I was able to drop by The Cheaper Show Saturday night after Pink Martini's show at Orpheum Theatre. While I only caught the last twenty minutes of the show, I was extremely glad I was able to see what it was all about.

The Cheaper Show is a single-night exhibit (in it's eight year) that featured 300 pieces of art for a set price of $200.00 each. The idea behind it is straightforward: accessibility. Inexpensive prices enable more people to afford high-quality art. To add to this, newer artists are given a rare (equal) presentation alongside more established peers. An international array of 150 artists from many mediums were featured in the event. It was cool to see Basco Five's work back in town!

The Cheaper Show No.8 took place at the old Storyeum. I never went to the actual Storyeum, but the venue fit the exhibit well. I really enjoyed the evening and took note of some great artists. DJ Rico Uno played some cool mixes and the place was packed with funky people.

I really like what the organizers of the exhibit are doing and am already anticipating The Cheaper Show No.9. They say it best: "Buy Art Not Cocaine".

Pink Martini is a band out of Portland, Oregon—a Liberal city dubbed "Little Beirut" for it's regular anti-Republican demonstrations. A vociferous town requires citizens that are responsible for how they communicate, and Pink Martini has communication down to an art.

Thomas Lauderdale, the dynamic founder of the 'little orchestra' aptly describes the members of his group to be "musical archaeologists, bringing melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is modern."

Taking to the Orpheum's beautiful stage, Pink Martini started into a rendition of "Bolero"—an intelligent first choice, as the piece built the anticipation for what was to come. The group changed gears quickly, bringing primary vocalist China Forbes to the stage for "Tempo Perdido"—a song that transported listeners to humid Latin nights of an imagined past.

Since as far back as I can remember, jazz has had a way of drawing me in and making me feel music. This week 1800 musicians are coming in from all over the globe to play at Vancouver's award-winning International Jazz Festival—a jazz lover's paradise! The festival runs from June 20 - 29 and has a special Canada Day date on July 1. While the selection includes true legends from the jazz world, there are a few non-jazz acts in the mix as well. As always, free concerts are available at many venues around the city. Check Coastal Jazz & Blues for a complete listing.

This is a big week for Vancouver music, so please add shows in comments as you see fit!

Friday, June 20
♦ Shout Out Out Out Out @ Commodore (VIJF): This dance-punk group out of Edmonton may seem like an unlikely feature for a jazz fest, but VIJF is a Festivus for the Rest of Us.
♦ Herbie Hancock @ Orpheum (VIJF): One of those legends I was talking about, Herbie is known as an experimentalist who still managed to convey his music to pop audiences.
♦ Beady Belle @ Performance Works (VIJF): This Norwegian group is led by female vocalist Beate S. Lech and bassist Marius Reksjo.
♦ Blind Tiger, Tiger @ Hoko's: Edmonton based alt-pop. With My Robot Unicorn.
♦ Danny Echo @ Waldorf Hotel: Echo is a Burnaby-based musician who is a bit like Sam Roberts with folkier influence.vocals.

This week has fewer big-name acts but tons of quality independant performers. Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section.

Friday, June 13
♦ Holy Hardstock!!! @ Christ Church Cathedral: This is a benefit for Scott Harding: a local musician and producer who was injured in a hit-and-run in February.
♦ Old 97's @ Richard's: Texas boys playing alt-country. You can often pick out the band's influences in their tunes (e.g. Johnny Cash, The Kinks, The Beatles, The Pixies, and David Bowie).
♦ Styrofoam @ Bourban: Wiki dubbes Arne Van Petegem's musical style to be "glitch electronica". I'm not sure if I agree, but I like the phrase!
♦ E.S.L. Band @ Western Front (Day One): Believe me, I'm not trying to stir up old arguments! This local group of music-making foreigners are hosting a CD release with The Fits and Cornerstone.
♦ The Jolts @ Cobalt: The Jolts are a Vancouver-bred punk group.
♦ The Awkward Stage @ Biltmore: Vancouver's Shane Nelken has worked on projects with some pretty cool people, including A.C. Newman (The New Pornographers). The Awkward Stage is his story.

So Music Waste (has) will come to an end this week. How did you like it? Steve Louie was is all over it, so be sure to check out his photos!

Thursday, June 5
Go to the last Concert BReak for tonight's shows.

Friday, June 6
♦ Brooke Fraser @ Media Club: This singer-songwriter from New Zealand will be performing tunes from her new album, "Albertine".
♦ Honda Civic Tour @ PNE Forum: Panic at the Disco dropped the circus fetish for this tour (they've also dropped the exclamation mark from their name). The Hush Sound, Motion City Soundtrack and Phantom Planet will also be playing.
♦ Crystal Castles @ Richard's: This is the last 1/2 Alive Friday at Richard's on Richards. They'll be taking control of Pat's Pub every Friday from here on out.
♦ Erykah Badu @ Commodore: This year, Erykah Badu released her first full-length album since 2000. From what I gather, she doesn't wear the African head-dress anymore, but goes for other "distinctive" (i.e. terrifying) style choices. Freaky or not, she can still sing!
♦ Wassabi Collective @ Media Club: This band from Nelson plays hip-hop with mellow, grooving bass-lines. Who knew people in Nelson play hip-hop?
♦ Kingsway @ Fairview Pub: RC Joseph leads his merry band of local folk and rock musicians.

As the 'indie' press has been reporting, 2008 is the summer of North American music festivals. With a band's income becoming increasingly reliant on live performance, a seemingly never-ending stream of hyped young talent finding release each week, and corporations everywhere still curious as to how much they can get away with charging for a bottle of water... if you like music, it's likely you'll be attending at least one festival this year. With New Music West behind us (not to mention Sasquatch), Waste just around the corner, and the Vancouver Jazz Fest on the horizon -- there's a lot to choose from in the Vancity area... and you're gonna' have to save some of that money for the water.

I'm failing to mention that big, bad, brand new corporate contender for your carbon tax cheque: Pemberton. While people are justly excited about such a major festival debuting in BC, a lot of us aren't sold on a lacking lineup, costly tickets, or stringent policies. It's a lot of money and energy to devote for a few glimpses at compelling music between the inebriated throngs. I've already decided that my money would be better spent elsewhere, and I've already secured my tickets to Calgary's second annual Sled Island festival, running from June 24-28.

What the hell is Sled Island, you ask? Well, the four day festival has Broken Social Scene, Wire, Mogwai, Yo La Tengo, Of Montreal, Tegan and Sara and the RZA headlining, not to mention a host of other bands playing at venues around the city (including Bison, Deerhunter, and Grizzly Bear, if animal acts are your thing). There's quite a few Vancouver musicians making the trek to Cowtown come the end of June, and perhaps you aughta' consider an Albertan roadtrip as well. It really is an appealing alternative (or addition?) to Pemberton, and who knows when we'll see this much pure talent in Western Canada again. More after the jump...