JACKSONVILLE
fall rocks r. land interview | artscapade 2007 at jane gray gallery | little richard interview | widespread panic interview
free weekly guide to entertainment and more | october 18-24, 2007 | www.eujacksonville.com 2 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper COVER ART BY R. LAND table of contents feature Interview with R. Land ...... PAGES 18-19 Fall Rocks ...... PAGES 20-24 Evolution of the Music Industry ...... PAGE 20-21 Tony Smotherman (interview) ...... PAGE 22 Little Richard (interview) ...... PAGE 23 Kid’s Rock ...... PAGE 24 In Rainbows - Radiohead (album review) ...... PAGE 25 In The Vines - Castanets (album review) ...... PAGE 25 Lifeline - Ben Harper (album review) ...... PAGE 25 Lucy Gray - Envy On The Coast (album review) ...... PAGE 25 movies Movies in Theaters this Week ...... PAGES 6-10 30 Days of Nights (movie review) ...... PAGE 6 Gone Baby Gone (movie review) ...... PAGE 7 Into The Wild (movie review) ...... PAGE 8 Savannah Film Festival ...... PAGE 9 Assassination Of Jesse James (movie review) ...... PAGE 10 home Evan Almighty (DVD review) ...... PAGE 12 Pushing Daisies (TV review) ...... PAGE 13 Netscapades ...... PAGE 14 Video Games ...... PAGE 14 dish Collage (restaurant review) ...... PAGES 15-16 Southern Women’s Show ...... PAGES 16-17 music Music Calendar ...... PAGES 26-30 Widespread Panic (interview) ...... PAGE 26 Bernard (Murray Hill Theatre) ...... PAGE 27 TB1 (interview) ...... PAGE 28 Jacob’s Ladder (interview) ...... PAGE 29 Firefall (interview)...... PAGE 30 arts / theatre / on stage Artscapade 2007 ...... PAGE 31 Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Alhambra Dinner Theatre) ...... PAGE 32 Heartbreak House (JU Theatre) ...... PAGE 33 columns and stuff Native Foreigner ...... PAGE 34 The Jock ...... PAGE 34 NASCAR News & Notes ...... PAGE 35
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 3 thisweek natalie cole Dennis Deyoung Former member of the band STYX thursday OCTOBER 18 recreates 30 years of musical history, featuring all the music he wrote and Tannahill Weavers sang. All your favorite classics such as Appearing live in their only Florida appearance, this dynamic quintet ‘Lady,’ Babe,’ ‘Come Sail Away,’, and plays traditional Scottish music at its best. The band’s potent ‘Mr. Roboto,’ plus rock anthems ‘Suite mixture of traditional ballads and fi ery instrumentals leaves their Madame Blue,’ ‘Grand Illusion,’ and audiences spellbound. As tight and versatile as any band in the many more including new music from Celtic music scene, the Tannahills can summon rock-n-roll intensity Deyoung’s new rock album One Hundred or haunting introspection. Special guest Chelsea Saddler will also Years From Now. Florida Theatre – 8 pm, perform. Tickets $12.50- $17.50 Info: 355-2787 Bolles School, 7400 San Jose Blvd- 7:30 pm, Info: (904) 725-3929 The Hives Art with a Heart 2007 Fundraiser Coming straight out of Fagersta, Sweden, Art with a Heart is a non-profi t organization that provides the Hives formed in 1993 but will be hospitalized children with an opportunity for expression and forever known as members of the creativity through fi ne art instruction. This fabulous cocktail party Class of 2002, when rock was offi cially fundraiser features a silent auction of artwork by young patients declared Back. Their latest record, The from Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Nemours Children’s Clinic. Black and White Album, will be in stores Stellars Gallery, Ponte Vedra Beach- 7 pm to 10 pm, Info: (904) next month and all of their headlining 202-2689 shows in support of the release will be at small, intimate venues. Our very own OCTOBER 18 - 21 Jack Rabbits is on the list! Tickets: $12, Southern Women’s Show Jack Rabbits- 8 pm, Info: (904) 398- Hey ladies, it’s that time of year again! The Southern Women’s 7496 Show is back and this year you’re in for a treat. In addition to shopping and sampling at vendor displays, expect to be star struck: former NSYNC member and Dancing with the Stars alum Joey Medeski Martin & Wood Comprised of denizens of New York’s downtown jazz scene, Fatone will be visiting the Convention Center along with country saturday OCTOBER 20 the keys-bass-drums trio Medeski Martin & Wood built a music hottie Chuck Wicks. Read more about it on page 16. reputation as one of the most inventive jam bands of the ‘90s, Tickets: $7-$4. Prime Osborn Convention Center. Family “River Ride” Boat Trips the rare act that could entertain Phishheads one night and Info: (800) 849-0248 ext. 112 or southernshows.com Take a ride on the St Johns River with the Riverkeepers. Enjoy the a fringe-jazz crowd the next. After many successful years, outdoors, learn about local history and ecology, and have fun with the group has become something of a phenomenon, even hands-on activities! Be sure to bring a camera, binoculars, and a being featured on the soundtrack of ABC’s hit series Grey’s positive attitude. Light snacks and water will be provided. Anatomy. Tickets: $20, Freebird Live- 8 pm, (904) 246-BIRD Suggested donation: $25 per family. Friendship Park & Fountain, friday OCTOBER 19 1015 Museum Circle- 9:30 am to 11:30 am, Reservations: email OCTOBER 19 - 20 name & contact information with number of participants to Danielle. [email protected] Monty Python’s Spamalot On-Sale Event Skynyrd Tribute Weekend Tickets for the Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2005 Monty This special weekend honoring Jacksonville legends Lynyrd Python’s Spamalot will go on sale this Friday, and that’s reason Skynyrd features music by KYMYSTRY, Barry Lee Harwood, Sophisticated Ladies enough to celebrate! From 7 to 10 am at the Times-Union Center Skytrain, Drivin South, DB Hackett & The Cross Creek Band, The Ritz Theatre presents its inaugural Ritz Black Broadway box offi ce, WAPE 95.1 and Lite 96.1 WEJZ will be broadcasting live Shane Dodson and other acoustic performers. A “Skynyrd Series. Sophisticated Ladies highlights the music of the great Duke and providing coffee and donuts to those waiting in line for tickets. Frynds Unplugged” tribute is planned both nights with a Ellington. Moving from his days at the Cotton Club to his latter The fi rst 100 ticket purchasers will receive an offi cial Spamalot candlelight vigil on Saturday night. There is no charge for jazz suites, this musical review is packed with audience favorites souvenir and a $25 gift certifi cate to Morton’s Steakhouse. Strolling this event, all musicians donate their time and talent and including “Moon Indigo,” “In a Sentimental Mood,” and “It Don’t medieval actors and musicians will be on-site to entertain and are not paid to perform. Sharky’s Place- Quality Inn & Mean a Thing (If You Ain’t Got that blues traveler special SPAM breakfast foods will be served courtesy of Levy’s Conference Center, Orange Park- 6 pm Swing).” Tickets: $27.50, Ritz Restaurants. Tickets range from $27 to $74. Info: (904)632-3373 Info: frynds.com/2007STW.html Theatre- 8 pm, Info: (904) 632-5555 or artistseries.fccj.org Catty Shack’s 2nd Annual Haunted Forest Blues Traveler 20th Annual Spooktacular Everybody remembers Blues Halloween Party Traveler, right? Well, we won’t give Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo begins this Friday. Come to Enjoy this “Cat-tacular” family event full of candy, prizes you the ‘Run-Around.’ The group a land of pumpkins for the Pumpkinville Fall Festival celebration! and games for little animal lovers. Bring your camera to is back and ready to ‘Hook’ you all You’ll meet pumpkin people, scarecrows and animals. Enjoy live take pictures of the big cats as you tour the facility. A over again with their mainstream entertainment galore, an Enchanted Forest with a prince and trip through the Haunted Forest is included in the tour. radio hits and other songs from their princess, and lots of other surprises. This year, candy and treat Admission: $10-$5, Free ages 2 and under. The Catty eight-album discography. Tickets: stations will be set up throughout the Spooktacular path so kids Shack Ranch and Wildlife Sanctuary, 1860 Starratt Road, $30, Freebird Live- 8 pm, Info: (904) can trick-or-treat (safely!) as they explore! Jacksonville Zoo and Info: (904) 757-3603 or go to www.cattyshack.org Gardens- 6:30 pm to 9 pm, Info: (904) 757-4463 or jaxzoo.org 246-BIRD
4 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Natalie Cole Eight-time Grammy Award winner Natalie Cole released her 20th studio album on September 26th, marking an impressive milestone that speaks to her musicianship, her critically acclaimed abilities as a vocalist and her connection to her fans. It also marks her fi rst album of new material in nearly four years, a recording that returns Natalie to her musical roots as one of our time’s best R&B/pop vocalists. See this legendary songstress live this weekend at UNF. Tickets: $10/students; $125/VIP; $46-$58/all others. Lazzara Performance Hall, UNF- 7:30 pm Info: (904) 620-2878 or unf.edu/fi neartscenter/
Little Richard Pounding the piano and howling lyrics in a wild falsetto, Little Richard, the so-called Quasar of Rock, became a seminal fi gure in the birth of rock & roll. Today, Little Richard remains one of the most recognized and quotable celebrities in the world. Read EU’s interview with Little Richard on page 23. Tickets: $15 to $35 St. Augustine Amphitheatre- 6 pm Info: (904) 353-3309 or staugamphitheatre.com sunday OCTOBER 21 4th Annual Family Fest at UNF UNF’s Child Development Research Center (CDRC) and the UNF Nature Trails are hosting this fun event that focuses is on literacy and nature. Some of the day’s activities include an audience-participation musical theater performance, storytelling, craft and nature projects, canoeing, games and much more. Snacks and drinks will be available. Suggested donation: $3/child, $5/adult, or $10/entire family UNF Nature Trails area near St. Johns Bluff Road- 1 pm to 4 pm Info: (904) 620-2372 (Monday-Friday) or [email protected]
acoustic alchemy
tuesday OCTOBER 23 Acoustic Alchemy This ever-evolving British ensemble is a powerhouse force in contemporary jazz. The duo—while keeping their trademark acoustic guitar synergy front and center—Is clearly committed to forging ahead, following the laid back pop-soul vibe of American/English with their most aggressive and swinging, hard rocking and artfully jazzy disc to date. Florida Theatre – 8 pm, Info: 355-2787
Circa Survive Circa Survive is an experimental rock band consisting of former Saosin vocalist Anthony Green and members of the now-defunct This Day Forward, including guitarists Brendan Ekstrom and Colin Frangicetto. See them perform live on Tuesday with Ours, Fear before the March of Flames, and Dear and the Headlights. Tickets: $13, Fuel Coffeehouse- 6 pm, Info: (904) 425-FUEL wednesday OCTOBER 24 Picasso at the Lapin Agile Written by Steve Martin, this long running off-Broadway absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian café in 1904 just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afi re with cubism. Playing fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century’s achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics, Martin also adds a third major infl uence of the century by including Elvis. Tickets: $10/adults, $5/general students and military, Free/JU students, faculty and staff with appropriate I.D. Studio Theatre, JU- 7:30 pm, Info: (904) 256-7345
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 5 MOVIES OPENING a bloody good time 2 DAYS IN PARIS Engenue Julie Delpy does triple-duty as writer, director and star of this romantic comedy. French photographer Marion (Delpy) and American interior designer Jack 30 Days Of Night (Adam Goldberg) are returning from a vaca- tion in Venice. Before they return to the United States, Marion and Jack have a quick two-day BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] stop in Paris to visit Marion’s parents and pick up the cat that they had been pet-setting for B Rated R 113 min. rifi c animal killings and their daughter. Starring: Julie Delpy, Adam Gold- vandalism. Each event is berg, Daniel Bruehl, Marie Pillet. Rating: R Once I heard the premise for the horror fl ick, designed to isolate the Thirty Days of Night, I thought, “Damn, what a cool already lonely town even 30 DAYS OF NIGHT In Barrow, Alaska, the idea! Hope they don’t screw it up.” They don’t. With further. northernmost town in the U.S, the winter sun great source material from the original graphic novel Stella doesn’t make sets and does not rise for 30 days and nights. series plus a director (David Slade) and producer (Sam it to the airport in time and From the darkness comes an evil force that Raimi) who are willing to honor the source material and is stuck in town for the strikes terror on the town, and all hope is pinned do it justice, 30 Days of Night makes for some damn month. She’s there when on a husband-and-wife cop team. Starring: Josh good movie horror. Eban arrests a suspicious Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston, Jon 30 Days of Night was originally a miniseries of stranger at the town’s only fast and could take a person so quickly that it was Bennett, Ben Foster. Rating: R comics illustrated by Ben Templesmith and written by diner. From the jail cell the stranger beings prophesy- hard to know what they were. After seeing them a few Steve Niles. The series, like the movie, takes place in ing their doom in mysterious phrases whilst being more times, I was actually more scared of them. THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES An the desolate Barrow, Alaska, near enough to the Artic really, really creepy. Kudos to actor Ben Foster for At one point in the movie, I was annoyed by the action western surrounding the private life and Circle that residents experience thirty days of darkness creeping me out. vampires’ stupidity. They were going after someone public exploits of America’s most notorious out- during the winter. Vampires, taking advantage of this With our fi rst glimpse of the beasts, we learn who, if they had any intelligence at all, would know to law, Jesse James. As the charismatic and un- phenomena and the isolation of the town during those that these vampires aren’t the beautiful, tormented be an obvious distraction. Then I realized the vamps predictable outlaw plans his next great robbery, thirty days, descend upon the vampire equivalent of an vampires that you might fi nd in an Ann Rice novel. were just arrogant. With thirty full days of darkness he wages war on his enemies, who are trying to all-you-can-eat buffet. First off, they ain’t pretty, what with the nasty teeth and an isolated town, they had the luxury of playing collect the reward money--and the glory--that is Barrow is a town so small that when Stella and the freaky eyes. Plus, these guys are messy eat- with their food. riding on his capture. Starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Olemaun (Melissa George) has an accident trying to ers. No elegant trickle of blood in the corner of their The fl ick does have the usual horror movie pit- Affl eck, Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker, Jer- catch the last plane out before the thirty days begins, mouth for them. falls (clichés, some mediocre acting) but the core of emy Renner. Rating: R she knows the person who hit her by name. There are I’ve never seen so much blood in a movie. would-be victims are developed enough that you care no strangers here. Maybe I’m not watching enough horror fl icks, but for their survival. Tension and body count more than THE COMEBACKS This spoof comedy follows Meanwhile, Stella’s estranged husband, Sherriff frame for frame, this fl ick has more blood than a made up for most of these little annoyances. Largely, an out-of-luck coach, Lambeau Fields, who Eban Olemaun (Josh Hartnett) is investigating all sorts blood bank. It’s all over the place, staining the snow, humor was thankfully absent from the movie, since it takes a rag-tag bunch of college misfi ts and of mysterious happenings around town. A number coating dead bodies, and covering the vampires from just wouldn’t have jibed with the dire situation. drives them towards the football champion- of phones were burned in the snow; there were hor- the chin down. I’m betting that most of the actors who There are more comics and stories in the 30 ships. In the process, this life-long loser discov- played the vampires in the movie never want to see Days series. There are several graphic novels that ers that he is a winner after all by redeeming red again. For such effi cient hunters, they’re extremely deal with the years after this initial attack, following himself, saving his relationship with his family wasteful of their primary sustenance, spilling blood some of the characters and also coming back to Bar- and friends, and fi nding that there is indeed, no across the landscape, across their clothes, smeared row. I’ve not read them, but I’d like to see what the “I” in “team”! Starring: David Koechner, Carl in their hair and spattered everywhere else. tough people of Barrow could do to these villainous Weathers, Matt Lawrence, Brooke Nevin, George At fi rst, I thought the vampires were scarier vampires with just a little more preparation and knowl- Back Rating: PG-13 when we didn’t see them. When they moved by so edge.
INTO THE WILD Based on a true story and the bestselling book by Jon Krakauer. After graduat- ing from Emory University in 1992, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life. Starring: Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Marcia Gay Harden, Wil- liam Hurt. Rating: R
RENDITION A thriller that centers on Isabella El-Ibrahimi, the American wife of Egyptian-born chemical engineer Anwar El-Ibrahimi, who dis- appears on a fl ight from South Africa to Wash- ington. Isabella desperately tries to track her husband down, while a CIA analyst at a secret detention facility outside the U.S. is forced to question his assignment as he becomes party to the man’s unorthodox interrogation. Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Omar Metwally, Jake Gyl-
6 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper ben affl eck directs brother Gone Baby Gone
BY RICK GRANT [email protected]
A Rated R 114 min
Adapted from Dennis Lehane’s novel for the screen and directed by Ben Affl eck, the complex scenario of Gone Baby Gone explores a special case. When doing the right thing involves a decision that could be construed as morally wrong, but could also be construed as the best thing for the common good in the long run, it presents a gray area of moral ambiguity. This reaches a crisis as a com- plicated kidnapping conspiracy that takes a child away from an irresponsible crack whore mother. At some point, a detec- tive has to make a decision that will affect the child for the rest of her life. The decision is loaded with long term ramifi ca- tions. This scenario plays out in a shadowy subterranean drug world as the various elements fi t into the puzzle with a shock- ing resolution. Ben Affl eck’s brother Casey portrays baby-faced, 31- year old private detective Pat- rick Kenzie, who is hired by the family of an abducted 4-year old girl, Amanda, from resolution of the story. Affl eck’s script moves with the working class Boston-Dorchester neighborhood a steady pace and a strong sense of place through where Patrick lives. They rationalize that Patrick a complex web of evidence and surprises, leav- knows the people in the district better than the ing the viewer trying to put this case together and cops, so he may be able to fi nd out who abducted then becoming frustrated by the radically changing the girl. The cops agree to let Patrick work with situations. Clearly, the case is more than just an them on the case. It turns out that the family of the abduction, but fi guring out its various elements is abducted girl was right, Patrick gets into the belly of engrossing cinema. The script is dialogue and char- the beast by penetrating the neighborhood’s under- acter-driven, so every utterance out of the mouths world of cocaine dealing lowlifes. Patrick’s part- of the actors is important to understanding the big ner/girlfriend, Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan), picture. is also working with him on this important case. For Patrick, the case is not adding up, and he Ed Harris plays Det. Remy Bressant, a transplanted is having misgivings about his colleagues Still, his Louisiana homicide detective, who, with his partner primary focus is returning the girl to her mother Nick Poole (John Ashton), reluctantly work with Helene, played skillfully by Amy Ryan. Viewers Patrick and Angie. The case is overseen by Boston will hate Helene, who perhaps doesn’t deserve District Police Captain, Jack Doyle (Morgan Free- Amanda, but nonetheless, she is the girl’s mother man). and therefore biologically linked to the child. As This is indeed an impressive directorial debut time goes on, fi nding Amanda alive seems less for Ben Affl eck working with his brother Casey to likely, but Patrick is dedicated to resolving the case create one of the best fi lms of the year. Casey’s because of his strong emotional commitment to nuanced acting is engaging as he enters the hellish Amanda and her mom. He knows her well and drug world in his district to seek information on doesn’t forgive her for her drug use and irresponsi- the missing girl. Casey has a quirky style of acting bility to the child, but he believes the child belongs that lends itself perfectly to this role. Monaghan’s with her. This strong sense of neighborhood loyalty portrayal of Angie, Patrick’s partner/squeeze, is is a factor later in the story as Patrick gets closer to a pivotal role that plays an important part in the the ugly truth.
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 7 lenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Alan Arkin. Rating: R
Two young private detectives penn pens the best fi lm of the year GONE BABY GONE are hired to take a closer look at the mysterious disappearance of a little girl and soon discover that nothing is what it seems. Ultimately, they will Into the Wild have to risk everything -- their relationship, sanity, to write a screenplay and direct a movie about this and even their lives -- to fi nd a little girl-lost. Star- remarkable young man’s adventures. After the usual ring: Casey Affl eck, Michelle Monaghan, Ed Har- BY RICK GRANT [email protected] struggle to get the movie fi nanced, Penn gathered his ris, Morgan Freeman, John Ashton. Rated R. stellar cast and crew on location, with Emile Hirsch (Lords of Dogtown) playing Chris, and unequivocally, SARAH LANDON AND THE PARANORMAL HOUR shot the best picture this year. 17-year-old Sarah Landon is in over her head. Indeed, Into the Wild is Penn’s magnum opus. Staying far away from home with her late friend’s As evidenced by Penn’s inspired direction, it’s obvi- grandmother, she realizes she’s sleeping in a ous that he identifi ed spiritually and philosophically haunted guest house and that she’s just uncov- with Chris’ journey into his heart of darkness. Hirsch ered a small town’s dark secret. Rating: PG went to extremes to get inside Chris’ skin and soul with his Oscar-worthy performance. Hirsch channels THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE Audrey Burke Chris with a mesmerizing, in-depth characterization. is reeling from the shock of the news that her He lost 40 pounds to get into the role and revels in husband Brian, the father of their two young chil- the physical challenges. dren, has been killed in a random act of violence. Penn was determined to walk in the same Impulsively, she turns to Jerry Sunborne, a down- footsteps as Chris. He setup in the same locations and-out addict who has been her husband’s close that Chris traveled for over two years. Chris launched friend since childhood. Audrey invites Jerry to his epic journey after burning his driver’s license move into the room adjacent to their garage in the and credit cards. He gave away $24,000 in savings hope that he can help her and her children cope to fi nd meaning in his life. Of course, most young with their sudden loss. Starring: Benicio Del Toro, men want to travel the world after college, backpack- Halle Berry, David Duchovny, Alexis Llewellyn, ing through India or Europe, fi nding adventure and Micah Berry. Rating: R learning about other cultures, but Chris took this A Rated R 140 min moved deeply by the true story of Chris McCand- wanderlust to the extreme. Like a monk on sabbati- TIM BURTON’S NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRIST- less who, after graduating with honors from Emory cal, Chris was seeking answers to his most profound This stop-motion animated fable was a big MAS When Sean Penn read Jon Krakauer’s book, University, hit the road, abandoning his family and questions by divorcing himself from the work-a-day hit when it was released in 1993, praised for its Into the Wild, he, like millions of other readers, was friends to fi nd universal truth. Penn was determined world of the classic American dream seekers. (“Little stunning originality and for the excellence of its houses on the hillside made of ticky-tacky.”) Viewers execution. In addition, it was praised for being a sense that Chris is suffering from some serious dis- completely absorbing fable that both grownups connect caused by something that happened in his and children can enjoy, so long as the children are youth, which is driving his radical renunciation of the able to its handle scary bits. In Disney Digital 3-D. material world. Rating: PG Jena Malone plays Chris’ sister, Carine. She is the narrator that explains certain aspects of Chris’ NOW SHOWING motivations for his estrangement from his affl uent parents, Walt (William Hurt) and Billie (Marcia Gay 3:10 TO YUMA A rancher struggles to support Harden). Given that all young people are alienated his ranch and family during a long drought. Des- from their parents, Chris’ estrangement ran much perately needing money to build a well, he takes deeper. Nonetheless, Chris, who called himself an assignment to transport a notorious felon, in Alexander Supertramp, fi rst travels to a South Da- the hands of authorities, to Yuma for imprison- kota farm managed by Wayne Westerberg (Vince ment. But, once the two meet, the criminal tries Vaughan) which then inspires a dangerous kayak trip to tempt him with--in exchange for allowing him down to Mexico. Later, Chris fi nds himself in a trailer to escape--an offer of much more money than the shared by Jan (Catherine Keener) and Rainey (Brian rancher ever expected, the result of hidden loot. Dieker). An unconsummated romance blooms with Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Alan Tu- underage Tracy (Kristen Stewart) at an RV camp dyk, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol Rating: R in the California desert. Chris’ need for meaningful adult interaction fi nds him consulting with a lonely ACROSS THE UNIVERSE Set against the old man, Ron Franz (Hal Holbrook). anti-war protests, rock and roll revolution, and These side trips direct Chris to his ultimate mind-expanding psychedelia of the 1960s, Julie destination, Alaska, where he endures months of Taymor’s hallucinogenic musical follows the ardu- isolation and deprivation. This phase of the story ous journey of star crossed lovers Jude (Jim Stur- reveals a troubled young man who has slipped into gess) and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) as they and loneliness and depression, but he’s hooked on his a small group of musicians are swept up in the wilderness experience. Here Penn draws out an raging waters of the volatile counterculture move- incredibly dense and nuanced performance from ment. The music in the fi lm consists exclusively Hirsch, who, by now, has become one with Chris of songs made popular by The Beatles during the McCandless’ spirit. In Alaska, he entered a spiritual time period depicted in the movie. PG-13 anti-world between life and death – a place where he may fi nd the answers he’s looking for, but will it THE BRAVE ONE Neil Jordan’s The Brave One be too late? Penn’s stark mosaic and wide spacial stars Jodie Foster as a happy woman whose life vistas will draw the viewer into Chris’ consciousness changes irrevocably after a brutal assault leaves where he fi nally learns the ultimate meaning of life. her partner (Naveen Andrews) dead. The woman, As Chris’ travels further to the melding of feeling that the police investigation will be un- his soul with the wilderness, Eddie Vedder’s dark able to catch the perpetrators, begins to live in hypnotic songs set the tone of the story. Vedder’s constant fear. This outlook results in the woman soundtrack is the best work he has ever done to eventually dispatching vigilante justice. Terrence date. The music emotionally drives the theme of this Howard co-stars as the offi cer in charge of the remarkable young man’s trip into his inner soul, as investigation. Rated R he struggles against all odds. It’s an exalting experi- ence. Frankly, this is the best fi lm of the year so far!
