The Dame
Fri/Dec 2 THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND @ Headliners (Louisville)
:: Soon Soon ::
Fri/Dec 9 SABIR MATEEN QUINTET w/ISWHAT?! @ Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short – all ages
Fri-Sat/Dec 9-10 dance – “Muse, A Reverence to the Divine Deities of the Ancient Worlds” @ Lexington Children’s Theater - www.meccadance.com
Fri-Sun/Dec 9-11 theater - “Sex Drugs & Rock N’Roll” @ Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper – all ages
Sat/Dec 10 SELF-EVIDENT w/VANISHING KIDS @ The Comet (Cincinnati)
Wed/Dec 14 MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD w/WITH HONOR, MODERN LIFE IS A WAR, THE DISTANCE, and THIS IS HELL @ ArtsPlace, 161 N. Mill St – all ages, www.counterfiction.com
Wed/Dec 14 IRON AND WINE/CALEXICO @ Headliners (Louisville) – ages 18+
Sat/Dec 17 BYRON HOUSE w/HAVES AND THIRDS, ODEM PRESS, LIMP LUNGS, and 396 MOUNTAINS @ Bornmugged – all ages
Sat/Dec 17 THE APPARITIONS w/SUNDAY RUNNER @ The Dame
Sat/Jan 14 JESSICA PAVONE/MARY HALVORSON @ Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short – all ages, outsidethespotlght.blogspot.com
:: Pertinent resources ::
__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif - http://www.dameky.com
MECCA studio/gallery, 451 Chair Avenue, off S.Broadway near Bolivar - http://www.meccadance.com
UNDERLYING THEMES LOFT SPACE, 110 S. Upper (above Busters) – http://www.underlyingthemes.com
CHARLES MANSION - http://www.charlesmansion.orghttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
NATASHA'S CAFE, 112 Esplanade - http://www.beetnik.com/
FAUNTLEROY’S CAFÉ, 640 W. Maxwell – ph. 859/455-8188
THE ICEHOUSE, 412 Cross St (off W.Maxwell), Lexington
DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER, 141 E. Main St, Lexington – http://www.lexarts.org
ARTSPLACE, 161 N.Mill St, Lexington
LEXINGTONSHOWS.com (all ages show listings) - http://www.lexingtonshows.com
COUNTER FICTION (more all ages show listings) – http://www.counterfiction.com
CRICKET PRESS (amazing local poster art) - http://www.cricket-press.com
WRFL 88.1FM (UK's student-run radio station) - http://wrfl.uky.edu
YOU AIN’T NO PICASSO (great locally-produced music blog) – http://www.youaintnopicasoo.com
__Louisville__
LAVA (Louisville Assembly of Vanguard Artists) HOUSE - 927 Shelby Parkway, Louisville - http://www.lavahouse.org
HEADLINERS MUSIC HALL, Louisville - 1386 Lexington Road, ph. 502/584-8088 - www.headlinerslouisville.com
UNCLE PLEASANTS, 2126 S. Preston, Louisville - p.502/634-4147
THE RUDYARD KIPLING, 422 West Oak Street, Louisville -
http://www.therudyardkipling.com/pages/206999/index.htm
OLD LOUISVILLE COFFEHOUSE, 1489 S. Fourth St, Louisville - ph. 502/635-6660
PRODUCTION SIMPLE (produce many of the events at Headliners and Uncle Pleasants) – http://www.productionsimplehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif.com)
__Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky__
THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE, Newport, KY - http://www.southgatehouse.com
ALCHEMIZE, 1122 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.alchemizebar.com
THE COMET, 4579 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.cometbar.com
BOGART'S, 2621 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.bogarts.com
THE MOCKBEE (formerly SS NOVA), 2260 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.ssnova.org
NORTHSIDE TAVERN, 4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.northside-tavern.com
Know of an upcoming event that others should get hip to? Let us know - email informationactivists@yahoo.com
All Picks by Ross Compton unless otherwise noted.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: CD REVIEW :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tender Forever
The Soft and Hardcore
(K Records, 2005)
For all twenty lucky people in attendance Sunday at the Tender Forever/Calvin Johnson show (last Sunday @ Underlying Themes), you witnessed first hand the jewel of France. Between the goofy frolics and cardboard computers I was entranced. So much so that I agreed to fill in for The Late, Late Show on RFL just to play The Soft and the Hardcore as quickly as possible. I must say I was a bit disappointed, and after listening, I’ve concluded that the greatest appeal to Tender Forever was the playful antics of Melanie Valera. That’s not to say the record is charm-less; it just lacked the same energy. It still served as an endearing indie pop record with highlights including “Then If I’m Weird I Want To Share” and “Tender Forever.” “Then If I’m Weird I Want to Share” is the sole acoustic track with lyrics such as “people told me/ that you’re too sexy/ too sexy for me/ but actually I just don’t care” that are as adorable as they are awkward. “Tender Forever” is more in keeping with the rest of the album as danceable synth-pop. The album will wet your taste buds, but her live performance would have made you wet yourself. – Blake Wilkinson
