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Home , Graham Parker, Stambaugh Auditorium

------Calendar • On The Road------Aaron Lewis Dec. 7 Egyptian Room Indianapolis Afghan Whigs Dec. 31 Bogart’s Cincinnati LEAGUE for the BLIND AND DISABLED presents: AJ Swearingen & J Beedle ($22.50) Jan. 19 The Ark Ann Arbor Alabama Shakes Dec. 1 Riviera Theatre Chicago All That Remains w/Nonpoint ($9.89 adv., $13 d.o.s.) Dec. 13 Piere’s Fort Wayne All Time Low w/Yellowcard Jan. 18 Orbit Room Detroit THE BLIND BOYS Andre Williams ($25) Jan. 5 Magic Bag Ferndale, MI Andrew Bird Dec. 19-20 Forth Presbyterian Church Chicago Another Round (formerly IU’s Straight No Chaser) ($20 adv., $25 d.o.s.) Mar. 8 C2G Music Hall Fort Wayne OF ALABAMA Ari Hest ($17.50) Dec. 2 The Ark Ann Arbor Band of Horses Dec. 3 Michigan Theatre Ann Arbor Bela Fleck w/The Cleveland Orchestra Dec. 6-8 Severance Hall Cleveland Embassy Theatre Bergamot w/Five Minute Fan Club and Kevin Daniels & Friends ($8) Dec. 15 Martyrs’ Chicago Betty ($19) Dec. 17 The Ark Ann Arbor Saturday, March 23, 2013 8:00 p.m. Big Gigantic Dec. 31 Aragon Ballroom Chicago Bill Kirchen ($20) Dec. 4 The Ark Ann Arbor Ticket prices: $13, $33, and $43 Black Jake and the Carnies ($15) Dec. 21 The Ark Ann Arbor Blackberry Smoke Jan. 8 Bogart’s Cincinnati Blackberry Smoke Jan. 13 House of Blues Chicago Ticket info: The Blind Boys of Alabama ($13-$43) Mar. 23 Embassy Theatre Fort Wayne Embassy box o ce 260.424.5665 Blue River Band ($5) Dec. 15 Rusty Spur Saloon Fort Wayne Bowfire ($18-$37) Mar. 10 Niswonger Performing Arts Center Van Wert Ticketmaster 1.800.745.3000 Brenda Lee Dec. 16 The Palladium Carmel Brendan Bayliss & Jake Cinninger Dec. 8 Park West Chicago Ticketmaster.com Brian Regan ($35.50-$49.50) Jan. 19 Fox Theatre Detroit Additional credit card and/or Ticketmaster fees apply. Brian Regan ($39.50) Jan. 20 Stambaugh Auditorium Youngstown Buddy Guy w/Jonny Lang Mar. 6 Akron Civic Theater Akron, OH Carrie Underwood w/Hunter Hayes Dec. 11 Schottenstein Center Columbus, OH Carrie Underwood w/Hunter Hayes Dec. 12 United Center Chicago Carrie Underwood Apr. 14 War Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne Celtic Woman Dec. 6 Fox Theatre Detroit Celtic Woman ($42-$62) Apr. 7 Embassy Theatre Fort Wayne Chaka Khan ($55-$67) Nov. 29 Sound Board Detroit Cherish the Ladies ($30) Dec. 5 The Ark Ann Arbor Chicago Classic Brass (free) Dec. 8 First Presbyterian Church Fort Wayne Chick Corea & Gary Burton Apr. 20 The Palladium Carmel Chonda Pierce ($5-$20) Dec. 8 First Assembly of God Fort Wayne Chris Young w/Thomas Rhett and Joanna Smith Nov. 29 Stroh Center Bowling Green, OH Christine Stedman w/Chris Dubail ($8-$9.50) Dec. 13-15 Snickerz Fort Wayne Christopher Cross ($18-$41) Feb. 14 Niswonger Performing Arts Center Van Wert For more information, contact the League at 260-441-0551 City and Colour, Rodriguez, Trampled by Turtles, Delta Rae, Carl Broemel, Frontier Ruckus, Brown Bird, Colin Hay ($47.50-$290) Jan. 25 Hill Auditorium Ann Arbor or visit www.the-league.org The Head and the Heart, Lucinda Williams, Dar Williams, Frank Fairfield, The Steel Wheels, Brother Joscephus and the Love Revolution, Drew Nelson, Colin Hay ($47.50-$290) Jan. 26 Hill Auditorium Ann Arbor Citizen Cope Feb. 6 House of Blues Cleveland Clay Aiken ($35-$75.50) Dec. 14 Fox Theatre Detroit Clutch Dec. 29 Newport Music Hall Columbus, OH Coco Montoya ($25-$30) Dec. 6 C2G Music Hall Fort Wayne The Contours w/The Miracles and