Rainydayz ‘n Rainbows

Usually I’m opposed to all manipulations or remixes of Radiohead’s stuff (just on the principle of why mess with perfection) but this album is unique enough to catch and keep my ear and is just pretty damn hot.

Rainydayz Remixes is composed exclusively of source material pulled from In Rainbows, re-envisioned by Amplive and complimented by vocal work from Too $hort, MC Zumbi of Zion I, Chali2na of Jurassic 5, Codany Holiday, and Del The Funky Homosapien.

After a cease & desist put the breaks on Amplive's Radiohead In Rainbows remix project, the online music community reasonably wondered if the tracks would ever see the light of day. Well, here they are.

While the Oakland producer/DJ acknowledges that he probably should have contacted Radiohead (who were not involved in the project) to seek approval prior to making his interpretations publically available, an agreement has been reached between all involved parties and Amplive has been granted permission to release Rainydayz Remixes for free to the general public. Effective immediately, the eight-track record is available.

Some reviews-

"The Bay Area producer (Akon, Talib Kweli)/half of Zion I has scrapped together a project dubbed Rainydayz Remixes, culling six IR cuts and chopping 'em up, spiking the punch with varying degrees of embellishments. "Weird Fishes" stays true to the original's arc -- one groove, one progression; slowly grooving, slowly progressing -- spiced up with a fake finish, some Thom tinkering and a Radiohead-meets-Neptunes-enhanced-JT beat. Ain't nobody love you like I love you, etc." - Stereogum

"Wow. California MC Amplive slices and dices a (let's face it, kind of bloodless) new Radiohead song and turns it into a sleek and simmering hip-hop track. If more of In Rainbows sounded like this, we might not feel so chapped about shelling out for the discbox." - Rollingstone.com

"Why can't hip-hop and indie rock values segue together as gracefully, as artfully, as Oakland DJ-producer Amplive's trip-hop–tinged remix of "Nude," a suturing together of his group Zion I's "Don't Lose Ya Head" and Radiohead's ethereal hum, with classic Yay touches of Too $hort?" - SF Bay Guardian

"Rainydaze Remixes is most effective when it is at its boldest, accelerating the dreary original of 'All I Need' into hard-nosed trip hop punctuated by stabbing brass, or transforming 'Weird Fishes' into a gentle drift downstream." - Guardian UK

"One standout track from the project is "Weird Fishes," which Amplive has transformed from a synthesizer-and-guitar odyssey into an ominous electro-trance expedition. Some other strong tracks feature guests: The pimp-rap specialist Too $hort enlivens a bass-boosted "Nude," and Del Tha Funkee Homosapien triples the verbiage on "Videotape."" - New York Times

• 01 Rainydayz [download]
• 02 Video Tapez (ft. Del The Funky Homosapien) [download]
• 03 Nudez (ft. Too $hort & MC Zumbi of Zion I) [download]
• 04 Weird Fishez [download]
• 05 All I Need [download]
• 06 15 Stepz (ft. Codany Holiday) [download]
• 07 Reckonerz (ft. Chali2na) [download]
• 08 Faustz [download]
• (Or as a Zip file)

onesevensevensix.com
via bwe

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Nas’ Shirt May Offend You

As may the title of his album, Nigger, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't care . And in fact Nasir makes an incredibly accurate and articulate point about it, as the red carpet interviewer at the Grammys Brooke Anderson squirms a little awkwardly

Nigger, due to be released this month probably going to be pushed back. hopefully it’ll come out on Election day in November what a coincidence that’ll be.

From BallerStatus
I'm debating whether or not I want one of those shirts...

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Sexman Is Not a Fan of 50 Cent

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

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My Carolina Gameday Mix

It’s Carolina Day the first of the two most important scheduled days of a Dukie’s year, it's almost a sacred day consecrated with the hate of generations so you have to excuse me for being a little (obsessed) focused.

Go Devils! We're gonna win tonight, Carolina, go to hell! Eat sh*t!"

Songs I listen to before the game to get me inspired
Europe- The Final Countdown [download]
DMX-It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot [download]
John Williams-Duel of The Fates [download]
AC/DC- Hell’s Bells [download]
AC/DC- For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) [download]
Duke University Marching Band- Mystery Track [download]


To Hate Like This Is To Be Happy Forever

If you can’t go to college go to State
If you can’t go to State go to jail
If you can’t go to jail go to Hell
Go To Hell Carolina, Go To Hell! (Eat Shit!)

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Yeah I’m A Little Obsessed With Celine Right Now

So when I saw this parody video on Best Week Ever I had to spread it further. And whoever is doing Celine has her down cold. Anyway here it is
The Celine Dion Workout Tape


it’s no ‘Kanye’s New Workout Plan”

The New Workout Plan [download]


but (not many things are) it has its French Canadian appeal and is far more divatasici; plus I’m looking for something new (and I gots to get me one of those white workout outfits.)

Maybe that's what I'll give up for Lent- my sloth and aversion to the gym.

Celine video from Funny or Die via Best Week Ever

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The Choice is Yours

(via Wonkette)

“You can get with this or you can get with that, I think you’ll get with this cuz this is where it’s at”


Black Sheep- Choice is Yours [download]

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A Black History Mix

An exercise in exploring the history of black consciousness and history as expressed through music . Far from comprehensive or even really representative but these are some songs I have that I thought would provide a decent enough primer and that I like (and so, obviously should you)






Music for the People:

Sweet Honey in the Rock- Wade in the Water [download]
Robert Johnson- Me & The Devil Blues [download]
Billie Holiday-Strange Fruit [download]
Ike Turner & His Kings of Rhythm- Rocket 88 [download]
Nina Simone-Mississippi Goddamn [download]
Nina Simone- To Be Young, Gifted & Black [download]
Richie Havens- Freedom/Motherless Child [download]
James Brown- Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud) [download]
The Last Poets- Black Wish [download]
Stevie Wonder- Black Man [download]
The Last Poets- Just Because [download]
Gil Scott-Heron- Brother [download]
Public Enemy- Fight the Power [download]
Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One)- Why Is That? [download]
Ras Kass- Nature of the Threat [download]
2Pac- Old School [download]
Dead Prez- Hip Hop [download]
Outkast-Liberation [download]


Who’s up for a revolution?

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Return of The King

From a blog post in the LA Times about the possible appearance of The King of Pop, Michael Jackson at the Grammys

"But here's hoping he's not in the Staples Center next weekend. For one, if he is, every other artist and performance will be overshadowed by talk of what Jackson will/or won't do, and what he will look like. And besides, the Grammys should honor the past year in music, not help sell a re-issue for Sony.

But more important, Jackson has already received a better tribute than the Grammys can provide. It came by way of Chicago rapper Rhymefest, who, along with Grammy-nominated producer Mark Ronson (Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse), has crafted a Jackson "dedication album," which takes inspiration from Jackson's work to create compelling new songs. I first learned about the project, dubbed "Man in the Mirror," via the blog of the Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot, and I haven't been able to stop listening since I downloaded it on Friday."

Yeah it’s really good, but since I really feel like I can’t write about music (dancing about architecture and all) I’ll leave it up to a professional (and just copy and paste)

"But Rhmyefest is able to do what major label marketing firms have failed at doing, and that's trim Jackson of the tabloid drama and bring the focus back to his music. Rhymefest sets out right away to humanize Jackson, and bring him down to earth, portraying him as a simple man from Gary, Ind., one who still has the power to unite a desperate community (see "Mike the Mentor"). He also inter-splices the album with brief, but always humorous, "conversations" with Jackson, in which Rhymefest's inserts himself into dialogue from Jackson interviews.

It's a tribute to a hero, but also a call to action. The 25th anniversary of "Thriller" comes bloated with extra tracks and remixes from will.i.am., Kanye West, Akon and Fergie, a disjointed smattering of superstars rather than a cohesive collection (as Rhymefest writes on his MySpace page, "As a fan, I expected a bit more"). By contrast, Rhymefest and Ronson have created a seamless offering, in which the rapper and the King of Pop play give-and-take with Jackson's songs of yore.

"Can't Make It" opens with a sample of "You Can't Win," and swipes and spices funk sounds over bombastic beats, mixing hip-hop dreams with a working-class reality. Rhymefest re-imagines "Dancing Machine" as a sparse club tune, and Rhymefest dramatically dances around a young Jackson covering "Ain't No Sunshine," re-crafting it as a song about tortured aspirations.

Rhymefest has more fun with Jackson's "Break of Dawn," turning it into the sly and soulful "Breakadawn," in which he wonders what Jackson's share of the Beatles catalog is worth. "Don't Let Your Baby Catch You" becomes the playful "Foolin' Around," and the title track brings it to a show-stopping close, with Rhymefest asking what he's done to lose the trust of his own mother.

