Archive: June, 2010

GET LIT (ALL WEEK LONG): Win a copy of Brady Udall's The Lonely Polygamist

POSTED: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 5:00 PM

Welcome to Book Quarterly Trivia Week! From now till June 23, we'll be inundating you with opportunities to win free copies of books from our Summer BQ. For the first time in BQTW's history, we've got copies of every single book we've reviewed, previewed and shouted out (even in Icepack!). So keep an eye out at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. every day for plenty of chances to win.

W.W. Norton, 602 pp., $26.95, May 3

Brady Udall's new novel, The Lonely Polygamist, is about exactly what you'd think it'd be about: polygamy and loneliness. Also, there's a character called Ted Leo, but I'm pretty sure it's not that Ted Leo. Here's what Deputy A&E Editor Molly Eichel thought about Udall's latest effort:

Golden Richards' construction business is falling apart, he's losing social status in his community and he's fallen in love with someone who isn't his wives. Save for his fundamentalist Mormon faith, four wives and 28 children, Golden is like any John Updike character who has lost his way. In his second novel, Brady Udall — whose great-grandfather was a polygamist — shifts perspective from his main character, the terminally indecisive Golden; his fourth wife, the grievous Trish; and Rusty, one of Golden's many children, whose nickname of "The Troublemaker" is like calling the Richards clan simply unconventional.

The story takes shape as Udall adds layers to each of his characters — keeping some purposefully and tantalizingly vague. While Golden's actions drive the narrative, it's Rusty and Trish, relaying the everyday aspects of a polygamous lifestyle, who're the most fascinating — Rusty justifies trying on his sister's underwear because all of his own are in disrepair, while Trish's abject isolation in a household of 33 is at the novel's ironic core.

To win a copy of The Lonely Polygamist, answer the following trivia question:

On what date is it said that Joseph Smith received a message from God which approved plural marriage?

E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "The Lonely Polygamist" in the subject line. Check back later today for a chance to win a copy of The Shallows. [UPDATE, Wed., June 23, 9:55 a.m.]: Congrats to Stephanie, who was the first to answer that — at least hypothetically — Smith got the message on July 17, 1831.

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 5:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

THE CURATOR: White Trash, yarn bombs and dancing cowboys

POSTED: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 4:00 PM

Every Tuesday, Critical Mass pokes around the art blog world so you don't have.

dccowboys.org

Is Joey Sweeney pissed that the DC Cowboys are part of the Welcome! America Celebration? Or simply jealous they have yet to ask him to become a member?

— Gone are the days when critics could dismissively brand an art exhibition as trash. Why? Two new series at the Bambi Gallery — White Trash and Nutrition Facts — make direct use of, well, garbage. And people take it seriously. In White Trash, crushed Blue Ribbon cans frame faded portraits of sour looking former presidents and Southern gentry. ArtBlog seems to be a fan: "At first glance, you are solely struck by their pleasing aesthetic." Call me old fashioned, but I like my founding fathers sheepishly grinning with pint in hand, as featured on my beer bottle. Admittedly though, massive Cheerio logos do add some nice corporate color to the worn out tradition of woodland painting.

— I generally shy away from the loaded issue of yarn bombing but Philthy recently infiltrated this well-knit organization, following one of their young happy-go lucky-recruits who goes by the name Dot Vile. Just watch the clip. — Geekadelphia supplied us with exclusive photos and access to a brawl, so badass, that the action puts all UFC guillotine chokes and face butts to shame. The Kaiju Big Battel took place at the Troc, after a day of spell casting and other wizardly pastimes. Since I'm not up to date with the league's regulations, I can't provide adequate commentary. Plus, I've always had a particular fear of that waddling squid dude with crab claws, so you'll just have to check it out for yourself.

— A dance troupe of DC-based cowboys will be riding into town for the Fourth of July festivities. And Philebrity is none too happy about it. In fact, they're almost as sour as they are about the Goo Goo Dolls performing. But I, for one, see a great opportunity for a Goo Goo-themed hoedown.

