My first exposure to the L.A. punk scene was through the soundtrack to the 1984 movie Repo Man. This scene would be documented much more extensively in the movie The Decline of Western Civilization, but there is some overlap. I watched Repo Man when it aired sometime in the 80’s on late night USA Network when I was in my early teens and it opened a whole world up to me–junk culture, beer swilling angry punks and aliens. The soundtrack has the amazing Iggy Pop theme song and bands like The Plugz, Black Flag, The Circle Jerks, Fear and Suicidal Tendencies.
Things to do in Iowa City
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Talking Movies: Oppression’s Cold Embrace
Though the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences may not envision their award quite this way, the “Best Foreign Language Film” Oscar seems really to recognize the best film of the year made anywhere on Earth except those English-speaking countries, which for the Golden Boy, really means any place not Hollywood. Math king and possible robot, Nate Silver did not even bother to predict a winner in this category for 2013, largely because he had no data—other film organizations in the United States do not give an award for best foreign film.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Live Music Preview: 3/25 through 4/3
The Mission Creek Festival will soon be upon us, and Iowa City is holding its collective breath until it finally arrives. While Mission Creek’s main entrée is music (with healthy portions of literature and culinary arts), I won’t spend too much time explaining the festival here. That being said, much of this issue’s noteworthy live music doesn’t hit us until the fest starts on April 1.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Slip Silo says farewell
Since forming in 2008, electric jazz group Slip Silo has played well over a hundred shows around Iowa City and across the Midwest.
Even if you’ve never had a chance to see them perform, it’s likely that you’ve stumbled upon a flyer or two if you’ve spent any time outdoors in the last half-decade. These flyers, these shows have all been part of Iowa City’s local music landscape for longer than most bands can boast, and tomorrow night at The Mill, Slip Silo will bring this four-piece legacy to a close with one final show.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Talking Movies: Taking on another dimension
I recently sat down with glasses atop my glasses to watch Martin Scorsese’s Hugo. Previews of money-grubbing re-releases zoomed out at me: Titanic 3D, Star Wars 3D, Halloween 3D, Lion King 3D, Raiders of the Lost…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Mac DeMarco playing tonight at The Mill
Although events in Iowa City have slowed considerably in light of student spring break, The Mill is looking out for our entertainment needs with an excellent lineup tonight. Montreal-based artist Mac DeMarco will be playing alongside Calvin Love and Naomi Punk.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Style Points: When Les Dames and IC Kings collide
Iowa City’s own drag queen group, IC Kings, recently joined forces with Les Dames Burlesque d’Iowa City for a one-night gig at the Mill. In their collaborative acts, the Kings looked even more “Kingly” standing next to the ultra-feminine expressions of Les Dames. Painstakingly creating their male expressions from scratch in daring and original ways, as one audience member remarked, during the large group numbers it was easy to forget that it was, in fact, all female performers on stage.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Talking Movies: Rust & Bone
The spirit of our age walks on prosthetic limbs. Of course, humanity has always been fascinated by amputees. But whereas prosthetics were once a sign of creepiness, from Captain Ahab to Captain Hook, now they’re attached to sympathetic heroes. Think of Oscar Pistorius, the Olympic “Blade Runner,” sadly on trial for murdering his model-girlfriend; or […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
On The Beat: Old school’s back in session
By the time that you are reading this column, the annual Mission Creek Festival will be less than a month away, a sign that spring is beginning to rear its head and musicians are getting back on the road. This is a benefit to everyone and means that many artists with a wide variety of backgrounds and approaches to music will be making visits over the coming weeks.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The Stage: The month in theatre
For fans of the 2001 comedy Legally Blonde that can’t be satisfied by merely watching it on cable practically every day, the only remedy is to “bend and snap” their way to see Theatre Cedar Rapids’ production of Legally Blonde: The Musical. This live version incorporates songs into the story of how sorority girl Elle Woods tries to win back her ex-boyfriend by attending Harvard Law School. Along the way she finds a purpose in life, makes new friends and proves that an encyclopedic knowledge of hair care products might come in handy someday. The show runs March 1-23. Tickets are available online at theatrecr.org. Just sit back, relax and try not to think about how Elle from the original movie is almost ready to celebrate her 10-year law school reunion.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Watch: Megan Buick on Little Village Live
Megan Buick performing during a special Valentines Day episode of Little Village Live.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Interview with Iris DeMent
In October of 2012, Iris DeMent released her first new album of original songs after 16 years. The album—Sing the Delta, which DeMent maintained complete creative control over by releasing on her own record label—is an utterly personal work, drawing influence from her upbringing with gospel music and telling stories with her distinctive literary voice. It is a masterpiece of American literature as much as a timeless album of country folk. DeMent sat down with Little Village to talk about her career, her new album, songwriting, moving to Iowa and her upcoming Mission Creek Fetival show at the Englert Theatre.
