Smash Blogging: Episodes 1 and 2

Getting the last laugh. Where's your Taylor Hicks now?

It’s about time we popped the cherry on television reviewing on Spinning Platters. Any time there’s a new NBC show about the creation of a new Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe starring an American Idol runner-up, we’ll be there! Even better if the hype machine is dialed up high, saying it’s going to be an “adult Glee.” I mean, I’m an adult, and I think Glee sucks, so this must be the show for me. And is it ever? It’s everything I’d hoped it would be, and also far, far less. It’s a fascinating, horrible mess, and I’m hooked after two episodes of diverse quality (one’s good; one sucks). Let me explain why. Continue reading “Smash Blogging: Episodes 1 and 2”

Spinning Platters Guide To Noise Pop 2012

For the last 20 years, the good folks of Noise Pop have turned a single show at Kennel Club (now known as The Independent) into a huge, weeklong festival that causes Bay Area music nerds to clear their calendar every year. In recent years, the fest has expanded beyond music- we have movies, craft fairs, and literary events in addition to one of the best programmed music fests you will ever go to. Go to 2012.noisepop.com for a full listing, but if you want to know what I think you should go to, follow the jump!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Guide To Noise Pop 2012”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/16/12-2/22/12

We are on our way to the beginning of Noise Pop…  But, since you are addicted to show going like I am, I have prepared a list of warm up gigs that you should attend. I know that I will be!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/16/12-2/22/12”

5 Things I Learned at the 10th SF MusicTech Summit on 2/13/2012

Photo by Kara Murphy
Legal issues were all the rage at the SF MusicTech Summit, but I've never concerned myself much with the law in this area.

This week was the 10th SF MusicTech Summit at The Hotel Kabuki in Japantown, and while Spinning Platters has been covering this event since the beginning, this was the first time I personally got to attend. The event serves mainly as a chance for everyone in the music tech world to catch everyone else up on what they’re doing, congratulate themselves on how well they’re all doing, and look for money and engineers; however, sometimes you can learn things. Here’s what I learned. Continue reading “5 Things I Learned at the 10th SF MusicTech Summit on 2/13/2012”

Show Review: Nikka Costa with Terraplane Sun at Red Devil Lounge, 2/12/2012

The incomparable Nikka Costa

Why the world still has yet to catch on to what they’ve been missing all these years in Nikka Costa is a mystery to me, and frankly has been for more than a decade now.  That said, though I wish her all the success in the world, I don’t really mind that she has a small-but-dedicated cult following rather than fans to fill arenas, because it allows me opportunities to see her in small venues like the Roxy in LA, the Independent here in SF, and this past weekend, the absolutely tiny Red Devil Lounge.  Better still, I’m finally learning that if Ms. Costa is going to have an opening act, it’ll likely be a musician or band she’s chosen herself, as was the case with last night’s opener, Terraplane Sun. Continue reading “Show Review: Nikka Costa with Terraplane Sun at Red Devil Lounge, 2/12/2012”

Sketchfest Review: The Groundlings “The Black Version” (1/22/2012)

The Black Version by Tommy Lau
by Tommy Lau

Fact: The Eureka Theater hosts some of the best comedy in the in the world. Fact: The Groundlings are a legendary Los Angeles improv company with alumni including Will Ferrell, Kristen Wigg and more. Fact: “The Black Version” is not a racially specific interpretation of Beverly Winwood Presents: The Actor’s Showcase. Fact: San Francisco’s black population was 6.1% in 2010. Fact: The black population of The Black Version’s cast was 100%. Fact: Comedy is proven to be simultaneously colorful and colorblind. Continue reading “Sketchfest Review: The Groundlings “The Black Version” (1/22/2012)”

Film Review: “W.E.”

James D'Arcy and Andrea Riseborough in W.E.

starring: Abbie Cornish, Andrea Riseborough, Oscar Isaac, James D’Arcy, Richard Coyle, James Fox, Judy Parfitt

written by: Madonna and Alek Keshishian

directed by: Madonna

MPAA: Rated R for some domestic violence, nudity and language

Continue reading “Film Review: “W.E.””

Film Review: “The Vow”

Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams in THE VOW

starring: Channing Tatum, Rachel McAdams, Jessica Lange, Sam Neill, Scott Speedman, Wendy Crewson

written by: Jason Katims, Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein, and Michael Sucsy

directed by: Michael Sucsy

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for an accident scene, sexual content, partial nudity and some language

Continue reading “Film Review: “The Vow””

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/9/12-2/15/12

Comin' To Oakland!

February is a pretty nutty month for shows in SF. And that’s not just counting Noise Pop… The weeks warming up to Noise Pop are pretty insane, too! So, clear your schedule, and go out to a few shows!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/9/12-2/15/12”

Sketchfest Review: Greg Behrendt & The Reigning Monarchs: “Bring The Rock” at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 2/4/12

Photo By VickyPezza

Sketchfest, the three week long behemoth of a comedy festival came to a mind-melting close on Saturday night. Although there were some more popular events with bigger stars, nothing stood up to the sheer volume of “Bring The Rock.”  This was, quite literally, the first time I ever needed to wear ear plugs at a comedy club.Yes, other shows were fun, but nothing could prepare you for this epic event.

Continue reading “Sketchfest Review: Greg Behrendt & The Reigning Monarchs: “Bring The Rock” at Cobb’s Comedy Club, 2/4/12″