In which I Attend the Forward Music Fest, Day 2, Part 1

fig.1: The two Nicks from The Box Social yowl some words or something I spent the night at my pal Norah’s place a hop, skip, and barely a jump from the Capitol square area, which was just too damn perfect. She had met me at the Corral Room Friday night and we stood outside and chatted while the boys in Brainerd closed things out (yeah, um, sorry i missed you guys, John!). This was a good thing, as i had not seen Norah since March, when we played that very same Corral Room. The next morning she treated me to a Red Baron 4-cheese pizza breakfast (i sort of saw this weekend as an opportunity to get my digestive system in shape for our tour, which starts Friday) and a private screening of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, which, for frak’s sake, where have i been? Joss Whedon rules at nerd musicals, as the sixth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer obviously demonstrated. I should have downloaded this weeks ago. Anywho, you don’t care about nerd shit; you care about rocker shit (which is essentially nerd shit, but louder. Face it). As the final credits rolled i made my way from Norah’s pad to the Stage Door, the side theater of the Orpheum on State Street. I got there just in time to check out my pals in the Brewtown pop-punk power party The Chinese Telephones throwing down a fairly solid set, despite some sound issues that were beyond ridiculous. Seriously, if there were a Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares for sound dudes, these yahoos would have qualified for a season finale. The Telephones got off easy compared to Things Fall Apart, who i suppose had it coming, what with naming their band that after all. During portions of their set, the PA threw out filling-rattling bass at inopportune times and cut out entirely at others. Completely ridiculous. Things seemed to get back to some level of competence for Canadia’s Brutal Knights, who played some killer Zeke-tempo speed punk. They were followed by a band called Star Fucking Hipsters. Now, ok. When you name your band something like “Star Fucking Hipsters,” your band is going to either destroy so much that it’s the best band name ever, or your band is going to suck so badly that your name reads like a desperate way to get people to pay attention (i mean, if i see a band called “Adolf Hitler Raped My Grandfather” on a flyer, i’m going to the damn show, ya dig?). In this case, the name turned out to be a case of “oh, you’re on Fat Wreck Chords and playing the exact same music they’ve been putting out for the last 500 years, but because you dress like New York gutter punks and have neck tattoos, you need just the MOST BADASS NAME POSSIBLE, don’t you? Awwwww, so cute.” Which basically meant it was time to head to The Frequency for some rippin’ Indie Rock. After a more […]

State of the Union

The Milwaukee Rep responds to a long, exhausting presidential campaign with Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse’s State of the Union. Despite having been written half a century ago, State of the Union delivers a surprisingly topical look at presidential politics in an entertaining show that only feels a bit long at times. The Rep draws on the talents of almost every actor in its Resident Acting Company to populate this ensemble piece, making it one of the most impressive productions of the season by virtue of its casting alone. Taking center stage is Lee Ernst as fictitious businessman Grant Matthews, who has the Republican nomination for the president thrust upon him. Ernst is thoroughly believable as a maverick everyman who is drawn into the kinds of compromises everyone expects of a presidential candidate from a major political party, but much like a less than successful politician, he fails to make much of an impression. Ernst is an overwhelmingly talented actor, but he fails to register as much more than a figurehead here. Matthews’ major challenge as a candidate for office comes in the form of an estranged wife who may as well be divorced from him for all the effect she has on his life. Laura Gordon cuts a fascinating figure as Matthews’ wife, Mary. Gordon takes an interesting turn as someone fascinated by her unsought role in the machinations and ambitions of an entire political party. She is a very sympathetic figure in the maelstrom of activity that defines a major political campaign. There are so many other impressive performances in this production that it’s difficult to decide what to mention in a brief review . . . Deborah Staples is a great deal of fun as Matthews’ adviser with questionable morals. The ambiguity of her relationship with the candidate makes her performance all the more interesting. Dan Mooney makes an appearance as politico Sam Parrish in a few select scenes. All of the Pickerings’ put in impressive performances, most notably Rose as Southern Belle Lulabelle Alexander, wife of Peter Silbert’s southern judge Jefferson. Featuring nearly two dozen performances, State of the Union sags in places, but it’s well worth seeing a production this sophisticated. The Milwaukee Rep’s production of State of the Union runs September 16 through October 12 at the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater. 414-225-5490 or www.milwaukeerep.com

Death Note DVD Review

Splashcast

Gossamer

Casey Tutton and Mark Metcalf in Gossamer Gos·sa·mer (n): a light and delicate touch. These words define this coming of age story that confronts sensitive social issues with light touches of humor, imagining the nature of dreams against the realities of domestic abuse through this credible ninety-minute production that deftly uses puppets to portray delicate concepts. First Stage Children’s Theater, in collaboration with Oregon Children’s Theater, opens their season with Gossamer, a world premiere play adapted by Lois Lowry from her young adult novel. The story centers around Littlest, the youngest member of a community of ‘dream givers,’ who is being initiated and trained in the trade of delivering dreams to humans. Littlest is charged with delivering dreams to a vulnerable young boy named John. Removed from a foster home because of abuse, John explores the stories of his life through his bad and good memories. In the foster home, Littlest and her mentor, Thin Elderly, fight off the terrifying nightmares that diminish John’s self-esteem while giving him dreams that strengthen his spirit and offer the promise of emotional healing. Credit the considerable talents of the entire company, along with the creative puppets fashioned by Mark Hare, to bring Lowry’s innovative novel to life. As part of the Saturday evening cast, Casey Tutton (a girl of 11 with numerous acting credentials) delights with both believable innocence and concern while she struggles to voice her own intuitions. The superb Mark Metcalf, sharing a genuine affection for fellow actor Tutton, tenderly develops Littlest’s abilities playing Thin Elderly while making every night a dream to treasure. Richard Halverson is distinctly enjoyable as Most Ancient, a role that gracefully touches on respecting the wisdom of older generations. And puppeteer Alexis Block, playing the dog Toby, impressively imbues a marionette with personality. Every technical contribution — including white flowing costumes, underground staging, and artistic lighting — substantially develops Lowry’s lofty ideas into a tangible theater presence. The author puts fantastical events into three dimensions, which First Stage admirably captures. While this premiere script could benefit from minor tweaking, the performance provokes questions that require attention. If either the novel or the play educates one child or adult about abuse, the story will have served an even greater purpose. This production gives children a voice that allows them to picture surviving this delicate but critical reality in contemporary life. After the performance representatives from Children’s Services Society of Wisconsin, an organization that works to eliminate these tragedies, provides opportunities to answer questions regarding domestic violence and abuse. Where do dreams really come from? Lowry presents her audience with one otherworldly answer: that nightmares haunt the mind with recrimination and fear while dreams pervade the ordinary with courage and confidence. Who could survive life without imagining wonderful dreams during the days or nights? First Stage’s Gossamer reveals this forgotten and fragile insight that ultimately fosters enduring hope. First Stage Children’s Theater presents Lois Lowry’s Gossamer until October 5 in the Todd Wehr Theater at the Marcus Center […]

