05 Dec 14 - Chicago Artists Health Care

Hey, blogspot readers, time is now to get sign up for health care. However, with so many choices and options how do you choose which one is right for you as well as fits in your budget?

Recently at the iconic Cultural Center located downtown Chicago, SouthSide attended the annual Chicago Artists Health Care Town Hall event where local artists and musicians were able to speak to health care navigators in person about choosing the right health option designed around them. This free event sponsored by Get Covered Illinois also offered participants a chance to get free flu shots to ward off the virus bug before the flu season reaches its peak in January. 

While speaking with a navigator in person, participants were able to get immediate health care coverage no matter what their financial situation (financial assistance was available) ...even if you have a pre-existing condition too. Bi-lingual navigators were on hand if English wasn't your native tongue to make sure all of your questions are answered ...also there were mini health care conferences to help explain what everyone needed to know about health care and options. And with the deadline  fast approaching, SouthSide highly recommends signing up for coverage now.

If you live in Illinois and want more information about getting health care coverage, contact Get Covered Illinois at http://www.getcoveredillinois.gov or call at 1 - 866 - 311 - 119. Those living outside Illinois, you can visit http://www.GetCoveredAmerica.org.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

05 Dec 14

Beware naughty, children, The Krampus is looking for you....

Happy Holidays, blogspot readers! It's going to be a VERY busy December for this roving local scene queen as she tries to cover the many happening shows or events rockin' around town. Today was no exception. She plans not to do just 1 or 2 ...or even 3 shows in one day but 4! From downtown to Wrigleyville and Boystown, SouthSide was there rockin' with her friends all day. Her first stop was at Shop Columbia's 6th Annual Holiday Market for the art and handmade crafts done by local artisans. From displays of one of a kind posters to crochet winter wear and more - unique gift-giving items you won't find at the big box store. And besides that, there was also a rare afternoon performance by college student - Sid Yiddish and His Candy Store Henchmen!

Sid Yiddish, Denmark's native son and famous celebrity, was the featured attraction on Friday afternoon in which he performed a couple of selections off his recent CD release - "freilakkh Shtuping freilackkh" (translated - "merry fucking happy"). Songs like Sid Yiddish Meets Walt Disney and his own version of Silent Night and Jingle Bells, new listeners to Sid's unique musical  expression and composition might be in for a "shock and awe" moment upon seeing this artist live in person. It's a fair warning from this reviewer who has not only reviewed Sid with his Candy Store Henchmen but has also performed at a Henchmen herself at one time. By incorporating an oddball collection of things that you wouldn't normally use a music instrument (for example, the seat of a chair, windshield wipers as drumsticks, his throat to sing, this Columbia College student is the master of a unique music genre that could scare away many critics as well as listeners.

This is what art is all about, blogspot readers, creating something new ...different and strange that doesn't fit the "norm". And with Sid's music, sometimes it's better to expect the unexpected to happen during his performance. At times, you might find it confusing and frustrating to understand due to the unorthodox way his songs are composed ...it's an un-orchestrated mess of complex rhythms, sounds, and melodies written to be played at different tempos and beat counts. Yet don't think of that description as a negative cognition about what Sid Yiddish does on stage. In fact, after seeing him live a few times, it's more fun watching the audience's reaction than watching him. At first, people literally don't know what to think of him and or his music but after some time, they definitely do get into the strange weirdness of sounds and other things that occur while he's on stage.

For instance, try handling Sid's 90 Minutes Delay on the Eisenhower - where he actually re-creates the anger ...the frustration ...the annoyance of "stop and go" traffic that routinely occurs on any expressway around Chicago especially during morning (and afternoon) rush hour. The noise of horns blaring ...the frequent f-bombs and so much more could be heard within the room as Sid and the band yell, scream etc at each other while playing their music instruments. It's realistic music, blogspot readers. Or try the quirky yet intense song which SouthSide will dub as Mr. Squirrel (actual title is Flight Of The Satanic Danish Apocalyptic Jewish Squirrel) ...poor Mr. Squirrel (skip over this part if you don't want a spoiler) he gets it in the dead. His Christmas renditions of Silent Night and Jingle Bells won't be the traditionally heard and performed especially since it might feature a bit of throat singing or other sound effects amidst a chaotic clash of noise and rhythms.

Usually seen with other local legend, Flabby Hoffman, who also combines unique fantastical sounds but on a psychedelia realm, blogspot readers, will soon be embarking on another tour of his "native" homeland Denmark in the beginning of 2015....

For more information about Side Yiddish and His Candy Store Henchmen, visit Sid Yiddish at http://www.sidyiddish.bandcamp.com or "like" his page on Facebook.

 

 

 

 

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

Unsung Native America

 

Hey, blogspot readers, three teen brothers known as REBELMANN are about to embark on a 330 mile journey across the Great Plains on horseback with Native Americans in remembrance of The Dakota 38+2, the largest mass execution in the history of the United States which was ordered by Abraham Lincoln. The 16-day trek to the mass hanging site in Mankato, Minnesota plans to be a journey of healing, reconciliation and remembrance of the executed Dakota 38+2 not only for the Native Americans taking part of this but also for REBELMANN.

Below are more details about this ride....

The history of the Native American is very selective, especially when it's ugly.  And ugly is an understatement.  We have all been indoctrinated into the big-band, musical themed "cowboys and Indians" movie mantra.  You know those movies - The ones of the beautiful Native Americans getting gloriously killed by the brave cowboy guiding his chuckwagon across the prairie; his bonneted bride and blue-eyed children bouncing in the back as he valiantly guides them to a new life in the West. He single-handidly kills the mocha-skinned Natives and their families; and somehow, the whole scene feels a lot better as the big-band, feel-good music plays on in the background. American history - glorified.  American history - selectively taught.  American history - now made "civilized" by that Marlboro-looking man of a cowboy.

THAT contradictory word - "civilized."

The "civilized" systematic killing, and attempted mass genocide, of the indigenous peoples of these United States. That IS the Truth.  Simply put - The Ugly Truth.  The untold story - of the real history - of the Native American, not taught in the history books in order to create a backstory of glorified greatness, by the likes of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson, who like many other past presidents, systematically tried to exterminate, yet failed, the original peoples of these United States.

There is one caveat.  They are still here ..... and alive ..... The Native American.

The First Nation peoples of these United States are not the playbook of mascots Washington "Redskins" owner, Dan Snyder, celebrates like a smorgasbord of homegoods, where back-in-the-day a "bloody heathen scalp" or "Redskin" fetched a remarkable $200.  They are instead, a celebrated people who strive to keep their culture alive, along with protecting the very land their ancestors valiantly died for.

The removal of the Dakota Indians from Minnesota and the upper midwest, in what was, and still is, basically a race war, has left many Native Americans traumatized by these acts of "civilized" behavior. In fact, The Indian Removal Act, later signed by Andrew Jackson in 1830, would further attempt to repress and silence the indigenous peoples of the United States.  In order to annihilate the Native American, the Dakotas were exiled from the Fort Snelling Concentration Camp in Minnesota and marched, or put on cattle trains and river boats, to the Crow Creek Concentration Camp in South Dakota, where bands of the Oceti Sakowin remain to this day. (Yes, you are familiar with this story - the attempted-genocidal, grotesque treatment of the Native American is the model Adolph Hitler used for the widely known attempted genocide of the Jewish people - the Holocaust.)

The Dakota 38 is just one of those selective instances American history has tried to forget.  The very public, simultaneous, mass hanging of 38 Native Americans, for refusing to eat grass and endure mass tribal starvation on their encroached reservation lands, is discussed only in very hushed circles, is not taught in schools, and certainly is not a plaquared moment at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial in Springfield, Illinois. And certainly not discussed is the digging up of the bodies to use as scientific experiments shortly after the execution.

But the Oceti Sakowin, or Seven Council Fires, do have Mr. Jim Miller, a U.S. Vietnam Veteran and descendent of the Dakotas themselves.  Mr. Miller first organized the annual journey from South Dakota back to their original homelands in Minnesota in 2005. The Dakota 38+2 Memorial Ride came to Mr. Miller, who had no prior knowledge of the mass execution, through a series of visions and dreams. The arduous 330-mile memoriam ride, via horseback, commences on December 10th, on the banks of the Missouri River at the Lower Brule' Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Sixteen days later, a ceremonial ending of the ride occurs at the hanging site in Mankato, Minnesota, 10 AM, December 26th.  The mass execution of the Dakota 38 still leaves Native America searching for healing and reconciliation.

