Welcome to 2008 – the Year of the Rat in the Chinese zodiac. And, if you were born in 1912 (I’m sure there are tons of you reading this), 1924, 1936, ’48, ’60, ’72, or 1984, you’re a rat too! Glory be.

What’s a rat like? According to travelchinaguide.com, you are “… not adorable, and even some Chinese sayings that related to it have almost derogatory meanings, it ranged as the head of the Chinese zodiac. It was recognized as an animal with spirit, wit, alertness, delicacy, flexibility and vitality.

People under the rat sign are usually smart and willing to accumulate wealth and to make efforts to be successful. Throughout their lives, there will be many other people who can bring great fortune to them. Thus despite timidity, most of them are happy and harmonious with others.”

 

So there you go. There are worse things to be. Like a slug.

 

Let’s proceed now to something of some substance. Like Bullet Points – January 2008 Edition.

 

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Antonio Vivaldi’s famous “Four Seasons” – scheduled on the program during the OSO’s concert this month on January 26.

 • We’re right in the midst of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra’s season, and this month’s dazzling concert will feature some familiar compositions and a truly world-class violin soloist. Selections on the evening of January 26 at the RiverPark Center include Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” alongside works by Mozart and Beethoven. And joining the Orchestra will be renowned former member of the New York Philharmonic, Alison Dalton. Joining the evening’s program as well is young European conductor Mihail Agafita.

 


• Also this month at RiverPark, we see the return of the fantastic touring group, the Missoula Children’s Theatre. We wrote about them the last time they brought their unique show to town. Not only are they responsible for quality stage productions, complete with songs, stage lighting and splendid choreography, they do so with talent taken straight from the area. Children are trained in all the aspects of producing a show – from acting to being a crew member – and then the fruits of their time and labor are put on display for all to see.

            You can check out their performance of Cinderella on Saturday, January 12 at 2 p.m. Phone RiverPark at 687-2770 for information about this or any of the other events happening at the downtown venue.

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• Our friends at the International Bluegrass Music Museum are again holding true to their mantra of bringing Kentucky’s own music to the masses. Whether you’re a seasoned ‘Grasser or new to the sound, come out and lend a note to the sounds set to fill the Museum. Every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. is when the jams launch; if you want to know more about how to join in, call the IBMM at 926-7891.

Thursdays at the Bluegrass Museum: Pick up a mandolin (or banjo or guitar) and join the jam. Begins at 6 p.m.

• Well we are big rock singers, we've got golden fingers/And we're loved everywhere we go/We sing about beauty and we sing about truth/At ten thousand dollars a show…

Dr. Hook.jpg            So went the intro to Dr. Hook’s famous single… truth in popular music. Who’da thought?

            Come out and sing along with the band – featuring Ray Sawyer – on the night of January 19 in the Showroom Lounge at the Executive Inn. The gig starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32, $25 and $18 with room/show packages ranging from $147 to $175.

They wrote the song; Jann Wenner heeded the chorus. Dr. Hook comes to the ‘Boro Saturday, January 19 at 8 p.m.

• Many things, completely by themselves, are not awesome. Peas. Not awesome. Peas and carrots, awesome. Steak. Fairly awesome. Steak, motorcycles, live music, prizes, tattoos, and more related tidbits: metric buttloads of spectral awesome-osity.

            Okay, so the steak in that last lineup of wonderful things comes from the main presenter of the event, Texas Roadhouse. And the event? The Kentuckiana Motorcycle Showdown, or – ahem – the KENTUCKIANA MOTORCYCLE SHOWDOWN!

            You’ll just have to go there on Saturday, January 19 to find out about the steak. The fun starts at 10 a.m. at the Executive Inn’s EXPO Center.

 

• Here’s some suckage, like you really need it: the iTunes top 10 lists from 2007:

 

ITUNES BEST-SELLING ALBUMS OF 2007

 

1. Maroon 5                 It Won't Be Soon Before Long

2. Amy Winehouse       Back To Black

3. Kanye West             Graduation

4. Daughtry                  Daughtry

5. Colbie Caillat            Coco

6. Linkin Park               Minutes to Midnight

7. Various Artists          High School Musical 2 (Original Soundtrack)

8. Timbaland                Shock Value

9. John Mayer              Continuum

10. Various Artists        Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture)

 

ITUNES BEST-SELLING SONGS OF 2007

 

1. Fergie                       "Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)"

2. Gwen Stefani            "The Sweet Escape"

3. Plain White T's         "Hey There Delilah"

4. Avril Lavigne            "Girlfriend"

5. Fergie                       "Glamorous"

6. Kanye West             "Stronger"

7. Maroon 5                 "Makes Me Wonder"

8. Akon                        "Don't Matter"

9. Timbaland                “The Way I Are (feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.)

10. Shop Boyz             "Party Like a Rock Star"

 

Aaaaargh. What’s this? About a median age of 9? 12? How are little kids paying for this? Why am I so grumpy? If I had a lawn, I’d say to get offa it!