Review: Bon Iver w/ The Tallest Man on Earth

December 19, 2008; The Barrymore Theater

Believe the hype! Bon Iver (aka Justin Veron) and The Tallest Man on Earth was another top notch show. Playing to a sold out crowd at The Barrymore Theater, Bon Iver played a majority of the critically acclaimed For Emma, Forever a Ago as well aa a couple from the upcoming EP titled Blood Bank (soon to be release on CD) [MORE...].

Photos/Review: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings w/ Menahan Street Band

At last night’s Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Show at the Barrymore in Madison we indulged in our nation’s finest soul groove revivalist band. The Dap-King Crew served up a long and tasty hot bowl of old school, hambone funk, while Sharon head-chefed...[READ MORE]

The Afromotive at Der Rathskeller - Free!

The Afromotive

Free Show at Der Rathskeller
on Saturday, December 6th
9pm - All ages

Are you ready for some Afrobeat music? (. . . Always!) Well the Afromotive promises to satisfy your need to get dancing, when they bring their funky afro-beat to Madison on Saturday, December 6th for a free show in Der Rathskellar in the Memorial Union.

They are a nine piece ensemble based in Asheville, NC and includes thirty-third generation djembe player Adama Dembele from Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. He brings his vast musical background to the Afromotive - where they combine these traditional West African rhythms with their own upbeat funky vibe.

This promises to be a fun show, and a perfect antidote to the winter blues... Check 'em out!

www.theafromotive.com

Upcoming Show: Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings A Must See Show!

Friends

In all the years I have been at the Barrymore I have never done this. I am sending an email out to all of you, to specifically alert you to one show.

This coming Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 pm the Barrymore has Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. If you don't already know who she is, you should. If you don't come to the show, you'll wish you had. This is the Barrymore's show of the year, and maybe the show of the year in Madison. We were among the people who saw her at Bonnaroo last summer, and she blew us away.

I have attached links to the Sharon Jones articles in this week's Isthmus and 77 Square, and a link to her on YouTube, so you can read about her, listen to her music, and see her video. Start with "100 Days, 100 Nights" and go on from there. We're talking James Brown and Tina Turner here.

For those of you concerned that this is a "school" or "work" night, make an exception. The show will start at 7:30 pm and be over by 10:30 pm or 11:00. Get a babysitter, eat dinner early, and get your "bad selves" over here. You won't regret it.

And Thursday when a friend or co-worker asks you what you did last night, you'll proudly be able to say:

"I was out helping keep the funk alive!"

Bon Ton Roulet (and Peace!)

Steve
In the meantime, she and the Dap-Kings are testing songs for the next album on audiences at five gigs in the Midwest in December before heading out to Australia in early January.

"Tell people in Madison just to come on out and bring their dancing shoes," she said. "Get ready, I tell 'em. Come on and get funked up."

IF YOU GO:

Who: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings with the Menahan Street Band

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3

Where: Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave.

Tickets: $20 in advance at www.barrymorelive.com or $22 the day of the show.