With New Year's Eve Weekend fast upon us, I'm sure many of you already have plans to celebrate living through the apocalypse, and ring in 2013.
If not, I came across a couple events worth checking out. First is Wookie Foot's Party at the Cabooze, but if you're willing to suit-up, you can sip champagne at the Dakota, and if you want some good old fashioned Pub singing and corsets, I'm doing some self-promotion for MY first local gig with the Bitter Mash Border Morris at Merlin's Rest.
As it may have become apparent, I've been to a Wookie Foot show or two. I became involved last fall selling merch, and have been floating around since then. The people involved are really cool, and the band itself contributes to various charities striving to, "Be the Change." Some organizations include, the Minneapolis based, American Refugee Committee, Vanviang organic farm in Laos, Global Water International and more. With these great causes and unifying message Wookie Foot always draws a fascinating crowd.
The Next one is Davina and the Vagabonds at the Dakota Jazz Club downtown. I've heard so much about Davina and the Vagabonds, but I've never seen them!
And I think the show's sold out. Sorry about that.
Finally, the party of MY attendance, Merlin's Rest.
This fall, I started rehearsing with a group of Folk dancers who perform "Border-Morris" style dances. Unlike the Morris Dancers of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, adorned in flowy white, with green sashes, bells, and cute little hankies, my Bitter Mash Boys are of a wilder breed. The dancers wear all black, with ash on their faces, and feathers in their hats, and instead of waving harmless cloth, they brashly brandish mighty sticks.
I myself, don a corset and wield mellifluous brass. There will be dancing starting at 7, and then I think we'll be leading some songs too. At 9, I'm taking off for the Har Mar Superstar show at the Triple Rock. My mom won me tickets. I'll let you know all about it. And then, at Midnight, I'll be back at Merlin's for more dancing.
Can't wait.
Happy New Year!
GreenSwamp
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Dear Mr. Dino
I post this video today, because, I, like the character in the song, "Dear Mr. Sellack" have found the business of becoming famous a bit more complicated than I had anticipated, and today crawled back to Dino's, where I will happily get down on my knees and clean the gunk off the bottoms of the chairs.
At least until I DO get famous.
Enjoy.
GS
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
'Twas The Week Before Christmas, and All Through the State
All these great bands are playing, don't hesitate!
Thursday, December 20th
Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders 8:00pm at the Route 65 Pub and Grub
Acoustic Sunset Guild's Last Thursday show at the Eagle's Nest Lounge 7:00pm
Real Phonic Radio Hour 8:00pm at the James J. Hill Reference Library
Fathom Lane with Actual Wolf and Bethany Larson and the Bees Knees at the Cedar Cultural Center
LA Madness at 7th Street Entry
Friday, December 21st
Fairfax, AK ON ICE 9:00pm, Landmark Plaza, St. Plaza
Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders at 9:00pm at Norm's Wayside Saloon
The Lone Crows, 8:00pm at the Driftwood
Saturday, December 22nd
Lowertown Blues Band at Dean's Tavern at 9:00pm
An Evening with Scott Lawrence at Hanger 45, starting at 8:30pm
The Annual Eagle's Louisiana Christmas Party featuring Lucinda Plaisance, Max Ray, Eric Mohring, Dan Rowles and hosted by the Faux Playboys at the Eagles Club in Minneapolis
Hookers $ Blow's Rock the Cause 5th Anniversary Party, 9pm at the Crooked Pint Ale House
7th Annual Festivus Party at the Nomad
Sunday, December 23rd
Lady Heat presents, "Santa's Mixed Bag at the Deuce Duece," 8pm
Cadillac Kolstad for Cadillac Kolstad on the West Bank, 10pm at the Red Sea Restaurant and Bar
Hope to see you out and about!
