Weekday events of note, 1/30-2/2:

Not much doing shows-wise, but there are some other things worth noting this week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday 1/30:

• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: Life Is Beautiful. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Drive.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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Tuesday 1/31:

• 2012 Art Loop preview party at Theatre N:

"Join the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs for an informational celebration of the Wilmington Art Loop! Preview the new Art Loop website, a walk through of the new guide for artists and galleries, a look back at 2011 highlights and a look ahead at 2012 with heavy refreshments and live performances. This event is highly suggested for any business interested in joining the Art Loop or artists interested in exhibiting their work. Theatre N at Nemours, 11th & Tatnall Streets, Wilmington, DE. Reservations are not required but encouraged. Please RSVP with Jeni Barton at photosensei1@yahoo.com or visit our facebook page at facebook.com/ArtontheTown "

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Wednesday 2/1:

• Showing of The Swell Season, a documentary about Academy Award musicians, at UD's Trabant Center. 7:30pm, FREE.
• 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. 

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Thursday 2/2:

• Original band Thursday at Logan House, with sets by No Outlet, Paper Jets, and Keep For Yourself. 21+, 9pm, $5
• Donna the Buffalo at The Note, West Chester. Ticket link.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free

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Parting thought:
Ah February - the shortest and yet decidedly longest-feeling month.  But March is around the corner, and then we can all pretend it's spring even though most of March isn't spring at all.  Stay with me, people: beating back the winter blahs is all about playing mind tricks with yourself.  You march into those state park wooded trails, you find yourself an early-blooming native plant like the salmon lily, and by God, you declare to your soul that it's spring.   Unless you're one of those weirdos who enjoys winter more, in which case we have nothing in common, but Happy Last Full Month of Winter to you, buddy. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Bob Mould at WCL Philly next Wed., Sharon Van Etten at JBs on 2/10, Otis Day at the Blockley on 2/18, Spinto Band at JB's on 2/25.

This weekend, 1/27-1/29:

General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 1/27:

• Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen.  Noon. More details.
• Showings of Norwegian Wood and La Rafle at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Opening night of Miss Saigon at the New Candlelight Dinner Theatre, Ardentown. Info.
• "Art Is Date Night" at the Delaware Art Museum. Includes pottery class, beer, wine, and light food. 7-9pm, $30-$35. Info.
• Django-a-Go-Go Festival at the Phila. Museum of Art's Art After 5 event: "Inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt, guitarist Stephane Wrembel with musicians Biel Ballester, Kyle Dillingham, John Intrator, and Howard Alden offer an evening of French gypsy jazz—with no set break. Wrembel composed the theme to Midnight in Paris and the soundtrack to Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

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Saturday 1/28:

• Showings of Norwegian Wood, La Rafle, and Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Sunday 1/29:

• Newark Co-op Winter Farmers' Market (every other Sunday starting 12/4, so this should be on today). 10-2pm, E. Main St (at "The Meadow" next to the Co-op).
• Showings of Norwegian Wood and La Rafle at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Band shows:

Friday 1/27:

• Zack duPont (from VT - no word on whether he's related to Wilmington's own industrial family) with notable Philly songstress Birdie Busch at the Queen Theatre, $15+.   Ticket link.  Birdie is also playing next month in Philly and New York with the Lindsay Buckingham Appreciation Society, which is made up of veterans of the regional music scene and will perform the album Mirage in its entirety.  Hey Birdie - bring that ish to the Queen next year, allright? http://tlbas.tumblr.com/
• Electro Organic Project at Extreme Pizza. 8:30-10:30, FREE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday 1/28:

• Rock The Barn at Gild Hall, with Revolution I Love You, Villains Like You, etc. Food available from the Arden Dinner Gild (like roasted portabello sandwiches).
• British singer-songwriter Bobby Long is playing at UD, at the Perkins Student Center. Recent UD grad Michael Natrin opens. 7:30pm, $7. More details.
• The Angel Band cd release show at the Queen Theatre. This is David Bromberg's wife's band. $24+. Ticket link.
• Ape School (side project of one of the Dr. Dog guys), Nightlands (side project of one of the War On Drugs guys), and Norwegian Arms at Kung Fu Necktie, $8+. Ticket link.  I'm not familiar with the 3rd band, but the first two are very good.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday 1/29:

• Caveman with Tha Itis at the Blockley. $10+. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Bob Mould at WCL Philly on 2/8, Sharon Van Etten at JBs on 2/10, Otis Day at the Blockley on 2/18, Spinto Band at JB's on 2/25.

