photos by Bryan Bruchman

As previously mentioned, The Sea & Cake, Mac McCaughan, Jon Benjamin & Jon Glaser stopped by at Maxwell's last night for Yo La Tengo's first of eight Hanukkah shows at Maxwell's. Who will be there tonight? UPDATE: It was Spent

Here are some pictures from the first show. They continue below...

Continue reading "Hanukkah 2011 @ Maxwell's Night 1 in pics (Yo La Tengo, Sea & Cake, Jons & more)"

Yo La Tengo @ Maxwell's, Hanukkah 2007 (more)

Yo La Tengo, despite a scary health scare for Ira, will begin their eight nights of Hanukkah shows tonight at Maxwell's. Part of the fun is of course figuring/finding out who opens each show, and who the special guests and comedians are/will be. Any ideas?

So far it looks like the recently reunited Glands are visiting from Georgia to open the Christmas Eve show! You might remember that Yo La Tengo opened for them at Mercury Lounge in November.

Any other guesses? Who's definitely in from out of town? Marianne Faithfull? Dum Dum Girls? Who lives here or close to here that seems like maybe they could stop by? Titus Andronicus? Ted Leo? Kurt Vile? Thurston Moore? These are all just guesses... stay tuned for more as the week goes on.

Yo La Tengo @ Maxwell's (Hanukkan 2008) (more by Natasha Ryan)

Thanksgiving is not even a week past, but Hanukkah is already here and that means eight Yo La Tengo shows at Maxwell's in Hoboken. One for each night, they shed a sweet fucking setlist and opener and comedians and special guests and charities and mixtapes and who knows what. You never really know what you're going to get until it happens, but we can try and figure it out. Who will open each show?

Well, we already know The Parting Gifts are scheduled to appear on night two.

12/1 -
12/2 - The Parting Gifts & ?
12/3 - ?
12/4 - ?
12/5 - ?
12/6 - ?
12/7 - ?
12/8 - ?

The Greenhornes played Bowery Ballroom last night (11/30) and have nowhere to be until December 5th. Ted Leo kicks of a tour on 12/2, so if he's a special guest, it has to be tonight (12/1) or 12/5 (his night off). He's back in town on 12/6 to play Terminal 5 with the New Pornographers, but there's no way he could do T5 and Maxwell's in one night (and he's back on tour right after). The New Pornographers (AC Newman and Neko Case included) on the other hand have almost every single other night of Hanukkah free (and AC Newman's show with John Wesley Harding isn't until December 17th) (John Wesley Harding is free all days except 12/5).

Kurt Vile plays Knitting Factory on December 3rd and has all other days of Hanukkah off. Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, and Pat Sansone are playing Bowery Ballroom on 12/4 and Tarrytown on 12/6, but are free on 12/3 and 12/5. Nels Cline is in NYC on 12/6, and is free 12/7 and 12/8 (but it doesn't look like he'll be around the same time as the other members of Wilco unfortunately).

The Feelies have no conflicts or upcoming dates at all. Mission of Burma play Maxwell's and the Bell House in January, but you never know, maybe they'll come down for this too. Stornoway seems like a longshot, but they are in town on December 2nd and free 12/1, 12/6 and 12/7. Warpaint play Manhattan on 12/1, Brooklyn on 12/2, Philly on 12/3 and DC on 12/4, and then are free after that.

Titus Andronicus, who by the way are opening for Passion Pit at Wellmont Theater on 12/30, have to be in Florida to play a show with Superchunk on 12/4, but are otherwise free. Superchunk have from the time they finish that Florida show until 12/9 to get to Toronto to open for Broken Social Scene. Superchunk are next scheduled to be in NYC in March to open for Bright Eyes who recently popped up as a guest at a NYC show. Screaming Females, who opened for Yo La at Brooklyn Bowl recently, are recently home from Europe and totally free.

