Compiled by William Burg, Tim Foster, Becky Grunewald, Guphy Gustafson, Niki Kangas and Liv Moe
While Bobby Burns was the ultimate Midtown character, there are still plenty of folks who contribute to the quirky nature of Midtown in unique and myriad ways. What exactly makes someone a ‘character’? We never did figure that out, but we did come up with a list of quintessential Midtowners who do what they do while marching to the beat of their own drummer. Read more »
Lots going on Thursday/Friday/Saturday- here’s the MidMo guide to your weekend:
Thursday 8/5
The Verge Jumble Preview Party
The Verge Center for the Arts is hosting its first public fundraiser at the new 7th and S location tonight! $15 gets you food, drink, DJIng by Scott Soriano AND first crack at the incredible pile of treasures the Verge has collected for their rummage sale.
Verge Center for the Arts, 625 S Street, 7PM, $15
Friday, 8/6
The Ground Chuck Show
Lovable Midtown screever Ground Chuck started doing standup comedy last year – here’s your chance to catch his act as he hosts a latenight show of his favorite comics at the Comedy Spot. He may have a guitar and amp with him, maybe a drum set, he may play videos… who knows? “This is Ground Chuck doing whatever he wants,” says organizer Keith Lowell Jensen (who’ll do his own set earlier that night). “We’re just giving him free reign and trusting that hanging out with Chuck for an hour or so is going to be a good time.” We can’t think of a better way to wrap up a Friday night.
The Comedy Spot, 1050 20th Street, 11PM, $6
Saturday 8/7
The Zeros, Dungeons and Drag Queens and Blue Diamonds
They’re back! 34 years after forming in a Chula Vista garage, and 33 years after they released their seminal “Don’t Push Me Around” single on Bomp! Records, The Zeros are here to remind you what punk rock and roll is all about. I know, I know, reunion gigs pretty much always suck, but forget all those crappy comebacks you’ve seen from bands who never should have left the nursing home – these guys bring it. I saw ‘em at Gilman earlier this year and they were better than they had any right to be. Here’s some local TV footage from 1977 (starts wobbly, gets good quick).
And show up early – openers Blue Diamonds have a basketful of choice garage chestnuts (including a Fugs cover!) for you.
Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd, 21+, 9PM
By Dennis Yudt photos by Scott Duncan
Recently, Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and a few associates made a pit stop at the venerable Midtown watering hole, the Rubicon Brewing Company. While there, he was goaded into singing “Happy Birthday” to Charles Adrian Thomas, a Rubicon regular who was celebrating his 41st year on earth. Mayor Johnson, never one to oppose a majority voice, gamely serenaded the birthday boy, muffing up his name only slightly. By all accounts, the mayor did a half-way decent job, adding one more episode in the life and times of Mr. Thomas, or, as every good denizen of Midtown knows him: ‘Ground Chuck.’ Read more »