Two Days. 26 Hours total. That's how long I spent in some form of motion or another Sunday and Monday. While I put on my best game face and sucked it up for the good cause at HotHouse Sunday (thanks to those who did come out. We raised $15,000 and had close to 600 people walk through the doors from 2 p.m. through midnight), yesterday was spent running errands, doing laundry, and holding down the fort at HotHouse last night for another round of Yoko Noge's Jazz Me Blues.
I've worked Monday nights at HotHouse for over five years now. And in that time I've memorized every word Yoko sings in English and Japanese; the on-stage banter between her and John Watson; what each band member drinks and when; and when the final set of the evening will consist of two or four songs. I've come to appreciate that kind of stability in the workplace.
Which is probably what made last night even more of a shock to my system.
It actually started three weeks ago when Avreeyal Ra, Yoko's ace drummer, stopped wearing his rainbow -colored knit hat. I have a few theories as to why he did this. Regardless, he looks good without it- he wears his hair in a nice squared off flattop with slightly graying temples that I envy- and as the "band mother" I have to mention that to him in a positive way. But last night yoko had a special guest- a popular comedian from Tokyo who is also a good guitar player and singer.
He walked into HotHouse and immediately commanded attention: clad head-to-toe in black; shades; hair in a crewcut; a small entourage flanking him videotaping his every move and hanging on his every word. Yoko invited him onstage during her second set and he blew up the stage. His first song was all grunts and hard chords. His second song was a monologue apparently inspired by Frank Zappa's "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow." He kept singing in Japanese all night, occasionally throwing a reference to Chicago:
"Ah, bonsainagasakiyoshimibeatsthepinkrobotsCHICAGOPIZZA!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!"
It went on like that the rest of the night. I was dumbstruck; completely in awe. Just when the evening couldn't get more surreal yoko added the cherry to the sundae. She's always been good about reading her audiences, which made her decision to play a chorus of "Sweet Home Chicago" even more daring. A chorus was all she needed, since that's what every other blues musician in the city plays of it, anyway. And the audience was satisfied. I thought I would go to my grave never hearing her play that song, but she made the correct decision and the crowd was cauht up in the rush.
As I hailed a cab last night I felt warm. It felt good to know that after five years Yoko Noge can still surprise me.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Friday, January 07, 2005
Chafed... Metaphorically
So I was up early yesterday to lay posters around the neighborhood for the HotHouse Tsunami Relief Benefit on Sunday and I headed toward the Bridgeport Coffee House. Until I went in there every business I asked to hang a poster had been very amenable to hanging a poster, understanding the gravity of the situation in Southeast Asia right now.
I walked into the Coffee House and askede the owner if I could hang the poster. "Where is the fundraiser being held?" He asked. When I told him that HotHouse was in the South Loop, he hesitated and said, "No."
I was slightly shocked that he would refuse to let me hang the poster, being that it is for a charitable cause; it was his decision and I was content to respect it. Until he felt the need to explain his reasoning, unprodded.
"If the benefit were being held in the neighborhood, I'd say 'yeah.' But it isn't doing anything for the neighborhood."
To add insult to injury, I bought a mocha after he told me that. I was too shocked to wonder if my jaw dropped when he told me that, but went through the rest of the day hanging more posters and arranging for liquor and beverage companies to donate product for the event. I walked west on 31st Street; if I were in my angry days that mocha would've found its way splattered on the door of the coffee house. But I'm not and I was slightly chilly.
Late in the afternoon I sent an e-mail update to the office and realyed the story about the Bridgeport Coffee house in the e-mail. Marguerite responded as she was leaving for the evening about a similar experience she had with the managers of Swedish Bakery in Andersonville. She also said that many upscale boutiques in her neighborhood outright refused to let her hang posters.
Although I appreciated the sympathy, I still couldn't let the Bridgeport Coffee House incident go. Particularly the line: "It isn't doing anything for the neighborhood." My friends will tell you that I'm as proud of my neighborhood as anyone. I patronize the local businesses as often as I can, keeping my money in the neighborhood. But a bullshit line like that is exactly the type of line that people in Bridgeport- for that matter the South Side of Chicago- need to rehabilitate if we expect the kind of growth, transformation, and influx of new residents that we want to see.