8 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Director: Marc Forster Based one on of the most acclaimed novels Naomi Watts is a London EASTERN PROMISES your fi lm fi x is in savannah in recent memory, The Kite Runner is a profoundly midwife who looks into the death of a patient, emotional tale of friendship, family, devastating putting her in the sights of a ruthless Russian mistakes and redeeming love. In a divided country mobster. Viggo Mortensen as the mysterious BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and and charismatic Russian-born Nikolai Luzhin is a What: Savannah Film Festival Jesus Cooks Me Breakfast is a surreal comedy Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever. Now, driver for one of London’s most notorious orga- When: Oct 27-Nov3 that questions the existence of God and man’s eter- after 20 years of living in America, Amir returns to a nized crime families of Eastern European origin. Where: Savannah, Georgia nal task in fi nding him. Jules Berlandt is a depressed perilous Afghanistan under the Taliban’s iron-fi sted Rated R From feature-length fi lms to two-minute shorts, man who stuffs envelopes for a living. With a broken rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take the Savannah Film Festival can give you the creative relationship hanging over his head and a life heading one last daring chance to set things right. ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE Actress Cate fi lm fi x you need between now and Jacksonville’s comfortably nowhere, Jules’ life is turned upside Blanchett returns to her Oscar-nominated role own fi lm fest. down when Jesus Christ unexpectedly knocks on his Netherbeast Incorporated and director Shekhar Kapur steps back into the But sitting in the fl ickering light of the projec- front door and wants to cook him breakfast. Jules USA, 2007, 90 min., feature, Beta SP director’s chair for this belated sequel to the tor booth isn’t the only thing the Fest’s got going is told the real reason behind the son-of-God’s visit. Director: Dean Ronalds critically acclaimed 1998 biopic Elizabeth that on. There are also pro workshops on fi lmmaking, Jesus tells him that “God is missing” and he wants A quirky twist on the vampire tale, set in mod- explores the 16th century romance between the lectures from people in the know and discussion Jules to activate his life and fi nd his Dad. The only ern day corporate America. Employees of Berm-Tech “Virgin Queen” and noted adventurer Sir Walter groups. You can ask questions about the artistry and thing left is for Jules to eat the omelet. Jules must Industries, Inc. have kept the family secret for a Raleigh (Clive Owen). Michael Hirst teams with the industry as well as meet fi lmmakers. either eat the omelet or reject it. Both choices have long time. For years it has been business as usual, William Nicholson to pen the screenplay, and ac- The Fest really helps educate not only the gen- heavy consequences for his life and mankind as we until the top vampire in charge contracts a dreaded tor Geoffrey Rush returns to the role of Sir Francis eral public, but also those who are studying fi lm or know it. Will he eat the omelet? disease and invites the fi rst humans to work in the Walsingham. PG13 wish to become fi lmmakers themselves. Students offi ce in more than a century. from in and around Georgia screen the fi lms and Day Zero FEEL THE NOISE meet with the fi lmmakers at talkbacks, enjoying the USA, 2007, 90 min., special screening, 35mm Suffering Man’s Charity A 21-year-old aspiring hip-hop star from the benefi ts and insights of those already in the industry. Director: Bryan Gunnar Cole USA, 2007, 92 min., feature, 35 mm Bronx is forced to put his career on hold when Day Zero follows the lives of three best friends Director: Alan Cumming a gang of local thugs threatens his life and he is Honeydripper in New York City who have thirty days to come to In his solo directorial debut, Suffering Man’s forced to seek refuge with his estranged father in USA, 2007, 122 min., 35 mm terms with their fate after the military draft is rein- Charity, Alan Cumming plays John Vandermark, a Puerto Rico. Musical appearances: Vico, Volito, Director: John Sayles stated. The three friends (Chris Klein, Elijah Wood, failed composer turned music teacher with a weak- Wyclef Jean, Alexis and Fido. PG13 Rural Alabama, 1950. Cotton harvest. It’s Jon Bernthal) will fi nd their relationships tested as ness for impoverished young men of great aspira- a make-or-break weekend for the Honeydripper they confront tightly held beliefs about life, death, tions. THE FINAL SEASON In the small town of Nor- Lounge and its owner, piano player Tyrone “Pine courage and love. way, Iowa, everyone comes together for high Top” Purvis. Deep in debt to the liquor man, the For a full schedule of fi lms, including more special school baseball. But life throws curve balls; and chicken man and the landlord, Tyrone is desperate The Kite Runner screenings, features, shorts, animation fi lms, docu- the passionate young players, rookie coach Kent to lure the young cotton pickers and local Army re- USA, China, 2007, 122 min., 35 mm mentaries and student entries, go to scad.edu/fi lmfest/ Stock (Sean Astin), and the hometown fans fi nd cruits into his juke joint and away from Touissant’s, that life’s greatest challenges strike off the dia- the rival joint in town. After fi ring his regular talent, mond. ‘The Final Season’ is the true story of a Tyrone announces that he hired the famous electric coach who inspired his team and brought hope to guitar player, Guitar Sam, for a special one-night- a town when they needed it most. PG only gig to save the club. On the day of the show, the train arrives and Guitar Sam is nowhere to be found. THE GAME PLAN Gridiron Gang star The Rock Tyrone is forced to take drastic action and makes a picks up the pigskin once again for this sports- deal with Sheriff Pugh to release Sonny, the kid who themed family comedy concerning a football hopped off a freight car in Harmony, and turned up superstar who abandons the gridiron to answer in the club claiming he could play the guitar as well the call of fatherhood after learning that he has as any Guitar Sam. Tyrone cleans up Sonny as a a daughter he never knew. Kyra Sedgwick stars last-ditch scheme to pass off the young guitar picker as the professional athlete’s ruthless agent who as Guitar Sam, just long enough to cut the lights and would rather see her client scoring touchdowns run off with the cash box. than cementing familial bonds. Rated PG Control A man breaks up with his GOOD LUCK CHUCK USA, 2007, 121 min., 35 mm long-time girlfriend only to see her get engaged to Director: Anton Corbijn the next guy she dates. The same pattern occurs Ian Curtis has aspirations beyond the trap- with his next girlfriend, and continues to repeat. pings of small-town life in 1970s England. Wanting All of a sudden he fi nds himself becoming a lucky to emulate his musical heroes, such as David Bowie charm for women, who all want to date him. and Iggy Pop, he joins a band and his musical Starring Jessica Alba, Dane Cook, Dan Fogler, ambition begins to thrive. He is distracted from his Michelle Harrison, Ellia English. Rated R family commitments by a new love and the growing expectations of his band. This confl ict leads to ever THE HEARTBREAK KID This remake of Elaine growing misunderstandings May’s The Heartbreak Kid stars Ben Stiller as Eddie, a man who as the fi lm opens is getting In Search of Real America married to a woman he proposed to after knowing USA, 2007, 65 min., Beta SP her for just one week. While on their honeymoon Director: Barrett Tripp he discovers that his new bride is in many ways “Hello, I’m Harry van Gorkum and I’m in search a horrible person, and at the same time meets a of Real America.” British actor Harry van Gorkum woman (Michelle Monaghan) who he begins to grew up with an image of America created by Holly- realize he should have married. Rated R wood. But now that he’s living here, he’s wondering, “Is this the real America?” Harry crisscrosses the JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB As fi ve women and country on a quest, living out of a comically small one enigmatic man meet to discuss the works of teardrop camper. Harry enthusiastically endears Jane Austen, they fi nd their love lives playing out himself to his American hosts at every stop. At the in a 21st century version of her novels. Rating: end of each day, Harry asks of his newfound friends, PG-13. “Where should I go next to fi nd real America?”
In the aftermath of a deadly at- THE KINGDOM Jesus Cooks Me Breakfast tack on American forces in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, USA, 2007, 25 min., special screening, Beta SP diplomats are slow to act, but meanwhile, FBI Director: Jason Antoon
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 9 special agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) assem- bles a secret team of U.S. counter-terrorism in- vestigators to enter the city and fi nd the criminal behind what has quickly become an international incident. Also starring Jennifer Garner, Chris Coo- per, Jason Bateman, Jeremy Piven. Rated R
MICHAEL CLAYTON Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house “fi xer” at one of the larg- est corporate law fi rms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of the dirtiest work at the behest of the fi rm’s co-found- er Marty Bach (Sydney Pollack). At U/North, meanwhile, the career of litigator Karen Crowder (Tilda Swinton) rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class action suit that Clayton’s fi rm is leading to a seemingly successful conclu- sion. Rated R a classic western SEA MONSTERS: A PREHISTORIC ADVENTURE IN 3D Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford This stunning photo-realistic computer-gener- ated animation transports audiences back to the Late Cretaceous, when a great inland sea divided BY RICK GRANT [email protected] North America in two. A Rated R 152 min Sam Shepard plays Jesse’s older brother Frank, who wants to pull one last train robbery and retire. He TYLER PERRY’S WHY DID I GET MARRIED? A Over the years, the myth of Jesse James be- dislikes Robert and thinks him a nuisance. Jesse uses big-screen adaptation of Perry’s hit stage play came greater than the reality. Wild-west writers fi c- Robert as a foil and the butt of his jokes. of the same title, ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ is an tionalized the western outlaws, who were sometimes After his crime sprees, Jesse would return home intimate story about the diffi culty of maintaining a bitter ex-Confederate soldiers that engaged in criminal to his wife (Mary-Louise Parker) and live a regular, solid love relationship in modern times. PG13 activities like train robbery and murder. Unquestion- albeit highly armed, domestic life. Jesse suffered from ably, Jesse James was the most famous of the out- insomnia and a dreadful fear of being caught. Many WE OWN THE NIGHT WE OWN THE NIGHT laws, who, along with his and the Ford brothers, rode members of his original gang had either been hanged Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) manages one into history as legends of the old west. Legends that or were serving long sentences in Federal prisons. of Gotham’s hottest clubs - but being in the club stimulated the imaginations of the dime novel writers Jesse knew that his days were numbered. There was scene often means turning a blind eye to blatant and, later, Hollywood screen writers. a large price on his head and the person who took him criminal activities. Realizing that his career - and New Zealand born fi lmmaker Andrew Dominik out would be famous. So, Jesse couldn’t stay home perhaps his life - could come to a sudden end has taken the accepted historical account of Jesse long–maybe a couple of days before returning to life if anyone discovers that his father Burt (Robert James’ last years and created a masterwork of the on the run. Posses and private bounty hunters were Duvall) is the deputy chief of police and his classic western. Dominik’s lumbering but methodi- tracking him. He had chosen the life of an outlaw, now brother Joseph (Mark Walberg) is a rising star on cal pacing and standing shots of the vast vistas of he was paying the price. the force. Rated R Missouri’s wilderness region are spectacular. In this Devotees of quality cinema will love this picture. cold foreboding region, Dominik moves his stellar cast Sure, it’s butt-numbingly long, but it is a classic west- SPECIAL SHOWINGS with dialogue and character-driven scenes, depicting ern that will stand the test of time. this band of vicious killers on their last waltz. Brad Pitt Midnight Movies goes deep inside Jesse’s tortured soul, portraying In the 1985 fi lm, RE-ANIMATOR, Herbert West him as a paranoid psychotic, who, in the end, couldn’t (Jeffrey Combs) is a brilliant medical student trust anyone. Like Stalin, the only way to be sure he who has perfected a green-glowing serum for re- was safe was to kill everyone close to him. generating life into dead things -- or even parts of Dominik’s script de-glorifi es Jesse’s Robin dead things. But a corrupt superior, Dr. Carl Hill Hood image and portrays the gang as a rabble of JACKSONVILLE (David Gale), assumes control of West’s experi- miscreants and lowlifes. Twenty year-old Robert Ford ments and winds up, by ghastly necessity, using is portrayed with skillful acting talent by Casey Af- the stuff on his own severed head and body. The fl eck as a wannabe outlaw who idolized Jesse. Robert graphic artist wanted. bone-saws and zombies complicate their plans. was unmercifully teased by his brothers for being too we are seeking creative individuals who are Rating: R. Showing Oct.19 & 20 at 11:55p.m. at sensitive and not getting their jokes. Jesse, amused the San Marco Theatre. On Oct 26 & 27 you will proficient in desktop publishing (specifically by Robert, egged him on only to humiliate him in front all the programs in the adobe creative suite) have a chance to see BLOOD CAR, a big hit at of his brothers. Still, Robert was Jesse’s devoted and web design. experience and degree this year’s Film Festival. Info: 396-4845 or san- groupie and tag-along helper. Jesse was the gang’s marcotheatre.com. preferred. please send resumes with undisputed leader. He reigned by fear, launching portfolios to [email protected]. unpredictably violent episodes. They were all scared MOCA Underground of Jesse and had witnessed him kill people for trivial Wednesday’s come alive at MOCA Jacksonville reasons. 730-3003 from 5 to 9 pm for MOCA in the Middle. Enjoy live music 5 to 7 pm before the MOCA Under- ground fi lm series begins at 7 pm. October 24 see 8 BIT: A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT ART AND VIDEOGAMES. By weaving together arcane histo- ries of digital subterfuge, candid interviews with cutting edge artists and theorists, wild video- game concerts, and highlights from the best digi- tal artwork being made today. Tickets are $6 for members and $8 for non-members. Fright Flicks on October 31, Halloween Night, will feature a Special Double Feature, with DRACULA (1931) with new score by Philip Glass and DRACULA: PAGES FROM A VIRGIN’S DIARY. Special Twofer Price: Non-Members $10, Members/Students $8.