It is a ride of remembrance, healing, and honor for the descendents of those who died protecting their women, children, homes, and the very land they were born upon. The Dakota 38 should move all of us to a conversation. A conversation about healing, unity, education, and reconciliation. The Native American deserves their history be told, in full truth, no matter how ugly history has treated them.  It is time we celebrate America's indigenous people and culture, and set free America's 500 Nations.

They were not just born IN America. They ARE America.

 

[Writer's Note:  REBELMANN's knowledge of the Dakota 38 came about after visiting Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and Wounded Knee in South Dakota, 2012.  The 3 teen brothers will travel to the Lower Brule' Indian Reservation on December 8th to participate in the 330-mile horseback ride to Mankato, Minnesota. Inspired by their story, the teen rock band of brothers wrote their song "INDIAN LAND," and plan on releasing the debut rock single in 2015.]

The Dakota 38 Ride is in need of Donations

Cash donations can be made via check, credit card, Paypal or wire transfer to:

The American Indian Institute - Dakota 38 Ride
502 West Mendenhall Street
Bozeman, MT 59715

For details, contact Gloria Hazell Derby at: gloria_hd@hotmail.com

 

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

2015 London Burlesque Festival

Heads up, blogspot readers, time is now to start making plans to attend the 2015 London Burlesque Festival happening May 15 - 31 held at the legendary venues - Dingwalls, Bush Hall and Fiddler's Bow as well as Conway Hall and Grand Hall after hearing the news of Soho's iconic Madame Jojo's loosing its license and immediate closure. Below are the full details...

All 2015 London Burlesque Festival shows scheduled at Soho's iconic Madame Jojo's have been moved to new venues. After the news of the venue losing their license, and immediate closure, legendary venues Dingwalls, Bush Hall & Fiddler's Elbow join Conway Hall & Grand Hall in hosting the world's largest event of it's kind.

Festival producer Chaz Royal said:

"It's a sad day for Soho and Madame Jojo's will always hold a special place for us, I've been producing events with them since 2005. LBF has always appeared across London and we're very excited to have a diverse roster of venues come on for the 9th Annual 2015 run which is set for 17 days, from 15-31 May. With the change comes larger replacement venues which allow us to bring the cost of those specific tickets down, starting at £9 in our annual Holiday Sale. It's going to be our most ambitious and exciting year yet!"

For the full venue and showcase schedule, please visit:

www.LONDONBURLESQUEFEST.com

Media inquiries: burlesqueking@hotmail.com 

Important LBF Dates:

January 15th- 50% OFF Holiday Sale Ends

January 30th- Performer Application Deadline

March 1st- Performer Schedule Announced

May 15-31st- 2015 London Burlesque Festival 

Check out the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kzu_Y1nids

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

December 2014

It's hard to imagine that an entire year of music, entertainment, fun and more has been posted on this blog, blogspot readers! 

However, just because the winter chill came earlier than expected, it shouldn't keep you away from attending a show or two during the month of December. 

There's plenty to see and do ...free shows ...some all-ages ones as well as notable charity events happening too. Lastly, don't forget to ring in 2015 with your special someone or amongst friends...

Please note, the following events/shows listed are 21+ unless stated otherwise...

Dec 1:

JD Muggs (Addison, IL) - check out mhxradio.com's Toys For Tots 3rd Annual Toy Drive ...donate an unwrapped toy (no stuffed toys or toy weapons) at this kid-friendly event. Meet Santa from 7p - 8p!

Free / AA

Hungry Brain - this will be the Final Chicago Songwriters Alliance showcase at this venue because it will be closing (soon) after 15 years of business ...featured performances by Julie Meckler, Donnie Biggins, Timothy Young and many more.

Free / 8p

Dec 3:

Door No.3 - check out Emigrate Silent's "So Long" listening party!

Free / 8p

Dec 4:

Skooters Road House (Shorewood, IL) - check out A.D.D. when the band performs not only in acoustic and plugged in but rare covers too!

8:30p

Red Line Tap - check out Mod Bread with Dead Horses performing at this Rogers Park venue.

$5 adv / $7 dos

Double Door - it's The Clash (performed by Guns & Ammunition), The Smiths (performed by Handsome Devils), Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (performed by Phil Angotti) and The Cars (performed by Nightlife Babies) rockin' live on this Wicker Park stage!

$8 adv / $10 dos

Quencher's - if you like a blend of rock, folk, electronica, hip hop with a side of introspective, off-bent lyricism and pop smoothie? SouthSide highly recommends checking out her new friend - The Saturday Giant. View the video "When Death Comes" at http://www.vimeo.com/33752501

Cairo Ale House (West Chicago, IL) - attend this music showcase night featuring Amy Stephen performing live as well as audience karaoke.

Dec 5 & 6:

Wicker Park / Lakeview neighborhoods - be on the look out for Krampus as a group of performing artists create mischief and mayhem during their annual Krampus Nacht 2014 Crawl. Revelers are encouraged to come costumed as Krampus, Santa, St. Nicholas, elves etc 

Dec 5:

Chicago Cultural Center - check out Chicago Artists Health Care Town Hall ...a free health care information event designed to assist the indie band / artist in navigating the many health care options and choices. Also get a FREE flu shot!

FREE / 4p - 8p

Columbia College Chicago (618 S. Michigan) - fluff up your holiday shopping with Sid Yiddish and his Candy Store Henchmen at Shop Columbia's 6th Annual Holiday Market.

Free / all ages

Berlin Nightclub - it's Creature Feature:Krampus / Cosmix Friday featuring guest DJ Peter Propaganda with DJ Greg Haus and a special performance by host Baby JoJo!

Double Door - check out the Rory Tyler Band sharing the stage with Jordan Engelhardt, Redfield and Wax Works.

$8 adv / $10 dos

LiveWire Lounge - GET UP & GO (x-members of Rule 22), Apathy Cycle, Burn Rebuild and Butchered will be rockin' live on stage at this Avondale bar/venue.

Empty Bottle - come celebrate with Model Stranger during their 5th Anniversary show featuring special performances by Moon and Stereospeak

$10 / 10p

Metro - SouthSide's friend Honey & the 45s will be celebrating the release of their album MAD featuring Burnside & Hooker, Arbor Creek, Midwest Hype and Mike Flood and Company.

18+ / $12 adv / $15 dos

Dec 6:

Brauerhouse Lombard (Lombard, IL) - celebrate the holiday season with the fun-loving, beer guzzling masters of Polka music - The Polkaholics at their annual bash featuring songs like "I'm Dreaming of a Polka Christmas" and "Sausage and Sauerkraut for Santa" off their Jingle Bells, Schmingle Bells CD,

18+ / 8p

Ye Olde Town Inn - it's Ditchwater, Speedfreak and Hostile rock this venue's stage

$6 / 9p

Elbo Room (downstairs) - Hero Monster Zero will be celebrating an EP release featuring live performances by Starlight & Asphalt, Seth Mercer and The End and Jeff Brown & The New Black.

$10 / 8p

Elbo Room (upstairs) - attend the annual Chords For a Cure Chicago VI featuring live acoustic performances by A Friend Called Fire, MER, The Morning Stares and UMF (Unvisioned Metal Family). 

$10 donation - all proceeds from this event will benefit The Leukemia Research Foundation.

8p

27 Live (Evanston, IL) - Pink Floyd fans check out SouthSide's friend In The Flesh when they perform at their Pink Floyd holiday party! This will be their last performance until 2015...

$12 - $15 / 9p

Harte's Saloon (Evergreen Park, IL) - Digeometric will be rockin' their favorite Southside saloon all night long.

10p

The Old School Records (Forest Park, IL) - it's the Merry Fucking Happy CD release party featuring an in-store performance by Sid Yiddish and His Candy Store Henchmen!

Free / 1p

Metro - attend Gapers Block Holiday Concert featuring Mutts, Archie Powell & The Exports, The Kickback and Pop Goes The Evil

18+ / $9 adv / $12 dos

Dec 7:

Kings Hall Banquets (Lombard, IL) - check out Charytatywne Mikolojki featuring Maggie D, Asia Si, Wanta, DJ Slowak and many more at this event.

 $50 / 12p

Old Town School of Folk Music - Chicago's very own singer/songwriter Linda Marie Smith will be presenting a multi-media show "Mearra - Selkie from the Sea" adaption of the classic  Celtic tale told with original songs and performed with a 6-piece orchestra.

Slippery Slope - it may be too cold outside but attend this unique approach to outdoor movie viewing without the feel of winter's chill ...snuggle under a blanket with that special someone (under weather-proof setting) with fake grass, animals and all the adult juice you can handle when viewing  Bad Santa. Immediately following the movie, there will be a DJ set by $tay Gold.

