Arts Devo

Green hair, Green Day By now, many of you have already seen the news online or on TV of local musician Maddi Gruber’s big moment at the Green Day show at Oakland Colosseum last week (Aug. 5), but Arts DEVO feels compelled to weigh in. If you haven’t heard, during the band’s regular cover of Operation Ivy’s “Knowledge,” Gruber was singled out of the crowd by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong and brought on stage to play guitar with the band. Search YouTube and you’ll see that Green Day does the shtick all the time, with Armstrong teaching the simple three-chord progression before turning the spotlight over to a guest and then sending him or her off with the guitar as a souvenir. What you won’t see on most of the videos is the audience member completely killing it like Gruber did. The 18-year-old went off, jumping around the stage with her green and blue hair flying around as she nailed the part like a pro.

I’ve followed the local high-schooler’s indie/punk/rock projects—from Astro Turf to the current MADD—and been impressed by her devotion to making original music as well that of her parents to supporting their kids’ passions. (I’ve seen her dad, Geno Gruber, at as many shows as I’ve seen Maddi.) It’s no accident that she was ready for her moment in the spotlight.

Nice work, everyone.

Collaboration for the win Big props to a big group of local artists who won an award for best independently produced music video at the national Hometown Media Awards in June. The video “Perfect” was submitted via Friends of the Arts and BCAC.TV, and was created by local filmmaker Skyler Sabine in collaboration with a team of Chico creative types. The centerpiece of the video is local hula hoop badass Meg Amor doing acrobatic routines to a soundtrack provided by a couple of longtime Chico musicians—electronic artist Simple Science and lyricist/vocalist Roxy Doll. A couple of other local artists—Kyle Delmar and Max Infeld—contributed camera work, along with Sabine.

Amor, as many of you might remember, was the winner of the CN&R’s inaugural Keep Chico Weird Talent Show in 2014, and in fact, an earlier version of the “Perfect” video had its debut at KCW the following year. Congrats to all involved, and thanks for spreading Chico’s weirdness far and wide.

Now for something completely different Four touring comedians stop by the Maltese Bar & Tap Room, perform their sets, then retire to an “undisclosed location” to get baked before returning to perform again super high. Sure, why not?! The Gateway Tour wafts into town Friday, Aug. 11, 9 p.m.

A day for art In conjunction with its current Shared Visions exhibit—featuring collaborations between adults and children—Chico Art Center is hosting a Free Family Art Day this Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. All ages are welcome to come make art and crafts, take part in mini workshops, eat snacks and explore the cardboard village.