JACKSONVILLE performing arts guide08 The Legend of John Rambo | Chai House | Interview with Tres Bien | Hoggetown Survives the Apocalypse free weekly guide to entertainment and more | january 31 - february 6, 2008 | www.eujacksonville.com 2 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper table of contents Cover Photo from The Florida Theatre’s upcoming performance of Jennifer Muller / The Works feature Winter 08 Performing Arts Guide ...... PAGES 15-23 UNF and Cummer ...... PAGE 17 Classical Music...... PAGE 15-16 Dance ...... PAGE 16 Other Staged Events ...... PAGE 17-18 Family Shows ...... PAGE 18-20 Musicals ...... PAGE 20-22 Stage Plays...... PAGE 22-23 movies Movies in Theaters this Week ...... PAGES 6-10 2008 Academy Award Nominations ...... PAGE 6 Rambo IV (movie review) ...... PAGE 7 The Legend of Rambo ...... PAGE 7 Meet the Spartans (movie review) ...... PAGE 8 Untraceable (movie review) ...... PAGE 9 Local Film: Extra on the Set of Recount...... PAGE 10 home Rambo (Videogames) ...... PAGE 12 Art on the Web (Netscapades) ...... PAGE 13 dish Dish Update ...... PAGE 14 Chai House (restaurant review) ...... PAGE 14 music Music Calendar ...... PAGES 24-29 Matt Nathanson (Jack Rabbits) ...... PAGE 24 Tres Bien (interview) ...... PAGE 25 Palatka Bluegrass Festival - Ralph Stanley (interview) ...... PAGE 26 One Small Step for Landmines (interview) ...... PAGE 27 Koger-Matteson Jazz Festival ...... PAGE 28 String Theory on WJCT ...... PAGE 29 HD Radio ...... PAGE 29 arts / theatre / on stage Peter Max (R. Roberts Gallery) ...... PAGE 30 Art Events ...... PAGE 30 Pillowman (UNF) ...... PAGE 31 Hoggetowne Survives the Apocalypse (Gainesville) ...... PAGE 32 Tangerine Festival (photo essay) ...... PAGE 33 columns and stuff Local Tourist (Native Foreigner) ...... PAGE 34 Wellness (A Better U) ...... PAGE 34 The Jock ...... PAGE 35

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 3 thisweek thursday JANUARY 31 friday FEBRUARY 1 Eric Taylor Eric Taylor is a sage musician, Eric Taylor Men of the Deeps: North a lyrical genius and a master America’s only coal miners’ of the guitar. With a multitude chorus of fans and devotees that Collectively telling their story through a broad are legends themselves in repertoire of traditional and contemporary the singer/songwriter realm, mining songs, The Men of the Deeps is a Taylor is considered to be a choir of working and retired coal miners from teacher and a lantern bearer Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Performing around whose time is long overdue. the world to sold-out crowds since 1976, the See why next week when he all-male ensemble consists of generations of performs live at E Street. Eu- miners or former miners ranging in ages from Aeros “The Illusion of Flight” ropean Street Listening Room- 23 to 84, many of whom have been singing 8 pm, Info: (904) 399-1740 together since its inaugural concert. Tickets: FEBRUARY 1 - 3 $14-$24. Thrasher-Horne Center- 7:30 pm, Info: Julius X (904) 276-6815 Richie Havens Players by the Sea presents Julius X, an enthralling political thriller Richie Havens is gifted with one of the most recognizable voices written by nationally known playwright Al Letson. Inspired by in popular music. His fi ery, poignant, always soulful singing style Sister Hazel Shakespeare’s Tragedy, Julius Caesar, Julius X amalgamates the has remained unique and ageless since he fi rst emerged from the Formed in 1993, Gainesville’s own Sister Hazel made their way lives of Caesar and slain civil rights leader Malcolm X creating a Greenwich Village folk scene in the early 60s. Havens performs at to the top of the adult alternative charts just a few short years powerful tale of betrayal. Players by the Sea, Friday and Saturday at the Alcazar in St. Augustine this Thursday. Tickets: $27/advance, later. While they haven’t seen quite that much success since, 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. The show runs each weekend through $32/day of show. The Alcazar- 7 pm, Info: (904) 469-9311 they have been churning out records and sharing their music Feb. 16. Info: (904) 249-0289 with a growing fan base ever since. The guys will stop over at Tim Reynolds the Freebird this week to give you a taste of what you may have Tim Reynolds started off playing bass in a gospel band in his been missing. Tickets: $20. Freebird Live- 8 pm, Info: (904) hometown of St. Louis and continues to record and tour with DMB 246-BIRD saturday FEBRUARY 2 and the Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds Acoustic Duo. Tim’s progres- sion has continued through his last 8 years on the road as a solo Tinsley Ellis Heavenly Noise acoustic guitar wizard. Audiences have come to realize this is not Hard-rocking blues-soaked guitarist/vocalist/song-writer Tinsley The sweet Dais*y and her hubby, lovingly known as Batsauce, just Dave’s side man, but a talented and thoughtful player on his Ellis sings and plays with the energy and soul of all the great present soulful songs to clever beats. A cross between hip-hop, own. Tim will do a full band show at Freebird Live. Tickets: $15. Southern musicians who have come before him. Live, there’s no indie and folk, this duo puts on a great show. Starlite in 5 Points. Info: (904) 246-2473 one better at igniting a crowd, jamming with focus and purpose. See for yourself when Ellis comes to Mojo’s this Friday. Tickets: Douglas Anderson School of the Arts: Drowning Pool/Saliva $15. Mojo Kitchen, Jacksonville Beach- 10 pm, Info: (904) 247- 6636 Extravaganza 2008 Alt-metal chart toppers Drowning Pool and Saliva are out touring The talented teens at Douglas Anderson will be showing off their in support of their latest albums and will pull into Bourbon Street FEBRUARY 1 - 2 work on Saturday at the Moran Theater. The program will highlight Station this Thursday. Tickets: $20. all art areas including dance, music, fi lm, creative writing, visual George Romero Studio 80 at Bourbon Street Station- arts and more. Tickets: $15-$75. Times-Union Center, Moran 7:30 pm, Info: (904) 641-8777 The Talkies with George Romero George Romero and his groundbreaking zombie Theater- 6:30 pm, Info: (904) 346-5620 fi lm Night of the Living Dead are coming to the San JAN 31 - FEB 3 Marco Theatre where the man himself will provide live Ishangi Family Dancers commentary during a screening of this horror classic. Ishangi Family Dancers bring a wonderful blend of music, dance, This very special event begins on Friday at midnight, and narration to the stage. The program entertains, but educates NTRL National Finals and when Night of the Living Dead will be screened on its as well- in the course of a concert, the audience will learn 1st Annual Cowboy Trade own. Then on Saturday at 9:30 pm, the fi lm will be about authentic African customs, history, musical instruments, Show shown again, this time with Romero in attendance. masquerades and legends. Tickets: $15. Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Come see the top team roping Tickets: $10 (Friday), $45 (Saturday), $50 (Friday Museum- 7 pm, Info: (904) 632-5555 competitors from throughout and Saturday). San Marco Theatre, Info: (904) www. the United States compete for thetalkies.net Aeros “The Illusion of Flight” the Coveted National Title. Over This breathtaking theatrical experience is comprised of Olympic $400,000 dollars in prize money will be awarded over 5 exciting “Appalachian Spring” Romanian gymnasts performing acrobatic showpieces, daring and days of competition! Trade fair with vendors of all types. Bring the The Jacksonville Symphony is back in action and will be elegant duets and humorous group skits that showcase the vivid kids for a free fun roping competition on Saturday at 2:00 pm. The performing Aaron Copeland’s Pulitzer-winning ballet score imagination of the creators. High-fl ying daredevil skills performed Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales will perform daily! Wed, Thurs and “Appalachian Spring.” This show is part of JSO’s Masterworks with impeccable timing in stunning costumes by these dynamic Friday at 5:00 pm. Sat and Noon and 7:00 pm. Sunday Noon. No Series and features guest conductor Fabio Mechetti and pianist athletes produce a colorful performance that is the best family Admission fee or parking fee. For more information: (904) 573- Miao Hou. Tickets: $25-$65. Times-Union Center, Jacoby Hall- entertainment coming to North Florida this year! Tickets: $34-$42. 4895 8pm, Info: (904) 354-5547 UNF Fine Arts Center- 7:30 pm, Info: www.aeros.org

4 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper Sister to Sister Health Fair The Sister to Sister National Women’s Heart Health Fair is a free, informative and engaging event for women that features lifestyle presentations, cutting-edge information on medical issues of importance to women and their families, and complimentary heart-health screenings. Prime Osborne Convention Center- 9 am to 4 pm, Info: (904) 630-4000 sunday FEBRUARY 3 North Florida Hunter Jumper Association Grand Prix The North Florida Hunter Jumper Association Grand Prix, benefi ting the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, is fun for the entire family. Come out to the Clay County fairgrounds for a luncheon sponsored by Outback, activities for the kids- including pony rides and stable tours- and don’t miss the Celebrity Ride, where local TV and radio personalities compete on horseback. Tickets: $35/adults; $12/children ages 6 to 12; Free/children ages 5 and under. Clay County Fairgrounds- 11:30 am, Info: jaxzoo.org/HunterJumper.asp tuesday FEBRUARY 5 Classic Albums Live- Led Zeppelin IV Want to hear Led Zeppelin IV on something other than your iPod? Classic Albums Live takes the world’s greatest albums and recreates them live on stage using the world’s greatest musicians. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant won’t be there, but this is clearly the next best thing. Tickets: $26. Florida Theatre- 8 pm, Info: (904) 355-2787 wednesday FEBRUARY 6 Art Walk The second Art Walk of 2008 is sure to be a good time. In addition to fabulous art, there will be plenty of music, snacks and fun all along the way. This month’s best bet: London Bridge, Legit Recording Studios and Poppy Love Smoke are throwing an old-fashioned block party at Ocean and Adams Streets in honor of African American History month. Be there. As always, Art Walk is completely free. Downtown Jacksonville- 5 pm to 9 pm, Info: downtownjacksonville.org.

Menopause, the Musical Inspired by a hot fl ash and a bottle of wine, writer/producer Jeanie Linders created Menopause, the Musical as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived The Change. Since its fi rst performance, the show has evolved as a “grassroots” movement of women who deal with life after 40 and all the challenges that result in the mental, physical and spiritual freedom of the post-WW2 baby boomer generation. Menopause begins this Wednesday and will run through March 2. Times-Union Center, Terry Theater, Info: (904) 632-3373

The Pink Floyd Experience Missed your chance to see Pink Floyd live? The Pink Floyd Experience may be the answer to your prayers. The show features an incredible band and top-notch lights and sound set in an intimate atmosphere that allows fans the chance to celebrate the music, the themes and the innovation that make this band one of rock & roll’s greatest icons. Tickets: $25.50- $80.50. Times-Union Center, Moran Theater- 7:30 pm, Info: (904) 632- The Pink Floyd Experience 3373

Très Bien! Clearwater’s retro pop foursome Très Bien made it all the way to the top six on Fox’s show The Next Great American Band. It’s our opinion they were robbed, but the loss hasn’t slowed them down any. The group is currently on tour with fellow TNGAB contestants The Hatch. See story on page 25. Catch them live on Wednesday at Jack Rabbits. Tickets: $10. Jack Rabbits- 8 pm, Info: (904) 398-7496

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 5 Scene from Atonement McMovies that appeal to the moviegoers who want nothing but gratuitous violence, cheesy horror, non- MOVIES OPENING stop action, car chases and explosions. In contrast, the fi lms that receive Academy Award nominations Sydney Wells (Jessica Alba) has been THE EYE feature quality screenplays, acting, and direction – given the gift of sight, with a horrifying price in movies that the 5,000 Academy members and critics’ the English-language remake of Danny and Oxide groups appreciate. And, we insiders applaud the indie Pang’s . The double corneal transplant The Eye fi lm companies and writer/directors for not pandering was to open up a new world for Sydney, a to mediocre tastes–there’s plenty of that schlock in concert violinist who has been blind since child- theaters. hood. With the help of Dr. Paul Faulkner (Ales- For 2008, the Oscar nominees are a select sandro Nivola) and sister Helen (Parker Posey), bunch. The nominated fi lms are penetrating works Sydney’s operation and recovery are successful that appeal to quality cinema devotees. The nominees -- until she begins to see horrifi c images. These for Best Picture include some remarkably fi ne work episodes appear to foreshadow future deadly by directors, writers and actors. is events, leading Sydney on a mission to track Michael Clayton a gripping and intriguing fi lm with a memorable per- down the person whose eyes she has inherited formance by George Clooney, who has a scene that and discover what kind of mystery from beyond will live on in movie history as a classic performance. the grave lies before her. Rating: PG-13 It takes a viewer’ breath away. Other nominees for Best Picture are equally worthy– Director Todd Haynes’s Atonement, Juno, No I’M NOT THERE and the unforgettable unconventional biopic of the legendary singer/ Country for Old Men, There Will Anyone who sees will never forget songwriter Bob Dylan features different actors Be Blood. Blood Daniel Day-Lewis’ overbearing, psychotic protagonist, playing the part of the Minnesota native at vari- and how he changes from a sympathetic character to ous stages of his remarkable career. Among a greed-addled lunatic. the performers cast as Dylan are Heath Ledger, Best Actor nominees do not necessarily refl ect Richard Gere, Christian Bale, and Cate Blanchett. the Best Picture nominations–George Clooney Rating: R Mi- chael Clayton, Daniel Day-Lewis There Will Be Blood, Johnny Depp Tommy Lee Jones An inti- Sweeney Todd, In JIMMY CARTER: MAN FROM PLAINS , and Viggo Mortensen mate, surprising encounter with President Jimmy the Valley of Elah Eastern Maybe 20 people in the world saw Carter. Following the path of Mr. Carter’s recent Promises. In The well, perhaps more than that. But controversial book tour for Valley of Elah – Palestine: Peace Not will the oscars be a grouch? Tommy Lee Jones was great in it. He was also great , Academy Award©-winning director Apartheid in Just give Tommy a statue, Jonathan Demme reveals a complex individual No Country for Old Men. please, before his face falls off. who, with the gusto and determination of a Of course, the Best Actress category had no youngster, criss-crosses the country to get his 2008 Academy Award Nominations relationship to the Best Pictures except Ellen Page for message across, even as that message creates her delightful performance in Cate Blanchett got a media onslaught in which his credibility and Juno. BY RICK GRANT [email protected] a nom for her older Queen in judgment are called into question. Rating: PG Elizabeth: The Golden As the writer’s strike drags on and after the between the mass appeal movies and the Oscar- Age, and she got a Best Supporting Actress nom for lame Golden Globes “News Conference,” this year’s worthy fi lms has grown much wider. In other words, her bizarre gender bending role as Bob Dylan in Eva Longoria, Paul I’m OVER HER DEAD BODY Oscar nominations were met with ho-hums by cynical mainstream moviegoers just can’t relate to the Oscar Julie Christie was nominated for her role Rudd, and Lake Bell star in fi rst time feature fi lm- Not There. pundits. Nonetheless, strike or no strike, the Oscar nominated fi lms because of the sophistication gap in Marion Cotillard received a nom maker Jeff Lowell’s heavenly romantic comedy Away From Her. nominations were announced. As usual, they were for between mass audiences and lovers of quality prod- for And, Laura Linney, who is one of concerning a female psychic (Bell) and a doubt- La Vie en Rose. small indie fi lms that mass audiences never viewed. uct. my favorite actresses, was honored for her role in the ful skeptic (Rudd) who fi nd their fl edgling love This year, as in the recent past, the chasm The truth is–cinema as art has given way to quirky affair thwarted by the latter’s recently deceased The Savages. The Best Supporting Actor included some of the fi ancée (Longoria). Rating: PG-13 Best Picture noms including a personal favorite: Into adapted and directed by Sean Penn. Casey A pair of animal en- the Wild, STRANGE WILDERNESS Affl eck was nominated for his role in thusiasts desperate to boost the ratings of their The Assisination Hal Hol- failing television series “Strange Wilderness” set of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. brook has a short segment in but the out for the Andes in search of the elusive Bigfoot Into the Wild, Academy went gaga and gave him a nom for his act- in this comedy directed by Fred Wolf and starring ing. Philip Seymour Hoffman was tapped for Justin Long, Steve Zahn, Kevin Heffernan, and Charlie And, Tom Wilkinson received a nom for Ernest Borgnine. Starring: Steve Zahn, Allen Co- Wilson’s War. vert, Jonah Hill, Kevin Heffernan. Rating: R Michael Clayton. Supporting Actresses are an eclectic group. Cate Blanchett I’m Not There, Saoirse Ronan Atone- NOW SHOWING ment, Amy Ryan Gone Baby Gone, and Tilda Swinton Michael Clayton. I’m Not There has not opened here. 27 DRESSES A single woman who has served Finally the directors, who are the real creators as a bridesmaid a stunning twenty-seven times of the fi lm medium – Julian Schnabel The Diving Bell prepares to support her sister at the alter on and the Butterfl y, Jason Reitman Juno, Tony Gilroy number twenty-eight despite having fallen help- Michael Clayton, Joel and Ethan Coen No Country for lessly in love with her smitten sibling’s hand- Old Men, Paul Thomas Anderson There Will Be Blood. some husband-to-be. Katherine Heigl stars in a Screenplays–original and adapted – follow romantic comedy scripted by The Devil Wears the directors noms closely. And the rest should be Prada screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna and awarded outside the ceremony, if there is one. Indeed, directed by Anna Fletcher (Step Up). Also star- the writer’s strike has gone on long enough to put a world of fi nancial hurt on both sides. For the television  and movie moguls, losses are staggering. Writers are taking fast food service jobs just to pay their bills. It’s time for the two sides to sit down and swallow their pride and hammer out an agreement. If the strike has not been settled by Feb. 24th, then there will be no Academy Awards ceremony. Please, let’s not have another repeat of the Golden Globes debacle. Just mail the Oscars to the winners and publish the results in Daily Variety.

