Should probably have announced this back in November when I made the decision, but I went back over my old posts and saw that really the only interest was being generated by SCAN-business related ones. While entertainment within walking distance is one of the important part of why we live in this neighborhood, I hate to put so much investment in something that has so little return. That said I will of course be continuing with the business related posts -- there just hasn't been any during these cold dark winter months. There will be a great deal in the next week thanks to VEISHEA, the Campustown Students Association, historic preservation, and an art-related announcement. All of this will also be covered in the newsletter, which will be arriving at paid members' mailboxes in the coming week.
On a related topic, the loss of the Varsity is a big blow to our neighborhood and the potential for independent movies coming to Ames. I hope something as worthwhile as the software company that went in to the Ames Theater location will find a home in the Varsity location - or that it might continue as an independent theater.
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Friday, March 20, 2009
Monday, November 3, 2008
Entertainment within walking distance: review and preview
First off, a review. I went to the BB King concert Wednesday, and the King of the Blues was...the King. Occasionally rambling between songs, amazing during them, but definitely showing his age -- he shared the wisdom that's come with his 83 years freely. The warm-up band from Chicago was pretty good too (although between them, intermission, and the intro numbers by BB King's own band, he didn't get on stage until 9, so there was only an hour out of a two and half hour show with the headliner. Still a good show overall.) They did a standard 5 song warm up set. BB King did a number of songs, only one of which I recognized from an older album. He made a Willie Nelson reference at one point, who's coming to Stephens in December (I'm guessing BB King didn't even know). Isn't it great how we can walk and see not just the academic and student events, but some of the most amazing artists of the 20th century?
The other review I'd hoped to do was the movie I'd wanted to see, Nick and Norah -- surprisingly, it hasn't stayed a second week so I'm going to have to hope it returns or goes to the North Grand theaters. The two movies at the Varsity now just don't appeal to me (Eagle Eye and Sex Drive), although the new big-budget western directed by Ed Harris, Appaloosa, and the new plot-twist-riddled police corruption story starring Colin Ferrell and Ed Norton, Pride and Glory, look like they have potential. I'm hoping they stay for a little while since I'll be out of town from Friday through Tuesday, so if they're out after only a week I won't get much of a chance.
In other upcoming walking distance events, the Greek community is a bit busier with the fundraisers this week, with brats at Adelante Wednesday night, spaghetti at Sigma Alpha Epsilon late Thursday night/friday morning, and walking tacos hosted by Phi Beta Chi at the Memorial Lutheran Church (they're one of the few Greek organizations that doesn't own a house.)
This weekend is big for student productions, with the Symphony Orchestra on Friday, Band Extravaganza Saturday evening, and the ISU Theatre production of Tartuffe all weekend (showtimes and ticket prices at their websites).
Other performing arts include the Billy Joel based musical, Moving Out, on Thursday, and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra on Sunday.
Lots of concerts and comedy at the M-Shop, and lectures (mostly at the Union) in the next week -- none of them from a genre or academic discipline respectively that I'm especially interested in, but in a couple of weeks is Carly Fiorina, and later that week is a forum with Dr. Politics and Arnie Arneson. I am a WOI addict so I will probably be there for that.
Finally, athletics -- Football is away (there's only 1 home game left, it's the 15th.) Basketball exhibitions have started, with a couple this weekend, as well as a volleyball game. Wrestling starts next week, so we are definitely shifting gears away from fall and into winter.
As always, if you made it to anything, please post your comments below!
The other review I'd hoped to do was the movie I'd wanted to see, Nick and Norah -- surprisingly, it hasn't stayed a second week so I'm going to have to hope it returns or goes to the North Grand theaters. The two movies at the Varsity now just don't appeal to me (Eagle Eye and Sex Drive), although the new big-budget western directed by Ed Harris, Appaloosa, and the new plot-twist-riddled police corruption story starring Colin Ferrell and Ed Norton, Pride and Glory, look like they have potential. I'm hoping they stay for a little while since I'll be out of town from Friday through Tuesday, so if they're out after only a week I won't get much of a chance.
In other upcoming walking distance events, the Greek community is a bit busier with the fundraisers this week, with brats at Adelante Wednesday night, spaghetti at Sigma Alpha Epsilon late Thursday night/friday morning, and walking tacos hosted by Phi Beta Chi at the Memorial Lutheran Church (they're one of the few Greek organizations that doesn't own a house.)
This weekend is big for student productions, with the Symphony Orchestra on Friday, Band Extravaganza Saturday evening, and the ISU Theatre production of Tartuffe all weekend (showtimes and ticket prices at their websites).
Other performing arts include the Billy Joel based musical, Moving Out, on Thursday, and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra on Sunday.
Lots of concerts and comedy at the M-Shop, and lectures (mostly at the Union) in the next week -- none of them from a genre or academic discipline respectively that I'm especially interested in, but in a couple of weeks is Carly Fiorina, and later that week is a forum with Dr. Politics and Arnie Arneson. I am a WOI addict so I will probably be there for that.
