Plenty Festive

Fight the Big Bull got gory for the holidays.

Tonight was their Christmas singalong show at Balliceaux. Having seen them do "Thriller" one Halloween, I wanted to see their take on this holiday.

By the end of the first set, the jam-packed room was overheated and people were complaining about how hot they were.

A cardboard bull came out to start their second set. He was gored with a toy sword and candy canes flew out from behind the bull.

The crowd then moved the bull's form over their heads like a crowd surfer.

With an ad hoc choir in front of the band, they played Christmas carols and songs while the talented musicians of this supergroup.took turns soloing with Matt White conducting.

My partner-in-crime followed me up to take seats on the back of a booth for a better view of the show and the crowd.

All those horns, bass and drums made for some lively music for the season.

When the server came by, my charming and witty companion reported to him that I hadn't been singing along with the crowd.

"That's not very festive," he reproached me.

First I'd heard that there were singing requirements.

Walking out into the night of the Winter Solstice and the balmy 65-degree air was a breath of fresh air.

Might be just what I needed.

Beautiful Gas Mask Memories

It's gotten to the point where every band that plays the National says what a great venue it is.

Sometimes they praise the amenities, other times its historic beauty, but it reliably gets a shout out from the stage.

I'm there so frequently that my shout outs come from within: the wristband guy ("Where you been? Ooh, like the tights!"), the drummer/bartender who agreed that it was going to be a memorable show ("I think John Darnielle is an amazing songwriter") and the assorted musicians in the crowd ("I expected to see you here").

A couple of songs in and my longtime music buddy showed up at my side, having known exactly where to find me.

We both noted the non-sold out house (he even extended his long arms to prove how much room we had), the first in a long time for either of us at the National.

It was nice to have some breathing room.

Tonight's opening band, Megafun (high-energy folkies from Durham) not only praised The National, but also gave props to local band Fight the Big Bull.

First they asked how many people knew of them, and while there was a definite response, I was honestly surprised that it wasn't larger.

Praising their music, calling them good friends (and wishing FTBB bassist Cameron a happy birthday), the drummer insisted that the audience say their name slowly out loud and make a point to go see them.

I have and I will again and with any luck, others will take heed, too.

Megafun had much going for them: all three sang, the acoustic guitar player pranced across stage like he was a rock star, the banjo player's illustrative hand motions and their boundless energy onstage broke every stereotype of sedate folk music.

It was the first night of the tour, although they had opened for Mountain Goats before.

"We love how respectful Mountain Goats' audience is," they said and it was true; tonight's crowd was practically using their listening room behavior, for the most part only talking during song breaks.

Richmond musicians, including many from FTBB, were everywhere.

It was all very civilized for a Thursday evening.

After intermission The Mountain Goats took the stage and unlike the days when that meant that it was just John Darnielle up there, he was accompanied by a drummer, bass player and keyboard/guitarist, all looking quite dapper under pink lights.

After the first two songs, Darnielle took the set list from his pocket, unfolded it and said, "Oh, no!"

As the crowd waited for an explanation, he told us that it was the first night of the tour and they were playing a lot of songs they had never played live before.

This became amusingly clear when they began a song and moments in, he ended it.

"Let's start over," he said, turning to the keyboardist. "What key is this in? C? I got lost."

When told it was e-minor, he responded woefully, "E-minor is the saddest chord."

I turned to my music buddy, who confirmed this as truth.

Part of the pleasure of witnessing opening night on tour was the lack of stale stage banter and the sense that everything was unfolding for the band as it was for the audience.

Darnielle said at one point, "You'll be able to say you were at that Richmond show when we sang "Liza Forever Minnelli" before we knew we shouldn't."

There was no song they shouldn't have sung and given Darniell's prolificacy, there was much to choose from.

This listener was happy to hear anything they were willing to play, maybe especially "Woke Up New," but it's hard to deny the pleasures of "Jenny," "Beautiful Gas Mask" or "Estate Sale Sign."

After a three-song encore, including a Silkworm cover, the lights came up and the spell was broken.

Walking down Broad Street, my buddy admitted that it was one of the best shows he'd ever seen and there was no arguing that.

Standing on the corner of 8th and Broad discussing the show, a car careened around the corner, windows down.

"Hey, we like your legs!" two of the guys called out in unison.

Looking at my friend, I rolled my eyes.

"This is my life," I said.