Tonight: open mic for music students at Accent Music on Concord Pike

Know someone wanting stage experience, but who isn't up to doing open mics in bars just yet?  Accent Music is hosting their first ever open-mic night at their Concord Pike location tonight, Wednesday, from 7-8:30pm.  Accent students get preference, but the night is open to the public (both to watch and perform).  Anyone who performs gets a discount card. Email questions to amackinnon@accentmusic.com

Restaurant week is happening now in Newark.

http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2012/jan/restaurant-week-011312.html

19 Newark restaurants will be participating, from January 23rd to Sunday, January 29th.

New Brunswick NJ's fabled Court Tavern closes after 30 years (a la Newark's The Stone Balloon).

There's an article about it in The Village Voice - it's a good read: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/01/court_tavern_closed_new_jersey_indie.php

I have a friend from New Brunswick so I'd heard of this place, but had no idea how big it was.  I always imagined it was like the Deer Park, though now I realize it's much more like The Stone Balloon, large college town locale, ballyhooed closing, and all.  (Although, to be fair, this place got many more "up and coming" acts than the Balloon did, as one of a very few mid-sized rock venues between Philly and New York).

Worst DelawareOnline commenter of the week:

This man, a Michael Smith of Delaware, made the following comments on a DelawareOnline article about Joe Paterno's death and legacy.  I don't care which side of the debate you fall on over Joe Paterno - if these statements don't strike you as incomprehensibly callous, there's something wrong:

"The lives Joe Pa touched outweighs the boys that were touched by far so look at it like the government. They're just casualties of war!!"

"Ever think the boys liked it? Lol"

"Honestly, are college students kids? No I don't think so!!"

When a female commenter pointed out to him that the kids were 10 years old, not college students, his reply was:

"Ehh it is what it is!! He's still a great man in my eyes and nothing a woman says will change that!!"

It is what it is?  Casualties of war?  Maybe they liked it?  

By the way, his Facebook profile indicated that he's single (shocking, I know!) and looking for a woman.  I really hope he never manages to talk a woman with young children into dating him.  Scary.

I would link the original article, but it appears DelawareOnline has taken it off of their website.  The link (and the comments) remain on Facebook, however.

Weekday events of note, 1/23-1/26:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday 1/23:

• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: Pan's Labyrinth. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: 50/50. IMDB link.   21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday 1/24:

• Comedy night at The Fire in NoLibs, hosted by local Last Comic Standing alum Doogie Horner, ft. Delaware's New Sweden and some other names that are either comedians or musicians, I'm not sure which. Doors at 8, $7.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday 1/25:

• One-time showing of Riding The Bus With My Sister at Theatre N. This 2005 film, starring Andie McDowell and Rosie O'Donnell was based on a non-fiction book by Wilmington writer Rachel Simon. 7pm, $7.  More details.
• Celtic music by Charlie Zahm at the Robinson House / Naamans Tea House in Claymont. Doors at 7, $10.  (I'm pretty much including this because I think it's great that they're having concerts in this old historic house.  And what else am I going to publicize about Claymont - Mojo 13 metal shows?) http://www.robinsonhousede.org/
• Showing of Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, at UD's Trabant Center. 7:30pm, FREE.
• 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. 
• Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel is playing in Philly, but it's been sold-out for weeks.  But there will be a next time, and we know this because Thomas Hughes of The Spinto Band will be playing with a band that's opening for NMH on their next tour.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday 1/26:

• Langhorne Slim at the Queen Theatre, with Holy Ghost Tent Revival. 19+. Ticket link.
• Opening of the play Dead Man's Cell Phone at Shipyard Shops.  Presented by Bootless Art Works, a grassroots theater troupe. 7:30-9:30pm, $15. Ticket link / info.
• Aimee Mann at World Cafe Live Philly, $35+. Ticket link.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Rock The Barn fest at Arden Gild Hall on Sat., Bob Mould at WCL Philly on 2/8, Sharon Van Etten at JBs on 2/10, Otis Day at the Blockley on 2/18, Spinto Band at JB's on 2/25.

