Tag Archives: AAC

Of Madonna and Big Tex

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Oct. 19, 2012, may we be considered Dallas’ Black Friday — or at least, Blackened Friday.

The day began with the surprising news that Big Tex, the animatronic corporate logo for the State Fair of Texas (the Fair’s website is even BigTex.org), caught fire and burned up faster than a joint in Snoop Dogg’s trailer. Pictures of the flamer (I knew it!) became the latest meme to dominate Facebook; news sourced from as far away as the BBC reported on it.

Then, less than 12 hours later, came more devastating news: Madonna was canceling the first of her two concerts at American Airlines Center. I was at an event with tons of gay folks, and the news spread faster … well, faster than flames over Big Tex.

How much can one community be expected to endure?!?!

The thing is, neither of these event is, really, such a big deal. Oohhhh, Madonna has laryngitis; it happens. She still performed last night (and, by all accounts, was fully recovered) and so many of her fans still got what they wanted. And Big Tex? Well, the fair was almost over anyway, and while the majority of the skeleton may have been around for 60 years, it was, in the end, a badly dressed scaffolding with a loudspeaker in his chest. It was not, in the end, a tragedy of any sort.

So why were people acting as if both of them were?

Continue reading “Of Madonna and Big Tex” »

—  Arnold Wayne Jones

This week’s takeaways: Life+Style

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The Bruce Wood Dance Project has three more performances of the choreographer’s new show at Booker T. Washington in the Arts District, including an encore of the first program, which debuted last night (with Gary Floyd providing beautiful vocals to the stunning new “I’m My Brother’s Keeper”). Wood is up to his old tricks: The technical beauty of classic ballet combined with the muscular physicality of modern dance plus Wood’s own unique contributions of humor and an emphasis on the potential of the male form. Don’t miss it — it ends this Sunday.

Also over this Sunday is Oklahoma! at Lyric Stage; don’t miss it, either (you have a busy weekend ahead of you!). As we’ve come to expect, director Cheryl Denson has crafted a massive and engaging piece of classic theater with a huge cast, full orchestra and dazzling sets. You have more time to see Jersey Boys at the Winspear Opera House — it’ll be around almost another month — but it’s just as unmissable.

Continue reading “This week’s takeaways: Life+Style” »

—  Arnold Wayne Jones

Concert Notice: Madonna at AAC Oct. 20

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Big concert news came hours ago as Madonna officially announced the itinerary for her new world tour and Dallas makes the list. This marks her first show this way since the Blonde Ambition tour hit Reunion arena 22 years ago. I was stunned that she wouldn’t be hitting Cowboys Stadium, but this makes it much closer to home. This news only adds to her recent return to the pop culture radar with her new movie W/E, Sunday’s Super Bowl performance and her release last week, “Give Me All Your Luvin’” from her upcoming album M.D.N.A.

Will she repeat some of the imagery of her Super Bowl performance that recalled a lot of Kylie’s Aphrodite tour? Mmmmm…hopefully not, but please, Madge, no lip syncing like you did during most of your performance.

Madonna is scheduled to play the American Airlines Center, Oct. 20 with tickets to begin going on sale to the general public Feb. 21.

—  Rich Lopez

Xiu Xiu covers Rihanna

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As a clever if not strange B-side, queer fronted band Xiu Xiu released a rather eclectic redux of Rihanna’s hit “Only Girl (in the World).” I doubt it will help you get in the mood for her Friday show at AAC, but give it a listen. Singer Jamie Stewart, in strange ways, continues to prove his weird brilliance.

According to the press release, the cover “was inspired by a night at backlot Durham, N.C. lesbian bar Steele Blue—watching all the southern dykes go crazy on the dance floor when the song dropped. A dissonant string quartet backed by an undeniable dance beat, the gender-bend of the cover is furthered with a quote from Detroit Grand Pubahs’ song ‘Sandwiches’ — a song beloved by Stewart for its unintended gender screw and one that is just as filthy as Rihanna’s.”

The A-side “Daphny” depicts the true story of Stewart’s friend “who — following an arrest for shoplifting — was raped by an officer while in police custody. There is nothing to say about this that is not already reflected in the 7-inch’s cover title. The outro’s refrain ‘enjoy life, enjoy life, enjoy this life!’ is the back of a hand wiping away tears of hatred, fear, disbelief and stunned empathy; what else can one do but ‘take a photo of your friend vomiting on your head’? The song is an attempt to give support, to accuse and most of all to live in spite of life.”

“Daphny” is also the first song where new members Zac Pennington and Sam Mickens joined Stewart in writing a Xiu Xiu tune.

While I’m kinda fascinated by “Daphny,” I’m still making up my mind on the Rihanna cover. Listen to them here.

—  Rich Lopez

WATCH: Lady Gaga performs at the AAC

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—  John Wright

Concert notice: Carrie Underwood comes to AAC Oct. 9

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After winning  her second entertainer of the year award last night at the Academy of Country Music Awards, Carrie Underwood follows up with Friday’s announcement of her 2010 tour dates. On top of that, she’s even planning a wedding. Now that’s a busy lady.

Underwood will also use the tour as a fundraiser for Save the Children’s United States Program. This is from the release:

Ever the charitable soul, Underwood will be donating 36 cents of every ticket sold for the fall tour dates to Save the Children’s United States Programs.  This initiative was inspired by the “36 cents” written in the lyrics of her album track “Change” which addresses how even the smallest bit of spare change that one might have can add up to make a difference and help “change” the world.  Fans can see Underwood perform this song, “Change,” on Idol Gives Back this Wednesday, April 21 on Fox.

The Play On Tour stops in Dallas at the American Airlines Center on Oct. 9. Billy Currington and Sons of Sylvia will open.

—  Rich Lopez

Concert notice: Lady Gaga comes to American Airlines Center in July

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Lady Gaga just released tour dates of the next leg of her American tour and finally, Dallas makes the list. She is scheduled to play American Airlines, July 22. It’s looking a little early for deets because both LiveNation and her site aren’t yet updated.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but is American Airlines Center the next venue she’s played in Dallas after these two? Now that’s a major jump.

—  Rich Lopez

Miley Cyrus at AAC last night

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Miley Cyrus took over the American Airlines Center last night. Even though you might think Ms. Cyrus is just for tween girls and their willing parents (well, it is really), a couple of colleagues just had to have their Miley fix. Chance and Ramon added to their unusually busy concert itinerary with Miss Hannah Montana herself. They danced and Tweeted the night away but I asked them to write up the show from their seats — again.

Continue reading “Miley Cyrus at AAC last night” »

—  Rich Lopez