No longer lampooned as Saturday’s cartoon or exclusive territory of the geeks, superheroes have gone “public” and they’re big business for Hollywood. Producers, directors, writers go as far as bringing in their unfinished creations to Comic-Con every year to get feedback or gauge reactions from fans.

In the last decade we’ve seen the invasion of superheroes on the silver screen (“X-Men,” “Lara Croft,” “Spider-Man,” “Daredevil,” “Elektra,” “Fantastic Four,” “Hulk,” “Hell Boy,” “Batman,” “Superman,” “Transformers,” “Iron Man,” “Wolverine,” “The Punisher,” “GI: Joe,” “Tron“).

Some of these superhero tales are light and fun, but some are heavyweight champions, both in the minds and hearts of the audience, as well as at the box office.

Visionary storytellers have churned out stories that are relatable to young and old, males and females of all races. Special effects have come a long way that superpowers appear to be realistic. Talented actors have embodied characters that are believable. And in some instances, the superhero roles have actually made relatively unknown or browbeaten actors household names (Tobey Maguire, “Spider-Man;” Christian Bale, “Batman;” Hugh Jackman, “Wolverine,” Robert Downey Jr., “Iron Man”).

The super-trend continues…

This year, expect to see “The Green Hornet” (recently out; January 14), “Thor” (May 6), “X-Men: First Class” (June 3), “Green Lantern” (June 17), “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (July 1), “Captain America: The First Avenger” (July 22). Next year you can expect “The Avengers,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Wolverine,” “Deadpool,” “Spider-Man” (reboot – Andrew Garfield, “The Social Network“), “Superman: Man of Steel” (reboot – Henry Cavill, “The Tudors”) flying at theaters near you.

Then there are those “in development” for 2013 and may be subject to change, such as (not in any particular order) “Iron Man 3,” (another) “Fantastic Four,” “The Flash,” “Justice League: Mortal,” “Aquaman,” “Thundercats,” “Red Sonja,” and so on. One thing is for certain, the rebirths of “Spider-Man” and “Superman” alone will spew more sequels in the years to come.

Stay tuned for more superheroes!

Photo from http://tinyurl.com/4oxffka

Copyright (c) 2011. Nathalia Aryani.

Nathalia Aryani is a business manager, foreign language translator, lifestyle/travel writer and film columnist. She can be reached at indotransserv@gmail.com. Nathalia owns a movies blog, The MovieMaven(http://themoviemaven.posterous.com).

South Park

The creators of South Park have done it again, this time with a parody of the Jersey Shore which aired Wednesday, October 13. The show also took time to poke fun at The Real Housewives of New Jersey. In the episode, Teresa from The Real Housewives and Snooki from Jersey Shore invaded South Park. The town joins forces with Al Qaeda after Snooki and the gang invade the city and rename it West Jersey.

The hilarious episode is highlighted in the scene where town members find Snooki in the corner of a bar getting drunk and scarfing down pickles. After someone asks what it is, someone explains, “It’s a Snooki! It’s very famous.”

South Park is known for their social and political parodies, but when it comes to their audience, you either love the show or hate it. Did you see the show? What did you think? Comment below.

Photo from Ethan Hein via Flickr

Love him or hate him, Adam Lambert can turn heads and make the news.  This video is no exception. Lambert’s sexual orientation may have been a question during the filming of American Idol, but since he came out of the closet, there has been no doubt. After his memorable performance on the AMA’s last year it should be no surprise that  he makes out with men in his live performances. If you don’t like that sort of thing, you might not want to press play (just a fair warning).

Lambert got his start right here in San Diego and became a household name in 2009 on season eight of American Idol. Like many Idol contestants that have become popular, Lambert didn’t take the title. Instead, he has powered on and become a successful musician and performer in his own right.

His first studio album, For Your Entertainment was released in November 2009 and the first single “Whataya want from me” has charted in the top ten in over seven countries including the US.

Lambert’s Glam Nation Tour kicked off June 4. His only stops in California will be on July 27 and 28 when he performs at the Orange Country Fair’s Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa. If you’re planning on attending the show, you can expect to see a great performance full of special-effects lighting and plenty of “Glam.”

Adam Lambert grew up in San Diego after moving from Indianapolis as a child. He was raised in Rancho Penasquitos and attended Mt. Carmel High School. He currently lives in Los Angeles so he can work on his budding career.

The La’s:  Breakloose 1984-1986 – The Lost La’s (The Viper Label)
The Ultimate 50’s Rockin’ Sci-Fi Disc (The Viper Label)
Marcelo Radulovich:  Vertigo at Lunchtime (dPulse Recordings)

When you’re in a very dark funk ‘cause a huge oil monster’s sucking up everything in the Gulf of Mexico; let alone some varieties of Po’ Boys, & the budget for both your work sources has been cut, & although you paid a couple of stupid parking tickets (one wheel 18” from the curb, my ass) you didn’t know you got the tickets because your car was parked in another neighborhood, so the fees mushroomed, & once you sent a check, the DMV took forever to cash it, & then it bounced, which never happens, but now, when it’s affecting registration, it has; so even though you’ve also sent the registration payment, you’re waiting for that to clear before you can go to the DMV to take care of the parking tickets again, but your registration check still hasn’t cleared, so you can’t, & besides, as a helpful clerk informs you on the phone: For the last few months, the Calif. DMV is closed nearly every Friday (more budget cuts), so now your car’s just sitting on the street with its unregistered ass hanging out for all to see; waiting to get more tickets.

Today, after calling the DMV to find out the replacement parking ticket payment still hadn’t cleared, I (dropping the “you” thing) felt pretty frustrated. But once the light dawned — I wouldn’t have to spend the afternoon at the DMV — I dove into some at-home productivity, along with Homer Simpson/Stan Laurel mode. Before legging it over to the weekly farmer’s market, I’d already started laughing. Like: I have no money, so I’m going out to spend a few dollars and tell a few jokes.

But what about those times when one can’t shift into a better mood of one’s own devices? Those times when (back to) you’re in such a funk, you don’t even realize the sun’s warming your face. Or you walk right by The Ultimate 50’s Rockin’ Sci-Fi Disc 50 times without realizing it’s just the ticket.

Viper Records is a Liverpool-based label that releases so many amazing things, my enthusiasm could swerve toward the manic. So, a few examples:

1.  A CD devoted entirely to songs about chickens.
2.  A CD packed with rockabilly about cats.
3.  All You Need Is Money, a digital compilation of American songs from the ‘20s-‘50s.
4.  Live Captain Beefheart recordings.

The Viper guys are both from the defunct La’s, which did that lovely “There She Goes” pop trifle before the Cranberries covered it. And no, the two label-starters weren’t the front men, or writers of this song, but who cares? The whole band was cute in that pale, questionable-teeth, ugly-pretty, Brit way. Frankly, I’m considering hiring a detective to find out if they’re in relationships, if the relationships are complicated; if they like women, or goats, or… whatever it is, I’m prepared to supply it … I want access to ALL THE VIPER RICHES.

Since we’re now in La’s-land, I might as well say something(s) about Breakloose – 1984-1986 – The Lost La’s, a passel of demos and four-track ditties reissued with six bonus tracks by Viper last year. Dropping expectations for the subsequent “There She Goes” era, much of this is nifty in a raw, classic punk/new-wave way – for ref. points, there’s a bit of a Fun Boy Three/Delta 5 feeling. While lead vox/scribe Lee Mavers’s tasty harmonies and hooks are mostly here as foreshadows, the more laid-back approach is also appealing — “Get Down Over” is still spliced with Beatlesque harmonies. Tasty single guitar notes feel pure as the late ‘50s-early ‘60s on “Sweet 35;” soft, spoken word adds a new wave veneer. “Open Your Heart,” which starts out with something like, “If the sun was shining light within,” feels like the air after a really hard rain, when, yes, the sun reappears. Per Mavers, it’s “a plea to the cold-hearted in the Thatcher era.”

The one that made me go, “Oh, yeah – sweet boyos,” is the poetic, catchy “My Girl Sits Like a Reindeer.” “What Do You Do?” is lovely power pop. I also like the Kinks/Jam-ish “Space Rocketry,” and the choir-boy (if Richard Hell and a Spanish-influenced guitarist invaded a boy choir) beauty of “Moonlight.” The additional tracks are generally low-fi. There’s no single round hole when songwriters are this creative. Describing “Midnight Shift” might build expectations for more stuff that sounds like Lux Interior on a bathroom floor with a towel over his mouth. Outlining “You Don’t Say” could make readers pine for a uniformly Richard Hell-ish La’s. And damn, the minimally-tracked bonus rendition (which further underscores the lyrics) of “My Girl Sits Like…” makes me miss my old Tascam 424.

So many directions, even I’m getting dizzy – and grateful I didn’t set up any numerical-rating mandate for OTBT. Jeez, if the above doesn’t tell ya enough, just make some grape Kool-aid & watch the “There She Goes” video until you get a salt craving.

The Ultimate 50’s Rockin’ Sci-Fi Disc breaks through the clouds with Eddie Cletro counting, “Four…three… two… one!” into “Flyin’ Saucer Boogie,” which would just be kickin’ boogie rockabilly except there’s a sporadic scream, kind of like Jayne Mansfield on “Rock the Rockpile” (A Girl Can’t Help It,) and the guitar’s making swirly “spaceship” sounds. Have I died and gone to heaven? And what do I mean, “just kickin’ rockabilly”? Who wouldn’t sympathize with a guy singin’, “Oh, there they go – it’s those doggoned saucers again”?!

