Featured on this compilation are new tracks by area bands mewithoutYou, Black Landlord, White Birds (which used to be Drink Up Buttercup), Blayer Point Du Jour, Andrew Lipke, Ben Smith, Crills Wilson, Ports of Call, Plow United, and more.
Link to download Key Studio Sessions Vol. 3
Friday, December 30, 2011
Delaware Center for Horticulture brings a veggie garden to the "food desert" of Southbridge, Wilmington.
Good on them. I used to have to travel to Southbridge once a week in a former career, and if there's a neighborhood in Wilmington that needs help, it's that one. And not only did DCH and the Master Gardeners of NCCo team up to bring a big community garden to Southbridge, they installed a beautiful mural on the adjoining building. It's worth clicking on the story just to see the mural. Really well done!
Link to the story in the News Journal: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111225/GARDENER0103/112250311
Link to the story in the News Journal: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20111225/GARDENER0103/112250311
Thursday, December 29, 2011
This weekend, New Year's edition, 12/30-1/1:
General Events (New Year's parties are listed in the band section, below):
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/30:
Saturday 12/31:
Sunday 1/1:
Band / Party / DJ shows:
Friday 12/30:
Saturday 12/31 (this is not all-inclusive. Some things I left out because they're so well-known that there's no need for me to mention them. And there are many bars that I don't keep up with that might be having great parties):
Upcoming: Boy Sets Fire at Mojo Main on Thurs., Girls at Union Transfer on 1/12, Freedy Johnston at the Kennett Flash on 1/13, Cults at Union Transfer on 1/13, Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the TLA on 1/19, Man Man at Union Transfer on 1/21, Cass McCombs at KFN on 1/22.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/30:
- Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen. Noon. More details.
- Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
Saturday 12/31:
- NYE party at Theatre N: showing of an Adele concert, and a STOMP performance, before live feed of Times Square ball drop. Price of $25 includes popcorn, snacks, beer, wine, and champagne toast. Starts at 8:30 pm. http://www.theatern.org/Films/2011/December/New-Year-s-Eve-Party
- Earlier showings of London Blvd and My Reincarnation at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
Sunday 1/1:
- Happy 2012!
- Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve (LAST walk until spring). 8-10am, free, nearby PA.
- 5K: 3rd annual New Year's Resolution 5k in Wilmington. More details.
- Showings of London Blvd and My Reincarnation at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
Band / Party / DJ shows:
Friday 12/30:
- Diego Paulo reunion show at Mojo Main. Also playing are Stallions, Mean Lady, Smoke Signals, and Weight. It's like Darlings of Spark Weekly Past. 21+, 9pm, $10. Link.
- Big Fat Marker (billed as "harmony-rich indie folk-rock" from Jersey) play a free acoustic set at Extreme Pizza. All ages, 8:30, FREE.
- Bullbuckers at the Queen. Ticket link.
- mewithoutYou (phenomenal live show), Thursday (technically the headliners), Screaming Females, and Make Do And Mend at the TLA. Ticket link.
Saturday 12/31 (this is not all-inclusive. Some things I left out because they're so well-known that there's no need for me to mention them. And there are many bars that I don't keep up with that might be having great parties):
- NYE party at the Queen Theatre with IKE, Felix Hunger, Joe Trainor Trio, and several more bands and DJs. $30-$80. Ticket link.
- NYE party at Mojo Main with Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs n' Harmony. 21+, 9pm, $25. Ticket link.
- NYE party at Home Grown with Mad Sweet Pangs and Spokey Speaky. 10pm, cover undetermined.
- NYE party at Deep Blue with Bullbuckers. 9pm, $50-$60.
- Smoking Popes play their 1995 release Born To Quit in its entirety, at the North Star Bar. 21+, 9pm, $20. Champagne toast at midnight.
- Good Old War, River City Extension & more at the TLA. Ticket link.
Upcoming: Boy Sets Fire at Mojo Main on Thurs., Girls at Union Transfer on 1/12, Freedy Johnston at the Kennett Flash on 1/13, Cults at Union Transfer on 1/13, Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the TLA on 1/19, Man Man at Union Transfer on 1/21, Cass McCombs at KFN on 1/22.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Weekday events of note, holiday sandwich edition, 12/26-12/29:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday 12/26:
- Showing of Sarah's Key, a post-Holocaust drama starring Kristin Scott Thomas, at Theatre N. 7pm, FREE. http://www.theatern.org/Films/2011/December/Sarah-s-Key
- Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
- Movie Monday at the Trocadero. 21+, $3. Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday 12/27:
- Project/Object plays the music of Frank Zappa at WCL Philly. Ticket link.
- Sold Out - the Grilled Cheese & Craft Beer Tasting at the Queen is long sold-out.
Wednesday 12/28:
- 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
- Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover.
- The Wailers at WCL Philly. Ticket link.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday 12/29:
- A trio of pop-punk bands (not my preference, but at least it's an original show) at Logan House: I Am Lightning (EP release show), Keep For Yourself (elsewhere this slot is listed as Honah Lee, instead?), & Shutter. Presented by Space Boy Clothing. 21+, 9pm, $5.
- Karaoke at Mojo Main. 21+, 9pm, free
- Rusted Root at the Queen. Ticket link.
- Philly-based, nationally-known electronic artist Diplo at Union Transfer. All ages, 9pm, $20
Upcoming: Boy Sets Fire at Mojo Main next Thurs., Girls at Union Transfer on 1/12, Cults at Union Transfer on 1/13.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Season's greetings. I am posting from the balmy South right now, meaning I'm on vacation, meaning posting will be a little sparse this last week of the year. But I still have weekend and weekday listings lined up and ready to go. They just might not be as thorough as I would like, but there are still a few good shows to be had.
As for me, yesterday I was on a beach in a t-shirt, and last night I was shucking oysters on an outdoor patio (in long sleeves, but no jacket). This is my first Christmas spent not in either Delaware or Baltimore, and I am enjoying it.
As for me, yesterday I was on a beach in a t-shirt, and last night I was shucking oysters on an outdoor patio (in long sleeves, but no jacket). This is my first Christmas spent not in either Delaware or Baltimore, and I am enjoying it.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
This weekend, Christmas edition, 12/23-12/25:
General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/23:
Saturday 12/24:
Sunday 12/25:
Band shows:
Friday 12/23:
Saturday 12/24:
Sunday 12/25:
Upcoming: Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall Mon., The Wailers at WCL Philly Wed., Diplo at Union Transfer Thurs., Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main next Friday, mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA next Friday, Boy Sets Fire at Mojo Main on 1/5, Girls at Union Transfer on 1/12, Cults at Union Transfer on 1/13.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/23:
- Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen. Noon. More details.
- Showings of The Way and Being Elmo at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
- "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out, Kid!" - A Christmas Story Quote-Along. Including games, prizes, story contest for kids, drink specials for adults. Doors at 5pm, show at 6pm. $8 kids, $12 adults. http://queentickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=280
Saturday 12/24:
- Showing of 1954's White Christmas at Theatre N, 11am FREE. http://www.theatern.org/Films
- Showings of The Way and Being Elmo at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
Sunday 12/25:
- Christmas day, for those who partake.
