the Music Lounge by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A & E Writer

Minus the Bear in Honolulu, Madonna in Hall of Fame, Sasquatch, Wainwright and lang

Minus the Bear in Honolulu, Madonna in Hall of Fame, Sasquatch, Wainwright and lang by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer Not only was Minus the Bear in Honolulu last week when I was there, but we also became hotelmates at the Sheraton Waikiki. The Seattle-based quintet was on the island of Oahu for a one-night gig at the Pipeline Café, a relatively new concert venue in a warehouse district close to Ala Moana Shopping Center. One band member stayed on my floor at the hotel, a centrally-located property in the heart of Honolulu's tourist-heavy area. I spotted two other band members in the lobby and unintentionally trailed behind them as they smoked cigarettes and went for a walk. Later that evening, the group piled into a van with their girlfriends en route to the concert. Sadly, I had other obligations that evening and missed their performance. But it appears Minus the Bear took advantage of the 80-degree weather in Hawaii, reportedly telling a local alternative newspaper they would hang loose on the island for a few days afterwards. Madonna will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10 at NYC's famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Induction honors go to Justin Timberlake, said to be collaborating on the Material Girl's upcoming project, but details haven't been released as to what songs he'll choose to tribute the pop queen with. As mentioned here in "The Music Lounge" a week ago, R.E.M. and Modest Mouse will perform at this year's Sasquatch Music Festival on Memorial Day weekend. The event also promises Seattle pop-rockers Death Cab for Cutie on the main stage, featuring our dear friend Chris Walla (read his interview at www.sgn.org, February 8 issue). Another Seattle favorite, The Blakes, will play at the Gorge, too. And you heard it here first - The Blakes are interviewing right here in "The Music Lounge" on March 14. I'm so excited! For a complete list of artists on the Sasquatch bill, visit www.sasquatchfestival.com. The Gorge Amphitheatre is two hours from the Emerald City, in Eastern Washington. Overnight accommodations are strongly encouraged. Few tickets remain for Rufus Wainwright at the Paramount Theatre on March 13. If you're considering attending this concert, purchase tickets immediately at any Ticketmaster outlet priced between $28 and $38. Ditto for k.d. lang, performing back-to-back nights at the Moore Theatre on March 19-20. Very few tickets are left for her first show and balcony-only seating is available for her second performance. Priced between $34 and $49, tickets can be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet. To avoid surplus charges for Wainwright or lang shows, you can purchase tickets at either venue's box office. While in Hawaii, I had breakfast with a good friend of Jack Johnson. His friend echoed everything that has already been said about the island-born surfer-turned-musician, most notably that he's an amazingly down-to-earth guy who invaluably donates much of his time and money to environmental awareness. He and his wife, once a schoolteacher, have dedicated their efforts to preserving Hawaiian resources such as developing recycling projects in schools throughout the state. Johnson, who claimed Billboard's top album chart a week ago with his latest release Sleep Through the Static, is the headliner for Oahu's Kokua Festival - and I know eight people thus far from Seattle who are flying to Hawaii for it. The festival also features Dave Matthews and Mason Jennings. On a related Jack Johnson note, I came across the North Shore ice cream shop where he and his family are said to frequent. They even have a flavor named after him, the "Jack Johnson Ginger Rush." As I devoured my very ono (Hawaiian word for delicious) coconut cream cone, the shopkeeper told me that Johnson is the nicest person in the whole world. If you want to find out the name of this sinfully good eatery, check out our special travel section in the Seattle Gay News on March 14 and I'll provide it to you then. I clenched my fist twice during the Oscars telecast last weekend, both times involving music. The first was for Marion Cotillard's triumphant win for Best Actress in La Vie en Rose, portraying French icon Edith Piaf. The second was for Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's victory for Best Original Song, and their live performance of "Falling Slowly" was a goosebumpy moment on the program. Hansard's near-tear acceptance speech was icing on the cake. If you haven't seen the film Once yet, rent a copy of it at your favorite DVD store or reserve it at your nearest library. It's a truly sweet, sweet movie with a wonderful soundtrack. Finally, just got word that Janet Jackson will appear on the Tyra Banks Show on Wednesday, March 5. The R&B diva released a brand-new album this week entitled Discipline. Jackson is expected to tour in 2008, though specifics haven't been announced.

picture: Madonna