Filtered Excellence: July 3, 2014

Fireworks brighten the sky and entertain thousands at Macy's

Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are this weeks picks of the best things to watch, the most interesting things to do, great things to try, the best picks to read, our favorite things to listen to and more:


WATCH THIS:

Life Itself. Roger Ebert’s passion for film – as a long time writer for the Chicago Sun-Times and later as co-host of Sneak Previews and At The Movies with long time on-air partner, sometimes adversary Gene Siskel – earned him a Pulitzer Prize and a star on Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame. Bouts with cancer in his later years, took away his ability to speak, but thanks to his early embrace of the Internet and social media, it didn’t take away his critical voice. Director Steve James put together this loving but well-balanced portrait of Ebert, tracing his early days as a fledgling writer at the scrappy Chicago Sun-Times, how his teaming up with Siskel changed film criticism, his relationships with Hollywood movers and shakers and, of course, his brave fight against cancer. It’s a wonderful tribute to one of the greatest champions of cinema. Life Itself opens in theaters, on demand, and on Itunes on July 4th.

A Hard Day’s Night 50th Anniversary Screenings. To coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the film’s UK premiere, A Hard Day’s Night – the first feature film starring The Beatles – will have a series of theater screenings in the U.S and the U.K. The plot has The Fab Four dealing with rabid fans, an AWOL Ringo and Paul’s randy grandfather as they travel from Liverpool to London to make a TV appearance. Director Richard Lester wonderfully captures the swinging London scene and a band changing the face of popular culture. It’s also loaded with great songs including the title track, ‘If I Fell’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘I Should’ve Known Better’ and much more. Filmed in glorious black and white, A Hard Day’s Night is The Beatles – and youth culture – at an artistic zenith. It will begin screening in theaters on July 4th.

2014 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. One of the greatest 4th of July traditions America has to offer returns to Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. Last year, champion Joey Chestnut (who has won 7 straight titles) set the world and his stomach on fire by eating a record 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes. He also hold championships in a list of assorted groceries including deep-fried asparagus spears, brats, chicken wings, fish tacos, hard-boiled eggs, jalapeno poppers, Twinkies and pastrami. Chestnut is back to defend his mustard yellow hot dog eating championship belt. The ladies competition could get really interesting this year. The Black Widow, Sonya Thomas ate an unheard of 45 hot dogs last year. But this year, she will be challenged by Miki Sudo, a 28-year-old eater out of Vegas who has beaten the Black Widow in previous chili and chicken wing eating contests. The two were set to go head to head last year, but Sudo had to pull out of the competition. The 2014 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is Friday, July 4th with coverage starting on ESPNews live at Noon Eastern of catch a tape delay on ESPN 2 after World Cup Soccer.

Philly 4th of July Jam. It’s the largest free concert in America and a 4th of July celebration in the heart of American independence, Philadelphia. It’s live from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and features The Roots, Philadelphia’s own house band, performing on the Questlove stage. Marlon Wayans is the host for the evening which also includes performances by Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj and Jennifer Hudson. The night is topped off by a fireworks display over the the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Philly 4th of July Jam, is Friday at 8 pm Eastern on VH1 and Palladia.


 

READ THIS:

Diary of a Mad Diva by Joan Rivers. The comedy legend is back with a new book and she’s taking no prisoners. Joan Rivers takes on all pop culture comers in her new “diary” style book. The same edginess which made her a comedy star decades ago continues to shine through in new book. Joan’s diary entries include comments on Adele, the Kardashians, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Anne Frank, Barbara Streisand, Paula Deen, Kirstie Alley and even J. Edgar Hoover among others. And of course there’s Joan’s feelings on Kristen Stewart who was already reportedly suing the comedian over the book before it even came out. Diary of a Mad Diva makes for a hysterical Summer read.

Diary of a Mad Diva by Joan Rivers is available at amazon.com.

 

LISTEN TO THIS:

CSNY 1974 by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. In 1974, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young launched the most ambitious tour at for its time: A 30 city tour of U.S. stadiums and one show at London’s Wembley Stadium. Fueled by massive amounts of drugs, groupies, ego, questionable money management and politics (the shows coincided with the Watergate hearings and President Nixon’s resignation), the entire jaunt would be dubbed ‘The Doom Tour’ because it left the band more fractured than ever. But it also captured CSN&Y at an artistic and creative zenith with performances lasting up to four hours. Graham Nash combed through the nine shows were recorded from that tour to present CSNY 1974, an expansive document from that turbulent point in the band’s history. All of the classics – both as a group and solo hits – are here: ‘Teach Your Children’, ‘Suite: Judy Blue Eyes’, ‘Ohio’, ‘Wooden Ships, ‘Almost Cut My Hair’, ‘Long Time Gone’, ‘Love The One You’re With’, among many others. CSNY 1974 also provides a showcase for such Neil Young rarities such as ‘Love Art Blues’, ‘Don’t Be Denied’ and ‘Goodbye Dick’, which premiered just five days after Nixon left office in disgrace. Meticulously selected and sequenced to recreate an actual set, CSNY 1974 is a fitting time capsule of one of rock’s most respected and distinguished bands.

CSNY 1974 (3 CD + DVD) will be available July 8th on Amazon, Itunes and through all major music retailers.
You can also pre-order the set through the band’s website: www.csny.com.

Provisions by Luke Elliot. Based out of New York, this young singer-songwriter has been quickly making the rounds as the next big thing to come out of the Lower East Side scene since The Strokes. An old soul trapped in a young body, Elliot has been compared to Dylan, Tom Waits, a young Springsteen, Van Morrison and Southside Johnny. For his new EP, all of this influences come through but through a fresh, refined filter. There’s rockers (‘Benny’s A Bum’, ‘Virginia’), slow burners (‘I Get It Anyhow), and aching ballads (‘Virginia’). With a great new EP out and a lot of critical buzz circling around him, Luke Elliot stands poised to be a breakout star.


 

DO THIS

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell. Steve Martin backed up by the bluegrass band, the Steep Canyon Rangers, along with Edie Brickell will be wrapping up a 3 day gig at the Hollywood Bowl. Their last night will be an Independence Day concert for the Bowl’s annual 4th of July celebration. The combination of Martin and Brickell teaming with the Rangers brings together an unbelievable night of humor and true American music. There’s going to be fireworks and an extra patriotic feel to the night with special guests, the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West. The July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell at the Hollywood Bowl is Friday, July 4th at 7:30 pm.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Summer Screen: Back To The Future. McCarren Park will hold an outdoor screening of the Robert Zemeckis classic “Back To The Future”. The movie was originally released 4th of July weekend in 1985. This is a chance to see it outdoors, drive-in style. Plus, admission is free. “Back To The Future” will be shown at McCarren Park, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. At the corner of North 12th St. and Bedford Ave. The park opens for seating at 6 pm. There will be food vendors on site and live music before the movie. The film starts at sundown.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Seinfeld Night with the Brooklyn Cyclones. New York’s favorite minor league baseball team is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Seinfeld. Here’s what the ‘clones have planned. For one night only, Saturday, July 5th, MCU Park on Surf Avenue in Brooklyn will be renamed “Vandelay Industries Park”. The foul poles will be renamed Festivus Poles.The announce team will have a low-talker. There will be “Elaine Dancing” and cereal eating contests. The players will be in puffy shirts for batting practice. Anyone who has a business card indicating that they are in fact a “Latex Salesman” will receive a free ticket to the game. And perhaps best of all, the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Keith Hernandez “Magic Loogie” Bobblehead. Seinfeld Night with the Brooklyn Cyclones is Saturday, July 5th at 6 pm. Oh yeah, there’s also a baseball game that night. The Cyclones will be playing the Aberdeen IronBirds on Saturday.

INDIO, CALIFORNIA: Art Garfunkel. The singer, poet and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is back on the road this Summer. He’ll be playing the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, California on Saturday, July 5th. Art Garfunkel’s performance will include his many hits as part of Simon & Garfunkel as well as songs from his favorite songwriters, Jimmy Webb, Randy Newman and A.C. Jobim, plus Art will be reading excerpts from his new book and doing a Q&A with the audience. You can see this iconic vocalist at the Fantasy Springs Resorts on Saturday, July 5th at 8 pm in the Special Events Center.

NEW YORK CITY: Urban Drive-In: Charlie Chaplin Shorts. The Abrons Arts Center is starting their Urban Drive-In Summer. The July schedule starts with the classic work of the legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin in a series of short films. These silent works will be accompanied by live original piano and string scores. Artists include pianists Kamel Boutross and Alec Betterley, with compositions by Robert Randazzo. Be sure to bring your own chair or blanket to sit on. Urban Drive-In featuring the work of Charlie Chaplin will be shown in the amphitheater at the Abrons Arts Center at the Henry Street Settlement in Manhattan on Thursday, July 10th.


 

Want more excellence?  Read last week’s The Filtered Excellence and visit The Interrobang Recommmends