Category Archives: Entertainment
Donnelly: Blind Pilot at the Bottleneck, July 14, 2011
I don’t think Blind Pilot lead singer Israel Nebeker ever stopped smiling throughout the whole show at the Bottleneck Wednesday night.
Hell, he’s probably still smiling, even though I hear, via Tweet, that the band is having some trouble out in western Kansas, probably due in part to their 1977 Crown school bus that is their home on the road.
According to the band, the old bus is "a very bad decision according to most tour managers we have met. But a great adventure according to us."
But sometimes, when something feels good you just go with it…
Tracy: Thunder, Lightning and No Poncho Douse Guys & Dolls @ Starlight
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So there I was, alive and kicking at Starlight Theatre last night…
When the breeze kicked in, the temps dropped blessedly from 97 degree weenie roast weather to something approaching liveable. But by song #7 – the theme to “Guys & Dolls” – the constant lightning and thunder rolling in began to frighten the assembled masses. (The true chickens in the audience walked out early, during Adelaide’s Lament, about psychosomatic illnesses. Figures.)
Management suspended the show and it was later declared a rain out.
Too bad, because Guys and Dolls IS the undisputed best American musical ever.
Sounds Good: Noise FM@Bottleneck, Old Crap@Sprint, Hidden Pictures & Howard Iceberg@Replay
Uh oh.
More non-air conditioned shows!!… Look ouuuuuuuut!
OK, actually I’m only recommending one outdoor show this weekend. And considering how hot it’s supposed to be and the fact that the show is an early one, you might want to show up, if for no other reason than one of the performers is kinda old, kinda a KC icon, and he might just drop on stage.
Now that’s a true artist….
Tracy: Those Who Are About to Die, Salute Guys & Dolls @ Starlight
I’m posting this BEFORE I go to Starlight Theatre tonight, to see Guys and Dolls…
You know, just in case. That way, since it’s the undisputed world’s best musical, if I’m struck by lightning, I’ll at least die happy.
No kidding.
The forecast tonight is for scattered thunderstorms, eg 40%. As opposed to this afternoon’s isolated thunderstorms, which are just 30%. And no, I am not taking KSHB TV weatherwonk Gary Lezak. Nor mixed up presidential wannabe Michelle Bachmann’s kid bro, KCTV’s Gary Amble.
I’m roughing it.
Sounds Good: Matisyahu@Crossroads, Gomez@Crossroads, Sporting KC@LIVESTRONG
Okay guys. 
I know you have your gripes about the Crossroads. From some of your comments after the Elvis Costello story, I’ve learned that the Crossroads venue is a horse pen. It makes KC look bad.
It has port-a-potties. Beers are pricey. Stretch is a douche.
Okay, I get it.
But it also has some really good music.
You know, sometimes you have to sacrifice a little comfort to catch a really killer show. And personally, I love outdoor shows in the summertime. It’s one of the things that gets me through the cold, dark Kansas winters…
Donnelly: Elvis Costello at the Crossroads, June 30, 2011
When you’re an iconic performer that blurs lines between generations as well as genres – not to mention one that has played everywhere
with everyone – it’s understandable that it might be hard to get pumped up for an outdoor show in a scorching mulch pit in Middle America.
Indeed, I wondered aloud to a couple hardcore Elvis fans about the choice of venue.
Doesn’t Starlight seem more appropriate for this Boomer God? A few years ago that’s where Elvis Costello and his band went when they came through KC. So my assumption is his draw isn’t quite as strong anymore…
Donnelly: Elvis Costello at Crossroads KC, June 30, 2011
When you’re an iconic performer that blurs lines between generations as well as genres – not to mention one that has played everywhere with everyone – it’s understandable that it might be hard to get pumped up for an outdoor show in a scorching mulch pit in Middle America.
Indeed, I wondered aloud to a couple hardcore Elvis fans about the choice of venue.
