a gUidE to arEa
biketrails PULSE
•
Nautica grommet racerback top, $68. Belted hipster, $54.
•
PULSE
this IssUe: Iowa’s Bike Trails COVER, AT LEFT: SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOS
contents Issue No. 6 8 May 13-26, 2011
on tHe coVeR RIDIn’ tHe (t)RAILs It’s finally nice out. So get out your bike, your skates, your pogo stick — whatever you’ve got — and take advantage of the area trail system.
PAGe
4
10 Eeeeek! Get to the Reiman Gardens in Ames to see 10 larger-than-life insect sculptures by artist David Rogers. The giant critters include a grasshopper and a spider.
12 Living legend
13 Keepin’ the faith
Learn the meaning of life, or at least John Prine’s version. The legendary songwriter will share his quiet observations on the human condition at two Iowa performances in June.
The Hub, one of Northeast Iowa’s most rockin’ live music venues, offers a space for a new generation of rowdier, up-tempo worshippers. This ain’t your mama’s church.
www.cvpulse.com PULse mAGAZIne
is dedicated to covering the arts, music, theater, movies and all other entertainment in Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Pulse is published every other week and is a product of Courier Communications, P.O. Box 540, 501 Commercial St., Waterloo, IA 50704.
eDItoR Meta Hemenway-Forbes 319.291.1483 meta.hemenway-forbes@ wcfcourier.com ADVeRtIsInG Sheila Kerns 319.291.1448 sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com sUbmIt yoUR eVent pulse@wcfcourier.com 319.291.1483 DesIGn teAm Emily Chace Angela Dark Beth Keeney Alan Simmer David Hemenway
14 Heavy hitters Organizer Perry Farrell celebrates the 0th anniversary of Lollapalooza with a heavy-hitting lineup. Foo Fighters? Eminem? Cee Lo Green? Yes, yes and forget you.
24 Bewitchered?
27 ‘I snorted my Porsche’
We’re not exactly sure what a witcher is, either, but “The Witcher ” joins “Dead or Alive Dimensions” on shelves in the coming weeks.
In “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?” Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler dishes on his career, spats with bandmates, recovery from addiction and his “Idol” stint.
GET NOTICED Maybe you’ve seen us around, snapping pictures at a Cornmeal concert or the Push-Up Brawlers’ first bout. If you’ve been captured by our camera lens, check out All the Cool Kids Were There on our Facebook page and tag yourself in the photos — because if no one saw you, were you really there?
@CVPulse
PULSE
•
a guide to area
biketrails AMIE STEFFEN | pulse Writer
F
or Brent Johnson, nothing beats taking his mountain bike “off-trail,” so to speak. “I enjoy riding in the dirt,” the owner of Bike Tech in Cedar Falls said. “It’s a really good way to relax and get some exercise.” Russ Clarke, owner of Europa Cycle and Ski in Waterloo, likes riding his bike on the road with a group of like-minded individuals. “It’s a great recreational and physical activity,” he said. No matter which way you enjoy riding your bicycle — solo, with a group, on paved trails or on hard-packed dirt — there’s an event this summer with your name on it in eastern Iowa. If, like Clarke, you like biking with a group that won’t leave you behind, he’s been running Ladies’ Rides every Tuesday night, beginning at Europa. “Those people, they all know one another now,” Clarke said. “It’s produced some friendships.” Or let’s say, for instance, you’re a soft trails kind of guy: You don’t mind the mud and the sticks so long as your adrenaline’s pumping around hairpin turns. For you, there’s the Cedar Valley Association for Soft Trails, which Bike Tech supports and helps organize. They, along with Mulligan’s and the brewery Fat Tire, are in their second year of sponsoring Fat Tire Rides every Wednesday and one Saturday per month through September, taking participants along the dirt trails that traverse George Wyth State Park, Hartman Reserve and other less-traveled areas. “There’s always a new batch of people that come to town interested in trails — I heard a story yesterday of somebody who moved to the Cedar Valley specifically because of the trails,” Johnson said. That may seem far-fetched, but the more than 100 miles of paved trails, plus the miles of dirt paths, make for trail riding that likely isn’t paralleled anywhere else. “It’s great recreation,” Johnson said. “We’re right in the middle of one of the best trail systems in the country.” And that’s what brings the tourists, said Kim Burger, executive director of the Cedar Falls Visitors and Tourism Bureau. “A number of folks park in our lot and ride the trails, and it amazes me the number of people that are out every day,” Burger wrote in an email. “License plates from everywhere, too.” Kevin Blanshan, director of transportation and data services at Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments, which monitors transportation usage in northeast Iowa, said a 2009 count estimated about 7,000 trail users — biking or otherwise — during an average week. “If you figure 30 to 35 weeks of decent weather for trail use, what would that translate to? About 200,000 to 250,000 users,” Blanshan said. Those users, Clarke said, are usually out there for one simple reason. “It’s fun,” he said. “There’s no doubt that the trails have had a fundamental influence on people riding bikes in the Cedar Valley.” pulse file photo
•
pulse
“We’re right in the middle of one of the
BEST TRAIl
SySTEMS
in the country.”
– BRENT JOHNSON, oWner of bike tech
pulse
•
UPCOMING TRAIL RIDES Here’s a few trail rides coming up. For a full list, check out cedarvalleytrails.org or bikeiowa.com. mulligan’s Fat tire rides Saturday SerieS May 21: Fat Tire Joy ride, registration and party June 18: Happy Birthday New Belgium! July 16: Somersault Time! Aug. 13: Cedar Trails Festival Dirty ride Sept. 10: Grand Hoptober Finale and bike giveaway party WedneSday SerieS Every Wednesday night starting May 4, two departure options, both at 6:15 p.m. #1: rides leave from Mulligan’s parking lot #2: rides leave from Bike Tech, downtown Cedar Falls Crews will join at Pfeiffer Park at 6:30 p.m., where the ride officially begins. All rides are dependent on weather and trail conditions. Helmets are required.
