And I Just Can't Get Enough, I Just Can't Get Enough

Take my tears and that’s not nearly all - Soft Cell wants your tainted love

Just Can’t Get Enough: New Wave Sing-Along
Thursdays in April
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (320 E 6th Street)
$12, Various Times
[info]

For those trying to escape the cupidity of disco in the late 70's and early 80's, the two alternatives that presented themselves were Punk and New Wave. Now, on the whole, we can appreciate punk for the balls-out expression of aggression that it is, but frankly, we really enjoy being able to understand the lyrics that have been so painstakingly sieved from emoting hearts and we shun brutality in any form—physical pain is just not our bag, be it from bleeding elbows or eardrums. These two factors have landed us solidly in the New Wave camp for most of our life (save the brief stint in high school when we tried to be angry at the man in the most philosophical of ways), and in the New Wave camp we shall stay.

Countless gums flap about what is and what is not New Wave (Elvis Costello vs. Depeche Mode, Squeeze vs. Adam and the Ants, etc.) but when it comes right down to it, we are not here to debate those intricacies, but rather to celebrate the tsunami of synthesized goodness that flooded the cultural landscape at that time, which, even today, continues to influence countless fashions in style, art and thought. Tipping their hat to this immortal glory of fluorescent heartache, the Alamo Drafthouse debuts their newest concert/theater/dance explosion this Thursday evening, promising such running-in-place classics as Whip It, Rio, and, well, I Ran (So Far Away). Just Can't Get Enough: The New Wave Sing-Along will play throughout April, and if you have never been to an Alamo sing-along, then we can personally assure you that it will be just like heaven.

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By oh, steph in Arts & Entertainment on April 8, 2008 5:00 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

oh steph

I appreciate the facetiousness, Seth, but the problem with your boy-who-cried-price-gouging stance is that it is simply a matter of perception. Just because you personnally don't think a sing-along is worth $12 doesn't mean that it is not actually worth $12. I don't know how much you would pay for one of your decks, but whatever that amount may be, I would not personally be interested in shelling out the cash for one because skating is not my thing. Sing-alongs are my thing.

Again, this is a sociological debate, as there are so many things that factor into how individuals ascribe value to possessions, experiences and what have you. Would I pay $20 for a sing-along? Not today, but who knows about the future.

And I pay $4 for Live Oak Hefeweizen at DeVille, which is the same amount I pay at the Alamo. Seems fairly level to me. I would love to know where I can get it on the cheap though, if you have any suggestions.

seth

I'm glad that this event is popular and successful. The gut reaction I was describing in my earlier post is a reflex to what I consider price gouging by the Alamo. If people are excited about this offering, then hooray. It makes sense that they charge $12 admission and $4.00 for beers. People are willing to pay it, so that's what they should charge. Or more if it's selling out every time. Capitalism would dictate they keep raising the ticket prices until it matches demand by leaving just one empty seat.

Seth

oh steph

I didn't know what to expect when I went to my first sing-along so many moons ago, but I certainly didn't expect to walk out of the theater completely sweat ravaged and soaked with glee. I don't know what they pipe into the air during these things but they get totally manic and people lose their shit....myself included.

I can't wait for the 17th!!!!!!! The synthesizers in my head won't stop!!!!

polyphasic

Agreed. Sing-a-longs are superior in every way.

poshdeluxe

if you've ever been to a a sing-along, you know it's not just "a karaoke party." there's competitions, props, costumes... but really, it's the spirit of the audience that makes these shows. you won't find that kind of dynamic excitement in a karaoke room, no matter how cheap it is.

DrafthouseHenri

Sing-Alongs aren't exactly karaoke, Seth. It's a whole different vibe, for sure. People sing in a crowd, all as one, not in an awkward procession of American Idol auditions on a stage. Which isn't to say I don't love me some awkward on-stage karaoke, just that the two shows are totally different beasts.

As for restaurants showing movies, lots of them do it already! Rounders Pizza on West Sixth shows movies almost every night, and Mr. Gatti's has been running special shows on big TVs for years and years.

And Steph, I love that write up. I can't believe I didn't think to use the "just like heaven" ending for my blurb on our site. I think I started listening to the lyrics from Depeche Mode's "Somebody" again and got too busy crying and sighing...

seth

$12 bucks for a karaoke party?!? Thank you, but no. That place up on Burnett is cheaper and it's BYOB.

Please! Some restaranteur needs to start showing movies so that competition will bring the Alamo's prices down.

Seth