WHAT: Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
WHERE: Krannert Center (Prices vary)
WHEN: Thursday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m.
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is a New York City orchestra focused on promoting jazz and features some of the nation’s top musicians. They are led by Wynton Marsalis, who has not been without controversy for his mainstream approach to the history of modern jazz. Regardless, he has brought all kinds of attention to the genre, and this performance with fourteen other renowned soloists should be well worth your time.
WHAT: The Prairie Dogs
WHERE: The Iron Post ($5)
WHEN: Friday, February 4 at 4:00 p.m.
The Prairie Dogs have been playing their version of old time bluegrass for seventeen years. If you haven’t seen them yet, you really are missing out on a local institution. They regularly play this gig at the Iron Post on the first Friday of each month. So if you are busy this month go see them next month. But you should do it this month.
WHAT: Dubstep Masquerade – Pirates vs. Ninjas
WHERE: Canopy Club ($5 in advance, $10 at the door)
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 4 at 10:00 p.m.
Not really sure what the whole Pirates vs. Ninjas thing is all about but Chalice Dubs has put together a pretty impressive lineup that includes Chicago’s Tripp Syndicate (Nameloc-Ruckus-MC Anti) and San Francisco’s Miss Haze. Plus all your favorite locals Flowa Child, Agrestik, Belly, Milk N Cookies, Positive Vibr8ions and MC Harsh Pro. Also ninjas by a landslide — duh.
WHAT: Joan of Arc, Out Like Lambs, Take Care
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($10)
WHEN: Saturday, Feb 5 at 9:00 p.m.
Joan of Arc has been Tim Kinsella’s main band since the breakup of Cap’n Jazz, and he’s kept things interesting by constantly employing a wide range of collaborators. The band is about to release the instrumental album Oh Brother, which is broken up into four long tracks, each representing an unfinished album Kinsella embarked upon. Not sure if they’ll be playing any of those tracks, but J of A certainly has a deep catalog to pull from. Out Like Lambs is a New Jersey-based band that plays slow building, multi-instrumental ethereal songs with an alt/country twinge. And Take Care should be playing songs from their upcoming album.
WHAT: Andy D.
WHERE: Mike ‘n Molly’s
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 5 at 10:00 p.m.
Andy D combines rap, rock and comedy. I don’t know too much about him, except that I’m guessing the live performance will be entertaining if you want a night out with no preconceptions. This seems to be another entry into the goofy looking white guy taking on a unexpected genre — see Har Mar Superstar. Probably a great show for the super cynics and the very open-minded, but maybe not anyone in between.
What else is going on C-U?