You've seen Blake commenting about music and all kinds of stuff here at The Beehive, now you can see him, his theremin and his band perform live.
The Trike Shop's pop stylings are fun and catchy, without all the over-polished production you get with today's pop singers. You'll go back to an era of harmony and melody that we don't hear enough of anymore. Blake & Co join virtuoso violinist Patrick Contreras and his band on our musical lineup.
Watch for news on the party every day this week on The Beehive.
Because we're all tired of turkey by now, I'm shamelessly jacking a good topic from today's Mindhub -- Where do you get the best burger in Fresno?
Hubber Lea McAndrews posed the question and added this declaration:
I just had the BEST burger I've ever had at Sequoia Brewery tonight. I don't know why I've never had one there before, because I do eat there on occasion. But I did tonight and it was fantastic!!!
A quick response shouted out Joe's Steakhouse in Downtown Fresno.
Since it's the day after Thanksgiving, I can't be all negative and do a Worst Flier of the Week post today. Instead, I'll show you what I believe is the Best Flier of the Week.
Just a note: There's no Post No Bills today, but you can check out last week's. It still has plenty of options for this weekend and the coming week.
Stuff to do while someone else prepares Thanksgiving dinner
Apparently, Thanksgiving Eve is "the biggest drinking night of the year." Makes sense, I guess -- lots of people have an extended weekend coming up or are coming home for the holidays.
Fittingly, there are a lot of pre-Thanksgiving parties tonight. Here's a rundown, as well as some stuff to do after you get your fill of turkey on Thursday.
Jack Bauer saved African children, one-man gang'd a crew of militants and, in the end, sacrificed himself for the good of others. So basically: Jack Bauer is The Man and "24" is back.
Last night's two-hour "Redemption" movie was a good-enough taste that now has me salivating for Season 7, which begins Jan. 11. What did you think of last night's "24" dose? January can't come quick enough, right?
I'll tell you this straight out: This will not be a typical performance from Contreras & Co. He will bring his usual showmanship, of course, and his band will rock the house like they always do -- but from some of the conversations Patrick and I have had, expect some pretty cool stuff!
A NOTE ABOUT THE PARTY:
Our goal in organizing The Beehive Birthday Party is to bring to life the community that exists on this site day in and day out -- just with a bar.
So we're turning to the people who contribute to our community to help us celebrate. As we announce more performers and attractions, expect to see the very people you converse with and read about on a daily basis.
The event will be free. And we hope to see all of you there -- even the lurkers.
It's time for another week of everybody's favorite new Beehive feature: Worst Flier of the Week.
Please note, promoters -- this is not a diss to your event (not by me, anyway). Rather it's my way of protecting the Fresno Internets from bad graphic design. And now, on with the show ...
After my alma mater *crosses fingers* beats Fresno State tonight ...
1. SWEDE! We've already wrote about this, but I since I think Saturday's Swede Fest is so cool and different and because we might be able to get another 50 comments out of it, I'll shout it out again.
Welcome to another week of Post No Bills -- a weekly look at what's going on in Fresno brought to you exclusively by FresnoBeehive.com.
Post No Bills is the largest collection of fliers for clubs, concerts and various other events around Fresno and the Valley. So sit back, give your browser a minute to load and take a look at various happenings.
Programming note: I'm on vacation next week, so no Post No Bills. This one is super packed with stuff to do, though.
As always, we welcome contributions bands, artists, venues, promoters and regular joes. Send flier links to mosegueda@fresnobee.com.
A challenge to Bob Specht, Letter to the Editor writer ...
Congratulations to Bob Specht of Fresno. On Nov. 21, you took a giant step toward going into the Bad Letters to the Editor Hall of Fame* with these confusing and downright ignorant 181 words:
All challenge to gamers
Congratulations to the computer video gamers of the United States of America. On Nov. 4, you took a giant step toward leading the country, for the first time, by electing Barack Obama president of our country.
You are now responsible for the job that our forefathers, patriots and soldiers of this nation's past so diligently handled, to prevent the United States from moving toward a socialist republic.
If you have not learned, paid attention or possibly never been taught this nation's true history lessons in school, it is now up to you to find these truths, by becoming political watchdogs. The "I'd rather be playing video games" attitude will be the ruination of the country, if you don't pay close attention to the real national and world politics.
Just knowing how to turn on a computer and playing electronic games is not educational literacy within itself. You must now use and apply your brains for far greater things. God help us if you don't figure it out before it is too late for all of us.
Bob Specht
Fresno
Wow, Bob. So are you saying that everybody who voted for Obama plays video games? Or are you saying there are now two parties -- the computer gamers and the bridge players? Or are you just one of the those out-of-touch dudes who thinks any electronic device that's not a TV and a VCR is a "computer video game." Do you say things like "You dang kids, with your dang MTV and your dang video games! Get off my lawn!"? I'm thinking you do.
*Shout out to Beehive reader Adam whose blogis the Bad Letter to the Editor hall of fame. He already let Bob have it too.
Dear Car Selly People: Want to know why you're not selling as many cars and your industry is in trouble? It's because you're not doing more advertising like this:
A little more info on the Café Corazón benefit concert we told you about earlier in the week. Indie band Rademacher and poet Chicago have been added to the lineup Sunday at Club Fred.
It's nice to see that even though the doors are closed, people don't see Café Corazón as a lost cause. Here's hoping the coffeehouse rebounds, opens back up and ends up on a Best of Fresno list or something.
REVIEW: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Save Mart Center
So I'd never seen Trans-Siberian Orchestra before last night. When I interviewed the show's creator it was such an odd talk -- he asked if I had seen the show, then talked about it, without a single question from me, for 25 minutes straight -- that I had to make the trek out to Save Mart Center.
Twelve hours later, I'm a bit torn on how I feel about TSO. So I figured a good way to look at this is a list of the pluses and minuses:
WHAT I LIKED
- The TSO band is versatile enough to go from a Christmas favorite to the clap-along energy of Van Halen. One song might just be keyboards with an opera singer. The next, the guitarists and violinists are running around the stage.
'Ghost Hunters' finds some crazy stuff in Clovis -- Your take?
Last night's "Ghost Hunters" showed us the investigation of Clovis' Wolfe Manor (or, for the sake of the show, The Clovis Sanitarium). In the end, TAPS' Jason and Grant said there were definitely some active spirits in the house.
Just take a look at this scene, which will hereby be known as "I like the one in the hat." If I ever go back there, I'm totally wearing a hat.
So what did you think? Did "Ghost Hunters" spook you? Would you ever set foot in Wolfe Manor? Or do you still not believe?
While you ponder that, hit the jump for pictures from last night's watch party at BC's Pizza & Beer in Clovis.
Fresno Magazine put out its annual Best of Fresno issue this month and tonight is its accompanying Best of Fresno party over at the Convention Center.
I'll start by admitting that all of these types of lists are totally subjective and they're never going to please anybody -- that said, there are some stinkers on this supposed "Best of" list. I call shenanigans on the following:
LATE-NIGHT HOT SPOT: Really guys, Roe? I've heard a lot of people say a lot of things about Roe, but best has never entered into that conversation.
ANNUAL EVENT: I guess Sudz in the City is a respectable choice (probably because it's one of the few times the Fresno Mag crowd comes downtown), but I think we all know the right answer to this: The Rogue Festival.
BAR-N-GRILL: I love Dog House Grill ... but I'm curious how Applebee's makes it onto that list. Did they survey only Grandmas?
With Swede Fest The Second coming up in just a few days -- it's about time all the Swedsters out there finish up their Sweding. That's what our Swedish Will Albritton did, putting the final touches on his "The Princess Swede" yesterday.
His bit of Swedeness features Josh Tehee (aka Famous Whitewater), Beehive commenter Travis Sheridan and Jaime Holt, who has nothing to do with blogging or this site. They put a Swediptious spin on "The Princess Bride."
When you can't get Sammy Hagar, there's always Ray Appleton
Let's say you're a promoter for Cabo Wabo Fresno. You want people to come through the doors. You can't play the Sammy Hagar card anymore, since he distanced himself from all the Fresno drama.
What do you do? Enlist Cousin LarryRay Appleton, conservative talk show host, and urge people to come party with him. Even better: You, Joe Fresno, can win the opportunity to do tequila shots with Ray. I swear I'm not making this up.
Tomorrow is a big day at Cabo Wabo. With the help of Jack-FM 105.9 and Ray Appleton of KMJ-580, we are kicking off Taco Tuesdays, featuring $1.50 Tacos, $2 Dos XX Drafts, margarita specials, prize giveaways and a chance to win fine Tequila Tasting with Ray himself! Stick around for a live performance from Shotgunn Mary, an awesome local cover band.
So join us, the wild Jack-FM crew and the one and only Ray Appleton for a time you won't (or maybe will) forget! What else are you gonna do on a Tuesday?!
I saw Ray Appleton hangin' around Cabo Wabo the day Sammy Hagar was there, wearing those ripped jeans people used to wear.
Yep, it's gonna be that kind of party. I hope they bring out Rush Limbaugh next week!
College basketball just started and Fresno State's Paul George is already getting props for Dunk of the Year. Keep in mind that because of the 11 p.m. start time, it was near midnight when George unleashed this. It's already getting some love on 'Net and on the ESPN highlight reels, so here ya go:
If you care about such things: Fresno State lost the game 99-85.
