Peter S. Scholtes - Complicated Fun

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ATOY: '80s punk band reunites

A Madison friend's band is reuniting in Minneapolis after 20-plus years for some off-the-radar shows this weekend. Here's the email, with a few details added in brackets: "Minneapolis, MN- July 9, 2007- ATOY (A Testament of Youth) has reformed as a band [click their name for music] and kicks off a Summer tour on Friday, July 13 at Wain McFarlane's Sight and Sound [Art] Gallery [501 First Avenue Northeast, in McFarlane's Sound Construction studio; the lead singer of ATOY will display his art starting at 7:00 p.m.; band goes on around 8:00 p.m. They also play Saturday, July 14 at Stasiu's Place; 2500 University Avenue NE, Minneapolis; 612.788.2529].

"A staple on the Midwest club circuit in the early 80's, ATOY's volatile mix of styles, influences, and personalities established the band as a favorite live act among the indie crowd and the darling bud of many music insiders. Since disbanding in 1983, the band played reunion shows in Des Moines and Minneapolis two years ago, gaining the support to re-assemble.

"The four members of the band (Brad Roth/vocals, Mark Penner/bass, Greg Owen/guitar, Lonnie Urich/drums) reside in Des Moines, Minneapolis, and Madison. Current bookings include those markets as well as Omaha. Known for their electric live performances, Des Moines Cityview paper described them as "They're artier than most hard rock bands and rock harder than most arty bands".

"Friday's showcase starts at 7PM with a mingle, meet, and greet with the band. The band performs at 8PM. Sight and Sound is located at 501 1st Avenue NE in Minneapolis.

"The band follows up with a performance on Saturday, July 15 at Stasiu's (2500 University Avenue NE, Minneapolis) at 9PM. Additionally, ATOY performs at Des Moines House of Bricks on July 2O and with Minneapolis band The Slats at Des Moines Vaudeville Mews on August 31."

Posted by Pete Scholtes at July 09, 2007 03:39 PM | Comments (0)

Bernard Walker ("Short Lunch"), R.I.P.

I've just heard that Bernard Walker, better known as Short Lunch, has passed away in Texas. Walker (click the above photo for a larger version) was a Minneapolis/St. Paul hip-hop pioneer who appeared on the cover of City Pages on August 18, 2004. Taken by the late Charles Chamblis in the early '80s, the cover photo made Short Lunch the perfect icon for our oral history of Minnesota old-school hip hop: "One Nation, Invisible" (more here).

But Walker appeared that week unidentified: The original photo, which is archived at the Minnesota Historical Society, carries no caption. So it was left to the man's children to spot their father on the cover of City Pages and contact us themselves, eventually putting us in touch with Walker himself. It turned out he was one of the Twin Cities' first rapping DJs: Read his story here (with a little more here) to learn where local rap began. I only spoke to Walker a few times on the phone, but he seemed like a good man, and he died too young. Our condolences to his family, including his daughters and sons Prechezz, Talon, Bernard, Timiko, Orion, Aria, Nekesha, Jasmine, Ajja, Janhi, and Lasheese. We'll pass along any news we get of funeral arrangements in St. Paul or elsewhere, here and at cpculture.com.

UPDATE 7/10: Bernard Walker, 49, died of natural causes. His funeral will be held Thursday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m., at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 1078 Rice St. St. Paul. A memorial fund has been set up to help pay for the funeral ("He passed away with nothing," says his son, rapper Showni Mac, a.k.a. Bernard Shaw): Donations can be sent to U.S. Bank, Grand Avenue Office, EP-MN-0210, 1071 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, Account number 104-777-122-177.

Posted by Pete Scholtes at July 03, 2007 06:09 PM | Comments (0)

Farewell from Sarah White

Below is an email from local hip-hop/R&B artist Sarah White, whom I interviewed at Culture to Go last week about her recent departure from Black Blondie and imminent relocation to New York City:

Hey Peter,
I just wanted to make sure to clarify in writing a couple of things (whether you do the article or not) because it was a little hard to think on a 3 min break at work via phone.

A. I have no beef with Black Blondie. They are what they are and will be what they will be. Tons of talent in that band. My leaving is for my personal growth as an artist and musician. I feel like I've gotten SO much out of Minneapolis and my fans that come along with this splendid city, but i need to reach out my "tentacles" (for lack of a better word) and connect and network with others to progress. I fuckin LOVE the support and creativity that lives in this city. I will be back...eventually

B. I will still be working with some of my favorites up and comers in Minneapolis from the east coast. Some of the collabs I'm currently working on are with Maria Isa, Aby Wolf (previously with Omaur Bliss--fucking amazing check her out on my top friends on myspace), Manifest, Desdamona, etc. I'm looking to hook up with some fresh recording studios, labels, etc in NY right when I get there so I can get out a full length but if not, I will put out an EP on my own this winter.. Jan/feb 2008 I'm guessing. And yes, me and Rico Mendez aka DJ Don Cuco are doing it all from our home as of now...no money once you pop out a baby...gotta pinch those pennies.

C. Other favorite memories from Minneapolis include: Heavy winds at the first hiphop and Harmony Playing Dre Day 2007..shit, playing any show at the Triple Rock lets get electric dance parties Bgirlbe Old Loring Pasta Bar parties ...and all the house parties I got a little to crunk at.

Posted by Pete Scholtes at July 02, 2007 03:24 PM | Comments (0)

B-Girl Be '07: schedule and links

Read my City Pages article "Where the Ladies at?" about women in the Minneapolis/St. Paul hip-hop scene (with related coverage in Vita.mn, Vita.mn again, Lavender, Pulse, and the Women's Press, plus comments at Blotter, MNSpeak, and at DUNation twice), then check out B-Girl Be: A Celebration of Women in Hip Hop at Intermedia Arts and other venues this weekend starting today (Thursday, right now). Below is a full schedule of the festival from www.bgirlbe.com (also here) plus links; a related Intermedia exhibit (see below) runs through September 9. Buy a $30 all-access event pass if you're over 21. They're available online and by calling Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408, 612.871.4444, info "at" intermediaarts "dot" org. All events are at Intermedia arts, all-ages, and free unless otherwise noted.

B-Girl Be Summit 2007

Thursday, June 28, 2007

1:00 p.m.
Aerosol Art Mural jumps off coordinated by Siloette, featuring Lady Pink (MySpace page, more here), Femme9 (more here), Zori4 (more here), Muck, Stef, Japan's Shiro (more here), and many others.

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
(featured DJ)

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Performances by Ashley Gold, Akira Johnson, H.E.A.T (more here and here)

6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
"Opening" for "The Art of T&A...Truth and Activism," a multi-disciplinary international group show highlighting women's visuals in hip hop, with installations by Lady Pink (New York), Joy E. A. Spike (Chicago), and more than 25 artists from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Cape Town (South Africa), and Switzerland.

6:30 p.m.
B-Girl Be Welcoming Ceremony featuring the Aztec Dance Youth, Drummers, B-Girl Be Drum & Dance, and Tish Jones.

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Rosa Clemente (more here) keynote ($5/$2 students)

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Youth open mic

8:30 - 10 p.m.
Youth (Teen) Dance Workshop hosted by the Collective @ Jawahiir Studios ($5); 1940 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55403

10 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
18+ Sistaz In Rhyme @ Foundation Nightclub featuring Philadelphia headliner Bahamadia (more here), Detroit's Invincible (of the Anomolies; more here), Stacy Epps (more here), and local breakthrough artist Maria Isa (more here and here) ($10); 10 S Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402

Friday, June 29, 2007

10:30 a.m. - Noon
Dance Workshop w/ New York b-girl Rokafella (more here) @ Hennepin Center for the Arts ($15); 528 Hennepin Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55403

11:00 a.m. - Noon
Youth Dance Workshop ages 3-5

Noon - 8:00 p.m.
Aerosol art production

Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Gallery tour and discussion

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
"Puerto Rico Presente!": B-Girls Mio, Lady Denis & MC Aneurizma (article in Spanish).

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Youth Hour with guests

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
B-Girl Sitdown

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Open Mic hosted by Karma & Ashawnti (more here and here)

6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Autumn Compton and The Most Wanted, with Indigo (more here) and Spikaboxxx as Bloody Black Eyes, with Shock B.

7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
"Evolution of the Power Cipher: A Dance Showcase." Hosted by Karma featuring Universal Dance Destiny, Art of Dance, Aneka McMullen, members of the Collective, Rhythm QueenZ, Brandi Philips, Angel Adams, and more. Words by Philadelphia's Traycee Lynn and New Jersey transplant poet/MC/singer Isis (more here and here). ($7 general, $5 youth.)

9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
21+ Evening of Spoken Word at the Nomad World Pub, 501 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454, featuring Philadelphia's Ursula Rucker (more here), Desdamona (more here), Isis (more here and here), and Philadelphia's RhapsodE (more here). ($7)

Saturday, June 30, 2007

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Dance Workshop with B-Girl Aiko @ Hennepin Center for the Arts ($15); 528 Hennepin Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55403

Noon - 10:00 p.m.
Aerosol art production

Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Gallery tour - youth event

Noon - 2:00 p.m.
Medusa (more here) MC Workshop @ Bryant Lake Bowl ($15); Bryant Lake Bowl; 810 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Performance by New York's Maui, Katana, White Lesbian Rapper (more here), and Kali Quotes (more here).

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
DJ Clinic with Pam the Funkstress (of the Coup) @ Fifth Element ($15); 2411 Hennepin Avenue South, 612.377.0044, Minneapolis, MN, 55405

2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Spoken Word Workshop with Ursula Rucker (more here) ($15)

2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
B-Girl Knowledge Drop! ($7)
Featuring Collective 7 (B-Girls Aiko, Baby Love, Lady Champ, Rokafella, Severe, and Vendetta) and B-Girl Aruna & Twin City All-Stars & B-girls of the PR Team.

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Open Mic

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Bonnie & Clyde: The Showoff hosted by Tish Jones (more here) & Truth Maze (a.k.a. Truthmaze, more here) with Extra Special Guests KMOJ's Melissa & Crstyle.

7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Ladies Night hosted by Medusa (more here) with performances by Wonda Woman Project (more here), Philly's Traycee Lynn (more here), Tish Jones (more here), PaviElle, and Black Blondie (minus Sarah White, who's moving to Brooklyn soon; more here), with L.A.'s DJ Shortee (more here and here) and B-Girl Power Cipher ($7 general/$5 youth)

10 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
DJ After Party @ Foundation Nightclub featuring Pam the Funkstress (of the Coup) and DJ Shortee. ($5)

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Noon - 5:00 p.m.
B-Girl BBQ

Noon - 2:00 p.m.
B-Girl Be 2006 Documentary

Noon - 2:30 p.m.
DJs and Open mic

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Youth Performance Showcase

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Films and DJs

3:45 - 4:45 p.m.
Teen Dance Workshop hosted by Universal Dance Destiny at the Capri Theatre; 2027 West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis 55403

B-Girl Be and other related local links:

Wolk this way

After catching Heat at B-Girl Be this early evening (see above), I plan to swing over to MCAD to see my colleague Douglas Wolk talk about comics (click for directions); 7:30 p.m. Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Auditorium, 2501 Stevens Avenue, Minneapolis.

Posted by Pete Scholtes at June 28, 2007 03:24 PM | Comments (0)

The last night at the Church

Here's my City Pages item on the Church (plus a MNSpeak thread, a TCPunk thread, a Modern Radio thread, and my previous item). I heard the show on Saturday went until 5:30 a.m. (sorry I couldn't get a decent photo of a musician before I left), and everyone ended up soaking wet.

Posted by Pete Scholtes at June 19, 2007 06:08 PM | Comments (2)

U2: You Don't Have to Go It Alone mixtape

U2 mix for two sides of a Maxell 110-minute cassette tape (usually leaving a few minutes extra on each side). And yeah, only my girlfriend listens to tapes. And yeah, I left off "Where the Streets Have No Name." That's what albums are for. It's a great live song that I just don't need to hear in this context, for whatever reason. More on U2 here.

Side 1: What you don't have, you don't need it now

A Sort of Homecoming (live) 3:16
With or Without You 4:53
Two Hearts Beat as One 4:01
Beautiful Day 4:04
Gloria 3:39
11 O'Clock Tick Tock (live, but not this version) 5:01
I Will Follow (check out this TV appearance, too) 3:36
Pride (In the Name of Love) 4:01
Van Dieman's Land (the studio version, not this live version) 2:57
Sunday Bloody Sunday (live) 4:40
Miss Sarajevo (featuring Brian Eno and Luciano Pavarotti) 5:42
The Wanderer (starring Johnny Cash) 2:52
Heartland 2:58
excerpt: Bad (not this live version, but the studio version) 8:02

Side 2: Can we rewind it just once more

Jesus Christ (a cover of the song by Woodie Guthrie, not this documentary version, obviously) 2:26
Wake Up Dead Man 3:49
Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of 4:27