My favourite Canadian band, the Rheostatics, have released a new album called “Night of the Shooting Stars,” and as always, it’s excellent. I especially like the first track, entitled “These Days Are Good For The Canadian Conservative Youth Party Alliance.” Sometimes it’s not difficult to understand why they don’t get a lot of radio airplay, though 🙂 They’re going to be playing a marathon 11-night stand at the Horseshoe Tavern beginning this Wednesday night (and special guests will include, if all rumours are true, Rush, Stompin’ Tom Connors, the Guess Who, and maybe Neil Young!!!), and if you can catch them, you ought to. They are probably the best live band I’ve ever seen, though it doesn’t hurt that I’ve seen them probably a dozen times. I’m probably going once or twice in the upcoming stretch, though. Contact me and let’s go together. I’m also lucky in that I’m getting to see my favourite American band this Friday, too. Spoon are opening for Cake, who are also not too bad.
Author: James McNally
A Very Busy Weekend
A very busy weekend. Yesterday, we visited the exhibit of props and costumes from the upcoming film The Fellowship of the Ring. I’m amazed that this exhibit is only being held in Toronto and nowhere else. Of course, it was packed. We got to see a lot of stuff, including weapons and handcrafted cutlery and glassware. The amount of detail put into this film is mind-boggling. I have no doubt that it will be an amazing film.
On Saturday, we saw Steve Martin’s play Picasso at the Lapin Agile, which was, as expected, funny and clever in equal measure. Steve Martin is one of my idols. I’m impressed by his career arc, and can’t wait to see what he’ll do next. Later that night, we went to see Monsters, Inc. and though it might be hard to believe Pixar has hit yet another home run, well, they have.
So, a busy weekend. What did you do this weekend?
Jack Ain’t Got No Car
While we were in Chicago, we dropped by Quimby’s, an excellent comic and zine shop, and I was surprised and delighted to find a copy of Jack Saturn‘s zine We Ain’t Got No Car. I’ve just started to read it, but I’m glad Jack is still scratching out his stories, low tech or high tech. I was also able to pick up two Eightball comics that I couldn’t find in Toronto. Thanks to Kevin Smokler for the Quimby’s tip.
IS THIS SPAM?
IS THIS SPAM?: The entire text of an email I received this morning: “Did you ever visit Wisconsin for your friend’s cousin’s wedding in the late 80’s?” To use an expression all the kids are using, WTF?
Chicago Notes
Back from the Windy City with some keen observations:
- We saw flags and “God Bless America” and “United We Stand” posters all over the place.
- The Chicago El has got to be the most un-user friendly transportation system in the world. The signage is confusing. There are not just two stations named “Harlem” but three, with two on the same line!
- I like Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Prairie Style” architecture better than the Victorian style.
- America still surprises me with its stark distinction between black neighbourhoods and white ones.
- The American Girl doll phenomenon is really freaky. We spent some time at “American Girl Place” and found girls buying clothes so they could dress like their dolls, and sitting in the restaurant sipping tea along with their dolls. Oh, and spending ungodly amounts of their parents’ money on outfits and accessories.
Yes, we had a wonderful time. But I must complain that with all the media coverage of how airline security is getting tougher, we noticed no differences at all.