6 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper come home rambo... the legend of john rambo BY JON BOSWORTH [email protected] the cold war is over... America needs Rambo and Rambo is here for America. The evolution of this franchise is a refl ec- tion of America’s Superego and each fi lm represents what America tried to do right, as well as what we did wrong. As it turns out, I am uniquely qualifi ed to write a piece about the necessity of John Rambo during a war time in America. Rambo IV The character of John Rambo is based on the Green Beret, Vietnam war hero Bo Gritz. You may or may not remember when Ronald Reagen was running for president and got Bo Gritz and some other Green Berets to travel back to Vietnam and Cambodia to try to fi nd prisoner camps where soldiers were BY JON BOSWORTH [email protected] rumored to have been left behind during the Vietnam war. They never found any prisoner camps. During the Ruby Ridge crises, Bo Gritz became a hero. Acting as a liaison between the survivalists and the FBI, he stopped the bloodshed and got the father to surrender to the federal government, even C- Rated R 93 min after the feds had murdered members of his family. As Gritz was briefl y being celebrated by the American media, he approached a group of his fans that had come to Ruby Ridge to support his efforts. He went In all of my analysis of the fi rst trilogy of Ram- on to salute a group of skinhead fans with a sieg heil; a Nazi salute. His popularity came to a quick end, bo movies, I never really considered the fact that I was, more or less, experiencing the fi lms posthu- as did the Rambo franchise, but in the mid to late eighties Rambo fi lms addressed real crises that faced America. Each fi lm is laughably analogous to the conservative, militaristic thinking of the era and it pro- mously. I had never seen a Rambo fi lm in the theatre vides a harrowing snapshot of the American psyche. before this fourth and, I assume, fi nal of the Rambo fi lms. Experiencing a Rambo fi lm academically on a small screen ten years after it was harnessing a Rambo First Blood alone behind enemy lines. populist idealogy is taking the entire experience out The Rambo in this fi rst fi lm was not the What real life couldn’t provide, Rambo could of context. To truly live fully in the parlance of our greased up, muscle beach Rambo with gunbelts make happen on the big screen. This is where the times, you must endure a Rambo fi lm while it is still strung across his bare chest we’ve come to know. iconic character of Rambo became the action hero on the big screen. John Rambo was a Vietnam veteran visiting a America always wanted. All it would take to stop This fi lm, which worked its way through titles small town in Oregon. He’s come to see a friend he the evil communists was a steely reserve, plenty that included Pearl of the Cobra and To Hell and Back served with in ‘Nam. He was an introverted soldier of ammunition, a sincere hatred for the evil empire, before fi nally deciding on simply Rambo, was co- trying to come to terms with civilian life. Upon his and smaller government. written, directed and produced by Sylvester Stallone. initial hike through the town with his army bag slung Favorite Rambo quote: “Pain don’t hurt.” If you are able to look past his Judge Dredd years, over his shoulder he is pitted against the Sheriff back when Sly wrote the original Rocky, there is a (played fl awlessly by Brian Dennehy), who wants Rambo III continuity to be noticed. Stallone’s Hollywood story the wartime drifter out of his peaceful town. In 1988 the Rambo that lived in a prison arc has brought his characters from nothingness to The police fi nally bring in Rambo’s com- in America is a long-lost memory. Rambo is now the ultimate triumph over an evil empire through both manding offi cer and he tries to talk Rambo down living as a globalized American. He is living in a the Rocky and Rambo characters. But in his latest from his one-man war against a small Oregon town. Buddhist monastery in Thailand. Colonel Trautmen installments in the Rocky saga, we saw the man Rambo wages full scale war with the small town asks Rambo to join him in a mission behind Soviet after his greatness, returning to his roots. This new for ostracizing him. After all, he became a killing lines in Afghanistan, where Mujahideen rebels were Rambo follows that same story arc. Whether Stal- machine to protect their freedom. In the end he is struggling to fi ght Soviet tyranny and protect their lone is still refl ecting the American psyche or if he placed in an American prison. humble way of life. Rambo is reluctant to get in- has simplifi ed back down to just telling his own story In 1982, when Rambo First Blood was volved. is up for the viewer to decide. ing machine he has always been, he was shaping released, America was fi nally decompressing When Colonel Trautmen gets taken captive, We meet a Rambo that is still living a simple metal with a hammer and fi re and enduring fl ash- from the Vietnam War. It let the average American Rambo decides it’s time to bring his war-helmed life in Thailand. He is struggling with what he is backs of scenes from all of the previous Rambo conservative feel guilty about the war in a way that skills to task to free his old friend and command- when he is confronted by a group of American mis- fi lms. was acceptable. Through the character of John J. ing offi cer. Rambo mobilizes the Mujahideen rebels sionaries that wish to bring medicine and hope deep Rambo’s trip up the Salween River is like a trip Rambo pitted against the arrogant small town police in a battle against the Soviet army with only one into Burma, to victims of ethnic cleansing in the into his heart of darkness. Like in Apacolypse Now, department, America could stand with the rejected secret weapon in their arsenal – John J. Rambo. jungles of Asia. Rambo has a boat that can bring Rambo is Kurtz, a Green Beret with no country. He soldier against an arrogant public. For conservative With Rambo’s help, the underdog guerilla forces them there, but he tries to discourage the idealists is the reluctant warrior, but unlike Kurtz, when he is America, this was grabbing the mic back from the of the Mujahideen overcame the Soviet army, freed from their suicidal mission. pushed he rekindles his love for doing what is right. hippy drug culture. Colonel Trautmen and proved that when it comes Confronted with the stark morality of one of The American way. Even when that means killing a Rambo First Blood established Sylvester Stal- to freedom, Americans will fi ght to the death to free the missionaries, Sarah (Julie Benz), Rambo agrees messload of tyrants. lone as America’s new action hero. Between Rocky the underdog. to take them to the Karen village. The Karen people “Y’know what you are, what you’re made of. and Rambo, Stallone had mastered the power of the Of course, in retrospect, those peaceful vil- are the ones being purged by the Burmese army. The War is in your blood. When you’re pushed, killing’s underdog. This fi lm established a thread between lagers were the Taliban and the American “Rambos” brutality with which the Burmese army dispatches as easy as breathing.” America’s defeat in Vietnam and America’s invest- that we sent ultimately trained Osama Bin Laden the Karen is not slighted by this picture. People are From the repressed sexual overtones to the ment in the cold war against communism. how to effectively terrorize and defy an international not simply shot, they are ripped apart by bullets. simple giving of a necklace, Stallone injects all of superpower. Women are not just raped, they are brutally gang those things that are sentimentally Rambo, but more Rambo First Blood Part II In Rambo III, Rambo wasn’t overly patriotic, raped. And no explosion fl ares across the screen importantly, he kicks ass to the nu metal of Drown- By 1985 Hollywood felt America was ready he was the sleeping giant that, when aroused, without body parts thrown into the mix. The gore ing Pool. This may be confusing to some who won’t to send Rambo on that mission to release prisoners would crush its enemies with moral impunity. level of the violence portrayed becomes almost be sure if this is an army commercial, a hope to of war still trapped in Asian countries. John Rambo America doesn’t need Rambo when we’re out there laughable as soldiers’ heads explode from their bod- make the average American wake up to the atrocious became the wish-fulfi llment of Bo Gritz’s campaign kickin’ ass and taking names, America needs Ram- ies in some scenes. genocide going on in our world, or an indictment to rescue POWs that weren’t really there. Rambo’s bo when it’s uncertain and needs to be reminded This brutality is part of what made me real- about what is wrong with war. The truth is, it’s a little commanding offi cer, Colonel Samuel Trautman, that we’ve been pushed to this edge. We can only ize how much a part of the times a Rambo fl ick is. of all of those. But the important thing is that by the gets him out of jail under the condition that he will stand by while injustice goes on for so long before Whereas once it was enough to show slow scenes end of this fi lm, Rambo is an American again and he go into Asia, locate prisoners of war, and photo- we have to get our compound bow out and put mud of Rambo very deliberately lacing his boots or tying looks as much like the Rambo we fi rst met in 1982 graph them. But Rambo isn’t so good at following on our faces. on his headband, now we need to see him rip a lar- as he possibly could 26 years later. orders, and America loves that about him. And this brings us to Rambo IV. With the ynx straight out of a throat. Once the action starts, it I can’t help but wonder, as Stallone gives fi nal Rambo and his Vietnamese girlfriend took on eighties long-since cycled out (and now becoming plays out like a bloody shooter video game complete chapters to these characters that have identifi ed the regiment of communist soldiers and freed the fashionable again) it is perfect that the Rambo fi lms with the grandest explosion that any action fi lm has his persona as well as America at large in such an American prisoners. Rambo’s girlfriend got killed return with the adrenaline-rich, Army-commercial dared to stage. iconic way for such a signifi cant piece of our cultural he got captured, but you can’t hold America down. nu-metal of Drowning Pool. Stallone certainly tried to inject more subtext experience, does it mean that he is giving up? Are Rambo exacted his revenge against Captain Vinh Look for the longer dissertation of the social into this fi lm than in any of the Rambos since the we watching as a dying Stallone ties up all of his and the communists as well as the corrupt Ameri- implications of Rambo to wartime America online at fi rst, and none of it was subtle. As he tried to defi ne loose ends? We can only hope for a sequel to Cop- can offi cials that were prepared to leave Rambo eujacksonville.com. himself as a man and a come to terms with the kill- land.

eujacksonville.com |january 31-february 6, 2008 7 ring: James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Edward dead zones. Indeed, Friedberg and Seltzer failed to Burns. Rating: PG-13 maintain a continuous laugh level through the entire running time. Instead, they orchestrated a series of lame skits, spoofi ng a legion of pop culture celebri- ATONEMENT In 1935, 13-year-old fl edgling writer Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and her ties, including Britney Spears, Donald Trump, Dr. family live a life of wealth and privilege in their Phil, Tom Cruise, J-Lo, and “Brangelina.” They also enormous mansion. The warmest day of the satirized a host of popular fi lms such as, Transform- year stokes Briony’s vivid imagination. Robbie ers, Shrek, Spiderman, and Happy Feet. Turner (James McAvoy), the educated son of In Friedberg and Seltzer’s vision of Sparta, the family’s housekeeper, carries a torch for Leonid, clad in a leather Speedo, leads his group of Briony’s headstrong older sister Cecilia (Kiera 13 (not 300) gay Spartans to defend the homeland Knightley). Cecilia, he hopes, has comparable against the invading Persians. The men kiss each feelings. Briony - who has a crush on Robbie - is other on the lips and the women high fi ve each other. compelled to interfere, going so far as accusing The goofy Spartans skip, not march, into battle Robbie of a crime he did not commit. Cecilia and and have dance contests against the enemy. This Robbie declare their love for each other, but he is is not the Sparta we learned about in history class. arrested - and with Briony bearing false witness, Nonetheless, any popular TV show or celebrity gets the course of three lives is changed forever. Rat- roasted with several crotch shots of Britney and ing: R Lindsey, blurred out of course. The fi lm becomes a wish fulfi llment fantasy as tabloid stars are pushed into the Pit of Death, includ- THE BUCKET LIST Jack Nicholson and Mor- gan Freeman star as two terminally ill cancer ing Britney Spears, Dane Cook, Ellen Degeneres, and patients who decide to break out of the hospital many others. When the fi rst couple of celebs are and live their last days to the fullest in director sent to the Pit of Death, it was funny, but the joke Rob Reiner’s seriocomic road movie. Edward got old quickly. A Paris Hilton look-a-like ended up Cole (Nicholson) is a corporate billionaire who being the Spartan traitor who told the Persians where is currently sharing a hospital room with blue- funny for fi rst 5 minutes the secret pass is located so they can out fl ank the collar mechanic Carter Chambers (Freeman). Spartans. She sports a hump and a deformed hand. Though initially the pair seems to have nothing Carmen Electra plays Queen Margo, vamping around in common, conversation gradually reveals that Meet the Spartans like a crack whore and proving once and for all that both men have a long list of goals they wish to she has no talent as an actress. She doesn’t even accomplish before they kick the bucket. These look that great anymore. Please, no more scraggly two terminally ill men do their best to fi t a lifetime BY RICK GRANT [email protected] Carmen Electra roles. She has had her fi fteen min- utes. of experience into their last remaining days while D- PG-13 84 min fi lm. These are the guys who brought us Scary forging an unlikely, but truly remarkable, friend- Movie, Date Movie, and Epic Movie. This time they ship. Rating: PG-13 Writer/director/producer Friedberg along with sent-up 300, which was ripe for satire. However, the Aaron Seltzer collaborated on yet another parody scenario has a few laughs in between the tedious CLOVERFIELD The subject of much internet speculation since its provocative trailer debuted in early July of 2007, producer J.J. Abrams’s mystery shrouded production fi nds a powerful destructive force descending upon New York City. Directed by Matt Reeves, from a script by Drew Goddard, the fi lm stars Michael Stahl- David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman, amd Lizzy Caplan. Rating: PG-13

FIRST SUNDAY Durell and LeeJohn are best friends and bumbling petty criminals. When Du- rell learns that his ex-girlfriend plant They come up with a desperate scheme to rob their neigh- borhood church. But when the duo fumbles their After the Pit of Death scenes, the skits go way through the Starring: Ice Cube, Tracy Mor- downhill. Friedberg and Seltzer were reaching, des- gan, Katt Williams, Regina Hall. Rating: PG-13 perate for funny material which didn’t happen. The thing is, the original 300 was a parody of itself with its over-the-top CGI special effects and overacting. HOW SHE MOVE A gifted student, Raya Green, is forced to leave her prestigious private school Still in this parody genre, 300 gets skewered again, and return to her old neighborhood when her which turns out to be anticlimactic. This brings to parents can no longer afford her tuition, follow- mind how skit comedy has degenerated from the ing the tragic death of her sister. Determined to original SNL to present day SNL. It has been done return to her private school, Seaton, Raya fi nds to death and lost its impact. Years ago, during the herself drawn back into the world of Step danc- opening of Second City TV, people threw their televi- ing. She realizes she could win some serious sion sets off the balcony, which refl ected the sorry prize money (and her ticket back to Seaton) at a state of that era’s television programming. Now, fi erce Step competition. Raya gets caught up in televison has surpassed fi lms in quality writing. No her desire to win and to escape as she struggles one would toss their expensive fl at screen TV off the with the loss of her sister, her parents pressure balcony. Likewise, movie parodies are cliché. It’s on her to succeed, and most of all with herself. just not funny anymore. Starring: Rutina Wesley, Dwain Murphy, Tracey Overall, this movie has nothing to offer that Armstrong, Shawn Desman, Cle Bennett. Rating: hasn’t already been done on You Tube. In fact, You PG-13 Tube’s favorite transgender performer, Chris Crocker, has one of the funny bits in this fi lm doing his ‘Cry- ing for Britney’ video. Parodies seem to work much JUNO When a teenage girl is faced with an unexpected pregnancy, she enlists the aid of her better in the short format of You Tube. Yeah, it’s best friend in fi nding the unborn child a suitable funny for two minutes and then the audience gets home in this coming-of-age comedy drama from bored. A feature length fi lm parody is way beyond the Internet generation’s short attention span. Meet  the Spartans falls fl at after the fi rst fi ve minutes.

8 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper artists and hackers trolling the ‘net for victims. The Thank You for Smoking director Jason Reitman. two meet an entirely different kind of monster when Juno (Ellen Page) may seem wise beyond her they’re tipped off to killwithme.com, a website that years, but after sleeping with classmate Bleeker fi rst features live streaming video of a kitten stuck in (Michael Cera), the pregnant teen quickly real- a rat trap. They’re alarmed by what they see but can’t izes how little she really knows about life. Juno’s seem to track down where the feed originates. When parents (J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney) and a the kitten fi nally dies, the FBI is convinced the show is best friend named Leah (Olivia Thirlby) are willing over. A couple days later they realize how wrong they to help out. Juno soon comes into contact with were. The mastermind behind killwithme.com has a Mark (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa (Jennifer new victim- a man snatched from a local sports are- Garner) -- an affl uent suburban couple who want na- and has hooked him up to his computer. The more to adopt. Juno discoves one bad choice can have people who visit the site, the faster the guy dies. Once a lifetime of consequences. Rating: PG-13 word gets out, people naturally log in by the millions and soon the FBI has a body on their hands with more MAD MONEY Bridget Cardigan (Diane Keaton) is on the way. Marsh and Dowd team up with Eric Box shocked to learn that she is on the verge of losing (Billy Burke), a no nonsense local cop also assigned her home and comfortable upper middle class to the case. Together the trio uses all the resources at lifestyle when her husband Don (Ted Danson) their disposal to catch the killer before he strikes again is downsized from his job. Armed only with a but come up short time and time again. The tables decades old English degree and years as a dedi- turn when the psycho fi nally sets his sights on those cated mother and corporate wife, Bridget is forced pursuing him, turning up the heat on the investigation. into the unfamiliar labor market with no To be honest, I really wasn’t expecting much job skills. Finally, she accepts the only position when I fi rst heard about Untraceable. My biggest she can fi nd—janitor at the Federal Reserve Bank. concern upon seeing the trailers was that the writers Also starring: Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes. would get the technology wrong. Thankfully, the fear Rating: PG-13 was unfounded. Most of what happens in Untraceable hostel for housewives could actually happen and it’s clear the writers worked MEET THE SPARTANS The warriors of 300 might hard to get the technical aspects of the show correct. have been able to hold their own--at least for In fact, it seems like they spent so much time getting awhile--against an army of thousands, but can Untraceable those things right that the script and the fi nished prod- they defend themselves against this satire? From uct were neglected. the minds behind EPIC MOVIE, MEET THE SPAR- Untraceable is Hostel for housewives. The TANS tackles everything from the action movie BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] murders are brutal but are few and far between; giving to YOU GOT SERVED to Britney Spears. Starring: audiences not used to such things plenty of time to Diedrich Bader, Kevin Sorbo, Martin Klebba, Jim D+ Rated R 100 min happens when a twisted psychopath takes advantage recover before hitting them with another sick, twisted Piddock, Method Man Rating: PG-13 If the popularity of trashy tabloids and celebrity of that curiosity and uses it to kill. death. The problem is most people who are into so sex tapes are any indication, there’s a little voyeur in Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) is an FBI “cy- called “torture porn” have seen far worse, far more NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN Llewelyn Moss all of us. Thanks to the Internet, human curiosity can bercop” who, with her partner Griffi n Dowd (Colin frequently in the Eli Roth movies, so Untraceable fi nds a pickup truck surrounded by a sentry of be satisfi ed in seconds. Untraceable examines what Hanks), spends her days tracking down sickos, scam almost seems like child’s play. The biggest problem dead men. A load of heroin and two million dol- hindering the fi lm is the pacing. Between killings, the lars in cash are still in the back trunk. When Moss minutes seem to crawl by. Waiting around for some- takes the money, he sets off a chain reaction thing to happen gets old fast and it seems like 95% of of catastrophic violence that not even the law the time that’s exactly what the audience is doing. — namely aging, disillusioned Sheriff Bell — can For a by-the-numbers wanna-be thriller, some contain. Moss tries to evade his pursuers, in par- things in Untraceable simply don’t add up. In the ticular a mysterious mastermind who fl ips coins second act a normally level-headed agent, who by his for human lives, as the crime drama broadens. own admission has nearly cracked the case, would Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh rather answer a random booty call than catch the Brolin, Woody Harrelson, Kelly MacDonald. Rat- killer. Said booty call is, of course, an elaborate ruse ing: R – the cyber killer has a voice modulator set on “hot chick” and our boy loses his head and walks right RAMBO John Rambo has retreated to northern into a trap. What kind of FBI agent falls for the same Thailand, living a solitary and peaceful life in the trick Bugs Bunny pulled on Elmer Fudd at a time like mountains and jungles. A group of human rights that? It’s inconsistencies like this that further cause missionaries search him out and ask him to guide Untraceable to stumble. them into Burma to deliver medical supplies. While most of the actors gave decent perfor- When the aid workers are captured by the Bur- mances (particularly Hanks and Lane), Billy Burke’s mese army, Rambo decides to venture alone into ridiculously wooden delivery had my husband and I the war zone to rescue them. Starring: Sylvester dissolving in giggles from the moment he opened his Stallone, Julie Benz, James Brolin, Paul Schulze, mouth. His lines are the most memorable but for all Matthew Marsden. Rating: R the wrong reasons. Burke was a terrible choice for this particular role. He makes a great mustache twirl- SAVAGES The Savage siblings are fi rmly co- ing villain but is completely unconvincing as a good cooned in their own complicated lives. Wendy guy, at least in this fi lm. is a struggling East Village playwright and Jon There are, I admit, some good points to the fi lm. is a neurotic college professor writing books on It’s not completely unwatchable and when there is obscure subjects in Buffalo. They are informed some action it’s the intense edge-of-your-seat kind that the father they have long feared and avoided, that you expect from a decent thriller. The torture Lenny Savage, is slowly being consumed by de- scenes will defi nitely have you squirming, if that’s mentia and they are the only ones that can help. your thing, and the killer’s motivation and ultimate demise is fairly satisfying. Content-wise, Untraceable is just too gory for some people and too tame for everyone else. That’s why it ultimately fails. There’s genius in the premise but unfortunately the idea was poorly executed. The fi lm’s message to the world about peering too closely into the lives of others is one that should really be heard. Sadly most people who watch Untraceable will either sleep through it or be too nauseous to care.

