Can't Miss It: Thursday
TOE TO TOE: Earlier this month, Amy Mikel, our resident dance connoisseur, highlighted a handful of dance artists that will be appearing in this year's The A.W.A.R.D. Show competition at lower Queen Anne's On The Boards. The A.W.A.R.D. Show gives 12 dance artists/groups the chance to win $10,000, the winner determined by a panel of judges and a voting audience. Tonight's competition is the first of four, with four artists vying for a spot in Sunday's finals lineup. Tonight features zoe | juniper, The Cherdonna and Lou Show, Crispin Spaeth and Shannon Mockli. Each night also features a post-show Q&A.
8:00 p.m. // On the Boards // $15
RIOT ACT: Syracuse, NY band Ra Ra Riot won tons of ears with its debut ep in 2007, and scored even more with its first full length, The Rhumb Line, recorded in Woodinville and released on Barsuk in 2008. Upbeat and energetic and as easily identifiable by its violin and cello as by its pop vocal and guitar hooks, Ra Ra Riot is a band seemingly designed for live music lovers. A sort of more northern Vampire Weekend (the group eschews tropical pop and hails from upstate instead of the more southerly NYC), RRR holds much in common with their indie pop brethren, namely a clean, driving sound and thoughtful sounding vocals that are sure to land the band in a colorful commercial if it hasn't already.
8:00 p.m. // Neumos // $18
TIGER BEAT: Cartoons + 80s heart throbs = instant nostalgia. MTV superstars, Thundercats and Rainbow Brite may be gone but they live on in some of our hearts and in most of our minds, which is why tonight at Central Cinema is bound to be a big one. It starts off at 5:30 with Cartoon Happy Hour, where instead of sports on TV, there will be cartoon favorites free for everyone and with menu specials. Following that is an 80s Heart Throbs Sing Along, two hours of music videos from Duran Duran, George Michael, Rick Springfield, et alii that beg, nay demand, audience participation. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
8:00 p.m. // Central Cinema // $11
