Ape-Rock-Recap

Here is it May 1st, and I find my self at least 3 blog entries behind, 4 if you count the play I went to on Saturday. So, just to make myself feel complete, I'll give some abbreviated commentary on the last week and a half. And I'll try to be better about this stuff in May.


Colin Meloy @ Park West, 21 April
Once again, I enjoyed my relaxing spot in the balcony, but felt a little detached from the action and energy on the floor. Colin holds an audience on the end of a sting, and pulls them along. They'll do anything he says, even if his performance isn't that great. It was a nice show, but I did miss the band. Although he writes the songs, he didn't seem complete without the rest of them. Laura Gibson did a nice little opening set, and I did find the highlight to be Colin and Laura's special duet rendition of Sam Cooke's "Cupid."

Iron & Wine with Califone @ the Vic, 22 April
Wrapping a three night stand, I actually did find myself nodding off a bit during one of the more extended, trancy numbers... luckily, this was when Joe elbowed me to ask me if the drummer had three arms. Both bands were fascinating to watch, and to hear, remodeling songs that had become familiar on their albums into new creatures. But I liked it best when it was just the pair of vocalists - Sam Beam and the woman I believe to be his sister.

Half-handed Cloud @ think/dance collective @ the church that I can see from my doorstep - 24 April
Interestingly enough, Berry United Methodist Church, which sits on the corner of Leavitt and Giddings, is home to the Lincoln Square Arts Center, which presented this little-publicized, but enjoyable low-key event last Thursday. Half-handed Cloud, is John Ringhofer, a normal looking guy, with a squeaky cartoon singing voice, and an endless catalog of tiny little songs. His songs are quirky and fun, and although they're full of christian references, they're mostly of the type you would expect to find in a claymation bible story. The dance group was good too - I forget how much I enjoy that sort of thing. I also feel compelled to mention that I've joined the CSA that delivers to this church on Saturdays, so I suppose in some way or another, it's going to be part of my new life in Lincoln Square, but probably never on Sunday.

And, well, I did see a play on Saturday Night. "Speech and Debate" at the American Theater Company, was a refreshing look at what my life could be if I were in high school RIGHT NOW. Thank goodness we didn't have the internet when I was in high school. We didn't even have caller ID back then, so lonely nerd remained lonely nerds without their blogs and podcasts, but we had a better speech team that the kinds in this show.

It was a unique production - lots of elements of recorded sound and video, made it a little more multi-media than most plays, and a few songs, without it committing to being an actual musical were just right. I have to say though, I did find the very last scene almost too abruptly cliche, and although I had been enjoying it as a completely original story, I almost groaned out loud at Solomon's testing the waters in the gay chat room with the "is anyone out there?" Reminds me that I do need to go to more plays though, so I'm glad my roommate magically produced these tickets. I still owe him $20.