[You can find a couple free mp3s from the record at http://www.takemybreathaway.net/showsreports.html. While you’re there take time to listen to the track “Are You For Real” by Tender Forever’s friends (p’haps ‘friend’ – I think it’s one woman) Squeeze Me I Squeak. It’s wonderful. – Ross]
:::::::::::::: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUBMISSIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
email thelexingtonproject@yahoo.com
Short and sweet Lex Pro with three new contributors. Thanks to Dickie Haydon and Jackson Silvanik for their help with The Picks. And, thanks to Blake Wilkinson, whom I’ve been badgering to write something for six months now, for the review of Tender Forever’s new cd.
Two shows this past weekend (weekend-extended, I guess) reaffirmed my belief in the power of live music and public experiences. Calvin Johnson and Tender Forever absolutely charmed me (in a very Jonathan Richman sort of way) on Sunday night at Underlying Themes. Next night, same spot, The Thing and Joe McPhee crushed me with their visceral wailing. I left both shows floating. So, it is with renewed vigor that I implore you, GET OUT GET OUT and see something new! There is so much good stuff going on in this town.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Ross
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
** Sunday, November 27 - African Dance Workshop @ Mecca
This Sunday, November 27 from 2-3:30pm, Mecca presents an African dance workshop with accomplished teacher, artist, actress, storyteller and dancer Kibibi Ajanku, director of the Sankofa Dance Theater in Baltimore. For more information, contact the studio at info@meccadance.com or by phone at 254-9790.
** Thursday, December 1 - A double dose of interesting film opportunities …
OK, film enthusiasts, you’ve got two worthy events to choose from next Thursday.
At 7:30pm in the auditorium of the Oswald Building on the campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College (formerly LCC), our friends at the Bluegrass Film Society will be screening the Russian film “Kukushka” (English Title: Cuckoo). Here’s a synopsis from the Sony Classics website, “September of 1944, a few days before Finland went out of the Second World War. A chained to a rock Finnish sniper-kamikaze Veikko managed to set himself free. Ivan, a captain of the Soviet Army, arrested by the Front Secret Police 'Smersh', has a narrow escape. They are soldiers of the two enemy armies. A Lapp woman Anni gives shelter to both of them at her farm. For Anni they are not enemies, but just men.” The screening is FREE and open to the public. http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com
At 8:30pm at the new Mecca location (451 Chair Avenue – just off S. Broadway near Bolivar – across the street from UK’s Reynolds Bldg), the Outside the Spotlight jazz and improvised music series presents “The Animated Adventures of Knox: an emotional portrait in sound and image,” a new work by New York filmmakers Tom Abbs, M.P. Landis, and Michael Sanzone with a live soundtrack to the screening provided by NYC free jazz quartet Frequency Response (see The Picks for more info). Admission is $3, all ages welcome. http://outsidethespotlight.blogspot.com, http://knoxmovie.com
** Help KFTC while doing your holiday shopping online
An easy way to contribute to our favorite community activist organization, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth. If you sign up with iGive.com with KFTC as your cause and then access any of more than 600 online stores through the iGive site a percentage of the purchase will come to KFTC. There also may be a $5 signup bonus to KFTC if you make purchases within 45 days of becoming a member. To sign up go to http://www.igive.com/kftc and then follow the instructions. The only thing to remember after that is each time you go online to shop is to go to the iGive site first to sign in before accessing the store you plan to shop at.
** A quick look ahead …
A little slow these next couple of weeks, but things explode in the second week of December. Specifically, the Dec.9-11 timeframe is packed with great haps. Here’s some info to help you start mapping out that weekend:
>> Friday, December 9 - Outside the Spotlight 3rd Anniversary Celebration/Performance @ Firebird Studio – The little weird-jazz series that could turns three with the help of the NYC’s Sabir Mateen Quartet and Cincinnati’s ISWHAT?! Fire-jazz, hip hop, and FREE cake and wine – can’t beat that. Show starts at 8pm. Admission is $5, all ages welcome. outsidethespotlight.blogspot.com
>> Fri-Sat, Dec. 9-10 – Mecca presents “Muse, A Reverence to the Divine Deities of the Ancient Worlds” @ Lexington Children's Theater - A collaborative performance between Mecca, the UK Dance Program, and famed NYC dancer/choeographer Dalia Carella based on the works of Ruth St. Denis. It’s been a long time since Mecca’s last large scale conceptual production (has it been three years since “One Veiling” sold out Singletary Center?). You don’t want to miss this one. meccadance.com
>> Fri-Sun, Dec. 9-11 - Rogue Theater presents “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll” by Eric Bogosian @ Underlying Themes - The Rogue Society Players, Russell Williamson’s renegade theater troupe that stormed the scene a couple years ago with a wonderful reworking of “Waiting for Lefty” (which they staged at, among other places, The Dame), tackles Eric Bogosian’s “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll” in the Underlying Themes loft. Forget your previous staid and boring theater experiences, and go see what innovative independent theater can be.
** And, while we’re looking ahead, why not look waaaaaaaay down the line …
>> Sunday, January 15 – The new Lexington Underground Performing Arts Series debuts at Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short St. Outside the Spotlight has provided an outlet for touring experimental/jazz/improvising artists to present their music to Lexington. LUPAS, a monthly series (3rd Sunday of every month at Firebird), is designed to give local artists working in that vein a chance to stretch out. For more information, email informationactivists@yahoo.com
>> Saturday, February 25 – Lexington’s 3rd annual Mardi Gras Jazz Parade! Outside of the city’s unofficial Halloween parade aka Mecca’s “Thriller!” resurrection, the Mardi Gras Jazz Parade is Lexington’s only true example of a people’s parade. It’s freaks in the streets making joyful noise and celebrating the opportunity to celebrate. And, you can be a part of it (c’mon, all y’all have a bit of freak in you). Check out http://lexingtonmardigrasparade.blogspot.com for more info. And for a sneak peek at the band we’re hoping will lead the parade, check out http://www.burntsugarindex.com.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Wednesday, November 23 through Wednesday, December 7 :::::::::::
:: Thursday, November 24 ::
SEXUAL DISASTER QUARTET w/Q*BURNS ABSTRACT MESSAGE @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
Need to beat a Thanksgiving retreat from your family? The Dame’s the spot. SDQ will fill the night with groovy groovy funky stuff and Q*Burns will be spinning a late-night set to help you dance off your Thanksgiving excesses.
:: Friday, November 25 ::
SCOURGE OF THE SEA w/NANA AND THE BOY NOISE and MARK CHARLES @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
Whenever someone asks Bub at Gumbo Ya Ya (you know Bub – the big, charming, bald guy who greets you with a “hey, boss” when you enter the S. Broadway location) what a sauce tastes like, he always says, “you tell me” and grabs a sample for them. I’m growing weary of typing “great local indie/folk/rock” for Scourge of the Sea, so I’ll direct you to the new tracks they have up on Myspace.com and let you tell me what they sound like. Seriously … can someone help me with a more eloquent description of these guys. I feel like I’m doing them a huge disservice. http://myspace.com/thescourgeofthesea
Show up early, you don’t want to miss Mark Charles. It’s our friend Mark Heidinger of the Apparitions playing a solo set.
:: Saturday, November 26 ::
PARLOUR BOYS w/PETTICOAT, PETTICOAT, IN ENDEAVORS ITALYA and THE OXFORD FARM REPORT @ Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short St – 7pm, all ages, $5
Parlour Boys - Well-rehearsed and even better-dressed, it's safe to say you'll want to bring a dance partner along when seeing these guys. Upon first listen it's obvious that these 5 gentlemen have more than a few U2 records in their collection, but their songwriting and live show are clear indications that they've done their fair share of rock 'n roll research. They also don't play all-ages shows very often, so if you're under 21 and haven't had the chance to see them yet, I'd steal $5 from Mom's change purse. http://www.parlourboys.com.
Petticoat, Petticoat - (words by Jackson Silvanik) - This lady and 3 young lads seem to be Lexington's only true indie-pop outfit. Though they draw from many present-day indie-rock icons, their music would not sound out of place on a mixtape of classic songs from the 60’s and 70’s. This four-piece showcases the vocal talents of the beautiful Kristin Messina, and she wastes no time proving that she’s not just a pretty face (though she is that, as well). Their recently self-recorded and released EP, "White Love," is now available at all of their shows. If you're planning on checking them out, be sure to wear a few flowers in your hair. http://myspace.com/petticoatpetticoat
In Endeavors Italya - Featuring members from the now defunct Sink Or Swim, IEI have quickly become one of Lexington's hottest young bands. Playing virtually every show they can get on, Gerren, Clif, Patrick, and Del have built up a noticeably loyal fan base in only the past few months. Combining aggressive guitar riffs and vocals with danceable bass and drum patterns, one could easily compare these kids to At The Drive-In, Les Savy Fav, or Beep Beep. http://myspace.com/inendeavorsitalya
The Oxford Farm Report - Okay. Take the better half of Elvis, a dash or two of Primus, and a healthy dose of We Vs. The Shark. Now you've got The Oxford Farm Report. After witnessing this band's ridiculously bipolar tendencies, one can see that their influences stretch from one end of the musical spectrum to the next. Oh, and they're also a 3-piece. Needless to say, it's required that each one of these boys give 110% of their efforts to the songs they perform. And trust me, they do. http://myspace.com/theoxfordfarmreport
– Dickie Haydon
[Full disclosure: Dickie plays guitar and sings in Petticoat, Petticoat. That’s why Jackson filled out that part of the preview.]
:: Thursday, December 1 ::
film screening with live free-jazz soundtrack – “The Animated Adventures of Knox”
accompanied by TOM ABBS & FREQUENCY RESPONSE @ Mecca, 451 Chair Avenue
8:30pm sharp!, all ages, $3
NYC bassist Tom Abbs has turned out tons of quality work lately with ensembles including Active Ingredients (with trombonist Steve Swell, saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc, and percussionist Chad Taylor), Triptych Myth (a trio with pianist Cooper-Moore and Taylor), and Transmitting (with NYC poet Jane LeCroy and Cincinnati mc Napoleon Maddox of ISWHAT?!). For better or for worse though I’ll always remember him for almost coming to blows with the aforementioned Swell after a September 2003 gig at Natasha’s Café. Yeah, you’d assume it was typical touring-related frustrations – p’haps old dude’s always hogging the car stereo or running his gums about something about which he knows nothing. Nope, this was about the playing. Near fisticuffs over musical shortcomings in front of a crowd of maybe ten people (including the wait staff)! These guys take the music seriously.
Anyhoo, Abbs makes his first return trip to Lexington since that infamous Natasha’s gig with his Frequency Response ensemble (which features members of the Chicago Underground Duo and Sticks and Stones) next Thursday. The group will be providing a live soundtrack for a new film by Abbs, M.P. Landis, and Michael Sanzone entitled “The Animated Adventures of Knox.” Here’s an excerpt from Abbs’ director’s notes: “The Animated Adventures of Knox chronicles the development of emotional states throughout a lifetime. Your sense of love grows and changes. Your sense of guilt can grow and take over. Your self-awareness, your sense of wonder and the sense of your place in the world, each grows and changes and can go off track. Once madness has come, it is forever a part of you. It's an internal world, an ongoing drama that controls perception. These patterns are the biggest characters in my life. The interactions of these characters define me. The dramatization of it all is just an attempt to gain some respectable level of self knowledge.” Expect a meditative, (mostly) abstract exploration of personal and urban landscapes. And, hopefully, no fisticuffs.
For audio and visual samples, check out http://jumparts.org/tomabbsounds.html and http://knoxmovie.com.
[Full disclosure: I helped organize this show.]
:: Friday, December 2 ::
“Open Studio” @ UK’s Reynolds Bldg, off S. Broadway near Bolivar
5-10pm, all ages, FREE
Open Studio, UK’s sprawling annual showcase of student artwork, can feel like a flea market. Save for the 2nd floor gallery (which usually houses a juried exhibit of work by upper level students) and the photography room, the work usually appears in cluttered groupings along hallway and classroom walls and ledges. Purusing the work is visually exhausting, but like a flea market, time spent digging through the mess occasionally leads to an exciting discovery.
The rub of this Open Studio evening may be a musical performance by percussionist Jordan Munson and friends. Munson and five others will be playing sculptures while Jason Corder (lights like windows) and Chuck Moreland (Tryptamine Arkestra, psychoactive sound) sample and remix the sounds live. If that weren’t interesting enough, the loosely conducted improv will be based on the narrative of Siddhartha.
As per usual, organization for the event is seemingly non-existent. So, I can’t tell you exactly when the performance will go down (even Jordan didn’t know). My best guess is that it’ll begin sometime around the middle of the event. So, 7:30ish? Just a guess. You’re going to have to show up, hang out, and hope for the best. There’ll be free food and beverage to keep you company.
:: Also worthwhile in the November 23 – December 7 timeframe ::
Wed/Nov 23 WILL HOGE @ The Dame
Wed/Nov 23 MY MORNING JACKET w/VHS OR BETA @ The Louisville Palace (Louisville)
Sat/Nov 26 SUNDAY VALLEY w/THE DEEHAWKS @ The Dame
Fri/Dec 2 CRACKER (acoustic) @ The Dame
Fri/Dec 2 THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND @ Headliners (Louisville)
:: Soon Soon ::
Fri/Dec 9 SABIR MATEEN QUINTET w/ISWHAT?! @ Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short – all ages
Fri-Sat/Dec 9-10 dance – “Muse, A Reverence to the Divine Deities of the Ancient Worlds” @ Lexington Children’s Theater - www.meccadance.com
Fri-Sun/Dec 9-11 theater - “Sex Drugs & Rock N’Roll” @ Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper – all ages
Sat/Dec 10 SELF-EVIDENT w/VANISHING KIDS @ The Comet (Cincinnati)
Wed/Dec 14 MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD w/WITH HONOR, MODERN LIFE IS A WAR, THE DISTANCE, and THIS IS HELL @ ArtsPlace, 161 N. Mill St – all ages, www.counterfiction.com
Wed/Dec 14 IRON AND WINE/CALEXICO @ Headliners (Louisville) – ages 18+
Sat/Dec 17 BYRON HOUSE w/HAVES AND THIRDS, ODEM PRESS, LIMP LUNGS, and 396 MOUNTAINS @ Bornmugged – all ages
Sat/Dec 17 THE APPARITIONS w/SUNDAY RUNNER @ The Dame
Sat/Jan 14 JESSICA PAVONE/MARY HALVORSON @ Firebird Studio, 359 W. Short – all ages, outsidethespotlght.blogspot.com
:: Pertinent resources ::
__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif - http://www.dameky.com
MECCA studio/gallery, 451 Chair Avenue, off S.Broadway near Bolivar - http://www.meccadance.com
UNDERLYING THEMES LOFT SPACE, 110 S. Upper (above Busters) – http://www.underlyingthemes.com
CHARLES MANSION - http://www.charlesmansion.orghttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
NATASHA'S CAFE, 112 Esplanade - http://www.beetnik.com/
FAUNTLEROY’S CAFÉ, 640 W. Maxwell – ph. 859/455-8188
THE ICEHOUSE, 412 Cross St (off W.Maxwell), Lexington
DOWNTOWN ARTS CENTER, 141 E. Main St, Lexington – http://www.lexarts.org
ARTSPLACE, 161 N.Mill St, Lexington
LEXINGTONSHOWS.com (all ages show listings) - http://www.lexingtonshows.com
COUNTER FICTION (more all ages show listings) – http://www.counterfiction.com
CRICKET PRESS (amazing local poster art) - http://www.cricket-press.com
WRFL 88.1FM (UK's student-run radio station) - http://wrfl.uky.edu
YOU AIN’T NO PICASSO (great locally-produced music blog) – http://www.youaintnopicasoo.com
__Louisville__
LAVA (Louisville Assembly of Vanguard Artists) HOUSE - 927 Shelby Parkway, Louisville - http://www.lavahouse.org
HEADLINERS MUSIC HALL, Louisville - 1386 Lexington Road, ph. 502/584-8088 - www.headlinerslouisville.com
UNCLE PLEASANTS, 2126 S. Preston, Louisville - p.502/634-4147
THE RUDYARD KIPLING, 422 West Oak Street, Louisville -
http://www.therudyardkipling.com/pages/206999/index.htm
OLD LOUISVILLE COFFEHOUSE, 1489 S. Fourth St, Louisville - ph. 502/635-6660
PRODUCTION SIMPLE (produce many of the events at Headliners and Uncle Pleasants) – http://www.productionsimplehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif.com)
__Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky__
THE SOUTHGATE HOUSE, Newport, KY - http://www.southgatehouse.com
ALCHEMIZE, 1122 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.alchemizebar.com
THE COMET, 4579 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.cometbar.com
BOGART'S, 2621 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.bogarts.com
THE MOCKBEE (formerly SS NOVA), 2260 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH - http://www.ssnova.org
NORTHSIDE TAVERN, 4163 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH – http://www.northside-tavern.com
Know of an upcoming event that others should get hip to? Let us know - email informationactivists@yahoo.com
All Picks by Ross Compton unless otherwise noted.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: CD REVIEW :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tender Forever
The Soft and Hardcore
(K Records, 2005)
For all twenty lucky people in attendance Sunday at the Tender Forever/Calvin Johnson show (last Sunday @ Underlying Themes), you witnessed first hand the jewel of France. Between the goofy frolics and cardboard computers I was entranced. So much so that I agreed to fill in for The Late, Late Show on RFL just to play The Soft and the Hardcore as quickly as possible. I must say I was a bit disappointed, and after listening, I’ve concluded that the greatest appeal to Tender Forever was the playful antics of Melanie Valera. That’s not to say the record is charm-less; it just lacked the same energy. It still served as an endearing indie pop record with highlights including “Then If I’m Weird I Want To Share” and “Tender Forever.” “Then If I’m Weird I Want to Share” is the sole acoustic track with lyrics such as “people told me/ that you’re too sexy/ too sexy for me/ but actually I just don’t care” that are as adorable as they are awkward. “Tender Forever” is more in keeping with the rest of the album as danceable synth-pop. The album will wet your taste buds, but her live performance would have made you wet yourself. – Blake Wilkinson
[You can find a couple free mp3s from the record at http://www.takemybreathaway.net/showsreports.html. While you’re there take time to listen to the track “Are You For Real” by Tender Forever’s friends (p’haps ‘friend’ – I think it’s one woman) Squeeze Me I Squeak. It’s wonderful. – Ross]
:::::::::::::: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUBMISSIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
email thelexingtonproject@yahoo.com
