VOLTAGE FASHION AMPLIFIED, MN FASHION WEEK AND L'ETOILE MAGAZINE PRESENT VINTAGE VOLTAGE

VOLTAGE FASHION AMPLIFIED, MN FASHION WEEK AND L'ETOILE MAGAZINE PRESENT VINTAGE VOLTAGE

Voltage and the 501 Club are hosting "Bands of Voltage Past" pre-parties for Voltage 2010 every first Sunday in February and the last Sunday of March through April." Shows start at 8 p.m. sharp.

We're posting the schedule below. (Note, more bands will be added in TBA spots and we'll pass those details along as soon as we get them. Follow Voltage on Twitter for up to the minute reports: http://twitter.com/voltagefashion.)

• Sunday 2/7 - The Melismatics, First Communion Afterparty, Black Blondie + L'etoile Magazine DJ Sets
• Sunday 3/7 - Maria Isa, Dance Band, Neil Z (of Zibra Zibra) + L'etoile Mag DJ Sets
• Sunday 3/28 - Mercurial Rage, Blue Sky Blackout (special preview appearance), TBA + L'etoile Mag DJ sets
• Sunday 4/4 - Gospel Gossip, The Mood Swings, TBA + L'etoile Mag Dj sets

Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2010 will be held on Friday, April 16, 2010 in the First Avenue Mainroom.

Bands playing at this year’s show include: (in alphabetical order)

Blue Sky Blackout
Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps
Mayda
Red Pens
Ruby Isle

Gimme Shelter: A Benefit for Haiti

City Pages, Gimme Noise, and First Avenue present:

GIMME SHELTER
A Benefit for Haiti

Featuring co-headliners
Solid Gold and Mark Mallman

Peter Wolf Crier
Zoo Animal
Jimmy2Times and Mike 2600

Saturday, February 6, 2010

First Avenue

18+ / $12 / 6 p.m. doors

Gimme Noise (http://www.gimmenoiseblog.com) is rallying the troops for a concert benefiting victims of the Haiti earthquake, and we've invited two of last year's City Pages cover subjects to step out of the pages and onto the stage to play sets for the cause. Mark Mallman and Solid Gold will co-headline Gimme Shelter: A Benefit Concert for Haiti on Saturday, February 6 in the First Avenue Mainroom with openers Peter Wolf Crier and Zoo Animal, and DJs Jimmy2Times and Mike 2600 will keep the party going between sets. Hosted by City Pages’ Andrea Swensson and Jen Boyles.

All proceeds from the show will be split evenly between two organizations that are proving especially helpful during these trying times: the Red Cross Haiti Relief & Development Fund and Architecture for Humanity.

We're also inviting some of the city's coolest local artists to occupy the merch area of the club and come sell their pieces for affordable prices. All proceeds benefit the charities. Chuck U and Anthem Heart are two we can confirm now.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, Jan. 23 and will be available at all First Ave ticket outlets, First Avenue, and Ticketmaster: http://www.first-avenue.com/buy/ticket-outlets

Flyer design donated by Burlesque of North America.

Questions? Please contact us at gimmenoise@citypages.com.

The Twilight Hours listening party at Kings Wine Bar

Kings Wine Bar (4555 Grand Avenue South) and local music go together like macaroni and cheese. Recently, Kings began hosting CD listening parties for Minnesota musicians. The events are curated by HowWasTheShow's David de Young (full disclosure, that would be me), who also maintains the all local playlist at the South Minneapolis restaurant. To date Kings has played host to Mayda and Romantica. (Patches & Gretchen and music writer - and Kings' employee - Jim Walsh's The Mad Ripple are on tap for February.)

This Tuesday, January 19th at 9PM, Kings welcomes The Twilight Hours and will spin Stereo Night, the band's 2009 debut, a record that is a favorite among Kings staff and ranked at number 4 in the Star Trib's annual critics' poll.

Personally, the ballot I cast in that poll placed the album at the number 1 spot. The songs have a blend of strength and fragility that stuck with me from my first listen. When I heard the record on beautiful cherry red vinyl for the first time, it was the tipping point; it's been a while since my choice for album of the year was so easy. (BTW, if you're trying to think of the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your sweetheart, I'm betting a copy of Stereo Night on red vinyl would score you more points than a box of chocolates or flowers.)

The Twilight Hours' Matt Wilson and John Munson will be on hand for the event at Kings on Tuesday. Join us then, and visit their website for details on upcoming live dates.

Varsity Theater announces postponement of Low concert on 1/15

MINNEAPOLIS – The Varsity Theater announces that its scheduled performance by the Duluth-based band Low on Fri., Jan. 15 has been postponed due to illness. The Varsity and Low are working to reschedule the concert and hope to have a new date announced shortly. Tickets that had been purchased for the postponed concert will be honored at the rescheduled date and, if desired, refunds will be available at the point of purchase.

Celebrating its fifth year, The Varsity Theater has garnered a nationally-renown reputation for its innovative and eclectic programming. Housed within its art-deco confines in the heart of Minneapolisʼs thriving Dinkytown district, The Varsity presents the best in music (on the local, national, and international levels), live theatre, film, and dance, as well as being one of the most sought-after venues for weddings, private parties, corporate events, and more. For more information about The Varsity, log on to www.varsitytheater.org.

Voltage Fashion Amplified 2010 Open Model Call

Voltage Fashion Amplified invites Twin Cities area models for an open call. We are looking for female models with runway experience who are at least 18 years of age and 5’7” or taller. Models that are selected to be a part of the show will be in 2010's Voltage Fashion Amplified runway and rock show at First Avenue on Friday, April 16th.

Other time commitments will include fittings with a local designer (scheduled by the designer), and a dress rehearsal on Sunday, April 11th. Models who fit these requirements and are available should email voltage.models@gmail.com to RSVP for the open call.

Open Call:

When: Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Time: 12pm to 3pm

Where: MNfashion Studio

79 13th Ave NE #212

Minneapolis, MN 55413


To attend the open call, please arrive in a fitted shirt, skinny jeans and heels. We will be taking measurements over your clothes as well as a snap shot. Please bring a current photo (body shot, or head shot) that we may keep.


Because this show benefits non-profit organization MNfashion (www.mnfashion.org), your participation would be considered a donation of your time and talent. Please visit the website at
www.voltagefashionamplified.com for information about the show.

Two videos of The Brutes

Ever since I got a copy of The Brutes debut self-titled EP a couple months ago from their frontman Gregg Garvey, combined with a tip from the Beatifics Chris Dorn that they were a band to watch, I'd been looking forward to a chance to see them live. I got my chance Saturday night at the Nomad Pub. Here are two videos, "Money Ghost" and "Take You Out" that give you an idea of the energy of their live shows.

Check out a few more of their songs here.

Local Musicians Maria Isa and Harley Wood to appear in Twin Cities Production of Rent

(Maria Isa as Mim and Harley Wood as Roger)

(January 4th, 2010) - Casting was announced today for the upcoming production of Rent, which opens at The Lab (700 North First Street in the Warehouse District) on February 3rd. The short run will close February 21st.

According to a press release, the production features several local musicians as cast members, most notably independent hip hop musician Maria Isa and Harley Wood of Minneapolis rock band Far From Falling.

Having seen Power Balladz at the Lab, I can attest this is a great venue in which to experience a live music theater in a concert-like atmosphere.

Tickets for Rent are $46.50 and can be purchased at www.rentminneaplislive.com.

More info:

Cardinal Theatricals Announces Local Casting For RENT, Broadway’s Revolutionary Rock Musical


For a limited run - February 3 through 21 at The Lab in the Warehouse District.


Minneapolis, Minn. – Cardinal Theatricals announces today complete casting for the first locally produced professional staging of RENT which opens at The Lab in Minneapolis beginning February 3.


The new production features several cast members from the Twin Cities independent music scene, as well as a cast of young, hip veterans of professional stages around town. Harley Wood, lead vocalist of the Minneapolis rock band Far From Falling will appear as Roger alongside Independent Hip Hop musical artist, Maria Isa, as Mimi. Reid Harmsen who has appeared on local stages with Theatre Latte Da, The Guthrie and CTC will appear as the budding filmmaker, Mark. Guthrie, Ordway and Penumbra alum and original member of the Grammy award-winning Sounds of Blackness, Jamecia Bennett, will join the cast as Joanne.


The company boasts an impressive lineup of additional musical artists including American Idol top 5 finalist Paris Bennett, along with Ordway and Guthrie alum Colleen Somerville as Maureen. The cast rounds out with newcomers Lorin Yenor (Collins), Kinaundrae Lee (Angel), Kortland Jackson (Benny), Margeaux Davis, AJ Eskridge, Katie Hawkinson, Andy Lamp, and Brian McCormick.


RENT at The Lab is directed by 29 year-old independent producer Andrew Rasmussen (Minnesota native and Director of THE WILD PARTY), with musical direction by Dennis Curley (POWER BALLADZ) and George Maurer. This production is staged in an open theatrical setting at the 6,000 square foot warehouse space, providing a unique "rock concert" atmosphere and a fresh directorial take on the hit rock musical.


TICKET INFORMATION - Tickets are $46.50 for bohemian “rock concert style” seating and on sale now at www.rentminneapolislive.com.


The Lab is located at 700 North First Street in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis.


For more information and full biographies, visit the press page at www.rentminneapolislive.com.