Brooklyn in Hartford: Black Taxi

There's no greater thrill for a blogger like me than when I get treated like a real media outlet. So when I got an email from some publicist I don't even know encouraging me to come down and cover her artists playing at the Asylum Cafe tonight, I was all about it, sound unheard.

But I'm so glad I went, because Black Taxi put on a great show, and they were really nice new guys for me to have crushes on. So, like, everybody wins. Asylum Cafe is not the hippest venue, it's just this room... with pizza... and a bar... and no stage. Look, it's no Monster Lab. But the room was pretty full of people - a very straight, preppy audience of normals, not my usual artistic elite crowd. And these normal people were dancing, and the women were dressed all sexy and wearing their stripper shoes. So if that's any kind of barometer of success (and I think it is), I would say this band was hot stuff.



Actually, I knew they were good the moment I laid eyes on frontman Ezra. OMG doesn't he look like Adrian Grenier? OMG haven't I made that comparison about somebody before? Anyway, sexy guys like that don't grow on fucking trees, OK? It was obvious we were dealing with a "total package" here.

The band made a great first impression by opening up with the surf theme from Pulp Fiction. Adrian - I mean Ezra - played trumpet. The next song he had a xylophone around his neck... then he busted out his megaphone. And his keyboards. And his classic Mick Jagger dance moves.




Their sound reminded me of important hipster bands like Franz Ferdinand and the Cold War Kids, and they pulled off very convincing Rolling Stones ("Miss You") and Talking Heads ("Life During Wartime") covers.

I would totally go see these guys again (and not just because drummer Jason said he might send me a picture of him and his roommates doin' the centipede, or because guitarist Bill responded very well to my chatting up). And you can too! You have your chance coming up, August 28 they'll return to Hartford for a show at Up Or On The Rocks.

MORE:

A Funny Thing Happened... (Laughter Yoga)

Last night I attended the Laughter Club (and potluck dinner) at ArtSpace Hartford. So-called "laughter yoga" is an international sensation that has had some pretty prominent press lately. In case you missed it, Laughter Clubs get together for structured laughing sessions and the punchline is... there is no joke. In fact, talking is kept to a minimum, except for some explanation of the "exercises." Hartford's lady of laughter, Laura Le, took us through a series of movements and breathing exercises - we hopped on one foot and laughed our asses off, high-fived while cracking up, played "Ho Ho Ha" (a "Duck Duck Goose" variant).


The group was small and included some incredulous first-timers. So it was fun to watch people squirm, striving to overcome self-consciousness for the sake of being good sports and - who knows - maybe reaping some mental health benefits. Whether or not we all become laughter regulars, I think just trying it once is a worthwhile exercise in breaking ice, expanding comfort zones and letting go of inhibitions. We all got our first giggle of the evening over having to sign a liability waiver on the way in.


Admittedly, I did get feel a little light-headed a couple of moments from all that strenuous romping and laughing.

I must say, I was a natural (Laura said I totally made her laugh). I credit my past history as a camp counselor. It's not that hard for me to embrace being publicly silly or have child-like fun. When I found myself at the lead of a laughter conga line, I just channeled Joan from Mad Men. And when we reeled in the most hilarious fish ever, I thought of River Monsters dreamboat Jeremy Wade.

This group is free and meets Tuesday evenings at ArtSpace Hartford at 5:45. The more the merrier, I'm sure.

Read more about Laughter Yoga. Or watch John Cleese explore the phenomenon on the BBC:

Groupon hits the Hartbeat

Some very exciting news: Groupon is now available for Hartford! If you are unfamiliar, Groupon is a service that provides a daily coupon deal for local businesses. It's been around the bigger cities for awhile, offering deals on things like restaurants, spas, yoga classes, event tickets, hotels, etc. You only have 24-hours to purchase, but the coupon can be used anytime. There's a new deal everyday, so check back often, or sign up for their email list.

www.groupon.com/hartford

P.S. Don't forget to vote today!

I like Ned

Tomorrow August 10th is voting day here in CT. These are the primaries that determine who ends up on the ballot in November. Turnout is usually much lower than in the general elections in November, so your vote counts even more.

I wanted to do a complete rundown of all the candidates and positions, but with the Blogaversary and all, I have become much less ambitious. Funny how staying up all night can do that.

So who's running for governor? I spent some time looking at the candidates, both republican and democrat. I am not a fan of either party at the national level, it's a documented fact they work together to keep third party candidates off the ballots and out of sight of American voters in order to protect their power. However, it is most likely that one of the 2 major party candidates will be elected as our next guv. CT (like most states) still has the system that forces you to be registered to a party in order to vote in their primary. After stints as a registered independent, green and even republican, I finally became a democrat (grudgingly). I'm guessing many of you who are reading this blog find yourself in the same boat.

The big decision tomorrow is between Ned Lamont and Dan Malloy. Either one would be a huge improvement over our current do-nothing-in-chief Jodi Rell. You can hit the web (wait, you're on the web right now) to check out both candidates, however, reading anything but their short policy summations will probably make your eyes cross and start you fidgeting. One of the reasons for this being that many of their proposals are similar, with differences in scope, details or level of importance placed on whichever point. I encourage you to read it all for yourself, but you should probably take notes to keep it all straight.

In the end, my decision is based on multiple factors:

1. Lamont has stressed increased rail service across CT, including expanding service from New Haven to Hartford and up to Springfield. This is key for getting us and our clients back and forth from NYC. I don't have to tell you that rail service may be the past, but it is also going to be the future of transportation in the USA.

2. Lamont has a business focus, and from what I've seen, will work hard to get more jobs to CT. I feel that he will be very effective in this roll.

3. Anecdotal evidence from friends and acquaintances has indicated to us that Lamont is a genuine "nice guy" who treats everyone on his campaign staff with respect, and has subsequently won theirs. Although this may seem a bit of fluff in comparison to hard issues, I feel it carries some importance.

4. We find his less than silver tongued delivery kinda charming.

5. There has been some talk on the street about how he had some family wealth. Far from being a minus, I feel this shows a plus. Instead of being content to settle back and "manage" his money, Lamont built a viable business, has spent time volunteering at Bridgeport public schools (pre-politics), and came forward to challenge Joe Lieberman when so many of us were so angry at the wars and his uber-hawkishness (by the way, we still are angry about the wars, as well as Joe).
Also, due to self-funding, he owes no favors to the mysterious forces that make it possible for candidates for office to spend such huge sums of money.

This Scenic endorses Ned Lamont, Democrat for Governor. Please vote tomorrow, you can find your polling place at Ned's site:
http://www.nedlamont.com/

In Case You Missed It: The Blogaversary Bash

I am so fucking proud of this blog and so totally proud of our awesome First Blogaversary Party which went down Saturday. I mean, "we totally blog here," but this was our opportunity to do instead of just comment and actually make something scenic happen. Earlier this year, someone asked me what I would want to do for my ideal birthday celebration, and I said I'd really like to put on a show with some hot band that I want to push on people, and loads of people would come and have a drunken good time and love the music. Well, on my actual birthday, I just went to my crappy job and my unpaid internship as usual and then let some drunk girl hump my leg on stage to Lady Gaga karaoke, which was pretty ok birthday stuff I suppose... But with this Blogaversary I got my event promoter fantasy (and a few others) fulfilled.

Let us take a moment to appreciate Jackie Scenic's excellent flier for our gig one more time:


That's your fine bloggers' faces MS Paint-shopped onto the bodies of Three's Company, in case you missed it.With a flier like that, I don't know who could resist our gig.

I mean, obviously some people resisted, but the turnout was just fine. The major stress involved in party-planning was refreshment shopping. Trying to calculate how many people we thought would show up and how much they could possibly drink. Our math turned out pretty perfectly - we didn't run out of anything essential, and didn't have too too much left over either. At a Scenic party you'll never drink like common people, so we had a drink agenda in effect which did not allow for any chintzy crap like cola or other lame mixers. We served you Dark & Scenics (Bacardi dark rum + Gosling's ginger beer), Tom Scenics (Gin, selzer and organic lemonade), and Scenic Screwdrivers (vodka + Polar orange dry), with some variations thereon, and you loved that shit. You drank it up. (So did we, perhaps to excess).

Donuts from Luke's and Windsor Donut & Deli were a big hit as well, and our hearts were warmed to see our friends and fans, including many Scenic celebrities, indulging:

Look, that's Tom Pizzola, much beloved/reviled area music critic

Sidewalk Dave's adorable drummer, Bruce is clearly loving it

Rubber Pants drummer Jeffrey is definitely interested (what's up with drummers and donuts?!)

Fashion icon and living legend JCC is obviously metabolically gifted.

Our entertainment for the evening was awesome. We already liked Sidewalk Dave, but now we can upgrade him/them to Katie Scenic's pretend boyfriend status, because they were just so great, and adorable and nice to boot. And rocking harder and twangier than we expected - much to everyone's delight. They turned up the heat on our party and we're pretty sure they landed some new fans. Totally go check them out, they have some upcoming area gigs. And style for miles:


The Midnighmares brought their raucous punk rock theatrics, perfectly timed to coincide with the party's maximum alcohol buzz. Special props to lead screamer and one of our newest BFFs Rachael Pixie, who is always dressed to impress and poses like no other:


Everybody loved the space, which we can't take any credit for really, except for having the good taste to book it. We rented Monster Lab Recording Studio for the evening (and the excellent technical services of Monster/Sexy MF Ramon Morant), which happens to be an ideal show/party venue as well as a recording studio, with a Brooklyn hipster loft feel and a comfy bar/hangout room as well as appropriate live music room.