- Yes, according to their website, this is on: showings of The Way and Being Elmo at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
Band shows:
Friday 12/23:
- Free noon show at WCL Philly: The Dead Milkmen. Must RSVP here: http://www.xpn.org/concerts-events/free-at-noon
- An indie-alternative band from San Marcos, TX, The Props, play a free show at Extreme Pizza. Micro critique from the jaded 30-something: this is MTV teen show music, with all the usual vocal and stylistic affectations and rich parents buying studio time. That being said, the song arrangements and instrumentation are quite good for this genre - there is the potential here for more mature, smart indie rock. It should be an enjoyable set. All ages, 8:30pm, free.
- Spontaneous Underground at Mojo Main. 21+, 9pm, $5.
Saturday 12/24:
- Apex Watson and Dream Killers (must be new - could find nothing online about them) at Mojo Main. 21+, 9pm, $5.
- Matisyahu at the TLA. Ticket link.
Sunday 12/25:
Upcoming: Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall Mon., The Wailers at WCL Philly Wed., Diplo at Union Transfer Thurs., Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main next Friday, mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA next Friday, Boy Sets Fire at Mojo Main on 1/5, Girls at Union Transfer on 1/12, Cults at Union Transfer on 1/13.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Weekday events of note, 12/19-12/22:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday 12/19:
- Cartoon Christmas Trio (performing Vince Guaraldi 'Peanuts' classics, and more) at Newark's Iron Hill Brewpub. 7-9pm. FREE. Can't make it? They're playing all week at different Iron Hills (Irons Hill?) - see the rest of my calendar.
- Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: It's A Wonderful Life. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
- Monday night football at Theatre N: Steelers vs. 49ers. 8:30pm, FREE.
- Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Die Hard. 21+, $3. Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
- Benefit for Maxx Stoyanoff-Williams, lead singer of Philly's Black Landlord (who have also played in Wilmington, if I'm not mistaken). He recently spent a month in the hospital, while uninsured, and needs help with his sky-high medical bills. Place: The Standard Tap (Northern Liberties gastropub owned by the Johnny Brenda's people), 4-7pm. Facebook invite page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday 12/20:
- It's ye olde Tuesday "nothin' doing". You and I both probably have last minute shopping to do, anyway.
- Wait! I found something: Cartoon Christmas Trio at the Iron Hill in Lancaster. I didn't even know there was one in Lancaster. Says the band: "The Amish are scared of Jackie Browne" (the drummer in the trio, also a long-time local percussion teacher). I can believe it. Dude is intense. 7-9pm. FREE
Wednesday 12/21:
- 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
- Cartoon Christmas Trio at the Iron Hill in Wilmington. 7-9pm, FREE.
- Local institution Montana Wildaxe plays their yearly holiday show at Logan House. 9pm, $5
- Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday 12/22:
- Winter Solstice Celebration at the Stateline Woods Preserve, with the Southern Chester Co. Land Conservancy. Bonfire, live music, hot chocolate, star gazing. $15. See, I would love Christmas a whole lot more if there were things like this going on every night. More details.
- Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
- Fat Daddy Has Been at the Queen Theatre. 9pm, $13 http://queentickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=250
- Graffiti Radio Presents at Mojo Main: Spring Heeled Jack (Lancaster Co. blues), Universal Funk Order, and Mozaic Flow (brass-funk feat. musicians who've collaborated with The Roots). 21+, 8pm, $5.
- Cartoon Christmas Trio at the Iron Hill in West Chester. 7-9pm, FREE.
- Strummerville: a benefit tribute to Joe Strummer, featuring The Future Unwritten and 7 other bands. North Star Bar. 21+, 9pm, $10. (Strummerville is a charity set up by the family of Joe Strummer, after his death, to offer support and resources to aspiring musicians who lack access to them).
Upcoming: Matisyahu at TLA Sat. (yes, Christmas Eve. Why not? Dude's Jewish), Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall on Monday, Diplo at Union Transfer on 12/29, Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main on 12/30, .mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA on 12/30, Boy Sets Fire at Mojo Main on 1/5.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Local theater asks "Who would you like to see here"? Gets a parade of odd, dated, nineties-two-hit-wonder suggestions.
I'm not going to indulge my own unfortunate music-snobbery further by naming names, but come on, people! There actually has been good music made since that one time you bought a couple of top 40 albums during your junior year in high school, circa 1994. Yeesh.
Discounts to many December cultural events around Wilmington, via InWilmington.
Here's the link: http://inwilmingtonde.com/events/event.php?e=1795
Included are discounts to Wilmington Drama League, Delaware Symphony, Mt. Cuba Center, Hagley Museum, Winterthur, City Theatre Co., and more. In a lot of cases, when you call for tickets you have to mention that you saw the discount on the InWilmington site. So do be sure to read the details carefully.
I'll freely admit that I get a lot of content (band shows, etc.) from the InWilmington website, and I'd recommend saving it to your Favorites folder and checking back weekly. The thing about it that cracks me up, though, is the front page: an image of a white girl (representing suburbia), timidly peering out from behind a curtain and picket-fenced yard, at the people beyond (representing Wilmington): a Hispanic girl and a black musician. The message is painfully obvious: White People of the Suburbs! Do not be afraid to come to the multi-cultural city and spend your money!
I don't know, the message is just a little ham-handed. But inoffensive. I swear it makes me laugh every time I see it.
Included are discounts to Wilmington Drama League, Delaware Symphony, Mt. Cuba Center, Hagley Museum, Winterthur, City Theatre Co., and more. In a lot of cases, when you call for tickets you have to mention that you saw the discount on the InWilmington site. So do be sure to read the details carefully.
I'll freely admit that I get a lot of content (band shows, etc.) from the InWilmington website, and I'd recommend saving it to your Favorites folder and checking back weekly. The thing about it that cracks me up, though, is the front page: an image of a white girl (representing suburbia), timidly peering out from behind a curtain and picket-fenced yard, at the people beyond (representing Wilmington): a Hispanic girl and a black musician. The message is painfully obvious: White People of the Suburbs! Do not be afraid to come to the multi-cultural city and spend your money!
I don't know, the message is just a little ham-handed. But inoffensive. I swear it makes me laugh every time I see it.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
This weekend, 12/16-12/18:
General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/16:
Saturday 12/17:
Sunday 12/18:
Band shows:
Friday 12/16:
Saturday 12/17:
Sunday 12/18:
Upcoming: It's A Wonderful Life shown at the Kennett Flash on Mon., Matisyahu at the TLA on 12/24, Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall on 12/26, Diplo at Union Transfer on 12/29, Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main on 12/30, .mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA on 12/30, Boy Sets Fire at Mojo Main on 1/4.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/16:
- PSA: if you were thinking of hiking/biking White Clay Creek State Park today, be aware that some trails are closed due to hunting today. All will be reopened Sunday. Try to wear bright colors (anything bright orange is best) if you do brave it.
- Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen. Noon. More details.
- Kennett Square Outdoor Winter Market.. 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month. 2-5pm.
