Three Imaginary Girls - Kurt B. Reighley

Book report: party tonight with Kurt B. Reighley at the Sunset

imaginary victoria — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:26:56 +0000

If you missed last week's reading at Elliott Bay Bookstore, fret not -- while you won't get any verbal prose tonight, you can still join the party for Kurt B. Reighley's new book, United States of Americana: Backyard Chickens, Burlesque Beauties, and Handmade Bitters: A Field Guide to the New American Roots Movement. He'll be on-site all night long along with the book's illustrator, Aaron Bagley, to shake some hands, sign some copies, and do some celebratin' (as he rightly should).

They'll be getting their DIY on tonight down at the Sunset, along with performances by Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hands, Cobirds Unite, Paula the Swedish Housewife, Miss Indigo Blue, and Squirrel Butter. It's only $7.00 for all you 21-and-uppers, and with a lineup like that, there's really no reason for you not to go, now is there?

We'll see you in Ballard!

The weekend in photos: John Roderick, Eric Corson, and Kurt B. Reighley

imaginary victoria — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:40:00 +0000

There was plenty to do this past weekend in our beloved, still sort-of sunny Seattle: The Black Keys at the Paramount. Youth Rescue Mission, Kimo Muraki, and a slew of amazing mini-bands at Columbia City Theater. Kurt Reighley's reading over at Elliott Bay Bookstore. Wheedle's Groove, DUG -- the list goes on and on.

But the one place that had it all, not surprisingly, was the John Roderick / Eric Corson (as the Long Winters) show at the Triple Door. The bright lights, big-city feel of the venue, the good food and strong drink, the gathering of friends -- and most importantly, John and Eric's epic set -- were all present and accounted for. To sweeten the pot, Tacoma-based openers Goldfinch and spot-drummer Jason Finn (Presidents of the United States of America) rounded out a lovely, late, packed-house kind of vibey night this past Thursday, and there was nowhere else that the collective 'we' would rather have been.

John Roderick, Eric Corson and Jason Finn at the Triple Door:

Bumbershoot 2010: Recommended art, book, and comedy related events

Chris Estey — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:13:53 +0000

When we talk about Bumbershoot, it's usually about the big music shows we've seen, or the new bands we've discovered. The festival has always had an arresting line-up of literary readings, comedy, multi-media events, even live theatre to offer too, and in recent years its multi-arts smorgasbord has become as ferociously popular as seeing the big (and cult favorite) bands.

Sure, Bumbershoot will always remind me of once-in-a-lifetime performances by the Sex Pistols, Magnetic Fields, the Mekons, and others (and the KEXP Music Lounge is its best, near-kept secret). But I also have amazing memories of presentations by up-and-coming novelists, gut-splitting humor, secrets from underground cartoonists, teenage spoken word artists ruling the microphones, and so many other cultural bellwethers who are pulled into the frantic fray of culture-tasting.

This year is as exciting as ever for the non-musical (or about music) events and performances, and I've put together my own cheat sheet of "happenings" that are crucially important. Pop in to some of these between the bands, and I bet you'll feel that Bumbershoot 2010 is one of the sweetest deals you got all year for the ticket price:

Bumbershoot 40th Birthday Hat Fashion Show at Teatro ZinZanni {Wednesday, September 1}

Chris Estey — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:50:17 +0000

Bumbershoot is choosing a very elegant yet fun way to throw itself a 40th birthday party (!) this Wednesday, September 1.

Kurt B. Reighley, KEXP DJ and author of the just-released extensive tome on all things roots-rowdy, United States of Americana, is hosting this party and ice cream social at Teatro ZinZanni. It's all about crafting up your own noggin-cover, and bringing it down to be judged by Evening Magazine, the hosts of The Marty Reimer Show, and Mr. Reighley himself (who gives a lot of coverage to crafting and homemade creativity in his new book too).

Here are the instructions: