An Artful Display

Hey everyone! I'm back from my holiday break in Maine - drank a little too much red wine, but all in all, was a good respite from my work-a-day lifestyle. I'm going to do some more in-depth posts soon, but I just wanted to give you some tidbit recommendations from my break.

1. Music (Alias & Tarsier's "Brookland/Oaklyn"). I picked this up at Bullmoose Music in Brunswick and I must have listened to it at least 5 times during the week. Alias and Tarsier are on the Anticon label out of Oakland, CA. Alias is a native of southern Maine and he has teamed up with Brooklyn singer Tarsier on this album, who sounds like a heaven-sent fusion of Sade, Bjork with a little Beth Gibbons for good trip-hop measure. The album is by turns haunting, sexy, dark, ethereal and lovely. It's just amazing. If you are a guy trying to seal the deal with the woman you are with, play this cd! Okay, maybe that would just work with me, but still - it's an incredible cd.

2. Art (Bowdoin College Museum of Art) The museum at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine recently celebrated its grand reopening in October after an extensive $20 million renovation and it has paid off. The museum features an extensive alumni collection of Modern works (Picasso, Warhol, Lichtenstein, etc.), not to mention some great Barbara Krugar pieces - some of my favorites - as well as an Ancient Art collection and a decent collection called Great Graphics, of drawings on paper. In one room, was a collection called "Shakespeare's Afterlives", which the museum describes as:

• Tracing visual representations of Shakespeare's plays across the centuries through prints, early printed editions of Shakespeare's collected works and contemporary incarnations of Shakespeare's plays.

Basically, this collection included a video monitor playing scenes from some of his plays, a few paintings of his characters, and a glass case display with movie buttons, finger-puppets (yes, you read that right) and programs that are Shakespeare-inspired. Listen, my mom has a staff shirt from the film version of "Macbeth" that she got from Mel Gibson himself that's probably got more Shakespearean historical value than what was in the case. I mean, for crissake's, you could buy the damn finger puppet set that was in the museum display in the gift shop! Other than that one misstep, it's a nice museum and perfect for spending an afternoon...

(The lovely campus at Bowdoin College)

(All the students were gone for break, so the campus was eerily deserted...)

Ruckus Cup Emcee Battle

Greetings from Maine! I'm just doing this quick post from Maine since I just heard from a source of mine about an event coming up in February in Portland I thought some of you 18 Miles readers would like to know about. It's the 1st Annual Ruckus Cup Classic Emcee Battle, and it's happening on February 1, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. at The Big Easy on 55 Market Street in Portland Maine. There's no entrance fee to participate, but it does have an $8 charge to watch the battle and it's 21 and up. The battle will be hosted by Ill by Instinct with DJ Shade.

It was December 24th on Hollis Ave at the dark...

I'm off for the holidays, but I'll be back in the new year, hopefully with a review from Maine. I'll be taking Christine Korfhage's new book of poems, We Aren't Who We Are and E.J. Oulette and Crazy Maggie's first release, Rock the Bow 5.0 with me to Vacationland. More events and reviews to come! Happy Holidays!!!

Favorite Albums - Period.

Well, it's almost 2008, and it seems like no matter where you turn you see a "top 10 list." Now, normally, I like these about as much as a big box of Salmiakki black licorice from my student loan officer, but I realized that these can actually be a good way to get to know people - so feel free to share your top 10 albums with me and each other! I realize how hard it can be to condense your favorite albums into a small list, but that's kind of the point. So, for my list, I tried to have a pretty decent range of sounds and time periods. I do have to say one thing: if I could sing like anybody, it would be Anne Wilson - every high note she hits in "Barracuda" sends chills down my spine. What are your top 10 albums?

Miles Davis, Birth of the Cool

Sonic Youth, Daydream Nation

Portishead, Dummy

Jeff Buckley, Grace

Nina Simone, Little Girl Blue

Patti Smith, Horses

The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground & Nico

Passage & The Bomarr Monk (got to have at least 1 NH band), Moods and Symptoms

Heart, Little Queen

The Smiths, Louder Than Bombs

Honorable Mentions: The Pixies - Dolittle ; Nick Drake - Pink Moon; Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville ; R.E.M. - Murmur ; Edith Piaf - Eternelle

The Elephant Goes Thud

I'd really like this post to be about the Elephant House performance I saw on Friday night at Concord's Barley House, and how they either rocked the cozy, amber-wooded bar and restaurant until the beams shook or laid, well - a big elephant dung, but sadly, the guys were a no-show. I got there a little after 8:00, sat at the bar and waited. Thankfully, I chatted up two of the Barley House's very affable bartenders, who made a point of keeping me up-to-date as to the impending performance: "They were supposed to play around eight but I don't know if they are going to show up - though there's only three of them, so it shouldn't take them long to set up."