Green Swamp Lily
Thursday, December 20th
Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders 8:00pm at the Route 65 Pub and Grub
Acoustic Sunset Guild's Last Thursday show at the Eagle's Nest Lounge 7:00pm
Real Phonic Radio Hour 8:00pm at the James J. Hill Reference Library
Fathom Lane with Actual Wolf and Bethany Larson and the Bees Knees at the Cedar Cultural Center
LA Madness at 7th Street Entry
Friday, December 21st
Fairfax, AK ON ICE 9:00pm, Landmark Plaza, St. Plaza
Crankshaft and the Gear Grinders at 9:00pm at Norm's Wayside Saloon
The Lone Crows, 8:00pm at the Driftwood
Saturday, December 22nd
Lowertown Blues Band at Dean's Tavern at 9:00pm
An Evening with Scott Lawrence at Hanger 45, starting at 8:30pm
The Annual Eagle's Louisiana Christmas Party featuring Lucinda Plaisance, Max Ray, Eric Mohring, Dan Rowles and hosted by the Faux Playboys at the Eagles Club in Minneapolis
Hookers $ Blow's Rock the Cause 5th Anniversary Party, 9pm at the Crooked Pint Ale House
7th Annual Festivus Party at the Nomad
Sunday, December 23rd
Lady Heat presents, "Santa's Mixed Bag at the Deuce Duece," 8pm
Cadillac Kolstad for Cadillac Kolstad on the West Bank, 10pm at the Red Sea Restaurant and Bar
Hope to see you out and about!
Green Swamp Lily
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Step Rockets, Blast Off!
Yesterday, the magical day of 12-12-12, the last chance we'll have to write a date like that for the rest of our lives, Studio Five had a visit from the Step Rockets.
Like the aeronautic innovation for which they are named, they fired us off in multiple stages of rock and roll.
Having only come together as they are this year, the Step Rocket pride themselves with being a unique fusion of decades from the swinging sixties of our parents' generation through the new sounds of the turn of the century. They successfully do this in style, energy and even instrumentation.
If you missed them last night, you can still hear the program in the archives at the kfai website.
There's already a video up here:
Or, if you want to get out in the world, they're playing a show this very night with Vienna at the 331 Club in North East. Music starts at 9:30 and there's no cover! Make it official by checking them out on Facebook.
~Green Swamp
Like the aeronautic innovation for which they are named, they fired us off in multiple stages of rock and roll.
Having only come together as they are this year, the Step Rocket pride themselves with being a unique fusion of decades from the swinging sixties of our parents' generation through the new sounds of the turn of the century. They successfully do this in style, energy and even instrumentation.
If you missed them last night, you can still hear the program in the archives at the kfai website.
There's already a video up here:
Or, if you want to get out in the world, they're playing a show this very night with Vienna at the 331 Club in North East. Music starts at 9:30 and there's no cover! Make it official by checking them out on Facebook.
~Green Swamp
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Os Mutantes, My Bread and Circus
As some of you may know, Sergio Dias of Brazil's, "Os Mutantes" came to town last Friday, leading a rousing show at the Cedar Cultural Center. Knowing I would never forgive myself were I to miss the chance, I made sure I went. It was great, and I want to share its monumental significance.
The favorite class I ever took was an 8 person seminar on, "Latin American History." We started in 1791, Revolutionary Haiti, and worked our way up, reading entire books and passionately discussing them. By the end, familiar with the revolutionary spirit of Latin America, we read "Brutality Garden: Tropicalia and the Emergence of Brazillian Counterculture" by Christopher Dunn.
Like the slave revolts of Revolutionary Haiti set blaze to colonial oppression in the cane fields, in 1968, the field of Brazilian pop-culture became alight with the fire of Tropicalia.
Tropicalia emerged in the late 1960s as a "cannibalism" of many world influences and identities to create a unique entity of rebellion against the structured populist nationalism of Brazil's military government.
The prominent figures of Tropicalia; Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa and Os Mutantes fall in line with other visionaries of the time time, including Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and the Doors who also pushed the boundaries of popular convention.