Jim Gaffigan is not the most likely comedian to show, but it would be a good warmup for his seven shows at Best Buy Theater. More likely are some mix of Eugene Mirman, Todd Barry, David Cross, Jon Benjamin, John Oliver, John Mulaney, Kristen Schaal, Hannibal Buress, Michael Showalter, Leo Allen, Mike Birbiglia, etc...

UPDATE: Night One featured an opening set by M. Ward and comedian Todd Barry along with Nash Kato of Urge Overkill as a special guest.

UPDATE2: Syl Johnson & JC Brooks are in town this week too

UPDATE3: Richard Buckner is around this week too

UPDATE4: Floored by Four aka Mike Watt, Nels Cline, Dougie Bowne & Yuka Honda, not to mention Cibo Matto, are playing NYC this week too.

All the Maxwell's shows are long sold out, but Craigslist is hopping. Leave tips and more ideas in the comments. Tour dates for most of the artists mentioned in this post, below...

Continue reading "Yo La Tengo kicking off '10 Hanukkah shows - Who's opening?"

Festival of Strikes: A Benefit for JDub is taking place at Brooklyn Bowl on November 30th (Haukkah eve) featuring JDub artists The Sway Machinery, DeLeon, and other special guests to be added. Eugene Mirman will host. Tickets go on sale Friday at noon.

Highline Ballroom is hosting the 4th Annual Menorah Horah on December 4th. The burlesque-filled lineup for the night includes The Schlep Sisters, Minnie Tonka, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Jonny Porkpie, Sapphire Jones, Dottie Lux, Angelique A'lamode, Etta-May Freeway, Lady Rizo, DJ Mikey Palms and host Seth Herzog

And speaking of Hanukkah (December 1-9, 2010), much like Yo La Tengo, Matisyahu is returning to New York City with Hanukah shows this year, but in a slightly less ambitious way . He'll be here for the two nights preceding Hanukkah and only stay for three actual Hanukah dates (instead of playing all 8 nights in NYC like he did in the past). This time he'll finish up his own "Festival of Light" in other east coast states. Tickets are on sale now for 11/29 at Brooklyn Bowl, 11/30 at Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Tally Hall, 12/4 at Music Hall of Williamsburg with DJ Rekha, and 12/5 at Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Moon Taxi. Other dates include 12/1 at Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY, 12/6 at Paradise Rock Club - Boston, MA, 12/7 at Ram's Head Live - Baltimore, MD, 12/8 at Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA, and 12/9 at State Theatre - Portland, ME.

Speaking of artists linked to the jam band scene playing multiple nights in NYC with various openers, The Disco Biscuits are playing three nights at Terminal 5, and they definitely win in the opener department. Raekwon is opening up the 12/27 show. DFA artist Holy Ghost! is opening on 12/28 and Crystal Method is 12/29. Tickets are on sale now.

And while we're on the subject, Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra, is playing The Wellmont Theatre on December 28. Tickets are on sale now.

Tickets are also still on sale for Passion Pit's New Years shows on December 30 and December 31 at The Wellmont Theatre.

The Roots are playing 3 sets on New Years Eve at Brooklyn Bowl.

Guided By Voices, Sharon Jones, Patti Smith, Phish, and Drive-By Truckers, and Gov't Mule are all also playing New Years Eve shows in NYC.

But sorry for getting ahead of myself, you probably still don't even know what you're doing on Halloween.

DOWNLOAD: Macaroons - Hurry Up And Light The Candle (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Phofo - Light That Menorah (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: DJ BC vs. Adam Sandler - Chaukah Song (Goy Mix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Doc Mo Shé - Hanukkah Homeboy (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Chutzpah - Chanukkah's Da Bomb (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Smooth-E - Hanukkah Hey Ya! (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Woody Guthrie - Hanukkah Dance [Alternate Take] (1:24)
DOWNLOAD: Songs in the key of Hanukkah - Dreidel (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: DJ BALAGAN - "Chalutzei Ketzev" (Israeli 70s Beat Mix) (MP3)

