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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v6n1 (01/04/2007) » Section: See You There


Syd Barrett Tribute Show

In 2006, the music world suffered the loss of Pink Floyd founder and notorious recluse Syd Barrett. Formed in 1965, Pink Floyd released their classic debut psychedelic album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn, in 1967. Kicked out of the band shortly before the release of their second album due to unpredicatable and erratic behavior, Barrett retreated and recorded two albums, The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, at the turn of the decade. Both are quirky yet beautiful recordings that influence musicians to this day. Soon after, however, Barrett retreated once again, this time for good. He spent the rest of his years living quietly with his mother, never to be heard from again. His music is not forgotten though—on Saturday, the Mohawk Place presents the fourth annual Syd Barrett Tribute Show. It features both acoustic and electric sets from bands made up of local musicians, including an all-star finale of Piper’s “Interstellar Overdrive.”



Nickel City Poetry Slam Featuring Mike McGee

In the subterranean world of slam poetry, Californian Mike McGee is a shining star. Those in the know point to him as a prince of postmodern performance poetry by becoming, in 2006, the first slam poet ever to win two separate individual titles. McGee frequently performs solo, and also as a founding member of Tons of Fun University—a performance troupe comprised of fellow individual champion Shane Koyczan and poet-musician C. R. Avery. Friday’s show finds him pairing with Robbie Q, a slam poetry practitioner who has built a reputation at Chicago’s Green Mill Tavern, birthplace of slam. In 2005, McGee was one of the most popular competitors on HBO’s Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam, so this is a great opportunity to catch a giant of the genre. Check it: Nickel City Poetry Slam is open to all of Buffalo’s bardic battlers following the performance by McGee and Q.



Ron Sexsmith

Why not start out the New Year with one of Buffalo’s long-time favorites? Ron Sexsmith, who started performing with his band at age 14, will be performing not only one but two show this Monday night. Sexsmith, originally from St. Catherine’s, Ontario, is known as a “songwriter’s songwriter,” with a unique gift for melody and insightful lyrics, and an expressive, breathtaking voice. In 2005 Sexsmith won a Juno award for songwriter of the year for the song “Whatever it Takes.” The first performance will take place in-store and is followed by a book signing for those who preordered Sexsmith’s autographed new album, Time Being, which is scheduled for release January 9. The in-store performance begins at 5:30pm at New World Record. (Wristbands will be available; visit www.ronsexsmith.com for further information.) The second show, following the book signing, will be held at the Buffalo Icon at 7pm. Tickets are available presale and will also be available at the door.



Jake Halpern

Jake Halpern’s Fame Junkies may be an uncomfortable read for those addicted to In Touch and OK! magazines. (And, come to that, for those who follow politics by personalities and equate conspicuous consumption with success.) The Buffalonian, a graduate of City Honors, holds a mirror before America’s cultural fixation with celebrity and reveals what Americans are willing to do do to pursue it, as well as what the pursuit does to them. (Buffalo’s Personal Best modeling and acting school is profiled, as is a Duke University primatologist who demonstrates that chimps prefer to gaze at the dominant chimps in their social groups.) Halpern has written for the The New Yorker, the New York Times and LA Weekly, among other publications, and is a commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered. At the invitation of Talking Leaves Books and Hallwalls Cntemporary Arts Center, Halpern comes to town this week to read from his book, lead a discussion and sign copies.





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