Prog-Rock can often be quite cryptic and layered with
references to historical figures and concepts of the great beyond. Part of that
is true for The Mars Volta, but the El Paso-birthed band does a lot to turn
that label on its head. Much of their
chaotic yet zen sound is spurned from their former band, At The Drive-In. Always daring to try new things, Volta tries to infuse other music into their
sound, including Jazz, Latin/Salsa, Punk Rock, and Funk. Active since 2001,
their fifth album, Octahedron, was released in June, and it is
referred to from inside the band as their "pop album.”
2009 has been a good
year for the Mars Volta: Not only did they release Octahedron,
they also won their first Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for the song
“Wax Simulacra” from their fourth album, The Bedlam in Goliath. If The
Mars Volta is known for anything, however, it would be their highly energetic
live show. Lead vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala is known to swing his microphone
around, throw cymbals and other instruments, break out in salsas, and do
somersaults. They are also known to
specialize in improvisational sets, streaming in and out of songs seamlessly.
To see this for yourself, The Mars Volta will be in San Antonio on September 19 at
the Municipal Auditorium. Interested in more info on the band or their upcoming
show? Visit themarsvolta.com
• MUSIC & WINE PAIRING
The time to sip some wine and sway to live music is almost
here. At the Kerrville Wine and Music
Festival on Labor Day weekend, there will be a celebration of songwriters and Texas wines at Quiet
Valley Ranch in the middle of the Hill Country.
Seminars for anyone wishing to learn more about wines (or,
in this case, Hot Weather Texas Reds on Saturday and Texas Dessert Wines on
Sunday) will be taking place for people to discover a little bit about grapes
and good wine pairings, among other wine-related teachings.
People will be
taking bike rides around the area; others will be camping out and staying the
night at the festival. After-hours jam
sessions and song circles will go on at the camping grounds, which is a great
reason for taking out the camping gear to enjoy the starry sky. The music selection can be found on the
website; there are over 24 bands playing throughout the weekend. As for lessons on what wines to pair with what music? That's a combination all wine and music
lovers should have fun discovering on their own.
• JUST SWINGING AROUND
If Sam's Burger Joint ever had any sort of
Monday night mantra, it would probably be something along the lines of "Push,
rock step right, rock step left,” the foundation of all moves swing dance, or
at least those at Sam's Burger Joint every Monday, when the San Antonio Swing
Dance Society instructs classes designed for novice swingers. The attendees,
usually a pretty diverse array of characters (B1604 staffers included), all have
at least one thing in common: a desire to try something unique and fun on for
size.
As for taking a dance partner? No
need to worry. Partners are somewhat
randomized; everyone’s put in a circle and rotates partners every few
moves. Quite possibly the most fun is
the Big Band performance that ensues, giving all the swing dancers, both beginners
and experts, a chance to show off their moves on the dance floor later in the
evening. They change the bands up each
month (we had the pleasure of dancing to Johnny P and the Wiseguys, with vocals
low-pitched enough to give Johnny Cash a run for his, well, cash). Swing dance classes, followed by a chance to
strut your stuff or watch the experts do the moves: It's a wonderful reason to start swinging around. Get the scoop and the schedules on the Sam's Burger Joint website.
• JAZZING THE NIGHT AWAY
Sitting on a blanket in the park while the jazz saxophones
play and the birds chirp away sounds like an ideal way to support local jazz
music. On the weekend of September 18,
The San Antonio Parks Foundation and the City of San Antonio will be providing ways for us to
support local jazz in such a pleasant manner, holding a music festival, gala,
and brunch for Jazz'SAlive. Groups
performing include Johnny P. and the Wise Guys, The Hard Bop Project, Joey
DeFranceso, Incarnate Word's Jazz Ensemble, Urban 15’s Carnival San Anto,
Guitars & Saxes, and Planet Soul.
That Saturday and Sunday, the Jazz’SAlive jazz concert
festival will be held at Travis Park, from noon to 11 p.m, and noon to 10 p.m. National, regional, and local musicians will
be playing at the park throughout the day.
Better yet, it’s free. In the
mood for a little dinner and dancing? On
Friday, September 18, the Starlight Salute to Jazz’SAlive Gala will take place
at the St. Anthony Hotel,
which will include drinks, dinner, a live auction, and of course, some jazz
music for dancing the night away. For
any brunch lovers out there, there will also be a Jazz’SAlive Champagne Brunch
on Sunday, also at the St. Anthony Hotel
(the hotel is co-sponsoring and is also the host hotel of Jazz’SAlive). Polish Saturday and Sunday night off by going
to the Jazz After-hours Jam Sessions at the hotel’s pub, which will take place
until two in the morning. The event is
also free, and a way to check out the jazz musicians up close and personal. Sounds like music to our ears (and all that
jazz).