Hanukkah started Friday night, but due to the sabbath, Matisyahu (and his non-Jewish openers) kicked off his annual eight-night run on Thursday night (12/10). He continues tonight (12/12):

12/10 @ Webster Hall (w/ Glitch Mob)
12/12 @ Webster Hall (w/ John Brown's Body)
12/13 @ Webster Hall (w/ Cage)
12/14 @ Webster Hall (w/ Brothers Past)
12/16 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (w/ Rana)
12/17 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (w/ Kid Koala)
12/19 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (w/ Travis McCoy)
12/20 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (w/ Kevin Divine)

Yo La Tengo often plays eight Hanukkah shows too, but unfortunately not this year. Grab a shirt from their 2008 shows HERE.

City Winery is celbrating "Hanukkah Three Ways" with three separate shows in a row on Sunday (12/13).

12/13 {12pm} $5/$10/$25 GA
The Macaroons
Special family show

12/13 {3:30pm} $20 - GA
Yehonatan Geffen
The writer/lyricist/playwright performs his works

12/13 {9pm} $15 GA
Keren Ann
Join the chanteuse for a rare New York show.

Union Hall hosts some holiday-themed burlesque on Thursday, December 17th ("Hanukkah Hotness, Solstice Sexiness, Xmas Exploits, Yuletide Yumminess, and New Year Nudity, courtesy of your host GiGi La Femme with Anita Cookie, Jonny Porkpie, Nasty Canasta, Sizzle Dizzle, and Doc Wasabassco!"). Flyer below.

Speaking of Hanukkah Hotness, "Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad" is running at the Bleecker Street Theatre.

-"Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad" is a night of comedy, music and burlesque, told by the gals who learned to smoke at Hebrew School, got drunk at their Bat-Mitzvahs and would rather have more schtuppa than the chupah. These badass chosen chicks boldly dare to deconstruct years of tradition, expectations and guilt in a fast-paced vaudeville extravaganza.

Also tonight/Saturday (12/12), but at the new Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, it's the Major League Dreidel 2009 Tournament. Gods of Fire will be performing songs from their new album, Hanukkah Gone Metal.

Also at Southpaw, but not until Christmas Eve (12/24), BrooklynVegan is proud to be a sponsor of Jewltide 7, brought to you by JDub and Jewcy with "Boogaloo, Funk, Soul, Menorah Lighting, Soul Clap, Brooklyn Rhythms, Donuts". Dan Saks (aka DeLeon) will be performing with a DJ set by Jonathan Toubin. Tickets are on sale. Heebonism goes down the same night at Fontana's.

And as previously noted, you can also catch DeLeon Wednesday night (12/16) at Knitting Factory. Pharaoh's Daughter is also on the bill, and it's part of the The 5th Annual Sephardic Music Festival which runs from December 12th through the 19th with events at 92YTribeca, Union Hall, Joe's Pub and other places. Full schedule below...

What else?

Continue reading "your guide to Hanukkah events in NYC (2009 shows include Sephardic Music Fest, DeLeon, Jewltide, burlesque & more) "

Chevonne

Jews rejoyce. Orrin Hatch, the Republican Mormon senator from Utah, has written a Hanukkah song: "Eight Days of Hanukkah."

As Hatch told the New York Times, "Anything I can do for the Jewish people, I will do. Mormons believe the Jewish people are the chosen people, just like the Old Testament." [Huffington Post]Orrin Hatch.... and Chevonne, and more below...

Continue reading "videos to get you in the mood (for Chanukah)"

Gods of Fire has crafted a uniquely original work that tells the story of Hanukkah through a rich fusion of heavy metal music, operatic vocals, traiditonal melodies, and a Klezmer soul. The 8 song collection features two holiday favorites, "Oh Hanukkah" and "Havenu Shalom Aleichem," alongside original songs about the menorah, gelt, spinning dreidels, fighting dragons for latke oil and a historical document of the Maccabean war. For fans of Iron Maiden, Manowar, Helloween, Dio, Judas Priest and Dream Theater.

Gods of Fire will support the album with two special Jewish themed shows during the week of Hanukkah. The first is a release party at the Knitting Factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on December 12th with a follow up on December 17th at New York City's Fontana's.

Continue reading "Hanukkah Gone Metal?!"

Masked men opened many of the YLT Hanukkah shows this year

Yo La Tengo Hanukkah 2008 @ Maxwell's in Hoboken

1. Oneida and Paul F. Tompkins opened. Mix disc by Aesop Rock. Special guests = Janet Weiss & Britt Daniel.
2. The Magnetic Fields opened and John Hodgman opened. Mix disc by Steve Shelley. Special guest = Doug Gillard & Ira's mom.
3. John Zorn & Marc Ribot and Slovin & Allen opened. Mix disc by Gaylord Fields. Special Guests = Yoni Wolf & Smokey Hormel.
4. Jennifer O'Connor and Jon Benjamin opened. Mix disc by Russell Maer.
5. Antietam and Fred Armisen opened. Fred also played drums. Mix disc by Georgia. Special guest = Cyril Jordan.
6. Lambchop and Jon Wurster (as Marky Ramone) opened. Mix disc by James.
7. Willie Alexander and the Boom Boom Band and David Cross (as Rabbi Alan Sugarman) opened. Mix disc by Ira. Special guest = David Mansfield.
8. Metal Mountains and Todd Barry opened. Mix disc by Zooey Deschanel.

How was the New Years one? Did anyone go to all nine shows? Other thoughts? Memories? Best night? Anything?

Videos & stuff below...

Continue reading "all of the 2008 Yo La Tengo holiday show openers & guests "

Lambchop w/ James McNew on bass @ Maxwell's - 12/26/08 (Dawn Sutter Madell)

"Having Lambchop on hand to open [Hanukkah] night 6 [at Maxwell's] was like having a holiday family reunion, minus the drama. There are multiple reasons why we've made record after record in Nashville, and one of them is certainly the chance to eat hot chicken with those guys. Their set was gorgeous, mixing songs from OH (ohio) with a few covers, some more aptly chosen (Bob Dylan's "You're a Big Girl Now") than others (Kurt's What State Is Hoboken In topical shoutout to Caroline with the Wedding Present's "Kennedy"). Were it not for the music stand in front of him, you would never have guessed that James was a fill-in on bass."
[Yo La Tengo]

Continue reading "Lambchop opened for YLT, playing more 2009 shows (dates)"

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

As previously noted, Jennifer O'Connor and comedian Jon Benjamin were the openers for Yo La Tengo Hanukkah night four. Jon went by the name Mark Levinsky. According to the show poster, "Jon Glassner" (not to be confused with Jon Glaser) was also supposed to be on the comedy part of the bill, but according to "Mark", Jon had to call out sick. "Mark" then "read out a VERY funny letter from Glassner accompanied by numerous props including a foot long subway hero, a photo of Jon on a jet ski, and randomly distributed free samples of a well known pharmaceutical product." Mixtapes for the evening were provided by Russell Mael of the band Sparks. In honor of the mixtape Yo La Tengo played a Sparks cover. The whole setlist and more pictures below...

Continue reading "Yo La Tengo, Jennifer O'Connor & Jon Benjamin @ Maxwell's (Hanukkah night 4) - pics & setlist"

DOWNLOAD: Jennifer O'Connor - Here with Me (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Jennifer O'Connor - Valley Road '86 (MP3)

I'm doing pretty good with my guesses so far. Still no Titus Andronicus, but Britt Daniel and Janet Weiss were there on night one, and Jon Benjamin (comedy) and Jennifer O'Connor (music) opened last night, Christmas Eve, December 24th, the fourth night of Hanukkah (there goes the theory that they don't repeat an opener) (btw, good job Anonymous | December 22, 2008 5:58 PM at predicting night three's special guest Yoni Wolf). Pictures of the show are coming soon. There were no other special guests.

That was Christmas Eve and today is Christmas, so what better time to mention the great new Christmas album called Peace on Earth : Vol. II. The charity holiday album features tracks by Jennifer O'Connor, Anathallo, Pattern is Movement, Marla Hansen, Oxford Collapse, Jason Collett, American Analog Set, and many others. Check it out. Jennifer's song is "Deck the Halls". You can hear it at her MySpace.

Jennifer's next NYC show is at Southpaw on February 14th with Mascott. Tickets are on sale. All dates below...

Continue reading "Jennifer O'Connor - opened YLT night 4, sings on Peace On Earth Christmas album, touring in 2009 (dates)"

photos by Tim Griffin

DOWNLOAD: Yo La Tengo - Beanbag Chair (MP3)

After an opening set by Marc Ribot and John Zorn, and a bit of comedy by Slovin and Allen, Yo La Tengo headlined their third Hanukkah show in a row at Maxwell's on Tuesday with some help by guests Smokey Hormel (on guitar for the whole show) and Yoni Wolf of Why? (for a song at the end). Yoni was last seen playing a few sets at Anticon-fest at Knitting Factory last week, including one with/as his old group cLOUDDEAD. More pictures, and the setlist from Hanukkah Night Three, below...

Continue reading "Yo La Tengo, Smokey Hormel & Yoni Wolf @ Maxwell's, NJ (Hanukkah night three) - pics & setlist"

photos by Tim Griffin

"It takes a Village" (Slovin and Allen)

One more Christmas Eve entertainment option: Chanukomedy @ 92YTribeca. Todd Levin, Amy Schumer, Rachel Feinstein, Joe Mande and Leo Allen will all be there to entertain jou (get it? you + jew = ... that's why I'm not on the bill..).

It will be the second night in a row Leo Allen is part of a funny Hanukkah event. Last night (12/23), he and his partner Slovin were the comedian openers at the Yo La Tengo show at Maxwell's. They came on after Marc Ribot and John Zorn did their thing. To quote Tim, "Slovin and Allen discussed news of the day, gave synopses of two Hillary and two Obama books and were pretty funny."

You can catch Leo Allen every Monday night at the UCB Theatre in NYC. He hosts the show called Whiplash. More Hanukkah pictures below...

Continue reading "Chanukomedy tonight, Whiplash every Monday, Slovin & Allen pics from the Yo La Tengo show last night"

Willie "Loco" Alexander (born 13 January 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American singer and keyboard player based in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

He played with The Lost, The Bagatelle and The Grass Menagerie before becoming a member of The Velvet Underground in late 1971, joining fellow Grass Menagerie alumni Doug Yule and Walter Powers and replacing Sterling Morrison, who had gone off to pursue an academic career.[Wikipedia]

December 27th is also the seventh night of Hanukkah. It would be amazing if Lou Reed were also the special guest that night (although Lou and Willie were never actually in VU at the same time, so maybe not).

Metal Mountains are opening the eighth. John Zorn and Marc Ribot opened the third.

Boom Boom video below...

Continue reading "Willie Alexander & The Boom Boom Band w/ Deborah Frost opening for Yo La Tengo on Chanukah night seven"

photos by Tim Griffin

John Zorn (sax) and Marc Ribot (guitar), playing a set of free jazz, were the surprise opener at Yo La Tengo's third Hanukkah show at Maxwell's last night (12/23). It's the kind of music you'll find played regularly (often by Zorn and/or Ribot) at Zorn's downtown club The Stone. I talked to two Maxwell's attendees after the show. Both had the same sort of "I wanted to like it...I know they are amazing musicians..." kind of attitude about the 30 minute opening set. Next came a set of comedy by Slovin and Allen which came before Yo La Tengo's set which included the special guests Smokey Hormel and Yoni Wolf of Why?. More pictures of the openers below...

