Wednesday, February 29, 2012
What's going on / Music Thursday: The Boxing Lesson, Joe Krown Trio and more
Austin-based progressive rockers The Boxing Lesson bring their synth-heavy, huge-sounding jams to Downtown Music Hall with Little Rock psych-prog instrumentalists Echo Canyon, 8 p.m., $5.
Bringing the funky, rollicking Hammond-heavy soul from New Orleans is the Joe Krown Trio, featuring Krown, Walter "Wolfman" Washington and Russell Batiste Jr., Stickyz, 18-and-older, 9 p.m., $10.
White Water Tavern hosts DJs Kyle Carpenter and Ike Plumlee, 9 p.m., free.
For some soulful, Stones-y singer/songwriter rock, check out Joe Firstman with The Cordovas at Juanita's, 8 p.m., $10.
DrFameus is the pulsing, thumping electro-percussive musical project of Disco Biscuits drummer Allen Aucoin. DJ Paul Grass opens the 18-and-older show, Revolution, 9 p.m., $10 adv., $12 d.o.s.
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (0)
What's going on / Theater Thursday To-Do: 'Doubt'
- Courtesy photo
- Brendan Shanahan and Suzy Hunt star in the Montana Rep's production of "Doubt."
'DOUBT'
7:30 p.m. UCA's Reynolds Performance Hall. $10-$40.
I've not seen a stage production of John Patrick Shanley's Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Doubt: A Parable." But I did see the 2008 film adaptation starring Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and I imagine that the original work is similarly powerful and probably all the more appropriately tense and cloistered-feeling in the intimate setting of a theater.
Set in a New York Catholic Church in the 1960s, "Doubt" concerns Father Flynn, who runs afoul of the powerful and controlling church school principal Sister Aloysius, who begins to plot against him. I don't want to give too much away about the ending, but the play's central theme is made apparent by its title, and one of the most striking passages in the film is a parable about the pernicious and uncontrollable power of gossip, delivered by the besieged Father Flynn to his flock.
The Montana Repertory Theatre's version of "Doubt" was hailed in The Missoulian as a "darkly simmering production."
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (0)
What's going on / Music Thursday To-Do: Jimmy Buffett
JIMMY BUFFETT
8 p.m. Verizon Arena. Sold out.
Back in early January, Verizon Arena was touting a big concert announcement that was "12 Years in the Making." Who might it be? The Facebook commentariat was a-froth with wild speculation. Would it be Van Halen? Bon Jovi? Paul McCartney? U2? Coldplay? Lady GaGa? Elton John and Billy Joel?
When the word came down that it was Jimmy Buffett, the Facebook complainaholics set to work, and they were pitiless: "Really??? That's it? What a letdown!" wrote Chris Lejman Ryan, her keyboard no doubt smashed to pieces in a paroxysm of disappointed rage. Jason Henry offered a withering putdown riffing on the presumed elderliness of a Buffett crowd: "Dust off your walkers, put on your LifeAlert bracelet and get ready to sing your dentures out." Perhaps Amberley Young offered the most eloquent and creatively spelled denunciation: "Ewwwwww shld have been sum 1 better."
Surely, with all of this online vitriol one could safely assume that the Buffett concert would be a failure of oceanic proportions, right?
Nope.
See, the Parrotheads are legion and they are loyal. The show sold out in 90 minutes. That's right. In the time it took the haters to watch "Big Mama's House 5," 18,000 tickets had been sold. But the quick sellout shouldn't surprise anyone. After all, do the sallow British noodles in Coldplay inspire margarita-fueled, daylong tailgating parties at their concerts? No. Has Billy Joel been responsible for millions upon millions of sick days? Probably not. Has Bon Jovi inspired an entire subculture spanning decades and demographics, with a lifestyle branding empire rivaled only by Oprah or KISS? No, but the Medicare-eligible Buffett has done all the above and more, so take that, haters.
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (4)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
What's going on Tonight: Shen Yun, ASO's 'Ode to Beethoven,' Alpha Rays and more
The Chinese classical music and dance company Shen Yun performs at Robinson Center Music Hall tonight. According to the group's website, Shen Yun presents "a collection of short pieces, audiences travel from the Himalayas to tropical lake-filled regions; from the legends of the culture’s creation over 5,000 years ago through to the story of Falun Dafa in China today; from the highest heavens down to the dusty plateaus of the Middle Kingdom." If that sounds like your jam, the show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $59-$133.
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents "Ode to Beethoven," including Beethoven's "String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 95 'Serioso'" and other works, Clinton Presidential Center, 7 p.m., $22.
Philander Smith College hosts a Social Justice Short Film Showcase, 6 p.m., $10-$15, free for students.
Ferrous Patella and The Alpha Rays play White Water Tavern, 10 p.m.
Former New Jersey governor and EPA administrator Christine Todd Whitman presents a lecture titled "The Future of Nuclear Energy in America," Clinton School of Public Service, 6 p.m. free.
Kate Gale is Hendrix College's Murphy Visiting Librettist. A poet, novelist and recipient of the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award, Gale’s libretti include "Inner Circle," based on the novel by T.C. Boyle, and settings of works by the science fiction writers Ursula K. LeGuin and Antonia Butler. She performs at Hendrix, 7:30 p.m., free.
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Monday, February 27, 2012
Books Submit a story to "Telling Tales"
Hey scribblers: if you're a fan of "Tales from the South" and have ever dreamed of being on the show, now's your chance. TFTS is now accepting submissions for their "Telling Tales" contest. Submissions must be between 1000 - 1200 words, and be on this year's "Telling Tales" topic, which is: a literary memoir based on this quote: "There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in." — Graham Greene. The three winners will get to read their work during a live taping of TFTS in April. All submissions will be considered for future shows.
Full submission guidelines are available at their website. Deadline is Sunday, March 4, 2012. Best get crackin'.
Press release on the jump...
Posted by David Koon on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reviews / Music Last night: Malcolm Holcombe
In the interest of full disclosure, I hold Malcolm Holcombe and his music in the highest of regard so reviewing this show with any objectivity will be difficult at best and most likely completely out of my reach. I had been looking forward to Holcombe’s return ever since the powers that be down at the White Water Tavern announced the date of the show. Over the past week I have been preaching the Gospel of Malcolm with great fervor like some idealistic missionary to anyone that seemed to have the slightest interest in music and would give me two minutes of their time.
I first saw Holcombe at his first appearance at The White Water Tavern in November of 2009. It was truly a Road to Damascus conversion for me. I have made it the highest of priorities to get in front of that stage every time Holcombe has graced it since. I arrived to last night’s show early. Holcombe was finishing up his sound check. Most there early were devotees that had seen him prior. Those of us waiting around ended up telling stories of when each of us had first seen him play as if we were at some tent revival telling the stories of how and when each of us had been saved.
Posted by Joe Meazle on | Permalink | Comments (1)
Theater Arkansas playwright Qui Nguyen's latest earns Off Broadway raves
A reader points us to a recent positive theater review of "The Inexplicable Redemption of G," the latest Off Broadway production from the self-described "geek theatre" company Vampire Cowboys. The company's co-artistic director Qui Nguyen grew up in El Dorado, according to this interview. Nguyen wrote and stars in "The Inexplicable Redemption."
From the Times review:
“Who but De Palma would think of using old-movie trash, and even soft-core pornos, to provide ‘heart’ for a thriller?” Pauline Kael asked in her rave review of Brian De Palma’s “Carrie.”Qui Nguyen’s play “The Inexplicable Redemption of Agent G,” an ambitious entertainment about modern identity wrapped inside an exploitation drama about what used to be called the “inscrutable Orient,” suggests we have an answer. “Agent G” gleefully mocks countless movies and features, on video, a soft-core narrator breathing heavily.
...
Mr. Nguyen finds his first truly complex character in the onstage version of himself, while also supplying a fertile theme: what does assimilation mean to a Vietnamese-American playwright who grew up in Arkansas, married a white woman and feels black in his “heart”?
Sounds great.
Posted by Lindsey Millar on | Permalink | Comments (2)
Reviews Review: Queer Prom 2012
Who actually enjoyed their high school prom? Whether you weren’t accepted because of your sexuality, had a terrible date (or no date) or just found it awkward to dance in uncomfortable clothes, there are plenty of reasons why it could have sucked. (If you’re one of those people who never had a makeup “artist” do their best Tammy Faye tribute on your face 30 minutes before your date arrives, or you never had to consider taking your cousin to the big dance, or you’ve just never had an unfortunate day in your life, all I can say is, Do you still have your crown and sash? Congratulations. And for the rest of our sanity, keep it to yourself.)
So maybe it’s time for a re-do? Cue Queer Prom, a dance party that’s all grown up and for the LGBT community (but is straight-friendly, too). This year’s Roaring '20s-themed bash was held on Saturday, February 25 at Dedicated (320 W. 7th St.).
The event fulfilled its promise to not only reclaim prom, but to make it infinitely better than the real deal. There were nice prom-like touches: a photo station (cheesy poses optional), crepe streamers in the doorway and draped from the ceiling, a disco ball and a big bowl of terrible spiked punch (not to mention plenty of snuck-in flasks).
The real difference from the quintessential teenage experience was being in a room full of people completely comfortable with themselves. An assortment of characters filled the dance floor, many dressed as flappers in fringe and sequins or in suspenders for the party’s prohibition-era theme. Some donned experimental drag — girls with drawn-on handlebar mustaches and boys test-driving skirts and tights — some in professional drag, with exquisite wigs and fluttering false eyelashes. Others went for personal preference, a unicorn here, an '80s prom queen there, plus a '40s pin-up gal or two.
Drag dame Miranda Meridian hosted the evening with lots of talk about dicks and drinking, several fabulous costume changes and a couple of lip-synching performances.
Laundry for the Apocalypse, the Round 5 winner in the 2012 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase, kicked off the party with a short set of danceable punk and reggae-inflected tunes. They were followed by a rousing lineup of burlesque beauties stripping down to their skivvies, including Little Rock’s Diamond Dames, lots of new talents from the area, and some dancers from Dallas.
One of the best moments of the evening was an interlude between the burlesque performance and a set from evening closer, the stellar Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass. A heavily bearded Faucett, dressed for the spirit of the evening in a striped sundress and hint of blue eye shadow, sat on stage tuning his guitar while Meridian danced and lip synched to a mash-up of “Poker Face” and “Party Rockers.” To the side of the stage, a burlesque performer in a black corset danced furiously.
Faucett wailed powerfully through his folky Delta rock tunes, while friends swayed on the dance floor and tipsy couples made out. More adventurous duos snuck out to their cars, presumably to get laid. Some things never change when it comes to prom night.
Posted by Blair Tidwell on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Showcase Friday night's showcase: Jab Jab Suckerpunch
- Lily Darragh
- Jab Jab Suckerpunch played Round 5 of the 2012 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase.
Closing out Round 5 and the semifinals, Jab Jab Suckerpunch brought a 200-proof blast of pure, hedonistic rock 'n' roll to the crowd. The band's sound could be described as The Jesus Lizard by way of Motorhead by way of an aural curbstomping. It's hard to convey how punishingly loud the band was, but rest assured, many ears were still ringing the next morning.
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Showcase Friday night's showcase: Ben Franks & The Bible Belt Boys
- Lily Darragh
- Ben Franks & The Bible Belt Boys played Round 5 of the 2012 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase.
Ben Franks & The Bible Belt Boys played third at Round 5, and while they had a tough act to follow, the bluegrass-infused five-piece brought a lively, rollicking set of tunes to the proceedings. The Hot Springs band played heartfelt indie rock with folk instrumentation, including some fine fiddle playing from Chris Ryland Jr. that added a distinctive element to the band's sound.
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Showcase Friday night's showcase: Laundry for the Apocalypse
- Lily Darragh
- Laundry for the Apocalypse played Round 5 of the 2012 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase.
Round 5 winner Laundry for the Apocalypse played a set that started out with the punky, upbeat "Rob Zombie's Halloween 2" before settling in to the "Murdertarp for the Apocalypse," which sounded truly world-ending, with crashing doubled drums, pulsing rhythm and frontman Aaron Sarlo's unhinged wail. Impressively, the band sustained that energy level for its entire set.
- Lily Darragh
- Laundry for the Apocalypse
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (2)
Showcase Friday night's showcase: Trasspassers
- Lily Darragh
- Trasspassers played Round 5 of the 2012 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase.
Fayetteville electro-pop duo Trasspassers took the stage first in Round 5 of the Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase Friday night at Stickyz. The band's energy level and squiggly, twisted songcraft seemed to go over well with the crowd, though one can't help but feel they'd really shine at about 1:30 a.m. at a packed, sweaty house party.
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (0)
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Showcase Congrats to Laundry for the Apocalpyse
They won round 5 of the Musicians Showcase.
See you in less than a week for the finals.
Posted by Lindsey Millar on | Permalink | Comments (1)
Friday, February 24, 2012
What's going on / Showcase Tonight: Round 5 of the Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase
Tonight is Round 5 of the 2012 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase. Round 5!
Who will be the last band to make it into the finals alongside The Holy Shakes, Don't Stop Please, War Chief and Joey Farr & The Fuggins Wheat Band? Will it be Trasspassers? Will Laundry for the Apocalypse take it? Or will it be Ben Franks & The Bible Belt Boys? Or Jab Jab Suckerpunch?
Also, tonight affords showcase-goers another chance to win one of three pairs of passes to Bonnaroo. You can enter tonight and once more at the March 2 finals, when we'll hold the drawing for the passes. You must be present at the finals to claim the passes.
Tonight's showcase starts at 9:30 p.m. at Stickyz, $5 for 21 and older, $8 for ages 18-20.
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (0)
What's going on / Music Sunday: Malcolm Holcombe
North Carolina's Malcolm Holcombe makes a welcome return to White Water Tavern for a rare Sunday night show. Holcombe is easily one of the best songwriters in the country, effortlessly melding folk, blues and country influences into his songs of everyday observation.
His gruff voice grumbles and growls with the gravelly best-of-them, but emotion is never lost in the mix. He's also a badass guitar player, and between songs, he'll tell rambling, circular stories that don't make conventional "sense," but will nonetheless crack up audience and performer alike. We at the Times are fans, for sure. This is a don't-miss show, 8 p.m.
Posted by Robert Bell on | Permalink | Comments (0)
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