The Year In Local: Hipsters, protests, and nostalgia
Mark Riechers
More This Week In Local
- Die Kreuzen, Teen Daze, and musician tributes to pro wrestling
- Steve Albini facts, Rick Ross noises, and car songs that aren't really about cars
- Domineering pop-culture mothers, New Girl's Jake Johnson, and zombie movies of the world
- Chicago’s awful new anthem, Lisa Lampanelli, and dissecting the new Chester French video
- The Blue Jays’ glory days, a nosy dean, and Bon Iver erotica
The A.V. Club has a smattering of local sites, and every day, writers in these locales are posting about music, films, and other events and news happening in their cities. Whether you live in one of these cities or elsewhere, there’s plenty of great local stuff that’s worth a look. Here’s a round-up of some of 2011’s biggest stories across these sites.
• Chicago railed against the abuse of the word “hipster” while also trying to accommodate those who just had to be cool, delved into the intriguing oral history of the city’s metal scene (parts two, three, and four), talked to The Interrupters producer (and noted journalist) Alex Kotlowitz, and laid down the law on local transit etiquette.
• Denver chatted with DeVotchKa and Dntel, reminisced about the bygone days of the Warped Tour, and spent a day in the life of a LARPer, all under the watchful eye of a crazy, gigantic blue horse.
• Madison was preoccupied by amazing protest signs and the “mock lynching” of Spiderman's nemesis Venom, but not so preoccupied that they couldn’t enjoy the Ron Swanson-ness of their city, compare the city’s food to Beastie Boy songs, or introduce Rosie O’Donnell to the new Bon Iver album.
• Milwaukee talked to comedy legend Steven Wright, paid tribute to its local superhero Milverine, wondered why Packers star QB Aaron Rodgers shilled for an ambulance-chaser, laughed at Joey Lawrence’s celebrity haunting, and had a bit of fun with comments about Kanye’s Summerfest show.
• Philadelphia discovered nostalgia doesn’t taste so sweet via the New Kids On The Block/Backstreet Boys union, explored the etymology of the regional word “jawn,” and talked to a lot of fantastic folks like Auto-Tune the News stars The Gregory Brothers, filmmaker John Carpenter, and an eye-opening conversation with the Neon Trees about the financial realties facing bands today.
• Toronto ate an enormous burger which probably didn’t sit well during a viewing of Melancholia, rejoiced over the exposure given to controversial mayor Rob Ford, and chatted with both Kids In The Hall alum Scott Thomspon and Susan Ray, widow of filmmaker Nicholas Ray.
• The Twin Cities talked to funny ladies Maria Bamford and Sarah Silverman, exchanged quipps with the minds behind MST3K and Cinematic Titanic, pondered gay athletes in professional sports, and had lots (and lots and lots) to say about Michele Bachmann.
More This Week In Local
- Rob Lowe's Lifetime movie, Will ... (December 16, 2011)
- A Nic Cage Tribute, Michael Shannon ... (January 6, 2012)
