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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v5n30 (07/27/2006) » Section: See You There


Tarantula A.D.

Reports of slack-jawed, wide-eyed, awestruck audience members came in after NYC’s Tarantula A.D. last toured the Northeast. Adjectives like “compelling,” “mesmerizing” and “bewitching” best describe the band’s almost entirely instrumental live show. Relying heavily on cello, guitar, percussion, violin and whirlwind synthesizer sounds, Tarantula A.D. has built an impassioned rock-fan following despite the marked absence of lyrics. A three-man band comprised of Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurrianns and Gregory Rogove, Tarantula recently released a debut full-length entitled Book of Sand (Kemado) to critical raves. The CD was recorded in multiple locations, beginning on the Pacific coast and ending in a New York City warehouse. Vocalists Sierra Cassady (CoCoRosie) and Devandra Banhardt (whose stamp of approval is beginning to seem like an “O” book insignia) were tracked down while on tour in Europe to record bits for Book of Sand, the sessions held in a European hotel bathroom and the Paris Metro, or wherever they got the chance. A bonus track on the album, the gospel-inspired “If You Deny Me, I’ll Be Lost,” also features vocals, but unfortunately, the record distributor spiked it due to worries that it might be considered blasphemous. This dashed Tarantula’s hopes to have created the first instrumental record with a Parental Advisory warning. Guess they’ll have to go back to Europe, where the album is allowed to remain intact. For what’s sure to be an interesting contrast, master sampler Tim Fite opens the show.



Tango at the Gallery

On these sticky mid-summer nights it’s tempting to succumb to the icy amenities of the air conditioner, but the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Tango and the WNY Belly Dance Association have other things in mind this weekend: Buffalo is gonna heat up alright, with some truly “exotic dancing.” Come be a part of the sizzling action during this week’s Gusto at the Gallery for “An Evening of Wine, Dancing and Eccentric Artists,” where world-renowned tango superstar Daniel Trenner and his partner Anne-Sophie Ville dance the passionate and captivating “forbidden dance” in authentic full costume. Prior to the performance, they will give free basic tango lessons at the Gallery from 6 to 7pm—a rare chance for beginners to learn from this celebrated artist. The WNY Belly Dance Association will give simultaneous demonstration and instruction, culminating in a performance of gothic belly dance called Wings of Isis at 8pm. There will be a wine and chocolate tasting, skits and demo dancing, lectures and tours. Later in the evening, from 8 to 10pm, everyone is invited to participate in a giant milonga dance (billed as a “mini tango marathon”), interspersed with hourly belly dance performances. This presentation at the Knox kicks off Buffalo’s first “Argentine Tango Weekend,” an unprecedented celebration aimed at sharing and spreading to others the passion of the tango.



2006 Great Lakes Water Sport Expo

For the fourth year in a row, the City of Buffalo will host the 2006 Great Lakes Water Sport Expo, in celebration of the area’s aquatic resources and to benefit WNY Adaptive Water Sports. There is no better way to beat the summer heat than to head into the water, and this is the perfect venue for anyone looking for a splash. Featuring spectator and participation sports, patrons can get in and compete in different areas like sailing, canoeing or kayaking—or just stay put on dry land and enjoy some live entertainment. The highlight of the expo is the Buffalo River Paddlefest, which is a great way to enjoy Buffalo’s historic waterfront. Paddlers of all ages will be able to launch their crafts at the DEC Launch (at Harlem Rd. and Clinton St.) and journey down the river to Seven Seas Sailing School at the Marina. Registration for Paddlefest is from 9 to 11am at the launch. All of the proceeds from the festival go to Adaptive Water Sports, an organization that provides individuals with physical disabilities the means and facilities to participate in these activities—just one more way to improve one’s quality of life.



The Hold Steady

If you picked up ARTVOICE’s final issue of 2005, you saw coverboys the Hold Steady peering at you. The Brooklyn-based band earned AV’s album of the year honors for 2005 with the potent Separation Sunday (French Kiss), a pot bubbling over with religion, drugs, sex, teen angst and ultimate redemption, with an unmistakable bark and vicious rock bite. Vocalist/songwriter Craig Finn’s fictional narrator crafts streetwise parables of good and bad where everyday angels and demons can sometimes be hard to tell apart. The record is rock opera with a style so gritty and refreshingly bold that it belies that tired old tag. While the Hold Steady’s charged guitar attacks and knack for storytelling have earned regular comparisons to Springsteen and the E. Street Band, they seem to be lapping even Bruce and company in the old “working class work ethic” department. Within just one calendar year of the release of the masterful Separation Sunday, the band has a fresh new label deal and is due to release the follow up, Boys and Girls In America on Vagrant Records in October. They’re sure to debut this new material in their combustible and combative live set on Wednesday, after opening acts Semi-Tough and Exit Strategy.





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