eujacksonville.com |january 31-february 6, 2008 9 Now, Wendy and Jon are forced to live together under one roof for the fi rst time since childhood, local fi lm spotlight: rediscovering the eccentricities that drove each other crazy. Starring: Laura Linney, Philip Sey- mour Hoffman, Philip Bosco, Peter Friedman. Rating: R extra, extra THERE WILL BE BLOOD An epic tale of family, faith, power and oil set on the incendiary frontier of California’s turn-of-the-century petroleum from casting to the set of Recount boom. The story chronicles the life and times of one Daniel Plainview, who transforms himself BY DEBBIE RICKS from a down-and-out silver miner raising a son Andy Warhol once said “In the future everyone to “press.” This was it, my 15 minutes were about to on his own into a self-made oil tycoon. Plainview will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Well the future go into pre-production. heads with his son, H.W. to a little town out West is now and my 15 minutes were about to start. Who Everyone was wearing their own clothes but where an ocean of oil is oozing out of the ground. knew 15 minutes would take so long to produce? wardrobe made sure that we looked just right. I Plainview and H.W. make their lucky strike but With more and more fi lms being shot in Jacksonville, was asked to bring a bright, salmon-colored shirt. even as the well raises all of their fortunes, noth- it is becoming increasingly easier to achieve your “It’s more Miami,” the wardrobe girl said. She also ing will remain the same as confl icts escalate fame. accessorized me in an ugly scarf with a hole in it, and every human value--love, hope, community, Living through the election of 2000 wasn’t while other women in my group received cute pieces belief, ambition and even the bond between father enough, we need HBO to make a movie so we can of jewelry. Assuring me that the look was “very Mi- and son--is imperiled by corruption, deception know what really happened. The latest project to be ami,” she wrapped it around my neck like Fred from and the fl ow of oil. Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, fi lmed in Jacksonville is HBO’s Recount. It promises Scooby-Doo. My new colleagues called me Scarfy. Mary Elizabeth Barrett, Paul Dano, Dillon Freasier, to be a riveting, nonpartisan political docudrama that After wardrobe we were taken through props Christine Olejniczak. Rating: R. tells the story of the 2000 election fi asco, when we and then led to the set. I was positioned next to the were left without a president for 35 days. “Cuban protesters.” The director went over a few UNTRACEABLE Within the FBI, there exists a Seven years after that fi asco, there was an directions with us, explaining the scene and what division dedicated to investigating and pros- open casting call at FCCJ North Campus. Ritia kinds of actions we should do. Protesters pretend to ecuting criminals on the internet. Welcome to Manyette, owner of Martini Shot Casting, has been protest; reporters pretend to report. Pretty straight- the front lines of the war on cybercrime, where trying to draft extras for the HBO project. She had forward. Special Agent Jennifer Marsh has seen it all--until already cast 1500 locals, and she needed 1500 Warning- if you do not like to stand in one spot now. A tech-savvy internet predator is displaying more. all day or cannot stand to do things repetitively, do his graphic murders on his own website--and I was curious to know if I could cut it as an not be an extra. There is a lot of standing. For the the fate of each of his tormented captives is left extra, so I talked to Manyette about the best way to rest of the day, this is all we did. The scene was in the hands on the public: the more hits his site increase my chances of being cast. done over and over from all possible angles. For the gets, the faster his victims die. When this game “A lot of people say, ‘I’m too ugly to be in a fi rst couple of takes I scribbled in my “reporter’s” of cat and mouse becomes personal, Marsh and movie,’” Copeland says, but she assures me that’s notepad. But eventually I decided to make it look her team must race against the clock to track not true. more realistic and I started writing “blah blah blah” down this technical mastermind who is virtually Don’t run out and pay thousands of dollars for on the page. As boredom took over, I began drawing untraceable. Starring: Diane Lane, Billy Burke, professional pictures, they are not looking for mod- protesting little stick families. Colin Hanks, Joseph Cross, Mary Beth Hurt. els. HBO was looking for real Floridians to recreate During a standing break I overheard one of the Rating: R the voting debacle that took place in Florida, so you Cuban protesters tell a guy she is Lebanese and her already look the part. friends are Filipino and Caucasian. From the rubber “Setiquette,” as Manyette calls it, consists of guns the cops were carrying to our own antiquated SPECIAL SHOWINGS a few easy rules. Rule 1 - It’s a long day, 10 to 12 reporting props, I was starting to appreciate the hours at least, so you must clear your schedule and magic of movies. HANNAH MONTANA & MILEY CYRUS: BEST commit to being on set for the entire day. Manyette It was an exhausting day of standing around, OF BOTH WORLDS CONCERT Hannah Montana talked to one woman who thought she only had to but extras were given two short breaks during the fans everywhere should have a chance to see be on set for 2 hours, the average length of a movie. course of the day, the meals were great, we made their favorite singer songwriter and actress, Miley She couldn’t be more wrong. Rule 2 - Pay attention. $75 and we were done by 3:40. As I left I was of- Cyrus, perform her sold-out concert tour on the Show some common sense and don’t be obnoxious. fered the opportunity to come back the next day. Call big screen in ‘Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Rule 3 - If you should happen to meet a principal time for day two was not as early and the day was Best of Both Worlds Concert.’ Shot during Cyrus’ actor (like Kevin Spacey), don’t ask for an autograph not as hard or as long, but I had to wear the scarf 69-city tour and exhibited in state-of-the-art Dis- or a picture. It’s not professional. again, for continuity reasons. ney Digital 3D™, the fi lm hits theaters for a spe- Despite the rules, Manyette assures me that Although it’s too late to get in on this project, cial one week engagement beginning February 1, the experience is worth that small effort. It looks like you can still send Martini Shot Casting a picture and 2008. Key word here is “should get a chance” we will see, as I was accepted as an extra. your contact information at martinishotcasting.com because as of press time, the entire week of My call time was at 5:30 am. Far too early in and the next time they are looking for someone that movie showings is SOLD OUT. Will they open the morning for me to make new friends, I started is looking for their 15 minutes of fame, you might it on more screens? Will they hold it over for on breakfast. A nice spread of grits, oatmeal, cereal, get to wear the scarf. Hopefully I will show up in the another week? Do they just want her poor fans fruit, eggs, potatoes and more was provided. Before fi lm, not on the cutting room fl oor, or I may have to to suffer? Do they get pleasure at the thought of long, the production assistant started calling for go through the whole ordeal again to be assured my parents explaining to their kidswhy they can’t see pre-assigned groups. Appropriately, I was assigned moment in the spotlight. it. Be looking for the DVD soon. Check your local theaters for time.

IMAX The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater is cur- rently showing Walt Disney Pictures’ giant-screen adventure ROVING MARS. The fi lm, which gives audiences an account of the $820-million Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) mission It follows the Lead Science Investigator Steve Squyres and en- gineers as they execute a history-making project to build and launch two state-of-the-art remote- controlled Rovers. For tickets and showtimes, call 904-940-IMAX or visit www.wgv.com.

10 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper eujacksonville.com |january 31-february 6, 2008 11 videogames retro reviews: John Rambo edition

BY NORM STOVALL [email protected] I hate to admit it, but I can’t believe how stoked I am that there is a new Rambo in theatres right now. It boggles my mind that I could be excited about such a seemingly meat-headed testosterone fest of a movie. But I am, and even though I haven’t seen it, I know I will probably enjoy it. Sure, I have only seen the fi rst movie so far, (First Blood) but it wasn’t that long ago that I watched it, so it’s still a little fresh in my memory. Something about Rambo takes me back to the old days where we played sub-par videogames that we had no hope of fi nishing. It takes my mind back to games about men with guns traversing through jungles with guns and grenades, games with helicopters and rocket launchers and overtired guards that ‘feel asleep’. (And for some reason, about stabbing spiders with a pocketknife.) RAMBO For the Nintendo Entertainment System I liked this game a lot when I was younger, but looking back I can’t really see why. The cover of the game prominently displays John Rambo fi ring what looks like a heavy machine gun, but I don’t think I ever fi red a single gun while playing this game. Toward the end, I was able to throw some grenades though. Most of the battles featured fi ghts with random wildlife, such as spiders. In Rambo for the NES, Rambo appeared as a skinny white guy in red sweatpants, and he could jump about as high as Mario or Luigi. Not very Rambo-like at all…this game didn’t age well, to say the least. RAMBO 3 Sega Master System Now this is more like it. In Rambo 3 for the Sega Master System, you control Rambo from an overhead perspective. Much like the earlier game known Ikari Warriors, you progress upward toward the top of the screen, while defending yourself from oncoming enemies with your machine gun and grenades. When fi ght- ing boss characters, the game switches to a behind-the-back perspective. In these scenes, you are typically fi ghting things like helicopters. Don’t worry; it is perfectly logical for Rambo to fi ght a helicopter, especially in context of this being a videogame. It’s fun, too. Not only that, but the graphics in Rambo 3 are far superior to those found in the NES games of the time. CONTRA Nintendo Entertainment System For me, Contra was like Rambo vs. Aliens. Sure, there was no Sgt. Ripley, but you had dudes with big guns running through the jungles shooting aliens that LOOKED like they were taken right from the movie Aliens. So yeah, instant awesomeness. The game was frickin’ hard, too. I rarely fi nished it without cheating. Not only that, but the cover had artistic renderings of two mercs that looked a hell of a lot like Arnold Schwar- zenegger and Sylvester Stallone, and at the time, nobody fi lled people with bullets better than those guys. (Protip: In case you don’t have it memorized, to get 30 lives in Contra, press this on the title screen. – Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start. And since we are on the subject of memorized codes, type this in to get to Mike Tyson in Punch Out! – 007 373 5963. You’re welcome.) IKARI WARRIORS Basically, this game is what Rambo 3 seems to be based on, but with a more futuristic approach. Scroll upward, throw grenades, and shoot bad guys. Lots of fun. To cheat, just press A, B, B, A during gameplay. METAL SLUG SERIES Games Available on: Arcade/NeoGeo MVS, Wii, Xbox 360, PS2 This popular series of games is known for its strict diffi culty and constant side-scrolling action. With numerous sequels and ports, it’s hard NOT to have a console to play Metal Slug on. Basically the same idea as Rambo, pick a character and traverse through the jungles rescuing POWs. Metal Slug tends to be a little over-the-top and comical, but the charm of the game is to no detriment to the action. The most recent release was on Xbox Live Arcade, so check it out. METAL GEAR Nintendo Entertainment System Years before Solid Snake was sneaking around performing ‘tactical espionage action’ on your Playsta- tion, he was charging around through the jungle and punching enemy soldiers to death in their sleep. Yup, I said that correctly. While using an annoying radio system to pick up plot lines and suggestions on what to do next, your character trudges through a jungle base in order to stop the evil ‘Big Boss’. You don’t start the game with any weapons, so you have to pick these up along the way. Though not as much of a run-and-gun title as the previously mentioned games, you’ll still get that same warm fuzzy feeling when disposing of the bad guys.

12 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper netscapades by brenton crozier

late art edition EU put out its annual Artsonville issue last week and it was quite good. Sadly, my article had nothing to do with the theme and was as incongruous as ever. I fi gured that I would perpetuate my incongruity by making up for last week and discussing art-centered websites this week. You were probably left wanting a little bit more anyway. I heard someone recently say, “I need more art in my life.” I suppose everyone could use a little more art in their life. Whether you are just a fan or dip your brush in the paint on the weekend, you are sure to appreciate the following sites that put you in the shoes of some of the greats. From the intriguing juxtapositions given to us in cubism to kitsch favorites like dogs playing pool, art has an intrinsic value for everyone. The Internet is no exception and there is some mighty artistry wielded on a regular basis. I regularly see some incredible graphic design work, writing and photography. In this case, here are some sites that celebrate the already celebrated, but some from a unique perspective. www.jacksonpollock.org

I didn’t really appreciate Jackson Pollock’s work until I saw it in person at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Regardless of what you think of him, this site is so much fun! Paint just like the drip afi cionado—just move your mouse, click for new color and hit your space bar for a clean slate. It’s hard to get used to, but like Pollack said, “The strangeness will wear off and I think we will discover the deeper meanings in modern art.” www.mrpicassohead.com/create

Make your very own Mr. Picasso Head! This is more of a drag-and-drop interface, but is still good fun and is all Picasso. Picasso once asked, “What is a face, really?” A Mr. Picasso head tool may have helped shed some clarity on this for him. www.epcomm.com/center/index

Although it isn’t much to look at, this site offers some incredible tools. Paint like Seurat! See what you can do utilizing the technique of Pointilism. Seurat not your cup of tea? Try your hand at some post impressionism with the stylings of Vincent Van Gogh. If both are too busy for you, then simply be conscious of the here and now as you paint like a Zen Master. www.banksy.co.uk

Banksy is a famed street artist know only by his work. While his identity is shrouded in mystery, his pieces are celebrated by fans throughout the world. Most of his work is overtly political, but all incredibly imaginative and augmented by their setting.

There are a number of fantastic resources for you to learn about your favorite artists and to discover new ones online. Sites like dailypainters.com/ give relatively unknown artists and buyers on a budget a chance to meet, as well as other resources to help market your art such as ebsqart. com. There are a number of less substantive sites like artquotes.net, artquotesbook.com and funtrivia.com/ quizzes/humanities/art.html where you can fi nd quotes by your favorite artist and put your art knowledge to the test. About.com and Wikipedia are also great resources for you to at least begin learning about artists, techniques, particular periods and movements. Don’t forget to continue to show love to the numerous gifted local artists in Jacksonville. And be sure to visit the MOCA (mocajacksonville.org), The Cummer (cummer.org) and venues that continue to exhibit local artists such as the Burrito Gallery.

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 13 Chai House can help you with a special event. They’ve done bridal showers, baby showers, Jane Austen Society Teas and hosted the Red Hat Society. If you should desire, they can serve you a multi- tiered High Tea, which they serve from 2-4 pm. It takes a while to prepare, so they ask that you call ahead if you want to come in for High Tea. Even a smaller party or a single person can enjoy afternoon High Tea for a reasonable price. Two people can have afternoon tea, including an array of tea sandwiches for about $30. Some of the tea sandwiches available are tomato basil, chunky chicken, tuna salad, egg salad and cucumber salad. If you don’t like a particular sandwich in the array, you can ask them to switch it for something else when you order. You can also get the quiche and tea sandwich combo, if you want to tea and eats sample their locally known quiche. Chai House

BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] Those that work in the Downtown area are forever looking for a new place to lunch. Venture into San Marco and you’ll find you’ve got lots of options. One of those options is the Chai House Tea Company. Situated across the street from Reddi-Arts, it’s easy to miss. It’s not just a place to get tea and breakfast; they’ve also got a decent lunch menu. Lunch items range in cost from about $7-$10. I’ve heard a lot of positive talk around town about their homemade quiche, which is one of the items that bring people back again and again. They serve a quiche of the day, so you never know what you’re going to get! Chai House has a mix of atmosphere perfect for a tea shop. It’s just the right blend of cozy and elegant, with a little funky art thrown in to keep things interesting and diverse. Dark wood antiques are set into corners and along walls, and vintage teapots sit on small shelves. The walls by the counter and in a side dining room are painted a refreshing green, while the main area is mostly done in dark neutrals. In the left tea room, they’ve employed a dark burgundy for the back wall, fronted by a mirrored antique van- ity. Art of all types decorate the walls, from modern expressionist stuff to more traditional landscapes. It’s relaxing but there’s always something to look at.

dish update

We’ve heard that Three Layers Coffee House is due to open in Springfi eld on the corner of Liberty They really score well when it comes to fresh produce, so they’re no slouch in the salad depart- and 6th by March of this year. It’s supposed to occupy one of four units in a live/work building. ment. It’s quality stuff, some of which is even gathered from local sources. That’s probably why they For a wine tasting in a new place, try Vanderleigh Furniture and Antiques (334 East 10th Street 904- have a number of regular customers who are vegetarians. 475-0060) in Springfi eld. Wines will be provided from The Grotto Wine Bar. Or try the new wine and cigar I sampled the yummy veggie burger, a mix of nuts and soy formed into a truly savory meatless bar on Adams Street Downtown. Poppy Love Smoke (112 E. Adams St. 904-355-0891) is a hip new burger. You can choose from three veggie burger options Spinach & Gorgonzola, Mushroom & Swiss or space around the corner from London Bridge. Pick up a bottle of wine and all the accessories to uncork Black Bean Chipotle. after a long day. Desserts change, so either ask what they have when you go or check out the dessert case. Chai On Wednesday night, February 6th ladies can pamper themselves, have a fab martini and an awe- House bakes their ooey gooey bars and cookies. When I went they had a triple chocolate tort from She- some appetizer at Ocean 60 (60 Ocean Boulevard Atlantic Beach 904 247- 0060) during their Return of lia’s in the case. They also had strawberry shortcake available. Beauty & The Bar Ladies Night. Beauty tips, spa treatments and drinking will be how you spend your eve- Those who are into exotic teas should be buying their loose tea from a local provider like the Chai ning! Also on the 6th, you can celebrate the Chinese New Year by attending a cooking demo. It’s just $40 House. Not only do you support local business, their tea is often cheaper than some of the big national at the deluxe Apron’s Cooking School (10500 San Jose Blvd. 904-262-4187) Pork and Shrimp Sui Mai; stores. The quality of the tea is comparable, if not better. Chai House provides Rooibos Tea, Tisanes or Spicy Beef Ribs with Scented Rice; Cantonese Roast Duck; Longevity Noodles; Almond Fortune Cookies. “Herbal Infusions,” black tea, green tea, Yerba Mate and many others, as well as their own special house Something’s going on at Crush on Park Street in Riverside. The rumor is that one of the owners from blends. For a complete list of their teas and their menu, visit chaihouseteaco.com. Chew is planning on re-opening the French Bistro. Remember, if you’ve got any dish on Jacksonville food and drink, do send us an email at [email protected]. 1034 Hendricks Avenue (904) 399-4848

14 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper the fi nal performance in the cummer 2007-2008 concert series Sunday, February 3 at 3 pm The Enso String Quartet is one of the hottest young chamber ensembles on the scene today. Joel Fan is a brilliant pianist who offers a highly varied assortment of programs. Museum members are admitted free and admission for non-members is $10. Reservations required. Info: (904) 899-6010. Location: The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens 829 Riverside Ave.

love, romance and the big band Friday, February 8, and Saturday, February 9 at 8 pm. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Lynn Roberts present Love, Romance and the Big Band. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

dallas brass Saturday, February 9 at 8 pm. Since its founding in 1983 by Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. Info: (904) 389-6222 Location: Church of the Good Shepherd 1100 Stockton Street in Riverside.

stanislaw drzewiecki Sunday, February 10 at 2 pm. The Emma Concert Association of St. Augus- tine presents the remarkable Polish pianist Stanislaw Drzewiecki in the Flagler College Auditorium. Info: (904) 797-2800. Location: Granada St in downtown St. Augustine, across from the Lightner Museum.

heart songs Monday, February 14 at 7:30 pm First Coast Wind Ensemble Valentine’s Day Concert fea- tures music from the heart beautifully played by a symphony of winds with a full, vibrant and uniquely Ameri- can sound. Adults: $10, seniors, students, and military: $5, JU Students: Free. Info: (904) 256-7345 Location: Terry Concert Hall on Jacksonville University’s campus in Arlington (2800 University Blvd N).

jso’s grand opera - la traviata Saturday, February 16 at 8 pm Jacksonville Symphony Or- chestra presents this passionate story of two doomed lovers caught in the sticky web of 1840s Parisian so- ciety. Call the JSO Box Offi ce at (904) 354-5547 for tickets. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts

beethoven’s cello sonatas Monday, February 25 at 7:30 pm Cellist Alexei Romanenko and Pianist Scott Watkins appear together for the fi rst time performing of all fi ve of Beethoven’s Sonatas. Adults: performing $10, seniors, students, and military: $5, JU Students: Free. Info: (904) 256-7345 Location: Terry Concert Hall on Jacksonville University’s campus in Arlington (2800 University Blvd N).

american in paris Thursday, February 28 at 7:30 pm as well as Friday and Saturday, February 29 and March 1, at 8 pm. Featuring Roberto Diaz on viola, this is Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s celebration of music about Paris. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union arts guide Center for the Performing Arts. affabre concinui Friday, February 29 at 8 pm. Affabre Concinui (Latin for ideally harmonized, the ensemble’s artistic credo) was formed in 1983 by alumni of two famous men’s choirs in the city of Poznan, 2008 edition Poland. Info: (904) 389-6222 Location: Church of the Good Shepherd 1100 Stockton Street in Riverside. bach & son Friday, March 7 at 11 am. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presents JS Bach. For nearly 200 years, the Bach family set the trend for music, and the legacy of the greatest of them all, Johann Fabio conducting the Jacksonvlle Sebastian Bach, is nothing short of infi nite. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall Symphony Orchestra at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

rachel and the red violin Thursday, March 20 at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22, at 8 pm. Rachel returns to perform with Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and dazzling Gypsy dances that will make your head spin and Rachmaninoff touches our sentimental side with warmth and joy. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

new york woodwind quintet Sunday, March 30 at 2 pm. The Emma Concert Association of St. Augustine presents music from the New York Woodwind Quintet in the Flagler College Auditorium. Info: (904) 797-2800. Location: Granada St in downtown St. Augustine, across from the Lightner Museum.

ritz chamber players Thursday, April 3 at 7:30 pm. Vigor and enthusiasm! These are the words that sum up a concert that includes the “folk-infl ected” Clarinet Quintet of Afro-British Composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, who was unquestionably a hero to American audiences. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts.

orchestra concert April 8 at 7:30 pm Renowned artist Marguerite Richardson leads the Jacksonville University orchestra in a presentation of orchestral and chamber works. Adults: $10, seniors, students, and military: $5, JU Students: Free. Info: (904) 256-7345 Location: Terry Concert Hall on Jacksonville University’s campus in Arlington (2800 University Blvd N).

viva opera, viva verdi! Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12 at 8 classical by jon bosworth pm. Verdi put the “grand” in grand opera and contributed numerous richly expressive hits in the opera world. Celebrate with Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performing Verdi’s beloved music. Info: (904) 354-5547. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, so hopefully you spent the time that the Symphony Play- Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. ers were on strike to pine for them, rather than simply fi lling that void with electronic music or spending symphony nights at Maverick’s at the Landing instead. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra isn’t the only ju chamber ensembles concert April 13 at 2:30 pm Enjoy the music of JU’s student cham- world-class classical music that comes to town, but without them there was a big chunk missing. From the ber groups with a showcase of our best talent! Adults: $10, seniors, students, and military: $5, JU Students: Free. Info: (904) 256-7345 Location: Terry Concert Hall on Jacksonville University’s campus in Arlington Riverside Fine Arts Series to the Ritz Chamber Players, though, there are always talented musicians picking (2800 University Blvd N). up the classics and presenting them in their true organic nature. The following are all of the classical, choral and orchestral events that we could fi nd scheduled for 2008 so far. beethoven’s sixth Friday, April 18 at 11 am and 8 pm. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performs the music of the man who took hold of the Classical trend as we know it and infused it with emotion and riverside fi ne arts pipe organ concert series Sunday, February 3 at 3 pm. Ken power. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Cowan is one of the most sought-after organists in North America. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Performing Arts. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. 

