Weekly Rochester Events #240: Eastern Canadian English

Thursday, August 14, 2003

After that I went to Verb Café at Writers and Books (740 University Ave.) for the big benefit show. As best I could tell, about a third of the crowd was not in one of the bands. I got to see a little of Don Anonymous then the insane Bert and Ernie Russell poetry-over-... umm ... mandolin, maybe? It was a little stringed instrument that I didn't recognize ... but the gig was like nothing else around. They play at the open mic nights sometimes. Next was Geoff Wilson from The Irthlings who did perfectly executed acoustic rock ... I liked him better in this context than with the Irthlings, but he rarely does solo stuff. Next C. Shelton read some great poems. Later was Cole Gockley and The Earl Cram Revue, both of whom were really good.

But the really big surprise, for me, though was Dream Engine who were fucking cool as hell. The hark back to olden times when there were beat poet bands. They are a four-piece band who play ambient bluesy-jazzy music behind spoken-word poetry. I recognized Bill from Astronomical Unit on keyboards and sax but I didn't know the other three guys. The poets were C. Shelton, Norm Davis, then some cute girl, and some other guy. They'll be back out at Spot Coffee (East Ave. and Mathews St.) at the end of next week.

For your amusement, I thought I'd bring up yet another torturous tale of what it's like to live my life. See, when I showed up, I saw that cute girl from Dream Engine and thought she was Carly from California Rollin' at Village Gate Square (274 N. Goodman St.) Well, I looked at her and in the instant that I was raising my eyebrows to acknowledge recognition, I realized it wasn't Carly, I didn't know her, and at the same time, that she was really cute.

In the next second, though, I was hit with two things. First, she's younger than I am by quite a bit, and I would place her somewhere between 17 and 25. Not exactly a good range to be dealing with considering how low the little numbers get. The other thing I thought was that I'm totally not into doing any dating at all anymore—well, I'm completely conflicted because I still want to date somewhere, but at the same time, I'm so friggin' bad at it that I can't bear to go through it again. (See ... this isn't so different from any other blog you read, except I don't mention antidepressants at any point except parenthetically.)

So I spent the evening, in part, trying to resist flirting with limited success. In the end, I didn't say anything to her, which—keeping that 'ol duality going—I hope made her very relieved, and also puzzled and disappointed. See, told you I shouldn't be dating.

Throughout the weekend, those unrequited flirtations led to a general purpose numbing depression. I made the mistake of going to see Checkout at The Little (240 East Ave.) Boy, what a crappy movie. I went in with pretty low expectations, but it was even worse than that. The acting was okay, I guess, and the cinematography was pretty good. The writing, though ... ugh.

Let's just say it was not quite as well-written as an Afterschool Special. It starts out introducing this woman who's supposed to be in marketing by showing her at the end of a business meeting, but it's obvious the writer never worked a day in his life in an office. The dialog was pretty much what you'd expect from a kids cartoon. I was surprised to find, though, that the guy also didn't know how to write dialog for a woman, a gay guy, a player-type friend, a grocer, a businessman, a yuppie fiancé, a smothering mother ... even the dipshit lead character. All of them ... cartoonish and stupid.

As an added bonus, it plays out like an infomercial for Webster, NY. They mention Woody's (248 Monroe Ave.) like eighty times by name. Basically, it was distracting to live in the same area as the movie was filmed because it makes so much mention of real things around town. I mean, the lead character takes his girlfriend out for vegetarian food ... at Nick Tahou Hots (320 W. Main St.)? Good grief ... why?

In other news, I guess that on Monday, Rochester had its first "flash mob." The gist of a flash mob is that a bunch of people get simple instructions to go to a particular location, do some silly thing, and all split up. It's a derivative of guerilla theater with a participatory aspect. Anyway, according to the The Democrat and Chronicle, Diane Mashia of Some Assembly Required got together with a dozeon or so people at Spot Coffee (East Ave. and Mathews St.), opened their umbrellas at 6:12 and sang "Singing in the Rain" for 95 seconds then took off. Here I thought this was only for people in New York and other big cities.

Coming up this week, I guess you can look for more flash mobs at the Some Assembly Required site. Also, though, the Peelander-Z / The Purrs show at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) tonight looks pretty cool. On Friday, I think that Evan David and Five Points includes Darrin from Veluxe doing acoustic stuff, but I'm not sure, and the Bobby Henrie and The Goners at Montage Grille (50 Chestnut St.) should be pretty cool. I'd like to check out the Bukowski thing at Verb Café at Writers and Books (740 University Ave.) but can't decide if I want to be at the punk show at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) or The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) so I guess I'll bounce between both ... plus I want to check out that Tar Beach at The Brickyard Pub (240 South Ave. Ext.) to figure out why they're there. Finally I'll have to check out Joanna McNaney at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) on Tuesday because, of course, I'm madly in love with her too.

T H U R S D A Y

In the first Nuts and Bolts Improv Troupe (see their site at ImprovAmerica too) show this week, they'll be on the Colonial Belle (400 Packett's Landing, Fairport) for "dinner and laughter." Boarding time is 6:15 and they're leaving dock at 6:30. Tickets are $47 and includes the whole shebang of chicken, baked potato, salad, vegetable, rolls w/ butter, and cookies. Mmmm ... butter. The zany Peelander-Z, and the hard-edged punk-rock band The Purrs will be at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 8:30 p.m. Tonight at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St.) as part of The Water St. Blues Fest is Joanna Connor, Texas Son, Blue Thunder, and Kinloch Nelson starting around 7:30 p.m. The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Blow Out starting at 8. John Travolta plays a Hollywood sound engineer who has proof that a politician's death is not an accident. Tonight at Verb Café at Writers and Books (740 University Ave.) is a Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered Open Mike starting around 7. It's for both pros and amateurs, so if you feel the need to listen, support, or express yourself, head on down. Tonight at Highland Bowl (South Ave. at Robinson Dr.) they're showing Scooby Doo starting around 8:30 or dusk or whenever. Tonight at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) is Groundless, and groove-rock band The Edge of Jupiter starting around 10:30 p.m. Johnny's Irish Pub (1382 Culver Rd., still smoke-free) will be hosting Comedy with Dave Schmitt and Friends starting around 9 p.m. Pure Kona Poetry Open Mic Night is at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) tonight starting at 7:30.

F R I D A Y

Over at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St.) starting around 8 p.m. is more of the The Water St. Blues Fest with Joe Beard and the Blues Union, Rockin' Robbin, and Julie and the Intruders Over at Starry Nites (696 University Ave., formerly Moonbeans) starting around 8 p.m. is Evan David and Five Points Life Works Theatre presents It's Not All About Sex Baby ... Two at Rochester Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince St.) starting around 7:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. Like all theater groups, it's like $20, so it better friggin' be good. Tonight at Montage Grille (50 Chestnut St.) is swing band Bobby Henrie and The Goners starting around 10 p.m. In their second show this week Nuts and Bolts Improv Troupe (see their site at ImprovAmerica too) will be back at their new "home" of German House (315 Gregory St.) for more improv comedy for $5. You'll need your own chicken for this one, though.

S A T U R D A Y

O'Bagelo's, 165 State Street, noon. James Cotton, and Electrokings will be at Water Street Music Hall (204 N. Water St.) starting around 7:30 p.m. Over at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) starting around 8 p.m. is Brian Coughlin Songwriters in the Round. Long Acre Farms (1342 Eddy Rd., Macedon, NY) will be hosting Rochester Ultralight Fun Fliers fly-in at their Amazing Maize Maze starting around 10 a.m. Celebrate the birthday of Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) with readings of his poems over at Verb Café at Writers and Books (740 University Ave.) or bring your own favorite and read it. Hosted (with a brief introduction) by East Irondequoit poet laureate Robert Drojarski. Over at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is a night of punk and punk-rock starting around 10:45 p.m. with The QUiTTERS, The Retreads, and Bee Eater. Over at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) is a night of punk and punk-rock starting around 10:30 p.m. with The Grinders, Low Ton, and The Franks. Over at The Brickyard Pub (240 South Ave. Ext.) starting around 10:30 p.m. is Tar Beach. I downloaded some of their songs and it looks like they're a peculiarly eclectic rock band with some interesting instrumentation. What the fuck are they doing at the Brickyard? Tonight at Spenders (1600 Lyell Ave.) is your fix of modern rock and cover songs with Better Days (or skip their irritating Flash intro) starting around 10 p.m.

S U N D A Y

Today is the last day of the Sterling Renaissance Festival (15431 Farden Rd., Sterling, N.Y.) starting around 10 a.m. The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) will be hosting ambient/power-pop band Hinkley, and La Pieta starting around 8:30 p.m. Marcelo Guimaraes will be at Spot Coffee (East Ave. and Mathews St.) starting around 8 p.m.

T U E S D A Y

Comix Café (3450 Winton Pl.) will be hosting Kevin Meaney with Ralph Tetta starting around 8 p.m. followed by some of the local comics starting around 9:30. Tonight at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) is The Wilkes Project, one of my personal favorite acoustic soloitst, Joanna McNaney, and Luke Dow starting around 10 p.m. Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) is hosting an Acoustic Open Mic from 8 to 10. For this one, there's no microphones and it's pretty open ended.

W E D N E S D A Y

The original comedic answer to punk rock, The Dickies, awesome punk-rock from The Blast-Off's, and style-over-substance rock band The Shackletons will be at The Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) starting around 7:30 p.m. for $16. Over at Monty's Krown (875 Monroe Ave.) starting around 7:30 p.m. is blues with Rockin' Red, and Billy Joe. Modern rock and covers from Uncle Plum will be at Bennigan's (120 E. Main St.) for another of their Poolside Parties starting around 5 p.m. The Dryden Theater at George Eastman House (900 East Ave.) will be showing Play It Again, Sam starting at 8. I'm not a big Woody Allen fan, honest. This is about a guy who's advised about his love life by the apparition of Humphrey Bogart. Tonight from 8 to 10 is an Open-Mic Comedy Night at Daily Perks (389 Gregory St.) While once it was a workshop type of environment, it's now more-or-less a regular open mic ... by default it's still a place to try out new stuff.