Editor’s Picks, October 15-18

It’s feast or famine for this Editor’s Picker. First, I got stuck with the black hole that was the National Day weekend (which got even blacker with time). I had to augment that Picks column with a Wall Street Journal article about jiggy rappers selling off their bling due to the recession. That one was from my private reserve.

But this week is different, my friends, because the music promotion Gods (JZ and Layabozi) have bestowed upon me one of the mothers of all Shanghai music weekends. After this weekend I will either produce an opus of Machean magnificence, lie in a puddled heap of overstimulation on a dirty concrete floor, get divorced, or die trying. Everything is in play.

Let’s get to the action.

Thursday, October 15^th

Indie Heart Attack, Not Me, that special time of night

I am going to hype the Indie Heart Attack night at Not Me in this space again. I’m very curious because I like their blog. Maybe I will actually go this time. I usually have other, more pressing obligations, but could be free of them this week. Maybe you are in the same boat. Also, Fabi from the Rogue Transmission is spinning the cuts this week. Who’s ready for Serge Gainsbourg Appreciation night? Not me. Yes (oops), I did it again. It’s like “Uranus” jokes; they just never get old.

Friday, October 16^th

Dee Dee Bridgewater, Yunfeng Theater, 7:30 PM

Dee Dee Bridgewater has a great jazz voice and a ton of experience doing the damn thing. Did you know she was a disco singer back in the day? Check out “Journey into Paradise…The Larry Levan Story” if you don’t believe me. It’s fire. This is actually an eye-opening gig for this correspondent, as I can remember seeing Dee Dee Bridgewater 10 years ago as a part of the Chicago Jazz Festival, a seminal trip for said correspondent. Damn, I’m old. Sigh. Anyways, prices range from the moderate to the outrageously outrageous for this show, so if you don’t care about an up-close and personal experience, and would like to actually start saving for that retirement, I would try to get some of those cheaper, advance tickets.

Uprooted Sunshine 4^th Anniversary, the Shelter, 10 PM to late

Maybe you will head over to the Shelter after a Dee Dee Bridgewater-induced jazz orgasm. Or maybe you will do what I do when I am getting ready to go to the Shelter: get off work, have a few happy hour cocktails, go home, eat a nice dinner, watch a movie, surf the internet for awhile, go to sleep, wake up, take a shower, get dressed, have an espresso, play a game of Monopoly, call a taxi, and, finally, head to the show. Did I mention I’m old?

Saturday, October 17^th

JZ Music Festival Day II, Century Park,

Not sure of the sound quality at the venue (3 stages), but, nonetheless, a pretty cool lineup. Highlights of Saturday for me: Ibrahim Electric, Freshly Ground, Uprooted Sunshine, Phreaktion, and my little drum buddy who will be playing in a trio at 1 PM. Go Hugo!

Layabozi Presents: M Jazz featuring Marcus Aurelius and the Theo Croker Band, Anar, 10 PM

I would hype this one even if Mache wouldn’t put out a hit on me if I didn’t. Electronica, hip hop, and jazz? Sounds like a good combo. You must make it down to the friendly confines of Anar after a day at the park. For more info on this exciting event, go here and here.

Antidote, Dada and LOgO, 10 PM

Not to be a cross-promoting, blog-traitor or anything here, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this little happening going on not far away from the aforementioned Anar. It will definitely be hectic in that little corner of the world on Saturday night. If I was a Mad Man, I would be suggesting some coalescence, a little cross-pollination. Take that, Draper! By the way, it’s 50 kuai to gain entrance to LOgO and Dada, while the Layabozi M Jazz show is free. Just saying.

Sunday, October 18^th

JZ Music Festival Day III, Century Park

I’m pretty stoked about this day of music. Cold Fairyland, Lions of Puxi, Cui Jian, and Us3 (who knew they were still around?) should be great. I’m also looking forward to Red Star. If you have much too much time or a terrific memory, you might remember me hyping them a bit when they opened up for Ghostface Killah.

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