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 15  mancini magic Friday, Saturday, April 25, 26 at 8 pm. Henry Mancini’s popular and much-beloved style mixed romance and humor to create some of the most well-known scores in fi lm and television. Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. don thompson chorale Sunday, April 27 at 2 pm. The Emma Concert Association of St. Augus- tine presents a free vocal concert in the Flagler College Auditorium. Info: (904) 797-2800. Location: Granada St in downtown St. Augustine, across from the Lightner Museum. tchaikovsky’s fateful fi fth Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3 at 8 pm. Allow Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra to help you experience Tchaikovsky’s journey to confront fate - from innocence, uncertainty, and yearning to a triumphant majestic confi dence. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. music of star wars and more john williams hits Saturday, May 17 at 8:00 pm. John Williams has been called the greatest composer of symphonic fi lm music. Join your Jacksonville Sym- phony and the Troops of Vader’s Army and relish in the music from Star Wars and more. Info: (904) 354- 5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. the ritz chamber players Saturday, June 14 at 7:30 pm. The greatest of American harpists, Anne Hobson-Pilot joins the players for their season close. Make plans to join the preeminent artists of The Ritz Chamber Players performing wide-ranging selections with astounding artistic combinations. Info: (904) 354-5547. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. Swan Lake

alvin ailey american dance theater Exclusive Florida Engagement! Saturday, February 9 at 7:30 pm. Presented by the FCCJ Artist Series. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been her- alded as the blockbuster hit of American dance. It’s contemporary, innovative style that focuses on physical strength paired with folkloric spirit and delicate, intricate movement. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj. org. Location: The Florida Theatre (128 E Forsyth St, Downtown).

the hermitage ballet gala concert featuring Stars from the St. Petersburg Ballet, Sunday, February 10 at 7 pm. When you think of Ballet at its core, this is likely what you imagine. Grace that is dis- ciplined, movement that is studied, and ballet of world class stature. The Hermitage Ballet, geared for every American appreciator of artistic movement, is a must-see for student dancers, parents, ballet instructors, and anyone who enjoys an exquisite interpretation of ballet. Info: (904) 355-2787. Location: The Florida Theatre (128 E Forsyth St, Downtown).

fl amenco vivo Tuesday, February 19 at 7:30 pm. Long lives the Flamenco! Founded in New York City in 1983, Flamenco Vico Carlata Santana puts a different twist on the Flamenco, adapting it to modern times, bridging cultures and making the dance once again a relevant dance in current culture. Info: (904) 355-2787. Location: The Florida Theatre (128 E Forsyth St, Downtown).

pilobolus Tuesday, February 26 at 7:30 pm. Presented by the FCCJ Artist Series. Based on a combina- tion of physical strength and beauty, its artistry and signature moves involve entangled bodies that resemble a sort of living sculpture — one that moves constantly, defying gravity and entertaining audiences with both humor and the magnifi cence of human form. Don’t miss America’s most innovative Dance Company. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Moran Theater in the Times Union Center for the Perform- ing Arts (300 Water St. W. in Downtown).

spring dance concert Saturday and Sunday, March 1 and 2 at 7:30 pm and Monday, March 3rd at 3 pm. Jacksonville University Dance Department’s commitment to variety in programming continues with guest and faculty dance works. Ranging from the traditional ballet Les Slyphides, to progressive contempo- rary dance, to the always popular and entertaining show dance. Info: (904) 256-7345. Location: Jacksonville University’s Swisher Theater (2800 University Blvd N). Jennifer Muller/ The Works lord of the dance Saturday, March 8 at 8 pm. Presented by the FCCJ Artist Series. Described by dance by hilary johnson the New York Post as “fascinating, rewarding, and above all, entertaining,” and by the Los Angeles Times as “a showpiece extravaganza,” Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance is a mesmerizing blend of traditional and Going to a dance performance is not just like going to any other show on a stage. It speaks to the audience in modern Celtic music and dance. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Moran Theater in the a totally unique way, connecting through movement and music in a wordless, visual artistic expression. There Times Union Center for the Performing Arts (300 Water St. W. in Downtown). is not one thing that cannot be expressed through the art of dance. From the excitement of high-fl ying acro- aspen santa fe ballet Friday, April 4 at 7:30 pm. Ballet nouvuea. Ballet abstract. Ballet contempo- batics to the gentle expressions of classical ballet to the creativity and innovations of modern dance, these rary. This edgy, futuristic ballet company takes ballet beyond the limits of what one might expect. A moving, performances express not only our spirit, but our physical connectedness to the world we experience. Our shifting piece of art, it turns dance into a conceptual image as opposed to just postures that fl ow beautifully. bodies are our vehicles in life. Dance uses those bodies as a vehicle to express the lives we live. Info: (904) 620-2878 or unf.edu/fi neartscenter or aspensantafeballet.com. Location: 1 UNF Drive on their campus by the parking garage. aeros Saturday, February 2 at 7:30 pm. It’s an acrobatic circus! Twenty Russian gymnasts come together to fuse athleticism and strength with modern dance. Aeros takes your breath away with their creative and simply ballroom! (hosted by Debbie Reynolds) Saturday, April 5 at 8 pm and Sunday April 6 at 2 powerful movements. Not your typical dance routine, expect to be dazzled and entertained in this seductive pm. Presented by the FCCJ Artist Series. If you love Dancing With the Stars then Simply Ballroom is just for performance! Info: (904) 620-2878 or unf.edu/fi neartscenter or aeros.org. Location: 1 UNF Drive on their you. From the Waltz to the Tango, don’t let this Cha-Cha pass you by! Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries. campus by the parking garage. fccj.org. Location: Moran Theater in the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts (300 Water St. W. in Downtown). jennifer muller/the works Friday, Febuary 8 at 7:30 pm. Jennifer Muller/The Works is a weird, inventive and artistic approach to modern dance, with emphasis on the weird. This is not what you would swan lake (Russian National Ballet Theater and Orchestra) Friday, April 11 at 8 pm Presented by the expect from your run of the mill modern dance choreography, taking the audience and the movement into new FCCJ Artist Series. Swan Lake is known world-wide as one of the most classical ballets of all time. This territory. The shocking arrangements connect with the audience’s emotions through abstract displays, while beautiful ballet is set to the music of Tchaikovsky, performed by a full, live Symphony Orchestra. Info: (904) sweeping romanticism into the staggered motions, and grace into the creativity. Info: (904) 620-2878 or unf. 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Moran Theater in the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts edu/fi neartscenter. Location: 1 UNF Drive on their campus by the parking garage. (300 Water St. W. in Downtown).

16 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper other events on stage by erin thursby Sometimes you crave something a little different, something that doesn’t really fi t into some boxed off cat- egory. Maybe you want a circus, a psychic or a trio of guys painted blue. charleston ballet theatre Saturday, February 2 at 8 pm. The Emma Concert Association of St. Augustine presents Charleston Ballet Theatre, an all-American evening in the Flagler College Auditorium. Call (904) 797-2800 for more information. Location: Granada St in downtown St. Augustine, across from the Lightner Museum.

Ishangi Family michael feldman’s Dancers whad’ya know February 2 at 11 am Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know is an American comedy, inter- view, and quiz radio show created by host Michael Feldman. Feldman is accompanied on-stage by announcer Jim Packard and the Whad’Ya Know? Trio: John Thulin on piano, Jeff Ha- mann on bass, and Clyde Stubblefi eld on drums. Ticket Price: $38.50, $28.50 Info: (904) 355-2787. Loca- tion: The Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth Street Downtown Jackson- ville. ishangi family dancers Saturday, February 2 at 7 pm. The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum pres- ent Ishangi Family Dancers Don’t beyond world music . miss the powerful yet exquisite wom- en of the Ishangi Family West African dancers who will entrall and entertain UNF and Cummer Family Foundation Chamber you. A must see! Tickets are $15. Info: (904) 632-5555 Location: Ritz Series by erin thursby Theatre & LaVilla Museum, 829 N. Davis Street Downtown Jacksonville When organizations partner in the name audience to another culture, another place and of art, it’s Jacksonville that wins. Last year, time. loudsoundlive Thursday, the Cummer Family Foundation (not part of the Each performance in the series will aim to February 7 at 7 pm. The UNF art gallery presents LoudSoundLive. The fi rst event of a new monthly series of museum) quietly teamed up with UNF to give present a different type of musical experience sound art performances that feature electronics, language and sound from DaDa to now! Info: (904) 620- us their chamber series. The program will be a within the classical genre. While they aim to 2534, Location: University Gallery, Founders Hall building 2 at the University of North Florida. regular part of UNF’s music calendar in the future. capture some of the vibrancy and eclectic style of “UNF was fortunate enough to create some world music, they want the series to go beyond happily red 1008: showstoppers February 9 at 8 pm Theatre Jacksonville presents kind of partnership with Cheryl Cummer from the the boundaries of world music. Happily Red 1008: Showstoppers It’s the annual Cabaret Benefi t concert for Theatre Jacksonville. Starring Cummer Family. She helped us start this special “[It] will be based on world music, but my Executive director Sarah Boone with special guest Linda Purl (a Broadway, TV and movie star). Info: (904) series,” says Guy Yehuda, Artistic Director of the idea was not to just create world music per se, 396-4425 or theatrejax.com. Info: (904) 396-4425 or theatrejax.com. Tickets: $15-25. Location: 2032 San Chamber Series. because you can fi nd a lot of festivals where Marco Boulevard, San Marco. The fi rst artist of this second season was you can fi nd world music. What happens is they clarinetist Eric Mandat. He’s a master of his seclude themselves from Western music. What liza minnelli Sunday, March 16. The FCCJ Artist Series presents Liza Minnelli. An icon of stage and instrument, using wild multiphonic techniques. I would like to do is to show the full gamut of screen, the legendary superstar has won an Oscar, three Tonys, two Golden Globes, a Grammy and an Emmy. He’s also a composer. His music is so forward music.” She is a tour de force, but best known, however, for her live concerts, and her Jacksonville concert will be thinking and technical that music afi cionados are World music, Yehuda says, should include all her fi rst in Northeast Florida in over 15 years. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj. Location: Times- amazed, and audience members stay entertained great instrumental music. That means Mozart and Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville. because of his musical feats. Brahms just as much as a Peruvian pan fl ute artist  In the last performance of the series, on or Middle Eastern music. Liza Minnelli January 22nd, they featured the Moroccan band The recital hall they’re using is far more Layali El Andalus, headed by master musician intimate than most of the cavernous theatres that Rachid Halihal, performing music in the spirit of separate the artists from their audience. In this Muslim and Judeo ancient traditions of Andalusia, venue, the music is right there, living close to the as well as contemporary and classical music from audience. Arabic, Moroccan, and Jewish cultures. Yehuda “We want to bring this music so that the calls it a musical “collage of the golden age of students here, as well as the larger audience, Andalusia.” really have this close contact with music out there. The musicians hail from Morocco, Israel The idea is to really foster this eclectic culture, and the United States. Classically trained to get people to really open their ears to different musician and Moroccan native, Halihal, sang things that they never really knew existed.” and played the Oud- a fretless, pear-shaped It’s a young series, so they will start with just stringed Arabic instrument generally thought to a couple of artists per season. Once they’ve built be the predecessor to the guitar. Other unique a little more awareness in the community, they’ll instruments in the mix include the Ney, a West start to feature more artists. Asian wind instrument, the dumbek, an ancient All of the performances will be at the Recital form of hand drum, and the Rig, a stringed Hall of the UNF campus. Check the event calendar instrument. Also performing was Daphna Mor in our newspaper as well as the website unf.edu/ on the nay/recorder; Bruno Bruzzese, violin; Uri coas/music for the next performance. For more Sharlin, accordion; Brahim Fribgane, dumbek; and information about The Cummer Family Foundation David Buchbut on the rig. Chamber Series, contact Guy Yehuda, artistic The vocals and the instruments took the director, at (904) 620-3836 or [email protected].

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 17  karamu african caberet Friday, February 22 at 8 pm. The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum pres- ent Karamu African Caberet. For grown folks! Come party to African style music, entertainment and food. Tickets are $10. Info: (904) 632-5555 Location: Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum, 829 N. Davis Street Down- town Jacksonville i musici de montreal Saturday, February 23 at 8 pm. The Emma Concert Association of St. Au- gustine presents I Musici de Montreal, music and projected art in the Flagler College Auditorium. Info: (904) 797-2800. Location: Granada St in downtown St. Augustine, across from the Lightner Museum.

100 years of broadway Saturday, March 1 at 8 pm The FCCJ Artist Series presents 100 Years of Broadway is recreating the biggest moments from the biggest shows for the last hundred years. The best part—the singers are some of the actual stars from musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, CATS, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Jekyll & Hyde. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Wilson Center for the Arts 11901 Beach Blvd. celtic woman Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30 pm The FCCJ Artist Series presents Celtic Woman Cel- ebrate being Irish or wishing you were Irish by attending this soprano fi ddle mix of Celtic music. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Wilson Center for the Arts 11901 Beach Blvd. blue man group Friday, March 7 at 8:00 pm The FCCJ Artist Series presents Blue Man Group – How to Be a Megastar 2.1. After obtaining a tongue-and-cheek “How to be a Megastar” video manual, the blue men of the Blue Man Group take the audience through a step-by-step, song-by-song, head bobbing, fi st pumping rock concert journey. Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Jacksonville Veterans Fred Garbo Infl atable Theatre Co. Memorial Arena

Saturday, April 5 at 8 pm. The East Village Opera Com- the east village opera company pany (EVOC) is a powerhouse band, string quartet, and two phenomenal vocalists that bring the towering family shows by kellie abrahamson emotion and timeless musicality of opera into the 21st century. Info: (904) 389-6222 Info: (904) 355-2787. Last year, after my daughter had her very fi rst fi eld trip, I decided to have a Mommy/Son day with my Location: The Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth Street Downtown Jacksonville youngest, who still had a couple of years to wait before his fi rst school sponsored excursion. On a dreary Thursday morning in January my son and I went to a Theatreworks production of Rip Van Winkle. I’ll never Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 pm. Thrasher-Horne Center presents a tribute to louis armstrong forget the look on his face when the curtain went up and the fairytale, one I’d read to him once or twice be- A Tribute to Louis Armstrong. Hand picked by Wynton Marsalis as one of the original members of the Lincoln fore hand, came to life on that stage. I’d never seen my two-year-old so still before. He sat there in an awed Center Jazz Orchestra, Marcus Belgrave is joined by his eight-piece band in this show that is big in sound, silence throughout the entire show, eyes glued to the spectacle that was taking place feet from where we sat. big in respect and big with audiences across the country. Belgrave is an astonishing trumpet virtuoso with It’s been a year now, almost to the day, and he still brings up Rip Van Winkle every now and then. a natural gravelly voice, an engaging warm stage persona and down home sense of humor. Info: (904) 276- My kids have seen plenty of movies and watch probably way too much TV but the live theatre they’ve 6815 or thcenter.org. Location: 283 College Dr. experienced has stayed with them long after episodes of SpongeBob have exited their memories. Because so many of these shows have a terrifi c message and teach valuable life lessons, I’m thrilled that my kids are retaining them. As a theatre lover, their enthusiasm for the stage gives me a lot of hope for the future of the art form. This year brings many shows for families to area stages. From literary classics like Little Women at the Thrasher-Horne to contemporary kid’s favorites like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Stories from Theatreworks, from real life animal encounters with Jungle Jack Hanna courtesy of FCCJ Artist Series to a Zoorchestra of musical animals by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, there’s something coming up for everyone. Educate and inspire your children by taking your family to see one of these fi ne shows this year.

hansel and gretel Now through April at 10 am Hansel and Gretel The classic fairytale comes to life at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre. Watch as the daring sibling duo outwits a wicked witch and saves the day. This show is designed for younger children. Info: (904) 641-1212 or alhambradinnertheatre.com/ new_school.htm. Location: Alhambra Dinner Theatre. See our listing of musicals for other family-friendly performances at Alhambra!

jungle jack hanna February 16, at 7:30 pm Jungle Jack Hanna Through his nationally syndicated television show Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, and hundreds of talk show appearances. Jungle Jack’s stage show features many of his favorite animal friends, as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures around the world. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org Tickets: $25.50- $42.50. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts

fred garbo infl atable theater co. February 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm Fred Garbo Infl atable Theater Co. Kids will fl ip for the Fred Garbo Infl atable Theater Co. Massive blow-up shapes walk, wiggle and shake right before their eyes as hosts Fred Garbo and Daielma Santos take them through this puffy world of color and imagination. Info: (904) 355-2787 Tickets: $12.50-$20. Location: The Florida Theatre

mammoth follies Tuesday, February 26, at 10 am and 12 pm Mammoth Follies Enormous puppets populate the stage, including your host Willie Mammoth, Smiley the Saber-Toothed Tiger, Bessie the 22-foot long Apatosaurus, Tony and Trixie Triceratops, Terry the Pterodactyl, and the 11-foot tall T. Rex in a musi- cal trip through pre-history. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $7. Location: The Florida Theatre

buffalo soldier March 3, at 10 am and 12 pm Buffalo Soldier In 1996, Buffalo Soldier was one of twelve plays selected as the Best American Plays for Young American History Month. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $7. Location: The Florida Theatre

lift ev’ry voice and sing March 8, at 8 pm “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and the African Children’s Choir will come together for a unique concert experience. The visiting choir is composed of 21 children from Uganda. Through their music, these talented kids show the world that Africa’s most needy and vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability. Info: jaxchil- drenschorus.com Location: Times Union Center for the Performing Arts

18 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper jacksonville symphony youth orchestra spring concert March 9, at 5 pm Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert, one of the most comprehensive music training pro- grams in the Southeast, will show off their skills at this year’s Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Spring Concert. Info: (904) 354-5547 or jaxsymphony.org. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts zoorchestra- carnival of the animals! Sunday, March 16, at 3 pm Zoorchestra- Carni- val of the Animals! Through humorous narration and the clever use of orchestra instruments, kids of all ages will be transported to the zoo without ever leaving their seats. Arrive early (2 pm) to enjoy pre-concert “warm up” activities that allow children to learn more about instruments through fun projects and exercises. Info: (904) 354-5547 or jaxsymphony.org Tickets: $7. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts cinderella and the chinese slipper March 29, at 3 pm Bits N’ Pieces Puppet Theatre presents Cinderella and the Chinese Slipper The incredibly talented performers and puppeteers at Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre are bringing their larger than life version of Cinderella back to the First Coast this year. Info: (904) 276-6815 or thcenter.org. Location: 283 College Dr. jigu! thunder drums of china March 30, at 7:30 pm Jigu! Thunder Drums of China This show is so much more than a bunch of people banging on drums. Jigu! Thunder Drums of China is a fasci- nating, high-energy show where 28 drummers, percussionists and musicians from China’s Shanxi province perform traditional and modern pieces with jaw-dropping skill. Info: (904) 355-2787. Location: The Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth Street Downtown Jacksonville

Jigu! Thunder Drums of China

the tempest April 1 at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm The Tempest William Shakespeare’s fi nal play The Tempest will come to life when New York’s The Acting Company takes to UNF’s stage in April. High school students will enjoy this classic tale of romance, betrayal and revenge set on a mysterious island. Info: (904) 620-1898 Tickets: $5 (school matinee only)-$28. Location: Lazzara Performance Hall, UNF Fine Arts Center tom sawyer April 9 at 10 am and 12 pm Tom Sawyer Based on the classic story by Mark Twain, young Tom Sawyer and his buddy Huckleberry Finn go on countless adventures from simply whitewashing a fence to hunting for gold to attending their own funerals. The mischievous twosome has a lot of fun but also learn important lessons along the way. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $7. Location: Lazzara Performance Hall, UNF Fine Arts Center arthur live! April 13 at 4 pm Arthur LIVE! Marc Brown’s award-winning book series and television show takes to the stage this spring. Arthur, DW, Buster, Brain and Francine will all be there to teach kids the importance of teamwork and being a kid through funny stories and toe-tapping tunes. Info: (904) 471-1965 or staugamphitheatre.com Tickets: $10-$25. Location: St. Augustine Amphitheatre a year with frog and toad April 20 at 3 pm and Apr 21, 2008 at 9:30 am and 11:30 am A Year with Frog and Toad Arnold Lobel’s award-winning children’s book leaps off the page and onto the stage in this Tony Award-nominated musical. Info: (904) 620-1895 Tickets: $5 (school matinee only)-$18. Location: Laz- zara Performance Hall, UNF Fine Arts Center jacksonville children’s chorus April 20 at 2:30 pm The First Coast Wind Ensemble teams up with the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus to present a concert for the whole family. Bring the kids! Adults: $10, seniors, students, and military: $5, JU Students: Free. Info: (904) 256-7345 Location: Terry Concert Hall on Jacksonville University’s campus in Arlington (2800 University Blvd N). 