Free / 8:30p movie start time / Bring a picnic basket too

Dec 8:

Old Fifth-Whiskey, Pizza and Social Fare (1027 W. Madison) - it's Jax's Christmas Mingle ...featuring cocktails, appetizers and music of course holiday cheer and fun benefiting Northern IL Food Bank. The organizers of this event will be collecting non-perishable food donations. Local musician Karl Hafner will be performing an acoustic set.

The $35 admission includes 2drinks, appetizers and a monetary Northern IL Food Bank.

Door No.3 - want to rock to the 80s again? Check out Latest 80s featuring new music by Alternative 80s artists and new artists with 80s influence featuring DJ Detroit aka Andy spinning.

Free / 10p

Dec 9:

Mojoes (Joliet, IL) - it's SNOT performing "Get Some" album in its entirety along with He Is Legend and Thira!

Dec 10:

Door No.3 - attend FABITAT's XXXmas Seasonal Drag Show & Bazaar featuring local artists and pop-up shops for your last minute, one of a kind, unique holiday gift-giving ideas! DJ sets by Adam El and Ldy Prblms with drag performances by Lucy Stoole,  Curlene Ribbon, and more.

Free / 9p

Dec 11:

Arcada Theater (St. Charles, IL) - attend Gary Ho-Ho Hoey's Rockin Holiday Tour which puts a rock edge on your favorite Christmas classics,

tickets are $29 - $49 / 7:30p

For more information, visit http://www.oshows.com or http://www.garyhoey.com.

Progress Bar - have you been "naughty" or "nice"? Find out at Equality IL's "Naughty or Nice" Holiday Social.

Tickets are available at http://www.eqil.org,

$15 adv / $20 at door / 7p

Dec 12:

Liar's Club - rock out with The Fuckers, Gunner's Daughter, Thirty Case Chase and This Obsession at this venue.

Elbo Room - it's a creepy Christmas show not featuring those 3 ghosts from Dicken's A Christmas Carol but live performances by I:Scintilla, Lokk Boxx, The Walking Shadows and 4 Without.

8p

Buddy Guy's Legends - attend the Johnny Winter Remembrance Show with Paul Nelson and The Johnny Winter Band featuring Edgar Winter ...there will be a screening of the documentary"Down and Dirty: The Johnny Winter Story" as well as an acoustic set by Anthony Moser.

Dec 13:

Subterranean - Join local rapper / hip hop master Show You Suck for his free pizza homecoming show featuring special guest BBU.

17+ / Free / 9:30p

Red Line Tap - attend Rock For Tots, a Toys For Tots benefit show featuring live performances by The Telepaths, The Rut, whitewolfsoniceprincess, Elizabeth Gomez and many more.

Admission is FREE by donating an unwrapped toy (NO stuffed toys or toy weapons) / $5 without toy donation

8p

Leo's Music Club (Oakland, CA) - SouthSide's friend Quinn DeVeaux and The Blue Beat with be performing live on stage featuring opening acts Bear Lincoln and Kendra McKinley.

Bada Brew Bar (Crest Hill, IL) - attend Deathamas 2 ...Deathamas Gets Punked! This Toys For Tots benefit show will feature Mandatory Abortions, Sky Doctor, Prison City Brigade and many more.

$5 (with unwrapped toy donation) / $10 (without toy donation) / 7p

Metro - get workout when Workout Music takes over this Wrigleyville venue featuring Sex Therapy, JJ & Dre, Mi Pi and The Aaron Williams Band sharing the bill.

18+ / $12 adv / $15 dos

Bobby McGees (Chicago Ridge, IL) - attend the Heavy Holidays Food Drive/Fundraiser 2014 (night 1) ...featuring live performances by Scientist, Faces of the Bog, Pale Horseman, Oxblood and Running with Tarantulas.

$5 (with non-perishable food donation for Greater Chicago Food Depository) / $10 cover

Dec 14:

Bottom Lounge - attend this show featuring the art rockers The Red Paintings in support of their debut album The Revolution's Never Coming ...check out songs "You're Not One of Them"
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6NSmhxn9V0 and "Wasps"
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-iUVFcwZE4.

Also appearing on stage will be New Year's Day and The Birthday Massacre.