“IoWA HAS AN ESTIMATED
1,200 miles oF
multi-use trails SUCH AS rAIL TrAILS AND CITY TrAILS USED For BICYCLING, WALKING, IN-LINE SKATING, ETC.” – iowa natural ``heritage Foundation
old Pi to new Pi ride Wednesday, May 18, 5:30 p.m. riders will meet at Chauncey Swan Park in Iowa City across from the New Pioneer Food Co-op, 22 S. Van Buren St., and ride to the other New Pioneer Food Co-op, 1101 2nd St., Coralville. refreshments, live music and prizes will be waiting for cyclists at the end. euroPa ladies rides Tuesdays, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Meet at Europa and enjoy a quick pace road ride for 15 to 30 miles as weather allows. The rides will be weekly on Tuesdays through the summer and fall. www.europacycle.com 16th annual cedar trails Festival August 10-14 Details to be announced at www.cedarvalleytrails.org. segway rides Glide effortlessly along Davenport’s scenic Mississippi riverfront bike path on a Segway, learning about area history and landmarks. www.iasegway.com bike rentals Bicycles can be rented from Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau locations in downtown Moline, Davenport and rock Island. Explore bike paths on both sides of the river in the Quad Cities. www.visitquadcities.com. memorial day races Spend Memorial Day, May 30, at the free Quad Cities Criterium in downtown rock Island, Ill., on 17th Street and Second Avenue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are races for children, activities and entertainment. It’s one of the qualifying races for the Nature Valley Grand Prix. www.quadcitiescriterium.com
SHUTTErSToCK PHoTo 6
•
PULSE
GET MORE TRAIL MAPS & INFORMATION AT CVPULSE.COM. amana kolonieweg trail
cedar valley lakes trail
cedar valley nature trail
heritage trail
length: 3.2 miles surFace: Asphalt, compacted limestone hours: Sunrise to sunset Fees: None counties: Iowa cities: Amana, Middle Amana connecting trails: None
length: 80 miles surFace: Asphalt, concrete, granular hours: Year-round, no restrictive hours except within George Wyth State Park (4 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.) Fees: None counties: Black Hawk cities: Cedar Falls, Waterloo connecting trails: Cedar Valley Nature Trail
length: 52 miles surFace: Asphalt, crushed limestone hours: Year-round, Black Hawk/ Buchanan (6 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.), Linn/Benton (4 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.) Fees: None counties: Black Hawk, Buchanan, Benton, Linn cities: Evansdale, Gilbertville, La Porte City, Brandon, Urbana, Center Point, Lafayette, Hiawatha connecting trails: Cedar Valley Lakes Trail
length: 26 miles surFace: Crushed limestone hours: Year-round, sunrise to sunset Fees: $2.10/day or $10.50/year for ages 12-64 or $5.75/year for ages 65+ counties: Dubuque cities: Dyersville, Farley, Epworth, Graf, Twin Springs, Budd road, Durango, Dubuque connecting trails: Mississippi river Trail
hoover nature trail
iowa river corridor trail
sac & Fox trail
waverly rail trail
length: 24 miles surFace: Crushed limestone, grass hours: Year-round Fees: Donations accepted counties: Linn, Cedar, Johnson, Muscatine, Louisa, Des Moines cities: Cedar rapids, oasis, Conesville, Burlington, Columbus Junction, Morning Sun connecting trails: None
length: 6 miles surFace: Asphalt, concrete hours: Year-round, dawn to dusk (unlighted areas), 24 hours (lighted areas) Fees: None counties: Johnson cities: Iowa City connecting trails: None
length: 7.2 miles surFace: Crushed limestone hours: Year-round (6 a.m. - 10 p.m.) Fees: None counties: Linn cities: Cedar rapids connecting trails: Cedar Greenbelt National recreation Trail
length: 12 miles surFace: Asphalt hours: Year-round (4 a.m. - midnight in urban areas; 30 min. before sunrise to 30 min. after sunset in rural areas) Fees: None counties: Bremer cities: Waverly, Denver connecting trails: Jefferson City Trail
TrAIL INForMATIoN FroM IoWA NATUrAL HErITAGE FoUNDATIoN
PULSE
•
7
2011-2012
SEASON
BROADWAY SERIES
La Cage aux Folles October 11-16, 2011
“La Cage” is a tuneful and touching tale of one family’s struggle to stay together, stay fabulous and, above all else, stay true to themselves.
West Side Story February 7-12, 2012
The Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim score is considered to be one of Broadway’s finest and features such classics as “Tonight,” “America” and “Somewhere.”
Bring It On: The Musical February 28 - March 4, 2012
Set against the world of competitive cheerleading, this new show proves that winning isn’t everything when it means losing something — or someone — you really care about.
Memphis April 24-29, 2012
From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis comes a hot new tale of fame and forbidden love. Get ready for some roof-raising rock ’n’ roll with a Tony Award-winning original score by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.
•
PULSE
Billy Elliot: The Musical June 6-17, 2012
Based on the international smashhit film, “Billy Elliot” is the joyous celebration of one young boy’s journey to make his dreams come true.
Wicked November 9 December 4, 2011
Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. Follow the story of how these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.
THE DANCE SERIES
FAMILY SERIES
CLiFFord the Big red dog — a Big FaMiLy MusiCaL Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012
John tartagLia’s iMaginoCean Saturday, Jan. 15, 2012
“imaginocean” is a magical undersea adventure for kids of all ages. three best friends — who just happen to be fish — set out on a journey of discovery. ultimately, they discover the greatest treasure of all: friendship.
Join Clifford, emily elizabeth and more friends as they embark on new adventures in this all new musical sure to delight the entire family.
MusiC, noise & siLenCe Saturday, April 21, 2012
parsons danCe Thursday, April 19, 2012
the group is made up of 10 full-time dancers and maintains a repertory of more than 60 works choreographed by david parsons.
diavoLo Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012
the company is composed of dancers, gymnasts and actors who create performances collaboratively. everyday items such as doors, chairs and stairways provide the back-drop creating metaphors for the challenges of life today.
the concert seems doomed as silence and noise invade and attempt to seize control of the orchestra. only with help from the audience and Music will the conductor be able to bring harmony back to the orchestra.
royaL Winnipeg BaLLet Saturday, March 31, 2012
the troupe will perform “Moulin rouge — the Ballet,” set to a rousing French soundtrack and featuring high-kicking choreography and a passionate story of love, ambition and heartbreak.
goLden dragon aCroBats Saturday, May, 19, 2012
the golden dragons are recognized as the premier Chinese acrobatic touring company of today, featuring acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques.
des Moines CiviC Center | 221 Walnut st., des Moines | tickets: 515.246.2300 | civiccenter.org PULSE
•
MAYJUN
8PM-10PM ND
S GR SO OUNDS &
&
SO U
UN
DS
& SOUNDS
R &G
LIVE JAZZ EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT
OU
UN
NDS
BANISH MISFORTUNE OPEN MIC NIGHT RICK VANDERWALL KARLA RUTH JARED PLACE
ND
DS
OU
&S UN OUNDS & GRO
DS
& GR
05.14 05.20 05.21 05.28 06.04
GR
S&
O
CUP OF JOE 1 0 2 M A I N S T . C E D A R F A L L S | 3 19 . 2 7 7.15 9 6 WO-051311014
Make $$ and Save $$ at Stuff Etc Iowa’s largest and ONLY “department” consignment store!
WE CAN TURN YOUR STUFF INTO CASH! Make an appointment TODAY to bring in your items to SELL and come in to SHOP for all your favorite brands at 70% of mall prices!
ng othi ly cl eds i m fa ld ne our All y househo e roof! & der on un
1210 Flammang Dr Waterloo, IA 319.233.8009
Waterloo, IA 319.233.8009
www.stuffetconline.com
Giant insects descend on Ames
T
he world’s largest concrete gnome at Reiman Gardens now has some gigantic friends to keep him company. Ten larger-than-life insect sculptures created by artist David Rogers will be on display through Sept. 4. The sculptures include three ants, an assassin bug, a damselfly, a dragonfly, a grasshopper, a ladybug, a praying mantis and a spider. The sculptures are crafted using various combina10
•
PULSE
tions of whole trees found standing or fallen dead, cut green saplings selectively harvested from the willow family, dry branches and other forest materials.
Reiman Gardens 1407 University Blvd., Ames www.reimangardens.iastate.edu
Iowa State Fair lineup Tickets for the 2011 Iowa State Fair Grandstand shows are on sale now through all Ticketmaster outlets. n 8 p.m. Thursday, August 11 Casting Crowns with Sanctus Real n 8 p.m. Friday, August 12 Jason Aldean with special guests Chris Young and Thompson Square n 8 p.m. Saturday, August 13 Def Leppard with special guest Heart n 8 p.m. Sunday, August 14 The Incredible Machine Tour featuring Sugarland and Sara Bareilles n 5:30 p.m. Monday, August 15 Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models n 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 16 Lynyrd Skynyrd and Doobie Brothers
n 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 17 Grand Outlaw National Tractor & Truck Pull n 8 p.m. Thursday, August 18 Ronnie Dunn n 8 p.m. Friday, August 19 Train and Maroon 5 n 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 20 Demolition Derby n 8 p.m. Saturday, August 20 Reba McEntire with special guest Jerrod Niemann
800.545.3247; iowastatefair.org.
