Poetry Unplugged @ Ritual Cafe

Attention wordsmiths and literary fans of all types: tonight from 7-9 at Ritual Cafe, Miguel Ramirez hosts Poetry Unplugged. This is an opportunity for local bards to be heard and for fans of the craft to be treated to original verse.  If you want to swim in the prose of the metro's aspiring writers be sure to check-it-out.

-CK

Andrew Bird and the Simon Estes Amphitheater

Andrew Bird, almost by name alone, lured me to Nitefall on the River.  After abiding the careful advice of a friend I was ready to embark on a little journey with Mr. Bird. I was even promised a sock monkey sighting, which ended up guiding me to my favorite part of his show.

Mr. Bird put on quite a concert, even breathtaking at times, but I found myself with more questions than answers after the show.  Starting with: behind the sock monkey, what was that odd Y-shaped tornado that created an fantastic sensation when Bird turned it on?   Each revolution on this contraption sent sound echoing in every possible direction. Upon returning each tone had changed, maybe even melted in the time-lapse.  This combined with the natural reverb from the amphitheater was a reel treat to experience.

This infamous instrument is called a "double spinning horn speaker" and I wish it were in my price range...  

To begin the show Bird made the crowd marinate while gathered in the bowl that is Simon Estes Amphitheater.  His subtle plucks, melancholy violin solos, and the double spinning horn speaker going at full speed made me feel awash in the blue glow of the stage light.  What a terrific sensation.  As soon he turned off the machine, however, time seemed to change, like he actually controlled it.  Following the cloud of sound he let a great pause hang in the calm night air thereby creating an enveloping and intimate suspense.

Andrew Bird is one very talented musician.... and does a pretty good Kermit cover.

Casablanca at the Varsity Theater

Des Moines movie geeks know about the Varsity Theater - the old and true independent movie theater located in the Drake Neighborhood.  Until 8/16/12 this movie-showing relic will be screening what is often debated as the greatest film of all time: Casablanca. I'd imagine that this film has played in this theater before, maybe even in the year the film was released (as Varsity Theater has been around a while to say the least).

Casablanca is a tremendous film.  I own a digital iTunes copy and with my iPad or laptop I can watch this gem under almost any circumstance (I am very fortunate indeed).  I only paid $6 to watch it for the experience of the "big screen" (well worth it).  Regardless of the price it cost, I think that it pays more back.  This film has a long kept legacy - and for good reason.

While watching it this time I became more focused on the political atmosphere.  After watching a short clip about it on public television sometime ago, I realized how well my love story was accentuated by the political turbulence.  When the film came out in 1942, it came off as a bit tongue in cheek, but was done so stunningly the world has been gobbling it up ever since.

We're gaining strength by doing this or maybe inducting this story into a canon of sorts.  (If you don't believe me how much culture has nibbled at this film...)  I was making some great connections to a young-adult literature book I read in April called Little Brother by Corey Doctorow.  It was published 2008 and deals with politics in its own technology draped way, but I think the underground movements of the two stories are built on similar territory- through the many parallels both of these heroes see a threat on basic human rights.  A transcendent message as old as the building that houses it...

In honor of basic humans rights go see Casablanca on the big screen at the Varsity Theater before it is too late....

-C.K.

Grow Up Des Moines, quit being immature.

Des Moines, make haste and start growing up.

As a city ripe with young professionals, it is time for the young and inexperienced to grow up; this is a dangerously immature place.  Why hasn’t Des Moines decided to grow up? 

Looking out across most of the city isn’t tough.  Just a glance down I-235 and most of the Metro’s heart reveals itself immediately.  From an aerial view this city might resemble a large cemetery; but no, our city only looks like it is randomly spotted with abandoned gravestones, actually we call those ‘buildings’.  This city had better start thinking about growing up in a serious way soon, as the availability of affordable housing is reaching a spillover point downtown.

Modern architecture has embraced the green revolution by taking to “green-scrapers” like a duck does to water… I mean they have created designs for living spaces with lush, green house like sections apart of a 13-story high-rise.  Up.  

Here is one that looks like a cactus, I think it closely resembles the "corn-cob towers" in Chicago.

More housing in the downtown would be quickly utilized, especially in such a cutting edge, and eco-friendly design.  Beautiful utility withstands the test of time.

Beasts of the Southern Wind

At the 2012 Sundance Movie Festival in Utah this film took top honors and has spurred interest across the country.  Beasts of the South Wind is equally strange and tantalizing and I can see why it caught the attention of the Sundance crew.  What is so interesting about the film, I've found, is the number of perspectives that can be established in a single movie.  One important thing about the medium of film: it controls the POV for the audience. But his film gets around that by acting like a vat of loose symbols floating in a bathtub.  I remember a quote of Hemingway's after he was asked about the symbolism in the Nobel Prize winning novella Old Man and the Sea,  he stated that his story was merely a fictionalized account of a newspaper clipping and the symbolism is brought into the story by the reader.  Beasts of the South Wind accomplished a similarly rich, symbolic-minefield with a strange combination of primitivism and contemporary culture/history.  Besides being a total trip to think about, it also will charm the pants right off you...metaphorically speaking of course.