Since the Viper jedi are apparently completely bonkers (in the good way), there are 20 tracks here. Each one can’t be worthy of the entire world’s stopping what it’s doing to make flapjacks to “Flyin’ Saucer Boogie.” But since they’re arranged artfully, no problem. A decent Jimmy Lloyd rendition of “Rocket in My Pocket” is trailed by the meatier “Satellite Rock” by Joe Tate and The Hi Fives.

More than a few moons ago, I boogied my behind off to Link Wray and Robert Gordon spitting out “Flyin’ Saucers Rock ‘n’ Roll” at the Bayou (Washington, D.C). Of course Billy Lee Riley and His Little Green Men’s original is here; as slam/bang/zippity-assed  as ever. BTW, if you’re prone to multiple martinis, saying “Billy Lee Riley AHLGR” over and over might be a way to sober up prior to crossing a police line… just remember to stop before you get to the authorities.

Wesley Reynolds

It’s astounding (in the good way) how many hillbillies felt compelled to dip their toes into the atomic age/spaceship genre. Sounding like they’d be most at home singing this between feedin’ the pigs are Ray Anderson and the Home Folks with “Sputniks and Mutniks.” “Trip to the Moon” (Wesley Reynolds) and “The Little Space Girl” (Jesse Lee Turner) are pocked by those effect-driven, ear-splitting, high-pitched vocals that sporadically haunted AM radio for the next 20-some years. By contrast, The Rebelaires’s “Satellite Rock” has such a hepcat slouch, it’s hard to believe anything unusual is goin’ down.

Since it’s remotely possible there are readers who don’t share the kick I’m getting, here are just a few more notables: A touch of possibly misplaced class occurs with Ella Fitzgerald’s jaunty “Two Little Men in a Flying Saucer.” Joe Montgomery’s “Planetary Run” would be cookie-cutter hick rawk if it didn’t add new wrinkles to desperate single-dom. Buck Trail’s “Knocked Out Joint on Mars” has that raw slink I crave from down-home guitar pluckers. Nelson Young’s “Rock Old Sputnik” brims with roadhouse vigor.

Billy Lee R. and Nelson Y. might have been truly spooked had their imagined extraterrestrial encounters included Marcelo Radulovich. I’ve known him for about 13 years – before migrating to Japan last year, our mutual friend Marcos Fernandes helmed the Accretions experimental music posse/label from San Diego. In a pool of Mensa-level sonic talent, Radulovich has often been the lightning bolt cutting a  swath through shows and compilations.

Critics and outré devotees throw roses at his feet. When he tunnels down from his North County digs, he’s lucky if 15 people show up. Maybe that’s ‘cause seeing Radulovich is like learning to swim again: a certain loss of psychic control accompanies the choice to dive in.

It also says something about San Diego’s hunger for truly unusual performance that isn’t hooked into a trendy (i.e., youthful) and/or university scene – there ain’t much. And nearly all of the Accretionists have departed for greener pastures. Meanwhile, Radulovich also puppet-masters or participates in Me Me The Moth, Titicacaman, Gunther’s Grass, and the Assholes. Like a shifty-eyed eccentric who’s tapped into some odd, unnaturally green energetic source, he pops up now and again to unfurl a cornucopia of field samples, industrial/pop/hip-hop/Spanish and South American beats along with visuals, with the whole so well alchemized, the only nutshell into which it can squeeze is World Class Performance Art.

Yes, he feels like a distant receiver of Harry Smith’s hieroglyphics. Yes, the Chilean-born and Communism-experiencing artist points up the absurdity of just about any political or social system. Yes, it’s Dada poetry. Vertigo at Lunchtime — probably about the ninth release for  Radulovich as such — continues an expansive journey yielding paranormal delights.

My dear readers (or snorers) – hey, what do I care, as long as you’re facing the screen (diabolical laugh),

http://www.the-viper-label.co.uk/

http://www.marceloradulovich.com/

In season eight of American Idol Adam Lambert was the runner up to Kris Allen, these days a lesser known Idol winner. In 2009, Adam Lambert won the Young Hollywood Award for artist of the year and since his career has been gaining steady velocity.

Lambert’s first studio album, For Your Entertainment was released in November 2009 and the first single “Whataya want from me” has charted in the top ten in over seven countries including the US. Lambert explained to Ellen how he’s really enjoying his growing celebrity in European countries because they are less conservative. Lambert is referring to his highly controversial performance on the American Music Awards in 2009, where he kissed a male keyboardist and was grinding a dancer’s head against his pelvis. As the media flurried over the performance Lambert fired back in Rolling Stone magazine;

“Female performers have been doing this for years—pushing the envelope about sexuality—and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out. We’re in 2009—it’s time to take risks, be a little more brave, time to open people’s eyes and if it offends them, then maybe I’m not for them. My goal was not to piss people off, it was to promote freedom of expression and artistic freedom.”

Lambert goes on to tell Ellen that his “Idol days” were a lot easier than a full fledged solo career. Explaining that he performed only one day a week on Idol and now does performances day in and day out.

Lambert’s most successful single to date is “Whataya want from me”, which is up for the Most Watched Video category from the MuchMusic Video Awards. It is certain that Adam Lambert has been as busy as he explains, in fact on February 27th Lambert performed his first solo concert held at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, CA. Just last week, on April 13th Lambert appeared on American Idol as an alum and tutored the new contestants. And People Magazine has named Adam Lambert “One of the Most Beautiful People” for 2010.

Lambert will be touring throughout the US this Summer with Orianthi in the Glam Nation 2010 Tour. Unfortunately, the Glam Nation 2010 Tour doens’t look like it’s stopping in San Diego. The nearest location will be dates July 27th and July 28th in Costa Mesa, CA at the OC Fair, Pacific Amphitheater.

For the San Diegan’s who know and love Adam Lambert, the popularity is really a testament to the power of talent and personality in taking a career to the sky. With his unique appeal and controversial way of doing things he’s growing a following of devoted Lambert lovers.

Check out Adam Lambert’s sit down with Ellen and performance of “If I had you” video’s from yesterday’s show;

Glam Nation 2010 Tour Dates

Featuring Adam Lambert, fellow Idol alum Allison Iraheta and guitarist Orianthi.

June 4 – Wilkes-Barre, PA
The FM Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

June 5 – Sayreville, NJ
Starland Ballroom

June 8 – Toledo, OH
Omni

June 10 – Council Bluffs, IA
Harrah’s Ballroom

June 11 – Mahnomen, MN
Shooting Star Casino

June 12 – Prior Lake, MN
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel

June 14 – Columbus, OH
LC Pavilion

June 15 – Milwaukee, WI
Riverside Theater

June 17 – Hammond, IN
The Venue at Horseshoe Casino

June 18 – Royal Oak, MI
Royal Oak Theater

June 19 – West Toronto, ON, Canada
Molson Amphitheatre

June 22 – New York, NY
Nokia Theatre

June 24 – Mashantucket, CT
MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods

June 26 – Atlantic City, NJ
Borgata Spa & Resort—Event Center

July 15 – Kansas City, MO
Midland Theatre

July 27 – Costa Mesa, CA
OC Fair, Pacific Amphitheatre

July 28 – Costa Mesa, CA
OC Fair, Pacific Amphitheatre

August 13 – Bethlehem, PA
Musikfest

September 18 – St. Petersburg, FL
Tropicana Field

See all of San Diego Entertainer’s Adam Lambert coverage.

Welcome to the new and improved San Diego Entertainer & Lifestyles Magazine! Today we’re releasing Entertainer 3.0 with a sleek design and streamlined article presentation on the home page. Hopefully you’re not thinking, “I like the old style” already, because there are several reasons why this switch is very exciting!

Since the Entertainer launched last Summer we’ve made excellent strides in the San Diego marketplace bringing local lifestyle, news, music and top headlines to locals and visitors. Now with several months of success under our belt we’re announcing the launch of Entertainer & Lifestyles television, E & L T.V.

The show will be a half hour installment hosted at interesting locales around San Diego, pin pointing why that location is special. From there, we will ‘cut-away’ to a vast array of interesting segments. These segments will feature a number of topics, going behind the scenes to spotlight fascinating people and places that will entertain and edify viewers.

Our first locale is San Diego’s royal gem “crown town,” Coronado Island. Coronado will be highlighted with an intriguing array of people, places and sights. An insider’s look into the “island,” viewers will get an idea of the long history Coronado represents as part of San Diego.

The show will always debut and be archived on sdentertainer.com, but also will be broadcast on a popular local station, to be announced. Our new site design will facilitate an exciting TV/Video area where you can watch the show’s segments and leave your comments. We’re looking for places to spotlight on upcoming episodes so if you have a suggestion or would like to be featured on Entertainer & Lifestyles T.V. please contact us.

Wait… there’s more! San Diego Entertainer & Lifestyles will be debuting Entertainer Extra’s a new way to save cash in America’s Finest City! In these tough economic times we understand that spending cash efficiently is the only way to enjoy all our city has to offer. Therefore we cannot wait to provide a fantastic resource for San Diego savings to our readers, coming late May 2010.

To keep up with all things San Diego Entertainer & Lifestyles Magazine, please subscribe or Fan us on FaceBook.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Meanwhile the San Diego Entertainer camera crew is on their way to the hotel where the New Boyz are staying for their night in San Diego. We arrive to find the New Boyz, Ben J and Legacy casually relaxing after a long day in the studio and traveling.

They’re very calm and joking with their friends as they await the start of our video interview. Ben J is playing Ke$ha and Wiz Khalifa from his laptop. The duo is even singing snippets of a few songs we assume may be on the next album.

These New Boyz have become a phenomenon with their debut album Skinny Jeans and a Mic and their part in the “jerkin’ movement.” You’ve heard the New Boyz on the radio with their popular songs “You’re A Jerk” and “Tie Me Down,” featuring Ray J.

A little known fact is that the New Boyz had created many of the songs featured on their debut album before they were picked up by a major label.

Once “You’re A Jerk” was released on YouTube, New Boyz became an internet sensation and a known force in the hip hop industry. Their style is very different from the stereotypical rapper that people are familiar with today. Instead of the typical baggy pants and oversized shirts, these jerks wear skinny jeans, studded belts and colorful shirts.

Reports have flurried about what the jerkin’ movement is about. Watch as we ask the New Boyz all the important questions and share a few laughs. New Boyz dish about their new album and more in our exclusive interview before their San Diego performance.

New Boyz fans can thank Chris Jones of Ridiculous and Deco’s Nightclub for bringing the New Boyz to San Diego. Special thanks to event contributor 411tix.com. Catch Ridiculous at Deco’s Nightclub every Saturday!

Deco’s is @ 731 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.

Shaun White- Snowboarding
Carlsbad native, Shaun White, now 2-time Olympic Gold medalist, took the show on the men’s halfpipe with a score of 48.4 points. Looking past his trademark long mangy hair, and the fact that he is in serious need of a haircut, Shaun, that was ridiculously sick (vocab courtesy of my boarder friends).

Ever wonder how he got so good? This is Shaun White at 11 years old:

Evan Lysacek- Figure Skating
I hope all you men out there who are skeptics of men’s figure skating get a reality check with Lysacek’s performance, who defeated his Russian competitor and earned the spot of first American male to win the gold since 1988. Of course donning a spandex body suit, glitter, and (sometimes) fur will not earn you the manliest of men award, but being able to master these moves? Hands down, gold medalist. Now its your turn to try it.

Check out this video of Lysacek performing at the US championships and see how good he is foryourself:

Apolo Ohno- Speedskating
Apolo Anton Ohno won his 6th Olympic medal in the men’s 1,500 meter. As the reigning U.S. skating champion since his debut in 1999, Ohno did not disappoint, taking the silver medal, with South Korea’s Lee Jung-su ahead winning the gold medal. Ohno is now tied with long track speedskater Bonnie Blair for the most Olympic Medals won by an American, but I think he gets brownie points for competing and winning the reality show Dancing With the Stars in 2007.

Lindsey Vonn- Downhill Skiing
From NBC’s overblown coverage of her debilitating bruise, I was doubting her chances… but apparently it was not an issue. Lindsey Vonn emerged as the first American woman to take home the gold in the women’s downhill, beating her American rival Julia Manusco by a second.

Bode Miller- Super-G
Bode Miller took the silver home in the men’s Super-G, marking his fourth Olympic medal, and second at the Vancouver games. Despite some disappointments regarding his performance (in partying)  at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, Miller made his return and helped set the record for the U.S. Alpine Team at 6 Olympic medals in the 2010 games.

It blows my mind that these athletes train for half a lifetime to master their sport, and fame of their performance relies on the 30 second (in the case of Shaun White) to 6 minute (in figure skating) window that allows them to display their skills for all the world to see (pressure, anyone?). Well done, guys. You make us proud.

Photo from bfishadow via Flickr

Carlsbad’s current favorite son, Shaun White, all 5’8” and 140 pounds of him, had just clinched the gold after his first run down the Olympic snowboard half-pipe. He had the trick in the bag, along with an Olympic gold medal. He was already assured of defending his Olympic title with a score of 46.8 on his first run, but he hadn’t done the ‘secret’ move that he had been practicing for months in his hideaway prior to the Olympics, claiming he was a bit nervous. But if he was nervous it surely didn’t show.

Soaring over 25 feet above the halfpipe at the top, linking a pair of spiraling, double-flipping moves in the middle and staying on his feet the whole way down, there was little doubt that White had the Gold Medal wrapped up.

Getting ready to close the night, he debated with his coaches for a minute. “He had to take a moment to collect himself, take several breaths to let out some screams and shouts and really celebrate,” U.S. coach Mike Jankowski said later. Then Shaun White made the decision. Heck, why not go for it, right? Snowboarding is supposed to be fun, right? So White decided to wrap up his spectacular night with his now signature move during a victory lap that will go likely be remembered for years to come.

At first he it looked as though he wouldn’t be able to pull it off. White started the final run by linking two easier versions of the move. As he was going into his final jump, you could clearly see he lost speed as he set up the double ‘McTwist’. I didn’t think he had nearly enough speed to even attempt it, but wasn’t surprised he went for it anyway.

To the delight of screaming fans, friends and family, he jerked his body around to barely squeeze in the last half of the 3 1/2 twists he crams into two head-over-heels flips. It wasn’t exactly perfect, but nobody cared.

“I wanted a victory lap that would be remembered,” White said. “I achieved that.”

Ever wonder what it takes to learn a trick like that?

Whether you watched the game enthusiastically rooting for the victory of your team, or were just joining some friends for munchies, one thing is clear: the commercials earn the attention of everyone. If you are anything like me, the Superbowl is probably one of the few times a year you watch football, let alone watch TV. My anticipation for the big game honestly just isn’t all that high. But one thing that draws me back year after year is the commercials; what’s good, what’s not, what’s funny, or just plain weird. Of the 60 commercials that aired (at $2-3 million per 30 seconds of airtime), here are just a few of the highlights- but don’t take my word for it, watch them and decide for yourself.

Snickers: Betty White

In five words: Why we love Betty White. Named as the most popular commercial of the night by the USA Today survey, I can see why the Golden Girl-turned-football player would capture some laughs. After watching this, I may never look at a Snickers bar the same way again.

Budweiser: Fences

Another Superbowl, another Budweiser Clydesdale commercial. Throw in some cute baby farm animals, and I’m sold. Fences don’t come in between friends- a simple lesson applicable, of all things, to beer.

Audi: Green Police

I give props to this hilarious commercial in bringing attention to the smallest things I do each day that are environmentally harmful. Someone has to do it. I think Audi is on to something we should consider adopting: the Green Police. Although in all its catchiness (check out the song), I still don’t know if buying an Audi will solve the woes of my wastefulness.

Leno, Oprah, and Letterman’s Ad for the Late Show with David Letterman

Awkward and random are the words that came to mind when I saw this one pop up during the commercial break. I find it humorous that these unlikely rivals would overcome their differences for the sake of David Letterman’s talk show.

Google: Parisian Love

This one is my personal favorite. Advertising the Google search engine, its very clear and simple, yet it still manages to melt my heart. I found it to be refreshing amidst all the testosterone-charged ads that seemed to be the dominating theme of the night.

Without a doubt, yesterday’s Superbowl commercials fulfilled the entertainment quota, both good and bad. Denny’s now brings to mind a screaming woman-turned-chicken. Megan Fox is just asking for it. And I ask myself, does Joe Montana really wear Skechers Shape-Ups? I’ll leave you with these questions, but I’ve only scratched the surface. Watch the rest and vote for your favorite on Adweek.

Photo from RMTip21 via Flickr

If there is one day of the year that is dedicated to glorifying the television set and barbecue grill, it would have to be football fanatics’ favorite day — Super Bowl Sunday. The Super Bowl is the largest American television event of the year, known to congregate millions of viewers together to watch the two greatest football teams battle it out for the Super Bowl championship.

This year, viewers from all over will share some burgers and beers as they bet to see whether the New Orleans Saints or Indianapolis Colts will take home the Super Bowl XLIV championship trophy and title. They will also be watching some of the best commercials, each one funnier and more amazing than the next.

As if the game itself isn’t exciting and eventful enough, the Super Bowl is also known for showing the best commercials in television history. Those 30-second time slots are hot commodities for advertisers, costing approximately $2.8 million each. NFL sponsors PepsiCo and FedEx have decided to take the bench and sit this year out, making it the first in 23 years that PepsiCo is not broadcasting a commercial during the Super Bowl. However, commercial fiends can still anticipate some brilliant advertisements from some all-time favorites; Coca-Cola and Doritos have purchased time slots to air their commercials, as well as Hyundai, Honda, and Audi. Be sure to watch for a couple sneak peaks of upcoming films Iron Man 2 and The Last Airbender, and of course, we can always count on Budweiser and Bud-Light to whip up some extraordinary commercials that will leave viewers talking and laughing for days.

Although it’s difficult to choose which commercials prevail over others, a few of them are just too good to ever forget. A popular  favorite is E*Trade’s baby commercial during the Super Bowl XLII in 2008.

When you’re watching the game, having a Bud, this commercial is to blame for your inclination to yell WAZZUPPPPP with the guys. True, true.