10 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 11 accurately described as ad-libbed lines- mostly new on dvd Steve Carell trying out different reactions to hitting his thumb with a hammer. Things get more interest- TRANSFORMERS (143 min.) ing with “The Ark-itechs of Noah’s Ark,” a 6-minute An intergalactic war between two races of robots, featurette about the making of the various ark sets. the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons, has “Becoming Noah” is another 6-minute long short. raged on for centuries. When their epic struggle This one covers the extensive makeup Carell endured comes to Earth, all that stands between the De- each day to transform into Evan Baxter. In “Steve cepticons and ultimate power is a clue held by Carell Unscripted” the funnyman does what he young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). Unaware does best: acts a fool, only this time its off-camera. that he is mankind’s last chance for survival, Sam The silliness only lasts 3-minutes and that’s about and Bumblebee, his robot disguised as a car, are 2-minutes too long since it’s mostly a montage of in a heart-pounding race against an enemy unlike exaggerated grunts in response to bird poo. Speak- anything anyone has seen before. There are car ing of which, “Animals on the Set Two by Two” is crashes, smashes and vehicles turning into fi ght- the longest featurette on the disc, clocking in at ing robots. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences around 13-minutes. Here we learn the fi lm had the of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor and most animals in showbiz history with just over 200 language. different species. The cast talks about their thrilling experiences and the not-so-fun aspects of working GRINDHOUSE PRESENTS: PLANET TERROR with critters, all while praising the trainers for their (105 min.) hard work. Younger kids will enjoy the disc’s “Animal Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan), a reluctant go- Roundup Game,” a three-round matching and trivia go dancer, has the worst night imaginable when challenge. Some of the questions are a little tricky, a vicious zombie attack that leaves her missing a so this is probably one to do as a family. My favorite leg. Her ex-boyfriend, Wray (Freddy Rodriguez), extras are next because they really helped redeem takes charge, fashioning her a new leg from a the entire fi lm in my eyes. “The Almighty Green machine gun, and the two go on a zombie kill- Set” focuses on how director Tom Shadyac really ing spree, saving innocents along the way. This committed to making a “green” fi lm. The materials release is not rated. used to make the ark and even some of the houses were donated to Habitat for Humanity and the cast A MIGHTY HEART (108 min.) and crew got bicycles so they could bike to the set On January 23, 2002, Mariane Pearl’s (Angelina instead of taking cars. Best of all, the fi lmmakers Jolie) world changed forever. Her husband Daniel calculated the carbon emissions used to fl y the cast was researching a story in Karachi and never and crew to their Virginia location and planted 2000 returned. In the face of death, Danny’s spirit of heaven help us trees to offset the damage. “It’s Easy Being Green” defi ance and his unfl inching belief in the power gives viewers tips on how they too can reduce their of journalism led Mariane to write about his carbon footprint. Other extras include a look at how disappearance, the intense effort to fi nd him and Evan Almighty dvd review the fi nal fl ood visual effects were created, a humor- his eventual murder in her memoir. Rated R for ous GE commercial, a listing of people who donated language. funds to plant an additional 15,000 trees and “Acts BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] of Random Kindness,” a 2-minute smattering of THE HOAX (116 min.) I like Steve Carell. My husband and I are dedi- old-school tools, then with the persistent appearance stories of kindness from the cast. Based on a true story, writer Clifford Irving (Rich- cated fans of The Offi ce, I’ve seen The 40 Year-Old of the number 614 (as in Genesis 6:14). It isn’t until ard Gere) faked the authorized autobiography of Virgin twice and I’m of the opinion that The Daily God (Morgan Freeman) Himself appears before Evan reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes and came Show was a million times better when he was on it. that he actually comprehends these not-so-subtle close to pulling off the media scam of the 20th That said, I try to give Steve the benefi t of the doubt clues: a fl ood is coming and Evan is to make like century. Irving’s elaborate attempts to substanti- when it comes to his movies. Evan Almighty defi - Noah and build an ark. ate his claims– forgery, plagiarism, and falsify- nitely tested my faith. The fi lm is now available on By all accounts Evan Almighty was a God-for- ing legal documents– spark a media frenzy and DVD. saken fl op at the box offi ce. With a monster budget take Irving down a neurotic spiral as he begins Anchorman Evan Baxter (Carell) was last seen of $175 million, making it the most expensive com- to suspect a vast conspiracy including the U.S. babbling nonsense live on the air in Bruce Almighty. edy ever made, the fi lm made a disappointing $147 government and corporate empires are plotting My how things have changed! Having secured a million worldwide. Critics panned the sequel, which against him. Rated R for language. spot as a congressman, Evan and his family are scored a depressing 24% rotten on RottenTomatoes. moving on and moving up, starting a whole new life com. THE REAPING (99 min.) in Washington DC. His fi rst day on Capitol Hill fast Given the sheer quantity of extras, it’s pretty Investigative scholar Katherine Winter (Hilary approaching, Evan turns to God for help executing safe to assume this release is the defi nitive Evan Swank) is a debunker of modern “miracles,” his campaign promise to change the world and God Almighty DVD, no double-dipping here. First up are bringing scientifi c light to superstition and fraud. heard him loud and clear. It soon becomes appar- 14 deleted or extended scenes, none of which are But events in tiny Haven, Louisiana, defy even her ent to Evan that the good Lord is trying to tell him particularly funny or helpful to the plot. Next are a expertise. There, the 10 Biblical Plagues seem to something too, fi rst with a shipment of lumber and series of what is labeled as outtakes but are more Evan Almighty is cutesy and innocuous and be reoccurring. And the more she seeks answers, completely dull. The fi lm takes the coward’s way the more she questions her own beliefs. Rated R out, relying purely on jokes about bird poop and for violence, disturbing images and some sexual- alpaca spit to get laughs instead of taking risks like ity. its predecessor. Sure, Morgan Freeman is back again as God and Steve Carell is practically the new THE INVISIBLE (102 min.) Jim Carrey, but the script is so one-note and boring Nick Powell (Justin Chatwin) is a handsome its hard to believe this fi lm is in any way related to young writer with a future as bright as he is. Then Bruce Almighty. Families looking for good, clean one tragic night he’s brutally attacked and left fun will get one out of the three: it is clean. But the for dead — except he’s not. He’s trapped in a laugh-an-hour comedy will probably put most over ghostly limbo where no one can see or hear him. the age of 12 to sleep; leaving those young enough Except for Annie, the one person who must get to think feces is comedy gold to fend for themselves. closer to Nick in order to save him from beyond I like Steve Carell. I think he’s a very funny man his worst nightmare. If together they can quickly with a bright future in comedy. Evan Almighty doesn’t solve the mystery of his murder before it is too help build my case. The extremely curious, die-hard late, there’s a chance he’ll live again. Rated fans will most likely rent this DVD regardless of how PG-13 for violence, criminality, sensuality and terrible the reviews were or how disappointed I was language - all involving teens. and I can respect that. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
12 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper a forensic fairytale Pushing Daisies television review BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] Pushing Daisies was a clear critic favorite go- Pushing Daisies moment came last week when Ol- ing into the fall 2007 television season and for good ive, obsessing over her love for the pie maker, bursts reason. The series has been described as a “forensic into song, belting out “Hopelessly Devoted to You” fairytale” and is truly unlike anything on TV now. while closing up the shop. Her Grease channeling Ned (Lee Pace) realized he was different long had me in stitches and really made the character a ago. The young pie maker is blessed with a mysteri- keeper in my mind. ous power that allows him to touch dead things and Chenoweth really excels here but the same can bring them back to life. His ability has its limitations: be said for all of the actors, each perfectly suited for a second touch will cause the recently revived to their roles. Pace is superb; carrying the show with go back to being dead permanently and should the a quiet confi dence that stands out when compared dead thing stay alive for more than 60 seconds, to the leading men in ABC’s other new shows. Friel something nearby dies in its place. Ned learned epitomizes the girl next door: sweet, a smidge na- these rules the hard way as a little boy and has since ive and likable. She and Pace share an undeniable vowed to use his power very precisely. For a while chemistry which will no doubt grow as the series he would simply use it for baking pies, making rot- continues. I imagine the fact that these two can ten fruit juicy and ripe again with a single touch. But never touch will drive fans nuts as the episodes tick when his secret was discovered by private investiga- by, but for now the wholesome innocence of their tor Emerson Cod (Chi McBride), Ned began using his relationship adds a lot to the show and the charac- ability more often. The two became a team- Emerson ters. would be hired to fi nd a murderer and Ned would In addition to the phenomenal work by the head to the morgue, touch the victim, fi nd out who principle actors, the show is also boasting some big killed them and touch them again to de-animate names slated to make guest appearances in upcom- them. The duo would then collect and split the re- ing episodes. Chuck’s aunts, played by Swoozie ward money. Kurtz and Ellen Greene, appeared in the pilot and will Everything was going fi ne until a case puts Ned show up in future episodes. Paul “Pee Wee” Reu- face-to-face with his recently deceased childhood bens, Molly Shannon, Jayma Mays, Tony nominee sweetheart Charlotte “Chuck” Charles (Anna Friel). Raul Esparza, and E! Online columnist Kristen Dos After touching her to fi nd her killer, Ned just couldn’t Santos will all pop up at some point during this sea- bring himself to touch her a second time. So Chuck son. remains alive, which is both wonderful and terrible Many times with TV shows you fall for the for the pie maker because she’s still in his life yet fi rst episode but the magic fades as the series goes he can never touch her again or she will be gone forward. Not so with Pushing Daises, which has kept forever. that momentum going, turning in a second episode Pushing Daisies is an inventive, charming that is actually better than the pilot. I hate getting fairytale that is the perfect combination of macabre my hopes up about a series because I’m either bit- and whimsy. It’s something Tim Burton would create terly let down at around episode 5 or the show gets if he were to make the switch to television. Narra- cancelled, but I’m optimistic about Pushing Daises. tion by Jim Dale adds to the storybook quality of Thus far ratings have been good, critics like it and the series, allowing the viewer to be taken into this the storylines keep getting better and better. The colorful world without ever questioning the off-kilter show was in my top three at the beginning of the logic. You just accept that this is another universe, fall season but has now secured that number 1 spot so you don’t spend all your time picking it apart. The thanks to its imagination and consistency. If you’re writing is smart and witty, providing rapid-fi re laughs not watching Pushing Daises, you’re truly missing that sometimes take a second viewing to truly ap- out. preciate. Kristen Chenoweth plays Olive, a waitress at Ned’s pie shop and his not so secret admirer, Pushing Daises airs Wednesdays at 8 pm on who has delivered a lot of giggles so far. My favorite ABC.
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 13 netscapades video games by brenton crozier BY NORM STOVALL [email protected] Nothing makes me more nauseous than overdoing it at Krystal at 2 a.m. after a night of drunken revelry. However, a close second is our society’s propensity for unadulterated celebrity worship. Publications and websites that feature celebrity gossip are sold and visited in droves. MLB Power Pros For Nintendo Wii Even a hack like Perez Hilton has found millions in dishing the dirt as people (let’s be frank, mostly women) rush to see what trainwreck Britney has gotten herself into, who is the latest icon to adopt MLB Power Pros is a an impoverished African kid or what so-and-so wore to such-and-such. So I’m just going to go little bit special to me, mostly because it plays like the great ahead and contribute to the hysteria with a couple of sites that stick it to these self-important bozos 8-bit baseball games of yester- and bimbos. But when you get down to it, even these sites are simply another form of fodder for year, games like RBI Baseball gossipmongers. I’ll exploit anything, even my own convictions, to fi ll my column. for the NES, with a little bit of Bases Loaded thrown in, Try a deep dish of distorted, hilarious and often mean-spirited celebrity voyeurism. But they’re topped off with some almost- people too, you say? Nay, nay friend, they are robots. Robots programmed with vanity, frivolity modern day graphics and and obtuse chips. I’m all for brain candy and guilty pleasures. A Journey ballad or two may fi nd fi nished with a hint of next-gen its way into my CD player and the occasional big action movie into my DVD player, but where do bonus features utilizing motion controls. (Maybe I’m getting a you draw the line? How far does your dignity really stretch? Were you able to get through your day little wordy with the description with knowing what Suri Cruise looked like? Poise intact; join me in exploiting the exploited the way there.) For the most part, MLB respectable people do, on the Internet. Power Pros plays like a familiar baseball game. It has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a modern sim, but the looks of the game would suggest it was made for preschoolers. This is actually part of the charm that makes the game great. While graphical representation is animated and very cartoonish, with players that have www.galleryoftheabsurd.com oversized heads and no arms, the straightforward graphics leave no ambiguity that will lead you to control errors. While the main game modes actually DON’T utilize the futuristic control schemes the Wii is capable of handling, there are side games included, such as home run derby, that will let you play as Gallery of the Absurd uses artistic license to embellish if you were playing Wii Sports. With a surprising amount of depth and plenty to keep you busy in both the already embellished. The artwork is fantastic and the single player and multiplayer modes, MLB Power Pros has enough to keep any baseball fan occupied descriptions are uproarious. The featured exhibit this week is for the season, cutesy graphics or not. I give this one 3 thumbs up. And yes, I can do that. themed “I’m Sick of Celebrity Fragrances and I’m Not Going to Take It Anymore.” The highlight of this particular exhibit is Part 1, a fragrance by Diddy. The cologne is called “Self Promotion Man” with a tagline of “Buy This and Make Diddy Even Richer.” The poster displays Diddy kissing his favorite person in the entire world, himself. Features are categorized simply by name. Britney Spears is a staple and Brangelina, Courtney Love, Posh and Becks and Madonna are frequent targets. My absolute favor- ite is the Alec Baldwin Daddy Dearest Talking Doll. “Each time you pull the string, you’ll marvel at how Daddy dearest be- gins to redden as he trembles with livid anger.” He screams his catchy father-to-daughter expressions of love such as, “You’re a pig,” “You have insulted me for the last time” and “Your mother is a thoughtless pain in the ass!” I hope I can get my daughter one in time for Christmas!
www.celebslap.com
“Uncover the fame and discover the shame” on Celeb Slap! The folks at Celeb Slap bring you superstar news the only way it should be Tomb Raider: Legend brought, with heaping spoonfuls of biting mockery and irreverence. It For Xbox 360 is a bit like Perez Hilton but much more clever and minus the contrived cattiness. I was perusing the bargain bin at the local Tar-jhey over the weekend and I came across this. 12 Although no celebrity is safe, this site really gives it to the bucks. Usually the games that cost 12 bucks have some kind of sports name followed by years gone particular camera hogs that deserve it the most. Paris Hilton, Lindsay by, are based on some lackluster TV series from the early 80s, or are just plain bad. Tomb Raider: Leg- Lohan, Britney Spears and K-Fed are recurrent targets. The featured end, however, did get pretty decent reviews from popular gaming publications, so I thought I would give “Slappers” smell the blood in the water and they go for it, to the this a try. I was pretty impressed with the game, in all honesty. I had never been into games like Tomb reader’s delight, and it don’t stop. Raider in the past; I don’t care too much for platforming adventures or heavy-hootered sex symbols To give you a taste, there was a recent slap given to the unhinged without a personality. Well, I changed my mind. Tomb Raider: Legend has just the right amount of the Amy Winehouse titled “Amy Winehouse is Freaking Me Out!” A rather good stuff all platformers should include, such as vine swinging, shooting guns, racing motorcycles, candid and frightening photo of Winehouse is shown with the signature and swimming. Hell, you could even slap ‘Indiana Jones’ somewhere on the cover and I wouldn’t ob- Elvira eye shadow, dangling cigarette, wife beater and myriad tattoos. The text reads, “This is by far the worst case of crackheadness I’ve ever ject. Well, maybe for the lack of Sean Connery… But in all seriousness Tomb Raider: Legend succeeds seen!” Indeed it is Celeb Slap, indeed it is. where the previous sequels have failed. With plenty of variety in scenery and interesting and mildly Enjoy these sites and show your love for the hate! challenging puzzles, the game makes for a great weekend rental, or even a purchase if you can fi nd it for the same price I did.