Posted by Will Stone @ 4:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

MUSIC MADNESS: Win tickets to see Idina Menzel at the Mann Center -- WE HAVE OUR WINNERS

POSTED: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 3:00 PM

Filed Under: Music

Holy giveaways, Crit Massers! We've been going hot and heavy with the free stuff this week but there ain't no stoppin' us now. We want you to go see the one, the only Idina Menzel performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra this Thu., June 24 at the Mann Center. Menzel is a powerhouse of musical theater, originating the role of Maureen in Rent and winning a best actress Tony for her work as Elphaba in the crazy popular Wicked. Most recently, Menzel could be seen as Rachel's (Lea Michele) bio-mom on Glee. So how can you go see Menzel? The first two people to answer the following question by e-mailing molly [dot] eichel [at] citypaper [dot] net get the goods:

How did original Wicked Gregory Maguire author come up with the name Elphaba?

Congrats to Ariel and Leah, who answered that Maguire came up with the name of his heroine by combining the initials of Wizard of Oz writer L. Frank Baum.

Idina Menzel with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Thu., June 24, 8 p.m., $10-$50, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue Fairmount Park, 215-878-0400.

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 3:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

GET LIT (ALL WEEK LONG): Win a copy of Tom Bissell's Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter

POSTED: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 2:00 PM

Pantheon, 240 pp., $22.95, June 8

Not gonna lie: I judge books by their cover sometimes. This one — Tom Bissell's Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter — is one of my favorite of the BQ bunch. (This photo over here does it no justice whatsoever — in 3-D this little blockhead has a bunch of shiny, blue, texturized friends to keep him company.) Cuteness aside, though, here's what Jakob Dorof had to say about Bissell's pop-culture analysis:

Tom Bissell, for his part, knows video games. Though he wisely wastes few words on the skeptics themselves, his own take is clear: Throughout Extra Lives, he refers to "the classics of the form," places the video game on the same shelf as sculpture or poetry, and makes convincing arguments for it being "the most dominant popular art form of our time." You could find these sentiments on any web forum frequented by teenagers, but to hear it from a Guggenheim Fellow is a pleasure both to read and to ponder. Thankfully, Bissell is no fanboy, and he spends more time exploring his frustrations with video games than his fascination with them. To wit, his vivid descriptions of artful zombie dismemberment in Resident Evil can be enjoyed by anyone, but what will interest the gamer is the way he posits that Evil's narrative shortcomings set a troubling precedent.

To win a copy of Extra Lives, answer the following trivia question:

Who in 2005 said video games will never be an art form?

E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "Extra Lives" in the subject line. Check back later today: We're giving away copies of The Lonely Polygamist and The Shallows. [UPDATE, 11:35 a.m.]: CritMass reader Josh got this one right — Roger Ebert's the one who said video games would never be an art form.

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 2:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

What's sneaky M. Night Shyamalan up to?

POSTED: Monday, June 21, 2010, 10:53 PM

Filed Under: Movies

The wheels are apparently a-turning on M. Night Shyamalan's next project but the director is being his normal uber-secretive shelf. Heat Vision reports that Shyamalan's next film — following The Last Airbender, out July 1, watch the final trailer above — has Gwyneth Paltrow, Bruce Willis and Bradley Cooper tentatively attached. But that's pretty much all anyone's got so far because, as the AV Club says, "Only the top studio executives have been allowed to read the script, and then only under the close supervision of one of Shyamalan's assistants, who immediately took the script back as soon as they were done." (Jesus H., and you though your job was shitty, these assistants are tasked with watching people read.) The real question, now that Shyamalan has entered the genre film pantheon with Airbender, will anyone give a shit about these legendary twists that have lately been more laughable than mind-blowing. Shyamalan and B. Coops are both local boys, and Bruce has done the Philly thing before but you can hear the salivation of gossip hounds everywhere with the idea of Paltrow hitting the local streets, hopefully fruit- and Bible-themed children in tow. Look, I'll take anything for the slimmest chance of seeing this performed live at my local bar:

Posted by Molly Eichel @ 10:53 PM Permalink | Post a comment

THE SHOWDOWN: Dudes know how to break out the electric vibraphone

POSTED: Monday, June 21, 2010, 9:16 PM

Filed Under: Music The Showdown

A concert a day keeps the doctor away.

