The Filtered Excellence: August 2, 2012

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Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are this weeks picks of what to WATCH, what to DO what to TRY what to READ what to LISTEN TO and more:
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WATCH THIS:

The Olympics.  Here are some of the big events this week that you won’t want to miss.

  • Friday:  Women’s and Men’s Beach Volleyball – The Knockout Round of 16 begins. Matches at 4am, 8am, 12 Noon and 4pm, all Eastern.
  • Friday: Women’s Soccer Quarterfinals – USA vs New Zealand 9:30am eastern.  Other matches at 7am, noon and 2:30pm.
  • Friday: Women’s Basketball – Women’s Preliminary Group A – USA versus Czech Republic. 5:15pm Eastern
  • Saturday: Men’s Swimming – Final Event – Men’s 4×100-Meter Medley Relay. This should be Michael Phelps’ last Olympic event. 3:27pm eastern
  • Saturday:  Men’s Basketball – Group A – USA versus Lithuania. 9:30am Eastern
  • Sunday:  Women’s Gymnastics – Floor Exercise Finals. 11:23am Eastern
  • Sunday: Men’s 100m Finals for the Gold Medal and title of Fastest Man in the World. 4:50pm Eastern.
  • Monday:  Women’s Soccer Semi-Finals
  • Monday: Men’s Basketball – Group A – USA versus Argentina. Tip off at 5:15pm Eastern
  • Wednesday: Women’s Beach Volleyball – Finals for the Gold Medal. 4pm Eastern.
  • Wednesday:  Start of the Men’s Decathlon – 100m Heats, 400m heats and Group Competitions for Long Jump, Shot Put and High Jump. Decathlon competitions start at 5:10am and run the rest of the day.
  • Thursday:  Womens Soccer Gold Medal Match:  2:45 pm eastern time.  It’s a rematch of last year’s women’s world cup match and should be a great game.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi. On DVD and Amazon Instant and On Demand.  Pick up Jiro Dreams of Sushi, and make plans to go directly to the best sushi restaurant you can find immediately after.  You’re bound to be disappointed no matter where you go, but you’ll be so hungry for fresh raw fish, you won’t care.  A great film that personifies what excellence and passion are all about.

What The Flick?! No, we’re not just recommending this show because they use an interrobang. After the demise of every other movie review television show, here comes a round table movie review show for the web and it’s uncensored.  Hosts Matt Atchity, Editor-in-chief of Rotten Tomatoes, Alonso Duralde of The Wrap.com and the podcast The Linoleum Knife, Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz and AP critic Christy Lemire are very candid and segments runbetween 8 to 15 minutes, so you can expect an in depth analysis of a film.

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READ THIS:

Mercury: An Intimate Biography Of Freddie Mercury by Lesley-Ann Jones.  Freddie Mercury was one of rock n roll greatest frontmen, but in the twenty years since his death, Freddie Mercury the man remains very much a mystery. Noted British journalist Lesley-Ann Jones took up the challenge, interviewing over 100 of his closest friends, relatives and associates and delivers an intimate and compelling look at the enigmatic performer.  In stores now.

I Got A Name: The Jim Croce Story by Ingrid Croce and Jimmy Rock. Written by Croce’s widow, Ingrid and his former musical partner Jimmy Rock, I Got A Name gives us an insightful look at the late singer-songwriter who wrote such hits as ‘Time In A Bottle’, and ‘Big Bad Leroy Brown”. The book chronciles his Philly upbringing, his reluctant entry into the music business, and the emotional and financial difficulties of being a musician, as well as Croce’s creative process.  A great look at a singer-songwriter who left us way too soon. In stores now.

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LISTEN TO THIS:

‘Just Tell Me That You Want Me: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac‘ isn’t available until August 14th, but thanks to NPR, you can stream the entire album now. Our favorites so far: Trixie Whitley burning down Peter Green’s ‘Before The Beginning’; Antony’s tender reading of ‘Landslide’ and Marianne Faithfull’s stately reading of ‘Angel’. Tribute albums can be hit and miss affairs, but this one is clearly a hit.

Blur21.  The newly released limited edition collector’s set is an anthology and more. Blur 21 is a bountiful showcase and timeline of the band’s entire career which includes all seven of Blur’s studio albums, demos and DVDs, as well as over five hours of rare and previously unreleased works.  Numerous B-sides also delve deeper into Blur’s original style, brandishing some brilliant flashes and innovative tracks. Black Book, Inertia, Young & Lovely, are just a few of these titles. You may have to pay a pretty penny (about $150), but for fans of the Britpop band, it may really be worth it; not all box sets are so well amassed.

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BROWSE THIS:

Guitar Lessons With James Taylor.  He has such a unique finger-picking style that he decided to record a series of free online video guitar lessons to help fans get a closer look. Lessons are available at his jamestaylor.com website.  This week, he released his 5th lesson.