Craigslist post of the week:

Found while searching for something else:

"RE: Terrell Owens Autographed Eagle's Helmet!!~~~~~ - $250 (Odessa)

I tried to email you but it wouldn't go through. I wanted to offer you $6 for the helmet so that I can use it to feed my pigs. I'd go ten if it is full of food and you deliver it to my farm. "

This weekend, 1/20-1/22:

General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 1/20:

• Rainbow Records' used CD & DVD sale continues this Friday, Satuday and Sunday: 2 for $5, or half off if the item is $7.99 plus.  I was there last weekend - they had a lot of good, recent indie rock in the CDs. 
• 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 (a modern version of) Sleeping Beauty and Balibo at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday 1/21:

• Free sample Saturday at Harvest Market in Hockessin, 11-2pm.  Tons of free samples of drinks, foods, etc.  (You know what I love to pick up there?  Crystallized ginger, for something like $5 a lb.  That is some good stuff.  And the spice selection is the best in Delaware). Details.
• Showings of Sleeping Beauty (I've seen the previews - definitely not a kid movie) and Balibo at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Ultimate 80's New Wave dance party at the Queen with DJ Robert Drake (a WXPN DJ and well-known purveyor of music in Philly).  $10+. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday 1/22:

• 5K: 23rd Road to the Superbowl 5K in Wilmington. More details.
• Showings of Sleeping Beauty, Balibo, and (opera) Cendrillon at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band shows:

Friday 1/20:

• The Smithereens at World Cafe Live Philly. Ticket link.
• The Black Lillies (indie-country from Tennessee) at the Queen, $15+. Ticket link.
• ASIDE: Can I vent about the fact that it's impossible to ever nail down what is happening at Mojo Main?  Their website calendar gives me this: Tolstoy Place, Tail, and Me Equals You.  And yet a local radio concert calendar says it's Robot House playing on 1/20, and Robot House has a FB invite saying as much.   So all I can tell you is that some local band or other will be playing at Mojo Main, and it will cost you $5.  Cripes.
• Anthony Green with The Dear Hunter at Union Transfer, $16+. Ticket link.
• Akron/Family at the Blockley. $12+. (Really entertaining bio on these guys here).  Ticket link.
• Fujiya & Miyagi at Johnny Brenda's, $12+. Ticket link.
• Auctioneer (this is the solo project - and quite good, from what I've heard - of a veteran of several high-profile area bands) with The Sea Around Us at Little Bar, 8th & Fitzwater in S. Philly. 8-10pm.  Cover most likely around $5.
• Jon Herrington (veteran touring and recording guitarist for Steely Dan) at the Kennett Flash, with Rob Morseberger, $20+. Ticket link.  (Nerd Talk Time!  A certain walking music encyclopedia I know scoffed that Herrington was not one of the several notable guitarists with Steely Dan.  So I looked him up - he has actually been a long term guitar player with Steely Dan, but only since 2001, decades past their hey-day.  Well there you have it).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday 1/21:

• A fine bill of area folk pop: Battleshy Youths, New Sweden, The Northeast, and Black Horse Motel, at Mojo Main, $6+. No really - I know I can be hard on local bands, but this should be a good bill to catch. Update: Now I see that it's a Tric Town event.  That's why it's a decent bill. Ticket link.
• Lili Anel, E.B. Hawkins, and Jordyn Gatti at the Queen. $13+. Ticket link.
• Man Man with Deathfix and NAH at Union Transfer, $17+. Ticket link.
• Sun Ra Arkestra at the Blockley, $15+. Ticket link.
• Film Bros. "The 6" singer-songwriter showcase is SOLD OUT.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday 1/22:

• Comedian Demetri Martin, known to most of us for his Comedy Central show Important Things, appearing at the DuPont Theatre.  7pm show, $38+. Ticket link.
• Cass McCombs at Kung Fu Necktie, $12+. Ticket link.
• Twin Sister with Ava Luna at Johnny Brenda's, $12+. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Langhorne Slim at the Queen on Thurs., Rock The Barn fest at Arden Gild Hall next Sat., Bob Mould at WCL Philly on 2/8, Sharon Van Etten at JB's on 2/10, Otis Day at the Blockley on 2/18, Spinto Band at Johnny Brenda's on 2/25.

Sad news and happy news from two Wilmington-ish bands I mention often.

Dr. Dog, which is based in Philly but has one founding member who lives in Wilmington, and who played DE often before making it big (both as Dr. Dog and their earlier incarnation, Raccoon), made an appeal on Facebook on behalf of a family member:

"Dear friends,
This is Scott writing. I hope the new year is finding you fit and free from sorrow. I wanted to tell you about my nephew Charlie. He is a radiant little guy all of three years old and he has been waiting in the Cleveland clinic for a heart transplant. His condition in the meantime is strong and stable, but as you can imagine the stress of not knowing when a new heart for him will be available is taking a strong toll on him and on my family. There is a very generous organization called COTA that has been gracious enough to help my family organize awareness and support to help us cope with the financial and emotional strain of this time. Any kind words, prayers, or donations you may be able to spare would mean a lot to my family and Charlie too, in this time of need. Thank you for all of your ongoing love and support. If you'd like to help out you can visit COTA for more information. We have also set up a group where we will be posting more regular updates, which you can join here http://cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforCharlieJM/