After listening to "Man in the Mirror," it's clear there's only one Jackson Grammy pairing worth hearing: Jackson & Rhymefest, a duo that would probably make CBS suits cringe."

Doesn’t Rhymefest sound like a Lyricsist Lounge type event plus with a birth name like Che I wouldn't even bother with a street name

Anyway by any name he’s nice “He co-wrote "Jesus Walks and in 1997, he famously beat rapper Eminem in a freestyle battle at the Scribble Jam”

The Ronson/Rhymefest Man in The Mirror seems to be about half skits, but they’re pretty entertaining, though I don’t think Michael actually came into the studio to record them (but their impersonator is really really good)
You can download it here as a .zip

Yeah there’s some hottness there

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Paint the White House Tan

So some big news that brought shock and outrage to a lot of people today (and no, not that Barack compared himself to the anti-Democrat and thus anti-humanity and pro-evil Reagan) but rather because of a joke.
From the Rocky Mountain News

William R. Farr was pretending to read telegrams congratulating this year's award recipient, University of Colorado President Hank Brown, when he pulled out a piece of paper and said, "I have a telegram from the White House."

Then he added, "They're going to have to change the name of that building if Obama's elected."

Witnesses said they could hear people gasp in the ballroom of the Adam's Mark Hotel.

Really?! That was the joke?! Firstly it wasn't really funny.
Secondly I know I'm not easy to offend but I thought with the buildup; this was one of those things where you have to click on a read more link after "I have a telegram from the White House" so I thought it would be like really bad like "And they're fixin' to plant a banana tree in the backyard so the Obama's will feel at home" or something.
Thirdly, we'd have to paint the White House tan or maybe a brownish taupe for Barack (half WASP and all)
Finally, the idea of "painting the White House black" is not a new idea- I mean I remember when I was young reading some children's book about an inner city kid dreaming about becoming President and painting the White House black as a symbol of Black pride or a sign of the end of white European hegemony and privilege or something, I think it was an Ezra Jack Keats' book.
And doing a very quick check, because I knew I had heard a similar sentiment expressed in some old rap song, I thought PE, I found these songs, mostly hip hop that talk about the same thing that Bill Farr did.

From X-Clan: "Xodus"
I hear some niggas talking 'bout they'll paint the White House black
I'd blow the sucker up and pressure on the attack

(featuring similar elements to 2Pac’s Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z )

MC Breed- "Ain't No Future in Yo Frontin'"
If I was the president, then I would state facts
You leave it up to me, I paint the white house black

(wow I actually knew this song! I think it was on a lot back in the day. I’m such an o.g. obvi)

Lil' Wayne- "Knuck if You Buck (freestyle)"
Young mane for President
I'd probably paint the white house black if it was my residence


George Clinton- Paint the White House Black

(featuring Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Yo-Yo, Flava Flav and a Hillary impersonator dancing on tables in the Oval Office. Jesus, the early 90s were weird)

Social Distortion- Don't Drag Me Down
Taking two steps forward
And four steps back
Gonna go to the White House
And paint it black


S.L.A.B.- Ready 4 War
I stay on Barbary and Scott, 5000 block
I paint the white house black, and start renting it out
"Video" (at about 1:42)

DJ Vadim- Ghetto Rebels
No time to idle the rastas are rising black we come to wipe out crack
Paint the Whitehouse black and speak real fast to the children
Expose our government foes who know the truth will never be told
They teach the people the root of all evil while they're stashing all of the gold

And from Snoop Dogg, a Dolomite skit (and I really enjoyed these lyrics)

Yes, This is me,
The bad bad Dolemite
and i'm Ready
to put me,
in the White House
make me the President,
i'm gunna move on my first act
I'm a get me 2000 ragedy ass painters
to paint the mutha fuckin white house black
Dolemite,
for your president
I'm a legalize every mutha fuckin thing

Somebody ask me how do I stand on Marijuana
Very high baby, very high
How do I stand on prosititution
I don't stand on it
I lay on it
im a legalize sellin pussy
Sell it Sell it
Sell your pussy girls
pussy will sell
if pussy don't sell
grits ain't gross
and eggs ain't poultry
and Mona Lisa is a mutha fuckin' man


I also found a few songs about painting the White House pink, which I enjoyed; songs for Hillary, perhaps?
Anyway people are way too sensitive and reading so much into everything in fear of not offending. What I did find offensive though was while continuing to read that article stumbling across this delightful anecdote

Between calf roping contests, a black rodeo clown, Leon Coffee, attempted to rope a calf without success. After an announcer pointed out that Coffee couldn't rope very well, rodeo clown Eddie Hatfield, who is white, responded by saying that Coffee knew everything about roping because his father and grandfather had died at the end of a rope. {Ed. Note WTF?!?!?!}

The exchange outraged a number of spectators, who filed complaints with the stock show and the mayor's office. At the time, stock show officials said that Coffee, a 30-year rodeo veteran, helped write the script for the banter, and that the reference was to the lynching of outlaws and not about slaves or blacks.

