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Queen Amaranthine

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Posts posted by Queen Amaranthine

  1. My first Tweedy show! So forgive me when I don't get what the amazing occurrence that bbop mentioned--to me, just making it to a show and the whole experience was an amazing occurrence. :-)

    The Englert is the smallest venue I've seen Tweedy (including Jeff w/ or w/out Wilco) in, possibly excluding Otto's in DeKalb. Beautiful rennovated, theater, though. It's like the Minneapolis Orpheum on a smaller scale. Enough about the architecture, though.

     

    Awesome show. Jeff was in good spirits and smiled a LOT, even when he called us assholes, lol (for not applauding enough, if I recall? Sorry, I get tired, busy, and details blur together). Even when he chastised the 2nd row on one side for not standing like everyone else during the end of the show. He joked about how we should ignore Liam, how he shouldn't be there, and he was actually unplugged but we shouldn't hear him, then of course admitted he was awesome. Before "Wait for Love" he announced a 3/4 coming up, then pointed out a woman yawning in the front row and gave her good natured grief.

     

    Spencer too was awesome. The entire band was fabulous for reasons that I'm sure have been covered extensively in other show threads here. I especially enjoyed Darin Gray--he brings a lot of personality and style in bass. Sima seemed to be having a really great time--her face just shined, especially during the encore.

     

    Oh, and halfway through some guy yelled out that he was the mayor's son, which got big laughs. A couple of years ago some drunk girl yelled out that she was the daughter of the mayor of Cedar Rapids and was otherwise generally annoying. I wasn't at that show but the mayor's daughter outburst must have been memorable because even before the show started my friend and some of the people around us were talking with each other about that.

     

    Laid back crowd for a venue that serves alcohol. Overall an old crowd (nothing says old like yawning during a Tweedy show, right?), but a mix of ages, including a few kids.

     

    "Loud Loud Loud" might have been a way to comment on the Indianpolis bill controversy?? The lyrics were read by the roadie dude with the big mustache (I remember at the Val Air once someone in the crowd yelled out to him, "Turn up the mustache!" when he was on stage doing his thing before Wilco took the stage). He stood back where Liam is and read it while the band and, at Jeff's direction the audience sang, along to the words "Loud Loud Loud." Lyrics here for anyone such as me who isn't readily familiar: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/aphrodites+child/loud+loud+loud_20233104.html

    I did see Glenn's name on the marquee and at first thought there was a change of plans and that he'd be opening for Tweedy. Not the case, but I did think it was funny that they were there back-to-back nights. Wish I could have stayed in Iowa City another day! Work and family call, though.

    Juan Wauters was a fun opening act. Unique vibe. This site http://littlevillagemag.com/wilcos-jeff-tweedy-performs-with-son-at-the-englert/ describes his style as "simple folk vibe and air of silliness," and that is a fitting description. Some of lyrics were goofy, simple, awkward, funny (on purpose?) and at first I wondered if it was just something about translation but now I think it might have been a mix of serious and silly. I really would like to see him open for Tweedy or Glenn or someone in the future again. He fits a small venue and was perfect for Iowa City-like artsy college town fare. Or, if anyone is familiar with Des Moines, he would be a perfect fit for Vaudeville Mews. I don't know how he would come across in Chicago or a much larger venue. But then, I only saw him the one time and have no firsthand comparison.

     

    Jeff said that they "will definitely be doing this again" but first (with humorous eye roll) "I have to go back to work with Wilco." Good news on both Tweedy and Wilco fronts there!

  2. Congrats, ripthisjoint!

     

    I can't top Lotti's advice. However, something I've learned from a guy I work with: follow your artistic passion, but pay the bills too. The custodian where I work is first and foremost a professional artist...but he admits it's not enough to pay the bills to live a comfortable lifestyle. Although custodial work might not be glamorous, it pays fairly well and enables him to purchase art supplies and still have time and living comfort level to be an artist and make contacts to be able to sell his work. And he produces genuinely awesome paintings and photographs!

  3. Have a wonderful time at Solid Sound, everyone! It's not in my budget or family's interests (pick your family vacation plan battles carefully, right? ;)), but someday I'll  make it.

     

    We have plans to go to the Black Hills this summer. A few weekends here and there in Minneapolis will be fun too.

     

    Gardening--last year we wanted something new and thus had our backyard landscaped with lots of flowering plants, and even though we were novices, we did very well with it, even in an extremely dry year (we could use a dry spell now, though--WAY too much rain this spring!). 

     

    Lots of time with the kids, reading to them and lots of t-ball and baseball. Because my son is is old enough to move up from the first level of t-ball, the kids will be on separate teams this summer, so we'll be spending quite a bit of time out at the local ballpark!  B)

  4. Emily Dickinson and Jeff Tweedy! I think they'd have a lot to talk about regarding words and poetry. All three of us are/were introverts but I think they would have plenty to say to each other that I could just sit back and listen (I'm generally beyond terrible at impromptu conversation or verbal chit chat). I wonder where they'd want to meet and what would be on the menu?

