July 3, 2009 - The Austin Chronicle

CALENDAR ( COMMUNITY SPORTS ARTS FILM MUSIC) L I STI N G SBates Recital HallJune 27A Love Supreme –The Music of John ColtraneIt’s impossible to avoid hyperbole in any reference to A LoveSupreme, John Coltrane’s 1965 recording that brought to theworld jazz’s spiritual, barrier-shattering genius at the artisticcrossroads of bebop and free jazz. Therecording has endured as a crucible of inspirationfor countless artists since, a factclearly evident as the audience swarmedBates Recital Hall to hear the Turtle IslandQuartet, recently rewarded with a Grammyfor its tribute to Coltrane’s definitive opus.This performance took place smack in themiddle of the 13th Austin Chamber MusicFestival. In her introduction, Artistic DirectorMichelle Schumann told the crowd how shehad strived to “turn up the heat considerablyfor this [year’s] festival, focusing onartists who have torn down traditional barriersand shattered the ceilings of expectation.”The 104-degree swelter notwithstanding(can any current article on Austinavoid reference to 2009’s early scorcher?),Schumann couldn’t have been more deadonin her choice of an artist to heat thingsup than Turtle Island Quartet.The ensemble has created its own nichein the music world, utilizing the traditionalquartet lineup to explore forms outside thenorm. Over 24 years, Turtle Island has prosperedwildly outside the box, exploring bluegrass,swing, bebop, R&B, rock, hip-hop, andother genres while racking up more than adozen recordings. Founding members DavidBalakrishnan (violin) and Mark Summer(cello) are also accomplished composersand arrangers who, with newer membersMads Tolling (violin) and Jeremy Kittel (violistand U.S. National Scottish Fiddle champion),have created a repertoire that is unique forchamber music, one that has its heart in thejazz quartet tradition.One of the key components of TurtleIsland’s performance style is improvisation.Though this may seem novel for a chambermusic ensemble, the artists reminded theaudience that before the late baroque era,when the string quartet form solidified, stringmusicians spent much time improvising. This64 T H E A U S T I N C H R O N I C L E JULY 3, 2009 a u s t i n c h r o n i c l e . c o mwas the quartet’s way of implying, “Remember,what you are seeing isn’t new.” New, perhapsnot; but thrilling and fresh? Certainly.The first half of the performance gave theensemble a chance to cover some eclecticground. This included a swinging, soloistic“Wapango,” by Paquito D’Rivera; a driving,modal “Model Trane,” a piece written by thequartet that celebrated the members’ experimental,interactive talents; and an atmospherictake on Chick Corea’s “No Mystery.”For the second half, Coltrane took centerstage. For “Moment’s Notice,” the musicianscreated a loose, assured summery moodthat quickly shifted for “Naima,” Coltrane’slush, dense ballad written for his first wife.Then came “A Love Supreme,” split into fourmovements. The first stripped the work toits essentials, during which the memberspassed solos around in a thrilling and unifiedwhole. Though the individual players havetheir own styles and mastery, in the piece’sunified moments the ensemble played asone voice, nailing the complexities of rhythm,texture, and tone that reminded the audiencethat their spirited, playful demeanor isbacked up by talent, practice, and trainingof the highest levels. Each member had amoment in which to stand out, but specialmention should go to Kittel, whose inspiredsolo bridged the inner movements.It was clear from start to finish just how passionateeach member was for the music theywere making – from the constant eye contactamong the musicians to the way that the memberscelebrated one another after each piece.This is a tremendous gift to an audience. Byinviting us into their process with such ease,they make the experience a degree more personal,and we are challenged to listen harder.If this is what Michelle Schumann meant whenshe introduced her vision of “music for thepeople,” Turtle Island made supreme good onher promise.– Michael KellermancomedyIN THE CLUBSCAP CITY COMEDY CLUB 8120 Research #100,467-2333. Daily, 7pm-1am. www.capcitycomedy.com.Nick Thune The sartorially splendid Funny Or Diestar makes a meatspace appearance this week,with Austin’s own John Ramsey opening. July 2-4.Thu., 8pm; Fri.-Sat., 8 & 10:30pm.Prescott Tolk The scruffy Jersey boy who createdthe webshow “Hung” for Warner Bros. 2.0 brings hispost-college-but-still-a-slacker self to the ATX for aweek of laughs, and Chip Chantry opens the show.July 7-11. Tue.-Thu., 8pm; Fri.-Sat., 8 & 10:30pm.Cap City Open Mic Hey, it could be you up thereslaying your friends and neighbors as they’ve slainyou. Sundays, 8pm. Free with college ID.COLDTOWNE THEATER 4803-B Airport, 524-2807. www.coldtownetheater.com.This week: The redoubtable and vivaciousParallelogramophonograph brings its best tobear on unscripted shenanigans, now with TotalPanic. Thu., 8pm. Harold Night lets three differentimprov troupes attempt this classic DelClose format. Thu., 10pm. Proctor The ColdTowneimprov school faculty unleash themselves. Fri.,8pm. Dick Rambuck returns in full testosteroneswing, with Nice Astronaut. Fri., 9pm. PunchlineThe weekly collection of stand-up goodness continues.Fri., 10pm. Stool Pigeon features UT LawSchool’s Philip Durst jump-starting the improvwith a thrice-told tale. Sat., 8pm. Cage Match Twoimprov teams put the fireman’s carry, the atomicknee-drop, and the ape sex suplex on each otherfor your grins and giggles. Sat., 9pm. Stone ColdImprov The house troupe gets funky, now withMidnight Society and Unfurled Sat., 10pm.ESTHER’S POOL 525 E. Sixth, 320-0553.www.esthersfollies.com.Esther’s Follies The most popular troupe in townsays, “Yes, we can ... entertain the hell out ofyou!” with its new spring show of musical comedyand sketches, now with the Unleaded Supremessinging “The Big Three Bailout,” Espie Randolphas Barack Obama with some special words forour beleaguered nation, and the EF regulars slicingand dicing the likes of Rush Limbaugh, BernieMadoff, and Octomom. Also, whoa, a new illusion(called “Wink and a Smile”) from master magicianRay Anderson. Thrills! Chills! Ripped-fromthe-headlinesevents turned into comedy gold!Reservations highly recommended. Thu., 8pm; Fri.-Sat., 8 & 10pm. $20 (discounts available Thursdays& Fridays for seniors, students, military). Additional$5 for special reserved seats.THE HIDEOUT THEATRE 617 Congress,443-3688. www.hideouttheatre.com.Thursday: What makes this latest run of ThreeferMadness awesome? Mamet. David Mamet. No,the terse yet articulate fucker’s not going to bethere … but Asaf Ronen and his cronies are performingConfidence Men: Improv in the highly imitableMamet manner! 8pm. OMG, it’s only $3!Friday Double Barrel has two teams of improviserscompeting for your laughter and applause.8pm. Next comes the eminently topical This WeekTonight show, working its wild improv off the news(of the weird, of the wonderful, of the just plainnewsworthy) of the past seven days. Holy currentevents, anchorman! 10pm. $10.Saturday: Improvised Shakespeare might besome of the best, and likely will be the mostentertaining, prithee-brandishing comedy you’veever seen. It is extempore, from their mother wit!8pm. $10. Maestro is a fierce, multipartite battlefor supremacy among improvisers, scored by you,the audience. Highly recommended. 