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Of Montreal (Photo courtesy of beermelodies.com)
By Elizabeth Vogel -- Staff Writer, Jocelyne LaFortune -- Staff Writer
GO SEE ... OF MONTREAL
Lady Gaga has nothing on Of Montreal. No one puts on quite as theatrical a show as this Georgia based indie pop-rock group led by front man Kevin Barnes.
Janelle Monáe, the opener, started the Oct. 27 show at the Roseland Theater with the command, "You will dance or die."
Her upbeat music and beautiful voice did indeed keep the audience moving. She is a talented singer and has a futuristic theme to her music. It would be well worth your time to look up her song "Tightrope" on YouTube.
Of Montreal entered with immediate energy that was sustained throughout the show. Kevin Barnes came on stage sporting an apron, pink tights and blue ankle-high boots. He and the other seven band members played from their vast body of work, all the while putting on a bizarre cabaret.
Dancers appeared on stage in various costumes including gas-mask-wearing fish puppets, skeletons in pajamas, checkered body suits and, at one point, four people dressed as a giant caterpillar that Barnes rode on as he performed. The dancers and the guitarist jumped into the crowd and surfed before being hastily pulled back onstage by one man whose sole responsiblity seemed to be retrieving performers.
After much pleading from the crowd, the band and Janelle Monáe's entourage came back onstage and played a cover of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" for an unforgettable ending to an already inimitable concert.
If you ever get the opportunity to see Of Montreal live, do it. It is an experience you will not forget.
– Elizabeth Vogel
CATCH ... AN OREGON BALLET THEATRE PRODUCTION
Poise, grace, athleticism and strength.
It isn't often that these four words describe an action perfectly, but for the work of a ballet dancer, they seem to capture the essence of the motions and expression that is so important.
The Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) began its season with an impressive three-act performance of "The Sleeping Beauty."
OBT's production of "The Sleeping Beauty" was moving from beginning to end. With delicate balancing, powerful leaps and dizzying twirls, the entire company provided an enchanting retreat for an audience of all ages.
With stunning precision and balance, Yuka Iino danced the part of Princess Aurora beautifully. Guest dancer Batkhurel Bold played her counterpart, the Prince, with unbelievable power, making even the highest leaps look easy.
The wedding scene at the end of the performance was the perfect finale to an already impressive show. Although the inclusion of fairy tale characters like Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf and Puss-in-Boots was at first a little strange, they danced such impressive pas-de-deuxs that I forgot that their addition to the story was perhaps a bit random.
Puss-in-Boots and The White Cat danced with humorous acting in addition to their impressive form and precision.
With upcoming performances of "The Nutcracker" and "A Holiday Review," OBT is sure to delight ballet enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
– Jocelyne LaFortune
The Oregon Ballet Theatre recently opened its season with a performance of "The Sleeping Beauty." (Photo courtesy of oregonlive.com)