And we can’t forget our favorite geckos dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller alongside Naomi Campbell in SoBe Life Water’s Super Bowl commercial in 2008. It doesn’t get much better than this.

So settle down, grab those nachos, and let’s enjoy some of the soon-to-be best Super Bowl commercials in history. You won’t want to miss out on all the chatter for the next couple days, I’m sure.

Also, keep an eye out for a local in one of the commercials this year.  A local business owner, Dan Engelbrecht, from Del’s Barber Shop in Escondido will play a Miller beer truck driver in a commercial to air during Super Bowl. Check out the Miller website for more information and for previews of his big moment.

The Portland Cello Project @ The Loft UCSD

Billy Midnite, The Modlins @ Tin Can Ale House

Sprung Monkey, Circa Now, Fuzz-Huzzi, and Without Warning @ Ramona Mainstage

Saturday, February 6th

Morning On Fire, Life In Orbit, Misc. Ailments, One I Red @ Radio Room

OB Reggae Party feat. Hi Roots, Fortunate Youth, Tribal Theory, Cornerstone @ Winstons

The Burning of Rome, A Scribe Amidst the Lions, Astra, River City @ Casbah

Sunday, February 7th

The Thermals, Thao, The Get Down Stay Down, Boomsnake @ Belly Up

Someday Assassin @ O’Connell’s

Monday, February 8th

Langhorne Slim, April Smith,  the Great Picture Show @ Casbah

Lady Dottie & the Diamonds @ U31

The Styletones @ Bar Pink

Tuesday, February 9th

The Editors, the Antlers,  Princeton @ House of Blues

John Luther Adams, Steven Schick @ Sushi Performance & Visual Arts

InTransit Audio, Science Fiction @ Tin Can Ale House

Wednesday, February 10th

St. Vincent, Wildbirds and Peacedrums @ Belly Up

Gene Loves Jezebel @ Bar Pink

Alec Ounsworth, The Vision Of A Dying World @ Casbah

Jason Mraz Photo from macinate via Flickr

If you watched the Grammys last Sunday then you know that Beyonce’, Taylor Swift, and the Black Eyed Peas were the big winners of the night. What you may not know is that a Poway resident, Steve Vaus, was also a winner.

Vaus won the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for Children. Other nominees included Ed Asner and an album dedicated to Nelson Mandella. Steve Vaus is better known as Buck Howdy, a children’s entertainer who has been nominated four times in the past three years. “As a professional artist, there is no higher honor than to win a Grammy,” stated Vaus.

Singer Jason Mraz, who lives in Bonsall, near Fallbrook, won his first awards after previous nominations. Mraz won the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for “Make it Mine” and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for “Lucky,” a duet with Colbie Callait. You did not see the presentation of these awards because they were announced during an un-televised pre-show.

Finally, Hillcrest resident Rob Halford who leads Judas Priest, won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance for “Dissident Agressor” from their album “A Touch of Evil — Live.”

All of our local winners’ awards were presented off air, as the Grammy broadcast has shifted greatly to emphasize performances rather than award presentations.

Lady Gaga opened the show with a very theatrical performance. Popping out of a “fame factory” machine, Gaga performed her hit “Poker Face” until she was discarded by her dancers. Lady Gaga has said before that she likes to show her “inevitable demise” to the public in order to continue evolving as an artist. Many people will recall her bloody performance at the MTV VMAs.  Lady Gaga returned to the Grammy stage covered in soot ready to perform with Sir Elton John. It was a unique and entertaining performance that you can watch right here.

Taylor Swift’s performance with Stevie Nicks has caused some controversy, with many people wondering why an artist of Nicks’ caliber would stoop so low as to be a backup singer for Swift. Swift’s performance is also being criticized due to her off key vocals. It was enough to make you wonder if Kanye West wasn’t so wrong to be upset over Swift’s win over Beyonce’ at the MTV VMAs. You can decide for yourself with this video.

Other performers included Beyonce’ who won a total of six awards, the most of any female artist in a single night, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, Little Wayne, Slash, Bon Jovi, Drake, Eminem, Doug E. Fresh,  Maxwell,  David Foster, Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli, Dave Mathews Band, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Dave Beck, and Jennifer Nettles.

Beyonce’s performance was pitch perfect and she mixed a little of Alanis Morisett’s “You Oughta Know” into her rendition of her song “If I Were a Boy.” The highlight of the night was the much anticipated Michael Jackson tribute. The Grammy audience gave Michale Jackson’s children, Prince Michael and Paris, a standing ovation as they accepted a Lifetime Achievement award for their beloved father. Prince Michael gave a moving speech about how his father always spread a message of love and how he hoped to continue with his legacy. Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Usher performed Jackson’s “Earth Song” while a never-before-seen 3-D  short film played behind them. The film was designed for Jackson’s “This is It” tour.

San Diegans should be proud to have three San Diego residents be among the all of the winners of this year’s Grammys. Our local artists are in good company with some of the biggest stars in music. Congratulations to you all.

Billy Cardinal featured on the Local Music Alliance Vol. 4

The fourth edition of the play list features another great variety of ten local songs from local artists free for download. The local music alliance program was started last September as part of the Entertainer’s effort to support the thriving local music scene.

Download Playlist Vol. 4 featuring The Fascination, Helen Earth Band, The Napoleon Complex, Westfire, Billy Cardinal, Gran Sasso, Family Wagon, Trains and Clouds, Brandy Alexander, and Project: Out of Bounds.

The Entertainer has hosted an eclectic group of local artists on each local play list. From solo songstresses to hard rockers, the Local Music Alliance is bridging the gap. While the playlist gives artists an opportunity for exposure, they also get the chance to compete and win a great marketing package to advance their career.

Ping Music Group sponsors the Entertainer Local Music Alliance because they understand how tough it is for the local artist to make it in today’s market. Every playlist features a poll for locals to vote for their favorite song. The winners of each playlist are invited to a special battle of the bands concert where expert judges reward the best performance.

The winners of the final battle of the bands get a $5,000 marketing package from Ping Music Group!

There is certainly something special going on in the San Diego music scene. Locals that are on Twitter watch the artists work to distribute their music digitally and get people to come to their shows. The Entertainer continues to support these artists and urge them to follow on Twitter.

Every week we feature a local shows article where we point out spots where you can catch our San Diego greats. North Park is bursting at the seams with night after night of interesting artists. You’re now catching all types of music in Downtown and even Pacific Beach.

Next time you catch a local band you enjoy live don’t be afraid to buy their CD and put their band bumper sticker on the back of your car. Together we can encourage the people of San Diego to pay more attention to our local artists who are working hard to earn your respect. If San Diego can become known like Seattle was in the “grunge era,” imagine the possibilities.

The next battle of the bands is coming so please stay tuned!

The Entertainer’s Local Music Alliance needs your support, please share the play list you download with your friends. Get started, download the play list here.

Archives

Meet Children of Nova the Winners of the Local Music Alliance Play List Vol. 1 in their special acoustic performance:

Video puts you in touch with the characters; you can see the action in dimensions. With the technological advances we have had in the last few years, your lap top, phone and PC are well equipped to stream videos quickly. The appeal of online video is striking, and 2010 has been named by many “the year of video”. In ode to the phenomenon, the Entertainer will be scaling the walls of the internet to bring you the most recent San Diego video.  From the hilarious, to the informative we want to share the video endeavors of our fellow.

Red Riding Hood Rap

The Media Arts Center in San Diego added another video to their Digital Story Station. In this edition of San Diego Stories, Dr. Annjennette McFarlin and Linda Brown, from the Black Storytellers of San Diego, Inc., rap the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood along with guest storyteller Peggy Rainey. Continue reading for the video.

The Media Arts Center in San Diego mission statement;

MEDIA ARTS CENTER SAN DIEGO promotes access to film and video as tools for community self-expression and social change and supports the professional development of media artists.

The organization is “changing lives through film”. Check out their energetic, musical rendition of the classic story of Little Red Riding Hood uploaded today.

Yun Zi at the San Diego Zoo

On January 6th, five month old panda cub Yun Zi made his official debut.

San Diego is home to five giant pandas. Well, an entire giant panda family including Yun Zi’s father iGao Geo, mother Bai Yun, and sisters Su Lin, four, and Zhen Zhen, two.

Officials at the Zoo hope that Yun Zi serves as an ambassador for the endangered species. Yun Zi has already showed a lot of character. The panda cub has been seen falling off tree’s while trying to climb and relentlessly showing San Diegan’s that you have to get back up!