Finally, athletics -- Football is away (there's only 1 home game left, it's the 15th.) Basketball exhibitions have started, with a couple this weekend, as well as a volleyball game. Wrestling starts next week, so we are definitely shifting gears away from fall and into winter.
As always, if you made it to anything, please post your comments below!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
EWWD for October 23
Another week goes by, another week where I don't want to talk about Cyclone football. But I will, because it's homecoming. The Huskers behaved themselves pretty well, I think -- ran into a lot when I was at the concert at Papa's Corner. A lot of them seemed to be older, not students. I was surprised at their attendance at this event since one thing about the band I was going to see, is it's loud. As in, a friend who goes to their concerts regularly actually brought hearing protection so he could be up near the stage.
As for homecoming itself, prepare for another weekend with a large number of visitors -- but these are mostly alumni who should have a fair amount of respect for their alma mater and its surrounding neighborhoods. I'm really sorry to be missing it, as I'm in Minnesota for a cousin's wedding. There are also a lot of extra events going around surrounding homecoming, especailly at the new alumni center, as well as lots of reunions of various groups, like the Alumni Band. It's an evening game, which means extended tailgating.
Reimann is doing that Halloween event for kids again on Sunday. At the Varisty, Tonight is your last night for The Duchess (mentioned last week) and "An American Carol" -- the old Dickens tale done as a thinly veiled send-up of Micheal Moore. Tomorrow starts Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (which I am planning to see) and Quarantine (horror, no thanks for me)
Only thing in Greekland for the next week is Greek Trick or Treat on Wednesday. (the city's trick or treat night will be next Friday, on Halloween itself.) If you'd like for your child to participate, I'm guessing Jenn Plegman-Galvin will have more info. She'd probably be able to give information on the Rake-a-thon too, which is a fundraiser happening through November. Proceeds for that go to the MS foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
The event of the week, besides homecoming, is the BB King concert at Stephens on Wednesday. I bought tickets as a birthday present to my husband, and I am really looking forward to it. Concerts at the M-shop include a member of the Indigo Girls doing a solo show Saturday, and a folk singer/songwriter on Tuesday. Not much of interest from the Music Department this week, but Band Extravaganza is coming up in a couple of weeks.
If you want to make a really big day of Cyclone sports, there's a volleyball match at 2:00 Saturday (before the homecoming game). It's free and the first 300 fans get free Coldstone ice cream.
In lectures, there's one on the financial crisis in the Great Hall and one on climate change in the Sun Room tonight, and Monday and Tuesday an author will be talking about the environmental effects of meat eating in the Pioneer and Oak rooms, respectively. Monday features a talk on biofuels in the Sun Room, and Tuesday's lecture in the Sun Room is on the Middle East.
As for homecoming itself, prepare for another weekend with a large number of visitors -- but these are mostly alumni who should have a fair amount of respect for their alma mater and its surrounding neighborhoods. I'm really sorry to be missing it, as I'm in Minnesota for a cousin's wedding. There are also a lot of extra events going around surrounding homecoming, especailly at the new alumni center, as well as lots of reunions of various groups, like the Alumni Band. It's an evening game, which means extended tailgating.
Reimann is doing that Halloween event for kids again on Sunday. At the Varisty, Tonight is your last night for The Duchess (mentioned last week) and "An American Carol" -- the old Dickens tale done as a thinly veiled send-up of Micheal Moore. Tomorrow starts Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (which I am planning to see) and Quarantine (horror, no thanks for me)
Only thing in Greekland for the next week is Greek Trick or Treat on Wednesday. (the city's trick or treat night will be next Friday, on Halloween itself.) If you'd like for your child to participate, I'm guessing Jenn Plegman-Galvin will have more info. She'd probably be able to give information on the Rake-a-thon too, which is a fundraiser happening through November. Proceeds for that go to the MS foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
The event of the week, besides homecoming, is the BB King concert at Stephens on Wednesday. I bought tickets as a birthday present to my husband, and I am really looking forward to it. Concerts at the M-shop include a member of the Indigo Girls doing a solo show Saturday, and a folk singer/songwriter on Tuesday. Not much of interest from the Music Department this week, but Band Extravaganza is coming up in a couple of weeks.
If you want to make a really big day of Cyclone sports, there's a volleyball match at 2:00 Saturday (before the homecoming game). It's free and the first 300 fans get free Coldstone ice cream.
