YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Welcome to Artcetera. Arts-and-entertainment writers and critics post movie news, concert updates, people items, video, photos and more. Share your views. Check it daily. Remain in the know. Contributors: Mary Abbe, Jon Bream, Tim Campbell, Colin Covert, Laurie Hertzel, Tom Horgen, Neal Justin, Claude Peck, Rohan Preston, Chris Riemenschneider, Graydon Royce, Randy Salas and Kristin Tillotson.
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Music video: A ‘New Plateau’ for Big Quarters
Posted by: Tom Horgen Updated: May 23, 2012 - 11:47 AM
In February, Minneapolis hip-hop duo, Big Quarters, hit the road with Atmosphere for the sold-out “Welcome to Minnesota” tour. While the brothers (Brandon Allday and Medium Zach) have been a staple for years in the Twin Cities music scene, the exposure gained from opening for one of the country’s biggest independent hip-hop acts was a particular bonus. So it only seems natural that they would match footage from this experience with their song “New Plateau” (from their third full-length "Party Like A Young Commie"). The song’s hazy, head-nodding sound is the perfect fit for director Ryan Kron Thompson road-trip visuals. Watch:
Check out this recent Star Tribune story about Big Quarters’ youth work with the Kulture Klub Collaborative.
For more info on Big Quarters, visit their website.
(Photo by Joey McLeister)
Prince checks in to the Library of Congress
Posted by: Tim Campbell under Music, Celebrities, Minnesota musicians, Movies Updated: May 23, 2012 - 11:11 AM
Prince in his "Purple" breakthrough. (photo courtesy Warner Bros.)
It means forever, and that's a mighty long time.
The Library of Congress has added Prince and the Revolution's "Purple Rain" soundtrack to its National Recording Registry -- an elite group viewed as historical treasures and worthy of preservation for generations to come.
With something like 26 million copies of "Purple Rain" sold worldwide, you'd think preserving it wouldn't be a problem. But still, this is a big deal. Ten years since the program began, only 350 recordings have been chosen -- not just music but speeches, radio skits, poetry, even a Lake Michigan foghorn.
A total of 25 recordings were added in this year's round, announced Wednesday, including "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the MG's (which joins an actual speech by Booker T. Washington on the list).
All in all, this year's list is pretty funky, with cuts or albums from Bo Diddley, Parliament, Donna Summer and the Sugarhill Gang. Other musical greats include Dolly Parton, Leonard Bernstein, Stan Kenton and the Grateful Dead (a soundboard recording, natch).
Here's this year's list:
1. Edison Talking Doll cylinder (1888)
2. “Come Down Ma Evenin’ Star,” Lillian Russell (1912)
3. “Ten Cents a Dance,” Ruth Etting (1930)
4. “Voices from the Days of Slavery,” Various speakers (1932-1941 interviews; 2002 compilation)
5. “I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart,” Patsy Montana (1935)
6. “Fascinating Rhythm,” Sol Hoopii and his Novelty Five (1938)
7. “Artistry in Rhythm,” Stan Kenton & and his Orchestra (1943)
8. Debut performance with the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein (November 14, 1943)
9. International Sweethearts of Rhythm: Hottest Women’s Band of the 1940s (1944-1946)
10. “The Indians for Indians Hour” (March 25, 1947)
11. “Hula Medley,” Gabby Pahinui (1947)
12. “I Can Hear It Now,” Fred W. Friendly and Edward R. Murrow (1948)
13. “Let’s Go Out to the Programs,” The Dixie Hummingbirds (1953)
14. “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1954, 1958)
15. “Bo Diddley” and “I’m a Man,” Bo Diddley (1955)
16. “Green Onions,” Booker T. & the M.G.’s (1962)
17. “Forever Changes,” Love (1967)
18. “The Continental Harmony: Music of William Billings,” Gregg Smith Singers (1969)
19. “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Vince Guaraldi Trio (1970)
20. “Coat of Many Colors,” Dolly Parton (1971)
21. “Mothership Connection,” Parliament (1975)
22. Barton Hall concert by the Grateful Dead (May 8, 1977)
23. “I Feel Love,” Donna Summer (1977)
24. “Rapper's Delight,” Sugarhill Gang (1979)
25. “Purple Rain,” Prince and the Revolution (1984)
Hubbard family considers 'the Chicago way'
Posted by: Neal Justin under Behind the scenes, Local TV and radio, Television Updated: May 22, 2012 - 3:12 PM
Stanley S. Hubbard/photo by Glen Stubbe
Stanley S. Hubbard, CEO of Minnesota-based Hubbard Broadcasting, said Tuesday that he might be interested in buying WGN, the Chicago-based TV station that's broadcast across the country, from the financially troubled Tribune company, if the price and location are right.
Tribune Co. may be selling publishing and broadcasting units after it gets out of bankruptcy. Tribune owns stations across the country, including WGN in Chicago. Its newspaper division includes The Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun and Chicago Tribune.
"I don't think they would offer it to us, but we just don't know," he said. "We've had no conversations with them about it."
Hubbard said he's not interested in any of Tribune's radio stations or newspapers.
Hubbard Broadcasting made a major investment in radio last year, spending $500 million to buy stations from Bonneville Radio.
"Obviously that would limit how much we could invest in it, but we could still handle it," he said.
