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Out & About

Michael Barnes is Entertainment Editor for the Austin American-Statesman. He lives in South Austin with his partner, Kip, two dogs and two cats. More on Out & About.

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Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > April > 11 > Entry

Fat and sassy: Tribeza, Brilliant

By Michael Barnes | Friday, April 11, 2008, 12:33 PM

As Texas Monthly has proved, you can’t be too fat or too rich. Glossy publications live and die by luxury ads. At one time, TM dominated the regional market. Then came Tribeza, Brilliant, Austin Monthly, Glossy, Rave, L Style G Style, etc. — all competing for the same cushy, high-end dollars. Right now, I’m paging through the April issues of Tribeza and Brilliant, packed with shimmering advertisements and exquisite photography. I’ll go so far as to declare Tribeza’s installment — with its Dan Winters shirtless self-portrait cover photo and matching inside gallery — a work of art. Brilliant’s travel spreads made me envy those who can spend time (and money) on someplace like the Riviera.

The Long Center product testing continues: This week I experienced the tall, gray Rollins Studio Theatre for the first time, attending the Rude Mechs’ exploration of acting theories, rehearsal experience and exotic locales, “The Method Gun,” the a selection from the Austin Poetry Slam’s Slam-Off 2008 in the Dell Hall. Kirk Lynn’s play, as expected, is thick with surprise, reflection and whimsy, while the poetry event proved that young audiences can get very excited about performance. The mix of the social crowds deserves special note: The Rudes’ audience was reserved, slightly older, for once, while the Slammers were merrily noisy in the hall and out. Love the contrast. Winners of the contest: Andy Buck, Da’shade Moonbeam, Tony Jackson, Danny Strack and Christopher Lee. “The Method Gun” continues through the weekend. (Photo by Tammy Perez.)

What is it about Austin and epic rock music? Explosions in the Sky burst (sorry) onto the scene a few years ago with a distinctive combination of tenderness and majesty. Add to the list of blue-ribbon bands playing in this general style: Meridianwest, Ghosts of the Russian Empire and, now, Jets under Fire, whose “Kindoms” I’ve now heard about a million times. I’m sure there are others, but I can’t get enough of them. A better music critic than I could tell you why the epic sound is conquering the city one recording and live concert at a time.

You’ve watched “Iron Chef,” but have you witnessed “Iron Bartender”? It’s an awesome and scary process. I agreed to judge one face-off this week at Gruv, primarily because I can’t say no to events planner Jen Shoemaker — but who can? The contest pitted Corey of Sapphire against Biggie of the Blind Pig. The secret ingredient was absinthe, which drew no arguments from me. With a back-up, each drinkslinger created five concoctions, with frozen, cocktails and shots being required categories. The other judges — very kind to a newcomer to this kind of contest — were Taylor Perkins of 512 Reality and Erin Collins, GM of Prague. After tasting 10 drinks, my judgement was somewhat blurred, but was delighted that Biggie won (his sous tender was B-Stew, who the 2007 contest). BTW: Both frozen drinks carried the absinthe taste best.

Like everyone else not made of steel, I wept like a fool during “Idol Gives Back,” then shouted “no” at the screen when Michael Johns was eliminated the next night. The annual fundraiser is a big ol’ gimmick, I know, but one that raised more than $60 million for extremely worthy causes. (It will be hard to forget Annie Lennox’s visit with AIDS orphans and her heartfelt song live.) As for Johns, what in the world made him less palatable than Kristy Lee Cook, who has a fine voice, but mopes around the stage like a scarecrow? Ick. This year’s 10 finalists were, generally, stronger than Season 6’s, and more balanced between males and females. Kristy has been my least favorite for a while, but she obviously has attracted fans out there in TV Land.

Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Arts, Media, Music, Out, TV

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By jason

April 19, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

thanks for mentioning Jets Under Fire, we appreciate it.

By Patricia Paredes

April 14, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this

Michael,

We sure were on the same wavelength last week during American Idol. I was stunned that Michael Johns got eliminated. Kristy Lee Cook is just another poptart and hopefully, she will become toast very soon! And I too, felt the emotion from Annie Lennox's powerful performance. Your fellow American Idol addict, smile, smile.