  5. Thanks for sharing--great commercial, very creative in both visual and audio.

     

    I saw Glenn do a solo set opening for Jeff in 2006. I was still pretty new to Wilco then and was very excited about Jeff's set, but I wasn't sure how a solo percussion set would go. it was mesmerizing. The man is incredibly talented.

     

    Agree! I've seen him open twice for Jeff, that same year or so.

     

    Anytime I see the name Glen with one n somewhere, I think, no no no Mr., your parents spelled that all wrong for you.

  6. Zamfir is definitely not Peruvian!

     

    That's it, Zamfir! A quick google search reveals that he is indeed not Peruvian. Good idea to not go there...

     

     

    Textiles might be a good thing for you to incorporate into your project.

    Yes, great idea that fits into folk art and way of life.

     

     

    Check out Sendero Luminoso when you have a moment.

    Movie or book? I found a nonfiction book about it as a terrorist group in a quick online search.

  7. I haven't seen too many films from Peru, and I wouldn't highly recommend any of the few I've managed to catch.  Still, these three all contain interesting insights into Peruvian culture: Madeinusa (2006); Days of Santiago (2004); and October (2010).  All three are provocative and rather bleak, so I'm not sure they will fit your program needs.

     

    Of note is Werner Herzog's Aguirre, the Wrath of God, an adventure story about madness that was filmed in the Peruvian rainforest.  Herzog also made Fitzcarraldo, about a famous Peruvian rubber baron.  Both of them rank among the greatest movies I've ever seen, so there's that.  (There's also Burden of Dreams, a terrific documentary about the making of Fitzcarraldo.)

     

    I checked those out on imdb.com and all look really good, especially Days of Santiago and Aguirre--interesting material to spark discussion in many ways.

     

    Thanks for all these titles and ideas, everyone!

  8. Not sure about anything from their culture, but I do recommend this photography book by Robert Frank!

     

    That book looks awesome! Sometime it's tough getting community college freshman to want to read but visuals almost always get them talking. I'm a believer in expanding visual literacy, another way to analyze and critique.

     

    For music, check out Los Saicos - they had a somewhat publicized revival a few years back. I think there's a small thread on this site about them, IIRC. And David Byrne put out a nice Afro-Peruvian sampler album. Peruvian music is not all pan flutes. 

     

    My mom is from Peru, but my knowledge of the culture is mostly limited to the cuisine. 

     

     

    I went to Peru specifically to visit Machu Picchu. It was amazing! The food and archetecture in Cusco is amazing. In terms of food. Since to me food relates to culture here is what I noticed. I believe they said Peru has over 500 varieties of potatoes. They also love their corn and coffee. Pisco sours are the drink of choice. Not sure if this is what you are looking for but if you have any questions I'll be happy to answer

     

     

     

     

     

    Cusine is an art! What little I know about Peruvian food sounds amazing (500 potatoes?! I feel like my local grocery stores are so limited), and there are some wonderful varieties of Peruvian coffee. And I will have to check out the architecture. Portuguese or Spanish influences, I'm guessing?

     

    I will have to check out that David Byrne album and Los Saicos too. Cumbia too. And maybe pan flute if it is that common there. :) Who was the big deal pan flute guy that used to be on TV commercials selling an album in the 1980s or '90s? He had one name, I think. Wonder if he was Peruvian?

  9. The college I work for has an international project, for which I'm on a committee that organizes cultural, artsy events. Every year is a different country/region, and this year it's Peru. One of my coworkers is friends with an artist from Peru now living in the Twin Cities who can do a short-term art workshop in our town later this year, so we're building our theme around that. In the past this project been open to the community, but for whatever reason it seems to be evolving to narrow in primarily on campus, which is fine. It's easier to manage that way, especially since our jobs are so busy anyway.

    Anyone here know of anything from Peruvian culture? Movies? Music? Dance? Art/folk art? Photography? Architecture?

     

    One of my coworkers suggested a collection of short stories by Daniel Alarcon titled War by Candlelight as an all-campus read, and what I've skimmed over so far looks really good.

    Any ideas are appreciated. I always get such great recommendations from you guys, every year when I ask for ideas.

  10. Amaranthine, didn't you do a program of African films five or six years ago?  This week I saw Ousmane Sembene's Black Girl (Netflix streaming), and would strongly recommend it.  It's about a young girl from Senegal who is compelled to work as a nanny for a family in Paris, only to learn that the family really just wants a maid.  The expected themes apply, but it's striking for relying on a first-person interior monologue--highly unusual to hear that distinct female African point-of-view, especially for 1966.  Ousmane Sembene, of course, was one of the great African filmmakers.

     

     

    Yes, my coworkers and I did! I'm trying to think what films we did show...need to think back. I remember we had a book club read of Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You, a fictionalized bio which made a perfect companion to the movie Hotel Rwanda. Black Girl sounds really good and I've added it to my grown-up-must-see movie list for the future.

     

    Which reminds me that the next project is Peru and I ought to solicit ideas...

  11. Done for Waterloo.

     

    Even though I won't be attending SS, it was nice to contribute in some small way.

     

    I do, though, take solace in knowing that in some parallel universe I'm already there, front and center, hearing Waterloo and having a blast.

  12. Someday I'll get back to grownup movies and catch up on some of the movies and TV shows mentioned here that I'd like to see.

     

    In the meantime, my kids are into this again big time, and they insist that my husband and/or I watch it with them. It doesn't take much to convince me. It still manages to make us all laugh every time.

     

    the-spongebob-squarepants-movie.jpg

  13.  Haven't been to Bok Tower -- sounds like I need to put it on my to-do list. I'm definitely an old house lover and a gardeny type, too!

     

    I'm pretty sure a good Florida list should also include Weeki Wachee Springs, where they have a live mermaid show (!) but sadly, I haven't been there!

     

     

    I think that's the mermaid show I saw on some show on the Travel Channel. My daughter REALLY wants to go!

     

    Funny how it's too easy to neglect cool things in one's own state.

  14. Totally forgot RAGBRAI.  Good call!  All the eating and drinking of the State Fair, but much less obesity.

     

    Goodness, somehow I missed your post above my first time around this thread! I haven't seen the Pappajohn Sculpture Park yet but have been meaning to do that. The big spider sculpture looks fun.

     

    State fair food--anything on a stick.

  15. Florida is a huge state, but here are some of my favorite places/things to do:

     

    Juniper Springs/Ocala Nat'l Forest for a canoe ride (watch for big old gators!)

    Camping at Cape San Blas in the Panhandle

    Old house ogling in St. Augustine

    South Beach for the Art Deco architecture

    Cuban food at La Teresita in Tampa

     

    Have you been to Bok Tower Gardens near Orlando? Gorgeous! The Pinewood Estate on the grounds is awesome, if you're into old houses.

     

    I'd love to see St. Augustine someday!

     

    Canoeing sounds fun, but the thought of gators so close--! :uhoh

  16. Iowa. There are a few things to do here. Really. It's just that they are very far apart. We do a lot of driving. Plus, I'm fairly easily amused. A few of my favorites:

     

    Amana Colonies

    For gardeny types: Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University and the Des Moines Botanical Center, in the process of a major expansion

    Iowa City, the quintessential university town

    Iowa State Fair every August

    Also in summer is RAGBRAI, the annual bike ride across the state that draws thousands & thousands of bicyclists

    Boone Scenic Valley Railroad

    Historic Hotel Pattee, each room decorated all out in a different theme

    Des Moines: Vaudeville Mews, Val-Air Ballroom (seen Wilco there 3 times), downtown farmers market, Salisbury House, Sherman Hill historic home tours in September

    Field of Dreams movie site--house and baseball field where the movie was filmed

    Fenton Place Elevator in Dubuque. Very unique. Check it out: http://www.dbq.com/fenplco/

    About 15 minutes from Dubuque is Galena, IL, one of my favorite places on the planet

     

    On my family's summer travel fun list to visit for the first time are the aquarium in Dubuque and Wright on the Park, a historic hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, recently restored.

  17. Don't count on it. No matter how accepting you are, I suspect most kids wouldn't tell their parents until a close circle of friends (including some lucky boy or girl) know. I admit I would struggle accepting, but certainly would.

     

    Yes, I probably am just wishful thinking that I will always play such an important role in my kids' lives! :-)

     

    And I have to wonder how far my (or anyone else's) level of acceptance and tolerance reaches. What if a person's kid wanted to be part of a polygamist marriage? Or a cult? Are we each accepting only of what fits our own beliefs, and what if family members shake up those beliefs? To what degree are we tolerant and accepting? I certainly don't want those to be tested, but it gets a person thinking.

  18.  

    When my niece came out 10 years ago, she told my wife and me before she told her parents.

     

    Let's move on to other societal issues that need to be addressed like the legalization of marijuana and mental health care reform.

     

    If either of my kids is gay (they're too young now to know, but if someday), I want to be the first to know (after themselves, of course!).

     

    My state approved gay marriage a couple of years ago, and surprise, it's not ruining society or the "values" of the state, as opponents suggested before. No one who I know that is gay has married yet, although I know one big, gravelly construction worker guy who rolled his eyes at having to spend a Saturday going out of town to attend a lesbian wedding (a relative of his wife), but the eye roll was because he was going to a wedding period, rather than stay home and watch baseball on TV. :P

     

    Mental health is another important issue. My state ranks very low in terms of availability of mental health services. A person can get help, but they have to know how and where to seek it, and not everyone does. Plus, it's a rural area, so facilities for those with severe cases are very far apart geographically.

     

    The other day on NPR, I heard that polygamists are using similar arguments to those made by gay marriage supporters to support legalized polygamy. While I personally think one spouse is enough,  and no doubt my husband would agree, ;) I'm not sure what I think about that overall. I agree that a person should have freedoms and that not everyone is the same. The only concerns I would have about that is the cult brainwashing factor that often comes with polygamy in the U.S. and how legalized polygamy could theoretically or actually affect financial issues in the big picture such as overtaxing benefits such as employers needing to provide health insurance--if it even would have any impact there? I haven't thought through it.

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