My day off!

So where am I going on Saturday after busting my back all week? Here's a hint - a free concert in Central Park starring the one and only Julieta Venegas! (Along with some primo opening acts, too).

I'm excited not only to listen to some wonderful music in a unique setting but also glad to meet up with some friends and possibly be surprised by those that I haven't seen in a while. (The latter happened when I unexpectedly met C. at the end of the Aterciopelados gig in 2005). Then there's also the mini-picnic we're going to have (including some meat empanadas I've got to buy). All-in-all I'm going to try to enjoy things.

Afterwards, I'm going to catch a bus and be picked up at the Apple Store at 8pm. Why there? No, I'm not giving into the hype over the new iPhone. (At least not until I can afford it, all the bugs get worked out, and there's more flexibility with the service plans). Rather, it's an easy address for the Access-A-Ride to pick me up and the store's bathrooms are decent.

Depending on time constraints and my appetite I may eat at nearby Pop Burger; I have an Achilles heel for sliders.

Lastly, if I'm lucky I can catch Manhattanhenge depending on what time my ride picks me up and if my camera can hold out.

Fin!

De Musica Ligera: Si*Sé

Every Friday I will dedicate a post exclusively to music. It’s an idea I’ve copied off the other blog I worked on including repeating the same post title. For this blog I’m unsure if I will place a common theme to each post or just throw out a potpourri of different songs. For the time being, I’ll opt for something different and focus on one musical group.

One of the first concerts I attended after graduating in F.I.U. and returning to New York was at SOB’s in 2004. The band that played on a sultry summer night was trip-hop group Si*Sé. I felt awkward being there since I went alone and I typically tend to shy away during gatherings when I don’t recognize the other people there.

Since it was the first time I had gone there I called the club ahead of time to find out if the place was wheelchair accessible, especially the men’s room. The employee I talked to affirmed that it was completely accessible, so imagine my surprise when I find out the bathroom was too narrow. Thus, I felt more awkward sitting in a dark corner away from the bar in order to avoid drinking any cold, sweet booze. (After the concert finished I had to duck into the nearby McDonald’s Express to use their facilities. Price of usage – one cheeseburger and six McNuggets to go).

• Si*Sé – Steppin’ Out

Aside from that inconvenience the gig itself was absolutely amazing; Carol C.’s voice is so smooth and it’s complemented incredibly well by the rest of the group. The music is equal parts catchy, tropical, and urban. This may seem a little hard to believe, but they sound many times better live than on their albums. Though Carol C.’s vocals are exceptional, the sum of the parts is what makes Si*Sé so alluring.

• Si*Sé – Bizcocho Amargo

Oddly enough the first time I ever heard Si*Sé was on a flight to Miami, which is a very appropriate locale for their style of music. (With all due respect to my native NYC, that is). That song was “Cuando” and after getting goose bumps and chills listening to it I made sure to steal the music channel guide in order to download it after arriving home.

• Si*Sé – Cuando

Si*Sé will be appearing at SOB’s next Friday. At this time I don’t know if I’m going to go since I’m so occupied and I’m usually spent by the end of the week. Yet one thing is for sure: those that go will definitely not be disappointed with Si*Sé.

I’m truly sorry but it would've been a wonderful thing

I would very much like to see Morrissey again in concert. Despite having a fantastic time during his performance at the Apollo two years ago I just couldn’t afford to buy tickets for his then-postponed appearance earlier this year at Madison Square Garden. “$75 is far too much even if one is sitting mere inches from the stage”, I said to myself back then.

Thankfully and to my complete surprise he rescheduled several shows including in NYC including five nights at the Hammerstein Ballroom! “Better and smaller venue = lower ticket prices,” I exclaimed to my brothers as I salivated the chance to go see him in late October.

Wrong!

I am hoping that there will be cheaper seats available but if sixty-five bucks is the only price option then count me out. Despite the artist’s supposed admission that he has no involvement in the ticket pricing I just won’t go. It’s a simple mater of economics; for the price of one ticket I can put the money to better use paying the bills at home, for instance.

But that’s the way things have been for me over the past few years; sacrificing many selfish goodies in order to help my family. (For example, I am my mom’s de facto shrink even when I wish to not listen to her problems). It’s a role I’ve learned to accept for quite a while now and I doubt it will change any time soon.

In the end it works out for everyone and that’s what matters most.

"You are a boobie"

Rather than ramble about what's been on my mind I will save some time and space via the magic of the bullet point list:

• My right tricep is still in pain though I've been able to type more easily than yesterday.
• I'm quite nervous since I have to flush my stomach out tomorrow with a number of powders, pills, and the like. (It has to be done due to a delicate medical exam on Thursday).
• Speaking of Thursday, due to the exam I won't be able to head out to the "Tribute to Hector Lavoe" concert that night. Hence, my summer concert list will be a disappointing 0-for-6.
  
• Dammit I still haven't written to any long lost acquaintances/friends/colleagues!
• Compared to last week my agenda is relatively empty; it is a sea of white except fora few small entries.
  
• Crap, I think C.'s birthday is coming up soon. I better find out poste haste and send her a card!
• Lastly, I recently discovered several excellent UPA cartoons from the pre-Mr. Magoo days in the 1950s. This is one of them based on a very short story by James Thurber (video link):
  

July, July! - It’s concert time!

Oh immortal joy! (Image via The Stranger)

Summer has unofficially been a month old so I figured it would be time to check out the myriad of concerts that will be held in NYC over the next two months and change. Last year’s list of concerts was disappointing in that I was a terrible 1-for-23 (parts one and two). This summer I will be far less ambitious mainly since I will be super busy working on the seemingly never-ending thesis as well as U.N. research. Yet with so many free concerts in the area it’s hard to resist passing up on them, though it hurts to have missed Rodrigo y Gabriela earlier today.

Well, here goes nothing.

• Saturday July 14 – Café Tacuba, Pacha Missive, La Sista @ Central Park Summerstage

To quote what I wrote in The Latin Americanist:

“(The Latin Alternative Music Conference) will host a concert in Central Park with well-known band Café Tacuba. The Mexican quartet will top what should be a killer concert with local act Pacha Massive and Boricua singer La Sista.”

• Friday July 20 – Neko Case, Eric Bachmann @ Central Park Summerstage

Oh my god.

Oh my god.

Oh my god.

Neko!!!

I briefly discussed my adoration for Ms. Case’s music in this post, but the timing of this concert could not have been better for me since it’s Colombian Independence Day. Perhaps it may be more appropriate winging it to Jackson Heights for some bandeja paisa but I shan’t miss the chance to listen to Neko’s precious melodies under the stars. (Perfect for a date, no?)

• Friday July 27 – Joe Vasconcellos @ Queens Theatre in the Park

This is the only concert on the list that is not free yet I am more than willing to shell out $30-35 to see Señor Vasconcellos. I praised him before and I’m trilled at the chance to hopefully see him live.

• Thursday August 9 - Yerba Buena, Los Amigos Invisibles, José Conde y Ola Fresca @ Pier 54 or B-52s, Patty Smyth and Scandal @ Asser Levy/Seaside Park

This is a ridiculously difficult choice to make. On the one hand there will be some fabulous and funky Latin music playing in the West Village. (Plus the chance to possibly meet José Conde whose music I'm giving away).

On the other hand, there’ll be the prime chance to catch the addictively unique tunes of the B-52s along with Venegas and some of her crew.

Choices, choices, choices!

• Friday August 10 – Au Revoir Simone, Metronomy @ South Street Seaport

I’ve always wanted to see ARS in concert in order to figure out if their live stuff deviates too much from their recorded tunes. This concert will be the best way to find out (assuming I’m not wiped out from the previous night).

• Thursday August 16 – Tribute to Hector Lavoe @ El Museo

In this The Latin Americanist post I embedded a YouTube vid of the incomparable Hector Lavoe. He was a giant amongst men and thankfully his music continues to be popular.

• Saturday August 18 – Si*Se, Toubab Krewe @ Governor’s Island

The tricky part will be if my motorized wheelchair be able to go on one of the ferries to Governor’s Island and if the terrain there isn’t too difficult for the wheelchair. Otherwise I’ve enjoyed Si*Se especially since I saw them at S.O.B.s a few years ago; thus, I would be thrilled to make it.

• Thursday August 23 – Los Amigos Invisibles @ El Museo

The lone concert I went to last summer was the unforgettable time seeing Los Amigos Invisibles at El Museo, principally since they played despite being delayed two hours by a torrential downpour. It was the only time I danced alone in the street at 10pm and one of the rare times I was happy that the Access-A-Ride arrived so far behind schedule.

Could lightning strike twice? Hopefully not in the literal sense!

• Friday August 24 – Camera Obscura @ South Street Seaport

If I’m not too tired from the previous evening's shindig at El Museo, then I’ll make my way downtown to catch Scottish twee pop near the East River. (I wonder if there are cheap pubs nearby or is it all just T.G.I. McFunsters?)

Nine concerts. Nine options for fun. I’ll try to attend at least 3-4 of them. It would be very nice.

Soda Stereo returns!

Why have I not blogged lately? A few reasons:

1. I was busy playing catch-up with my thesis work.
2. I received good news from my former supervisor at the U.N. which forced me to revisit the work I did for them that I finished last year.
   
3. Bills, bills, bills!
4. I did not want to talk about last week until I uploaded a few pics I took. (Maybe tomorrow, ha ha ha!)

So what was the impetus that made me blog today? Soda Stereo reunites!!! Well, it's not official yet, but like I wrote earlier today in The Latin Americanist:

"According to Argentine news agency Télam, legendary rock en español group Soda Stereo will get back together after being split up for a decade. The article goes on to note that they will perform in comeback tour visiting several Latin American nations including their home country of Argentina."

Joy!

When I first read about I nearly fell out of my seat with a coronary. I sure as hell hope it is for real and that they perform in the NYC area.

Criminy, I get goose bumps just thinking about the remote possibility of maybe seeing something like this live and on stage:


The excitement is too much to bear!

Feliz cumpelaños, Moz!

Image from a December 2006 concert via BBC

Yes, ladies and germs, Morrissey celebrates his 48^th birthday today! He hasn’t missed much of a beat in the last few years since he’s extensively touring and releasing albums on a near yearly basis. I still enjoy his music now since I first heard him eons ago in my youthful, formative years. Then there was also a very good term paper I wrote a few years back on his cult fan base amongst Chicano youth. Hence, Moz has been beneficial for me on several levels.

Though he will be stopping in NYC for a concert in late June I decided not to get tix for it. One of the main reasons why was the exorbitant ticket prices which is definitely out of my budget. (Aye, it’s one of the consequences of being an unemployed grad student). Mercifully, with the summer coming up there are many free/cheap concerts so that will help. (I’ll get into more detail about this summer’s concerts later this week).

In addition, I was a little turned off by the venue- the arena at Madison Square Garden. Maybe it’s a little too nit-picky, but the last Moz concert I went to was extraordinary partly due to that. The Apollo Theater was the perfect setting due to its intimacy and splendid acoustics. Perhaps I would’ve been more flexible if it had been at MSG’s Theater, which I feel would’ve been far better. So far I’ve only seen him that once two years ago, but I don’t mind keeping it that way for now. No rush, no worries!

I’m off to listen to Strangeways, Here We Come. In the meantime, here are a few MP3 files of the birthday boy:

Morrissey - At Last I Am Born

Morrissey – Last of the Famous International Playboys

Morrissey – We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful (live)