Y’all, I’m so excited for this cabaret.
Herb Lentz and Wynter Spears are two teriffic singers and lovely people, and they’re teaming up for a show at Davenports Piano Bar in Chicago – And I’m totally going on the 23rd.
Everyone should come. I promise great singing, lots of laughs, and the wonderful drink selections always in rotation at Davenports.
Thursday, September 16th and 23rd – 8pm. $10 and a 2 drink minimum.
Visit Davenports for more information and reservations.
I’m not going to lie – When it comes to ukulele music, I don’t know jack.
However, on a whim while in Hawaii, I picked up a copy of Brittni Paiva’s “Four Strings: The Fire Within.”
And I’m enchanted.
Back at my office job today, listening to this CD is helping me not fall victim to tropical depression. Paiva’s playing is immaculate and the renditions are lovely. I’m particularly enamored of the “Somewhere over the Rainbow” cover, which is sparse and delicate, as well as a song called “Hour of the Lamps” that is vaguely Spanish-sounding.
Paiva is apparently 21 years old and produced her own CD, so that’s awesome too. I’m always a fan of young artists taking on established instruments and styles. (Which is probably why I love Nickel Creek so hard.)
If ukulele is your thing – or, if you don’t know if it’s your thing – this CD would be a great thing to check out. I’ll be listening to it all day, most assuredly.
(..or rather “playlist”.. Does anyone make mixtapes anymore? I think that’s dangerously close to being a lost art.)
Two flights equating to nine hours overall obviously necessitate bringing along some entertainment.
I’m still narrowing down book/movie options, but music is taking shape nicely.
Here’s what I’m 99% settled on – perhaps with a few more additions.
Playlist: “Travellin’ Tunes”
1. “Roam” – The B52s.
2. “The Tide is High” – Billie Piper
3. “Go Places” – The New Pornographers
4. “Come Away with me” – Norah Jones
5. “These Boots were made for Walkin’” – Geri Halliwell
6. “Walkin’ after midnight” – Patsy Cline
7. “Go your own Way” – Fleetwood Mac
8. “I know a Place” – Petula Clark
9. “Hitchin’ a Ride” – Green Day
10. “Taxi Ride” – Tori Amos
11. “Pacific Coast Highway” – Hole (and “Malibu,” too. Apparently Courtney knows a thing or two about writing road trip songs.)
12. “I’m gonna be (500 miles)” – The Proclaimers
13. “Strength, Courage, and Wisdom” – India.Arie
14. “Slow Pony Home” – The Weepies
15. “Come on, Come Out” – A Fine Frenzy
16. “Keep the car Running” – Arcade Fire
17. “The Metro” – Berlin
18. “Go Home” – Jacqueline Perez
19. “Born to Run” – Bruce Springsteen
20. “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane” – Chantal Kreviazu (yep, the one from Armageddon.)
Should I add anything? Songs you can’t travel without? Though I’ve tried, I can’t really come up with any showtunes that made the cut – so those are welcome as well.
Two weeks-ish!
Personally, I’ve lived in Chicago for five years now, and have always wanted to check out The Green Mill.
Fortunately, I have an amazing husband who still believes we should surprise each other with dates, and so now I can say I’ve officially spent an evening partaking of music at the Chicago institution.
(Truth be told, Eric first surprised me with dinner at King of Thai off the Argyle Red Line stop. I have to give them a shout-out, as their Thai Iced Coffee was simply the best I’ve ever had. I’m still dreaming about it, and woke up this morning wishing I could have another one.)
Its really easy to imagine the Green Mill in its heyday, when the tables were filled with the gangsters of Chicago past. It’s a little run-down inside, but endlessly charming at the same time. It’s a little bit like the bar from that scene in The Corpse Bride where the skeletons sing Victor the saga of the Corpse Bride herself. (You know what I mean. Don’t lie.)
Last night’s act was The Modern Sounds – a jazz/slap-base/rockabilliy trio hailing from right here in the Windy City.
The tattooed bouncer checked our IDs and we went in search of a table from which to watch the show. Fortunately, as we were really early, we got a great table right next to the stage. It’s a really dim place, lit largely by table candles and the neon sign behind the stage that screams “Green Mill” in case you’ve forgotten where you are. We partook of Mad Hatter beer (on draft, thank you) and watched the place fill up as the show grew closer to starting.
The crowd at Green Mill is really interesting. There are young people, many of whom are outfitted in clothes that are throwbacks to the glory days of the bar. There was a girl in full-on flapper mode, several gents in fedoras and vests, and a girl I can only describe as Marilyn-esque. The older folks, however, come as they are – in everything from jean shorts to track suits.