With hope and humble sincerity, your friend Scott"

For some reason I was unsuccessful in uploading a picture of Charlie, so you'll have to take my word for it: he's cute as a button.   Or visit the donation link to see the picture: http://cota.donorpages.com/PatientOnlineDonation/COTAforCharlieJM/
~~~~~~

In more light-hearted news, Thomas Hughes, one of the two brothers in The Spinto Band (love them, hate them, or don't know them: they're currently Wilmington's most nationally-known band), made a tour announcement this week.  Hughes is going to be playing a variety of instruments on tour with The Music Tapes, in support of Neutral Milk Hotel, which seems to be the most anticipated indie tour of 2012 (you may recognize their singer, Jeff Mangum, for having played a few free shows in support of the Occupy Wallstreet folks recently).  It really is a huge honor, and I wish Thomas and his band well.

Quasi-relevant side note:
That didn't stop Spinto fan Jayson Letsch from responding with:

"NMH is an overrated crap-fest of unlistenable garbage."  Followed up with:

"And I mean overrated within their own genre. Horrible band, really. Maybe one good song? Maybe? Meh..."

I had a whole paragraph typed up about internet boorishness, but felt too hypocritical posting it because I can be guilty of the same.  So I will leave it at this: everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you wouldn't say something that blunt and vitriolic to a friend who had just made a similar announcement and was hoping for your support, why would you say it to a band you're Facebook friends with?  

Wednesday shorts:

-For those looking for a cheap way to get away from it all on Valentine's, Delaware State Parks has a cabin rental special:  "You can get a 2-Night Stay at the Indian River Marina Cottages (50% off regular price) plus a bunch more."  Read about the special here: http://www.destateparks.com/camping/cottages/valentine-promo.asp

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- Delaware College of Art and Design is expanding.  They've bought the Brandywine Suites Hotel in Wilmington, near their campus, for new student housing.  Let's hope the students continue to drive the revitalization of that part of Market Street, .

~~~~~~

-The date of the next Bellefonte Arts Festival has been announced - mark your calendars for May 19th, 2012.  If interested in taking part: "Registration forms are available at the Gallery at 803 Brandywine Blvd. in Bellefonte.  Or they can be sent to you if you request them by emailing us at: bellefontearts@gmail.com"

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-The New Wilmington Art Association's Kickstarter campaign, which aims to fund their empty-storefronts-into-art-installations work, has been chosen by the Kickstarter website as one of their top 3 current arts related campaigns.  Kickstarter is being utilized by hundreds of bands, filmmakers, artists, organizations, and fledgling business to build funds.  To have your campaign highlighted by the website, amongst the myriad other campaigns, is an honor.

~~~~~~

-Mojo Main is looking for bands to fill spots on 2/1, 2/5, 2/15, and 2/19.  If you have a band that's interested in breaking in there, email primagirl26@yahoo.com .  Word to the wise: just showing up is half the battle when it comes to breaking into clubs in this state. 

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-Buckley's Tavern in Centreville recently shut its doors after losing its lease (after 30 some years).  I was told by a server that the ownership is very close to choosing a new location, and has the choice narrowed down to 3 locations. 

                                                                           ~~~~~~

-Winterthur is set to host an Antiques Roadshow-like new show on January 30th, and needs participation from local residents: "Winterthur will host National Geographic's new television program, "America's Lost Treasures," week of January 30. The program is immediately searching for local residents to submit objects for consideration for the show. The program is asking local residents to submit "culturally and regionally relevant" objects. Do you have a lost treasure? Check out the link to find out how to submit an object: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/america-s-lost-treasures/ "

~~~~~~

Environmental save-the-date: The Christina Watershed Clean-up will be held on April 21st, 2012.  Details here.

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Delaware Shakespeare Festival to hold auditions in February for next summer's performances.

