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Sep. 28th, 2008 02:25 pmCasualty Menagerie was enormously entertaining last night. We arrived just in time to secure two of the last couple of chairs in the room, despite extreme challenges finding nearby parking. We used to do shows in Inman Square all the time and so should have known but somehow one always forgets to factor in parking. It was a wonderfully cohesive show with Jojo the Burlesque Poetess providing commentary and flow throughout, with bands and comedians and singers and readings and burlesque and belly dance and general mayhem and mystery and mischieviousness.
Particular highlights for me were a couple doing balance/contortion work who I'd not seen before--they did something like tango contortion fusion in a way that worked so effectively, merging the push and pull of tango with the push and pull of modern dance-ish counterbalance. I think they still need to work a bit on the dance and emotional content to make it even better, but I could see loads of potential there. Most of the modern day circus performers I've seen do their tricks to music, but the music is backdrop. To me, incorporating the music makes it art. Not that being a dancer makes me biased or anything. I loved Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band, though I never would have thought they could all fit on the Lily Pad's stage. Spitcurl's Sarah Palin burlesque brought down the house, and I think that burlesque as political commentary is an exciting avenue for her to pursue. I really enjoyed Vermillion Lies, who were so adorable in that CocoRosie Michelle Shocked kind of way. I would make a point of seeing them again, should the opportunity arise. And finally Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys rode all the energy of the night into a powerful performance, enhanced by live cello and violin. Everything ended in a manic big huge dance to all the musicians still in the house playing along to ENSMB's cover of Sexy Back, sung of course as Circus Back.
I just finished listening to the Casualty Menagerie EP, and want to compliment the Army of Broken Toys and Lainey of the Steamy Bohemians on the excellent production work. It captures the best things about seeing them live, cleaned up without becoming lifeless. These are some achingly beautiful songs.
I was feeling very low energy by the end of the night, too tired to join in the dancing, which I figured was just because it was a long show, but this morning I am indubitably ill, stuffy head, achey stomach, sore everything. I have two hours of studio time scheduled that I *have* to use because I need the prep, but spinning with isis wings is going to be challenging. Maybe I can spin all the illness out of me. Then dinner with a bunch of my family, which I am looking forward to, I just hope I have any energy left by then. By chance I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow; if she'll give me drugs, I'll take them because I just can't get sick now.
Particular highlights for me were a couple doing balance/contortion work who I'd not seen before--they did something like tango contortion fusion in a way that worked so effectively, merging the push and pull of tango with the push and pull of modern dance-ish counterbalance. I think they still need to work a bit on the dance and emotional content to make it even better, but I could see loads of potential there. Most of the modern day circus performers I've seen do their tricks to music, but the music is backdrop. To me, incorporating the music makes it art. Not that being a dancer makes me biased or anything. I loved Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band, though I never would have thought they could all fit on the Lily Pad's stage. Spitcurl's Sarah Palin burlesque brought down the house, and I think that burlesque as political commentary is an exciting avenue for her to pursue. I really enjoyed Vermillion Lies, who were so adorable in that CocoRosie Michelle Shocked kind of way. I would make a point of seeing them again, should the opportunity arise. And finally Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys rode all the energy of the night into a powerful performance, enhanced by live cello and violin. Everything ended in a manic big huge dance to all the musicians still in the house playing along to ENSMB's cover of Sexy Back, sung of course as Circus Back.
I just finished listening to the Casualty Menagerie EP, and want to compliment the Army of Broken Toys and Lainey of the Steamy Bohemians on the excellent production work. It captures the best things about seeing them live, cleaned up without becoming lifeless. These are some achingly beautiful songs.
I was feeling very low energy by the end of the night, too tired to join in the dancing, which I figured was just because it was a long show, but this morning I am indubitably ill, stuffy head, achey stomach, sore everything. I have two hours of studio time scheduled that I *have* to use because I need the prep, but spinning with isis wings is going to be challenging. Maybe I can spin all the illness out of me. Then dinner with a bunch of my family, which I am looking forward to, I just hope I have any energy left by then. By chance I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow; if she'll give me drugs, I'll take them because I just can't get sick now.