Alright then. I settled in, ordered my Campaign Trail ale and caught bits and pieces of the Maple Leafs game on telly while listening to old-school 60's & 70's soul and R&B over the Barley House's soundsystem. One of the bartenders, Jessica (?) came over and asked if I was here to see the band. I said yes. "I hope they show up," she said. "We've kind of been jinxed a little here lately with our bands - they either show up and have lost equipment or expected us to have it for them." This doesn't bode well for me, I thought.

8:45 p.m. - I'm listening to Minnie Riperton screech out the last bars of "Loving You" and watching two guys with bluetooth headsets down shots of tequila - since when did it become acceptable for guys to wear those things 24/7? It looks like some sinister electronic tumor growing out the side of their skull.

8:51 p.m. - Jessica comes over and informs me that the band is not coming. Apparently, something "happened" with one of their band members. Well, that's that then. I think the bartenders were more disappointed than me that they couldn't get this band to come. One of them asked me: "so what are you going to write about them?" I just smiled and said, "well, nothing great."

Boston's Elephant House is a band that has a lot of potential for a wide audience, with their music spanning across hip-hop, pop, and R&B. The band's members, Jack Tomaiolo, James Murphy, and Adam Saylor have a tight musicianship between them, and that, along with some pretty respectable vocals can make for some incredible live performances. If only I was there to see that. Oh wait. I was. Guys?

Elephant House @ The Barley House - TONIGHT

I'll be at Concord's Barley House tonight where Boston-based band Elephant House will be performing at 8:00 p.m. (or 9:00 - depending who you ask). Drop by if you're in the area! I'll be the one writing in the little notebook and nursing a Campaign Trail ale...

This Week's Live Music

Friday, Dec. 14
Concord
The Barley House: Elephant House
The Concord Grille: Good Times DJ
The Green Martini: Andy Laliotis
Pit Road: Forge
The Red Blazer: Cruise Control

Dover
Dover Brick House: The Gray Davies
Jimmy’s: DJ Bounce
Kelley’s Row: Big John and the Twins
Mojitos: DJ B-Money

Manchester
Brimmer: Tigerlily
Club 313: DJ Susan Esthera
Breezeway: DJ McKay and DJ Brian
Ciao Baby: DJ Hunter
Club Liquid: DJ Liquid X
The Derryfield: Day Janeiro
Element: DJ Took
Eleven Eleven: open mike
Fratello’s: Charlie Christos
Hilton Garden Inn: Rob Dumais Duo
Jillian’s: My Cousin’s Band
Milly’s Tavern: 2U
Rocko’s: DJ Roberto
Shaskeen: Judy Free
Strange Brew Tavern: Monster Mike Noise
UnWined: The Craig Fahey UnWined Jazz Ensemble
WB’s: DJ MasterMillions

Peterborough
Harlow’s Pub: Ameranounce

Portsmouth
AK’s: Mike Morris
Blue Mermaid: Mike Novak and Novakaine
Bourbon’s: The Press Project
Dolphin Striker: Danielle Miraglia Band
Gas Light: DJ Biggie
The Press Room: Jeremy Lyons
Red Door: Mike Swells


Saturday, Dec. 15
Concord
The Concord Grille: Good Times DJ
The Green Martini: Steve Dione and Steve Ullman
The Pit Road: Vicious Cycle
Penuche’s Ale House: The Equalities
The Red Blazer: Last Kid Picked

Dover
The Barley Pub: Keith Hollis and the Po’ Boyz
Biddy Mulligans: DJ B-Ryce
Dover Brick House: Camarojuana
Jimmy’s: DJ Bounce
Kelley’s Row: Pat Foley
Mojito’s: DJ Big PEZ and E-Ness

