Cultural calendar, October 2-9, 2003
Cultural calendar, October 2-9, 2003
THURSDAY, October 2
ART
The Desert People: This film by Ian Dunlop depicts a day in the life of two families living a nomadic existence somewhere in the heart of Australia's Gibson Desert. The film offers a rich experience of Aboriginal culture as the families share traditional knowledge. 7pm. 400 Peter Jefferson Place off Route 250 east on Pantops Mountain. Free, but reservations required: 244-0234.
PERFORMANCE
Scene acting study for teens: In this weekly evening class, students age 13-19 explore language and character while sharpening skills of self-awareness, observation, and articulate use of the voice and body. Classes run until October 30, culminating in a final presentation in Live Arts' new space. Instructor: Amanda McRaven. Live Arts LAB, 609 E. Market St. 5-7pm. $60 Live Arts members/$75 others. 977-4177 x100.
FAMILY
Little literati: The five-and-under crowd can hear storyteller favorites at Barnes & Noble's preschool story time. Stickers and cookies are part of the fun, too. 10:30am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.
WALKABOUT
Separation support: Lesbians and gay men who have experienced a break and need a safe place to cope with loss, process feelings, and create a new beginning meet every Thursday night, 7-8:30pm. Sponsored by Focus. Info: 978-2195.
Got a "q"?: Scrabble crossword game meets first Thursday and third Tuesday of each month at the Foxcroft subdivision clubhouse. All players welcome. 7pm. 979-1130.
Perspectives on 'Smart' Growth: Too much, just right, or not enough? Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population meet in the library of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Panelists Tony Vanderwarker, head of Albemarle Smart Growth Initiative, Bill Lucy, co-author of Confronting Suburban Decline, and Jack Marshall, ASAP president, discuss "smart growth." 7:30pm. Rugby Road. 974-6390.
WORDS
Half-life: Careers shattered, lives lost, and the world changed forever in just a... Split Second, best selling author David Baldacci's latest. He's at Barnes & Noble tonight to read, sign, and promote the Virginia Festival of the Book as part of the weeklong Fall Foreword fund drive. 7pm, Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-0461.
TUNES
The Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival at the Jefferson Theater: Giya Kancheli's "Night Prayers," John D'earth's "Loop Improvisations," Steve Reich's "Violin Phase," and John Adams "Shaker Loops." $14/$20/students $5, 3pm.
Members of the Kusan Ensemble Afrikan Drum Fest (fun for all ages). Garden of Sheba. $5.00, 8pm.
Jim Waive (country-folk) at the Blue Moon Diner. Free, 8pm (W)
Karaoke Night with DJ Wild Wes at Buffalo Wild Wings. Free, 9pm (W)
Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. (W)
Sam Wilson Group (modern original jazz) at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8:30pm.
Michael Mulvaney's Mammie West Band (blues/rock) at Jabberwocky. No cover, 11pm.
John D'earth and friends (freeform jazz) at Miller's. $4, 10pm. (W)
Game Night at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 5pm. (W)
Middle Eastern Belly Dance Class at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 6:30pm. (W)
Kathy Olsen Trio (jazz) upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)
Monster Dog Band at Mountain View Grill. 9pm, $3.
FRIDAY, October 3
PERFORMANCE
Coffeehouse 13: For the last production at its Market St. space, Live Arts returns to its roots with the legendary cabaret performance series that put the theater on the map. Light fare, drinks, and desserts are served beginning one hour prior to showtime. 8pm. Runs through October 11. 609 E. Market St. $8-12, light fare $7-10. 977-4177 x108.
Salsa lessons: The University Programs Council sponsors an eight-week-long Sunday night Salsa class. Today is the final day to register. Classes happen 8-10pm on Sundays at Newcomb Hall. $41.20 students, $46.35 others. 924-3286.
No Shame Theater: Up for a theatrical nightcap? Join performers at this alternative venue for original material by anyone about anything. The first 15 people who show up get a spot on stage. Or you can just watch the carryings on. Live Arts LAB, 609 E. Market St. 11pm. $5 at the door. 977-4177.
House of Bernarda Alba: UVA's drama department kicks off its 2003-4 season with Federico Garcia Lorca's final play, a drama exploring the emotional dynamics of a family wrenched apart by society's sexual taboos. Runs till October 10. 8pm. Culbreath Theater, 109 Culbreth Road. $7-12. 924-3376.
King Lear: Staunton's acclaimed Shenandoah Shakespeare presents the Bard's monumental tragedy at the Blackfriars Playhouse. 7:30pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.
Contra dance: Albemarle chapter of the Country Dance and Song Society hosts a contra dance with caller Paul Rosen and music by Fridley's Gap. Municipal Arts Center, 1119 Fifth St. Ext. Free beginners' workshop at 7:30pm, dance 8-11pm. $7 adults, free under 12 years. 971-8863.
Nunsense: ACT I presents its final performances of this beloved musical comedy at Albemarle High School. Reservations not required; tickets at the door. 2775 Hydraulic Road. $12-14. 296-2531.
CORA Master Class and Performance: This NYC-based contemporary dance company offers a master class with Shannon Hummel and excerpts from two new works-in-progress as part of the Miski Liszt Dance Company's First Friday Dance Series. Class from 5-6:15pm, performance at 7pm. McGuffey Art Center, 201 Second St. $10 class, $4 performance. 973-3744. See Performance feature.
WALKABOUT
Balance: Sally Fretwell speaks on "Inner and Outer Aspects of Feng Shui," covering how to and move and flow easily to achieve balance and manifest your dreams. 7pm. Quest Bookshop. 619 W. Main St. 295-3377.
WORDS
Missed date: James Cannon, domestic affairs expert in the Ford administration and author of Time and Chance: Gerald Ford's Appointment with History, is at the Miller Center to speak about the former president's political realism. 11am. 2201 Old Ivy Road. 924-0921.
FAMILY AND WORDS
Future read: Barnes & Noble welcomes local librarian John Halliday for a reading, discussion, and signing of his new book Predicktions, a surprising story of the adventures of sixth-grader Josh Jolly and his friends. 7pm. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.
TUNES
Jim Lloyd, Wayne Henderson and Friends at PVCC: Join fiddler, banjo player, and guitarist Jim Lloyd and multi-instrumentalist Wayne Henderson as they explore "Virginia-based music." $17/$12 seniors /$6 Students. 501 College Drive. 961-5376.
Singer/Songwriter Contest at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books: Rapunzel's long awaited singer/songwriter contest is finally here-&endash; come see 35 local artists showcase their best song for the panel of judges and you! No cover, 7:30pm.
Atushi Miura and the Dirty Round Eyes, and the Lilas (Lauran Hofman's new band) at Tokyo Rose: Atsushi Miura and the Dirty Round Eyes are taking things seriously from now on, with the upcoming release of their debut CD, Cheap & Fake. Sweet pop songs played by some talented musicians. $5, 10:30pm. See Tunes feature.
Reggae DJ Soundbox and Dance Party featuring DJ Scotty B and DJ Jah-T Junior at Garden of Sheba. $5.00, 9pm.
Alligator with Monticello Road (alt-country) at Fridays After 5 on the Downtown Mall. $3, 5:30pm.
Dana Robinson with Jeff Romano at Gravity Lounge. $8, 8pm.
William Walker & Co. (acoustic rock) at Jabberwocky. No cover, 11pm.
Rogan Brothers (formerly Atlas) with Spencer Lathrop (Guano Boys and Hogwaller Ramblers) at Mountain View Grill. $5, 9:45pm.
Old Time Music Jam at Rockfish Valley Community Center. $2, 7:30pm.
Darren Jessee (of Ben Folds Five) with Fountainhead at Starr Hill.
Atlas at Mountain View Grill. 9:30pm. $5.
SATURDAY, October 4
ART
Orange studio tours: Several artists open their studios to offer the public a chance to meet Orange County artists and see where and how they work. Most of the galleries and studios will be open 10am-5pm today and noon-4pm Sunday, October 5. 129 E. Main St. in Orange. 540-672-7311.
PERFORMANCE
Ailey II: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's second company appears at the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center. 8pm. 1400 Melbourne Road. $8-10. 924-3329. See Performance feature.
Much Ado about Nothing: Shenandoah Shakespeare presents a spirited production of the Bard's lighthearted romantic comedy at the Blackfriars Playhouse. Today's show is at 2pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.
Tartuffe: Shenandoah Shakespeare presents a new production of Moliere's comic masterpiece in the Blackfriars Playhouse. 7:30pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.
Coffeehouse 13: See Friday, October 3.
Nunsense: See Friday, October 3.
House of Bernarda Alba: See Friday, October 3.
Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra: The opening concert of the orchestra's 2003-4 season features works by Shatin, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. Pre-concert lecture by Prof. Milos Velimirovic in Minor Hall 45 minutes before the performance. $11-22. Old Cabell Hall. 924-3984.
WORDS
Smelling the lichen: Journalist George Meek discusses his book, Time for Everything, Six Years on the Appalachian Trail. New Dominion Bookshop on the Downtown Mall. 11am. 295-2552.
WALKABOUT
Run or walk: The UVA chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority holds its Miles for Smiles 5K walk/run to raise money for Ronald McDonald House. The race starts in front of UVA's Aquatic & Fitness Center (next to Scott Stadium) at 9am and winds through Grounds. Registration is $10 before October 4 and $12 on race day. Register at Ragged Mountain Running Shop on Elliewood Avenue, or at the fitness center on race day. student.virginia.edu/~adpi/ or contact Erin Lancione at 243-3260.
Thomas Jefferson and natural history walk: Thomas Jefferson's passion for gardening arose from his truly wide-eyed curiosity about natural history. Peggy Cornett leads this two-hour trek through the forests of Monticello mountain. Participantss examine autumn wildflowers, seedpods and nuts, trees, mammals, birds, fungi, insects, and geology with the historical perspective of the sage of Monticello in mind. Please wear sturdy shoes. Meet at Monticello Garden Shop, 9:30am. $10. Reservations required; call 984-9822.
Backpack to Spruce Knob: A Blue Ridge Mountain Sports guide leads participants to a seldom visited off-trail meadow at Spruce Knob, West Virginia, where the fall foliage should be at its peak. Intermediate difficulty. $40. 977-4400.
15th Annual Lee-Jackson Classic at Virginia Horse Center: Appaloosa horses compete in halter, performance, and futurity classes. 467 Maury River Road, on the northwest side of Lexington. Free. Information and show times: 540-464-2950.
American Military History weekend: A living history program on the front lawn of the Albemarle County Office Building featuring re-enactors from almost every war America has fought. 401 McIntire Road. $3 per family. 9am-5pm. See Walkabout feature.
FAMILY
It's electric: The Science Museum of Virginia is getting a running start on Halloween this year with Frankenscience Saturday today. Principal among the day's activities is the opening of the Carpenter Science Theatre production of Frankenstein Lives, a 50-minute play depicting how early 19th century scientific breakthroughs inspired author Mary Shelley to write this classic monster story. Other activities include a scavenger hunt, making a monster mask, shocking demonstrations at the Tesla Coil, the truth about Leyden jars, and a special triple-feature planetarium show. Noon-4pm. Most activities are included in the price of admission. The play at 3pm costs $5. 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond. 800-659-1727. smv.org.
Sheer enjoyment: A village of fiber arts springs up at Montpelier this weekend during the Fall Fiber Festival and Sheep Dog Trials. Here's your chance to get up close and personal with sheep, llamas, alpacas, mohair rabbits, and more. See demonstrations of spinning, weaving, knitting, rug hooking, felting, and other fiber arts. Vendors, kids activities, food, and sheep dog races are also on the docket. 10am-5pm. 11407 Constitution Highway (Rt. 20 in Orange). 296-8533.
Pancakes for piggies: Fans of the book If You Give a Pig a Pancake can meet the main character (or his costumed look-alike, at any rate) at Barnes & Noble. Stories and stickers are part of the fun. 10am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.
TUNES
The 7th Annual Blues & Brews Festival with Indigenous (garage-blues), the Reverend Billy C. Wirtz ("authentic roots piano with contemporary themes"), and Johnny Bang-Bang and the Leftovers (formerly Kimystery) at the Amphitheater on the Downtown Mall: Yet another year has gone by, and its time again for 3WV's annual Blues & Brews festival– that's right 2/4 time and beer! Entrance to the show is free, and beer passports, which allow a discount on the first five drinks, cost a mere $10. Check it out! Free, 2pm.
Kathy Compton, Sharif, Anna Wolfe, and The Pones at the Live Arts LAB Space: The second show of the 7th Acoustic Charlottesville season, tonight's performance features local artists performing styles ranging from pop to alt-country, with a little classical in between. $5, 8pm.
21st annual Charlottesville Cavalcade Marching Band Competition at CHS: Are you interested in hearing loud booms and clashes, blaring horns, and possibly some Sousa, at 8 in the morning? Me too! So come by the 21st annual Charlottesville Marching Band Competition this Saturday… morning. $5/$3 seniors. $4/$2 seniors in advance. Melbourne Road. 295-8453.
The Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra's Concert at Old Cabell Hall: The Orchestra's first concert of the season is dedicated to patron of the arts Robert D. Cross, former dean of UVA's College of Arts and Sciences, and will feature Mozart's Oboe Concertom and Tchaikovksy's Symphony No.2 "The Little Russian," among other works. $22 / $15 adults / students $11, 8pm. 924-3984.
Ever G and The Crew, Jamaica's Finest Rotos, Lover's Rock and Rock Steady at Garden of Sheba. Live reggae. $7, 9pm.
Greg Howard at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8pm.
Down Dog (rock) at Jabberwocky. No cover, 11pm.
Los Cranios (various styles) at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. $7, 7:30pm.
The Fair Weather Bums (bluegrass) at She-Ben. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)
The Ordinary Way at Starr Hill. $6, 9pm.
The Dawning: Autumn-theme dance party with DJ Rift and DJ Xiane spinning Industrial and Goth tracks at Tokyo Rose. $5, 10:30pm.
Fountainhead at Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. No cover, 8pm.
X-Porn Stars at Mountain View Grill. 9pm, $5.
SUNDAY, October 5
PERFORMANCE
Dance master class: PVCC continues its third season of dance master classes with instructor Ricardo Porter Jr., founder and artistic director of the Orange School of Performing Arts and the Dance Explosion Jazz Companies. The class for beginner/intermediate students happens1:30-3pm to be followed by a class for intermediate/advanced students (three or more years' experience) from 3:15-4:45pm. V. Earl Dickinson Building, 501 College Drive. $10. 961-5376.
Nunsense: See Friday, October 3. Today's performance is at 2pm.
The Old Wives' Tale: Actors from Staunton's acclaimed Shenandoah Shakespeare present a staged reading of George Peele's early Renaissance play and festival of English folklore. Enjoy coffee and light fare with the actors at intermission. 7:30pm. Blackfriars Playhouse, 10 S. Market St., Staunton. Tonight is pay-what-you-can. 540-885-5588.
Knight of the Burning Pestle: Shenandoah Shakespeare presents Francis Beaumont's raucous Elizabethan farce at the Blackfriars Playhouse. 2pm. 10 S. Market St., Staunton. $10-26. 540-885-5588.
Sunday salsa: The Charlottesville Salsa Club sponsors a weekly opportunity to learn and practice salsa and other dances in a smoke-free nightclub atmosphere. A basic lesson (usually salsa) gets the evening started at 8pm. Complimentary water and sodas. The Outback Lodge, 917 Preston Ave. 8pm-midnight. $3-5. cvillesalsaclub.com or 979-7211.
Charlottesville & University Symphony: See Saturday, October 4. Today's performance is a matinee at 3:30.
FAMILY
Park it: Area residents are invited to bring a blanket and a picnic basket to a "Fall Picnic Weekend" at Sundays in the Park. McIntire Golf Course will be off limits to golfers from noon until dark so others can play. Guided walks will be offered by community experts including a stream walk at 3pm and a tree ID walk at 4pm. Dogs are welcome, but must remain on the leash. Free. 970-3589. charlottesville.org.
Sheer enjoyment: See Saturday, October 4. Times today are 10am-4pm.
WALKABOUT
American Military History weekend: See Saturday, October 4, and Walkabout feature on page 34.
TUNES
Built To Spill with The Solace Bros. and The Delusions at Starr Hill: That's right, Built To Spill is back for another pop filled concert at Starr Hill. Last year's musical fiasco was one of Starr Hill's best shows, and this year is sure to be at least as good. Guitar virtuosity and indie-pop, all in one little package. $15, 9pm.
The Hogwaller Ramblers (bluegrass mayhem) at Escafé. No cover, 10pm. (W)
John D'earth and the Impossible Trio (jazz) at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8pm.
MONDAY, October 6
ART
Children of Shenandoah: The quarterly meeting of The Children of Shenandoah, members of families displaced by creation of the national park, happens tonight at 7:30 in the cafeteria of William Monroe High School in Stanardsville. Betty Brubach will discuss her pastel and oil portraits of family members. The art will be on view through October at the Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast on Main Street, Stanardsville. 985-4832.
PERFORMANCE
LiveArts Playwright's LAB: This twice-monthly playwriting workshop is designed to give new and seasoned playwrights an environment to develop and refine original works. Meets the first and third Monday of every month. 6:30pm. Free. Live Arts LAB, 609 E. Market St. 977-4177 x100.
WORDS
Mid-East check-up: UVA celeb and international expert William Quandt takes stock of the Middle East six months after the fall of Baghdad. Quandt is a former NSC official and the Camp David Accords negotiator. Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road. 924-0921.
FAMILY
It's a miracle: The Children's Miracle Network (and the local CMN hospital: UVA Children's Medical Center) is turning 20, and they're having a party. The whole family is invited to attend the shindig at Sam's Club parking lot where folks can hop a tethered ride in the CMN hot air balloon, chow down at the cookout, and enjoy fun kids activities. 5-7:30pm. Rt. 29 north. 924-8643.
TUNES
Open Mic Night with Charles Davis at Baja Bean. No cover, signup 8:30pm/9pm. (W)
Jackson Gibson at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)
Max Collins (experimental acoustic) at Michael's Bistro. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)
Open Mic Night at Miller's. Free, 9:30 signup/10pm start. (W)
George Melvin (piano merriment) at South Street Brewery. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)
TUESDAY, October 7
PERFORMANCE
Live Arts acting LAB: This weekly Tuesday night class with instructor Carol Pederson allows actors to review the fundamentals of acting technique, brush up audition skills, and explore scenes from the plays in Live Arts' new season. Drop-in session from 7-8pm, full session from 7-10pm. The Attic, The Glass Building, Studio 208, 313 Second St. SE, Studio 208. $10 drop-in. 977-4177 x100.
Scottish country dancing: First night free, no partner necessary. Parish hall, St. Paul's Church, Ivy. Call if you need a ride. $3. 6:30pm. 979-0939.
WORDS
Stonewall: Come discuss all aspects of the Shenandoah Campaign of 1862 with UVA's Gary W. Gallagher, editor of a new book of essays on the famous Civil War campaign. Barnes & Noble, 7pm. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-0461.
Real estate: Measuring, packaging, and selling the frontier as practiced by the founding fathers and the earliest American settlers is the focus of Andro Linklater's Measuring America: How the United States was Shaped by the Greatest Land Sale in History. Linklater is at the UVA bookstore to read and sign from his book. 3:30pm, UVA Grounds. 924-1073.
TUNES
Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players with Kimya Dawson (of Moldy Peaches) and Kurt Leiber at Starr Hill: Starr Hill goes mad for the evening with the Trachtenburg Family Sideshow Players leading the charge. Made up of Jason, Tina Pina, and Rachel Pina Trachtenburg, the three take vintage slide show collections from various flea-market type sources and "turn the lives of anonymous strangers into pop-rock musical exposes. $10, 9pm.
Karaoke Night at Baja Bean. Free, 8pm. (W)
Jamie and Rolland (partial bluegrass mayhem) at the Blue Moon Diner. No cover, 8pm. (W)
Glen Mack at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10:30pm. (W)
Steve and Timi Ryalls (acoustic duo) at Dürty Nelly's. $3, 8pm. (W)
WEDNESDAY, October 8
PERFORMANCE
Much Ado: See Saturday, October 4. Today's show is at 10:30am.
King Lear: See Friday, October 3.
Coffeehouse 13: See Friday, October 3. Tonight is pay-what-you-can night; the show is at 8pm.
Country dance night: Couples and line dancing at Fry's Spring Beach Club. Runs simultaneously with the Club's Latin Dance Night. Dance lesson free with cover. Lesson 7pm, dancing 8-11pm. 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. $7 cover, $4 full-time students. 977-0491.
Latin dance night: Latin dancing at Fry's Spring Beach Club. Runs simultaneously with the Club's Country Dance Night. 8-11pm. 2512 Jefferson Park Ave. $7 cover. 977-0491.
FAMILY
Picture it: Gordon Avenue Library celebrates the birthday of author and artist Faith Ringgold by inviting kids five and up to create a story quilt of their life. Materials will be provided. Registration is required. 4pm. Free. 1500 Gordon Avenue. 296-5544.
More little lit-lovers: The five-and-under crowd can hear stories from the popular series Harold and the Purple Crayon at Barnes & Noble's preschool story time. Stickers and cookies are part of the fun, too. 10:30am. Free. Barracks Road Shopping Center. 984-6598.
WORDS
Bio-tech at Batten: Human genome project player and biotech bigshot Leroy Hood visits the Darden School as part of the Batten School Business Innovation Speaker series. Hood is president of the Institute for Systems Biology. Abbott Center auditorium, Darden School, UVA. Free. For reservations, call Linda 924-4065.
MFA reading series: New Dominion Books hosts weekly readings by writers from UVA's MFA program. 8pm. Free. 924-6675.
WALKABOUT
Sit up straight: The Charlottesville Music Teachers Association hosts speaker Martha Smith, VMTA President and music reviewer. Municipal Arts Center. Free, 9:30am.
Plant lovers unite: Jefferson chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society meets at Ivy Creek natural area. Virginia forester John Scrivani speaks on grasslands. 7:30pm. 293-8997.
TUNES
Josh Mayo at Awful Arthur's. No cover, 10pm (W)
Benny Dodd (cover-man) at Coupe DeVille's. No cover, 10pm. (W)
Ben Krakauer & Pete Frostic (banjo and percussion) at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8pm.
Rogan Brothers (formerly Atlas) with Spencer Lathrop (Guano Boys and Hogwaller Ramblers) at Michael's Bistro. $5, 9:45pm.
Jeff Decker and Mike Rosensky Quartet (jazz) at Miller's. No cover, 9pm. (W)
Caveman at Orbit. No cover, 10pm. (W)
Open Jam at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 7pm. (W)
Lua (roots music from Latin America) at She-Ben. No cover, 8pm.
The Matthew Willner 4 at South St. Brewery. No cover, 10pm.
Mark Goldstein and Tusker (acoustic rock) upstairs at Tokyo Rose. No cover, 9:30pm. (W)
THURSDAY, October 9
ART
Tucker Box Tours: Enjoy a guided tour of the current exhibits at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection followed by lunch in the gallery. You can bring your own lunch or order one for $7. Program is 12:15-1:30 pm. Reservations required. Call 244-0234 to reserve a space.
PERFORMANCE
Coffeehouse 13: See Friday, October 3. Tonight's show is at 7:30pm.
Scene acting study for teens: See Thursday, October 2.
Tartuffe: See Saturday, October 4.
WALKABOUT
Separation support: See Thursday, October 2.
FAMILY
Discipline: Nationally acclaimed author and clinical psychologist Dr. Ruth Peters speaks on "A Positive Parenting Approach to Disciplining Children" at the sixth annual education forum of the Little Keswick Foundation for Special Education. Ruffner Hall auditorium. 7-9pm. Free. 295-0457 or ruthpeters.com.
Pet love: An SPCA Humane Educator comes to Northside Library to talk about how to take care of your pet. Word has it she may even bring along some furry friends. For kids in kindergarten and up. Registration required. 4pm. Free. Albemarle Square. 973-7893.
More little literati: See Wednesday, October 8.
WORDS
Whadda ya mean, no? Author Scott Brown discusses his book How to Negotiate with Kids: Seven Essential Skills. New Dominion Bookshop, 5:30pm. Downtown Mall. 295-2552.
Fury, fatwah and fiction: International literary giant Salman Rushdie inaugurates Sweet Briar College's International Writers Series with a free lecture open to the public. Muchison Lane Auditorium seats "hundreds," but get there in time to secure a seat. Spill over attendees will be able to watch by closed circuit TV only. 8pm, Babcock Fine Arts Center, Sweet Briar. edu/worldwriters/rushdie/index.html for more information. See Words feature.
TUNES
Paul Wilkinson (Parker Paul), Broken Hips, and Nod Navillius at Tokyo Rose: Parker Paul frontman Paul Wilkinson brings his dark and comical songs to the Rose. Performing along with him are former Songs: Ohia collaborator Dan Sullivan, the thrust behind Nad Navillus, who has expanded his project into a full band for his latest album, Iron Night. $5, 10:30pm.
Jim Waive (country-folk) at the Blue Moon Diner. Free, 8pm (W)
Karaoke Night with DJ Wild Wes at Buffalo Wild Wings. Free, 9pm (W)
Chicken Head Blues Band at Dürty Nelly's. $4, 9pm. (W)
Jan Smith Band (rootsy pop) with Matthew Bain at Gravity Lounge. $5, 8:30pm.
Mike Meadows and Devin Malone (singer/songwriters) at Jabberwocky. No cover, 11pm.
John D'earth and friends (freeform jazz) at Miller's. $4, 10pm. (W)
Game Night at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 5pm. (W)
Middle Eastern Belly Dance Class at Rapunzel's Coffee & Books. Free, 6:30pm. (W)
Kathy Olsen Trio (jazz) upstairs at Tokyo Rose. Free, 9:30pm. (W)
Traveling vine-to-vine
Wine festivals are bloomin' all over this weekend and next. Choose a designated driver, and set out for a day of noshing and tippling.
Saturday, October 4
"Best of Virginia" Tasting
Belle Kuisine Stony Point Shopping Center, Richmond
Taste and compare Virginia wines with food from Virginia vendors. Free. 3-5pm
Info: 804-272-2811.
E-mail:
Website: bellekuisine.com
"In the Spirit of Caring" Festival
Williamsburg (Benefits Heritage Humane Society)
Fine wine, great food, and local entertainment in a park-like setting outside the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area. Proceeds go to help provide food and care for center's animals. 11am &endash;6pm. $15 advance/$20 gate. Includes souvenir glass and tasting.
Info: 757-220-7355.
Website: heritagehumanesociety.org
Rockbridge Vineyards Harvest Festival
30 Hill View Lane, Raphine
Country beauty in the fall. Relax to live music while sampling awarding-winning wines. Bring the kids for grape stomping and hay rides, delicious food, and snacks. $5/includes tasting glass.
Info: 888-511-WINE.
E-mail:
Website: rockbridgevineyard.com
Saturday and Sunday, October 4-5
Autumn Explosion and Barrel Tasting
Barboursville Vineyards
Enjoy samples of the 2003 vintage, buy rare vintages, gon on hayrides, listen to live music, and more. Light fare from Palladio Restaurant available for an additional charge. $5/person. 11am-5pm
Info: 540-832-3824.
E-mail:
Website: barboursvillewine.com
Monticello Wine Festival
Boar's Head Inn
Enjoy premier wine from the Monticello viticultural area wineries. Food, music, artisan exhibits, beautiful location. 11am-5pm
Info: 434-296-4188 ext. 21.
E-mail:
Saturday, October 11
Octoberfest at First Colony Winery
Simeon
Join the festivities in the "winegarten" for traditional German food, music and wine. Includes grape stomping, tours, and wine tastings. Reservations recommended. 11am-5pm
Info: 877-979-7105.
E-mail:
Saturday, October 11, Sunday October 12
13th Annual Garlic Festival at Rebec Vineyards
Amherst
Featuring Virginia grown garlic, Garlic King and Queen, Garlic cook-off, and more. Live music, arts crafts, demos, and lectures. $14/advance $20/gate. 10am-5pm
Info: 434-946-5168
E-mail:
Website: rebecwinery.com
Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival
Izaak Walton League Grounds, Route 3
Enjoy the local wines and distinctive arts & crafts. 11am-5pm. $15/advance. $18 / gate.
Info: 888-669-1579 or 540-371-6522
Website: bgcc.com/fbrgwinefest
Italian Wine & Food Festival
Williamsburg Winery
Several Virginia wineries with many wines for tastings and purchase; Italian and other specialty food vendors, artists and craftsmen with their creations on view and available; live entertainment. $10/advance including festival wine glass. Noon-6pm
Info: 757-220-5535
E-mail:
Website: ciaowilliamsburg.org
ART LIST
Hullihen Williams Moore's exhibit of Shenandoah photography is in place at the ArtSpace gallery on the third floor of Newcomb Hall through November 2. The photos are to be published by the University of Virginia Press. A book launch and gallery reception takes place in the gallery October 19, 2-4pm. 924-4164. .
The C&O Gallery shows Tamra Kirschnick's "Paintings," through October 31. The gallery is next door to the restaurant at 511 E. Water St. 971-7044.
At the Art Upstairs Gallery, "Impressions of Umbria," paintings by Betty Gore, are on view through October 31, 5:30-9pm. Above the Hardware Store Restaurant, 316 E. Main St. 923-3900.
John J. Trippel exhibits new work at City Centro through the end of October. 323 E. Main St. on the Downtown Mall. 996-2655.
"Art and the Natural World," an exhibit featuring science themes, is on display at the Science and Engineering Library's new reading room. The exhibit will be a highlight of the library's grand opening in Clark Hall, and will be up through the academic year. The exhibit features work by UVA art faculty. Near JPA and Emmet Street intersection. 924-3628.
Paintings by Darrell Rose are on display at Spencer's 206 through the end of October. 218 W. Water St. 295-3080.
Through November 1 at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, "Whichaway?, photographs from Kiwirrkura 1974-1996" by Jon Rhodes, and "Sacred Circles: The Tingari Cycle in Western Desert Art." 400 Peter Jefferson Place, off Route 250 East at Pantops. 244-0234.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church shows "Transitions," an exhibit of oil paintings by Tom Walsh through October 5. 717 Rugby Road. 293-8179.
PVCC art faculty member John Hancock is exhibiting "Making for Home," paintings, through October 29 in the PVCC gallery in the V. Earl Dickinson Building. 501 College Drive. 977-3900.
John Ruseau exhibits his own work at John Ruseau Watercolors in York Place on the Downtown Mall. 112 W. Main St. 977-0627.
"Technogaia," work by Mark Graves and Clark Whittington, is now on display at Gravity Lounge, 103 S. First St. technogaia.net. 977-5590.
Jerry O'Dell's paintings and stained glass creations are on view at Blue Ridge Glass & Crafts. 1724 Allied St. 293-2876.
The McGuffey Art Center presents work by artist Vee Osvalds, painter Caroline Cobb, mixed-media sculptor Andy Faith, and collage artist Rhonda Roebuck. All shows run through November 2. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.
Amy Mitchell Howard's mixed media works will be featured at Bozart through November 3. 211 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 296-3919.
In October, Transient Crafters presents "Reflections and Illusions," the kaleidoscopes of Tom Ramsden. 118 W. Main on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.
At the University of Virginia Art Museum, "Purple with Love's Wound," Tim Rollins' collaboration with K.O.S. (Kids of Survival), middle-school students from the South Bronx, runs through November 9. The exhibit combines images and themes from classic literature. Also at the museum, "Roads Taken: 20th Century Prints and Drawings from the Collection, runs through October 5; and Gay Outlaw's "New Work," a site-specific installation, runs through October 12. 155 Rugby Road. 924-3952.
On exhibit at Les Yeux du Monde at Dot 2 Dot, are paintings, prints, and sculpture by Bill Fisher, David Freed, and Ami Oliver&emdash;artists featured in the film Long Art by David Williams, which will be screened at the Virginia Film Festival. Also at Les Yeux, catch Russ Warren's "From the Sketchbooks" through October. 115 S. First St. 973-5566.
Upcoming lectures
The McIntire Lecture series fall season begins with "The Sorcerer's 'o' (and the Painter Who Wasn't There)," a talk by Andrew Ladis, on October 2 at 6pm. Mariet Westermann's "Jan Steen and the Performance of Paradox" follows on October 30 at 6pm. Dianne Harris's talk, "Constructing Identity: Race, Class, and the Ordinary Postwar House, 1945-60" takes place on November 6 at 6pm, and Erika Doss's "Memorial Mania: Monuments and Memory in Contemporary America" is scheduled for November 15 at 5pm. 160 Campbell Hall at UVA. 934-6122.
Radar
Marcus Alan Vincent exhibits "Sojourn in a Dream" at the Williams School Library at Washington and Lee University through December 31. Lexington. 540-458-8602.
The Baker Gallery at Woodberry Forest School features the paintings and sculpture of John Lynch in an exhibition entitled "Applied Metaphysics" through October 31. North of Orange on Route 15. 540-672-3900.
Sunspots Studios in Staunton offer live glassblowing demonstrations every day by master glassblower Phillip Nolley and art glass artist Minh Martin, both in residence. Corner of Lewis and Middlebrook streets in downtown Staunton, across from the train station. 540-885-0678.
Danette Zirkle exhibits "Tell Me About the Rabbits," an exhibit she describes as "bunnies, critters, and country scenes" in acrylic, through the end of October in the Bank Building at the corner of Market and Mason streets Harrisonburg. .
At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the distorted realism of Robert Lazzarini will be on view October 5 through January 4. 2800 Grove Ave. Richmond. 804-204-2704.
FIRST FRIDAY
Vidu Palta's "Recent Paintings," a show of still lifes and the natural world depicted in oils, runs through October 31 at Caffé Bocce. Join the artist for a reception on Saturday, October 4, from 3-5pm. 330 Valley St., Scottsville. 286-4422.
The Art Upstairs Gallery in the Hardware Store Restaurant is hosting "Impressions of Umbria," paintings by Betty Gore. Meet the artist at the opening reception, 5:30-9pm. Above the Hardware Store Restaurant, 316 E. Main St. 923-3900.
Tamra Kirschnick's "Paintings" are on view at the C&O Gallery. The artist will be at the opening reception in the gallery next door to the restaurant at 511 E. Water St., 5:30-7:30pm. 971-7044.
Amy Mitchell Howard will be on hand at Bozart to welcome people to her mixed media show. 6-9pm. 211 W. Main St., Downtown Mall. 296-3919.
The McGuffey Art Center presents work by artist Vee Osvalds, painter Caroline Cobb, mixed-media sculptor Andy Faith, and collage artist Rhonda Roebuck. Join them for an opening reception from 5:30-7:30pm. 201 Second St. NW. 295-7973.
Spencer's 206 welcomes Darrell Rose, whose paintings are on display in the store through the end of October, 5:30-8pm. 218 W. Water St. 295-3080.
Transient Crafters hosts a reception for Tom Ramsden and his exhibit of kaleidoscopes, 6-9pm. 118 West Main on the Downtown Mall. 972-9500.
Rick Cocke's acrylic paintings are on view at the Mudhouse. Join the head of the Blue Ridge School art department at his reception from 6-8pm. Downtown Mall. 984-6833.
FEATURES/FEATURES/FEATURES
ART
Singular art: Photos honor Shenandoah Park
BY AARON STEINBERG
Judge Hullihen Williams Moore has always had a thing for photography. As an undergraduate at Washington and Lee, he worked as a photography stringer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. During his time as a law student at UVA, Moore often stole away to Shenandoah National Park with camera in hand.
In and around his career, Moore has also found opportunities to study nature and landscape photography with Ansel Adams, John Sexton, and Philip Hyde. Moore still steals away to Shenandoah. In fact, he's been doing it regularly now for 20 years, in all seasons and always with camera.
The photos he's taken will soon be published in October by the University of Virginia Press in Shenandoah: Views of Our National Park. For those who can't wait to check out Moore's work, the Artspace Gallery on the third floor of Newcomb Hall is currently exhibiting a selection of the Shenandoah photos.
Of course, Moore's gorgeous selenium-toned silver prints are filled with much of what makes Shenandoah a regional gem&emdash; fog-draped trails, rushing waterfalls, and boulder-strewn mountain tops. But what makes the most lasting impression is Moore's focus on the singular object.
There are some vistas here&emdash; roads snaking into the distance, or the outlines of mountains nearly obscured by haze. However, it's clear that Moore is not so interested in the big, broad, and sprawling. In nearly every photograph, he bears down on a single object and let everything else slide to the periphery– if not entirely outside the frame.
The strategy turns up some striking shots. In "Flame Cloud, 1998" a plume of cloud towers over the close-cropped head of an Appalachian mountain in winter. In "Moorman's River, Sugar Hollow, Spring, 1995," the almost cloud-like, blurred rush of river sits like a bull-frog, low and heavy in the frame.
Moore's dogged pursuit of the singular does lend a bit of sameness to his photography, but that certainly doesn't take away from the power and the uncomplicated, unwavering gaze of his best work.
Hullihen Williams Moore's photo exhibit is in place at the ArtSpace gallery on the third floor of Newcomb Hall through November 2. A book launch and gallery reception will take place in the gallery on October 19, from 2-4pm. 924-4164. .
WORDS
Out of hiding: Rushdie headlines writers series
By ELIZABETH KIEM
It's been 15 years since the Ayatollah Khomeini let loose what V.S. Naipaul called his "extreme form of literary criticism" and launched Salman Rushdie into simultaneous extremes of international scrutiny and utter public seclusion.
For close to a decade, the celebrated author braved the fanatical fatwa (death sentence) from hiding, steadily turning out books and leaving a trail of wounded translators in his wake.
Then the Iranian regime loosened up, Rushdie re-entered public life, and Sweet Briar College English Professor John Gregory Brown got busy.
"I've waited 15 years for this," says Brown, who in 1989 was a grad student holding tickets to a Rushdie appearance at Johns Hopkins that became a casualty of Khomeini's zealous public relations move.
Today, as director of the International Writers Series, Brown has secured Rushdie for the Series' opening event and looks forward to introducing the literary giant to a generation of students who probably think of Rushdie primarily as that old guy Bono brings up on stage sometimes.
"My students were all very young when [the fatwa] happened," says Brown. "They have no real memory of how peculiar and unique this event was."
Which, in fact, is fine. In recent years, Rushdie has complemented his subcontinent sagas of magic realism with a sizeable body of non-fiction that has only become more relevant as the threat of fanatical Islam continues to overwhelm even the most rabid Iranian ayatollah. Fatwah, shmatwah… we have suicide hijackers and mass assassins to concern ourselves with, and Rushdie's powerful worldview is as informative as it is transporting.
If students today consider Rushdie an elder statesman of the clash of Islam and the West rather than the poster-child of freedom of expression, so be it-&endash; his experience informs his writings enough that his readers need not be informed themselves.
Rushdie is just the first (and most famous) writer to grace Sweet Briar, a small liberal arts college conveniently situated in the middle of nowhere (Amherst County)– in other words, a perfect place for a guy who's become accustomed to a low profile.
Speaking in February is Ken Wiwa, an author who shares with Rushdie an ample experience with literary despotism. Wiwa's father was an outspoken Nigerian poet executed by the government in 1995. Other speakers include Caribbean native Caryl Phillips, Cuban expat Cristina Garcia, Adam Zagajewski of the Polish New Wave, and Palestinian-American Naomi Shihab Nye.
"I wanted to find writers who are engaged in the political public world," says Brown.
Happily, Rushdie, who has always been engaged, is once again easy to find.
Salman Rushdie speaks at Murchison Lane Auditorium in the Babcock Fine Arts Center at Sweet Briar College near Amherst on Wednesday, October 8, 8pm. The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-basis. Closed circuit TVs will broadcast to overflow audiences. Check the website sbc.edu/worldwriters/
WALKABOUT
Ten hut! Military Weekend teaches history
BY SOPHIA COUDENHOVE
As good as bypassed by the Civil War, Charlottesville sometimes feels like the one town in the area where you can't re-enact a battle at a moment's notice. But on October 4 and 5, the All-American Honor Guard plans to redress the balance at a "Military Weekend," with re-enactors representing almost every battle in the country's history.
Founded to pay tribute to those who have served in the American military, the All-American Honor Guard seeks to present a timeline of the country's battles as re-enactors in period costume demonstrate everything from weapons to cooking.
Charles Colbert takes on his grandfather's job as a Civil War undertaker, using his ancestor's original equipment. Bob Talbott plays a James Fort militiaman and Rick Potter an American airman from World War I. Joy DeMatteis is one of the women re-enacting this year's special show, the Salvation Army "Doughnut Dollies"– which represents the 241 women who went to France to nurse, cook for, and tend to American soldiers in World War I.
DeMatteis pulls a huge Salvation Army helmet from her bag, along with a letter from an American soldier, dated Gondrecourt, France, January 17, 1919 and addressed to his sister: "I've just returned to barracks from the Salvation Army hut where I had some donuts and cocoa, and now I will endeavour to write a few lines. The donuts were good tonight as was the coca. Only three donuts to a customer, but I made the line three times, so I would have donuts for breakfast." (The weekend performance will include a demonstration of how to cook these very donuts.)
A World War I trench bunker is to be recreated, complete with equipment and food (corned beef and a special stew called "slum"). The Staunton Artillery, a Confederate unit, will demonstrate firing a canon.
The re-enactors are unpaid&emdash; they are responsible not only for researching but also for financing the characters they represent. Most spend over $1,000 on costumes alone. Their mission is twofold: to provide a college scholarship for an Albemarle college student preparing to teach history, and to educate Charlottesville on America's past.
"War is not to be glorified," says Jim Bond, himself a veteran, who organizes the event. "We are fortunate to live in America, but freedom is a fragile thing. We are grateful for what people have done in the past and what they are doing now to protect us."
Bond believes knowledge of history is vital to avoid repeating its mistakes, and to this end the All-American Honor Guard has raised $5,000 in previous re-enactments, donating $1,000 each year towards the scholarship.
The All-American Honor Guard Military History Weekend takes place on October 4 and 5 in front of the Albemarle County Administrative Building at 401 McIntire Road. $3 per family. 971-3668.
FAMILY
Break a leg: Children's shows wow young fans
BY LINDA KOBERT
The stage is set. Anxious actors wait in the wings. A hush falls over the audience as the house lights go down. And there it is: that thrilling moment of expectation that clutches everyone in the theater just as the performance is about to begin.
Two years ago, Karen Davis bought season tickets to the Community Children's Theatre's Sunday Series because she wanted her children to experience the thrill of live dance, music, and theater productions. Now as a volunteer for the organization, Davis is spreading the word about the outstanding, nationally recognized productions and performance opportunities that CCT has been bringing to Charlottesville's children for 50 years.
"With performances for adults, you always worry about whether this is appropriate for children or if they will be able to sit through it," Davis says. "[CCT productions] are nice because they are world-class performances geared especially for children."
This season's Sunday Series starts Sunday, October 5, with the juggling wizardry of Mark Nizer. Winner of the International Juggling Competitions, this Charlottesville resident has dazzled audiences around the world with his one-man comedy show.
TheatreworksUSA comes to town on November 30 to perform Coduroy, an original musical based on the popular children's book of the same name. A brass ensemble from the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center will show kids just how distinctive trumpets, trombones, and tubas can be on January 25. And on March 21, the international dance troupe "Step Afrika!" connects the traditional rhythms of South Africa's Zulu people with modern dance styles in America.
CCT also lets kids get up on stage to perform when two professional actors/directors from Missoula Children's Theatre bring their road show to town. Sixty to 70 local students in grades K-12 have the chance to participate in a full-scale musical production of Alice in Wonderland during the week of November 3-7 with a public performance of the show on November 8.
Fifty years ago, Community Children's Theatre led the way in bringing dramatic arts into the lives of area children. Other youth theater opportunities have emerged over the years, but CCT still provides a unique set of programs designed to stir that special thrill in all children.
Community Children's Theatre offers season tickets for all four Sunday Series productions. Most performances take place at 2pm at Charlottesville Performing Arts Center (Step Afrika! will perform at PVCC's Dickinson Theatre). Individual tickets are also available for $10. Open auditions for Alice in Wonderland will be held November 3 at Johnson Elementary School; registration begins at 3:30pm. A workshop fee of $20 is charged for all children cast. Scholarships are available. The November 8 performance of Alice is at Johnson Elementary School at 2pm and 4pm. Cost is $5. 961-7862. avenue.org/Arts/CCT.
PERFORMANCE
Ailey II: Gravity-defying, electrifying, and sexy, too
BY STEPHEN BOYKEWICH
The winds of change are blowing in Charlottesville. You may have thought it was just the Michelob fumes coming from Miller's patio. That's half of it. But the other half? It's the Charlottesville Modern Dance Revolution.
The legendary Bill T. Jones performed at UVA in the spring. Ailey II performs here this weekend. Local ensembles like the Prospect Dance Group are gathering steam. PVCC is hosting a dance master class series. And with the completion of the Paramount Theater renovations around the corner, it's only a matter of time before Riverdance hits town.
Maybe there's a way we can slow things down at the Paramount.
Why modern dance? Is it the combination of rigor and beauty? Is it the excitement of an art form that combines theater, music, and the visual arts? Is it that appeal of watching beautiful people do impossible things with their bodies without needing to delete the history files on your web browser afterward?
Probably a little of all three.
Ailey II, as you might guess, is the second company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. It began in 1974 when Ailey handpicked a group of the most talented students from his school&emdash; already an elite bunch&emdash; and formed a training company to give young dancers a chance to hone their skills in a uniquely intense environment.
Think of UVA's Echols Scholars. If they could defy gravity.
These young dancers tour the country performing much of the repertory of the main company, which includes over 170 works by over 65 choreographers, in addition to conducting workshops and master classes. They've gathered awards, honors, and praise that would be the envy of anybody's first company. At the end of their time with Ailey II, a number of them are chosen to join Ailey Dance Theater. Those who aren't find plenty of success in other places.
The work of Ailey is enlivened by the same combination of techniques from classical and modern ballet, jazz, and street dance that has electrified audiences since the main company's New York debut in 1958. Sylvia Waters, the artistic director of Ailey II, emphasizes that these dancers are still developing. But that's half the reason they're so exciting.
Waters emphasizes that you don't need to be a lifelong dance connoisseur to enjoy it.
"Dance is not a secret," she says. "It shouldn't be a secret. And it's not esoteric. At its best, I think dance can open one's vision and sensitivity."
Plus it's really, really sexy.
Bring on the revolution.
Ailey II will perform on Saturday, October 4, at the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center. Show starts at 8pm. 1400 Melbourne Road. Tickets are $10, $8 for students. 924-3329.
TUNES
Seeing is believing: Dirty Round Eyes and Miura score converts
BY MARK GRABOWSKI
I didn't know what to expect when Atsushi Miura, owner of the Tokyo Rose and the moving force behind local folk rock group Atsushi Miura and the Dirty Round Eyes, handed me a CD containing three songs from his group's upcoming release.
I have missed every one of the group's performances, and though up till now their shows have been rather intermittent, this is a fair number of gigs to miss. Work, girlfriends, and early to bed/rise agendas have always seemed to put me at the wrong place at the wrong time, at least as far as the Dirty Round Eyes are concerned.
But no more-&endash; the tracks I was given from Cheap & Fake are enough to make me plan to be conscious, lucid, and out of the house on October 3 for the band's show in the olde Tokyo Rose basement.
Miura came to Charlottesville from Japan in 1988, and began performing his singular take on American folk rock shortly thereafter. Miura explains: "When I was young, I listened to Japanese folk songs which were influenced by American or British folk rock singers. But I never really listened to the British or American songs."
Though he started out playing solo, Miura found that, when he wanted to record an album, he needed some assistance to flesh out his sound. Enter Stephen Barling and Brandon Collins, those bright boys of B.C., the guitar/cello pop duo who have been enrapturing local hipsters for years with erudite lyrics and catchy melodies. With Barling on acoustic guitar, bass, and keys, and Collins on cello and keys, and with the addition of Josh Mustin on electric guitar, drums, and keyboards, the group was complete. They began recording their debut album, Cheap & Fake, for release sometime this fall.
"My Life" begins the shortened copy of the disc I received, and from the first few acoustic strums and Dylanesque harmonica notes, any expectations I might have had from second-hand impressions quickly dissipated. The song morphs from Dylan to an early '60s "Only the Lonely" style staccato pop tune, with Miura's high sweet voice singing of his culture shock on coming "From Japan / to America." He sings, "I was looking for an American life / A life of freedom / But what I feel is just a loneliness / I guess to be free I needed to be lonely." Miura and the rest of the group romp around the vocals.
"I Hate Charlottesville" begins with a Spanish style flourish before harmonica, synth drums, acoustic guitar, and shaker continue with the Spanish theme. The melody here is fantastic, and when Miura sings on the chorus, "I hate Charlottesville / Too boring" you can see local lighters being held up across any venue where the group is performing.
Though Atsushi Miura and the Dirty Round Eyes have loosely played around town for a while, Miura sees this Friday's show as being the group's "first serious show," and a good "opportunity to find [the act's] sound."
Want to see the magic happen? Be at the Rose on Friday.
Atsushi and the Dirty Round Eyes perform with The Lilas (Lauren Hoffman's new band) at Tokyo Rose, October 3. $5, 10:30pm.