Wednesday, June 07, 2006
TLP June 7, 2006
Thanks to Brian Manley, Chris Bush, Brian Connors Manke, and Jeb Hightower for their help. Congratulations Mick and Lucy!
Hope all are well.
Ross
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
** Tues/June 20 - Eastern State Hospital Cemetery Club Meeting
What: First meeting of the Eastern State Hospital Cemetery Club
When: Tuesday, June 20, 7pm
Where: Third Street Stuff Coffee, 257 North Limestone Street, Lexington
Contact Person: Bruce Burris (859) 806-0195 latitudearts@yahoo.com
Description of event: A broken chain linked fence enclosure surrounds a small overgrown cemetery area in which it is estimated that the remains of as many as 4000+ may rest. There are no markers naming any of the individuals buried in this space, and the space itself is left to weeds. The initial goals of the ESH Cemetery Club will be to restore some dignity to the grounds and to begin the process of documenting the names of individuals who are buried on hospital grounds. Please leave political agendas and finger pointing at home! We are meeting only to create a respectful environment for those who have passed away many years ago.
** Through the end of June - Cricket Press poster exhibit at Alfalfa restaurant
We’ve all marveled at the glorious hand printed posters Cricket Press (aka Brian and Sara Turner) turn out for the best shows coming to Lex and the area. Well, now you can see an impressive collection of them all in one spot – Alfalfa restaurant. Stop by the restaurant in June and, not only will you be treated to a great meal, but great poster art as well. For more info, call the restaurant at 253-0014. You can sneak a peek of the posters online at http://www.cricket-press.com. (Check out the new selection of rings they’ve got in stock too. I just stumbled on them when checking to make sure the web address was right. Really really cool.)
** Through Sat/June 10 - Lauren Argo installation/performance piece at PROOF in Louisville
Our friend (and occasional LexPro contributor) Lauren Argo is in the midst of an installation/performance piece entitled “Life As Art” in Louisville. For six days (the piece began on Sunday, June 4 and will run through Saturday, June 10), Argo will be living in an enclosed window space at 21C’s restaurant PROOF at 700 Main Street in Louisville. With exception of bathroom and show breaks, Argo will only use a privacy curtain for changing. Virtually every aspect of her life on public display behind a glass wall in an 8 X 5 space. The installation is set in a small space filled with a few everyday living commodities and artistic materials. At the start of the performance, the back wall will be blank to serve as a canvas for the piece. This wall will be filled with collage throughout the week by the artist’s inspirations and reactions to the experience. Argo says, “By exploring the ideas of public and private, reality and presentation, observer and performer, I am trying to find out if one can exist without the other. Because the window insures that the artist is never without the possibility of an audience, can the artist ever be in a state of living and not performing? The project’s purpose is to present private life in a public space and naturally express the experience that comes under such circumstances through performance.” Can’t make it to the ‘ville? Check out the webcam at http://www.proofonmain.com.
** Sun/June 11 - Louis Bickett’s ‘Cultural Mudding Ritual’ at Underlying Themes
This Sunday, our friend Zoellar Bickett II presents “The Cultural Mudding Ritual,” a performance work featuring models Ashley Keith and Justin Hannah, at 8pm at Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper St. It’s Louis’ first mudding in years, so expect a crowd and expect to wait patiently (word is peeps will be ushered in and out in 30 minute shifts so that everyone can catch a glimpse).
EDIT: THE SUMMER SERIES HAS BEEN CANCELLED. LOOK FOR BFS TO BE BACK IN THE FALL. ** Bluegrass Film Society Summer Schedule
Our continuing update of the BFS summer schedule … next up, the Bosnian film “No Mans Land” (June 13), then, the Japanese film “Pulse” (June 20). The films are shown in the Auditorium in the Oswald Building on the Campus of Bluegrass Community and Technical College (formerly LCC) and are FREE. All films start at 5:30pm.You can find the full schedule at http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com/2006/04/summer-schedule.html.
** Fri/June 16 - Opening reception for “Stories About Mountaintop Removal” by Cynthia Ryan Kelly at LexArts’ City Gallery
LexArts invites all to the opening reception for Cynthia Ryan Kelly’s “Stories About Mountaintop Removal” Friday, June 16th from 5-8pm at Lex Arts’s City Gallery in the Downtown Arts Center (on the second floor, directly above Alfalfa restaurant). Here’s a little info about Ms. Kelly and the exhibit:
Raised in the architecturally progressive prairie town of Columbus, Indiana, Cynthia was exposed to contemporary art on a daily basis.
This spawned an interest in the visual arts and she went on to receive formal training at Miami University of Ohio (BFA), University of Kentucky (MFA) and The Marchutz School of Painting in Aix-en- Provence, France. She has exhibited her work in regional and national venues for twenty years. Currently she has representation by Chapman Friedman Gallery in Louisville.
In recent years Cynthia has discovered a voice making social statements within her narrative paintings. This body of work has developed out of her growing social consciousness. In the summer of 2005 she was galvanized into action to make art about the controversial topic of mountaintop removal of coal. With the generous aid of The Kentucky Foundation for Women and the support of LexArts, this show "Stories About Mountaintop Removal" has been created to raise awareness about this method of extracting coal and its effects on women and their families in Eastern Kentucky. This is a body of work that is likely to be ongoing as the imagery continues to appear and the need for people to hear these stories is ever increasing.
** Fri/June 16 – “An Inconvenient Truth” opens at the Kentucky Theatre
The opening date for “An Inconvenient Truth,” the global warming documentary much in the news lately, has been moved up one week. It’ll open Friday, June 16th at the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street. You can find a trailer online at http://www.stopglobalwarming.org
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Wednesday, June 7 through Wednesday, June 21 :::::::::::
:: Thursday, June 8 ::
THE SMACKS! w/THE VIBROLAS and RICHARD JAMES & THE SPECIAL RIDERS
@ Lisa’s Oak Street Lounge, 1004 E. Oak St (Louisville)
10pm, ages 21+, $5
Big truck drivin' rockabilly/surfabilly/punk influenced show.
The Vibrolas (Waynesburg, KY) will just be returning from their tour supporting their newest release, "From Parts Unknown" (Eugene Records). The Smacks! (Louisville/Lexington) are still supporting their newly released CD, "Here Lieth the Smacks! Protected by the Ejaculation of Serpents" (Dog Whistle Records). The Angel Sluts (Memphis) are out on the road touring for their new EP, "Hot Teen Action" (Wrecked'Em Wreckords). And, Richard James & the Special Riders (nashville) are right behind them with a new 7" called "Jeff Gunn" (Wrecked'Em).
Lots of noise, lots of bands, lots of guitars and drums, lots of fun, lots of parentheses filled with cities and record labels. You can't lose!!!
http://www.vibrolas.com/, http://www.myspace.com./thesmacks, http://www.geocities.com/nowwave/records/angelsluts.html, http://www.geocities.com/nowwave/records/richardjames.html
[Descriptions/info courtesy of our friend Brian Manley of the Smacks!)
:: Friday, June 9 ::
HAIR POLICE w/COUNTRY TEASERS and ARA @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
Fresh off an assault on the American northeast Lexington’s Hair Police set their sights on the Friday night Dame crowd. Watch out for the drunk woman in her late thirties throwing fists when the Hair dudes launch into bee scrape. Country Teasers and ARA will provide support. Well into their stateside tour, and fresh off an All Tomorrow’s Parties gig curated by the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, Scotland’s Country Teasers approach rock music very loosely with jangly guitars and acerbic lyrical onslaughts. ARA is the solo moniker donned by Eyes and Arms of Smoke/ Auk Theater affiliate Sara O’ Keefe. Expect stunning clarinet layers accompanied by mesmerizing visual projections. Her recent performance at the Charles Mansion left those in attendance melted to the floor. – Chris Bush
:: Saturday, June 10 ::
THE SWELLS w/OPAL FLY @ The Dame
7pm, ages 21+, $3
The references I’m about to make will only perk the ears of the true old schoolers amongst us, but don’t let that dissuade you from attending. Opal Fly = Mary Schaap, who for awhile was wife of Frank Schaap and before that a member of Skillet with Warren Byrom – trumpet playing Warren, whom many of you will recognize from gigs with the Swells, but whom was also a member of the seminal Lexington band pollywog - and Mychele Woolley who was then in Gatorbait. OK, so the references may not ring your bell, but the music will. For this show, the two ladies will be joined by two gents – the aforementioned Warren Byrom and Chris Sullivan. Expect a beautiful cacophony of saxophone, ukelele, trumpet, and guitar knocking out jazz standards from the 1940’s, as well as original tunes.
:: Wednesday, June 14 ::
NEW RADIANT STORM KING w/HIGH WATER MARKS @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
From the I-thought-they-we’re-dead file comes New Radiant Storm King, minor mid-90’s indie icons from Amherst, MA heretofore best known for their skill at choosing to release their records on labels that would soon go belly-up and for being the former band of one of my favorite art-scuzz rockers/poppers, Elizabeth Sharp (aka Ill Ease). Well, they are alive (with members of the Pernice Brothers and the Bigger Lovers manning the helm), and they’re still making the wonderfully melodic indie pop/rock. They’re new record “The Steady Hand” was just released on Darla Records. Go out and welcome them back to town. If memory serves me, they’ve not been in Lexington since a Fall 1996 date at the Wrocklage with local legends Tim (I still feel guilty for leaving before NRSK played). Check out http://myspace.com/newradiantstormking and http://www.furnacerock.com/ for more details and free tunes.
High Water Marks = jangly, distorted pop perfection featuring members of the Apples in Stereo (Hilary Sidney), Palermo (Per Ole Bratset), Oranger (Jim Lindsey), and the Fakes and Attempt (Mike Snowden). I heart them.
:: Thursday, June 15 ::
DYNASTY w/THE COUGHS, THREE LEGGED RACE, and INTENSE ELECTRIC
@ The Frowny Bear, 208 Forest Park – 9pm, all ages, $donations requested for traveling bands
A noisy night at the Bear with projects featuring members of Kites (Dynasty, from Providence), Hair Police and Eyes and Arms of Smoke (Three Legged Race and Intense Electric), and Walter Carson (also, Intense Electric), and six-piece Chicago kling-klangers The Coughs.
:: Friday, June 16 ::
Gallery Hop! @ locations throughout downtown Lexington
5-8pm, all ages, FREE!
The last Hop of the season. For full details, go to http://lexarts.org/programs_galleryhop.php.
:: Friday, June 16 ::
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $15 – advance tix available at CD Central, 377 S. Limestone
So, this morning Ross asked if I could chip in a preview for Alejandro Escovedo coming to the Dame. I’m at work, but amazingly enough, one of the CD’s I have here is Alejandro’s new one - ‘The Boxing Mirror.’ Screw work - let’s talk about music.
I haven’t listened to it a ton yet, but, even from the little bit that I have, I can tell you its pretty damn good. Even on the little cruddy Vextra brand CD/Radio I have (sorry, don’t know the model number for all those wanting to score one) - where the cellos sound more like distant vacuums, drums are non-existent, and the vocals are all thinned-out, high-end shards of treble - despite all that, it still sounds great.
But wait - I’m going home for lunch because the refrigerator at work is broke. I can grab the disc for the short trip home.
Oh yeah, sounds better in the car. He’s so sneaky good on his ballad-type material like "The Ladder" - you’re left thinking "That’s so simple, I could have written that" - But, you didn’t! And, if you tried to it would likely, nay, you would definitely pale in comparison.
I had turkey, mushrooms, onions and mozzarella cooked in a skillet and then thrown on a flour tortilla. Not bad.
Back in the car - and yes, the dude can still rock. When he wants to rip it on guitar, he can not only embarrass singer-songwriters that strum the day away, but he can kick the ass of a few rockers too. Like most of the singer-songwriters I find interesting, Alejandro comes from a diverse background. Hit his back catalog for some trips through punk and tough roots rock - the Nuns, Rank and File, the True Believers, Buick MacKane. Do it!
That’s what you’ll get at an Alejandro show too - diversity. You have the beautiful, introspective tunes that will make you cuddle up next to that special someone, and then he’ll bleed that electric wanker through the amps with enough sweat and grit that your special someone might cuddle you the next time out of fear. Now, that’s entertainment. Back to work.
– Brian Connors Manke
:: Wednesday, June 21 ::
HOWLIN’ RAIN w/WARMER MILKS and HUSH ARBORS @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
Howlin’ Rain is a new collaborative super group featuring Comets on Fire’s Ethan Miller and John Moloney of Sunburned Hand of the Man. It’s music that’s somewhat revivalist in nature and undeniably American. Miller explains, “We put Howlin’ Rain together with the intention of making a good old fashioned free-wheeling rock album with a bared soul and a body in which Joy, hysteria and Darkness all lie upon the same rambling bones. We make music to beat the steering wheel of you van to or sing a long with while drinking whiskey in the bathtub on a Saturday night with your dog.” On tour with the Rain are Lexington dirt bag heroes Warmer Milks and the plaintive wonder that is Hush Arbors. The Milks have been charting a ridiculous amount of road time, drinking PBR by the gallon, and are continuing on their path of destruction all the way until their new LP ‘Radish on Light’ hits your mind next month. Witnesses are still speaking of the horrible sights they encountered during the Milk’s tour-ender with Bonnie Billy in Memphis. Hush Arbors fill the gig with an arresting ability to lull. Go to http://husharbors.com right now and download “wait for awhile” … really… right now… it’s a pretty good song.
- Chris Bush
:: Wednesday, June 21 ::
LYRICS BORN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
9pm, ages 18+, $10 advance/$13 at the door
This cat is where it's at. I've been a fan of Lyrics Born (formerly know as Asia Born) for a long time now. Everything he spouts is gold. It's clever, challenging, spiritual, fun, poetic, tongue-twisting, and (as far as I'm concerned) legendary. He and Gift of Gab have absolutely blown my mind with their verbal swordplay. I couldn't give a higher recommendation for his solo album and all his collaborations. He and his compatriots have transformed the medium, inspired hundreds of fans aand fellow rappers and djs, and sadly, struggled to get recognition or exposure. (At least one of his songs was in a diet coke commercial--great for exposure, bad cuz
it's sellin stuff.) But now he will be LIVE, and CLOSE--at the Southgate House. I still can't believe it. I've heard his albums and live performances on vinyl and cd and loved em, but it can't compare to just the OPPORTUNITY to actually see him live. There is a greater value in the live experience than the manufactured one, so sayeth ME! So be there, or be []. (Special thanks to Ross, he gave me my first exposure to him in 1999--it's been life-altering.) - Jeb Hightower
:: Also worthwhile in the May 10 - 24 timeframe ::
Every Friday RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Nema’s Grille (Frankfort) – meccadance.com
Every Sunday THE BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE @ The Fishtank, corner of Euclid and Woodland – 9pm, no cover
Fri/June 9 MIMIC MISHAP @ The Fishtank
Sat/June 10 THE OTHER BROTHER @ The Fishtank
Mon/June 12 DAR WILLIAMS @ The Dame
Tues/June 13 THE STILLS w/ROGUE WAVE @ Headliners (Louisville)
Thurs/June 15 LEO KOTTKE @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Fri/June 16 MARAH w/JACKIE GREENE @ Headliners (Louisville)
Sat/June 17 DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND @ The Dame
Sat/June 17 ATMOSPHERE w/BROTHER ALI, DAREDEVILZ, and LOS NATIVOS @ Headliners (Louisville)
Wed/June 21 LYRICS BORN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
:: Soon Soon ::
Thurs/June 22 COUSIN w/MARGOT AND THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S @ The Dame
Fri/June 23 THE BOTTLE ROCKETS w/BOBBY BARE JR @ The Dame
Fri-Sun/June 23-25 Desdemona Music Festival featuring ANNIE, THE FIERY FURNACES, THE STILLS, ROGUE WAVE, THE WALKMEN, FORGET CASSETTES, RICHARD SWIFT, RADIO 4, COUSIN, and more @ Sawyer Point Waterfront Park (Cincinnati) – all ages, http://desdemonafestival.com
Sat/June 24 G-FUNK ALLSTARS @ The Dame
Sat/June 24 THE WALKMEN w/RICHARD SWIFT and INSTANT CAMERA @ Headliners (Louisville)
Sun/June 25 WOODEN WAND w/RELIGIOUS KNIVES and EYES AND ARMS OF SMOKE @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – all ages
Sun/June 25 DAVID BAZAN (of Pedro the Lion) @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Mon/June 26 THE LATE B.P. HELIUM w/THEE AMERICAN REVOLUION @ The Dame
Tues/June 27 An evening with STEVERINO and LEE @ The Dame
Fri/June 30 THE APPARITIONS w/SCOURGE OF THE SEA @ The Dame
Mon/July 3 DRAGONS 1976 @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages
Thurs/July 13 SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE w/EYES AND ARMS OF SMOKE @ The Dame
Fri/July 14 PUFFY AMIYUMI @ Bogart’s (Cincinnati)
Tues/July 18 DRESSY BESSY @ The Dame
Thurs/July 20 PETTICOAT, PETTICOAT w/NANA AND THE BOY NOISE and THE LOVE COATS @ The Dame
Tues/July 25 JENS LEKMAN w/FRIDA HYVONEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Fri+Sat/July 28-29 Forecastle Festival featuring THE APPLES IN STEREO and SLEATER-KINNEY @ The Mellwood Art Center (Louisville) – all ages, http://forecastlefest.com
Fri-Sun/July 28-30 Lite Brite Indie Pop and Film Test featuring DANIELSON (Friday), MISSION OF BURMA (Saturday), and CAMERA OBSCURA (Sunday) @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Fri/July 21 THE PHARCYDE @ The Dame
Sun/July 23 JOLIE HOLLAND w/SEAN HAYES @ The Dame – ages 18+
Thurs/Aug 10 DON CABALLERO @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Tues/Aug 15 OF MONTREAL w/THE MINDERS @ Headliners (Louisville)
:: Pertinent resources ::
__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexington - http://www.dameky.com
MECCA dance 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 (no longer a venue, but a good resource for digging into underground Lexington haps) – http://www.charlesmansion.org
FIREBIRD STUDIO, 359 W. Short St – http://firebirdlexington.com
HIGH LIFE LOUNGE, University Plaza (corner of Woodland and Euclid) – ph. 859/455-8890
THE FISHTANK, corner of Woodland and Euclid Ave - http://www.thefishtankbar.com
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 (metal/punk/hardcore 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://wrfl881.org/
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.productionsimple.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.
:::::::::::::: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUBMISSIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
email thelexingtonproject@yahoo.com
Hope all are well.
