Archive for ‘April, 2006’

Bob Schneider show turns into dance party

It wasn’t quite a normal night at the Middle East Downstairs last Friday, when the doors opened at 8 p.m. for a concert that would run until nearly 1:30 in the morning. Groups of both crooning middle-agers and younger individuals looking for a funking good time piled into the club — a good portion of them from Austin, Tex.

ATL pop-punk pleases

Will Pugh doesn’t look like he should be onstage. In his pale blue crewneck shirt and dirty jeans, he looks like any shy, anonymous teenager who wandered over to Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel after finishing Friday classes at one of the schools in Providence. But give Pugh a microphone and his whole demeanor changes.

Quick Reviews 2

ELEFANT The Black Magic Show While Morrissey keeps trying to evolve musically, the original ringleader of sensitive singing over synthetic beats is being constantly tormented by new wave’s new class. With the release of its sophomore album, The Black Magic Show, Elefant should be added to the list of Smiths-influenced, Joy Division-worshipping New York City hipsters.

Fans give Cook the SUperFInger

Skeptics beware: It is possible to perform stand-up comedy “in the round” in an arena. Not only can it be done, it can be done hilariously. Comedian Dane Cook delivered a standout performance in the second show of his sold-out stint at the TD Banknorth Garden Saturday night.

Nothing deviant about Boots

Can a movie succeed in being both entertaining and inspirational? Possibly, but it can also fail on both counts, as new release Kinky Boots shows. The British comedy, from the writer of Calendar Girls, bills itself as a moving tale about breaking stereotypes and finding your own niche in the world.