Manchester
Black Brimmer: Shoeless Joe
Breezeway: DJ McKay
Club 313: DJ Bob
Johnny Bad’s: DJ Brewski
The Derryfield: Day Janeiro
Element Lounge: DJ Took
Fratello’s: Charlie Christos
Jillian’s: Stiffwater Junction
Hilton Garden Inn: Wendee Glick Duo
Milly’s: Turtlebone and Tripps Pond
Penuche’s Grill: Twist of Fate
Rocko’s: DJ Roberto
Shaskeen: Mountain Elf
Strange Brew: Paws Up
WB’s: DJ Bobby G (main); Joe Jazz (deck)
The Yard: Classic Invasion

Portsmouth
AK’s Bar and Bistro: Christy Hobin
Blue Mermaid: Jah Spirit
Boubon’s: South Mountain Pass
Dolphin Striker: Tom Yoder and Tom Dean
Gas Light: DJ Sage
The Press Room: Dave Talmage and the Mill City Ramblers
Red Door: Tari


Sunday, Dec. 16
Concord
Penuche’s: open mike

Manchester
Milly’s: Battle of the Bands
Shaskeen: live Irish music
Strange Brew: Howard

Portsmouth
Dolphin Striker: Larry Schroeck
The Press Room: Seacoast Big Band
The Red Room: The Pharohs


Monday, Dec. 17
Concord
Hermanos: Eric Chase Trio
The Red Blazer: open mike with Randy Arrant

Manchester
Breezeway: Breezeway Cabaret
Shaskeen: live Irish music


Tuesday, Dec. 18
Concord
The Barley House: Irish Acoustic Session
Hermanos: Mike Effenberger
Penuche’s: Live underground hip-hop

Manchester
Breezeway: Breezeway Cabaret
Derryfield: Open mike
East Side Club: Wan-tu Jazz Band
Shaskeen: Manchuka
Strange Brew SBT All-Stars or Hipology
WB’s: DJs Bobby G and Vicious

Portsmouth
Dolphin Striker: Joe Nolan and Melvern Taylor
Poco’s: Seth Gooby
The Press Room: Larry Garland Jazz Jam the Hoot w/Bob Halperin
The Red Door: DJ Beat Pervert


Wednesday, Dec. 19
Concord
The Green Martini: Tom Eonomides
Hermanos: Mike Morris

Manchester
Black Brimmer: Josh Logan Band
Commercial Street Fishery: Jazz Dawgs
Strange Brew Tavern: Howard
UnWined: The Craig Fahey UnWined Jazz Duo
Wild Rover: Marty Quirk

Peterborough
Harlow’s: open mike

Portsmouth
Dolphin Striker: Joel Cage
Gas Light: DJ Biggie
Poco’s: Chad Verbeck
The Press Room: Sidewalk Boys
Red Door: Green Lion Crew
The Wet Bar: Richard Gardzina

The Crack That Started it All...

Got Blade Runner in my mail today from Netflix, and, of course, the disc was cracked. My film project is off to an auspicious start. Probably going to try and watch Ben-Hur tonight. Kick back while the snow falls outside my window and enjoy an old-fashioned, holiday chariot race. Damn, that actually sounds pretty fly.

Ben-Hur Fun Fact: The novel was written by New Mexico governor Lew Wallace, who, in 1879, made a pact with noted outlaw Billy the Kid to have Kid act as an informant for those involved with the Lincoln County War. In turn, Wallace would grant him a full pardon for all of his crimes. Billy the Kid returned to his wild ways however, and Wallace withdrew the offer.

The Top 100 Film Experiment

Okay, I'm not going to take credit for having this idea, mainly because I got the idea from an episode of "30 Rock" but I thought it would be an interesting project and I'm hoping all of you 18 Mile readers will try it yourselves. I'm a self-admitted Netflix addict - in fact, I mostly watch just films, since I don't have cable - and I thought it would be a cool idea to rent all of the AFI Top 100 Films of All Time.

I must admit I'm a little ashamed - looking at the list - that I haven't seen a lot of these movies, especially since I was a film major in college and also a little apprehensive about getting over my own aesthetic sensibilities with having to watch some of these (am I really going to have to rent Titanic?), but I figure it will be a learning experience and I may find some classics that I would have never normally taken a second-look at.

I'm not going to rent these all in one go, mostly because I'm only on the 3-at-a-time membership, but I am going to do at least 2 every rental cycle, with the exception of ones that I've seen within the last six months. So let the film festival begin! I'll be doing some brief posts on my viewing progress, and I encourage all of you to send me your comments: Do you think some of these films belong on the list and why? What films would you have included instead?