10pm. $10.VELVEETA ROOM 521 E. Sixth, 469-9116.www.thevelveetaroom.com.Open Mic Night These are your would-be comedicneighbors, three minutes at a time: Love them;fear them. This week’s host: Shane Hebert.Thursdays, 10pm.Carey Moore The lady brings the laffs, to besure, just as she did when winning the CorpusChristi open-mic contest and appearing in seasonfive of American Idol. Bob Khasravi and ShaneHebert open. Fri., July 3, 9:30 & 11:30pm. $5.BUT WAIT – THERE’S MORE!THE AUSTIN COMEDY TRAINWRECK Stand-upcomedy – right there in the Hole, on the Drag, in theheart of collegiate Texas. Tuesdays, 10pm. Hole in theWall, 2538 Guadalupe. $5.www.myspace.com/austincomedytrainwreck.COMEDYSPORTZ Competitive improv? Well, of course– and maestro Les McGehee and his talented friendsbring it in full force every Saturday night to this newestlittle coffeehouse in the 78704. Saturdays, 7pm.Cafe Caffeine, 909 W. Mary. www.comedy7.com.KICK BUTT COMEDY Open Mic ComedyWednesdays, 8pm. Kick Butt Coffee, 5775 Airport#725, 454-5425.SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL Gnap! Theater Projectspresents a double whammy of uncanny improv,featuring two handpicked improv troupes certainto make your Saturday sizzle. This week: the twoheaded,one-bearded, pretty-as-a-picture Gargantua ofimprov known as Chris & Tami, and the musical maffickingof those talented Girls Girls Girls. Sat., July4, 10pm. Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Rd.,474-7886. $10. www.salvagevanguard.org.danceDANCE UMBRELLA: 10 MINUTES MAXCALL FOR ENTRIES The annual three-nightminifestival of performance takes place August 20-22at the George Washington Carver Museum’s BoydVance Theater. Applications are first-come, first-served.Work should be dance, movement-inspired theatre, orperformance art. Pieces must not exceed 10 minutes.Applications are available online or by calling DanceUmbrella. Registration deadline: July 26. 450-0456.www.danceumbrella.com.ACC DANCE: DANCE INFORMANCE Faculty choreographerspresent students in an informal showing withguest choreographers from the department and thecommunity. Thu., July 2, 7 pm. 1212 Rio Grande, Rm.130. 294-7712. Free.TWO LEFT FEETLUCILA DANCE PRODUCTIONS: CLASSESFORMING Belly dancing (all levels), flamenco, salsa/merengue, hip-hop, creative movement for ages 5-10,and tai chi. Lucila Dance Studio, 1700 S. Lamar,416-8800. www.luciladance.com.MODERN DANCE CLASSES Ellen Bartel of SpankDance Company leads a series of classes in moderndance (all levels). Times and prices vary. See thewebsite for details. Tapestry Dance Company studios,2302 Western Trails. www.tapestry.org.AUSTIN UPTOWN DANCE: BALLROOM SUMMERDANCE CAMP FOR KIDS Taught by professionals,kids learn the traditional competitive Latin and ballroomdances, plus social dances such as two step,swing, and salsa! Three sessions: Please see thewebsite for details. Through July 9, Monday-Thursday,noon-3pm. 8868 Research Blvd. #706. 459-5678.$225 per session. www.austinuptowndance.com.ESTUDIO FLAMENCO Flamenco dance classes,centrally located. Saturdays, noon-1pm (beginner) &1-2:30pm (intermediate). 2801 W. 45th, 382-1366.Fees vary. www.estudioflamenco.com.FREE SALSA LESSONS AT APL Various branches ofthe Austin Public Library host weekly salsa lessons.Raul Ramirez teaches the steps and spends a littletime filling you in on the history and background ofthe music and dance. Lessons take place throughoutthe week at the Carver, Cepeda, Pleasant Hill, andUniversity Hills branches. See the website for times.974-7400. Free. www.cityofaustin.org/library.DANCE INTERNATIONAL Each night features a varietyof ballroom and Latin dances; each month seesthe start of a new course. No partner necessary.Sundays, 6-8pm. Dancers Workshop, 183 & BalconesWoods. Weeknights, times vary. Hills Fitness Center,4615 Bee Caves Rd., 32-DANCE. Fees vary.www.dancein.org.DANCE ASSOCIATES AND AUSTIN PARD: DANCECLASSES Kids (ages 24 months and older) can participatein dance, gymnastics, and movement classesall over town, courtesy of Dance Associates and thecity’s Parks & Recreation Department. See websitefor details. 323-6838. www.danceassociatesaustin.com.