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 19 russian american kids circus April 24 at 7:30 pm Russian American Kids Circus Kids as young as six perform daring feats at the Russian American Kids Circus. This professional circus has been wowing audiences for 12 years with their acrobatics, tightrope walking, unicycling, juggling and balancing acts, all by children ages 6 to 16. Info: (904) 355-2787 Tickets: $12.50-$20. Location: The Florida Theatre

fi sh face April 24 at 10 am and 12 pm Fish Face Fish Face, a book in two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff’s series Kids of the Polk Street School, comes to life in this musical tale of new kids, missing unicorns and one girl’s quest for perfection. Through charming characters and a sweet story, kids will learn about honesty, true friendship and growing up. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tick- ets: $7. Location: The Florida Theatre, 128 East Forsyth Street Downtown Jacksonville

if you give a mouse a cookie & other stories May 8 at 10 am and 12 pm If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Stories In If You Give a Mouse a Cookie & Other Stories you get seven delight- ful plays in one. Kids will see some of their favorite books go from the page to the stage with the help of six talented actors. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $6. Location: The Florida Theatre

battledrum May 8 at 9:30 am and 11:30 Battledrum Based on a wealth of compelling stories of real- life children who fought the Civil War, Battledrum explores a complex period in American history through the eyes of young people who found themselves on the front lines of combat in the middle of smoke-fi lled battle- fi elds. Info: (904) 353-3500 or theatreworksjax.com Tickets: $6. Location: Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, St Augustine

csx major/minor concert May 9 at 8 pm CSX Major/Minor Concert The Jacksonville Sympho- ny Youth Orchestra Philharmonic, Repertory and Premiere Strings orchestras and the Jacksonville Symphony come together for this annual showcase performance that’s always a fan favorite. Info: (904) 354-5547 or jaxsymphony.org Tickets: $8.50. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts

Spamalot

musicals by erin thursby A plant with a fondness for human blood, an attack bunny, and hot fl ashes are just some of the things you’ll fi nd in this year’s line up of musicals. I’m personally looking forward to Little Shop of Horror and Spa- malot, both of which are sure to deliver on humor. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice have their share of musicals this season, with Jesus Christ Super- star at the Alhambra, as well as CATS! and Evita in the FCCJ Artists Series. Secret Garden at Theatre Jack- sonville, Little Women at the Thrasher-Horne and The Sound of Music at the Alhambra are all musicals you can enjoy with the whole family. Even if you claim you don’t like musicals, there’s bound to be something this season that will keep you laughing or riveted to your seat in wonder. Here’s a look at the currently playing and upcoming shows so you can mark your calendars and order your tickets.

menopause, the musical February 6-March 2. The FCCJ Artist Series presents Menopause, The Musical Who knew hot fl ashes were prime material for a musical? The musical parody is set to classic baby boomer songs from ‘Puff, My God I’m Draggin’ to the disco favorite ‘Stayin’ Awake, Stayin’ Awake.’ Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville.

company February 13 - April 6. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents Company. Robert, a confi rmed bachelor, contemplates his single state and the women of his past on his 35th birthday, through hilarious vignettes and song. Tickets: $39-46, includes dinner and show. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinnertheatre.com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd.

20 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper little women the broadway musical February 16 at 7:30 pm. The Thrasher-Horne Center presents Little Women The Broadway Musical It was a book, it became a play, and now it’s a musical. The story of four sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March, is a well-worn classic on many shelves. Info: (904) 276- 6815 or thcenter.org. Location: 283 College Dr. spamalot February 19-24. FCCJ Artist Series presents Monty Python’s Spamalot For the uninformed, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their largely absurd quest for the Holy Grail. The quest for the Holy Grail includes a killer bunny. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Down- town Jacksonville. movin’ out February 29t – March 1. FCCJ Artist Series presents Movin’ Out, a jukebox musical featur- ing the songs of Billy Joel. Unlike the traditional musical, it essentially is a series of dances linked by a thin plot. The music is performed by a pianist and band, making the show, in essence, a rock ballet. Info: (904) 632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Down- town Jacksonville. evita March 15. at 8 pm FCCJ Artist Series presents Evita The unbeatable musical team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice tell the story of Eva Peron, the wife of Argentina’s president, from her poor beginnings, to the top of the political heap. Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Moran Theater inside the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville. the mikado April 4 at 7:30 pm. Thrasher-Horne Center presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado One of the Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic pieces, The Mikado delivers a satiric look at love triangles and political hy- pocrisy in the fairy-tale setting of ancient Japan. This production is certain to enchant your eyes and ears - all while tickling your funny bone. Info: (904) 276-6815 or thcenter.org. Location: 283 College Dr. oklahoma! April 4-12. Jacksonville University presents OKLAHOMA! JU has your vintage Rodgers and Hammerstein right here! It’s actually the fi rst play they wrote the score for. Adults $10,Seniors, Students, Military: $5, JU Students-Free. Info: (904) 256-7345 Location: Swisher Theater on Jacksonville University’s campus in Arlington (2800 University Blvd N). jesus christ superstar April 9 – June 1. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents Jesus Christ Super- star It’s the musical that made Jesus even cooler. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice penned this rock op- era, which originally hit the stage in 1970. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinnertheatre. com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd. your arms too short to box with god April 18 Your Arms Too Short to Box with God starring Cissy Houston at the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum. Loosely based on the Gospel of St. Matthew, this two-act musical is an energetic, spiritual and spell-binding production. Info: (904) 632-5555 or visit rit- zlavilla.org. Location: 829 N. Davis Street Downtown Jacksonville. the great american trail- May 13-18. The Great American er park musical Trailer Park Musical FCCJ Artist Series presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical With a healthy dose of ‘80s nostalgia, this musical hits subjects like kleptomania, spray cheese, roadkill, strippers, fl an and disco. If it sounds like wacky fun, that’s probably because it is. Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Wilson Center for the Arts, 11901 Beach Blvd. the music man May 29 – 31. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Alhambra Dinner Theatre present The Music Man. There’s more than just trouble right here in The River City! This production features a full cast of actors, singers, costumes and a roundup of 76 trombones for the big parade. Call the JSO Box Offi ce at (904) 354-5547 for tickets. Location: Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. the sound of music June 4 – July 27. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents The Sound of Music The hills are alive, with the sound of music. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinnertheatre. com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd. secret garden mystery June 6-21. Theatre Jacksonville presents Secret Garden Mystery, dis- covery and a great score are just some of the reasons why this musical has captured the hearts and imagina- tion of theatre goers. An 11 year old orphaned girl returns to England to live with a bitter, withdrawn uncle and his sickly son. She discovers a mystifying, magical locked garden on the estate grounds. Community theater. Info: (904) 396-4425 or theatrejax.com. Location: 2032 San Marco Boulevard, San Marco. brigadoon June 6-28. Orange Park Community Theatre presents Brigadoon A magical Scottish town appears once every hundred years before fading into the mist. Strangers from New York City on vacation in Scotland stumble across the idyllic town, where one of them just might fi nd true love. Info: (904) 276-2599. Location: 2900 Moody Avenue, Orange Park.  eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 21 Cats! stage plays by alun montgomery With the New Year now in full fl ourish, springtime (as we all know) is when a theatergoer’s fancy turns to thoughts of—well, what else? The region’s theater season continues the promise shown in the fall with a full lineup of varied fare guaranteed to challenge and instruct and delight audiences’ ganglia and grey matter. This winter and spring, theaters on the First Coast have something to offer for nearly every taste and sensibility: side-splitting comedies from the nimble wits of Neil Simon and Steve Martin; heartwarming family stories and nightmarish intimate dramas; timeless classics from Aristophanes to contemporary American giants Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Edward Albee; and a fresh sprinkling of new works by local playwrights. It’s especially exciting to note the greater-than-usual frequency of original works being mounted for the fi rst time. The Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater has always been a supporter of new works, and this year sees two of them making their debut on the ABET stage. And nationally-produced playwright Al Letson Jr.’s Julius X enjoys its main-stage coming-out at Players By The Sea this month. Morphing the stories of Julius Caesar and Malcolm X, the play echoes the timeless lessons on the perils of power. With the area’s two professional powerhouses—the Hippodrome and the Alhambra—opting for either more traditional crowd-pleasers or musicals, some of the season’s more ambitious and serendipitous jewels can be found in community playhouses this season. And like this year’s slate of Oscar nominees, the First Coast theater landscape boasts works laden with social, political, economic, and ethical issues that might easily have been lifted from today’s headlines—themes not always uplifting, but always compelling and often empowering. Some messages will fi nd their way to an audience with a light and comic touch, while others are more searing and aching on tone. But one thing is certain: audiences looking for some satisfying blues in the night June 13-28. Players by the Sea present Blues in the Night. Done vignette style, performances and productions are likely to get what they’re after. this is a near musical revue of blues greats from Bessie Smith to Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Alberta Hunter, Jimmy Cox and Ida Cox, sung by three women with the blues. See, some man has done them come blow your horn Now - February 2.. Orange Park Community Theatre presents Come wrong, and there ain’t nothing left to do but sing the blues. Info: (904) 249-0289 or playersbythesea.org. Blow Your Horn by Neil Simon. A bachelor is suddenly joined by his younger brother, his father, and various Location: 106 6th Street N, Jacksonville Beach. others as he tries to continue his independent, very single lifestyle. Doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain for general audiences, and one hour prior to curtain for Season Ticket and Pass holders. Directed by Susan Carcaba. Info: (904) 276-2599. Location: 2900 Moody Avenue, Orange Park. cats! June 27-29. FCCJ Artist Series presents CATS! Andrew Lloyd Webber strikes again! This musical involves people dressing up like cats and singing. Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org. Location: Mo- ran Theater inside the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts 300 Water St Downtown Jacksonville. the dead guy Now - February 3.. Hippodrome State Theatre presents The Dead Guy by Eric Coble. The Pitch: You get one million dollars to spend over the next seven days. A camera crew follows your every little shop of horror July 30 - August 31. Alhambra Dinner Theatre presents Little Shop of Horror move and broadcasts your adventures on national television. The Hook: At the end of the week…you die. The This quirky story of a meek skid-row fl orist who discovers an intelligent plant with a hunger for human blood, Best Part: The American public gets to vote on the method of your death! Equity Theater. Info: (352) 375- was the highest grossing off-Broadway musical. Info: (904) 641-1212, (800) 688-7469 or alhambradinner- HIPP or thehipp.org. Location: 25 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville. theatre.com. Location: 12000 Beach Blvd. julius x February 1 – 16. (Main Stage). Players by the Sea presents Julius X by Al Letson, Jr. By grafting the plot and some of the text of Julius Caesar together with the story of Malcolm X’s murder, playwright Letson offers a classic demonstration of Shakespeare’s infi nite adaptability. The play explores how allies can become assassins and how the struggle for power can turn toxic. Community theater. Info: (904) 249-0289. Location: 106 6th Street N, Jacksonville Beach.

a raisin in the sun February 8 – March 9. (Main Stage). Limelight Theatre presents A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. After moving to Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s, a poor black family struggles to deal with poverty, racism, and inner confl ict as they strive for a better life—and a substantial insurance payment could mean either fi nancial salvation or personal ruin. A moving portrait of dreams deferred, A Raisin in the Sun is the fi rst play by a black woman to be produced on Broadway in the 1950s. Community theater. Info: (904) 825-1164. Location: 11 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine.

raisin’ cane February 9 at 2 Jasmine Guy in pm and 8 pm. Celebrate black history Raisin’ Cane month at the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum with Raisin’ Cane, the theatrical portrait in prose, poetry and jazz. This one-woman show starring Jasmine Guy captures the power, beauty and brilliance of the Harlem renaissance. Info: (904) 632-5555 or visit ritzlavilla.org. Location: 829 N. Davis Street Downtown Jacksonville.

the grapes of wrath February 14-24. Jacksonville University presents The Grapes of Wrath by Frank Galati. This adaptation of John Steinbeck’s masterpiece recreates the story of the Joad family, driven from their Oklahoma farm and forced to set out, with countless other unwilling migrants, to the promised land of California. A portrait of one man’s fi erce reaction to injustice and power, and of one woman’s stoic strength, the play captures the horrors of the Great Depression and probes into the very nature of equality and justice in America. Info: (904) 256-7374 Location: Swisher Theater, Jacksonville University.

the ruby sunrise February 29 – March 15.. Theatre Jacksonville presents The Ruby Sunrise by Rinne Groff. Hailed by The Boston Globe as “a gem”, The Ruby Sunrise begins when a 1920s tomboy feverishly works to develop her latest invention – a little something called “television”. Twenty-fi ve years later,

22 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper Richard Thomas in her daughter will stop at nothing to bring her mother’s incredible story to life Twelve Angry Men during TV’s Golden Age. But will it get the truth it deserves? The Ruby Sunrise turns out to be more than a history lesson; it becomes a brilliant commentary of the affects of 1950s McCarthyism and the narrow-mindedness of television networks. Theatre Jacksonville Rating of R (Language not suitable for children) Community theater. Info: (904) 396-4425 or theatrejax.com. Tickets: $15-25. Location: 2032 San Marco Boulevard, San Marco.

suddenly last summer February 29-March 23.. Hippodrome State Theatre presents Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams. This provocative play concerns a man’s mysterious death, the secrets that could destroy his reputation, and the lengths to which his mother will go to protect his memory. Equity Theater. Info: (352) 375-HIPP or thehipp.org. Location: 25 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville.

life on the diagonal February 29 – March 1. (Studio Theater). Players by the Sea presents Life on the Diagonal by Barbara Colaciello Williams. This one-woman show celebrates life’s mysteries and imperfections with humor, sexuality and a little A.D.D. Community theater. Info: (904) 249-0289. Location: 106 6th Street N, Jacksonville Beach.

play on! March 7 – 29.. Orange Park Community Theatre presents Play On!, a comedy by Rick Abbot. Have you ever wondered what actually goes on back stage during the production of a play? This show will answer those questions and a whole lot more… Directed by John Pope. Info: (904) 276-2599. Location: 2900 Moody Avenue, Orange Park.

ladies at the alamo March 14 – 29. (Main Stage). Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater presents Ladies at the Alamo by Paul Zindel. This biting, explosive, and very funny play examines the behind-the-scenes intrigues and power struggles that beset a famous regional theatre and its long-time artistic director. Community Theater. Info: (904) 249-7177. Location: Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach.

night of the iguana March 28 – April 12. (Main Stage). Players by the Sea presents Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams. Within the broken- down environs of a cheap Mexican hotel, the human needs and confl icts of a group of people thrown together by circumstance become explicit. Community theater. Info: (904) 249-0289. Location: 106 6th Street N, Jacksonville Beach. biloxi blues April 11 – May 11. (Main Stage). Limelight Theatre presents Biloxi Blues by Neil Simon. The second chapter in the saga of Eugene Jerome, Neil Simon’s youthful alter ego, fi nds Eugene in Army boot camp toward the end of World War II, where he learns to accept the peculiarities of his diverse fellow recruits and the abuse of his unstable drill instructor, managing in the process to lose his virginity and fall in love. A 1985 Tony winner. Community theater. Info: (904) 825- 1164. Location: 11 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine. lysistrata April 17 – 19. Jacksonville University Presents Lysistrata by Aristophanes. The eponymous heroine rallies the women of Thebes and Sparta to withhold sex from their husbands until they end the Peloponnesian War. Aristophanes’ timeless—and defi nitive—comedic meditation on sexual politics. A student- directed production. Info: (904) 256-7374 Location: Studio Theater Phillips Fine Arts Building, Jacksonville University. the calling April 18 - 20. (Stage 2). Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater presents The Calling, an original work by local playwright Deborah Jordan. Meet the author at the Opening Night Reception on April 18. Info: (904) 249-7177. Community Theater. Info: (904) 249-7177. Location: Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach. absence of a cello April 18 – May 3.. Theatre Jacksonville presents Absence of a Cello by Ira Wallach. This refreshingly literate comedy chronicles the trials of a brilliant-but-broke scientist as he tries to enter the corporate world. Theatre Jacksonville Rating of PG. Community theater. Info: (904) 396-4425 or theatrejax.com. Tickets: $15-25. Location: 2032 San Marco Boulevard, San Marco. she’s wonderful April 26 - 27 (Stage 2). Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater presents She’s Wonderful, a drama by Ruth Coe Chambers. World premiere of the 2007 First Coast Writers Festival playwriting contest winner. Taking place over a period of a few hours, the play explores the backgrounds of three women - a daughter, her mother and a neighbor – and reveals how experience shapes our personalities. Community Theater. Info: (904) 249-7177. Location: Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach. the underpants May 2 – 17 (Main Stage). Players by the Sea presents The Underpants by Steve Martin. Exposing more than “underpants”, Steve Martin turns an obscure 1911 German play by Carl Sternheim into a relevant yet hilarious examination of momentary fame in modern America. Community theater. Info: (904) 249-0289. Location: 106 6th Street N, Jacksonville Beach. to gillian on her 37th birthday May 9 – 24 (Main Stage). Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater presents To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday by Michael Brady. A rich family comedy-drama about the tenuous ties that connect husbands and wives and parents and children. Community Theater. Info: (904) 249- 7177. Location: Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach. twelve angry men May 13 – 18.. The FCCJ Artist Series presents Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadway production of the searing courtroom drama, Twelve Angry Men. The Broadway production’s record-breaking run earned three Tony Award nominations and unanimous praise from the critics. Location: Wilson Center for the Arts 11901 Beach Blvd.

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 23 The band is extremely well rehearsed. They play smoothly and in unison. They groove with one an- other and the effect is a seemingly effortless gel of sound. But after the third song, I started to wonder, how many “sounds” were we going to hear? So far… just one. All his songs sounded exactly the same! And the sappy, woe-is-me romantic… the I-love-to-be-in-love attitude of the songs got slightly tired after a few runs around the track. He sang about living in a “heartbreak world,” and wedding dresses. Seriously? I mean, either this guy really is a hopeless romantic, in which case, good luck dude, I can’t imagine any girl not getting tired of that, or he is a cheat. A fake. A charming grin that thinks sing- ing about love is going to get girls to swoon and buy his less than fabulous album. At one point my friend turned to me and said, “I think they keep changing the lighting to distract matt nathanson us from the fact that they are just playing the same song over and over again.” The lights turned from blue to red to white to red again. How all-American. needs some mad hope At another point I heard him croon the request to “show him how pretty the world is” and then sub- sequently heard someone next to me laugh and say, BY HILARY JOHNSON [email protected] “Open your eyes.” It was just too much. The night started off all wrong. I got to the door Michaelson playing inside. She was opening the And then he started with the cover songs. As with a couple friends, excited for this native San show, and although I wasn’t familiar with her music he started into a song that sounded very reminiscent Franciscan, Matt Nathanson, to pop-ballad my boots I had friends who were. She received rave reviews, of ‘Jessie’s Girl,’ Nathanson laughed and said, “F**k off under the pretense of independent music. His but none would come from me as I struggled to think Rick Springfi eld! He can’t get to me!” The band then sixth studio album (fi rst on Vanguard Records) Some of some way of avoiding abandonment. played part of ‘Jessie’s Girl’ before blending it into Mad Hope, was released in August and peaked at 60 Eventually, one friend left and walked back to his own song. Perhaps it was some pass at trying in Billboards 200. Songs from the album have made his house, which luckily wasn’t too far off. The other to make light of the fact that he was blatantly ripping it to TV shows NCIS, Private Practice, One Tree Hill, friend was able to scrounge the $15 dollars for ad- off other people’s music, but it did strike me that the and Scrubs. I came in with high expectations, but mission, but we were then uncouthly asked if we had only time people were singing along was while they was forced to leave them at the door. been in line. Looking back at the twenty plus long played other people’s music. I told them I was on the list, one of the perks of line, that yes, we were at the front of and had been They proceeded to cover Lynyrd Skynyrd’s being a writer for an entertainment publication. So, I at the front of as we watched it form, trying to fi nd Sweet Home Alabama, Kim Wilde’s Kids in America, was in – no problem. As I turned to gesture towards a way to get inside, I demanded that we had in fact Duran Duran’s Hungry Like the Wolf, and Journey’s my two friends who were joining me, I asked if they been in line. Something the doorman very well knew. Don’t Stop Believing. And some songs were just could come in with me. Blatantly and almost rudely, His bad attitude was enough to make me turn around knock offs, but they never played the actual cover, I was told no. So then we asked if we could buy and leave had it not been for this article. like Rolling Stone’s Paint it Black. What? Seriously? tickets. Even more blatantly, and rather late in the Finally, as people started pouring out of the Did people pay $15 to hear some guy sing boring game I might add, we were informed that the show doors after Michaelson’s show came to a close, we love songs and covers? What? was sold out. I was faced with abandoning my two were admitted inside. It was crowded, but I wouldn’t Halfway through the show I left the crowd and compadres, leaving them outside of Jack Rabbits in go so far as to say it would have been unsafe to moved to the bar. I felt more comfortable from a the near sub-freezing temperature. Not exactly the admit my friends into the show. The crowd was distance. But the crowd seemed to love it. People way I wanted to start the evening. mixed with gender and age, a wholesome rock and cheered the entire way through. He was charming As we stood outside the venue’s demure red roll crowd. We grabbed some beers and made our and great at connecting with the audience. And like I doors, closed to everyone but me, I could hear Ingrid way to the stage as Nathanson’s band setup. said, the band was remarkably good. It was good, it A guy who looked just shy of a syringe was just wasn’t… good. setting up the gear, tuning guitars, checking mics Perhaps the night had just started off wrong. and whatnot. Was this the shiny pop throb I had Rudeness does not normally equate to a good time. seen on MySpace? He looked haggard and unkempt. But I was let down. It lacked ingenuity. It was catchy. As the rest of the band made their way to the stage I It was melodic. It was romantic. But it was obvious realized it was only the guitarist. Nathanson was just and they tried way too hard. However, I will say it as clean and clever looking as always, and a toothy, wasn’t entirely bad. He was really fun to look at and charming grin confi rmed my thoughts. the music didn’t make my ears bleed. It just didn’t Nathanson is impressive. I will give him that. make them sing either.

24 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper Ryan: What the hell Mikey, we’re trying to be profes- sionals here. Mikey: Dude, I’m drunk. Ryan: Oh. Sweet dick dude. Mikey: Thanks man! I really appreciate that.

EU: If you had to do it all over again, would you? Why? Mikey: Eh, uh, yeah. That’s a tough one. I guess half of us would and half of us wouldn’t. We can’t even believe it happened yet. In fact, did it happen? What are we talking about? Ryan: Holy f--k we were on TV. Mikey: Lol. Ryan: Lol. reality tv and street cred EU: You boys lost to a bunch of kids. Why do you think that is? Mikey: Their hair is silkier and shinier than ours. Ryan: They had sicker riffs. sweet dick comments with Tres Bien! Mikey: And Kid Nation had better ratings than our show anyways.

BY CHRISTINA WAGNER EU: Mikey and Cody were formally in hardcore WHAT: Tres Bien and the Hatch Ryan: The name of the tour pretty much describes it. bands before crossing over to Tres Bien! What WHERE: Jack Rabbits (San Marco Blvd.) prompted the jump? WHEN: Thursday, February 6th EU: Any special man-on-man moments? Mikey: Um, common sense. Crowe: We witnessed many, but experienced none. Ryan: Dude, I still play hardcore. Morto Ralphie in I didn’t know what to think the fi rst time I met Our record is clean. da HOUSE. Besides, everyone was in a high school the boys from Tres Bien!. They were young, wore Ryan: Stay away from Josh. Or stick with him. De- hardcore band. matching suits, and I heard they were going to be in pends on your mood, really. some new reality show. I felt the dirty inner music Mikey: Besides all the “Sweet Dick!” comments? EU: Besides the usual upcoming tour and hitting snob in me fi ghting to get out. My presumptions Well, it was defi nitely the least hetero tour we’ve the studio shenanigans, what’s in store for the were inaccurate. You should never judge a book by been on, despite our best efforts. near future? its cover, or a band by their reality show appearance. Mikey: More TOUR! And the fi rst EP to go triple-qua- Dice up some Brit pop, add 2 cups of Garage EU: You guys are currently unsigned. Is that by druple-platinum. Rock, a pinch of Soul and turn it up on high. If you’re choice or are you actively seeking support? Ryan: You’re insane. into the Hives, Rolling Stones, or Pink Spiders do Mikey: We aren’t opposed to being signed to a label Mikey: NO way dude, we have at least four hits yourself a favor and check out Tres Bien’s Myspace as long as we have the freedom to write the kind of on there. Three... You can purchase it at myspace. page (myspace.com/tresbien). You’ll fi nd that every music we want to write. com/tresbien song on their player is determined to attach itself to Ryan: Yeah. your skull. Mikey B’s vocals possess just the right EU: You boys made it pretty far on the Fox TV amount of vibrato and distortion. Cody Michael series, The Next Great American Band. A decision EU: If you were all stranded on a deserted island, Wilson plays the bass and contributes to the vocals, like that can be kind of risky as far as street cred who would you sacrifi ce for food and why? Michael James Crowe plays lead guitar and Ryan goes. What made you want to sign up? Mikey: Cody. He could feed us for weeks Parker Metcalf plays the drums and does some sing- Ryan: Street cred scremeeat cred. Of Montreal is Ryan: Come on, that’s not nice. ing too. on a freaking outback commercial. Band of Horses Mikey: He wants to die anyways. Nothing in this group feels overdone. There are hawks cars now. Ryan: Man, no wonder we’re not signed. no show dogs, just the perfect recipe for any occa- Mikey: Selling out is the new not selling out. In the sion. Every song sounds like a classic hit, timeless ever-declining music industry, you have to do want Catch Tres Bien at Jack Rabbits fresh off the yet progressive in its own way. There’s never been you can to get your music out there. Yeah, even by tour bus from New York, Boston and seven dates a band that has deserved the exclamation point like reality television. down the East Coast. Tres Bien! Ryan: Don’t hate. Mikey: To us, it was just a great marketing scheme. EU: How was the Sweet Dick Dude tour? Ryan: Don’t hate. Cody: It was great. We’ve never played with such great bands on a tour before. Great crowds at all the EU: Has the exposure helped recruit new listen- shows. ers? Mikey: Probably the most fun we’ve had on tour Ryan: If you ask me, yeah defi nitely. If you ask Cody, thus far. he’ll swear it did nothing for is. He’s goofy. Crowe: It was cool. Mikey: Either way we’re still not getting laid.

eujacksonville.com |january 31-february 6, 2008 25 live music & palatka bluegrass shows calendar THURSDAY, JANUARY 31 festival Richie Havens The Alcazar, St. Augustine Outlaw Son & the Renegades Brewsters, Jax (223- 9850) Jim Brady Creekside Dinery, St. Augustine (829- interview with Ralph Stanley 6113) Eric Taylor European Street, Jax (399-1740) Deron Baker Wildwood Grill, St. Augustine BY RICK GRANT [email protected] Ace Winn The Melting Pot, Jax WHAT: Palatka Bluegrass Festival Of course, the big buzz is Cloud 9 Twisted Martini, Ponte Vedra Beach (280- the legendary Ralph Stanley’s 8810) WHEN: February 7-9th WHERE: Rodeheaver Boy’s Ranch on SR-19 performance. T Bone Burnett Open Mic w/Joel Moody Tailgaters, Green Cove (the mastermind behind the mu- Springs (529-1976) “Hey, let’s go to Palatka for fun,” is a phrase sic of O Brother Where Art Thou) Open Mic w/Colleen Murphy Trade Winds Lounge, one rarely hears. However, on February 7-9, 2008, said “Stanley is one the two or St. Augustine (829-8646) “Let’s go to the Palatka’s Bluegrass Festival for fun” three most important fi gures in Destany Dicks Wings, Orange Park will be uttered by many fans of bluegrass and Ameri- roots and country music today. Chuck Nash My Place, Jax (737-5299) can roots music. This ambitious event will be held at He’s a punk singer of rock’n’roll Rob Hastings Caribee Key, Neptune Beach (270- the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, in Palatka, featuring a mountain music... he’s way 8940) host of bluegrass stars and legends, including Ralph closer to Elvis than the nation of Drowning Pool Bourbon Street, Jax (641-8777) Stanley, the 75-year old icon of the genre as the ‘Dueling Banjos.’” Therapy Cecils, Jax (744-5132) headline act. T Bone Burnett went on to say, “One of Ralph Stanley’s Mariachi Guadalajara Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) Bluegrass festivals are unique in that the at- tendees participate in impromptu jams around gifts is to be able to contain and The I.G. Camp TSI, Jax (635-3024) pickup trucks and camp fi res. Everyone is packing express grief. There’s just such Blistur Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) a guitar, banjo, fi ddle, or upright bass and some of deep grief in his tone. That’s Mr. Natural Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269- these jams are well worth checking out or, better yet, what we were looking for in all of 4198) joining-in. For this bluegrass bacchanal the booked these songs. The natural exten- Nathan Perer A1A Ale Works, St. Augustine (829- performers include Nothin’ Fancy, James King Band, sion of what O Brother was do- 2977) Blue Highway, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Isaacs, ing. Boogie Freaks Square One, Jax (306-9004) Carolina Sonshine, The Rascals, Marty Rayon & “I sing many old songs,” from the Library of Congress and he was the fi rst Steve Plays Too Loud London Bridge, Jax (359- Full Circle, Goldwing Express, Paul Williams & The Ralph observes, “I’d heard some of them when I was recipient of the Traditional American Music award for 0001) Victory Trio, The Gibson Brothers, The US Navy a boy. But some I’d never heard until T Bone sent the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 2002, Colton & Friends The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829- Band Country Current, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, them to me. He sent me 40 to 50 songs, I guess to Ralph won multiple Grammys for Best Country Male 2329) The Lewis Family, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and choose from for the O Brother project.” Vocalist Performance and Album of the Year for his Nuerotic Butterfl y Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215- Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys on Satur- Ralph and his older brother, Carter, formed the part in the O Brother soundtrack. 8999) day, Feb. 9th. seminal bluegrass ensemble the Stanley Brothers, “Well, it’s true these awards have been coming Mark Williams Band Ragtime Tavern, Atlantic Beach The good folks promoting this event tell me it who recorded with Columbia Records from 1949 pretty fast,” noted Ralph, “but I enjoy every one of (241-7877) will go on rain or shine but there will be a covered until 1952. When Carter died, the Stanley Brothers them... I enjoy making albums and performing live. Never Too Late Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune pavilion in case it rains. Please bring your own lawn and the Clinch Mountain Boys became the most I liked the songs on the O Brother project and I think Beach (241-8221) chairs and don’t forget your instruments. Music will celebrated bluegrass groups in the world, ultimately the music fi ts my voice. It’s a real good idea to do Stu Weaver Coffee Roasters, Jax (260-0810) be held on and off stage--continuously. There will be rivaling in popularity with such titans as Bill Monroe, this old-time stuff. I don’t think there’s anything else Tim Reynolds Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) concessions with hot food, beverages, and camper Flatt & Scruggs, Jim & Jesse and the Osborne Broth- like it.” ers. Now, Ralph performs with the Cinch Mountain Big Engine Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) hook-ups. T Bone added that “When Ralph does what he Boys. Matt Collins Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280- does, it is what it is. And the sound of it is beautiful. 5515) As a band leader Ralph nourished young and Ralph has been keeping this fl ame for fi fty-fi ve years, promising talents such as Ricky Skaggs, Keith an heroic task, and he has done so with humility and Whitley, Larry Sparks, and Charlie Sizemore, all of FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 a deep love that has only gotten deeper over time.” whom went on to successful solo careers and credit Yes, T Bone’s words ring true. The O Brother Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine Stanley as an infl uence and mentor. soundtrack reinvigorated Ralph Stanley’s career and (824-9317) In January 2000, Ralph became the fi rst artist he’s been busy ever since with his legendary back Crystal Bessels Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) to be inducted into the historic Grand Ole Opry in the up band bringing true American roots music to a Nate Holley Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) new Millennium. He holds the Living Legend Award new generation. The Legend The Ritz Theatre, Jax The Southern Wailers Surf Station, St. Augustine Ivory Intentions Fuel, Jax (425-3835) Ampleforth, JoEveritt 9th & Main, Jax 20wt Danny’s, Orange Park Outlaw Son & the Renegadez Shantytown, Jax Mike Gottuso Mandarin Cigar, Mandarin Out of Hand My Place, Jax (737-5299) Lorenzo & The Allstars West Inn Cantina, Jax (389- 1131) Bryce Gammer Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) Out of Hand Your Place, Jax Beach (221-9994) Steven St. Vayne Rivers Edge, Fernandina Beach (491-3849) Livid Jackie’s Seafood, Jax Beach

26 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper Freeze Frame Aromas, Ponte Vedra Beach (280- 2525) tallahassee pop Sister Hazel Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) A Nickel Bag of Funk Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) Chuck Nash Scarlett’s, St. Augustine (824-6535) cultures Captain Hook Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) Devil Runs the Truckstop, The Dollyrots Jack Rabbits, interview with One Small Step for Jax (398-7496) Crossfi re Hurricane Brewsters, Jax (223-9850) Landmines Big Engine Casey’s, Yulee Big Al & the Kaholics Monkey’s Uncle, Mandarin BY CHRISTINA WAGNER (260-1349) Chris Winter Band Shelby’s Coffee Shop, Neptune WHAT: One Small Step for Landmines and Yearling for that gig because one of my good pals from my band and as we talked about it more he realized how Beach (249-2922) WHERE: Brewster’s Pub (14003 Beach Blvd) days of living in Los Angeles got hired as her guitar hard we were trying and all the stuff we had in the Tinsley Ellis Mojo’s Kitchen, Jax Beach (247-6636) WHEN: Thursday, February 7th player. I was seriously sitting on my sofa in Tallahas- works. One day he just said, “I’m going to release Suffering Sanity Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) Tallahassee has always been a little foreign to see wondering how I was going to make rent when he your record.” And that was that. So far it has been Orlino UNF Jax Jam, Jax me. I’ve never really been a fan of college towns and called me and asked me if I wanted the job. I told him great getting to work with him and he does an incred- Lonewolf Runnin’ Lillians, Jax (388-4220) the music these sort of “scenes” produce is usually I had no idea what I was supposed to do and admitted ible job of looking out for us and guiding us as we a joke. I can only take that damn Jack Johnson song how unqualifi ed I was but he seemed pretty okay with move along. being covered so many times. Hopefully these guys explaining the job as we went along. It was great fun FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1-2 will rekindle that potential fi re I have deep in my chest and I got to see a ton of cool places from new per- EU: Name one good thing about your relationship Jody & the Driveshafts Trade Winds Lounge, St. for Tally. Hopefully. spectives, I’m used to touring in a van and playing in with your label, Civil Defense League. Name one Augustine (829-9336) Although the fi rst song I came across didn’t the not-so-pretty parts of town and sleeping on fl oors. bad. Pili Pili Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) exactly knock my socks off, the second tune, ‘Every- Tour buses and nice hotels were a new way to travel Kevin: The best thing about our label is that at any Ocean Waves Band The Oasis, St. Augustine (471- thing’s Going to be Alright,’ reeled me in like a nice to me. I enjoyed it very much. time on any day I can call the owner of the label on 3424) foot massage after eight hours of walking in heels. his cell phone and he will pick up. The bad thing about Skytrain New Neighborhood Tavern, Jax (721-5087) They’re not reinventing the wheel, but sometimes that EU: You recently had a little mishap with your veg- our label is that when I call the owner of the label he Yancy Clegg My Place, Jax (737-5299) can be a nice vacation. picks up the phone every single time, and sometimes gie-mobile. What happened? Rathkeltair Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) One Small Step for Landmines is the power pop Kevin: I was at the shop that installed our conversion I am in a state where I’m not making much sense and outfi t comprised of Kevin, Steve and August. Kevin kit to allow the vehicle to run on waste vegetable oil I fear I am making an ass of myself, then I have to call Dueling Pianos Dick’s Wings/Tinseltown, Jax was kind enough to answer a few of my deeply in- and I was soooooo excited. It looked so beautiful in back the next morning and explain how many I had Those Guys A1A Ale Works, St. Augustine (829- trospective questions about life, love and our shared our bus and my mind was blown by the fact that we to drink. 2977) endearment toward Perez Hilton. would never have to pay for fuel again. I was cruising Taylor Roberts Ocean 60, Jax Beach (247-0060) “We have a drummer who is nicknamed ‘the back to pick up our gear, which was being stored at EU: When it comes to amazingly terrible music, we Rick Arcusa Band Cliff’s, Jax (645-5162) face,’ for obvious reasons, so there’s always some- my parents’ house in Tampa, and someone pulled out all have a guilty pleasure. What’s yours? 3 Sun Dog Diner, Neptune Beach (241-8221) thing nice to look at.” in front of me. It wasn’t a terrible crash, but the bus Kevin: I turned off my “crap fi lter” some time ago so Cloud 9 Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269- One Small Step for Landmines will perform at was defi nitely undriveable and had to be towed off. I I no longer hide the stuff I like or really dislike all that 4198) the Pit in Brewster’s Pub where I’ll get to brush up was a very sad boy. much. We all really enjoy really smooth music and the 3 Way Street Ragtime Tavern, Atlantic Beach (241- on my cage dancing (if you’ve been there before you bus is constantly pumping the music of Michael Mc- 7877) know what I’m talking about). I’m anxious to see how EU: How did you fi rst hook up with Jim Ward? Donald, Kenny Loggins, Sade, lots and lots of Sade, Josh Bowlus The Grape, Jax (642-7111) their recorded material will translate on stage. and some good Christopher Cross. Anything smooth What’s it like working with him? Lift Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) PS – I hear Kevin can kick anyone’s ass in a Kevin: I fi rst met Jim Ward when he picked me up is good. beard-off, so they can’t be that bad. from the airport in Los Angeles. We drove around for Wes Cobb Square One, Jax (306-9004) a while and chatted, I was coming from Tallahassee To fi nd out more about Kevin’s late night calls The Sweet Low Down Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) EU: You went on tour with Jewel as a guitar tech, and I was supposed to begin working for his band to label owners, how he feels about having three how did you get hooked up with that gig? What was Sparta. Over the course of the next eight weeks we guitar players, or what The Onion said about their it like? became really close and I ended up staying with him band name, read the entire interview at eujackson- SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Kevin: I worked for Jewel for a summer, I got called and his wife for a bit in El Paso. He knew about our ville.com. Baker Act Benefi t-Christina Wagner, Picture Show, Fuel, Jax (425-3835) Stevie Stiletto, Rojo Diablo, Turning Point Rebecca Zapen Florida Theatre, Jax Music For the Birds-Bob & Joline Patterson Agricultural Center, St. Augustine Robby Schenck Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) Outlaw Son & the Renegadez Doozers Pub, Jax Bill Rice Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) Matt Collins Pauly’s, Jax (727-9101) Down Theory Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) De Lions of Jah Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241- 6453) Strings of Fire Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) Thousand Day Massacre Doozers Pub, Jax Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine (824-9317) Out of Hand Your Place, Jax Beach (221-9994) Brian Turner & Rip Tide Brix, Jax Beach Papercutt Mardi Gras, St. Augustine Abetting Royetta Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) Heavenly Noise Starlite, Jax The Nible Galan Project The Hinge, Jax Tracy Rice AJ’s, Jax (805-9060) Sons of August Landshark Café, Atlantic Beach

eujacksonville.com |january 31-february 6, 2008 27 Ghostwitch Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Lisa Kelly and worked tirelessly as director of the UNF Jazz Ensem- JB Scott Duval Boyz The Stadium Club, Jax (641-2301) ble I and as a teacher of trumpet and music theory. Effed, Sly Poonce Brewsters, Jax (223-9850) In 1997, JB Scott teamed up with Lisa Kelly City Boy Fuel, Jax (425-3835) through the jazz program at UNF and formed the Kelly-Scott Jazz 5-Tet as a mainstream jazz ensem- Stu Weaver Harry’s, Jax Beach (247-8855) ble. Later JB and Lisa were married, and continued Matlock, Red Letter Bullet Murray Hill Theatre, Jax their professional collaboration. In addition to JB’s (388-7807) work as director of UNF’s Jazz Ensemble I and other Open Mic w/Larry Broussard St. Johns Pizza Grill, teaching assignments, he and Lisa have worked with Jax (287-9900) many well respected musicians such as Richard Drexler, Danny Gottlieb, Ed Metz, Jr. Dennis Marks, SATURDAY-SUNDAY, Rick Kirkland, Bob Burns, Von Barlow, Kevin Bales, Dr. Bill Prince and many other musicians. FEBRUARY 2-3 The Isla Ensemble-Hoggetowne Medieval Faire Downtown, Gainesville

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Those Guys Sunset Grill, St. Augustine (471-5555) Out of Hand Sun Dog Diner, Neptune Beach (241- 8221) Dan Shepherd Harpoon Louie’s, Jax (389-5631) Big Blue Aduio Reni’s Rooster, Jax (880-1111) UNF Jazz Ensemble Chris Miller Metro, Jax Isaac Byrd Jr. De Real Ting Café, Jax Tarik Hassan Sahara Café, Jax JB and Lisa’s musical union combined Lisa’s David Milam Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) rich smooth voice and striking stage presence with jazz gets younger JB’s trumpet mastery and experienced band direc- Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829- 8646) tion. This partnership has served them well in the various ensembles they have staged in the region. 3rd Bass The Casbah, Jax (981-9966) th 20 Annual Koger-Matteson Jazz Festival More signifi cantly is JB and Lisa’s commitment to Kids of Survival Fuel, Jax (425-3835) education, which carries on the mercurial improvi- El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) sational art form into the future to the talented young Jan Crawford & Friends Cortesses, St. Augustine BY RICK GRANT [email protected] students passing through UNF’s stellar music pro- (825-6775) gram. This now famous jazz program has produced Michael Funge Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach WHAT: The 20th Annual Koger-Matteson Jazz Festival Island HS, and Palm Day HS from Middleburg. Also, a legion of noted musicians working as professional (249-9595) WHERE: UNF’s Lazzara Performance Hall 2 middle schools will perform–Lakeview from Or- jazz artists. WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 5th 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. lando, and LaVilla School of the Arts from Jax. The Over my 24-year career as an entertainment MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 The 20th Annual Koger-Matteson Jazz Festival is Eddie Gomez trio will provide clinics for each band journalist, I’ve covered many of JB and Lisa’s Spade McQuade Fly’s Tie, Atlantic Beach (246- headed by Festival Coordinator JB Scott, director of and all three UNF Jazz Ensembles will perform. groups in clubs and concerts. I’ve lauded them in 4293) the UNF Jazz Ensemble I. This event brings together Of course, jazz luminaries realize that the print in many feature articles. Indeed, I am proud to Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829- the best middle and high school jazz ensembles to only way to perpetuate jazz into the future is to work call them my friends. And I know how hard they’ve 9336) strut their stuff for a live audience and respected with high school and college students, giving them worked at their art and educational duties. JB and Freeze Frame Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242- educators, who will evaluate their performances, giv- encouragement, inspiration and incentive to excel Lisa bring consummate musical credentials to the 9499) ing out awards for solos and sections. at their chosen instruments. In fact, noted music region’s jazz scene as players and educators, thus Joey Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) The high schools participating are Fernandina schools like UNF are bastions of jazz, where gifted enhancing our cultural milieu. The Koger-Matteson Beach HS, 2 Spruce Creek HS, bands from Daytona students fi nd an atmosphere of learning, camara- Jazz Festival is certain to be another example of this Matt Still Brix, Jax Beach Beach, 2 Osceola School of the Arts bands, Fleming derie, and performance possibilities. JB Scott has enhanced jazz music scene. Will Pearsall The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) Billy Bowers Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221) Lary Smith Harmonious Monks, Jax (886-3040) Darkest Hour Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Band of Destiny Square One, Jax (306-9004) Nolan Neal Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246- 4293) Stu Weaver Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) Out of Hand My Place, Jax (737-5299)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Stu Weaver The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) Open Mic w/Outlaw Son & the Renegades Brewsters, Jax (223-9850) Classic Albums Live-Led Zep IV Florida Theatre, Jax Matt Still Caribbee Key, Atlantic Beach (270-8940) Out of Hand Palace Saloon, Fernandina Hollowpoint Militia Bourbon Street, Jax (641-8777) Amy Hendrickson White Lion, St. Augustine (829- 2388) The Clockwork Grey Tour Jack Rabbits, Jax (398- 7496) Chris Miller UNF Robinson Theatre, Jax Deron Baker Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) Shawn Fisher Wackadoo’s, Jax (620-1000) Southern Wailers Sangria’s, St. Augustine

28 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper covers the wide span of American acoustic offerings from popular artists like Alison Krauss to the more Chaos Theory The Grape, Jax (642-7111) obscure alternative or indie country performers like Big Al & the Kaholics Harry’s, Jax Beach (247-8855) common threads in the Mountain Goats. Denounced Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) One of John’s hopes with the show was to Chuck Nash Your Place, Jax Beach (221-9994) show that acoustic music “comes in many fl avors.” He succeeded. And more importantly from the standpoint of building a strong listening base, the TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY, acoustic packages show is incredibly congruous despite the diversity FEBRUARY 5-6 of genres. The cornerstone of the show is modern Big Engine Sharky’s, Orange Park folk, but John also features acoustic rock, acoustic soul, alternative country, Americana and even some WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Zydeco. Music fans of many stripes will fi nd String String Theory on HD public radio Theory appealing on a number of levels. It is refresh- Dave Massey My Place, Jax (737-5299) ing because the music is the star, and it is obvious Matt Still Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) that John has a passion for the substance that The Bath Party Burrito Gallery, Jax (598-2922) BY BRENTON CROZIER makes up the show. Out of Hand Buffalo’s, Orange Park (778-1101) This program transcends the atypical vision Chelsea Saddler Tijuana Flats, Jax (737-9938) The term acoustic music covers an enormous offering a new show that could only be listened to in of a coffeehouse open mic night in both quality and spectrum that houses myriad genres, performers HD format. He was further inspired by the unique- variety. Going beyond the songwriter and their trusty Wes Cobb Band Square One, Jax (306-9004) and transformations. Modern day acoustic artists ness and popularity of Electro Lounge, a WJCT guitar, it features the artists that have furthered the Jesse & Leaa Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) often hearken back to classic American folk, country program that features nu jazz, reggae and dub. John art and production of acoustic music. It is by no Jodies Fiasco Castillo de Mexico, Jax and blues performers. From the novelty aspect of told me that he was “Hoping to do something like means a dismissal of the performers and songwrit- Soulo Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) that, but with acoustic music.” MTV’s Unplugged and the more studious and often ers of yesteryear, but instead presents what has The Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax (396- artful Austin City Limits to the alt country (alterna- Although I enjoy quite a bit of acoustic music, been built out of what they started. 3396) I usually listen to it only when the mood hits me. I tive country) craze that has made bands like Wilco a John put it more eloquently saying, “Today’s El Toro Loco Aromas, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) staple in Volkswagen commercials, acoustic music have been predisposed to giving acoustic music as a acoustic music is rooted deeply in the rich soil of whole a stagnant label and my initial reaction to the Chuck Nash Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune may not be experiencing a reemergence per se, America’s traditional folk styles, including such pure Beach (241-8221) because it never went away, but rather a more con- idea of absorbing an hour long program of all acous- genres as blues and bluegrass, but also country and Pili Pili Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) temporary declaration. tic music was a vision of boredom. I received a re- R&B. It is the raw materials from which pretty much String Theory is a new program hosted by cording of both the inaugural and second broadcast all styles of American music that have ever existed Dave Massey My Place Bar & Grill, Jax (737-5299) John Maycumber on WJCT’s HD station. John was of String Theory and it has not left my car’s factory were constructed from, as well as all those styles hosting a show on an AM station that was on its last stereo system since. John injects the occasional yet to come.” legs, so he contacted WJCT’s General Manager Tom monologue that is surprisingly engaging and interest- With his more minimalist approach, John al- Patton with his idea of promoting the technology by ing between blocks of fi ve to ten songs. The show lows you to explore for yourself and let the music do upcoming concerts most of the talking. DJs take notice—people want to hear the music! Winter Jam w/Barlow Girl, MercyMe, Skillet, Mandisa and Feb. 8, Veterans Memorial Arena HD Radio NPR in itself is a media alternative and gener- NewSong Great American Jazz Series w/Eddie Gomez Feb 8, UNF ally offers fi rst-rate programming that is almost -Robinson Theater, 620-2878 There are hidden stations on your radio dial. HD Radio receivers are available for home and car always well-written, cleverly presented and built Donna The Buffalo Feb. 9, Freebird Live, 246-2473 How many times, as you punched through top-for- at major consumer electronics chains, online and around news, social events, cultural interests and ty hits from varying eras, do you wish there were Yonder Mountain String Band Feb. 12, Freebird Live, 246- through regional stores. thought-provoking stories. Like anything else, it 2473 more options. Better options. ANY OPTIONS! Well This way, you can rock out to Zep when Rock has the occasional tendency to become derivative Trisha Yearwood Feb.14, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 there are, and they are both local stations and free 105 tries to throw you under the Bob Seger bus. of itself and come across a little on the stale side. Feb. 15, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 to listen to, but your radio might be able equipped Most stations have two HD channels in addition to String Theory is a perfect NPR addition, it provides The B-52’s Feb. 15, Mojos Blues Bar, 247-6636 to receive these HD Radio signals. their regular broadcast, while some only have one. a breath of fresh air for the station much like Electro Chris Duarte Most of the major stations in town are al- WJCT, the NPR affi liate in Jacksonville, however, Lounge does. It also packs the potential to appeal to Van Halen Feb. 16, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3309 ready simulcasting alternative content on one or has three HD channels, one of which is home to a more expansive listening base. Be sure to tune in Lalah Hathaway Feb.17, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 more HD channels, but you have to have an HD String Theory on Saturday Nights, as well as ex- to the high-quality sound of WJCT’s HD format on Monty Python’s Spamalot Feb. 19-24, Times Union Center, radio to hear any of it. As of 2007, more than tended versions of David Lucken’s Electro Lounge. Saturday night and listen to String Theory. Finally, a 632-3373 1200 radio stations nationwide are broadcasting music program wholly about just that—the music. Take 6 Feb. 21, UNF Fine Arts Center, 620-2878 with HD Radio technology, with more than 550 These are the local stations with HD Coco Montoya Feb. 21, Café Eleven, 469-9311 FM stations offering Multicast channels, thus dou- 15th Annual Great Guitar Gathering Feb. 22, Florida Theatre, bling or tripling the number of programs available Radio channels: 355-2787 to listeners. As with traditional AM, FM and TV 93.3, WROO - 97.9, WFKS - 102.9, WMXQ - 92.7, Leon Russell Feb. 22, Freebird Live, 246-2473 broadcasting, HD Radio programming is free and WJBT - 107.3, WPLA - 95.1, WAPE - 600, WBWL Steep Canyon Rangers Feb. 22, Mojos Blues Bar, 247-6636 supported by commercial advertising. However, Willy Porter Feb. 23, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 - 104.5, WFYV - 101.5, WSOL - 89.9, WJCT (3 HD consumers must upgrade to a new receiver in Michael Bublé Feb. 24, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3309 order to receive the digital broadcasts. Brand name channels) - 96.9, WJGL - 99.1, WQIK Bayside, Straylight Run Feb. 24, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Keb’ Mo’ Feb. 27, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Movin’ Out-Music By Billy Joel Feb. 29, Times Union Center, 632-3373 100 Years of Broadway March 1, Times Union Center, 632- 3373 John Edward March 2-3, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Dark Star Orchestra March 4, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Celtic Women March 5, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3309 Freda Payne - Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald March 6, Florida Theatre Blue Man Group March 7, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3309 Great American Jazz Series w/Mike Stern Trio with Dave Weckl March 7, UNF-Robinson Theater, 620-2878 Itzhak Perlman March 8, UNF Fine Arts Center, 620-2878 Built To Spill March 8, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Anne Murray March 9, Times Union Center, 632-3373 Ani Difranco March 12, Freebird Live, 246-2473 They Might Be Gians March 14, Freebird Live Evita March 15, Times Union Center, 632-3373

eujacksonville.com |january 31-february 6, 2008 29 a previous encounter with Max. It was the sixties; she was at a party in LA and tripping on champagne art events and LSD. Peter Max showed up with a bunch of paintings he was trying to sell. Later I remarked to my wife that I had never met any person from the new this week “upper crust” so casually mention her past use of LSD. In contrast to her proper appearance, she St. Augustine Art Walk, First Friday of every month from 5 pm – 9 pm, Tours begin at Rembrandtz Fine Gifts seemed to harbor a small degree of sadness about for Fun People, 131 King Street, St. Augustine, (904) giving up that life, and I wondered about the series 829-0065 or staugustinegalleries.com of decisions that might have taken her from a life of excitement and discovery to the life of an upper- Downtown Art Walk, First Wednesday of each month middle-class wife living in Avondale or Ponte Vedra. from 5 pm – 9 pm, A map of the galleries can be ac- While overhearing our conversation, yet anoth- quired at any of the venues, including MOCA Jackson- er man admitted his past love of LSD while confi rm- ville, the Jacksonville Landing, and Art Walk Headquar- ing that the world was full of folks such as he and ters at 100 North Laura Street the aforementioned woman. He lamented specifi cally about his involuntary decision to return to the fold. Illuminations: Seascape and Landscape Paintings of Nancy Robinson; February 1 – February 29, Opening I’ve never really spoken to a Boomer about the Reception Friday, February 1, 6 pm – 8 pm, Karpeles changes they endured in such a radical era: from Manuscript Museum, 101 West First Street, Downtown; inexperienced to adventurous and idealistic, then to (904) 356-2992 or rain.org/~karpeles/jaxfrm.html proper and normal. These days, we hear a lot about the failure of the hippie era, but I’m too young to Jason Woodside: Memoirs du France; February 1 have participated, and I’ve never heard anyone men- – March 31, Opening Party February 1, 6 pm – 12 am, tion his own metamorphosis. The Gallery @ Screen Arts, 228 West King Street, St. It was then that the evening’s theme was fully Augustine, (904) 829-2838 or screenartsfl orida.com realized: There exists an entire generation of people More Than Wallpaper, Saturday February 2, 8 pm – 11 who have failed to maintain their ideals, and now pm, On display until February 26, Bogda, 1253 McDuff they can only cling to colorful drawings and celebri- Avenue South, (904) 387-0852 ties from that era to remind them of the promise they once held. Urban Refl ections, Mary Atwood, Featured Artist for This story doesn’t end so drearily, though. Pe- February at the Art Center Gallery, 31 West Adams ter Max hasn’t failed. He seems even more devoted Street, Downtown, blogfromthecenter.blogspot.com to the same ideals he held in the sixties. He has actually increased his creative output over the years, Persian Visions: Contemporary Photography from gently parrying the ups and downs of the last few Iran, Saturday, February 2 – April 20, Southeast Mu- seum of Photography, 1200 International Speedway decades with ease. Maybe all those people weren’t Boulevard, Daytona Beach, smponline.org just there for the autograph. Maybe they wanted to breathe the same air they did way back when. Jim Vecchi: Witness to Infi nity, Saturday, February 2 max exposure to the – April 20, Southeast Museum of Photography, 1200 International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, smponline.org

Jason Wright; Runs through April 30, Burrito Gallery, remnants of hippies 21 East Adams Street, Downtown; (904) 598-2922 or burritogallery.com

Mark Messersmith Exhibition; Runs through March 14, if you can’t own it, buy it. J. Johnson Gallery, 177 Fourth Avenue North, Jackson- ville Beach; (904) 435-3200 or jjohnsongallery.com BY DONALD DUSINBERRE [email protected] ongoing Saturday, January 26th was the night I observed hundreds of life-journeys in the throes of reminis- The Paintings of Jon Bunker; Thrasher-Horne Center, cence and longing. Attending a brief art gallery 283 College Drive, Orange Park (904) 276-6815 exhibition, Baby Boomers now living in Jacksonville descended upon the R. Roberts Gallery to meet (or Cutting Edge Show; On display through February 10, St re-introduce themselves to) Peter Max, one of the Augustine Art Association, (904) 824-2310 or staaa.org best-known visual artists of their generation. Since I had already seen Max’s work earlier in South Gallery Special Exhibit, Personal Images of War; the week, I was content to watch the star-struck fans On display through February 10 St Augustine Art As- sociation, (904) 824-2310 or staaa.org while my wife examined the artwork. I was unaware of how popular Peter Max is among folks who grew Duval County Art Teachers Exhibition; On display up in the sixties and seventies, and it was truly through February 13, JU Photography Gallery Exhibition fascinating. Standing next to the man whom they of photographs by Kristin Epinasse from 5 pm –7 pm, credit as the illustrator of their formative years, all Alexander Brest Gallery and Museum at Jacksonville the former hippies and counterculture dabblers tried University, (904) 256-7345 their hardest to buy their way back to the Summer of Love.

