the boys get some cred

Check out the latest issue of Park Ave CDs' weekly newsletter, and scroll down to the bottom. You will see a YouTube advertisement that reads "Check out some fan videos we just discovered online from the recent instores we've had!" Click on that link, and you will see short art films from the likes of wdwtour and jamesg2!! It's Betamike and James' videos form Imogen Heap's in-store performance. So cool!!

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It's Gay Days weekend here in Central Florida. I missed last year's festivities because I was attending my cousin's wedding in New Orleans. That's somewhat ironic, eh?

By the way, did you hear this jaw-dropping figure? The American government has spent more than $360 million to train recruits who were later discharged because they were found to be gay. That is insanity. How much money does our government waste each year because they are led by a bunch of bigoted idiots? And how much of that money could have been used to fix the levees that are still weak and fragile as another hurricane season begins?

have a gay old time!

Timba is a lion cub who just wants his father Mukaka to be proud of him. After Uncle Star tricks Timba into leaving Pride Rock because he thinks he’s to blame for the death of his father, Timba learns to find his true self – and he’s FAB - U - LOUS!!!

Mike and I went to see the critically acclaimed (no, really) Fringe Festival show The Lion Queen and the Naked Go-Go Cub this afternoon. I give it two snaps … in a circle … of life. Local celebrity Michael Wanzie has written another gem, and he’s perfect for the role of Star (fashioned after evil Uncle Scar).

With leather chaps, Judy Garland impersonations, grand headdresses and lots of inside jokes for Disneyphiles and Orlandoians, the show was funny, bawdy and very gay. Don’t bring the kids, unless you allow them to curse and watch strapping young men dance around wearing nothing but a cowboy hat and a gun holster. Check out the show's MySpace page -- does everyone have a MySpace page?

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Since we’ve already set a gay theme here, check out Billy Manes’ Orlando Weekly article "Who Needs Gay Days" that intends to show the world that Orlando doesn’t need Gay Days to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. With the Orlando Gay Chorus, Disney, the Parliament House, Councilwoman Cindy Sheehan and a gay Publix, the gay culture is part of the city itself. The only difference during Pride Month is that the parties are bigger – and Lisa Lisa and Taylor Dayne are part of the festivities!

The former "next mayor of Orlando" is quite witty. I especially love his take on the Orlando Miracle: "The women’s NBA team is no longer part of gay Orlando. Sniffle. But lesbians with balls remain a novel concept forever."

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By the way, I just read that Keith Haring’s work is on display now in a special exhibition at the Tampa Museum of Art. Keith Haring: Art & Commerce, A Tribute to the Pop Shop runs through June 11. This is one art show I don’t want to miss, but I’m not sure when I’m going to be able to get over to the coast to see it.

the cure for hot eyes

A very contagious, nasty illness is quickly spreading through Orlando. The symptoms are icky and exhausting -- constant runny nose, a throat that feels like you swallowed razors, a chest that feels like there's an anvil resting on top of it, a pressure-filled head that feels cloudy and tingly, and eyes that are hot. I hate that.

But I feel better today, and it's not just because Mucinex is kicking my cold's ass, it's because of this headline ...

IKEA Plans To Open Store In Orlando
Yeeee heee!!! Read the full story at Furniture World online magazine. Who knew there was such a Web site? And really, who cares with good news like that! The 310,000-square-foot store will be located behind Millenia Mall, and it's scheduled to open in late 2007.

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In other news, Reykjavik rocks.

I checked out the Screaming Masterpieces documentary at the Downtown Media Arts Center on Sunday with Mike, James and Devan. The film focuses on the eclectic music scene in Iceland's capital. There were some incredible performances by Sigur Rós and Björk, as you would expect. But there also was some really intriguing music from other bands that spanned folk, rap, hip hop, pop and a classical genre that I'm not sure how to describe except to say that it was simple and complex at the same time and celebrates the history and culture of Iceland. It was beautiful.

I wish the film would have touched more on the reasons why some artists choose to perform in English, and others prefer to perform in their native language exclusively. And how big is American and British music there? What are the most popular hometown bands in Iceland? By the way, the film is available on DVD, too.

You can check out some snippets of the songs featured in the flick at the One Little Indian online store, which carries the film's soundtrack. Here are a few quickies: Múm ("Green Grass Of Tunnel"), Slowblow ("Within Tolerance"), Amina ("Fjarskanistan") and a collaboration from Steindór Andersen and Hilmar ("Hrafnagaldur (Odin's Raven Magic)").

imogen capture

I love taking photos, and concert photos are the best because the experience is such a rush anyway, and trying to capture that essence of transcendent immediacy is a challenge. But when you do, it's amazing. I don't think for one moment that any photo could tell the story that is Imogen Heap's live show, but at least I had the chance.

Quite simply, Imogen puts on one of the best performances ever -- and not because of her kooky nature, which is endearing. And not because of her simple but effective light show, which totally sets the mood. And not because of the "band" she introduces during each set -- the beat box, the repeater, the piano, the whatever -- which were all quite impressive.


The woman has talent - period. She puts so many of the radio-friendly crap bands to shame because from the moment she hits her first note, Imogen is completely mesmerizing. And that's hard to capture on Fuji film. But if you want to take a look at the photos anyway, here's the link to my imogen photos.

All the photos were taken at Park Ave CDs in Orlando on May 16. Imogen put on another killer set later that evening at The Social, but alas, cameras were not allowed. And my grandaddy camera won't fit under my shirt.

happy mother's day!

thanks for everything, mom. i love you!

happy anniversary!

bang and blame

To get my mind off the fact that I have changed my life forever by asking Jodi, the woman who cuts my hair, to give me bangs, I have plopped myself in front of the World Wide Web for comfort. Here's what I found...

Blog Party has posted Bloc Party's entire set from Coachella. I missed it because I was listening to one of my all-time faves, Sleater-Kinney. The ladies definitely did not disappoint; I just wish Bloc Party would have been scheduled at another time.

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Sonic Youth has a new CD out, and if this track is any indication, I'm going to be playing it all summer ... while waiting for my bangs to grow out. Aquarium Drunkard posted the tune "Incinerate" from the upcoming album Rather Ripped.

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There's a post-Coachella rush of great bands headed down South to Orlando in the coming months. Maybe it's just that the experience that is Coachella compels us soak up as much live music as possible -- no matter the lack of funds in your wallet. Or maybe it's just because summer is just about here, and everyone goes out on the road.

Tilly & The Wall have announced a return show at The Social on June 24, and I highly recommend you buy a ticket as soon as they go on sale. Even if you've never heard a lick of their music, you will love the show. There are no drums on stage (or on the album, for that matter). The band taps to create the percussion. Yes, these girls with what must be amazing thighs actually tap through most of the concert. It's incredible! Christy, Betamike and I met them after the show last year, and they were very sweet and humble by the response they sparked. Don't miss it. It's an early show, so you'll be out of there before midnight, granny.

The Stills and Rogue Wave also are headed to The Social on June 9. The Stills' new album Without Feathers is out today, so there's time to brush up on your Canadian indie rock before the show.

Matt Costa earned some kind words from a KCRW columnist who attended Coachella. I missed him, but I have a second chance -- all too rare -- when he plays The Social on June 21.

darling, don't you go and cut your hair ...

it's time to play everyone's favorite game, "Find Stephanie a New Hairstyle." I'm itching for a new 'do, but of course, I am a little bit scared. My appointment os on Saturday morning, and I need help! Let me know which one you like best.

A. It's soft, wavy and can't act worth a damn.
B. I love this one. My hair is probably thin enough to pull off this style if I straighten it.
C. Another hairdo for the flat iron. I like the bangs, but how would it look in humidity?
D. I ate the grass in Baldwin Park, and now I have arsenic poisoning.
E. Not sure I can pull this one off, but I love the romance of it. It's my Wuthering Heights look.
F. Maybe Conor Oberst will mistake me for Winona Ryder and kiss me in the hotel parking lot.
G. Another romantic look -- this one is a bit more bohemian, plus it comes with cleavage.
H. It's a little wild and crazy -- what would our Disney Image Specialist think?
I. Ummm, this looks more like ... oh, nevermind.

through someone else's eyes

Check it out! Someone posted this on YouTube. If you see someone you actually recognize from Coachella, you get the $20 I slipped out of Betamike's pocket after the Scissor Sisters set.


Just a few minutes from Metric's set ...


Daft Punk's "Technologic" in the dance tent

photos & links ... ch ching!

Us and the guys from Franz Ferdinand!

There's too much I want to say about Coachella to start writing now, but I want to share my pictures with all the cool kids who trekked to Coachella Valley with me. So, here are my crappy photos. (No more disposables, I've got to get a digital camera!!!) I can't wait to see the iMovie!

Steph's Coachella photos

Here are some other fun links from Coachella ... (all videos are from imeem)

The Go Team drummer sings to a huge crowd that overwhelms her with emotion.

Mates of State rocks the outdoor stage.

Daft Punk makes kids groove like country girls on crack in the dance tent.

Cat Power pulled it together and played an amazing set.

Also, I ran across this audio clip of Jamie Lidell on NPR.

Konichiwa motherf-ers!!!

Coachella 2006 is over ... but it's one hell of a memory.

I am still trying to make sense of all the amazing performances, incredible sights and unbelievable stories I have to tell. Most of all, I bonded with old friends and new ones. I'll save the sappiness for later and just tell you that I am forever changed!

I'm already nostalgic! If you are, too, or if you didn't make it out to the Empire Polo Fields, here are some links that may help cure your withdrawals.

Check out an unofficial Coachella community at coachella.imeem.com. Right on the front page is Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" performance. There are lots of links there to more videos and photos.

thedesertsun.com has lots of photos and less-than-stellar recaps of the festival. Are the people of Indio all at a second-grade reading level?

Here's an awesome aerial shot of the fest on Sunday from the Desert Sun newspaper in Palm Springs.