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Home , All Hours, At the Beginning, Captain Spaulding, City of Blinding Lights, Howie Day, Moment of Surrender

pageeleven AROUNDTOWN ’s concert is out of this world Bassist and drummer Larry asking them during wwNaomi Prale Mullen amped up dance beats. It is apt to say “” Sports Editor that the rhythm section ruled on this evening. to use their cell phones U2’s new hit, “I’ll Go Crazy if I Don’t Go to “turn this place U2’s much anticipated 360 Degrees tour Crazy Tonight” got a new arrangement that into the Milky Way,” kicked off with a bang on September 12-13 at allowed it to transcend the rather pedestrian with which the crowd as 60,000+ fans filled the lakefront studio version. gleefully complied, stadium. As might be expected from one of rock’s turning the stadium into emerged amid fog on a circular more activist bands, the concert also had a outer space as thousands “spaceship” stage planted on the field— political side to it as it as dedicated of fans whipped out their appropriate considering that critics of the to oppressed leaders and countries across the cell phones and swayed stadium have suggested that the renovated field world. “Walk On” was dedicated to jailed to the music. The soft looks like an alien craft were set atop its aging Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. melody made this a true- façade. During the around 50 people walked onto crowd pleaser as the Opening up with the song “Breathe” off their the circular stage around the main stage holding venue fell quiet as fans most recent No Line on the Horizon, the up masks with phots of Kyi to their faces. listened intently. Before the performance of “One,” a video of The band finished with band continued with three more songs from All in all, the only downside to the night was that album, using an incredible sound system Archbishop Desmond Tutu played, in which “,” the South African icon talked about sending one of the better songs from No Line on the the inevitable, intense, bottleneck traffic coming that allowed this reviewer to hear each nuance out of the stadium, a downside of Soldier Field clearly even from her nosebleed seats. aid to Africa. These weren’t the only political Horizon, and surrender the audience did to the moments of the evening, and rather than take entrancing guitar work of . that Bears fans know all too well. U2 was interactive with the audience as the Stadium concerts tend to fall short due to band encouraged fans to sing along and chant away from music, the political additions made Opening act held its own with the songs seem more meaningful. the headliners in a 40-minute set that consisted the horrid sounds and nosebleed seats, but this lyrics to hit songs such as “” and wasn’t the case. U2 truly provided an over- “Elevation.” Yet the band was subtle because The “spaceship” motif that towered above of songs from various : “Chocolate,” the main stage like Godzilla looked like a giant “” and “” were the-top concert, one that has brought back the it asked the audience to sing along while not stadium concert with a vengeance. breaking the beat and tone of the music. claw that appeared to have lights along the particular gems that the crowd cheered, as each The highlights of the evening were the side that provided even more of an outer space song appeared more well put together than revivals of classics such as “Where the Streets theme. The spectacular setting thoroughly the last, improving in harmony, volume, and U2 Have No Name” and “City of ” enhanced the music that filled the air. heartfelt emotion. The band closed with “Hands that sounded refreshed and would have raised The band played a total of 23 songs for about Open,” making the crowd go wild at the lyrics two hours, and near the end of the show again that say, “Chicago bursts to life and your sweet the roof if Soldier Field had a roof to raise. Soldier Field became very interactive with the audience, smile remembers you.” Herz’s page turner places reader in Harlem story follows the narrator’s navigation of his care about now is money and girls, unlike the transports the reader to Harlem and allows him/ wwSarah Espinosa marriage and the neighborhood in more politically oriented DJs of his her to experience the famous and sometimes Photo Editor which he lives. His wife Namuna . infamous neighborhood like a resident. is the light and love of his life. Each chapter in The Last Block in The Last Block in Harlem is a great read He believes she is an amazing, Harlem tells a heartfelt story of its one that this reviewer hopes will be successful intelligent woman who helps guide own. It has its own unique plot and enough that Herz will be able to end his daily him and always carries advice. In adds or subtracts a character each sidewalk salesmanship. the book the two face some struggles time. Herz has a knack for keeping The book is available through Herz’s own but they can handle anything, and the reader interested in a way that publishing house, Canal Publishing, at www. In novels, films and television programs, the love they share helps to keep this not many writers can, making him/ canalpublishing.com. often is portrayed as a glamorous book going. her want to continue the book for a city, filled with high fashion, hip cocktail The novel is full of charming variety of reasons. The Last Block in Harlem lounges and beautiful architecture. nuances, such as when Herz writes Equally adept at storytelling, What one might not see in Woody Allen’s about how different things are from diction, syntax and dialogue, love letters to the Big Apple or the glitzy world when the narrator was a kid. He talks about Herz never lets the reader lose attention for a of Sex and the City is the other side of New how hip hop has changed and how all rappers moment, and the realistic tone of the novel Christpher Herz York, the grittier underbelly. In The Last Block in Harlem, by Christopher Herz, the author tells the tale of his life in one of ’s historically tough neighborhoods Animal Crackers’ humor steals show and how one man took steps toward changing center of the stage. This was a very interesting second act. his direction and environment. ww Hillary Lindwall arrangement because musicians are usually Slotnick stole the show, mimicking Groucho The book has reader flipping page after page Managing Editor positioned in the orchestra pit. At times the Marx, as he broke down the fourth wall, at all hours trying to get to the next passage. With musicians were even part of the show. Ravelli, speaking directly to the audience. Some of the deep description and detail, one can visualize In 1928, the comedy team the Marx Brothers who was supposed to be a musician who was funniest jokes were told this way. every scene that chronicles the struggles and starred in a Broadway musical called Animal to provide music for the party, even took over Overall, the play was entertaining, boasting obstacles Herz’s first person protagonist comes Crackers. Because of the musical’s success, the piano and sung songs while he played. The funny jokes and (mostly) good songs and dance across to build his writing career. it was brought to the silver screen in 1930, center of the stage rotated, making it easy for numbers. Animal Crackers is a fun, amusing The narrator first starts a job in advertising; becoming one of the Marx Brothers’ most Ravelli to become the center of attention during musical that anyone could enjoy, whether (s)he he grew up watching his mother stretch a dollar beloved films. his solos. is familiar with the Marx Brothers or not. as far as she could and did not want to live that Opening on Sept. 18, Animal Crackers was In addition to the 1930s music, life. Herz writes that although anyone on the once again converted to a stage musical, playing the show featured an impressive array outside looking in would think the protagonist at the Goodman Theater in downtown Chicago. of vaudeville-style dances, soft-tap had “made it,” that is not the way he felt. Directed by Paul Kalina, the story begins at tap dances and swing dances. The The connections between author and a party at the home of Mrs. Rittenhouse (Ora dancers were all very talented, making protagonist suggest that the novel hits close to Jones) for Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding (Joey these sections of the show enjoyable. home. According to Publisher’s Weekly, “Herz Slotnick, reprising the role), who Furthermore, the show opens with quit his advertising job to walk the streets of had just returned from an African exhibition. a vaudeville-style song and dance Manhattan literally selling copies of The Last During the party, a valuable painting is stolen overture, which is not part of the story, Block in Harlem. by members of the party who attempt to replace but which sets the tone for the show. Act Herz printed about 1,100 copies which he and it with another painting. Other characters II also starts this way. his wife carried up to their fourth-story walkup include The Professor (a silent Molly Brennan in While most of the play was in what Herz describes as the last neighborhood the old role) and Emanuel Ravelli entertaining and funny, there were a in Harlem untouched by gentrification. Every (Jonathan Brody, channeling ). few parts that were rather boring. There day, he takes 10 copies out to the streets and Animal Crackers is full of slapstick, visual and were too many love songs, which almost does not come home until he sells all of them”. auditory humor. Although the play is about the took away from the comedy with their In fact, this reviewer became aware of the stolen painting, it is not a mystery. The audience serious subject matter. There were also book when Herz sent an email to West Word, knows who stole the painting and why. a few rather boring musical interludes, offering to send the book for review. In the tradition of the Marx Brothers, most of such as when the Professor plays a harp Animal Crackers The narrator starts off the book explaining the musical numbers, including the legendary that was actually a ballet dancer. These sections his past instead of just jumping right into the “Hooray for Captain Spaulding,” are hilarious. of the play did not seem to fit with the rest of present. After quitting his job, he proposes to the musical and noticeable number of audience The music for the show was provided by Goodman Theater his girlfriend, and once they get married, the six musicians who were positioned in the members were absent at the beginning of the pageeleven pagetwelve AROUNDTOWN Comedy Play the Game lacks new plot

wife. Mitchell tries to make his grandfather feel Both men try hard to fall in love, but both others are from this era. Most of the songs are w Rexly Penaflorida II better, but Joe says that his wife told him to find hit the wall eventually. Mitchell and Julie acoustic or . w Editor in Chief another woman after she died. Mitchell agrees get into an argument and Joe and Edna also The audience at Crown Theaters in Village to help out his Grandpa Joe in his endeavor and have complications. However, the story turns Crossing was an interesting mix of senior gives him tips on how to meet women. As Joe around and both men get the women that they citizens, who came in large groups to watch the tries to win over women, Mitchell has his own had always wanted. film, and bemused teenagers who seemed out of A Niles West alumnus, director Marc love life to manage, While playing football, Despite its premise, the film is more comedy place among the octogenarians. Fienberg brings his he meets Julie than romance. Some of the scenes in the movie The one thing that this reviewer did not like second film, which Larabee (Marla are genuinely funny. For example, when about the movie was that the story did not seem he also wrote and S o k o l o ff ) . H e Mitchell starts teaching his Grandpa Joe how to original. This reviewer was reminded too much produced, to the big is attracted to get women, he brings Joe to a club. The only of the Will Smith vehicle Hitch. Both movies screen. Play the Game her and tries to problem is, all the people in the club are the had the same story line and the same types of is a story about finding find out her daily same age as Mitchell, so Joe feels out of place. characters. true love no matter routine in order to However, there are scenes in this movie that Despite the lack of originality, the movie how old you are. The try make her want even a high school student would not want to was enjoyable, and it was cool to watch a film film evokes laughs him. see. A great example of that would be when produced by someone who once roamed these from start to finish and Meanwhile Edna and Joe have their first dinner together very halls. While it functions nicely as a family shows that one does Joe falls for and then some. Keep in mind that both of these movie, couples also would enjoy watching it on not need tricks or lines another woman characters are in their 70s. a date. to fall in love. in his retirement Fienberg did a good job of directing the Play the Game skillfully examines love from The story centers h o m e . R o s e , film and writing . There are moments both ends of the age spectrum, and it is well on David Mitchell played by where the viewer can really sense the emotion worth the price of admission. (Paul Campbell) Everybody Loves of the character. The character’s feelings are and his Grandpa Joe Raymond alumna then reflected on the viewer, who can then get (television icon Andy Doris Roberts, is a real sense of the current situation that the Play the Game Griffith). Mitchell is a very sweet toward character is in. car salesman who lures him but she is The score is also great. Some of the songs people into buying already going out in the movie are from Grandpa Joe’s time and Marc Fienberg cars that they do not with someone need. He also uses his else. Joe rebounds skills as a salesman to involve himself Uncommon Ground offers organic food to get women. At in a relationship the beginning of the with a woman order their meals. story, he visits his named Edna (Liz w Zoe Ljubic Uncommon Ground set apart three different Grandpa Joe, who has Sheridan) who w Editor in Chief menus from which patrons may choose become very depressed since the death of his wants a lot of things from Joe. depending on the time they decide to dine. The dinner menu for Uncommon Ground offers a Howie Day’s album proves to be mediocre variety of vegetarian plates, meat delicacies, For those who eschew fast food in favor salads, pastas, pizzas and additional side items. of healthier, organic and vegetarian cuisine, The small platters, or appetizers, consist of w Hillary Lindwall depressive mode might either be the cause or Edgewater’s new Uncommon Ground restaurant salads, dips and meat portions. This reviewer w Managing Editor effect of several criminal charges the singer/ welcomes diners who want something out of chose the baked artichoke, goat cheese and has faced since 2004. According the ordinary. pesto dip ($10). This famous small platter is Many may remember Howie Day from his hit to www.usatoday.com, Day was arrested in The second installment in the local small served with extra virgin olive oil and French single “Collide,” which was released in 2003. Wisconsin after he supposedly locked a woman chain (the other restaurant is located at the crostini on the side. Served warm, the dip was Expecting the same type of acoustic album, this in a bathroom and broke the cell phone of corner of Clark and Grace streets in the shadow cooked to perfection, serving as a tasty spread reviewer was surprised to hear that Day has another woman after one of them “allegedly of Wrigley Field), the restaurant offers ample on the French toast points. drastically changed his song style in his newest refused his sexual advances.” According to seating, both indoors and outdoors and exudes a The Sunshine Salad ($7) and chicken and album, Sound the Alarm. www.msnbc.com, Day was arrested again in peaceful atmosphere. sauerkraut soup ($3.50) arrived next. The salad Beginning as a solo artist in the 1990s, Day 2005 for “rowdy behavior on a Boston-bound contains organic greens, seasonal farmers’ became known for accompanying himself. flight after he became intoxicated from a mix market vegetables, sunflower seeds, avocado After releasing two other albums, Australia of alcohol and a sleeping pill.” and sprouts and is tossed with a light apple and Stop All the World Now, both to limited Whatever Day’s depression were the cider vinaigrette. The fresh vegetables add success, it seems as though chicken or the egg, his a refreshing touch to the artichoke dip. One Day decided that adding emotional fragility is might notice the vegetables were grown in the other accompaniment clearly manifested in garden outside. would be advantageous. this new direction. The chicken sauerkraut soup was served Sound the Alarm definitely While many of the warm in a cup and features large chunks of accomplishes this goal songs are sad, one of the broiled chicken and sauerkraut blended together with the addition of drums, best tracks on the album in a tangy sauce. electric guitar, is the upbeat “Be There.” At last, the crispy gunthorp farm chicken and even horns at times. This song is fast-moving breast ($19) arrived. This entrée is served in From the first song on yet relaxing and has a a summer succotash sauce, including bacon, the album, “So Stung,” catchy melody. The song heirloom tomatoes, corn puree and cheddar it becomes obvious that is like a flashback to his cheese. The large portion looks as if it can Day has changed his style. past acoustic self. Along easily serve two people, however, the delicious The track begins very with his prominent chicken and side dishes demand that the patron mysteriously with a very voice, electric guitars, finish the entire plate. This dish is highly quiet riff that almost sounds like drums, and synthesizers can he heard. This recommended. wind. When other instruments can be heard, the might well be the only happy song on the Those who have a sweet tooth for moist, song picks up a little, and the sound is translated album, which is an obvious reason why this freshly baked desserts will enjoy the seedling from mysterious to sad. song was anticipated as a favorite before the farm apple crisp ($7) and s’mores tart ($7). Both Adding instrumentation is one thing; album was released. are served warm with just the right amount of completely changing styles and feelings is quite Overall, the album is just okay. Sound sugar to satisfy sugar lovers’ cravings.. another, and Day has done a 180-degree turn- the Alarm boasts distinguishable and Chicagoans who seek a night out in Chicago around in emotions. On his other albums, Day catchy melodies, but all of the songs sound in a comfortable urban setting, while enjoying expressed contentment, maybe even happiness. similar. The entire album has a lazy quality, as Like its Wrigleyville cousin, the Edgewater a well prepared organic meal, should check out However, on Sound the Alarm, Day provides if its mopey creator couldn’t summon up any Uncommon Ground is divided up into three Uncommon Ground, located at 1401 W. Devon a steady diet of sad love songs that left his excitement about his creation. While it is up the large sections, including a bar and lounge area, Ave. in Edgewater for a great night out with a reviewer somewhat depressed. individual listener to decide how to view the dining room and a miniature stage. Plus, the few friends. One of the saddest songs on the album is new Day that has dawned, this reviewer finds the back parking lot features a handful of tables and For information or reservations, call (773) 465- “Everybody Loves to Love a Lie.” In the song, shift in direction confusing and disconcerting. chairs for patrons to dine al fresco during warm 9801 or visit www.uncommonground.com. Day sings lines such as “Late again and he won’t weather. stop calling / Such a victim of their romance / Howie Day Upon entering the restaurant, patrons are Uncommon Ground Struck down by a strange and cold addiction / greeted by an urban setting with the dim He never had a chance.” These lyrics seem very lighting, exposed brick walls and vibrant works morose. of art. The large sections filled with table 1401 W. Devon Ave. A possible reason for Day’s shift to a more Sound the Alarm settings allow patrons to be quickly seated and pagethirteen

WestWord Actors in Stranger Than Paradise brighten the colorless screen Fifth in a series

Eva eventually leaves for Ohio and Aunt and colorful, as Stranger Than Paradise is still enjoyable and genuinely funny. wwNaomi Prale Lottie, and Willie continues to live his humdrum filmed in black and white and features minimal Stark, in particular, almost steals the spotlight Sports Editor life. dialogue and music. The movie is also slow- at a few moments as the eccentric Aunt Lottie, At this point, the screen fills with large letters: paced and utterly lacking in the trademark but Jarmusch makes sure that the film is too ONE YEAR LATER. Eddie and Willie have action sequences of that time. integrated for any one person to walk away Stranger Than Paradise, indie film maven not changed. They come into a lot of money The acting is surprisingly good, considering with it. Jim Jarmusch’s 1984 exercise in mundanity, is cheating at gambling and decide to go see Eva. that only Edson was a working actor, and the Overall, the film is thoroughly enjoyable, one of those “little” movies that never make It is freezing in Cleveland, and Willie and Eddie characters never stray from their monotonous with a sense of black humor throughout the film the Cineplex but which charm the art house appear to be just as bored as they were in New characteristics, contributing to the deadpan style that, combined with the sincere acting, makes aficionados who ferret them out. York. The humorous Aunt Lottie welcomes the and reinforcing a sense taken that the characters Stranger Than Paradise a true cult classic. Willie (Lounge Lizards’ saxophonist John duo into her home. Eva works at a hot dog stand are not played by actors, but are actual people Lurie, who also did the film’s jazzy score), a and is happy to see them. Desiring adventure, whose lives are being filmed. 30-something Hungarian-American who lives the three of them spontaneously decide to drive The wry, dry humor never in New York, makes a life off cheating at cards down to Florida in an attempt to welcome warm fails to entertain the audience. and betting on horse races. Willie has spent his weather. However, the Florida they find is not In one scene, in which Willie time perfecting his New York accent ever since unlike what they had seen in Cleveland, minus and Eva are talking about he came to the states 10 years before, and he is the snow. Wherever Willie, Eddie and Eva go, TV dinners, Willie is not exactly thrilled when he finds out that his the landscape looks the same. annoyed with Eva. 16-year-old cousin from Budapest, Eva (Eszter Soon, however, everything starts to go sour whose pestering Balint), will spend 10 days with him before in Florida, and after some hilarious drama, the him about moving in with his Aunt Lottie (Cecillia Stark). movie finds the miraculous ending that it all the the origins Willie makes it clear at first that he does not characters desperately need. of his want Eva there, but that seems to be all right The movie was filmed in scattershot, with her because she dislikes him as well. He minimalist fashion, with no segues. Each scene prefabricated despises her curious nature and taste in music- ends theatrically fading to black. This clever meat, saying, she plays “Screamin” Jay Hawkins’ “I Put a cult(and low budget) classics approach mirrors the film’s “Eva, stop Spell on You” so much that the song becomes characters, who fade in and out of one another’s bugging me, will another character in the film. lives at random. you? You Willie’s friend Eddie (Richard Edson) hangs Considering that Stranger Than Paradise was know, this around a bit too, and occasionally (and creepily) made in 1984, it seems to be a reaction against is the way we eat in America. I got my meat, eyeballs Eva. Eva is a bit mopey until she pop culture values of the time both in terms of I got my potatoes, I got my vegetables, I got Stranger Than Paradise shoplifts food and cigarettes, and then Willie content and style. The characters are not filled my dessert, and I don’t even have to wash the begins to see her in a different light. He goes with Reagan era optimism, and visually the dishes.” The humor is subtle as it usually comes so far to show his affection that he buys Eva a movie is the antithesis of MTV. It is not loud out in the middle of sparse dialogue, but it is dress, for which she does not care. Jim Jarmusch