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by
 Boy
howdy, I thought I had seen slow weeks before, but this has
got to be the deadest week I’ve ever seen. I was only
kidding when I suggested to a friend that we head out to the
dump and shoot rats for fun, but that’s even starting
to sound like a blast. I know it’s the holidays and all,
and you’re supposed to spend your time meaningfully with
friends and family and all that, but 24-7? Get real, no one
wants to hang around crazy uncle Larry all day.
Needing to get away might even inspire one to do something charitable.
If that’s the case, Scoot n’ Blues is hosting a
“Toys for Tots” concert on Saturday, Dec. 21, at
8 p.m. People who bring a new toy worth at least $10 will enjoy
the blues-rock stylings of Kirk James without paying a cover
charge. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing a kid who might
not otherwise get a toy this holiday will. I recommend “Rock
’em Sock ’em Robots” or “Hungry, Hungry
Hippos” – they’re both fun for the whole family.
Fans of bluegrass music can head down to the Summit on Dec.
21 to see the Salty Dogs. Not quite traditional bluegrass and
certainly not newgrass, the Dogs are an entertaining combo definitely
worth the $3 admission.
Sometime around my 12th year, my family grew tired of the same
old Christmas traditions and decided to take in a production
of the Tchaikovsky Christmas classic “The Nutcracker.”
We found the famous ballet was running at Evergreen State College,
a school known for doing things in a, umm, nontraditional manner.
We went and found a set-less stage and two hippies in gray cat
suits jumping all over the place. There were no programs; there
wasn’t even a big fake Nutcracker on the side of the stage.
We had stumbled across what I believe was somebody’s interpretive
dance final. We stayed for the whole show, but the Sheahans
never went to the theater again. Until this weekend that is.
You see, the real, nonhippie, Nutcracker will be in Durango
all weekend at the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall.
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet promises “numerous costumes
and special effects,” presumably because they want the
audience to know what the hell is going on. On Friday and Saturday,
there are 7 p.m. performances, and on Saturday and Sunday there
are 2 p.m. matinees. Tickets range from $14 to $34. Call 247-7657
for more information.
As a teen-ager, I thought laser rock shows were the coolest
thing. Once a month or so, the local rock radio station would
advertise the latest laser show in Seattle. Laser Zeppelin,
Laser Beatles, Laser Van Halen, it all sounded so cool. I’d
never get a chance to see the Beatles live, for example, but
I could lie on the floor of a big auditorium and watch lasers
dance around while Beatles music blared. Close enough. By the
time I got old enough to make the trip to Seattle on my own,
though, the laser shows had turned lame. Really, who needs “Laser
Loggins and Messina?” Not me. However, all is not lost
because this Friday, Dec. 20, I get a chance to make right another
childhood disappointment. At 10 p.m. Steamworks will host “Laser
Floyd” featuring the ultimate laser show band, Pink Floyd.
With only a $2 cover, that should leave plenty of dough for
snacks. See ya there.
This Week’s Sign the World May NOT End Tomorrow: Two great
new television shows. The first is a series being run by VH1
called “I Love the ’80s.” By the time this
hits the streets, there will only be two nights left, but knowing
VH1 the series will be rerun ad nauseam. Anyone who was around
for that fun-filled decade will love this series. VH1 is giving
an entire hour to each year so no pop culture stone is left
unturned. From that little green and white Mattel Electronics
football game to Members Only jackets, it’s all there.
Eighties’ survivors will feel a little embarrassed yet
strangely proud. Look for “I Love the ’80s”
all night long on VH1.
The other new show is hosted by Saturday Night Live alumnus
Colin Quinn and is called “Tough Crowd.” The basic
premise is four comedians (and Quinn) discuss the topics of
the day in a roundtable fashion. It’s brash, and to some
it’s probably very offensive, but it’s open and
honest and the participants discuss things you’d never
hear talked about at the local coffee shop. “Tough Crowd”
airs after “The Daily Show” (another great show)
on Comedy Central.
This Week’s Album to Buy for Someone Else: Willie Nelson
has released a live record of duets unfortunately titled “Stars
and Guitars.” The all-star lineup features such luminaries
as Bon Jovi, Aaron Neville and Matchbox 20 teaming up with Nelson
to perform a few of his hits and some covers (Nelson and gap
boy Ryan Adams do ‘The Harder They Come” as the
album’s finale – and friends, it ain’t pretty).
One of the few surprises is a duet with Toby Keith, the poster
boy for everything that is wrong with country music today. Keith
turns in a passable Waylon Jennings imitation on the classic
“Good-Hearted Woman.” But if that’s what you
want, just pick up some of the music Waylon and Willie did together,
and you won’t have to listen to Sheryl Crow warble along
on “Whisky River.” For the last 10 years, Nelson’s
albums have been of the hit-or-miss variety. This is a miss.
Happy holidays to you all. mpsheahan@yahoo.com
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