Organizer Rich Wetzel tells me his Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival will be held again Memorial Day weekend this year. He confirmed that performance will be held on May 29 at Tacoma’s Freighthouse Square, the Harmon, the Varsity Grill and possibly another bigger venue.
Wetzel hasn’t yet put together the lineup, but expects to post it on the venue site in the next few weeks.
The 52nd annual Grammy Awards are coming up this Sunday. But before then I thought I’d let you, the readers, weigh in. I just posted a survey over on the left hand side of the page asking your pick for album of the year. Should it be Dave Matthews? Taylor Swift? Lady Gaga? Or maybe you don’t like any of the above.
Or maybe you think its bollocks that Maxwell and Phoenix didn’t make it on the ballot. Leave write-in votes in the comments section since there’s no spot for ‘em on the survey. (Sorry, the little …
Comedian Martin Lawrence will headline Seattle’s Paramount Theatre on March 12, promoter Live Nation announced.
Lawrence was one of the most popular comedians of the ‘90s, known for appearances on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” his sitcom “Martin” and in “Bad Boys,” the “House Party” movies and other blockbusters. But by that the latter half of the decade the embattled superstar had also became known for erratic public behavior, a sexual harassment suit filed by “Martin” co-star Tisha Campbell and for nearly dying from heat exhaustion while running in 100-degree weather in 1999.
This year …
Dave Matthews Band has released summer tour dates. Not that local fans didn’t already have Sept. 3, 4 and 5 marked on their calendars. That’s when the DMB will return to the Gorge Amphitheatre for their annual Labor Day weekend shows.
Less predictable are Matthews’ opening acts. It’s Ben Harper and Relentless7 at the Gorge, with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Raphael Saadiq, Brett Dennen, Gov’t Mule, Zac Brown Band, Amos Lee Band and the Felice Brothers opening in other markets.
Presale tickets will be available beginning 3 p.m. …
Here are a few performance clips for those of you who missed the Hope for Haiti telethon the other night. You can donate to the cause here.
If you’ve seen “Chappelle’s Show,” or you just have an annoying friend who won’t stop quoting all the best bits, you know Prince has mad skills on the basketball court. Well, at least he did before he needed a hip replacement.
But who knew his Purpleness was such a big fan of the pigskin? He’s been caught on camera attending his hometown Minnesota Vikings’ playoff games. And now, in the tradition of the “Superbowl Shuffle” and that so campy its good “Super Chargers” song, here’s a little something he to get Vikes fans fired up as their favorite …
The Haiti musical benefit announcements keep rolling in, so I figured I’ll update this post periodically as I have new info. Organizers say show proceeds are going to the American Red Cross unless otherwise indicated:
* Songs for Hope, a benefit for Haitian orphans, Roberto Bonaccorso, Annie Lockwood, China Davis, Quincy “Q. Dot” Henry, Voxxy Vallejo, Heidi Vladyka, Michael O’Neill, Fuzz 58, Deborah Paige, Jason Lillie, Evan Purcell, Kim Archer, Joe Rosati, Matt Eklund, Dave Thomas and more beginning 3 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 24) at Tacoma’s Swiss Tavern. Cover is $10.
* Mike Herrera of MxPx, …
STG Presents just released the lineup and ticket details for Seattle Helping Haiti, a rock benefit for Haitian earthquake victims set for Jan. 28 at the Moore Theatre.
The 8 p.m. show’s lineup will feature regional favorites Mike Herrera of MxPx, Sweet Water, Vince Mira, The Maldives, The Classic Crime and The Memphis Radio Kings. The event will also include a silent auction with items donated by local businesses, athletes, and musicians.
Tickets are $15 and are on sale now through Tickets.com. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross’ relief …
Korn and Rob Zombie will co-headline the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which will drop in on Auburn’s White River Amphitheater on July 13, organizers announced.
So who’s as excited as I am that Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz will drop album No. 3 this year? It’s called “Plastic Beach,” and sources say that Snoop Dogg, Mos Def and Lou freakin’ Reed are among Albarn’s recruits this time around.
The official track listing released yet. But I found a few alleged demos I found floating around on YouTube.
Oh, and Rolling Stone says Gorillaz will be at Coachella this year, which gives me hope the virtual band may swing up this way, too. But hopefully the live show will be more like “Demon Days Live” DVD and less like their set at the Paramount a few years back when they just hid behind a veil and showed cartoons.