Back Beat

Nima’s Wish Foundation hosts its annual fundraiser concert SPRING FORWARD June 8-9 at Cozmic; $18-$30 (free for kids 10 and under). The two-day event hosts a smorgasbord of local musicians including headliners Reeble Jar and Sol Seed, Laura Kemp, Phoebe Blume, I-Chele and Zambuco Marimba. Funds go to providing aid for people in Gambia, where Nima Gibba’s father is from. The 11-year-old Gibba tragically passed in a car accident in 2009.   Continue reading 

Back Beat

Kaleidoscope Music Festival has raised the bar for releasing music lineups with a highly produced viral video featuring a woman on a treasure hunt. National acts on the roster include Bassnectar, Los Rakas, Blue Scholars, Afroman, Souls of Mischief, Paper Diamond, Com Truise, gLAdiator and Amp Live. According to OneEleven, the producer-promoters behind the fest, the video was only phase one of the lineup announcements. More musicians will be announced May 30. Continue reading 

Back Beat

They are the champions. The UO Chamber Choir placed first in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition at the prestigious Cork International Choral Festival in Ireland. Led by UO professor of music Sharon J. Paul, the choir beat out 29 other choirs from 17 countries with music ranging from “Italian madrigals to bluegrass-influenced gospel.” You can see these international stars in your own backyard 8 pm Wednesday, May 22, at Beall Concert Hall on campus; $5 students, $7 general.   Continue reading 

Back Beat

Blood Sugar Sex Lama? After His Holiness speaks at Matthew Knight arena May 10, he heads to Portland where the Red Hot Chili Peppers will serenade him, preceded by a Q&A with His Holiness hosted by Anthony Kiedis. Warning: This is not a joke.   Continue reading 

Back Beat

It’s been six months since Seattle hip-hop outfit Macklemore and Ryan Lewis played their sold-out show at the McDonald (pictured above) and they’re already back, headlining at Matthew Knight Arena on May 4. Is the thrifty (“Thrift Shop”) duo aware of the campus controversy this booking ignited after the ASUO originally allocated over 100G to Mallard Madness (a student-run concert series) to nab the show? Continue reading