Porschia Porschia
Take Your Young Love To Good Records.
In the wake of yesterday's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, we can't help but wonder what Dr. King would think of our generation.
Would he be happy about the huge steps forward that we've made in regards to equal rights for minorities, women and same-sex couples? Or would he point to stories like Madonna's recent racist tweets as an indicator that we've still got a ways to go before his “dream” is fully realized?
Regardless, this thought should provide you with something to reflect upon today.
As you prepare to head out tonight, just keep in mind: The decisions you make tonight will most definitely impact your future — and, in some ways, they'll have a more immediate impact than others.
Crushed Stars (Album Release) at Good Records
After debuting tracks from their Hello Young Lovers LP in Rolling Stone and CMJ, local dream-pop outfit Crushed Stars will hold a formal release for the disc tonight at Good Records. Aside from already stellar reviews from the blogosphere, the disc also marks yet another collaboration between Crushed Stars drummer Jeff Ryan and Grammy-winning producer Stuart Sikes, who were part of the team of folks that shaped last year's superb effort from The Baptist Generals. Just saying, there's a lot — on paper, at least — to get excited about. — Cory Graves
Oh Snap! at Beauty Bar
Depending on how tonight goes, Taylor Effin' Cleveland (a former CT intern) tells us that tonight's Oh Snap!-branded shindig with fellow DJ Zach Witness could potentially turn into a weekly thing. The pair doesn't plan on sticking to any single genre or theme with their “classics of the past and future” formula. Rather, says Cleveland, they'll play “The Police, Dr. Dre, Crystal Castles, Elton John, Depeche Mode, Biggie, The Cure, Paul Wall — or just whatever blends well that makes people say, Oh Snap!” — CG
New Exhibitions in TWU's East and West Galleries
A pair of new exhibitions open in TWU's East and West Galleries this evening. Montana-based ceramics specialist Shalene Valenzuela's Follow the Pattern, which recreates seemingly ordinary, “dated” household items like phone books in clay, opens in the East gallery. Meanwhile, University of Arkansas art professor Jeannie Hulen's Made in the U.S.A. opens in the West gallery. In the followup to her Made in Taiwan exhibition, Hulen critiques excessive consumerism and gender conventions through the use of sexualized children's toys. The two shows explore ordinary concepts that are taken to the extremes and spat out with a new unique, generational outlook that is undeniably 21st century. Both exhibitions open with an artist reception from 4 to 6 p.m. tonight, and will run through February 13, when both artists will participate in lectures and panel discussions at the university's Stuart Science Building. — Porschia Paxton
Tony Bennett at Winspear Opera House
To try and sum up the magnitude of achievements that Tony Bennett has racked up in his 60-plus-year career in this limited a format would be pretty criminal. Even without 17 Grammy's, 70-plus albums under his belt and 50 million records sold worldwide, the legendary crooner would still be considered something of a badass. The fact that he's stayed relevant long enough to record duets with Judy Garland and Lady Gaga each in their prime is nothing short of mind-boggling. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