the Temptations ($45) Dec. 2 Star Plaza Theatre Merrillville Concrete Blonde Dec. 21 Park West Chicago Craig Morgan and Phil Vassar ($20-$75) Dec. 22 Honeywell Center Wabash D. Jones w/Marlin Hill & the Living for Jesus Gospel Mimes, Latrece Goree, Terrell Pettus, Pastor Bill McGill, Courtney White ($12 adv., $17 d.o.s.) Dec. 15 C2G Music Hall Fort Wayne dada Feb. 9 House of Blues Chicago The Dan Band Nov. 30 House of Blues Cleveland The Dan Band Dec. 1 Bogart’s Cincinnati Daughtry and 3 Doors Down w/ P.O.D. ($35-$60) Dec. 5 Fox Theatre Detroit Daughtry and 3 Doors Down w/ P.O.D. Dec. 9 Akoo Theatre Rosemont, IL Dave Koz Dec. 8 Chicago Theatre Chicago Dave Matthews Band w/Jimmy Cliff Dec. 5 United Center Chicago David Phelps ($10-$25) Dec. 18 First Assembly of God Fort Wayne Delbert McClinton ($50) Dec. 20 The Ark Ann Arbor Diamond Rio ($47-$65) Dec. 31 Wagon Wheel Theatre Warsaw Digital Tape Machine Dec. 8 Bottom Lounge Chicago Doc Severinsen Apr. 18 The Palladium Carmel Donna the Buffalo w/Steve Dawson Dec. 15 City Winery Chicago Doro w/Sister Sin Feb. 9 Al Rosa Villa Columbus, OH

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November 29, ’12------www.whatzup.com------17 ------Calendar • On The Road------At the ripe old age of 30, Lil Wayne is plan- Doro w/Sister Sin Feb. 10 Peabody’s Downunder Cleveland ning to retire. Well, we aren’t exactly sure Dustin Lynch w/Gunslinger ($7 adv., $9 d.o.s.) Dec. 15 Neon Armadillo Fort Wayne when it will happen, but he is talking about Road Notez Ed Sheeran Jan. 24 Fillmore Detroit Detroit it. In an interview with MTV, the rapper said Ed Sheeran Jan. 25 Bogart’s Cincinnati “I signed my contract at 11, I went Platinum CHRIS HUPE Ed Sheeran Jan. 26 Egyptian Room Indianapolis at 14 ... Thank God I haven’t put out an al- Ellie Goulding Jan. 29 Aragon Ballroom Chicago Ellis Paul ($15) Apr. 7 The Ark Ann Arbor bum that hasn’t went Platinum. To just keep it going like that, I think not only am I being Eluveitie Dec. 11 Bottom Lounge Chicago greedy, I’m fooling myself to think that it will continue to be that great.” There you have it. EOTO ($17) Nov. 30 Canopy Club Urbana, IL Lil Wayne, the unlikely voice of reason. Mr. Wayne will release I Am Not a Human Being Ernie Haase and Signature Sound ($12-$40) Dec. 7 Honeywell Center Wabash II in February before ultimately releasing his last album, Tha Carter V, sometime shortly Ernie Haase and Signature Sound ($18-$37) Mar. 24 Niswonger Performing Arts Center Van Wert thereafter. Weezy says that after he drops his rap career, he would like to be a sports ana- Every Avenue Dec. 21 House of Blues Chicago lyst/skater. There’s a lot of demand for that combination, apparently. Excision ($25 adv., $30 d.o.s.) Jan. 25 Egyptian Room Indianapolis Flamingo Nosebleed w/ Drunken Therapy Sour Mash Kats & RPM Dec. 1 CS3 Fort Wayne Rascal Flatts will play the first show at Firekeeper’s Casino Hotel’s new Event Center Flamingo Nosebleed w/ The Magnes & The Queers Jan. 1 Brass Rail Fort Wayne December 29. Firekeeper’s is a relatively new casino located just an hour and a half north Flogging Molly Jan. 25 Fillmore Detroit Detroit of Fort Wayne near Battle Creek. Tickets are reportedly becoming scarce, and the show Flogging Molly Jan. 26 Aragon Ballroom Chicago will likely sell out soon, so get them now if you want to check out one of the better country Four Tops ($32.50-$35) Dec. 13 Sound Board Detroit acts touring today. Firekeeper’s is promising a full schedule of shows in 2013, and we will Frank Roche w/Zan ($8-$9.50) Dec. 6-8 Snickerz Fort Wayne Frankie Ballard w/Jon Pardi and Miss Willie Brown ($5 adv., $7 d.o.s.) Dec. 1 Neon Armadillo Fort Wayne let you know about additional shows as they are announced. Frankie Ballard ($18) Dec. 14 State Theatre Kalamazoo The End of the World Party is in Detroit’s Masonic Temple on December 21. Billed as Full Set ($20) Mar. 14 The Ark Ann Arbor “Four Great Bands, One Final Night,” the show features Mötley Crüe vocalist Vince Neil fun. Jan. 26 Fillmore Detroit Detroit Queensrÿche Slaughter Great White Gaelic Storm Mar. 15-16 House of Blues Chicago as the headliner along with , and . Great White and Gary Hoey ($36-$55) Dec. 7 City Theatre Detroit Queensrÿche will be showing off their new singers, while Slaughter and Neil will likely George Winston ($45) Dec. 16 The Ark Ann Arbor sing many old Crüe favorites. Slaughter hasn’t released an album since 1999, but they still Gojira Feb. 10 Saint Andrews Hall Detroit rock with the best of ’em and are a must-see for fans of that era of music. Gojira w/Devin Townsend Project Feb. 11 House of Blues Chicago Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Dec. 5 House of Blues Cleveland I’m a definitely a music nerd, and I’ll likely be at The End of the World Party, but I’m a Grace Potter and the Nocturnals Jan. 18 Riviera Theatre Chicago sports guy as well. That’s why, when I heard baseball legend Pete Rose has been booked Graham Parker & The Rumour Dec. 18 Park West Chicago at The Honeywell Center in Wabash on April 20, I knew I had to go. Sure he bet on base- Green Day Jan. 8 Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL ball and is banned from the sport for life, but that doesn’t ruin the memories I have of one Green Day Jan. 30 Wolstein Center at CSU Cleveland of the greatest players to ever play the game playing every day like it was his last. A joy to Halestorm Dec. 7 Club Fever South Bend watch on the diamond, I’m sure he will have some great stories to tell as well. Hinder w/Nonpoint and Charm City Devils ($9.89 adv., $15 adv. $18 d.o.s.) Dec. 8 Piere’s Fort Wayne honeyhoney Dec. 26 House of Blues Cleveland Rock on the Range, one of the nation’s premiere festival concerts, will expand to three Hoodie Allen Dec. 8 House of Blues Chicago days in 2013. Taking place at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, the festival Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra feat. Time For Three ($15-$35) June 2 Honeywell Center Wabash routinely features a “who’s who” of rock music, and I doubt that will change this time The J. Geils Band Dec. 4 House of Blues Chicago around. With an extra day, there’s just going to be more of it. Though performers won’t be The J. Geils Band Dec. 7 Fillmore Detroit Detroit Jackyl ($15 adv.-$18 d.o.s.) Nov. 30 Piere’s Fort Wayne announced until early 2013, tickets are already on sale for the May 17-19 event. Jake Owen Nov. 29-30 House of Blues Chicago [email protected] James Fortune w/Jessica Reedy Dec. 2 House of Blues Chicago Janice Ian and Karla Bonoff ($12-$27) Apr. 13 Hall-Moser Theatre Portland Michael Bolton ($27-$100) Dec. 12 Honeywell Center Wabash Jarrod Niemann w/Gunslinger ($18) Jan. 12 Neon Armadillo Fort Wayne Michal Menert & Break Science w/Paul Basic Dec. 1 House of Blues Chicago Jason and the Punknecks Dec. 11 Berlin Music Pub Fort Wayne Midge Ure ($22) Jan. 17 Magic Bag Ferndale, MI Jason and the Punknecks Feb. 14 Berlin Music Pub Fort Wayne Mike Super ($19-$50) Dec. 8 Honeywell Center Wabash Jeff Dunham Dec. 26 Nutter Center Dayton The Moody Blues Dec. 3 EJ Thomas Hall, University of Akron Akron Jeff Dunham ($49.50) Dec. 28 Joe Louis Arena Detroit The Moody Blues ($48.50-$78.50) Dec. 4 Fox Theatre Detroit Jeff Dunham ($44) Feb. 10 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids The Moody Blues ($39.50-$79.50) Dec. 6 Murat Theatre,Old National Centre Indianapolis Jessie Brown ($5) Dec. 22 Rusty Spur Saloon Fort Wayne The Moody Blues Dec. 8 Horseshoe Casino Hammond Joanne Shaw Taylor Dec. 7 House of Blues Chicago Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf w/the Fabulous Thunderbirds and JJ Grey ($25-$35) Feb. 1 Clowes Memorial Hall Indianapolis John Berry ($27-$32) Dec. 7 State Theatre Kalamazoo Mung Xuan Quy Ty w/Thuy Duong, Toc Tien, Mai Tien Dung, Nhu Quynh, John Pizzarelli Jan. 10 The Palladium Carmel Truong Vu, Huong Thuy and the Liberty Band ($25-$30) Jan. 27 Motor City Casino Hotel Detroit Journey ($57.50-$97.50) Feb. 10 War Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne Necrodemon w/Psychomancer Dec. 1 Berlin Music Pub Fort Wayne Journey Feb. 9 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids New Found Glory Dec. 1 Bottom Lounge Chicago Judy Collins ($49.50) Feb. 9 The Ark Ann Arbor NewFound Road ($15) Feb. 8 The Ark Ann Arbor KEM and Mike Epps ($49-$150) Dec. 31 Fox Theatre Detroit NewSong w/Francesca Battistelli, Building 429 and Jonny Diaz ($17-$50) Dec. 9 Honeywell Center Wabash Keller Williams Feb. 9 Canopy Club Urbana, IL Noize Dec. 8 Aragon Ballroom Chicago Kelly Joe Phelps ($15) Jan. 18 The Ark Ann Arbor Of Monsters and Men Dec. 16 Riviera Theatre Chicago Kenny Rogers ($38.50-$75.50) Dec. 13 Fox Theatre Detroit The Osmond Brothers ($20-$40) Dec. 13 Niswonger Performing Arts Center Van Wert Kenny Rogers ($38-$100) Dec. 15 Honeywell Center Wabash Over the Rhine ($30) Dec. 13 The Ark Ann Arbor Kevin Hart Dec. 7 Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland Paul Bond w/Chris Hegedus ($8-$9.50) Nov. 29-Dec. 1 Snickerz Fort Wayne Kill Hannah Dec. 22 House of Blues Chicago Paula Poundstone ($24.50-$35) Feb. 8 State Theatre Kalamazoo The Killers Dec. 20 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI Pauly Shore ($25) Jan. 12 Magic Bag Ferndale, MI The Killers w/Tegan and Sara Dec. 21 UIC Pavilion Chicago Peabo Bryson w/Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., Stephanie Mills and James Ingram ($60) Dec. 14 Star Plaza Theatre Merrillville Kirko Bangz ($22.50 adv., $27.50 d.o.s.) Dec. 14 Piere’s Fort Wayne Peter Noone w/ The Grass Roots and the Buckinghams ($35) Jan. 26 Star Plaza Theatre Merrillville The Klezmatics ($30) Dec. 14 The Ark Ann Arbor Peter Yarrow w/Mustard’s Retreat ($12-$27) Jan. 25 Hall-Moser Theatre Portland Koffin Kats ($5 adv., $8 d.o.s.) Dec. 11 CS3 Fort Wayne Pop Evil w/Vultress and Kill The Rabbit ($15) Dec. 6 The Loop Bar & Grill LaPorte Ladybirds w/Hard Candy Hearts & Slowpokes ($5) Nov. 29 Brass Rail Fort Wayne Psychostik w/Mr. Hipster and Horns Nov. 29 Yellow Bird Fort Wayne Lamb of God w/In Flames, Sylosis & Hellyeah Nov. 30 Congress Ballroom Chicago Public Enemy Dec. 5 House of Blues Chicago Lamb of God w/In Flames, Sylosis & Hellyeah Dec. 1 Fillmore Detroit Detroit Punch Brothers Dec. 13 The Vic Theatre Chicago Lamb of God w/In Flames, Sylosis & Cannibal Corpse Dec. 2 LC Pavilion Columbus, OH The Rat Pack is Back Mar. 7 Embassy Theatre Fort Wayne Lamb of God w/In Flames, Sylosis & Hellyeah Dec. 3 Orbit Room Grand Rapids Ray LaMontagne Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Chicago Theatre Chicago Leftover Salmon Dec. 27 The Vogue Theatre Indianapolis Ray LaMontagne Dec. 3 Palace Theatre Columbus, OH Leftover Salmon w/The Lee Boys Dec. 31 The Vic Theatre Chicago Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Dec. 1 Bottom Lounge Chicago Leo Kottke ($35) Nov. 29 The Ark Ann Arbor Richard Marx Dec. 16 Park West Chicago Lisa Lampanelli Dec. 8 Michigan Theater Ann Arbor Riders in the Sky ($25) Dec. 16 The Ark Ann Arbor Lotus Dec. 27-28 Riviera Theatre Chicago The Rippingtons ($17-$32) Jan. 26 Niswonger Performing Arts Center Van Wert Luke Bryan w/Thompson Square and Florida Georgia Jan. 17 Ford Center Evansville The Robert Cray Band ($35-$45) Dec. 2 Royal Oak Music Theatre Royal Oak, MI Maia Sharp w/AG and Garrison Star ($16) Dec. 10 The Ark Ann Arbor Robert Randolph and the Family Band with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe) Dec. 31 Riviera Chicago Mannheim Steamroller ($28-$68) Nov. 30 Embassy Theatre Fort Wayne Robin & Linda Williams ($20) Jan. 13 The Ark Ann Arbor Mannheim Steamroller ($30-$85) Dec. 16 Fox Theatre Detroit Ron White Feb. 16 Honeywell Center Wabash Marc Cohn ($45) Jan. 14 The Ark Ann Arbor Saint Diablo Dec. 21 Alrosa Villa Columbus, OH Maroon 5 Apr. 6 Allstate Arena Chicago Sandra Bernhard ($35-$50) Feb. 1-2 The Ark Ann Arbor Martina McBride Dec. 21 Chicago Theatre Chicago Savoy Brown w/Kim Simmonds ($25) Jan. 4 Magic Bag Ferndale, MI Matchbox Twenty ($42-$78) Feb. 12 Embassy Theatre Fort Wayne Seth Glier ($15) Jan. 11 The Ark Ann Arbor Matchbox Twenty Feb. 17 Akron Civic Therter Akron Shawn Colvin ($42.50) Dec. 12 The Ark Ann Arbor Maybach Music Group w/Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Wale ($29.75-$79.75)Dec. 15 Fox Theater Detroit Silversun Pickups Dec. 5 Bogart’s Cincinnati Melissa Ferrick ($20) Dec. 7 The Ark Ann Arbor Sister Hazel Dec. 14-15 House of Blues Chicago Small Town Son ($5) Dec. 28 Rusty Spur Saloon Fort Wayne 18------www.whatzup.com------November 29, ’12 ------Calendar • On The Road------Soundgarden Jan. 27 Fillmore Detroit Detroit The Starting Line Dec. 8 Saint Andrews Hall Detroit The Starting Line Dec. 9 House of Blues Chicago State Radio Nov. 29 Metro Chicago A Visit from Wine Faeries The Steepwater Band Dec. 31 House of Blues Chicago Straight No Chaser Dec. 7-8 Old National Centre Indianapolis Vine HQ was a happy place last week. Straight No Chaser Dec. 9 Chicago Theatre Chicago Not one, but two unexpected deliveries ap- Straight No Chaser ($29.50-$44.50) Dec. 12 Fox Theatre Detroit peared from the wine fairy – samples from The Naked Vine Super Diamond Jan. 18-19 House of Blues Chicago Robert Mondavi winery. I learned later that Tank ($22 adv., $30 d.o.s.) Dec. 1 Piere’s Fort Wayne they were from our friends at Folsom & As- MIKE ROSENBERG Tax Brandywine w/James and the Drifters Dec. 14 Dash-In Fort Wayne Third Eye Blind Dec. 28 House of Blues Cleveland sociates, so thanks very much! Third Eye Blind Dec. 29 Fillmore Detroit Detroit Robert Mondavi is a ubiquitous la- in Crime and I split on this wine. I liked it, Third Eye Blind Dec. 30 Bogart’s Cincinnati bel. I’m trying to remember the last time I but she didn’t. With a slow-cooked fall veg- Three Days Grace w/Shinedown & P.O.D.($25-$40.50) Feb. 15 War Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne walked into a wine store and didn’t see at etable soup, the roasted veggies played off Tim O’Brien ($20) Dec. 1 The Ark Ann Arbor least a few selections from Mondavi. One the oak nicely, making it a tasty meal wine. Toby Mac Dec. 6 Huntington Center Toledo reason we should all appreciate Mr. Mon- It retails for around $20. Toby Mac w/Red, Matthew West, Jamie Grace, NewSong, Sidewalk Prophets, davi: back in the 1960s Mondavi was one of The second lot was two bottles of the Royal Tailor, Jason Castro, OBB, Capital Kings & Nick Hall Jan. 20 Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne the first vintners in California to label wine Robert Mondavi Private Selection series. Todd Carey and Band Dec. 9 Scarlet and Grey Café Columbus, OH Todd Carey and Band Dec. 11 Beachland Tavern Cleveland by varietal instead of by vineyard – which is Near as I can tell, this is the rebranding of Todd Carey and Band w/Daphne Willis Dec.12 Lincoln Hall Chicago now, of course, the standard in the nomen- the less-pricey Mondavi Coastal”line. Most Todd Carey and Band Dec. 13 Birdy’s Indianapolis clature wine bottled outside France, Italy of these wines fit squarely into the Naked Tony Lucca Dec. 14 Saint Andrews Hall Detroit and a few other places. Vine wheelhouse, retailing in the $10-15 Tracey Morgan ($43-$53) Dec. 27 Sound Board Detroit Mondavi was known in the 60s and 70s range. Trampled by Turtles Jan. 24 The Vic Theatre Chicago for making high-end wines (and they still This pair of wines, however, came with Trampled by Turtles ($17) Dec. 7 Canopy Club Urbana, IL do; their 1997 reserve Chardonnay was rated some bonus swag. The wines came in a very Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec. 6 The Nutter Center Dayton Trans-Siberian Orchestra ($31.50-$72) Dec. 7 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids No. 1 in the world). Over the years, the wild attractive soft-side picnic basket with a roll- Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec. 8 Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL success of their more inexpensive labels like up picnic blanket, a travel guide to Califor- Trans-Siberian Orchestra ($33.50-$70) Dec. 9 Bankers Life Fieldhouse Indianapolis Mondavi Coastal and Woodbridge overshad- nia’s Central Coast and some very spicy sa- Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec. 26 Quicken Loans Arena Cleveland owed their more premium bottlings (aside lami. The implication seems to be that these Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec. 29 Palace of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, MI from some of the super high-end stuff like are good picnic wines. We received one bot- Trans-Siberian Orchestra Dec. 30 Nationwide Arena Columbus, OH Opus One, done in partnership with Chateau tle of Cabernet Sauvignon and one bottle of Trey Songz w/ Miguel and Elle Varner ($48.50-$105) Dec. 7 Fox Theatre Detroit Mouton Rothschild of Bordeaux). Mondavi Chardonnay. The Private Selection catalog Trinidad Tripoli Steelband ($15) Dec. 18 The Ark Ann Arbor also contains all the other major varietals: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Dec. 6 Park West Chicago has been trying to improve the marketing of Twenty One Pilots Dec. 7 Deluxe at Old National Centre Indianapolis its “inexpensive premium” wines, as well Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, a Mer- Twenty One Pilots Dec. 8 Bottom Lounge Chicago as giving a facelift to some of the less ex- itage red blend, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown Dec. 6 Bottom Lounge Chicago pensive lines. I had the opportunity to try a and Pinot Grigio. How did this pair fare? Umphrey’s McGee Feb. 1 Orbit Room Detroit couple from each of these categories. Robert Mondavi 2010 Private Selec- Underoath Jan. 19 Saint Andrews Hall Detroit The first lot we received was from the tion Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon: The Used w/We Came As Romans, Crown The Empire & Mindflow Jan. 20 The Egyptian Room Indianapolis Napa Valley series. These wines run $20- We’d had a very long week at work and de- The Used Jan. 23 House of Blues Chicago $50 and are from selected sites within that cided to grill some filets. What goes better The Verve Pipe w/Crashing Cairo ($20) Dec. 15 Magic Bag Ferndale, MI Voice of Addiction Dec. 7 Berlin Music Pub Fort Wayne appellation. This series includes a Fumé with steak than California Cabernet, right? Walk The Moon w/Pacific Air Jan. 21 Deluxe at Old National Centre Indianapolis Blanc (aka Sauvignon Blanc, the wine that Whew! On opening, this wine was tight Wax Tailor ($13 adv., $15 d.o.s.) Feb. 7 Deluxe at Old National Centre Indianapolis put Mondavi on the map), Chardonnay, Cab- enough to yield entendres galore on Match The Wheeler Brothers ($15) Dec. 6 The Ark Ann Arbor ernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot. We Game. My first impressions were tart flavors The Who Nov. 29 Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL had one bottle each of the Pinot Noir and the over graphite – not a particularly pleasant The Who Feb. 17 Schottenstein Center Columbus, OH Chardonnay. combination. Thankfully, after some air, the Who’s Bad ($18) Jan. 18 Magic Bag Ferndale, MI Robert Mondavi 2010 Carneros Pinot flavors mellowed. Some blackberry flavors The Why Store Jan. 19 Three D’s Pub & Cafe Carmel, IN started to emerge, and the tannin calmed Winterbloom ($20) Nov. 30 The Ark Ann Arbor Noir: Carneros, a region that bridges Napa Wish You Were Here Jan. 5 House of Blues Cleveland and Sonoma counties, includes some of the down a bit. The finish was tart and a bit Yellow Room Gang ($15) Jan. 5 The Ark Ann Arbor cooler climates found in either region,which clipped. We sipped on it some more while Yonder Mountain String Band Feb. 1 LC Pavillion Columbus, OH makes Carneros a very good candidate to waiting for the steaks to rest, and we each Zac Brown Band ($39.50-$69.50) Dec. 31 Joe Louis Arena Detroit grow pinot noir. This bottle definitely needs went through half a glass without thinking. Zac Brown Band ($45-$69.50) Jan. 11 Memorial Coliseum Fort Wayne a chance to breathe before you get down to It was a decent accompaniment to the steak, Zoso Feb. 7 Bogart’s Cincinnati it. Short of giving it a good solid spin or de- but we didn’t notice that it did anything spe- canting it for a bit, I expect you’ll be a bit cial. My note says, “Well, it’s there.” While taken aback by the initial tannin level. not unpleasant after decanting, it wasn’t ex- Road Tripz Once it calms down, there’s lots of va- actly memorable. Retails for $11. 1-Ton Trio Dec. 15...... Cadillac Jack’s, Warren MI nilla on the nose, followed by big flavors Robert Mondavi 2011 Private Selec- Nov. 30 ...... Riverside, Marshall, MI Dec. 16...... Uli’s Haus of Rock, Lansing, MI of plums, cherries, and smoke. The finish is tion Central Coast Chardonnay: Return- Dec. 28 ...... Captain Chuck’s Sandbar, Addison, MI Dec. 20...... Tink’s Rock House, Marion, OH firm, lasting and smoky. It went well with ing to our “Chardonnay engineering” friends Dec. 31...... Goshen Moose, Goshen Dec. 21...... Cafe 611, Frederick, MD a challenging pairing of stuffed green pep- and their hypothetical three dials, this time 11:58 Dec. 23...... Hard Rock Cafe, Nashville, TN Jan. 12 ...... Hangar 18, Peru Flamingo Nosebleed pers. Quite nice with dark chocolate too. If they’ve got the oak dialed way back. There’s Feb. 23...... Shooterz, Celina Dec. 22...... Melody Inn Tavern, Indianapolis you like your pinot on the bolder side, it’s a a hint of it at the very end of the finish and a Apr. 27...... Shooterz, Celina Jan. 2...... The Crunchy Frog, Green Bay, WI pretty solid choice. Retails for $27. few notes floating through the bouquet and Allan & Ashcraft Jan. 3...... The Frequency, Madison, WI Robert Mondavi 2010 Napa Valley flavor, but it’s largely background, a nice Dec. 21-22...... Cowboy Up, Mendon, MI Juke Joint Jive Chardonnay: I imagine makers of Califor- surprise for an $11 California bottle. The Dec. 27...... Four Winds Casino, New Buffalo, MI Nov. 24...... Shocker’s Bar, Celina nia Chardonnay as engineers hovering over butter’s turned up a little, as it has a creamier Dec. 28-29...... Riverside Casino, Riverside, IA Dec. 1...... Shooterz, Celina three dials labeled “Oak,” “Butter,” and vanilla flavor, but it doesn’t go all the way Dec. 31...... Cowboy Up, Mendon, MI Memories of the King feat. Brent Cooper “Fruit,” manipulating dials to generate an al- to full-on buttery. Fruitwise, it’s actually BackWater May 12-10...... Carnival Valor Cruise, Caribbean gorithm of time in barrel, type of barrel, per- got quite a nice balance of mango, pear and Dec. 21 ...... FireKeepers Casion, Battlecreek, MI Kill The Rabbit centage of malolactic fermentation, residual apple. I thought this was quite a pleasantly Downstait Dec. 6...... The Loop, LaPorte sugar, etc. to create a consistent profile. This drinkable wine. We did another “breakfast Nov. 29...... Singers, Hays, KS Dec. 8...... Shooterz, Celina Nov. 30...... Aftershock, Shawnee, KS Dec. 15...... American Legion, Van Wert Chardonnay, sourced from all over Napa for dinner” evening with this wine – and Dec. 1...... Tremors, St. Joseph, MO Outlaw Cowboys with a little Sonoma fruit thrown in, had a with an open faced omelet with sausage, a Dec. 2...... Catch 22, Springfield, IL Dec. 1...... The Loft, Kokomo winemaker crank up the “Oak” and “Fruit” bunch of roasted veggies and mushrooms, it Dec. 4...... Mugshots, Bloomington Dec. 8...... 211 Club, Celina, OH knobs. On the nose and palate you’ll expe- worked right well. With California Chardon- Dec. 6...... Wicked Moose, Rochester, MN Fort Wayne Area Performers: To get your gigs on rience ample but reasonably well balanced nay, it’s a matter of finding a combination Dec. 7...... Back Bar, Janesville, WI this list, give us a call at 691-3188, fax your info to oak. Flavor-wise, I found pears, cantaloupe of the three dials that you like. I honestly Dec. 9...... Another Hole in the Wall, Steger, IL 691-3191, e-mail [email protected] or mail and oak in a relatively friendly, stable envi- enjoyed this one more than I did its doubly- Dec. 11...... Elbo Room, Chicago to whatzup, 2305 E. Esterline Rd., Columbia City, ronment which follows through to the finish. priced cousin. Dec. 12...... Live 59, Plainfield, IL IN 46725. When poured on its own, the Sweet Partner [email protected] November 29, ’12------www.whatzup.com------19