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TRY THIS:

Filet Mignon Steak Sandwich by Pat LaFrieda.  Only available at Citifield, the country’s best known butcher is bringing his burger talents to the fast but not fast-food steak sandwich business.    Sliced filet mignon with grilled onions and cheese on great bread.  If you’re catching a game, stop by and grab one.

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DO THIS:

New York City:  Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.  Riverside Park 8/8.  The man. The myth. The bicycle. Here’s the film that cemented Pee-wee Herman’s place in pop culture, launched the movie careers of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman and for a minute, a dance craze (‘The Pee-wee Herman’). All on a big screen and FREE. Definitely make a night out of it. Show time is 8:30 at Riverside Park, Pier 1.

New York City:  Do The Reggae.  Brooklyn Academy Of Music 8/2-8/8. To coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Jamaican independence, The Brooklyn Academy Of Music is showing a series of films that highlight the country’s greatest export: Reggae. The films include The Harder They Come starring Jimmy Cliff; the painfully underappreciated Rockers, :and Of Look Behind, a documentary on Jamaica in the wake of Bob Marley’s passing; Heartland Reggae, a doc about the legendary One Love Peace Concert, and Deep Roots Music, a BBC documentary series profiling some of the most prolific names in reggae. This serves as both a celebration of the culture and a perfect entry for those who want to learn more about. Do The Reggae runs through August 8th.

Chicago:  Lollapalooza.  If we have to tell you what this is, you have been in a coma for the last decade.  Or you probably wouldn’t be interested.  Chicago’s massive music fest is underway this weekend in Grant Park with mega acts like The Black Keys, Jack White, Alabama Shakes, Frank Ocean and many other Filtered Excellence featured bands.

SUMMER FESTIVAL ROUND UP: MORE TO CHECK OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THIS WEEK

  • Arizona, Flagstaff Yoga Festival (August 3rd-5th).  Yoga is supposed to help your mind, body, and soul- so what could be more perfect then a three day yoga festival to help refresh yourself? Well, they are also having a fundraising Mala which is going to donate money to over 108 great causes!
  • Idaho, Yellow Pine Music and Harmonica Festival (August 3rd to 5th).  Yellow Pine, Idaho – After 22 years, the annual Harmonica Festival and contest will not be holding a contest but instead they will be holding a more friendly crowd pleasing harmonica concert. Be sure to still stop by and bring the family to hear great music eat good food, and relax with family.
  • Massachusetts, Yankee Homecoming (July 29th- August 5th). Newburyport, Massachusetts – No, this is not a festival for the New York Yankees, instead it is just a great festival to celebrate the greatness of the North dating back to the Civil War. Celebrate with Fireworks, food, family activities, and everything you would expect out of a great Northern festival in Massachusetts.
  • Michigan, Bath Days Festival (August 3rd and 4th). Bath, Michigan – Rub a dub dub, grab your rubber ducky and head to Michigan and celebrate everything that is great about the bathtub. And of all the things you thought you could do in a Bath tub well this festival adds one more this festival is home of the International Bath Tub Races- yep thats right build your car out of a bathtub and get ready to race!
  • North Carolina, Children’s Trout Derby (August 4th).  Cherokee, North Carolina – All you need is to register your child and show up, with registration each child gets free bait and tackle, and can catch up to 5 trout. Bring the family and spend the whole day by the lake! You could also watch the Dock Dogs Competition happening the same day!
  • Ohio, Roy Rogers Festival (August 1st- 4th).  Portsmouth, Ohio – What better way to celebrate the summer but with a festival to celebrate America’s favorite cowboy- Roy Rogers. And this year they will be honoring the 100th birthday of fellow famous cowboy Dale Evans.
  • South Carolina,  Brew at the Zoo (August 3rd).  Columbia, South Carolina – What could be better then animals and beer- well yeah pretty much nothing. $40 dollar tickets will get you admittance to the zoo and unlimited beer all night. You will be able to encounter animals up close and catch different animal presentations.
  • Oregon, Dune Fest (August 1st-5th)  Winchester Bay – Oregon – Known as the Best sporting event in Oregon and the most fun a family can have in the sand, thousands of people will gather to watch activities including motcross racing, sand drags, poker run, a treasure hunt, and event a drive in movie night!
  • North Carolina, Popcorn Sutton Acoustic Jam (August 3rd-4th).  Maggie Valley, North Carolina – Well he is the most notorious moonshine maker of all time and he deserves the yearly celebration. So bring your moonshine down and listen to some of the best acoustic jams in honor of the man beloved by everyone- Popcorn Sutton.

 

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Interrobang Staff
Interrobang Staff