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Syndicate Monthly Archives You Had Me at Free Movie and Music
Karen Newton
November 17, 2008 12:28 PM
Jonathan Vassar and friends provided the accompaniment to the 1926 silent film, “Menilmontant” at last night’s Silent Movie Revival. The film was unusual for a silent film in that it used no titling to further the story, which begins with a violent double murder and follows the lives of the two sisters whose parents were killed at the start. Menilmontant is a neighborhood in Paris and the shots of the neighborhood are almost a character in the movie. Not surprisingly, Jonathan Vassar and friends provided a stellar soundtrack to the eeriness and uncertainty of the characters’ lives. Occasionally using vocals, but mainly instrumentation, their music heightened the various moods of the film without ever intruding on it. No doubt it was a challenging proposition for the four musicians, who rose to it beautifully. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: the Silent Movie Revival is the best entertainment deal in rva. You get a classic silent movie (with a too brief intro by the amazing and talented film lover and organizer Jameson Price), live music by some of Richmond’s best musicians and a half hour of pure pleasure. Totally free (okay, you do have to pay for the beer and wine), it’s one of the few events I never miss unless I’m out of town. It’s that good. Brunch at Weezie’s Kitchen
Karen Newton
November 16, 2008 3:10 PM
The good, the bad and the ugly, that was brunch with a friend at Weezie’s in Carytown. The good: The bad: The ugly: Luckily, good company and conversation trumps all. And the crowd was lively, the food tasty and affordable, so next time we’ll sit at the bar and talk into each other’s ears. As for the air freshener fanatic, what are the chances I’ll follow her again? Problems solved. A Music Lover’s Graphic Novel
Karen Newton
November 16, 2008 11:08 AM
Okay, I was late to discovering the pleasure of graphic novels. It was only last year when I read “Persepolis” that I understood why the graphic novel market has exploded in the past few years. So when I heard about Paul Sizemore’s new graphic novel “BPM” about an up and coming DJ in NYC, I pre-ordered as fast as my inadequate typing skills allowed me to (there, Corey, feel better that I acknowledged that inadequacy to the blogging world?). When it finally arrived (autographed, to my surprise!), there was no question it was worth the wait. It’s not just an engrossing story, although it is that. It’s not just the well-drawn panels in neon-bright colors. It’s the soundtrack that complements the story that raises it to another level. Each page of the novel has a track name and artist that set the mood for the scene….Talking Heads “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody),“ Grace Jones “Slave to the Rhythm,“ New Order “True Faith” and many, many more. The songs are more of a mixtape than a club set list, but they add another dimension when reading the book, giving the reader a more complete experience. You can even sample, purchase or download the music from iTunes. I cared about the characters, the story line was compelling and the music sealed the deal. BPM is an audio and visual treat, well worth checking out. As Paul Sizemore wrote to me in an e-mail, “Glad to hear you’re digging it. Tell your friends.“ Consider them told. Don’t Stop the Dance
Karen Newton
November 15, 2008 7:05 PM
The dance performance last night at Gallery 5 wasn’t like any dancing you’re likely to have seen before. Loosely speaking, it was all based on belly dancing, but the reality of the dancing was something completely removed from that. To begin with, the music: Prince, Romanian Gypsy music, tribal drumming, Britney, house, trance and industrial. Not your typical middle eastern belly dancing music by a long shot. And not your typical belly dancing. The only thing these dancers had in common were bare bellies. The dancing encompassed everything from afro-industrial to gothic fusion, sometimes with elements of modern and jazz thrown in. And a lot of undulating bellies. The headliner was Shakra Transfusion Dance from DC and their high energy, boot-stomping, hair-flinging dance movements accompanying industrial music brought the house down. Or, more accurately, they kicked ass and took names. Along the way PyroKitty (the organizer and an amazing dancer herself), Shimmy Mischief, Raina and other impressive local talents built the momentum. It was a good night to be a dance lover in Richmond. Ilad is playing at Gallery 5. Maybe you should go.
Andrew Cothern
November 06, 2008 2:23 PM
Ilad, Coald Toast and Gull. Do you need any more reason to be at Gallery 5 on Friday? This will be Ilad’s first show since recording their new album so that means lots of new material. Politica-what?
Cameron Walker
November 04, 2008 10:48 PM
As we hit the 11:00 mark….Obama is the new elected president of the United States! There is in no words to express the amount of excitement there was here at the Camel. Here are a few pics we caught in the middle of it all…
More Politics….
Cameron Walker
November 04, 2008 10:21 PM
Update! So the band Pendelton has taken to the stage and most people have gone from crowding the flat screens to the other room to hear the live music….......tight race indeed. I tried to get a pic or two of some of the crowd dancing but of course as soon as you put a camera in someone’s face of course they get self-conscious. The mood is positive and every now and then someone comes out of the other room to check to see what’s going on.. Adventures in Politics at The Camel
Corey Amado
November 04, 2008 9:50 PM
It’s been a long day for Cameron and I…...from UofR to VCU to a McCain Event at the Mariott in the West End to now….The Election Throwdown at The Camel….it’s been all politics all the time….to the point of pure insanity….on more than one occasion I swear I saw Cameron crying in the corner in the fetal position (Nicole she needs some time off for real reals). However, now at the camel with a beer in her hand her temperment has gotten much better….
Halloween Ends with the Music of John Carpenter
Karen Newton
November 03, 2008 8:59 AM
Jazz lovers already know what a terrific show local band Glows in the Dark puts on. Last night’s set at Commercial Taphouse was especially enjoyable because it featured seasonally-appropriate music from the movies of director John Carpenter: Halloween, Escape from New York, The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween 3. If you know Carpenter’s movie music at all, you know most of it is written for keyboards. So the trick here was that there’s not a keyboard in sight in Glows in the Dark. All of the music had been amazingly rearranged by Scott Burton for guitar, bass, drums, trombone and saxophone. The treat here was how superbly all of Carpenter’s music worked without keyboards. As impressive as the music was, it was hard not to notice how much fun these guys were having playing it. A friend commented how great it was to see the musicians trading smiles as they played, clearly enjoying every minute of Carpenter goodness. Or maybe the band was just taking their cue from the audience, as we all relished the best possible ending to the Halloween weekend. A Singular, Tasty Treat: of Montreal
Karen Newton
November 02, 2008 10:42 AM
of Montreal was the ideal band to continue the Halloween vibe in rva last night. Their show at the National had it all: six musicians including two drummers, 3 video screens, loads of back-up dancers, more costume changes than I could count…and feathers, lots of feathers. |
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