Chapel Hill's Superchunk had its heyday in the '90s but remains relevant and holds a place in the hearts of aging DIY folks , indie kids, punk rockers and many others of tastes across the rock spectrum. The band gets love and respect for their sweet 'n' tasty mix of pop confection, smart songwriting and propulsive rawk energy. What's more, they pioneered the Merge music label (Spoon, M. Ward and a jillion others).
Superchunk returns to the bay area to headline the Skatepark of Tampa's annual anniversary concert blowout with the likewise foot-stomping Titus Andronicus from N.J. and Tampa hellraisers New Bruises (incidentally named after a Superchunk tune). Read more about the headliner in Scott Harrell's Music Column.
Superchunk headlines Skatepark of Tampa’s Tampa Am 18-Year Anniversary Party with support by Titus Andronicus and New Bruises, Sat., Dec. 4, 8 p.m. doors, Czar, Ybor City, $10 (all ages).
Repeat after me: Free! Freeeeee! If for some reason, you can't go to Superchunk or any of the other events that require dough to gain entry, head to Jannus Live at 7 p.m. for the Friday Night Fallout. The second concert in Jannus Live’s free first Friday series features a couple of the Bay area’s most compelling rock n’ roll bands – power trio The Beauvilles, led by animal magnetism-wielding frontman, Shawn Kyle Beauville, and psyche-garage foursome Tres Bien, ostensibly from Clearwater, though this is only their second show after a move to Pennsylvania. (Information reaped from Music Editor Leilani Polk's Upcoming Concerts page.)
Fused, the next exhibit at Silver Meteor Gallery, has all the makings of a worlds-colliding experience – it bridges the audio and the visual with an intimate, personal touch.
For the exhibit, musicians have provided a piece of original music to visual artist partners. The visual artist creates an interpretation of the audio piece, and during the show, attendees get to view the visual artwork while listening to the song through headphones. Participating musicians and artists include Leah Renee Pecoraro and Jesse Thelonius Vance, Jeremy Gloff and Mike Leffler, Jay Doubledutch Stolz and Jerry Cahill, Maciek Klosinski and Brian Berry, and Carlos Culbertson with Rebekah Pulley and Rob Pastore.
Pictured here is an installation by Cindy Arriola, a.k.a. Ima $ynner, and Angela Dickerson; their musician, Donald Butler and their song is "Let's get sewn together."
The exhibition opens Saturday, Dec. 4, from 8 to 11 p.m., and continues through Sunday, Dec. 19. Proceeds from $2 admission benefit the Homeless Emergency Project and the gallery. Closing party 6-9 p.m. Sun., Dec. 19, 2213 E. Sixth Ave, Ybor City, 813-300-3585.
Florida Institute for Community Studies hosts its festive anniversary celebration, Mambo No. 8, on Fri., Dec. 3, at the Doubletree Hotel Westshore, 500 W. Cypress St., Tampa.
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and silent auction begin at 6:30 p.m. and the festivities kick off at 7:30 p.m. In keeping with the mambo theme, FICS invites participants to dress in '40s style clothing, such as zoot suits.
The event's mambo theme came from staff and board, who reminisced about the organization’s ability to dance and remain agile even in difficult times. FICS was born in 2001, the idea of a group of students, professors, university personnel and activists who wanted a vehicle to work at the grassroots level to bridge the gaps that exist for cultural communities across the state.
Fri., Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40, $75 per couple, includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner, entertainment, beverage and dessert. For more information, call 813-249-8100 or e-mail Alayne@tampabay.rr.com. ficsinc.org.
Tampa Bay theatergoers count on Jobsite’s edgy and innovative productions for thought-altering inspiration. In the same spunky vein, the company puts on Jobsite Rocks VII, its annual high-octane bene-fete at New World Brewery. A season wrap-party and main fundraiser for the 12-year old company, Jobsite Rocks features music from the Pale Orchestra: A Tribute to Morphine (John Nowicki and friends), Famous Monsters of Filmland (ex-Nessie’s Scott Harrell and friends) and headliner The Vodkanauts (who have played every single Jobsite Rocks event; pictured here). A prize drawing includes overnights at the Don Cesar, gift certificates to restaurants, Tampa Theatre and baskets o' booze donated by The Hub.
Raffles take place live from the stage throughout the evening, and cost $2 each, six for $10 or 13 for $20. The 2009-10 season was Jobsite's most successful to date in terms of overall tickets sold, gross sales and fundraising, but they still need your help financially and assistance in rocking out.
9 p.m. Sat., Dec. 4, New World Brewery, 1313 E Eighth Ave., Ybor. Admission is a minimum donation at the door of $8. Receipts for personal or tax purposes will be available. Donations may be made online by visiting JobsiteTheater.org or mailing checks to P.O. Box 7975, Tampa, FL 33673-7975.
This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2010.