this week in music

BEGINNINGS: LIVE!

BEGINNINGS WITH ANDY AND MARK
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre
153 East Third St.
Tuesday, August 6, $5, 8:00
212-366-9231
www.east.ucbtheatre.com
www.beginningspod.com

Back in July 2011, Andy Beckerman and Mark Bisi created the Wrestling Team podcast “Beginnings,” in which Beckerman interviews entertainers, primarily comedians, about the start of their careers. Over the past two years, he has spoken with such writers and entertainers as Ben Katchor, Greg Proops, Sean Patton, Christian Finnegan and Kambri Crews, Marnie Stern, Ben Marcus, Rachel Dratch, Bill Griffith, Girl Talk, Wyatt Cenac, Sam Lipsyte, and many others, along with such musical guests as Au Revoir Simone, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Jean Grae, Andrew W.K., Savoir Adore, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. The discussions focus on the question “Where do creative people come from?” On August 6, “Beginning” will take place live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre on East Third St., with a stellar lineup, including the always outrageous Jim Norton from The Opie & Anthony Show,, Canadian stand-up Bonnie McFarlane, Eric Drysdale from The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, and a musical performance by New York City band ARMS. Beckerman will be joined by guest cohost Mike Pace of “Worst Gig Ever”; admission is only five bucks.

GRAVITY AND GRACE: MONUMENTAL WORKS BY EL ANATSUI

El Anatsui’s hanging works welcome visitors to fascinating show (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

El Anatsui’s hanging works welcome visitors to fascinating retrospective (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

Brooklyn Museum
Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing and Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery, fifth floor
200 Eastern Parkway at Washington St.
Wednesday – Sunday through August 18, suggested donation $12
212-864-5400
www.brooklynmuseum.org

Over the last decade, Ghana-born, Nigerian-based abstract artist El Anatsui has been gaining international fame for his unique sculpture-paintings that hang from ceilings and walls and climb across floors. The works, which often resemble maps, are composed of aluminum liquor bottle caps of a multitude of colors, woven together with copper wire by a team of assistants into patterns that Anatsui then puts together to form larger pieces that evoke African history, mass consumption, environmentalism, and the intimate physical connection between people all over the world. This continuing series welcomes visitors to the outstanding Brooklyn Museum exhibition “Gravity and Grace: Monumental Works by El Anatsui,” which also looks back at the artist’s past while revealing his fascinating process.

El Anatsui’s “Waste Paper Bags” look back at African history while also evoking modern-day environmentalism (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

Much of Anatsui’s oeuvre changes every time it’s shown at a new location, hung a little differently, without the same type of lighting, allowing them to be experienced anew; they also benefit from being viewed from a distance and then close up, offering varying perspectives. The show is expertly laid out, from the mazelike hallway entrance to the side-by-side “Red Block” and “Black Block” to the inclusion of several videos that show Anatsui at work in his studio and walking around, seeking out found objects and ideas for future projects. “I don’t believe in artworks being things that are fixed,” the artist and longtime teacher has said. “You know, the artist is not a dictator.” Indeed, painted wood reliefs such as “Motley Crowd” and “Amewo (People)” from the 1980s and ’90s are meant to be altered, with curators encouraged to rearrange the blocks of wood as they see fit. It’s all part of Anatsui’s “nomadic aesthetic” and dedication to the “nonfixed form,” representing multiple materials in varying shapes and sizes while also celebrating personal freedom. His titles also capture an international flavor, with such names as “Drifting Continents,” “Earth’s Skin,” and “Amemo (Mask of Humankind).” And make sure to get up close to “Ozone Layer,” which has the added bonus of air being blown in through the wall, creating sound and movement.

“Red Block” and “Black Block” hover behind “Peak” in beautifully curated show (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

“Red Block” and “Black Block” hover behind “Peak” in beautifully curated exhibition (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

The exhibition, Anatsui’s first solo show in a New York museum, also features charcoal and graphite drawings, acrylic works on paper, and “Waste Paper Bags,” a collection of large-scale sculptures made of discarded aluminum printing plates that relate to Nigerian culture as well as go-bags that Ghanaian refugees packed when escaping their country in a hurry. It’s a terrific show that has been extended two weeks through August 18; there is also still time to see his “Broken Bridge II” outdoor wall piece on the High Line, which runs through September. Admission to the Brooklyn Museum is free on August 4 for the monthly First Saturdays program, the theme of which is Caribbean, with live performances by Casplash, Los Hacheros, and Zing Experience, curator talks, screenings of the omnibus film Ring Di Alarm and Storm Saulter’s Better Mus’ Come, an artist talk with Miguel Luciano, dance workshops, a discussion with author Nelly Rosario about her debut novel, Song of the Water Saints, and pop-up gallery talks focusing on specific works by Anatsui.

SUMMER STREETS 2013

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s interactive “Voice Tunnel” is a highlight of this year’s free Summer Streets programming

Park Ave. & 72nd St. to Foley Square
Saturday, August 3, 10, 17, free, 7:00 am – 1:00 pm
www.nyc.gov

Good luck trying to find one of those blue Citi Bikes for the next three Saturday mornings, as Summer Streets returns for the fourth year. On August 3, 10, and 17 from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, Park Ave. will be closed to vehicular traffic from 72nd St. to Foley Square and the Brooklyn Bridge, encouraging people to walk, run, jog, blade, skate, and bike down the famous thoroughfare, getting exercise and enjoying the great outdoors without car exhaust, speeding taxis, and slow-moving buses. There are five rest stops along the route (Uptown at 52nd St., Midtown at 25th, Astor Pl. at Lafayette St., SoHo at Spring & Lafayette, and Foley Square at Duane & Centre), where people can stop for some food and drink, live performances, restorative yoga and meditation, fitness classes, bicycle and parkour workshops, ziplining, rock-wall climbing, and other activities, all of which are free. In addition, there are four site-specific art installations, including Risa Puno’s “The Course of Emotions: a mini-golf experience” at the Uptown Rest Stop, Chat Travieso’s “CoolStop” water mister at Foley Square, Bundith Phunsombatlert’s “Art within One Mile” self-guided adventure consisting of eighty signs from Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge, and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s “Voice Tunnel,” an interactive sound and light work that will allow pedestrians into the Park Ave. Tunnel for the first time ever. It’s quite a sight to see Park Ave. filled with only extremely happy men, women, children, and dogs; don’t miss it.

VIDEO OF THE DAY: “VACATION” BY THE GO-GO’S

Once upon a time, Coney Island was one of the most popular go-to vacation destinations in New York. On August 1, people will be flocking to West Twenty-First St. and Surf Ave. for a different kind of vacation. On Thursday night, one of the most popular bands of the 1980s will be playing a free show, as the Go-Go’s take the stage as part of Brooklyn’s Seaside Summer Concert Series. Fans can expect Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, and Jane Wiedlin to play all their hits, including “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Cool Jerk,” “Head Over Heels,” and, of course, “Vacation,” throwing an outdoor dance party that is sure to be hot. The ’80s celebration actually gets going with the Tom Tom Club, consisting of former Talking Heads husband-and-wife duo Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz, who scored with such cutting-edge singles as “Wordy Rappinghood” and “Genius of Love.” The concert series, hosted by borough president Marty Markowitz, continues with Huey Lewis and the News on August 15 paying tribute to the thirtieth anniversary of their Sports album and concludes August 21 with Chicago.

Belinda Carlisle and the Go-Go’s didn’t let a little rain spoil the party in Coney Island (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

Update: With the rain coming down, threatening to cancel the free Go-Go’s concert in Coney Island on August 1, lead singer Belinda Carlisle took the stage wearing a blue poncho, promising the small but dedicated crowd that the band was determined to go on once things let up. Shortly thereafter, rain still falling, guitarists Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin and drummer Gina Schock walked into the audience, posing for photographs and signing autographs as a way to thank everyone for sticking it out. Eventually, after a two-and-a-half-hour delay, “the most successful all female rock band of all time” hit the stage, tearing through an abbreviated but stellar forty-five-minute set that focused on their most popular songs from the ’80s, along with some rip-roaring covers. Clearly happy that the fans, young and old alike, had waited out the rain and were now ready to dance their soaking-wet hearts out, the Go-Go’s played such innately infectious favorites as “Vacation,” “How Much More,” “Head Over Heels,” “Cool Jerk,” Carlisle’s solo song “Mad About You,” Wiedlin’s Sparks cover “Cool Places,” and “Our Lips Are Sealed,” adding hot versions of the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” and KISS’s “Rock and Roll All Night” worked into “We Got the Beat” before paying tribute in the encore to the group that made them want to start a band in the first place, the Ramones, closing out the show with “I Wanna Be Sedated.” Unfortunately, opening act Tom Tom Club didn’t get to play, but the Go-Go’s were in top form, seemingly enjoying themselves nearly as much as the audience. (For pix, go here.)

BEATLES BLAST

Richmond County Bank Ballpark
75 Richmond Terrace, St. George, Staten Island
Friday, August 2, free, 7:00
718-816-2133
www.statenislandusa.com

The Beatles and New York City baseball have a storied history. In 1965, the Fab Four played one of their most famous concerts ever at Shea Stadium, where they could barely be heard amid the shrieks of their crazed fans. More than four decades later, in 2009, Paul McCartney played Citi Field, then headed to the Bronx two years later for a pair of shows at Yankee Stadium. Although not quite in the same, er, ballpark, shall we say, Beatles Blast returns on August 2 for its sophomore go-round, as a series of Beatles cover bands take the stage at Richmond County Bank Ballpark in St. George, home of the Staten Island Yankees, the Bronx Bombers’ Single-A affiliate. Among those playing Beatles classics will be the Blue Meanies, London Fogg, Giffords Lane, eliminated Voice contestant Garrett Gardner, and original Mersey Beat star Billy J. Kramer, who recorded a series of Beatles-written songs with his band the Dakotas. The event will be hosted by Q104.3’s Ken Dashow, whose “Breakfast with the Beatles” radio program can be heard every Sunday morning; last week’s playlist began with “Oh! Darling” and included such other songs as “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill,” “Eleanor Rigby,” a live version of George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord,” McCartney’s “Jenny Wren,” the Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle with Care,” and Kramer’s “Bad to Me” before concluding with “All You Need Is Love.” We don’t know if Beatles Blast will have quite such diversity, but it should be a lot of fun while also raising funds and awareness for autism. The event, sponsored by Staten Island borough president James Molinaro, is free, but donations to Come Together for Autism Awareness will earn you VIP seats. Play ball!

MAXWELL’S CLOSING NIGHT BLOCK PARTY

Maxwell’s will say goodbye with a farewell block party on July 31

Maxwell’s
1039 Washington St., Hoboken
Wednesday, July 31, free, 4:00
201-798-0406
www.maxwellsnj.com

For more than thirty years, Maxwell’s has been a key part of the metropolitan music scene, hosting a diverse array of emerging and established indie and alternative bands in an intimate environment in Hoboken. Over the decades, such bands as Nirvana and Sonic Youth, the Bongos and Yo La Tengo, R.E.M. and the Replacements, the Pixies and Lucinda Williams, and the Psychedelic Furs and the Feelies played there; we remember seeing great shows by Bob Mould, Robyn Hitchcock, fIREHOSE, Richard Thompson, and the Mekons at the Washington St. venue. But on Wednesday, July 31, Maxwell’s will join other recently shuttered local venues, most notably CBGBs, when it closes for good. In this case, however, co-owner Todd Abramson is not walking away because of a rent dispute or because the club is broke; he just feels it’s time. (He’ll continue booking shows at the Bell House in Brooklyn.) Maxwell’s farewell tour has included July performances by Freedy Johnston, Ted Leo, Screaming Females, Mission of Burma, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Ian Hunter and the Rant Band, and the Muffs. On July 31, the club will say goodbye with a free block party beginning at 4:00, featuring an unannounced lineup that is expected to feature “a,” the first band to play Maxwell’s, way back in 1978, along with DJs spinning tunes from the myriad groups that have rocked the house over the years.

VIDEO OF THE DAY — THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM: “GREAT EXPECTATIONS”

Jersey indie rockers the Gaslight Anthem kicked off their three-pack of New York City shows on July 26 with a stirring performance on Pier 26 in Hudson River Park, their home state behind them, the new World Trade Center tower glittering downtown. Following a set by fellow Jersey punks the Bouncing Souls, which brought quite a dedicated contingent of their own to the outdoor show, a talkative Brian Fallon led the Gaslight Anthem through a twenty-song set that featured songs from throughout their career, opening with the hot title-track pair of “Handwritten” and “The ’59 Sound” and closing with a sizzling version of “The Backseat.” Along the way, Fallon spoke about his desire to have Ryan Gosling’s band, Dead Man’s Bones, join them on tour (instead of Gosling making Only God Forgives 2, which Fallon said was really not necessary), thanked the rabid fans, who occasionally formed a large mosh pit, for sticking by them during some tough times, and announced that the band would be heading back into the studio shortly to write and record their fifth album. Lead singer and guitarist Fallon, guitarists Alex Rosamilia and Ian Perkins, bassist Alex Levine, and drummer Benny Horowitz appeared to be having a ball at the show, which included a guest appearance by Dave Hause on “45” and a cover of the Ramones’ “Bonzo Goes to Bitburg.” The Gaslight Anthem continue their hat trick at Irving Plaza on July 27 headlining Red Bull Sound Select Presents with Hause, Bayonne’s the Scandals, and Nashville trio Frances and the Foundation and will be back on Pier 26 on July 28 with the amazing Hold Steady.