Arts DEVO

Again with the music
With Gift Day 2008 fast approaching, my music-obsessed brain is daydreaming about CD box sets and effects pedals (the Nuggets collection and Line 6 DL delay, respectively for those who’ve yet to cross me off the list), and the obsession has bled into this week’s content—e.g., did you realize local Celtofiles Ha’Penny Bridge are putting on a CD-release party at 33 Steaks this Sunday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m.? Well, they are … and there’s more:

time to remix?
An “epic night of dubstep” is coming. According to the TiON gang, on Saturday, Dec. 13, under the fun-to-say moniker of Wubduction, a “huge lineup of bass ninjas” will be holding court at the warehouse. I’ve read the words, I’ve talked to some of the players, but I have to confess that I still don’t know what any of that means. Maybe it’s because I’ve had rock blinders on much of my life or maybe it’s just a sign that I’m getting old, but I really know nearly nothing about electronic dance music, in any of its forms. Glitch, Grime, Ghettotech? I’ve heard the names and I know there must be differences, but my analog brain hasn’t sussed out all the 0’s and 1’s. But I am open, and I know dubstep is in the mix somewhere. After a few cursory listens, the only real distinction (aside from the obvious requisite remixing implied by “dub”) I can make is that the beat is often broken up and that there seems to be more experimentation involved. Wikipedia says some confusing things on the subject, but a far richer education is sure to be had at the Wubduction blowout, which will feature seven artists (plus accompanying visuals), including S.F.’s Zapper, which boasts an intriguing all-hardware live production. I don’t think I’m too old to learn.

Too old to be loud?
What better way to celebrate the 50th birthday of Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx (Dec. 11) than with a little inner-ear punishment? As luck would have it, on this momentous day, little ol’ Chico actually has two fine choices at which your eardrums may properly do battle: At the Senator Theatre you have Austin, Texas, doom merchants The Sword (hear their Iron Maiden-reminiscent chunka-chunker “Fire Lances of the Ancient” at myspace.com/thesword) with Lamb of God and The Faceless. Out at Paradise Lost Specialty Video, you can take the Wayback Machine with the ageless Stern brothers and witness the glory of early-’80s So-Cal punk with Youth Brigade. Nothing Left, Baghdad Batteries and Redding’s T.R.Y. open. Advance tix ($10) available at Gearhead and Paradise Lost.

Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr. returns
In a couple of weeks, Chico State students will return home to celebrate the holidays and Chico will do what it does when they are gone: Drop it like it’s hot. If you missed Snoop Dogg’s sold-out show over the summer, JMax Productions is bringing him, plus Tha Doggpound, Warren G and Tha Twins back to town for a holiday show at the Senator Theatre, Sunday, Dec. 28. Tell your moms to visit ticketweb.com to get your present before it sells out.

Art economics
A big change on the local arts front: Citing “financial considerations,” the 1078 Gallery has decided to eliminate the position of gallery director. This, of course, means that Pat Macias has been let go (as of Nov. 30). The gallery’s press release thanked and praised Macias for her year and a half of service, and also put out the call for volunteer docents. Those interested should contact docent coordinator Linda Rogers at tuxedonyusa@hotmail.com.

DEVOtions
A few video selections for the week:

• Promo for Gorgeous Armada’s Sleigh musical opening at the Blue Room Fri., Dec. 12: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPQgDQLHPgQ.

• Fan-made video of awesome holiday song “Another Christmas at Home” by Portland Francophile popsters Eux Autres: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkk1BtivuT0.

• “Prop 8—The Musical,” a musical-satire/protest written by Marc Shaiman and directed by Adam Shankman (Hairspray), and starring John C. Riley, Margaret Cho, Maya Rudolph, and Jack Black as Jesus. Find it on Will Ferrell’s video site: funnyordie.com.