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live the dream Let’s get one thing out of the way: American Cream is a fantastic band name. And though in my heart of hearts, I might have hoped it was some kind of butt-rocking ’80sthrowback a la Steel Panther, neither of the two bands who go by the name of American Cream sound like that. One is a so-so indie rock band from Las Vegas. The other, from Minneapolis, has opted to push boundaries and get weird with sonic experiments. It is the Minneapolis band that we shall discuss further. American Cream’s latest album, Nathan, is a collection of live and studio recorded improvised music by 24 musicians, master-minded by Nathan Nelson. As a whole, it comes off as slow- American Cream burning, ominous psych-rock with quietly menBut I can’t say whether American Cream sounds acing basslines and underlining computer-y blips. A anything like that live, because for the tour, American saxophone occasionally squeals. Some tracks on Cream is inviting local musicians on each stop to join Nathan are less than two minutes; some careen and in the performance. meander for more than 10. Nelson’s husky, deep, Missoula gets to join the American Cream dream broody vocals sort of tie things together. when Nathan Nelson plays back-to-back shows on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6. The first, at the Top Hat, includes a line-up with Skin Flowers and Needlecraft. Friday WHO: Minneapolis band American Cream night at the VFW is sure to amp up the Missoulastyle weirdness, as rock outfits The Juveniles, Thee WHEN AND WHERE: Dec. 5 at the Top Hat at 9 PM, Dec. 6 at the VFW at 10 PM Hounds and experimental trio Modality are showing up, too. There’s mutterings on the Twitterverse that local poets might appear in order to read works HOW MUCH: Free on Dec. 5. $4/$6 for ages while backed by the music. Things could get a little 18-20 on Dec. 6 strange–and that’s the joy of it. MORE INFO: realamericancream. bandcamp.com/ —Kate Whittle
Flathead Lake’s a little chilly, but the atmosphere ought to be plenty warm and friendly at the Sandpiper Gallery Members Holiday Show and Sale, with a reception during the holiday art walk on Fri., Dec. 6 from 3-7 PM and Sat., Dec. 7 from 10 AM-4 PM. 306 Main St in Polson.
nightlife Give and receive empathy with Patrick Marsolek during Compassionate Communication, a non-violent communication weekly practice group, at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, 519 S. Higgins Ave. Noon. Free. The Humane Society of Western Montana seeks good eggs to help care for the shelter’s critters. Volunteer duties include dog walking, cat socializing, cleaning, office work and more. 5930 Highway 93 S. Orientations are Dec. 6 at 5 PM and Dec. 7 at 11 AM. Apply first at myhswm.org. Eco-minded peeps are getting party-minded at the annual Clark Fork Coalition holiday party. Free food, beer and wine, plus tunes from Way Too Cool and Shane Clouse and Stomping Ground. 140 S. Fourth St. 5 PM. Free for members, or $25 at the door, which in-
cludes a one-year CFC membership. If you buy a ticket online before Dec. 6, you get a free Montgomery cocktail at the party. Check out clarkfork.org. If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes and then head on over to the 2014 NBC Weather Calendar release, where the KECI weather dream team signs the thing. Fact and Fiction, 220 N. Higgins. 5-7 PM. Let’s make Jasmine tea and sticky buns a new holiday tradition after the Chinese Christmas High Tea fundraiser with Chef Wang Hao, a fundraiser presented by New Hong Kong Chef and Seedlings of Change. Raffle tickets are for sale, too. 2009 Brooks St. 6 PM, with raffle drawing at 7:30. Check out seedlingsofchange.org to learn more about SOC. Kid-friendly, mom-approved Whizpops launch their Kickstarter campaign and party down at Family Friendly Friday at the Top Hat. 6-8 PM. Free. Homegrown Montana gal Charla Bauman presents a Christmas concert with country flair at the North Valley Public Library in Stevi. 6-8 PM. Free. Light refreshments will be served, too.
Drink with the fishies tonight when the Bassface Krew hosts Fishbowl Friday, with tunes spun by Christian Jackson, Deadline, Wargasm, Jason Woo and Digerati. Badlander. 7 PM. No cover, plus $5 fishbowls dranks. Thumbsucker and Up In the Air author Walter Kirn visits UM for a reading at the Dell Brown Room of Turner Hall. 7 PM. Free. Embark on a gay fantasia during the play Angels in America: Millennium Approaches at the Montana Theatre in the PARTV Center. Nov. 19-Nov. 23 and Dec. 3 through Dec. 7 at 7:30 PM. $20/$16 for seniors and students/$10 for kids 12 and younger. Tickets at the UMArts Box Office. See umt.edu/theatredance. Save your bump ‘n’ grind for after the Dance Up Close performance by the UM School of Theatre and Dance. The concert invites the audience to sit up close and intimatelike while professionals and students present 17 original performances ranging from hip-hop to ballet. Masquer Theatre. 7:30 PM nightly, a 2 PM matinee on Sat., Dec. 7. $9/$6 for kids under 12. Ticket at the UMArts Box Office, 243-4581 or tickets.umtheatredance.org.
missoulanews.com • December 5–December 12, 2013 [31]