Ross
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Announcements :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
** Tues/June 20 - Eastern State Hospital Cemetery Club Meeting
What: First meeting of the Eastern State Hospital Cemetery Club
When: Tuesday, June 20, 7pm
Where: Third Street Stuff Coffee, 257 North Limestone Street, Lexington
Contact Person: Bruce Burris (859) 806-0195 latitudearts@yahoo.com
Description of event: A broken chain linked fence enclosure surrounds a small overgrown cemetery area in which it is estimated that the remains of as many as 4000+ may rest. There are no markers naming any of the individuals buried in this space, and the space itself is left to weeds. The initial goals of the ESH Cemetery Club will be to restore some dignity to the grounds and to begin the process of documenting the names of individuals who are buried on hospital grounds. Please leave political agendas and finger pointing at home! We are meeting only to create a respectful environment for those who have passed away many years ago.
** Through the end of June - Cricket Press poster exhibit at Alfalfa restaurant
We’ve all marveled at the glorious hand printed posters Cricket Press (aka Brian and Sara Turner) turn out for the best shows coming to Lex and the area. Well, now you can see an impressive collection of them all in one spot – Alfalfa restaurant. Stop by the restaurant in June and, not only will you be treated to a great meal, but great poster art as well. For more info, call the restaurant at 253-0014. You can sneak a peek of the posters online at http://www.cricket-press.com. (Check out the new selection of rings they’ve got in stock too. I just stumbled on them when checking to make sure the web address was right. Really really cool.)
** Through Sat/June 10 - Lauren Argo installation/performance piece at PROOF in Louisville
Our friend (and occasional LexPro contributor) Lauren Argo is in the midst of an installation/performance piece entitled “Life As Art” in Louisville. For six days (the piece began on Sunday, June 4 and will run through Saturday, June 10), Argo will be living in an enclosed window space at 21C’s restaurant PROOF at 700 Main Street in Louisville. With exception of bathroom and show breaks, Argo will only use a privacy curtain for changing. Virtually every aspect of her life on public display behind a glass wall in an 8 X 5 space. The installation is set in a small space filled with a few everyday living commodities and artistic materials. At the start of the performance, the back wall will be blank to serve as a canvas for the piece. This wall will be filled with collage throughout the week by the artist’s inspirations and reactions to the experience. Argo says, “By exploring the ideas of public and private, reality and presentation, observer and performer, I am trying to find out if one can exist without the other. Because the window insures that the artist is never without the possibility of an audience, can the artist ever be in a state of living and not performing? The project’s purpose is to present private life in a public space and naturally express the experience that comes under such circumstances through performance.” Can’t make it to the ‘ville? Check out the webcam at http://www.proofonmain.com.
** Sun/June 11 - Louis Bickett’s ‘Cultural Mudding Ritual’ at Underlying Themes
This Sunday, our friend Zoellar Bickett II presents “The Cultural Mudding Ritual,” a performance work featuring models Ashley Keith and Justin Hannah, at 8pm at Underlying Themes, 110 S. Upper St. It’s Louis’ first mudding in years, so expect a crowd and expect to wait patiently (word is peeps will be ushered in and out in 30 minute shifts so that everyone can catch a glimpse).
EDIT: THE SUMMER SERIES HAS BEEN CANCELLED. LOOK FOR BFS TO BE BACK IN THE FALL. ** Bluegrass Film Society Summer Schedule
Our continuing update of the BFS summer schedule … next up, the Bosnian film “No Mans Land” (June 13), then, the Japanese film “Pulse” (June 20). The films are shown in the Auditorium in the Oswald Building on the Campus of Bluegrass Community and Technical College (formerly LCC) and are FREE. All films start at 5:30pm.You can find the full schedule at http://bluegrassfilmsociety.blogspot.com/2006/04/summer-schedule.html.
** Fri/June 16 - Opening reception for “Stories About Mountaintop Removal” by Cynthia Ryan Kelly at LexArts’ City Gallery
LexArts invites all to the opening reception for Cynthia Ryan Kelly’s “Stories About Mountaintop Removal” Friday, June 16th from 5-8pm at Lex Arts’s City Gallery in the Downtown Arts Center (on the second floor, directly above Alfalfa restaurant). Here’s a little info about Ms. Kelly and the exhibit:
Raised in the architecturally progressive prairie town of Columbus, Indiana, Cynthia was exposed to contemporary art on a daily basis.
This spawned an interest in the visual arts and she went on to receive formal training at Miami University of Ohio (BFA), University of Kentucky (MFA) and The Marchutz School of Painting in Aix-en- Provence, France. She has exhibited her work in regional and national venues for twenty years. Currently she has representation by Chapman Friedman Gallery in Louisville.
