Arts Arts in America (and Britain)
Pop quiz!
Was the United States’ “postwar satire boom” a revolutionary movement? Author Stephen E. Kercher says yes.
Did the Arctic Monkeys make the best record by a British or Irish artist in 2006? The jurors for Britain’s Mercury Prize say yes.
When you’re dead, will you have a friend and ex-lover to talk about you as lovingly as Patti Smith talks about Robert Mapplethorpe in today’s London Times? Cross your fingers.
Am I alone in my freakishly high estimation of music critic Robert Christgau, who was fired last week from the Village Voice? Thanks to Slate’s Jody Rosen, I am not.
And finally, how come Seattle doesn’t have any parks that Meryl Streep does plays in?
Who knows, but here’s something fun to do tonight anyway:
Ruff Gemz (CLUB NIGHT) Ruff Gemz is DJ Fucking in the Streets, DJ Porq, and Sam Rousso’s new vehicle to move rock kids’ asses to unpredictable sounds. Happening the first and third Wednesdays of the month, Ruff Gemz hopes to achieve this noble goal by testing the Baltic’s dope sound system with electro, mutant disco, punk funk, rock remixes, and some weird tangents to keep you off-balance. Plus, $1.50 PBRs and $3 drink specials. (Baltic Room, 1207 E Pine St, 625-4444. 9 pm, free till 11 pm, $3 after, 21+.) DAVE SEGAL
ie. Ed Banger records