- Showings of Young Goethe In Love and Margin Call at Theatre N. http://www.theatren.org/Films
- The Santaland Diaries and Season's Greetings, by David Sedaris, adapted for the stage by the Chapel Street Players. 8pm, $10. http://www.delawarescene.com/event.php?id=6010
Saturday 12/17:
- PSA: if you were thinking of hiking/biking White Clay Creek State Park today, be aware that some trails are closed due to hunting today. All will be reopened Sunday. Try to wear bright colors (anything bright orange is best) if you do brave it.
- Showing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at Theatre N, 11am, FREE.
- Free guided tour of Scott Arboretum (Swarthmore). 10-11:30 am. More info.
- Showings of Young Goethe In Love and Margin Call at Theatre N. http://www.theatren.org/Films
- The Santaland Diaries and Season's Greetings, by David Sedaris, adapted for the stage by the Chapel Street Players. 8pm, $10. http://www.delawarescene.com/event.php?id=6010
Sunday 12/18:
- Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve (weekly until Jan. 2). 8-10am, free, nearby PA.
- Newark Co-op Winter Farmers' Market (every other Sunday starting 12/4). 10-2pm, at "The Meadow" next to the Co-op.
- Silver Screen Sundays at the Del. Art Museum: films inspired by the works of Howard Pyle. This week: The Black Shielf of Falworth, 1954. Discussion to follow. 1pm, FREE.
- Showings of The Nutcracker (ballet), Young Goethe In Love and Margin Call at Theatre N. http://www.theatren.org/Films
- Showing of Sunday night Ravens vs. Chargers NFL game at Theatre N, FREE.
Band shows:
Friday 12/16:
- Mad-Sweet Pangs, The Hold-Up, and Alycat at the Arden Gild Hall. Holiday show from Gable Music Ventures. All ages, 8pm, $10
- Consider the Source, Robot House and Small Town Crooks at Mojo Main. 21+, 9pm, $5.
- Dan Bern at the Kennett Flash. 8pm, $23
- Free noon show at WCL Philly: JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound with Gary Clarke, Jr. Must RSVP here: http://www.xpn.org/concerts-events/free-at-noon
- Wu-Tang Clan at the Trocadero. Ticket link.
Saturday 12/17:
- The War On Drugs with Sun Airway and Ape School (side project of Dr. Dog's current drummer) at Union Transfer. All Philly musicians, all known nationally. 21+, 8:30pm, $14.
- Zydeco A-Go-Go at the Queen Theatre. 9pm, $18. http://queentickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=247
Sunday 12/18:
- I got nothin'.
Upcoming: It's A Wonderful Life shown at the Kennett Flash on Mon., Matisyahu at the TLA on 12/24, Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall on 12/26, Diplo at Union Transfer on 12/29, Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main on 12/30, .mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA on 12/30, Boy Sets Fire at Mojo Main on 1/4.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Three last-minute additions for things to do tonight, Wednesday:
Tonight at Theatre N:
Delaware Humanities Forum presents If You Lived Here You'd Be Home By Now, a film on New Deal artist Jack Lewis, who settled in Bridgeville DE and has used his talents to improve the community there.
The movie starts at 7pm, the price is $7. Street parking is free, or park in the Community lot across 12th street and get validated parking.
More info:
http://www.theatern.org/Films/2011/December/If-You-Lived-Here,-You-Would-Be-Home-By-Now
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tonight at Logan House:
'Stache Bash, the culmination of a 4 week contest to grow the best mustache. Benefits "Supporting Kidds". 5:30-9pm, $10. http://inwilmingtonde.com/events/event.php?e=1764
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tonight in the skies above:
Night #2 of the Geminid meteor shower, which is one of the 2 most brilliant meteor showers of the year. The peak night was last night, but you still should be able to see something tonight. Read more here (thanks to Wild Birds Unlimited for pointing this out): http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide
Delaware Humanities Forum presents If You Lived Here You'd Be Home By Now, a film on New Deal artist Jack Lewis, who settled in Bridgeville DE and has used his talents to improve the community there.
The movie starts at 7pm, the price is $7. Street parking is free, or park in the Community lot across 12th street and get validated parking.
More info:
http://www.theatern.org/Films/2011/December/If-You-Lived-Here,-You-Would-Be-Home-By-Now
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tonight at Logan House:
'Stache Bash, the culmination of a 4 week contest to grow the best mustache. Benefits "Supporting Kidds". 5:30-9pm, $10. http://inwilmingtonde.com/events/event.php?e=1764
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tonight in the skies above:
Night #2 of the Geminid meteor shower, which is one of the 2 most brilliant meteor showers of the year. The peak night was last night, but you still should be able to see something tonight. Read more here (thanks to Wild Birds Unlimited for pointing this out): http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide
Monday, December 12, 2011
Acclaimed Philly restauranteur is coming to Greenville in a week for a cookbook signing
What: Marc Vetri cookbook signing
Where: new Greenvile culinary supply store Pro Kitchen Gear, 4021E Kennett Pike, Greenville Crossing.
When: Monday, December 19, 4-7pm
To pre-order the book (because quantities will be limited): visit http://www.prokitchengear.com/ or call 478-1020
The owner of the store plans to offer samples of dishes made from the book's recipes.
I got this from the Second Helpings blog written by Patricia Talorico, who gushes that the some of the most memorable meals of her life (and there have been many) have been at Marc Vetri restaurants including Vetri, Osteria, and Amis. And you know what? I couldn't agree more (although I've only been to the latter two, courtesy of an affluent in-law). If you happen to be affluent and know some poor in-law relation who could never afford to dine in such places on her own, take it from me: dinner at a Vetri restaurant makes a very nice present. And if you're the poor in-law in question, I think a signed cookbook will make a great present for the gourmand in your life.
Congrats to local food businesses who went to D.C. this week to represent Delaware in the Taste Of Delaware party.
The Taste of Delaware party was held in Washington on Wednesday as part of Delaware Day, commemorating the December 7 anniversary of the first state's ratification of the constitution.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Weekday events of note, 12/12-12/15:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday 12/12:
- Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
- Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Hangover Part II. 21+, $3. Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday 12/13:
- (The Beverly McClellan show at the Queen has been postponed).
Wednesday 12/14:
- Environmental class: "Reducing Your Carbon Footprint in Garden Soil". Presented by Del. Center for Horticulture and Del. Nature Society. 6-7:30 pm, DuPont Environmental Center on the riverfront. $15 ($10 for DCH or DNS members). More details.
- 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
- Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday 12/15:
- Happy hour/guest bartender fundraiser for DHA (Del. Humane Assoc.) at Orillas Tapas Bar on Market St., 5:30 pm.
- Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
- JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound at Kung Fu Necktie. This is a great funk / soul revival band that comes through the area about once a year. Also playing are locals New Motels. 21+, 7:30pm, $10
Upcoming: The War On Drugs / Sun Airway / Ape School at Union transfer on Sat., Matisyahu at the TLA on 12/24, Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall on 12/26, Diplo at Union Transfer on 12/29, Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main on 12/30, .mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA on 12/30.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
More restaurant news: Local restauranteurs opening new taverns.
