Bienvenidos, everyone. This weekend’s holiday is a little silly as it is basically a Mexican holiday that doesn’t really exist in Mexico. I think I’m okay with Cinco de Mayo though, as an American day of celebrating Mexican culture. Either way, it’ll likely serve as a reminder of why I stay away from tequila. It’s going to be a good one. Vamos, chicos!
THURSDAY
Bo Burnham // Englert // 8:00 PM // $28.50
You might know Bo Burnham as that kid who sings crass and clever Youtube videos from his bedroom. In 2008, the seventeen year old become one of the most popular faces of the internet almost overnight. Burnham has come a long way since then; he has three albums under his belt, multiple comedy central specials and movie roles. His rhymes are often simultaneously cocky and self deprecating (“I’m a real G, shorty that can really find your g spot…what the hell’s a g spot?”). Bo is currently on his fourth major tour and has a part in the independent film, Sin Bin due out later this year.
FRIDAY
Better Than Something – Film Screening // Englert // 8:00 PM // $5 Adv., $8 Day Of
From the film’s website:
Better Than Something is a feature documentary about the controversial and prolific garage rock icon Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr, better known to the world as Jay Reatard. This intimate portrait, captured just months before his untimely passing, brings us incredibly close to Jay’s complicated punk-rock world in Memphis, Tennessee. Better Than Something eloquently interweaves cinéma vérité, interviews, and archival concert performances, and features scenes from an insightful and candid week spent with Jay, who reveals personal childhood stories and the struggles of life in Memphis.
SATURDAY
Peter Mayer // Englert // 8:00 PM // $18 Adv., $20 Day Of
Folk musician Peter Mayer wasn’t quite cut out for the priesthood. After two years in seminary in the early ’90s he continued working for the church, but pursued his music career on the side. The Minnesota singer/songwriter often deals with themes of spirituality and religion. He has nine albums out, the last of which, Midwinter was named Album of the Month of Iowa Public Radio’s “The Folk Tree” in December. Singer/songwriters Ben Schmidt and Larry Mossman are joining Mayer on tour and will be opening the show.
Emperors Club w./ Surgeons in Heat, The Curious Mystery // The Mill // 9:00 PM // $8
Emperors Club is perhaps the most ambitious band in Iowa City right now. They released their first EP, The Castle on Mission Freak Records in fall and have big plans for future releases and touring. Their ’90s-esque dreamy rock jams are formulaic and super polished. You won’t hear them say, “hey, we just wrote this songs last night.” That is to say, they’re not messing around. Last week the group performed on Iowa Public Radio (video below) as one of eight other bands competing for a slot at Des Moines’ 80/35 music festival. The winner(s) will be determined by a vote. Opening the show is Wisconsin’s soulful Surgeons in Heat and The Curious Mystery. Spinning tracks before (and probably after) the show will be…ahem, yours truly under the name “DJ Crowbar Crowley” I guess. Things might get rowdy after E Club.
Vaya con Dios!
~LV
Do you have an event that you want to see here? Email dates and details to Weekender@LittleVillageMag.com
