Now that the holiday break is well and truly in the rear-view mirror, I thought I'd get the Showstravaganza posts back up and smoking, mainly because there are some really great shows on deck here in the coming weeks. Many of said shows will be part of the 2010 edition of the In The Dead of Winter festival which is going down on the 26th-30th here in Halifax at various venues (check out the schedule here).

That said, let's not sell this weekend short, for one main reason: Afrika Bambaataa! Yes, THAT Afrika Bambaataa, the founder of the Universal Zulu Nation and one of the most beloved hip hop pioneers you could hope to find (Bambaataa's background is an awesome read, if you don't know it already, check it out). Honestly, you could play me Planet Rock an infinite amount of times and I would never get tire of it. I wonder if all the kids who love the "electro rap" jams that have become popular in the last couple years really know who originally thought to mesh hip hop with the electronic nuttiness of someone like Kraftwork. Well, you, and they, can see who it was tonight at the Paragon as Bambaataa returns to Halifax. Honestly, if I wasn't so old and crotchety, I'd be at this for sure.

That's not all this weekend has to offer though, as Monotonix also returns to Halifax to play the Paragon with Black Moor and A History Of tomorrow night. Monotonix' HPX show from a couple years ago still talked about due to the both the intense rocking and zany antics this Tel Aviv trio brought to Gus' that night. Will this show be the same? Only one way to find out...

MP3:: Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock

MP3:: Monotonix - Set Me Free

Labels: Afrika Bambaataa, Friday Showstravaganza, Halifax, Live, Monotonix

Oh hey, Arts & Crafts recording artists The Most Serene Republic are in town tonight at the Paragon, and it just so happens we did one of our patented Five Funky Story random Q&A's with them! Well then, let's get to it:





Name: Adrian
Band: The Most Serene Republic
Web: www.themostserenerepublic.ca

1. Would it be worth all the royalties to have to have your name attached to the 'Mambo Number 5?'

Yes. Of Course.

2. What was the last book you read?

Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

3. If you worked as the maitre d' at a fancy restaurant, and Phil Collins came in wearing only a t-shirt, would you let him sit down?

No, I would ask him to put on pants or leave.

4. Patio Lanterns, Go For Soda, or WFT does that mean?

?

5. Have you ever played a keytar?

No.

...what, we're back already? That was quick, but it was fun and, uhhhh, enlightening, right? Not so much really, but oh well, TMSR are clearly a band of (very) few words, but I bet they'll have more than a few tight-panted asses shaking tonight at the Paragon, as will the two local outfits that are joining them: Mardeen and The First Aid Kit (these guys especially, I've only seen them live once briefly, but they've been a fav for a while now). So you're likely in-store for a good time if you're venturing out to the Paragon tonight, but that Myles Deck/Cuban Assassins split 7" release show at Gus' could very well be just as much bang for your buck I'd say.

MP3:: The Most Serene Republic - Heavens To Purgatory

MP3:: Myles Deck and the Fuzz – The Healing Power

MP3:: Cuban Assassins - Money

Labels: Cuban Assassins, Friday Showstravaganza, Halifax, Live, Myles Deck and the Fuzz, The Most Serene Republic

Its a fine Friday here in Halifax, and if you are here, you are no doubt busy working out your weekend plans in order to take advantage of the lovely weather we seem to have on tap. Well let's see if we can assist with a quick rundown of some events of interest. I say some events, but really, we all know there's only one can't miss show this weekend: Rob Base at The Palace.

I keed, but only slightly. If you know the Ack and I at all, you know very well that the only two things that will make us rush the dance floor at our advanced age is either strong hallucinogens or It Takes Two. In fact I went to see Rob Base play the Palace in the late 90's, so don't think I'm not tempted to see him again, but unfortunately/fortunately, my plans dictate otherwise. But if any of you can brave the douche nozzles that frequent The Palace, go for it. But of course, the real marquee lineup is at the old Marquee, with Wax Mannequin, Rae Spoon, Brian Borcherdt and Julie Fader all playing the Paragon on Saturday night. I dare say, if you make it out to that one, you are going to get your money's worth and then some. Yarmouth native Mr. Borcherdt is pistol-hot right now, having just released a new, free album, but Julie Fader's recent release, Outside In, is a collection of lovely songs that's worth your time.

There are certainly some other solid shows this weekend, which you can check for yourself below, but I'd also like to take a minute to pass on word of a couple of great events taking place next week. Trevor Murphy (Sleepless Nights, Quiet Parade), and his radio show Halifax Is Burning, is presenting a couple of very cool shows that will hopefully help out the Parker Street Food bank, so if you're in town next week, grab yourself a donation and head out to one of these events:

Halifax Is Burning Presents:
If It's Too Loud, Turn It DOWN!

featuring:
Jon McKiel & Klarka Weinwurm (http://www.myspace.com/jonmckiel + http://www.myspace.com/klarkaweinwurm)
Gianna Lauren (http://www.myspace.com/giannalauren)
Quiet Parade (solo) (http://www.myspace.com/quietparade)
Sam Ryan (http://www.myspace.com/samryanband)

Wednesday, November 25th
The University of King's College Chapel - 7:00pm - FREE!

AND

Halifax Is Burning Presents:
If It's Too Loud, Turn It UP!

featuring:

The Establishment (http://www.myspace.com/theestablishmentband)
Kestrels (http://www.myspace.com/kestrelskestrels)
The Bad Arts ((http://www.myspace.com/thebadbadarts)

Thursday, November 26th
Gus' Pub - 10:00pm - $5.00

*At both shows, there will be a donation box for the Parker Street Food Bank so bring any extra non-perishable food you have and make a donation, especially with the holidays coming up. If you make a donation, you are automatically entered into a draw for sweet prizes (details to come)*

Halifax Is Burning airs Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on CKDU 88.1FM in Halifax.

http://halifaxisburning.blogspot.com
http://www.ckdu.ca

MP3:: Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two

MP3:: Brian Borcherdt - Workin For The Weekend

MP3:: Rae Spoon - Come On Forest Fire Burn The Disco Down

MP3:: Shotgun Jimmie - Mind Crumb

MP3:: Jon Mckiel - Fist Fight (Live @ Gus')

Labels: Brian Borcherdt, Friday Showstravaganza, Halifax, Julie Fader, Live, Rob Base

The Friganza returns! It's been a while since we've posted our rundown of the weekend shows here in Halifax, but you'll have to cut us a bit of slack, as we've had a few things going on. But things, schmings, there's a lot going on, so let's get to it.

If the two of us can power through the illness in our bodies and households, you'll find us at the Paragon, taking in a show we've been looking forward to for a while: The Deep Dark Woods & Elliot Brood at The Paragon. I'm sure many of you are familiar with Polaris short listeners Elliot Brood, but if you haven't seen them live, I suggest you do so because although the sets at the Polaris gala were short, EB had the crowd in a tray whacking frenzy by the time theirs was over. The Deep Dark Woods were recently tabbed by CBC Radio 2 listeners to represent Saskatchewan in their SongQuest songwriting contest, but if you'd read the Ack's review of their last album, you wouldn't be surprised. These two excellent outfits will be joined be talented local Laura Merrimen (check our review of her last album), and so this is going to be quite the evening.

That show is far from your only choice though, as Friday night also see release shows from The Gideons and A History Of at The Khyber and Club 1668 respectively. Hill faves Caledonia play The Seahorse Saturday night, or you could see Can-rock icon Gordie Johnson's current band Grady at the Coconut Grove. And to wrap up the weekend, there's a doozy of a show Sunday night at the Cohn, where troubadour extraordinaire Billy Bragg will play with opener The Mountains & The Trees (aka Newfoundland's Jon Janes, who has been getting some attention on the hill as of late).

So there you go, plenty to see, so get out and see something while the weather is still tolerable.

MP3:: Elliot Brood - Write It All Down For You

MP3:: The Deep Dark Woods - All The Money I Had Is Gone

MP3:: A History Of - Action In The North Atlantic

MP3:: The Mountain & The Trees - Up & Down

Labels: Billy Bragg, Deep Dark Woods, Elliott Brood, Friday Showstravaganza, Live, The Gideons

Well the last two weeks have seen Halifax abuzz with activity - shows from Paul McCartney and Kiss, along with the Atlantic Jazz fest had the city hoping, despite some less than stellar weather. And it's that suspect weather that may send folks in Halifax on the hunt for some indoor entertainment, so look no further, the hill's Halifax show rundown is here.

After talking about indoor entertainment, one of the weekend's biggest draws will likely be the Halifax Pride Festival Concert at the Garrison Grounds at the foot of Citadel hill. Local dance machines Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees are opening for Toronto acts The Cliks and The Hidden Cameras, so by all accounts it should be a pretty impressive show. That isn't the only option for those looking to shake their bottom, as DJ Bones brings his world (or Maritime) famous Indie Pop Night back to Gus' on Friday night. Those looking for something more sedate have the Khyber as an option, as two of the finest hushed folk acts in the city, Ghost Bees and Fall Horsie headline a show there. Those preferring an evening of more straight ahead indie rock can check out shows headlined by Tomcat Combat and The Got To Get Got.

Plenty of options, so get out there and enjoy.

MP3:: Tomcat Combat - Action Doer

MP3:: The Got To Get Got - Rattle Off

MP3:: The Hidden Cameras - Walk On

MP3:: The Cliks - Cry Me A River

Labels: Friday Showstravaganza, Ghost Bees, Halifax, Hidden Cameras, Live, Pride Festival