Herbie Hancock
Carnegie Hall
23 June 2008, 2000
Before the one and only Herbie Hancock and the River of Possibilities Tour, there was the Lionel Loueke Trio (aka Gilfema), which features Lionel Loueke on guitar, Massimo Biolcati on bass and Ferenc Nemeth on drums. A truly international group, Loueke is from Benin a small country in West Africa, Massimo is half Italian and half Swedish growing up in both countries, and Ferenc is from Hungary. Together they have a very powerful yet smooth sound. The guys in the group have each trained at some of the finest music schools in the world and have each played with some of the best jazz musicians of our time. They are dynamic and play extraordinarily well with each other and as soloists. Not only was Loueke a part of the opening trio, he also played guitar for our headliner, Herbie Hancock.
The River of Possibilities tour is aptly named, since Herbie's last two albums are titled "River" (an album with an aim to dissect some of Joni Mitchell's work) and "Possibilities" (which features artists such as John Mayer, Annie Lennox, Joss Stone, Paul Simon, and Santana). Herbie was born in 1940 in Chicago, and at the ripe old age of 11 he played his first Mozart piano concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Although he was always interested in music, he developed an additional passion for electronic science and double majored in music and electrical engineering in college. Herbie was a child prodigy and has become one of the finest jazz pianists and composers. He was joined on stage by Loueke, Dave Holland on bass, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, and Chris Potter on saxophone. The group was presented as part of the JVC Jazz Festival. The concert was absolutely sublime, and they even played one of my favorite Hancock tunes, "Chameleon."
100 in 6 budget: $586
24 June 2008
22 June 2008
39 - Pimps of Joytime and Bonerama
Pimps of Joytime and Bonerama
Sullivan Hall
21 June 2008
The Pimps of Joytime were the first act of the evening. They are funk, soul and turntable fun all rolled up into one hell of a party. Their sound is really groovy and you just can't help swaying along to their beat while you listen. M picked up a copy of their album "High Steppin" at the show, which he so kindly relinquished to me and I have listened to it a couple times through already. There are so many different influences that you can hear while scanning through their songs that their style is pretty hard to pin to just one or two genres. They really have an awesome sound and I would absolutely recommend giving them a listen.
The headliner for the evening was Bonerama. Aptly named, Bonerama features four slide trombone players as their frontline with an accompanying bass guitar, drum kit and sousaphone. This band is absolutely wonderful, fantastic, awesome. Bonerama is a New Orleans brass funk rock band as their website describes them, or as a Rolling Stone journalist wrote, Bonerama is "the ultimate in brass balls." They play original music as well as a handful of covers that you would be surprised can translate so well to trombone. I have already signed up for their mailing list and I will definitely be seeing them again.
I would love to write more because I truly enjoyed both bands that I saw last night, but thanks to M. Douglas I think I am still hungover and I can't think worth a damn today. Cheers.
Sullivan Hall
21 June 2008
The Pimps of Joytime were the first act of the evening. They are funk, soul and turntable fun all rolled up into one hell of a party. Their sound is really groovy and you just can't help swaying along to their beat while you listen. M picked up a copy of their album "High Steppin" at the show, which he so kindly relinquished to me and I have listened to it a couple times through already. There are so many different influences that you can hear while scanning through their songs that their style is pretty hard to pin to just one or two genres. They really have an awesome sound and I would absolutely recommend giving them a listen.
The headliner for the evening was Bonerama. Aptly named, Bonerama features four slide trombone players as their frontline with an accompanying bass guitar, drum kit and sousaphone. This band is absolutely wonderful, fantastic, awesome. Bonerama is a New Orleans brass funk rock band as their website describes them, or as a Rolling Stone journalist wrote, Bonerama is "the ultimate in brass balls." They play original music as well as a handful of covers that you would be surprised can translate so well to trombone. I have already signed up for their mailing list and I will definitely be seeing them again.
I would love to write more because I truly enjoyed both bands that I saw last night, but thanks to M. Douglas I think I am still hungover and I can't think worth a damn today. Cheers.
38 - Strawberry Shortcake Fest
Strawberry Shortcake Fest
21 June 2008
Another year, another Strawberry Shortcake Fest; a tradition of the Brouwer/Veazey family that has been going on for approximately 22 years. There has always been some controversy surrounding the exact year that the festivities began, but photographic evidence suggests that at least 22 years have passed since the first. What started with a quaint family day of strawberry picking and baking has turned into an 80 person, invitation only, dozen cake production. This year, the attendee list grew so much that the Brouwer/Veazey clan had to hire a bartender just to keep up with the prosecco demand (I think we went through at least a case of the bubbly). I can't really imagine a more perfect day than sitting with friends outside, drinking sparkling wine, and feasting on delicious, home-made strawberry shortcake. Mangia!
21 June 2008
Another year, another Strawberry Shortcake Fest; a tradition of the Brouwer/Veazey family that has been going on for approximately 22 years. There has always been some controversy surrounding the exact year that the festivities began, but photographic evidence suggests that at least 22 years have passed since the first. What started with a quaint family day of strawberry picking and baking has turned into an 80 person, invitation only, dozen cake production. This year, the attendee list grew so much that the Brouwer/Veazey clan had to hire a bartender just to keep up with the prosecco demand (I think we went through at least a case of the bubbly). I can't really imagine a more perfect day than sitting with friends outside, drinking sparkling wine, and feasting on delicious, home-made strawberry shortcake. Mangia!
21 June 2008
37 - Warm July
Warm July
Kenny's Castaways
20 June 2008, 2000
Warm July is a perfect summer band. The duo-female lead vocals of Kristyl Sisko and Jeannie Tamariz make you want to grab a drink, sit back, tap your foot, nod your head and enjoy a nice summer evening. I would love to hear them play outside at some sort of summer festival because I think that their music would appeal to the masses. It's the type of music that makes you happy to be out socializing. Warm July is easy to listen to and, save for the rare cover song, entirely original. They put me in a good mood and make me happy that it is summertime in New York. The guitar is covered by Joe Maniscalco, Jerry Jaworski takes care of the drums and Jack Betz handles bass guitar. Give them a listen...perhaps it will motivate them to add some more songs to their Myspace profile and perform more often.
I know about Warm July because I happen to work with Jeannie at the lab. It is always interesting when you see the quiet, head in the books, research scientist normally surrounded by data behind a microphone in a darkly lit bar belting out good ole rock n' roll. Heh.
100 in 6 budget: $501
Kenny's Castaways
20 June 2008, 2000
Warm July is a perfect summer band. The duo-female lead vocals of Kristyl Sisko and Jeannie Tamariz make you want to grab a drink, sit back, tap your foot, nod your head and enjoy a nice summer evening. I would love to hear them play outside at some sort of summer festival because I think that their music would appeal to the masses. It's the type of music that makes you happy to be out socializing. Warm July is easy to listen to and, save for the rare cover song, entirely original. They put me in a good mood and make me happy that it is summertime in New York. The guitar is covered by Joe Maniscalco, Jerry Jaworski takes care of the drums and Jack Betz handles bass guitar. Give them a listen...perhaps it will motivate them to add some more songs to their Myspace profile and perform more often.
I know about Warm July because I happen to work with Jeannie at the lab. It is always interesting when you see the quiet, head in the books, research scientist normally surrounded by data behind a microphone in a darkly lit bar belting out good ole rock n' roll. Heh.
100 in 6 budget: $501
19 June 2008
36 - Medeski, Martin & Wood
Medeski, Martin & Wood
Prospect Park
19 June 2008
Medeski, Martin & Wood were presented by Celebrate Brooklyn and the JVC Jazz Festival in New York. I have never heard this dynamic trio made up of John Medeski on piano, Billy Martin on drums and Chris Wood on bass live before tonight. My best summer friend, D.C. Asciutto, was pleased to spend some quality time on a blanket in the middle of Prospect Park with a bottle of red and a baguette. Although we were happy to be outside with the weather holding, the music fell flat. I am used to grooving to MM&W because they usually develop a beat, keep it going and drive a song home, but tonight they sounded like a glorified jam band. They weren't bad, they just weren't what I was expecting after listening to their recorded albums. I know it is jazz and there is a lot of wiggle room with many opportunities to jam, but they just weren't pulling the grooves through with them. Sigh. At least the weather was nice and we had some tasty treats curled up on a nice summer night in the county of Kings. I still love you Medeski, Martin & Wood.
Prospect Park
19 June 2008
Medeski, Martin & Wood were presented by Celebrate Brooklyn and the JVC Jazz Festival in New York. I have never heard this dynamic trio made up of John Medeski on piano, Billy Martin on drums and Chris Wood on bass live before tonight. My best summer friend, D.C. Asciutto, was pleased to spend some quality time on a blanket in the middle of Prospect Park with a bottle of red and a baguette. Although we were happy to be outside with the weather holding, the music fell flat. I am used to grooving to MM&W because they usually develop a beat, keep it going and drive a song home, but tonight they sounded like a glorified jam band. They weren't bad, they just weren't what I was expecting after listening to their recorded albums. I know it is jazz and there is a lot of wiggle room with many opportunities to jam, but they just weren't pulling the grooves through with them. Sigh. At least the weather was nice and we had some tasty treats curled up on a nice summer night in the county of Kings. I still love you Medeski, Martin & Wood.
17 June 2008
35 - President Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton
Radio City Music Hall
17 June 2008, 2000
President Bill Clinton spoke this evening as a part of the Radio City Music Hall speaker series titled, "Minds That Move the World" (Smother sat next to me drooling and making catcalls at him the entire time). He was the last speaker of the series. Prior speakers included John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, Al Gore, James Carville, Arianna Huffington and Tucker Carlson.
Aside from the fact that he is a very eloquent speaker, incredibly poised and well spoken, his message was positive and uplifting yet realistic. Overall, President Clinton spoke about the three major issues facing our nation and the world: instability, inequality and unsustainability. Since we are all inter-dependent, our issues are not just our own because our actions affect other countries just as we share other countries' issues because their decisions affect us. We must work together and we must learn from each other. He really drove home the idea of working towards our future in order to pull ourselves out of the veritable hole that the current administration has lead us into (he was very classy when speaking about President Bush though and never outwardly shook his finger at the administration). He encouraged us to think about where we can be in a few years instead of dwelling on our current status and working towards creating products and initiatives to eliminate the harm we are doing to the Earth and our dependence on other nations. Although there will have to be major changes to big business and government in order to make strides in the right direction, we can all do something whether it be donating time, money or just making small changes in the way that we live. He gave examples of companies taking steps towards improving the environment and pushing for universal health care. He recommended making small loans to impoverished communities through a website called Kiva in order to help others across the world. He gave some remarkable comparisons between countries' energy usage, what they are doing to reduce their impact on the Earth, and statistics about the wealth of particular nations, health care, education and employment.
Moral of the story: We must focus on facing the issues of instability, inequality and unsustainability in order to build towards a better, more productive, more efficient, and healthier future for everyone. This will take time, but we can start now.
100 in 6 budget: $491
Radio City Music Hall
17 June 2008, 2000
President Bill Clinton spoke this evening as a part of the Radio City Music Hall speaker series titled, "Minds That Move the World" (Smother sat next to me drooling and making catcalls at him the entire time). He was the last speaker of the series. Prior speakers included John Edwards, Rudy Giuliani, Al Gore, James Carville, Arianna Huffington and Tucker Carlson.
Aside from the fact that he is a very eloquent speaker, incredibly poised and well spoken, his message was positive and uplifting yet realistic. Overall, President Clinton spoke about the three major issues facing our nation and the world: instability, inequality and unsustainability. Since we are all inter-dependent, our issues are not just our own because our actions affect other countries just as we share other countries' issues because their decisions affect us. We must work together and we must learn from each other. He really drove home the idea of working towards our future in order to pull ourselves out of the veritable hole that the current administration has lead us into (he was very classy when speaking about President Bush though and never outwardly shook his finger at the administration). He encouraged us to think about where we can be in a few years instead of dwelling on our current status and working towards creating products and initiatives to eliminate the harm we are doing to the Earth and our dependence on other nations. Although there will have to be major changes to big business and government in order to make strides in the right direction, we can all do something whether it be donating time, money or just making small changes in the way that we live. He gave examples of companies taking steps towards improving the environment and pushing for universal health care. He recommended making small loans to impoverished communities through a website called Kiva in order to help others across the world. He gave some remarkable comparisons between countries' energy usage, what they are doing to reduce their impact on the Earth, and statistics about the wealth of particular nations, health care, education and employment.
Moral of the story: We must focus on facing the issues of instability, inequality and unsustainability in order to build towards a better, more productive, more efficient, and healthier future for everyone. This will take time, but we can start now.
100 in 6 budget: $491
15 June 2008
34 - Barefoot Boogie
Barefoot Boogie
New York Insight Meditation Center
14 June 2008, 2030
The Barefoot Boogie is a three hour, smoke and alcohol free, free-style dance event that takes place bimonthly at the New York Insight Meditation Center. Imagine a large softly lit room, lots of people dressed in comfortable attire without shoes, a DJ churning out music that you can dance to (well...not techno, hip hop or other traditional club music, but more new age songs, funky covers of popular tunes, and world music), and people moving around any way they like. You might see someone stretching on the floor or two people engaging in some contact improvisation, but overall you see dancers enjoying a setting where they can throw down their best modern moves. It is an event for people who like to dance, but would get frowned upon if they tried any modern-dance inspired moves at a regular club. The Barefoot Boogie is affiliated with Dance New England, which is host to a number of free-style dance events throughout the area.
This was exactly the type of event I have been craving. I used to go to a similar event in Boston called Dance Freedom, but I haven't danced like this in years. It was expressive, friendly, exhilarating, and an absolutely perfect way to release all of my tension. Sharon and I sweat our asses off, met some wonderful people, and will be going back for seconds! Who's with us!?!?
100 in 6 budget: $359
New York Insight Meditation Center
14 June 2008, 2030
The Barefoot Boogie is a three hour, smoke and alcohol free, free-style dance event that takes place bimonthly at the New York Insight Meditation Center. Imagine a large softly lit room, lots of people dressed in comfortable attire without shoes, a DJ churning out music that you can dance to (well...not techno, hip hop or other traditional club music, but more new age songs, funky covers of popular tunes, and world music), and people moving around any way they like. You might see someone stretching on the floor or two people engaging in some contact improvisation, but overall you see dancers enjoying a setting where they can throw down their best modern moves. It is an event for people who like to dance, but would get frowned upon if they tried any modern-dance inspired moves at a regular club. The Barefoot Boogie is affiliated with Dance New England, which is host to a number of free-style dance events throughout the area.
This was exactly the type of event I have been craving. I used to go to a similar event in Boston called Dance Freedom, but I haven't danced like this in years. It was expressive, friendly, exhilarating, and an absolutely perfect way to release all of my tension. Sharon and I sweat our asses off, met some wonderful people, and will be going back for seconds! Who's with us!?!?
100 in 6 budget: $359
33 - Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
14 June 2008
My plan was to see Vampire Weekend at Summer Stage, but if anyone was in town yesterday you know exactly why that wasn't at all possible. Instead, Plan B. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was a perfect spot to seek refuge from the weather, rediscover old exhibits that make me smile, and see new ones like Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.
The exhibit explores symbolic and metaphorical associations between the world of the comic book superhero and the world of haute couture fashion. Brought to us by Giorgio Armani and Conde Nast, the installation is open from May 7 until September 1. The exhibit is arranged around different concepts of the costuming seen on well known superheroes like: The Hulk (exhibit section: The Virile Body), Superman (exhibit section: The Graphic Body), X-Men (exhibit section: The Mutant Body), Iron Man (exhibit section: The Armored Body) and Wonder Woman (exhibit section: The Patriotic Body). Comic books weren't always considered the beautifully artistic, well written novels that they are today. Even now, there are people that see them as being akin to trash mags rather than graphic novels, so it is nice to see institutions like the Met highlighting their brilliance.
If anyone wants to take a peak, I decided to become a member of the Met, so I am up for a revisit anytime!
100 in 6 budget: $349
Sorry, no photos allowed in the Superheroes exhibit. Here are some other favorites though.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
14 June 2008
My plan was to see Vampire Weekend at Summer Stage, but if anyone was in town yesterday you know exactly why that wasn't at all possible. Instead, Plan B. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was a perfect spot to seek refuge from the weather, rediscover old exhibits that make me smile, and see new ones like Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy.
The exhibit explores symbolic and metaphorical associations between the world of the comic book superhero and the world of haute couture fashion. Brought to us by Giorgio Armani and Conde Nast, the installation is open from May 7 until September 1. The exhibit is arranged around different concepts of the costuming seen on well known superheroes like: The Hulk (exhibit section: The Virile Body), Superman (exhibit section: The Graphic Body), X-Men (exhibit section: The Mutant Body), Iron Man (exhibit section: The Armored Body) and Wonder Woman (exhibit section: The Patriotic Body). Comic books weren't always considered the beautifully artistic, well written novels that they are today. Even now, there are people that see them as being akin to trash mags rather than graphic novels, so it is nice to see institutions like the Met highlighting their brilliance.
If anyone wants to take a peak, I decided to become a member of the Met, so I am up for a revisit anytime!
100 in 6 budget: $349
Sorry, no photos allowed in the Superheroes exhibit. Here are some other favorites though.
32 - The Telectroscope
The Telectroscope
Fulton Ferry Landing
14 June 2008
The Telectroscope is an installation created by the artist Paul St. George and brought to New York and London by Artichoke. It is open from May 22 to June 15. Artichoke is a company that was founded by Helen Marriage and Nicky Webb. Their mission is to bring art to the streets and other more public venues so that they can expose the largest possible audience to their work. In 2006, Artichoke put on an exhibit called The Sultan's Elephant created by the Royal de Luxe theatre company, which featured a 42 ton mechanical elephant and a little girl marionette that paraded through the streets of London. The interactive exhibit was to celebrate the centenary of Jules Verne's death and was complete with fake newspapers to announce and update the public as to the elephant and little girl's travels.
The Telectroscope is the epitome of steam punk and much like something out of the War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. The installation started with a story of Alexander Stanhope St. George, an eccentric inventor from the mid-1800s who had the idea to dig a tunnel under the Atlantic Ocean from New York to London. The story continues by introducing Paul St. George, the great-grandson of the inventor who finds the original documents describing the invention in an old trunk in his grandmother's attic. Deciding that it was so crazy that it just might work, Paul St. George took over the project that had been paused so many years ago and finally finished it in May of this year.
After the story was spun, next it was time to unveil the Telectroscopes. Like the Sultan's Elephant, the Telectroscope was also completed in a series of choreographed steps, the first of which was the appearance of a gigantic drill that pierced through the pier on Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn and by the south side of the Towers Bridge in London revealing that the submarine tunnel was finally completed. Next the two Telectroscopes were installed and miraculously London and New York were connected.
The Telectroscopes use fiber optics and cameras to introduce NYers and Brits in real time. There have been marriage proposals, the introduction of new babies to relatives across the pond, friends saying hello via signs scribbled on cardboard or dry erase boards, and relatives seeing each other for the first time in years. The Telectroscope is interesting, artistic and a field day for the sci-fi imagination.
Fulton Ferry Landing
14 June 2008
The Telectroscope is an installation created by the artist Paul St. George and brought to New York and London by Artichoke. It is open from May 22 to June 15. Artichoke is a company that was founded by Helen Marriage and Nicky Webb. Their mission is to bring art to the streets and other more public venues so that they can expose the largest possible audience to their work. In 2006, Artichoke put on an exhibit called The Sultan's Elephant created by the Royal de Luxe theatre company, which featured a 42 ton mechanical elephant and a little girl marionette that paraded through the streets of London. The interactive exhibit was to celebrate the centenary of Jules Verne's death and was complete with fake newspapers to announce and update the public as to the elephant and little girl's travels.
The Telectroscope is the epitome of steam punk and much like something out of the War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. The installation started with a story of Alexander Stanhope St. George, an eccentric inventor from the mid-1800s who had the idea to dig a tunnel under the Atlantic Ocean from New York to London. The story continues by introducing Paul St. George, the great-grandson of the inventor who finds the original documents describing the invention in an old trunk in his grandmother's attic. Deciding that it was so crazy that it just might work, Paul St. George took over the project that had been paused so many years ago and finally finished it in May of this year.
After the story was spun, next it was time to unveil the Telectroscopes. Like the Sultan's Elephant, the Telectroscope was also completed in a series of choreographed steps, the first of which was the appearance of a gigantic drill that pierced through the pier on Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn and by the south side of the Towers Bridge in London revealing that the submarine tunnel was finally completed. Next the two Telectroscopes were installed and miraculously London and New York were connected.
The Telectroscopes use fiber optics and cameras to introduce NYers and Brits in real time. There have been marriage proposals, the introduction of new babies to relatives across the pond, friends saying hello via signs scribbled on cardboard or dry erase boards, and relatives seeing each other for the first time in years. The Telectroscope is interesting, artistic and a field day for the sci-fi imagination.
14 June 2008
31 - JDB
Josh Dion Band
Bitter End
11 June 2008, 2130
This was the third time I saw the Josh Dion Band perform in the last couple of months. I promise I won't see them again for the 100 in 6 though. It feels like I am cheating.
100 in 6 budget: $289
Bitter End
11 June 2008, 2130
This was the third time I saw the Josh Dion Band perform in the last couple of months. I promise I won't see them again for the 100 in 6 though. It feels like I am cheating.
100 in 6 budget: $289
30 - Ed Palermo Big Band
Ed Palermo Big Band
South Street Seaport
11 June 2008, 1900
Ed Palermo is the saxophonist leader of a jazz ensemble and an avid Frank Zappa fan; as in the electric guitar guru, composer, 70's icon, musician extraordinaire, and the father of four children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen.
What are the eclectically named children of Frank Zappa doing these days, you ask? Moon Zappa is an artist and author of, "America the Beautiful." Dweezil is following in dad's footsteps and has released a number of albums with Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt, the guitarist from Extreme. Ahmet has delved into quite a few career paths, but the most recent is as the author of the children's book, "The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless." Diva is the founder of "Hand Made Beauty," a company that sells hand-knitted items and donates a portion of the proceeds to the Watoto Fund.
Anyway, back to Ed. His band is most well known for playing entire Zappa albums during their shows. They have even put out a couple discs of Zappa covers; the most recent is "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance." The concert they gave on Wednesday was at South Street Seaport and was organized by WBGO Jazz 88 radio and the Seaport Music Festival, which is presented by the River to River Festival. Catching a concert at the seaport is fantastic on a nice night. Sitting on the planks of the pier, watching the tourists saunter by, enjoying a cold beer outside, and being flanked by the water on one side and the monstrous buildings of the Financial District on the other. It is a strange, albeit wonderful, juxtaposition.
The band is: Ed Palermo (arranger, alto saxophone, guitar); Cliff Lyons (alto saxophone, flute, clarinet); Ben Kono (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Bill Straub (flute, tenor saxophone); Barbara Cifelli (piccolo, flute, baritone saxophones, clarinet); Phil Chester (piccolo, flute, soprano & alto saxophones); Ronnie Buttacavoli & John Hines (trumpet); Charlie Gordon & Joe Fiedler (trombone); Matt Ingman (bass trombone); Bob Quaranta (piano); Ted Kooshian (harpsichord, organ, synthesizer); Paul Adamy (electric bass); Ray Marchica (drums); Carl Restivo (guitar & vocals); John Tabacco (vocals); Bruce McDaniel (vocals & guitar). No, I wasn't that observant or diligent in my note-taking. I stole all of that information directly from Ed Palermo Big Band's website.
Jazz in the summertime makes me endlessly happy.
South Street Seaport
11 June 2008, 1900
Ed Palermo is the saxophonist leader of a jazz ensemble and an avid Frank Zappa fan; as in the electric guitar guru, composer, 70's icon, musician extraordinaire, and the father of four children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen.
What are the eclectically named children of Frank Zappa doing these days, you ask? Moon Zappa is an artist and author of, "America the Beautiful." Dweezil is following in dad's footsteps and has released a number of albums with Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt, the guitarist from Extreme. Ahmet has delved into quite a few career paths, but the most recent is as the author of the children's book, "The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless." Diva is the founder of "Hand Made Beauty," a company that sells hand-knitted items and donates a portion of the proceeds to the Watoto Fund.
Anyway, back to Ed. His band is most well known for playing entire Zappa albums during their shows. They have even put out a couple discs of Zappa covers; the most recent is "Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance." The concert they gave on Wednesday was at South Street Seaport and was organized by WBGO Jazz 88 radio and the Seaport Music Festival, which is presented by the River to River Festival. Catching a concert at the seaport is fantastic on a nice night. Sitting on the planks of the pier, watching the tourists saunter by, enjoying a cold beer outside, and being flanked by the water on one side and the monstrous buildings of the Financial District on the other. It is a strange, albeit wonderful, juxtaposition.
The band is: Ed Palermo (arranger, alto saxophone, guitar); Cliff Lyons (alto saxophone, flute, clarinet); Ben Kono (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Bill Straub (flute, tenor saxophone); Barbara Cifelli (piccolo, flute, baritone saxophones, clarinet); Phil Chester (piccolo, flute, soprano & alto saxophones); Ronnie Buttacavoli & John Hines (trumpet); Charlie Gordon & Joe Fiedler (trombone); Matt Ingman (bass trombone); Bob Quaranta (piano); Ted Kooshian (harpsichord, organ, synthesizer); Paul Adamy (electric bass); Ray Marchica (drums); Carl Restivo (guitar & vocals); John Tabacco (vocals); Bruce McDaniel (vocals & guitar). No, I wasn't that observant or diligent in my note-taking. I stole all of that information directly from Ed Palermo Big Band's website.
Jazz in the summertime makes me endlessly happy.
09 June 2008
29 - Anna Copa Cabanna Show
Anna Copa Cabanna
Asbury Lanes
07 June 2008
The Asbury Lanes is an incredible venue. It is a bowling alley, concert hall and tiki lounge all in one. The stage is small but interestingly situated directly in the middle of a handful of bowling lanes. On any given night, you can watch a show and bowl next to said show at the same time. Exceptional.
Kevin and I walked into the Lanes as the multi-talented Anna Copa Cabanna and the Copa Cabanna dancers were taking the stage...in full Will Rogers Follies-esque costuming (in between dance performances, the guy on lane 2 bowled a strike). The highlight of the Anna Copa Cabanna Show, in my opinion, was when Anna Copa Cabanna herself took the stage and played Enter Sandman by Metallica on a xylophone. Yeah. Definitely an interesting variety show. Equal parts dance, burlesque, music and other oddities. Check her out. Although she is a proper Sheila, she is based out of Brooklyn currently.
100 in 6 budget: $279
Asbury Lanes
07 June 2008
The Asbury Lanes is an incredible venue. It is a bowling alley, concert hall and tiki lounge all in one. The stage is small but interestingly situated directly in the middle of a handful of bowling lanes. On any given night, you can watch a show and bowl next to said show at the same time. Exceptional.
Kevin and I walked into the Lanes as the multi-talented Anna Copa Cabanna and the Copa Cabanna dancers were taking the stage...in full Will Rogers Follies-esque costuming (in between dance performances, the guy on lane 2 bowled a strike). The highlight of the Anna Copa Cabanna Show, in my opinion, was when Anna Copa Cabanna herself took the stage and played Enter Sandman by Metallica on a xylophone. Yeah. Definitely an interesting variety show. Equal parts dance, burlesque, music and other oddities. Check her out. Although she is a proper Sheila, she is based out of Brooklyn currently.
100 in 6 budget: $279
28 - Asbury Park Beach Trip
Asbury Park
07 June 2008 - 08 June 2008
Why the beach is going to count as an event:
1) I had to pay a beach-pass cover charge both days that I was there
2) There is PPE (personal protective equipment) involved like sunscreen, umbrellas and eye protection
3) There is risk of death like tidal waves, shark attacks, and at this time of year, hypothermia from jumping into the freezing water
4) People watching at its very finest
Seriously though, Asbury has come a long way in the past few years. Aside from the George Clinton concert back in May, I hadn't been down there in five or six years. At that time, everything was a shambles and there was little to no development happening. Now there are new businesses, condos and entertainment venues popping up all over the place. I am glad. I wasn't ready to see Asbury get washed away so soon.
A little tidbit for all you trivia buffs. Asbury was purchased by James A. Bradley in 1871 and was named after Francis Asbury, the founder of Methodism in America. Read more about Asbury at the Asbury Park Historical Society website here.
"Asbury Park - Where the city meets the sea"
100 in 6 budget: $266
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $249
07 June 2008 - 08 June 2008
Why the beach is going to count as an event:
1) I had to pay a beach-pass cover charge both days that I was there
2) There is PPE (personal protective equipment) involved like sunscreen, umbrellas and eye protection
3) There is risk of death like tidal waves, shark attacks, and at this time of year, hypothermia from jumping into the freezing water
4) People watching at its very finest
Seriously though, Asbury has come a long way in the past few years. Aside from the George Clinton concert back in May, I hadn't been down there in five or six years. At that time, everything was a shambles and there was little to no development happening. Now there are new businesses, condos and entertainment venues popping up all over the place. I am glad. I wasn't ready to see Asbury get washed away so soon.
A little tidbit for all you trivia buffs. Asbury was purchased by James A. Bradley in 1871 and was named after Francis Asbury, the founder of Methodism in America. Read more about Asbury at the Asbury Park Historical Society website here.
"Asbury Park - Where the city meets the sea"
100 in 6 budget: $266
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $249
05 June 2008
27 - Nerdnite
Nerdnite
Angels and Kings
05 June 2008, 1900
Nerdnite = geeks, Power Point and beer
Nerds unite! And they unite en masse! Angels and Kings was absolutely packed with people seeking knowledge and a good buzz. Nerdnite was started up in Boston in 2003 by a guy who spent a few months every year studying parasitic birds. When he would return from his research trips and go to his local pub, he would have to tell his friends where he had been and what he had been doing. The bartenders got so sick of hearing the story over and over again, they told him that he should just arrange a night when all of his friends got together so that he could present his travels and research to them at one time. And thus, Nerdnite was born.
Tonight Mike Love presented, "Home Is Where Your Pig Is and Other Ancient Chinese Secrets." The presentation was great! Mike went through the etymology of written Chinese and ended with a rowdy section on why it is a bad idea to get a Chinese character tattoo (complete with an example of a young Canadian chap who got a tattoo which he thought meant "love, honor, cherish" but actually meant "this boy looks ugly in the dark" and another poor soul who had "eunuch" unknowingly inked on his arm).
There was a second presentation titled, "Some Like It Hop(py)"
by Adam Kavalier about the health benefits of hops, the main ingredient in beer which gives it its flavor and bite. I didn't stay for that one though because Angels and Kings had become so filled with geeks at that point that there was nowhere left to stand comfortably!
Angels and Kings
05 June 2008, 1900
Nerdnite = geeks, Power Point and beer
Nerds unite! And they unite en masse! Angels and Kings was absolutely packed with people seeking knowledge and a good buzz. Nerdnite was started up in Boston in 2003 by a guy who spent a few months every year studying parasitic birds. When he would return from his research trips and go to his local pub, he would have to tell his friends where he had been and what he had been doing. The bartenders got so sick of hearing the story over and over again, they told him that he should just arrange a night when all of his friends got together so that he could present his travels and research to them at one time. And thus, Nerdnite was born.
Tonight Mike Love presented, "Home Is Where Your Pig Is and Other Ancient Chinese Secrets." The presentation was great! Mike went through the etymology of written Chinese and ended with a rowdy section on why it is a bad idea to get a Chinese character tattoo (complete with an example of a young Canadian chap who got a tattoo which he thought meant "love, honor, cherish" but actually meant "this boy looks ugly in the dark" and another poor soul who had "eunuch" unknowingly inked on his arm).
There was a second presentation titled, "Some Like It Hop(py)"
by Adam Kavalier about the health benefits of hops, the main ingredient in beer which gives it its flavor and bite. I didn't stay for that one though because Angels and Kings had become so filled with geeks at that point that there was nowhere left to stand comfortably!
26 - Josh Dion Band
Josh Dion Band
Bitter End
04 June 2008, 2100
A fantastic repeat performance (I saw these guys at the Highline for my 9th show on May 2nd). I might even make a third performance of theirs since they are playing every Wednesday in June at the Bitter End and they are, without doubt, a fun time.
I erred in my last post about them though. Apparently, there are really only five members of the band full time: Josh Dion on drums and lead vocals, Daniel Hindman on guitar, Sarah Versprille on percussion and vocals, Brian Killeen on bass, and Pat Firth on piano and keys. The Civil Salvation Horns line-up was just there for the cd release party at the Highline.
I picked up a copy of their new cd, "Anthems For The Long Distance" at the show and have been enjoying it all day. All of the songs on the album are original creations mostly penned by Dion and Hindman; really fantastic too, if you ask me. Give them a listen and come join me at the Bitter End next time. Thanks to Michael for watching me stuff my face with Korean food, listening to me sing the same line over and over again, and staying awake (for the most part) during the show.
100 in 6 budget: $256
"I'll be your teacher. I'll be your first summer's kiss. You will remember this. We're just runaways in the hurricane. I'll catch you when you fall. I'll be your pilot, now." -Dion/Hindman (well...that is how I heard the lyrics anyway...I could be wrong)
Bitter End
04 June 2008, 2100
A fantastic repeat performance (I saw these guys at the Highline for my 9th show on May 2nd). I might even make a third performance of theirs since they are playing every Wednesday in June at the Bitter End and they are, without doubt, a fun time.
I erred in my last post about them though. Apparently, there are really only five members of the band full time: Josh Dion on drums and lead vocals, Daniel Hindman on guitar, Sarah Versprille on percussion and vocals, Brian Killeen on bass, and Pat Firth on piano and keys. The Civil Salvation Horns line-up was just there for the cd release party at the Highline.
I picked up a copy of their new cd, "Anthems For The Long Distance" at the show and have been enjoying it all day. All of the songs on the album are original creations mostly penned by Dion and Hindman; really fantastic too, if you ask me. Give them a listen and come join me at the Bitter End next time. Thanks to Michael for watching me stuff my face with Korean food, listening to me sing the same line over and over again, and staying awake (for the most part) during the show.
100 in 6 budget: $256
"I'll be your teacher. I'll be your first summer's kiss. You will remember this. We're just runaways in the hurricane. I'll catch you when you fall. I'll be your pilot, now." -Dion/Hindman (well...that is how I heard the lyrics anyway...I could be wrong)
03 June 2008
25 - Me of Little Faith
Lewis Black book signing for Me of Little Faith
Barnes and Noble - Union Square
03 June 2008, 1900
Going to a book signing for Lewis Black is like going to see a stand-up comedy act and having the price of admission be a book. After affirming that he could use some of his favorite expletives, he absolutely killed. He is definitely one of my favorite comedians. His last book, "Nothing's Sacred," was on the New York Times bestseller list. His latest, "Me of Little Faith," tackles his thoughts on organized religion and his tribulations trying to understand and decipher several of them. I arrived early and was able to plow through the first 65 pages or so while I waited for the guest of honor to take the podium. Barnes and Noble has clearly played this game before because the event was run like a finely tuned machine. Cheers to them for getting the hordes through the assembly line in a timely fashion.
Clearly I am not a writer, but I am even less so a book reviewer, so I will leave that task for the New York Times. "Me of Little Faith" hit the shelves today. For a good chuckle, go buy it.
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $225
Barnes and Noble - Union Square
03 June 2008, 1900
Going to a book signing for Lewis Black is like going to see a stand-up comedy act and having the price of admission be a book. After affirming that he could use some of his favorite expletives, he absolutely killed. He is definitely one of my favorite comedians. His last book, "Nothing's Sacred," was on the New York Times bestseller list. His latest, "Me of Little Faith," tackles his thoughts on organized religion and his tribulations trying to understand and decipher several of them. I arrived early and was able to plow through the first 65 pages or so while I waited for the guest of honor to take the podium. Barnes and Noble has clearly played this game before because the event was run like a finely tuned machine. Cheers to them for getting the hordes through the assembly line in a timely fashion.
Clearly I am not a writer, but I am even less so a book reviewer, so I will leave that task for the New York Times. "Me of Little Faith" hit the shelves today. For a good chuckle, go buy it.
100 in 6 incidentals budget: $225
02 June 2008
24 - New England Aquarium
New England Aquarium
Boston, MA
31 May 2008
I had some time to kill while I was waiting for Meghan to pick me up from South Station, so I decided to take a walk over to the aquarium to look at some fish. I find fish very relaxing. Last summer I worked at a bar next to the aquarium, and I still have to laugh when I see the placement of the aquarium directly across from a Legal Seafoods restaurant. I wonder if instead of menus the restaurant just gives you a map of the aquarium and you can circle the tank from which you would like them to catch your dinner. That is just so silly. Anyway, so I went into the aquarium and I took home two very important points. First, a visit to a family friendly place like the aquarium on a Saturday in the summer is a great method of birth control. Holy shit, I never want to have kids. Second, women of childbearing age should not eat fish ever. There was a display regarding the types of fish that have higher levels of mercury and the people who should not be consuming the fish because there is a health risk. Every single placard listed women of childbearing age as being at risk. So basically, if you are a woman between the ages of 16 and 50, you shouldn't be eating fish. I ate tuna today.
Oh I almost forgot, penguins are the most adorable creatures on the planet.
100 in 6 budget: $246
Boston, MA
31 May 2008
I had some time to kill while I was waiting for Meghan to pick me up from South Station, so I decided to take a walk over to the aquarium to look at some fish. I find fish very relaxing. Last summer I worked at a bar next to the aquarium, and I still have to laugh when I see the placement of the aquarium directly across from a Legal Seafoods restaurant. I wonder if instead of menus the restaurant just gives you a map of the aquarium and you can circle the tank from which you would like them to catch your dinner. That is just so silly. Anyway, so I went into the aquarium and I took home two very important points. First, a visit to a family friendly place like the aquarium on a Saturday in the summer is a great method of birth control. Holy shit, I never want to have kids. Second, women of childbearing age should not eat fish ever. There was a display regarding the types of fish that have higher levels of mercury and the people who should not be consuming the fish because there is a health risk. Every single placard listed women of childbearing age as being at risk. So basically, if you are a woman between the ages of 16 and 50, you shouldn't be eating fish. I ate tuna today.
Oh I almost forgot, penguins are the most adorable creatures on the planet.
100 in 6 budget: $246
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