Debut Wednesday, January 6:

Yun Zi Panda Update Wednesday, January 13:

Thursday, January 14th

Shawn Rohlf and the Buskers @ Bar Pink

Nautical Disaster, Behind the Wagon @ Ruby Room

Jackie Greene w/ Truth and Salvage Co. @ Belly Up Tavern

Friday , January 15th

Get Back Loretta, PAPA, Weatherbox @ Soda Bar

Asobi Seksu @ Loft La Jolla

The Mexico City Rollers, Sunnyside, End of Power, Muddy Knights @ Ken Club

Saturday, January 16th

The Buiilders and the Butchers, Little White Teeth @ Casbah

Adam Franklin, Tape Deck Mountain, Roxy Jones @ Soda Bar

Ecklipse 79, The All Wait, Echo Echo @ Beauty Bar

Sunday, January 17th

The Silent Comedy w/ Mississippi Man @ Bar Pink

Mount Righteous, Red Pony Clock, Golden Red Tunes, Preteens @ Tin Can Ale House

Jimmy Lewis @ Prospect Bar & Lounge

Monday, January 18th

Misha and Amadou @ Evolution Fast Food

Lady Dottie & the Diamonds @ U31

The Styletones @ Bar Pink

Tuesday, January 19th

Danse Macabre, The Broken Column, Ape Machine @ Soda Bar

Sinizen, The Hounds, Iruselum, Rough and Steady @ O’Connell’s

The Burning of Rome, Run Run Run, Little Fowl @ Casbah

Wednesday, January 20th

Dick Dale w/ Heavy Guilt @ Belly Up Tavern

Napoleon Complex, Michael Logen @ Soda Bar

Stella, A Dull Science, To Walk the Night @ Second Wind

All I Want for Christmas Is a Bunch of New Media

Several years ago, when I was 16, I was handed my first paycheck. As soon as I’d changed out of my Navy Exchange smock, I made a beeline for the bank, then the record shop. I was like a drunk inhaling that first cocktail: Crisp greenbacks smoking in my pocket; rows of shiny new record covers stretching for aisles and aisles. I think I bought albums by Stevie Wonder, Todd Rundgren, and T. Rex. In any case, it was ON.

Although this may not be the best example for anyone trying to follow a strict budget, music, books, and films have helped me: (1) learn about all kinds of things; (2) find my creative voice, and (3) stay sane/happier. To me it seems a bit different than spending money on other items. But what does this have to do with the holidays, or you?

Buying presents is one of the best excuses I know for getting a shopping high. If the elements of anonymity or surprise are included, it can even be thrown in the “random acts of kindness” category. Four years ago I made fiber-optic angels appear between Christmas Eve and the next morning for various people, including a very giving soul who was recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Bringing unexpected joy to others is the kind of magic that makes me feel downright merry. As Scrooge cried after his night of harrowing visitations, “I don’t deserve to be this happy!”

Friends and family like to think we know them, or are at least paying enough attention to know what they like. Media gifts are one of the most affordable ways to convey this. The following suggestions don’t even begin to cover all the bases, especially if your cousin likes to play video golf or your niece is really into Barbie. I can’t (and don’t want to) know everything.

First on the list is the Scrooge just mentioned, which can be a great choice for Christmas Eve. A British early-’50s release, it features Alastair Sim and a crew of wonderful character actors, including Hermione Baddeley. Accept no substitutes (or the colorized version – part of the draw is the phenomenal black and white photography). This is the one for which I always need at least two tissues. Or you might light a few candles and dive into A Christmas Carol, the book from which the film was adapted. This is one of those cases when it makes sense to seek out a hardcover printing – no kindle-ing. I’m very fond of the edition I was given when I was a little girl. Published by John C. Winston in 1938, it features an introduction by Lionel Barrymore, a photograph of page 62 from Dickens’s original manuscript (love the squiggly cross-outs), and evocative illustrations by Everett Shinn.

Or you can get all historical and buy a printing modeled after the first (1843) edition, with John Leech’s warm pictures. Either way, you’ll be returning to the tenets of cheer, love and generosity: Dickens’s story helped change December 25 from a neglected holiday (a status into which it had fallen in England and the United States) to one of sharing and celebration (that needn’t be tied exclusively to Christianity). I can’t think of anything more spiritual.

Next, if you can afford the remastered Beatles boxed set (mono version) that came out this fall, please get in touch and I’ll give you my address. After that you can figure out who else deserves a copy.

I’ve sometimes wondered if the sixties’ counter-cultural movement impacted the British as much as it did Americans. Monty Python: Almost the Truth answers that question, along with many, many more. The three-disc set includes profuse discussions with Python’s living members. If you’re already thinking, “Bor-ing,” or simply don’t like documentaries, you may not care whether there’s lots of performance footage – anyway, there is.

I don’t know how well some of the Python sketches will translate to anyone who’s more than a generation or two away from the source, or who hasn’t seen the show – it would be wise to supplement this set with complete episodes or films, like And Now For Something Completely Different. Python is recommended for just about anyone who craves the wackily irreverent.

Almost the Truth does a good job at exploring the fresh thought and freedom coming into fruition in the ‘60s. I was struck by the synchronicities attending the coming-together of Python’s unique talents, including Terry Gilliam, who grew up in the States, and who had a lot to do with the group’s consistently out-of-the-box creativity. There’s fascinating coverage of shows that influenced and/or led to Python, including Beyond the Fringe, The Goon Show, the David Frost Show, and Do Not Adjust Your Set (featuring the Bonzo Dog Band), all of which highlight the evolution toward the absurd set-ups that were Python at its best.

Python played a significant role in cracking the grey mood and rigid authoritarianism that permeated Britain following WWII.

As happens with many of my favorite documentaries, I feel privileged to be spending time with a group of very bright, articulate, influential people. Footage of the late Graham Chapman’s memorial is one of the most touching and inspiring things I’ve ever seen. Another highlight is clips and segments from the final concert at the Hollywood Bowl, which turned into a riotous party blurring the lines between Python and its hip audience, which included John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

The next suggestion is for those friends that just about everyone likes to parody, and that’s the Renaissance Fair lovers who may lurk somewhere on your list. A new recording of Rick Wakeman’s The Six Wives of Henry VIII has been released. Whether it’s really for them, or you (if it is you, know that I type “parody” with love and a lighte heart) I shall laye out for you the tools for an unforgettable soiree.
They/you could mix up a vat of heady mead, along with whatever it is that goes with heavy mead. Partiers wearing lots of velveteen will be impressed by the Wakeman CD.

The hosts can then throw on The Lion in Winter. The film’s based-on-a-play, based-partly-on-history verbal sparring, delivered by four powerhouses (Peter O’Toole, Katharine Hepburn, and a young, hungry Timothy Dalton and Anthony Hopkins), is basically a prolonged, intellectual cat fight–in other words, incredible.

After The Lion there could be a little palate-cleanser, perhaps Mary Timony, who, especially on The Golden Dove, stirs a unique brew of original songwriting with Medieval tones. Also good here would be Carols & Capers by Steeleye Span’s progressive folk goddess, Maddy Prior. Book-end the party with the new DVD of Wakeman performing The Six Wives last May at Hampton Court Palace. A staggeringly large group of supporting classical and rock musicians, and women dressed as the six queens, add to the pageantry.  By the time this is over, guests should be draped all about, drowsing and/or drooling, as dogs wander about licking their faces and gobbling leftover turkey legs. People will never stop talking about your party – in fact, I’m starting to be depressed at not being invited.

To date, there have been a lot of question-marks about one of Britain’s most influential bands (several previous products have included bits and pieces of history).  More Than This: The Story of Roxy Music is the first to examine the nuts and bolts of RM from its conception. It’s interesting to learn how Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, and Andy MacKay brainstormed this phenomenon into being.

I wasn’t aware of RM when it exploded out of Northern England in the early ‘70s. Even after I got into the band I was ignorant of its huge impact on British subculture and its influence on the new wave, electronic and glam-rock movements. But I did happen to catch Roxy’s June, 1977 show at Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C. The friend who swore I couldn’t miss it was fired-up partly because we were King Crimson fans, and Crimson’s John Wetton was on bass for that particular stop. We’d also heard intriguing reports about a techno-wizard named Brian Eno, as well as the flashy electric guitar of Phil Manzanera.

By the time Jerry Hall strutted across the stage waving her tiger tail during Roxy’s rousing cover of Wilbert Harrison’s “Let’s Work Together” (as “Let’s Stick Together”), we were on our feet. We knew we were at one of the best concerts we’d ever experienced. We certainly knew we’d never seen anything like it.

Especially through ’76-’77, RM put the lie to the idea that high camp was an exclusively gay province (as did the New York Dolls, but in a much more rough-and-tumble way). Roxy was about a glamorous construct as much as it was about music. In the beginning it was very much about art (founder Bryan Ferry, who’d studied under pop artist Richard Hamilton, thought of it as a collage).

While I would prefer more live concert footage and less talking (commentators include Siouxsie Sioux and Duran Duran’s John Taylor), the DVD is still likely to intrigue art-rock mavens. Along with much of Ferry’s work with the band or solo, the More Than This could be seen as a document of sex/love addiction. It also exposes a fixated determination to escape the tedium of working or middle class existence into opulence and (stylized, controlled) hedonism. I feel these themes are best-tempered by the explosive energy and irony permeating the first several albums. A good example is the shocking, aching vulnerability of “In Every Dream Home a Heartache.” A vintage performance of the latter is included, along with “Do the Strand,” “Editions of You,” and “Both Ends Burning,” from a 2006 reunion show.

Throw a copy of the performance-rich Thrill of It All: A Visual History into the gift bag with More Than This, and the recipient will be aghast at your cultural and gifting savvy. Recommended albums: Roxy Music, For Your Pleasure, Stranded, Country Life.

