Greetings from the CMJ Music Marathon, where I have traveled to keep abreast in current trends in music, and where just moments ago I completed that timeworn ritual of true rock music connisseurship: Waking up on a deflated Aerobed in a confusing city. Have you seen my keys? More on that later. And as I long for Charlottesville, so do I return, or at least digitally:
A few things to look forward to this weekend.
Although CMJ tends to create a vacuum of a certain type of music in all places but New York, local hardcore is coming out in full force. Worn in Red is perhaps the most noted ambassador for Charlottesville hardcore, and they play with a killer—and I do mean killer—lineup The Bridge: Nurse Beach, The War Tempest, a new act called Graves and The Catalyst, who’ll probably get things started. That’s tomorrow night at The Bridge.
Some of the towering presences in the local jazz scene also happen to be members of UVA’s music department. In those two capacities the Free Bridge Quintet performs a program tonight called "The Art of the Quintet: Bop, Blue Note and Beyond" They say it best: "This concert features music from the classic quintet that made its mark throughout jazz history and sound, from Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie’s early bop units to the classic Blue Note groups of the 50’s and 60’s to the late Miles Davis quintets." Which sounds awesome. Reserve tickets at www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu.
The Miles Davis Quintet performs "So What." More below.
Speaking of mixing stuff up, on Sunday 311 plays the Charlottesville Pavilion. For a bunch of guys who chose to name their band after the police code for indecent exposure, 311 has been pretty tame ever since their last hit, the reggae-tinged "Amber." What has 20 years at the helm of the rap-rock done for its sound? See for yourself this weekend.
And so we find ourselves with plenty of theater options. I don’t want to overwhelm you all by suggesting you go see the plays I suggested you go see last week; for a full sampling, check out this week’s Stage listings.
What’re you up to this weekend?
