4TheRcrd Mag.

Another weekly series of our Weekly Gigz series. Before you begin, a caveat (read: “warning“): (1) Don’t expect this list to be exhaustive, as this is merely my take on where to go and who to hear this week. But, (2) if you have endless time, scan the Georgia Straight, Discorder, and HOB (I link them if you like) for things to see, and add the Event in our Comments (below). I think it’s a pretty good idea to share short blurbs with eachother like this. Just thought you should know. So there. So here goes:

Wed, May 16, 2007, STREET ART WORKS FUNDRAISER @ The Lamplighter (210 Abbott), 7:30PM. Tix $20.
This little shindig shall donate proceeds from the show to help provide working studio space & art programs for high risk and/or marginalized youth. With their silent auction, door prizes, appetizers, and live music how can you go wrong? I’d like to hear some reviews of this event, particularly some feedback on Buckle Up Russia, Rider Jones, Luke Blu Guthrie and other who are performing that night.

Fri, May 18, 2007, PERFECT GROUND & ETHERS VOID by FIRESTONE ENTERTAINMENT, @ The Buffalo Club (1161 Granville St.), 8:00PM. TIX $8.

Perfect Ground is a local group, comprising of Brandon Chicoyne (bass guitar), Neville Bornmann (lead vocals,guitar), and Sean Bornmann (drums.). They play a rather ambient-style Indie-rock which, according to them, sounds a bit like Ear Candy. The other band of the nite, Ethers Void is a younger sounding indie-pop group, also from Vancouver. They call themselves a power pop group mixed with beer drinking and tight asses just love to rock out. If you like the sounds of Weezer, Jimmy Eats World, The Foo Fighters, and Death Cab for Cutie, check these guys out.

Sat, May 19th, 2007, ASTORIA & GUESTS by when will it be? Productions, @ The Princeton Pub (1901 Powell St.), 9:00PM. Tix. FREE.

I’ve spoken to the Princeton Pub people and they won’t confirm which of the groups relating to “Astoria” will actually be playing but I’m pretty sure that Astoria’s regular artists aren’t doing it. Given the mistery surrounding this event, i think it deserved a brief mention in this underground post of BR’s. But, I also present further alternatives below.

Sat, May 19, 2007, VANCOUVER AIR-GUITAR FINALS, @ The Lamplighter (210 Abbott), 9:00PM. Tix. $7.
If you can play air guitar real well for 1 MINUTE, and can pick a single song that can charm the panel of judges this evening, read this! Cash, electronics, or a trip to Toronto or even Finland can be won at the Lamplighter, if you’re good enough to spar with the air guitarists this evening, and can then top off the rest in Toronto. One way or the other, this will be a fun event to see. To enter the contest, visit this website below. http://www.airguitar.ca, and good luck!

Sat, May 19, 2007, BOBBY CONN @ The Media Club (695 Cambie St.), Tix Prices is undecided.

Bobby Conn makes me think of 80s British Indie Bands mixed and influenced by a type of Prog rock signature, often compared to groups like: Strawberry, Ween, Beck, Toroise, or Jim O’Rourke. Conn’s performances are often outlandish, tongue-in-cheek chameleon-like gestures, in which he hops genres with an eloquent air. This means that you are often going to see a solo theatre performance, so be ready for either a priest, someone wearing makeup or mud on his face, or someone just “dishing out hugz and kisses to the audience”(allmusic.com).

Sun, May 20, 2007, NORDIC TRAX ANNIVERSARY PARTY @ The Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville St.), 8:00PM.
Nordic Trax has been responsible for putting up hundreds of shows around Vancouver, boasting lineups like Dj Heather, Luke McKeehan, Gavin Froome, and Jon Delerious, all topped with Dana D (the guy behind marketing and promotions for Sonar, for over a few years), this is an anniversary show that you won’t want to miss. What is most amazing about all these artists, in a town like Vancouver (no less), is their progressive edge and yet their totally non-pretentious demeanor and business ethic. These people are not just good to hear, they are good friends and good people.

Sun, May 20, 2007, VSO PRESENTS: RENEE FLEMING, SOPRANO, @ Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Granville & Smithe), 8:00PM. Tix. $38-140 depending on Section, Student pricing, etc..
What can be said of Renee Fleming except that she’s a Soprano classical singer whose sensuous voice captivates the stage, truly earning her two-time Grammy awards. What is exceptional about Renee is that she’s not only a champion of classical music to the likes of Mahler, Beethoven, Strauss, but she is also a vast proponent of new music. I think it’s rare to see pioneering women in the vastly-male-dominated world of Classical opera (or theatre, or drama, etc.) as well as classical music performances. This then is a tribute to a female presence among that elite, to say the least. Ms. Fleming has been an exclusive recording artist with Decca since 1995, and stands as a role-model to other aspiring women in the world of classical music.

PS. Perhaps the meaning of the term “Weekend” should be expanded to include Wednesdays, Thursdays, AND Fridays. In some countries like in Israel, the weekend actually includes Friday. Since the “weekend” as a time of leisure, is a rather modern industrial-period invention, I think it should be explored a little bit, don’t you?