Bayou Bash spices up Amana
F
18
may
BOWLING FOR SOUP POP/PUNK GROUP Best known for the hit singles “Girl All The Bad Guys Want,” “Almost,” “High School Never Ends,” and “1985.”
june
ive top bands and a crew of make their first appearance. Mardi Cajun chefs — all from Lou- Gras Madness is set every night with isiana — bring the sounds, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas. smells and excitement of the Big Huge kettles of savory gumbo, Easy to Iowa’s most famous German jambalaya and red beans and rice settlement for the are served steam12th annual Bud ing hot. A ton of Saturday, May 28, Light Taste Louifresh crawfish boils Sunday, May 29 siana Cajun and up bright red along Amana Colonies Event Center Zydeco Fest. with small red po3890 C St., Amana Four-time tatoes and corn on Tickets: $10; 888.594.3903, Grammy-nomithe cob. There’s barwww.cajunfest.net. nated Pine Leaf becue brisket, hamBoys brings a burgers, hot dogs, youthful energy to the bayou bash. coleslaw and funnel cakes, too. Festival favorite fiddler Hadley J. The Bayou Heritage Stage gives Castille and the Sharecroppers Ca- spectators the opportunity to meet jun band serve up swing-inspired the musicians and learn to cook CaCajun with the delightful Miss jun and Creole cuisine, not to menSarah Jayde Williams. Donny tion Zydeco and Cajun and the Pool Doos add their dance jives. Activities for inimitable rock-inspired kids include pony rides, swamp pop to the stage. cool crafts and learnLeroy Thomas and ing to eat crawfish at the Zydeco RoadAngie’s Kids’ Corrunners ner. Vendors offer Twill shirts, beads, masks and lots of other cool things to look at and buy.
4
DAVID ALLAN COE COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER/SONGWRITER Best known for the hit singles “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile,” “The Ride,” and “You Never Even Called Me By My Name.”
UPCOMING SHOWS! S AT I S FA C T I O N - A Rolling Stones Experience J U N E 3 THE SWEET JUNE 17 S Y LV I A B R O W N E J U LY 9 - 1 0 PAT B E N ATA R A U G 1 8
800.582.5956 | WWW.DIAMONDJO.COM Tickets available at www.diamondjo.com & at the Diamond Club. Acts subject to change without notice. Must be 21 or older. If you or someone you know needs gambling treatment, call 1-800-BETS OFF. WO-051311004
PULSE
•
11
WO-051311013
American treasure Expires 05/26/11
UNI Museums Spring Exhibit
© 2005 Joan Wiener
Feb. 14 - May 14
FROM THE BOTANIC GARDEN OF SMITH COLLEGE
www.uni.edu/museum
Funded in part by Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
This exhibit was produced by the Botanic Garden of Smith College.
WO-051311011
MAY 20
ROGER McGUINN OF THE BYRDS JUNE 11
JOHN McCUTCHEON JUNE 21
YO LA TENGO JULY 1
HALEY BONAR & HOLCOMBE WALLER YO LA TENGO
| JOHN McCUTCHEON
John Prine sets back-to-back shows
L
ong considered a “songwriter’s songwriter,” John Prine is a rare talent who writes the songs other songwriters would sell their souls for. With one of the most influential and unmistakable songwriting voices of today, Prine continues to cast his perceptive eye upon the subtle complexities of the human condition, delivering his observations in his uniquely concise, illuminating compositions. Some four decades since his remarkable debut, Prine recently released “In Person & On Stage,” a new live album featuring a duet with Emmylou Harris. Recently honored at the Library of Congress by U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, he’s been elevated from the annals of songwriters into the realm of bona fide American treasures. Both shows will feature special guest Iris DeMent.
8 p.m. Friday, June 17 The Civic Center 221 Walnut St., Des Moines 8 p.m. Saturday, June 18 The Adler Theatre 136 E. Third St., Davenport Tickets: $39.50-$59.50; Adler/ Civic Center box offices, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, 800.745.3000.
WO-051311010
12
•
PULSE
Rockin’ for Jesus Worship night finds a home at The Hub KAREN HEINSELMAN | Pulse Writer
W
hen Scott Gall thinks about heaven, the picture he gets doesn’t include a sedate crowd sitting on their hands. Likewise, when Gall plays worship music in the here and now, he feels free to do so with passion and enthusiasm. Gall, 37, of Cedar Falls is part of a church small group that hosts potlucks and other social activities. Members also get together to worship God through music and have rocked out in the basement of Gall’s business, The Runner’s Flat in Cedar Falls. “We just happen to have a lot of musicians in our small group,” said Gall, a drummer. The group wants to expand its reach and connect with others who appreciate worship music with an edge or are simply fans of live music. To accommodate a larger and diverse crowd, Gall booked The Hub, a bar and music venue in downtown Cedar Falls. He hopes the event will become a monthly Sunday night tradition. “We want to kind of create a community within the Cedar Valley of people that are into God and into wor-
ship,” Gall said. The inaugural worship night kicked off May 1. About 60 people turned out for music and free food. For a good hour, five musicians, including Gall, delivered songs in the vein of Christian artists David Crowder, Delirious, Jesus Culture and John Mark McMillan. “It’s cool when a lot of people might know the words already so then you get some involvement and that’s cool,” said Karris Mattox, 30, of Waterloo. Organizers intentionally chose a venue unaffiliated with a church. Marcus Kjeldsen, owner of The Hub, said the concept, while not traditional, makes sense. Those who frequent the Hub tend to be a receptive bunch when it comes to trying out different music genres. “They are so open-minded that we try all sorts of different music down here and most of it finds support,” Kjeldsen said. “The fact that it’s Christian music, I think that there are some people that are Hub regulars, that are Hub customers that will be curious about it. They will be intrigued about it ... And they may find real meaning in it.”
WO-051311003
The next worship night is slated for June 5 at The Hub, 406 Main St. in Cedar Falls. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. The free event is open to ages 18 and up.
WO-051311007
PULSE
•
13
Heavy-hitting lineup set for Chicago’s Lollapalooza Chris TalboTT | The AssociATed Press
P
erry Farrell will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lollapalooza with an eclectic lineup this summer in Chicago that knows no boundaries, from rock and rap and even pop to dance music and experimental sounds that can’t be described in a few words. Tens of thousands of fans will feel the grass between their toes as they lounge under the trees in Grant Park, snacking on festival haute cuisine imagined by one of the Windy City’s top chefs. There will be a place for kids to play, the chance to learn about socially conscious initiatives and the opportunity to live in harmony for three days. This is definitely not the Lollapalooza Farrell founded in 1991, but he loves what it has become. “I want to take care of my people,” Farrell said. “They’ve been with me for 20 years. That’s how I go. It’s a family-run business at this point.” Some of the top names in music are among the Aug. 5-7 festival headliners, including Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Muse, My Morn-
ing Jacket, Deadmau5 and Cee Lo Green. While not the first festival when it launched July 18, 1991, in Phoenix, Lollapalooza was the ambitious archetype for the modern mega-festivals that have popped up since — Bonnaroo, Coachella and a legion of smaller multiday parties. Most festivals previously had focused on one type of music or fan. Farrell spread the umbrella wide, opening the gates for bands whose touring presence was often the small club. But working together, those bands could command the stage with thousands looking on. “A lot of this music — we’ll call it festival music — it’s still not popular music,” Farrell said. “If you look at pop, pop is one thing. Festival music is another, and it still holds true that we’re looking to book acts that are critically acclaimed and have credibility. It’s just very interesting that it’s become its own organism, its own working organism.” www.lollapalooza.com