Doesn’t Starlight seem more appropriate for this boomer god? A few years ago that’s where Elvis Costello and his band went when they came through KC. So my assumption is his draw isn’t quite as strong anymore…
Today: Marilyn Maye in Rehab, Plots Jardine’s Comeback & Karrin in November!
This time last week legendary Cowtown crooner Marilyn Maye was still down and out…
"I haven’t talked to Marilyn, she’s still in rehab," said Jardine’s owner Beena Brandsgard. "Because she lost a lot of her weight and strength."
A trio of kidney stones sidelined the singer the night before she was to perform a string of sold-out shows at Jardine’s for Father’s Day week last month.
The latest?
Sounds Good: Elvis Costello@Crossroads, Meat Puppets@RecordBar, Umphrey’s McGee & Quixotic@Crossroads
Do girls my age like Elvis Costello?
I mean, I know hip ones do – ones that are into music and that whole deal – but I’m talking about casual music fan girls. You know, the hot ones.
I needed to know, so I asked one of them that question, and she replied, "Who?"
"You know, AAAAAlison…"
(Blank stare, shaking head).
"Umm, Radio Radio?" I asked meekly.
(Blanker stare).
"The guy with the funny hat from Austin Powers who sings with that old dude when Mike Myers is trying to shag Heather Graham?"
"Oh, I love that guy! Wait, I thought that was Bono…"
Hearne: Transformers 3; It’s What Not to Sleep Through
Here we go again….
Two years ago on a warm summer night, venerable KC Star movie critic Robert Butler fell fast asleep during the raging battle scenes of blockbuster movie Transformers 2.
"I can’t say for sure how long he was out," I reported then. "But I can tell you he was very much a goner when he was eye-witnessed by the entire KC Confidential Street Team and others in an unawake state. Hey, it was after 10 p.m. and people get tired."
Net result: Butler’s promised-before-noon, next day review didn’t hit the Star Web site until well after 2 p.m.
Complete with a KCC-inspired disclaimer.
Sounds Good: Matt & Kim@Beaumont, Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt@Uptown, Bluegrass@Crossroads
Me: "Are you going to cut my hair when I get out there? You can do a box, right?"
My brand new barber: "Sure man."
Me: "I’m serious dude. I need a trim."
My brand new barber: "No."
Me: "But you’re official now, you got your license. Of course it’s only valid in Boise and the greater Treasure Valley area, but it’s legit, right?"
My brand new barber: "Yeah, totally."
Me: "And a hot shave?"
My brand new barber: "Nope…"
Sounds Good: ACBs Living Large @ LIVESTRONG & Booty Shakin’ w/ R. Kelly @ Sprint
I know what you’re thinking: Matt, how do you have such good taste in music, but otherwise make highly questionable decisions in all other areas of your life?
Well, I’m glad you asked. That’s a very good question.
First off, I like Billy Joel but not Elton John.
Second I miss the old KCC, you know, the squirrel themed one. (Side note: I can’t give particulars right now, but I’m doing what I can to keep the squirrel related content flowing, so stay tuned.)
Third, I challenge you right now to an eating contest of your choice. Nothing gross, though. So there you have it…
Hearne: Support Your Local Jazz Club, Jardine’s Reloads After Marilyn Maye Shocker
Running a small business can be a handful – murder even…
Even when the business you happen to be piloting is Kansas City’s premier jazz joint. Because Kansas City is a total jazz town. Or so we often say.
Well, that’s exactly the case with Jardine’s just off the Country Club Plaza. Week in and week out, month in and month out, Jardine’s showcases the top jazz musicians in Kansas City. Both local and national. From local keyboard player Mark Lowrey to Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg.
Enter the sudden and unexpected hospitalization of legendary KC crooner Marilyn Maye earlier this week.
Donnelly: Wakarusa 2011, An Upcoming Band to Watch Out For and Arkansas Wine
Four days amidst stunningly beautiful nature, more than 150 bands, no rules, no responsibilities, plenty of cold beer, plenty of whatever else you might be into. 
What’s not to like about that?
Nothing, that’s what.
If you wanted to be the guy wandering around with one shoe, no shirt, and a mason jar of moonshine tied to your neck with a piece of twine, you could do that. It’s your day and nobody’s going to stop you.
That was the vibe last weekend on top of Mulberry Mountain, the new-ish site of the Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival…
Edelman: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘The King and I’ Shines at Starlight!
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There’s a masters class going on at Starlight every night this week.
The subject: How to Write a Great Musical. The instructors: Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers. Enroll if you can.
Now, before you respond, "What are two dead white guys gonna teach me about writing a musical in 2011," remember that those irreverent South Parkers, Matt Stone and Trey Parker have borrowed liberally from Oscy and Dick for years. Their current Broadway blockbuster, THE BOOK OF MORMON, reads like the final term paper in R&H’s course on this subject. And why not?
Nobody does it like Rodgers & Hammerstein, and these guys were at their best doing THE KING & I (now through Sunday at Starlight).
Sounds Good: Republic Tigers@LIVESTRONG Sporting Park; ACBs@Davey’s; Think Floyd USA@Crossroads
Hey, I adopted a pet squirrel once, too. I called it, um, World Peace. 
I nursed it to health on a diet of corn nuts and strawberry Kool-Aid.
And you know what? That squirrel broke my heart.
I had my doubts about the situation after I came home from work one day and found World Peace had ordered several pay-per-view pornos. He denied it of course, and blamed it on the dog. Refused to pay for them.
But I knew the truth.
It was time to feed World Peace to my neighbor’s huge snake that should have been illegal to own.
Now I just wander the clubs, listening to kick-ass local and national bands, looking for something – anything – to fill the void…
Donnelly: Mumford & Sons at Wakarusa, June 4, 2011
Well, Arkansas certainly tried to kill these pasty boys from the UK. Almost did, matter of fact.
"It’s really fuckin’ hot up here," lamented lead singer Marcus Mumford as he continually wiped himself down with a towel. Granted, he was wearing black jeans and a long sleeve shirt, not your typical attire for a summer evening in Arkansas.
Word is, midway through their set, Mr. Mumford ran behind the drums and lost his lunch.
But the scorching mid-evening heat didn’t stop Mumford & Sons from putting on one helluva show Saturday night at the Wakarusa Festival.
Most people I talked to said it was the best show of the whole festival. I don’t know that I can really disagree…
Donnelly: My Morning Jacket at Wakarusa, June 3, 2011
Getting to Wakarusa by way of the winding Arkansas roads really made me think this festival is in the middle of nowhere. And that’s a good thing.
As I passed streams and rounded sharp corners, passing farm houses and lumber mills, I wondered if I was heading the wrong way. Nope, there’s the Arkansas State Police command center, set up about a half a mile outside the festival grounds.
Must be on the right track.
When I finally reached the top of the mountain the trees opened up and for miles it was tents, stages, and yes, the huge Ferris Wheel.
Today: Life After The Kansas City Star for Movie Critic Robert W. Butler
Here we go again…
Forget about Thor and Hangover 2, the summer movie season launches tonight with X Men: First Class. And absent for the first time in decades is the watchful eye of venerable Kansas City Star movie critic Robert W. Butler. Butler took a bullet early last month in the latest round of quarterly layoffs and cutbacks at the newspaper.
But wait – he’s baaack!
Like a bad teen terror flick, Butler has risen from the dead (kinda like me), not once but thrice!
On Facebook, a blog and a geezer repository, "Senior Correspondent."
Sounds Good: Yeasayer@Granada; Mumford & Sons@City Market; Langhorne Slim@Bottleneck
Can’t make the trip down to Wakarusa this weekend? 
Or maybe music festivals just aren’t your thing?
There’s still some good shows to catch right here in the KC area, starting tonight with a killer show in Lawrence at the Granada.
Granted, there’s no ten story ferris wheel or anything, but it should still be pretty sweet…