In which I Attend the Forward Music Fest, Day 1

fig.1: Screamin’ Cyn Cyn and the Pons tear it up at the Majestic Theatre So here i am, blogging for VITAL Source for some reason. Because, hey, i sure don’t do enough blogging elsewhere. Nothing like spreading yourself too thin, right? Look, i won’t lie—I’m not here to be entertaining, and I’m not here to inform. I’m here because Matt Wild told me that blogging for VITAL nets you crazy mad tail.* For my first Cultural Zero assignment, i was sent by my benevolent overlords to Madison for the first ever Forward Music Fest. A crapload of venues hosting an assload of bands for what amounted to be a shitload of bargains ($25 general admission pass plus a $10 VIP guaranteed access pass to the High Noon Saloon on Saturday night for the mighty and reunited KILLDOZER? Sign me the hizell up). Note: by “was sent by my benevolent overlords,” i mean that i said, “well, benevolent overlords, i bought a pass for this thing like two weeks ago; i suppose i could write it up for you guys.” So off i was, driving toward South Central Wisconsin (yo) in my badass Kia Optima blasting the Albini re-recording of Cheap Trick’s In Color, which knocks the original on its ass, in case you were wondering. Upon my arrival i was immediately hit with a dilemma, as often happens at a music festival of this magnitude–do i head to the Frequency to see my pals the Skintones? It turns out the answer was “no,” because i was instructed by the internet to be sure i did not miss Israel’s road warriors Monotonix, who are gaining a reputation as one of the best live bands anywhere. So it was off to the Majestic Theatre with me. The less said about the first band i saw at the Majestic, High Places, the less entertaining this entry will be, so let me consult the notes i wrote myself in my phone (take a notepad to a show? When i can send myself text messages? I am the future of music journalism!). Let’s see, what did i send myself…ah yes: “High Places: two white douchebags from New York sing over their half-assed cover of the Akira soundtrack.” Seriously, it’s a rule these days: when two people set up some boxes of noisemakers, call themselves a “band,” and then say they’re from NYC, you’re pretty much guaranteed some sort of “arty” self-indulgent bullshit which automatically commands respect simply because it’s from New York City. Sorry, i don’t buy salsa made in New York City, and i don’t buy artsy duos not named “Suicide” from there either…especially when one of them is dancing around like goddamn Robin Goodfellow playing a few electric drum pads and a woodblock. Gah. Let’s consult my phone again: “The high point of the set was when Shane from Cyn Cyn patted my ass and said ‘good hustle.'” fig.2: Make sure that woodblock is properly miked, asshole “Cyn Cyn” would be Screamin’ Cyn […]

A Peek Inside the Iron Horse

The Iron Horse just opened on September 15th and we were able to get in for a quick peek.

Marquette Fuels Development

Despite the economic slow down and the perception that all development in Milwaukee occurs on the East Side or in the Third Ward, other parts of the city have their share of activity.

More Than We Remember #3

The Elephant in the Room

Barack Obama responds to the question of whether race will be an issue on Nov. 4th with remarkable cool. On 60 Minutes last night, he said it would probably be a wash, with some people voting against him because of the color of his skin while others will vote for him for the same reason. He has nothing to gain from calling attention to the issue of race. He would appear defensive and maybe even angry and end up reinforcing some of the very same stereotypes that divide our nation. But the fact that, even in 2008, America is still populated by a significant number of people who aren’t comfortable voting for a black man and that race is still something that divides us is deeply disappointing. I know there is little to be gained by raising this. People are unlikely to be reflective about race. The days of overt racism are, mostly, over and few people would ever admit to questioning Obama’s merits based on his skin color. But the issue of race remains a factor whether we admit it or not. For example, comments from people who acknowledge apprehension or distrust of Obama raise a red flag with me and then there are the unmitigated swoons by some over Sarah Palin who, they say, is “Just like us.” How reassuring is that. Let’s elect someone who reminds us of our own dysfunctional lives. I know that people often vote for psychological reasons as much as, or more than, political reasons. A New York Times/CBS News poll released in July suggests that racial divides are still powerful in America. So what else is new? What I find particularly repugnant is when examples cross over from the implicit to the explicit. Was it just me who felt that the McCain ad that called Obama “disrespectful” for questioning Palin (by calling her “good looking”) was over-the-top? I found it gruesomely reminiscent of America’s unfortunate history of discrimination and miscegenation laws (eg story of Emmitt Till). Or how about when a Georgia congressman calls Obama “uppity?” Even here in Wisconsin, I was surprised to hear Republican state chairman Reince Priebus refer to Obama as “unelectable. “ What is it, Reince, that makes Sen. Obama, who is leading Sen. McCain in nearly every poll, so “unelectable?” Of course, we know that every vote counts, especially in battleground states like Wisconsin and it really doesn’t matter what reason, conscious or unconscious, causes a person to support one candidate or another. But if we don’t take this opportunity to at least admit that the issue of race remains pernicious, then it will be a shame.

Humping for Obama

Saturday, September 13: I’ve just returned from the afternoon opening of Obama’s campaign headquarters at 534 West National Avenue in Walker’s Point. It was a homecoming of sorts as I used to live in a funky building adjacent to La Perla at 5th & National and later, worked at Art Muscle Magazine at 10th & National, west of the headquarters. Those were they days my friend, when artists partied hard in Frank Ford’s infamous StudioGalactica, and if not there, equally hard at Carrie Scoczek’s apartment/studio on south 5th. Walker’s Point Center for the Arts was in the space now occupied by La Perla, but it’s still around, currently in a historic building due west, and here and there upstart galleries struggle to hang on. The best part of the opening was being in Nick Topping’s former digs, and if Topping was among the living, he’d likely be thrilled at the turnout. He was a socialist/activist, and his store was plastered with socialist posters. It was a hangout for all kinds of people. If history has it right, it was Topping who brought the Beatles to Milwaukee. The young volunteers circulating in the crowded space had never heard of Topping, but I got at least one of them to write down his name and see if she could round up information about him and put it on the walls, along with sign-up sheets for the many items needed to keep the place running. “Everything we have so far has been donated,” a sweating volunteer said. A lady sat at a table selling Obama stuff, and I went home with a big round “Fist Bump” button dangling from my purse. It was hot and stuffy inside the space and folks were congregating on the sidewalk fronting the building. Mountains of food arrived in huge containers steaming forth smells of beans and rice, along with platters of chips and salsa, and bottled water. A band kicked in later as an assortment of local politicians filtering forth. Kent Mueller, former proprietor of KMArt, dropped in for a plate of food and some conversation about the way back in Walker’s Point. He lives in the neighborhood in a historic home, and is certainly part of the local scene. I remarked that a sheet taped to the wall indicated the headquarters is seeking artists to paint portraits of Obama, so if any of you readers so desire, they can be dropped off at 534 W. National. The walls could use something more than sign-up sheets, and certainly artists could do worse than portray the next president of the United States. There was quite a bit of buzz in the crowd about how tight the race is going to be in Wisconsin, and I overheard snippets about Palin, snippets about Bill supporting Obama, and snippets about “McSame.” From one of the sign-up sheets, it looked like there is a need for volunteers to carry the message forward. EDIT: Sunday, September 21: I’m back for Barack Quite a […]

Weekly Bookmarks – Monday, 22. September 2008

Mandel site favored for UWM hall – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: JS Online: Development serves the public good JS Online: Proposed high-rise would make more sense elsewhere JS Online: Pabst Farms road plan advances as mall’s sizzle fizzles JS Online: Credit drought complicates downtown real estate developments Third Ward project will be downsized – Small Business Times JS Online: Developer plans 84 apartments JS Online: Building on the past Ghazi misses deadline on downtown Milwaukee project – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: City seeks input on development blueprint for southeast side – Small Business Times Park East developer takes TIF request back to the drawing board – Small Business Times Charter Wire breaks ground in Menomonee Valley – Small Business Times Court approves First Place redevelopment plan – Small Business Times Real estate deals of the week – Small Business Times JS Online: Another downtown project delayed Developers moving ahead on Milwaukee condos – The Business Journal of Milwaukee: Shifting burden to sales tax would provide property tax relief – Small Business Times JS Online: City panels back condo plan, despite objections JS Online: Milwaukee City Council approves snow-removal fee increase JS Online: Columbia St. Mary’s taking shape JS Online: Consider the source in setting water rates DailyReporter.com JS Online: The railroad not taken JS Online: Wisconsin’s commuters parking cars in favor of bikes JS Online: Apartments not a part of slowdown