4TheRcrd Mag.

Another issue 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 each other like this. Just thought you should know. So there. So here goes:

Wed., May 23, 2007, BJORK IN VANCOUVER, @ Deer Lake Park (6450 Deer Lake Ave), 4:30-8:00PM. Tix. $49.50.
Situated among the vast dance club-culture, but also among the avant-garde experimental genres, as well as the actress-meets-pop-icon elite, Bjork is making herself available to a vast outdoor crowd willing to fork out to see her, mid-afternoon, outdoors on a weekday, in Vancouver. Given that she’s recently finished off a few releases with a new all-vocals and vocal sampling focus, she’s entering a new percussive side which, I hope, should be evoked in the event tonight. I’ve followed Bjork for years and consider her one of Iceland’s (cum-UK’s) most diverse and signature female artists of this century.

Wed., May 23, 2007, GLORIES OF GLORIA REVUE, @ Havana Restaurant & Gallery (1212 Commercial Dr.), 8:00PM. FREE (or $18 after the 23rd.).

A triple threat: Gloria can sing, dance and turn cartwheels. And if she doesn’t know how to do something, she’ll fake it. But when the world won’t recognize her talent, what’s a performer to do? At least a good stash of spicy Mussels will make up for it. It would be interesting to see a show at Havana’s, considering that they just renovated their new bar (literally overnight) and are open for business once again. Ya, i know, why do i bother promoting another busy place — well, perhaps because smaller venues do strange things like this more often than not.

Thu., May 24, 2007, Delhi Nights 2: Bhangrabollyfunk, @ The Waldorf (1489 E Hastings), 8:30PM. Tix $15.
Beats Without Borders (BWB) in association with Asian Heritage Month present this explosion of contemporary South Asian art and culture. Featuring DJ Jimmy Love and the 11 member Dholrythms dance troupe from San Francisco; DJ Reminisce; BPM; live Indian Classical sarod with Anupam Shobhakar; visuals by suez; BWB residents; and even live street art by Marcus, this will be a unique mashup of old and new. 3 rooms of spicy masala that will take everyone to the wee hours of the morning!

Thu., May 24, 2007, ARCADE FIRE, @ Deer Lake Park (6450 Deer Lake Ave), 5:00-9:00PM.

It’s a good place for an outdoor show, from Buddy Guy (last summer) to Bjork (just the day before) it shall be two most excellent nites. Arcade Fire, an awesome Montreal-based indie-rock band, should serve a night to remember. They are known for enthralling live performances, and the use of vast amounts of instruments, and spreads these instruments out among a grand diversity of players. Such a setup provides not only for a broad pool of talent to draw on in live settings but also in recording settings which is where nearly half of the fan-base is drawn. It’s no wonder David Bowie himself listens to these guys and, arguably, draws some inspiration from them.

Fri., May 25, 2007, RAW TALENT 2 on 2 Bboy/Bgirl Battle, @ Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre (1607 E. Hastings St.), 6:00-10:00PM. Tix. $5.
Breakdancing is keeping youth off the streets. Vancouver’s top breakers battling head to head, featuring DJ “The Stunt Man” & MC Curtis Clearsky. Breakdancing is the foundational aspect of “Rhythm and Action” because of the supreme athleticism and individuality required to master the art, and its applicability and relevance to urban-youth culture. Recognizing the influences of breakdancing - kung fu, capoeira, gymnastics and cultural dance, and EVENT Wu-Shu - one should respect such synergies of movement and provide an environment conducive to inspire cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary training. This evening should be such an environment. Thus creating a community of and resource base for amateur and professional dancers not only for an evening, but or a long time to come, keeping kids off the streets. I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO THIS.

Fri., May 25, 2007, CRANKED & CRANK IT UP, @ The Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Dr.), 7:00 & 9:00PM. Tix. +/- $10 (sliding scale).
This should be a ceremony of hip-hop, in a theatre-production-style evening. The story goes as follows: Stan a.k.a. ” definition” was a rising freestyle MC who loses it all because of his meth habit. He confronts his demons as he preps for an upcoming competition without the ‘fix’ that has dominated his life. Memories of the highs and the rush of music all collide as he struggles to recapture what he once had. This newly commissioned play will examine the rising epidemic of crystal meth use by teens. Using spoken word and hip-hop, playwright Michael P. Northey and Green Thumb Theatre offer a dramatic exploration of addiction and drug culture. Snag some free food, do a silent-auction, and have a good time. IF I COULD BE AT TWO PLACES AT THE SAME TIME, but there is A SECOND SHOWING Sat., May 26th, @ the Ironworks Studio (235 Alexander St.) @ 7:00PM.

Sat,. May 26, 2007, HIV/AIDS RED REEL FILM PREMIERE, @ The Ridge Theatre (3131 Arbutus St.), 4:30-7:00PM. Tix. $5 (online), $7 (door).

Do you love watching or making films, have an interest in current trends regarding the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how it impacts today’s young population, or wonder what you can do to help? Filmmakers were invited to “see red” — that is, incorporate the colour and its significance into a two-minute film that represents some aspect of the humanity of the pandemic. The Red Reel program will showcase the top five films and award a grand prize to the film selected by a panel of judges including: Chris Gailus (Global TV), Tiko Kerr (International artist and advocate), Terry McEnvoy (Vancouver Film Festival), Alison Lawton (Mindset Media), Ian Lloyd (Electronic Arts), Niloo Zand (Red Cross), and Patsy George (UN Association of Canada and the Stephen Lewis Foundation). Michael Eckford, the host of Urban Rush on Shaw Cable, will be the emcee for the night. Proceeds from the evening will go directly to Red Cross HIV/AIDS relief work in sub-Saharan Africa. Get inspired.