And even that isn't nearly as offensive as one of my favorite jokes from The Aristocrats, delivered by T.Sean Shannon

Three women of color, they go into this agent's office. He says, "What do you do?" She goes, "Well, my sister plays the cello. She plays Chopin's third movement, in B minor. I lie on a chaise lounge, naked, reading sonnets from Shakespeare, and my third sister, she makes a painting very similar to Decroix's 'The Girl'."
He says, "Wow, that sounds good, what do you call this act?"

"Oh, we're Nigger Cunts."

insert rim shot...or sound of utter despair and disgust, I don't judge but feel free to judge me. I am a horrible person.

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Things To Do This Week: Weekend Edition

• Friday
• The Eighth Annual Sunset Snowball at the Roxy
• Busdriver at The Troubadour
• “The Perverse Puppetry of Jan Svankmajer” at Silent Movie Theater
• Friday at Westside Eclectix Comedy Theatre
• A Charlie James Brown Christmas at the Falcon Theatre
• Extraordinary Deceptions: A Magical Holiday Extravaganza at Powerhouse Theatre
• It Could Have Been a Wonderful Life at Two Roads Theatre
• The Two Gentlemen of Verona at Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center
• SF
• Hubba Hubba Revue Holiday Spectacular at DNA Lounge
• The Golden Girls: The Play at the Finn Gallery
• Kung Pao Kosher Comedy at New Asia Restaurant
• Branding: The Art of Burning Flesh at The Women's Building
• Christmas Crap-Array at the Exit Theatre
• Across the Universe at the Red Vic
  
• Helvetica at The Roxie New College Film Center
• Saturday
• “Holyf*cking Kidsh*t Christmas Special” at the Silent Movie Theatre
• Los Angeles heArt Project Sacred Candlelight Walk at Echo Park Lake @ 4:30
• The Vandals, Supernova, Hunter Revenge, A Kiss Could Be Deadly at the House of Blues
• A Tuna Christmas at Theatre Asylum
• Yo Ho Ho! A Pirate's Christmas at the NoHo Arts Center
• SF
• "The Monster Show" at Harvey's
• "The Chaos of the Stars" at Rena Bransten Gallery
• Get Crafty! at Mama Buzz Café
• Seeing yourself seeing: Olafur Eliasson at SF Museum of Modern Art
• Sunday
• Los Angeles Ballet: The Nutcracker at Royce Hall
• Chicago Club Rumboogie at Stage 52 Theatre
• Wu Tang Clan at House of Blues Sunset Strip
• SF
• A Chanticleer Christmas at St. Ignatius Church
• Baraka at the Red Vic
• "Amateur Strip Night" at Deco Lounge
  
• or
  "Venus Christ: A Rock Opera to End All Time" at Ten 15 Folsom
  

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American Godfather

I'm personally a little lukewarm towards Jay-Z, I guess I don't like his hegemony (or his face) but when I first heard of this mashup of his apparently amazing American Gangster with the score from The Godfather on Radar I was intrigued. I mean it's The Godfather! and after listening to a few tracks, and perhaps because I'm not as familiar with the full score and haven't listened to the original American Gangster yet I'm not so tied to and attached to the original versions and don't view any change as a desecration, but I think I like it better than the Grey Album. Or maybe it's as simple as the white album was so sonically experimental and so well know whereas Nino Rota's score was traditional and orchestral but it works so well.
Anyway. It's from DJ Skee who in his own words is "the definitive West Coast DJ" and it's worth a listen if just for curiosity's sake

[UPDATE: Speaking of fun mashups

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Chanukkah Chilarity

Hanukkah ends tomorrow night so in order to have it go out with a bang (and because I'd no doubt have forgotten tomorrow) here are a few Chanukkah Chi-jinks

Chanukkah Zombies (shouldn't this guy be on strike? pencils down and all)


a Hanukkah gangsta rap (that really reminded me of Onyx's video for Slam)


and finally this is a few years old but still touching as some NBA Stars (plus Cuba Gooding andParis Hilton) wish you and yours a Happy Hanukkah

Oh Jennaro Pargo, not realizing he has no fans.

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Things To Do: Monday-Thursday*

*it just makes a lot more sense to do it Monday thru Thursday than Monday through Wednesday

• Monday:
• Tool(!)(!) at the Nokia
• Producer (and Legend) Richard Zanuck screens and discusses Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd, featuring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter and Alan Rickman at the Wadsworth Theatre @ 7 (apparently it is easily the Best Picture of the year, though I'm still not too jazzed about it right now)
  
• Double feature at the UnUrban Coffee House: First, “Mahalia Jackson: Give God the Glory”, "a portrait of the gospel legend as revealed through her last world tour" Then “Guernica”, renowned avant-garde director Fernando Arrabal’s look at the Spanish Civil War. Discussion with producer Suzanne Blum after each film.
• Handel’s Messiah Sing a Long at the Walt Disney Concert Hall
• SF
• G. Love and Special Sauce at The Regency Center
• "The Buddhist Awakening Within" and "The Diversity of Possibilities” at 625 Gallery
• Disposable Film Festival at Artists’ Television Access
• Very Special Money and Run Winter Season Holiday Special at La Val’s Subterranean Theatre
• Tuesday
• "The Last Gimme Shelter at the Roxy" with Pete Yorn, Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, Donavan Frankenreiter, Phantom Planet, Peter Himmelman, Mandy Moore, Jesca Hoop, Megan Jacobs
  
• (Squirrel Nut Zippers with) Eleni Mandell at the El Rey
  
• 'Brit psychedelic group Voice of Seven Woods performs before the big screen to “sonically reinterpret” Sergei Paradjanov's dreamy The Color of Pomegranates ' at the Silent Movie Theatre
  
  
• SF
• Rza at the Independent
  
• Viva Variety! at the Buriel Clay Theatre
  

• Wednesday
• Bjork (!)(!)(!)(!) at the Nokia
• Ben Lee (!)(!) at the El Rey
  
• A Screening of The Crowd with Kevin Thomas at the Aero
  A Double Feature of Top Secret! and Bananas at the New Beverly
• SF
• Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name at the Intersection for the Arts
  
• Songs to Offend Almost Everyone at the New Conservatory Theatre Center
  
• Christine Pelosi at the Commonwealth Club @ 6:30 (I anticipate yelling)
  
• Charlie Hunter Trio with the Campbell Brothers at Yoshi's SF
  
• Shaker Chair at The Ashby Stage
• Thursday
• Dewey Cox & The Hard Walkers at the Guitar Center Hollywood (7425 Sunset Blvd)
  
• G Love & Special Sauce at Vault 350
  
• Francisco's Fire at Dorie Theater at the Complex
  
• R. Kelly at the Honda Center
  
• Team Sleep at the Fonda
  
• Split Second at The Next Stage
• SF
• Intelligence Failures: The FBI, the CIA and 9/11 at the World Affairs Council (I anticipate yelling) @ 6
  
  

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Things To Do This Week: Weekend Edition*

*oh how I wish Thursday still felt like the start of the weekend

• Thursday:
• Mike Stinson at The Echo
• Samuel Jackson In-Person "The actor discusses two of his recent films — Resurrecting the Champ and Black Snake Moan at the Aero @ 7:30
• Multimedia European duo Michaela Grill and Giuseppe Ielasi attempt “to link improvised electronic music and abstract live visuals to the highest degree possible,” resulting in an interactive, improvisational video/concert at the Echo Park Film Center
• The Nightwatchman at The Hotel Café
• Charlie Hunter Trio at Vault 350
• Confessions of a Christmas Banshee at the Lankershim Arts Center
• The Crucible at the Matrix Theatre
• Evelyn Glennie at Royce Hall (wow I did not know she was deaf. That makes her even more amazing)
• Fools at West Valley Playhouse
• Girls Night: The Musical at the Coronet Theatre
• Iceland at the Bootleg Theater
• La Virgen de Guadalupe, Dios Inantzin at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
• Light Sensitive at the Pico Playhouse
• Naomi Klein at Temple Emanuel
• SF
• Staircase at Theatre Rhinoceros
• Bondage "A tale by David Henry Hwang and directed by Ryan Yip, set in a Los Angeles S&M parlor." at Exit Theatre on Taylor
• Everything Has Been Arranged at the Intersection for the Arts
• Brian Regan at Nob Hill Masonic Center
• Crowd You’re In With at Magic Theatre
• Neccessity of Hank at the Exit Theatre
• Friday
• Jon Brion (and Nels Cline) at the Largo
  
• Montana Walk Sale and Bake Sale "Support the Aero by contributing to the theater’s first annual benefit bake sale, featuring a free screening of The Simpsons Movie plus an exhibit of Simpsons art in the Every Picture Tells a Story bookstore gallery nearby. Drop off any goodies at the Aero by 4:30 p.m.
  
• KRS-One at the Rhythm Lounge
  
• Andrew Bird (!)(!)(!)at the Orpheum with Handsome Family
  
• Anything at the Lillian Theatre
  
• Crispin Hellion Glover’s” It is Fine! Everything is Fine “The curiously “off” actor presents his second feature as director/producer — part two of his directorial debut It trilogy, the psychosexual story of a wheelchair-bound ladies’ man. Also included: an in-depth post-screening discussion with Glover and a pre-screening live presentation of his Big Slide Show, featuring a dramatic narration accompanying illustrations from Glover’s books" at the Egyptian
  
• Enrique Iglesias at the Nokia Theatre
  
• Grand Delusion at Lost Studio
  
• The Opening of Misty Beethoven at the New Beverly at Midnight
  
• Twist (Pop-rock musical based on Oliver Twist, book and lyrics by Gila Sand, music by Paul Leschen) at the Avery Schreiber Theater
• SF
• Tori Amos at the Paramount Theatre (!)()!()(!)(!) [Oakland]
  
• It Could Have Been a Wonderful Life at the SF Playhouse
• Saturday
• Juliette & the Licks at the Roxy
  
• 1940s Christmas at Club Sweet Lorraine's at KSLG Playhouse Theater Players
  
• The Dig: Death, Genesis, and the Double Helix at the Pacific Resident Theatre
  
• Holiday Appeal for Class War Prisoners "The Partisan Defense Committee and Labor Black League for Social Defense present this event to help free Mumia Abu-Jamal. Music by Exposition of Audible Mainframe" at Immanuel Presbyterian Church @ 2:00
  
• Schoolhouse Rock Live! at Greenway Court Theater
  
• "Christian Bale Marathon at the Aero "Actor Christian Bale appears in person for a program of his work. First, Bale’s a wounded Civil War vet in James Mangold’s remake of 3:10 to Yuma . Then, he’s one of six Bob Dylans in Todd Haynes’ I’m Not There . Then, he reinvents the caped crusader in Batman Begins. And, last, Bale brings yuppie to a new kind of trickle-down disturbing with the adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho. Also included: Discussion with Bale, all-evening buffet and special Christian Bale memorabilia.
• SF
  
• Prefuse 73, School of Seven Bells, Blank Blue at Slim's
  
• Andrew Bird at the Warfield
  
• The Apartment at the Castro Theatre
  
• Ingmar Bergman: Light and Shadow at the Pacific Film Archive (Berkeley)
• Sunday
• A Christmas Carol at Celebration Theatre
• David Gray at the Wiltern Lounge
  

as always there is a ton of things that I didn't mention here that are happening so...go wandering and discover.

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The Queen's Getting a Queen

Joining the ever growing ranks of homo hip hop heads ofMedia Take Out is reporting that Queen Latifah and her (girlfriend) trainer of more than 4 years Jeanette Jenkins, are engaged and that after Queen Latifah's finished promoting her current movie, The Perfect Holiday (didn't she just have a movie called Last Holiday?) the two are planning on coming out to the world about their engagement.
I can't say this is shocking news to anyone, it seems like an rather open secret (who would be shocked if Nathan Lane married his boyfriend?) And after all I mean Latifah is a big girl and all but to have had a trainer for so many years the results kinda make you wonder what exactly has been the focus of the training... (and I could've made that very dirty)

But I'm just happy to see that after the drama of last year with the rumours of infidelity on both sides and imminent break ups that those crazy kids made it work. It guess it is all bout the U.N.I.T.Y.

Good luck you two! and just remember Jeanette "when you're good to Mama, Mama's good to you"and...some of the lyrics to that song can be quite hilarious when placed into this context

If you want my gravy
Pepper my raggoo -
Spice it up for Mama
She'll get hot for you!

Let's all stroke together
Like the Princeton crew -
When you're strokin' Mama
Mama's strokin' you!

too perfect.

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Making Math Fun(is the)Ky

Yeah, I'm not in love with that title either.

Anyway I think the BWE website had a link to this site and this amazing t-shirt
(that I absolutelty want but don't think I'm ironic or cool enough to pull off) but it reminded me of a link I shared on facebook a month or so ago, the "rap represented in mathematical charts and graphs" site. And though some were repetitive or uninspired and I wasn't familiar with 100% of the references I still really enjoyed quite a few

and so in a form of tribute/ a type of game and because my brain doesn't want to think of anything more creative I'm going to list a few songs and you can see if you can match the song to the mathematical representation
(or just download the following songs; whichever will be funner)

Kelis-Milk Shake [download]
NaS- One Mic [download]
The Notorious B.I.G. (featuring Mase)- Mo' Money, Mo' Problem [download]
Ice Cube- It Was a Good Day [download]
Jay-Z: 99 Problems [download]
Jay-Z: I Just Wanna Love You (Give It To Me)[download]
Ludacris-Act a Fool [download]

2Pac-All Eyez on Me [download]
Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg-Outro [download]
Ben Folds- Bitches Ain't Shit [download]
2Pac- Hit 'Em Up [download]
Wu-Tang Clan- Ain't Nothin' Ta Fuck Wit' [download]

everybody's a winner.

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John Park: Good Music

This is a video from a friend who I went to Duke with.
It is, in his own words, "A brief recap of what I've done in music and dance over the last 9 years, just under 4 min."

He's a really great guy and he actually has skills so...You should definitely check it out.

and when you hear and you like you can check out his MySpace page here; six songs are available for download.

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Sharing is Caring: Songs of December Mix

I think this shows how way too obsessed I am with this site (it is Saturday night) but it is the 1st of December and in order to commemorate the occasion I wanted to share with you some songs I have that speak of December (holiday songs not included-that'll come later). And why? Because I luuuv you all.

and as always all of this songs can be found on Amazon, iTunes or your music buying post of choice. (some artists have wikipedia links just in case you don't know who they are. the rest, however, should be known to all or most.)


Deana Carter- Once Upon a December [download]
Collective Soul- December [download]
David Gray- December [download]
Merle Haggard- If We Make It Through December [download]
Lydia- December [download]
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians- Air of December [download]
Katatonia- Dancing December [download]
Mos Def: May-December [download]
Alison Krauss- Get Me Through December [download]
Tabitha's Secret- Forever December [download]
Weezer- December [download]
Regina Spektor- December (demo) [download]

Enjoy.

(sweet that didn't take nearly as long as I feared-bars are still quite open.]

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Give Mike Gravel a Chance!

Here is Mike Gravel with a video protesting his exclusion for the recent Democratic Debates. It is obviousl John Lennon inspired and though the background images look like something from a 1970s Saturday morning cartoon, or Schoolhouse Rock I really did like the song and agree with the message so here it is.

I actually liked it so much I transcribed the lyrics; dropping knowledge, yo

Everybody talking ‘bout politicians, politicians
Politicians? Politicians?
Nepotism.
Patriotism
Jingoism
Jingoism
Phony Patriotism is Jingoism
Why won’t you let me say what I want to say?
Power to the People,
Give Peace a Chance

Everybody taling ‘bout Fascism, Fascism
Militarism, Fanaticism,
Terrorism, Terrorism
Despotism
Despotism
Fear
Fear
Fear
Islamofascism, American Imperialism
American Imperialism
Harms Way
Harms Way
Why won’t you let me say what I want to say?
Power to the People,
Give Peace a Chance

Everybody talking ‘bout Pollution,
Solution
Revolution, Evolution
Evolution, Revolution
Freedom of Speech
Freedom to be who You Are
The Constitution.
Why won’t you let me say what I want to say?
Power to the People,
Give Peace a Chance

Power to the People,
Give Peace a Chance

Everybody talking ‘bout
Corporate Censorship
Corporate Censorship
Party Censorship
Parties and Censorship
Why?
Why are they Afraid of the Truth?
Ripped Off
Ripped Off
Why won’t you let me say what I want to say?
Power to the People,
Give Peace a Chance

Power to the People,
Power to the People
Give Peace a Chance

Why won’t you let me say what I want to say?
Power to the People,
Give Peace a Chance

Power to the People,
Power to the People
Give Peace a Chance

And if you don't remember or know what this was obviously inspired by here's John Lennon's Give Peace a Chance (lyrics here), with a secondary influence by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band "Power to the People" (lyrics) and that saxophone sounds really familiar but I just can't place it.

Free Mike Gravel!!! I can’t believe I had forgotten about him...

John Lennon- Give Peace a Chance [download]
John Lennon- Power To The People [download]

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The Internet is One Big Knitting Circle

Knitting circles are supposed to be places for gossip right?
Anyway I saw this on Queerty this morning and I was immediately hooked and intrigued

This successful rapper has drawn headlines in the past over his alleged homosexual acts. Since the start of his career rumors have swirled that he plays for the other team. However in a recent interview, when asked about if there are any misconceptions about him that he would like to clear up he immediately defended himself calling the rumors nonsense. This particular MC burst on the scene with a catchy tune that had everyone using his trademark accent.However after three albums his celebrity star has seemed to have descended.

He had a bitter battle with another popular rapper and even accused said rapper of shady business practices. But has since resolved all issues with said rapper. This particular hip-hop star has delved into creating a female fashion line, which have further spread the gay rumor.

No matter how much he tries to deny the gay rumors theres [sic] a certain tattoo that seems to haunt him when people see it.

It was originally posted here asking the question "Which Rapper is Denying Gay Rumors?" and according to the comments people seem to think it's either Nelly, Chingy or The Game.
Well through my extensive knowledge and minutes upon minutes of research I want to try to deduce the identity. My original and pretty immediate guess was Nelly, fyi.

Since the start of his career rumors have swirled that he plays for the other team: A lot of people seem to think that Chingy's gay or at least bisexual. I really can't find anything for Nelly or The Game. A Red stripe for Chingy

This particular MC burst on the scene with a catchy tune that had everyone using his trademark accent: Nelly's first hit was Country Grammar and I remember there being maybe an accent, though I'm not sure if it could be considered "trademark" worthy. The Game is from L.A. and we usually don't have accents plus his opening single wasn't anywhere near as catchy as Nelly or Chingy. Chingy's first single (and the only one I know by him) was Right Thurr and I remember everyone everyone doing that "thurr" thing. It was annoying. An Orange stripe for Chingy

However after three albums his celebrity star has seemed to have descended: This one I had a little trouble with, interpretation wise. Did it mean after the first big album he had three subpar albums? two subpar albums? For Nelly I remember his second album being a monster, Nellyville, and he's only release two other albums since then (with another supposedly being released within a week or two) for a total of 4+1 and, at least in my mind, his celebrity has dipped. The Game has only released two albums, so that should maybe disqualify him (though he did make really homophobic statements so, maybe self hating a bit?) Chingy has released three albums with a fourth due by the end of the year. Hmm. Matches up well. That's a Yellow stripe for Chingy

He had a bitter battle with another popular rapper and even accused said rapper of shady business practices. But has since resolved all issues with said rapper: All of them have had beefs- Nelly with Eminem and KRS-One, Chingy was in a feud with Nelly and Ludacris. The Game with...just about everyone really. Though i haven't found any mention to business dealing so far for any of them. [UPDATE: Upon further research Chingy accused DTP of mismanaging his money. Winner.] A Green stripe for Chingy

This particular hip-hop star has delved into creating a female fashion line: The Game created a fashion line but it's for men. The Frank Pace collection. Nelly has had a fashion line for women for a few years called Apple Bottom so maybe that's it. Chingy has just launched a line call Pink Monkey, which is...interesting (and sounds like something I'd think a creative homophobic racist would call a black gay dude) I'm giving a Blue stripe to Chingy

No matter how much he tries to deny the gay rumors theres [sic] a certain tattoo that seems to haunt him when people see it.: The Game has a butterfly tattoo near his eye, but face tattoos are really scary so I don't think people would consider that "gay". Nelly has a bundle of tattoos though I can't see the specifics, though I'm sure there's one that has to be embarrassing. Chingy has a tattoo on his neck that says Daddy's Angel. And finally a Purple stripe to Chingy.

and we all know what red orange yellow green blue and purple in that order makes

Well, that was surprisingly one sided. All that's left to do is appear on the cover of Vibe (and hang out with Bow Wow.) Chingy has totally won today's gay sweepstakes.
(and this was soo much fun, I'm a little embarrassed.)

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