Things I love: Eddie Izzard edition

I’m a very slightly superstitious person. It’s not so much that I believe in the power of jinxing something as much as it is I’m afraid it’ll turn out to be real and powerful and I might have been imprudent in failing to observe said power. Thus, I don’t plan too far in advance for celebrating anniversaries or birthdays or things as I don’t want the universe to think I’m being cavalier and that they’re a given.

Yes, I’m insane.

Anyhoo, I decided to tempt fate this time around by making plans for Chris’ and my seventh wedding anniversary two months ahead of the curve. I feel fairly confident that we will make it to that milestone unless I discover that, say, instead of fighting stock fraud, he’s been committing it. On the other hand, that might just make me proud of him and a lot, lot wealthier — both worth staying in the marriage. But I digress. Focus, Julia! Focus!

I noted while on the Ticketmaster website, laughing at how much one might pay to see the double bill of The Police and Elvis Costellos*, I noticed that the singularly fabulous Eddie Izzard is doing a show in Detroit the day after our wedding anniversary. And what better way to celebrate your love than seeing live one of my idols, an acerbic, dazzlingly intelligent, mildly insane cross-dressing British comedian? Answer: none!

If you haven’t experienced Eddie Izzard’s one man show-stylings, rent the DVDs. (I think I like Dress to Kill best) His is a truly unique approach, offering up a dizzying array of historical observations and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sly bon mots. Keeps your brain on its toes, so to speak. (You may also be enjoying Eddie’s pretty-darn-good American accent on FX’s The Riches, which I also, naturally, dig.)

In other words, I can’t wait. (Plus, the show’s at the Detroit Opera House, which is supposed to be a stunning venue. Double score!)

*Answer: $94-$229.50 for Pavilion seats at the DTE Energy Music Center! A mere $44.50 for lawn. LAWN! And that’s before the ridiculous fees they pile on.

6 comments March 31st, 2008

Tally ho, Tally Hall

It’s been a long time since I watched a music video. Which is funny, because I’m of the generation that came of age just as the moon man bounced in the dawn of MTV. I remember being in middle school and going over to a friend’s house — we didn’t have cable — to breathlessly await a new Duran Duran video. (The Reflex! With the wave of water coming out at the end like it was COMING RIGHT AT YOU!) Or staying up late to watch Friday Night Videos so that I’d be in the loop around the proverbial middle school water cooler the next day.

All of this is a very long-winded way of saying that I just watched the new music video for the song “Good Day” by Ann Arbor band Tally Hall. I’m so out of the loop on local music — hell, on new music in general — but these guys seem to have garnered quite a following and have been popping up everywhere from the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson to MTVu. (See, I don’t even know what MTVu is.) I read in this month’s Observer (a local rag) that they’re re-releasing their first album “Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum” on a major label. Good for them.

But back to the video. I don’t know what the other kids are doing with their videos these days (and thus, it may turn out this video isn’t remarkable at all) but the “Good Day” video is a tad infectious, a little dizzying and fun to watch, especially for Ann Arborites, since many shots were done around town. (They’re playing in front of Rackham Hall! Now they’re in the Big House!) Anyway, I’m not entirely sure about the song — might be a little Queen-esquely operatic for my tastes — but the sheer effort that must have gone into making this video makes it worth a nod. And who doesn’t love a local-boys-make-good story?

Add comment March 31st, 2008