Rufus Wainwright's 2009 Blackoutsabbath concert details, pics from the 2008 McGarrigle Christmas Hour, other dates

Last year's Blackout Sabbath show SUCKED. My friend & I were sitting towards the back & even though it was a small venue, we couldn't hear shit!! Honestly, we could not make out what songs were being played, who the "special guests" were, etc. Everyone sitting around me had this same problem. The performing without electricity thing was a noble idea, but not a very practical one. Seriously, it was horrible, and this is coming from a HUGE Rufus fan. If you go, just make sure you get there early enough to secure a spot up front. From there I suspect it'd be a great show, but based on last year's experience, if you're in the back you won't be able to hear shit.

Will there be a DVD available soon on The McGarrigle Christmas Hour" December 2009?

^^

December 2009 hasn't happened yet.

they should string paper cups so people can hear better

anyone recall how much tix were last year?

it's going to suck folks. the place won't carry the sound. you're better off seeing him do a full set in NJ

Jimmy Fallon, Laurie Anderson, Whichever Wainwright and more. Never has so much irritating, smug vomit been gathered on stage in one night.

Conservation and preservation are alwyas good topics

All very admirable but I don't care to be lectured about the environment by someone who must have one of the worst carbon footprints in the world. "Always on a plane or a fast train"........

anyone actually going to this?

this is a very worthwhile project and should be supported. Rufus could carry this show on his own, less "acts" would be a bonus. Certainly include Kate Mac. and Teddy Thompson but the remainder are has-beens or never-weres ......

was sold out Wednesday. there will be a limited number of standing tickets sold at the door for $20. who knows where they'll make folks stand, though (we all know - the back)

Emmylou Harris....Lou Reed...Laurie Anderson, has beens? Shows how much you know about popular music. The concert was exceptional, and the music eclectiveness and diversity made it even more enjoyable

Last night's (March 4th) Blackoutsabbath show at City Winery with Rufus Wainwright, Family & Friends was fantastic!
Blackoutsabbath is an annual event, created by Rufus, to gain awareness of the environment and to find ways of conserving energy. It is held, in California on June 20th this year, and the premise is to turn off all electricity from noon to midnight; use candles, and relate to each other! He suggests making lists of ways to conserve and attach the list to your refrigerator with a magnet. This show, here in NYC, is the preliminary event.
The City Winery is located in SoHo and before the show, I went to friend Karen's place down there (about 3 blocks from City Winery) for a pre-show glass of wine, some hummus, crackers and cheese. For years and years, Karen has been the person with whom I have seen many, many musical acts, including The Boss, Patti Smith, Mott the Hoople, ets. We were also at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh, lo those many years ago.
Onto the show! Rufus Wainwright (son of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle) is quite adorable and extremely charismatic. Appearing with him were Teddy Thompson, son of Linda and Richard Thompson, Jenni Muldaur, daughter of Geoff and Maria Muldaur, his "dear auntie" Sloan Wainwright, and half-sister, Lucy Wainwright Roche (yes, daughter of Loudon and one of the Roche sisters). Sean Lennon was supposed to be there but wasn't (that's okay - after all, he's not JOHN!), so instead, we had David Byrne! Fantastic! Surprise comic guest was Jeannine Garafalo!
The whole show was done with no electricity, the place lit only by candlelight (I managed to read the wine list by holding a small candle up to it), and with any heat/air conditioning turned off as well. Although it was fairly cold outside, the place was warm and toasty.
Rufus, of course came on first and told us that we should feel free to sing along; that he wanted the show to feel like sitting around a campfire. Music to my ears! Rufus and Sloan did a version of Jimmy Cliff's "Sitting In Limbo," and I was the only one who sang along. Teddy Thompson and Rufus did Roger Miller's "King of the Road," and again, I was the only . . . you know. Then Rufus did some of his own stuff, and kept bringing on the other members of the entourage. They all harmonized like angels from heaven. Most lively was Jenni Muldaur. She is very lovely and has a great big voice. She definitely didn't even NEED a microphone! Auntie Sloan was a little harder to hear in the back, but fortunately I had a seat near the front about 2 feet away from Rufus' long-time German boyfriend, Jorn.
The encore was Rufus' version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," a song I just learned to play on guitar. On THAT one, I only sang the chorus of the 4 "hallelujahs," along with everyone else. Rufus sings it so beautifully, I wouldn't have wanted to step on the verses!
It all felt very intimate, low-key, friendly, and quite . . . dare I say it? 1960's. Which is a good thing, no?
While exiting, we were all handed a canvas tote bag containing a light-weight metal water bottle (stop using those plastic bottles!), a little pad of note paper, a pencil (you know, for your lists!) and a refrigerator magnet. All bear the Blackoutsabbath logo.

Great show. Have pics if interested