Living on a college campus has it’s perks

• Posted on Dan
• in Berkeley, concerts, stupid people, we're crazy liberals
• on March 16, 2008
• 2 Comments.

So, when students ask for my advice (and sometimes when they don’t) about what they should do while they’re in college, I step onto my soapbox and tell them that they should take advantage of the performances, exhibits, lectures etc. that come to college campuses. Because in real life, these things do not pop up in your backyard for ridiculously discounted prices. However, I also unashamedly take advantage of these things as well, like last night when I went to see Angelique Kidjo in concert, for less than $20. She is a singer from West Africa, who has been professionally singing since she was 20 years old. She just released her third (I think) album, and she is touring to promote it. As per her usual, it’s full of collaborations with other, usually Western, artists. This album feature Joss Stone, Josh Groban and some others I can’t remember. Anyway, I first heard her when she did a duet with Dave Matthews (just the person, not the whole band) on her first album and the song “Iwoya.” (Your cue to go download it on iTunes) and I really really like her voice. Granted, she sings in a variety of languages, so not always going to get a sense of what she’s saying, but the music is pretty great.

Anyway, the concert was great – she has some energy, lots of dancing and singing, putting Britney Spears to shame. The whole stage was just her, her five musicians and their instruments. No sets, no decoration. It was lovely. She talked a lot about her beliefs about religion and wars and politics and things. This being Berkeley, people ate it up. People were dancing in the aisles, and this one woman, I’m convinced was having the best night of her life with the enthusiasm she was “dancing” with. I’m not actually sure dancing is the right word, but I think it’s what she was trying to do. Maybe the more accurate term is flailing, a la Elaine on Seinfeld.

Good times.

In not such good times, have you seen this on You Tube?

Sally Kern is an ass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFxk7glmMbo

Ellen’s response on her show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBmCA4z8Yzc