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(07/01/13 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If you’ve never experienced Bonnaroo, maybe you shouldn’t. Or maybe you should. It’s not your noon-to-midnight, one day pass sort of affair. The best you can hope to return to at the end of an 18-hour day is a soggy, lumpy tent (lest you shill out serious cash for an RV) among the ripe, smelly bodies of your friends. But it is something else — something so primal, so communal, so spontaneous that it merits giving it a shot. You don’t have to like it. But you probably will.Spawned in 2002, Bonnaroo has exploded into a colossus so grand, it took Paul McCartney to sell out the plentiful four-day passes. Lollapalooza, which entertains more than 160,000 fans during its three-day duration, sold out in just a few weeks.Larger than its beloved peers, Bonnaroo trumps other festivals in scale, longevity and required spirit. Lollapalooza entails the evacuation of the festival’s site at the end of an early night to another location, be it a friend’s couch or a cozy hotel. Coachella and Lolla span just three days compared to Bonnaroo’s four, and both are situated in populous towns (Lolla’s being Chicago). The sleepy strip of U.S. 41 in Bonnaroo’s Manchester, Tenn., boasts little more than a few hotels, a Goodwill and a Wal-Mart.Reaching your destination requires hours of line-waiting on single-lane roads past cows and fields, but once you reach what is endearingly referred to as “The Farm,” you enter a reality not different, but adjacent to the one you just left. The coming days will consist of heat, lines, expenses and exhaustion, but they’ll also include insight, laughter, joy and perspective.A CamelBak becomes your umbilical cord, tethering you to a constant, much-needed stream of water. Clothing is optional. It’s not uncommon to see a bare-breasted woman, but unlike the streets of NYC where there is usually an accompanying political statement, the choice to go topless is usually born out of necessity. Glow sticks, hula hoops, costumes, drugs and lasers are not in short supply. When you wake up at 7 a.m. (because of the heat, not by choice), there’s a 50-50 chance as to whether you’ll be greeted with a “good morning” or a “good night” by passers-by.Sincerity is plentiful. Sharing is expected and welcome. Conversations with strangers can seem more earnest and profound than conversations with your oldest friends. The sound of music is constant, and the scent of food is enthralling. Between Björk and R. Kelly, a patch of grass and a rolled up sweater are all that’s needed for the perfect nap. If you pace yourself and have a loaded schedule, there’s not even a need to leave Centeroo because the musical hub of Bonnaroo is open 24 hours.Bonnaroo is renowned for its musical smorgasbord, but it highlights film and comedy, and it fosters political and spiritual insight among its patrons. Since cell phone service is spotty at best, isolation breeds self-reliance that spills over into the return to normalcy.Bonnaroo is more than a musical retreat — it’s a confrontation in the best way by the elements, the uncomfortable and by you. And it’s not for everyone. But if freedom from schedules and selfishness and a whole lot of musical moving and shaking sounds good to you, then we’ll see you next year.
(04/22/13 4:13am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Would you wait in line for hours for the chance of buying a limited pressing of Tame Impala’s debut album? Would you drive 100 miles to the nearest record store to gamble grabbing the last copy of a 12” Paul McCartney live cut of “Maybe I’m Amazed?"Music enthusiasts did all of this and more on what is becoming one of biggest days of the year for music vendors and lovers: Record Store Day.When Landlocked Music opened its doors at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, there were already people lined up around the block. Someone had even tried to post up the night before, determined to brave the cold and rowdy Little 500 bar-crawlers, before Landlocked co-owner Jason Nickey convinced him otherwise. Since its infancy in 2007, Record Store Day has drawn more people to Landlocked each year.“Each year has been bigger than the last,” Nickey said. “Not just in terms of sales, but in terms of the number of people who show up. People come from hours away. To think people drive so far just to come to my record store is flattering.”Landlocked Music, one of several record stores in Bloomington, experienced a full house for the better part of the day. Patrons weaved in an out of rows of CDs and waited in long lines in order to pay for their RSD hauls. Outside, Rhino’s Youth Center volunteers were silk screening special RSD T-shirts.DJs and bands kept the atmosphere light in the cramped space while of-age music fans sampled Upland Brewery’s Record Store Day contribution, a Russian Rye aptly named “Vinyl Tap,” from which contributions went to Lotus Blossoms to teach music to school-aged children.Senior Taylor Swaim waited in line for her turn to pick up records from Sharon Van Etten and Ryan Adams, both of which were specially released for Record Store Day.“I missed out on the Destroyer special release, but it’s OK. It’s fun to see this kind of support as a lover of music,” Swaim said. “It seems like Landlocked is doing incredibly well today, and there are a lot of people here from the community that I recognize.”Addison Pollock, an IU graduate student, came for a Roky Erickson and the Aliens LP and was fortunate to grab a copy. “It’s nice that labels do this for independent shops,” Pollock said. “It’s one part of the market looking out for another part, which is interesting because you don’t see that often.”Nickey said sales on Record Store Day are akin to several weeks of sales during other parts of the year.“It’s totally off the charts,” Nickey said. “It’s like the whole Christmas season in one day.”Nickey began planning for this year’s Record Store Day in January. Once special releases were announced, he began arranging what he would purchase and in what volume. “It takes some guess work based on what people are going to want and what we sell all year,” Nickey said.He’s already begun making plans for next year and considering what did and did not go well on Saturday.“I just wanted it to go off without much trouble,” Nickey said. “I’m thankful people put up with the crowds. We try to create an environment where even if you don’t get everything you want, you still have fun.”Nickey anticipates the enthusiasm for the holiday to continue onto next year, and said that he’s thankful for the community’s interest.“I’m very appreciative of the support year-round, Nickey said. “It’s great that labels can do something a bit weirder for people who are really into collecting records or are mega fans of a band. People really seize this opportunity.”
(04/11/13 2:15am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Kyle Kinane, “the voice of Comedy Central,” will return to the Comedy Attic for his fourth year in a row at 8 p.m today and will perform through Saturday at 8 p.m and 10:30 p.m.Take a cue from some of Bloomington’s comedy connoisseurs: it’s a performance you won’t want to miss.“There’s a reason why he’s one of the most sought-after comedians,” Comedy Attic owner Jared Thompson said. “He has sharp, poignant cultural commentary, but he’s just as critical of himself. It’s a difficult line for most comedians to walk.”If you haven’t seen Kinane, chances are you’ve at least heard his voice. Kinane has been the voice behind Comedy Central’s episode segues since 2011. Whether it’s South Park or a new stand-up special, Kinane introduces it all.“He has a very specific voice,” Thompson said. “Comedians will do impressions of Kinane, and, especially to a smart crowd like Bloomington, people will immediately know who it is.”In addition to his work with Comedy Central, Kinane has opened for entertainers such as Conan O’Brien and for comedians like Patton Oswalt. His debut album, “Death of the Party,” received critical acclaim.Local comedian Josh Cocks has featured for Kinane in previous shows at the Comedy Attic. This weekend, he’ll be the host.“I normally feature, but since he’s one of my favorite comedians, I wanted to work with him in any capacity,” Cocks said. “He has an incredible amount of material. He writes so much and relates so well to the audience. There is a very dumb and endearing logic to his jokes.”Not one to shy away from political and social commentary, Kinane is just as quick to point out his own faults as he is with the faults of society.“It’s done in a very smart, observational way,” Cocks said. “He has this joke about how maybe not everyone should be allowed to vote. But that’s because he can vote, and not everyone wants him making decisions.”Cocks describes Kinane as “a comedian’s comedian” and said without a doubt that Kinane will be one of the biggest comedians in the country before his career is done.“He writes so much new material that he’s always at the top of everyone’s lists,” Cocks said. “He’s very highly regarded in the comedy world. He has such a strong following that you won’t be able to avoid him for long.”Thompson said this won’t be the last time Kinane performs in Bloomington, but that you shouldn’t make that an excuse to not check him out this weekend.“One day, when he’s as big as Louis C.K., you’ll be able to say that you once saw him for $10,” Thompson said. “If you don’t come this weekend, shame on you, but he will be back.”
(03/28/13 2:53am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After five years without a release, “Angles,” the polarizing fourth Strokes album, received undeserved hype that led to disappointment for some. During the album’s production, fans read stories telling of the lack of frontman Julian Casablancas’ involvement as he opted to lay down vocals later and give the rest of the quintet more creative license. The resulting album lacked consistency as the band seemingly got back into the groove of being a band. The Strokes’ fifth album, “Comedown Machine,” serves as the response to 2010’s let-down, returning with musical cohesion that implies the band wiped off the drool and got down to business.The first track to be released, “One Way Trigger,” sounds like a Casablancas production, but the point of the song is lost to a belligerent Casio keyboard. The other single, “All the Time,” is a nod to the Strokes’ signature style — single-chord guitar harmonies, a booming chorus and a rudimentary, crowd-pleasing solo. The track is unrepresentative of the remainder of the album but will feel right to Strokes traditionalists.In some instances, like “50/50,” the band stretches its punk legs complete with abrasive vocals and driving guitar work. As usual, human metronome Fabrizio Moretti remains the band’s backbone, leaving the spotlight for Nic Valensi and Albert Hammond.The album lacks lyrical heavy lifting that Casablancas makes up for by showcasing his vocal prowess, particularly in the last three tracks. With “Chances,” Casablancas exercises his falsetto, transitioning easily to his signature, gritty sound.For “Happy Ending,” the band once again creates a shimmery, electrifying sound, but unlike the incomplete feel of “One Way Trigger,” the track is well-mixed and intense. It’s The Strokes at their best.The song would be a nice end cap in the custom of a 10-song Strokes album, but instead “Comedown Machine” tapers off with the ephemeral “Call it Fate, Call it Karma.” What initially sounds like an afterthought unfolds into a mesmerizing outro. Given the band’s interpersonal cooperation, this recipe for songwriting would be a good direction for future albums. For a band that notoriously hates trying too hard, the album took more effort than its predecessor but is at its coolest when it’s at its most relaxed.BY Rachel Trees
(03/28/13 1:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Trevor Moore is best known as the founding member of Independent Film Channel’s “Whitest Kids U’Know,” but in addition to writing sketches for the show and producing viral YouTube videos, Moore also just released a solo album on Comedy Central Records, “Drunk Texts to Myself.” His unique and sometimes offensive brand of multimedia comedy has garnered tens of millions of views on YouTube, and now Bloomington residents will have a chance to experience it live during his performances today, Friday and Saturday at the Comedy Attic. Moore will perform alongside fellow WKUK members Sam Brown and Darren Trumeter, with a special opening performance by local comedian Joshua Murphy. Moore spoke with the Indiana Daily Student about sketch comedy versus live performances, his collaboration with comedian Reggie Watts and the advice he has for aspiring comedians.IDS You just released a solo record, but you’re performing with some of your WKUK cast members. What can people expect to see at your performances this weekend?MOORE Probably two to three songs off of my album, maybe more, and then some sketches that we like doing. Then I’ll show some videos. I really like multimedia, so there will be videos, sketches, songs and then we’ll go back and do some of it again.IDS Do you take the same approach to your performances each night, or do you like to switch it up?MOORE The nights are kind of different — I’ve just started touring with this solo album, so I’m working out what I want to do. If we fall into something that’s working, we’ll keep it.IDS How does performing for a live audience compare to performing in front of a camera?MOORE It’s like editing on the fly. We’re doing something and getting immediate feedback. We always try to do some of the popular sketches from the show. Even if we are doing a sketch people have seen, we try to mix it up and add to it. We keep trying to mess each other up and make each other laugh. It keeps it fresh.IDS What are you thinking when you approach the writing of some of these sketches, particularly some of the racier sketches?MOORE I write what makes me laugh, even if it’s offensive. The groups that are made fun of, if you watch the show, you’ll see that none of it really comes from a negative space. It’s universal. We make fun of everyone. If we’re an equal-opportunity offender, hopefully it’s not offensive. I feel like there are a lot of people who like comedy that you don’t see on TV, so I try to make a show that’s not for the mainstream.IDS What has the process been like of getting to a point where you and your cast members are able to work together well as a group?MOORE We’ve been doing this for 13 years. We’re kind of past the point of being friends to just being family. It’s very short-handed for us within the group. We know each other so well and can tell what the other people will do. We’re also very blunt — no one is concerned about the others’ feelings anymore (laughs). If someone gets upset, it washes over in a day or two, like family.IDS You just released a solo album. What was your approach to the content of the album?MOORE I have always done music stuff for the “Whitest Kids U’Know.” Every season I would try to do two to three music videos. When we stopped “Whitest Kids,” I approached Comedy Central with an idea for a music album spanning all genres pop, dubstep, rap, a “We Are The World”-style song. It’s not cornered into a genre.IDS Is it specifically a parody on genres of music, or do you target more cultural topics?MOORE I didn’t want to do just parody songs. I wanted each song to have a point. I go into a song about circumcision. I wrote a song about the Founding Fathers smoking pot and the Pope and how much money he makes.IDS You also collaborated with Reggie Watts. What was that like?MOORE He’s awesome. We worked on a song called “Drunk Texts to Myself.” I have a habit when I drink of texting myself reminders in lieu of a to-do list on the fridge. I send myself ideas that I have and read them the next day, and they make no sense. I took six months of those, and Reggie put down a beat box loop for the drunk texts I read out. IDS You’re also working on a “Whitest Kids” film. Where are you in that process?MOORE I’ve been writing a “Whitest Kids” film for a while. I did something called “The Civil War on Drugs” that you can watch in its entirety on YouTube, so it’s similar to that. We were working on a couple of different ideas, trying to figure which one we liked. We’re almost finished writing it.IDS In the beginning, you guys were really early on the viral scene. How has YouTube been useful in building your popularity?MOORE We were kind of in the right place at the right time. When YouTube came out, we were already putting things on our website. People were taking videos off our site and putting them on YouTube and spreading it around the net. It worked well for us, so we have always kept an open policy when it comes to sharing our stuff. We still don’t have an official YouTube account.IDS Do you have any advice for comedians trying to approach comedy in a similar style, particularly given our media-saturated culture?MOORE Do it as much as possible. I know it’s cliché, but it’s the best advice. If you like making videos, make a lot. If you like standup, be up there every night working on it. There’s no one way to approach comedy, but what’s universal is the way people are obsessed with it and do it all the time. In the beginning, we had day jobs. After work on Friday, we would write sketches and Saturday we would make videos and edit them before our performance on Sunday. Then we would be back to our day jobs Monday morning.
(03/05/13 4:15am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Women have always had a place in jazz, but their presence hasn’t always been as apparent as their celebrated male counterparts.Monika Herzig, SPEA arts management professor and jazz pianist, said she is hoping to give some of these ladies the recognition they deserve with her lecture this afternoon about the history of women in jazz.The lecture and accompanying performances by Herzig are at 5:30 p.m. at The Venue, Fine Arts & Gifts.“In society, genders are half and half, so music, which is an expression of society, should be equal as well,” Herzig said. “Especially with jazz and improvisation, it is important to have female expression you can identify with. If jazz musicians are only male, that serves as a representation of society, but it’s not. Everyone should have their voice.”Herzig said historically, there have been factors that have kept women from pursuing jazz.“Traditionally, there has been little involvement in jazz music by women,” Herzig said. “This is because the clubs and red light districts where jazz was performed was not where you’d hang out as a lady, so jazz was a difficult profession to pursue as a woman.”Regardless, the passion for jazz has been with women, as well.Many people know Scott Joplin’s famous “Maple Leaf Rag,” but Indianapolis had its own ragtime composer May Auferheide, considered to be one of the most famous female ragtime composers.Or consider Mary Lou Williams, who was the wife of Louis Armstrong and wrote arrangements for band leaders such as Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington.“Hopefully everyone who attends will get to learn more about these ladies, as well as learn that there is quite a bit of history to acknowledge,” Herzig said.The lecture is part of The Venue’s annual Women’s History Month events, which have previously included women-only art shows and poetry readings.“What’s unique about our gallery is that it is owned by me and my son Gabe,” Venue gallery assistant David Colman said. “Since it’s just us, it’s important that we’re sensitive to women’s issues.”The Venue will also feature an evening of female poetry with accompanying Jacobs School of Music performers March 29.Herzig will continue to champion for women in jazz March 28 at Bear’s Place as she plays with an all-female cast.“In jazz, the women are there, but it takes some digging,” Herzig said. “I want to give them credit.”
(03/01/13 4:17am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If you’re a fan of Talking Heads and thought you would never see the band’s rare B-sides performed live, Friday night is your chance.This Must Be The Band, a Chicago-based Talking Heads cover band, will take the Bluebird Nightclub’s stage at 8 p.m.If 8 p.m. sounds early for a Friday night performance, it’s because TMBTB members play all of the Talking Heads song requests thrown at them. Every last one. It’s not unusual for a “TMBTB” show to last four hours.“I didn’t realize how important playing requests was until I went to the show of a band I liked,” lead singer and guitarist Charlie Otto said. “There was a bonus song that I loved, and I was so angry that they didn’t play it. I realized then how important it is when someone shouts out a song and gets to hear it.”No matter how obscure the cut, there is a chance TMBTB has the song in its collection and would be happy to perform it for you, Otto said. The band has even received special requests via email and Facebook prior to shows and taken special care to learn a song just for enthusiastic fans.A side project for Otto, he said This Must Be The Band was founded in 2006 out of his desire to simply play guitar. After watching a Thin Lizzy cover band’s performance, Otto said forming a tribute band sounded fun. One of his favorite bands, Talking Heads, had the best catalogue for guitar playing, he said.Seven years later, TMBTB now features a rotating cast of 20 musicians, six of which will take the stage on any given night. If the cover band’s members did not appreciate Talking Heads prior to joining the group, Otto said he’s confident they all love the band now.“A lot of people know the hits, and once they have to learn at least 45 of the songs, they start to learn how rich the catalogue is and they understand the music,” Otto said.Matt Dusza, a Talking Heads fan from Downers Grove, Ill., said he has seen TMBTB 25 times since discovering the group four years ago.“It’s really good music,” Dusza said. “They take the songs I love and sometimes make them longer or put their own spin on it while keeping Talking Heads’ structure. They’re also phenomenally nice people. It’s unique for a tribute band. They don’t just stick to the hits and get out of there.”However, Otto is quick to point out people who attend TMBTB shows are not necessarily the band’s own fan base, but rather fans of the original Talking Heads.Because This Must Be The Band is a tribute band, members are straightforward when it comes to their presence. Band members dress up for only one occasion: the recreation of the 1984 Talking Heads film “Stop Making Sense,” during which members reenact every outfit, word spoken and song played.But Otto said he prefers to just play.“I like connecting with the crowd,” he said. “If we reenact shows, then we can’t do what we do best, which is take requests and incorporate that into the show. Then people can hear what they paid for.”Otto said he doesn’t know how long he’ll continue to pay tribute to legendary Talking Heads singer David Byrne. He can only speak to something that has him performing with TMBTB seven years after its creation.“People get so happy, so there’s no reason to stop if you’re just bored with it,” he said. “I have no other way of making people as happy as this, so it’s a-no brainer.”Tickets for the show are $5. More information can be found online at thebluebird.ws.
(02/14/13 2:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For Valentine’s Day, there’s always dinner and drinks. Or you could enjoy some subterranean rock ‘n’ roll.At 10 p.m., local bands Jerome and the Psychics and Triptides will be sharing a bill with Austin, Texas, native Tiger Waves for an evening of rock at the Root Cellar.“We got the show because we were interested in playing with Triptides again,” Psychics frontman Jerome Assad said. “Usually we like to book our shows with a touring band.”When the Psychics found out it was playing the gig, Assad said the group spoke at practice about which, if any, Valentine’s Day-themed songs to play.“I like girl-group covers, like the Ronettes,” Assad said. “We usually stick to covering classics, stuff that is dance-y, soulful and sexy.”Josh Morrow, the Triptides drummer, is approaching a year’s tenure with the local surf-rock band and said he hasn’t shared a show with the Psychics yet.He said he is unsure whether his band will commit to any Valentine’s serenades.“We haven’t really talked about it, but since it’s a special occasion we may play new songs that we’ve been working on,” Morrow said. Triptides released its new record, “Sun Pavilion,” last November and is heading back into the studio next weekend to begin recording another.Assad said the Psychics’ first LP, “The Nova Guarda,” was released last October and the band is also working on demo tracks for a second album, priming the evening for the possibility of new music.“I’ve been excited for these Thursday night Root Cellar events,” Morrow said. “There are always cheap drinks and a good turnout, and the basement-like feeling makes people more apt to cut a rug.”For those considering attending the themed performance, Assad said to keep love on the mind.“It’s going to be a romantic affair, but in a sleazy way,” he said. “Come get drunk with that special lady. Or maybe you’ll meet her.”There is no cover for the show, but patrons must be ages 18 and older. The Root Cellar can be found behind FARMbloomington at 108 E. Kirkwood Ave.
(02/07/13 4:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Local bands Charlie Patton’s War and Swales shared a Bishop bill with Chicago-based Bears of Blue River on Wednesday night. The lineup performed to a pumped crowd that enjoyed both music and $3-pints. The IDS sat down with Aaron Frazer, an IU senior and drummer and vocalist for blues-rock Charlie Patton’s War, and talked to him about Wednesday’s show, the other performers and his band’s future plans.IDS: Were you familiar with any of the other bands you performed with Wednesday? What were your thoughts on sharing the bill with them?FRAZER: Yeah I was. When you’re involved in the music scene in the Midwest, you tend to see some names over and over again, especially if they’re actively touring. The Bears of Blue River bring a really sincere brand of indie folk, and the fact that they have multiple members of the band who can all sing lead lets them give the audience a lot of different looks. It’s awesome to watch. And Swales — I haven’t heard them as a band, but I actually recorded Peter Oren’s first EP he did here. He has a control of language which allows him to write these pieces straight out of the Woody Guthrie school of songwriting. IDS: How has your latest release been going? Do you have a release date set?FRAZER: It’s coming along for sure. We’re all audio majors here, so we’ve been taking the DIY approach to recording, doing it all at Blake’s (Rhein, CPW guitarist and vocalist) house. We have one half of the album tracked, and this weekend we’ll be tracking the second half. I’m really pleased with how it’s sounding so far. We don’t have an exact release date, but we’re aiming for mid-to-late March.IDS: You guys frequent the Bishop. What sets a performance at the Bishop apart from performances at other local venues?FRAZER: Yeah I feel like the Bishop has kinda become our home field in a way. I know I personally feel most comfortable playing there over any other venue in town. I think it’s probably half and half in terms of who sets up the shows. Sometimes Dan (Coleman) will have a band coming in on tour and he feels like we’d be a good fit with them, other times we’ll have a group in mind that we’d like to play with. The Bishop, I think more than any other venue in town, strikes a good balance between providing the social atmosphere of a bar, while still keeping the focus very much on the music. It’s become one of the hubs for creative people in this town, so it’s also a great place to network and meet new people. And it’s 18 and up, so it doesn’t exclude a big part of the music scene. IDS: What other performances do you have lined up in the near future?FRAZER: We, along with the Broderick, are doing this collaboration with WIUX on the 19th — I think. They’re filming it and starting up this online video blog series, kind of like Midwest Underground. Other than that, we hope to play Culture Shock when it rolls around, and our album release show will be sooner than later, so we’ll be giving updates about that on our Facebook page.
(02/06/13 4:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Rob Koritz said goodbye to his 18-month-old son last Tuesday. He was off to pay tribute to Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, and he wouldn’t be home again until March.Koritz is one of two drummers in Dark Star Orchestra, a Grateful Dead tribute band that started another 120-plus show tour Jan. 30. Handling so many dates keeps Koritz on the road for a large portion of the year, during which the band members’ wives become “working, single moms.” But Koritz said he wouldn’t be doing this if he didn’t love it.“I get to do what I love and make people happy,” he said. “Being gone for so long comes with the territory, but it’s our job.”DSO, considered by many of its fans to be the best Grateful Dead tribute band, has been joined on stage by members of the Grateful Dead itself, ranging from Kreutzmann to Bob Weir. Formed in 1997, the Chicago-based DSO has been praised by Rolling Stone for having a “fanatical attention to detail.” Some of this praise may be attributed to DSO’s live approach. The collective recreates shows from among the nearly 2,500 shows the Dead has performed during its more than 30-year career. Even Donna Godchaux-McKay, a Grateful Dead vocalist and frequent DSO guest, has said “playing with Dark Star Orchestra is something that feels just exactly like it felt when I was playing with the Grateful Dead.” When Jose Alicea attends a DSO show, he keeps his eyes closed. He said DSO sounds so similar to the Grateful Dead, it feels as if Jerry Garcia, the late legendary Dead frontman, is there in spirit.Alicea, who was born in Puerto Rico, wasn’t introduced to the Grateful Dead until his sophomore year at IU.“What I liked about the Dead was the family atmosphere at the shows,” Alicea said. “It’s so friendly. Everyone is there to see the Dead, and it’s a very spiritual feeling. I felt so young, like a kid.”Alicea has seen 10 Grateful Dead performances and attended his first DSO show in 2000.“I had heard of them and was curious, so I went to see a show and was in awe.”He said he lost count, but Alicea estimates he’s now been to more than 50 DSO shows. The farthest he’s traveled to see the band is Florida, but DSO visits Bloomington every couple of years.Today, when DSO returns for an acoustic performance at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, Alicea will be welcoming back “family.”“I’m having friends come into town, all of whom I’ve met at Dark Star Orchestra shows,” Alicea said. “After the show, we’ll probably all play music together, and we’ll be traveling to other shows together. That’s why I love DSO shows. It’s all fans of the Grateful Dead together enjoying it.”David Weissman, DSO publicist, said he was lucky enough to see the tail end of the Grateful Dead with Garcia as frontman. He said when Garcia died, the memories of that Grateful Dead era were all fans had.“Dark Star Orchestra absolutely helps the legacy live on,” Weissman said. “The continuation of that similar spirit and vibe that the Grateful Dead brought to town is part of what Dark Star Orchestra does for fans. Having people college-age and younger come to the shows, some who weren’t even born when the Grateful Dead was done by 1995, is a huge inspiration for the members of DSO.” Koritz said he is aware of the stigmas associated with cover bands, but even the Dead has been impressed by DSO. Most of the members of the Grateful Dead have performed with DSO, and the band maintains a good relationship with the Dead’s crew and management.“If you’ve never been to a Dead show, and you’ve heard the music and heard of the environment, this is it on a more intimate scale,” Alicea said. “Experience it once. You don’t have to like it.”Alicea said he thinks Garcia would be proud.“I’m sure he’s smiling and enjoying every minute of the show,” Alicea said. “It’s nice, pure, sweet Grateful Dead.”
(01/29/13 4:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Students and Bloomington residents thinking of dining out today and Wednesday might give particular consideration to a dinner at Lennie’s.From 4 p.m. to close, 20 percent of the tab at Lennie’s restaurant will go to the Friends of the Library program that funds many of the resources Monroe County Public Library provides.“It’s good food for a good cause,” Friends of the Library president Karen Franks said. “When you dine out, you’ll know that you’re in good company with library supporters, and you’ll also get a good meal.”Franks said they do this fundraiser to support local businesses by bringing in customers mid-week and build a community of library supporters.For about nine months out of the year for the past three years, the Friends have partnered with local restaurants such as Lennie’s, the Village Deli and other Bloomington favorites in order to bolster financial and community support for the Friends program.Mary Jean Regoli, secretary of the Friends of the Library, said a night of restaurant support on average raises about $125 for the library, but every dollar counts when it comes to funding the library’s many resources.From summer reading kits for children to job support and reading lessons through the Volunteers In Tutoring Adult Learners (VITAL) program, the library houses many programs important to the Bloomington community.“The library is a tremendous resource for the whole community,” Regoli said. “A huge percentage of the county’s population has library cards and relies on the library for many things.”The Friends of the Library program assists the library financially through its bookstore, found on the bottom floor of the library, and through its membership program. Additional events, such as “Dine and Donate,” are auxiliary in ensuring the library has the funding it needs, Franks said.“We exist solely to support the library,” Franks said. “From crayons to computers, we help supply what the library needs in addition to government funding. It’s like frosting on the cake.”Franks said Lennie’s is generous to be participating in the fundraiser for two days rather than for one evening, giving supporters more time to make a trip to the restaurant. Those interested in supporting the MCPL can print or pick up the necessary flyer at the library or online at monroe.lib.in.us/friends and bring it to the restaurant.Whether it means saving room for dessert or ordering that extra glass of wine, the tabs of library supporters at Lennie’s will go toward a community cause, Franks said.
(01/23/13 5:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When you think about sex, do you also consider architecture? The consideration of architecture and how it communicates ideas of sex, gender and the erotic is exactly what the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction has in mind with “Naked Spaces,” its newest exhibition.“We could very easily have a show that dealt with sex and reproduction,” said Catherine Johnson-Roehr, Kinsey Curator of Arts, Artifacts and Photographs. “Just last fall was ‘Gender Expressions,’ which showed how artists dealt with questions of gender. It’s very direct to what we do.”When guest curator Susan Johnson-Roehr, who earned a Ph.D. in architectural history from the University of Illinois, suggested using architecture as the exhibition’s theme, Catherine said she was skeptical as to whether the Kinsey collection would have enough material to fill the space.To her surprise, many of Kinsey’s pieces featured architecture, whether it was a photo of a Parisian sex shop or a painting of an intimate moment with the Egyptian Pyramids in the distance. The collection of pieces became so substantial that many works would not fit in the gallery.“[Susan] wanted to focus on exterior imagery, so when we started looking we found we had quite a bit of material,” Catherine said. “Some of the pieces have no people in them at all – the artist wanted to use architecture to show sexuality. It’s a fascinating collection of material.”Vincent Cianni’s series “Landscapes of Desire” is an example of a piece with no people present. The photos depict deserted structures, such as an aviary, that do not appear sexual in nature until the viewer learns Cianni had sought out locations where he knew sexual activity had occurred.Viewers can also take in the bright colors of one of Emilio Sanchez’s pieces. A painting of a small house shows no sexual imagery or figural works, but Sanchez himself was a gay artist who lived in New York City and died in 1999.Not only does the collection span many interpretations of sexuality and architecture, but it also spans many countries and centuries. The oldest piece in the gallery, “Massacre of the Innocents” by Marcantonio Raimondi, dates back to 1509 when Renaissance artists were interested in reviving the nude as a suitable topic for art.“It’s fun to do a show like this that is so international and spans such a length of time,” Catherine said.The collection will be on view in the gallery until April 5. The Kinsey Institute’s viewing hours are from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but for those with a busy mid-week, the gallery will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 2 in conjunction with the PRIDE Film Festival. The Kinsey Institute is located in Morrison Hall at 1165 E. 3rd St.“I hope that people leave this show with their eyes opened a bit,” Catherine said. “It shows you that sex and sexuality is a part of the human experience and culture, and architecture is something that we exist in as well.”
(01/16/13 5:01am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Venue Fine Art & Gifts will debut something new on Friday with its Emerging Artist Exhibition and Sale.Beginning at 6 p.m., the show will be the first of its kind at the gallery, as it will feature the works of many different artists, all students from Bloomington High Schools North and South.“It’s a bit experimental in that it allows for multiple artists to show their work,” Venue curator and owner Gabriel Colman said. “I’m keen to be involved in the business of art, so this seemed like the next step and promoting high school art felt natural.”Colman, a graduate of BHSN, said he would not be who he was without its arts program.“It’s an excellent community of teachers willing to put time into different mediums,” Colman said. “I’m not sure if other communities are advocating for the arts the way these schools do.”The art departments of BHS North and South are organized by BHSN 2-D art teacher Diana Davis Deckard. Selected creations of the art students include ceramics, stained glass and painting and are to be judged for prizes by Colman.The selected works will be on exhibit for sale at The Venue. The award-winning pieces will be determined Jan. 26. The public is invited to partake in either of two receptions for the exhibition. The first one takes place Friday and the second on Jan. 25. Both receptions will be from 6 to 8 p.m.According to the press release, some of the artists will be present, creating an opportunity to enjoy and own fantastic art, and for the public to show support for Bloomington’s high school art programs.“There are certainly some prolific artists at the high school level,” Colman said. “Talent and experience are not the same things, so this is an opportunity to offer showing experience to an emerging artist.”The complete collection of The Venue’s other art and gifts will also be on display for viewing and purchase. The show will run until Jan. 31. More information can be found at thevenuebloomington.com or from the Venue’s Twitter account @TheVenueFineArt.“I would like for this particular event with the students to become an annual signature event,” Colman said. “It would be an opportunity to support the youngest members of the Bloomington arts community and the future leaders of arts in America.”
(01/11/13 4:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Guests at IU’s Asian Culture Center’s informal open house will get the chance to meet new people and learn about the ACC while eating warm soup and dumplings. The event begins at 5 p.m. Friday at the ACC, located at 807 E. 10th St.“There will be no formal program,” ACC director Melanie Castillo-Cullather said. “It will just be a chance to become familiar with what we do at the Asian Culture Center. For newcomers, hopefully it will not be the only time they attend, and, for returning students, there will be a lot of volunteer opportunities for the future.”According to the ACC website, more than 2,500 Asian and Asian-Pacific American students attend IU.Like the rest of the IU student body, Asian students face common challenges in adjusting to university life and finding friends with shared values, which can be further complicated by language barriers.Fortunately, for students with language troubles, the ACC has resources available.“There is an English tutorial service every day from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,” Castillo-Cullather said. “We have student volunteers from Kelley, the journalism school and the anthropology department, and you don’t have to make an appointment — just come with your homework. It is a good opportunity for volunteers, too, because they can put teaching experience on their resume.”In addition to educational services, the ACC serves as a space to unwind and indulge in the relaxing practices of other cultures.“Every Monday is a free henna session, and Friday is a time to unwind with calligraphy lessons and mahjong,” Castillo-Cullather said. “We want students to feel at home and open to new things.”Sarah Moon, graduate student assistant for ACC, said attendees don’t have to be Asian or Asian-American to attend Friday’s reception or any event at the ACC.“Our doors are always open, and everyone is welcome,” Moon said. “We are open late, and students are always free to come and get homework help or meet with friends. Don’t be afraid to come and try new things.”Due to limited space, it is recommended for students to RSVP to the reception at ACC@indiana.edu. More information can be found at iu.edu/~acc.“We would like the students and the community to know about this resource on campus because not all universities have this amazing resource,” Castillo-Cullather said. “At IU, we recognize the distinct and unique contributions of each cultural center.”
(01/11/13 4:46am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Guests at IU’s Asian Culture Center’s informal open house will get the chance to meet new people and learn about the ACC while eating warm soup and dumplings. The event begins at 5 p.m. Friday at the ACC, located at 807 E. 10th St.“There will be no formal program,” ACC director Melanie Castillo-Cullather said. “It will just be a chance to become familiar with what we do at the Asian Culture Center. For newcomers, hopefully it will not be the only time they attend, and, for returning students, there will be a lot of volunteer opportunities for the future.”According to the ACC website, more than 2,500 Asian and Asian-Pacific American students attend IU.Like the rest of the IU student body, Asian students face common challenges in adjusting to university life and finding friends with shared values, which can be further complicated by language barriers.Fortunately, for students with language troubles, the ACC has resources available.“There is an English tutorial service every day from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.,” Castillo-Cullather said. “We have student volunteers from Kelley, the journalism school and the anthropology department, and you don’t have to make an appointment — just come with your homework. It is a good opportunity for volunteers, too, because they can put teaching experience on their resume.”In addition to educational services, the ACC serves as a space to unwind and indulge in the relaxing practices of other cultures.“Every Monday is a free henna session, and Friday is a time to unwind with calligraphy lessons and mahjong,” Castillo-Cullather said. “We want students to feel at home and open to new things.”Sarah Moon, graduate student assistant for ACC, said attendees don’t have to be Asian or Asian-American to attend Friday’s reception or any event at the ACC.“Our doors are always open, and everyone is welcome,” Moon said. “We are open late, and students are always free to come and get homework help or meet with friends. Don’t be afraid to come and try new things.”Due to limited space, it is recommended for students to RSVP to the reception at ACC@indiana.edu. More information can be found at iu.edu/~acc.“We would like the students and the community to know about this resource on campus because not all universities have this amazing resource,” Castillo-Cullather said. “At IU, we recognize the distinct and unique contributions of each cultural center.”
(01/04/13 3:31am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The Cardinal Stage Company transported audiences somewhere over the rainbow with its presentation of “The Wizard of Oz.” The musical has been performed at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater since Dec. 21, entertaining packed houses full of the young and young-at-heart.The play incorporated pyrotechnics, spirited choreography and wire-flying, firsts for Cardinal. Audiences were also delighted when Trixie the dog made her first appearance, or as her character is known, Toto.“I’m really proud of the show,” Cardinal artistic director Randy White said. “There were a lot of hard-working people involved. The family holiday show we do every year has the most investment, so I hope people had a great theater experience.”Preparation for the production began six months ago, with rehearsals commencing in November. The show was open to general auditions, which were met with a large turnout.Lauren Bauman, a 13-year-old seventh grader at St. Charles’ Elementary, played the role of the Munchkin coroner. After working for Cardinal before, she decided to try out again for a spot in “The Wizard of Oz.”“I enjoyed working with Randy and everyone else at Cardinal, so I kept trying out,” she said. Bauman has also starred in Cardinal productions “Annie,” “The Sound of Music” and “A Christmas Carol.” “I was definitely nervous, but it’s nice and fun because it helps me do better,” she said.IU B.F.A. musical theater graduate Charnette Batey starred as Dorothy Gale, a girl swept away from her Kansas farm home by a tornado.Batey said the hardest part was filling the ruby slippers so associated with Judy Garland’s famed portrayal of Dorothy in the 1939 film adaptation of the L. Frank Baum novel.“I think everyone thinks of Judy Garland when they think of ‘Wizard of Oz,’ so it’s intimidating to fill those shoes,” Batey said. “The hardest and the best part was that I got to bring myself into the role and make it my own Dorothy, which I’m proud of.”“The Wizard of Oz” cast will stage its last performances Friday and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m.White hopes that the large turnout for the “Wizard of Oz” acts as an ambassador performance for future Cardinal Stage Company productions.“The turnout for the family holiday show gets the word out, and we hope people will come back and bring their families,” White said. “There’s nothing like seeing kids and families watch a performance with kids dancing and singing. It’s great to watch.”
(10/03/12 9:10pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Maybe it’s the beers or the years, but most of the house parties I’ve been to sort of run together. Some costumes stand out from their associated themed parties, such as Madonna (‘80s party), a banana (“Arrested Development”) or a mustache (Mustachio Bashio 2009-12). For the most part though, every hilarious joke, ridiculous story and 40 of Cobra is a little fuzzy — but the resulting feeling of good humor and warmth is why I love house parties.“House parties are where you meet the largest number of people that are into the same things you are,” Bloomington resident Clark Dallas said. “I’ve met a lot of my best friends at house parties. Everyone is here for the same things you are.”Those “things” range from meeting new people to drinking socially and seeing a favorite local band pack a basement.“It’s a lot more fun to play a house show because there are no rules, or at least it feels that way,” Sleeping Bag drummer Dave Segedy said. “House shows kind of sound better, too. They’re well-insulated and the vibe is different.”Whether it was Clouds as Oceans, Go Go Gadget or Elephant Quiz, there have always been local favorites at the house parties I’ve been to. Dallas, the guitarist for former house-show-staple Clouds as Oceans, has seen his fair share of basements.“At a bar, even at a great show, you’re distanced by a stage,” Dallas said. “At house shows, some dude in the band is grabbing you by your hair and neck, singing with you and you become part of the band.”But what’s even better is when bands’ biggest fans show up at house parties – the cops.Cops were the bane of my, and many others, pre-21-year-old existence, not just because I was drinking underage (sorry, Dad), but because visits from the cops usually meant “noise complaint” and hence, “party’s over.”“There should be a time limit on parties, and you shouldn’t play as loud as you possibly can, but when you live where students live, you should anticipate parties happening,” said Meredith Dover, We Don’t Surf bassist. “It’s a lot of hard work, moving amps, PA’s and instruments for nothing.”Despite party crashers, many party hosts in town still find it in their hearts to open their doors to those seeking refuge from boredom, and deal with the messy repercussions the next day.“Everyone getting together to have a good time and listen to music is more important than the inconveniences that come with throwing a party,” said Chelsea Sherman, Bloomington resident and party host. “When we open our house to others we really try to get everything cleaned up so people would get the message to respect our belongings, and usually they do.”One word resonates with Bloomington’s fun and communal house party culture: "free." This describes the price and inhibitions.“More exciting stuff happens at house parties — someone always gets naked,” Dover said. “It’s a niche community, so you always know people at the parties.”There is something different about walking into someone’s home to party, be it the lack of a cover charge, cheap drinks or constant paranoia of being busted by the cops before all the bands can perform.And yet there is more to the parties that rage on beneath Bloomington soil: inclusiveness that can’t be found at frats, drinking at all ages which can’t be found at bars, and loud, rambunctious, boisterous behavior that can’t be found anywhere else in Bloomington.“The music, the booze and the crowds really heighten everything about a party,” Sherman said. “In order to experience it you have to be there in the moment. I think that’s where we find the most joy.”
(09/12/12 10:56pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For Floyd Rosenbaum, brewing the beers for Bloomington Brewing Company isn’t just a job, it’s his hobby.In the late 1970s, Rosenbaum started brewing his own beers during the long, dark hours in Alaska. In 1996 he started part-time at a new brewing company founded on IU’s campus. In 2000, Rosenbaum finally took over as head brewer of the BBC and has been tending to the beers ever since.“My passion is to make fine beverages,” Rosenbaum said. “I like to make fine craft beers that people enjoy.”When it opened, the BBC featured only four different brews. Now, after the opening of a second brewery and expanded distribution, locals can find favorites such as the Belgian Blonde, the Vision Weiss, the Ruby Bloom, the Quarrymen Pale Ale and many, many more at establishments throughout town. Lennie’s, where the BBC is located, has 14 different BBC brews on tap at any given time.Each season, Rosenbaum is constantly crafting new brews such as the Homegrown Ale, in which all of the hops come directly from Loesch Farm on the west side of town. Rosenbaum also takes pride in his bourbon-soaked barrel brews, which he hopes to have a keg of on tap by early November.Rosenbaum credits some of the extent of the BBC’s brew artillery to his ability to easily research new brewing tips. “In the ’70s, you had to travel to find someone who could make a specific beer,” he said. “With technology today, I can do research about beers all over the world. Most of my experience comes from years not only as a home brewer, but as a researcher.”He carefully tends the brewing process. Samples are taken daily and temperature is always monitored. Nothing is added to BBC beers other than water, grain, yeast and hops. It is the type of grain, amount of hops and temperature at which the beer is brewed that result in the diverse array of brews the BBC now boasts.But the BBC doesn’t just make beers that taste good. Waste from the brewing process goes back to the One World Enterprises farm to make compost and feed animals. Because BBC doesn’t let the refuse from the brewing process go to waste, fans can feel good about the beers they’re drinking as well.“What we do defines us,” Lennie’s General Manager Michael Fox said. “The way we do business is unique and special. And we make great beer.”Fox also said it’s an exciting time for the BBC. It was the first brew-pub in southern Indiana, but it’s just now beginning to expand beyond Bloomington and is introducing its first retail bottle in October. This means more people will have a chance to experience what BBC so proudly produces from the farm, to the tap, to the glass.
(09/12/12 10:34pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Bloomington Brewing Company1795 E 10th St.Notable brews: Rooftop, QuarrymenIn the midst of a busy campus lies the Bloomington Brewing Company. Located adjacent to Lennie’s at 1795 E 10th St., the BBC on 10th Street is the flagship brewing site to the much larger brewery on the west side of Bloomington. While the other brewery now takes care of the larger production of some of company’s best-known brews, the BBC at Lennie’s focuses on specialty and seasonal brews. The pub at Lennie’s strives for intimacy. There are no televisions – a welcoming feel and face-to-face conversations can be expected while enjoying a BBC beer. At any given time, patrons can taste some of the 14 different types of BBC beer found on tap at Lennie’s. This fall will see the emergence of BBC’s Homegrown Ale, which contains hops grown on the BBC’s farm. By the end of October, BBC head brewer Floyd Rosenbaum hopes to have a Java Porter on tap as well as a dunkel weiss, or “dark wheat.”Rosenbaum and the BBC will be at the Big Red Beerfest on Oct. 4-5 with samples.For anyone who lives by the “drink local” code, be sure to enjoy some of Bloomington Brewing Company’s craft beers, especially over a hot Lennie’s pizza.
(08/28/12 3:12am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Charlie Patton’s War and Fluffer will bring a taste of local rock ‘n’ roll to The Bishop Bar.The show will begin at 9 p.m. today. Tickets cost $5 at the door.Though different styles, the bands promise to keep the crowds dancing.“We were asked to play, and we said of course because the Bishop is one of the best venues in town,” said senior Kyle Houpt, the guitarist for Charlie Patton’s War. “The Bishop is great for those under 21, and it’s also a great place to meet fellow musicians.”The band members are currently working on a self-produced album. Houpt said he hopes the album, which he describes as punk-blues infused with soul, will be completed later this semester. With graduation imminent for the band’s members, this will be the band’s last year.Fluffer’s drummer, senior Patrick Apfelbeck, said his band’s sound is “psychedelic dance future rock.” The band’s influences include Deerhoof, Tame Impala and Battles.Fluffer, which has opened for local rapper Andy D and touring acts such as Born Gold, are also working on an album.“If we can have it done by the end of the world, I’d be happy,” Apfelbeck said.Charlie Patton’s War and Fluffer will also be playing on Saturday at the Verve in Terre Haute.“We both haven’t played the Bishop since last year,” Apfelbeck said. “We are both extremely anxious to see and play to this year’s audience.”