In lectures, there's one on the financial crisis in the Great Hall and one on climate change in the Sun Room tonight, and Monday and Tuesday an author will be talking about the environmental effects of meat eating in the Pioneer and Oak rooms, respectively. Monday features a talk on biofuels in the Sun Room, and Tuesday's lecture in the Sun Room is on the Middle East.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Review: Sweeney Todd
I was warned before going that the movie version of Sweeney Todd was extremely gory. The gore was not so graphic in the stage version– just symbolic in the form of a giant coffin being reused as all the large furniture props and buckets of blood being poured into one another. So now I'm curious as to whether the symbolism was carried over to the movie or if it was all literal in its depiction of violence. The performers were all very impressive -- there's no separate pit for musicians; everyone is on stage all the time playing an instrument (and often switching between them) as well as a part. I wonder if when casting, the director is just looking to fill out the instrumentation and it doesn't matter who plays which, as long as you can play some something -- or if, for example, the woman playing the daughter has to be a talented bassist. If it comes back to central Iowa I would definitely recommend you see Sweeney Todd (assuming the darkness of the subject matter and the symbolic way it is portrayed is your cup of tea.)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Upcoming EWWD: September 22-27ish
This week's featured entertainment within walking distance is Sweeney Todd at the Iowa State Center. Yes, the actual musical. Not one for the kids, obviously. That's Wednesday at 7. $20 for students and $40+ depending on how nice you want your seats for everyone else. Do what I'm doing and go with a group of grad students. Students can get 2 tickets per student ID.
If you don't want to spend the cash, you can still get plenty of high-class culture at Music Hall Wednesday at 7:30, where there'll be a concert featuring Cantus, a nationally known men's choir, singing with ISU's own men's a capella group, The Statesmen. That's only $5, $3 for students. Since I'll be at Sweeney Todd I'd love to hear from anyone who make it to this. The Music department also has a big concert Friday at 7 with symphonic and concert bands, followed by the Wind Ensemble; it's at the City Auditorium so not actually in walking distance for SCAN people. $4 for students, $6 for the rest of us.
In food and fundraising, there's a Greek philanthropy shindig Thursday: Sigma Phi Epsilon Sausage Fest and BBQ; Cost: $3; Proceeds to benefit: Youth AIDS. Sig Eps are at 228 Gray Ave. That's from 4-8.
ISU Lectures has another full week, with feminist icon Adrienne Rich speaking tonight at 8 in the Great Hall and tomorrow morning at 10 in the Campanile room. Tomorrow evening is a lecture on immigration (part of Hispanic heritage month). Wednesday features a talk at the auditorium in the Design Building on architecture and reducing fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions. Thursday has two lectures, one at 8 at City Hall (seems to be a theme this week; it's being catered with local foods so I'm still tempted to go) on "Can capitalism save the planet?" and one closer to home at Howe Hall at 6pm, which is a roundtable on energy security. All lectures are of course, free.
No football game whatsoever this week (the last two were away games). Athletics does have a couple of home matchups though: Soccer against Missouri at 7 on Friday and Volleyball against Nebraska at 6:30 on Saturday. Volleyball is only $1 as part of the "cram the coliseum" promotion -- and don't forget to wear gold (not cardinal, don't want to be confused with fans of the evil Big Red) if you go. If I do anything Friday night it'll probably be the concert, and I have a wedding to go to on Saturday, so this week in sports is another area where I'd appreciate my dear readers' reviews.
Wall-E is approaching a status as a permanent feature at the Varsity, and the other screen is still turning over at a weekly rate. Right now it's a French movie, Roman de Gare. Must be in their contract as an indie/foreign movie house to show 1 French film per semester. The initial plot summary -- it's about a novelist -- on IMDB made me think that it's a stereotypical French movie that only an NPR reviewer could love, but the full summary makes it sound like more of a murder mystery, which could be fun. I'll never convince Chris to go unless it's dubbed though. Can't find any information on whether it's subtitled or dubbed unfortunately.
The M-Shop has indie music on Tuesday and Friday, hip-hop on Saturday, and sketch comedy (Grandma Mojo's of course) Wednesday night late (a person could probably pull off both that and either Sweeney Todd or the men's chorus, if they were up for a full evening out.)
That's it for now -- I'll be back Thursday with my review of Sweeney Todd and hopefully a better preview for the weekend.
If you don't want to spend the cash, you can still get plenty of high-class culture at Music Hall Wednesday at 7:30, where there'll be a concert featuring Cantus, a nationally known men's choir, singing with ISU's own men's a capella group, The Statesmen. That's only $5, $3 for students. Since I'll be at Sweeney Todd I'd love to hear from anyone who make it to this. The Music department also has a big concert Friday at 7 with symphonic and concert bands, followed by the Wind Ensemble; it's at the City Auditorium so not actually in walking distance for SCAN people. $4 for students, $6 for the rest of us.
In food and fundraising, there's a Greek philanthropy shindig Thursday: Sigma Phi Epsilon Sausage Fest and BBQ; Cost: $3; Proceeds to benefit: Youth AIDS. Sig Eps are at 228 Gray Ave. That's from 4-8.
ISU Lectures has another full week, with feminist icon Adrienne Rich speaking tonight at 8 in the Great Hall and tomorrow morning at 10 in the Campanile room. Tomorrow evening is a lecture on immigration (part of Hispanic heritage month). Wednesday features a talk at the auditorium in the Design Building on architecture and reducing fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions. Thursday has two lectures, one at 8 at City Hall (seems to be a theme this week; it's being catered with local foods so I'm still tempted to go) on "Can capitalism save the planet?" and one closer to home at Howe Hall at 6pm, which is a roundtable on energy security. All lectures are of course, free.
No football game whatsoever this week (the last two were away games). Athletics does have a couple of home matchups though: Soccer against Missouri at 7 on Friday and Volleyball against Nebraska at 6:30 on Saturday. Volleyball is only $1 as part of the "cram the coliseum" promotion -- and don't forget to wear gold (not cardinal, don't want to be confused with fans of the evil Big Red) if you go. If I do anything Friday night it'll probably be the concert, and I have a wedding to go to on Saturday, so this week in sports is another area where I'd appreciate my dear readers' reviews.
Wall-E is approaching a status as a permanent feature at the Varsity, and the other screen is still turning over at a weekly rate. Right now it's a French movie, Roman de Gare. Must be in their contract as an indie/foreign movie house to show 1 French film per semester. The initial plot summary -- it's about a novelist -- on IMDB made me think that it's a stereotypical French movie that only an NPR reviewer could love, but the full summary makes it sound like more of a murder mystery, which could be fun. I'll never convince Chris to go unless it's dubbed though. Can't find any information on whether it's subtitled or dubbed unfortunately.
The M-Shop has indie music on Tuesday and Friday, hip-hop on Saturday, and sketch comedy (Grandma Mojo's of course) Wednesday night late (a person could probably pull off both that and either Sweeney Todd or the men's chorus, if they were up for a full evening out.)
That's it for now -- I'll be back Thursday with my review of Sweeney Todd and hopefully a better preview for the weekend.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Review: Constitution Day at the MU
Banned Books Jeopardy and the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir were the events Wednesday night at the Union. The lecture on the electoral college at the beginning of the Jeopardy event seemed a little tangential, but once the game got going it was a lot of fun. I had initially thought that the 8:00 show was just the movie, but it was in fact the live performance. I'd never heard the first amendment sung gospel-style before; it was a very unique experience.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Upcoming EWWD: September 15-19
I gotta remember to do these on Thursdays -- the Varsity doesn't post the movie that starts Friday until Wednesday, so I only know that Wall-E is still there, and American Teen (a documentary on high school students) started this past Friday; no clue whether they'll still be there this weekend, and if not what's starting. High school is still a pretty recent memory for me, and nothing I'm interested in reliving. Reviews I've seen of American Teen have been somewhat neutral, with the biggest minus being that they tend to pigeonhole the kids into stereotypes, showing more of what reinforces the idea that one kid is a geek, another a queen bee, another a jock, etc. than what might be interesting about them.
In Greek philanthropies, Beta Theta Pi (on Lincoln Way) is hosting "Beta Burgers and Bands" on Friday from 5:30 till 9 -- for $4 in advance or $5 at the door, get burgers and local music and benefit the 10000 Hours Show, a concert for which the admission price is proof you've done a certain amount of community service.
The M-shop has shows tonight, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, all around $10 for the general public (cheaper for students). They all look like current pop acts, varying from electronica/hip hop to alternative/folk/indie. Check out their website for more details.
It's a full week of lectures at the Union, with "What Would Jesus Buy" (a movie on materialism in America) tonight at 7, Carly Fiorina (former CEO of HP and the first woman to hold that post in a Fortune 20 company) tomorrow at 7:30, and Banned Book Jeopardy on Wednesday at 7, featuring SCAN's own Fern Kupfer. Competing for that timeslot over at the Design College is an artist, chemist, and industrial hygienist lecturing on the topic "Danger! Artist at Work". Also on Wednesday competing for the 8:00 hour (assuming the 7:00s are only an hour long, you could do two) are an encore of What Would Jesus Buy, and the opening of a gallery exhibit on the subject of assisted reproductive technology. Thursday features Henry Rollins doing a spoken word show at Stephens at 8, and a lecture titled "Civic Professionalism and the Pursuit of Sustainability in the Arts and Humanities" in the Sun Room of the MU, also at 8. And even though I hope to do another Upcoming EWWD yet this week, I want to mention now that a member of the Mythbusters team is going to be at Stephens on Saturday. All ISU lectures are free.
Also somewhat outside of the scope is Sweeney Todd (yes, the actual musical) at Stephens on Wednesday the 24th (next week). Buy your tickets now! $20 for students, $43+ for the rest of us. Students can buy 2 each, so I'm hoping to go with some of my HCI colleagues who are taking their time graduating.
Finally, Reiman Gardens is doing Butterfly Docent Training on Saturday -- I'm thinking about doing this one as a way to schedule my day up a little better while I continue the full-time job hunt. Shifts look pretty flexible. If you want to do it you'll have to RSVP, more info at http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/index.cfm?nodeID=5693&action=detail&eventid=17975
In Greek philanthropies, Beta Theta Pi (on Lincoln Way) is hosting "Beta Burgers and Bands" on Friday from 5:30 till 9 -- for $4 in advance or $5 at the door, get burgers and local music and benefit the 10000 Hours Show, a concert for which the admission price is proof you've done a certain amount of community service.
The M-shop has shows tonight, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, all around $10 for the general public (cheaper for students). They all look like current pop acts, varying from electronica/hip hop to alternative/folk/indie. Check out their website for more details.
