Walker Un-Prom: Not Your Mama's Formal - Thursday, May 25th

If Voltage hadn't taken a year off this year - and looking at all the other things that occupied my time this spring, I can't imagine it any other way - it would be taking place this very week. But a year to the day after Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2005, here is a not to be missed fashion event to tide you over until Voltage returns in 2007. (Which it will, mind you. And yours truly just re-signed on as publicist.)

Thursday, May 25th at the Walker Art Center get ready for the Walker Un-Prom: Not Your Mama's Formal, a prom inspired fashion show presented by Walker Art Center Teen Arts Council (WACTAC) and Anna Lee of Ruby3, producer of Voltage: Fashion Amplified.

"As a part of the Walker's OPEN-ENDED (the art of engagement) exhibition, WACTAC is taking prom by the heels and turning it on its tiara. The Un-Prom will cut loose from the stuffy "suit and tie, cupcake dress" formal wear by asking seven Minneapolis designers to create garments that step out of the standard garb and envision prom as extension of the arts. This in-gallery fashion show will include a performance by electro-rockers The Battle Royale on visual artist Rirkrit Tiravanijas massive spiraling stage. Designers include Ramon-Lawrence Coleman, Laura Fulk, Katherine Gerdes, Princess Warrior, Alex Smith, Carly Stipe, and Rebecca Yaker. Models provided by Vision Management Group. Hair and makeup by Eclecticoiffeur."

The event is free, but a ticket is required. Get your tickets starting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Cargill Lounge Target Gallery of the Walker. The show runs twice, once at 7 and again at 7:30 p.m.

The Pioneer Press has an piece about the show here.

HowWasTheShow Presents The TV Sound CD Release Party Friday at the Varsity

HowWasTheShow is sponsoring your mandatory weekend kick-off dance party.

Friday night, at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, The TV Sound will unveil their long-awaited, self-titled, full-length CD. Come find out why Andrea Myers called the band that's been getting some play on 89.3 The Current lately "irresistably rhythmic." (I can attest that the last TV Sound show at the Nomad was one of the only times I have ever seen my assistant editor dance.) Read Andrea's review of the band's new CD here.

I've only seen the The TV Sound on small stages since their stunning performance on the First Avenue Mainstage at Voltage, 2005 where they perhaps combined the music and fashion parts of their performance more seamlessly than any other band. Here's your chance to see them on the large Varsity stage where they will have room to shine, and where the sound and light show are always guaranteed to be a hit.

This World Fair and the Alarmists open. The show is 18+, costs $6 and starts at 9PM.

HowWasTheShow will be on hand with some of our new swag, so be sure to drop by and say hi (if we're not all out on the dancefloor.)

"Tunes For Tails" - Benefit for Happy Tails Rescue at the Fine Line, Thursday

Thursday, May 11 - "Tunes For Tails" - Benefit for Happy Tails Rescue - 18+ Show

Local musicians gather at the Fine Line Music Cafe on Thursday, May 11 for a rockin' gala to celebrate the success of Happy Tails Rescue's first year (over 300 animals saved!) and to raise money that will save more lives. Marc Perlman (of the Jayhawks), Jessy Greene, Leroy Smokes, Tim Mahoney and more will perform animal themed cover songs including, "Black Horse & the Cherry Tree", "You Ain't Nothing but a Hound Dog" and everyone's favorite, "Smelly Cat" from Friends!

A silent auction and raffle feature great items including tickets for great seats at Twins and Vikings games, concert tickets, autographed memorablia from James Blunt, the Killers, Soul Asylum, Fall Out Boy, All American Rejects and much more. View a display of artwork created by our Happy Tails dogs and cat - some of it up for auction! Meet some very special guests - happy, Happy Tails adopted pets with a story to tell.

VIP Reception: 6-7:30 - $30 Ticket General Admission: 7:30 - $10 Ticket 18+ Show Advance Tickets Available at The Fine Line

Happy Tails Rescue Site http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/htr.html

HowWasTheShow Forum back in operation

The past few weeks were rough for HowWasTheShow. We were plagued with email and hosting problems which culminated over the weekend with a total site meltdown. (Ah, yes, I hear your chorus of tiny violins now.)

But back in operation on a new and sturdier host, I do believe things are now running faster and better than ever. And the forum is back!

Thanks for all the kind emails as we slaved day and night over warm glasses of wine to set things back up.

HowWasTheShow's 4th Anniversary Party - Saturday, May 27th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

What: HowWasTheShow's 4th Anniversary Party
When: Saturday, May 27th, 2006 9PM
Where: Turf Club, St. Paul (21+ $6)

Mark your calendar for one of the biggest local music celebrations of 2006. On Saturday, May 27th at the Turf Club, HowWasTheShow celebrates four years on the internet as one of the Twin Cities' most trusted sources of live-music coverage with a party featuring music by Alva Star, White Light Riot, The Alarmists, Stook, and the Debut. The party also serves as a joint birthday soiree for the website's founder David de Young, and new editor Andrea Myers. If you add up the years, David and Andrea will be turning 65, but despite their joint age, don't expect early retirement from either of them on this particular night.

By all reports, last year's HWTS party was one of the most scintillating local music showcases of 2005. Again this year, as has been customary, de Young will perform a two-song set of original material (with the Alarmists as his backing band). Myers will also take the stage to play flute with White Light Riot. Be sure not to miss this turning of the tables as the critics become musicians again for a brief, shining moment.

The event is sponsored by Vamp Music Source and will feature paparazzi photography by Mordac.org (see last year's photos here) and party favors courtesy of the sponsors. It kicks off early with music at 9PM. $6. See http://www.howwastheshow.com for more information.


The Lineup:

Alva Star (http://www.alvastar.com)

John Hermanson's "sweet and timeless" power-group, Alva Star, has reemerged on the scene. Their first album, Alligators in the Lobby, earned them Best New Band at the Minnesota Music Awards in 2001. Their next album, Escalator, which debuted four years later, is a lush concept album featuring dreamy stream-of-consciousness tunes written and recorded simultaneously. Alva Star's busy who's-who line-up is currently Hermanson (The Hopefuls, Storyhill) in lead; Darren Jackson (Kid Dakota, Hopefuls) on guitar; Brian Roessler (Electropolis, The Fantastic Merlins) on bass; and Eric Fawcett (Spy Mob, Hopefuls) on drums. [ZB]

White Light Riot (http://www.whitelightriot.com)

A band on the rise, White Light Riot has caught the ear of Minneapolis and is gaining in popularity among budding frat boys and aging hipsters alike. With a sound that ranges between the Cure and the Killers (in the best way possible), WLR plays music that is impeccably timed and professionally presented – impressive stuff for a crew of just-barely-twentysomethings. Their debut album, The Dark is Light Enough (produced by Erik Appelwick), leaves the listener longing for more tracks from this breakout band. [AM]

The Alarmists (http://www.thealarmists.com)

The Alarmists make music for the bored and weary masses, for those sick of the hum-drum repetition of mainstream rock and pop. Though their songwriting pays homage to some of their biggest influences – including the Beatles, Bowie, Radiohead and Wilco – they have managed to craft a sound that is incredibly fresh, at times so familiar that it's impossible not to sing along, while at others bending the concept of pop music to include dramatic chord changes and unexpected tempo and rhythmic changes. [AM]

Stook (http://www.stook.com)

Who's this Stook guy you keep hearing about? Stook is Joshua Stuckey, a pretty down to earth dude with some great songs and lots of charisma. At first listen you may wonder what's the big deal? Then the music starts sinking in, and you realize Stook may be doing what a lot of people are doing, but he's not only nailing it, but you like him, you really do. When Andrea Myers told me, "I have a feeling Stook's going to be kind of big," I believed her. On his website, he says he's "hoping for 2006 to be a banner year." We're pretty sure that's going to be the case. [DD ]

The Debut (http://www.thedebut.com)

One of the Cities' best undiscovered new talents, the Debut blend their pop and rock influences to create a sound that is catchy, sunny and fun. Currently headed into the studio to record their first full-length album with producer Darren Jackson, these guys are destined to be one of the best new bands of 2007. [AM]

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