Looking for some high-brow entertainment and low-brow debauchery this Friday? For the former, we recommend seeing the Lyric Opera of Chicago performing George Gershwin‘s classic opera Porgy and Bess. And if that scene is a bit too stuffy for your tastes, then maybe you’d enjoy the booze-praising Celtic punk of The Tossers.
What We’re Doing This Weekend: Thursday
Whether or not one has off on Friday, Thursday night is the official start of the weekend — if only because there are too many good shows to see. One of those includes Chicago quintet Algernon, a psychedelic, jazz-tinged post-rock outfit that hits hard.
Femi Kuti: Day By Day
As the eldest son of Nigerian activist, Afrobeat originator and certified legend Fela Kuti, who passed away in 1997, Femi Kuti has certainly had some enormous figurative shoes to fill. Fortunately for us, he’s thus far done a bang- up job, and his latest, Day By Day from Mercer Street Records, is not only a worthy addition to the catalog, but is perhaps his finest and most focused to date.
Video: “Chop Socky” by Tipsy
Built around the lounge-heavy mixture of cut-and-paste artist Dave Gardner, Tipsy has a new live lineup that recreates the quirky film noir / spy thriller / Hawaiian electronica of its albums. The group’s new album, Buzzz, is another engaging stylistic union that doubles as perfect background music.
Marco Benevento’s New Album Covers Leonard Cohen, Led Zeppelin, Deerhoof
Jam keyboardist Marco Benevento (Benevento/Russo Duo) is releasing another solo album on February 3, only this time, covers outnumber original material. Benevento’s solo debut, Invisible Baby, was a passionate release from his post-jazz trio, but it certainly didn’t include any renditions of Deerhoof songs.
Weekly Burlesque: Got Pollys?
The longer I’ve performed, the more serious I’ve gotten about dedicating a pair of shoes to a costume and not wearing them with anything else, no matter how strong the temptation.
Once you cannibalize a costume for another costume, you begin the descent into costume hell — “Is the whole costume in the bag?” is not a question you want to be asking in a dressing room right before a show, or even on the subway on the way to the venue.
Jann Wenner (Rolling Stone) Still Has Head Up Ass, Hires Reader’s Digest Editor To Handle RollingStone.com
For real. Could this guy be anymore of a knucklehead? Next year, Rolling Stone will take back its website, RollingStone.com, from Real Networks, who has been operating it for the last five years or so. The site will now be run by Steve Schwartz, a previous editor at your grandparents’ favorite magazine, Reader’s Digest.
CalHalla: Art Show by Iconic (Ironic?) Americana Artist Lauren Bergman
New York-based artist Lauren Bergman announced today her highly anticipated upcoming exhibition, CalHalla: Dreams of Future Passed, at Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, California. The work (see below) is full of perky idealized Betty Page-era pin-up girls and Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
Contest: Win a $500 Gift Certificate for T-Shirt Printing
Our pals at VGKids.com are holding a contest for free T-shirt printing. Their quality and customer service is awesome; check the details below.
Weekly Music News Roundup
The London Sinfonietta celebrates its 40th anniversary with a series of miniature compositions; electro-acoustic madman Dan Deacon unveils a 15-piece live ensemble this week; prog/doom rockers Giant Squid announce details for their upcoming album; Fantômas has been added to Australia’s Big Day Out festival, and much more.
P.O.S.’ Never Better One Of The Best of 2009? Pre-Order Now
Following up on Audtion from 2006, P.O.S.‘ Never Better is one of my favorite hip-hop records coming out in 2009. The record is on pre-order now from Fifth Element and includes a few freebies.