Auditions, for male and female actors, will be held on February 11th and 12th.  This is for a production of Midsummer Night's Dream, to be conducted in summer 2012. 
More details here:

http://www.delshakes.org/about-us/auditions/

Weekday events of note, 1/16-1/19:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday 1/16:

• Final day of the Invention Convention for kids at Hagley Museum.  Details.
• FREE Monday afternoon showing of The Interrupters at Theatre N. This is a documentary about three street-smart, formerly-wayward individuals trying to rid their communities of drugs and gang violence. 1:30 pm, free. Watch the trailer at the bottom of this post. More info.
• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: Slumdog Millionaire. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Zombieland.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
• Delaware Photographic Society's print competition. 7:30pm, Cokesbury Village, free. Details.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday 1/17:

• Nancy Josephson and Marc Moss lead a songwriting workshop at the Music School of Delaware.  Josephson is a local artist who sings with the Angel Band and is married to David Bromberg.  Marc Moss owns Target Studios in Newark and is a veteran of many Delaware bands.  8pm, $5. Details.
• "An Investigation into why Arden is (or is not) a Utopian Community", talk by a Temple U. professor, 7:30 pm in the Upper Gild Hall, Arden. FREE
• Newark's Katie Dill will be playing solo at The Fire, $7. Details.
• Jane Goodall gives a talk at the DuPont Theatre, part of the SmartTalk series. More details.
• The grilled cheese / craft beer tasting at the Queen is sold-out. Who knew that would be the one event the Queen would consistently sell out?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday 1/18:

• Premier of Delaware Theatre Co's production of Time Stands Still, the story of "a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent trying to find happiness in a world that seems to have gone crazy". Time Stands Still will run at the DTC until Feb. 5th. 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 1/19:

• Art lovers with new babies: tonight is a Stroller Tour night at Delaware Art Museum. Details. (I guess this could be either a recommendation or a warning to the rest of us, depending on how you look at it...)
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the TLA. $35+. Ticket link.
• Columbus Ohio's The Floorwalkers at the Queen, $12+.  They just had a Daytrotter session debut - you can hear that here: Daytrotter session.   Fun fact!  Despite the date that Daytrotter says a session was recorded, that's just the date they put it on their website.  The sessions are recorded anywhere from two months to two years ahead of time.  And many sessions are recorded but never released at all - I can name several Philly bands this has happened to. Ticket link.
• The Independents 20th anniversary tour, at Kung Fu Necktie, $8. Ticket link. Horror-punk outfit that came to minor international fame in the 90s after being discovered and championed by The Ramones.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Smithereens at WCL Philly Fri., Sun Ra Arkestra at the Blockley Sat., Man Man at Union Transfer Sat., Demetri Martin at the DuPont Theatre on Sun., Cass McCombs at KFN on Sun., Rock The Barn fest at Gild Hall on 1/28, Bob Mould at WCL Philly on 2/8, Otis Day at the Blockley on 2/18.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below is a trailer for the documentary The Interrupters, being shown free at Theatre N on Monday night.  It's a thought-provoking trailer, even if you don't see the film.

Did you see the Delaware / Joe Biden spoof on SNL last night?

I was bracing myself, but it wasn't really that bad (as far as the roast factor - whether it was actually funny or not is debatable).  Here it is (in poor video quality), if you missed it.  The first few seconds are a bit of the preceding clip, so wait for it:

News from Mt. Cuba Center

1) They're accepting applications for summer interns now until March 1st.
http://www.mtcubacenter.org/education/internships/

2) For bird enthusiasts: On February 11th, Mt. Cuba staff will be traveling to New Jersey for the day-long Cumberland Winter Eagle Festival.  The public is welcome to come along.  Purchase tickets here: http://www.museumtix.com/program/program.aspx?vid=827&pid=509512&pvt=mcc

This weekend, 1/13-1/15: Winter is finally starting to both heat up and cool down.

General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 1/13:

• Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen.  Noon. More details.  
• Friday the 13th at Film Bros., with scary short films being shown from 9-11pm, preceeded by local music - see below. $10. More info.
• Comedian Sinbad at The Grand, $38+. Ticket link.
• Showings of The Whale and House Of Pleasures at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday 1/14:

• For the kids, Kung Fu Panda is being shown at Theatre N at 11am Saturday, and it's FREE. City parking is also free on Saturdays (the meters lie - no parking authority workers are ever out on Saturdays).  More details.
• Also for kids: Invention Convention is going down at Hagley Museum Saturday through Monday. More details.
• Howard Pyle studio tour via the Delaware Art Museum, 10am, $50-$58. More details.
• Hike And Hot Chocolate at Brandywine Creek State Park. 2-4pm, $2.  Call (302) 655-5750 for more information / to register.
• Later showings of The Whale and House Of Pleasures at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Comedian Jim Breuer at the Trocadero. Some seatings are sold-out. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday 1/15:

• New weekly event: Free admission to Brandywine River Museum, 9:30-noon (every Sunday until Thanksgiving).
• Newark Co-op Winter Farmers' Market (every other Sunday starting 12/4, so this should be on today). 10-2pm, E. Main St (at "The Meadow" next to the Co-op).
• Free movie at the Delaware Art Museum. "Silver Screen Sundays" presents 1938's The Adventures of Robinhood.  1pm, FREE. Details.
• Bellydancers and drum hafla at Mojo Main, 3:30pm, $5.
• 5K: 36th PSCI Icicle Run in Wilmington. More details.
• Showings of The Whale and House Of Pleasures at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Band shows:

