Black Unicorn Cabaret
In the past couple of weeks, I feel as if I've emerged from a depression I didn't realize I was in. (Cue lots of people telling me that THEY knew, I'm sure.) I've started working on all of my NCO-associated aggravation rather than procrastinating and making excuses. I've been chipping steadily on a huge pile of paper books I've accumulated.
I also bought a ticket for Voltaire's Black Unicorn Cabaret at Queen Bee's Art and Media. I'd been past QB's many times since they opened while I was in Afghanistan, but never gone inside. I'd also heard precisely one song by Voltaire, "Viva Calaca!" which is my usual Dia de los Muertos post. But it promised two bands in addition to Voltaire himself and the ticket was $15, so when caprine posted the event on Facebook, I decided to go.
I'm glad I did. QB's is reminiscent of the kind of set-up-on-the-cheap-in-a-warehouse gallery I used to frequent in Montreal. The front room is an open space with a stage and screen. The back has wild black-light paintings that are even more fantastic if you're wearing 3D glasses. There is also a wonderful art-filled patio in back. I collected flyers for a whole bunch of events that are upcoming.
The first band was Hellblinki from Ashford, NC. If the Dresden Dolls and Oingo Boingo married and had a baby, this would be it. They're a trio with a much larger sound, and while I couldn't make out the lyrics the textures and use of offbeat instruments kept me entertained. The lead singer plays guitar from the drum kit, controlling the drums with his feet as a doll baby head spins on the toms. There is also a KEYTAR (here, prushrush, prushrush, prushrush).
The second band, This Way to the Egress, was in the same vein but with a lot more performers, using keyboards, violin, cello, saw, and tuba. The sound guy got the balance better, so I could tell they were singing about death, murder and music. I got their CD.
Both bands feature accordion as a central instrument.
Finally Voltaire took the stage, promoting his new album "Riding a Black Unicorn Down an Erupting Volcano While Drinking From a Chalice Filled With the Laughter of Small Children". And there's a title track, incorporating that line. I appreciated his generosity in keeping the other bands on stage to perform with him and that he passed a hat for tips so they could have money on the road. However, I didn't find his music to be All That.
vonjunzt came with his missus, who, I think, was having more fun dancing than anyone else in the building.
We had an afterparty with very exotic liqueurs and snackies at a private residence and I was home shortly before 2. Yep, still got it. And again, thanks caprine for turning me on to the event in the first place.
I also bought a ticket for Voltaire's Black Unicorn Cabaret at Queen Bee's Art and Media. I'd been past QB's many times since they opened while I was in Afghanistan, but never gone inside. I'd also heard precisely one song by Voltaire, "Viva Calaca!" which is my usual Dia de los Muertos post. But it promised two bands in addition to Voltaire himself and the ticket was $15, so when caprine posted the event on Facebook, I decided to go.
I'm glad I did. QB's is reminiscent of the kind of set-up-on-the-cheap-in-a-warehouse gallery I used to frequent in Montreal. The front room is an open space with a stage and screen. The back has wild black-light paintings that are even more fantastic if you're wearing 3D glasses. There is also a wonderful art-filled patio in back. I collected flyers for a whole bunch of events that are upcoming.
The first band was Hellblinki from Ashford, NC. If the Dresden Dolls and Oingo Boingo married and had a baby, this would be it. They're a trio with a much larger sound, and while I couldn't make out the lyrics the textures and use of offbeat instruments kept me entertained. The lead singer plays guitar from the drum kit, controlling the drums with his feet as a doll baby head spins on the toms. There is also a KEYTAR (here, prushrush, prushrush, prushrush).
The second band, This Way to the Egress, was in the same vein but with a lot more performers, using keyboards, violin, cello, saw, and tuba. The sound guy got the balance better, so I could tell they were singing about death, murder and music. I got their CD.
Both bands feature accordion as a central instrument.
Finally Voltaire took the stage, promoting his new album "Riding a Black Unicorn Down an Erupting Volcano While Drinking From a Chalice Filled With the Laughter of Small Children". And there's a title track, incorporating that line. I appreciated his generosity in keeping the other bands on stage to perform with him and that he passed a hat for tips so they could have money on the road. However, I didn't find his music to be All That.
vonjunzt came with his missus, who, I think, was having more fun dancing than anyone else in the building.
We had an afterparty with very exotic liqueurs and snackies at a private residence and I was home shortly before 2. Yep, still got it. And again, thanks caprine for turning me on to the event in the first place.