September 2008 Archives

Wed, Oct. 1st offers a way to hear swinging music and help boost Obama's chances. (see below)

But first, a brief history of the presidency since 1980, via music:

Reagan     pretend cowboy           country music

Bush 1      oilman                        country music

Clinton      pretend saxophonist     jazz

Bush 2      pretend cowboy/          sound of bombs dropping

                failed oilman

McCain?   pretend maverick         sounds of bombs dropping/drills drilling?

Obama?    real maverick              jazz?

(the following from my forthcoming Blu Notes column in Jazziz):

When I called up pianist Aaron Goldberg, he'd just returned from touring in Brazil. In between studio sessions with his trio, he was busy planning "A Concert of America's Future" -- a benefit for Barack Obama's campaign with an impressive lineup of musicians.

Goldberg remembers feeling similarly inspired in 2004. "I saw my progressive-leaning friends, especially the musicians, getting apathetic," he said. "They didn't realize that, despite everything that had gone on, despite the Iraq war, it was quite possible that George Bush might be re-elected." He felt like his community of musicians had to do something. He decided to organize a fundraiser for John Kerry's campaign, and began making calls.

Monday, 9/22, 7pm: 

The Public Theater asked me to moderate a panel discussion on post-Katrina New Orleans, to follow a FREE reading from the "The Breach," a new play by Catherine Fillloux, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Joe Sutton, that interweaves three flood-related tales. I've yet to read the play but have heard only good things about it. And I'm happy that it will serve as a springboard for a larger discussion. My panelists include: New York Daily News journalist Nicole Bode, who covered Katrina and its aftermath; Robert Carey, Vice President of the International Rescue Committee's Resettlement Department; and academic Lee Clarke, author of Worst Cases: Terror and Catastrophe in the Popular Imagination.

For more on the play and the panel, look here.

RESERVATIONS: thebreach@publictheater.org; or call 212-539-8597; first-come, first-serve basis

Monday, 10/6, 7pm: 

I'll be among the readers at a release party for the new book, Best Music Writing 2008. I'm honored to have my story, "Band on the Run in New Orleans" in there, tucked between the writing of some brilliant colleagues. (Especially to have a piece on New Orleans selected.) I'll read an excerpt. Fellow readers include: Nelson George (the book's guest editor); Gary Giddins; Jody Rosen; and Sam Kashner.

The Half King Pub

505 W 23RD ST

NEW YORK, NY 10011

TEL: 212.462.4300

http://www.thehalfking.com/

http://www.funboring.com/bestmusicwriting