It's a full week of lectures at the Union, with "What Would Jesus Buy" (a movie on materialism in America) tonight at 7, Carly Fiorina (former CEO of HP and the first woman to hold that post in a Fortune 20 company) tomorrow at 7:30, and Banned Book Jeopardy on Wednesday at 7, featuring SCAN's own Fern Kupfer. Competing for that timeslot over at the Design College is an artist, chemist, and industrial hygienist lecturing on the topic "Danger! Artist at Work". Also on Wednesday competing for the 8:00 hour (assuming the 7:00s are only an hour long, you could do two) are an encore of What Would Jesus Buy, and the opening of a gallery exhibit on the subject of assisted reproductive technology. Thursday features Henry Rollins doing a spoken word show at Stephens at 8, and a lecture titled "Civic Professionalism and the Pursuit of Sustainability in the Arts and Humanities" in the Sun Room of the MU, also at 8. And even though I hope to do another Upcoming EWWD yet this week, I want to mention now that a member of the Mythbusters team is going to be at Stephens on Saturday. All ISU lectures are free.
Also somewhat outside of the scope is Sweeney Todd (yes, the actual musical) at Stephens on Wednesday the 24th (next week). Buy your tickets now! $20 for students, $43+ for the rest of us. Students can buy 2 each, so I'm hoping to go with some of my HCI colleagues who are taking their time graduating.
Finally, Reiman Gardens is doing Butterfly Docent Training on Saturday -- I'm thinking about doing this one as a way to schedule my day up a little better while I continue the full-time job hunt. Shifts look pretty flexible. If you want to do it you'll have to RSVP, more info at http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/index.cfm?nodeID=5693&action=detail&eventid=17975
Sunday, September 7, 2008
EWWD: Upcoming
This promises to be a pretty busy week, despite the lack of a home football game to cap it off. I won't be going to Iowa City, although many people I know are; I have a wedding (which also means I'll be missing any events Friday and Saturday nights.)
There appear to be several Greek philanthropy dinner events beginning tonight; thanks to the meeting tonight I'll be missing the Chi Omega chili supper, and I've got a supper invitations out of town Tuesday and Thursday and will have to miss Farmhouses' burritos and Alpha Gamma Delta' Pajama Jam, but I'll try to make it to DTD's grilling on Wednesday. If you make it to any of them, or would like to, this is the entry to comment on. There all around $6 each.
In lectures, Kal Penn, an actor in a number of college-student-oriented comedies will be on campus campaigning for Obama. On Tuesday there's a more serious Obama-oriented lecture about racism, and Wednesday is the weekly Globalization series, this one about financial markets. Thursday features a colloquium on sustainable agriculture. As I mentioned I'm busy Tuesday and Thursday so I'd love to hear from anyone who makes it to those two lectures.
Wall-E continues to grace the Varsity II, and will be joined by another sci-fi animated movie: Star Wars Clone Wars. I liked the animated Clone Wars series that was on Cartoon Network, and have been planning to go to Clone Wars and the fact that it's at the Varsity II means it's less expensive than at the dodecaplex on South Duff (well what do you call a theater with 12 screens?) Don't know whether I'll try to make it Monday or Wednesday, or hope that it sticks around through next week (since Tuesdays are yet less expensive).
In athletics the women of the volleyball team take on two intrastate rivals: UNI on Wednesday and Iowa Friday.
At the m-shop there's open mic night Tuesday, sketch comedy Wednesday (only $1) and indie bands both on Thursday (supposed to be like the Rolling Stones) and Saturday (which is more modern and angry sounding) both at $9 in advance, $10 day of the show.
See you at the meeting, and don't forget to comment here on anything you make it to that I don't!
There appear to be several Greek philanthropy dinner events beginning tonight; thanks to the meeting tonight I'll be missing the Chi Omega chili supper, and I've got a supper invitations out of town Tuesday and Thursday and will have to miss Farmhouses' burritos and Alpha Gamma Delta' Pajama Jam, but I'll try to make it to DTD's grilling on Wednesday. If you make it to any of them, or would like to, this is the entry to comment on. There all around $6 each.
In lectures, Kal Penn, an actor in a number of college-student-oriented comedies will be on campus campaigning for Obama. On Tuesday there's a more serious Obama-oriented lecture about racism, and Wednesday is the weekly Globalization series, this one about financial markets. Thursday features a colloquium on sustainable agriculture. As I mentioned I'm busy Tuesday and Thursday so I'd love to hear from anyone who makes it to those two lectures.
Wall-E continues to grace the Varsity II, and will be joined by another sci-fi animated movie: Star Wars Clone Wars. I liked the animated Clone Wars series that was on Cartoon Network, and have been planning to go to Clone Wars and the fact that it's at the Varsity II means it's less expensive than at the dodecaplex on South Duff (well what do you call a theater with 12 screens?) Don't know whether I'll try to make it Monday or Wednesday, or hope that it sticks around through next week (since Tuesdays are yet less expensive).
