Open and Closed: January
Open
Not Your Average Joe’s Kitchen and Bar is leaving Warwick Mall-goers saying, “When did that get there?” after popping up on Bald Hill Road. Expect chain fare with an avant garde twist. For localvores also looking for a break from the ordinary, Table has arrived in Barrington, promising diners a cozy environment and exceptional service. Narragansett finally has a spot for Southern BBQ, cocktails and live music: Hank’s Down South showed up in Point Judith, Narragansett, offering an alternative to seafood.
Moved
Town Pizza II has moved down the street to its new location on 18 Kingstown Road, technically making it Town Pizza 2.5.
And we say goodbye to…
The Village Bean has closed leaving the folks in North Scituate fiending for caffeine. After confusing patrons by selling both cakes and scrambled eggs, The Cakery in Woonsocket shut its doors for good. The bar and venue formerly known as Effin’s Last Resort is now simply called The Last Resort. Guess Effin got Eff’d. And Thayer St. in Providence, Hercules Mulligan’s will lift heavy spirits no more. Finally, we’re saddened to say goodbye to Tazza Caffe, a Providence staple.
Mike D’s Top Five: Can’t Miss Shows of January
1. Saturday, January 11th: Rustic Overtones, Grace and The RSO, Viking Jesus; $10 advance / $12 day of; 7:30 pm doors / 9 pm show; 18+; The Spot Underground. Rustic Overtones are a band that I have enjoyed from afar for what feels like forever. While blending rock, funk and soul isn’t exactly what I look for, they do it so well that the band has grown on me. They sound good on record, and they sound amazing live. They sound like a wedding band that doesn’t give a fuck for covers or what you think of them. They have high energy and blend funk, soul and sometimes ska-like grooves. Grace and the RSO and Kris Hanson and company’s Viking Jesus round out the bill. Last time I caught Viking Jesus at The Spot was the best show of theirs of I have seen, so get there early to see if they can recapture that fire.
2. Wednesday, January 15: Yuck, Alvvays, Velah; $15; 8 pm doors / 9 pm show; 18+; The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA. Yuck are at the top of the list of bands I have never seen but want to. They seem to have mastered in drawing from 90s indie rock influences and making original jams none the less. After their first album, they lost original singer Daniel Blumberg. Their second album, Glow & Behold, (Fat Possum) continues without him and guitarist Max Bloom sliding into the front man position. Their songs tip the hat often to Built To Spill, Sonic Youth, Pavement, Superchunk and Dinosaur Jr. Speaking of Dinosaur Jr, I recently caught them at the Sinclair. What a great place to catch a show even when the venue is sold out there isn’t a bad sight view in the house.
3. Friday, January 17: Self Defense Family, Pity Sex, Ovlov, Loss Leader, Bad Swimmers; $10 advance / $12 day of; 7 pm doors / 8 pm show; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. This has never happened before. My favorite new band name of the year (honorable mention this year to Fat History Month, Food Court, and the band Ken Burns) is also my new favorite band of the year. Their release Feast Of Love (Run For Cover Records) is the best emo indie release since Jade Tree records was cranking them out in the turn of the 2000s. This show is a co-headline with Self Defense Family, a band that is very difficult for me to describe. They remind me of a lot of bands and none really share a theme. Check them out on YouTube and check out selfdefensemusic.com for a variety of punk self help advice, some useful, some often far from it, but pretty entertaining. Ovlov, Loss Leader and Providence’s breakout band Bad Swimmers round out the bill.
4. Sunday, January 26: Man Man; $15 advance / $17 day of; 8 pm doors / 9 pm show; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. The return of Man Man to The Met! It’s been a couple of years since they have been in town and in 2013 they released On Oni Pond (Anti Records). This record seems to reel in the wild chaotic side of Man Man. While you still have wild multi-instrumentation that the band is know for, the vision seems reeled in and focused. The lead single, “Head On,” is definitely worth a listen, and sounds like it could have been an outtake from front man Honus Honus’ fantastic side project Mister Heavenly, a vision they called “Doom Wop.” This is the best show of the month and highly recommended.
