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Appearing at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, September 3–6, 2008 - Q & A with author/star Chazz Palminteri

Since you don’t come from a show business family, what led you to become an actor and playwright?

CHAZZ PALMINTERI: My dad sang. Obviously, he didn’t try to pursue a career in that — he had to make a living - as a New York City bus driver. My mom wanted to be an actress but she knew it would be very difficult but she always thought about. They always took me took movies. I loved movies. By the time I was about ten years old I knew wanted to me an actor. I remember seeing “On the Waterfront.” It was mesmerizing — seeing Brando and Rod Steiger’s performances — and Paul Newman in “The Hustler.” There was something inside me that kept telling me, “I can do that. I have natural ability to do that.” And writing? I just thought, “Gee, I can do that, too.” Read the rest of this entry »

August 31, 2008 the greatest running event on the planet, the Nike+ Human Race

As you know, on August 31, 2008 the greatest running event on the planet, the Nike+ Human Race, will take off at unimaginable speeds. Leading up to the Human Race in Austin, TX, runners can join the last Nike training run at Guero’s Taco Bar, located on South Congress, on August 26th at 7:00 p.m. Come join runners from all over the state as they participate in fitness training and fun, followed by a live music concert by Austin legend Gary Clark Jr. Throughout the state of Texas, Nike training runs have proven to bring together hundreds of runners and music enthusiasts, and the last run at Guero’s Taco Bar is sure to be the best!

NIKE+ HUMAN RACE IN AUSTIN.

Labor Day weekend don’t miss out on making history at the Nike+ Human Race, the world’s largest 10K running event, Sunday at 6:30pm. Austin has been selected as one of 25 host cities around the world and this is one event you won’t want to miss, read below for the top 10 reason why! Sign up before sell out at www.nikeplus.com! Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, the Austin Daze was in Las Vegas this past weekend. I rolled out there and met my lawyer who opted for the role of photographer. Unleashed upon the city of sin, we were. My innocent soul was set ablaze by the bright lights and the flickering amount of excess. We were there to explore the wonderment, take notes and dive in (with journalistic integrity) whenever possible. The stuff I get into when The Publisher is away!

Upon arrival, I joined in the massive shuffle from gambling mecca to gambling mecca. Like some sort of crazy line dance, up and down the string of lights and re-created world landmarks. Each Casino was more elaborate than the last. Each pulled me in with promises of love and something greater. It was like a grand mirage. Each place offered the sense of going to another place without jetlag, but with the same price. Not up front, but the goal is to empty your pockets. It is done as the lights and music caress you. When you are empty, the place has no use for you and it is all you can do to scramble back to your rented nest without scraped knees and elbows.

The next day brought pancakes and a trip to see the most amazing show, LOVE with Cirque du Soleil. It was a sensory overload.. A revelation filled experience set to the music of the Beatles. Read the rest of this entry »

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Kara Grainger’s new CD release “Grand and Green River” flows with soulful melodies and energetic arrangements. Her songwriting skills and musicianship are apparent throughout reminding me of Bonnie Raitt She is playing the Saxon Pub as her CD release party in Austin. Show is 11pm, Friday August 22nd, $10.

I am admittedly a Star Wars fan having seen all of the movies and collected the action figures as a kid. I arrived with much anticipation at the Galaxy Theater a little late. Most people had already found their seat. I wandered in and found a great seat right away. Settling back I was ready for the new Star Wars episodic adventure. I decided to text my editor and let him know I had made it to the film. Just then I hand on my shoulder and a voice from behind me said “You are going to have to leave the theater! No Cell phones.” A little shocked I said that I apologized and I would turn it off. It wasn’t enough. Just as the lights went down for the movie he made me get out of my seat, climbing over knees and toes and leave the theater. A little miffed I took the phone to the car and left it and returned to the movie. Security was waiting for me. Flashing the stamp I had received from my previous entry I was waved into the dark theater. Read the rest of this entry »

