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!
Monday, November 3, 2008
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, October 13, 2008
Entertainment round-up
Yikes, I've gotten behind. Well, I've been a bit busy and haven't made it to anything other than the Kansas game. We don't need to talk about that, or Cyclone football in general. Then again, we do, because this weekend is the Nebraska game, and regardless of whether you're a fan or not, this affects everyone in the neighborhood. The Iowa game, which is here in Ames in odd years, has a reputation for the out-of-town guests sometimes getting out of hand (or at least being higher profile, since there are so many.) Huskers, whom we host in the even-numbered years, are just as bad both in terms of numbers and collective respect for property. Be prepared. Whatever you do in terms of signs, minimizing the potential for vandalism, and Sunday morning cleanup -- make sure you're ready for it.
Besides going to the Nebraska game Saturday, I'll be at the bar formerly known as Peoples (Papa's Corner) on Friday -- the local band playing that night has a friend in it. No solid plans other than that, but I will review anything I do make it to.
Besides the football game, there's volleyball Wednesday and soccer Friday.
If you've got kids, Rieman has an event involving various mascots and Halloween activities on Sunday. Thursday at 8 they have a lecture by an author who writes about ethnic Americans and how they express and transmit their culture through gardening.
In music, there's a concert Sunday night by the Ames Piano Quartet featuring a work by Felix Mendelssohn at Music Hall, and a Mexican group at Stephens on Friday (only $10). The M-shop has something going on pretty much every night this week, check out their website for prices, showtimes, and to get links to bands' sites. And from the category of "Buy tickets now" (even though the event isn't for another 2 weeks): BB King at Stephens on the 29th.
The movies in the neighborhood are an adaptation of an autobiography of a British writer in New York, which has gotten bad reviews; and a historical piece starting Kira Knightley as an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales, who had similar marital difficulties.
One Greek philanthropy - "Crescent Cakes" at Gamma Phi Beta Sunday morning. I'm guessing that means pancakes since it's breakfast.
The big event (besides Nebraska) is in Lectures: John Kerry (isn't it great to be in a swing state?) on Wednesday. If you want a different political perspective, an editor from The National Review will be promoting his book, Liberal Fascism, on Thursday. There are also lectures tonight on sustainable agriculture in the Great Hall, and immigration in the Sun Room; tomorrow on food and health; photography of the white house; and marketing in Hollywood (that last one given by an alumnus who worked on the promotional campaigns for Braveheart and Titanic); and two others on Thursday (besides the national review guy and the gardens) on environmental impacts of ethanol production, and global citizenship.
Besides going to the Nebraska game Saturday, I'll be at the bar formerly known as Peoples (Papa's Corner) on Friday -- the local band playing that night has a friend in it. No solid plans other than that, but I will review anything I do make it to.
Besides the football game, there's volleyball Wednesday and soccer Friday.
If you've got kids, Rieman has an event involving various mascots and Halloween activities on Sunday. Thursday at 8 they have a lecture by an author who writes about ethnic Americans and how they express and transmit their culture through gardening.
In music, there's a concert Sunday night by the Ames Piano Quartet featuring a work by Felix Mendelssohn at Music Hall, and a Mexican group at Stephens on Friday (only $10). The M-shop has something going on pretty much every night this week, check out their website for prices, showtimes, and to get links to bands' sites. And from the category of "Buy tickets now" (even though the event isn't for another 2 weeks): BB King at Stephens on the 29th.
The movies in the neighborhood are an adaptation of an autobiography of a British writer in New York, which has gotten bad reviews; and a historical piece starting Kira Knightley as an ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales, who had similar marital difficulties.
One Greek philanthropy - "Crescent Cakes" at Gamma Phi Beta Sunday morning. I'm guessing that means pancakes since it's breakfast.
The big event (besides Nebraska) is in Lectures: John Kerry (isn't it great to be in a swing state?) on Wednesday. If you want a different political perspective, an editor from The National Review will be promoting his book, Liberal Fascism, on Thursday. There are also lectures tonight on sustainable agriculture in the Great Hall, and immigration in the Sun Room; tomorrow on food and health; photography of the white house; and marketing in Hollywood (that last one given by an alumnus who worked on the promotional campaigns for Braveheart and Titanic); and two others on Thursday (besides the national review guy and the gardens) on environmental impacts of ethanol production, and global citizenship.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Upcoming EWWD
Kind of a light week: only 4 smaller lectures, 2 M-shop shows, 1 Greek philanthropy, 1 Reiman Gardens event, and a handful of athletics. 2 new Varsity II movies though (did anyone make it to that French movie? doesn't seem like anything is staying very long there, other than Wall-E, which was there forever.)
Athletics is the big one this week, with the return of Cyclone Football and the Big 12 opener. Since we lost our road games, there won't be a lot of casual interest, but they were both very close losses, so I'm not writing the Cyclones off for this one. Then again, Kansas is ranked #16 in the country. Game time is 11:30, so tailgating will be starting at 5:30AM. The swim team also starts what I assume is their pre-season with an intrasquad meet on Friday; there's also volleyball after the football game.
Lectures are tonight at 8 on Amazonian languages (titled "Challenging Chomsky"); Wednesday at 8 on the Supreme Court; and Thursday there are 2, one at 7 on energy and politics, and one at 8 on "the definition of manhood". All are in the Sun Room except the Energy and Politics, which is in Howe.
The Thursday show at the m-shop is "hip-hop/psychedelic" and probably not that appealing to most of my readers, but the Friday show is jazz/roots, and after a listen on their Myspace page I'd say the Will Bernard band guys have the funk. More info on tickets at m-shop.com.
The Greek fundraiser is at Alpha Gamma Rho (201 Gray Ave) on Saturday morning - the food is waffles, the cause is the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the cost is $5.
There's an artist reception Saturday at Reiman -- info including RSVP details at http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/index.cfm?nodeID=5693&action=detail&eventid=18393
The two movies are the new Woody Allen flick, and a road movie about returning Iraq veterans.
And this isn't entertainment, and it's not walking distance, but it sure as heck is having me doing a happy dance: S. 4th reopens Wednesday. The loss of this major artery has been an inconvenience to everyone in Ames, but especially those of us on the south side of Lincoln Way. I am especially looking forward to having one of my favorite bike trails back (a rails-to-trails that runs from Research Park all the way to 4th, connecting up with the one that runs along 4th and then along Elwood and on to Brookside)
Athletics is the big one this week, with the return of Cyclone Football and the Big 12 opener. Since we lost our road games, there won't be a lot of casual interest, but they were both very close losses, so I'm not writing the Cyclones off for this one. Then again, Kansas is ranked #16 in the country. Game time is 11:30, so tailgating will be starting at 5:30AM. The swim team also starts what I assume is their pre-season with an intrasquad meet on Friday; there's also volleyball after the football game.
Lectures are tonight at 8 on Amazonian languages (titled "Challenging Chomsky"); Wednesday at 8 on the Supreme Court; and Thursday there are 2, one at 7 on energy and politics, and one at 8 on "the definition of manhood". All are in the Sun Room except the Energy and Politics, which is in Howe.
The Thursday show at the m-shop is "hip-hop/psychedelic" and probably not that appealing to most of my readers, but the Friday show is jazz/roots, and after a listen on their Myspace page I'd say the Will Bernard band guys have the funk. More info on tickets at m-shop.com.
The Greek fundraiser is at Alpha Gamma Rho (201 Gray Ave) on Saturday morning - the food is waffles, the cause is the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the cost is $5.
There's an artist reception Saturday at Reiman -- info including RSVP details at http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/index.cfm?nodeID=5693&action=detail&eventid=18393
The two movies are the new Woody Allen flick, and a road movie about returning Iraq veterans.
And this isn't entertainment, and it's not walking distance, but it sure as heck is having me doing a happy dance: S. 4th reopens Wednesday. The loss of this major artery has been an inconvenience to everyone in Ames, but especially those of us on the south side of Lincoln Way. I am especially looking forward to having one of my favorite bike trails back (a rails-to-trails that runs from Research Park all the way to 4th, connecting up with the one that runs along 4th and then along Elwood and on to Brookside)
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.
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