AA / 5:30p

LAMA Chicago HQ (3519 W. Fullerton) - check out the 7th "Holiday Vortex" Pastry, Craft and Vintage Market which will feature a diverse group of Chicago-based vendors selling 100% cruelty-free wares for your unique, one of a kind gift-giving ideas.

Free / 11a

Dec 17:

Door No.3 - be fashionably seen at Rogue! Vintage Holiday Party with special guest Angela Eve! There will be a vintage holiday dress contest with prizes as resident DJs Vourteque and Mr. Automatic spin your favorite electro-swing tunes ...guest sideshow performance by Adam Black as "Babyface" Krampus

FREE with rsvp at http://www.do312.com/RougeChicago.

9p

Dec 18:

Old Town School of Folk Music (Maurer Hall) - pianist George Winston will be featuring his melodic compositions for the fall and winter seasons as well as a few Vince Guaradli's Peanuts pieces and compositions inspired by the New Orleans piano and stride piano traditions ...and perhaps some songs from his upcoming album Spring Carousel - A Cancer Research Benefit.

Dec 19 - 21:

Hyatt Regency O'Hare (Rosemont, IL) - attend CON + ALT + DELETE, an anime convention that celebrates Japanese animation and nerd culture from Dragon Ball Z to Yu-Gi_oh, My Little Pony and so much more. This convention will also feature live appearances by Chicago's very own local villains - V Is For Villains.

Dec 19:

Underground Lounge - it's Heavy Holidays Food Drive/Fundraiser 2014 (night 2) ...featuring Without Waves, Pig Champion, Air Raid and Everything Must Die rockin' this lineup!

Non-perishable food items will be collected and then donated to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Dec 20:

Dutch Inn West (Elgin, IL) - The Brokedowns will be rockin' the stage along with Meat Wave, Rad Payoff and The Usuals.

$6

Side Street Studio Arts (Elgin, IL) - it's the Jingle Bell Jam 2014 featuring Ness, Little Yellow Dog, Crybaby, Red Sulfur Springs and more!

The $12 suggested donation will go to Food for Greater Elgin's "Feed A Family" Holiday Drive.

Reggie's - JFM and Reggie's presents David Costa, SoLo SaM, Cos and Rebecca Brunner Music along with Brandon Fox Project performing on stage. Brandon recently gave SouthSide a sneak peek of his latest single "FeFe" set to drop on Dec 5th - she highly recommends checking it out.
AA / $12 adv / $15 dos / 6p

Dec 21:

Double Door - check out The Retar Crew's Ghost of Christmas Smashed Party featuring special guests The Dirty Dollars and DJ Super Nova!

Free / 9p

Dec 23:

Elbo Room - it's JD3 rockin' the stage live with Mod Syndicate and Goat Motor.

Dec 26 - 29:

City Winery (Chicago) - it's 4 musical nights of performances featuring Poi Dog Pondering!

Dec 26:

Door No.3 - Beyond Luck presents another edition of Interstellar Beats

Free / 10p

Reggie's - it's the 17th Annual Holiday of Horrors featuring Macabre Jungle Rot, Scythe and Armored Assault rockin' the lineup!

17+ / $15 adv / $17 dos / 8p

Dec 31:

Double Door - ring in 2015 with Mucca Pazza featuring My Gold Mask and Fess Grandiose performing a DJ set.

$25 adv / $30 dos / doors 8p

Mayne Stage - Ellis Clark & The Big Parade will be celebrating the new year here along with Liquid Soul and Amazing Heeby Jeebies!

$23 / 8p

House of Blues (Chicago) - Steepwater Band will be performing live at this New Year's Eve show.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

28 Nov 14

"...Black lives matter ...Black lives matter..."

 

That was the chant at yesterday's Black Lives Matter Friday protest across from Chicago's famous Water Tower Place. Despite the crowd of hurried Black Friday shoppers ...some passing by without a glance or two unless stopping to snap or film and the windy bitter winter chill, a steadfast group of protestors joined in solidarity with those protesting in Ferguson, MO against the unfair treatment and injustice by police towards all persons of color. 

Each and every person who stood outside was there to seek justice for Michael Brown's (the young teen who was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson in August) parents and family ...to see that it doesn't happen again to another unarmed person of color. Under the (somewhat) watchful eyes of Chicago's finest, it was a relatively peaceful demonstration in which no one was agitating or inciting a riot. There was no reason to do that. It featured various speakers loudly advocated for justice and change in police tactics. 