Ghost Hunters, paranormal prowlers and spirit seekers take note: I had a pretty big story in today's Bee about Clovis' Wolfe Manor. The story talks about its appearance on Sci Fi channel's "Ghost Hunters" on Wednesday, Wolfe Manor's own Web show, private tours of the house and plans to turn Wolfe Manor into a haunted hotel.
All this give me a good opportunity to post some videos that I made, but never put on The Beehive. Like this one, of our own Heather McLane shaking up the spirits inside Wolfe Manor.
You might remember back in April when John West was coming through town and needed a show, so The Beehive helped him out, and a bunch of you came to see him. Good times, right?
Circumstances got a little familiar for West recently -- he had an open date between S.F. and L.A. and wanted to stop in Fresno. This time Nicole Giordano, formerly of The CW and now of Peak Broadcasting, hooked up a date for West at Yosemite Ranch, where he'll play Thursday night.
If you saw him last time he was here, you know what's up. If you missed him last time, don't make the same mistake twice.
Fresno Bloggers: TV news shows why we're better behind the keyboard
Remember when I told you last week that CBS47 was doing a story about Fresno bloggers -- here's video proof that it did indeed air and that I didn't make the whole thing up. This features me and Mikey from The Fresnan.
Be sure to watch 'til the end for an extended Beehive shout-out and some love for H-Mac. We like you too, Zara!
There's a second segment with Mike from Queer Fresno that you can watch on the CBS47 site. And since we at The Beehive are all about bloggeraderie, go check out CBS47's newly launched blogs.
The Beehive is four years old today! Many thanks to the now-departed Matt Thompson, who started this whole thing, and the folks at The Bee who keep it running today. Most importantly, thanks go to all you readers who contribute to the site and have made it into not just a blog, but a community.
Now that the speech is out of the way, I got one word for you guys: PARTY!
It's gonna be a blast, y'all. We have plenty of surprises in our stinger and we'll be revealing many of them in the coming weeks. So keep an eye out. For now, you better keep Friday, Dec. 5 open.
Today it's too hard to pick just one flier as the worst of the week. Instead, I offer up three finalists and ask you to choose. Or you can go to Post No Bills and pick your own Worst Flier of the Week.
1. PARTY LIKE A MOFO: Everybody's favorite blues group, the MoFo Party Band, is back home, headlining tonight at Club Fred. It's been a while for MoFo, who's been busy playing a bunch of out-of-town gigs.
Having trouble paying your bills? Have you tried spiders?
Here's an option if the debt collectors are after you: Break out the Microsoft Paint and do what David Thorne did. Who cares if this is real or not, it's pretty hilarious. Shouts out to Sonic Foundation and Nick Gennock, who both pointed it out.
Welcome to another week of Post No Bills -- a weekly look at what's going on in Fresno brought to you exclusively by FresnoBeehive.com.
Post No Bills is the largest collection of fliers for clubs, concerts and various other events around Fresno and the Valley. So sit back, give your browser a minute to load and take a look at various happenings.Take note: Lots of new stuff this week!
As always, we welcome contributions bands, artists, venues, promoters and regular joes. Send flier links to mosegueda@fresnobee.com.
Six reasons to check out The Met's 55-hour grand re-opening shindig ...
Yep, after more than three years of renovations, The Fresno Met re-opened its doors on Thursday. Even cooler is how its celebrating: With a 55-hour straight party.
It would be daunting task, staying at The Met for 55 straight hours. I'm not suggesting you do, but I'd certainly give you props if you did. Heck, it's all free. Should you be looking for some highlights of this 55-hour party, here you go:
1. PREHISTORIC HAPPY HOUR: Get down with the folks from Creative Fresno. Have some drinks. See some dinosaurs. You know, the typical Friday after work ...
UPDATE: Congrats to our winner KRISTY PAGE, who has now inspired us to re-write our rules saying people who won in the previous 30 days are ineligible. Congrats, Kristy. The rest of you non-winners will be happy to know that Fresno Famous is giving away tickets next week.
TSO annually ranks as one of top concert tours of the year. It's a 60-piece orchestra that includes a rock band, a full symphony and more than a dozen singers. That comes together for a mixture that's equal parts The Who, Jesus Christ Superstar and Charles Dickens.
UPDATE: My spot on the Mayor's talk show got moved up to 10:20 a.m. this morning -- 'cause I know you hecka care.
A few notes for you Beehive loyals out there:
Today, I'll be on CentralValleyTalk.com, talking about The Beehive and various other Fresno stuff. Catch me around 11 a.m. Via re-runs, you should also be able to hear me again at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
On Friday, I'll be on Mayor Alan Autry's radio show on KYNO (1300 AM) once again. That should be between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. at 10:20 a.m. We usually talk about stuff to do over the weekend and how awesome The Beehive is.
