by Andrew Frisicano

After canceling his October 19th appearance at MoMA because of a "sports-related injury," John Cale has rescheduled his talk at the museum for Monday, February 15th. The event connects with the museum's now-closed Looking at Music: Side 2 exhibit. Tickets for the event, billed as a film screening, must be purchased in person. Information on how to get them is posted below.

John Cale won't be playing any music there (that we know of) but he did have a show recently - he played his 1973 album Paris 1919 in full on Friday, November 21st in Cardiff, UK. Videos from that are posted below too.

Some other Velvet Underground members (Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker and Doug Yule) are appearing at NYPL's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Tuesday, December 8th. Hopefully you already have a ticket because, as documented in the comments, not only is the event sold out, but due to a human error, some people who bought tickets were later informed that the event had sold out before their purchase

While at NYPL, get in the holiday spirit by checking out Charles Dickens' own copy of "A Christmas Carol", marked-up by the author for his own public performances of the book.

Brooklyn Central Library has events coming up as well (which are free). It hosts a conversation between Suicide's Alan Vega and music writer Tony Fletcher on Thursday, December 10th. The event, in lower level of Dweck Center, is free. (The VU event promotes "The Velvet Underground: New York Art," while this one coincides with Fletcher's new book "All Hopped Up and Ready to Go," described as a "history of the NYC music scene from 1927 to 1977.") Vega & Suicide played ATP NY in September. They're going to be at ATP UK (with Iggy & the Stooges) in May.

The Brooklyn Library event is one of a few upcoming promotional appearances for Tony and his new book (another is at Cake Shop). Flyer below.

The BK Central Library has some noteworthy live music too (vs. these talks about music): on the afternoon of Sunday, December 20th (4pm) it presents "Classical Interludes: yMusic"...

This uniquely configured chamber ensemble, comprised of string trio, flute, clarinet and trumpet, is equally comfortable in the often overlapping classical and pop music worlds. This concert is the premiere of Gabriel Kahane's Concerto for Trumpet and Small Ensemble and a new work by British composer, Simon Hale. The rest of the program will draw on contemporary classical works by composers such as Arvo Part and Nico Muhly and arrangements of instrumental pieces by Sufjan Stevens and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

yMusic is a sextet whose members have backed Sufjan, The National, Doveman and many others. Rob Moose of the group plays a solo show at the Stone two days before. The group will be at Archipelago series at Galapagos in April (the next Archipelago on December 18th features NOW Ensemble, which shares flutist Alex Sopp with the group).

John Cale videos, MoMA ticketing info and more, below...

Continue reading "John Cale's rescheduled MoMA visit, Tony Fletcher's new book on music from NY, Alan Vega in a library & more"

Brooklyn Central Library (wallyg)

"Finally, the Care Bears on Fire are not just for kids anymore.

The Park Slope-based trio -- newly reconfigured as an all-girl band -- [played] its highest-profile gig ever: a Saturday night, all-ages, leave-the-stuffed-animals-at-home show at the Bell House [happened in January].

But first, a little unfinished business.

Guitarist Lucio (no last names, please -- they're all barely teenagers!) left the band last year and has been replaced by Jena, a Manhattanite who, at 14, is the oldest Bear ever. She'll play bass.

What happened to Lucio?

"We had creative differences and he went in a different direction," said Izzy, 13, in an exclusive sit-down with GO Brooklyn over lattes and muffins at the Cocoa Bar in Park Slope." [The Brooklyn Paper]

Care Bears on Fire, who were also recently interviewed by Amy Poehler for On Networks show "Smart Girls at the Party", will play a free show to kick-off the Brooklyn Public Library's summer reading series on Thursday, June 4th. The gig will be held outdoors at the Brooklyn Library's Central Branch (1 Grand Army Plaza). Two days later, the same space will host singer Katia Cadet.

The Amy Poehler video and more info on both shows, below...

Continue reading "Care Bears on Fire (now all girls, still underage) interviewed by Amy Poehler (video), playing free library show"

The Ladybug Transistor and Antietam are playing a free 2pm show on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza on Saturday May 31st. All dates below....

Continue reading "the Ladybug Transistor - 2008 Tour Dates (Brooklyn Library)"