Continue reading "John Zorn & Marc Ribot (Yo La Tengo night 3 openers) @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ - pics"

photos by Natasha Ryan

As I write this, we're only hours away from sundown on Hanukkah night four, otherwise known as the fourth night in a row Yo La Tengo will play a show at Maxwell's in Hoboken. You already heard all about night two (12/22). The Magnetic Fields opened. Here are the rest of the pictures from that one...

Continue reading "Yo La Tengo, John Hodgman, Doug Gillard & Ira's mom @ Maxwell's in Hoboken (Hanukkah night 2) - pics"

photos by Natasha Ryan

Rainer Werner Fassbinder (May 31, 1945 - June 10, 1982) was a German film director, screenwriter and actor. A premier representative of the New German Cinema. Famous for his frenetic pace in film-making, in a professional career that lasted less than fifteen years Fassbinder completed 35 feature length films; two television series shot on film; three short films; four video productions; twenty four stage plays and four radio plays directed; and 36 acting roles in his own and other's films. He also worked as an actor (film and theater), author, cameraman, composer, designer, editor, producer and theater manager.

Fassbinder was distinguished for the strong provocative current underlying his work and the air of scandal surrounding his artistic choices and private life. His intense discipline and phenomenal creative energy when working were in violent contrast with a wild, self-destructive libertinism that earned him a reputation as the enfant terrible of the New German Cinema, as well as its central figure. He had tortured relationships in his personal life with the people he drew around him in a surrogate family of actors and technicians. However, his pictures demonstrate his deep sensitivity to social misfits and his hatred of institutionalized violence. He ruthlessly attacked both German bourgeois society and the larger limitations of humanity. His films detail the desperate yearning for love and freedom and the many ways in which society, and the individual, thwarts it. A prodigiously inventive artist, Fassbinder distilled the best elements of his sources -- Brechtian theatrics, Artaud, the Hollywood melodramas, classical narrative, and a gay sensibility into a complex body of work.

Fassbinder died at the age of 37 from heart failure resulting from a lethal interaction between sleeping pills and cocaine. His death is often considered to mark the end of the New German Cinema. [Wikipedia]

Continue reading "the Magnetic Fields @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ - pics & setlist"

Ira's mom @ Maxwell's in NJ - Dec 22, 2008 (by Liz Clayton) (via)

We actually have more pictures of last night's show coming, but in the meantime I can confirm that The Magnetic Fields did open Yo La Tengo's 2nd 2008 Hanukkah show at Maxwell's. Stephin Merritt also stuck around to sing again during the encore, John Hodgman was the comedian, and Doug Gillard and Ira's mom were the other singing special guests.

Tonight/Tuesday is night three (12/23), and I'm not sure we've figured out who the opener will definitely be yet. Do you know? Night one and two's setlists below...

Continue reading "Yo La Tengo Hanukkah continued, 2008 setlists so far"

the Magnetic Fields @ Loew's, Jersey City (more by Chris La Putt)

As Walter kindly first pointed out, The Magnetic Fields (who are currently working on a new album) are opening for Yo La Tengo at Maxwell's in Hoboken tonight, Monday December 22nd - the second night of Hanukkah. You could say that night two ticketholders won the opener lottery.

Oneida, Britt Daniel and Janet Weiss all showed up last night. Metal Mountains are opening night eight. Who will open nights three, four, five, six and seven? Gut Bank?

The above drawing is a segment of the songsheet Oneida passed out at Sunday night's show at Maxwell's in Hoboken (12/21). It was the first of eight Yo La Tengo Hanukkah parties at the NJ venue this year, and, as promised, the Brooklyn band (Oneida) opened the night. As also promised, comedian Paul F. Tompkins opened with a set of comedy. AND, I'm feeling really good right now because two (sort of) of my guest guesses also came true last night. Both Britt Daniel and Janet Weiss (I guessed Britt and "Quasi") joined Yo La Tengo for some songs. To quote an email I got from Josh,

Oneida opened.
Then Paul F Tompkins.
Then YLT with Janet Weiss
For the encore - Paul F Tomkins joined the band and sang a Hannukah version of [Johnny Cash's] "Ring of Fire"
Then Britt Daniel joined and sang a few songs including "Mother and Child Reunion" [by Paul Simon]

The shows continue tonight (Monday, Hanukkah night two). We now know the openers for night eight, but who will open tonight? Will it be Titus Andronicus? Will it be Antietam? I'm not sure. Post your guesses and facts in the comments.

Download the whole Oneida songsheet (thx Josh) as a PDF HERE. Check out a Yo La Tengo video from last year's Hanukkah run, below...

Continue reading "It's Hanukkah Bitch! Britt Daniel & Janet Weiss joined Yo La Tengo, Oneida & Paul F Tompkins @ Maxwell's last night"

Sun Dec 21st - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's - Day one of Yo La Tengo's annual Hanukkah Celebration. This show is sold out but you might be able to find tickets on Craig's List. Check it out. . .we will be playing some exclusive songs for this. [Oneida]

DOWNLOAD: Adam Sandler - Hanukkah Song (MP3)

Hanukkah is just a couple of days away, which, most excitingly, means vegan latkes and eight Yo La Tengo shows at Maxwell's with secret openers, comedians and special guests. Last year it was The New Pornographers, Jim James, Mark Arm, Alex Chilton, Versus, The dB's, The Clean, and many others. Who will be the openers this year? All we really know is that comedian Todd Barry will be there on the final night (December 28th). We also know that The Feelies will NOT be opening one of the Hoboken Hanukkah shows (they're opening New Years Eve). Someone commented that they heard She & Him are opening one. I have no idea if that's true. I do have some guesses though.

I would put money on Titus Andronicus (NJXL) as an opener. My other guesses for guests and/or openers are Quasi, Ted Leo, NY Dolls and/or David Johansen, The Fleshtones, AC Newman, The A-Bones, Lou Reed, Endless Boogie, Britt Daniel, Will Sheff, Department of Eagles, Charles Bissell, and Jennifer O'Connor. I expect to be wrong about all or most of those. There will also be an assortment of comedians that may or may not include Jon Benjamin, Jon Glaser, Eugene Mirman, David Cross, John Oliver, Bill Murray and Fred Armisen. Stay tuned for updates, and please comment with your own guesses and/or facts.

Tickets are completely sold out for all eight Yo La Tengo shows. Matisyahu unfortunately can not say the same about his Hanukkah run at Webster Hall and Music Hall of Williamsburg. And his loss is your (or your little sister's or your mom's or maybe nobody you know's) gain. Get $5.00 off tickets by using the code "Light" when buying at Ticketmaster. I also have a few pairs to giveaway to the Matisyahu show of your choice (remember there are eight different openers too).

For a ton of other Hanukkah event options, see HERE. Details on winning Matisyahiu tix below....

Continue reading "Hanukkah is almost here. Who is opening for Yo La Tengo? free & cheap tickets to Matisyahu. Other stuff. "

01. Parenthetical Girls - If it's a time for Christmas (2:46)
02. Ween - Silent Night (1:40)
03. Andrew Dost (Anathallo) - Yeah, I Know, It's Christmastime (2:04)
04. The National Splits - Let's Wrap Each Other (2:15)
05. Louis Armstrong - Santa Claus Blues (2:51)
06. Scott Allen (Thunderbirds are Now) - Winters Wonderland (3:50)
07. The Knife - Christmas Reindeer (7:11)
08. Melt Banana - White Christmas (1:42)
09. Thick Pigeon - Jingle Bell Rock (1:30)
10. Steven Garvey - Dreidle, Dreidle, Dreidle (1:11)
11. nullsleep - silent night (2:25)
12. Wild Billy Childish & The Musicians of the British Empire - Santa Claus (3:26)
13. Holly Golightly - Christmas Tree's On Fire (2:54)
14. Deerhoof - xmas tree (2:30)
15. Palace Songs (Will Oldham) - Christmastime in the Mountains (1:30)
16. Woody Guthrie - Hanukkah Dance [Alternate Take] (1:24)

---

This is the same holiday mix I made and posted last Christmas. Here it is again in case you missed it (or gave it away the very next day).

