RSS Feed

Poetics Plus: Jocelyn Saidenberg and Brandon Brown

[POETRY] There is a rich tradition of experimental poetry in the Bay Area that dates back at least to the 1950s “Berkeley Renaissance” circle of Jack Spicer, Robin Blaser, and Robert Duncan, through the “Beat Poetry” scene of the late 1950s and into the 1960s, a tradition that intertwines with UB’s storied Poetics Programs on many fronts. With their passion for small press activity, poets’ theater, and challenging poetry that involves translation and linguistic experimentation, Joceyln Saidenberg and Brandon Brown are two of the most adventurous avatars of that tradition.

Steve Rannazzisi

[COMEDY] Steve Rannazzisi’s acting career began on Ashton Kutcher’s Punk’d where he was almost punched in the face by A-Rod on his first day. After appearing in multiple films and television shows, Rannazzisi began writing and starring in FX’s hit series The League in 2009. The League Commissioner proves to be an ace in the stand-up arena as well in his Comedy Central special, Manchild.

Northern Faces

[ALT ROCK] Surfacing circa 2012, Northern Faces’ 2013 EP, Southern Faces, went from Foo Fighters to Black Keys in six bluesy cuts peppered with classic and pop rock. They teased us with two promising singles off their forthcoming (April 21) debut: “Wait, Wait, Wait,” a buoyant toe-tapper charged with eighties’ British pop-rock hooks, and “Cops Come,” which rallies the outlaw as it buzzes with sizzling energy.

Neil Diamond After Party with Rumourz

[CLASSIC ROCK] Local tribute band, Rumourz, may not own their songs, but they undeniably own their execution. Harnessing the spirit of Fleetwood Mac’s most profitable album—in terms of both capital and overall music quality—the local tribute act incarnates the raw energy of the Mac’s greatest hits from “Tusk” to “Chain.” Stacey Givan on keys and vocals is every bit the White Witch from her pipes to her cascading blond hair.

Film review: Viva la Liberta

If any present-day nation deserves to have its politics satirized, Italy must be near the top of the list. The country often seems never to have achieved full nation-state status since Garibaldi’s nineteenth-century uprising. It more resembles a fractious, unwieldy amalgamation of regions and big, entrenched interests: the mafia, the Church, north vs. south, etc.

Pages