Os Mutantes shared the stage in Sao Paolo when fellow Tropicalia activist Caetano Veloso spoke most clearly of what the movement represented. Met with disapproving boos aroused by their shocking wardrope choices and anti-establishment messages, Caetano Veloso said the following:
So this is the youth of today that want to take over power? you have the courage to applaud, this year, a music, a type of music you would not dare to applaud last year! this is the same youth that will always, always, kill tomorrow the old enemy who died yesterday! you do not understand anything, anything, anything, absolutely nothing!
Os Mutantes, originally consisting of Rita Lee, Arnaldo Baptista, and Sergio Dias released their first album in roiling 1968 and became a significant icon of Tropicalia, donning outrageous costumes for their correspondingly theatrical performances. Also that year, The Mutants featured on the title track of a compilation which is now considered the manifesto of the Tropicalia movement, "Tropicalia: ou Panis et Circencis."
The title of this album, "Bread and Games" comes from Latin satire and refers to a political state where a population is lured away from real issues by distractions employed by a corrupt government. In Brazil, which had been under military rule since 1964, these were fighting words.
Finally, considering my excitement for the riveting historical context surrounding Os Mutantes, I spent all of Friday in a tizzy of anticipation for evening. Once there, positioned in the middle with a proper view, adequate dancing room and supportive companions, I lost myself further in the performance itself. History served as a mere backdrop to the extremely tight musicality and vibrant storytelling of the group. Carried through time, and continuing to forge their own unique edge, Os Mutantes transcended time. I dance, dance, danced in revolutionary 1968, right here in Minneapolis!
-G. Swamp Lily
The favorite class I ever took was an 8 person seminar on, "Latin American History." We started in 1791, Revolutionary Haiti, and worked our way up, reading entire books and passionately discussing them. By the end, familiar with the revolutionary spirit of Latin America, we read "Brutality Garden: Tropicalia and the Emergence of Brazillian Counterculture" by Christopher Dunn.
Like the slave revolts of Revolutionary Haiti set blaze to colonial oppression in the cane fields, in 1968, the field of Brazilian pop-culture became alight with the fire of Tropicalia.
Tropicalia emerged in the late 1960s as a "cannibalism" of many world influences and identities to create a unique entity of rebellion against the structured populist nationalism of Brazil's military government.
The prominent figures of Tropicalia; Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa and Os Mutantes fall in line with other visionaries of the time time, including Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and the Doors who also pushed the boundaries of popular convention.
Os Mutantes shared the stage in Sao Paolo when fellow Tropicalia activist Caetano Veloso spoke most clearly of what the movement represented. Met with disapproving boos aroused by their shocking wardrope choices and anti-establishment messages, Caetano Veloso said the following:
So this is the youth of today that want to take over power? you have the courage to applaud, this year, a music, a type of music you would not dare to applaud last year! this is the same youth that will always, always, kill tomorrow the old enemy who died yesterday! you do not understand anything, anything, anything, absolutely nothing!
Os Mutantes, originally consisting of Rita Lee, Arnaldo Baptista, and Sergio Dias released their first album in roiling 1968 and became a significant icon of Tropicalia, donning outrageous costumes for their correspondingly theatrical performances. Also that year, The Mutants featured on the title track of a compilation which is now considered the manifesto of the Tropicalia movement, "Tropicalia: ou Panis et Circencis."
The title of this album, "Bread and Games" comes from Latin satire and refers to a political state where a population is lured away from real issues by distractions employed by a corrupt government. In Brazil, which had been under military rule since 1964, these were fighting words.
Finally, considering my excitement for the riveting historical context surrounding Os Mutantes, I spent all of Friday in a tizzy of anticipation for evening. Once there, positioned in the middle with a proper view, adequate dancing room and supportive companions, I lost myself further in the performance itself. History served as a mere backdrop to the extremely tight musicality and vibrant storytelling of the group. Carried through time, and continuing to forge their own unique edge, Os Mutantes transcended time. I dance, dance, danced in revolutionary 1968, right here in Minneapolis!
-G. Swamp Lily
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