After the news earlier this week of Buckley's losing its lease in mid-January, I was happy to see that the owner of Chelsea Tavern is planning to open a tap room on the site of the very-recently-closed Public House, on Market St.
It's outstanding that the site will be operated by a local, and one with proven success. I just hope he's not biting off more than he can chew, as restauranteurs can do. But it seems to be a good business model to operate restaurants in close proximity to one another, if you must own more than one. Look at the town of Lewes - Striper Bites, Kindle, and Half Full are all thriving restaurants, owned by the same partners, and are located within 2 blocks of eachother. I think these guys have a shot at making this work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other culinary news, a new gastropub will be opening soon in North Wilmington, also by a locally successful restauranteur: the owner of Hockessin's Six Paupers. It's called Ulysses (apparently after the classic James Joyce novel - there's a Joyce photo on their social media page), and it will be operating at 1716 Marsh Rd, on the south side of the Graylyn shopping center. Don't judge them, ye city dwellers, for being in a shopping center - this is Delaware, and some of our worthiest eateries, like Shellhammer's, Sapori D Italia, and Two Stones, are located in strip malls. This is not ideal, but it's just a reality of opening a new restaurant in the suburbs. It's really difficult to do it any other way unless you can get your hands on a historic and properly-zoned site like the Columbus Inn, which are few and far between.
Ulysses' official website doesn't seem to be operational as of this posting, but their social media page is reporting that they plan to open in the next week or so. Expect a combination of inventive, locally-sourced food and craft beers.
We might be able to expect live music, as well: Kalai King, known to locals as a long-time singer-songwriter and Arden native, has just accepted a position on the management team.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Short note: Bellefonte Cafe has recently completed renovations, adding lots of color and vintage-inspired furniture to give the Claymont hang a distinctly Rehoboth look. See the pictures on their social media page here.
It's outstanding that the site will be operated by a local, and one with proven success. I just hope he's not biting off more than he can chew, as restauranteurs can do. But it seems to be a good business model to operate restaurants in close proximity to one another, if you must own more than one. Look at the town of Lewes - Striper Bites, Kindle, and Half Full are all thriving restaurants, owned by the same partners, and are located within 2 blocks of eachother. I think these guys have a shot at making this work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In other culinary news, a new gastropub will be opening soon in North Wilmington, also by a locally successful restauranteur: the owner of Hockessin's Six Paupers. It's called Ulysses (apparently after the classic James Joyce novel - there's a Joyce photo on their social media page), and it will be operating at 1716 Marsh Rd, on the south side of the Graylyn shopping center. Don't judge them, ye city dwellers, for being in a shopping center - this is Delaware, and some of our worthiest eateries, like Shellhammer's, Sapori D Italia, and Two Stones, are located in strip malls. This is not ideal, but it's just a reality of opening a new restaurant in the suburbs. It's really difficult to do it any other way unless you can get your hands on a historic and properly-zoned site like the Columbus Inn, which are few and far between.
Ulysses' official website doesn't seem to be operational as of this posting, but their social media page is reporting that they plan to open in the next week or so. Expect a combination of inventive, locally-sourced food and craft beers.
We might be able to expect live music, as well: Kalai King, known to locals as a long-time singer-songwriter and Arden native, has just accepted a position on the management team.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Short note: Bellefonte Cafe has recently completed renovations, adding lots of color and vintage-inspired furniture to give the Claymont hang a distinctly Rehoboth look. See the pictures on their social media page here.
Really late addition to weekend listings - this one's for the opera nerds.
Ardensingers, guys, I love you but you should probably have announced this on Facebook sooner than the afternoon of the first show...:
Fezziwig's Christmas Party
Stage Direction: Cynthia duPont Tobias
Music Direction: Helene Furlong & Kristen Nelson
with ... St. George and the Dragon,
... a Mummers play
Directors: Henry Porreca and
Valerie Hutchinson
Dec. 9 - 10, 2011 in Arden
(at 8PM + a 2PM Sat. Matinee)
Dec. 11, 2012 in Smyrna, DE
Join in Arden’s very own Christmas revel, hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig, and including appearances by Father Christmas, the Lord of Misrule, King John, two divas of the stage, many jolly wassailers, and even the Arden Young Actors performing a Mummers Play, “St. George and the Dragon”. We’ll sing Christmas favorites, both familiar and not, and even some selections from The Messiah. This is a show sure to fill the heart (even of Ebenezer Scrooge) with the spirit of Christmas!
Stage Direction: Cynthia duPont Tobias
Music Direction: Helene Furlong & Kristen Nelson
with ... St. George and the Dragon,
... a Mummers play
Directors: Henry Porreca and
Valerie Hutchinson
Dec. 9 - 10, 2011 in Arden
(at 8PM + a 2PM Sat. Matinee)
Dec. 11, 2012 in Smyrna, DE
Join in Arden’s very own Christmas revel, hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Fezziwig, and including appearances by Father Christmas, the Lord of Misrule, King John, two divas of the stage, many jolly wassailers, and even the Arden Young Actors performing a Mummers Play, “St. George and the Dragon”. We’ll sing Christmas favorites, both familiar and not, and even some selections from The Messiah. This is a show sure to fill the heart (even of Ebenezer Scrooge) with the spirit of Christmas!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
This weekend, 12/9-12/11:
General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/9:
Saturday 12/10:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday 12/11:
Band shows:
Friday 12/9:
Saturday 12/10:
Sunday 12/11:
Upcoming: Christmas Vacation shown at the Kennett Flash Mon., Great soul band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound at KFN Tues., The War On Drugs / Sun Airway / Ape School at Union Transfer next Sat., Matisyahu at the TLA on 12/24, Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall on 12/26, Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main on 12/30, .mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA on 12/30.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/9:
- Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen. Noon. More details.
- Showings of Almodovar's The Skin I Live In, and Herzog's Into the Abyss, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
- Klezmer at Phila. Museum of Art's 'Art After 5' event. More details.
- Hot Chocolate Hike at White Clay Creek State Park. 7-9pm, $5, registration req'd. More details.
Saturday 12/10:
- Winter garden walk at Winterthur. Free with admission (and free for members). 1pm. More details.
- Showing of Will Ferrell's Elf at Theatre N, 11am, 1 showing only. FREE. http://www.theatern.org/Films
- Film Bros. Innovator's Club. These are monthly networking meetings for innovative types who want to expand the creative scene in the city (and who can afford $20 per event or over $200 for a yearly membership). Short films will be shown, nets will be worked, um - you'd better just read about it yourself: http://www.facebook.com/events/276472269065971/ 6-8pm at the Film Bros. Co-Op on 2nd & Market.
- Showings of Almodovar's The Skin I Live In, and Herzog's Into the Abyss, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday 12/11:
- Punk Rock Flea Market and Record Fair in Philly (oh please oh please someone in Delaware duplicate this). It's a bi-yearly market, put on by indie rock promoter R5, for local crafters (who, obviously, are somewhat edgy), and for people selling stuff with a rock n' roll bent. God I sound square. I just don't know how else to describe this. More info here.
- Jazz show: A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Eric Mintel Quartet at the Baby Grand, with members of the Cab Calloway Jazz Choir. 1pm, $24
- Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve (weekly until Jan. 2). 8-10am, free, nearby PA.
- Showings of Almodovar's The Skin I Live In, and Herzog's Into the Abyss, and my favorite Mozart opera, Don Giovanni, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
Band shows:
Friday 12/9:
- Sisters 3 and Andrew Gray (former co-lead of Hoots & Hellmouth) at the Kennett Flash. 1st 20 people who show up with a new toy for a charity drive get half-priced admission. 8pm, $12.
- Touring "festival darling" jam band The Heavy Pets at Mojo Main, with Spontaneous Underground. 21+, 9pm, $10.
- Alyssa Regan cd release show at Film Bros. Co-Op, with The Paper Janes, Wyatt Sikora, and Shane Palkovitz. All ages, 7pm, $6 (or $10 with cd purchase).
- Green Mountain Valley Boys at Extreme Pizza. 8:30, free.
- At the North Star Bar, 3 different tribute sets to: Radiohead, The Smiths / Morrisey, and R.E.M. 21+, 9pm, $15
- Slo-Mo feat. Mic Wrecka at Milkboy Philly. 21+, 9pm, $10
Saturday 12/10:
- Two different locals shows at the Queen. You have your choice of: Tail, Robot House, Stallions & Villains Like You, 7:30pm, $5-$7, or Universal Funk Order, Forward Motion, & Joe Keyes and The Late Bloomers, 8:30pm, $9. The former will be upstairs, the latter will be downstairs.
- Milkboy Philly holiday party with: Toy Soldiers, Revolution I Love You, The Quelle Source, and 3 others.
- Between The Buried And Me at the TLA.
- (The Dead Milkmen show at KFN is sold-out, and the Robin Thicke show at WCL Philly is sold-out).
Sunday 12/11:
- (The Graham Colton show at the Queen has been post-poned).
Upcoming: Christmas Vacation shown at the Kennett Flash Mon., Great soul band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound at KFN Tues., The War On Drugs / Sun Airway / Ape School at Union Transfer next Sat., Matisyahu at the TLA on 12/24, Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall on 12/26, Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main on 12/30, .mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA on 12/30.
Synopsis of the three end-of-year music polls I wrote about earlier in the week.
Scroll down a few posts if you want to see my complete, rambling takes on each survey. For everyone else, here is a brief rundown:
Poll #1 - TriState Indie Music Awards survey
http://www.tristateindie.com/tsi-music-awards-vote/
You don't have to create a log-in or give personal info to take this survey, and you can vote repeatedly: every 12 hours per household IP address (or work place). This survey has Delaware bands Spinto Band, The Sky Drops, and New Sweden, and regional (but locally popular) bands Hoots & Hellmouth, Revolution, I Love You, and Dr. Dog, among others, up for "best of" awards. World Cafe Live at the Queen is also up for "best new venue". This survey lasts until mid-February, and will culminate with a red-carpet awards ceremony at WCL Philly in late February. My recommendation, if you see bands in there you want to support, is to save this one to your "favorites" or book marks and visit it when bored. http://www.tristateindie.com/tsi-music-awards-vote/
Poll #2 - Y-Not Radio end-of-year music survey
http://ynotradio.net/yearendpoll.php
No log-in required, but fair warning: you are asked for personal info at the end of this 8 section survey. But this enters you in to win an iPad or a $200 iTunes gift certificate (and frankly, you can fudge the info a little while still giving enough to win), so it's not all bad. You only vote once in this survey, and voting ends in mid December. Local/regional bands that you can vote for (amongst mostly national bands) include: Spinto Band, Cliff Hillis, Ike, Hoots & Hellmouth, Dr. Dog, as well as a smattering of Philly and Baltimore bands. Also, you can write-in votes for your favorite bands/albums/songs that don't happen to be included. http://ynotradio.net/yearendpoll.php
Poll #3 - NPR Music Top 50 Albums of 2011 survey
NPR survey link
This survey asks for no log-in or personal info, and you only vote one time. No Delaware bands are included, however there is a space provided for you to give a write-in vote for your favorite albums. Among the regional bands included are Wye Oak (Baltimore), The Roots (Philly), The War On Drugs (Philly), Jill Scott (Philly), and River City Extension (Jersey).
NPR survey link
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best of luck to all bands involved!
Poll #1 - TriState Indie Music Awards survey
http://www.tristateindie.com/tsi-music-awards-vote/
You don't have to create a log-in or give personal info to take this survey, and you can vote repeatedly: every 12 hours per household IP address (or work place). This survey has Delaware bands Spinto Band, The Sky Drops, and New Sweden, and regional (but locally popular) bands Hoots & Hellmouth, Revolution, I Love You, and Dr. Dog, among others, up for "best of" awards. World Cafe Live at the Queen is also up for "best new venue". This survey lasts until mid-February, and will culminate with a red-carpet awards ceremony at WCL Philly in late February. My recommendation, if you see bands in there you want to support, is to save this one to your "favorites" or book marks and visit it when bored. http://www.tristateindie.com/tsi-music-awards-vote/
Poll #2 - Y-Not Radio end-of-year music survey
http://ynotradio.net/yearendpoll.php
No log-in required, but fair warning: you are asked for personal info at the end of this 8 section survey. But this enters you in to win an iPad or a $200 iTunes gift certificate (and frankly, you can fudge the info a little while still giving enough to win), so it's not all bad. You only vote once in this survey, and voting ends in mid December. Local/regional bands that you can vote for (amongst mostly national bands) include: Spinto Band, Cliff Hillis, Ike, Hoots & Hellmouth, Dr. Dog, as well as a smattering of Philly and Baltimore bands. Also, you can write-in votes for your favorite bands/albums/songs that don't happen to be included. http://ynotradio.net/yearendpoll.php
Poll #3 - NPR Music Top 50 Albums of 2011 survey
NPR survey link
This survey asks for no log-in or personal info, and you only vote one time. No Delaware bands are included, however there is a space provided for you to give a write-in vote for your favorite albums. Among the regional bands included are Wye Oak (Baltimore), The Roots (Philly), The War On Drugs (Philly), Jill Scott (Philly), and River City Extension (Jersey).
NPR survey link
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best of luck to all bands involved!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Breaking: Buckley's Tavern loses lease; will stop operating in January.
From their Facebook page:
Don't get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But this blogger, for one, is sad. A lot of the fun of Buckley's was the unusual atmosphere - the old farmhouse structure, the vine-covered brick porch, the interior that was warm and very casual yet was distinctly Centreville. It was a nice place to go when you felt like tavern fare but wanted to experience a little more old money panache than a Stanley's or McGlynn's could provide. And the food was pretty good. The $25 Wednesday special of brick-oven pizza, salad and wine for two was a great deal.
Another commenter noted that word on the street is that Dan Butler (owner of Piccolina Toscana and Deep Blue) has his eye on the location. According to this release, the landlord intends to "renovate". But is it possible the landlord, after 28 years, is going to try to finagle a higher lease from a better connected restauranteur like Butler?
It is with great sadness that we announce that Buckley’s Landlord has decided to not continue our Lease. The Landlord intends to renovate the building after our departure.Fan comments were mostly supportive, except for one puzzling post by a woman who claimed she "Never liked Buckley's". Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm missing something here. But why would you be a Facebook fan of a restaurant you "never liked"? Oh, internets.
Buckley’s Tavern will continue to operate here through
January 15, 2012
We are actively looking for a new location to continue to provide our guests with our award winning food & drink.
We will keep you informed of our progress.
We want to thank all of our patrons and the community of Centreville for the privilege of having you and your families as our guests for more than 28 years.
We especially want to thank our current staff and all those who came before for their service and dedication in creating an atmosphere where every guest felt welcome and for crafting many great memories with our guests.
We wish the best to all involved and look forward to seeing everyone during our last weeks as we celebrate Buckley’s good fortune and the great friends we have made here in Centreville through the years.
David Weir,
Chef/Managing Partner
Don't get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion. But this blogger, for one, is sad. A lot of the fun of Buckley's was the unusual atmosphere - the old farmhouse structure, the vine-covered brick porch, the interior that was warm and very casual yet was distinctly Centreville. It was a nice place to go when you felt like tavern fare but wanted to experience a little more old money panache than a Stanley's or McGlynn's could provide. And the food was pretty good. The $25 Wednesday special of brick-oven pizza, salad and wine for two was a great deal.
Another commenter noted that word on the street is that Dan Butler (owner of Piccolina Toscana and Deep Blue) has his eye on the location. According to this release, the landlord intends to "renovate". But is it possible the landlord, after 28 years, is going to try to finagle a higher lease from a better connected restauranteur like Butler?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Late addition: listening party for new Black Keys album, tonight at Rainbow Records
Join the employees of Rainbow Records as they spin the new Black Keys album, El Camino, on vinyl. 6pm, Rainbow Records on Main St. (just behind their former store-front), Newark. There will be pizza and "sweet door prizes", and the album of the evening will be available, on sale, on CD and vinyl (it was just released today).
Y-Not Radio posts year-end survey.
The link: http://ynotradio.net/yearendpoll.php
The poll starts with a very lengthy list of Y-not approved songs released in 2011. Voters can check off their top 20. If you don't see a song you loved, you can write-in your vote.
Page 2 asks voters to select their top 10 albums of 2011. Page 3 deals with "best artists", "best new artists", and "best artists featured live on Y-Not". Page 4 deals with "best video", "most anticipated of 2012", and "best show". Pages 5-7 deal with non-music pop culture questions. Unfortunately page 8 does ask for personal information. But it enters you to win a $100 i-Tunes gift card, and there are ways you can get around the personal info requirement.
Mostly national bands are included in these polls, but there are some Philly-region bands included, like Spinto Band, Cliff Hillis, Hoots & Hellmouth, Dr. Dog, The War On Drugs, Ike, Kuf Knotz, Man Man, Kurt Vile, Sun Airway, East Hundred, Turning Violet Violet, Illinois, Black Landlord, and Cheers Elephant.
The above list is not an endorsement of any of these bands. I just like to comb through these year-end lists and pick out the regional bands I recognize, and pass it along, especially when there are a couple of Delaware bands in the mix.
Voting ends December 21st.
The poll starts with a very lengthy list of Y-not approved songs released in 2011. Voters can check off their top 20. If you don't see a song you loved, you can write-in your vote.
Page 2 asks voters to select their top 10 albums of 2011. Page 3 deals with "best artists", "best new artists", and "best artists featured live on Y-Not". Page 4 deals with "best video", "most anticipated of 2012", and "best show". Pages 5-7 deal with non-music pop culture questions. Unfortunately page 8 does ask for personal information. But it enters you to win a $100 i-Tunes gift card, and there are ways you can get around the personal info requirement.
Mostly national bands are included in these polls, but there are some Philly-region bands included, like Spinto Band, Cliff Hillis, Hoots & Hellmouth, Dr. Dog, The War On Drugs, Ike, Kuf Knotz, Man Man, Kurt Vile, Sun Airway, East Hundred, Turning Violet Violet, Illinois, Black Landlord, and Cheers Elephant.
The above list is not an endorsement of any of these bands. I just like to comb through these year-end lists and pick out the regional bands I recognize, and pass it along, especially when there are a couple of Delaware bands in the mix.
Voting ends December 21st.
More from NPR music:
Yesterday, NPR Music published their list of top 50 albums of 2011 (which featured no Delawareans but did feature Baltimore/Philly artists Wye Oak and The Roots). Later that day, they published a survey listing 250 albums released in 2011, and inviting readers to vote for their top 10. If you don't see your favorite album of 2011, there's a space where you can submit the names of up to 5 not-mentioned albums.
Here is a link to that survey. You don't have to sign up for anything to vote:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2011/12/05/143032077/vote-for-your-favorite-albums-of-2011?sc=fb&cc=fmp
Besides the regional albums mentioned above, this larger list includes the latest album by The Head and The Heart, who played at the Queen over the summer as part of the XPonential Festival, albums by Philadelphians Jill Scott and The War On Drugs, and New Jersey band River City Extension.
Voting will be open for the next 10 days or so.
Here is a link to that survey. You don't have to sign up for anything to vote:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2011/12/05/143032077/vote-for-your-favorite-albums-of-2011?sc=fb&cc=fmp
Besides the regional albums mentioned above, this larger list includes the latest album by The Head and The Heart, who played at the Queen over the summer as part of the XPonential Festival, albums by Philadelphians Jill Scott and The War On Drugs, and New Jersey band River City Extension.
Voting will be open for the next 10 days or so.
Local bands nominated for Tri State Indie music awards.
Tri State Indie is a Lancaster-based music site that, having outgrown its own name, covers music in DE, NJ, PA, NY, and MD. They're a little aggressive in their promotional tactics (for instance: if they offer your band the opportunity to post your tour diary on their site, be prepared for them to request that you announce their name, and display their promo banner, from stage during your shows).
But I've met the people behind Tri State Indie, and they seem like nice folks who are genuinely excited about promoting regional music. This year, they're trying a new course to bring attention both to their site and to Mid-Atlantic bands: an awards contest with accompanying "red carpet" ceremony at World Cafe Live Philly.
Here is a link to all of the award categories, and bands nominated: http://www.tristateindie.com/tsi-music-awards-vote/ You can vote from this page, and voting is only limited to once every 12 hours, per IP address. If you see a favorite band on the list, bookmark the page and visit it often. Note that you do not have to sign up for any account or log-in to vote - just visit the page and start clicking.
Notable Delaware bands on the list (all deserving):
Spinto Band, up for Best Delaware Band
The Sky Drops, up for Best Delaware Band
New Sweden, up for Best Delaware Band
Besides the Delaware bands:
Because the main accomplishment here is not how many votes are ultimately gained, but who nominated these bands in the first place.
Among the industry people on the nominating committee, which included Salesianum-grad Andrew Miller, are music honchos from WHYY, the operator of Origivation Magazine, Josh Landow from Y-Not Radio (the former Y-Rock's current incarnation), a writer for A.V. Club, Prefix, and Magnet magazines, the station manager from WXPN, and representatives of reputable local blogs and clubs. So for some of the lesser-known nominated bands to have attracted the attention of these people is no small feat.
Voting is open from now until February 19th, and will be capped off with an awards ceremony and live show at the World Cafe Live Philly on Sunday, February 26th. The line-up for this show is yet to be announced, but organizers hope to provide a mix of local and national talent, including nominated bands. For more info about the awards show in February: http://www.tristateindie.com/tsi-music-awards/tri-state-indie-music-awards/
May the best bands (or at least the ones with fans willing to vote multiple times per day, for weeks) win!
But I've met the people behind Tri State Indie, and they seem like nice folks who are genuinely excited about promoting regional music. This year, they're trying a new course to bring attention both to their site and to Mid-Atlantic bands: an awards contest with accompanying "red carpet" ceremony at World Cafe Live Philly.
Here is a link to all of the award categories, and bands nominated: http://www.tristateindie.com/tsi-music-awards-vote/ You can vote from this page, and voting is only limited to once every 12 hours, per IP address. If you see a favorite band on the list, bookmark the page and visit it often. Note that you do not have to sign up for any account or log-in to vote - just visit the page and start clicking.
Notable Delaware bands on the list (all deserving):
Spinto Band, up for Best Delaware Band
The Sky Drops, up for Best Delaware Band
New Sweden, up for Best Delaware Band
Besides the Delaware bands:
- World Cafe Live at the Queen is up for best new venue, and it's the only non-Pennsylvania venue up for that award. They're up against some heavy hitters like Union Transfer, so they'll need some help.
- West Chester's Hoots & Hellmouth is up for Best Indie Folk/Americana Band, against Hezekiah Jones and Good Old War. This could be anyone's game; they're all pretty equally regarded.
- Revolution, I Love You, who are often seen on Delaware stages, are up for Indie Electro / Experimental Band of the Year, against the popular Sun Airway and Work Drugs. They also have a steep road to climb in this contest.
- Dr. Dog is up for National Live Performer of the year against Grace Potter and My Morning Jacket (who gave Dr. Dog their first break).
- Philly-based Kurt Vile is up for National Overall Band of the year, which I guess is the 'Best In Show' award here. He's up against Deer Tick and Dawes in this.
- There are other bands up for awards that have Wilmington ties, and I'd love to tell you about them, but I have to recuse myself because of my personal connections there.
Because the main accomplishment here is not how many votes are ultimately gained, but who nominated these bands in the first place.
Among the industry people on the nominating committee, which included Salesianum-grad Andrew Miller, are music honchos from WHYY, the operator of Origivation Magazine, Josh Landow from Y-Not Radio (the former Y-Rock's current incarnation), a writer for A.V. Club, Prefix, and Magnet magazines, the station manager from WXPN, and representatives of reputable local blogs and clubs. So for some of the lesser-known nominated bands to have attracted the attention of these people is no small feat.
Voting is open from now until February 19th, and will be capped off with an awards ceremony and live show at the World Cafe Live Philly on Sunday, February 26th. The line-up for this show is yet to be announced, but organizers hope to provide a mix of local and national talent, including nominated bands. For more info about the awards show in February: http://www.tristateindie.com/tsi-music-awards/tri-state-indie-music-awards/
May the best bands (or at least the ones with fans willing to vote multiple times per day, for weeks) win!
Monday, December 5, 2011
NPR releases list of top 50 albums of 2011
There were no Delaware-based bands or musicians on the list (made up of multi-national, multi-genre artists), but regional groups The Roots (Philly) and Wye Oak (Baltimore) were included.
Full list, with clips and bios from each artist:
http://www.npr.org/series/142852713/50-favorite-albums-of-2011-from-npr-music?sc=fb&cc=fmp
Snap judgement update:
After posting, I checked out the Wye Oak song on the list: "Alter" is an incredible song. So I listened to more music from this Baltimore duo, and found the rest of their catalogue to be merely good indie rock - good enough that I'd really enjoy it if they happened to be opening a show I was attending, but not mind-blowing enough to purchase a full cd (I've heard a lot of music and grew up with a healthy familiarity with classical music before I ever got into pop music - it's hard to blow my mind). However, the song featured on the NPR list is well worth a purchase (and if you click the purchase link on the NPR site, part of your money gets donated back to NPR).
(Whoops! Earlier I included reference to a band that I was under the impression came from Philly. I was wrong on that score, so amended this post).
Full list, with clips and bios from each artist:
http://www.npr.org/series/142852713/50-favorite-albums-of-2011-from-npr-music?sc=fb&cc=fmp
Snap judgement update:
After posting, I checked out the Wye Oak song on the list: "Alter" is an incredible song. So I listened to more music from this Baltimore duo, and found the rest of their catalogue to be merely good indie rock - good enough that I'd really enjoy it if they happened to be opening a show I was attending, but not mind-blowing enough to purchase a full cd (I've heard a lot of music and grew up with a healthy familiarity with classical music before I ever got into pop music - it's hard to blow my mind). However, the song featured on the NPR list is well worth a purchase (and if you click the purchase link on the NPR site, part of your money gets donated back to NPR).
(Whoops! Earlier I included reference to a band that I was under the impression came from Philly. I was wrong on that score, so amended this post).
If you see the beginnings of an Annie Lennox christmas album commercial on tv...
Don't change the channel! It's worth the watch. Really bizarre stuff. Observe the wardrobe changes. I can't believe she gave this commercial the green light. It's like the director couldn't decide whether to go with a super traditional feel or to recognize her non-traditional style. So it's this weird combination of cheesy informercial stock (here's Annie singing exactly 5 seconds of each song on the album. Here's a voice warmly intoning "It's Annie Lennox as you've never heard her before!"), and clashing avant garde touches (here's Annie Lennox in drag, as a 17th century explorer. Making Shakespearean stage gestures).
Who knows? Maybe it's a good album. But it looks like a big ol' box of WTF to me.
Who knows? Maybe it's a good album. But it looks like a big ol' box of WTF to me.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Weekday events of note, 12/5-12/8:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday 12/5:
- Day 1 of a 5 day "Fermentation Festival" at Harvest Market Natural Foods (Hockessin). More details.
- Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: A Christmas Story. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
- Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Thirty Minutes or Less. 21+, $3. Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tuesday 12/6:
- Snoop Dog and Wiz Khalifa at the Electric Factory. 8pm, $43+.
Wednesday 12/7:
- 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
- Duncan Sheik at the Queen downstairs. 8pm, $26.
- Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover.
- Annual meeting of Friends of White Clay Creek State Park. Free, open to public. A talk will be given on removing old mill dams on the creek to make it a better environment for shad fish. Deerfield Golf Course, 7pm. http://www.whiteclayfriends.org/notices.php
- R&B / indie rock crossover artist Lushlife at the North Star Bar. 21+, 8pm, $8
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday 12/8:
- Art Salad lecture at the DE Center for Contemporary Arts. This was a 2 month long weekly series that ends today. Noon-1, free, bring your own lunch (or arrive by 11:45 am to order one from Cosi).
- Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
- Upstairs at the Queen: Little Invisibles, Katie Dill, Angela Sheik and Laura C "get inspired by Bjork". 8pm, $5
- Raul Malo (I don't know, my spouse's cousin is really into him) at the Queen. 7pm, $34-$48.
- Josh Marcus (Like Moving Insects) and Helena Espvall (cellist of Espers, Vashti Bunyan, Fursaxa, and countless Philly band recordings) open for Azita at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 8pm, $10.
Upcoming: Local bands at the Arden Gild Hall Friday, Sisters 3 & Andrew Gray at the Kennett Flash Friday, Radiohead/Morrisey/R.E.M. tribute bands at the North Star Friday, Punk Rock Flea Market & Record Fair (Philly) on Sunday, Matisyahu at the TLA on 12/24, Spring Standards & Mean Lady at Arden Gild Hall on 12/26, Diplo at Union Transfer on 12/29, Diego Paulo reunion at Mojo Main on 12/30, .mewithoutYou / Thursday (fairwell tour) / Screaming Females at the TLA on 12/30.
SUNDAY on Pennsylvania Ave - Sustainable Gift Fair
Sorry for the late notice - I just saw this. From the organizers:
Wilmington in Transition presents the 2nd annual Sustainable Gift Fair. Westminster Presbyterian Church in the Rodney Chapel,1502 W. 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. Bypass the mall keep your holiday gift dollars in your community. Admission is free and there is Live m...usic from the Ellen Lebowitz Jazz Duo. Vendors include:*Barretta's Inc. Soap Factory *Clowning and Crafts by Marjorie Kafader *Furniture Caning by Phyllis Lan*Wilmington Children's Choir*Ninth Street Book Shop *Arts in the Media*Energy Audits by Jack Sol-Church *Yoga by Mia Muratori*Wilmington in Transition *DE Local Food Exchange*The Warped Loom- hand woven goods *Kelly Werkheiser - Jewelry*Jennifer Roman-Jewelry & recycled designs *Delaware Nature Society*Fresh Thymes Cafe*and more!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
This weekend, 12/2-12/4:
Oo la - lots going on this weekend as the holidays ramp up.
General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 12/2:
Saturday 12/3:
Sunday 12/4:
Band shows:
Friday 12/2:
Saturday 12/3:
Sunday 12/4:
Upcoming: Duncan Sheik at the Queen Wed., Raul Malo at the Queen Thurs., Sisters 3 & Andrew Gray (H&H) at the Kennett Flash next Fri.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pearl and the Beard performing "Sweetness". Also check out their Will Smith medley on Youtube. Even amidst the silliness that is that video, this band's tight vocal harmonies and skilled arrangements really shine through. And I'm a sucker for a rock band string player who is competent on her instrument.
General Events:
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Friday 12/2:
- Alternatives Holiday Craft Show at the DE Center for Contemporary Arts (so this should actually be cutting edge, and not the kind of craft show where lots of wooden things are painted with teddy bears and flags). 5-11pm, FREE. More details.
- Wilmington Art Loop. 5-11pm, various locations. More details.
- Spaceboy Clothing's grand opening party for their new store on lower Market. Live music (see bands section), DJs, door prizes. 6-10pm, free.
- The final re:Fresh Art Loop After Party, DCCA, 8-11pm.
- Winterfest in Newark: tree lighting, caroling, chestnut roasting (because everywhere should stink like Manhattan in December), ice carving demos, etc. 6pm, Main Street.
- Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen. Noon. More details.
- New event: Kennett Square Outdoor Winter Market. 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month. 2-5pm.
- Showings of Take Shelter and Le Havre at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
- In the "just weird enough for me to mention" category, there's Yoga Night at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (Art After 5 series). With DJ dance party afterwards... of Indian music. More info.
Saturday 12/3:
- Showings of A Charlie Brown Christmas Special (one showing, 11am only), Le Havre, and Take Shelter at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
- Hike & Hot Cocoa at Brandywine Creek State Park, 1-3pm. $2. More details.
- "Crate Diggers' Clubhouse" LP sale at Rainbow Records. Thousands of LPs for $1 each (and Rainbow claims they've already culled out the junk records, leaving only good stuff). Saturday only, 10am-1pm. 54 E. Main St., Newark
Sunday 12/4:
- Sunday Bird Walk at Bucktoe Creek Preserve (weekly until Jan. 2). 8-10am, free, nearby PA.
- Showings of Le Havre and Take Shelter at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
- Run with the Reindeer 5k in nearby Havre de Grace, MD (this is, as far as I can tell, the last organized 5k of the year, for this area). Details here.
Band shows:
Friday 12/2:
- New Sweden, I Am Lightning, & DJ EA at Spaceboy Clothing's grand opening party on lower Market St. All ages, 6-10pm, FREE. More details.
- Mean Lady, Troubled Hips & The Sea Around Us at Mojo Main (preceeded by free matinee solo show by Katie Dill of Mean Lady). 21+, 9pm, $5
- At the Queen, an assortment of well-known local bands that fly that reggae/frat rock flag that seems to be so enduringly popular around here. 8pm, $10. More info
- Can You Canoe and Villains Like You at The Note in West Chester. 21+, 8pm, $5.
- Italian-born Wilmington singer/songwriter Jacopo de Nicola at Zaikka Indian Grill. (How the restaurant put it: "Come Hear Lively Music!". Hee.) 6-9pm, free.
- The Bigger Lovers and Photon Band at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 8pm, $10
- (The Future Islands show at KFN is sold-out).
Saturday 12/3:
- Pearl and the Beard at the Queen. Check out their video at the bottom of the post - you won't regret it. 8pm, $8
- Spinto Band opens for Jukebox the Ghost at Union Transfer. They're on a short but major national tour together, now. Congrats to our hometown boys. All ages, 8:30pm, $14
- Jazz show: Clifford Brown Year-Round Series presents Point Blank. Christina Cultural Arts Center, lower Market St. All ages, 8-10pm, $20. More info.
- (The Carbon Leaf show at WCL Philly is now sold out).
Sunday 12/4:
- Coney Island Rock n' Roll Show at Mojo 13: Burlesque show by Cherry Van Bomb, side show performers, and music by Lara Hope, The Champ-Tones, and Amour Obscur. Mojo 13, Claymont. 8-12, cost not well advertised but it'll probably run you 5 bucks.
- In case you missed them at the Queen the night before - Pearl and The Beard at Kung Fu Necktie, with Auctioneer (veteran of several high profile area bands like Golden Boots and Birdie Busch). 21+, 8pm, $8
Upcoming: Duncan Sheik at the Queen Wed., Raul Malo at the Queen Thurs., Sisters 3 & Andrew Gray (H&H) at the Kennett Flash next Fri.
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Pearl and the Beard performing "Sweetness". Also check out their Will Smith medley on Youtube. Even amidst the silliness that is that video, this band's tight vocal harmonies and skilled arrangements really shine through. And I'm a sucker for a rock band string player who is competent on her instrument.
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