headliners
Grant Park Chicago, IL aug. 5th–6th
2011
coUrTesY PhoTos
cee lo green 14
•
PULse
eminem
foo fighters
WO-051311017
SEA-DOO. THE WORLD’S ONLY WATERCRAFT WITH A BRAKE. ®
RECREATIONAL So many features with great value. Starting at only
8,999
$
GTI™ Limited 155
SPORT Only watercraft designed specifically for tow sports. Starting at only
10,999
$
WAKE™ Pro 215
FOR A LIMITED TIME, BUY A SEA-DOO WATERCRAFT* WITH A BRAKE AND GET:
139
4-YEAR $ AS LOW AS
LIMITED OR WARRANTY †
LEER’S
CYCLE CENTER
PER MONTH
‡
319-235-6453 101 Fletcher Ave • Waterloo
www.leerscyclecenter.com
SEA-DOO.COM
ock erst shutt
©2011 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ™, ® and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Products are distributed in the U.S.A. by BRP US Inc. †GTX is a registered trademark of Castrol Limited used under license. *Offer is valid in USA on new and unused 2010 & 2011 Sea-Doo® PWC models purchased between now and May 31, 2011. †WARRANTY: Eligible units will receive 4-year coverage (12 months of BRP Limited Warranty and 36 months of BRP Extended Service Term (B.E.S.T.) subject to a $50 deductible on each repair). Florida residents receive a 4-year BRP Limited Warranty. Subject to the exclusions, limitations of liabilities and all other terms and conditions of BRP’s standard limited warranty and B.E.S.T. contract, including without limitation the exclusions of damages caused by abuse, abnormal use or neglect. ‡FINANCING: On a purchase where the amount financed is $8,999, your down payment is $0 with 84 monthly payments of $139.81 each (excludes delivery charge, taxes and registration fees). Annual percentage rate is 7.9%. The above financing program is offered by Sheffield Financial, a Division of BB&T Financial, FSB. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $40,000. Subject to credit approval. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Other financing offers are available. Financing is subject to credit approval; not all applicants will qualify for credit. MSRP excludes delivery charge, taxes and registration fees. "Starting at" price refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. A more expensive model may be shown. Offer subject to change without notice. Offer may not be assigned, traded, sold or combined with any other offer unless expressly stated herein. Other conditions and some restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited by law. See your participating Sea-Doo dealer for details. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring any obligation. Always ride responsibly and safely. Follow all instructional and safety materials. BRP recommends a minimum operator age of 16 years old. Always observe applicable laws and regulations. Respect the rights of shoreline residents, and keep a safe distance from other recreationists. Always wear appropriate protective clothing, including a Coast Guard-approved PFD that is suitable for PWC use. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. 2106845
WO-051311055
PULSE
•
15
rEViEW FLEET FoXEs | HELPLESSNESS BLUES
PAUL SIMON So Beautiful So What
The beardy harmonizing in vogue in indie rock is epitomized by Fleet Foxes, the suburban Seattle quintet that froze listeners in their tracks with “White Winter Hymnal,” the reverb-drenched, bucolic Beach Boys highlight of the band’s 2008 self-titled debut. With “Helplessness Blues,” the Robin Pecknold-led band makes music that’s staggeringly pretty. Check out the swooning “Lorelai,” and just try to resist. It’s almost entirely without any-
A.D. Amorosi | PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Foo FiGHTErs | WAStING LIGHt
Dave Grohl screeches about lost love on “Arlandria,” one of the hardest of hard punk-pop harangues on the new Foo Fighters album. But heavy-handed lyrics such as “Memories keep haunting me/Help me chase them all away” could be as much about his storied grunge past than about some woman. Throughout this growling, analog-taped Foo effort, Grohl goes full throttle into his back pages as a Nirvana member, with an assist
PrisCiLLA AHN | WHEN YoU GRoW UP
Priscilla Ahn’s second album comes with all the hallmarks of maturity. Produced by Ethan Johns, who has worked with Ray LaMontagne and the Jayhawks, its songs, more confident than those on Ahn’s debut, are full of life lessons, small and large. But Ahn’s pixieish voice subverts any sense of self-importance; she can’t help sounding youthful and innocent. And charming. Ahn, who is based in Los Angeles, wrote some of these
PoLY sTYrENE | GENERAtIoN INDIGo
The release of this third album by influential X-Ray Spex front woman Poly Styrene (Marianne Elliot-Said) came the day after she succumbed to breast and spinal cancer at age 53. Fortunately, she has left fans a Day-Glo swan song. Because she never embraced punk’s nihilism, “Generation Indigo” has the feel of someone just getting started. Produced by Youth, of the band Killing Joke, the songs are coated in a Technicolor electro-pop 16
•
PULSE
/
thing resembling an edge, unless you count the skronky free-jazz sax solo that takes the eight-minute “The Shrine/An Argument” by surprise. And though “Helplessness Blues” makes for a pleasurably becalming mood piece, there are times when the lonely natureboy musings could benefit from a cantankerous noisemaker interrupting the lulling gorgeousness. — Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer
/
from Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic on “I Should Have Known.” That tune in particular speaks to Grohl’s days with Kurt Cobain. Even if it doesn’t mention the late songwriter, lines such as “Didn’t hear your warning” and “I cannot forgive you” burden Grohl’s reverb-thick air with heavy intention. If Grohl had to look backward, this is a respectable way of doing it. — A.D. Amorosi, Philadelphia Inquirer
/
songs with Inara George (of the Bird and the Bee), Eleni Mandell and Sia Furler, singer-songwriters with whom she shares a sense of sunny but quirky pop formalism. Her light touch is bright on the playful “Oo La La,” soulful on the gospel-tinged “Lost Cause” and tender on the aptly titled “Torch Song.” Maturity rarely sounds this weightless. — Steve Klinge, Philadelphia Inquirer
/
sheen with forays into ska, dub and reggae that could sit comfortably between Le Tigre and M.I.A. Many of Styrene’s pet causes are updated for 2011: consumer culture, racial and economic inequality and animal cruelty. With a lesser artist, it would all be a crashing bore, but Styrene turns them into party anthems with substance. — Sara Sherr, Philadelphia Inquirer
ARCH ALLIES Why settle for one tribute band when you can see the classic three? Arch Allies performs the hits of Journey, Styx and REO Speedwagon. The band gives audiences the full experience of seeing the original bands perform live – from costume changes to authentic vocals on all of their biggest hits. The performance is a fundraiser for the Waterloo Warriors high school hockey team. saturday, may 21 @ 7 Pm Young Arena 125 Commercial St., Waterloo tickets: $15
Gabe’s plans packed lineup
S
hame Train is the 11-year-old band project of singer songwriter Sam Knutson. The group includes five members, led by the dueling lead guitar work of Darren Matthews and Randall Davis. Over the course of Shame Train’s discography, they have received accolades and radio play on more than 200 radio stations in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. Cut from the same cloth as writers like Mary Gauthier, Kevin Gordon and Lori Mckenna, Amelia White’s new album, “Beautiful and Wild,” will have a regional pre-release in November. Tracks from her past albums, “Black Doves” and “Motorcycle Dream,” have been played on TV shows like “Justified” and “Summerland.” After a year and a half of a ridiculous L.A. lifestyle, Mike Mangione bought a used van and toured the country with his dog, playing coffeehouses. After another year and a half of living at rest areas and truck stops, Mike moved back to Milwaukee and formed his band. In 2005, he released “There and Back” with his brother, Tom. In 2008, Mike, Tom and the band released “Tenebrae.” They are currently working on their latest recorded effort. saturday, may 14 @ 9 Pm Gabe’s 330 E. Washington St., Iowa City tickets: $10; iowacitygabes.com PULSE
•
17
MAY 13 friday WATERLOO Blu Simon 8 p.m., The Isle Fling Lounge Joe Montanarro and Jeff Baldori 9 p.m., Black’s Piano Bar Mick Staebell 7 p.m., Black’s Piano Bar Never the Less 9 p.m., Screaming Eagle Paradise City with Eleventh Hour 5 p.m., NCC Pavilion Smokin’ Guns 8 p.m., Masonic Event Center Standard Groove 9 p.m., Jameson’s Talon, 8 p.m., Spicoli’s Cedar Falls Marcus Kjeldsen and the Taste and The Ramblers 6 p.m., The Hub
your favorite bands in your favorite venues waterloo cedar falls iowa city cedar rapids dubuque
18
•
PULSE
STAY UP TO DATE WITH PULSE MAGAZINE
Dubuque Blue Willow, 7 p.m., Stone Cliff Chuck Bregman, 6 p.m., Mystique The Fast Clydes, 9 p.m., The Bank Kevin Beck and Johnny Walker 8 p.m., The Yardarm Misbehaven, 9 p.m., The Hub Nutsy Turtle Band, 6 p.m., Spirits Sunshine, 8 p.m., Mystique Taste Like Chicken 9 p.m., Northside Cedar Rapids Funk Daddies 9 p.m., Chrome Horse Marshall Charloff and Dan Satterberg 9:30 p.m., Piano Lounge Two Bit Maniac 7 p.m., Java Creek Iowa City Delvis with The Whines 9 p.m., Blue Moose The Gglitch’d with Dead Winter’s Carpenters 9 p.m., Yacht Club Jazz After Five featuring Equilateral, 5:30 p.m., The Mill Origin of Animal with Furious Frank and Daylight Savings Account 8 p.m., Gabe’s S. Carey with Other Lives and Grand Tetons 9 p.m., The Mill
14 SaturDAY
20 friday
Waterloo Battle of the Bands Finals featuring 11 Minutes Later, Not By Chains, In Dying Days, Astral Space, Eat Hard Waves and My Life for Change 8 p.m., Spicoli’s Black the Sun 9 p.m., The Hoist Blu Simon 8 p.m., The Isle Fling Lounge Blue Suede Cruze 7 p.m., The Steamboat Dennis Wayne Gang 9 p.m., Screaming Eagle Joe Montanarro and Jeff Baldori 9 p.m., Black’s Piano Bar Mick Staebell 7 p.m., Black’s Piano Bar Sandcarvers, 9 p.m., Jameson’s
Waterloo Bill Chrastil 8 p.m., The Isle Fling Lounge Elev8 9 p.m., Screaming Eagle Eleventh Hour 9 p.m., Jameson’s Friday’loo featuring The Diz Diz 5:30 p.m., Lincoln Park Lotus 8 p.m., Spicoli’s Perry Barton and Scott Hedden 9 p.m., Black’s Piano Bar
Cedar Falls Monsters of Mock 9 p.m., The Hub Red, 7:30 p.m., Wheelhouse Dubuque Blue Willow, 7 p.m., Stone Cliff Chuck Bregman, 6 p.m., Mystique Jabberbox, 9 p.m., Jumpers Massey Road, 9 p.m., Pit Stop Pictures of Then 9 p.m., The Bank Rosalie Morgan, 7 p.m., Taiko Sunshine, 8 p.m., Mystique Taste Like Chicken 9:30 p.m., Denny’s Lux Club Cedar Rapids Jasmine, 7 p.m., Java Creek Marshall Charloff and Dan Satterberg 9:30 p.m., Piano Lounge Past Masters 9 p.m., Chrome Horse Iowa City Catfish Keith, 8 p.m., The Mill Daylight Savings Account with Mary Mo and Her Sweet Notes 9 p.m., Blue Moose upstairs Dr. Z’s Experiment with Matt Skinner, 9 p.m., Yacht Club Lonesome Road Band 7 p.m., Wildwood Nicole and Benj Upchurch 7 p.m., Uptown Bill’s Shame Train with Amelia White and Mike Mangione 8 p.m., Gabe’s
www.cvpulse.com
Cedar Falls Checker and the Bluetones 6 p.m., The Hub Dakota 9 p.m., Blue Room Pork Tornadoes 10 p.m., The Hub Dubuque Chuck Bregman 6 p.m., Mystique Johnnie Walker 8 p.m., Mystique Laura and the Longhairs 9 p.m., The Bank Misbehaven 7 p.m., Happy’s Place Mississippi Band 9:30 p.m., Murph’s The Rukus Band 9 p.m., Northside Stranded in Iowa 9 p.m., The Yardarm Cedar Rapids Brian Griffin and Tommy Skult 9:30 p.m., Piano Lounge Downward Fall 9 p.m., Chrome Horse Gayla Drake Paul 7 p.m., Java Creek Iowa City Jazz After Five featuring Equilateral 5:30 p.m., The Mill Roger McGuinn 8 p.m., Englert Theatre The Sea and Cake 8 p.m., Blue Moose Spiritual Rez 9 p.m., Yacht Club
TWENTY-FOUR 21 SaturDay
27 FrIDay
28 SaturDay
Waterloo arch allies, 7 p.m., Young Arena Big Lebowski Fest featuring F*** the eagles and Frozen Chickn Bowling 8 p.m., Spicoli’s Bill Chrastil 8 p.m., The Isle Fling Lounge Perry Barton and Scott Hedden 9 p.m., Black’s Piano Bar reddoor, 9 p.m., The Hoist WaGG, 9 p.m., Jameson’s WildCard 9 p.m., Screaming Eagle
Waterloo Bike Nite featuring eleventh Hour 9 p.m., Screaming Eagle Chris Virzi and Brian Griffin 9 p.m., Black’s Piano Bar Friday’loo featuring the Flaming Camaros 5:30 p.m., Lincoln Park loC, 9 p.m., Jameson’s the ramblers, TBA, Spicoli’s
Waterloo Chris Virzi and Brian Griffin 9 p.m., Black’s Piano Bar the Diz Diz 9 p.m., Spicoli’s Jester 9 p.m., The Hoist
CeDar FallS 3 lbs of love 9 p.m., The Hub Dakota 9 p.m., Blue Room the Snozzberries 9 p.m., Wheelhouse DuBuque 12 Car Pile up 9:30 p.m., Jumpers Bad Fished 9 p.m., Mystique Chuck Bregman 6 p.m., Mystique Half-Fast 9 p.m., Denny’s Lux Club laura and the longhairs 9 p.m., Northside Mark Mallman with the Brutes 9 p.m., The Bank CeDar raPIDS 3 Musicians and a Drummer 9 p.m., Chrome Horse ally Marie, 6 p.m., Java Creek Brian Griffin and tommy Skult 9:30 p.m., Piano Lounge
DuBuque the Boys’ Night out 6 p.m., Spirits Catfish Festival featuring Buzz Berries 8:30 p.m., Hawthorne Street Chuck Bregman 6 p.m., Mystique Marshall Star 9:30 p.m., Mystique Mighty Short Bus with the love Monkeys and Boomtangle 5 p.m., Town Clock Plaza Misbehaven, 9 p.m., Northside Shake rattle and roll 8 p.m., Dubuque Driving Range Statue of liberty with Daylight Savings account 9 p.m., The Bank CeDar raPIDS Black the Sun 9 p.m., Chrome Horse Jeff Coleron and rhiannon Kruse 9:30 p.m., Piano Lounge Shawn Ster7 p.m., Java Creek Uptown Friday Nights featuring the Swing Crew 5 p.m., Green Square Park IoWa CIty Mad Monks with Brutus and the Psychedelic explosions 9 p.m., Yacht Club the Post Mortems with Satellite Heart and Danger ronnie and the Spins 9 p.m., Gabe’s Songbird Bethann with ryan Persinger Project and atom Smasher and the Charged Particles 9 p.m., The Mill
DuBuque Bad Habits 9 p.m., Northside Catfish Festival featuring Massey road 12:30 p.m., Hawthorne Street Chuck Bregman 6 p.m., Mystique Crude But effective 9 p.m., Pit Stop the Icy Shores 9 p.m., The Bank Johnnie Walker 9 p.m., Spirits liberty Valance 8 p.m., The Yardarm Marshall Star 9:30 p.m., Mystique Misbehaven 8 p.m., Diamond Jo CeDar raPIDS Jeff Coleron and rhiannon Kruse 9:30 p.m., Piano Lounge Maas, Faurot and Crist 7 p.m., Java Creek McPhisto 9 p.m., Chrome Horse IoWa CIty aktar aktar with Dastardly 8 p.m., Gabe’s Clutter Billy Band 7 p.m., Wildwood J trey with Skool’d 9 p.m., Yacht Club the Mayflies 7 p.m., Uptown Bill’s Wylde Nept 9 p.m., The Mill
365 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ART GALLERIES, EVENTS MUSEUMS AND EXHIBITS
MOVIES NEWS & REVIEWS, RELEASES & TRAILERS LIVE MUSIC SOUNDBITES, NEWS INTERVIEWS, CD RELEASES AND LIVE MUSIC VENUES
Upcoming shows at
The HuB
13 MAY
6:00PM TEAM STRASSBURG EVENT W/ THE RAMBERS AND MARCUS & THE TASTE
14 MAY
9:00PM: POISON/MOTLEY CRUE/BON JOVI BY: MONSTERS OF MOCK
16 MAY 17 MAY 19 MAY
7:30PM: POETRY OPEN MIC
20 MAY
6:00PM: CHECKER & THE BLUETONES 10:00PM: PORK TORNADOES
21 MAY
9:00PM: 3 LBS OF LOVE - REUNION SHOW!