In recent years Cynthia has discovered a voice making social statements within her narrative paintings. This body of work has developed out of her growing social consciousness. In the summer of 2005 she was galvanized into action to make art about the controversial topic of mountaintop removal of coal. With the generous aid of The Kentucky Foundation for Women and the support of LexArts, this show "Stories About Mountaintop Removal" has been created to raise awareness about this method of extracting coal and its effects on women and their families in Eastern Kentucky. This is a body of work that is likely to be ongoing as the imagery continues to appear and the need for people to hear these stories is ever increasing.
** Fri/June 16 – “An Inconvenient Truth” opens at the Kentucky Theatre
The opening date for “An Inconvenient Truth,” the global warming documentary much in the news lately, has been moved up one week. It’ll open Friday, June 16th at the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street. You can find a trailer online at http://www.stopglobalwarming.org
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: THE PICKS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
::::::::: Wednesday, June 7 through Wednesday, June 21 :::::::::::
:: Thursday, June 8 ::
THE SMACKS! w/THE VIBROLAS and RICHARD JAMES & THE SPECIAL RIDERS
@ Lisa’s Oak Street Lounge, 1004 E. Oak St (Louisville)
10pm, ages 21+, $5
Big truck drivin' rockabilly/surfabilly/punk influenced show.
The Vibrolas (Waynesburg, KY) will just be returning from their tour supporting their newest release, "From Parts Unknown" (Eugene Records). The Smacks! (Louisville/Lexington) are still supporting their newly released CD, "Here Lieth the Smacks! Protected by the Ejaculation of Serpents" (Dog Whistle Records). The Angel Sluts (Memphis) are out on the road touring for their new EP, "Hot Teen Action" (Wrecked'Em Wreckords). And, Richard James & the Special Riders (nashville) are right behind them with a new 7" called "Jeff Gunn" (Wrecked'Em).
Lots of noise, lots of bands, lots of guitars and drums, lots of fun, lots of parentheses filled with cities and record labels. You can't lose!!!
http://www.vibrolas.com/, http://www.myspace.com./thesmacks, http://www.geocities.com/nowwave/records/angelsluts.html, http://www.geocities.com/nowwave/records/richardjames.html
[Descriptions/info courtesy of our friend Brian Manley of the Smacks!)
:: Friday, June 9 ::
HAIR POLICE w/COUNTRY TEASERS and ARA @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
Fresh off an assault on the American northeast Lexington’s Hair Police set their sights on the Friday night Dame crowd. Watch out for the drunk woman in her late thirties throwing fists when the Hair dudes launch into bee scrape. Country Teasers and ARA will provide support. Well into their stateside tour, and fresh off an All Tomorrow’s Parties gig curated by the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, Scotland’s Country Teasers approach rock music very loosely with jangly guitars and acerbic lyrical onslaughts. ARA is the solo moniker donned by Eyes and Arms of Smoke/ Auk Theater affiliate Sara O’ Keefe. Expect stunning clarinet layers accompanied by mesmerizing visual projections. Her recent performance at the Charles Mansion left those in attendance melted to the floor. – Chris Bush
:: Saturday, June 10 ::
THE SWELLS w/OPAL FLY @ The Dame
7pm, ages 21+, $3
The references I’m about to make will only perk the ears of the true old schoolers amongst us, but don’t let that dissuade you from attending. Opal Fly = Mary Schaap, who for awhile was wife of Frank Schaap and before that a member of Skillet with Warren Byrom – trumpet playing Warren, whom many of you will recognize from gigs with the Swells, but whom was also a member of the seminal Lexington band pollywog - and Mychele Woolley who was then in Gatorbait. OK, so the references may not ring your bell, but the music will. For this show, the two ladies will be joined by two gents – the aforementioned Warren Byrom and Chris Sullivan. Expect a beautiful cacophony of saxophone, ukelele, trumpet, and guitar knocking out jazz standards from the 1940’s, as well as original tunes.
:: Wednesday, June 14 ::
NEW RADIANT STORM KING w/HIGH WATER MARKS @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
From the I-thought-they-we’re-dead file comes New Radiant Storm King, minor mid-90’s indie icons from Amherst, MA heretofore best known for their skill at choosing to release their records on labels that would soon go belly-up and for being the former band of one of my favorite art-scuzz rockers/poppers, Elizabeth Sharp (aka Ill Ease). Well, they are alive (with members of the Pernice Brothers and the Bigger Lovers manning the helm), and they’re still making the wonderfully melodic indie pop/rock. They’re new record “The Steady Hand” was just released on Darla Records. Go out and welcome them back to town. If memory serves me, they’ve not been in Lexington since a Fall 1996 date at the Wrocklage with local legends Tim (I still feel guilty for leaving before NRSK played). Check out http://myspace.com/newradiantstormking and http://www.furnacerock.com/ for more details and free tunes.
High Water Marks = jangly, distorted pop perfection featuring members of the Apples in Stereo (Hilary Sidney), Palermo (Per Ole Bratset), Oranger (Jim Lindsey), and the Fakes and Attempt (Mike Snowden). I heart them.
:: Thursday, June 15 ::
DYNASTY w/THE COUGHS, THREE LEGGED RACE, and INTENSE ELECTRIC
@ The Frowny Bear, 208 Forest Park – 9pm, all ages, $donations requested for traveling bands
A noisy night at the Bear with projects featuring members of Kites (Dynasty, from Providence), Hair Police and Eyes and Arms of Smoke (Three Legged Race and Intense Electric), and Walter Carson (also, Intense Electric), and six-piece Chicago kling-klangers The Coughs.
:: Friday, June 16 ::
Gallery Hop! @ locations throughout downtown Lexington
5-8pm, all ages, FREE!
The last Hop of the season. For full details, go to http://lexarts.org/programs_galleryhop.php.
:: Friday, June 16 ::
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $15 – advance tix available at CD Central, 377 S. Limestone
So, this morning Ross asked if I could chip in a preview for Alejandro Escovedo coming to the Dame. I’m at work, but amazingly enough, one of the CD’s I have here is Alejandro’s new one - ‘The Boxing Mirror.’ Screw work - let’s talk about music.
I haven’t listened to it a ton yet, but, even from the little bit that I have, I can tell you its pretty damn good. Even on the little cruddy Vextra brand CD/Radio I have (sorry, don’t know the model number for all those wanting to score one) - where the cellos sound more like distant vacuums, drums are non-existent, and the vocals are all thinned-out, high-end shards of treble - despite all that, it still sounds great.
But wait - I’m going home for lunch because the refrigerator at work is broke. I can grab the disc for the short trip home.
Oh yeah, sounds better in the car. He’s so sneaky good on his ballad-type material like "The Ladder" - you’re left thinking "That’s so simple, I could have written that" - But, you didn’t! And, if you tried to it would likely, nay, you would definitely pale in comparison.
I had turkey, mushrooms, onions and mozzarella cooked in a skillet and then thrown on a flour tortilla. Not bad.
Back in the car - and yes, the dude can still rock. When he wants to rip it on guitar, he can not only embarrass singer-songwriters that strum the day away, but he can kick the ass of a few rockers too. Like most of the singer-songwriters I find interesting, Alejandro comes from a diverse background. Hit his back catalog for some trips through punk and tough roots rock - the Nuns, Rank and File, the True Believers, Buick MacKane. Do it!
That’s what you’ll get at an Alejandro show too - diversity. You have the beautiful, introspective tunes that will make you cuddle up next to that special someone, and then he’ll bleed that electric wanker through the amps with enough sweat and grit that your special someone might cuddle you the next time out of fear. Now, that’s entertainment. Back to work.
– Brian Connors Manke
:: Wednesday, June 21 ::
HOWLIN’ RAIN w/WARMER MILKS and HUSH ARBORS @ The Dame
9pm, ages 21+, $5
Howlin’ Rain is a new collaborative super group featuring Comets on Fire’s Ethan Miller and John Moloney of Sunburned Hand of the Man. It’s music that’s somewhat revivalist in nature and undeniably American. Miller explains, “We put Howlin’ Rain together with the intention of making a good old fashioned free-wheeling rock album with a bared soul and a body in which Joy, hysteria and Darkness all lie upon the same rambling bones. We make music to beat the steering wheel of you van to or sing a long with while drinking whiskey in the bathtub on a Saturday night with your dog.” On tour with the Rain are Lexington dirt bag heroes Warmer Milks and the plaintive wonder that is Hush Arbors. The Milks have been charting a ridiculous amount of road time, drinking PBR by the gallon, and are continuing on their path of destruction all the way until their new LP ‘Radish on Light’ hits your mind next month. Witnesses are still speaking of the horrible sights they encountered during the Milk’s tour-ender with Bonnie Billy in Memphis. Hush Arbors fill the gig with an arresting ability to lull. Go to http://husharbors.com right now and download “wait for awhile” … really… right now… it’s a pretty good song.
- Chris Bush
:: Wednesday, June 21 ::
LYRICS BORN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
9pm, ages 18+, $10 advance/$13 at the door
This cat is where it's at. I've been a fan of Lyrics Born (formerly know as Asia Born) for a long time now. Everything he spouts is gold. It's clever, challenging, spiritual, fun, poetic, tongue-twisting, and (as far as I'm concerned) legendary. He and Gift of Gab have absolutely blown my mind with their verbal swordplay. I couldn't give a higher recommendation for his solo album and all his collaborations. He and his compatriots have transformed the medium, inspired hundreds of fans aand fellow rappers and djs, and sadly, struggled to get recognition or exposure. (At least one of his songs was in a diet coke commercial--great for exposure, bad cuz
it's sellin stuff.) But now he will be LIVE, and CLOSE--at the Southgate House. I still can't believe it. I've heard his albums and live performances on vinyl and cd and loved em, but it can't compare to just the OPPORTUNITY to actually see him live. There is a greater value in the live experience than the manufactured one, so sayeth ME! So be there, or be []. (Special thanks to Ross, he gave me my first exposure to him in 1999--it's been life-altering.) - Jeb Hightower
:: Also worthwhile in the May 10 - 24 timeframe ::
Every Friday RAKADU GYPSY DANCE @ Nema’s Grille (Frankfort) – meccadance.com
Every Sunday THE BLUEGRASS COLLECTIVE @ The Fishtank, corner of Euclid and Woodland – 9pm, no cover
Fri/June 9 MIMIC MISHAP @ The Fishtank
Sat/June 10 THE OTHER BROTHER @ The Fishtank
Mon/June 12 DAR WILLIAMS @ The Dame
Tues/June 13 THE STILLS w/ROGUE WAVE @ Headliners (Louisville)
Thurs/June 15 LEO KOTTKE @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Fri/June 16 MARAH w/JACKIE GREENE @ Headliners (Louisville)
Sat/June 17 DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND @ The Dame
Sat/June 17 ATMOSPHERE w/BROTHER ALI, DAREDEVILZ, and LOS NATIVOS @ Headliners (Louisville)
Wed/June 21 LYRICS BORN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
:: Soon Soon ::
Thurs/June 22 COUSIN w/MARGOT AND THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S @ The Dame
Fri/June 23 THE BOTTLE ROCKETS w/BOBBY BARE JR @ The Dame
Fri-Sun/June 23-25 Desdemona Music Festival featuring ANNIE, THE FIERY FURNACES, THE STILLS, ROGUE WAVE, THE WALKMEN, FORGET CASSETTES, RICHARD SWIFT, RADIO 4, COUSIN, and more @ Sawyer Point Waterfront Park (Cincinnati) – all ages, http://desdemonafestival.com
Sat/June 24 G-FUNK ALLSTARS @ The Dame
Sat/June 24 THE WALKMEN w/RICHARD SWIFT and INSTANT CAMERA @ Headliners (Louisville)
Sun/June 25 WOODEN WAND w/RELIGIOUS KNIVES and EYES AND ARMS OF SMOKE @ The Icehouse, 412 Cross St – all ages
Sun/June 25 DAVID BAZAN (of Pedro the Lion) @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Mon/June 26 THE LATE B.P. HELIUM w/THEE AMERICAN REVOLUION @ The Dame
Tues/June 27 An evening with STEVERINO and LEE @ The Dame
Fri/June 30 THE APPARITIONS w/SCOURGE OF THE SEA @ The Dame
Mon/July 3 DRAGONS 1976 @ Mecca, 451 Chair Ave – all ages
Thurs/July 13 SIX ORGANS OF ADMITTANCE w/EYES AND ARMS OF SMOKE @ The Dame
Fri/July 14 PUFFY AMIYUMI @ Bogart’s (Cincinnati)
Tues/July 18 DRESSY BESSY @ The Dame
Thurs/July 20 PETTICOAT, PETTICOAT w/NANA AND THE BOY NOISE and THE LOVE COATS @ The Dame
Tues/July 25 JENS LEKMAN w/FRIDA HYVONEN @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Fri+Sat/July 28-29 Forecastle Festival featuring THE APPLES IN STEREO and SLEATER-KINNEY @ The Mellwood Art Center (Louisville) – all ages, http://forecastlefest.com
Fri-Sun/July 28-30 Lite Brite Indie Pop and Film Test featuring DANIELSON (Friday), MISSION OF BURMA (Saturday), and CAMERA OBSCURA (Sunday) @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Fri/July 21 THE PHARCYDE @ The Dame
Sun/July 23 JOLIE HOLLAND w/SEAN HAYES @ The Dame – ages 18+
Thurs/Aug 10 DON CABALLERO @ Southgate House (Newport, KY)
Tues/Aug 15 OF MONTREAL w/THE MINDERS @ Headliners (Louisville)
:: Pertinent resources ::
__Lexington__
THE DAME, 156 W.Main St, Lexington - http://www.dameky.com
MECCA dance 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 (no longer a venue, but a good resource for digging into underground Lexington haps) – http://www.charlesmansion.org
FIREBIRD STUDIO, 359 W. Short St – http://firebirdlexington.com
HIGH LIFE LOUNGE, University Plaza (corner of Woodland and Euclid) – ph. 859/455-8890
THE FISHTANK, corner of Woodland and Euclid Ave - http://www.thefishtankbar.com
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 (metal/punk/hardcore 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://wrfl881.org/
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.productionsimple.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.
:::::::::::::: QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/SUBMISSIONS ::::::::::::::::::::::::
email thelexingtonproject@yahoo.com