Friday 1/13:

• Friday the 13th at Film Bros., featuring Joe Keyes & the Late Bloomers, assisted by Parliament/Funkadelic's Bennie Cowan, from 7-9pm, followed by scary short films.  $10. More info.
• Newark's Mean Lady opens for The Quelle Source at the Trocadero Balcony (M.L. plays in Newark Saturday, as well). 21+, 9:30 show, $8+.
• Still Moon Servants at Homegrown Cafe, Newark, 9pm, cover unknown.
• NY indie-pop band Cults at Union Transfer, with Mrs. Magician and Dirty Fences, $15+. Ticket link.
• Freedy Johnston with Tim Celfo (upright bassist of Mason Porter and other area bands) at the Kennett Flash, $18+. Ticket link.
• Bright Light Social Hour at the North Star Bar. They are a band from Austin TX that swept last year's SXSW with 6 wins (funny that an Austin band might do well there, ain't it?).  21+, 9pm, $8.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday 1/14:

• Mean Lady at Homegrown Cafe in Newark, 9pm, cover unknown.
• New Sweden at Milkboy Philly. Ticket link.
• Pissed Jeans at Johnny Brenda's, $12+. Ticket link.
• SOLD OUT: A local Led Zeppelin tribute night at Arden's Gild Hall, with Joe Trainor on vocals.
• Classical fans: Melomanie, Wilmington's avante-baroque chamber ensemble, performs at Grace Church, 8pm, $20.  The program will include a premier, works by Telemann and Couperin, and something titled "Variations on a Theme by Steely Dan". More info.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday 1/15:

• Winter Blues Fest at the New Candlelight Dinner Theater in Ardentown. Featured blues bands are Roger Girke, Blue Cat Blues Band, Kenny Jones, and Barrell House Blues. Cash bar, food available. Benefits Relay For Life. 1-6pm, $20.  Info & ticket link.
• Far-out Fangtooth at the Level Room, 9pm, $8. Details.
• John Francis at Fergie's Pub, 8pm. Details.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the TLA on Thurs., Smithereens at WCL Philly next Fri., Sun Ra Arkestra at the Blockley next Sat., Man Man at Union Transfer next Sat., Bob Mould at WCL Philly 2/8.

Craigslist post from a Petco worker:

'To the awful owners of the black kitten supposedly named "Onyx,"

Just wanted to let you know he's doing fine now. No thanks to you. Throwing him in a taped up box from a moving car /into/ the PetCo doors AFTER HOURS was just horrible. How hard was it to call around to see if someone would take him? Too cheap for the abandonment fee? Whatever.

Just to let you know, he's doing fine. He is going to see the vet later today, and overall has been very happy. How could anyone throw him out like that? All he does is snuggle in my lap.'

Animal abuse is not usually my subject matter, but the incident reported here is just too ugly not to pass on. There are better ways of getting rid of unwanted pets, folks. 

Why are people from Russia finding this blog - in apparently relatively large numbers?

I try to avoid looking at the stats for this blog, because I'm going to be writing this clap-trap, for the time being, whether anyone reads it or not.  It does me no good to realize that I spent time composing a post that all of 4 people read.   But, for whatever reason, I just hit the button that tells the blogger where page views are coming from.  Google and Facebook are the leading sources, no surprise there.  But the 3rd through 5th websites that refer the most people are based in Russia.  And I'm not sure how to feel about that.  Add the webviews up from those 3 Russian sources, and I actually have just as many page views from Russians as from Americans. I guess there's no harm in it to me, but...
do I need to be looking over my shoulder for KGB, or what? 

Wilmington cafe bits:

A note to Bellefonte Cafe patrons:

They will be closed from January 9th until January 26th - the owner/operators of this popular North Wilmington cafe/music spot are taking a well-deserved vacation.

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And from Trolley Square's Fresh Thymes Cafe:

"Scott Mesneak, our featured artist until January 28th, is discounting his remaining works by 25%. Make sure you stop by and purchase your favorite framed photograph ASAP!"

Locals spotted on late-night tv:

On Tuesday, January 10th, Arden DE native Richard Julian played on the David Letterman show as part of Norah Jones' project, Little Willies.

Later that same night, Philadelphia band The War On Drugs, who have been riding a wave of success the past few months, played on the Jimmy Fallon show, with Roots' drummer Questlove playing his kit alongside TWOD's drummer.  WXPN's blog The Key has link to video of that here.
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A few weeks ago, Ryan Phillipe hosted SNL and was spotted wearing a "Wilmington, Delaware" t-shirt made by Wilmington's Space Boy Clothing.

Weekday events of note, 1/9-1/12:

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Monday 1/9:

• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: The Motorcycle Diaries. Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, co-starring SNL's Will Forte.  IMDB link. .  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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Tuesday 1/10:

• Movie night at the Kirkwood Library:  127 Hours. 6:30pm, FREE.

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Wednesday 1/11:

• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with Eric Hartman and Madacious Funk.  http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover. 

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Thursday 1/12:

• Girls with King Krule at Union Transfer, $20+. Ticket link.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• Big Fat Marker (indie folk band that has played Wilmington a couple of times recently) at Kung Fu Necktie, $8. Ticket link.
• Eilen Jewell (minor-key Loretta Lynn-ish singer) at the Queen, $10+. Ticket link.
• Comedian Cory Kahaney (multiple appearances on Craig Ferguson, David Letterman, and Joy Behar's and Bonnie Hunts' shows. She got her break as a finalist on the 1st season of Last Comic Standing) at the Jewish Community Center. 7pm, $18-30. More info.  

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Upcoming: Scary music and short films night at Film Bros Co-op on Friday, a Led Zeppelin tribute at the Arden Gild Hall on Sat., Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the TLA next Thurs., Smithereens at WCL Philly next Fri., Sun Ra Arkestra at the Blockley 1/21, Man Man at Union Transfer 1/21, Bob Mould at WCL Philly 2/8.

Local produce news: farm co-op is accepting new applications, and a health food co-op is looking for new committee members.

1. Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative is accepting applications for winter and spring/summer 2012 shares.

Unfortunately it's hard to tell from this what the cut-off date is for applying for winter shares, which start next week.  More info here:
http://www.lancasterfarmfresh.com/csa/default

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2. Newark Natural Foods is looking for people who are interested in being committee members and having input in the future direction of the co-op. 
More info and sign-up here:

http://www.newarknaturalfoods.com/#co-op_committee_signups

Rainbow Chorale of Delaware is having open call auditions this Monday and the next.

Auditions for this inclusive chorale will take place in North Wilmington on Monday Jan. 9th & Monday Jan. 16th.
More info.

Chelsea Tavern is running a free birthday item special.

From their social networking page:

"Chelsea Tavern's Birthday promo is BACK! Sunday FUNday just got better! If you have a January B-day stop in on any Sunday in January with a friend and your Brunch/Dinner is on us! That's right show your ID and your entree, app, sandwich or pizza is on us! Oh ..... and we have OVER 100 beers to choose from as well! Happy Birthday!"

This is not the only birthday promotion in the area, but what I like about this one is that it doesn't require you to use the offer on your actual birthday.  I've gotten such offers before, and thought "I'd love to use this free meal voucher, but I wasn't planning on being in that particular restaurant on my birthday".  With this one, you can pick any Sunday in your birthday month.

One commenter asked: "What if the friend I bring also has a January birthday?"  Apparently, in that case, you both can get a free item, but you need to bring two additional friends in who don't have January birthdays.  I do think the restaurant could have answered this perfectly legitimate question without throwing in the phrase "Nice try!" at the end, though.  Treating potential customers like scammers is not going to win you any business.  Still, it's an interesting deal.

The Grand Opera House's local comedy contest has announced its list of participants.

Congrats to Brandon Gains, Freddie Heinemann, Ian Fidance, Kevin Ryan, Kyle Martin, Latice Mitchell, Mary Radzinski, Michael Gleason, Rob DeSantis, Sidney Gantt, and Todd Chappelle.

You can hear these aspiring stand-ups perform their best comedy bits at the "LOL @ The Grand" contest, which will take place at the Grand on Friday, March 2nd, at 8pm.  Tickets will be $10.

This weekend, 1/6-1/8:

All Events, Music & Otherwise:
I'm condensing things this week since there are so few band shows.  You have some good non-megaplex movie options, though.
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Friday 1/6 - definitely some different date night/afternoon things to do here:

• PSA: No January First Friday Art Loop in Wilmington this month.
• Free Lunchtime Live show at the Queen.  Noon. More details.
• Kennett Square Outdoor Winter Market.. 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month. 2-5pm. 
• Full Moon Friday Hot Chocolate Hike at White Clay Creek State Park. Facebook details. 7-9pm, $5, bring a travel mug with a lid. Must register at (302) 368-6900.  (Trust me - they get a little pissy if you just show up).
• Showings of The Mill and The Cross, and Tomboy, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Movie night at the Queen Theatre, with a showing of The Help. Doors at 6, show at 7, $9 admission includes one free draft beer ticket for of-age guests.  Not a bad deal at all!