5. Friday, January 31: 95.5 WBRU Presents New Politics, Magic Man, Sleeper Agent; $15 advance / $17 day of; 7:30 pm doors / 8:30 pm show; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. A trio of upcoming alt rock bands headlined by Denmark’s New Politics. They fall into a category in my head called commercial rock, as in they literally sound like their songs should be pitching cell phones and small cars driven by gerbils (see Fun, Grouplove, etc). Boston’s indie electronic pop act Magic Man play in the middle. Their recent EP You Are Here is up on Bandcamp and worth a play. Opening act, Sleeper Agent, are a blast live. Hailing from Bowling Green, Kentucky, the band seems to be constantly on the road, and this is the third time in the last year or so they have played our town.
Polar Plunges for New Years Day!
At some point in ancient history, a prehistoric attempt to capture the strength and fearsome virility of the ferocious polar bear (in the north – or the fearsome … er, penguin … in the south) led our primitive ancestors to jump into the water in the middle of winter.
Remarkably, natural selection never curbed this instinct, and in recent years polar plunges have been proliferating faster than slush at a Del’s convention. Here are the best we could find from among this year’s entries – feel free to add more to the comments, if you know of more!
Newport Polar Plunge. Yell, “Shrinkage!”, hold your nose and jump into the ocean (not the bay) at Easton’s Beach. This plunge has been going on since 1969, making it the chill grand-daddy of plunges. It benefits A Wish Come True. Plunge at noon. Atlantic Beach Club, Memorial Blvd., Newport. gonewport.com or Facebook.
3rd Annual Winter Wish Swim. As in, “I wish my private parts weren’t quite so frozen.” This benefits Children’s Wishes and sends you off into the wild blueing yonder of Bristol’s waterfront at the Bristol Town Beach (Colt State Park), 50 Asylum Rd. Yep, Asylum, as in crazy. 11 am registration, Noon swim. cwishesri.com
Fall River – 4th annual Sandy Beach Polar Plunge to benefit Forever Paws. Fall River Mayor William Flanagan jumps in right along with the rest of the pet lovers in this one. Contact Forever Paws for more info. facebook.com/events/1442619629292467, 508-678-0804 or foreverpaws.com Jamestown 1st Day Plunge. This second annual happens at East Ferry in Jamestown. It benefits the Jamestown Education Foundation and Bridges, Inc. Register at the Jamestown Rec Center, 41 Conanicus Ave. Opens at 10, plunge at noon. Jamestown1stDayPlunge.com
Punk Rock Plunge. This second annual takes place at Marley’s on the Beach and has teams (yes, team “Frozen Sausage,” team “Common Shrinkage,” and team “Coxsicles” are taken), trophies and … shirts! 11:45 am until you thaw. 885 Oakland Beach Ave. in Warwick. punksforaprincess.com
Penguin Plunge. This is the 8th annual event to benefit the WARM Center (making it the best thematic match between charity and ice cold water). Expect lots of fowl jokes at the Andrea in Misquamicut. Register at 10:30 for some noon swimming. warmcenter.org
The Frozen Clam. At Goddard Park, this raises clams for the RI Mentoring Project and is organized by Laid Back Fitness. Time pending. 1095 Ives Rd., East Greenwich. laidbackfitness.com
Block Island Plunge. Hosted by the BI Lions Club. The plunge is at noon at the Town Beach, 7 Corn Neck Rd., Block Island. Soon to be posted at blockislandchamber.com
Narragansett Pier Plunge. This is a fundraiser for the Narragansett Lions Club. What is it with Lions and really cold water? Registration at 10 am. Narragansett Town Beach. narragansettlionsclub.com
Matunuck Polar Plunge. At Tara’s Tipperary Tavern, 907 Matunuck Beach Rd. Wakefield. This is to benefit MS, and is in its 15th year. Time is 12 sharp – these seem to be a noon-sort-of-hangover-cure, so that makes sense.
North Kingston Polar Plunge. Help out the Food Pantry with your own homage to freezers. This one looks like it happens at 1:30 pm, so if you hurry you could hit it after one of the noon plunges. It’s at the North Kingstown Town Beach. No website was available at press time.
Tiverton Penguin Plungers. This event should happen at noon at Grinnell’s Beach, sponsored by the Tiverton Yacht Club. Last year’s plunge benefitted the Tiverton Library.
Little Compton’s South Shore beach hosts a plunge. 125 S. Shore Rd. We’re guessing noon.
Annawamscutt Seal Society targets the end of Annawamscutt Rd. in Barrington, and has been producing human popsicles since the mid ‘80s. There is no after party for this one, so bring your own hot cocoa.
Farnham Farm, the historic site on Prudence Island, built in 1805, typically hosts a polar plunge at noon.
Seawall Splash will also supercool your doughboys on New Years Day, begining with a gathering on the beach at 10:00. The plunge is at noon – all takes place at the Oakland Beach Seawall on Oakland Beach Ave, right behind Iggy’s Doughboys.
New Years Eve Events
2014 NYE Masquerade Ball is an annual event that draws thousands of masked dancers to the Rhode Island Convention Center. This ball has confetti, champagne toasts, live music, a dozen bars, VIP rooms, and DJ Neil Armstrong, DJ Finesse and DJ Jazzy Jazz. 9 pm – 3 am at 1 Sabin St. newyearseveri.com
Ben Hague: “Ever sleep naked in your parent’s bed … but you can’t get to sleep ‘cuz your dad’s tossing and turning all night?” Here begins the journey into the slightly twisted comedic mind of Ben Hague. Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club at Twin River, 100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln, RI. catcharisingstar.com
Cannibal Ramblers with Boo City: The Cannibal Ramblers proudly play Delta Swamp Backwater Stomp. Nick-a-Nees, 75 South St, Providence. 8 pm. reverbnation.com/venue/nickanees
Chifferobe at the Dorrance. “Something tells me it’s not 2013 anymore.” This year’s NYE show is themed toward old Hollywood – represented by the Wizard of Oz, with black tie and glam suggested. There will be a best Dorothy costume contest, too. So surrender to the flying monkeys and cabaret-style performances by Cifferobe, Miss Wensday & The Cotillions, and more. 9 pm+ at 60 Dorrance St., Providence. thedorrance.com
Coffee Exchange Auction. A silent auction to benefit Coffee Kids and the Coffee Trust. This event features live music and lots of coffee! 9 am – 6 pm 207 Wickenden Street, Providence. thecoffeeexchange.com
Dom Irrera: Nominated six times for an American Comedy Award, Dom Irrera’s stand-up material was honed in a multi-generational Italian household in South Philadelphia with his mother, sister, grandmother, uncles and cousins all under one very big roof. Comedy Connection RI, 39 Warren Ave, East Providence, RI. Shows at 8 pm and 10:30 pm. ricomedyconnection.com
Empire Revue. The once-a-month variety show pulls comedy, music and more to help spank in baby New Year. AS220, Empire St. Providence at 8 pm (but get there early, this is sure to sell out). theempirerevue.blogspot.com
Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons. Ring in the New Year and make all the wrong resolutions at The Met. J.P. Harris & The Tough Choices, and Smith & Weeden open. 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. themetri.com
Last Night Providence – Keep the Celebration Going features The Gnomes, Mystic Jammers, The Banished Fools, and the Extraordinary Rendition Band. 7 pm, Aurora, 276 Westminster St, Providence. 401-461-3683
New Year’s Eve Party with the Fat City Band: Ring in the New Year dancing the night away. Includes dinner buffet, entertainment, hats, noisemakers and a champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 7:30 pm, starts 9 pm. Chan’s, 267 Main St, Woonsocket, RI NYE 2014 with Spiritual Rez, Daddie Long Legs and more. The Spot Underground, 101 Richmond Street, Providence. Doors open 7:30 pm, music 9 pm. thespotprovidence.com
Portsmouth Polar Plunge caps off Portsmouth, RI’s year-long celebration of its 375th anniversary with a group dive into Narragansett Bay. Collective insanity? Or a brisk, refreshing way to kick off the New Year? You decide! Post plunge party at “The Beach House” in Island Park. 12 Noon. Island Park Beach, off Park Ave. portsmouthri375.com
Whiskey Republic Midnight Resolution Party. This Black & White Party will feature Shawn Dillon with DJ Hevan, and Playboy’s Miss February 2013 will be there, presumably with her clothes on, but who knows? Doors at 8 pm, hors d’oeuvres at 9 pm. 515 South Water St. Providence. thewhiskeyrepublic.com
Top Events this Weekend, Dec 12 – 15
Holiday Arts, Crafts, and Bazaars
Buy local this holiday season with some handmade and salvaged gifts
The Artists’ Co Op Gallery of Westerly
Celebrate the Joy: Art as the Perfect Gift, 7 Canal St, Westerly. Dec 4 – 28 www.westerlyarts.com Sharing Small Treasures, 7 Canal St, Westerly. Thru Dec 1. Wed – Sat 11am – 4pm; Sun 1-5pm www.westerlyarts.com
Blackstone River Theatre
Holiday Craft Fair and Festival, 549 Broad St, Cumberland.Dec 7, 9am – 3pm www.riverfolk.org
Charlestown Gallery
Holiday Group Show, 5000 South County Trail, Charlestown. Nov 31 – Dec 31, Thurs – Sun, 10am – 5:30pm
Cherish the Moments
Holiday Extravaganza, VFW, 1418 Plainfield Pike, Cranston. Nov 16, 10am – 4pm www.cherishthemoments.net
Christmas Craft Fair, Knights of Columbus, 7 Valley Rd, Middletown. Dec 14 – 15, 10am – 4pm. www.cherishthemoments.net
Craftland Show, 235 Westminster St, Providence. Nov 29 – Dec 30, Sun – Wed, 10am – 6pm; Thurs – Sat, 10am – 8pm www.craftlandshop.com
Craftopia, Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. Nov 10, 10am – 4pm www.rhodycraft.com
DeBlois Gallery
Invitational Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Show, 134 Aquidneck Ave, Middletown. Nov 30 – Dec 24, Tues – Sun, noon – 5pm www.debloisgallery.com
Festival Fete Holiday Market, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Pl, Cranston. Dec 8, 15, 22, 10am – 6pm www.festivalfete.com
FosteringArts Christmas in the Valley, Foster Country Club, 67 Johnson RD, Foster. Nov 29 – 30 www.fosteringarts.org
The Foundry Artists Association
The Foundry Holiday Show, The Pawtucket Armory, Dec 5 – 15, weekends. See site for schedule.www.foundryshow.com
Gallery Night Providence, 27 participating Providence Galleries. Nov 21, 5 – 9pm. www.gallerynight.org
Hatch Street Studios Holiday Sale, 88 Hatch St, New Bedford. Nov 22, 5-9pm; Nov 23, 10am – 5pm; Nov 24, 11am – 5pm. www.hatchstreetstudios.com
Mad Dog Artist Studios and Gallery
Holiday Open Studio Sale, 65 Blackstone Ave, Pawtucket. Dec 5 – 15. See site for hours maddogartiststudios.com
The Mill at Shady Lea
Open Studios Weekend, 215 Shady Lea Rd, North Kingstown. Dec 1 – 2, noon – 5pm www.themillatshadylea.com
Ocean State Artisans
Holiday Craft Festival, CCRI Knight Campus, 400 East Ave, Warwick. Nov 29, 10am – 5pm; Nov 30, 9am – 4pm www.oceanstateartisans.com
Providence Flea, Hope High School, 324 Hope St, Providence. Nov 17, Dec 8, Dec 15, 10am – 4pm www.providenceflea.com
Providence Art Club
Little Pictures Show and Sale, 11 Thomas St, Providence. Nov 19 – Dec 23. Gallery open daily. See site for times. www.providenceartclub.org
RISD Holiday Alumni Art Sale, RI Convention Center, 1 Sabin St, Providence. Dec 7, 10am – 5pm www.risdalumnisales.wordpress.com
South County Art Association
Holiday Pottery and Art Sale, 2587 Kingstown Rd, Kingston. Nov 29 – Dec 22, Wed – Sun, 10am – 6pm www.southcountyart.org
Urban Vintage Bazar, Brown University Campus Center, Faunce Hall, 75 Waterman Street, Providence. 10am – 4pm www.facebook.com/UrbanVintageBazaar
Alt-Nation: Some New Discs and Shows to Bid 2013 Goodbye
Rock in RI: Clarkin’s top shows of December
Throwing Muses – Purgatory/Paradise
It’s been a decade since Newport’s own Throwing Muses have released a record and Purgatory/Paradise shows that it wasn’t spent being idle. Purgatory/Paradise is a 32-track record that comes with a book that includes audio commentary and even more tracks! Because of the sheer volume, it is impossible to compare it to anything the band has done before. Taken on number of good songs, it’s the band’s best release to date. Of course, technically they could have 20 stinkers and still accomplish that. There are multiple versions of some songs, like “Cherry Candy 1 & 2,” but it doesn’t feel excessive. Listen to it on shuffle and it doesn’t seem overdone at all. “Morning Birds 1” starts as a fuzz fest that reminds me of The Real Ramona era Muses while “Morning Birds 2” is quiet, like an expansion on the first version, which quiets down at the end. “Sleepwalking 1” is another great guitar romp in vintage Muses style. “Glass Cats” is a dirty piano-driven number that feels like it’s going to explode into something else at any moment from the tension. Singer/guitarist Kristin Hersh’s lyrics are as haunted and biting as ever. “Static” is another hypnotic indie guitar psychedelic romp that nobody can quite do like the Muses. I was skeptical going in about Purgatory/Paradise because I only liked one song off their last album, but Purgatory/Paradise is one of the Muses’ best records yet. Unlike many of their contemporaries, Throwing Muses aren’t together to play the hits for the money. On Purgatory/Paradise the Throwing Muses come off as band still challenging themselves and pushing the envelope on noise and melody.
Six Star General – Hair Supply (75orLess Records) Six Star General has had a difficult year that forced them to be on the sidelines for several months due to various medical maladies. In the meantime, they managed to finish another album, Hair Supply. In addition to being my motto, “I Don’t Know Where We’re Going (But I Know That It’s Not Good)” is a return to form noisy rocker that has been missing from the last couple of Six Star records. “Christopher Walken” and “I’m Expanding Slowly” are like stoner indie rock powered by hypnotic grooves. “Way Out of Control” is a noisy fun punk romp. “Life in Vain” is an infectious ditty powered by a cool hook and probably the closest thing to a single on Hair Supply. I look forward to hearing the new tunes live at the CD Release for Hair Supply at The Parlour on January 4.
Dan Baker – Pistol in My Pocket (75orLess Records)
I didn’t know what to make of Dan Baker at first on the title track of Pistol in My Pocket that comes off as a howling Beck imitation on one of his independent albums. Then things started to get good. “Threw Me Down the Well” is a blues number that comes across as an Americanized version of Nick Cave, thanks to the violin from Rob Flax. “Never Alone” and “Up On the Roof” are winners as spacey piano ballads that remind me of sitting out on my porch staring up at the stars. “Down in the Canyon” has kind of a later-day Dylan feel at times. On “She’s Not Going To Call,” Baker channels his inner Tom Waits with an added Americana touch on the outro. Baker’s best material is so raw it hits you straight in the gut on tracks like “Coming Home.” I didn’t know anything about Dan Baker before, but after listening to Pistol in My Pocket, I certainly want to know more!
Atlantic Thrills
The thumpin’ garage beat with a sprinkle of surf guitar sound of the Atlantic Thrills headlines this great all local show. Atlantic Thrills released their debut a few months ago and hopefully in 2014 will see an expanded release with the other songs from the session. I’m actually excited to see every band on this bill. TEAZER is making their debut and the word on the street is there a sleazy rock ‘n’ roll band that pays homage to ‘80s hair metal. I hear they’ll be doing a cover of W.A.S.P. and have an original number titled “Sexxx Tape.” I’ve caught both of Lincoln Tunnel’s local shows and they remind me of bands like Sebadoh and The Replacements. VapoRubs channel punk with a little bit of a ‘9os pop punk.
Atlantic Thrills, TEAZER, The Lincoln Tunnel, and VapoRubs are at The Parlour on December 7.
Rock 4 X-Mas 17
The holidays are always a ripe time for charity events. Rock 4 X-Mas is now in its 17th year as an accredited charity that raises money by doing benefit concerts around the country. Rock 4 X-Mas’ mission is to bring food, gifts and holiday spirit to less fortunate families around the country. This year, Rock 4 X-Mas lineup is heavy on ‘80s rock ‘n’ roll thunder with members of ZEBRA, W.A.S.P., Lita Ford’s band, Danger Danger, New England and Holy Diver all scheduled to perform! All for a good cause, this show is the perfect way to pre-game the above mentioned TEAZER debut. For more information on Rock 4 X-Mas check out their website at rock4xmas.com.
Rock 4 X-Mas 17 featuring performances by Randy Jackson, Stet Howland, Terry Ilous, Hirsh Gardener, John Mellini, Ted Poley and The Rock 4 X-Mas All Stars will rock to raise money for the less fortunate at Lupo’s Heart Break Hotel on December 7. The show runs from 7 pm to 10 pm.
Big D and The Kids Table Big D and The Kids Table come back to town to play some ska from the holidays. There is nothing like putting on your best Santa suit and going out to skank off a few of those holiday pounds and share a few laughs with friends.
Big D and The Kids Table, The Fighting Jamesons and Short Handed Goal will skank it up at Fete on December 7.
NRBQ
NRBQ are having their 46th anniversary party at The Met Café. NRBQ runs across the gamut of all things rock, pop, jazz and blues. NRBQ are respected in the industry and are admired by legends like Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and Keith Richards. Their music has been on shows like The Simpsons. Don’t miss this rare chance to catch a legendary band in an early evening Sunday show in an intimate environment.
NBRQ, Original Jelly Roll Soul and Happiness (featuring members of Deer Tick and Ravi Shavi) will rock The Met Café on December 8. This is an early show with doors at 4 pm and show starting at 5 pm.
Black Oil Incinerator
Black Oil Incinerator are a local no-holds-barred stoner metal monster. Black Oil Incinerator have been kicking around for a few years, but have had no releases. Black Oil Incinerator have exciting plans to change all that by recording a live album at Dusk. It’s great chance to rally around a great local band and be part of a live record.
Black Oil Incinerator will be recording a live recording on December 8 at Dusk.
95.5 WBRU’s Birthday Bash featuring Grouplove and J Roddy Walston & The Business
95.5 WBRU’s Birthday Bash continues as Grouplove rolls into town for a show that had to be postponed last month due to illness. Grouplove is a goodtime alternative dance band that is sure to have the place hopping. An added bonus of the postponement is the addition of J Roddy Walston & The Business to bill who add some grit and balls to this show.
95.5 WBRU Birthday Bash featuring sets by Grouplove, J Roddy Walston & The Business and Bear Hands comes to Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on December 16. Tickets to the original date last month will be honored.
The McGunks Holiday Party
Truth be told, The McGunks really don’t need much of an excuse to throw a party, as anyone who has been to one of their shows can attest. The McGunks are straight-on pub punk with bits of bands like the Supersuckers mixed in. Check out their recent CD, Highlights for Lowlifes for even more sweaty, booze- drenched rock & roll hi-jinks!
The McGunks and The O’Tooles will throw a punk rock Holiday Bash at Broad Street Tap in Cumberland on December 21.
Afroman It seems like only yesterday that Afroman had a worldwide hit with the stoner anthem “Because I Got High.” Since then I can’t say that I’ve heard anything from Afroman, although he has continued releasing music independently. Then again, who recently wants to hear 2009 Afroman tunes anyway? This show will be a fun place to hear the old Afroman stuff, if that is your bag, and see locals Kris Hansen and Big Jon Tierney perform. There is also a ridiculous amount of other local openers on this band, to the point that I frankly just gave up counting.
Afroman, Kris Hansen and Big Jon Tierney, and like, 37 other bands will ring in Boxing Day at Manchester 65 in West Warwick on December 26.
Narragansett Beer 123rd Anniversary Party
Northern Lands
Narragansett Beer put together a beast of a party to celebrate their 123rd anniversary. Of course, I’d contest the year because they should have to subtract all the years the brand was dormant, but nobody listens to me anyway. This show has something for almost everyone. You want straight-out rock? Northern Lands and the slightly country tinged Jay Berndt & The Orphans will be there. Want something acoustic? Brian McKenzie will be there to deliver. Jazz? Michelle Lewis for the win! The only thing missing is metal, which is odd considering Berndt and McKenzie were in the ‘90s local juggernaut, Kilgore. In addition this will be the annual unveiling of the Gansett Girl Calendar.
Narragansett Beer 123rd Anniversary Party featuring live performances by Northern Lands, Jay Berndt & The Orphans, Brian McKenzie Michelle Lewis and Jeff Byrd hits The Met Café on December 27.
Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons
Joe Fletcher will soon be relocating, so these annual New Year’s Eve shows may not be a guarantee every year. Good music is something one should always appreciate it while it is there. Fletcher and the Wrong Reason will ring in at least one more year in town with a hootenanny romp through their all things American rock & roll catalogue. This is my pick to ring in the New Year from the listings I’ve seen so far.
Joe Fletchers & The Wrong Reasons, J.P. Harris & The Tough Choices, and Smith & Weeden will ring in the New Year at The Met Café on December 31.
Odds & Sods
A Wilhem Scream celebrate the release of their new CD, Partycrasher, with a show with Half Hearted Hero, The Holy Mess and The Down & Outs at The Met Café on December 7. 990WBOB presents Austin Lucas (featuring Allison Weiss, PJ bond, and Valencourt) at Fete on December 7. Black Pus & Xylouris White (Jim White of The Dirty Three and Giorgos Xylouris) come to the Columbus Theatre in Providence on December 8. Born Cages and NGHBRS play Fete on December 11. Azar Swan, Triangle Forest, Delphic Oracle and Winter Line play AS220 on December 12. The Wonder Years, Vinnie Caruana and Young Statues will have a holiday acoustic party at The Met Café on December 14. The Z3 (featuring Frank Zappa percussionist Edward Mann) play the The Spot on December 14. The Mausonic Temple Presents: The White Mice “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” also featuring sets by InHeat, and Cheeseface on December 16 at AS220. Fungus Amungus and Johnny Lingo will bust out some jams for the holidays at The Met Café on December 20. I Am The Avalanche, Hostage Calm, Raindance and Foreign Tongues rock The Met Café on December 21. Math The Band celebrates their new CD release and their 1000th show with a gig at AS220 on December 22. Jeff Rosenstock (of Bomb the Music Industry), Lyra and Malportado Kids will also perform. Forever Young, A Tribute to the Music of Neil Young, play The Met Café on December 28. Spiritual Rez and Daddie Long Legs will ring in the New Year with some smokin’ jams at The Spot on December 31. Empire Revue and Superchief Trio ring in the New Year at AS220 on December 31. Kiss Forever Kiss Tribute comes to Manchester 65 on January 4.
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Othello: Shakespeare, Straight Up
Mixed Magic Theatre delivers Othello in its classic form Shakespeare was a rather good playwright. We tend to forget that amidst modern interpretations of the sort done by Kenneth Branagh or Joss Whedon. Trinity Rep a few years ago put on Hamlet as if it was an episode of Downton Abbey. One film version of Othello transfers the story to a high-school basketball court. Such theatrical conceits are common, almost de rigeur, but not at Mixed Magic Theatre who serve their Othello straight up in the classic mode.
This style of performance may seem a bit bombastic to modern tastes attuned to the small television screen, but it is very close to what Shakespeare himself and his audiences saw 400 years ago. With a minimalist set consisting of little more than floorboards painted to look like a map — “Afrika” stage right, “Italia” stage left, and a compass rose dead center — a company of actors proceed to distill to its essence one of the best and most challenging plays in the Shakespearean repertoire, a tale of jealousy, revenge and prejudice.
Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, the patriarch of a theatrical family that is the Rhode Island version of the Barrymores, gives one of the most physically demanding performances of the title role I’ve seen, a man driven mad by his own inner demons although with more than a slight push. At first a swaggering general, Pitts-Wiley’s Othello shrinks throughout the course of the play into a cowering and hesitant weakling, no small feat for an actor whose natural appearance is more the former than the latter. His Othello is not angsty or arrogant, but paranoid. Who can he trust?
Such physicality of the performance can be genuinely unsettling. Desdemona’s final scene is not softened through stage artifice and is shown with all of the violence of the literal text, but in Pitts- Wiley’s hands this makes the contrasting involuntary tenderness of it even more horrifying. Consistent with modern perspective, Stephanie Crugnola plays Desdemona as passively and resignedly accepting whatever her fate may be, rather than as an unknowing innocent.
Alex Duckworth as Iago is faced with one of the most challenging and loquacious roles in all of Shakespeare, a character whose fatal flaw is to equate justice with revenge and who believes he is in the right, no matter how evil his scheming and betrayals, because he has himself been wronged. There is something of a custom in recent decades to see Othello and Iago as twinned, or at least two sides of the same coin, sometimes even with a pair of actors alternating the roles throughout the run of performances, but here Duckworth, thin and serpentine, plays Iago more traditionally as the polar opposite of his boss.
Particularly outstanding in supporting roles are Hannah Lum as Emilia (Iago’s wife), who comes to realize the shocking moral consequences of her own unknowing action, and Bob Colonna as Brabantio (Desdemona’s father), whose vast experience as founder of The Rhode Island Shakespeare Company (TRIST) more than 40 years ago gives him a commanding stage presence. Jordan Greeley as the framed Cassio, Christopher Ferreira as the hapless buffoon Roderigo, and Ottavia De Luca as Bianca round out the core cast.
Mixed Magic’s Othello is a solid version especially well suited to the play-goer who has been turned off by the forced cleverness and gimmickry of hypermodern interpretations. I noted with some regret that there were more than a few seats available for the Saturday evening performance I attended; Pitts- Wiley’s well-acted interpretation is well worth seeing.
Othello at Mixed Magic Theatre, 999 Main St Unit 115, Pawtucket, RI 02860, 401-305-7333 http://mmtri.com/2013/11/01/othello/, Fri (Dec 6, 13) and Sat (Dec 7, 14) at 7:30pm, Sun (Dec 8, 15) at 3:00pm.
Mike D’s Top Five — Can’t Miss Shows of December
Five of the biggest concerts happening in RI this December
1. Saturday, December 7: A Wilhelm Scream (Partycrasher CD release!), Half Hearted Hero, The Holy Mess, The Down and Outs. $12 advance / $14 day of. 7 pm doors / 8 pm show. All ages. The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. New Bedford’s own A Wilhelm Scream’s new album Partycrasher is their 6th album and is out now! This is the party to celebrate their fantastic record. A Wilhelm Scream have been at it for what feels like forever (16 years? the line between Smacking Isaiah and AWS is blurred in my head) and have been touring the world making a name for themselves as New England’s finest melodic hardcore act and influencing numbers of great bands on the way. Count New Bedford’s Half Hearted Hero and Providence’s The Down and Outs as two of them. Also on the bill, The Holy Mess, a punk rock act from Philly that reminds me of American Steel at times.
2. Monday, December 16: WBRU Birthday Bash with Grouplove, J Roddy Walston & The Business, Bear Hands. $25. 7 pm doors / 8 pm show. All ages. Lupo’s, 79 Washington St., Providence, RI. It was unfortunate in November when Grouplove postponed (all tickets will be observed, by the way), but the blessing in disguise was the new support! J Roddy Walston & The Business have been cutting their teeth across the country as support with the Drive By Truckers, Shovels and Rope and hometown heroes Deer Tick. They now seem poised to make the jump forward. Check out their video Heavy Bells on YouTube; it’s sort of a mix between a stoner’s idea of the NFL play 60 campaign and a Providence West End cult after party. Brooklyn’s most underrated indie rock ever is Bear Hands. Check out their old album Burning Bush Supper Club or request their new song, “Giants,” on WBRU. Killer show, WBRU!
3. Saturday, December 21: I Am The Avalanche, Hostage Calm, Raindance, Foreign Tongues. $11 advance / $13 day of. 7 pm doors / 8 pm show. All ages. The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. The Rhode Island return of the pop punk veterans I Am The Avalanche is finally here. The last show was two years ago in a snow storm, right around the release of Avalanche United, their second album. While it took six years to release that, word on the book is that their new album is in the can and should be out early 2014! This show marks the final show of Mike Ireland, who is leaving the band to focus on Brooklyn’s finest bar The Three Diamond Door. If in Bushwick, make sure to stop by and ask Mike how often he parties. CT’s pop punk upstarts Hostage Calm, Ma’s hardcore act Raindance, and NH’s fantastic Foreign Tongues round out the bill.
4. Sunday, December 22: Math The Band, Jeff Rosenstock (of Bomb The Music Industry), Lyra, Malportado Kids. $6. 9 pm doors. All ages. AS220, 15 Empire St, Providence, RI. This show not only celebrates the release of their new record, Stupid and Weird, it’s also their 1,000th show?! By my math, my brain tells me that’s 83 shows a year, and I have only caught two of these. I am going to try to make it three. For those not familiar, the band aptly describes their new album as a vintage analog synth spazz punk odyssey. Jeff Rosenstock, songwriter for DIY punks Bomb The Music Industry is direct support. With the announcement of Bomb breaking up in early 2104, I would expect some new material for this show. Providence’s hardcore act Lyra and casio jamz band Mal Portado open.
5. Tuesday, December 31: New Year’s Eve with Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons, JP Harris & The Tough Choices, Smith & Weeden. $15 advance / $20 day of. 8 pm doors / 9 pm show. All ages. The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. And Bad Rabbits, Bearstronaut, Brek.One. $30. 8 pm doors / 8 pm show. 21+ only. The Sinclair, 52 Church St. Cambridge MA. These are two great shows. I would go see Joe’s return from Nashville. There is a lot of entertainment going on everywhere, but why go downtown and see balloon animal artists and freeze your ass off looking at fireworks when you can go see live music and dance your ass off? I hear the Silks and Hope Anchor are playing on New Year’s Eve at the Parlour, but I can’t find that anywhere online so it might be fictional. Anyway, have a happy New Year!
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