Otherwise attitudes like the owner of the Bridgeport Coffee House aren't doing anything for the neighborhood, either. Except getting people ready for the inevitable Starbuck's.
I walked into the Coffee House and askede the owner if I could hang the poster. "Where is the fundraiser being held?" He asked. When I told him that HotHouse was in the South Loop, he hesitated and said, "No."
I was slightly shocked that he would refuse to let me hang the poster, being that it is for a charitable cause; it was his decision and I was content to respect it. Until he felt the need to explain his reasoning, unprodded.
"If the benefit were being held in the neighborhood, I'd say 'yeah.' But it isn't doing anything for the neighborhood."
To add insult to injury, I bought a mocha after he told me that. I was too shocked to wonder if my jaw dropped when he told me that, but went through the rest of the day hanging more posters and arranging for liquor and beverage companies to donate product for the event. I walked west on 31st Street; if I were in my angry days that mocha would've found its way splattered on the door of the coffee house. But I'm not and I was slightly chilly.
Late in the afternoon I sent an e-mail update to the office and realyed the story about the Bridgeport Coffee house in the e-mail. Marguerite responded as she was leaving for the evening about a similar experience she had with the managers of Swedish Bakery in Andersonville. She also said that many upscale boutiques in her neighborhood outright refused to let her hang posters.
Although I appreciated the sympathy, I still couldn't let the Bridgeport Coffee House incident go. Particularly the line: "It isn't doing anything for the neighborhood." My friends will tell you that I'm as proud of my neighborhood as anyone. I patronize the local businesses as often as I can, keeping my money in the neighborhood. But a bullshit line like that is exactly the type of line that people in Bridgeport- for that matter the South Side of Chicago- need to rehabilitate if we expect the kind of growth, transformation, and influx of new residents that we want to see.
Otherwise attitudes like the owner of the Bridgeport Coffee House aren't doing anything for the neighborhood, either. Except getting people ready for the inevitable Starbuck's.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Giving Your Part
I won't give you my deep thoughts on the tsunami in Southeast Asia- what is understood doesn't need to be discussed. I do implore you to help out any way you can- give blood, money, labor; whatever you can bring to the relief effort do so.
To that end, please try to come for this as HotHouse and the clubs working with them have pledged $100,000 for the relief effort. Every penny matters:
Goal: HotHouse’s goal is to raise $100,000 in January for organizations aiding victims of the tsunami. 100 percent of the proceeds from the benefit concerts will go to relief organizations.
Who: Frank Orrall (of Poi Dog Pondering), members of Funkadesi, Sam Prekop (of The Sea and Cake), Kalyan Pathak & Jazzmata, The Goran Ivanovic Group, The Yoko-Tatsu Asian Experience, DJ Warp with Adeesh Sathaye of San Fransisco’s Dhamaal, Hicham Chami’s Trio Mosaic, Raiz Viva with Alexey Lanza, the Pintig Cultural Group, Robert Karimi, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Raul Fernandez and Mitote, Michigan Avenue Cantori, Dance 2XS, and Gingarte Capoeira. Additional Artists TBA.
When: Sunday,January 9, 2pm to 10pm
Where: HotHouse,31 E. Balbo,(312) 362-9707,www.hothouse.net
Tickets: $25 suggested donation
Purchase tickets in advance at 312.362.9707 or www.hothouse.net
To that end, please try to come for this as HotHouse and the clubs working with them have pledged $100,000 for the relief effort. Every penny matters:
Goal: HotHouse’s goal is to raise $100,000 in January for organizations aiding victims of the tsunami. 100 percent of the proceeds from the benefit concerts will go to relief organizations.
Who: Frank Orrall (of Poi Dog Pondering), members of Funkadesi, Sam Prekop (of The Sea and Cake), Kalyan Pathak & Jazzmata, The Goran Ivanovic Group, The Yoko-Tatsu Asian Experience, DJ Warp with Adeesh Sathaye of San Fransisco’s Dhamaal, Hicham Chami’s Trio Mosaic, Raiz Viva with Alexey Lanza, the Pintig Cultural Group, Robert Karimi, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Raul Fernandez and Mitote, Michigan Avenue Cantori, Dance 2XS, and Gingarte Capoeira. Additional Artists TBA.