Introducing: Summer Set, another music fest for Somerset
Posted by: Chris Riemenschneider under Music, Concert news Updated: May 23, 2012 - 4:21 PM
Pretty Lights (a k a Colorado native Derek Smith) has his eyes on Somerset, Wis.
Another S-named music fest for the 89.3 Current DJs to not confuse with Soundtown or Somerset when they're giving away tickets, organizers of the Summer Set Music & Camping Festival at Somerset Amphitheater announced the details of their Aug. 24-26 inaugural event today. The three-day fest will feature an eclectic -- and really pretty odd -- mix of about 50 dance, rap and jam-band acts, including headliners Pretty Lights, Umphrey’s McGee, Big Gigantic, Nas, Black Star, Yelawolf, Cloud Cult and MSTRKRFT.
Here’s the full list of acts confirmed so far (their respective performance days are still TBA):
Pretty Lights | Umphrey’s McGee | Big Gigantic I Nas | Excision | Lotus | Zeds Dead | Black Star | Matt & Kim | Cloud Cult I Yelawolf | Rebelution | Infected Mushroom | MSTRKRFT | AraabMuzik I DJ Abilities | Bassjackers | Bingo Players | Bonobo (DJ Set) I Break Science | Claude VonStroke | David Jones | Emancipator I Gabriel & Dresden | GRiZ | Hirshee | Mat Zo | Mimosa | Nit Grit I PANTyRAiD | Paper Diamond | Prof | RJD2 I Solid Gold | Stratus | Super Mash Bros | Tea Leaf Green I Timeflies | Two Fresh | White Panda
The event is not affiliated with Somerset's other fest, Soundtown (nor Soundset, for that matter). It is a co-production between Twin Cities dance promoter SIM Shows and React, the Chicago company behind that city’s popular North Coast festival, which Summer Set resembles. SIM Shows’ Jack Trash, a veteran of the Twin Cities electronic scene, said, “I think musically we’re pretty far away from what Soundtown is doing.” They also have a different kind of scheduling game plan, including DJ-driven after-hour parties that will be held in the neighboring hockey arena. Surely, that’ll be a first for lil’ ol’ Somerset.
If you’re looking for a connection between the acts, most of them are either rhythmically driven and highly danceable, or they’re psychedelic and, well, just high. The rap component is an interesting one, with Nas being one of the all-time greats, and Black Star being TWO all-time greats (Mos Def and Talib Kweli; not to be confused with the Baltimore rapper named Blaqstarr who’s playing the River’s Edge Festival). Yelawolf and Prof should help bring some of the Soundset kids, too. The electronic side of the fest is the biggest and broadest, though, with acts ranging from trippy Israeli trance crew Infected Mushroom – reportedly debuting some kind of new hi-fi production at the fest – to hot, collegiate festival star Pretty Lights, plus Canadian dance-punk duo MSTRKRFT, more traditional San Francisco house producer Claude VonStroke and hip-hop-bred turntablists RJD2 and DJ Abilities.
As for the jam-band aspect – represented by Umphrey’s, Tea Leaf Green, Big Gigantic and Rebulution -- it seems sort of like the odd duck of the fest intended to bring in the kinds of music fans who like to camp out at a festival, and will pretty much be happy watching any stage show that offers pretty lights.
Click here for all the Summer Set ticket info. Three-day general admission passes are now on sale for $75 (plus a $10.99 fee). A three-day campsite (good for up to five people) will cost another $100. VIP three-day passes are also available for $300, and a VIP campsite will be another $350.
Boom Island releases new beer; fire extinguisher sold separately
Posted by: Tom Horgen under Nightlife Updated: May 22, 2012 - 11:44 AM
The family affair behind Boom Island Brewing has been getting more ambitious with each new beer. The Belgian-inspired crew started with Silvius, a very drinkable Pale Ale. Then came Thoprock, a smooth but hoppy IPA. Most recently was Hoodoo, a dark Belgian dubbel. Now comes Brimstone, a Belgian tripel clocking in at a fiery 9.5%. The north Minneapolis microbrewery will celebrate Brimstone’s release Tuesday with the first tapping at Eli’s East. A 10-oz pour of the Belgian Strong will be $4.50 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The price will go up to $6 after that. In fact, all Boom Island beers will be on tap at Eli’s East.
Then on Wednesday, Boom Island will welcome beer fans to the brewery for the bottle release of Brimstone (5-8 p.m.). This will be the first public event at the tiny brewery, located just down the street from Donny Dirk’s Zombie Den. Bottles of Brimstone will go for $10 (tax included, limit two).
I got a chance to hang out with owners/brewers Kevin and Qiuxia Welch earlier this year at their brewery. They’ve got a great little operation going there and a fun story, too. The couple are professional French horn players who also love Belgian beer. With the help of Qiuxia’s 65-year-old father, Hu Yong Shou, the crew built their 700-square-foot brewery floor late last year. The family hand craft everything themselves. Qiuxia’s mother even helps with the bottle labels and folding the shipping boxes. Check out my March profile of the family and its brewery here.
Brimstone draft release: 4:30 p.m Tue., Eli’s East, 815 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-331-0031. www.elisfoodandcocktails.com
Brimstone bottles release: 5-8 p.m. Wed. Boom Island brewery, 2207 N. 2nd St., Mpls. 612-227-9635. www.boomislandbrewing.com
(Photo by Kyndell Harkness)
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