Editor’s Picks – Bands and Burlesque

Ron Miles — Circuit Rider (Enja/Yellowbird)

by French Davis

The human condition seems largely centered around finding our souls’ perfect complements. Regardless of the form it takes, that connection is what draws us in to any pursuit in the arts, and a perfect illustration of that merging is local trumpeter Ron Miles and his guitar-slung sideman Bill Frisell. Circuit Rider is the duo’s fifth outing (second with Miles as the leader), with drummer Brian Blade filling out the trio. The album title refers to clergymen who rode the American frontier on horseback preaching the gospel. And while religion serves as well from which Miles draws his inspiration, it’s a universal spiritual uplifting that occurs on this release that needs no ardent dogma to relate to. It’s as joyous as it is studied; freeing as it is structured. It’s what jazz is at its core. For more: bit.ly/RonMilesCircuitRider.

Exotica Erotica Ball

by French Davis

What is it about Halloween that brings out the voyeur/exhibitionist in all of us? Perhaps it’s the sense of anonymity a mask provides, or it’s simply a heightened state of arousal thanks to the insane amount of pumpkin-spiced-everything we’ve consumed over the last month (is that even an aphrodisiac? It must be, right? Why else is it freakin’ everywhere now?), but whatever the reason, the result is the enduring popularity of the annual Exotica Erotica Ball. The self-proclaimed “biggest and best adult party” of the year, the ball is where you’ll find your chance to live out your “I’m an extra in Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut” fantasy. Now expanded to two different nights: Oct. 24, 9 pm at Shine (2027 13th St., Boulder), and Oct. 25, 9 pm at the Mercury Café (2199 California St., Denver). For more info: www.exoticaball.com

DeVotchKa

by French Davis

There are a number of things you can credit DeVotchKa for — defying musical classification with its blend of Eastern-European-tinged Gipsy-rock, cutting their chops playing for burlesque superstar Dita Von Teese, scoring the Academy Award-winning indie film Little Miss Sunshine — but perhaps the best accolade you can saddle them with is introducing the Colorado Symphony Orchestra to a new generation of Colorado music lovers through their live recording in 2012. The quartet remains as quirky as it is engaging in its approach to rock draped in musical literacy. Catch them live on Nov. 1 at the Boulder Theatre at 8 pm. Tickets are $22.50.

Rocky Horror

by French Davis

To call the Rocky Horror Picture Show a cult classic does it no justice. The film practically defined the concept — witness its enduring run at indie theaters across the nation almost four decades after its release (making it the longest-running theatrical release in history). That success makes it possible to forget the b-movie send-up was originally a musical stage production. Thankfully, the Longmont Theatre Company isn’t about to let us forget, producing a two-weekend run Oct. 17–18 and Oct. 24–25. Audience participation will be a key factor for the shows, and tickets start at just $10. For more: LongmontTheatre.org.

Skrillex

by Brett Callwood

Skrillex, born Sonny John Moore, has risen to the pinnacle of electronic music over the past couple of years. He is often labelled dubstep, techno and house, but none of those are entirely accurate. Skrillex is an odd-ball pioneer, a man who gets his kicks by reinventing what it means to be an EDM dude on the fringes of the mainstream. What he never is is boring, so his show at the Balch Fieldhouse (2055 Regent Dr., Boulder) with GTA, Alesia and Nadastrom is sure to be a trip. Show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $40. Call 303-492-7931.

David Sedaris

by French Davis

While we may have to blame him for inspiring a legion of navel-gazing bloggers all hoping to be the next him, David Sedaris can be forgiven the trespass, if for no other reason that his material is worth the chaff for the wheat he’s given us. From the holiday juggernaut of the Santaland Diaries, to New York Times bestseller When You Are Engulfed In Flames, the essayist and radio personality is touring on the popularity of his latest autobiographical essay collection, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls. Catch him live on Nov. 1 at Macky Auditorium in Boulder at 8 pm. Tickets are $42+. For more info: www.colorado.edu/macky.

Longmont Second Friday

by French Davis

Few things are more magical than small town life in Colorado in the fall. Need proof? Witness downtown Longmont for Second Friday in November. Several art galleries begin new exhibitions on this monthly series, and you’ll find plenty of other shops, boutiques, cafes and vendors along the walk. It’s a family-friendly affair, and a great chance to break out your finest fall sweater and spend some time getting to know the community a little better. At Main St. and 6th Ave. in Longmont starting at 6 pm. For more information: www.downtownlongmont.com.

Munchkin Masquerade

by French Davis

If you’ve been around the Boulder area more than a few years, you might remember the infamous Mall Crawl the spontaneous flash mob prototype that brought tens of thousands onto Pearl Street until the fascist Boulder City Council declared it festival-non-grata in 1991. Over the last couple of years, it’s been seeing a mild comeback, but the death knell for its real rowdiness might also be the fact that the people who drove that tradition also all grew up and had kids of their own. Enter the Munchkin Masquerade on Pearl St. Mall, a much-better organized and much less insane Halloween celebration featuring legions of adorable toddler goblins and ghouls, superheroes, fairy princesses and monsters. The parade traipses through town from 3–6 pm on Oct. 31, with all kinds of trick-or-treating and costume prizes. For more info: www.munchkinmasquerade.com.

Kiera Giordan

by French Davis

Knowing you’ve got a shot to see a world famous comedienne before she’s been “discovered” is a feat of fortune telling most people aren’t equipped to deliver. Thankfully, we are, and we’ve got a scoop for you. Meet the Denver-bred, Seattle-based comic Kiera Giordan. Currently the voice of traffic reports on several radio stations in and around the Emerald City, the longtime radio talent and producer has built a steady following in the PacNorWest by delivering great material with the most infectious smile you’ll ever encounter. Catch her at the Bohemian Biergarten (2017 13th St., Boulder) on Oct. 19, at 6:45 pm. For more information: bohemianbiergarten.com.