Listening to Ben Gibbard perform is always a pleasure, especially when he sings lyrics such as, "Such ambition never failing to amaze me - it's either quite a master plan or just chemicals that help us understand - that when our hearts stop ticking, this is the end and there's nothing past this."
Those are lyrics from "St. Peter's Cathedral," which is a track off Death Cab for Cutie's 2011 release of "Codes And Keys." Although the Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service singer has been one of my favorites since the 2001 release of "The Photo Album," I didn't have a chance to see him live until seven years later.
While living in Los Angeles I had the opportunity to attend Death Cab's concert at Nokia Theater. Fortunately the majority of the material he performed during that show was from his earlier albums such as "Transatlanticism," "The Sound of Settling" and my all-time favorite "Title and Registration." The reason it was fortunate for me that he performed the older material is mostly because Gibbard is focusing on his solo career now.
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Dusten Rader
He released a solo album entitled "Former Lives" in October, and the official video for the song "Teardrop Windows" premiered this November. The video follows Gibbard as he tries to reinvent his image to become a "bad boy." It's a fun look at how the music industry attempts to change artists' images to sell records and how some artists are fine the way they are.
Even better than the official video, though, is a short, live session Gibbard did with NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. Gibbard was the guest on "All Songs Considered" with host Bob Boilen for the 250th Tiny Desk Concert. In addition to a short interview, Gibbard performed three songs including "St. Peter's Cathedral," "Teardrop Windows" and "When The Sun Goes Down On Your Street." Live sessions such as this one are my favorite way to watch musicians perform. The sessions remove the performance aspect of a live concert to give the show an intimate feel. To check out the video visit npr.org/series/tiny-desk-concerts.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Jamestown Christmas Parade Is Nov. 30: "A Tradition of Caring at Christmas" is the theme for this year's Christmas Parade. Lineup will begin at 5 p.m. on West Third Street.
Prior to the parade guests will be entertained at Tracy Plaza by Razz and Friends. Once the parade arrives at Tracy Plaza, Yara Olmo, marshal, will sing the national anthem. Following the anthem Mayor Sam Teresi will light this year's Grand Christmas Tree. At the end of the parade Santa will make an appearance. The Jamestown Fire Department will hold the Snowball Drop at the corner of Third and Spring streets. It will be followed by a fireworks show by Young's Explosives of Rochester.
Infinity To Hold Christmas Parade Performance: In conjunction with the annual Jamestown Christmas Parade on Friday, Nov. 30, Infinity will host a holiday-themed performance at the Infinity Arts Cafe from 7 to 9 p.m. Infinity students will entertain the crowd with holiday music and more. The event is free and open to the public. And, Infinity is an all-ages, family friendly venue. Those who would like to perform can call 664-0991.
Arts Council Brings Dickens Classic To Jamestown: The Arts Council For Chautauqua County will present a special holiday show of "A Christmas Carol" on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 1:30 p.m. at the Reg Lenna Civic Center. Dufflebag Theatre Company will present this live performance for all ages.
In "A Christmas Carol," Ebenezer Scrooge is up to his old tricks, but he's in for a rude awakening when the ghost of his good friend Jacob Marley and fellow spooks swoop in for a visit.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for children and $25 for a family of four. Seats may be reserved by calling 484-7070.
The Reg Lenna Civic Center is located at 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown. For information about "A Christmas Carol" and other Arts Council events, visit artscouncil.com.
Filsinger Games' "Ring of Honor" Card Game Is Coming: Filsinger Games has teamed up with wrestling promotion "Ring of Honor" to release an exciting new card game on Thursday, Nov. 29.
"Ring of Honor" is the third largest professional wrestling promotion in the United States and has some of its greatest stars, such as Kevin Steen, El Generico, Rhino and the Briscoe Brothers.
The "Ring of Honor" game features 26 full color playing cards of stars including Kevin Steen and El Generico. The introductory game offer includes game charts, dice, instructions and ROH handbook with bios and special matches.
For more information visit filsingergames.com.
Graduating SUNY Fredonia Students Share Artwork In Senior Show: Five graduating students from the Department of Visual Arts and New Media at SUNY Fredonia will have their creations displayed in the Cathy and Jesse Marion Art Gallery in Rockefeller Arts Center when the first "Senior Show" of the season opens on Friday, Nov. 30.
Entitled "The End," the show will open with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. It will feature the work of William Lauko, Justin Leavitt, James Millhouse, Mayumi Tanoue and Alyssa Velk.
The five artists work in a variety of media, ranging from claymation to painting. Each artist has a different message they are trying to convey with their work, but most of all they want people to enjoy the work and have fun.
"The End" will run until Thursday, Dec. 6. The gallery hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Both the reception and the exhibition are free and open to the public.
HAPPENINGS
To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email drader@post-journal.com or call 487-1111 ext. 253 by Monday.
Friday
Old Sneakers: 8 p.m. to midnight, Miley's Old Inn, 845 E. Second St. in Jamestown.
Derek Davis and the Tasty Groove: 9 p.m., Murdock's, 104 E. Main St. in Sherman.
The Saloonatics: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., The Lakeview, 13 Water St. in Mayville.
Saturday
Ryan Melquist: 9 p.m. to midnight, Steener's Pub, 322 Route 430 in Greenhurst.
Money Shot: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
Sunday
Derek Davis and the Tasty Groove: 2 to 8 p.m., Frewsburg Fire Hall blue building, 88 W. Main St. in Frewsburg. The event is a benefit for Shannon Tonger, a 2004 Frewsburg Central School graduate.
Wednesday
Holiday Concerts With Brenda Lee: 1:30 p.m., Seneca Allegany Casino Events Center, 777 Seneca Allegany Boulevard in Salamanca. Four more performances are also scheduled on Thursday, Nov. 29, at 1:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 2, at1:30 p.m.