Beasts of the Souther Wind is playing at the Fleur Cinema & Cafe with regular showings.

Opium Symphony @ Bombay Bicycle Club

With its persona (whether coincidence all this is or isn't,  I don't know), the Bombay Bicycle Club in Clive shares the same kick ass vibe that the band boasts.  By bringing in some great talent, and now hosting Tacopacolypse, this bar-venue is capitalizing on the growing DSM music scene (and you won't hear me complaining).

This Wednesday the Bombay Bicycle club is hosting Opium Symphony.  This Dallas band commands attention with their sound: skillful and enticing guitars which they use to compliment decent hooks and a solid vocal set.  I seriously only decided to write about them because my co-workers and I were drinking at the bar mid-afternoon today and I ended up stealing their poster because it was... nice.  After checking them out, I can confirm that they will be a treat to see.

The Bombay Bicyle Club is in Clive on 86th St. and Hickman.

State Fair Special

While the Iowa State Fair is usually associated with fried food, livestock, and, unfortunately, the election, it is also a great place for beer and live music.

This year the grandstand boasts some big attractions that are sure to draw scores of fans, like George Throrogood and the Destroyers opening for Hank Williams Jr (I'm thinking about jumping the fence for that one).

As an ex-state fair rat, I know the ins and outs of enjoying a free day at the fair - once you get in the gate that is- and one of the best free attractions is the music.  Each year musicians fill the little amphitheaters with great tunes in the shade and this year there are going to be some especially interesting bands performing.

JJ Grey & Mofro - 8/9 Anne and Bill Riley Stage, 8pm 

This band is my favorite of the group.  I first discovered their music on last.fm, where the band was/is giving away free downloads of a few of their songs.  Standing somewhere between full blown southern rock and country,  JJ Grey & Mofro tells stories with music using themes often found in country music (including but not limited to: love/lust, adultry, and alcohol) and then livens them up a touch with spunkier rhythms, keyboards, and by incorporating horns into some of their studio cuts.  This is no group of novices performing either, they have been touring like a good little group of troubadours while also releasing six albums since 2001.

Nadas - 8/9 and 8/10 Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage 7&9pm

As an Iowa-based group the Nadas can be found jamming in your neighborhood bar, but how often can you say that you got free greek yogurt sample from Anderson Erickson at one of their shows? Their folk/rock sound is a favorite with many, so popular in fact they have sold almost 80,000 records on their very own label.

Brother Trucker - 8/11  Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage 7&9pm

Thankfully my friend Kevin told me about Brother Trucker, a Des Moines stationed group.  They perform in DSM regularly at venues like El Bait Shop and Raccoon River Brewery, but here is an opportunity to hear them play two sets and outdoors.  Brother Trucker has a smooth alt/country sound similar to Wilco's, which they let slip into long, jazzy jams that are great for dancing in the summer evening.

Bob Wootton - 8/9 8/10 Budweiser Stage 7:30&9:30pm

Wootton played lead guitar with Johnny Cash from 1968-1998.  I think I've said enough already...

Hairball - 8/13 8/14 Susan Knapp Amphitheater 7:30&9:30pm

This is a performance that is sure to make any 80's hair metal fan smile.  As an 80's cover band, Hairball draws on many of genre's best and most popular songs while impersonating the original group down to the wig and costume.  The band plays long interludes that allow the lead to switch personas in an awesome display of showmanship and characterization.  I think they're downright funny and a blast to sing along with.

Boyz II men - 8/19 Susan Knapp Amphitheater 7pm

Don't miss your chance to see "I'll Make Love to You" live...

BEER!
A recent addition is the craft beer tent that will be flowing with suds, and sounds too.  The tent is located on the east side of the giant slide.  Try samples of local and regional beer, maybe you'll find a new favorite or test something intriguing.  Beer is good.

Brother Trucker, Wednesday 8/1 @ El Bait Shop

El Bait Shop is a fantastic establishment.  Besides displaying a wall completely dedicated to Maurice Sendak and the kid in you, they also regularly host local bands. They also have more beer than you can shake a stick at (my dad used to say that, and I think it means 'a lot').  Anyway, on the first Wednesday of every month it is Brother Trucker's job to swoon the patrons of El Bait Shop.

Brother Trucker brings together rock and country forming a genre they call Americana/alt-country.  What I think fans of Son Volt, Deer Tick, and Neil Young would like. But overall Brother Trucker's smooth sound pairs well with beer. If only it was so hard choosing beer at the El Bait Shop, which boasts a huge selection of brews (many of which are on tap might I add).

This party is set to kick off at 8pm. Let your hair down and wrangle what's left of Wednesday with brews and the boys of Brother Trucker.

-C.K.