In the film queue: Ben-Hur, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Blade Runner

Telephone Jim Jesus - West Coast Dates

Anticon has announced new year dates for New London native, now California transplant, Telephone Jim Jesus, a.k.a. George Chadwick, who will continue to bring his sonic hip-hop sound to the west coast (when are we east coasters going to see love?) with several dates in early 2008 - as well as a couple of dates with Portland's Sole & the Skyrider Band. TJJ's CD/LP Anywhere Out of the Everything dropped in September.

"Anywhere Out of the Everything certainly lives up to its name as both a dark, introspective album that mirrors the darkest emotions a person could feel, while also emulating the euphoric heights that life can bring when they're least expected. Telephone Jim Jesus has created a sonic masterpiece, letting the music be the ultimate guide into the unknown." - Performer

Why not take a trip out west and get out of a cold New Hampshire winter and take in some balmy hip-hop rays with your peach margarita and dollar paperback in hand?

Telephone Jim Jesus Dates:

January 16, The Casbah (San Diego, CA)

January 17, Glasshouse (Pomona, CA)

January 18, The Knitting Factory (Los Angeles, CA)

January 19, Modified Arts (Phoenix, AZ)

January 21, Plush (Tucson, AZ)

January 23, High Mayhem (Santa Fe, NM)

January 24, The Roadhouse Saloon (San Antonio, TX)

January 25, Emos (Austin, TX)

January 26, Proletariat (Houston, TX)

January 28, Spanish Moon (Baton Rouge, LA)

January 29, Sluggos (Pensacola, FL)

January 30, PS-14 (Miami, FL)

January 31, Will's Pub (Orlando, FL)

February 1, Lenny's Bar (Atlanta, GA)

February 3, The Pilot Light (Knoxville, TN)

Dana Shellmire - Upcoming NH Dates

If you have the chance, make sure to check out these live Granite State performances by singer/songwriter Dana Shellmire in December, February, and March (and don't forget to check out her album, Aural Affinities (2005 Deaf Muse Records) - cd design by yours truly - an energetic blend of pop, r&b, and soul that recalls Nikki Costa, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, and a little early Morcheeba thrown in for good measure.

Dates:

Dec. 14, 9:00 p.m. - The Pasta Loft w/Groove Authority, Milford NH
Feb. 15, 9:00 p.m. - The Pasta Loft w/Groove Authority, Milford NH
Mar. 29, 9:00 p.m. - The Pasta Loft w/Groove Authority, Milford NH

Current Issue of the NH Review

If you haven't done so already, make sure to check out the latest issue of The New Hampshire Review, which features two alums of the New England College MFA in Poetry program, Hildred Crill (Quite Suddenly the Woods, Autumn at Peak -Pepperell Cove) and Ira Joe Fisher (In a Lovely Vineyard By the Lake).

For those who don't already know, I'm also an alum of the NEC MFA Program in Poetry ('05 in the house, ya'll!) so they will always get relentless plugs from me - deal with it, I'm biased.

NEC Winter Poetry Readings (1/4-1/11, 2008)

If you are looking for something to soothe your New Year's champagne hangover, how about heading to Henniker, NH for a soothing poetry tonic? New England College will once again host the Master of Fine Arts in Poetry Program winter reading series from January 4 through January 11, 2008. As usual, they have lined up an incredible array of poets, including visiting readers Peter Campion and Kurt Brown. All of these readings will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Simon Center Great Room, and bonus - they are free and open to the public! Here's the schedule:

Friday, January 4
Paula McLain, Gerald Stern, Ross Gay

Saturday, January 5

Maxine Kumin, Joan Larkin

Sunday, January 6

Kurt Brown, Carol Frost, Malena Morling

Tuesday, January 8

Peter Campion, Alicia Ostriker, Anne Marie Macari

Thursday, January 10

James Harms, Ruth Ellen Kocher, Jeff Friedman

Friday, January 11

Ilya Kaminisky & Michael Waters

Salutations

Alright, so I decided to start a blog about arts in New Hampshire, mostly because I've been wanting to do a blog for awhile, and since I really hate writing about myself for people to read, I thought, what else would I want to write about? New Hampshire has a pretty amazing arts scene, particularly literature, music, and film - and I've decided to make it my personal goal to keep you guys informed on what's the latest on the Granite State scene, so check in often!