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Don’t be afraid of the guys in shades.
Curtis Stigers tries not to mix up his pazz and jop.
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY MARCH 3-6
more noise BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB
noise TWO FACES OF CURTIS STIGERS Other than a couple of annual shows—two jazz nights at Boise Contemporary Theater and the Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza—Boise audiences seldom have the opportunity to hear Curtis Stigers play live. To appease his local fans and celebrate the release of his 2009 album, Lost In Dreams, Stigers told his jazz bandmates to make arrangements to fly out from the East Coast and then scheduled a five-day run at Boise Contemporary Theater. “[BCT] is such a great place to play. People love that intimacy and how close we all are. It’s like playing a concert in my living room,” Stigers said fondly. His performances at BCT have been extended into a week-long residency, splitting the week into two no-jazz nights for fans of his pop/singer-songwriter stylings and three nights of straight-up jazz, because that’s a big part of his repertoire. Stigers has embraced his role as mayor of the No-man’s Land Between Pop and Jazz for a long time. With each successive album he releases, a little more pop music—something Stigers’ soulful, throaty voice is well-suited for—sneaks in. He’s looking forward to the first two nights because he gets to really express his poppy side ... and he gets to play the new guitar he received as a Christmas gift from Nick Lowe (“Cruel to Be Kind,” “Peace, Love, and Understanding”). Plus, he enjoys the particular thrill of being alone (Ned Evett will join him for a few songs) on a stage where he can talk, joke and relate with the audience. But the pop and jazz nights won’t be entirely separate—it’s inevitable that there will be some musical crossover during the week. “I’ve become known for taking modern songs and turning them into jazz tunes,” Stigers said, “like ‘Jealous Guy’ [John Lennon].” But Stigers has also proven himself capable of taking those songs, paring them down and strumming them as the lovely, simple pop tunes they are. Even jazz snobs might enjoy the first two nights of shows. 8 p.m., $35. Boise Contemporary Theater, 854 Fulton St., 208-331-9224, curtisstigers.com.
WEDNESDAYFRIDAY MARCH 3-5 party JAPAN FESTIVAL
THURSDAY MARCH 4
What do origami, samurai and calligraphy have in common? Originating in Japan, they will all be highlighted as part of the thirdannual Japanese Festival in Boise during Japan Week. In the past, Japan Week has been primarily celebrated on the Boise State
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campus and has focused on student-centered activities. This year, several off-campus events also aim to raise awareness of Japan Week throughout the community. Boise’s small, tightly-knit Idaho Japanese Association consists mostly of firstgeneration Japanese im-
Sometimes it seems as if a coin toss determines whether international concert tours include Boise on their list of stops. Luckily, that coin landed on heads, and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will be rumbling into town on their rock ’n’ roll-fueled hogs. This trio originated in San Francisco and now hails from Los Angeles. BRMC’s psychedelic garage rock has a hint of folk revival with occasionally religious lyrics. Citing influences like rock icons John Lennon and The Rolling Stones, the band has a distorted ’60s feel. Heck, even their name is a nod to the past—Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is the name of Marlon Brando’s motorcycle gang in the film The Wild One. Those who are more familiar with contemporary mmmbop pop culture might recognize BRMC’s song “Done All Wrong” off the 2009 installment of the Twilight series, New Moon. BRMC’s current tour takes the band all across North America and Europe throughout 2010, but with Boise as one of the earliest stops, the group should be able to muster all the vitality and enthusiasm that pulses through their soon-to-be released sixth studio album Beat The Devil’s Tattoo. An opening performance by The Whigs will set the stage. 8 p.m., $15-$35, Knitting Factory Concert House, 416 S. Ninth St., 208-367-1212, bo.knittingfactory.com.
migrants who do much more to honor their culture than scar f down dragon rolls at the plethora of sushi restaurants in this land-locked valley. Last year, the IJA contributed to Japan Week by hosting a sneak preview of the Japanese movie Departures at The Flicks. IJA will also kick off this year’s festivities on Thursday with a free viewing of The Twilight Samurai, which will be shown at Idaho State Historical Museum following demonstrations of origami and calligraphy. On Friday, the IJA brings you Japan Night,
which promises demos of kendo and Iaido, Shorinji kempo, traditional flower arranging and a Shamisen per formance. Area highschool students who study Japanese language will also be hanging around, ready to belt out songs in Japanese. While you won’t find any raw fish here, bring cash for Japanese sweet treats and green tea. Also, be sure to hit up the flea market, which will be going on throughout the event. Event organizer Shigeru Yokoyama says he hopes to beat last year’s record attendance, adding, “The
Japanese consulate from Portland, Ore., is in charge of Idaho, and he will be there.” Sounds like you’d better make an appearance, too. March 4, 6-8:30 p.m., FREE, Idaho Historical Museum, 610 N. Julia Davis Drive, 208-334-2120, idahohistor y.net; March 5, 6-8 p.m., FREE, Idaho Power Building, 1221 W. Idaho St., 208-388-2200. For other Japan Festival events and times throughout the week, visit idahojapaneseassociation.org.
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