Most of the following can be explored via past Off the Beaten Track(s): For quirky pop-experimental stimulation:  Micachu’s Jewellery (CD); for hard rock fun and inspiration: Status Quo’s Pictures: Live at Montreux (DVD); for the listener who likes stuff so bad it’s funny, Incredibly Strange Music, Vol. One (CD); for the folkie who wants his or her acoustics considerably out of the box: Fraser & Debolt with Ian Guenther (recently released on CD); and for your younger and/or more open-eared explorers:  Backwords, Beautiful Supermachines, and Bogs Visionary Orchestra. For great new pop: The Wandas (New Wave Blues/CD).

For anyone who can’t get enough of John Denver’s pure and simple vibe, there’s a new live performance DVD, with suitably excellent acoustics – Rocky Mountain High: Live in Japan.

We haven’t arrived at my column on very vintage (as in Sophie Tucker or Fanny Brice)  songstress Janet Klein, but if you know someone who loves the amazing Cheap Suit Serenaders, Klein has very effectively picked up the torch. You can count on her, or on Madame Pamita’s Wax Works CD. For a local finger-picking master’s take on holiday songs, go  with Jim Earp’s Bright Star. Three of the most interesting  songwriters  gracing San Diego coffeehouses are Michael Tiernan, Gayle Skidmore and Aaron Bowen – all have CDs.

If the economy’s tying your hands, a dash of creativity (applied to yard sales and thrift-shopping), or making cards, gifts, or music mixes, tends to go a long way. One year I had a lot of fun with some rubber stamps and a new poem. Right now I’m putting off  the hours of work involved in improving and printing a card for about 60 people (thanks to Facebook, and my desire to resurrect artsy card sharing). I’ll make that more exciting by spinning lots of weird and wonderful holiday music, to be shared with you next week.

Appearing two days ago on YouTube and buzzing around the county, LT’s “Slide” dance brings to music what it was missing. Right?

Known as LT, he is a San Diego favorite. Tomlinson currently holds or shares a total of 28 team records among other top rankings.

As the Chargers ended their 50th anniversary year in 2009, the city is happy about the team’s success this season. Is this the cities new victory dance?

Pantha du Prince

…’cause the idea that everything should be shiny-new as of a year’s turning… is odd to me. Maybe it’s ‘cause I did a lot of Taoist and macrobiotic studies, basically inhaling the idea (over my pots, hour after hour; or in the process of tai chi) that there is no exact end or beginning to anything – what’s here now is made up of what was and of what will be. Further, I’m intrigued by the idea that time is a manmade construct. Yes, the earth revolves around the sun, ergo the idea of clocks. But is this time (the kind we measure by hours and minutes) the only time?

Since I’m already in over my head, without a life preserver, here’s another point of contention: I can’t entirely agree with folks who say they hated 2009. In addition to considerable personal growth, I pretty much skated along for months on the euphoria of last year’s inauguration; its historical and cultural import – pretty big stuff! As far as problems being solved or things changing: change takes time. Which circles us back to the beginning…

Although Earth’s birthday isn’t the same as when people started recording existence, I’m still glad the old gal’s around to support us, more or less. And glad there are still many troubadours producing beautiful, odd, and/or just pleasing sounds to which we may time our steps. One who recently come to my attention is Pantha du Prince. Sort of in line with the discussion above, I guess the video below is old news (posted December 11, 2009). PDP says all manner of heady things about his work, like “Music slumbers in all matter; any sound, even silence, is already music. The mission, then, must be to render audible what is unheard and unheard of: black noise, a frequency that is inaudible to man. Black noise often presages natural disasters, earthquakes or floods…”

While such explanations may make some folks snort, “hogwash,” I’m a sucker for poetics, especially if the music is equally so – along with jazz, it’s what I tend to spin while putzing around the house. The following is from PDP’s upcoming (2/8) release, Black Noise, which features Noah Lennox (Animal Collective’s “Panda Bear”) and Tyler Pope (of !!! and LCD Soundsystem).

A more recent Rough Trade signee, The Morning Benders first caught my ears with their lovely lo-fi cover of the Cardigans’ “Lovefool.” How can I not like a band that combines some of the Beatles’ early heat with a bit of Rubber Soul-era tempering?With this cover, it’s like it’s the ‘90s… the ‘60s… the ‘90s… the ‘10s… all over again!

Maybe the Benders should have their own Monkees kinda show.There will be another opportunity to ponder which one should play Davy Jones when Big Echo, their second album, drops on March 9 – and when they land at the Casbah, March 26.

Best Coast (not to be confused with the great Buddy Rich performance) has been growing on me – actually, it only took a few minutes. With all the musicians discovering, reworking, underwhelming and missing the point of the ‘60s, that’s saying something. At first listen, I feared Bethany Cosentino and her crew were employing the usual glibness – as in, let’s just put some effects on the guitar and sing as if we sorta mean it – but no, there’s charm to the strange mix (guitar somewhat burying the vocal; late ‘50s/early ‘60s girl group harmonies just fuzzy enough; a ragged, punk-ish hybrid of the original pristine sound) – in other words, like lots of great post-punk melody-makers flowering in NYC and Hoboken in the ’80s, many of whom have faded. San Diegans can don skinny ties and straight-legs when The Vivian Girls appropriately fill the rest of the bill, February 4 at the Casbah. (Sorry about the lack of live footage – the following is one of the few with anything like decent sound, at the moment.)

For more experienced performers, we have Green Gartside (of Scritti Politti and numerous pop/rock projects), with Lisa Hannigan, Robyn Hitchcock and others, in a series celebrating the moody captivations of Nick Drake: “Way To Blue: The Songs of…”. Curated by Joe Boyd (one of Drake’s producers), these will happen in Glasgow and Brighton, January 20-21st.

More accessibly (to non-jet-setters/-British/Scottish residents), Peter Lacey offers a new album, Behind the Scenes, on January 11. A former session player based in the U.K., Lacey makes gorgeous, atmospheric music (that once upon a time might have earned the “progressive” tag) that’s been likened to the Beach Boys (post-Good Vibrations) and XTC. For me, it’s a deliciously wistful dream shared by Nick Drake, Fleetwood Mac (around Bare Trees, with Danny Kirwan as main dreamer), and Sandy Denny, with another layer that hadn’t been born until Lacey exhaled it. This guy’s so far under the radar, all I can offer is www.myspace.com/peterlaceymusic – take it from there.

If all these pop/’60s mentions are making local readers hungry, it’s good to know about Christian Motos, a/k/a The Flowerthief. While his work seems to have morphed from the simpler, prettier sounds I heard from him several years ago, what it’s turning into may be more exciting: a kinetic, almost Violent Femmes-ish vibe (The Flowerthief is now a three-piece). Also, I like the thrill of  watching an artist hover at the edge of a cliff. Motos has one of the most interesting ranges of interests I’ve seen: beat poetry (hence his stage name), Serge Gainsbourg, Syd Barrett, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles. His oeuvre reminds me of trying to achieve the feeling of a Cocteau film in a coffeehouse, with nearly zip tech – yes, you who howl with laughter – I’ve done it. Part of what makes me say this is his posters (if not the very best, near the top of the San Diego heap), which tell me he still has lots of creativity to unearth.

A Flowerthief flyer (see if you can say that eight times in a row)

I have Motos to thank for turning me onto ex-Sidewinder M. Craft, whose new Arrows at the Sun hasn’t yet been released stateside. At least we’re moving into the ‘70s or ‘80s with Craft, who somehow combines a Beatles (I can’t help it if a lot of the people I like are thus influenced) echo with a blend of pop, folk, and sophistication. His unassuming sounds are just nice – and I mean that in a refreshingly breezy, Steely Dan with Pink Floyd-ish lead vocal way…at least from what I’ve heard so far.

Just the tip of ’10 iceberg’s tip, these upcoming releases jumped out at me:

Devo - Fresh (its first studio album in 20 years) – spring, 2010.

Bryan Ferry – a new solo album, featuring collaboration with Flea (RHCPs), Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead), and old Roxy/solo cohort Nile Rodgers (Chic) – summer, 2010.

Brett Rosenberg – a new album, as well as one from The Joiners, for whom Rosenberg plays guitar. About the latter, he shares: “It’s the best music I’ve ever been involved with.” (and he’s backed Graham Parker).

The Feelies – Don’t know if any fresh releases are in the offing, but we can expect at least occasional appearances by an influential edgy-pop/rock/E.coast geek group (think: The Modern Lovers meet Lou Reed in a dark alley, with the resulting fracas – or great jam), which reformed within the last couple years, along with re-releasing their classics, Crazy Rhythms and The Good Earth.

With all of the pop excitation in this installment, we’ll have to hold our cups out for a bit more: A gift from two Los Angelenos who seem way too So.-Cal. to be concerned with the construct(s) of time (at this time): The Dark Bob (multimedia performer) and Jack Skelley (poet and guitarist for the soon-to-reform post-punk, psychedelic-surf combo, Lawndale). Per Skelley, “Ha Ha Ha Ha Happy New Year,“ for which drummer D.J. Bonebrake (X, along with many other gigs) was recruited, launches a series of  holiday romps. As of this week, the video had over 9,000 YT hits. What really amazes me is the great heads of hair these guys still have – that’s one virile posse!

Which reminds me of a January 6 Myspace post by San Diego’s rock god, Happy Ron Hill, who put out quite a debut album in ‘09. And I quote: “Got feelers from the porn industry today about using my music.”

We can only imagine what this portends.

The Visual Underground Feat- Crash Encore, Republic of Letters, Dj Edgartronic @ Casbah

Abe Vigoda, Best Coast, Zola Jesus, Dj’s Mario, Chuck and Brandon W @ Soda Bar

Sonic Youth, Sic Alps @ House of Blues

Friday, January 8th

The Fascination, Vinyl Film, Bella Novela, The RnRs @ Radio Room

Pato Banton w/ Now Generation @ Belly Up Tavern

The Western Set, Dark Horse Candidates, Taming the Fox @ Tin Can Ale House

Saturday, January 9th

Monsters Form Mars, Lights On, Dj Cris Herrera @ Onyx/Thin

Pete Escovedo Orchestra @ Anthology

Nautical Disaster, Death on Mars, Behind the wagon @ Soda Bar

Sunday, January 10th

Boom Snap, Westfire, Hargo @ Beauty Bar

The Devastators @ RT’s Longboard Grill

Tribe of Kings @ U31

Monday, January 11th

Alberta Cross, Hacienda @ Casbah

Lady Dottie & the Diamonds @ U31

The Styletones @ Bar Pink

Tuesday, January 12th

Minipax, Carney, Stripes and Lines @ Casbah

Lindsay White @ Bare Back Grill

Clean Cuts @ Tower Bar

Wednesday, January 13th

Holdsworth, Bozzio, Levin, and Mastelotto w/ Science Fiction @ Brick by Brick

Mia Riddle, The Useless Keys, Longstay Residency @ Beauty Bar

Drew Andrews, Boomsnake, Writer, Metrofique @ Casbah

Whisky Girl, Downtown (Photo from jjwright85 via Flickr)

Wednesday, December 23rd

Dj’s C Wzard and Red October @ Bluefoot

Dj’s Bart Blackstone, ATARI, El Torito, and Smile Now Cry Later @ Casbah

Michael Tiernan @ El Fuego Cantina

Thursday, December 24th

Feel the Noise w/ Djs Gabe Vega and Saul Q @ U31

Friday, Decmeber 25th

Dj Riddles, Adamnt, Rudy Palos as “Bad Santa @ The Whistle Stop

DJ Artistic @ Wit’s End

Dj Mark Trasher @ Whiskey Girl

Saturday, December 26th

Scarlet Symphony, Fing, Lemon Sun, Da Bears @ Casbah

Wild Child @ Anthology

Cash’d Out, Hell On Heels, Tornado Magnet @ Belly Up

Sunday, December 27th

Hepcat @ Belly Up

Children of Nova, Italian Japanese, WestFire, Trouble in the Wind @ Casbah

The Devastators @ RT’s Longboard Grill

Monday, December 28th

Lady Dottie & the Diamonds @ U31

The Styletones @ Bar Pink

Tuesday, December 29th

John Mayer Trio @ Copley Symphony Hall

Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven @ Belly Up

Burnett’s Bliss, Erika Davies @ Soda Bar

One afternoon, back when my ex and I had a combo, I blurted out my new idea:  “A Christmas song would be a great way to get our stuff out there!” Although we didn’t end up adding sleigh bells to any of our tracks, a similar notion has occurred to several others desirous of laying their stamp on the season – yes, Virginia, as it turns out, that’s a lot of stamps. There’s no need to settle for hackneyed holiday sounds, which at this point could mean “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” or Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time.”

It’s not like it was 15 years ago, when I was a little girl, and “Silver Bells” and “Silent Night” dogged elevators and department stores. Since then, more than oldies stations have taken to playing Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas,” and tracks from Phil Spector’s Christmas Album (currently available as A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector), which features the Ronettes, the Crystals, and Darlene Love, who takes the lead here:

Even “Christmas Time is Here,” from the Peanuts special, has gotten old, especially since Starbucks played it practically nonstop every December from the mid-late ‘90s.

Then there are the once-obscure tracks that have been corralled onto hundreds of holiday compilations. I felt pretty special about incorporating several R&B and soul  LPs back before alt. Xmas tunes were so widely available – now there are too many to be smushed into one OFBT.

Despite the challenge of finding anything “different,” some holiday recordings do manage to be unusual. And my lifelong quest has unearthed treasures that may not be that offbeat – they’re just wonderful.

One of the first albums that found its way to me (truly, I can’t remember how) is about as traditional as they come, especially for folks with any Brit in ‘em: The Holly and the Ivy: Carols from Clare College. In the late ‘70s, composer/ arranger/conductor John Rutter was gaining prominence through work that felt like a breath of fresh air and innovation. Listeners welcomed his compositions, like The Holly ‘s uplifting “Donkey Carol.” Also in play was Rutter’s musical scholarship, which uncovered such relative obscurities as the German “Noble Stem of Jesse,” the Basque “I Saw a Maiden” and “Gabriel’s Message,” and the French “Quelle est cette odeur agréable?”.

For years I’ve lighted balsam candles and listened to this album while wrapping presents, baking, etc. I’m always time-travelled back to peering from my grandparents’ front window, across the snowy fields to a house about a mile away, with smoke curling out of the chimney. There’s a mystical stillness in “Legenda” and in Margaret Poston’s “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.” Perhaps I should share that my faith, which includes every good-feeling deity, can feel shaky at times. But when, as is the case here, human ability combines with inspiration that can only be called divine, I sure as heck believe in something. Although this video is from the Choir of King’s College, it’s very close to the version on The Holly.

Regarding jazz, my go-tos are a Verve showcase, Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas, and Yule Struttin’ – a Blue Note Christmas. Have Yourself is a winner from Oscar Peterson’s introspective “A Child is Born” to Ella Fitzgerald’s warmly swinging “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Other highlights include the Swingle Singers’ sophisticated “Christmas Medley,” Fitzgerald and Billy Eckstine with “The Secret of Christmas” “and “Christmas Eve”, and the Roland Kirk Quartet’s kick in the pants to “We Three Kings” (the most “out” jazz here). Another goodie is Billie Holiday convincing us “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” Sister Rosetta Tharp throws down some intense gospel with “O, Little Town of Bethlehem,” which is given a run for its money by Dinah Washington’s “Silent Night.” Bill Evans lends beautiful lyricism to “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

For hip holiday gatherings

Like Have Yourself, Yule Struttin’ is a shoo-in for parties. It includes songs I’d never heard but which are now part of my yearly menu, like Bobby Watson’s “Vauncing Chimes,” and another contemporary composition, “Merrier Christmas” (there’s a vocal rendition by Dianne Reeves and an instrumental by Benny Green). Yule’s tracks are generally more contemporary and edgy than those on Have Yourself, as when Joey Calderazzo and Rick Margitza take “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Little Drummer Boy” for walks far beyond their customary neighbourhoods. Of these jaunts, my favourite is Dexter Gordon’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Also nice are Lou Rawls with “The Christmas Song,” Eliane Elias’s Latin-jazzy “I’ll Be Home for Christmas/Sleigh Ride,” and Chet Baker’s “Winter Wonderland.” John Hart’s guitar is fresh as a newly-cut pine on “O Tannenbaum.”

The Accretions Gang's Idea of Holiday Sounds

If you’re desperate for even more distance from the 110th broadcast of Frosty The Snowman you can get an effective antidote while supporting local musicians, albeit ones who’ve, since this recording, mostly fled San Diego for more supportive (of experimental music) pastures. On …and the Reindeer You Rode In On the Accretions posse dependably backs its experimental claim – indeed, most of these sounds have fallen far enough from the beaten track into a snowdrift to be deeply concerned with frost bite. Not every group of knob-turners can offer the drug-free trip provided by the CD’s recurring “12 Days of Christmas” motifs. These may please Residents fans by weaving between a loping, cowboy rendition of “Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem,” a machine-tight “Jingle Bells” (by percussionist/sampler and Accretions founder Marcos Fernandes), and the toy-piano tinkle of Hans Fjellestad’s “Dejlig er Jorden, ” which sounds like “O, Christmas Tree.” There’s boogie mileage in the industrial/otherworldly “Holiday Season” by resident wunderkind Marcelo Radulovich, who also provides a bell-driven coloring of “Good King Wenceslas.”

An ambient 11-minute rumination on “Frosty the Snowman” is perfect for anyone who may have pondered how it would feel to be made of ice and stuck outside a prefab home in Levittown, New York; listening in lonely isolation to the extracted holiday bustle of the family that made you. And if that’s too much food for the psychiatrist, there’s just plain fun in a polka version of “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” and Vegas parody “Up on the Lounge Top,” which features a vocal that could have been phoned in by Lux Interior on Prozac. The Accretionists occasionally succumb to beauty, which Holzborn provides with his serene, only slightly eccentric “Joy to the World.”

For something that’s just a little odd, Woody Phillips has labored over A Toolbox Christmas (“Your favorite carols performed on your favorite hand and power tools”). While I was a bit disappointed that the songs aren’t performed entirely with saws and hammers, this is good for a couple of chuckles. Phillips’s tomfoolery is a walk in a right-wing park next to The American Song-Poem Christmas: Daddy, Is Santa Really Six-Foot-Four? We’ll get into the song-poem thing at a future date. For now, just know that these compilations gather lyrics by one-time music star wannabes with varying degrees of no talent, which were then presented by a stable of “song-poem” musicians. From record label Bar None’s description:

“Our holiday collection includes tunes about candy canes, toys, reindeer and, especially, Santa Claus. In one, Santa trades in his sleigh for a flying saucer; in another, he comes to town atop a weapon of mass destruction.” … “When Santa isn’t gleefully disco dancing (on “The Rockin’ Disco Santa Claus”), he’s one scary dude — at least in the cracked snow-globe world of song-poems. Everyone knows that the holidays can seem like a surreal psychodrama. Song-poem writers are just a little more upfront about it.”

The songs that make me shriek in the way that worries my neighbors include “A New Year’s Dawning,” “Maury, the Christmas Mouse,” the confusing “Santa Came on a Nuclear Missile,” “Christmas Treat/Peppermint,” the ultra-fanciful “Evelyn Christmas,” and “Snobows” (which are what snowflakes make when they really try, or we really try to see them, or… uh… if you just play along, you’ll be rewarded by more mixed metaphors than you can stuff in a stocking), and the exquisitely awful title track. “Santa Claus Goes Modern” must have so challenged Rod Rodgers, the singer charged with delivering it, that he should net some sort of parallel-universe trophy.

A piñata in a jewel case happened when the underground mix-tapes of an L.A.-based comedy writer were released as A Christmas Party with Eddie G. on CD in the ‘90s. Although some of the tracks, like NRBQ’s “Christmas Wish” or Marshall Brown’s “Cajun Christmas,“ may be available elsewhere, the treat is in Eddie’s construct: A mythical  station that so perfectly recreates radio in places like New York and Chicago in the ‘70s-‘80s (with some appropriately ‘50s-‘60s dashes), it brings instant recall of how it felt to stumble from a freezing snowstorm into a pizza parlor, and to welcome the warmth of fellow hipsters, back when such meetings, whether in person or via air waves, felt more precious.

Whether or not that explains anything, this is really fun. Along with the between-song patter and old-school “commercials,” hot stuff includes Detroit Junior’s soulful “Christmas Day,” Rufus Thomas’s funky “I’ll Be Your Santa Baby,” Huey Piano Smith and the Clowns’ “All I Want for Christmas (Is a Little Bit of Music),” Louis Prima’s “What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin’?”), “All I Want for Christmas is You” (Foghat, sounding like Chris Isaak–who also has a holiday CD), the NRBQ track, and the following :

For the intelligent sensitivity that imbued lots of NYC-based art (influenced by the avant-garde enough to be intensely creative) in the ‘70s and ‘80s you may want to download tracks from the Roches’ increasingly scarce We Three Kings. Drawing from the trio’s ritual of bringing harmonies to the streets for the holidays, the collection occasionally gets overly cutesy or dissonant. Standouts include a touching “Away in a Manger” (with the alternate melody to the one more commonly used), “The First Nowell,” “Good King Wenceslas,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” a very nice treatment of a song that’s fallen out of usage, “Sleigh Ride,” and two lovely originals: “Christmas Passing Through” and “Star of Wonder.”

An American collection as flavorful as cornbread and jambalaya is the Big Easy-centric Creole Christmas. From the mature soul of Johnny Adams on “Please Come Home for Christmas” to the sexy verve with which Frankie Ford revives “Jingle Bell Rock,” this is the s—t. I also dig Luther Kent’s deep soul (and melodic variations) on “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” Doctor John’s “Merry Christmas Baby,” and the lush early ‘60s harmonies of the Dixie Cups’ “Let It Snow.” Passion builds with a Zion Harmonizer gospel track, “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” If you think it can’t get any more real, the Soul Queen of New Orleans shows why she holds the title with a jaw-dropping tear into “O Holy Night,” which makes me want to move to New Orleans just so I can stake out every conceivable church where Irma Thomas might do this.

You CAN have shredded pudding at the par-tee

Even metal-heads have reason for cheer: We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year. Although I’m more hard rocker than metal-head, I think some of this stuff really gets it. Lemmy, Billy F. Gibbons and Dave Grohl add grit to Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run.” Alice Cooper’s signature snarl leaves claw marks on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is rendered thunderously Sabbath-ish by Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Rudy Sarzo, and Simon Wright. Tim “Ripper” Owens, Steve Morse, Juan Garcia, Marco Mendoza and Vinny Appice sound rather like Aerosmith on “Santa Claus is Back in Town.” The most head-banging for the buck’s in the screaming guitar refrain Craig Goldy slams between choruses of “Deck the Halls.” I also like Bruce and Bob Kulick’s contagious “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” For anyone longing to hurl “good will to men” entirely by the wayside, Chuck Billy transforms “Silent Night” into something ugly and ferocious.

As a Q-head, the last thing I want to be is a Q-tease. I was going to end with the title track from NRBQ’s typically ingratiating Christmas Wish (Deluxe Edition), a combination of fan club releases and live covers from the “magic” (request) “box.” But for addictive pop, even though you’ve probably heard this more than a few times this season, I have to give it to Paul (the Beatles fan club used to send out a wacky Xmas record every year, which was probably his idea). Until we meet again, enjoy that hot cider, latke, or secular treat.

Thanks to NBC’s one-week only show “The Sing Off,” I now have an enthusiastic appreciation for harmony and all music that relies solely on the singers. “The Sing Off” is more fun than any show I’ve ever seen—they sing, dance, and provide the background music with nothing but their own voices! It’s extra delightful knowing that they are the ones creating every aspect of the performance—there are no instruments, synthesizers, or any technology contributing to the sound. Check out their skills!

“The Sing Off”–all natural, all voices! With each performance I am left captivated as I repeatedly yell at the television screen, “Oh my God! They are amazing! It totally sounds like there’s instruments!” And then I tell my friends about the show and send them youtube links of my favorite performances, which is usually a sign that I’m really into something.

Unlike the other reality shows that air weekly, “The Sing Off” lasts a week and is only 4 episodes long. The fourth and final episode in which the winner will be announced airs today at 8 pm. The winner, based on viewer votes, will be granted $100,000 and a Sony recording contract. Discouraged to tune in because you missed the show last week? Read on for a quick summary and a few clips of last week’s episodes:

“The Sing Off” began last Monday with eight a cappella groups. At the end of the episode, judges Ben Folds, Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls), and Shawn Stockman (Boys II Men) selected the top six groups to advance, while eliminating ‘Face’ from Colorado and ‘Solo’ from Nebraska. The show aired again on Tuesday and the theme of the night was popular hits and guilty pleasure songs. ‘Noteworthy’, the all girl group from BYU, was the next group to go at end of the show.

On Wednesday, the groups performed superstar medleys and a then a challenging song of the judges’ choice. The judges picked songs for each group that forced them to step outside of their normal style and comfort zone, making for several interesting performances. Despite the improvements and amazing performances made by each group, sadly two more groups were sent home. ‘Maxx Factor’, the super mom quartet from ­­­­­­Maryland, graced the audience with “Leaving on a Jet Plane” as they left the stage. Then it was time for ‘The SoCals’, the USC students and alumni, to exit the stage while singing their swan song, “Here I go again”.

Now only three groups remain—’Nota’, ‘Beelzebubs,’ and ‘Voices of Lee’. ‘Voices of Lee’, from Tennessee, add a harmonic passion and energy to every song they perform, while ‘Beelzebubs’, from Massachusetts, are exuberant performers that are always entertaining and fun to watch.  However, the group that steals my heart is ‘Nota’ from Puerto Rico. Every group so far has really impressed me by making each song come alive, but it’s Nota’s performances that always stand out to me. I’m no music expert, but they skillfully cover every detail and layer of a song that I often take for granted, from the maracas to the horns to the deep, deep bass. And of course, they always add their own Latin flavor to each performance. On the most recent episode, they sang a Jackson 5 medley that is definitely worth watching.

Although my vote goes to ‘Nota’, you have to see the groups for yourself. This is one form of entertainment that you don’t want to miss! Tune in to NBC tonight at 8pm to see who wins–will it be ‘Nota’, ‘Voices of Lee’, or ‘Beelzebubs’? Let us know who has your vote, San Diego!

• The White Buffalo, Blackout Party, Rachel Cantu @ Casbah
• The Morning On Fire, The Knockout Bell, The Moons, Seesaw Collective @ Soda Bar
• El Ten Eleven @ Bar Pink

Friday, December 18

• Helen Earth Band, Color Burning, The Feelings Mutual
• Cats From Japan, Queenly, D Pain @ Casbah
• Lights On, Sunday Times, Shapes of Future Frames @ Tin Can Ale House

Saturday, December 19

The Aquabats (Photo from Silvers Family via Wikimedia)

• Roxy Jones, Apes of Wrath, ASA Ransom, Sunday Times @ Soda Bar
• Saosin, POS,  Innerpartysystem, Eye Alaska @ SOMA
• The Aquabats, Suburban Legends, Supernova @ House of Blues

Sunday, December 20

• Casbah Chritmas Party w/ Lady Dottie & the Diamonds, The Styletones @ Casbah
• Unwritten Law, Buckfast Superbee, So Long Davey, Chaser @ House of Blues
• Nautical Disaster, Behind the Wagon, Ladyfingers @ Bar Pink

Monday, December 21

• Lady Dottie & the Diamonds @ U31
• The Styletones @ Bar Pink

Tuesday, December 22

• Republic of Letters, Hotel St. George, The Canton Mudders, Brunettes and Regrets @ Casbah
• Stress Free Comedy Show @ U31