A group of American Indians, mostly from Penobscot Nation in Maine, came to USM last week to perform a play reading of Tomson Highway’s “The Rez Sisters.” The reading was part of opening events week for the top floors of Glickman library, and was co-sponsored by USM Multicultural Student Affairs, the Women’s Resource Center, the Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity and the women’s studies department.
Category: Arts & Culture
Traveling muralist illuminates Portland
Next time you walk down Congress Street in Portland, stop and look in the window of SPACE Gallery at 538 Congress. The latest urban mural by San Francisco artist Andrew J. Schoultz will be taking shape throughout the month of April at the gallery.
Power and meaning in Swedes’ “Welfare Problems”
Somewhere between the Pixies and the “New Rock” bands like the Strokes and Jet lies a pleasantly in-your-face band from Sweden called Randy. They know how to craft engaging songs with bountiful energy and meaningful punk lyrics, and their accomplished sound sets them apart from the average rock band.
The Brides of Destruction revel in crudity and nostalgia
The Brides of Destruction were formed by Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx and L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns in 2002 under the provisional name Cockstar (which, personally, I think is a brilliant name for this band).
Their debut studio release, “Here Come the Brides,” came out this year, and as a fan of heavy metal and modern rock, I jumped at the chance to review it.
The USM Trombone Choir
School of Music faculty member Brian L. Diehl led the six members of the USM Trombone Choir in a concert last Thursday evening, with pieces ranging from Bach and Wagner to jazz. Their performance included the premiere of “Passacaglia” by Lauren Bernofsky.
CD is full of Air
While you may not recognize the names Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel, you may have heard their music before. The duo that makes up the French band Air provided music for the soundtracks of Sophia Coppola’s movies “The Virgin Suicides” and “Lost in Translation.
“Hellboy” is a hellride
I picked up a comic book from the stack of magazines at the mechanic’s the other day: “The Hulk.” It was an enjoyable, though unbelievable, story with all the characteristics of a great comic book: good battling evil, a superhero with known superpowers, an easy to follow storyline and a happy ending. The creators of the movie “Hellboy” could have learned a lot from my short wait at the mechanic’s.
Santa Claus, washing machine featured in student art exhibit
Gorham Art Gallery Director Carolyn Eyler describes this year’s juried student art exhibit as “a snapshot of the art department” here at USM. The pieces displayed range from painting, drawing, photography and linotypes to pottery, wooden and metal sculptures, and a film.
Dainty delights aplenty at Portland’s Dogfish Caf?
The “casually decadent” Dogfish Caf?, located across from the Greyhound Bus Station on St. John Street.
Local music: Harpswell Sound & Now Transmission
Local music is often a treat to listen to because it can be so different from almost everything you hear on the radio. This week the Free Press reviews two short CDs by Maine bands: Portland-based Harpswell Sound and UMO-based Now Transmission.
A memorable movie about memory-erasure
Have you ever wanted an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend erased from your memory? That is exactly what happens to Joel (Jim Carrey) in the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” This movie has a serious tone, but with just enough comic relief to classify it as a comedy.
Song, dance and laughter in “Company”
Be prepared to make small talk when you walk into USM’s Russell Hall theater this week. Talk karate with Sarah; discuss eight-track tape decks with Susan. Ask Harry what it’s like being married.
The characters in USM’s production of “Company” burst straight out of 1975 to mingle with the audience during the five or ten minutes before their show begins.
“The Wrong Marianne” ain’t quite right
Imagine what would happen if Courtney Love and the Beach Boys conceived a sassy, surf rock lovechild.
Former Portland resident (and current New Yorker) Marianne Pillsbury’s new album “The Wrong Marianne” is a no holds barred, raunchy lyric bitchfest, complete with alternative pop choruses, 50’s guitar rock solos and enough estrogen to make Ani DiFranco turn red in the face.
Sly Chi serves up funk on new album
“When the funk is flowing through you, the rhythm’s gonna shake you from within,” sings Rafael Keilt-Freyre on the title track of Portland band Sly Chi’s new album, Wave Sound. That line could have been just another empty song lyric, but for Sly Chi, it is a promise that they strive to keep.
Crooked lawyers shovel plenty of smoke in East Texas novel
Austin Davis came up with a great title for his debut novel: “Shoveling Smoke.” And the basics of the story sound promising. Narrator Clay Parker, a burnt-out tax lawyer, flees Houston for a small town in East Texas hoping for peace, simplicity and an honest living.
Cerberus Shoal blaze a strange new path
I’m going to come right out and say it: “The Life and Times of the Magic Carpathians and Cerberus Shoal” is a very strange album. There were signs of its surrealism from the start, like the name that was unpronounceable, the meager four tracks, and the introduction that gave greetings to men, women, and all the “sticky threats between.
Kenny Chesney’s latest borrows from Journey
I don’t have RCA’s market research handy. But offhand, I’d say they’re hell-bent on targeting Kenny Chesney’s new album “When the Sun Goes Down” toward the young female demographic.
Student pianist pursues dreams
At a Portland Starbucks one windy February afternoon, USM student and musician Rachel Griffin talks about music, school, and saving the world. As she sips her heavily sugared coffee, she discusses her light, pop-jazz music style, conveying the inspiration that has made her one of the best singer/songwriters to hit Portland for quite some time.
Self-indulgence sinks DiFranco’s latest album
I’ve never listened to Ani DiFranco before. Back in high school she was always a name I’d hear (usually while wandering by the art studios or the drama department), but nothing more. Her new album “Educated Guess” seemed like it might be a good introduction to her music, as it is completely written, performed, recorded, and produced by DiFranco herself.
Gibson’s Jesus film is powerful, violent
The controversy and rumors that have surrounded the new movie “The Passion of the Christ” are ridiculous. Was James Caviezel struck by lightning while portraying Jesus being crucified? Did Mel Gibson’s father claim that the holocaust never happened? Will this movie spark a revival in Christianity? And finally, is this movie possibly sending out an anti-Semitic message?
“Vagina Monologues” more than just a play
People disagree about whether Eve Ensler’s play “The Vagina Monologues” is an enlightening work of brilliance or a vulgar harangue about the oppression of women. Some find its outspokenness brave and inspiring; others think it’s childish and amoral. But whatever you think about the play’s literary merits or its politically charged messages, it’s hard to argue with the enthusiasm and motivation of the ten student actresses who will perform in the USM Women’s Resource Center’s production of the show this week.
“The Bacchae” not for the fainthearted
An army of crazed women will follow the Greek god of revelry and wine onto the stage of the Portland Performing Arts Studio Theater this Friday night, in the Mad Horse Theater Company’s production of the Greek tragedy “The Bacchae” by Euripides.
Henry Rollins talks music and politics with The Free Press
Henry Rollins carved out a place in American pop culture literally out of brute force. In his seminal role fronting the hard-touring and influential punk band Black Flag, he replaced two other singers and hung on, not because he was the best singer (he freely admits that he isn’t the best singer the band had), but because he was able to withstand the abusive and violent crowds of the early punk era.
Centro-Matic’s Will Johnson talks to The Free Press
Centro-Matic are a Texas band who play a combination of indie rock and power-pop, topped off with lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Will Johnson’s gritty, drawling vocals. The Free Press tracked Johnson down for a phone interview last week, as he was preparing to leave for a February East Coast/Midwest tour which will include a show at SPACE in Portland on Feb.