Karen Russell has been a big deal in American letters since she released her short story collection St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves.  She’s garnered praise from critics, other writers, readers; everyone loves her.  Her new book, Swamplandia!, is popping up on year ending best-of lists everywhere for good reason.  Russell is one of the most inventive and talented voices in American literature.  The fact that she’s only 30 makes such a fact even more impressive.
Swamplandia! follows the lives of the Bigtree tribe, who live on and operate an island theme park …

WOW! What a time we had this summer and we didn’t even know it. Took a trip north earlier in the summer -  had quite an interesting trip back – anyway Farmers! Music! Drug Dogs! Cowgirls! Awesome Old Buildings! Pigs on Spits operated by a Bicycle Thingy!

Who: Matthew Carefully with members of Swamp Baby
What: ARTSFEST
When: Saturday, June 12th at 8pm
Where: Arts Center Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, NY
How (much?): $5
Close B3nson relatives Matthew Carefully and Swamp Baby will be joining forces to improvise music to locally produced/submitted silent films as part of Saratoga’s ARTSFEST. This one-time only performance should be very interesting and awesome!
Visit saratogaartsfest.org/ for more info and to purchase tickets.
Also, both bands are riding high on the release of excellent new records. You should probably head over to collarcityrecords.com to pick them up.

If I hadn’t fallen off the face of the internet between the middle of December and now, I would have posted the rest of the B3nson Collective’s B3st of the Decade lists, you (the avid reader of b3nson.net) would have noticed that I placed Dust From 1000 Years Buzzard as my 6th favorite album of the last decade. Since I didn’t post that list you are going to have to take my word for how much I love that album.
SInce 2005 when Buzzard was released, Dust From 1000 Years has …

This show calendar is brought to you by
 your friends at the B3nson Collective. 
 
Jan 22 -8:00PM
Courtney Biondo and Barrow Burrow
Bread & Jam Café, Cohoes
Jan 23 -8:00PM
Palatypus (!)
Bread & Jam Café, Cohoes
Jan 23 -7:00PM
Aficionado, Ashley Pond Band, Slender Shoulders, Tri Sara Tops
Jack’s Place, College of St. Rose, Albany
Jan 23 -9:00PM
Sean Rowe
The Taproom at Brown’s Brewing Company, Troy
Jan 23 4:00-9:00PM
Capital Region Salsa Social
Troy Masonic Temple
Jan 27 -7:30PM
Dr. Dog, The Growlers
Revolution Hall, Troy

This show calendar is brought to you by your friends at the B3nson Collective. 
 Jan 14 -8:00PM
The Ameros w/Annie in the Water, Black Mountain Symphony, Lunic, & 7th Squeeze
Red Square, Albany
Jan 15 -8:00PM
Erin Harkes, Mike Poulopoulos
Moon & River Café, Schenectady
Jan 16 -2:00PM
Sundaes at the Museum
State Museum
Jan 18 -7:00PM
Ramblin’ Jug Stompers
Tess’ Lark Tavern
Jan 20 -8:00PM
Open Mic
Tess’ Lark Tavern

This show calendar is brought to you
by your friends at the B3nson Collective. 
Jan 8 -8:00PM
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
RPI Playhouse
 Jan 11 -8:00 PM
The Instruments Band, Matt Durfee, Matthew Loiacono, Caroline Corrigan
Valentine’s, Albany
 Jan 13 -8:00PM
Open Mic Night w/ John Brodeur & Mother Judge
Tess’ Lark Tavern

This show calendar is brought to you by your friends at the B3nson Collective
who wish you a Dazzling Christmas and a Superb New Year.  
Dec 28 –9:00PM
The Mathematicians
Hot Shots, Glens Falls
Dec 31 -6:00PM
Sean Rowe
Café Lena, Saratoga
Dec 31 -9:00PM
Cats Don’t Have Souls, Nixons Spirit, The Killerados
Valentine’s, Albany
Jan 1 -7:00PM
Aficionado w/ Tigers Jaw, End of a Year, The Bell County Silence
Valentine’s, Albany
It is not a Thursday.
It’s a Wednesday.
Bing.