Nellie McKay also wrote some songs for Christmas.

Hanukkah starts December 21st. Check out a list of Hanukkah events happening in NYC.

Continue reading "my 2007 Holiday MP3 mix (reposted for you to download)"

DOWNLOAD: Woody Guthrie - Hanukkah Dance [Alternate Take] (1:24)
DOWNLOAD: Yo La Tengo - I Feel Like Going Home (live on KCMP) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: One on One with Jackie Hoffman (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Songs in the key of Hanukkah - Dreidel (MP3) (info)
DOWNLOAD: DJ BALAGAN - "Chalutzei Ketzev" (Israeli 70s Beat Mix) (MP3)

Hanukkah runs from sunset, December 21 to sunset, December 29, 2008. The first Day of Hanukkah is December 22. If you haven't figured it it out by now, that means Christmas happens during Hannukah this year.

Over the course of the eight days (and before and after), many candles will be lit and many Hanukkah-themed events will be happening in and around New York City. Many will involve music. Here are a few...

Yo La Tengo will be repeating their tradition of playing all eight nights of Hanukkah at Maxwell's in Hoboken. Not surpringly, advanced tickets are all already sold out at Ticketweb, but to quote the band, "Tickets may still be available in person at Tunes in Hoboken and/or Other Music in NYC". Stay tuned for opener information as it's announced. Yo La Tengo are also playing a show in New Jersey on New Years Eve.

Also playing eights nights (except not all of them are on Hanukkah because he's taking the Sabbath off): Matisyahu. Tickets are still on sale for these shows that take place at Webster Hall in Manhattan and Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Openers include The LeeVees, Asher Roth and Little Jackie.

Southpaw in Park Slope is hosting Jewltide 6 featuring DeLeon on Christmas Eve. "DeLeon plays 15th Century Spanish indie rock infused with the deeply mysterious and entrancing cadences of the ancient Sephardic tradition." Tickets are on sale. This show is also part of a larger DeLeon/JDub national Hanukkah tour. All dates at the very bottom of this post.

NYC event listings continued below...

Continue reading "a guide to NYC HANNUKAH shows & concerts, MP3's & stuff "

01. Parenthetical Girls - If it's a time for Christmas (2:46)
02. Ween - Silent Night (1:40)
03. Andrew Dost (Anathallo) - Yeah, I Know, It's Christmastime (2:04)
04. The National Splits - Let's Wrap Each Other (2:15)
05. Louis Armstrong - Santa Claus Blues (2:51)
06. Scott Allen (Thunderbirds are Now) - Winters Wonderland (3:50)
07. The Knife - Christmas Reindeer (7:11)
08. Melt Banana - White Christmas (1:42)
09. Thick Pigeon - Jingle Bell Rock (1:30)
10. Steven Garvey - Dreidle, Dreidle, Dreidle (1:11)
11. nullsleep - silent night (2:25)
12. Wild Billy Childish & The Musicians of the British Empire - Santa Claus (3:26)
13. Holly Golightly - Christmas Tree's On Fire (2:54)
14. Deerhoof - xmas tree (2:30)
15. Palace Songs (Will Oldham) - Christmastime in the Mountains (1:30)
16. Woody Guthrie - Hanukkah Dance [Alternate Take] (1:24)

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I know it's too early for this, but inspiration hit, so I went with it. Download, support the artists, enjoy, and happy holidays (Thanksgiving or whatever).