And the meagre music offerings:

• The Last Valorians (points deducted for using the cliche "musical force to be reckoned with" in their bio)  and Cease the Day at Mojo Main. Ticket link.
• Leigh Nash (lead vocal behind such Sixpence None the Richer songs as There She Goes) at the Kennett Flash. $25+. Ticket link.

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Saturday 1/7:

• PSA: hikers should be aware that the Stateline Woods Preserve, in nearby Chester Co., will be closed due to a controlled hunt.  Diminish the deer population?  Please do.  I was driving to Kennett yesterday and saw at least 2 dozen young deer by the side of the busy highway, in broad daylight.  It's really getting out of hand.
• Showings of The Mill and The Cross, and Tomboy, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

And music by...

• The Collingwood and East AM at Logan House, 10pm start, $5.
• Two Baltimore funk trios at the Queen Theatre: CTW Trio (feat. Bennie Cowan of Parliament / Funkadelic), and also Deaf Scene. UPDATE: Deaf Scene can't make it, has been replaced by Spokey Speaky. $10.  Ticket link.  
• Fursaxa (prog / psych-folk band that's been around the area for at least a dozen years), Helena Espvall (avant garde cellist with Espers who has collaberated with Meg Baird, Vashti Bunyan, Bert Jansch and many more) / Marcia Bassett duo at the Highwire Gallery in Fishtown. $6, 8-11. FB event page
• Beretta76 at Johnny Brenda's, with Lefty's Deceiver and St. John And The Apostles. $10+. Ticket link.
• The Born Sisters show at the Queen Theatre is sold out.

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Sunday 1/8:

• Newark Co-op Winter Farmers' Market (every other Sunday starting 1/8). 10-2pm, E. Main St (at "The Meadow" next to the Co-op).
• Showings of The Mill and The Cross, Tomboy, and the ballet Coppelia, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Upcoming: Girls at Union Transfer Thurs., a scary music/scary short films night at Film Bros. next Fri., Cults at Union Transfer next Fri., Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the TLA on 1/19, Smithereens at WCL Philly on 1/20, Sun Ra Arkestra at the Blockley on 1/21, Man Man at Union Transfer on 1/21, Bob Mould at WCL Philly on 2/8.

Congrats to Lisa Goodman and Drewry Fennell

These two attorneys not only helped to author Delaware's landmark civil unions bill, they were the first couple to be united under the new bill.  They are a shining example of "If you don't like something, change it".  This blog wishes them, and all couples seeking to legalize their unions, many happinesses.

Weekday events of note, 1/2-1/5:

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Monday 1/2:

• Movie Monday at the Kennett Flash: Amelie.  (A word to dudes: ladies love this film). Free, donations encouraged. Doors at 7pm, show at 7:30.
• It does not appear there will be a Movie Monday at the Trocadero this week, but it's returning next week. 

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Tuesday 1/3:

• Free showing of the Sugar Bowl at Theatre N, 8pm. It's Michigan vs. VTech.  Specials: $2 Yuenglings & Miller Lites, and free popcorn.

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Wednesday 1/4:

• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Not free show Wednesday at Mojo Main, but the Foul Mouth Al Show's Pin-up Party.  I have no idea.  21+, 9pm, $5. 

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Thursday 1/5:

• Boy Sets Fire reunion show (for anyone saying "Who??" right now: they were a Newark-based hardcore band that made an international name for themselves in the nineties) at Mojo Main, with All Else Failed, Backwoods Payback and May 4th Massacre. (I'm not personally a fan of hardcore, but I give them respect for being one of a very, very small pool of musicians, such as Television, who ever put Delaware on the map). $10. Ticket link.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• Improv comedy troupe from Chester Co. at the Kennett Flash, with opener Todd Chappelle (comedian with guitar). $12+. Ticket link.
• George Cole Quintet (see video posted below.  Retro Euro-cana jazz: think Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli - yes, this quintet has a fiddler - and a little Pink Martini) at the Queen. $15+. More info.

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Upcoming: Girls at Union Transfer next Thurs., Cults at Union Transfer on 1/13, Big Head Todd & the Monsters at the TLA 1/19, Smithereens at WCL Philly 1/20, Sun Ra Arkestra at the Blockley 1/21, Man Man at Union Transfer on 1/21.

The George Cole Quintet performing El Baile De Amore.