Wild At Heart
Mostly just hanging out this week working in the garden and outside the house. Cut down a tree branch, dug up and replanted a new bush for the corner garden, fertilized the lawn, trimmed some bushes, set up our new bird bath, etc. One of the best things about this time of year is being able to work outside.
I also took in some nice classical concerts at the Eastman School of Music though I did mange to check out a nice show at the local German House. The opening band was a duo called the Milk Carton Kids. Their folksy style puts forth some beautiful and mildly comic songs surrounded by a droll playful banter that is very entertaining. They opened the show with a set that was way too short and had the audience asking for more. They just recently put out a second album and have made a decision to offer their albums free for download on their website http://themilkcartonkids.com/ (which is why they have trouble keeping a manager) so feel free to check it out.
The headliner is a wonderful singer, Dar Williams, that manages to stay below the mainstream radar besides putting out great music since the early 90's. Her new album is entitled "In The Time Of Gods" which she is touring with. The songs while modern in many ways are inspired by the mythologies of the Greek Gods and contain all the charm of her previous work. I really enjoyed the songs from the new album which she pulls off with a wonderful, warm style that embraces the audience. She doesn't have any current dates in Michigan but will be playing a couple of dates in Cleveland and Cincinnati in late June for fans who like to travel. Check out her website http://www.darwilliams.com for updated info.
Speaking of great music, here are some shows I can recommend including more Blue Man Group (love those guys):
Tuesday (5/8) - Steppin In It @ the Ark, Blue Man Group @ Fisher Theatre
Wednesday (5/9) - Blue Man Group @ Fisher Theatre
Thursday (5/10) - Jeffrey Osbourne @ MotorCity Casino, Blue Man Group @ Fisher Theatre
Friday (5/11) - George Clinton and P-Funk @ Royal Oak Music Theatre, Patty Larkin @ the Ark, Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials @ Callahans, Blue Man Group @ Fisher Theatre
Saturday (5/12) - Kid Rock and Detroit Symphony Orchestra @ Fox Theatre, Blue Man Group @ Fisher Theatre, Trans-Siberian Orchestra @ Caesar's Windsor
Sunday (5/13) - Super 70's Soul Jam (w/Chi-Lites, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Stylistics, etc) @ Fox Theatre, Blue Man Group @ Fisher Theatre
Monday (5/14) - Xiu Xiu @ the Crofoot, Chickenfoot @ the Fillmore
With the exception of trailers I get it is rare for me to see a film first run anymore. I usually wait until they hit the dollar theatre but with it's $200 million opening and the fact that it has already made more money than any of the other Marvel Universe movies after one week, I got myself excited about the opening of the new Avengers movie. Let me just say that despite all my fears and hopes, this movie really hit the mark. Between the great special effects and and at times snappy dialogue, this movie exceeded all my expectations in what might be my favorite movie of the year. Seeing the heroes come together to fight the evil plans of Loki and an alien race set on conquering Earth is amazing. I esp liked the part of the film where Captain America finally takes over the and becomes the official leader of the fight. Everyone has some nice moments in this film and my favorite Avenger in the movie (and the one I was most worried about), Hawkeye, has some nice action bits. Johansson is hot as Black Widow and Stark has some great moments. The level of action definately sets the bar high as Whedon solidifies himself as a fanboy favorite (if Buffy and Firefly already hadn't done that for him). This might be the action movie of the year so I would really recommend this film.