ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Section B • Page 4 • tacomaweekly.com • Friday, September 6, 2013
DRAKE SHOW RESCHEDULED
Drake has rescheduled his stop at the Tacoma Dome for Dec. 4, Live Nation announced Wednesday. The show
was originally scheduled for Sept. 26. Tickets bought for that date will be honored at the December show.
Bumbershoot redux
BEATS ANTIQUE
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acoma Weekly was undeterred by rumors of ravenous zombies roaming Seattle Center over Labor Day weekend. We weren’t about to miss out on Bumbershoot, Jet City’s annual three-day showcase of music, arts and random weirdness. Here’s some of what we saw with more Bumbershots and video viewable online at www. tacomaweekly.com. 1. The infected were way friendlier than the carnivorous hordes seen on “World War Z,” flashing dead-eyed stares as they posed with festival goers when they weren’t staging zombie attack flash mobs. British ‘60s pop band the Zombies weren’t nearly as frightening as they played the Mural Amphitheatre. 2. Synth-pop legend Gary Numan delivered one of the weekend’s most dramatic and buzz-worthy sets, a performance that included “Cars” and “Metal” from his landmark 1979 album, “The Pleasure Principle,” and “Down in the Park” from his days as leader of Tubeway Army. “When the Sky Bleeds He Will Come” – among newer, gothy cuts – was a testament to his enduring relevance as a performer and songwriter. 3. Ty Taylor – dapper front man for classic rhythm and blues act Vintage Trouble – was
PHOTO BY ERNEST JASMIN
among the festival’s most magnetic performers. He recalled a young James Brown as his band romped through retro rump-shakers from its debut album, “The Bomb Shelter.” 4. Fresh from an appearance at Burning Man Festival, world beat/ electronic fusion band Beats Antique (Zoe Jakes pictured) overcame nagging sound issues and a stolen laptop to deliver a crowd-pleasing set at the Fountain Lawn stage. 5. On a sweltering Sunday, Isaiah John sported a fuzzy, green ensemble as he passed out info on medical marijuana cards. Judging by the plumes of smoke and rich, herbal smell wafting through KeyArena as Kendrick Lamar performed, many concertgoers were favorable to the green agenda. 6. Tacoma’s own Vicci Martinez headlined the Mural Amphitheatre stage on Sunday with songs from her major label debut, “Vicci,” and fan favorites from her days coming up Jazzbones, the Swiss Tavern and other local haunts. We’re guessing you might see her onstage next when pop mentor CeeLo Green headlines the Washington State Fair grandstand on Sept. 12.
More photos at www. TacomaWeekly.com
PRESENTS
Coming December 2013
MOUSE OF THE MONTH : Mouse Prince VII
Find Mouse Prince VII beginning September 15th for your chance to win tickets to Tacoma City Ballet’s World Premiere The Nutcracker or a grand prize package! Visit tacomacityballet.com for contest details.
P Fair
From page B1
to awe its audience. Wander through a lantern-lit ferry boat, gaze at tulip fields and majestic totem poles. This unique look at many Washington state sights is sure to entice the entire family, especially when combined with Eastern lanterns, including lotus flowers, a dragon, pagodas, and much more. This is a separate, ticketed event. Tickets are $10 to $12 for a single-day pass, $16 to $20 for a pass that also includes Fair admission, and are available online at www.thefair. com. Rainier Rush roller coaster: This new, looping inversion coaster guarantees a stomach-twisting experience you won’t forget. It will take you over 60 feet in the air, then hold on tight as you speed downhill around wild loops, along wavy tracks and bendy curves. The 80 degree banked inversion is unique, offering a fear factor exciting for every family member. Rainier Rush offers a smooth ride, in spite of its +5.8 gravity force. Opening Weekend Comcast Dizzy Pass bracelet: This weekend bracelet will be sold on site for $35 on Sept. 7 and 8, and will allow access to all rides, except for the Extreme Scream and Rainier Rush coasters. Piglet Palace: Each year, two sows arrive at the Fair with one ready to deliver her piglets around opening day, and another midway through the Fair. Once the piglets arrive, the Palace will be packed with kids of all ages ogling over the latest newcomers to the Fair. Free with gate admission. Tractor Tracks: Kids will be able to take a spin on a tractor that they pedal around a maze, seeing a red barn, water feature, big farm tractor and more. This attraction is located in Sillyville and is free with gate admission. Laser shows (nightly at 9:00 and 9:30 p.m.) and fireworks (Fridays, Sept. 6, 13, 20): Laser shows will be held every night of the Fair near the Planting Patch. Fireworks will go off starting at 10 p.m. on Fridays. Evergreen Hall: The Floral
PHOTO COURTESY OF ISA LUMINASIA
ILLUMINATION. Don’t miss this year’s feature attraction, the
larger than life lantern festival Luminasia. Department and the Agriculture and $50); Cheap Trick (7:30 p.m. Sept. Horticulture Department have moved 11, $25 to $55); CeeLo Green (7:30 into a new facility so that both prop.m. Sept. 12, $20 to $60); Carrie duce and flowers from the rich earth Underwood (7:30 p.m. Sept. 13, $45 in Washington can be shown.You’ll to $95); Digital Affair with Excision also enjoy the tradition of the beautiand Chuckie (4 p.m. Sept. 14, $45 ful grange displays, too. Sponsor: to $80); Fiestas Patrias Music FesMarquis Spas tival featuring Roberto Tapia (noon Sounder Train (Sept. 14 and Sept. 15, $32.50); Alabama (7:30 21): The Sounder Train will serve 12 p.m. Sept. 16, $35 to $95); Raise stations between Everett and Lakethe Roof featuring Jeremy Camp, wood. Shuttle service will be offered Tenth Avenue North, Kutless and from the Puyallup Station to the Jars of Clay (7 p.m. Sept. 17, $20 to Washington State Fair. $40); Carnival of Madness featuring ‘Crazy Worlds’ 5D Adventures: Shinedown, Skillet, In This Moment Immerse yourself in a walk-thru and We As Human (5 p.m. Sept. 18, interactive, multimedia experience $35 to $45); Larry the Cable Guy that you won’t want to miss! Imagery (7:30 p.m. Sept. 19, $20 to $65); comes to life with 3D glasses (proCarly Rae Jepsen (7:30 p.m. Sept. vided). Free with Fair admission. 20, $20 to $50); Austin Mahone & Green Marketplace: The Funky Bridgit Mendler (7 p.m. Sept. 21, Junk Sisters will be here from Sept. 6 $25 to $60); and Kid Rock (7:30 to 10, followed by a wild west theme p.m. Sept. 22, $45 to $95). from Sept. 11 to 16. The last six days Fair gates open at 10 a.m. on will feature artisan products from the weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends. region. Admission is $10 to $12.50 for Columbia Bank Concert series: adults, $7.50 to $9 for senior citizens This year’s grandstand headliners and students, ages 6 to 18, and free include Craig Morgan (9 p.m. Sept. for children ages 5 and under. Season 6, after the rodeo, $40); Trace Adkins passes are also available, for $19.50 (9 p.m., Sept. 7, after the rodeo, to $29.50, at participating Walgreens $40); Little Big Town (7:30 p.m. and Safeway stores. Sept. 9,$20 to $60); Al Jarreau with Learn more online at www.theTacoma Symphony (5 p.m. Sept. 10, fair.com.
P Little Big Town
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actually had a platinum record then, too. So it’s been quite a few years in between; but it definitely makes us so appreciative of what’s goin’ on, because we’ve definitely been on both sides of things. We’re just enjoying the moment; and more than anything we know to do that and to take it all in and just enjoy it, and we’re having the time of our lives out here. TW: Before “Boondocks,” success was pretty gradual for the band. Were there times you doubted you’d reach the level that you’ve reached? Westbrook: You know, I don’t think we ever did. We felt like, until that point, we just weren’t getting the opportunities. But we’re pretty stubborn. Right as “Boondocks” was happening, we had just the prior year gone to our booking agents and those type of people saying, “If you’ll just get us gas money, just get us the opportunity to play in front of people, we’ll take it,” and we did. We were driving ourselves around in a van, just the four of us. We were settin’ up merch, sometimes makin’ our own merch. At that point we were making bootleg copies of “Boondocks” and just passin’ ‘em out ‘cause we felt like that was a song that could give us an opportunity. At that point, all we were thinking about was just trying to get out there and get in front of people. TW: Obviously, you struggled more. But is there anything you miss about the days when you were a band in a van? Westbrook: Those were such great times. They were hard times; we didn’t have a dime to our names, but there is something really cool about that struggle. I think it makes us the band we are today and how close we are, the four of us. … I think of these people as my family, and it definitely has to do with that time period. But I’ll say, I’m enjoying it on this side, too. (He laughs.) It’s a lot easier to crawl on a bus and let someone else drive you all night long. TW: “Pontoon” is kind of a different song for you guys. What attracted you to it in the first place? Westbrook: I think the quirkiness of it. There’s a spirit in that song that’s just a lot of fun. … Then getting in the studio with Jay Joyce and making that track, he just brought it to another level. TW: What about the funny viral video for that thing where you have all the all-stars? How did that come about? Westbrook: A couple of people at our label, I think, had that idea and put that all together. They didn’t really tell us what it was gonna be. … All those folks in there are very busy people, so to think that they took the time to do that. And man, it just kind of spawned a whole series of those
kinds of things. Then we started getting them from fans. Their families would go out on pontoons and make their own versions. It was just really cool how that kind of all took place and spawned all of that activity. TW: Obviously, you’re pretty busy. But in your down time do you find yourself going on YouTube and looking for those. Westbrook: Definitely, when that was going on I couldn’t help myself but go on. Most of the time people would send them to us. But yeah, you know, that’s good late night fodder when you’re on a bus and you’re rollin’ down the road. TW: Or you can Google yourself. Westbrook: (He laughs) I try not to do that. I’ve done it a couple of times, and I’m never happy with the pictures that come up. TW: What’s the focus of your set list this time around? Westbrook: We’re really focusing on this record, on the “Tornado” album. From the moment we were creating in the studio … I couldn’t wait to play this record live. There’s just such great energy in the songs. We throw in maybe a cover tune here and there. We’ve done the Fleetwood Mac moment (“The Chain”) on the CMT Awards. We’re throwing that in there, too, so that’s a lot of fun. Our whole thing is we love playing live, and we’re trying to make a really energetic set. TW: It’s been around a year since “Tornado” came out. Have you had time to start planning the next record? Might you surprise us with some new songs you’re trying out? Westbrook: We’re probably gonna go in the studio at the first of next year and start actually making the record. But we have definitely begun writing, and we’ve had some friends that have come out on the road a few times. We wrote with Lori McKenna again last week; she came out on the road with us, and we had a great time with her. So that’s definitely happening now, and it’s exciting. TW: Do you have any song titles, or can you tell us about the direction you might go in? Westbrook: We’re wide open at this point. You kind of try to find those moments that can be a cornerstone piece of a record. We’ve got some things that we’ve written that we’re really loving; but even on the last record we weren’t sure what songs were going to go on that record until we were in the studio; and even late in that process we didn’t really know what was going to be the final product. That’s one of those things you just kind of have to follow and follow your gut (about) what’s working and what’s not working. So we’ll have to see on that.