Jet wrote:
Press Release - I like Pot, I like it a Lot! Heard throughout South Austin last night - Jet Baker Stoner Love Songs CD Release Party / Benefit for NORML - Announcing a DVD will be created to benefit NORML

Ruta Maya International Headquarters was apparently the place to be if you were anywhere near Austin Texas on August 4th 2008. Cars, trucks, scooters and bikes owned Jet Baker fans and NORML supporters filled the parking lots and side streets around Penn Field. The residents of the new “fancy like” condos adjacent to Ruta Maya were welcomed with the sounds of “Who Who Who, Who got the Marijuana” as Jet Baker launched into his 1 hour and 10 minute set.

After everyone danced their butts off to the set by Burro Magic and The Blood Diamond, Jet Baker welcomed Josh Shimberg, President of Texas NORML to the stage. Josh updated the crowd on how NORML is influencing changes in marijuana laws right here in our community. He know how to get a crow fired up. Josh was interrupted often by ‘hell yeahs’, “right ons”, and spontaneous Texas style hootin n hollerin in support of NORML. After a few more Jet Baker songs including Britney for President, Jet introduced Matt Finkel, Pro Cannabis Libertarian Candidate for the 10th Congressional District in Texas (right here in Austin). Matt introduced himself and spoke on his candidacy and his pro-marijuana position. Read the rest of this entry »

I adore albums with great opening moments. Examples of this would be Pink Floyd’s The Wall as a sweet accordion gives way to David Gilmour’s thunderous guitar, or U2’s The Joshua Tree begins with soft keyboards leading to the pulsating rhythm of “Where the Streets Have No Name.” Sonidos Gold kicks off with a percussive groove followed by an eruption of horns that find their way to a joyful riff.

The strength of GF has always been their live shows. This new release goes a long way into capturing the vibe of a live performance. There is no slick overproduction going on, just a basic “this is how we sound” approach. It worked perfectly for this band, a collection of musicians that excel at what they do. As co-founder Adrian Quesada proclaimed, “It’s the definitive Grupo Fantasma album, the one we’ve wanted to make since the beginning.”

This album is not only an accurate snapshot of the group, but is also accessible to many. Listeners of Latin, jazz, and pop can all make it their current favorite. It’s also a bit funky, as “Arroz Con Frijoles” reminded me a lot of the Meters. Despite that accessibility, it should also be popular with current fans.

9 Daisy Stars!

Its 9AM. The sun has been up for only a few hours. A bead of sweat slowly rolls down my cheek meeting with another. A tributary to the river that will develop in a half an hour. I am barely awake. The pillow, from which I have just raised my head, is soaked. I hazily remember shifting restlessly through the night surveying for a dry spot. Folding, flipping, positioning, seeking the maximum level of dry coolness. Read the rest of this entry »

Grupo Fantasma is mucho fantastic. And their latest album is no exception. Around Austin, and the country, their live shows are legendary. You do not attend a live show to sit on your booty. In fact, you must be prepared to shake it vigorously for extended periods of time. At 11 fiercely talented musicians strong they are a force to be reckoned with. Their third album, Sonidos Gold, has the same effect, and captures the high energy, sultriness of their live performances. Grupo has a way of leading the experience and setting the mood and with this explosive blend of funk, Afro beat, and Latin sounds you won’t be able to stop until, well, the music does. The album was made for a recent smoldering hot Saturday night in the nyc. The rain from an earlier thunderstorm was steaming off the streets, the smell of wet concrete filled the air. I made a cocktail and turned up the music. Hips swaying around my apartment, I danced down the hallway to the bedroom and threw on a dress made for dancing. I turned up the music. Hips swaying to the vanity, put on some red lipstick and…turned up the music a little more. Side to side, side to side, the sound sets you in a trance where your body takes over with little thought as to what to do. Into the closet to for the right heels. Turned up the music just a little bit more. At full volume now, a final dash of perfume, and then, those hips swayed me out into the night. The sirens bellowing outside my door as if right on cue.