9:00PM: FREE KEG & KARAOKE 8:00PM: BATTLE OF THE BANDS
26 MAY
8:00PM: BATTLE OF THE BANDS
27 MAY
6:00PM: BEAKER BROTHERS 9:30PM: WILDCARD
29 MAY
9:00PM: PORK TORNADOES
FolloW uS We’re not desperate for attention or anything. Really. But you should check us out @CVPulse all the same. (Please?)
reaD.WatCH.SurF
WO-051311012
IoWa CIty Greg and Jean thompson 7 p.m., Uptown Bill’s McKenzie river Band 7 p.m., Wildwood radio Moscow with Brutus and tribal Momentum 9 p.m., Yacht Club Secondhand Serenade with Jared lee and Matt Beilis 5 p.m., Blue Moose TJ Breitbach Benefit featuring Mutiny in Parlor, the Sidemen, the Drabbletails and Greg and Jean thompson 7:30 p.m., The Mill
CeDar FallS the Beaker Brothers 6 p.m., The Hub WildCard, 9:30 p.m., The Hub
CeDar FallS Kissmania 9 p.m., Wheelhouse
SEVEN
PULSE
•
19
film
2011
get your flick on
Photos courtesy: Universal, Sony Pictures, Walt Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros.
BRIDESMAIDS
20
13 MAY
PRIEST
13 MAY
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne
STARRING: Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q
The plot: Picked as her best friend’s maid of honor, lovelorn and broke Annie (Wiig) looks to bluff her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals with an oddball group of bridesmaids.
THE PLOT: In a world ravaged by centuries of war between man and
•
PULSE
vampires, the niece of a legendary warrior priest from the last Vampire War is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires. Priest (Bettany) breaks his sacred vows to find her before they turn her into one of them.
26 MAY
KUNG fU PANDA 2 Starring: Voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan the plot: Po joins forces with a group of new kung-fu masters to take on an old enemy with a deadly new weapon.
pirateS oF the CariBBean: on Stranger tiDeS
20 MAY
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane the plot: After crossing paths with a woman from his past (Cruz), Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) is swept aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (McShane), on an unexpected mission to find the elusive fountain of youth.
the hangoVer part ii
26 MAY
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms the plot: Phil, Stu and Alan travel to Bangkok for Stu’s wedding only to find themselves in another post-blackout misadventure.
PULSE
•
21
filM & dvd
2011
get your flick on
Spurlock’s for sale in ‘Greatest Movie Ever Sold’ DaviD Germain | AP Movie writer
M
organ Spurlock pigged out on McDonald’s chow in his documentary “Super Size Me.” Now he’s lining up at corporate America’s cash trough. Spurlock’s “The Greatest Movie Ever Sold” examines product placement and movie marketing from a unique perspective: his documentary was paid for entirely through product placement and marketing deals. A serious yet hilarious study about balancing commerce and creative control, the film follows Spurlock’s quest to create a “docbuster,” the documentary equivalent of studio flicks that become blockbusters through all-pervasive webs of co-branding and cross-promotion. The director said he ceded no artistic control to any of the roughly 20 companies that signed on as financial and marketing partners, among them Hyatt Hotels, JetBlue Airways, Mini Cooper cars and Amy’s Kitchen foods. “Maintaining control. That was the hardest part of this film,” Spurlock said. “Cutting out any kind of influence they would have over getting approval of the final cut, getting approval of how they looked in the movie. We did have to sign dis22
•
PULSe
paragement clauses where we agreed not to disparage any of the brands. Which I think we did. I think they all come off great, but with a little bit where we poke them with a finely sharp stick, not a really sharp stick.” Along with cash, companies provided cars, accommodations, air travel, food, beverages and other products to support the film’s production. In exchange, Spurlock has become an unabashed pitchman for their goods and services. He uses Ban deodorant and MovieTickets. com, wears Merrell shoes and Carrera sunglasses, relies on Seventh Generation household goods and Thayers health products, all partners on his movie. He shot a video for JetBlue flights welcoming passengers on board and did interviews for the film at Sheetz convenience stores, another sponsor. Spurlock even sold naming rights for $1 million, two-thirds of the film’s budget, to the movie’s main sponsor. The film’s full title is “POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold,” after the Los Angeles-based company that makes juices and other pomegranate products.
The movie is playful to the point of absurdity in shoving its sponsor’s products in viewers’ faces while knocking competitors’ merchandise. Yet it does so to make the point that audiences are constantly bombarded with product pitches, sometimes subtle, often not so much. “Being aware is half the battle, I think. Literally knowing all the time when you’re being marketed to is a great thing,” Spurlock said. “A lot of people don’t realize it. They can’t see the forest for the trees. The film features interviews with productplacement specialists, marketing consultants and filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino and J.J. Abrams, who discuss how advertisers and promotional partners try to influence the content of movies and TV shows. Spurlock also highlights the cold calls he placed to companies — Ford, Volkswagen, Guess Jeans, Nintendo, Nike, Starbucks and many others — that wanted nothing to do with his movie. “McDonald’s, they didn’t call back again,” Spurlock said.
A Q&A with Tv’s most
intimidating interrogator
WO-051311015
mCCLatChy news serviCe
H
e’s played a bullied recruit in “Full Metal Jacket,” Al Franken’s brother in “Stuart Saves His Family” and an alien cockroach in “Men in Black.” But Vincent D’Onofrio is most recognized for playing the intense Det. Robert Goren in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” which debuted in 2001. During a break in shooting we talked to D’Onofrio about working with Stanley Kubrick and why Goren is a close talker.
Delaware County Fairgrounds May 2 9 , y a d n Su 6:00 OPENING BAND
Law & Order: Criminal intent 8 p.m., USA
th
Q. what persuaded you to come back for one more season? a. when (series creator) Dick wolf calls you, you’ve got to consider it. He’s been in the business for a long time and has amazing intuition. i wanted to go back to the kinetic Goren, the guy from the first three or four seasons. the only time we get away from the crimes is when Goren is visiting his psychiatrist, who is being played by Julia ormond.
3RD OFFENSE
8:30
Q. the “Law & order” franchise has a reputation for being more concerned with plot than character. Did that ever concern you?
HAIRBALL
a. Dick once said that he got into crime shows because there are automatically high stakes and that creates drama. we’re a little more character-driven than the other shows, but i’m very happy we don’t have a lot of soap. if we did, i would have gotten bored a lot faster. Q. You once collapsed on set and were diagnosed with nervous exhaustion ...
Tribute band covering 15 bands from the 1980’s including AC/DC, KISS, Prince, Guns N Roses, Poison, Aerosmith, Journey etc.
a. what? what’s nervous exhaustion? Q. Not sure myself. i just read that somewhere. what was it?
Q. one of Goren’s traits is that he bends a lot in front of suspects and gets right up in their faces. where did you come up with that? a. i paid a lot of attention to manipulation tools. i just came up with stuff that would stop conversations, throw wrenches into the dialogue, stop scenes in awkward ways, change the tone.
WO-051311018
a. we were working too hard. i’m the one who forced a break. i needed to stop. Me and (co-star) Kathryn erbe were working 17 or 18 hours a day. i’ll never go back to that schedule. we do less episodes now and we get our rest.
Tickets at www.delawarecofair.com 15 in advance - $20 at the door plus ticket fees
$
BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY: LOECKE AUCTION SERVICE, PARROTT INSURANCE DAN KELCHEN CONSTRUCTION, COORS LIGHT, MILLER LITE PULSe
•
23
NEW RELEASES VIDEO gAMES
2011
To watch the trailer for “The Witcher 2,” scan the code below with a reader on your mobile device or hop on over to CVPulse.com.
DEAD OR ALIVE DIMENSIONS
Play as more than fighters from “Dead or Alive” through “Dead or Alive 4” — some available for the first time — in this 3-D retrospective of the franchise. New modes include Tag MAy 24 Challenge and Throwdown, which join the typical ArFor: 3DS cade and Survival options. Chronicle mode will cover the series’ story arc, filling in parts never before explored in any “Dead or Alive” game. Fight your friends locally or team up with them to take on all comers — or hop online to challenge players from around the world.
ThE wITchER 2: ASSASSINS Of kINgS The second installment of the “Witcher” series picks up shortly after the assassination attempt on King Foltest. Geralt continues to protect the king, but that is stopping him from setting out on his real mission: tracking down the asMAy 17 sassin — and finding the answers to his questions. For: PC The game boasts a unique battle system, film-like cutscenes and nonlinear gameplay based on the works of Andrzej Sapkowski.
24
•
PULSE
‘MotorStorm: Apocalypse’ is a rough but fun ride A By roN HArrIS | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dog, the expletive-spewing leader of the crew. Those various levels didn’t matter much as far as the actual in-game driving experience. It’s all very pedal-to-the-metal for pretty much the entire length of each race. I’m not saying the courses are easy, but players can speed through most sections without braking. The graphic details are impressive, especially the scenes that involve water. When there is rain pelting Big Dog in his face during a high-speed motorcycle ride, it travels up the screen realistically, as though wind and speed are pushing it up his sunglasses. When I drove through a torrent of water from a broken fire hydrant, I had to endure a few seconds of blurred vision until it cleared off my windshield. The crush of a tsunami threatened to engulf me and a large portion of a seafront racetrack, and it grew stronger with each ensuing lap. When I wasn’t busy battling the elements of nature, I had to put up with some straggling pedestrians left aimless wandering along the side of the streets that occasionally tossed Molotov cocktails at my car and were generally being a nuisance. To make matters more complicated, there’s a squad of security in helicopters trying to rid the city of race drivers by launching rockets at them. Probably the most impressive tracks are the ones that are located several hundred feet in the air as the rough-and-tumble collection of vehicles
MotorStorm: Apocalypse For: PlayStation 3 | Price: $59.99 rated: Teen
races on the roofs of business district skyscrapers. The buildings occasionally sway and sections collapse, which left me quickly searching for an alternate route through a glass window and into an office space only to come careening out of the other side. “MotorStorm: Apocalypse” is racing mayhem at its finest. This isn’t so much a driving simulator as it is a testament to the imagination of the game’s developers at Evolution Studios. The road I drove on during the first lap crumbled away by the second. I had to drive through the skyscraper I drove around in a previous race. It’s madness, and despite being a bit easy once you get the hang of the steering physics, it’s also a lot of fun.
kaptain Brawe
L.A. Noire
NAScAR The game 2011
cake Mania Main Street
SpongeBob SquigglePants
kung fu Panda 2
Play as Kaptain Brawe or one of his sidekicks, Danny and Luna, as the trio explore four planets in a classic point-and-click adventure. Meet secret agents and interstellar government officers as Brawe tries to rescue hostages from the notorious Space Pirates. PC; May 24.
Purchase and upgrade four businesses — including a sushi restaurant, a flower shop and a burger joint — to save Bakersfield’s Main Street shopping district. Populate the town with exciting attractions like a ferris wheel, a fountain or a giant cake. DS; May 17.
Search crime scenes, question witnesses and apprehend the bad guys in a block-by-block re-creation of crime-ridden Los Angeles, 1947. Work the Patrol, Traffic, Homicide and Arson desks through one of the most corrupt periods in the city’s history. PS3, X360; May 17.
The star of “SpongeBob SquarePants” makes the move to 3-D in a collection of more than 100 wacky nanogames. Unlock exclusive art collections under the guidance of SpongeBob’s fan club president, Patchy the Pirate, the host of the under-the-sea silliness. 3DS; May 17.
SHUTTERSTOCK, AP, TECMO KOEI AND ATARI PHOTOS
fter weathering a confluence of realworld events, “MotorStorm: Apocalypse” has arrived in fine form. It’s the third installment in the adrenaline-fueled MotorStorm racing series, and it’s a rush. The Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami in March sidelined the scheduled release of “MotorStorm: Apocalypse,” primarily because the game features off-road racing in a landscape torn apart by earthquakes and tsunamis. Sony Computer Entertainment made the right call in putting off the release for about a month. Each “MotorStorm” title is centered on a racing festival of ragtag, foul-mouthed drivers. The vehicles include muscle cars, superbike-style motorcycles and enormous trucks that can plow over the competition. This time the festival is held at an unnamed West Coast city that is a dead-ringer for San Francisco. I lived there for 16 years and trust me, that’s the Alamo Square Park neighborhood masquerading as the “Upper Bohemia” course in the game. The landscape is littered with debris and the crumbled corners of Victorian homes that have been shaken to their foundation by massive earthquakes, many of which occur during the final lap in the races. In the early “rookie” races of this PlayStation 3 exclusive title, I drove as Mash, a rookie recruit to this troublemaking circuit of drivers. Later I would drive as Tyler and finally as the veteran Big
Create your own character or compete as one of the world’s best drivers in a racing game rebuilt from the ground up. Experience points gained as racers tackle 22 real-world tracks can be used to buy decals, car designs and special races. PS3, X360, Wii; May 24.
Help Po and the Furious Five defeat Xaio Dan, rescue Gongman City and save the entire discipline of kung fu in an original story set at the final battle of “Kung Fu Panda 2.” The Wii version works with the uDraw tablet, and the Xbox 360 version uses the Kinect peripheral. DS, PS3, X360, Wii; May 24.
PULSE
•
25
Sudoku — Medium
2
1 3
4 2 8
2 4 3
6
5
4 1
6 4 7 3 1 8
6
9 4 2
9
8 7
1
65
51 55
I
L
W A A
V
C
M E E K E S I
N U
I
G R A Z
L A
E
I
L
H
S
A
C
M A
E
T S
T
U N I
I
Z A
V
A
A
S
B R
L
S
L
G U N
E F
I B A
S
E
N L
D A
E
T S
T O M E S T
N E A I
R
K E M P Y
E W A L
T H R O U G H N
N E Y
E
D O R N E D
O N
O
R A M E
G E T I
A
N E R V O R O
E R
E G A C
N
T R
I
Z D
T
E S
E T
B B A
Catching a Snooze
R
T
T A
C
P
I
Z
T
D A
A M S
31. __-over (narrator's job) 35. Did a pizzeria chore 37. Estrada or Satie 39. Gymnast Korbut 41. Like Annie Oakley's aim 42. Fax, say 44. Eroded, as with acid 46. Site of the legendary Fountain of Youth 48. White Rabbit's lament 49. __ Marcus (retail chain) 50. "__ by Starlight" 53. Butcher-shop sight 55. "Jurassic Park" bug trapper 58. Tend to the sauce 62. Meditative sect 63. Rebellious Turner 64. Ending with ethyl or methyl 65. Marv Albert catchword
L
DOWN 1. Get droopy 2. NYC's Park or Lex 3. Half a quarter 4. Stropped item 5. Application filler 6. SW or NE 7.Author unknown: Abbr. 8. Like Muddy Waters's music 9. Sired, biblically 10. Jock 11. Commercials for an ax? 13.March festive date, for short 18. Big hit in "The Natural" 23. Shopaholic's hangout 24. Home to most of Turkey 25. Latin revolutionary's French home? 26. Land of the leprechauns 28. Where life begins
A M A
71
E S
70
N E
69
A
68
I
67
63
N T
66
62
D
61
A
60
E
57
I
59
58
56
R N
54
L
53
L
50
52
64
47
46
45
49
Y E A
44
40
A
39
R
38
37 43
35
T A
34
32
31
Sudoku — Difficult
33
28
27
NO PEEKING!
8 7 1 4 3 5 2 9 6
26 30
36
22
21
29
42
19
20 25
41
16
18
24
13
E N A
15
12
4 2 5 9 1 6 3 8 7
11
10
6 9 3 7 8 2 1 5 4
9
2 1 7 3 4 8 5 6 9
8
3 5 4 1 6 9 7 2 8
7
1 5 7 9 3 6 4 8 8 2 9 6 2 8 6 5 9 7 5 2 4 1 3 7 6 9 8 4 7 4 1 3 5 3 2 1
6
5
Sudoku — Medium
4
5 3 2 4 9 1 6 7 8
PULSE
2 1
5
7 8 4 2 5 6 3 9 1
•
3
17
48
3
ANSWERS 2
14
23
5 7 9
5
6 1 9 7 3 8 5 4 2
26
1
7 1
Catching a Snooze ACROSS 1. Buffalo hockey player 6. Middle of Flintstone's yell 11. Early hrs. 14. For the birds? 15. Shoreline recess 16. "Can't Help Lovin'__ Man" 17. Headline announcing a sax player's retirement? 19. Nada 20. __ y Plata (Montana's motto) 21. Patricia of "Hud" 22. Windy City el initials 23. Knot art 27. Rod, Martha, or Jon 29. Claro residue 30. Full of chutzpah 32. Hefty volumes 33. Dish out whoppers 34. The Andrews Sisters, e.g. 35. Quarterback-turned-politico Jack 36. Veg out 38. Grant's side 40. Belfry critters 43. "__ Torino" (Eastwood movie) 45. Sign on a staff 47. Dander 48. Eskimo people 50. "Love Story" author Erich 51. Big Bertha, for one 52. Most resembling Caspar Milquetoast 54. Decked out 56. Ullmann or Tyler 57. Deck quartet 59. Bard's before 60. Docs' org. 61. Creator of 3/4 cartoons? 66. Sticky stuff 67. Kate's sitcom friend 68. Keaton of Woody Allen movies 69. Bambi's aunt 70. Have a craving 71. Starts the pot
5
4 7 1 6 2 5 9 8 3
work your mind
5
8 2 6 3 7 9 4 1 5
2011
4 7 1 9
1 2 9 3 6 5 4 9 8 7 3 5 5 9 8 1 4 1 6 8 7 3 2 4 2 8 1 7 3 6 5 2 9 4 7 6
puzzles
3 1 2 6 4 8 6 1 6 7 3 4 1 5 2 9 6
Sudoku — Difficult
All puzzles ©Hometown Content
‘Halloween Dance’ a charming memoir about relationships REVIEW KAREN HEINSELMAN | PULSE WritEr
A BOOKs
2011
wHAT’S THE word?
The New York Regional Mormon singles Halloween Dance Elna Baker Penguin Group, 2009 272 pages /
t first glance, “The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance,” a memoir by Elna Baker, appeared to be more chick lit than profound literary epic. When an intention to quickly flip through the paperback slipped into an almost a full chapter read while precariously juggling purse, keys and coffee cup, I made the purchase. I wasn’t sorry. “Dance” is a witty, coming-of-age narrative that’s heavy on humor and light on theology. The memoir relates the thoughts and happenings of author/ subject Baker — a zestful and charming, open-minded yet bashfully naive young woman living in New York. She also identifies as a practicing Mormon. Most of the book follows Baker’s dogged efforts to find love as a 20-something virgin who doesn’t drink but tries to affirm everything else in life, albeit with mixed results. Elna continuously tries to navigate two very different worlds, never feeling completely at home in either. Reluctant to choose, she optimistically reaches out for the good she sees in both. This leads to rich experiences but also clutters her sense of identity. If this book sounds like another take on the wholesome-single-girl-in-the-
steven Tyler’s memoir is a wild ride
S
big-city-looks-for-love theme, it is. But it’s a gloriously funny, well-written take. Baker’s writing isn’t sentimental or apologetic. She’s matter of fact and calls out her own bad behavior without coming off as preachy. Baker is a woman of contradictions. She forgoes alcohol and premarital relations but is a chronic liar and seems obsessed with kissing conquests. Parts of the book may come across as crass as Baker shares her innermost questions and thoughts about sex. Throughout the book, Baker’s Mormon faith surfaces as the reason she can’t or won’t do this or that. She loyally defends her faith even as she pokes fun at church culture. Baker’s choice to interlace her quest for love with her struggle to keep the faith makes sense. Her Mormon identity sets boundaries in her search for love, even as religion limits her choices. Case in point? Baker falls in love with an atheist. The couple’s mismatched beliefs create discord in the relationship and contribute to her crisis of faith. When it comes down to it, Baker begins to doubt her religion not on intellectual principles, but because of whom she can and can’t love. HILLEL ITALIE | tHE ASSoCiAtEd PrESS
Aerosmith and hung out with them at Woodstock. They teven Tyler’s memoir has a million of ’em. Like that night in 1978 when he blacked out on get their first record deal in 1972. Their self-titled debut stage while singing “Reefer-Headed Woman.” Or album comes out the following year. Tyler describes working on such classics when he and Aerosmith visited the White as “Dream On,” written at a Hilton Hotel House on the day President Bill Clinton was near the airport in Boston and a touchimpeached. Or that weird weekend with stone for his own life, with its warning that Keith Richards at Bing Crosby’s old house “Maybe tomorrow the good Lord will take on Long Island. Everyone, Tyler writes, you away.” Another favorite, “Sweet Emo“was gacked to the nines on coke.” tion,” was inspired by his “anger and jealThe Associated Press purchased a copy ousy” over guitarist Joe Perry’s moving out on Thursday of, scheduled for release next to live with his girlfriend. week. Explicit and filled with expletives, Sober now, Tyler has been in rehab often “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?” enough that he lists the treatment facilities, reads like an even wilder and louder vereight of them, from Hazelden to the Betty sion of Richards’ best-selling “Life.” Tyler, 63, settles back and tells story after story Does the Noise in My Ford center. Drugs were bad for his health, his spirit, his wallet. “I snorted my Porsche, about life in the “most decadent, lecherous, Head Bother You? I snorted my plane,” he confesses. sexiest, nastiest band in the land.” Steven Tyler He cleaned up a few years ago but reOr as Tyler states it: “To snort or not to Ecco, 2011 lapsed after the death of his beloved mother, snort. That wasn’t even a question.” 400 pages Susie, in 2008. He gives a “moment-by-moA native of Yonkers, N.Y., Tyler was born / ment” recap of the summer night in 2009 Steve Victor Tallarico in 1948. By age 15, he when he fell off a stage in South Dakota. (“I knew he wanted to be a rock star and he knew he liked to get high, mastering the art of rigging zigged when I should have zagged.”) His band mates didn’t his bedroom door so he wouldn’t get caught smoking call him for 27 weeks and looked for a new singer. “I got chastised for falling off the stage high,” he remarks. pot. By the late 1960s, he has met the other members of PULSE
•
27
oin Friends now and buy tickets early!
Join Friends of the Gallagher-Bluedorn (or renew your membership now) and attend the 2011-2012 season preview party on May 26 at the GBPAC. Plus, you’ll get to order the hottest tickets before the general public! 28
•
PULSE