There was one person counter protesting the group by holding a sign saying "I love Chicago police and firemen". Please, note not once did any of the protesters said or made a claim of hating the police. They merely questioned the validity of police and its officers use of excessive force against unarmed suspects (i.e. persons wanted in questioning of a crime but not yet formally charged). It was kind of disheartening, blogspot readers, to watch people walk by showing very little interest ...shaking their heads or fists at the protesters and or commenting to themselves "...this doesn't concern me..." 

Actually it does. Injustice should concern everyone ...every man, woman and child. 

It's sad, blogspot readers, ...really that we shall never know or hear Michael Brown's account of what on that Friday afternoon August 8th...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

06 Nov 14

Terror

Thrills

Chills

Horror ...now scream, blogspot readers, as this musician warps the mind and soul with his horrific, terrifying eerie musical sounds within his EDM spectacle - Terrorvision! Inside the darkest of Logan Square's Concord Music Hall, no one will hear you scream when Figure lets the blood (and body parts) fly all around you amidst his heavy bass DJ music performance. Yet it wasn't just the music creating this ominous atmosphere tonight. It was the montage of horror movie clips behind Figure providing the additional spooky creepiness to scare the bejesus out of you, blogspot readers.

That, in a nutshell, blogspot readers, is a fair description of what Terrorvision is all about without giving too much away in this review. Well, SouthSide can mention one more thing - be prepared to dance all night long while listening to the haunting music and viewing the movie clips. Being amongst the spectacle of neon lighting within the dark setting and video, this popular venue was totally transformed into a dark version of Spring Awakening as the fashionable (and mostly costumed) crowd bounced, jiggled etc to Figure's dark EDM sound.

From Chucky to the classic three - Jason, Freddy, Michael to horror classics like Nosferatu and everyone and everything else in between, Figure's Terrorvision was nightmarish trip into the darkest reaches of this musician's twisted mind, blogspot readers. Take caution. It's very, very dark and scary in there. And if you have a weak heart condition, well, don't say SouthSide didn't warn you when you experience this dance scene event yourself. As frightening and terrifying as Terrorvision was, this reviewer loved it! It was like experiencing all the creeps and spookiness of Halloween one week later. 

It was amazing what Figure could do during this show. For example, while showing scenes of  lycan/werewolf transformation (think American Werewolf in London), the rhythmic beats and techno sounds were running in sync to the video clips. Like zombies? Well, so does Figure, blogspot readers, and he gave them their big moments on screen by showing every zombie movie you could think of. Hey, there's a brief (more like a "blink and miss" moment) scene of SouthSide's friend - Kyra Schon aka ghoul girl from Night of the Living Dead!

Not scared yet? Well, you will be the longer you stay within Terrorvision's horrifying realm. And according to Figure, "...there's no turning back..." This reviewer enjoyed how this musician found movie clips rarely shown on tv or found in the local video store. Scenes so disturbing with its many terrifying ways to die at the hands of demented psychopath, blogspot readers. Just remember, you're only getting a small glimpse of what's churning inside Figure's head. Peek any further we all might die from the madness that lurks within. His brainwaves are indeed supersonic ...and should not be taken lightly.

Time for SouthSide's Freddy (of Nightmare on Elm Street - the original with actor Robert Englund) moment. It was so awesome that Figure paid homage to this pop culture horror icon ...even used the iconic Freddy nursery rhyme as part of his music was quite creepy. Oh wow - he pulled out another horror classic ...The Creature from the Black Lagoon ...then it was The Munsters ...and some Beetlejuice - just for fun, blogspot readers. Totally loving the iconic Danny Elfman theme remixed. Wait, since when are Ninja Turtles scary? SouthSide guesses when they're the original movie version of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sort of dancing on screen to Figure's dark music. And for the crowning touch - Dario Argento's Susperia! Besides Profondo Rosso (Deep Red also by Argento), this reviewer was backing happily within Figure's love for the horror and terror. Then it was onward to sci-fi horror scenes like Event Horizon and the Alien movie montage.

Ek ...it's The Blob ...creeping all over the screen!

More just for fun - Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas...

Before SouthSide gives too much away, she'll stop here by recommending all horror and EDM fans to check out Figure's Terrorvision when and where he brings the screams and heavy bass madness to venue near you! For more information including tour dates, visit his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/ImFigure. You can find free music tracks at http://www.soundcloud.com/figure.

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide