LISA DENTON: You know, Barry, I’m tempted to go to the Die Antwoord show at Track 29 on Saturday just to see if these South African rave rappers perform “I Fink You Freeky” like they do in the video — with rats crawling on singer Yolandi Visser and a snake as a scarf for singer Ninja. There’s also a duck in a bathtub, but that’s probably harder to travel with.
BARRY COURTER: The tub or the duck? Either would have challenges, I imagine.
LISA: I don’t like rats and snakes, but honestly these performers make me even more uneasy. But I have learned a new word from them: dwanky, which means “lame.”
You can also catch them in the movie “Chappie” now in theaters. So they are singers-actors. We need to figure out how to be multihyphenates — unless you think that’s dwanky.
BARRY: One of my goals in life is to be multihyphenate. In a positive way. Not dwanky-delusional-dull. After seeing a photo of Die Antwoord the other day, I went looking for a video or two. Their sound doesn’t always match the body ink and piercings. The lyrics do, however. It’s all pretty hardcore.
LISA: Interesting, to be sure, but it probably can’t compare to “The Greatest Show on Earth.” That’s right, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to McKenzie Arena with an all-new tour called “Built To Amaze.” They’ll be here Thursday through Sunday for seven shows. I’ve always wondered where my talents might lie if I ever decide to run away with the circus.
BARRY: Oh, I think you have an idea, but do you go big nose and big shoes or bearded lady?
LISA: If those are my only options, I think menopause will answer that for me.
BARRY: Heyyyooo.
The truly big event is that Friday is the first day of spring. That seems especially meaningful this year with the cold and rain we’ve been having. I know people will be looking for things to do outside if the weather abides, but there are a lot of things to do inside.
The Lookout Wild Film Festival is next weekend at the Memorial Auditorium, for example. Maybe we can watch all these movies about outdoor adventures and pretend.
LISA: Fingers crossed for nice weather. All 56 of Tennessee’s state parks are planning spring hikes Saturday. They call them hikes, but I’d have to stop myself from skipping. It’s been a miserable winter.
I’m so excited about spring, I’m not even going to mind shaving my legs. I tend to ease up on such personal grooming habits in the winter — and by “ease up,” I mean I look like Sasquatch from the waist down. Bride of Bigfoot. Queen of the Yetis.
BARRY: Yes, yes, I get the idea.
LISA: Hey, maybe that could be my circus gimmick: bearded lady with bangs on her knees. It has kept me warm in the cold, though.
BARRY: The braids are a nice touch.
LISA: Winter also has been hard on Blood Assurance, which is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day blood drive today and Tuesday to make up for some of the shortfall. Donors get a free St. Patrick’s T-shirt and are entered into a drawing to win restaurant and Wal-Mart gift cards. You can find all the donation centers at www.bloodassurance.com.
BARRY: And don’t forget that Rounds 3 and 4 of the Road to Nightfall competition are this weekend at Rhythm & Brews. This is a good way to check out several quality local bands in one night. As many as seven bands can perform each night, with the winner advancing to the finals. The overall winner gets to headline one of the Nightfall shows this summer at Miller Plaza.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.