Six cool things about music, from two perspectives:
Cecilia Johnson of Columbia Heights:
1 Radio K Short Circuit Residency is located at 7th Street Entry. The U of M student-run radio station has curated an excellent lineup featuring locals Riotgrrrldarko, Blu Bone and XINA on Mondays in January.
2 “What ‘Tar’ Knows About Artists as Abusers,” The New Yorker. This award season delves into Tavi Gevinson’s incisive essay on Todd Field’s “Tár.” Gevinson delves into films starring Cate Blanchett as a powerful orchestral conductor for insight into fame, fandom, and accountability. Only her Gevinson, the founder of the teen site “Rookie” and her cast member of the new “Gossip Girl”, was able to write this piece.
3 “In the Club” featuring Honey Dijon and Eve. After co-writing and co-producing the song “Renaissance” for Beyoncé, Honey Dijon will release an epic house/dance album, Black Girl Magic, in 2022. The rapper Eve appears on her one of its most enjoyable tracks, the disco-goers-laced song. is this an accordion?
John Bream, Star Tribune critic:
1 “Dickens and Princes: A Certain Kind of Genius” by Nick Hornby. If you’re a successful writer/screenwriter, expand your seminal magazine article into a slim 192-page book and get your opinion on the similarities between two “my buddies” Charles Dickens and Prince. Each grew up in a poor environment, became very prolific in their twenties, loved multiple women, struggled with the structure and finances of the industry, appeared for money, and were aged 58 and 57 respectively. Is it a parallel, a coincidence, or just the whim of a fanboy writer who is unfamiliar with the facts?
2 “Hairspray” Orpheum TheaterSet in Baltimore in 1962, this timeless yet irresistibly bubbly racist and sexist musical features timeless fresh music, witty humor, light choreography, and plenty of racism and sexism. Hart, presented in a stunning star turn by Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West of Drag Fave). Edna Turnblad.
3 Jay Young & Lyric Factory, Dakota. With Young’s piccolo bass as lead instrument, his Twin Cities ensemble put a jazzy take on the Minneapolis sound, centered around songs by Prince and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Show guest vocalist Ginger his Commodore a masterful rendition of “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore.”
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