The Modern Sounds are a delight to hear play. The three-piece band (guitar, upright bass, and drums) played several sets, mixing various styles of music from jazz to rockabilly. We wound up buying their two-disc CD, which is now ripped to my ipod and I can’t wait to listen to it next week at work. Many of the bands songs had the crowd up and dancing.
The banter was funny, the music was great, and the crowd was simply adorable.
The waitresses were witty, the drinks were pretty cheap, and I left charmed.
I had a great time during my first visit to The Green Mill, and look forward to going back soon.
Who wants to come with?
Check out The Modern Sounds appearing on WGN.
I’m pretty good with surprises. Though, by the time surprise time actually rolls around, I’m usually more excited about the surprise than the person who the surprise is for.
THAT SAID, I surprised Eric with a trip to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for his birthday. Saturday evening, we got all dressed up and headed downtown.
Eric is a big fan of classical music, particuarly Mozart, and the Symphony has long been one of those things on our grand list of “Things we still need to do in Chicago.” Without tooting my own horn (music joke, get it?) I have to say he was delighted with his surprise outing.
The program was conducted by Nicholas Kraemer, and consisted of four pieces -
1. Mozart – Selections from Divertimento in D Major.
2. Haydn – Symphony No. 88 in G Major.
3. Telemann – Selections from Tafelmusik II
4. Strauss – Metamorphosen
Though I enjoyed all the pieces, I have to say the Haydn Symphony was probably my favorite. I’ve been exposed to so much classical music in my life (Hello, I’m a two-summer Interlochen brat, which equates to probably over 20 concerts per summer) and have always found myself enjoying Haydn’s pieces tremendously. Maybe he’s my favorite composer, who knows?
The Strauss piece that concluded the evening was for twenty three solo strings, and was intense. For twenty-six minutes, the string players performed their hearts out and the music was stirring. Did it seem out of place with the other three pieces performed that evening? Yes. Was it emotionally stirring? Absolutely.
If you live in Chicago, and haven’t yet been to the Symphony, I think it’s something you should try. It’s not particularly expensive (at least as far as downtown entertainment goes – I got two second-row seats for less than one Orchestra seat at Jersey Boys) and it’s a pleasure to be surrounded by audience members who get it. These kind people took to heart the whole “turn off your cell phones and don’t talk during the performance” thing, and I have to say I appreciated it. Orchestra Hall is also simply beautiful, and I doubt there’s a bad seat in the house.
And – interesting tidbit – there are free cough drops available all over the lobby for those patrons who feel a cough coming on. Who knew?
It’s a classy way to spend an evening. I’d love to go back. (And since they’re doing some free concerts in the spring as well as a Beethoven fest in June, I likely will.)
Classical music, for the win!
This holiday season seems more joyous than any I can remember. Maybe it’s because I’m engaged to a man I love, and settling into a happy domestic-ness. Who knows?
Below are my recommendations for your new favorite holiday things.
Enjoy.
Christopher Moore’s books bring me more joy than any other writer I can think of off the top of my head (though maybe Stephen King would rank high as well?) Moore’s crazy, anything-goes, writing style never fails to make me laugh, and The Stupidest Angel is one of the funniest books of his collection. It’s really a game of “the gang’s all here” from Moore’s other books, as the inhabitants of Pine Cove face a crazy Christmas season. Theo Crowe, Molly Michon, Mavis the bartender, Tucker Case (and Roberto).. all are present as things get out of control. There’s murder, sex, angels, zombies, earthworm kings, mental breakdowns – all the things Moore holds near and dear. It’s a complete joy of a read, and I daresay it’ll be a holiday tradition of mine for years to come.
I don’t usually go for “holiday” music, as I sometimes find it a bit too… (forgive me) Jesus-y? So I was pleased as punch when I stumbled upon Tori Amos’ “holiday” album, Midwinter Graces. I use “holiday” loosely, as Tori is decidedly NOT going to deliver standard versions of religious holiday favorites. It’s lush and lovely, as she puts her own spin on familiar songs. The highlights for me are “Star of Wonder,” “A Silent Night with you,” “Jeanette, Isabella,” and “Harps of Gold,” but I really don’t think there’s a disappointing track on the album.
Sam Adams Winter Lager is simply delicious. No joke. It tastes like Christmas, or Solstice, or whatever you celebrate. (I’ve no idea if it tastes like Hannukah, though I hope it does.;))
What are YOU enjoying this holiday season?
Erin Creighton and I performing “Bali Hai” at Davenports Piano Bar.
I’m much thinner now. 
But it’s still a fond memory.
While in high school, I was a pop music fanatic. It’s time to come totally clean about something that probably makes me totally uncool, but I don’t really care. I was head over heels for Swedish-produced dance pop along the lines of NSYNC, Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, etc, etc, etc… The American record companies were churning out pop acts as fast as they could to keep up with the appetites of young female consumers like me.
As I am a curious girl, my pop-loving wandering eyes ventured across the pond to European popstars. That’s where I discovered Five, Billie Piper (who FYI Is proving herself a better actress than she ever was a singer – I’m watching “Doctor Who” at present and she’s just grand!) and, the motherload of successful UK boybands, Boyzone.
Yes, it’s the dumbest name of a group ever.
But, they weren’t half-bad. I’m not saying they were genius, and they were obviously assembled by a studio looking for five photogenic young dudes to make cash off, but their singles didn’t suck and they were charming enough.
When I got back from my trip to Michigan this weekend, I learned that Stephen Gately, one of the Boyzone five, had died tragically – and mysteriously (cause of death still unknown) while on his own vacation, and it made me really sad.
Boyzone was not a collection of five great singers. Hardly. Ronan Keating has an interesting voice, but it was Stephen who could really belt it out. After Boyzone’s “break-up,” He proved himself in West End musicals and with a solo career.
He’s also the brave young man who came out at a time when everyone assumed that, as a member of a boyband, being gay would end your career. It didn’t. In fact, it made Stephen’s fans even more adoring than before.
(Stephen’s debut solo single – “New Beginning”)
(Stephen performing “Bright Eyes” live at the Point in 2000.)
Oh, how I love music sometimes.
Eric introduced me to The Ting Tings a few months back as a band I would likely enjoy running to, and he was really super right about that. So, when we heard they were coming to Chicago for a show at the Metro on 4/5 – 6 days before my birthday – of course tickets were obtained.
FYI for those over .. 24? College.. whatever? An “All ages” show means that there are literally all ages. From the middle-aged “Moms” in the front row dancing their fool heads off to the young kids leaning over the balcony with their parents (the kids were maybe 12.. probably younger) there was a very interesting vibe to the whole room. Lots of young teens, many of whom were clearly of the belief that they were the single most important person who had ever lived.
The opening act was called HOTTUB, which – according to the online research I found – is a “female rap trio from Oakland, California.” Um, yeah. Basically, they appeared to be three bratty teenage girls drunk and/or high jumping around (and falling a lot) on the stage and yelling indistinguishable lyrics. Along with them was a young man who basically just danced wildly and kept jumping into the audience and onto people – including us at one point. I mean, I get that music is about energy, but looking around the venue, most of the audience (other than a few members singled out as being cousins of one of the members) weren’t feeling the energy and looked rather annoyed. Perhaps it’s because we weren’t all wasted. For an all-ages show, they had songs called “Manbitch” and a song I’m guessing it called “This s%$t is f%$#$%g bomb.” Like I said, I couldn’t make out a single word.
Saving the day the second they hit the stage, The Ting Tings themselves put on an awesome show, performing songs from their debut album “We started nothing.” There are only two members of the band, but it feels like ten. Katie White (the lead singer, who also plays guitar, keyboards, and drums and cowbell when needed) trots onto the stage looking like Sharpay from High School Musical, but with ever so much more grit and class, she’s a delight to watch. And Jules DeMartino (drums, guitars, vocals, everything else) keeps up with her every step of the way. They played a good chunk of their album, as well as sampling some classics – “Walk this way” among others. It was a high-energy show, and they erased the memory of their appalling opening act by the end of their first song.
Check out The Ting Tings – their music is infectious.
“True Colors” – Cyndi Lauper, Rosie O’Donnell, The Cliks, Tegan and Sarah, White Tie Affair, The B52′s and other band members.
A newlywed as of 4/24/2010, I live in the amazing city of Chicago with my awesome husband Eric and our two spectacular cats, Magellan and Oz. Though my loves are books, theatre, and travel, I'll write about whatever I'm interested in for the moment. Also, I'm a busybee - I'm a full-time Office Girl, but also in Grad School getting my Masters in Secondary Education with a focus on teaching English.
At present, I'm basking in the afterglow of our recent Hawaiian honeymoon, and beginning fall classes.
“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart” - Helen Keller