When: Sunday,January 9, 2pm to 10pm
Where: HotHouse,31 E. Balbo,(312) 362-9707,www.hothouse.net
Tickets: $25 suggested donation
Purchase tickets in advance at 312.362.9707 or www.hothouse.net
Monday, January 03, 2005
Small Acts of Kindness
I won't waste any words with regard to last week's tsunami in Southeast Asia as now is the time to act. Give whatever you can- blood, money, time and services. But do something. Contrary to one editorial I read about the tragedy in the Sun-Times today, we still live in the one nation recognized as the lone remaining superpower, and as such we have an obigation to the rest of the world to help in times of need
I received this from work this evening. If you can please show up and give what you can.
When: Sunday, January 9th, 2 p.m.-10 p.m. .
Where: HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo Ave., (312) 362-9707, www.hothouse.net
Line-up: Frank Orrall (of Poi Dog Pondering); members of Funkadesi; Sam Prekop (of The Sea and Cake); Kalyan Pathak & Jazzmata; The Goran Ivanovic Group; The Yoko-Tatsu Asian Experience;DJ Warp with Adeesh Sathaye of San Fransisco’s Dhamaal, Hicham Chami’s Trio Mosaic, Raiz Viva with Alexey Lanza, the Pintig Cultural Group, Robert Karimi, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Raul Fernandez and Mitote, Michigan Avenue Cantori, Dance 2XS, and Gingarte Capoeira. Additional Artists TBA.
Goal: To raise $100,000 in January for organizations aiding victims of the tsunami. 100 percent of the proceeds from the events will go to the relief organizations.
Cost: A $25 donation is suggested, although we'll take what we can get.
We're also planning a January 26th concert with Funkadesi to aid the relief organizations. So if you can show up and support please do.
I received this from work this evening. If you can please show up and give what you can.
When: Sunday, January 9th, 2 p.m.-10 p.m. .
Where: HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo Ave., (312) 362-9707, www.hothouse.net
Line-up: Frank Orrall (of Poi Dog Pondering); members of Funkadesi; Sam Prekop (of The Sea and Cake); Kalyan Pathak & Jazzmata; The Goran Ivanovic Group; The Yoko-Tatsu Asian Experience;DJ Warp with Adeesh Sathaye of San Fransisco’s Dhamaal, Hicham Chami’s Trio Mosaic, Raiz Viva with Alexey Lanza, the Pintig Cultural Group, Robert Karimi, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Raul Fernandez and Mitote, Michigan Avenue Cantori, Dance 2XS, and Gingarte Capoeira. Additional Artists TBA.
Goal: To raise $100,000 in January for organizations aiding victims of the tsunami. 100 percent of the proceeds from the events will go to the relief organizations.
Cost: A $25 donation is suggested, although we'll take what we can get.
We're also planning a January 26th concert with Funkadesi to aid the relief organizations. So if you can show up and support please do.
And A "Baba-Booey" To You, Too!!
If I had to choose between cold rain and just cold in January I guess this would be the lesser of two evils. Normally I would be manning the bar this this evening, but we're shut down for renovations until Friday- specifically we're re-upholstering the booths and lying new carpet in the main space. So today was a good time to catch up on end-of-year paperwork. And I have to drag that out until tomorrow when the vendors come a-callin' for their money.
The bottom line is that I find myself in the unusual position of having time on my hands on a Monday night. So I've spent the afternoon doing some extraneous cleaning, minor home improvement and web-surfing. I came across this wonderful piece on Salon about the late Reggie White that I highly recommend.
For those of us who've ridiculed the sight of athletes, actors, or musicians thanking God for their worldly achievements and accompanying financial reward, the article is simultaneously heart-wrenching and respectful- sincere, in fact- about White's faith and his evolving relationship with God away from the gridiron. Reggie White was a large reason I flirted with the notion of attending the University of Tennessee after high school before deciding on military service. He seemed like one of the handful of athletes who belief in God was genuine: so much that in retirement he was learning Hebrew so he could study the Old Testament without translation, which frightened his peers in the ministry so much that many distanced themselves from him.
I'm not religious by any means, but this was an unvarnished portrait of a man with unwavering faith. Please read it.
I Will Sell Someone On This Neighborhood Today!! I Will Sell Someone On This Neighborhood Today!!
Actually I didn't have that in mind when Michelle came down to do a walking tour of Bridgeport Friday afternoon. Her search on the north side of the city had been, to that point, fruitless, and I graciously offered to show her around the neighborhood in the hopes that she might be charmed by the peculiarities of the Near South Side of Chicago. We were walking down Morgan, past the Bridgeport Coffee House. I was talking about how the neighborhood was safe when, while trying to cross 32nd Street, a kid driving a beat-up Ford Aerostar minivan came screeching into a turn and the driver's side door flew open about eight feet from us.
"Oh shit!!" the kid shrieked as he fought to shut the door while trying to stay in the van at the same time.
Michelle looked at me, her mouth agape. "Although some of the kids like to test the boundaries of safe driving laws", was all I could muster. The rest of the walking tour went without incident as I took her past the townhome development on Racine and then to Puffer's for a beer. Yesterday I was eating a slice of kugelis at Healthy Food Lithuanian restaurant when Michelle called me on the cell. She'd signed a lease on a two-bedroom in Logan Square that was steps from the Blue Line (one of her requirements for apartment hunting). I didn't begrudge her, but I couldn't help but feel a bit like Anette Bening in "American Beauty": "I will sell this house today! I will sell this house today!"
Which leads me to what's happening outside the window as I write this right now. Streets and Sanitation is fixing a water main leak in front of my house that's left the street slick all weekend and half the block- including my apartment- without water for the past two hours. They just got around to it this evening.
And not a hired truck in sight.
The bottom line is that I find myself in the unusual position of having time on my hands on a Monday night. So I've spent the afternoon doing some extraneous cleaning, minor home improvement and web-surfing. I came across this wonderful piece on Salon about the late Reggie White that I highly recommend.
For those of us who've ridiculed the sight of athletes, actors, or musicians thanking God for their worldly achievements and accompanying financial reward, the article is simultaneously heart-wrenching and respectful- sincere, in fact- about White's faith and his evolving relationship with God away from the gridiron. Reggie White was a large reason I flirted with the notion of attending the University of Tennessee after high school before deciding on military service. He seemed like one of the handful of athletes who belief in God was genuine: so much that in retirement he was learning Hebrew so he could study the Old Testament without translation, which frightened his peers in the ministry so much that many distanced themselves from him.
I'm not religious by any means, but this was an unvarnished portrait of a man with unwavering faith. Please read it.
I Will Sell Someone On This Neighborhood Today!! I Will Sell Someone On This Neighborhood Today!!
Actually I didn't have that in mind when Michelle came down to do a walking tour of Bridgeport Friday afternoon. Her search on the north side of the city had been, to that point, fruitless, and I graciously offered to show her around the neighborhood in the hopes that she might be charmed by the peculiarities of the Near South Side of Chicago. We were walking down Morgan, past the Bridgeport Coffee House. I was talking about how the neighborhood was safe when, while trying to cross 32nd Street, a kid driving a beat-up Ford Aerostar minivan came screeching into a turn and the driver's side door flew open about eight feet from us.
"Oh shit!!" the kid shrieked as he fought to shut the door while trying to stay in the van at the same time.
Michelle looked at me, her mouth agape. "Although some of the kids like to test the boundaries of safe driving laws", was all I could muster. The rest of the walking tour went without incident as I took her past the townhome development on Racine and then to Puffer's for a beer. Yesterday I was eating a slice of kugelis at Healthy Food Lithuanian restaurant when Michelle called me on the cell. She'd signed a lease on a two-bedroom in Logan Square that was steps from the Blue Line (one of her requirements for apartment hunting). I didn't begrudge her, but I couldn't help but feel a bit like Anette Bening in "American Beauty": "I will sell this house today! I will sell this house today!"
Which leads me to what's happening outside the window as I write this right now. Streets and Sanitation is fixing a water main leak in front of my house that's left the street slick all weekend and half the block- including my apartment- without water for the past two hours. They just got around to it this evening.
And not a hired truck in sight.
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