April 1 - April 8

Wednesday, April 1 - Three Legged Race on WRFL Live (stream it live at wrfl.fm). (my radio show follows at 10 p.m.

Thursday, April 2 - Wretched Worst/ Everyone Lives, Everyone Wins (having recently added a third entity) playing at Lower 48.

Friday, April 3 - Saturday's Beaux Arts Ball isn't the only opportunity to get your freakshow fix. At Al's on Friday:

• The Mezmer Society = Balkan vaudeville from Asheville
• Rakadu Gypsy = local tribal dance goddesses
• Pezhead & the Blip Squad = intricate costumes and sci-fi music that maybe don't seem to make a lot of sense but are completely entertaining and awesome.

Saturday, April 4 - Mickey Clark - In-store @ CD Central (Lex). Mickey his happens to be my paternal uncle..he's been playing beautiful country/folk music for decades. His newest album features Sam Bush, Kinky Friedman, and John Prine along with other guests. He lives in Lousiville and hasn't played a Lexington show for years. If you're into folk w/ a bluegrass twist, check it out...

Saturday, April 4 - Beaux Arts Ball at the Old Tarr Distillery. Live entertainment includes the March Madness Marching Band, Rakadu Gypsy Dancers, a drag show and a fashion show. Music by Chicago's Flosstradamus, as well as Kentucky's Chico Fellini, US Band, and DJs Brocktologist and John the Baptist. Outside stage DJs include Eliot Lipp, Bitch Please, DJ Amtrak and DJ Bek.

Satuday, April 4 - The Rainjunkies/ Some Other Meanness/ Kevin Cruise @ Lower 48. In the words of Rainjunkies drummer Brian Connors Manke..."should be a night that veers toward some Americana, singer/songwriter style – but still with enough guitars bleeding through them amps as well."
Saturday, April 6 - Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain at the Singletary Center - two classic Indian virtuosos using traditonal Indian instruments (tablas and santoor).

Monday, April 6 - Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti w/ Vivian Girls @ Al's (Lex). What can I say, should be a rad show. Check out their music if you're not already familiar.


Also noteworthy:

• Thursday, April 2 - Zavala; Ill Ease; Laloux @ Al's (Lex).
• Thursday, April 2 - Poezia Poetry/prose open mic & reading by Jude Lally @ Common Grounds, 8 p.m.
• Friday, April 3 - The Swells @ Green Lantern (Lex)
• Monday, April 6 - Robyn Hitchcock @ Exit/In (Nashville).
• Wednesday, April 8 - Dr. Dog w/ Cave Singers and Golden Boots @ Headliners (Lou).

Upcoming Troubador Shows

Lexington's Troubadour concert series will be hosting at least three great forthcoming shows at the Kentucky Theatre, including George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic on Monday, May 11 (rescheduled from March), The Avett Brothers on Tuesday, June 23, and An Evening with guitar master Leo Kottke on Thursday, October 29. For tickets, etc., visit the Troubadour site (link above).

New venue for Beach House

The venue for the Beach House show on Tuesday March 31 has changed to Al's Bar....sixth and limestone like ya didn't already know...

Forecastle initial line-up

Forecastle just announced that Widespread Panic, Black Crowes, Black Keys and the Avett Brothers will be headlining the 8th annual Louisville music, art and activism festival, which takes place July 10th- 12th at the Riverfront Belvedere.

Pre-sale tickets are $40 a day or $100 for the whole weekend.

I'll probably hold off to see the list of 65 other bands and DJs that will be announced soon, but it's an interesting line-up so far...the Black Keys put on a great show for sure. Stay tuned to the Forecastle home site for more news...

Mar 25-April 1

quick post, just a day off schedule:

Wed, 3/25 - Holler Poets #11 - Poets for Peace in the Mountains @ Al's Bar in Lex. 8 pm FREE
Hear some of the best local writers read on the theme of peace in the mountains. Feat. Erik Reece, Silas House, George Ella Lyon, Jane Vance, and more. Laloux, In Endeavors and the Besties will be playing at C.P.R., just out the back do'. This is tonight, people. Hopefully you haven't already screwed up and missed it. Or would that be me screwing up for not posting this yesterday. My bad.

later this evening, you can catch the Rainjunkies and Pawn Shop Radio @ Green Lantern...
....or you can stay home and listen to Tiny Fights on Ben Allen's WRFL-Live (8-10pm, WRFL 88.1)

Thurs, 3/26 - Godd w/Noah Sugarmann and 500 Miles to Memphis @ Al's Bar. This is Godd's first gig. Godd is a band featuring Nick Kidd, Aaron Graves, another Nick, Derek somebody and Stevie Moore. I think Nick Kidd knows more people than anyone else in Lexington, so chances are you may know someone else in the bands too. There are about 3 facebook events pages floating around if you'd like to heckle them that way.

3/28 - The Lexington Song Evolution @ Woodland Park (Lex).
"The Goal: Get as many people, musicians and non-musicians, involved in the largest public musical performance in Lexington." For more info go here.
Also: Tiny Fights/Crocodiles/Babes/Battle Cat @ C.P.R. (Lex).

Tues., 3/31 - Beach House @ Bullhorn (Lex).
In case you haven't heard, Beach House rules....atmospheric and melodic dream pop, with nice build-ups and lovely female vocals. Really layered for a two piece. Organist and vocalist Victoria Legrand is apparently the niece of a French composer, which I think you can actually totally hear in their sound.

Also this week:
3/26 - The Frontier Needs Heroes; Englishman; Cari Clara @ C.P.R. (Lex).
3/26 - Drive-By Truckers @ The Dame (Lex).
3/26 - Slither; Steve Kenney; New Pledgemaster @ The Fact House (Lex).
3/27 - Sexual disaster Quartet @ Al's (Lex).
3/27 - The Queers @ Southgate House (Newport).
3/27 - Ghostland Observatory @ Mercy Lounge (Nashville).

Mar 18- Mar 24

Ummm... there's a lot of stuff going on this week:

Wed 3/18: La Strada (from Brooklyn) will be playing at Green Lantern. According to the Lantern's Mike Sullivan, La Strada is a 7-piece band playing "soaring baroque pop" (though we're both a little unsure about what that description is exactly). They have a couple songs on their MySpace page; they sound really good....

Fast forward to the weekend for a ton o' great events:

Fri, 3/20:
CunninLynguists; Killer Mike; and Khujo Goodie (of Goodie Mob) will be playing The Dame. CunninLynguists = by far some of the best local hip hop...and they are going on European tour next month so maybe you should check 'em out one more time before they pop off internationally... ($15)

Sat, 3/21:

• Hap Houlihan (of Morris Bookshop fame) will be hosting a workshop for authors and potential authors at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning: "What Makes a Best-Seller?" The class will focus on the latest trends in book publishing and discuss why some books are best-sellers and some never sell ($10, financial assistance available).
• "Don't Mess w/Texas" Alleycat bike race. Registration starts at 3pm at Triangle Park, the race will kick off at 4. This is going to be a BIG ONE (you know how big Texas is), so you might want to keep most of your evening free...but an afterparty will commence at Lower 48 with tons of great prizes for top finishers.
• Rakadu Gypsy will be performing at Natasha's Bistro. If you haven't been to Natasha's since they've instated their new fatty set-up, this would be a great evening to check it out!
  
• Manchester's - new nightclub in the Distillery District (903 Manchester) will be re-opening under new management tonight. The club specializes in R & B and jazz.

Sun, 3/22
My Brightest Diamond will be playing at Al's. Not sure how we got this show (they only have 2 shows listed on their current schedule). I can't seem to find much info on the show. I'm tempted to chalk it up to the genius of WRFL promoter James Friley, but I'm really not sure who booked this one. Anyhoo... From what I've read on their website, MBD's (direct and indirect) influences are as varied as Spanish tango, jazz, theatrics, opera and gospel ... Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, and Portishead. From what I hear in their songs, the music is gorgeous, intimate, compelling dream pop (and I don't use those words to describe much pop) – operatic vocals punctuated at times by sporadic strings, at times by upbeat percussion .... dramatic without being over-the-top. Very Emergency and Tense Kids will be opening.

Tues., 3/24: Real Estate; Spring Brawl (Caboladies/Tiny Fights collaboration) @ The Fact House (Lex). Should be the jamz!

Other Happenings in the upcoming week:

Thurs, 3/19 - Wes Meek & The Invisible Band; Darling Waste; November Gentlemen @ Al's (Lex).

Sat, 3/21 -

• Chico Fellini w/ Oblio; Jupiter One @ The Dame (Lex).
• Suis La Lane; Wretched Worst; Army of Kashyyyk @ C.P.R. (Lex).
• Ratatat @ Bogart's (Cincy).
• Big Maracas @ Al's (Lex).

Tues, 3/24

• Gene Ween Band @ Exit/In (Nashville).
• Jovantaes w/ Gringo Star @ Green Lantern (Lex).
• The Antlers; Guggenheim Grotto @ Vernon Club (Lou).

DORKBOT

Hey dudes and chiclets,

Really cool event this weekend; I just heard about it a couple days ago. I believe Senom Yelcin has something to do with this; check out the website for more info (or, if you have any more info, please post it in a comment below):

DORKBOT
"people doing strange things with electricity"

According to the website, "Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art." Apparently, monthly dorkbot meetings take place all over the world, and now Lexington gets to join the fun.

First meeting: Saturday, March 14, 4 p.m. at C.P.R. (6th and Limestone, behind Al's Bar)

ALSO: check out the lexington project for an update on upcoming events, and stay tuned for more info about an all local summer festival at Woodland Park sponsored by The Void, Local First Lexington, Parks and Rec and others. Radical.

3/10 - 3/17

The haps:

Tues. 3/10: Sa-riot's birthday. And not a damn thing happening musically/culturally as far as I can tell. Come to Lynagh's and celebrate with me :)

Wed. 3/11: Cult Film Series at Al's! This week, the Bluegrass film Society has chosen the 1968 film Barbarella .... "Yes, that's right...a scantily-clad Jane Fonda in space."

~If you're feeling particularly awesome, you might wanna hop in the car to go see KRONOS QUARTET in Cincy. They are doing a 2-night show as part of the MusicNow festival (only $20 for one night; $35 for two). On Wed. they'll be performing two new pieces, commissioned for the festival (one by Battles' Tyondai Braxton; one by Arcade Fire and Bell Orchestre's Richard Reed Perry). The Books will also perform. Really wishin' I had planned ahead so I could make it to this one.

Thurs. 3/12: These United States (self-described "DC-KY-psych-folk-lit pop") will be at the Rudyard Kipling in Louisville. Support the local guys, even after they've hit it big.

~Jazz Arts Foundation presents Louisville Jazz Quartet at the downtown Lexington library as part of the (free) "Jazz! Live at the Library" series. Featuring Dick Sisto/vibes and piano, Tim Whalen/tenor sax, Tyronne Wheeler/bass and Jason Tiemann/drums.

~Also on Thursday, The Lions Rampart will be at the Green Lantern with U.S. Royalty and Frank Rocket tonight. Sounds likeigh energy rock music to me. Apparently The Lions were nominated for "Best Live Act in Cincy."

And Kronos Quartet will be performing with Toumani Diabate at MusicNow in Cincy.

Fri. 3/13: Sexual Disaster Quartet @ Green Lantern. Anything else happening on this Friday the 13th? Do tell.

Sat 3/14: Big show at C.P.R. (big, as in 6 bands): Br'er; Power Animal; Like Bats; ARA; Yuri; Ben Allen.

Sun 3/15: Balthrop, Alabama at Al's. I don't know much about this band but they get MAD PROPS for their website. Please check it out. Please.

Mon. 3/16: Women w/ Crystal Stilts; Jovantaes @ Al's (Lex). Don't ask questions. This is definitely the coolest thing happening on a Monday night.

Tues. 3/17: The Swells Brass Band @ Green Lantern. Okay, it's Saint Patrick's Day. I highly recommend stopping by Lynagh's at some point during the today. They open EARLY. I know I have mentioned Lynagh's twice in this entry and that I normally don't mention it at all. That's just how it worked out. Anyhoo, the Swells Brass Band is definitely one of my favorite bands in town (and the Lantern is Green, after all.)

Honorable mentions:
3/12 - Bonnie 'Prince' Billy @ Buskirk-Chumley Theatre (Bloomington, IN).
3/13 - Hotpipes, The Blue Suckers, The Dialectics @ Al's (Lex)
3/14 - Get Down Watson @ The Fishtank (Lex).
3/17 - City Center; Drunken Barndance; Rob Theakston; Juxtaphona; Grynden @ C.P.R.

scion

At least 20 Lexington metal fans were in attendance at February's SCION festival in Atlanta. The festival featured a collection of 25 top-tier metal bands from around the world...like...Neurosis, Pig Destroyer, Boris, Wolves in the Throne Room to name a few.

Jonathan Hampton and Matt Gibson of Lexington utilized a press pass to take some bad-ass photos. Here's a sampling of some of my faves; hopefully the rest will be available to peruse somewhere online soon. I'll be sure to throw up a link once that goes down.

Boris

1349 – "TRVE" Norwegian Black Metal

Coalesce






Mastodon





Converge (metalcore from Salem, Mass.)




Pig Destroyer







I'm pretty sure these are the dudes from Metallica

THIS WEEKEND Y'ALL

Friday night is gonna be bumpin:
*Neil Hamburger early show at the Dame - 7pm/ Other Brothers late show at the Dame - 10pm
*Warmer Milks ("heavy full [5-piece] rock set") and Louisville's Pax Titania at Lower 48 - 9ish

If yer interested in Neil, check out my February post about for a painfully awkward clip of Hamburger and Bonnie Prince Billy co-hosting "Neil's poolside chats"

Also, Stella's (which is, shall I remind you, now open for dinner!) is having a great promo through the month of March: Half price beer from 4-6 / If you ride your bike anytime you get half price beer or a free side item / Free non-alcoholic drink (coffee, soda, tea) with purchase of dinner and side item / Wear green and get a free small salad with purchase of entree.

And Pedal Power bike shop is having a big sale through Saturday!

Other shows this weekend (see "upcoming shows" and "venues" links at the top right for more info/links on some of these events and venues:
Fri, 3/6: Coralee and the Townies, Dustin Milan @ The Green Lantern
Fri, 3/6: Idaho, Alaska; Telephant; C+ @ Al's
Sat 3/7: Wolf Eyes, ARA, Wasteland Jazz Unit @ Art Damage Lodge (Cincy)
Sat 3/7: Wax Fang, Lucky Pineapple, Whistle Peak @ The Dame
Sat 3/7: The Cries Of @ Al's
Sun 3/8: Robert Schneider on Good Morning America (EARLY SHOW: 8 am)

George Clinton Canceled

Just found out the George Clinton show was CANCELED. So sorry for the misinformation...
It was part of the Troubadour Concert Series (http://www.troubashow.com/), whose website says it is being rescheduled, but I checked with another source who says it is canceled (and they would probably know). Boooooo. Apparently it was a mishap with the routing of the tour.

Sorry again. Thanks for calling the lack of info about the show to my attention, anonymous poster. I had it on my calendar and didn't even think to check to make sure it was still on.

I repeat....no funkiness will ensue at the Kentucky Theatre this Tuesday...

Mar 3- Mar10

Bluepicks for the week:


Fri 3/6: Two great events in Lex but there is a gap in timing, so maybe you can make both

Neil Hamburger will bring his unique flavor of irreverent comedy to The Dame (EARLY SHOW - 7 pm); stick around The Dame for some classic 70's rock jams from Lexington's The Other Brothers later that evening. ALSO: Warmer Milks and Pax Titania will be playing Lower 48 later on in the evening. Pax Titania has been described as "Homemade beautiful electronic squalor;" Warmer Milks are completely unpredictable but consistently awesome. DJ Sets by The Psychedelic Sewing Room.

Sat 3/7: If you're into the loud and experimental, I'm sure that Wolf Eyes will make your drive to Cincy worthwhile. The show is at the Art Damage Lodge; Lexington's ARA and Wasteland Jazz Unit will be performing as well.

If you're looking for a more rootsy, folky branch of music o Saturday, the Green Lantern is the place to be. Coralee and the Townies, fronted by the lovely, up-and-coming young talent of Lexington singer/songwriter Corey Wilson, will be performing with Dustin Milan. I haven't heard Corey sing but I have heard that she has a beautiful voice, and I know she draws inspiration from the likes of Neil Young and Bob Dylan.

Tues 3/3 - Tokyo Police Club @ The Mad Hatter (Cincy).
Wed 3/4 - Paul K @ Green Lantern (Lex).
Wed 3/4 - The Swells @ Al's Bar (Lex).
Thurs 3/5 - Other Brothers @ Green Lantern (Lex).
Thurs 3/5 - Comfort Creatures @ C.P.R. (Lex).
Fri 3/7 - Wax Fang; Lucky Pineapple; Whistle Peak@ The Dame (Lex).