Posted by Monica Danna on Dec 10, 2009 in Best '09, music
As part of the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge I’ll be blogging daily on the bests of 2009. Better than a partridge in a pear tree.
Lots of great music during 2009, despite the autotune rage. Saw lots of great shows, heard lots of great tracks. A music post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my music mentors: Brentabousko, Groovehouse, Mark Austin, and James Mayes. Thanks to these guys, my iPod stayed chocked full’o good stuff. Thanks, guys.
Wilco continues to make songs that make me feel. And this year was no different with the release of Wilco, The Album. With songs like “Solitaire” and the hauntingly beautiful “One Wing”, Tweedy and the boys consistently entertain fans with songs of graceful acceptance of faults and problems. After a listen I always feel more human, more normal, and at peace.
A few of my other faves this year: Swell Season’s Strict Joy; Miike Snow, Miike Snow; The Avett Brothers, And I Love and You; Cory Chisel, Death Won’t Send a Letter; Neko Case, Middle Cyclone; Bat for Lashes, Two Suns.
A weekly events post {c.u.t.here} or rather, see you there. Get it? See what I did there? Clever. I know. I try.;-) Each week I’ll highlight a few events that I’m looking forward to in this grand ole city of H. c.u.t.here, peeps.
Literally one of THE best workouts I’ve ever had. A night club atmosphere, pumpin’ tunes, and workout clothes and tennies. Pretty much my dream workout. The lights are down, and people let loose. I’ve been dying to write about this for weeks. I tried this class out earlier this summer and was hooked! Now if I can just find time to make it back! Due to popular demand, they’ve just added a second day at Pravada (Thursday) and a second location (Bar RIO, 6400 Richmond Ave) that begins September 15th. Tell Jennifer I sent you!
{Wednesday}
Dress for Success 6th Annual Sizzling Summer Soiree
Nancy Levicki and the Women of Wardrobe event chairs Sharron Melton, Lauren Freeman and Shern-Min Chow with Tootsies invite you to the Sixth Annual Sizzling Summer Soiree.
Enjoy hip sips and cool canapes, and meet designer Trina Turk. 10 percent of the proceeds benefits Dress for Success Houston, so you have a great reason to shop!
Event is free for WOW members and $45 for nonmembers. Purchase your tickets to Sizzling Summer Soiree in advance to avoid waiting in a very long line! Join W.O.W. for $75 which includes complimentary admission to all W.O.W. events through next June. Buy your ticket today by calling 713-957-3779. Special thanks to The Capital Grille and TY-KU.
{Thursday}
Thursdays are always nuts. Get in where you fit in.
5-10PM | Spacetaker Cultured Cocktails benefiting Dance Houston | FREE
Boheme Cafe and Wine Bar (Taft @ Fairview) This has been THE place to be this summer if you are a non-profit. Or if you like wine. Either will do.
6-8pm | HYPA Summer Cocktail Tour at the Grove (Discovery Green) | FREE
feat. Houston artists Katy Anderson + Patrick Medrano + The Fodice Foundation HOUSTON Magazine is sponsoring a summer long tour of hip places and pretty faces. This week at the Grove with HYPA. There is an afterparty at Katy + Patrick’s studio. The afterparty + film screening is free for HYPA members, and $35 for non-members.
6-9pm | 310 Rosemont Summer Mixer (1965 W. Gray) | FREE
Fashion and Denim for Women AND Men! Come for a drink. Stay for the new fall fashions. Toast to the end of summer. I’m not sure about toasting to the end of summer…i’m hanging on with my fingernails. But LOVE this boutique. Check it.
Laura Mayes and yours truly will be leading a Social Media Workshop this Friday at the lovely Bright Sky Press. Stop by to ask all those burning questions about Twitter, Flickr, and Blogging, oh my! From 3:30-5:30 p.m. we’ll have the very informal workshop (Easy, practical social media training) and at 5:30 p.m. we’ll break out the Social Media Social Hour (A very happy Happy Hour where social media shows it social side).
Bright Sky Press is hosting its inaugural Bright New Media social media workshop at the Bright Sky Bookspace . Stop in to find out more about Twitter, Flickr, Blogging, Facebook, and a partridge in a pear tree. More importantly, we’ll talk about why we should care about all this (for business, for pleasure, for smart ways to connect)…and we’ll show you how easy it is to do (it’s really easy!). It all starts at 3:30 p.m. and ends with a Social Media Social Hour. $35 a person gets you all the know-how you need to go go go. We can’t wait to see you then!
Yummm. I love me some Lawndale. Check out this Friday’s quadruple opening. Opening Reception August 21, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Artist talks at 6 PM. Exhibitions on view August 21- September 26, 2009:
Lawndale Art Center 30th Anniversary Exhibition –
Curated by Clint Willour
Work by Seth Alverson, Dawolu Jabari Anderson, Chuy Benitez, Elaine Bradford, Emily Sloan and Mark Schatz
Me, Mine, and not Yours – Joe Ives and Jahjehan Bath Ives
Paper or Plastic?– Nathaniel Donnett
The Green™ cyber web – Adela Andea
{Saturday}
Planned Parenthood + Riazul Tequila present Party Like a Rockstar
8pm-midnight | Warehouse Live
Whether you wear high heels, Doc Martens or blue suede shoes, come to move those feet and pump those fists in the air – and let your voice be heard!
Live Performances by DJ Alex C – voted #1 DJ by the Houston Press and Houston Chronicle and SKYROCKET! – voted Austin’s #1 cover band.
TICKETS:
Single Ticket ($50) – includes catering by Joe’s Crab Shack!
Be a VIP!
Solo-Act ($150) – one person, Hook-Up ($250) – two people, Groupies ($1000) – eight people, Entourage ($3000) – 30 people
VIP level includes catering by Morton’s the Steakhouse & Max’s Wine Dive with a Champagne Station.
Grammy Gift Bags. Exclusive After- Party from midnight to 2 a.m.
Premiering a new feature on {cosmo}Politician this week. A weekly events post called {c.u.t.here} Or rather, see you there. Get it? See what I did there? Clever. I know. I try.;-)
Each week I’ll highlight a few events that I’m looking forward to in this grand ole city of H. c.u.t.here, peeps.
This will be the first of many open mic nights to come from everyone’s favorite local coffee shop. Come by and check out some great local talent.
Runaway Sun @ Continental Club
10:10pm, Continental Club (3700 Main Street) | Cover $5
This is a big show for Runaway Sun. Their first at the CC. Fresh off an amazing show at the Houston Press Music Awards Showcase, Shea Serrano of the Houston Press recently said of the band, “And we say this without fear: by this time next year, Runaway Sun will be one of the city’s best bands.” I couldn’t agree more.
Andrew and the guys are putting the finishing touches on their first full length album, The Bridge. Stay tuned for CD Release Party deets. Also, the band is competing with other bands for a slot on this year’s ACL lineup for the Sound and the Jury. Vote daily for them here.
Houston’s geekiest are at it again! Join the fun folks from KPFT’s Technology Bytes as they continue the fun Friday with their monthly Geek Gathering. “ou don’t have to be a geek to attend. Heck, you don’t even have to be a current listener of the show. This event is a casual meet-up for anyone interested in technology or social media in all its forms and a great opportunity to just hang out with like minded individuals.”
Ben Wesley @ Block 7
8:30pm, Block 7 Wine Co (720 Shepherd) | www.block7wineco.com
After a soft opening 2 weeks ago, Block 7 has been packing in the wine, food and music fans galore. With Friday night performances from Andrew Karnavas and Tygararaja, this Friday returns with Houston’s eclectic son, Benjamin Wesley, the musical foil and soulmate to flashy Transmissions bandmate, Cornbreadd, Wesley’s Houston Press Awards performance showed us why this talent won’t be in Houston for long. Come check out this unique performance, sure to be one of the last few intimate shows you’ll see Ben play. Kid done blowing up!
{Saturday}
Summer Fest Day 1
I keep saying this, and I seriously won’t believe Summer Fest is real until Saturday when I arrive and see if for my own eyes. For months I was convinced this was an April Fool’s Joke by our friends over at the Free Press. Headliners include Of Montreal, Explosions in the Sky and Broken Social Scene. Yeah. see? Would you have believed it either? IN Houston?! Rad.
A 2 day pass is only 16 bucks. And a Fancy Pants Pass is $45. Do. This. People.
As the summer winds down (oh hells yes Target has school supplies up already), the Houston music scene is throwing out some serious game. This heat ain’t just in the air, it’s on the streets. This weekend is full of it, and I still feel like half the city thinks that the Free Press’s upcoming Summerfest is an April Fool’s day joke.
Hella talented graphic artist, son of America’s Hat, and even better friend, Jason McElweenie, shows off his collection of stellar concert poster designs at Coffee Groundz this Wednesday. Deneyterrio will have posters on sale and exclusive framed prints. I’ll prob cut you if you miss it. Don’t make me do that.
The long awaited premier Houston’s newest concept in Wine Bars, Block 7, is finally here. They open to the public tonight, with free champagne. Stop by starting at 4pm. I had a chance to preview the place, food, and of course, the wine, this weekend. Fantastic. Advice: Try the gulf shrimp. You’ll thank me. Shawn Pander performed, and Andrew will be performing an acoustic set this Friday. Wonder if I can get him to follow in Shawn’s footsteps and cover Ray Lamontagne.
:: Tontons Pre-release Listening Party @ Little Big’s, 7pm ::
Saturday
:: The Tontons Official CD Release Party @ Caroline Collective 6-10pm ::
Dare I say the music event of the summer? Last year’s Houston Press Awards winner of Best New Artist continues to impress crowds, this time with their long-awaited full length Self-titled release. Scheduled performances by Giant Princess, Fat Tony, and Houston legend Little Joe Washington. You’ll def want to check out some of the things they’ve got up their sleeves for this show. Food from Little Big’s thanks to @wholefish + hometown brews from Saint Arnold + Tequila aplenty from Riazul + door prizes from Cactus Music. What more could you ask for? (I already checked, Justin Timberlake is booked.)
With Summerfest right around the corner, our peeps over at the HP are doing a good job of warming us up. Check out the full line up of shows for Sunday. My day will look something like this:
6pm Runway Sun @ Flying Saucer
7pm Mitch Jacobs Band @ Martell’s
8pm The Tontons @ Martell’s
9pm Buxton @ Isis
It seems most of my posts have have some sort of MJ slant for the past 3 weeks, and this one is no different. He’s still with me.
I’ve been hearing about this Neverland event a lot this week, and am determined to swing by and check it out. If nothing more, than to hang with the incomparable Miss Y.E.T.
Your are invited to Neverland, an art happening in memory of Michael Jackson at El Rincon Social (Houston, Texas). Featuring live music, video art, visual art, dance, and performance art. Neverland is a DIY celebration of the fantastic—- sequined gloves, the moonwalk, bubbles, and soulfulness.
Music by Nectarine, DJ Shundrick, dance by Sweft Feet Dance Co., and performance by Hisson.
Take pictures at the Michael Jackson photo booth. Bring a blank t-shirt & make your own MJ stencil shirt. Shake it off at the dance-a-thon.
Visual & video art by:
Fulana (Brooklyn)
Sebastian Forray (Houston)
Inge Hoonte (Brooklyn)
Emily Link (Houston)
Nia McCloud (Houston)
Emmanuel Ramos (Houston)
Stephanie Saint (Houston)
Y.E. Torres (Houston)
Fabian Vargas (Houston)
Sway Youngston (Houston)
Presented by labotanica and SPAMMO in collaboration with El Rincon Social, Objectif Magazine, & The Akire Group. RSVP on facebook here.
Yes, friends. The rumor is true. Sadly, tonight is the last monthly Vinyl Ranch.
For 2 years, DJs Dave Wrangler and LJ Walker have been bringing us the best country hits from the 1980’s each month at our favorite dive-turned-honkey tonk, Leon’s Lounge.
I’ve spend 2 years, and 2 birthday parties with this crew, and it’s been an unforgettable experience.
Join Dave, Lee and all our boot scootin’ friends tonight as we send Vinyl Ranch riding off into the sunset.
See you there, peeps. I’ll buy you a $1 Lone Star.
Ever since 2006’s ACL performance, when thousands of people literally dropped their chicken in a cone and craned their necks to see what was happening on the Austin Ventures stage, I’ve pretty much traveled far and wide to see this band play.
Easily one of the most entertaining and unique acts in music of the last 5 years, Ghostland Observatory’s high energy, intoxicating beats, and wicked light show have been making fanatics out of fans since their second album release Paparazzi Lightning in early 2006.
GLO hits the bayou city this weekend at the Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park. Deets below. If you haven’t seen them don’t miss this chance. If you have, don’t miss this chance. Holler!
Every fall and spring when I see flyers for the Westheimer Block Party I’m reminded of being young and attending the Westheimer Arts Festival. It was my very first exposure to Montrose and I remember thinking that that strip of Westheimer must always be a circus. Later, realizing it was just one weekend out of the year. Yes, the Westheimer Arts festival used to be a weekend long. A weekend I would look forward to every year, because it was the one time my parents would let us get hair beads, and temporary tatoos, and let us congregate with shirtless men with pythons slithering on their necks. I remember, even at that young age, feeling like I was experiencing something very special. Very unique. Very Houston.
Check out the now music-based Westheimer Block Party this Saturday. $20 gets you 20 bands at 4 venues. Wristsbands available at all venues: Avant Garden (Helio’s), Numbers, La Strada, and Mango’s.
Yep, it had finally come. The dreaded 3-0. Thing was, I wasn’t dreading it at all. Every year of my life had been getting better and better, and I didn’t see any reason for that to not continue. I had become excited about turning 30, about being taking more seriously professionally, about getting past some of the train wrecks of my 20’s, and about coming into my own. It was around then that I began the idea for the book I’ve been writing. I had an incredible 10 years in my 20’s, and I wanted a way to document those stories. So the book is in the process! Stay tuned.
Every year I make a pretty big deal about my birthday. I figure it’s the one time of the year that’s it’s OK to celebrate yourself. So when it came time for deciding on a location for this year’s bash, it was pretty much a no-brainer. In 2006 I had teamed up with Dave Wrangler for Vinyl Ranch at Leon’s Lounge in Houston, and the party was a huge success. And i figured, if it ain’t broke…
Vinyl Ranch + 30th Birthday Bash - Leon's Lounge
So, we headed back to Leon’s for the second installment of the Cosmopolitician B-Day Bash + Vinyl Ranch. The night was proceed by the Schipul 11th anniversary party, which laid ground for the perfect amount of toasty Schipulites in attendance. I seem to always get teased for having made such random acquaintances over the years, and I LOVE my birthday each year because it is a time to get all the randoms under one roof. This year’s party was followed by an impromptu after-party at my place, where a few of us (Katie + Michelle I owe you big for the thievery!) continued the party into the wee hours of the night, where Andrew played the guitar, Paul took some pics, and Michelle, Wod Wod, Nadnuk, and Seanscreamed sang in unison. It was the perfect way to ring in the new decade. With friends and music. And alcohol. Stolen alcohol.
Phil, Katie, Ed - Image: Carlos Meltzer
The next morning, after just hours of sleep, Miggy rallied me out of bed for a day long drinking session at Brian O’Neill’s, where we sipped mimosas, chomped on fish and chips, chugged Blue Moons, met some crazy characters, and may have walked home. (Michelle, do you remember?) Following that, we somehow persuaded Susan and Mandy to bring us MORE beer and held a Reba Karaoke Fest. In my dining room. What more can a girl ask for on her 30th?
More bad health news came in October. I contracted Salmonella poisoning, along with 4 other friends who all attended an event. And let me tell you, it. ain’t. pretty. I’ll spare you the ugly details. Stomach. cramps. aren’t. fun. For. reals. As I got over the Salmonella, I swear my digestive track still isn’t the same, I learned during a Lasik eye consultation that I had several holes in the lattice of my retina. Of. course. i. did. This year, nothing surprised me. SO after 3 eye surgeries to repair the holes, I could finally be a candidate for Lasik. I scheduled it for later in November. The better to see you with, my dear.
Bandcamp at Caroline (the brainchild of Matt and Philip of KTRU’s Revelry Report rounded off the end of October, an awesome sidelines visit to the Texans Game with Broadway Bankmann (see goofy video below from Michelle); And finally ending the month with Halloween at 13 Celsius with Migs and Foofers.
As August hit, I hadn’t had the time to stop and think that my birthday was approaching. And not just any birthday, the big 3-0! A large group of my friends from college and high school had been planning a “Dirty Thirty Bash” in Vegas for Labor Day Weekend. So what else to concentrate on August than getting in shape?!
I went all out. Stopped drinking, started eating healthy, started working out again, and kept the social events to a minimum. I was very strict about it. I was determined to look great in front of 30 of my closest friends in a friggin’ bathing suit. Half of my friends have kids, and have better bodies than me. And it’s terrifying! So I worked my ass off. For an entire month. Even during a trip to the Big Easy for Katie’s Bachelorette party I was still good!
So imagine my surprise when after 4 weeks, I saw no results. I was crushed! frustrated. defeated! I went to the doctor nearly in tears. And sure enough, I had my answer! I had, just like my mom and sister, been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. I was elated! Probably the most happy person to every find out they had a disease. I was just so excited to know that there was a reason for my inability to lose weight. I started on meds immediately and they seem to be working! Whew! Thus continued my year of bad health.
Vegas was a blast! With 30 of my closest friends, we closed out the 3rd decade of our lives together, and welcomed the next! I travel to Vegas quite a bit, but I’ll always remember this as the trip that trip that I learned to win at Blackjack! Thanks to Julia, (and to the casino for putting up with our drunk karaoke at 6am at the blackjack table.) | Full Vegas set here.
September: Stormy Weather
In September we experienced some unusually cool weather a few weekends, which always makes event hoping more bearable. One night in particular, as my first Christina was visiting from Florida, I was excited to show her a night in the life of me. We had not spend time together in years and years, so I dragged her from event to event to let her get a taste of Houston at it’s finest.
The Orange Show Foam Raiser, Image: Ed Schipul
We headed to the Orange Show’s Foam Raiser, sponsored by Saint Arnold where we tasted some yummy Lawnmower, and listened to some great music. Next up was the 80’s Movie Night at Caroline. She has heard me talk so much about Caroline int he past months, she was eager to see what it was all about. After a swing through the 80’s party with Erin, Carissa and the crew, we headed for the Museum of Fine Arts for one of my most favorite events in Houston, Mixed Media. We danced all night on the lawn of the MFAH, and I was so excited to share this night with my great, sweet friend. I’ll never forget it.
We had another visitor in September, who wasn’t quite as welcome. When the news that Ike was rolling in, many didn’t know what to believe. Fantastical news reports in the past, had jaded many of Houston’s citizens from taking refuge. I wasn’t about to risk it, and grabbed Michelle and Fayza and headed for my parents in Jersey Village. Dad had purchased a generator large enough to power the whole house and AC. We ended up with quite a crowd, as my mom’s best friend, my sister and her boyfriend, his 2 kids, their dog, his co-worker, wife, 2-year old, and their dog all piled in with me, mom, dad, Michelle and Fayza. Oh, and my parents’ 2 dogs, Patches and Harley. Thirteen in all, plus 4 dogs–who didn’t get along, so we had to keep them separated. It. was. a. zoo! But we were glad to all be together and safe.
The nervousness and exhaustion soon turned to hilarity, as we began broadcasting live from the eye of the storm, followed by a delirious video of how to wash your hair in a hurricane. Still not sure how we all made it out of there without killing each other. | Full Ike set here.
Image: Mark C. Austin
After the Ike madness calmed down, a few musically-inclined souls headed West for Austin’s Annual Austin City Limits Festival. A great lineup this year, with some excellent sets by Band of Horses and Jenny Lewis, and a chance for me to catch one of my all-time music idols, Robert Plant, during whose set, I called my mom, nearly in tears, “I’m watching Robert Plant!” I think she got a kick out of my freaking out about one of HER favorite bands. | View Mark C. Austin’s ACL full set here.
Wilco continues to make songs that make me feel. And this year was no different with the release of Wilco, The Album. With songs like “Solitaire” and the hauntingly beautiful “One Wing”, Tweedy and the boys consistently entertain fans with songs of graceful acceptance of faults and problems. After a listen I always feel more human, more normal, and at peace.
Dress for Success 6th Annual Sizzling Summer Soiree
Four Openings at Lawndale Art Center
Planned Parenthood + Riazul Tequila present Party Like a Rockstar
Runaway Sun @ Continental Club
As August hit, I hadn’t had the time to stop and think that my birthday was approaching. And not just any birthday, the big 3-0! A large group of my friends from college and high school had been planning a “Dirty Thirty Bash” in Vegas for Labor Day Weekend. So what else to concentrate on August than getting in shape?!