Inspirations: Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance; Humorous as the scene was, I was impressed Runs through February 14, FCCJ North Campus Art Gallery in the Library, Room D- as dozens upon dozens of colorful paintings were 301, 4501 Capper Road, Jacksonville, (904) 766-6786 removed from the walls and brought to Max, who faithfully personalized the back of each painting with André Kertész: First and Last Photographs; Through a signature and a hand-drawn sketch made out to February 15, Southeast Museum of Photography, 1200 the buyer, afterwards posing for a photo with the information, and I witnessed a few small events that, International Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach, gleeful new owners. Practically every fan reverted to together, set my mind upon a theme. smponline.org a teen-idol-worship mode, where they either leered A woman I estimated to be in her forties (and at Max or stood in line with old posters and coffee dressed nice, albeit only slightly less provocatively Through February Steve McCurry: The Path to Buddha; table books for him to sign. 15, Southeast Museum of Photography, 1200 Interna- than a hooker) was shamelessly making eyes at tional Speedway Boulevard, Daytona Beach Though most of the guests merely amused Max, who is now 70-years old. us, there were a few who delivered some revealing I stood next to a woman who began describing Joseph Jeffers Dodge: A Passion for Art; Through 30 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper photo by a.m. stewart Wells, Erin Thursby, and Justin Bell. I could say they were even better than in the original production, but they were outstanding and superb on each occasion. cultural events The group used the same props as before, 31 Jay Shoots Now - Photographs and Sculpture PIE Studio including the minimalist furniture and settings, but a major difference was in the amount of space they 31Pow-Wow Dinner Ceremony-Native American Art & Crafts could use. Actors had more stage area to pace and Sawgrass Marriott, Ponte Vedra give emphasis to what they were saying. In addition, 31 Cummer Kiowa Pow-Wow Dinner Ceremony Sawgrass the lighting design was more detailed due to the Golf Resort, Ponte Vedra availability of the equipment at the Robinson Theatre. st This play had so many layers of information 31-FEB. 3 NTRL National Finals & 1 Annual Cowboy Trade and emotions that I found even more intriguing the Show Equestrian Center, Jax second time around. Honestly, if I could see it a third 31-FEB. 29 More Than Wallpaper Bogda Gallery, Jax time, I would go again. 31-FEB. 29 It’s Not Art, It’s Illustration-Chris Armstrong Butterfi eld Garage, St. Augustine photo by a.m. stewart FEBRUARY 1 Men of the Deeps-North America’s Only Coal Miners Chorus Thrasher Horne Center, Orange Park 1 Nancy Robinson Art Opening Reception 6:00pm - 8:00pm Manuscript Museum 1 UNF Symposium of Native American Impact: Than & Now UNF, Jax 1 Childrens Story Time-Groundhog Day Barnes & Noble/ the pillowman Town Center, Jax 1 Mad Cowford Comedy 9th & Main, Jaxr 1 The Talkies: Night of the Living Dead w/George Romero San Marco Theatre, Jax 1 National Wear Red Day American Heart Association, Jax staged at unf 1 The Paintings of John Bunker Thrasher Horne Center, Orange Park

1 Brown Bag Lunch Series GTM Reserve, Ponte Vedra Osprey Productions & the Orpheus Theater Group 1 “It Was Never About a Hot Dog and a Coke” Book Signing Ritz Theatre, Jax 1 First Friday Art Walk Various Venues, St. Augustine BY DICK KEREKES [email protected] The founders of Orpheus Theater Group, A.J. Pratt, Jennie Jarvis, and Steven Anderson, Jr., are 1 French Harpsichord Music Friday Musicale, Jax Once upon a time not so long ago, in December Katurian Katurian, who has written over 400 short batting a thousand with their fi rst two productions, 1 Wine & Design BoConcept/Town Center, Jax 2007, The Orpheus Theatre Group presented Martin stories. Most of these stories are bizarre and many Closer and The Pillowman. Look for another new ex- McDonagh’s brilliant play, The Pillowman. Rep- deal with children who are harmed, like a small girl citing theatre experience from Orpheus in the spring. 1 Art Rageous First Friday Various Venues, Fernandina resentatives from the University of North Florida’s eating razor blades in apples and a child bleeding Director Jarvis says they are waiting for the rights to 1-16 “Julius X” Players by the Sea, Jax Beach Osprey Productions saw it and were so impressed when his toes are cut off. Katurian and his brain- something special but cannot disclose the name at they asked Orpheus to do the show at UNF for the damaged older brother are at a police station being this time. 1-MAR. 31 Memoirs du Franc-Jason Woodside Gallery at students and general public. interrogated. Who committed the real crimes that Orpheus has a special workshop on February Screen Arts, St. Augustine I saw the one-performance revival last Sat- mirror those so vividly described in the stories? 9th entitled “Breaking into Hollywood: What to know 2 Turkish Maps Exhibition All day Karpeles Manuscript urday night in the Robinson Theatre. It is not often The Pillowman is a story about stories, eight of before you go!” Visit them on line at orpheustheater- Library Museum Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I have the opportunity to see the same play again them described in detail. Two rough and tough police group.com for more information. 2 Mark Messersmith Exhibition J. Johnson Gallery in just a few weeks, and there are probably a lot of offi cers do the questioning and tell stories them- Thank you Osprey Productions (a division of plays I would not want to see again ever. But I found selves, but now you’re going to have to wait until SG) for sponsoring this play with free admission. I 2 A Day in the Village Ritz Theatre, Jax the production so outstanding at the Jacksonville they make the movie to learn more, since no future know I speak for the enthusiastic crowd who took 2 Author Signing-Allen & Sherry Bohl Barnes & Noble/St. Beach staging that I wanted to see how it would shows are planned at this time. advantage of your generosity. It is always fun to visit Johns Towncenter, Jax adapt to a new stage. Orpheus Artistic Director Jennie Jarvis had all the UNF campus. Thanks as well to Orpheus Theater If you missed The Pillowman, it was a spell- the original cast return for this performance, includ- Group for making the theater scene more interesting 2 Pow-Wow Family Day-Artists, Musicians, Dancers & Art binder. Briefl y, the plot concernes a writer named ing A.J. Pratt, Wesley Neilsen, Jennifer Gagnon, Jeff in the North Florida area. Making Projects Cummer Museum, Jax 2 Grupo Bantu Performs Capoeira Twisted Martini, Jax 2 The Talkies with George Romero San Marco Theatre, Jax 2 Aeros UNF Lazzara Theatre, Jax 2 Michael Feldman’s Whad’Ya Know Whad’Ya Know Florida Theatre, Jax 2 Water Education Festival MOSH, Jax 2 Prelude Chamber Music Master Class JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax 2 Auditions: “Biloxi Blues” Noon Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine

2 15th Annual RSVP Chocolate & Beyond Gala Lightner Museum, St. Augustine 2 Ishangi Family African Dancers Ritz Theatre, Jax 2 Nature Hike Ft. George Island State Park, Jax

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 31 used and carried. A machine can’t make a basket, at 2 20th Annual “Music For the Birds” To Benefi t H.A.W.K.E least not consistently and successfully. Agricultural Center, St. Augustine Sherry Wetzel is one of the youngest profes- sional basket weavers in the North/Central Florida 2 The Charleston Ballet “All American Evening” Flagler area. She’s also part of the SCA tent at Hoggetown. , St. Augustine College Basket weaving, she says, is one thing “machines 2 Bruce Ann Ferguson Exhibit Jewish Community Alliance have never been able to do.” Each piece of wood is Vandroff Art Gallery different, and you need a human touch to guide and assess what the wood will do and how much tension 2-16 Julius X Players By the Sea, Jax Beach 3 Jacksonville Mass Choir Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax

3 JSO-Ken Cowan-Organ Performing Arts Center, Jax 3 Practice World Peace Memorial Park, Jax 3 The Enso String Quartet & Pianist Joel Fan Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Jax 4 Art @ 3 lecture series presents Taylor Hardwick, “50 Years of Design” 3:00pm - 4:30pm Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach 5 LSS International Adoption Presentation Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church, Jax

5 1st Annual Mardi Gras Costume Party Friday Musicale, Jax to put on it. 6 Tracing Our Prehistoric Ancestors the DNA Way w/Dr. Another container, which must be airtight, Connie Mulligan FCCJ North Campus, Jax hoggetown survives is the drinking container. The SCA tent has a horn carver, Daniel R. Barker, who carves horns (mostly 6 The Pink Floyd Experience Performing Arts Center, Jax from cows) into drinking cups and ornate boxes. 6-MAR. 2 Menopause, The Musical Performing Arts He’s also not stranger to creating a weapon, and Center, Jax was in the midst of carving a wax model for a sword pommel when we spoke. 6 Art Walk 5:00pm - 9:00pm Various Downtown locations, the apocalypse! Jax Even if a skill isn’t useful in a post-apocalyptic world, it’s still a comfort for people to know that 6 Live Painting with Anthony Hodge Gold Gym/Downtown, ERIN THURSBY someone still knows how. Arts such as egg painting, Jax BY [email protected] enamel work and old jewelry-making techniques can 7 “Extravaganza” an Exhibition of Student Art at the DA WHAT: Hoggetown Medieval Faire be found around the faire. Gallery Douglas Anderson School of the Arts WHEN: Friday February 1st 9:30 am- 3 pm, Satur- The apocalypse can come in many forms. Dis- day and Sunday February 2nd &3rd 10 am- 6 pm. ease, bombings, zombies. Whatever form it comes an Exhibition of Student Art at the DA Gallery thru March 7 WHERE: Alachua County Fairgrounds in Gaines- in, we know that there’s bound to be a breakdown 7 The 1st Annual Short Circuit Film Festival Kent Campus ville, FL in some of the things we’ve come to rely on. What Auditorium happens when we’ve spent the last round of ammo Many of the people you’ll fi nd at the on those killer zombies? It will be the folks from the 7 Loud Sound Live-Sound Art, Electronics, Language UNF Hoggetown Faire in Gainesville are dedicated to Society for Creative Anachronism that will still know , Jax Art Gallery preserving crafts that have since been lost. Thinking how to make arrows and forge crossbows and bad- 7 Iraq: End-Game Main Library, Jax about that, I had to wonder—would Hoggetown sur- ass swords. Maybe that’s a little far-fetched, but the fact 7-9 Palatka Bluegrass Festival , vive the apocalypse? Rodeheaver Boys Ranch remains that we are a society that doesn’t know how Palatka Right now, the average person really knows how to do very little. For example, most people can’t to make anything. We buy everything. I have to think 7-MAR. 9 “A Raisin in the Sun” Limelight Theatre, St. sew, whether it’s by machine or by hand, and an how. She demonstrated how to spin, with a primitive that somehow that consumerism is damaging to us Augustine even tinier percentage know how to weave cloth. If hand-held spinner. The stone weight at the end of the as people and as a society. Besides the silly clothes we suddenly didn’t have a source for machine-made spinner was about 300 years old, and it had been and the jousts, that’s why people come to reenact- 8 Jennifer Muller The Works Dance Collaboration Florida clothing or cloth, something that was a quaint hobby used as a spinner head even that long ago. Differ- ments and events such as the Hoggetown Medieval Theatre, Jax would become incredibly valuable. ent techniques were demonstrated at the Society of Faire. They want to remember that there are people 8 WJCT & African American Lives 2 Workshop For Educaters I watched Monica Babb on the wooden loom, Creative Anachronism tent, such as loom weaving who can do things that everybody else has forgot- WJCT Studios, Jax as she carefully wove the cloth. She doesn’t always and card weaving. ten. 8 Author Dennis Lehane Reading Flagler College, St. spin her own yarn (each hour of weaving cloth Humans always need containers. We are the Hoggetown Medieval Faire will be running Augustine means you must spend ten times that spinning the only animal (as far as I know) to carry Prada bags. this weekend at the Alachua County Fairgrounds in thread) but she does have the tools and the know- Baskets are one of the ancient containers we’ve Gainesville, FL. 8 Childrens Story Time-Valentines Day Barnes & Noble/ Town Center, jax 8 Eddie Gomez Trio UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 8 Sunshine State Alpaca Expo & Auction Equestrian Center, Jax

8-9 The Jacksonville Boat Show Downtown, Jax 8-9 JSO-Love, Romance & the Big Band Performing Arts Center, Jax 8-MAR. 9 “A Raisin in the Sun” Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine

8 New Works by Sabre Esler and Joyce Norwood Stellers Gallery Annex at Neptune Beach 9 “Happily Red” Theatre Jax, Jax 9 Transform Artwork Into An Image Cultural Center, Ponte Vedra

32 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper Volunteers prepare lots of food rich in Two energetic girls react with excitement as they notice cute and cuddly vitamins and veggies free to anyone. hand-made stuffed animals. tangerine fest ‘08

All were encouraged to become original artists. Scrap cardboard and paints a photo essay by a.m. stewart were provided to anyone with a creative itch. Free of charge, of course!

Local artist Grace Bio displays her art next to hookahs, all for Local artisan Kofi Asare displays and demonstrates his own hand- Glass blower T. Allen Gibson demonstrates the precision of his sale at the festival. carved drums. jewelry-making technique.

eujacksonville.com | january 31-february 6, 2008 33 a better u what is wellness anyway? by jennifer joy

It is time to open your textbook, put on your ance and awareness in the following areas: physical, thinking cap, and slide into your favorite yoga pants. intellectual, emotional/psychological, occupational, We are going to stretch the concept of “wellness.” relational, environmental, and spiritual. My grandmother tries to be enthusiastic when Whew! Read that list again and try to think of I tell her about my position as Wellness Director at wellness as an umbrella concept under which the list the YMCA, but fi nally asks in her Old South accent, of characteristics lies. The ultimate goal of wellness It is largely presumed that one of the major benefits of moving to a big city is all the nightlife “What does that mean, Ja-yen?” I know she’s not is to achieve some sort of balance in all seven ar- and entertainment that will be readily available at ones fingertips. This likely stems from trips and the only one, because the wellness industry has eas- if one area is being ignored, then all areas suf- vacations where people hit the theater, pay expensive rates for concert tickets, or seek out any and undergone a transformation since the days of leg fer (whether we realize it or not). Remember what it every cool thing to do in town. warmers. It was clear-cut back then: females should was like to play on the seesaw as a child? We need The only person I have ever known to do these things while actually living in a big city is my don horrifi c outfi ts and jump around in a studio. Men to evenly distribute the weight of wellness through- sister, and that might just be a character flaw. No no, I jest. It’s awesome because any time I have should either hang out at Muscle Beach with Arnold, out life, knowing that change will cause a shift of ever visited her we are always having the best time. She knows all the best places to go or all the Lou and friends, or grunt and pose in a dark and distribution of how much emphasis we place on one cool things available to do. archaic weight room (don’t forget drinking a dozen aspect or another. For example, the loss of a loved raw eggs with Rocky). But shockingly (I say with a tinge of irony), people in these big cities – New York, Los Angeles, one immediately gives more “weight” to the emo- These days, “fi tness” has turned mainstream tional/psychological aspect of wellness. Other areas San Francisco – don’t really do all that much. Sure, they might go to the theater a few times a year if and has gone beyond physical well-being. Gyms must shift during the season of emotional heaviness they are into that kind of thing. But how many New Yorkers do you think have gone up the Statue of have popped up on every corner, women fi nd it in order to stay healthy and balanced. Liberty? How many San Frannies do you think walk across the Golden Gate bridge when they could fashionable to show a little muscle and strength, and This article begins a new series that will high- just as easily drive over it? How many LA-ians stare in wonder at the Hollywood sign? They see men are spending time on the elliptical machines light the seven aspects of wellness. Some areas will these things every day. And lets face it… they have lives. and in “core” classes! The industry even coined a certainly seem like review while others will require These are the kinds of things people only really do on vacation. You’ve been saving your money new term sometime in the late 80’s or early 90’s that the mental yoga pants! The goal is that you, along and you’re only there once (at least), so now’s the time, right? It’s part of the fun. You don’t go all many people (like my grandmother) are still trying to with my grandmother, will have a better understand- that way to sit in your hotel room! wrap their heads around: wellness. ing of wellness, but more importantly, you can make But for some reason, so many people do go all that way [home] to just sit in their room. Why, I Looking into the textbook and performing the the effort to live your life in balance. Making change fi rst mental stretch, wellness is more than just physi- ask you? Why? where necessary, you’ll fi nd yourself walking com- cal well-being, it is a concept that encompasses bal- fortably under the umbrella of wellness. Well, for me in California it was largely a financial constraint. After spending most your time working to pay to live out there we were exhausted and broke. Buying a $60 ticket to go see a show was out of the question. Just going to dinner and renting a movie cost about $100. (How I don’t know!! But it’s true.) Show tickets, plus cost of parking, plus dinner before hand, plus costs of adult beverage could quickly come to equal about half my monthly paycheck. Even going to a PARK cost money. I am serious. We had to pay to go to the parks. The Muir Woods State Park cost $11 dollars a person just to walk around and look at trees. We did go to the Golden Gate Bridge, but that was usually when we had guests from out of town. And right before we moved we went up the Coit Tower that overlooks the city. And I would say we did more than the average person. Maybe it’s because it isn’t special if its your own hometown. I mean, here in Jacksonville we have a gaggle of great things we could all do for a good time, or to know our great city better. Maybe we could stop by Maxwell House to get an idea of why the city always smells of burnt coffee? I know for a fact we can tour the Anheiser Busch factory. The Jags games I know to be a great time every time (even when they lose) and those people really want (and need) our support! No more blackouts! And I hardly ever go to the beach, even though its one of Jacksonville’s huge claims to fame! I will say this though: at least I can afford to actually do some of these things now. We in Florida have it made when it comes to standard of living. Good weather, cheap rent, and long sandy beach- es. I do get my fair share in these days though. I just saw Cirque Dreams at the Times-Union Center. I go to shows on a regular basis. I try to enjoy the sights. But I think we could all learn a lesson from those tourists we mock. They are enjoying what a place has to offer. Why don’t we go enjoy what our place has waiting just at the tips of our fingers.

34 january 31-february 6, 2008 | entertaining u newspaper THE JOCK by tom weppel

SUPER BOWL XLII the Green Bay Packers. Both of those teams beat the Giants handily at the beginning of the season. IT’S FINALLY HERE! This Sunday the Giants But New York kept fi ghting and pushing and and Patriots will play Super Bowl 42 in Phoenix, shoving, to the point where they were able to snag Arizona. Obviously, the game is sold out, with tickets a Wild Card spot. Tom Coughlin got his group to- being scalped for tens of thousands of dollars, most gether and they went on to win three playoff games of it being done online. The game will start at 6 pm on the road, when they were in fact the underdogs EST and be seen around the world by millions, as every time. QB Eli Manning has been criticized the NFL likes to remind us. and questioned all season long for his abilities and Of course, most of those around the world performances. Yet the boy has been effective in the might not even care. I believe a lot of people now postseason, taking care of business and making watch the game simply because it’s the ‘thing to do,’ things happen. and so they can watch the stupid commercials that Both rosters are loaded with names. The Pats air during the game. Corporations have paid $2.7 feature QB Tom Brady, WR Randy Moss and LBs million per 30 second spot to have their advertise- Teddy Bruschi and Junior Seau. The Giants have ment played during this game. A lot of the spots are Manning, RB Brandon Jacobs, WR Plaxico Burress awful. and DE Michael Strahan. There are plenty more to We have already been overrun for most of the throw out, all who have great talent. week by tremendous hype. It comes from all the You also know these two teams played in the idiots who are doing whatever they can to involve last regular season game. The Giants gave the Pats themselves in this event. That said, to me, this game a decent run before New England pulled out the win, to me has gotten to be too much in so many ways. It 38-35. So, it’s safe to say they both know each receives WAY too much media coverage, with every other. What makes this game so monumental is that network and camera you could think of there to fol- the Patriots are undefeated. One more win and they low the happenings. There is WAY too much analy- will truly make history, possibly being considered the sis, as so many sports media pundits will give you best team EVER to play in the NFL. THAT my friends, their inside scoop, their breakdown of both teams is HUGE! and all the participants, and fi nally their ridiculous You have to realize, though, that if New England predictions. were to lose this game, it would be a stunner. A Nonetheless, the game will be played and the loss would throw their season into a totally different importance of winning cannot be argued whatso- perspective and they would be looked at in a much ever. After this entire season, in which 32 teams all more negative vein. Make no mistake, the upstart wanted to get here, we are down to the last two. Giants are good, having won ten consecutive road We all know the scene. New England has been wins, including the three playoff games. Not many the frontrunner all season long, dominating all op- people thought they would be playing this weekend, ponents, especially at the beginning of the season. yet here they are, trying to upend New England. If They are very talented. Their Head Coach, Bill Belich- they were to do so, it would give them IMMENSE ick, is a guy who seems to have zero personality notoriety and fame, considering their past history. and is very boring to listen to. But he must be doing They will leave a legacy like no other if they were to something right for his boys to have such success. beat the Patriots. New England started off as about a The New York Giants, meanwhile, have been two TD favorite with the bookies out of Vegas. That a team that, for all intents, came out of nowhere. line has lessened, especially since the Pats haven’t They were good but not REAL good. The NFC was covered lines in the last three or four games, includ- dominated this season by the Dallas Cowboys and ing the Giants game. Therefore, more betters will put their money on New York, fi guring it will again be a close game. No matter who wins, it should be enter- taining, interesting, and exciting. Hope you all enjoy watching. Tom Weppel talks trash with Greg Larson, Lon- nie Marts, Eugene Chung, Artis Gilmore, and Ron Duguay on SportsAvengers.com 24/7.

NASCAR COLUMN ON HOLD! Due to a breakdown in contract negotiations our NASCAR writer has elected to join ranks with striking television writers. contact: [email protected]

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