Weaving between vivid backdrops of Osaka, Paris, Seoul and Las Vegas, unforgettable images frame the intimate stories of breakdancers who struggle against being misunderstood by larger society and their own families. An American dancer in Vegas looks for his big break; a Korean son seeks his father's approval; a twelve-year-old boy in France confronts his family's racism – all the b-boys' lives collide in Germany where their skills are put to the ultimate test: the "Battle of the Year" finals, with crews from 18 nations vying for the title of World Champion. http://www.planetbboy.com
5.14.2008 | Wed | Beat Circus with Over a Cardboard Sea and The Gargoylez
Boston's Beat Circus got snowed out from a show here in February and we're glad they get a second shot to support their new record called "Dreamland", frontman Brian Carpenter's bizarre old-time gypsy and carnival exploration of personal songs about family and fatherhood in the tradition of Southern Gospel songwriters and Southern Gothic literature. Carpenter leads a nine-piece band of tuba, viola, guitars, banjo, violin and bass featuring members of Kayo Dot, Xiu Xiu, Karate and Cul De Sac. Over A Cardboard Sea and The Gargoylez are new bands to Portland full of familiar faces, banjos, ukeleles, accordians and theatrics.
5.16.2008 | Fri | Reverb: Presented by the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
5pm to 8:30pm, with a live show at 5:30, free, all ages
Have you ever wanted to know more about someone you cross paths with every day? At Salt we search for the extraordinary story in each of us. Thirty students spent the past fifteen weeks exploring the people and places of Maine and documenting their stories. Join us for an evening of unique storytelling in black + white photography, radio documentaries, + nonfiction writing. Enjoy the work on your own at listening + reading stations or come for the live show.
5.17.2008 | Sat | Hometown Heroes and the Portland Phoenix Best Music Poll Festival: The Cambiata with Cougars Kill Cobras and The Rattlesnakes
We're combining our monthly, all-local Hometown Heroes series with the Phoenix BMP Festival. Come check out why these bands are nominees. Local favorites The Cambiata always win big with their intelligent, evolved brand of modern rock. Cougars Kill Cobras haven't been around long enough to be in the music poll but their debut album and smattering of intense live shows have already won everyone's hearts and The Rattlesnakes are just about the coolest indie punk band we could hope to have in Portland.
Selections from The Merchant of Venice and other classic Shakespeare plays, presented as part of Acorn’s Naked Shakespeare series.
5.22.2008 | Thurs | The First Annual Portland Indie Biz Awards
6:30-10pm, $8 for Buy Local Members and Employees of Buy Local Members,
$10 Advance Tickets, General Public,
$15 Day of Ticket Sales, General Public Buy tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com
The First Annual Portland Indie Biz Awards will recognize the leaders among Portland’s vibrant independent business community and showcase the impact that independently owned businesses have on greater Portland and the state of Maine. The event will include live music, a silent auction, and awesome food and drink from local businesses.
5.24.2008 | Sat | Joe Lally with The Glorytellers and Huak
You’ve most likely enjoyed the sound of Joe Lally’s bass guitar from his days in Fugazi. Since then he’s been releasing solo records on Dischord, but they’re never really solo, instead featuring collaborations with D.C. music scene friends using his bass lines as an anchor. He’s got friends with him for the tour, too. The Glorytellers are a indie supergroup featuring members of Karate, Secret Stars, Cul de Sac, Ida, Him and Mice Parade. How’s that for credentials?
5.28.2008 | Wed | Surfwise: The Amazing True Odyssey of the Paskowitz Family
Like many American outsider-adventurers, Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz set out to realize a utopian dream. Abandoning a successful medical practice, he sought self-fulfillment by taking up the nomadic life of a surfer. But unlike other American searchers like Thoreau or Kerouac, Paskowitz took his wife and nine children along for the ride, all eleven of them living in a 24 foot camper. Together, they lived a life that would be unfathomable to most, but enviable to anyone who ever relinquished their dreams to a straight job. The Paskowitz Family proved that America may be running out of frontiers, but it hasn’t run out of frontiersman. http://www.surfwisefilm.com
Review in the New York Times: http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/movies/09surf.html Listen to one of the Paskowitz sons talk with Terri Gross on "Fresh Air"
5.29.2008 | Thurs | Time-Lag Presents: Kemialliset Ystävät with The Skaters and Cursillistas
Local psych purveyor Time-Lag Records presents a rare opportunity to see a group from waaay across the pond. Finland's Kemialliset Ystävät work in short, spooling instrumentals, building layers and weaving ghosts of noise songs into huge tunnels of etherea with moldy acoustic instruments and almost broken electronics. The Skaters are a cosmic drone unit based in San Francisco and local favorite Cursillistas returns to wave their freak flag. http://www.kemiallisetystavat.com
6.20.2008 | Fri | Brothers Unconnected: A Tribute To Charles Gocher & Sun City Girls with Fire On Fire
Formed in 1981 by brothers Richard and Alan Bishop and percussionist Charlie Gocher, Sun City Girls rendered an eclectic mix of every musical style one can think of -- demented surf, Indian and Asian improvisation, free-form noise, fractured folk, you name it -- with doses of kabuki theater, shadow puppetry, and maverick guerilla stagecraft thrown in. Sadly, Charles Gocher passed away on February 19th, 2007 from a long battle with cancer. Brothers Unconnected will feature Charles' video experiments followed by Alan and Richard performing Sun City Girls songs as an acoustic guitar duet. This tour will most likely be the only time this show will be presented as such and is a tribute both to Charles Gocher and selected music from the 27 year legacy of Sun City Girls. Opening are Sun City Girls compañeros, Portland's own beloved Fire On Fire. http://www.suncitygirls.com http://www.myspace.com/fireonfiremusic
6.28.2008 | Sat | You Can Get There From Here! Professional Development Workshops for Emerging Artists
9am - 5pm, $10 includes lunch for pre-registrants. Scolarships available.
Program Get Noticed: When to pursue grad school, grants, residencies, galleries, art fairs and museums Working It: Building relationships in person and online Getting Some: Lunch and speed networking on what's next for you Get it Together:
How to balance your studio work, day job, checkbook and calendar.
Pre-Register = Lunch on us! Lunch is included only for participants that pre-register. To register, contact Tina Mann at 207/287-2724 or tina.p.mann@maine.gov. Cost of the event will be paid at check-in.
Questions? Call Melissa Potter at 201/239-4521.
Application First Aid available. Bring your application for grad school, residency or grant to be reviewed.
