On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Dave Anderson’s book and exhibition One Block: A New Orleans Neighborhood Rebuilds provides a powerful portrait of post-Katrina as seen through the prism of a single block whose residents are attempting to rebuild their homes. Join photographer Dave Anderson and Time Magazine Deputy Photo Editor Paul Moakley in conversation →

MoogFest 2010
Multiple Venues – Asheville, NC
10/29 to 10/31/10

The city of Asheville, NC, will host MoogFest 2010, a three-day festival celebrating the innovative vision of sonic pioneer, Robert Moog, to be held Halloween weekend, October 29-31. Confirmed artists Massive Attack, MGMT, and Thievery Corporation will be joined by over 25 additional internationally renowned artists performing in multiple venues throughout downtown Asheville, including the Asheville Civic Center Arena, the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, and Asheville’s renowned world-class club, the Orange Peel.

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Screening of Trecartin’s Trill-ogy Comp & Re’Search Wait’S
The Cinefamily – LA, CA
7/26 & 7/27/10

“Imagine slasher films without blood; porn without nudity; the Sistine Chapel without God; the New York Stock Exchange without capital. Pretend that Hieronymus Bosch’s intermeshed figures could text.” – Wayne Koestenbaum, Artforum →

Banana Klan v Big Dada
The Queen of Hoxton – London EC2A 3JX
7/23/10

Roots Manuva – “Dub College”

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After the success of Roots Manuva’s ‘Go Bananas!’ night at The Book Club, the legendary UK bass-head is taking it to the next level with ‘Dub College’ at The Queen of Hoxton. Launching on July 23rd, this exploration of what Mr Manuva describes as “bass culture” will kick off with a meeting of artists from his longtime home, Big Dada, and his own label/gang, Banana Klan. Less a clash than a meeting of minds, the night will feature Big Dada artists old and new alongside the cream of the Banana Klan.

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Sean Bones’ new video features adult people doing fun things that they should’ve outgrown years and years ago. “Let’s Do Somethin’ Else” is from Bones’ latest EP, Rhumba Beat. This is Bones’ latest release since summer 2009′s Rings, which was released in conjunction with the feature film Wah Do Dem, starring Norah Jones and Bones himself.

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There is no end in sight for songs dedicated to California, which come as frequently as songs dedicated to women. A short round-up of recent songs featuring “California” in their titles reveal there’s no paucity of appreciation for the Golden State. There’s “In California” by Joanna Newsom, “California Goths” by Wavves and “California English” by Vampire Weekend (the latter I’m wary of since what do a bunch of punk East Coast kids know about my state?).

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For those who found the new LCD Soundsystem record disappointing, there’s redemption for this summer’s somewhat anemic summer jams. !!! (or Chk Chk Chk) return with Strange Weather, Isn’t It, the latest album from Sacramento’s dance punk outfit. New single “AM/FM” hits all the right points to become a likely summer hit, just as heatwaves begin across the country (if it hasn’t already). The acid-puke video for the song is directed by Black Dice.

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Like Ry Cooder before him, British DJ and Brownswood Recordings founder Gilles Peterson is in the business of bringing fresh sounds from distant places. Peterson’s jazz background makes him an able compiler of contemporary Cuban music, which has over the years expanded its palette with the rest of the world. Jazz and Latin rhythms still pervade Cuba’s music scenes, but today’s Cubans also record and perform hip-hop, reggaeton and R&B.

“Roforofo Fight (Louie Vega’s EOL Mix)”

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Against the sounds of a rustic night, the Chapin Sisters sing “Digging A Hole,” the latest single from their sophomore album Two. Lily and Abigail Chapin have been performing together as sisters since 2004, when they formed the group with a third sibling Jessica Craven, who’s now taking a leave of absence with her new baby. The sisters, who were formally trained at a Waldorf school as children, come from a distinguished line of folk musicians including their father, storyteller and songwriter Tom Chapin.

The Chapin Sisters – “Digging A Hole”

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Life During Wartime: a new film by Todd Solondz
The Cinefamily – Los Angeles, CA
7/19/10

Part sequel, part variation on his acclaimed and controversial Happiness, the newest film from celebrated director Todd Solondz (Welcome To The Dollhouse, Storytelling) assembles an amazing ensemble cast including Paul Reubens, Michael Kenneth Williams, Alley Sheedy, Michael Lerner, Charlotte Rampling, and Ciáran Hinds in an utterly hilarious exploration of the boundaries of forgiveness, family, and love.

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