November 07, 2009
Blake Hannon - Entertainment Reporter
The night the music lived
Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
When Buddy Holly emerged on the music scene in the 1950s, he didn’t have the California cool of The Beach Boys. He didn’t spark an “invasion” like The Beatles. He didn’t walk with the devilish blues swagger of The Rolling Stones.
But that’s only because Buddy Holly, a Lubbock, Texas, kid in black horn-tipped glasses, preceded all of that — and helped create the template that would become rock ‘n’ roll.
Friday, Nov. 6, 2009
Entertainment calendars for Nov. 6, 2009
Treading the line
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
The local alt-rock trio Pompous Pilot wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the ongoing quest to strike a balance.
This is: David RogersWednesday, Nov. 4, 2009
This is: David Rogers
The Shuffle: Losing early
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009
When former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno announced his move to prime time to debut “The Jay Leno Show,” reports said the show had the potential to revolutionize the 10 o’clock hour, causing other networks to abandon the usual scripted dramas for the cheaper talk show production costs five nights a week.
But since its debut, “The Jay Leno Show” has been making news for entirely different reasons.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009
A local arts supporter is getting a spotlight, courtesy of the state of Missouri.
Destination unknown
Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
All of the newer AFI fans that emerged with the band’s platinum-selling success from 2003’s “Sing The Sorrow” and 2006’s “Decemberunderground” might be surprised where these master crafters of goth-rock anthems originally came from. In fact, it’s even a bit of a shock to the band’s co-founder/drummer Adam Carson to reflect on his group’s hardcore past on the West Coast in the 1990s.
Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
Entertainment calendars for Oct. 30, 2009
A collective spectacleThursday, Oct. 29, 2009
It’s hard to classify what Sleep Walker really is. Some people play music. Others create visual art. Everyone seems set out to be a part of something unique and almost otherworldly by St. Joe’s standards. But Sleep Walker’s creator, Todd Long, sees the group differently.
Creativity without the costThursday, Oct. 29, 2009
The country’s economic downturn hasn’t been kind to anybody, and it especially hasn’t been kind to artists. This is a reality Richard Fritz, co-manager of Art Flea KC Market, realizes all too well.
“If you think about it, art is always the first thing that gets cut in schools when you look at budget cutbacks,” Mr. Fritz says. “Folks aren’t running out to buy paintings if they are worried about their electric bill.”
This is: The art of Marc Zimetbaum
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009
This is: The art of Marc Zimetbaum
The Shuffle: Identity crisis
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009
Everybody knows the concept of dinner and a movie. But tonight, get ready for (drum roll please ....) WEATHER AND A MOVIE!
Renting smartSunday, Oct. 25, 2009
The relationship between landlords and their tenants should ideally be a symbiotic one. But let’s face it. That isn’t always the case.
Entertainment calendars for Oct. 23, 2009Friday, Oct. 23, 2009
Entertainment calendars for Oct. 23, 2009
Let’s go Wildcats!
Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
Making it through high school usually means you have to traverse some tricky terrain. You’ve got to deal with peer pressure, cliques, social awkwardness and identity issues. But most of those downsides and challenges get a lighter touch once Disney gets its hands on them.
Vocal and local
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009
The St. Joseph Community Chorus has been bringing expressive and talented local voices together for 28 seasons. It was a significant fact Dr. David Benz kept in mind when he took over as the chorus’ artistic director.
The Shuffle: Joetown letdownWednesday, Oct. 21, 2009
Last weekend, popular stand-up comic Alex Reymundo filmed two performances at the Missouri Theater. The footage would comprise his one-hour special that will air on Showtime and Comedy Central in 2010. As he put it, he brought “Hollywood to the Heartland.” Too bad the Heartland didn’t show up.
Sure, people nearly packed the house for Reymundo’s 7 p.m. taping. But when I showed up for the 9 p.m. show, the crowd was severely lacking. The theater was only one-third full. The approximately 600 people couldn’t even fill up the floor level, let alone most of the balcony.
This is: “Flood House 3” by Rebecca Foley
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009
This is: “Flood House 3” by Rebecca Foley
Concert review: MUTEMATH at the Beaumont ClubTuesday, Oct. 20, 2009
When it comes to seeing a band live, different want people want to see different things. Some people want the flawless execution of their favorite tunes they've cranked up on their iPods. Others revel in getting a unique transformation of those songs when they hit the road. All of them would like to have that "Holy Crap!" moment that has them fumbling for their digital cameras and camera phones so they can show their friends.
