Hooves on the Turf

Lavender Diamond played Bowery Ballroom – review + photos

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After spending gruelling hours at work all weekend, running through the rain to catch Lavender Diamond at Bowery Ballroom was a fantastic decision. The Chapin Sisters, who make an appearance on Lavender Diamond’s latest Imagine Our Love, were almost through their set when I got there (Entrance opened before them). At first I worried over the thin crowd that looked like a ladies night out (we might as well have been given picnic baskets). But as soon as they left the stage, the crowd closed in, and the space filled up nicely, though not completely, by the time Becky Stark and friends came on.

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Becky Stark is a charm, and her energy’s contagious. She uses the words “love” and “peace” unapologetically, has an immensely trained voice that is big without being loud, and is truly happy to be on stage. She made an entrace frolicking and waving. After each song, she jumped in excitement, reiterating how awesome it was going to be as we got “deeper into the night,” wishing that they had a song titled “Deeper Into the Night.” After playing “Open Your Heart,” which the band has nicknamed “the practical song,” she asked if she was allowed to say, “I love that song!” She wondered if that would be inappropriate or uncool.

More Becky Stark obssession after the jump.

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Miranda July, Becky Stark, David Byrne at NYPL – review + photos

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Miranda July’s sold-out reading at the 42nd street Humanities and Social Sciences Library was much more of a formal event compared to the one organized by 192 Books three days prior. The vibe here was more wine-and-cheese, both of which were present. During the intermission, however, I did spot two young men excitedly having Michel Gondry autograph an orgami bird (or was it a plane?).

More photos, and review continues, after the jump.

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A night with Miranda July and David Byrne

A different kind of show- New York Public Library will a host a night of reading by Miranda July, who wrote and starred in Me and You and Everyone We Know. Her friend Becky Stark of Lavendar Diamond will sing, and though David Byrne has written Arboretum, he will neither perform nor read, but will only ask Miranda questions. I attended her performance of Things We Don’t Understand and Definitely Are Not Going to Talk About at the Kitchen in March, where the adorable Michel Gondry was sitting behind us in the audience, and I truthfully told him Science of Sleep is the best movie ever.

Miranda will be reading from her upcoming book No One Belongs Here More Than You. Tickets are $15.