Year of the Dragon ~ GR2

RR Sideshow: Contributing Writer - Daniel Rolnik

GR2 is hosting a group exhibition of artists' interpretations of the Dragon from the Chinese zodiac - since it is the symbol of 2012. And the year of the Dragon is actually really special because it's considered the luckiest out of all the others, including the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. And the opening reception will actually be a very important event, since most of the work will sell out - so be sure to get there early if you want to snag your favorite piece, which could range in price from only $20 to $200+. I know I'll be going home with something!!!

The Year of the Dragon exhibit opens on Saturday, January 28 with a reception at 6:30pm to 10:00pm at GR2 [2062 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025]

LISTEN & Static Noise ~ Long Beach State University

RR Sideshow: Contributing Writer - Daniel Rolnik

Rhona Bitner has undergone a photographic expedition to capture America's most loved music sites like Yasgur's Farm [where the original Woodstock happened] and Chess Records' studio where too many classic records were cut to even count - from Buddy Guy to Shel Silverstein. Twenty-eight of her photos will be on display at CSU Long Beach's Museum with an accompanying essay by Lenny Kaye - guitarist for Patti Smith and producer behind the quintessential music head's compilation record Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968. Rhona Bitner has also been encouraging people to participate in the project by making suggestions for venues and studios she should photograph on her Tumblr site. And if that's not enough for you, Lou Reed's sound installation MM3: Static Noise will be on display too.

Rhona Bitner

Rhona Bitner

Rhona Betner's LISTEN exhibit and Lou Reed's Static Noise installation open on Friday, January 27 and runs until April 15 at CSU Long beach

Madonna - Masterpiece [W./E. Soundtrack]

Here's the new vid of Madonna's Masterpiece for Madge's upcoming directorial film - W.E. - which won Best Original Song at 2011 Golden Globe Award - broadcast last night on NBC. Enjoy Masterpiece from W.E..



W.E. hits theaters on Friday, February 3.

For The Kids ~ Country Club Projects

RR Sideshow: Contributing Writer - Daniel Rolnik

I still remember seeing the Costacos Brothers' photographic posters of explosions and athletes on all of my older family friend's walls when I was a kid and thinking about how they were the coolest things ever – even though I've still only ever watched a quarter of an actual sports game in my life. And now when I see the pictures all over again, it brings me back to those times when my imagination was free to sore and photo day at school was like an awesome open casting call for mullets. So in my opinion, For The Kids is set to be one of the most creative and original exhibits to hit a gallery in Los Angeles for quite some time, and I know I'm going to need to watch my wallet, because I might just want one of everything.

The For The Kids exhibit opens on Saturday, January 21 with a reception at 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Country Club Projects

Frank Ocean: BBC's Sound of 2012 [Interview]

Frank Ocean has come 2nd in the BBC Sound of 2012. Christopher Francis Ocean is set to finally establish himself as a solo artist of Worldwide acclaim in 2012. The 24 year-old OFWGKTA member moved from Louisianna to Los Angeles following hurricane Katrina to work on his first album, and legally changed his name from Christopher "Lonny" Breaux shortly after.



In L.A. the singer soon hooked up with the Odd Future collective and began work writing for the likes of Brandy, John Legend and most recently Beyonce on I Miss You. Ocean was also called up to work on two tracks from Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch The Throne.

Collaborations aside, it was Ocean's solo work which garnered most praise. Signed to Def Jam in 2009, Ocean delivered his debut mixtape nostalgia,ULTRA earlier this year, winning fans on both side of the Atlantic, including Zane Lowe, who debuted tracks from the release on Radio 1 in November.

RR Sights Asa Akira [x] Tyler, The Creator

Artist Haroshi unveiled his new artworks at HUF x Haroshi x DLX collaboration exhibition tonight. Spotted at the HUF warehouse was Asa Akira, Legohead and Tyler, the Creator [Odd Future].

With live performances by Tommy Guerrero, Money Mark and Ray Barbee & Fredo Ortiz at the HUF x Haroshi x DLX collaboration exhibition.

[RR Watch] The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

RR Sideshow: Contributing Writer - Daniel Rolnik

As much as I wanted to bag on the American version of ~ The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo ~ I simply couldn't. David Fincher did a wonderful job adapting the dark and twisted story --- even leaving in several key scenes I thought for sure were going to be cut from the US version. The new score composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross keeps you squirming for the entire length of the film. And even though the intro totally rips off the beginning sequence of almost every 007 film, it's still rad to hear Karen O screaming out a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" in full blast surround sound.

If you've seen the original, you'll still be on the edge of your seat!

IMDB Synopsis: Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker.

Director David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is in theaters now - starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara