Braided Hair

TV on the Radio

Just a quick little shout about a band that’s new to me. And is awesome. I saw them on the Colbert Report the other night, and have since blown 5 bucks on iTunes. If you like lots of different music–weird but beautiful stuff–like me, TV on the Radio (yes, that’s the band name) is worth a listen. You can even listen to a bunch of songs from their new album on the website.

Buckle up.

Turn it down

I try not to complain too much on bartblog. Not much point in it, cause I want you to like reading. But I just got home from an experience that doesn’t quite make sense. I’m sure this will get back to Adam, the new owner, through the bartblogosphere, so I guess maybe I want it too.

I play in a rec men’s volleyball league here in the village. It’s not too serious, and most of us are not too good. And it’s fun. We played especially hard tonight, so a few of us headed up town to the local establishment for a cold one and some conversation afterward. (After I stopped at home and rocked Zoey to sleep first, that is).

It was nice, until the bartender suddenly cranked up the music so loud that we couldn’t even hear each other anymore. After a while she asked us if it was too loud, and we said yes. And she smiled and walked away. And didn’t turn it down. Go figure.

So we left. Earlier than we would have otherwise.

…There. Now I’m done whining.

[The new owners are working hard to make a go of it, and to make it a fun place to hang out. I really appreciate that and wish them all the best. And we'll keep spending some money there. Just saying.]

Dancing in the Circle

We hit the First Night festival on Wednesday afternoon and evening in Sioux Falls. It’s a tradition for us–in fact I was on teh committee that helped Shannon Barnes start First Night several years ago. It’s a cool family celebration of the new year. The kids made turtle art, danced with Phil Baker, and really enjoyed a dance performance by Dance Gallery. (Mesa is convinced she must enroll in some classes now.) I enjoyed another really cool and unique performance called Constellation, but the little ones got a bit scared of the star god.

The sad news is I further confirmed that I am getting old by falling asleep by 11pm. Here’s a video of Zoey and Mesa “Dancing in the Circle” with Phil.

Positive News (and free music!)

My friend Tim Merry is a super-gifted slam poet from Novia Scotia. He’s also a world-class facilitator and host for change. His band Merry and Durkee will be releasing an album called Positive News in November, and they are releasing a handful of the songs now–for free download–on their website. Positive News is about “Giving voice to the greatest fears and joys of being human at this time on the planet.” It’s good stuff, and probably like nothing you’ve heard before.

More on Merry and Durkee (pdf alert!)

Tim music is cool, and his way of using impromptu poetry to harvest and reflect group experiences is way cool. He makes up lyrics that describe a moment, emotions, feelings, a speech, experiences just shared–and sets them to song–right there on the spot and in the moment. More of Tim’s stuff to download here.

Spangled

Happy birthday America.

(If you can’t see the video, click here)