Look, people behind The Muppets sequel, you can stop already. You already have The Muppets in it, which is enough. Plus, there will be singing, which is awesome. Now comes word that we may trade Jason Segel for Ricky Gervais. That’s like saying, “I’m sorry, we’re totally out of jet packs to rent, would you […]
Posted inMovies
Poor 2013
Listen, 2013, you look cool. You really do, with your new Superman movie and lack of Twilight. It’s just…well, your older sibling (2012) was super crazy awesome. It’s not easy being odd, especially with a number so feared it gets its own phobia named after it. But chin up, I’m sure it won’t be that […]
Posted inMusic
Headed Underground: 2013 Music Predictions
Here it is, the most well-read, if not the most controversial, article of the year — a clairvoyant peek into untapped regions of time to ponder what will happen musicwise in the Year of Our Lord 2013. But before we get to that, let’s see how well I did with last year’s predictions: 2012 Prediction: […]
Posted inMovies
Antebellum Antiheroism
Oh, Quentin Tarantino, you’ve really done it this time, haven’t you? Nobody really cared when you fantasized that Hitler didn’t end his reign of terror with one last murder (his own), placing therapeutic cinematic release into the hands of machine-gun toting Jews blasting the bogeyman back to hell in Inglourious Basterds. But slavery? This ain’t […]
Posted inTheater
Francke Passes Column Baton to Grennan
If column-writing was a relay, I’d be passing the Cold Cream baton to Bill Grennan and wishing him as long a run as I’ve had—roughly six decades and countless other columns, long before this one. Few in the theater community need to be told about Bill’s credentials: drama degrees from both Creighton and the University […]
Posted inSpecials
Cosmic Forecast, Dec. 27-Jan. 2
It’s a Full Moon weekend! Happy Full Moon in Cancer (before dawn on Friday the 28th), in opposition to Pluto, which is conjunct the Sun. Have a Happy New Year’s, and let’s see what 2013 has to offer thee. Peace and love shall conquer all. There are no mistakes, if you do what you do […]
Posted inMusic
Just A Girl
Before No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani started whining about being “just a girl,” another blonde-haired, blue-eyed 19-year-old was beginning her career as front woman for local ska band, Jimmy Skaffa. Formed in 1992 by ex-members of local ska bands Knuckle Junction and Porkpie Conspiracy, Jimmy Skaffa kept adding members until it consisted of 16 different people […]
Posted inSpecials
The Spice of Life… and Health
The Three Wise Men who traveled to visit baby Jesus were, well, pretty smart. Rather than arrive empty handed, they politely brought gifts. The most noted were the famous three: gold, frankincense and myrrh. The latter two were spicy resins, not the kind we ordinarily find in the kitchen cabinet but considered spices nonetheless. They […]
Posted inMusic
Gifts of Music
Playing With Fire promoter Jeff Davis has two more concerts planned to generate funds for his tenth anniversary summer event planned for the weekend of July 13, 2013. Feb. 9 at Slowdown, Davis presents Cassie Taylor & the Soul Cavalry opening for Ben Poole. Davis says, “Poole is from Brighton, England, and is currently the […]