In athletics the women of the volleyball team take on two intrastate rivals: UNI on Wednesday and Iowa Friday.
At the m-shop there's open mic night Tuesday, sketch comedy Wednesday (only $1) and indie bands both on Thursday (supposed to be like the Rolling Stones) and Saturday (which is more modern and angry sounding) both at $9 in advance, $10 day of the show.
See you at the meeting, and don't forget to comment here on anything you make it to that I don't!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Entertainment Within Walking Distance: 8/29-9/6
Once again, I'd like to create a post that will give my readers an opportunity to give feedback on events I can't make it to, and to let you know what I'll be going to (in case you'd like to join me). The only lecture which I am planning on attending features a couple of writers from The Onion which should be pretty hilarious. It's on Thursday at 8 in the MU. I probably won't make it to the one on primate aggression which is Friday the 5th at 9AM. The only home athletics event is the football game next Saturday; I will of course be there. The Varsity isn't getting anything new this week -- I reiterate my recommendation that you see Wall-E on the big screen, and The Longshots still doesn't appeal that much to me (I'm not hearing the buzz that I did for Bend It Like Beckham) but I'd love to hear about it if you go.
The M-shop is having a whole lot of bands for only $5 tonight and $7 tomorrow, all local. Tonight's are described as "indie pop rock" and I would say that they sound a little like early Smashing Pumpkins or Green Day (but I'm dating myself by saying that). Tomorrow's are described as "Indie Shoegazer Folk Rock" which puts me in mind of Simon & Garfunkel, but I'd say they're more like what would have happened if Nirvana had been on antidepressants instead of illegal drugs. There's shows Wednesday and Thursday as well, with acts from further away. Wednesday is also described as indie pop rock. I'd say they sound more like current pop music. Thursday is electronica and I'm not even going to risk my eardrums listening to a sample. How do I know what any of these bands sound like? the M-shop links to Myspace pages. There's also other music around campustown at the usual venues. Let me know if you catch any.
Reimann Gardens is having a "weed warrior days" Thursday morning. If there are any other events in walking distance of the neighborhood, this is the post to comment on them.
I've added some tags to this and my previous entertainment posts describing the costs associated: free, $($1-10), $$ ($10-25), and $$$(more). Football gets both $$ and $$$ since you can get a hillside ticket or spend pretty much as you want (in the thousands, no I am not kidding) in order to get better seats out of your season tickets, which are $300 by themselves. A regular seat will still get you into $$$ range, though.
The M-shop is having a whole lot of bands for only $5 tonight and $7 tomorrow, all local. Tonight's are described as "indie pop rock" and I would say that they sound a little like early Smashing Pumpkins or Green Day (but I'm dating myself by saying that). Tomorrow's are described as "Indie Shoegazer Folk Rock" which puts me in mind of Simon & Garfunkel, but I'd say they're more like what would have happened if Nirvana had been on antidepressants instead of illegal drugs. There's shows Wednesday and Thursday as well, with acts from further away. Wednesday is also described as indie pop rock. I'd say they sound more like current pop music. Thursday is electronica and I'm not even going to risk my eardrums listening to a sample. How do I know what any of these bands sound like? the M-shop links to Myspace pages. There's also other music around campustown at the usual venues. Let me know if you catch any.
Reimann Gardens is having a "weed warrior days" Thursday morning. If there are any other events in walking distance of the neighborhood, this is the post to comment on them.
I've added some tags to this and my previous entertainment posts describing the costs associated: free, $($1-10), $$ ($10-25), and $$$(more). Football gets both $$ and $$$ since you can get a hillside ticket or spend pretty much as you want (in the thousands, no I am not kidding) in order to get better seats out of your season tickets, which are $300 by themselves. A regular seat will still get you into $$$ range, though.
Football: ISU vs. SDSU
Our neighborhood feels the impacts of football games greater than any other residential neighborhood in Ames. If you enjoy football (or just rooting for the Cyclones in any context, as I do) then it's pretty easy to make the best of it. This year, like last year, the first game was on a Thursday night. This can depress attendance a little since it's difficult for faraway fans who normally make the drive on a Friday night to take of at least one, and probably two days of work. Even nearby fans (at least all of my friends working in Des Moines) had to take off a few hours early to have enough time to drive up and enjoy dinner. However, attendance was pretty impressive with just the corners of the upper level looking empty, and fairly full hillsides. The improvements to the stadium were also interesting -- I don't know how impressive they actually are since they were mostly to box seats, and even if I ever see the inside of one in the future, I won't have any basis for comparison. There were also improvements to the bathrooms, and while new facilities that way are always nice (at least when they are new) and added capacity is always appreciated, I found the women's nearest our seats a little claustrophobic compared to the old one.
The game itself was a pretty thorough win on our part, which always makes a game more fun. I'm not enough of an expert on football to give you a forecast on the rest of the season based on this one game -- it was, after all, an opponent from a smaller school, and not nearly so formidible as Iowa or our conference schedule. The best part (besides the win) in my opinion was the gorgeous weather. Tailgating was a little warm mid-afternoon, but the game itself being in the evening meant that the temperature was perfect, combined with clear skies and little wind meant that outside was the place to be, regardless of your choice of entertainment.