Also on Friday: Check out CBS47 news for a story about local bloggers that is supposed to include me, Mike from The Fresnan and Mike from Queer Fresno. Guess they like bloggers named Mike. I think it'll air at 5 p.m. 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., but that could have changed.
Everyone who read this far I will now reward with a tip: I'll be giving away tickets for next Wednesday's Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at Save Mart Center some time after lunch. The first person to respond once I make that post will win the tix. So keep coming back for that.
The "Ghost Hunters" episode filmed at Clovis' Wolfe Manor is now less than a week away. It airs next Wednesday night. Here's the preview that was tacked on to last night's "Ghost Hunters" episode:
There will be a watch party at 6 p.m. Wednesday at BC's Pizza and Beer in Clovis. Also: Watch out for a story in next week's Bee about Wolfe Manor.
Ridley Scott, who has been attached as a producer on "Monopoly" and has been mentioned as a possible director, is now officially attached to helm the project, with an eye toward giving it a futuristic sheen along the lines of his iconic "Blade Runner."
I've taken the liberty of picking the three suitable reactions to this development, please choose accordingly:
Horrible news out of Hollywood today: That much-rumored remake of "The Karate Kid" is a go, with Will Smith producing and his son Jaden starring.
Sigh.
As a lifelong fan of "Karate Kid," I can't say I'm particularly excited about seeing this -- but as a lifelong "Karate Kid" fan, I am a little intrigued to see how the cast shapes up.
I'm no Hollywood guy, but I think I know enough about "Karate Kid," Will Smith and nepotism to cast this new version of "The Karate Kid." Here goes my new cast -- it strikes first, strikes hard and shows no mercy:
Count this as another move made for Fresno rapper Fashawn. Here's the video for his new single "Our Way," which features Evidence of Dilated Peoples and is produced by Exile of Blu & Exile fame. It's headed for play on mtvU.
The video is quite slick and major props are in order for director Punit Dhesi. He's a local guy, who also did "F.A.S.H.A.W.N." and Chuck Dimes' "Milk Money" video. Warning: Language NSFW
The video has already landed on the big hip-hop blogs. Fashawn, meanwhile, is doing a show at House of Blues in Los Angeles on Tuesday with Evidence. The two of them are performing in Fresno on Dec. 23 at Starline.
Beehive Society Page: Creative Fresno blender at Sky Room
We were on the prowl during Friday night's Creative Fresno mixer at the Sky Room, snapping photos for The Beehive's Society Page.
It was a nice mixture of Fresnans of all sorts: creatives, bloggers, drinkers, to name a few. Plus, we got a nice view of the city via Sky Room, which sits on the ninth floor of the recently renovated Holiday Inn Downtown.
Here we go again. Just when you thought all the Sammy Hagar/Cabo Wabo fuss was over for a while, The Red Rocker issued a statement over the weekend that added a dollop of Gossip Girl-sized drama to the future of Fresno Wabo.
You can read all the damage control after the jump, but here's the part that stuck out of the most:
"Through our licensing agreement, I have granted the use of the Cabo Wabo name and logo, as well as my name and image to Fresno Rock Taco, LLC. If Mr. [Milt] Barbis cannot meet the established guidelines for use of those trademarks, I am well within my rights to cancel the contract with his company. I hope I do not have to take such drastic actions as I would like the community of Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley to enjoy Cabo Wabo, but not at the expense of those who have worked to bring this to the area."
You don't start talking in public about canceling contracts unless it's a legit possibility. So Sammy saying such a thing in a press release can't be good, no matter how much he loved us a few weeks ago.
Welcome to another week of Post No Bills -- a weekly look at what's going on in Fresno brought to you exclusively by FresnoBeehive.com.
Post No Bills is the largest collection of fliers for clubs, concerts and various other events around Fresno and the Valley. So sit back, give your browser a minute to load and take a look at various happenings.
As always, we welcome contributions bands, artists, venues, promoters and regular joes. Send flier links to mosegueda@fresnobee.com.
It was on this date in 2003 that Andrea Bocelli performed the first show at Fresno's arena -- since then we've got a number of A-list stars: The Rolling Stones, Madonna, The Who, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Britney Spears and so forth.
Still, some big tours have passed us by. Including The Police, Paul McCartney, U2 and Coldplay.
All this begs the question: Which act that's never played the Save Mart Center would you most like to see?
For a look at who's been here, what's drawn well and what's made money, check out the lists I compiled to go along with my five-year anniversary story. I found the data fascinating and I bet concertgoers will too.
Beehive B-Day Announcement #3 -- Blake Jones & The Trike Shop
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