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Syndicate Monthly Archives Peace is eating an ice cream sandwich
Andrew Cothern
August 12, 2008 8:30 AM
She chronicles her 190-day journey on her website where she’s also asking people to submit what they think peace means to them. She hopes to collect one million definitions of the word, so go to www.peacescooter.com and submit. When I Rule the Restaurant World
Karen Newton
July 31, 2008 11:07 AM
As a person who eats out in rva four or five times a week, I feel as qualified as anyone to share my wish list for restaurants. They’re totally subjective, so don’t get your panties in a wad if you disagree. 1. NO children in any restaurants except chain restaurants. I don’t care how well behaved YOU think your child is, I don’t want him in the booth next to me, or being walked up and down the aisle or bothering the wait staff. I go out in the evening to enjoy adult activities in an adult atmosphere and I don’t want to hear your child whining, squealing or otherwise being child like. 2. When I specifically ask for a big glass of water to go with my beverage of choice, I am asking for a reason. I drink a lot of water and if you bring me the typical small water glass, I will have to bother you repeatedly for refills. I don’t want to do this, so please respect my request for a BIG glass and save yourself the extra steps. 3. Music, not TV screens, enhance the dining experience. Even if I choose to sit at the bar when I dine alone (thus leaving a 2 or 4 top for a larger party), I do not want the TV blaring at me while I eat. Let’s just say it’s hard on the digestion and adds nothing to the dining “experience,“ which is, of course, the whole point of a restaurant meal to begin with. Music, on the other hand, is a delightful background to good food. 4. No one under any circumstances should be allowed to answer, much less converse, on their cell phone in a restaurant. I am not paying for the restaurant experience to hear your mundane/inane/business/embarrassing conversation. If your phone rings, leave the restaurant and talk away. But spare me having to share the experience. 5. There should always be a chocolate choice on the dessert menu. Enough said. ...sigh…I know it’s a lot to ask for, but it’ll all come to pass once I am queen of the Richmond restaurant world. You’ll see…and we’ll all enjoy dining out more. The Band to See Last Night was Violens
Karen Newton
July 30, 2008 10:09 AM
Last night’s MGMT show at The National was a sweaty, sticky-floored mass of bodies, but I mean that mostly in a good way. Okay, the beer-slicked sloped floor that caused me to land on my ass (or more correctly, my tail bone) left something to be desired, but all that was forgotten during Violens set. Their 80s influenced Brit pop sound is so right up my alley, but honestly, I can’t imagine anyone who appreciates well-crafted pop sensibilities, classic harmonies and that jittery post-punk guitar sound (a personal favorite) not seeing these guys for that they are: an undiscovered gem. The lead singer acknowledged to me later at their merch table that the sound quality wasn’t quite right for their set and he was right. But even compromised sound couldn’t disguise the shimmering sound that defines Violens. MGMT’s psychedelic pop set was exactly what you’d expect after a few listens to their CD, Oracular Spectacular. Fun, poppy and hard not to move to.But it’s Violens I’m looking forward to seeing headline next time I see them so I can hear a longer set of their 80s pop perfection. Bush or Batman?
Andrew Cothern
July 29, 2008 11:47 AM
Can you tell the difference? Screw the Power Elite
Andrew Cothern
July 23, 2008 8:04 AM
Style Weekly has released their Top People of Richmond who are influential or cool or something like that. In other words, the people you can’t stand to hear about for the millionth time. In response, I decided to come up with my own “Power List” of Richmonders who have made some real changes in the city, no matter how small they may be. And this is by no means a complete list. Carter Anderson – environmentalist, Save The Trash Reggie Pace - musician Slash Coleman – artist, playwright Ward Tefft Bizhan Khodabandeh & Amanda Robinson – directors of Gallery 5 Adam Rose – musician Stephen Bowman – G5 Fire Chris Dorsey – RVA4Peace Ceci Hull – WRIR Richmond Craft Mafia Gonzo Greatness
Karen Newton
July 22, 2008 8:41 AM
If you don’t know who Hunter S. Thompson is, you can stop reading right now. But if you do, let me heartily recommend this new documentary, Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. Full of fascinating video clips and interviews with everyone from Jimmy Carter to Jimmy Buffet, the documentary is as much a roller coaster as Thompson’s life was. Voyeuristic types will revel in how much of Thompson’s life was filmed, giving a glimpse into how much time he spent drinking, drugging and shooting guns. But it’s really the wide-ranging interviews about Thompson that made this an exceptional documentary for me. Not surprisingly, it’s all the well-spoken people associated with the man who paint the truly compelling image of a brilliant and crazy writer who really did make a difference in his chosen field. And for those of you who don’t know any more about Thompson than that his remains were fired out of a cannon, well, too bad for you. They broke the mold after this guy, but his writing will be inspiring generations to come. And for those of you who pride yourself on your pop culture knowledge, a person can’t be truly culturally literate without knowing the story on Hunter S. Thompson. Just so you know. ...and miles to go before I sleep
Andrew Cothern
July 21, 2008 11:00 PM
Dead. That’s how I feel right now. Who knew that just chronicling a team participating in the 48 hour film project would be just as exhausting as doing the real thing? After feeling very bitter about having to drop out of the competition (stupid actors going M.I.A. and producer having to go to the hospital and having no crew besides myself….. i still say that my film would have been amazing), it was nice to let other people handle all the hassles and frustrations that go with putting together a movie so quickly. West Grace Productions, headed up by Michael Hagan, picked the “road movie” genre and what followed was a weekend of high-paced creativity, writing, fighting and very little sleep. The movie follows the character of Sylvester Barlow (played by Josh Hryciak) as a musician searching for his inspiration. His trek takes him to places such as Captain Buzzy’s Beanery, Chop Suey Books and Pony Pastures, among others. I’m not really sure what else happens since I haven’t seen the final product yet. West Grace’s movie, along with 35 other short films, will be screened at the Byrd Theatre this coming Saturday. Screenings are at 11, 1:30 and 4 for $7 per screening. Or get the all day pass fro $12. Smartest idea ever. To see what West Grace Productions went though to get their movie finished on time, check out today’s MashUp. Music Worth Seeing July 20th-26th
Karen Newton
July 18, 2008 8:39 AM
For what it’s worth, this list is just one Richmond music fan’s recommendations of who to see here next week. Lots of other music is happening, but these are the ones I’d tell friends about. Sunday 7/20: At the Stars at Alley Katz at 6 $8 Thursday 7/24 We Know, Plato! at Ramakins at 730/Mermaid Skeletons at Firehouse Theater for Silent Movie Revival 9:00 $0 Friday 7/25 Jonathan Vassar CD Release Show, David Shultz & the Skyline and Josh Small at the Camel 8:00 $6 Saturday 7/26 Now Sleepyhead CD Release Show at The Camel 8:00 $6 I’m no expert and I’m only doing this list because of a comment on my last music show blog suggesting I tell readers about good shows before they happen. This is what I know of that grabs me for next week…but it’s just my humble opinion. PBR Saved My Marriage
J.C. Polk
July 15, 2008 2:05 PM
We are all probably familiar with the disheartening statistic of what Americans call the institution of marriage. With divorce rate exceeding 50% years ago, society has become numb to the deconstruction of meaningful, love-based realtionships. Common references, “my old man” or “my better half” have become all but extinct. Hollywood divorces remain in the news and actually dwarf the hype of engagements. I offer this story as a folktale of inspiration for Madame Brinkley and perhaps advisement for newlyweds like Lady Carey and Sir Cannon. This is a tale of how my marriage was salvaged by an american classic. Courting, Engagement, and Honeymoons have one thing in common - fantasy. When I first met her, I was faithfully greeted at the door. “Welcome Home”, “I have been waiting for you”, and “So glad you are here”. When my friends would come over she catered to them with hospitality like no other. She fed me, helped keep me warm on brisk Fall nights, and hence I bragged on her. I sacrificed co-worker invitations and felt obligated to come straight there afterwork. I was faithful. Like (m)any men, I would flirt with others but would eventually fess-up of having a home. But slowly things began to change… Dinner wasn’t the same. No one was at the door when I got home. Pure strangers got more affection, attention, and ‘private time’. Six months into my marriage and I started to question. I conferred with the MashUp Crew to their disbelief. My happiness, infatuation, and unadulterated love was disappearing before my very eyes. This is the most intimidating feeling I have ever experienced. To walk in one day and not recognize the one you love. New clothes, new friends, and no explanation. Admittingly, it was here that I stepped out. Dates at Delux, Sidewalk, Ipanemia and even Glenn’s (Chamberlyn Old Head Spot) I couldn’t capture that ‘high’ I had lost with her. I knew it was now or never. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was after a long First Friday shoot and I debated whether to go home. I sat down and had a heart to heart that started something like this, “Who the hell are you“ and end with “I am leaving and not coming back”. I meant it with every fiber in my body. As I went to the door, the question rose, “What do I have to do?“. I remembering saying, “Let me park the car” and but she responded with, “You got it, PBR! Monday through Friday, $1.50.“ Somewhat confused, I must have look unmoved for she said, “OK, Man Cans! Tall boys, $1.50 M-F. That’s the best I can do”. Long story short, PBR saved my marriage. With a new general manager, great looking new hostesses, I have re-newed my vows with Popkin Tavern. For better (nights) and worse (karoke), When I rich or poorer, until the PBR Man Can special departs, I will be in holy matrimony with Popkin. I mean really, don’t you want go where everybody knows your name and their always glad you came…
Cuddlecore…wait, what?
Karen Newton
July 15, 2008 10:45 AM
The Boy Bathing, an NYC indie folk pop rock group played to a dozen people at the Camel Monday night. Too bad for the rest of Richmond, especially anyone who loves literate lyrics, perfect harmonies, well played instruments and full-on live performances. The band has been described by critics as Bright Eyes backed by Arcade Fire, but that’s too simplistic a description. Whatever’s in the water in Brooklyn seems to be produce some very talented musicians who put on a show fit for a crowd…despite the small size of it. Suffice to say, too few people enjoyed a truly good live show from a band that hopes to return to rva later this year. My advice? Keep up with the schedule at The Camel and the other smaller venues…bands like The Boy Bathing are most definitely worth seeing when they come through Richmond (and on a Monday night…like there was something better going on? uh, no). If you don’t trust my word, check out their myspace page and listen to what you missed. And cuddlecore? Yea, the band said it’s not really an accurate description of their sound, but it’s such a great sounding phrase, they can’t quite let it go. And why should they? For all anyone knows, their unique sound could be the new definition of what cuddlecore is. |
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Alix Bryan rode her scooter across the US in the shape of a peace sign in order to discuss what peace actually means.