On my way back I grabbed a can out of the yard of a neighbor. I pick up nickles on the ground no matter what form they take. Often a neighbor or two who are on the main route out of the stadium (Country Club, mostly) will put out a sack for trash and probably get a dollar or two out of the cans. I think this is great -- people don't like to litter but if they don't have a recepticle they will. I suspect fans overally were pretty well behaved because of the Thursday night game, so we'll see how the next one -- 6:00PM on Saturday, the 6th -- goes. The evening on a weekend will mean much more tailgating, and therefore more potential for litter, but the greater distance that the opponent is travelling means that a smaller percentage of our guests will be strangers.
The game itself was a pretty thorough win on our part, which always makes a game more fun. I'm not enough of an expert on football to give you a forecast on the rest of the season based on this one game -- it was, after all, an opponent from a smaller school, and not nearly so formidible as Iowa or our conference schedule. The best part (besides the win) in my opinion was the gorgeous weather. Tailgating was a little warm mid-afternoon, but the game itself being in the evening meant that the temperature was perfect, combined with clear skies and little wind meant that outside was the place to be, regardless of your choice of entertainment.
On my way back I grabbed a can out of the yard of a neighbor. I pick up nickles on the ground no matter what form they take. Often a neighbor or two who are on the main route out of the stadium (Country Club, mostly) will put out a sack for trash and probably get a dollar or two out of the cans. I think this is great -- people don't like to litter but if they don't have a recepticle they will. I suspect fans overally were pretty well behaved because of the Thursday night game, so we'll see how the next one -- 6:00PM on Saturday, the 6th -- goes. The evening on a weekend will mean much more tailgating, and therefore more potential for litter, but the greater distance that the opponent is travelling means that a smaller percentage of our guests will be strangers.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
ISU Lectures: Paul Shirley
Paul Shirley's talk was a lot of fun. He's got a self-deprecating shtick, heavily laden with sarcasm, that makes you think he'd be a fun guy to spend an evening having a conversation with. Since the talk was part of the Globalization series (actually a mechanical engineering course, but everything's open to the public), he tried to make a few points about how students should respond to that, namely:
1. Don't try to predict change; it's unpredictable by its very nature. (he recommended The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.)
2. Don't specialize yourself too much, as tempting as it is as an engineer.
3. Pay attention to the world around you. Go visit it.
He also had some life lessons to impart learned from sports and the business of sports, about how to deal with stress and failure, mainly having the right attitude so that you don't compromise your own success, as well as living in the moment. He also recommended writing as a way to handle failure. But the main thing I got out of it was the anecdotes, pretty hilarious on their own but made funnier by his style (if you like it; there were a few times when Chris, my old roommate, and I were the only ones laughing out loud. I think some of the students were afraid to be amused by a classroom speaker.) If you missed it, there's supposed to be a podcast, but it looks like they haven't updated that feed since spring. Check back with www.lectures.iastate.edu/podcasts/ in a week or two. I'd totally recommend his book, and he was classy enough to stick around signing them afterwards; I'm sure he'll be back in Central Iowa to sign books at some point in the future.
1. Don't try to predict change; it's unpredictable by its very nature. (he recommended The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.)
2. Don't specialize yourself too much, as tempting as it is as an engineer.
3. Pay attention to the world around you. Go visit it.
He also had some life lessons to impart learned from sports and the business of sports, about how to deal with stress and failure, mainly having the right attitude so that you don't compromise your own success, as well as living in the moment. He also recommended writing as a way to handle failure. But the main thing I got out of it was the anecdotes, pretty hilarious on their own but made funnier by his style (if you like it; there were a few times when Chris, my old roommate, and I were the only ones laughing out loud. I think some of the students were afraid to be amused by a classroom speaker.) If you missed it, there's supposed to be a podcast, but it looks like they haven't updated that feed since spring. Check back with www.lectures.iastate.edu/podcasts/ in a week or two. I'd totally recommend his book, and he was classy enough to stick around signing them afterwards; I'm sure he'll be back in Central Iowa to sign books at some point in the future.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Entertainment Within Walking Distance
As I said in my first post, this is the sort of thing I'm planning on blogging about for the most part, since neighborhood business is going to be too infrequent to make a solid blog out of. Today's entertainment within walking distance was Acacia's Root Beer Floats. The weather yesterday had been threatening but today was perfect - warm enough to make ice cream a good idea, not so hot that it's unbearable to be out in it. Acacia is one of the smaller fraternities, found on Grey Avenue. The root beer floats were $3, with profits going to Pages of Promise (a student run, non-profit organization that holds biannual text-book drives on campus to send to schools and libraries in Africa) and the American Red Cross (to help recovering communities in Iowa devastated by historic flooding this past June). Another aspect of the event was a root beer pong tournament, at $2/game. If you're unfamiliar with beverage pong, the basic idea is pretty simple - teams stand at either end of a ping pong table, trying to bounce a ping pong ball into each others' cups, thus obligating the owner of the cup to consume its contents (usually a small amount in each cup, and several cups -- first team to empty all its cups loses.) The game is actually highly structured with all kinds of rules about what happens when a ball goes somewhere other than a full cup, and don't worry, the ball gets washed every time it goes off the table, or in a cup. SCAN members can probably guess the usual context of this game. As a result, and also since the tournament area was bathed in rap music, I can't really recommend sticking around to most SCAN members -- it's just not a scene I see you as being comfortable in -- but if you have fond memories of pong and rap music, $2 isn't a bad deal. For the majority of you, though, I can still recommend the floats, and simply suggest that after buying them you enjoy them somewhere more peaceful. This is Acacia's first year doing this as their philanthropy event -- their previous one involved the use of fire hydrants and the city was going to start charging them for the water. As a result, whether it happens the same way next year is a bit up in the air. Watch this space for more Greek philanthropies like this one.
Upcoming neighborhood entertainment that I'm planning on attending is the first in ISU Lectures Technology, Globalization, and Culture series, featuring Paul Shirley, former ISU basketball player and author of Can I Keep My Jersey?, as well as the first football game of the year. The lecture is in the auditorium in Howe Hall on Wednesday at 6pm, and is free and open to the public. Shirley is highly articulate, and when he finished his degree in mechanical engineering before he'd used up his NCAA eligibility, he stayed on for a year of grad school. The football game is Thursday evening, check out cyclones.com for more info including the various ticket prices (this is one of the cheapest games of the season for single game tickets). SCAN residents are welcome to contact me if you'd like company walking to campus for the lecture. (I'll be with friends from my undergrad days for the game.) Events I'm going to be missing include anything happening over the weekend (I'll be out of town); mostly bands at various campustown businesses and the M-Shop as well as a comedian at Stephens Saturday night. That show is free, but part of Destination Iowa State (i.e. intended for incoming freshmen) so I'm not sure whether it'll appeal to you; he's not anyone I'm familiar with. Also there's a women's soccer game tonight (a bit of a stretch to call the soccer complex walking distance; it's on Elwood aka University way up north at 6th Street, right next to Lied) as well as the Cyclone Fan Fest at the new indoor practice facility next to the stadium Sunday afternoon. Chris may go to that depending on when we get back -- I have a meeting that afternoon. Another maybe is what's playing at the Varsity II right now -- I've already seen Wall-E (and if you haven't GO NOW, best movie of the summer) and the other is The Longshots, the story of the first girl to play Pop Warner football. Sounds like it would be good if you were into sports movies and/or women's empowerment films. I did like Bend it Like Beckham, which also had interesting cultural aspects. Not sure about this one.
If anyone goes to any of the events I can't make it to, leave a comment below letting your neighbors know about the experience. In the interest of minimizing jerks posting anonymously, I'm requiring a login; if you've already got a gmail account you're good to go, and getting one is pretty easy. I'll have other posts about the ones I do attend.
Upcoming neighborhood entertainment that I'm planning on attending is the first in ISU Lectures Technology, Globalization, and Culture series, featuring Paul Shirley, former ISU basketball player and author of Can I Keep My Jersey?, as well as the first football game of the year. The lecture is in the auditorium in Howe Hall on Wednesday at 6pm, and is free and open to the public. Shirley is highly articulate, and when he finished his degree in mechanical engineering before he'd used up his NCAA eligibility, he stayed on for a year of grad school. The football game is Thursday evening, check out cyclones.com for more info including the various ticket prices (this is one of the cheapest games of the season for single game tickets). SCAN residents are welcome to contact me if you'd like company walking to campus for the lecture. (I'll be with friends from my undergrad days for the game.) Events I'm going to be missing include anything happening over the weekend (I'll be out of town); mostly bands at various campustown businesses and the M-Shop as well as a comedian at Stephens Saturday night. That show is free, but part of Destination Iowa State (i.e. intended for incoming freshmen) so I'm not sure whether it'll appeal to you; he's not anyone I'm familiar with. Also there's a women's soccer game tonight (a bit of a stretch to call the soccer complex walking distance; it's on Elwood aka University way up north at 6th Street, right next to Lied) as well as the Cyclone Fan Fest at the new indoor practice facility next to the stadium Sunday afternoon. Chris may go to that depending on when we get back -- I have a meeting that afternoon. Another maybe is what's playing at the Varsity II right now -- I've already seen Wall-E (and if you haven't GO NOW, best movie of the summer) and the other is The Longshots, the story of the first girl to play Pop Warner football. Sounds like it would be good if you were into sports movies and/or women's empowerment films. I did like Bend it Like Beckham, which also had interesting cultural aspects. Not sure about this one.
If anyone goes to any of the events I can't make it to, leave a comment below letting your neighbors know about the experience. In the interest of minimizing jerks posting anonymously, I'm requiring a login; if you've already got a gmail account you're good to go, and getting one is pretty easy. I'll have other posts about the ones I do attend.
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