Get On Up

by John Heaston

It was a full house for the finale of the Club 1200 series, sedately sitting at their cocktail tables with drink and food service, when New Orleans-based Big Sam's Funky Nation took the stage on Saturday night. Drummer Chocolate MILK, guitarist Andrew Bock and bass player Eric Vogel started with a groove before lead men Big Sam Williams on trombone and Andrew Baham on trumpet joined them.

The opening number was...

 

The Bicycle Grief

by Ryan Syrek

In what is essentially Oliver French Twist, writers/directors Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne definitively prove that life in France is more than just croissant-eating and Muslim-hating. In soul-crushing fashion, this muted tale of an unwanted, unloved boy is simultaneously gripping and dull. It’s hard to pull off such a dichotomy, but these are a people who turned Jerry Lewis from clown to God and frogs...

 

Missed Musicals Make Way for Song Cycle

by Warren Francke

Robbie Burns told me there would be weeks like this when the best-laid plans of mice and men would fall victim to the unexpected. And some lesser mortal made the point that the show and the weekly column must go on.

The plan? Review Spring Awakening Thursday at the Blue Barn, then catch Happy Days at the Chanticleer Community Theater in Council Bluffs. Troubled teens, than back to the ‘50s, as the headline...

 

Bill Cosby to perform May 6 comedy concert at the Orpheum

by Leo Adam Biga

Slow ticket sales are prompting legendary comedian Bill Cosby to do a media blitz promoting his 2 p.m. May 6 Orpheum Theater concert. It just wouldn't do for the 74-year-old icon to play to empty seats.

Cosby's handler has me call the artist's home directly. The unmistakable voice answering on the other end hastily greets me before excusing himself with, "Hang on a minute." It seems his wife Camille is heading...