Literary
June 20: The Art of Storytelling 2. Wild Goose Creative, 2491 Summit St.
Local writer/rapper/ organizer Searius Add has almost infallible taste and both the contacts and the passion to put together some of the most interesting bills in town. Case in point, this week’s special Father’s Day edition of his intermittent Art of Storytelling series in the intimate confines of Wild Goose. There isn’t one element of this that’s less than stunning.
This Art of Storytelling is hosted by JG the Jugganaut (aka John Gibson) who’s one of our most dynamic poets, making noise and touring regularly. An intense, charismatic, funny performer whose writing has an astonishing eye and a rhythm that engages the whole body.
The undercard of authors is a pair of intriguing voices I’d bet on hearing more about very soon. Rayshawn Wilson is a local therapist and motivational speaker who, in 2014, put out a memoir, Lionheart: Coming Where I’m From which has received rave reviews including this one from the School Library Journal: http://blogs.slj.com/adult4teen/2015/01/05/inspirational-memoirs/ Quartez Harris released his first poetry collection, Nothing But Skin, last year and I’ve heard nothing but good things about both his writing and his performance.
The headliner, Scott Woods, probably needs no introduction to readers of this blog because I’m a shameless, unabashed fan of the man and his work. He was the first person to take teams of Columbus poets to the National Poetry Slam, eventually serving on the board of PSI (the organization that throws said NPS) and has put out many books and records. He’s one of the most vital, necessary voices in Columbus art right now and maybe literature period and he’s one of the few artists I’ve seen in any genre or town who keeps leaping out of his comfort zone, swinging for the fences, and and consistently getting even better. Any time he does a feature set, anyone in any creative field – or anyone who loves words – should take notice.
Live music is provided by Matt Seward II, son of local R&B/gospel legend Matt Seward who brings a tenor voice and guitar that reminds me of a young Terry Callier.
6:30-8:30pm. Tickets available here.
Music
June 15: Drainolith with Mike Shiflet. Double Happiness, 482 S Front St.
Over the last few years they’ve been open, Double Happiness has quietly turned into a primary home for some of the most interesting booking in town. Things that might otherwise pass our city by or fall through the cracks get a home with an almost built in audience and some of the best sound in Columbus.
Mike Shiflet, since I first saw him in Sword Heaven, has plowed a fertile field of richly textured abstract noise. As he’s added more guitar of late, the textures have gotten both harsher and more sensual, as seen on his recent collaboration with Jerry DeCicca (Black Swans), Walks on the Beach, and any solo show in town is going to be rewarding.
The headliner, Drainolith, is the new solo project of Alexander Moskos, formerly of noise rock juggernaut AIDS Wolf. A collaged, abstract take on depressive singer-songwriter music that feels incredibly fresh. This solo work uses guttural blues signifiers a la Will Oldham but arranges them with noise and static threading the elements together.
Doors at 8:00pm. $8 tickets available at http://www.doublehappinessohio.com/event/848617-drainolith-columbus/
June 17: Bobby Floyd Trio featuring Brian Olsheski. Natalie’s Coal Fired Pizza, 5601 N High St.
Bobby Floyd’s principal gig in Dr. John’s band keeps him on the road a lot so anytime Columbus’s finest keyboard player is back in town it’s cause for jubilation. But this show is special even above and beyond that.
Floyd’s regular trio with Derek DiCenzo on bass or guitar and usually Reggie Jackson (also touring with Dr. John) on drums have an uncanny empathy and the unshakable confidence of people who can do anything musically, and special guest Brian Olsheski on tenor sax has a similar musical bond with Floyd that I’ve seen take the roof off many a bar or concert hall. If you love jazz, do not miss this.
Starts at 9:00pm. Tickets available at http://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=d1e364c99068f524e1b639c96f04fb42
June 19: Tink and Kim Joyce. Park Street Saloon, 525 N Park St.
Chicago rapper Tink’s collaboration with Tazer, “Wet Dollars,” is a convincing early contender for song of the summer 2015. Buzz for her upcoming record executive produced by Timbaland, Ratchet Commandments, is blisteringly hot and the couple singles out so far are dancefloor monsters. Her voice doesn’t need more than a few bars to get stuck in your brain and not let go and the choice of beats is top notch.
Local Kim Joyce opens with her modern blend of edgy, sensual R&B – great songs put across like her life depends on it.
This interesting booking merges the live music aesthetic of Woodlands’ management with the clubbing past of Park Street Saloon and promises a sweaty good time. Doors at 9:00pm. Tickets available at Ticketweb.
June 19: A Tribute to Camu featuring Da Intalec, Metro, Copywrite, Tame One, and C-Chan. Double Happiness, 482 S Front St.
Camu Tao’s loss is still felt in Columbus and underground hip-hop in general. Much like the Mark Flugge tribute we talked about here last week, this is an astonishing lineup full of people who knew and collaborated with him that speaks to the depth of feeling he and his music gave us all.
This tribute features Da Intalec, often referred to as a mentor to Camu Tao and many others, still making vital, virbrant music. A collaborative set between Metro (who worked with Camu in the still-underrated party rap group SA Smash along with work with Cannibal Ox and many more) and Copywrite (who needs no introduction except to say he’s been making some of the best music of his storied career in the last few years). A set of Tame One (in The Weathermen with Camu along with collaborations with Del tha Funkee Homosapien, KRS-One, and Mos Def) and fellow Jersey rapper C-Chan. Held together and held down by DJ Bombay spinning before, between, and after the other acts. This would be a great show no matter what but as a tribute, it’s almost unparalleled.
Starts at 9:00pm. Tickets available at http://www.doublehappinessohio.com/event/864439-tribute-camu-columbus/
Screen of Distance 