Expanding the spaceMonday, Oct. 19, 2009
Unless you have the power to design, customize and build it from the ground up, nobody has the perfect apartment. One way or another, priorities are made and space in some areas is sacrificed.
Festival helps students find Missouri’s voiceMonday, Oct. 19, 2009
Starting today, the words and melodies of Missouri are going to get a proper showcase.
The Missouri Verses and Voices Festival, an event that highlights Missouri poets and composers both past and present, will have multiple activities starting at 6 p.m. this evening and Tuesday at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church, 5505 Frederick Blvd.
Review: ‘Where the Wild Things Are’
Friday, Oct. 16, 2009
The few hundred words, playful drawings, beastly characters and lessons of childhood emotion in Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” has helped it to become a cultural landmark in children’s literature. But it’s also made the task of adapting it for the big screen without losing the book’s essence seem impossibly daunting. This is left up to the imagination of visionary writer/director Spike Jonze, who even with a talented voice-over cast and spectacular images, only gets half the job done.
Conquering the divide
Friday, Oct. 16, 2009
MUTEMATH is not the type of band that’s short on ideas. How else would you explain the New Orleans-based electro-rock quartet’s seamless blend of orbital soundscapes, chilled-out grooves and driving rock on its breakthrough self-titled album or the groundbreaking video for the single “Typical,” where the band performed the entire song backwards — and earned a Grammy nomination in the process.
Entertainment calendars for Oct. 16, 2009Friday, Oct. 16, 2009
Entertainment calendars for Oct. 16, 2009
Pop eye
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009
Andy Warhol is quoted as saying, “In the future everyone will have 15 minutes of fame.” And it’s safe to say his own legacy has greatly surpassed that sliver of time.
This is: Todd Agnew
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009
This is: Todd Agnew
The Shuffle: Kids and the cameraTuesday, Oct. 13, 2009
Most popular children’s stories that have been adapted for the big screen have had the same look and intent. They need to stay true to the source material while keeping the kids occupied and entertained with eye-popping visuals, loveable characters, goofy antics and a clearly discernible moral message — and make a lot of money doing it.
But a new trend may be giving these stories a new look, voice and direction. Call it the “art house-ification” of child literature’s cinematic adaptation.
Review: 'Paranormal Activity’
Monday, Oct. 12, 2009
The shoe-string budget. The clever democratic marketing scheme. The mythic frightening effects on legendary director Steven Spielberg. Every one of these aspects has aided in the success of “Paranormal Activity,” the horror film that’s making crazy profits in extremely limited release and will be unleashed upon the movie-going public in a nationwide release this Friday. And the cleverly simplistic concept with abundant scares and disturbia lives up the hype it’s been given.
Comic touring St. JosephSunday, Oct. 11, 2009
If you happen to be having dinner or drinks at your favorite St. Joe restaurant or watering hole this week, don’t be surprised if a comedian and a camera crew show up.
Pumpkinfest Is Spooky Fun For Everyone
Friday, Oct. 9, 2009
Pumpkinfest runs all weekend in the park just north of the Pony Express Museum at 11th & Penn.
Fun for the little onesFriday, Oct. 9, 2009
For the past 14 years, the Pony Express Pumpkinfest has claimed a special place in St. Joseph’s wide variety of yearly events. But sometimes, the organizers forget just how much it means to people.
Pumpkinfest Director of Development Cindy Daffron remembers some personal encounters that struck a cord, like when she gave a souvenir to a 6-year-old boy who saved up money to buy one for himself, only to misplace it. Or a father who showed his gratitude for the festival’s selling of inexpensive pumpkins so his family members could each have one of their own to carve before Halloween.
Going out singing
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009
There’s a certain aesthetic quality to Saffire: The Uppity Blues Women that helped them get plenty of attention starting out.
They were a trio of ladies — middle-aged ladies, actually — all singing and performing acoustic blues on multiple instruments. For a while, that’s all anyone could write about — until they opened up their ears.
This is: The Zeros
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009
This is: The Zeros
The Shuffle: Late night scandal, early thoughts
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009
From New York, the city that never sleeps but frequently sleeps around, it’s “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Tonight, special guests infidelity, scandal, possible coercion, confession and controversy. Guests for tomorrow and the days following: uncertainty.
Loud and clearMonday, Oct. 5, 2009
The days of radio being the dominant entertainment medium are pretty much ancient history. Families aren’t exactly gathering around the radio anymore, especially when they’ve got HDTVs, MP3 players, DVD and Blu-Ray movies, satellite radio and iPhones to turn to.
With this trend, radio needed to do something to catch up.
Turning on a dime
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009
Most bands don’t have to face mass scrutiny of every microscopic musical detail the way Wilco does. Then again, most bands haven’t created what Wilco has in its 15-year existence.
This decade alone, Chicago’s seminal alt-country outfit released a universally praised masterpiece of melody and experimentation with 2002’s “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.” But with the bar set so astronomically high, every subsequent studio release — the excessive length and wavering moods in 2004’s “A Ghost is Born,” the reigned-in, rootsy instrumentation of 2007’s “Sky Blue Sky” — gave birth to detractors while the band continued to gain a devoted fan following.
The Shuffle: A questionable character
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009
There is a video game character out right now who’s causing all kinds of chaos in the music world — and his name is Kurt Cobain.
Before “Guitar Hero 5” was released last month, the game’s creators tried to use one of its special features in commercials to give it some added marketing power. In “GH5,” players can unlock the avatars of several legendary musicians and artists, including country great Johnny Cash, Latin rock guitar hero Carlos Santana and alt-rock icon Kurt Cobain.
Friday, Oct. 2, 2009
Entertainment calendars for Oct. 2, 2009
Hump day hip-hop
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
If you’re planning to go out and find something unique at the bars in the middle of the week, good luck to you.
Sure, you’ll find people belting out karaoke. An open mic night or two. A live band if you’re lucky. But at Joe City Live every Wednesday night at Room 107, live hip-hop is definitely king.
Joe City Live is the place where local MCs showcase their abilities and St. Joe hip-hop has a weekly home.
Our country’s melodies
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Rico McNeela knew he was the Saint Joseph Symphony’s new conductor and musical director when he moved to St. Joseph in June. What he didn’t know was the city’s heritage.
He was almost awe-struck when he saw how many museums St. Joe had and took it upon himself to visit ones like the Patee House. As far as history is concerned, he knew he was inheriting some of his own as head of the century-old symphony, but he has no intentions of letting the orchestra turn into a relic.
“We fit into the performing groups that maintain tradition and at the same time, balance that tradition with offering new things and creating an environment that’s exciting,” McNeela says.
Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
This is: Nigel Dupree Band
Legacies in the spotlight
Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
It may not look like it on the surface, but country music icon Patsy Cline and big band jazz legend Glenn Miller have a few things in common.
Both are some of the most reverred artists and performers in their respective genres. Both died at a young age from circumstances involving plane crashes and disappearances.
And thanks to Robidoux Resident Theatre, both of their legacies will be showcased on stage. The hit theatrical production “Always ... Patsy Cline” will kick off its run this weekend at the Robidoux Landing Playhouse, while the Glenn Miller Orchestra comes to the Missouri Theater next week.
Friday, Sept. 25, 2009
Entertainment calendars for Sept. 25, 2009
Jumping on the Blu-Ray bandwagonFriday, Sept. 25, 2009
We’ve come a long way, baby.
Near the middle of the decade, when Sony first introduced the technology for Blu-Ray players, they were outlandishly priced. Now, Blu-Ray players come in a few forms, with various functions and price tags that are within reason in the hopes of helping DVDs go the way of the VHS. Here are a few Blu-Ray players you might want to consider purchasing.
The sound of free
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
Austin-based folk singer/songwriter Jim Keaveny isn’t the type of guy who likes to stay in one place. How else could you explain his frequent cross-country journeys for months on end — hitchhiking, hopping aboard train cars and playing music wherever he lands — or the two years he spent in Europe as a street musician?
This is: “Lumbago” by Marydorsey Wanless
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
This is: “Lumbago” by Marydorsey Wanless
The Shuffle: Why Lady why?
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
I’m not adverse to acknowledging genuine talent or a pop culture phenomenon when I see it.
The MySpace migrationSunday, Sept. 20, 2009
Just a few years ago, MySpace wasn’t just a social networking
Web site, it was THE social networking Web site. The place users obsessively gathered friends, crafted catchy user names, customized Web pages and streamed music from unknown bands who turned to MySpace to bypass record labels and go right to music fans.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009
At the Southside Fall Festival Rodeo Friday night, good, clean fun never had such a strong odor. But based on comments overheard at the Civic Arena box office, that scent wasn’t a bad thing.
Persisting in song
Friday, Sept. 18, 2009
There’s plenty to love about the chamber pop of the Syracuse, N.Y., quintet Ra Ra Riot. The elegance of the string arrangements. The caffeinated drum rhythms. The infectiously tuneful melodies and smart arrangements.
But if you knew the band’s back story, you also would grasp the music’s underlying sense of personal loss.
JOB SEARCH
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