Of Zoos and Zombies
I’m not saying the Digest willed these things into being, but then, maybe…
It’s an editorial-mandated summer holiday here at the Digest, so let’s close out July with a couple of very short, random gems for your ears and eyes.
Woodland Park’s ZooTunes – “See Concerts. Save Animals”
And that’s a slogan it’s hard to argue against.
We’re already well through it, but there are still a handful of shows left in Woodland Park Zoo’s concert series. What exactly is it, obvious answers aside? Consider it a fundraiser. Ticket sales support the zoo’s animal care and its global conservation programs. Portions go to educational environmental programs.
And, while Stephen Malkmus wondered if Pavement’s music would scare the rhinos during their show, the volume stayed low – around ninety decibels. That was still loud enough for a great show, and zoo or no zoo, you should check out Pavement if you get the chance. Their ZooTunes show was legit, with a good mix of the predictable, the obscure, and the bizarre, like a cover of Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” fresh with new lyrics1. The setlist:
Silence Kid
Summer Babe
Black Out
Stereo
Home
Starlings of the Slipstream
Shoot the Singer (1 Sick Verse)
In the Mouth a Desert
Two States
Zurich Is Stained
Elevate Me Later
Grounded
Box Elder
The Hexx
Harness Your Hopes
Stairway to Heaven/Down by the River
Painted Soldiers
Frontwards
Spizzle Trunk
Gold Soundz
Spit on a Stranger
Date w/IKEA
Range Life
Father to a Sister of Thought
Feed ‘em to the (Linden) Lions
Fin
Keen readers will notice “Father to a Sister of Thought,” which I previously endorsed.
iZombie Hits Pluto
When the Digest speaks, Hollywood listens – or at least a bottom-tier streaming service does. A few months back, I lamented iZombie’s limited viewing options, but now things are set to improve. Somewhat.
It’s better than nothing, but… Pluto? That service takes dynamic ad insertion to a new level, and you can look forward to ten minutes of mid-sentence advertisements per episode.
Still, it’s worth the frustration – iZombie, great show, so start watching on August 1st.
And with that, the Digest bids you as good of a summer as you can have without this newsletter.
Merch for the People!
Don’t just read Awesomeness – wear it! This distinguished publication proudly features two official shirts – or magnets, stickers, or whatever medium you can think of: The Hallgrrrl and Zune. Why those? For one, the Hallmark channel and Riotgrrrl are, as I’ve said before, the natural combination. And, who doesn’t love the Zune?
Go shop at The Better Taster Boutique for only the finest goods.
Which included references to jumping off the Fremont Bridge.