"I know," he replied for the hundredth time, having previously heard this complaint from me, before asking what shows I'd be seeing this weekend.

I ran down the list and within moments, we were talking bands and shows.

Actually, that's probably a better indicator of what my life is.

Happily, I feel no need to roll my eyes about it.

It just is.

More Amour and Getting Matched

I revisited Amour Wine Bistro tonight for the first time since June, not that I actually remembered the last time I was there.

But owner Paul recognized me, welcomed me back and mentioned that it had been June when I was last in and Alsace had been the featured region. That's a man with a far better memory than mine; he said it was because he loves his job.

This month's featured region was Burgundy so I opted for a glass of the Macon-villages Verget, medium-bodied, elegant and tasting of apples.

As I sat at the bar sipping, I tried to decide what to eat off the bar menu. The bacon-wrapped veal medallion sounded wonderful (yum, pig wrapped cow? ) but so did the grilled half lobster tail with beurre blanc. Sea won over land tonight.

When my plate arrived, I knew I'd made the right choice. Besides the tail, there was a veggie medley of sauteed haricots vert, onions, and red peppers and a potato gratin made with Yukon Golds and Jarlsburg.

Everything tasted as good as it looked. The vegetables were perfectly cooked and seasoned, the potatoes creamy and decadent. I dunked chunks of lobster meat in the beurre blanc until both were gone. It was a heavenly meal.

Best of all, it was exactly the right portion size (and price: $14). Because I rarely order entrees, I miss out on a lot of dishes that are seldom offered anywhere but on the entree menu (short ribs, for instance). Here was lobster made for my appetite (and wallet). Score!

I took my time enjoying my meal and wine before moving on to the musical part of my evening at Balliceaux. Fight the Big Bull was playing and since I hadn't heard music since Sunday, it was inevitable that I seek some out.

Since I arrived before the band started, I could enjoy some time at the front bar with Austin, my fellow music geek and bartender. He's another one over the moon about the Flaming Lips show being announced for the National; I foresee this show selling out very quickly.

At the end of the little bar were two guys, one of whom was telling Austin about how he'd met his girlfriend on match.com and subsequently brought her to Balliceaux to woo her. I couldn't let that pass, inquiring of him if online dating was really worth it.

Turns out he's a huge proponent of it, saying,"I got matched! But you have to put a lot into it to get results." He said he'd had a dozen dates, only two of which were dull ("I just ate and left") before meeting his girlfriend, whom he raved about, saying "We had so much to talk about right away!"

"Every time she kisses me, I have to wipe off her lipstick, but she's incredibly hot, so she could wear asphalt on her lips and it'd be fine with me," he explained enthusiastically. I love the way some men think.

His friend was more interested in talking music and I had far more to contribute to that conversation, which worked out well. When I asked what he's currently listening to, he answered, "Eno and Black Keys." Now there's a starting point for discussion.

A friend of mine came in having just played in a jazz duo out in the counties. I expressed surprise that after playing all evening, he'd come out for more music.

"Yea, well, I'm not very good at playing jazz, so I came out to hear them to remind me what good jazz is," he explained, shrugging his shoulders. It sounded like as good a reason as any.

Heading back to hear the music, the happily dating guy gave me one last reminder before I left. "Try it," he enthused, pointing his finger at me. "I'm telling you, it really works. I got matched!"

Good gawd. Now I can add strangers to the list of people pushing me to look for amour online.

RVA Jazz Fest: A Treat for the Ears & Eyes

I am so lucky to live in Richmond where an event like last night's Jazz Fest at the Camel offered so much talent and music for a mere ten bucks.

Not only that, but we arrived around 745 and were able to score a couple of sets in the second row.

Only here does that kind of luck happen.

There were excellent sets from Glows in the Dark, Boots of Leather and Fight the Big Bull.

And even though I've seen all three groups perform before, they all continue to bring something new to every performance.

The crowd was a jazz-loving bunch and really into the musical meanderings of the performers.

Clearly this was a destination performance: the two guys seated next to me had driven in from Charlottesville for the show.

One highlight of the evening was watching a woman open a bathroom door to find Matt White, leader of FTBB, inside.

The look on her face made me laugh.

Now, he claimed the door didn't lock properly, but of course, he is a performer...

Although this was the first RVA Jazz Fest, we were told last night that it won't be the last.

I think it may be necessary to find a larger venue next year, though; we took up every available space in the Camel last night.

Here's to RVA's thriving jazz scene.