Speaking of fantasy fulfillment, I also got to be a bartender for the end of the evening after our graciously borrowed professional went home. I'm pretty sure I was awesome at it. But this was definitely about the time when state of consciousness went from pleasantly buzzed to devastatingly drunk (hard to resist all that liquor, especially whilst serving delicious mixed drinks to lovely friends). But Sunday's all-day hangover was merely a testament to the greatness of the party.

Additional thanks and props to: our door guy, KT; unofficial, self-appointed door guy Justin; sexy bartender Christina. And of course our readers, friends and fans who came out and made it a scene.

Well, now that that's over, we'd better get back to telling you what to do/eat/see/listen to in CT.

OMG Idea!!!$%#$%^!

I'm sure you've all heard about the Human Centipede. In fact, if you really wanted to see it, you probably have by now. So it's kind of a shame that this cult classic in the making will be so late coming to Real Art Ways (Aug. 20, 21, 27 & 28). Nevertheless, such a vile film - I think - deserves the communal movie theater experience. I know I've been saving myself. It's also a shame Real Art Ways didn't give me that job I really wanted for them, because now I'll probably have spend the rest of my life sticking my fingers up dog's assholes, AND they don't get to take credit for great ideas like this one:


I challenge Real Art Ways to challenge their Human Centipede viewers to pose for Human Centipede photos with their friends when they go to see the show. Fully clothed is fine. The very notion is hilarious and awkward enough. Think about it peeps. And make it happen. CT Scenic will be there - we've got the right ratio!

What's a Poker Run Anyway?

Sunday, August 8: 2nd Annual Meriden Human Society Poker Run & Benefit Concert @ The Meriden Human Society

Blogging up this event (which is for a good cause - adorable, sad animals, and features live music by kilt-wearin' friends-of-the-blog Falling Stickmen) prompted us to find out what the hell is a poker run anyway. It's complicated! Anyway, you'll all be so jazzed about partying after the Kelvins and the Blogaversary that you'll never want this weekend of fun to end, so keep the ball rolling this Sunday in Meriden. It's a daytime event - starting at 10 a.m. through early evening, so you can be home well in time for your Very Important Television date with Mad Men and True Blood.

(Handsome) Kelvins Unplugged

Friday, Aug. 6: The Kelvins @ Sully's Pub

Oh dear, look how handsome and brooding Greg and Eric from the Kelvins (we totally know them) look with their acoustic guitars. Wouldn't Greg look so right with a falcon on his shoulder? And Eric should totes get a wolf.

They are opening for a band that may be called High Planes Drifter, or High Plains Drifter, or some variation thereon (apparently lots of bands have taken this upon themselves). It's a bit unclear. However, we have it on good authority (from their recording engineer) that the Kelvins are no longer a stylish cock rock band, as we may have previously indicated, but a psychedelic pop band with a bunch of great new material, which we, for one, can't wait to hear.

Will the real Muni Reunion please stand up

Although I'm much too young to remember the Municipal Cafe, rumor has it that it was one of Hartford's key venues for local bands way back in the 90's. Now it's back, for one day anyway. August 14 2010, the Muni lives again. Former head honcho Mad Murphy (Steve McKay) has put together a lineup of the best bands that could still carry a tune some 15 years later. Who, you ask? Well how about Max Creek, Neybas, The Midnight Sun, Monster Band, Bud Collins Trio, and Flipper Dave. For tickets go here.
Every good event needs a little controversy, and I've picked up some rumblings. It seems that Mad Murphy opened up the Muni's basement and there was quite a rave scene that developed in that dank space. The rave rats were unhappy to be left off this event, so they organized another unofficial event on another date. Unfortunately, that date conflicts with our awesome Blogaversary, which you are of course attending. I mean why spend $10 per drink when you can come by our place and drink for free (not really free, we're gonna hit you up on the way in, but then it's "free" - ed.)? And they will not have donuts.
To sum it all up:
August 14th, the Municipal Cafe reunion show, put on by the man who was there, Steve McKay.
August 7th, CT Scenic Blogaversary.
Be seeing you....

M.C. Escher: In New Britain????

I was a little surprised to hear the patron saint of dorm room walls was having a show at the New Britain Museum of American Art. Now, truth be told, Maurits Cornelis Escher wasn't an American (he was born and lived primarily in the Netherlands), but I won't tell if you don't.
One strange bit of Escher's life that isn't widely known: he moonlighted for Ikea, drawing assembly instructions for many of the early products.
Unfortunately, this didn't work out well, and he was let go. I can tell you from personal experience that some of his Ikea diagrams remain in use. Here's one of his pieces I had on the wall for a few years:
The detail and size of many of the works has not been done justice by the common reproductions you stared at during countless bong sessions and keggers, so shake off memories of that bad trip and get down to the NBMAA. Show runs now until November 14