Monday: After some solo offerings from A.C. Newman and red-headed siren Neko Case, The New Pornographers are Together again. This eight-member band has been plugging away since 1997, but make sure you arrive early enough to hear comparative newbies The Dodos, who'll open the show with their combination of clattering drums and strummy guitar. Plus, dudes know how to break out the electric vibraphone. With The Dodos and The Dutchess & The Duke. 7:30 p.m., $27, The Troc, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888. Tuesday: Two legendary singer-songwriters and old friends, Carole King and James Taylor, bring their A.M. radio gold as part of their Troubadour Reunion tour. If you're lucky, you just might hear "Fire and Rain" and the theme song from Gilmore Girls." 7:30 p.m., $39.50-350, Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 215-336-3600. Wednesday: Get your local music fix with a performance by E-Funk, a four-piece that emerged two years ago from house parties and built a name for itself with its "Philthy Beatz" show series. Catch them at the Millcreek Tavern for their last weekly groove sesh at the bar for the month of June. Oh, and did we mention it's free? With DJ ChampÃ©. 9 p.m., No cover. Millcreek Tavern, 4200 Chester Ave., 215-222-9194. Thursday: If you're looking for something more low-key, check out The Guggenheim Grotto, whose wistful folk-pop harmonies are sure to charm. The Irish duo just released its third album, The Universe is Laughing, which features a delightful ukulele ditty of the same name. And really, we could all use some more uke in our lives. With Bushwalla. 8:30 p.m., $10. Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770. Friday: It's ladies' night at Tritone, and we're not talking about free drinks. Rather, women are running the show. At the latest installment of female music series, Sugar Town, check out critically acclaimed out-of-towners, The Shondes, who'll headline with their blend of classical violin with riot grrrl punk. Aside from these Brooklynites, Sugar Town offers a batch of locals including Rachel Tension and City Paper faves, Post Post. With The Shondes, Post Post, Filmstar, Rachel Tension & DJ Sis. 9:30 p.m., $7, Tritone, 1508 South Street, 215-545-0475. Saturday: If you can't hop a midnight train to Georgia (it's hot enough in Philly, thank you), then go for the next best thing: Head to Atlantic City to hear soul legend Gladys Knight and the Pips, who grew to fame in the '60s heyday of Motown, but she's still singing in 2010. 8 p.m., $40.50-$75.50, House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ, 609-343-4000 Sunday: Alright, sleepyhead (see above), get out of your PJs and ditch your lazy Sunday plans for some dancing! Courtesy of indie breakout band, Passion Pit, there'll be plenty of feel-good synth-pop melodies and falsetto vocals to keep you on your feet. And don't miss Brooklyn's own Tokyo Police Club, who'll be opening the show in support of their new release, Champ. With Tokyo Police Club & Brahms. 7:30 p.m., $26.50, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Avenue Fairmount Park, 215-878-0400.

Posted by Julia Askenase @ 9:16 PM Permalink | Post a comment

GET LIT (ALL WEEK LONG): Win a copy of David Mitchell's The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

POSTED: Monday, June 21, 2010, 8:00 PM

Random House, 496 pp., $26, June 29

If you're looking for serious summer reading (of the non-vampire-related variety), David Mitchell's brand-new historical romance The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet might be right up your alley. Here's resident Shelf Life columnist Justin Bauer's take:

David Mitchell has a knack for identifying a beautiful moment. He strews paragraphs of them throughout The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, moments that decant the essence of a dusty colonial square, or a pastoral physic garden, or the panoramic wheeling of a flock of gulls into a page of bracingly clear, high-proof prose. This is half the skill set that made Mitchell's reputation; the rest comes from his audacity with form. In his early novels, he arranged his prose into complex postmodern puzzles. More recently, he's applied a similar playfulness to genre conventions, in Black Swan Green and now in Thousand Autumns' swashbuckling historicism.

To win a copy of The Thousand Autumns, answer the following trivia question:

A film version of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas is in development. Who is directing it?

E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "Thousand Autumns" in the subject line. Check back tomorrow for giveaways of Extra Lives, The Lonely Polygamist and The Shallows. [UPDATE, 4:45 p.m.]: Jackie M. got this one: The director of the film version of Cloud Atlas is Tom Tykwer.

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 8:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

GET LIT (ALL WEEK LONG): Win a copy of Jonathan Alter's The Promise: President Obama, Year One

POSTED: Monday, June 21, 2010, 5:00 PM

Simon & Schuster, 458 pp., $28, May 18

In anticipation of his National Constitution Center talk this Tuesday, we're giving away a copy of Jonathan Alter's The Promise: President Obama, Year One. Senior Editor Patrick Rapa gave it a shout in Kaleidoscope, making note that the president's got a few more years to prove himself and leave a legacy behind:

To be fair, it's not entirely fair to write a book about the first year of a presidency — especially for this president, who seems to be beset on all sides by inherited disasters and partisan buffoonery. So, as an assessment of the Obama administration, Jonathan Alter's The Promise is really just Chapter 1. But the book delivers when it comes to fly-on-the-wall insight.

To win a copy of The Promise, answer the following trivia question:

What was Barack Obama's basketball nickname?

E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "The Promise" in the subject line. Visit Critical Mass this afternoon for a chance to win a copy of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. [UPDATE, 4:30 p.m.]: Congratulations to CM reader Liz, who correctly identified President Obama's basketball nickname: Barry O'Bomber.

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 5:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

Why weren't you watching Check it Out! with Dr. Steve Brule?

POSTED: Monday, June 21, 2010, 4:55 PM

Filed Under: TV

Love 'em or hate 'em, Philadelphia natives Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim have been responsible for the most subversive comedy on television for a while, and Check it Out! with Dr. Steve Brule is their bastard baby. More focused than Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! (as if that holds much weight), Check it Out! is a spinoff that follows the talk show escapades of Dr. Steve Brule (John C. Reilly), a man of ambiguous, yet palpable, mental and social deficiencies.

Check it Out!, which aired the final episode of its first season (watch the promo above) last night, is the premonitory imagining of a communicative apocalypse — a complete breakdown of progress in thought, communication, style and taste. It's so viscerally bombastic that it provokes alarm almost as much as it does laughter, as if something so outrageous is actually happening might mean there's a chance that it's real.

Who knows? Maybe we're already there, and Check it Out! is just the ugly painting we've locked inside our attics all these years. What I can tell you is that these guys are smarter and more creative than you'd want to believe, and they're completely unencumbered by any sense of artistic restraint. While the 12-minutes episodes are finished for the foreseeable future, Adult Swim has vids up online, including the fourth episode, "Health."

Posted by Eric Henney @ 4:55 PM Permalink | Post a comment

GET LIT (ALL WEEK LONG): Win a copy of Kate Bingaman-Burt's Obsessive Consumption

POSTED: Monday, June 21, 2010, 2:00 PM

Princeton Architectural Press, 197 pp., $19.95, May 1

Happy Monday morning, BQTWers! Our giveaway bonanza continues with Kate Bingaman-Burt's hugely popular Obsessive Consumption, which I wrote about in this week's Kaleidoscope. Here's the scoop:

Kate Bingaman-Burt's blog-to-book Obsessive Consumption: What Did You Buy Today? (Princeton Architectural Press, May 1) has gotten shouts everywhere from DIY microblogs to The New York Times Magazine. It's her daily drawings of purchases — everything from a new iPad (June 8, 2010) to a buck's worth of espresso beans (April 22) — that draws such vastly different crowds to this honest take on consumer culture. So what'd Bingaman-Burt sketch the day her book was published? A $2.99 jar of tamarind concentrate. Way to celebrate, Kate.

To win a copy of Obsessive Consumption, answer the following trivia question:

On what date did Kate Bingaman-Burt begin her series of daily drawings?

E-mail me at carolyn.huckabay@citypaper.net for a chance to win, and be sure to put "Obsessive Consumption" in the subject line. Visit Critical Mass later today for giveaways of The Promise and The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. [UPDATE, 4:25 p.m.]: Congratulations to Critical Mass reader Rose! She was the first to guess right, that Bingaman-Burt's first daily drawing came in on Feb. 5, 2006.

Posted by Carolyn Huckabay @ 2:00 PM Permalink | Post a comment

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | NEXT »

Q&A with SHARI SOLANIS: "The goal isn't pornography"
What we're trying to do this weekend
SEXY TIME Q&A: I've never had an orgasm during sex with a man — and I'm 30!
NOW SEE THIS: Transit cop arrests marijuana activist for alleged disorderly conduct.
Q&A with Tony Goldwyn: "Life is gray, and relationships are, too"
CONCERT REVIEW: Primus (3D & quadraphonic sound) @ The Tower 10/17
ICEPACK ILLUSTRATED: The Archbishop meets the Geator, the Mayor goes suit shopping, Le Bec Fin fin.
ICE CUBE: In Memoriam: Joe Tartaglia
SWIMMING HOLES: Some of our favorite places to get wet
Coming soon to Philly: Two cockamamie movie promotion schemes

About this blog

Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

Follow Critical Mass editors Patrick Rapa and Emily Guendelsberger on Twitter:

@mission2denmark | @emilygee

Search this blog:

Topics:

Blog archives:

May
April
March

February
January

Past Archives: