Ok, so maybe I'm a little biased here, seeing as I'm one of the judges of this years Scrambled Jam, but come out and see us anyway! This is the culmination of 48 hours of collaboration between local film-makers and local bands to produce the best music videos possible in a short time frame. There will be live music and fun prizes to accompany the showings of the video entries. 

Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Workplay
Cost: $8

See you there!

There really isn't much in the way of scheduled events for us to enjoy in the city this evening. There are the usual wine-tastings and bands that play here regularly, but nothing that grabbed my attention. So for today, homework. Go out tonight and discover a new place that you haven't been yet. I'm sure you've been thinking of some new restaurant or gallery that you've wanted to check out. Well, go do it, and report back here if you like. What did you discover? Who did you meet? What new experience did you have? That is all. Have a good one!

There is a ton of great stuff happening tonight in Birmingham, but I have to say that my heart goes to The Goonies, which is playing for free at Homewood Central Park this evening. Here's a preview for those of you who are too young or brain-addled to remember the glories of the Truffle Shuffle:

The Goonies (Original Trailer)

I grew up loving this movie, and it's one of the few films I can watch over and over without getting tired of it. Still, for those not as childishly obsessed as me, there are few other events you might want to choose from.

The Birmingham Museum of Art hosts another Art on the Rocks event tonight, and that's always an eye-candy occasion. This time the music, a California band called Dawes, actually stands up on it's own. Click HERE to buy tickets, which are $15 for Museum members, and $25 for non-members. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and they do really mean 10 p.m.. Last time they turned the lights on right on the hour and had cops yelling and herding us out of the building like unruly teenagers at a house party.

Finally, a great local band The Dexateens are playing at The Nick tonight. here's the line-up:

The Dexateens / Howlies / Hans Condor / Downtown Handshake @ The Nick

Time: 10 p.m.
Cover: $10 (21 and up)

 Alright, make your choices ladies and gentleman, and always remember...the real destination is FUN!

Another Athens band (Futurebirds) has tracked their way into our fair state for a night at the Bottletree, and piqued my my interest. I'm not bowled over or anything, but this seems like it should be a decent show. Lot's of slide guitar, and airy vocals make for a familiar feeling sound, but plenty of interesting accents that keep me from moving on to the next.

Futurebirds / Roadside Graves @ Bottletree

Time: 8 p.m.
Cover: $8 (18 and up)

Here's a video:

Futurebirds - Dirty D 

It's free movie time again, though this time it's indoors and less of a kid's affair. Head down to Bottletree tonight to catch the SHOUT Fim Festival showing of 8: The Mormon Proposition, a film by Reed Cowan that explores the connections between the Morman Church and the passage of California's Proposition 8, which re-banned gay marriage in the state.

Time: 7 p.m.
Cover: $10

Here's a preview of the film:

8: The Mormon Proposition Traile

I recently decided to watch Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, because it was available as an instant view on Netflix, and looked harmlessly entertaining. It was a much better movie than I was expecting. Especially considering they had to manufacture a feature length story out of a children's picture book. So if you're looking for some free and relaxed Friday evening entertainment that both children and adults can enjoy, I suggest you head down to Homewood Central Park at 6PM with a lawn chair and a picnic basket. Here's a preview of the film:

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs Trailer

Hooray me! I just woke up from a well deserved nap after publishing my very first paper as Managing Editor, so there really isn't time to point you to an event tonight. Instead, check out these paintings by Erin Heath which will be hanging in Silvertron Cafe's Bar Gallery.  If you catch this right after I post it, you can head down there for the opening reception between 6-8pm. You can meet the artist, and there will be wine specials and free appetizers, so you can snack while you check out cool rock portraits. For more info, visit www.silvertroncafe.us.

My goodness, Tuesday is turning into a bear. Not much time for dosing today dear readers. I don't know much about LeMaster, and he doesn't have any music up on his myspace, but opening band The Grenadines are excellent local fare.

LeMaster / The Grenadines @ Bottletree

Time: 8 p.m.
Cover: $8 (18 and up)

Here's a video of The Grenadines doing their thing:

The Grenadines LIVE at Old Town Tavern

Morning, 'Hamsters. Hope your Fourth was fun and fire filled. There was no traffic on the freeway this morning, so I guess the bulk of you are staying home today as well. You should be perfectly rested for a night out on the town then, so here is my suggestion:

Heartless Bastards / The Builders and The Butchers / Peter Wolf Crier @ Bottletree

Time: 8 p.m.
Cover: $12 /$14 (18 and up)

Heartless Bastards are the draw here, but I actually quite like Peter Wolf Crier, so make sure you show up earlier than normal so that you can catch some of the opening sets. Here's a video:

Heartless Bastard - Out At Sea (Live on Letterman)

[UPDATE]: Well, I just called to confirm they were open so I could head down there for some refreshment, and there was no answer. The holiday weekend strikes again! I'll see you there next week, and enjoy the fireworks!

When I lived in New York (Astoria, Queens), there was a small pub around the corner named Dillingers, where I spent almost every Sunday. There was one very good reason why. They did brunch right. Here was a place where, because they "knew it had been a rough weekend," you could get brunch with all you can drink mimosas, screwdrivers or bloody marys for about 15 bucks, and brunch lasted for four hours. The portions of the meal you received were huge and delicious, and you could while away the afternoon with your friends under a tree on the patio, satiated and happy.

 Now, I thought this was the norm for a brunch until I moved away from my little Sunday wonderland to join the ranks of this fair city. I realize now what I special thing I had. I've been on the lookout for a great brunch ever since. That is I was on the lookout until I stumbled randomly into Black Market Bar a few Sundays ago. Now I'm fine, thank you very much.

Black Market Brunch doesn't quite live up to the Dillingers legend, because the well of mimosas isn't bottomless, but you can get super-cheap pitchers of them, and in all other respects it actually beats Dillingers hands down. There wasn't a single item on the menu that didn't pique my interest, and the two we ended up with were delicious and both had a nice twist on a traditional brunch menu. French Toast and Marmalade are a perfect compliment. Who knew?

Here's a link to their page:

blackmarketbar280.com

Daikaiju, loosely translated, means giant monster and is usually used to refer to the giant monsters that battle the irrepressible Godzilla in however many countless films he's starred in. That is, unless you're from around these parts and like surf-rock, which is a larger slice of the population pie than you might think. When I was running BHAM.FM, we had these guys on the bill twice, and they've played Workplay and other venues in town more than a few times, and boy do they put on a SHOW! I'm talking masks, giant robots, multimedia show, the works. So, if you'd like to see some unique and frenzied rock and roll tonight, come on down to:

Daikaiju @ Sipsey Tavern

Time: ?
Cover: ?

I contacted Sipsey to find out what the cover and time for this show are, because they don't have it listed, but my guess would be around 9pm and around $5. That's pure speculation though. If they get back to me I'll update this post. in the mean while, check out this video I took of one of their speakeasy concerts:

Daikaiju (Speakeasy '09)

Remember how yesterday I said that you might find the ramblings of a busy man in the pages of this blog? Well, today's the day folks. We're still trying to de-kink the site, and I'm very excited and very nervous about planning my first paper here. Still, I can't express how happy I am to be here, to be able to work hard at the things I enjoy. Thank you to everyone who has expressed kind words and warm welcomes, a little encouragement makes all the difference.

If I had gotten around to doing this post earlier, I would have sent you to see Fantastic Mr. Fox in the Homewood Central Park. If you haven't had the chance to see that movie yet, you should. It's as delightful for adults as it is for children, and it's beautiful to look at to boot. Also, there are few pleasures as soothing as watching a free movie in a park on a summer evening.

Anyway, its 6PM and when I finish this post the important things on my list have all been crossed off. I'll see you tomorrow. I already know what freaky delights lie in store for you then, but I'm not telling.

I didn't start writing about music until I arrived in Birmingham. I've been a musician since I was five, and I've long been known to go on at length without the slightest provocation about my latest fleeting musical passion, but I never wrote seriously or regularly. 

That all changed when I moved here from New York. There were two catalysts, one was my wonder at the high volume of quality music being created here, and the other was my bafflement at the lack of support for that music. I would go to shows that I thought were killers, shows that would have been sold out in New York, and there would be 5, maybe ten people there. Something is wrong, I thought. The only blogs I could find online hadn't been updated in forever (though now I know why, having abandoned one of my own). In my case, as well as the others, we often attempted to accomplish too much, spurred on by love of the scene, letting our grand ideas get the better of us when time and money were too short. Ah, well. We did good, I am sure of it, and one day I hope to go to those same shows I found empty three years ago and find them filled to the gills with fans. 

Which brings me to my point. Back at BHAM.FM, I had a daily post called The Daily Dose. I would listen to all of the bands playing in town that night, choose the one I liked best, and give basic concert information and links to bands, tickets, and videos, so that people could make an informed decision about where to go. I am going to carry on that tradition here at the Weekly, though instead of just concert info, it will expand to cover whatever I decide to share with you, be it music, videos, art, or just the scattered ramblings of a busy man. That being said, here's today:

 I wrote an article about View of the City a little while back, and they are still putting out the funny stuff. The latest episode really had me chuckling, so here's a link so you can take a look. Enjoy!

View of the City Episode 5