VIDEO: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down

19 Apr 2009, Posted by Andrew Hibbard in Concert, Playground, 0 Comments

Here are two videos from Thao with the Get Down Stay Down‘s show at the Duke Coffeehouse last night.

Robert Redford LEAF Award

18 Apr 2009, Posted by Andrew Hibbard in Film, Playground, 0 Comments

Robert Redford will be awarded the first Lifetime Environmental Achievement in the Fine Arts (LEAF) Award today on Duke’s campus. The ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. and you can follow the live stream here. For more on the award, check out Nicholas School Dean Bill Chameides’ blog.

Record Store Day

18 Apr 2009, Posted by Andrew Hibbard in Music, Playground, 0 Comments

Today is Record Store Day. That means you stop pirating for at least one day, visit that beloved local record store you’re always intending to go to and buy some CDs/tapes/eight-tracks/vinyl you’ve been meaning to get for a while.

And if you have the time, check out as many of the Triangle’s offerings as you can. In Raleigh, you can check out Edward McKay Used Books & More and Schoolkids Records (RIP Franklin St. incarnation) where Samantha Crain is performing. Chapel Hill offers CD Alley. And Durham has Offbeat Music and Bull City Records participating. And rumor has it that Thao Nguyen, who is playing tonight at the Coffeehouse, will be doing a solo set around 5 p.m. at BCR.

So go buy some music. Listen to a songstress. Even say hi. Just support your local record store.

Darnielle/Vanderslice EP available at Chaz's

17 Apr 2009, Posted by Andrew Hibbard in Music, Playground, 0 Comments

John Darnielle and John Vanderslice have wrapped up their Gone Primitive tour, which made a stop at the Duke Coffeehouse a few weeks ago. At said show, they played some selections from their joint vinyl-only EP Moon Colony Bloodbath but no copies were available at that point in the tour.

Well, the record was made, and Pitchfork is reporting that all remaining copies of the album will be sold at Vanderslice solo shows (there’s a relatively newly announced one at Local 506 June 17), through Beggar’s Group and at Chaz’s Bull City Records. Since tomorrow is Record Store Day, why not support one of Durham’s finest musicians at its best record shop?

Who's Bad, Duke University, 4/16/09

17 Apr 2009, Posted by Jordan Axt in Concert, Playground, Review, 1 Comments

Who’s Bad, a Michael Jackson cover band from Chapel Hill, played last night to a moderately interested crowd on Duke’s Bryan Center Plaza.  It was apparent that the concert was not best suited for an outdoor stage with an audience consisting mainly of Duke students on their way to Panda Express.  Showgoers were mainly of a rotating selection of people all stopping with a look on their faces that read, “Wow.  A Michael Jackson cover band.  Isn’t that neat?”  Unfortunately, many did not stay for more than one or two songs.

However, it’s hard to blame “Michael” (Joseph Bell) for the low energy.  For well over an hour, Bell impressed all with this dance moves, impeccable vocals and thorough knowledge of Michael’s catalogue.  He also made a point of doing his best to personally engage his most passionate fans.  Bell continuously wandered into the crowd to dance with the show’s PYTs (okay, maybe a couple were Duke employees), even dragging two Round Table ladies on stage with him.  Even the well-represented recess staff wasn’t left out of the love.  At one point, Bell wandered into the crowd to single out a certain arts editor for her infectious dance moves, natural exuberance and voluminous hair.  Even I got a nod, as Bell once pointed at me to announce, “I see you dancing!”*  In general, for those brave enough to get down, it was hard not to have fun.

Although the band did not play all of MJ’s hits, they did an excellent job of making sure each era of Michael’s storied career was represented.  From the smoother Dangerous Michael (“Remember the Time” or “Black or White”) to the rougher Thriller sound (“Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller”) and even the afro’d days of Michael’s work in the Jackson Five, concertgoers could not complain about a lack of diversity.  What strikes me every time I see Who’s Bad is their attention to detail, as is evident in their impressive dance routines and spot-on replication of Michael’s many looks.

Duke students saw a good but not great show yesterday.  On a sunny afternoon at the Plaza in front of a mediocre crowd, Who’s Bad is entertaining.  During a homecoming show in a packed Cat’s Cradle, they are unforgettable.

*This makes me wonder that since I now have a real shoutout from a fake Michael Jackson, would I rather have a fake shoutout from the real Michael Jackson?  Probably.

Check after the jump for a set list. (more…)