14 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper dish. where to eat, drink and be merry.
escargot in a puff pastry artful global dining Collage
BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] One of the more notable restaurants in St. Augustine is Collage, which occupies the space of the former La Parisienne restaurant. When Mike Hyatt and Cindy Stangby took over La Parisienne in 2006, they began slowly revamping the menu from French cuisine to a more global menu. In Febru- ary of this year they changed the name to Collage, in order to refl ect that change from traditional French to a more eclectic menu, what they call “artful global dining.” The atmosphere still recalls a French dining experience, with richly colored terracotta walls, white tablecloths and low lighting. It’s easy to understand why their intimate dining rooms would attract those looking for a romantic meal. The appetizer menu leads off with an unsurprising ahi tuna, which seems to be available at every eatery these days, upscale or not. Though I love both the presentation and taste of ahi tuna, I decided to go for something else. My eyes widened at some of the more unusual choices, such as their homemade gingersnap cookies served with a wedge of Stilton cheese and topped with spiced Chef Larry’s Jumbo Shrimp Sauté nuts and a balsamic glaze. The mushroom poblano (a mild pepper), crêpes and the three-cheese from Aqua Grill. Look for the Aqua Grill pesto cheesecake snagged my attention. Empanadas were also included on the appetizer menu, restaurant review in EU next week. served with an avocado cream sauce. I was faced with a tough decision, but in the end I opted for their escargot, a favorite of many of their regular diners. The excellent, creamy presentation was made rich and meaty with the addition of exqui- sitely sautéed mushrooms, all ensconced in a light-but-substantial puff pastry, which soaked up the sauce and added a delightful variance in texture. I’ve had so many bad preparations of escargot that this sent me into a fi t of fi erce joy. I knew we had more courses coming, so we pushed it away and had our waitress take it from the table so that it would no longer be a tempta- tion. Before I got the main course, I sampled the warmed goat cheese salad. The goat cheese they use has a creamier fl avor than most, en- crusted with macadamia nuts atop a spring greens salad. This salad sang, from the arti- chokes to the tomatoes, to the incredible brown butter vanilla bean vinaigrette. After the heavenly salad and stellar appe- tizer, I was a bit disappointed in both the entrées page 15 - 16 collage restaurant review | page 16 -17 I tried. I nearly cracked a tooth on a piece of warm goat cheese and artichoke salad southern women’s show: interview with nathalie dupree
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 15 shell when I took a bite of the Florida Bouillabaisse. There weren’t many southern women’s show pieces of broken shell in the dish, but I managed to fi nd the sharpest piece. It reverberated through my tooth and then interview with Nathalie Dupree somehow stabbed my gum. Following that, I ate more carefully. The occasional BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] shell piece does wander into dishes like this, so I was willing to forgive it. WHAT: Southern Women’s Show They certainly don’t skimp on the sea- WHEN: October 18-21 food in this entrée, piling it high with WHERE: Prime Osborne Center a cornucopia from the sea, but there were problems other than the stray shell It’s the 20th anniversary of the Southern Women’s Show pieces I encountered. The shrimp were here in Jacksonville. Organizers have worked to make this year’s overcooked, and that’s a culinary sin show bigger and better than ever. The Prime Osborn Convention I can’t forgive. The scallops were fi ne Center will be packed with fashion shows, celebrity appearances, and absorbed the fl avor of the lush base cooking demonstrations, beauty tips, health screenings, nicely, and the small but tasty lobster decorating ideas and personal growth opportunities – all tailored crowning the dish gave me high hopes especially for busy women. for the rest of it. Apparently, this entrée One of the cooking highlights of the Women’s Show will is something folks come back for again be Nathalie Dupree, the author of 10 cookbooks and host of a and again, so I may have had the only number of top-rated cooking shows. Her daily “Home Cooking mediocre version of their Florida Bouil- Tips” has run on more than a thousand radio stations and she’s labaisse ever served. fl orida bouillabaisse been featured on numerous TV shows, including The Today Show My husband ordered the duck, and . which was smothered in a sharp and sweet raspberry shallot white wine reduction. Although I am Good Morning America Her latest cookbook, explores the variations of the Southern a fan of sweet with my meat, the reduction simply overpowered the poor duck. The fl avors bal- Nathalie Dupree’s Shrimp and Grits, staple. There are seventy-fi ve such variations in the book, but Dupree says she knows “another sixty or anced out somewhat with a bite of the goat cheese potatoes, which were more creamy than sharp. The duck was well-presented and it was tasty, once the sauce was scraped off. It wasn’t that the seventy that I’ve learned since I did the book.” tart sauce wasn’t good, it was just that a little of it went a long, long way. It was a last minute sub- One of her favorite variations is of a Thai version of shrimp and grits that includes lemongrass. stitution, as the menu said that it was a sherry sauce instead of a wine sauce. I don’t know if the She often fi xes the BLT Shrimp and Grits for her husband, a simple yet sinful preparation. original sauce is as intense, but I’d suggest ordering the sauce on the side, just to be safe. Asked her opinion on the great head-on vs. head-off shrimp debate, Dupree replied “People that For dessert, I decided on their love shrimp really do think it is best with the head on, but my husband loves shrimp and he doesn’t like signature Bougainvillea Dessert, it with the head on. He just would rather not fool with that head. I really just think that it’s up to you… made in honor of the bougainvillea though there are some really nice little juices in the head for people that don’t mind sucking juices out tree peeking over the outside door- of a shrimp’s head.” way of the restaurant. Frenchman Overcooking shrimp is an easy culinary mistake. To avoid this, Dupree recommends cooking the Marceau Poncet transported the shrimp in the shells. Barring that, she says that a cook must “stay with them until they turn color, [but] fi rst bougainvillea to St. Augustine not all of them turn color, [so] until the shrimp start to…draw up a little bit and curl.” from Corsica in 1985. There’s just Guests can learn more shrimp secrets at her Southern Women’s Show cooking school, where nothing like a good story to go with she’ll be cooking her Shrimp & Grits with Parmesan Reggiano. a good dessert, and Collage’s tree “It’s a really luscious dish and it’ll give people a lot of ideas.” is unique in the U.S. The majority Nathalie will be selling and signing cookbooks after her cooking demo. of the original tree was killed by a severe winter snowstorm in ‘87; but one small shoot survived to result in here are some of the other highlights of the show: the twenty-foot tree that now hangs over the restaurant. Remarkable for Dance and Sing with Joey Fatone. The former boy bander stole hearts with his talented turn on its large clusters of hot pink and Dancing with the Stars, and now he’s heating up the summer television season as host of the smash vivacious lilac fl owers, the beauty of hit, The Singing Bee. Southern Women’s Show guests can get up close and personal with Joey on the bougainvillea tree is one of the Saturday. most famous landmarks on narrow Hypolita Street. It’s Getting Hot in Here. Traditionally, one of the show’s hottest events is Firefi ghter Fashion Their Bougainvillea Dessert Show, and after a two-year hiatus, Jacksonville’s bravest return to strut their stuff on the catwalk with a features a homemade vanilla bean brand new show – all for a good cause. ice cream served in a leaf-shaped phyllo cup, topped with a caber- The price of admission includes celebrity cooking classes from the bougainvillea dessert Become a Cooking Goddess. net vanilla sauce and served with best in the business, and the culinary party takes place on a brand new state-of-the-art cooking stage strawberries sautéed in butter with created specifi cally for the Southern Women Show’s 20th birthday bash. Chefs include Cooking Light black pepper. The preparation brings out the tartness of the strawberries, nicely balanced with the Magazine’s Chef Billy, and Winn-Dixie Executive Chef Robert Tulko. sweetness of the ice cream and the papery phyllo. I also sampled their respectable homemade butter rum cake fi nished with a sweet rum glaze, In addition to fashion shows, the Southern Women’s Show will also be feather-light whipped topping and fresh strawberry garnish. This dessert would pair well with a Mega Makeovers. fi ne port or a rich coffee. makeover central. Professional makeup artists from Dillard’s will be on hand to help guests discover While some of my experience at Collage wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped, there were plenty of the best fall palettes and products, not to mention great deals and the three words every woman loves happy diners all around us and Collage has quite a good reputation for fi ne cuisine in and around to hear: Gift with Purchase. the St. Augustine area. For a terrifi c atmosphere and excellent service, they do very, very well. Show hours are Thursday, 10 am - 6 pm; Friday and Saturday, 10 am - 8 pm; and Sunday, 11 INFO: 60 Hypolita Street, St. Augustine (904) 829-0055 collagestaug.com Dinner only, from am - 5 pm. Admission is $7 in advance online, $8 at the door and $4 for children 6 – 12 years old. 5:30 pm. Reservations recommended. Groups of 20 or more can buy tickets for $6.50. For group discount tickets, show updates and more information, call (800) 849-0248 or visit southernwomensshow.com.
16 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper You can fi nd one-stop shopping at the Southern Women’s Show, with over 300 specialty boutiques offering one-of-a-kind items. The schedule is also chock full of interesting activities for those that attend. thursday, october 18th saturday, october 20th Celebrity Cooking Stage Celebrity Cooking Stage 10:30 am - Get Lean in 15 10:30 am - Cooking Right with Chef Jessica Bright 11:30 am - Beauty from your Garden and Kitchen 11:30 am - Get Lean in 15 12:30 pm - Lunch with Chef Robert 12:30 pm - Lunch with Chef Robert 1:30 pm - Fun with Pizza and Fondue 1:30 pm - Chef Eric Waln with The Row Restaurant 2:30 pm - Cooking with Wine and Chef Robert and Riverdale Inn 3:30 pm - Chef Jamie Walton with Ragtime Tavern 2:30 pm - Cooking with Wine and Chef Robert Seafood & Grill 3:30 pm - Beauty from your Garden and Kitchen 4:30 pm - Decorating with Food and Flowers for the 4:30 pm - An Invitation to Tea Fall and Holidays 5:30 pm - Celebrated Plates from Ashley Street Catering “Women on the Move” Fashion Stage 6:30 pm - The Magic Of Chocolate- A Beauty and 11:00 am - 20th Birthday Bash Finger Food 12:00 pm - “Solving the Puzzle of Owning a Franchise” “Women on the Move” Fashion Stage 1:00 pm - Defi ning Fashion 11:00 am - “Solving the Puzzle of Owning a 2:00 pm - Elegant Illusions Franchise” 3:00 pm - Dancing Can Happen, Even to You! 12:00 pm - The Jacksonville Suzuki Strings 4:00 pm - Defi ning Fashion 1:00 pm - SHAPE, RATTLE AND ROLL: Shaping 5:00 pm - First Coast Teen Scene Fashions for the Future 2:00 pm - Special Celebrity Guest, Joey Fatone friday, october 19th 3:00 pm - The “S” Factor, Sexy, Stylish & Celebrity Cooking Stage Sophisticated for the Fall Featuring Ashley Stewart & 10:30 am - Celebrated Plates from Clara’s at The Phil Shoes Cathedral 4:00 pm - Dancing Can Happen, Even to You! 11:30 am - Anytime Shrimp and Grits with Nathalie 5:00 pm - Fashion Defi ned Dupree 6:00 pm - Elegant Illusions 12:30 pm - Lunch with Chef Robert 7:00 pm - First Coast Teen Scene 1:30 pm - Anytime Shrimp and Grits 2:30 pm - Cooking with Wine and Chef Robert sunday october 21st 3:30 pm - Beauty from your Garden and Kitchen Celebrity Cooking Stage 4:30 pm - Chef John Williams with Cobblestones at 11:30 am - Beauty from your Garden and Kitchen the Creek 12:30 pm - Lunch with Chef Robert 5:30 pm - The Magic Of Chocolate- A Beauty and 1:30 pm - Chef Cheryl and Chef Jamey from Finger Food Heirloom’s 6:30 pm - Get Lean in 15 2:30 pm - Cooking with Wine and Chef Robert 3:30 pm - Celebrated Plates from Ashley Street Women on the Move” Fashion Stage Catering 11:00 am - “Start Something Beautiful” the 20th Birthday Celebration Southern Women’s Show “Women on the Move” Fashion Stage Jacksonville 12:00 pm - The “S” Factor, Sexy, Stylish & 12:00 pm - First Coast Teen Scene Sophisticated for the Fall Featuring Ashley Stewart & 1:00 pm - “Solving the Puzzle of Owning a Franchise” Phil Shoes 2:00 pm - The Main Event “Shoes, Hats & Handbags” 1:00 pm - Contemporary Motion Performing Dance featuring Phil’s Shoes Company 3:00 pm - Dancing Can Happen, Even to You! 2:00 pm - SHAPE, RATTLE AND ROLL: Shaping 4:00 pm - Sophisticated and Sexy, “Real Women on Fashions for the Future the Runway” featuring Ashley Stewart 3:00 pm - Mother Daughter Day Contest 5:00 pm - Fashion Defi ned 4:00 pm - “Solving the Puzzle of Owning a 5:45 pm - RCA Recording Artist and TV’s Nashville Franchise” Star – Chuck Wicks 6:30 pm - Firefi ghter Fashion Show
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 17 ville. Ronnie has since moved on to Atlanta and found great success, not only there, but all over the country. From his artwork being featured on the cover of the New York Press to decorating entire restau- rants with his colorful and demented brand of cartoons, R. Land’s work is making its rounds. When it comes to his paintings, you will easily be able to distinguish Ronnie’s work from any other pop artist for his vivid and often neon colors and bug-eyed portraits of characters that might otherwise seem almost cute, if not for Ronnie’s rendering. Almost reminiscent of a Ren & Stimpy close-up, his images contain a real, albeit sometimes ambiguous, subtext. Since moving to Atlanta, Ronnie has made some good fans out of the Williams Street Studios people (home of Adult Swim on Cartoon Network) and his work has found its way to Aqua Teen Hunger Force DVD covers, with an oh-so-R. Land rendering of that program’s stars: Shake, Meatwad and Fry- lock. His work has since appeared on SuperDeluxe.com, a comedy website that was created by many of the talented creators of Adult Swim shows. (Search for “Vocolotion” on SuperDeluxe.com to fi nd out about the world’s favorite sing-along.) Aside from his paintings and cartoons, R. Land has also made an impact in the art world through his Loss Cat images. What began as a simple sort of social experiment turned into a phenomenon. Ronnie made a fl yer for a “Loss Cat” with a photograph of a cat and the sloppily markered words “Speckles, Does not caLd WHeN COME, LIMPS, DIRTY, Not tAG. REWORD Needs Medicines. FoAM. CALL WARD 404.539.1839.” In 2001 the fl yer was posted around Atlanta, but it eventually made its way as far as Seattle. EU caught up to Ronnie while he was in Nashville and we spent the following weeks chatting on the phone and sending emails back and forth like Internet lovers. The following is the interview that came from those conversations. from deep in the woods of the north side
R. Land refl ects life, life refl ects R. Land by jon bosworth
R. Land is as Jacksonville as any artist I can remember. When I was a young, budding rebel wan- dering the mean streets of 5 Points, I clearly recollect R. Land’s art on local band fl iers and T-shirts (Crowsdell, the Beggar Weeds, etc.) and his distinctive Little Bunny Foo Foo merchandise littering ev- erything from sign posts to storefront windows in our own little “alternative” district of the day. Ronnie Land is the oldest of Jacksonville’s Brothers Land, his younger brothers Robbie and Joel are also creative, but each in his own fi eld. Robbie, the middle brother, is a fi lmmaker in Atlanta and Joel, the youngest of the three, is a local stand-up comic (and sometimes writes for EU), so the whole family defi nitely got the showbiz bug somewhere in their incubating days on the Northside of Jackson-
EU: What part of Jacksonville are you from? R. Land: Extreme Northside. The very tip of the Duval line, almost Yulee. Off the Nassau sound.
EU: How did Jacksonville as a place help shape your artistic direction? RL: Back in the old days, Jacksonville had little to offer in terms of an “art scene” or any kind of sub- stantial alternative culture. So one had to draw from within or fi nd inspiration in the unique and quirky surroundings of Florida’s fi rst coast. I used to love going to the old Hayden Burns Library back in the 80s to pore over old books about Florida and specifi cally Jacksonville history.
EU: When did you fi rst decide you wanted to be an artist? RL: As long as I can remember, I was always involved in my own little creative thing. In the early 1980s
18 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper EU: Would you call your work pop art? RL: It is defi nitely, sometimes, esoteric in nature but in general it has a certain populist approach. So, I suppose it is a particular part of pop or post-pop. I enjoy relating to more than just an elite few, but on my own terms.
EU: How has going to Atlanta helped your career as an artist? RL: It’s a large metropolitan city with a relatively vibrant music and arts scene. It has a much larger urban population with a greater variety of cultural sensibilities. I felt it would be a great environment for artistic experimentation on a larger scale.
EU: How did you get involved with Aqua Teen Hunger Force on Adult Swim? RL: The show’s creators contacted me initially to do some interpretive art for Aqua Teen Hunger Force for season three and we’ve had a lot of fun ever since!
EU: Are you the oldest of the Brothers Land? RL: Yes, in fact they are my sons from a former wife.
I became really passionate about my creative pursuits and pretty much made it my life’s mission to EU: How is it that you, Robbie and Joel all became artists of one kind or another? explore all the possibilities. RL: The three of us are very different in many ways, but all share a particular attitude about the world and how we relate to it. We just express it various ways. EU: What part has music played in your work? RL: Music plays a huge part in my life. Since I am working the majority of the time, I don’t have time for EU: Where is the strangest place you’ve seen one of your Loss Cat pieces? TV and the like. I generally listen while I work. That includes everything from records (vinyl, CDs), NPR, RL: There have been many odd entries in the Loss Cat saga. One of my favorites was circulating books on disc, iTunes, independent community radio and just about anything else interesting I can fi nd. around a Brooklyn, NY neighborhood for little while about 4 years ago. It was a lost “Loss Cat” fl ier I’m always hungry for new music and audio experiences. calling for the return of the owner’s Loss Cat fl ier.
EU: What artists really inspired you early on? EU: What question do you wish I had asked? RL: Inspiration came from many sources, the least of which were painters. Old Hollywood movies. All RL: May I offer you a cuddle session with my good friend Eddie Farah in exchange for this interview? things Florida (pre-Disney), Cartoonists B. Kliban, Charles Addams and Gahan Wilson, the music of people like Kraftwerk, David Bowie, Klaus Nomi and Brian Eno. Outre’ fi lm (from Luis Bunnel to Zaat). To fi nd out about R. Land’s involvement with the local skate shop JaxCore, to learn where his tat- As far as actual visual artists, I would be remiss in not giving a nod to Picasso, the Dadaists, 60s pop toos are and to fi nd out about his “Yuppie Ghetto” social experiment, go to eujacksonville.com and read art, outsider/visionary art and blah blab blah. the entire interview.
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 19 the music business then and now
corporate greed versus independence by rick grant A technical and marketing revolution has taken place in the music business since I was a record pro- fall ducer and owner of a recording studio back in the late 70s and early 80s. I was part of the now archaic ana- log gear and vinyl records past. Suddenly, CDs happened overnight, and boom, the digital runaway train ran over the naysayers, stubbornly extolling the virtues of analog technology. The deniers shuttered as accelerat- ing digital technology caused their heads to spin like Linda Blair’s devil noggin in The Exorcist. As early as the late 80s, the evolution of the Internet was inspiring new ideas about how records are marketed, sold, and how artists view big record companies versus independent labels. It was war – corporate greed and control versus independence – a battle that still rages. Prince and Michael Bolton pioneered direct Internet sales to their fans from their private recording stu- dios. Prince still likes to skewer the big record conglomerates with his guerrilla marketing tactics. Visionary artists saw the hand writing on the wall as the Internet was upgraded to fi ber-optic broadband and the World Wide Web took off like a rocket. rocks Yes, there was a down side. The evil of the original Napster allowed geeky slackers to download music for free. Finally, that open door was closed by vicious lawsuits designed to shock the freeloaders into submis- sion. A cadre of college kids were dragged into court in shackles like major criminals and fi ned thousands of dollars for running fi le sharing networks. A compensatory agreement was worked out so legitimate music websites like Rhapsody and iTunes could charge a fee to join and allow music downloads for a lower price. Now, one can download entire albums for $8.99 to $10.99, or buy individual songs for 99 cents. It was a bold new world of marketing music. It was the beginning of the end for record stores. During the counterculture revolution of classic rock’s heyday, from the 60s through the 80s, rock radio dominated the business. The path to success was dependent on radio airplay–getting one’s music on heavy rotation on the rock radio stations which would generate a national market for the artist’s albums. The arena rock bands of the era used this formula exclusively by signing with big labels that took their publishing rights, but made sure the artists’ music got on the air and charts by any means necessary (cash and cocaine in FedEx envelopes to DJs) and the artists rode the charts to glory. The Nashville country music scene still does business this way (but with no payola). Country music radio stations introduce new artists that generate requests, which, in turn, leads to hit singles and albums. In country, radio airplay is the only path to big time success. During the 90s alt-rock revolution, fi ercely independent artists toured in vans on the alt-rock club circuit, self-producing their product and selling it on their websites and at their gigs, which gave them complete in- dependence. They reasoned that if they could glean enough fans from live concerts, then the fans would buy their product and support their shows. For Pearl Jam this formula was a phenomenon. The band had already sold platinum product but were not being played on the radio. Star power has recently realized they don’t need the major labels to sell their product anymore. The labels footed the bill to market their name and their music for the last 20 years, but the artists are taking their careers over for themselves now. Recently, Prince gave away his latest album with the price of a concert ticket, which paid off in sold out It’s a great time to be a Jacksonville music lover. Over the course of the next few months we concerts. In today’s world, many artists are making their living playing shows and festivals, using their CDs as promotional tools. Today, the live performance is king. have over a dozen huge national acts coming to town and three major music festivals gracing the This month, arguably the most important rock band of this generation, Radiohead, had record company area. In other words, it appears as though our little corner of the state has offi cially arrived. No moguls reaching for their Maalox when guitarist Jonny Greenwood announced on the band’s offi cial blog that more driving anywhere for two to six hours to catch your favorite band live; now the biggest ob- the group’s new album In Rainbows would only be available on the band’s website Radiohead.com. More stacle is a little traffi c on I-95, something most of us have to deal with daily anyway. Jacksonville shockingly, he declared that people interested in purchasing the album could pay whatever they wanted for is a destination now, not just a place people have to travel through to get to Daytona or Orlando. the product, and “free” would be perfectly acceptable. No, these rich, intelligent, creative artists had not lost their minds. They knew that in 2006, CD sales declined to $55.2 million, online sales increased to $631.9 We’re no cultural Mecca, but we’re not a sleepy hick town either. No, our beloved River City has million. In stark contrast, concert ticket sales skyrocketed to 3.6 billion–that’s “B” as in billion! And, the band come a long way and fi nally tour organizers are ready to acknowledge it. has a major tour scheduled for 2008. Like Prince’s clever “up-yours” to the suits, the Radiohead dudes pulled Mid-October seems to be our coming out party with The Hives (pictured above) hitting Jack off a marketing coup d’etat. Rabbits this Friday and Little Richard gracing the stage at the recently revamped St. Augustine The fact is: The cream rises to the top, whatever path an artist chooses. Having large numbers of fans Amphitheater the next night. Nada Surf will also be rocking St. Augustine, this time at Café Eleven that buy an artist’s concert tickets and albums is the holy grail of the music business. But getting to that place costs money. Big record company support is still a viable path to glory for an artist, and some artists on the 27th. Over at the Veterans Memorial Arena, the Wild Young Things Tour featuring Fall Out argue that signing with a major label actually gives them more freedom to concentrate on their music because Boy, Plain White T’s, Gym Class Heroes and Cute Is What We Aim For will roll through town on they have people taking care of their publicity and marketing. October 30th. November brings Ben Harper, Widespread Panic and David Bazan among others. Then there are the festivals! MagnoliaFest at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak on October 25th through the 27th will bring Toots & the Maytals, Donna the Buffalo, The Duhks th if you want to and many, many more. On November 10 the Tallyrand Music & Art Festival puts Spoon, The Polyphonic Spree, The Bravery, Against Me! and about a dozen more huge bands on Met Park’s stage. On November 17th the annual Planetfest brings Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Sum 41 and others to Met Park. destroy my sweater We won’t even touch on the national acts coming to town next year or the incredible local scene that’s been cultivated and nurtured, out of which phenomenal bands are standing on the threshold, poised to be the next big thing people will travel hundreds of miles to see. This time, money for nothing and your music for free we’re going to take a look at some of the major touring acts that are coming to town this fall. by hilary johnson and jon bosworth We’re going to look at the industry itself. We’re going to show you that, while your back was turned, Jacksonville has become a city to be envied. - By Kellie Abrahamson The music industry is fi nally coming full circle once again. There was once a time when the only way you could hear a song was when the artist came to your town and played it for you. Before long, there were
20 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper dozens of small, independent music labels helping fans get recordings of the music they loved and getting that music to people everywhere across the airwaves. And then there was Woodstock. “After Woodstock all these indie labels started looking at all the things they didn’t have for sale,” says Scott Fravala, owner of the successful independent label Vision Sound Records. “They realized all the money they weren’t making and all the money they could make. They wanted to grow their company.” So that was where the fi rst shift occurred. Suddenly, music was about capital and not about creativity. It was the fi rst pull to the long thread of the music industry sweater that continued to get pulled and yanked until it fi nally unraveled completely. And here we are. With the major labels scrounging around, trying to maintain a world of music that only exists in their minds, independent labels are taking this opportunity to bring the music back to the artist. “While indie labels are looking to the future, major labels are trying to stop the future from happening,” says Fravala. The major labels like Atlantic, Electra, Geffen, and Columbia, have essentially owned the music industry for the past forty years. Without their support it was nearly impossible to achieve any kind of real success as an artist. They had the money, they controlled radio, they infl ated record prices and controlled distribution. Without their backing, any artist would quickly and harshly get lost in the shuffl e. Not that indie labels haven’t always been around to contribute to the music industry. After all, Nirvana started on Sub Pop, an indie label, before getting sold to Geffen after some notable success. In fact the early nineties were the hay day of the independent label, when labels such as Matador, K Records, Merge, and Touch and Go, among many others, were leading the indie rock movement. Indie rock at the time referred to a band on an independent label. But in the late nineties, Napster exploded onto the scene, breaking down the power of the major label and almost completely destroying the potential of a smaller label to make any money at all. Napster, and the many other copycat shareware programs that followed, pulled the rug right out from underneath the music industry as it was. Once people were able to get the music they loved for free, right or wrong as it may be, and didn’t have to succumb to the overpriced standards of the industry anymore, record sales took a huge hit. So huge, in fact, many labels folded or downsized their employees to half their original size. Artists like Metallica, who were used to the huge paycheck they were receiving from royalties and re- cord sales, lashed out against the Napster community. Labels tried to think of ways to combat the explosive effects. They sued Napster almost out of business. When that didn’t stop the free downloading (thanks to those copycat shareware programs) the record industry turned to fi ling lawsuits against it’s own bread and butter – music fans. But while the industry was facing such hard times, it refused to adjust the cost of their products, and so record stores could no longer afford to stay afl oat. They had to compete with large chain re- tailers who were getting product at bulk rates. So when the small record store sunk, so did the smaller record labels. Thus fans of anything other than top 40 or pop music were forced to turn to their favorite shareware programs to get the albums they wanted. And the record industry couldn’t sue everyone. That’s when iTunes and Rhapsody jumped into the picture, offering the artist money (albeit diminutive) for the music they make and giving people an alternative to potentially viral downloads that are seen by many as stealing. Since any band can get on iTunes, it is often the only way to fi nd independent artists. An indepen- dent label or artists themselves can pay iTunes a small annual fee and an upload fee and their music is avail- able to millions of subscribers. The same royalties paid to every band out there are now paid to yours. This model has paved the way for many bands to fi nd terrifi c international success without the help of any label at all. The only obstacle to the artist at that point is marketing the music they make, the one last bastion of hope for major labels was their pocketbook and their ability to get the artists’ music to the people. But labels largely relied on radio play and MTV to do this. Since MTV has gotten away from promoting music as much as pop culture, and music lovers have turned off their radios and turned on their iPods or XM, even that safety has been undermined. And then came MySpace. An amazing tool for the artists, this online community bridged the gap be- tween artists and music fans. Through viral marketing strategies and word-of-virtual-mouths, a fan can fi nd any music they want on MySpace. From discovering new music to hearing your favorite bands newest songs, it’s a place where fans become a part of the team, get to know the band, listen to the songs, post them on their own pages as a badge of honor, and even download the music right off the band’s page and onto their personal computer. Tour schedules are listed and merchandise can even be purchased. MySpace has sud- denly become the new place for a band to connect with their fans. So instead of getting one of the hundred albums labels want to sell you, you get to choose from millions of artists in your favorite genre. So what about MTV? Never mind. Now there’s YouTube and artists can have a video and translate their music into imagery without any of the label’s money. These days, radio airplay and huge musical venues seem cold and distant. Fans enjoy feeling connected to the artist, watching them build their own ladder and helping to push that band to the very top. And with that kind of fan support comes musical loyalty that got lost somewhere down the line. Otherwise, Napster would have failed. People would have supported the industry instead of help its demise. People have gotten a taste of freedom from the major label chains. Now all that was left to wonder was how would the music industry, buckling and crumbling under the new fi nancial handicaps, ever recover? Or would we lose the industry altogether? Although the music industry could never “collapse” because people will always want to listen to music, it must adjust to the changing technology and adapt out of it’s half a century old business model. Instead of gnashing their teeth about bands like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, who fi nd major success without ever sign- ing to a major, and now big bands such as Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead dropping their labels, the industry needs to embrace the technology and use it to facilitate easier transactions, more effective marketing tools, and take advantage of this new opportunity of cheap marketing and distribution to offer a larger variety of music to music fans. Instead of applying reliable revenues for solid profi t-makers like the Flaming Lips to marketing the newest pop sensation out of Orlando to turn a bigger bottom-line dollar, the industry needs to go back to the age-old retail mantra of letting the customer be right. Rather than suing the pants off the hands that feed them, the industry needs to give the people what they want. Which also happens to be the music that their favorite musicians want to make. “We are living the dream, not living in Mariah Carey’s house,” says Fravala. “And that dream is making music, the music we want to make.”
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 21 local guitar hero
interview with Tony Smotherman by hilary johnson
Jacksonville has found itself its very own guitar Smotherman had to choose one song to hero. And no, this does not refer to the video game. submit that he felt best represented his abilities as a This is a genuine living guitarist from Jacksonville guitarist. The song he chose was “Space Anthem,” that is lining up to become the world’s next guitar which can be heard on his MySpace page (myspace. hero. com/tonysmotherman). Tony Smotherman was born in Greece and then “I picked this track because it seemed like it relocated to Middleburg as a young child and has showed the most versatility,” says Smotherman. “It since made a big splash in the world of guitarists. kind of hit a lot of different styles within fi ve minutes, Guitar Player Magazine has chosen Smotherman as without going overboard and sounding like I am try- one of the world’s top ten most talented and innova- ing to play as many different styles at one time.” tive guitarists for their annual Guitar Hero Competi- Guitar Player Magazine recognized the unique tion. talent right away. While driving on the interstate Mi- Think Miss Universe, only for guitar players. chael Molenda, the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, gave Ten guitarists are chosen from around the world, Smotherman the phone call of his life. based on song samples they have submitted to the “I was driving in my car on the highway and I magazine. Smotherman’s friend Trey Alexander, last got this weird area code come up. I didn’t recognize year’s Guitar Hero winner, was the one who talked it and I answered it,” explains Smotherman. “He him into submitting to the competition at all. said, ‘This is the Editor-in-Chief of Guitar Player and I “I actually entered in at the last minute,” says want to let you know you’re in.’ I [had to] pull over to Smotherman. “A friend of mine, who had actually the side of the road for a second. It was a very excit- won last year, contacted me when we were in Austin, ing moment.” Texas together and told me to enter into the competi- The competition is being held in San Francisco tion. I [entered] fi ve days before it was over.” on October 11, 2007 and can be viewed via a gui- Having grown up in the small town of Middle- tarplayer.com live webcast for those not attending. a showcase than a competition. I’m going there to burg, Florida, Smotherman was left to his own Each artist is given fi ve minutes to play one song, network with other musicians. That’s the main point devices when it came to musical infl uences. At an backed by a band of renowned musicians. The bass of it. But if I win it, that’s a great thing, too, for my early age he became interested in all different styles player will be the Editor-in-Chief of Bass Player career.” of music, from classical to Indian. Smotherman’s Magazine. The keyboardist will be the Editor-in-Chief Guitar Player Magazine has done a wonderful sound is a throwback to guitarists from the eight- of Keyboard Magazine. And so on. job of bringing all the competitors together, making ies, self described as “Shred Guitar Insanity” on his The winner will receive a feature story in Guitar this event more of a great moment for great musi- MySpace page with a bit of Bach and Ravi Shankar Player Magazine, along with some huge endorse- cians to come together than just a competition. All of thrown into the mix. ments from Jim Dunlop, Mesa Boogie and Cable the competitors have already spoken to each other “At a young age I started experimenting with Company. They will also receive a ProTools system and are known to keep up with one another after the those sounds I heard [in Bach or Shankar],” says for recording. competition has ended. Smotherman. “I was trying to mimic those sounds “I come with an open mind,” says Smother- “I don’t feel nervous at all at this point,” says on the electric guitar without using pedals or ef- man. “Music is the most important thing in my Smotherman. “Maybe when I get on stage it will be a fects.” life. For that reason I am looking at this more like different story.” upcoming shows
Dennis DeYoung Oct. 19, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Blueground Undergrass Oct. 24, Freebird Live The Hives Oct. 19, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 Evanescence Oct. 25, Jacksonville Arena Little Richard Sat, Oct.20, St. Augustine MagnoliaFest with Toots & The Maytals, Donna the Amphitheatre, 353-3309 Buffalo, Railroad Earth, The Duhks, and more Oct. Blues Traveler Oct. 20, Freebird Live, 246-2473 25–28, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, The Samples Oct. 23, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Florida, www.magmusic.com Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Edgar Meyer Oct. 25, nada surf Florida Theatre Corey Smith Oct. 26, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Genitorturers Oct. 26, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Nada Surf, Sea Wolf October 27, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 Monotonix Oct. 28, Club TSI, 424-3531 Solid Gold Soul w/Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Billy kings of leon Paul and The Impressions Oct. 28, TU Center Kings of Leon Oct. 30, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Reverend Horton Heat/Hank Williams III Nov. 1, Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Plain White T’s, Cute Freebird Live Is What We Aim For Oct. 30, Jacksonville Arena Widespread Panic November 4, Times Union Center Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit, Emily Lacy October 30, Cafe David Bazan Nov. 6, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 Eleven, 469-9311 Badfi sh Nov. 6, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Ben Harper Nov. 1, Florida Theatre, 355-2787
22 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper cials, rock documentaries and many more honors. him what he felt was his greatest achievement after Unequivocally, Richard is one of the inventors of all these years of milestones. We also talked about rock ’n’ roll and has enjoyed a long, distinguished his past and present career, which continues to fl our- good golly career of notable accomplishments. Now in his sev- ish. enties, Richard is still touring with an 11-piece band “Well, I’ve been blessed to live a long life and and booked to appear on another one of those funny to be healthy enough to keep doing what I love, and interview with Little Geico commercials, which he credits with boosting that’s performing live shows for my fans. I love all his later career with massive exposure. aspects of show business, but I get the biggest kick Richard by rick grant Not that anyone would ever forget Little Rich- out of performing live with my 11-piece band. God ard. He transcends stardom as an American rock has given me the energy to spread joy to people, and icon and recognizable celebrity. His fl amboyant I feel that is my mission on earth. So, continuing to style inspired many musical stars, including Michael do this is my greatest achievement.” Jackson and countless others. Before Little Richard, “A while back, there was a rumor that I was go- there was nothing but mediocrity on the airwaves, ing to retire, but I just cut back a little, that’s all. As broadcasting boring artists like Frankie Avalon and long as I’m healthy, and God willing, I will continue For me, Fabian. Little Richard raised the consciousness and to perform live shows and other forms of show busi- the prospect of showmanship of rock ’n’ roll with his eye and face ness. You know, I get hundreds of offers every day, chatting with Little makeup, pencil-thin mustache, eccentric style, and but I’m in a position to pick and choose which ones Richard via tele- animated stage persona. Richard supercharged I will do. I have so many people working for me, I phone was exciting, rock ’n’ roll with the cult of personality, presenting can’t just stop and let them down. I feel responsible inspiring and daunting. a romping, stomping rock show with such smash for their well-being. So I continue to travel, but lately, His career spans more than hits as Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Rip It Up, Lucille, I’ve stopped going overseas. The fl ights are just too fi fty years of milestones, Jenny Jenny, Keep A Knocking, Good Golly, Miss long for me.” which includes millions of Molly, Ooh! My Soul, and many others. “Our present tour opened at Disney World and records sold, a star on After all that, Little Richard has not slowed we’ll be coming to St. Augustine, which I remember the Hollywood Walk down. His mission is to spread joy to his audiences, is a pretty place. I’m just excited every day that I’m of Fame, being and his amazing energy came out in his enthusiastic able to continue performing. God has given me this inducted into the replies to my questions. The man is driven by spiri- gift and I feel His love, which I give to my fans every Rock and Roll Hall tual energy to support all the people in his band and night I perform. I’m like an evangelist, but I let my of Fame (1986), entourage who depend on him for their living. Little joyful music do the preaching. This present show is appearances in Richard continues to give 110% to his music and my best live act I’ve ever put together. It’s exciting movies, television his audiences with a big splashy show that harkens for me and the audience. It features a variety of mu- shows, commer- back to the heyday of big bands and the emergence sic and dancing on-stage.” of soul with such artists as James Brown and Mar- Clearly, I’m inspired by Little Richard’s love of vin Gaye. life and performing. He was easy to talk with and During our delightful chat, I was struck by his motivation for continuing his career is genuinely upcoming shows (cont.) Little Richard’s zest for life and his sincere love of righteous. Some would consider Little Richard the performing live. His strong spiritual belief in God and most important icon of rock ’n’ roll because of his Classic Albums Live - Pink Floyd’s The Wall Nov. 7, bringing his message of love to his fans energized early infl uence on its formation. I wholeheartedly Florida Theatre me and made me feel Little Richard’s joy. I asked agree with this conclusion. Long may he run. Tallyrand Music Festival W/Spoon, Keller Williams, The Bravery, Against Me!, The Polyphonic Spree, Rooney and more Nov. 10, Metro Park
polyphonic spree
David Wilcox Dec. 8, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 Rev. Billy Wirtz Dec. 9, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 spoon The Avett Brothers Dec. 9, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Dan Zanes Nov. 10, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Jethro Tull Dec.11, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Nickel Creek Nov. 12, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Johnny Winter Dec. 14, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Bob Weir and Ratdog Nov. 14, Florida Theatre Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Dec. 27, Florida Nov. 14, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Cartel Theatre, 355-2787 Slightly Stoopid Nov. 15, Freebird Live, 246-2473 JJ Grey & MOFRO Dec. 28-31, Freebird Live Spill Canvas Nov. 17, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 Planetfest 8 w/ Breaking Benjamin, Finger Eleven, Seether, Sum 41, Drowning Pool, dinosaur jr. Operator and more, Nov. 17, Metro Park Jucifer Nov. 23, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 The Electric Six Nov. 24, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 Kelly Joe Phelps Nov. 30, Café Eleven, 460-9311 Dinosaur Jr. Dec 1, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Nekromantix Dec. 4, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 Col Bruce & The Quark Alliance Dec. 6, Freebird Live Keith Urban December 7, Jacksonville Arena
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 23 the wiggles
rockin’ the sandbox
fall kid’s concerts by kellie abrahamson
Kid’s concerts have come a long way over stop at the Florida Theatre next month. Tickets are the years. Today there are more artists and a lot on sale now and range from $18.50 to $28.50. more demand. Just look at the recent Hannah Visit fl oridatheatre.com for tickets or call (904) Montana sell outs all over the country. Getting your 355-2787. hands on tickets for any one of the 14 year-old pop sensation’s concerts is nearly impossible for people like you and me. Stubhub.com, a popular the wiggles- racing to the second-party ticket seller, has plenty of tickets for rainbow live her November 19th show in Tampa but you’ll have Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena- Novem- to shell out anywhere from $99 to $2648 for a ber 15 at 3 pm and 6:30 pm seat. Thankfully, Jacksonville parents are spared Perfect for: High-strung preschoolers and those the Hannah Montana madness this time around, who dig songs about fruit salad but we’re not completely devoid of kid-friendly The Wiggles are The Beatles of preschool en- concerts this fall. tertainment. They made more than fellow Aussies AC/DC and Nicole Kidman combined in 2005 and jump5- hello & goodbye tour it’s been reported that they made $50 million last Murray Hill Theatre- October 26 at 7 pm year alone, despite losing lead singer and founding Perfect for: Tweens and teens who remember member Greg Page, who was forced to quit when this band from their tweens diagnosed with a rare nervous system disorder. I don’t remember this Contemporary Chris- The band, who has been rocking sandboxes since tian dance-pop group but apparently they were a 1991, is currently on tour supporting their latest big deal for a while. The foursome (the 5 in their kid-friendly album Racing to the Rainbow, the 25th name is a mystery to us all) has made 10 albums record in their discography. The Wiggles will be since the millennium, most of which went Gold performing two shows in Jacksonville at the Arena or Platinum. During their time in the spotlight, in November. Tickets range from $23 to $35 and Jump5 has toured with acts like Aaron Carter, Play are available at ticketmaster.com. and Baha Men- not bad for a group made up of Tennessee teens. Now all grown up, the kids of Jump5 are moving on. Their fi nal album Hello & other fl orida kid’s shows Goodbye hit stores last week and the band is hit- The most dedicated of concert-going moms and ting the road to promote it with one last headlining dads may want to introduce their children to the tour. Jump5 will perform at the Murray Hill Theatre joys of the out-of-town show. Here are some good next Friday with Jesse Daniels, pureNRG, Sammy options: Ward and Cali. Tickets are on sale now for just $12 ($15 the day of the show). For tickets and info Sesame Street Live visit murrayhilltheatre.com or call (904) 388-3179. Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater- November 2, 3 and 4 dan zanes Perfect for: Muppet lovers The Florida Theatre- November 10 at 2 pm Perfect for: Soccer moms and the families who Hannah Montana love them St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa- November 19 at Rolling Stone called Dan Zanes’ band The Del 7 pm Fuegos the “Best New Band” of 1984. But once he BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise- November 20 at got married and had babies, Zanes opted to make 7 pm more family-friendly music and The Del Fuegos Perfect for: Tween and teen superfans and the dropped off the radar. Today, Dan Zanes and fabulously wealthy Friends are the latest big thing in kid’s music that moms and dads can get behind. The aging rocker The Doodlebops with a penchant for wacky suits and hair product Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater- December 29 at 12 won a Grammy last year for his record Catch That pm and 3 pm Train!, an album that got a huge boost from The Amway Arena in Orlando- December 30 at 12:30 Disney Channel, who plays music videos for the pm and 3:30 pm group each day during Playhouse Disney. Dan and Perfect for: The preschool set and their parents his band are making the rounds and will make a (aspirin optional but recommended)
24 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper in rainbows in the vines album review album review
Artist: Radiohead Artist: Castanets Title: In Rainbows Title: In the Vines Release Date: 10.01.07 Release Date: 10.23.07 Label: None Label: Asthmatic Kitty The sound of In the Vines by Castanets possesses a country-folk outlaw aura that conjures Radiohead’s seventh studio album, , hails as an experience that celebrates more In Rainbows up thoughts of Smog and Will Oldham while delicately evoking Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. than just music. Ten years removed from the release of , Radiohead has continued to OK Computer Castanets revolve around singer/songwriter Raymond Raposa, who happens to have an intriguing create something new and electrifying with each record. This time it wasn’t just the music that was biography of isolation, abandonment and misfortune. A “who’s who” list of indie rockers have new or revolutionary. For people like myself, whose admiration for the band borders on restraining contributed to a revolving cast that includes and has included Sufjan Stevens, members of Pinback order, October 1, 2007 was a day when I had to explain to many of my co-workers why I suddenly and members of Rocket from the Crypt. began screaming wildly at my desk. Each song is deceptively layered, one of many signs of the brilliant production of this album. Because the band is not currently signed to a record label, they can do whatever they want–and In the Vines is not just another interesting foray into folk constructed around staggering minimalism they did. They’ve offered their newest effort exclusively via their website in digital format, for a cost and out-of-place Moog interjections. It is a visceral experience that is emotionally attached to the real of whatever you think you should pay for it. world. There is a strong correlation in the attitude and composition of Raposa’s work to that of Chan The ten songs on In Rainbows all contain an interrelated diversity and the album was clearly Marshall’s of Cat Power (In large part prior to her latest release, The Greatest). However, Marshall’s meant to be listened to as a whole, which more than likely was the reason for its revolutionary music has never achieved the same balance of depth and accessibility. distribution concept. Being able to get the whole album for free anytime you want upholds the This album is moving, beautiful, haunting and honest. Fans of everyone from Smog, Will Old- integrity of the album as opposed to downloading your two favorite songs (btw: mine are ‘Reckoner’ ham and Tom Waits to Wilco, Cat Power and Iron & Wine should add this album to their collection. and ‘All I Need’) for 99 cents each and never realizing their place within the whole record. Be sure to actively listen and immerse yourself. While it’s not driving or party music, it is the fi rst al- Sonically, the new album prompts a look back to the softer feel of while marinating The Bends bum I will reach for on a rainy Sunday. I imagine if Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth had a sound, in the sharp electro-pop feel of Kid A. Strangely, it is much more harmonic and sensitive as a whole it would be In the Vines by Castanets. - BY BRENTON CROZIER than some of their most recent work but continues to evoke the universally diverse perception of emotion they have somehow always had a knack for. Music to shake your head to (in a good way). Relief and contentment. End with applause. You lucy gray may want to continue. - BY KEVIN DUSINBERRE album review
lifeline Artist: Envy on the Coast Title: Lucy Gray album review Release Date: 08.07.07 Label: Photo Finish Records Artist: Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Title: Lifeline I couldn’t fi nd anything wrong with Envy on the Coast’s fi rst CD, except that we’re just not Release Date: 08.28.07 compatible. They’re a new band, freshly minted in 2006. They wasted no time in putting out an EP and now, with a full-length album. Label: Virgin Records America Lucy Gray, Somehow they sound like most bands I’ve heard lately, a dash of Evanescence, a hint of Ben Harper didn’t exactly take a walk on the wild side with his latest release Lifeline, but power-pop, a scrap of old school music and a little indie sensibility. Still, it’s a good combo and they that’s not anything to be upset about. It’s certainly good ol’ Ben Harper back at work, teaching seem to know how to craft a song. The entire time I listened to them, I kept thinking, “Come on, I many wannabes just how it’s done. This is Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminal’s eighth LP, and should like this!” because they really do have it together. They’ve got the catchy hooks, with musical it was recorded in a week’s time. Lifeline is a nice reminder that Ben can continue to produce al- surprises lurking past the chorus. bum after album of quality musicianship with deeply thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics. Ben They throw in gimmicks, such as the dial tone used in the fi rst track, ‘Sugar Skulls.’ I love Harper describes the music as “acoustic soul,” as he blends a bluegrass, soul, gospel and rock gimmicky crap like that, but I still couldn’t get into it. element to his sound. ‘(x) amount of the truth’ is chock full of musical gimmicks as well, opening with weird radio Lifeline was recorded by Harper and the Innocent Criminals in their Parisian home between signals and, I think, Russian. It lapses into some sort of haunting melody and harmony. It’s the multiple appearances and concert dates. This is what proves Harper to be so great. He’s simply a shortest thing on the album, clocking in at only two minutes, but I wished there were more of it. The solid musician that knows how to completely blend various sounds to create the perfect combina- lyrics are a tad clichéd—the usual metal convention of innocent children sleeping with a horrible tion. His acoustic guitar in the title track ‘Lifeline’ is haunting and the softness of the vocals gives something looming over them, including the possibility that the little angels (and their dreams) might the song a chilling quality. ‘Paris Sunrise #7’ is a solo like no other on Harper’s part and would end up in hell after all. “Wake all the children from their slumber before they wonder/ why their make anyone want to see his live performance. dreams have gone to hell.” Fun times. Speaking of seeing Harper live, by the good grace of God, he’ll be at the Florida Theatre on I know emo is supposed to be a dirty word, but I couldn’t help feeling that the EotC guys are November 1. He’s performed in Jacksonville once before and it’s probably only due to the archi- so Emo. And there’s nothing wrong with that. A lot of other people think there’s nothing wrong with tectural brilliance of the Florida Theatre. The band wanted to tour in quality theatres, making the that either, judging from the true love and devotion of their fans on MySpace. They’ve hit the magic Florida Theatre a perfect fi t. number, with over 30,000 fans on MySpace. At about 27,000, if you aren’t already signed to a All of the tracks on Lifeline are consistently good in musicianship and lyricism. The lyrics label, music companies are more likely to sit up and take notice of you. EotC gained a major leap in could be a guidebook to life with inspiring songs such as ‘Fight Outta You’ and ‘Younger than To- ‘friends’ since they started some fi erce and constant touring to promote their album. day.’ The gospel-ish chorus of ‘Say You Will’ is nice and powerful yet cheery. The more I listened to the CD, the more I wanted to call up the band and say things like “It’s not Adding Lifeline to your music collection is a good choice. It’d be a nice soundtrack for a drive you, it’s me. You’re a really great band, you put out great music and I’m sure you’ll make some fan home after a stressful day at work or school, as its soothing tunes are neither trivial nor trite. somewhere very happy.” The truth is, they’re already making a lot of fans very happy, right now. - BY MORGAN HENLEY - BY ERIN THURSBY
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 25 events which people talk about for months afterwards. One hears the WP signature live music sound as improvised structures that al- low the players room to solo, but hold the motif together in the listener’s mind. shows calendar For me, it’s hard to put my fi nger on just what that trademark sound is. Sometimes THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 WP sounds like the Doobie Brothers or the long defunct early 70s San Francisco Pianist Tim Nold Seawalk Hotel, Jax Beach (249-9981) band Quicksilver Messenger Service or Open Mic w/Colleen Murphy Trade Winds Lounge, a dozen other classic ( I prefer the term St. Augustine (829-8646) “real”) rock bands. And, whatever you Gutterboy Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) do, don’t call this groove machine a jam band, which doesn’t begin to cover the Chuck Nash My Place, Jax (737-5299) scope of WP–an iconoclastic legend. Thermal Image Cheers, Mandarin To fi nd out what the Widespread Panic lads were doing now, I called Dominigo Big Engine Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) Ortiz in his Salt Lake City, Utah hotel room Tannahill Weavers Bolles School, Jax to get an update. He’s a charming and funny man who loves the road and jokes Deron Baker Zhanra’s, St. Augustine about the life of a gypsy road dog. Ortiz Von Barlow Springfi eld Station, Jax said he’s been with WP for twenty-fi ve Open Mic w/Krank Shaft Overtime Sports Bar, Jax glorious years and loved every minute of (786-5466) it. It’s his dream band and his dream life- style. Bound Landshark Café, Atlantic Beach (246-6024) “Yeah, I’m here in Salt Lake City, Utah-- a beau- Target X Lynch’s Irish Pub, Jax Beach (249-5181) tiful city and the weather is mild and sunny. We’re set to play a gig in Ogden, Utah tonight… We are Girvin Mountain Buoys Gingers, Jax Beach 25 years of rock road dogs from hell, but we love it. When I was in Steve Wheeler Band Jerry’s, Jax (220-6766) my teens I dreamed of doing this and here I am. I’m living my dream.” Mike Sweet & Friends Kingshead Pub, St. Augustine “In 1980, I started playing in duos and eventu- Matt Collins Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra interview with Widespread Panic ally graduated to WP. I was accepted into the band Sweet Low Down Aroma’s, Jax (928-0515) without an audition. Man, I found a home and I’ve been happy ever since. As you know, our sound Lift Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) is diffi cult to describe. We are a product of our Mariachi Guadalajara Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) BY RICK GRANT [email protected] infl uences which are diverse–from Miles Davis to Frank Zappa to dozens of other bands and genres of Boogie Freaks Square One, Jax (306-9004) WHAT: Widespread Panic across the country and overseas. music. It just gelled together and came out the other Steve Plays Too Loud London Bridge, Jax (359-0001) WHEN: November 4th Widespread Panic has logged twenty-fi ve years end as WP music. We let our fans describe it.” WHERE: of rock excellence. The group’s albums have sold “We all write songs on the road and consult David Milam Shannon’s Irish Pub, Green Cove Times-Union Center, Moran Theater well, but Widespread Panic’s recordings are second- with one another every day, even off the road, which Springs (230-9670) Widespread Panic is a band that is not happy ary and act as a creative promotion for the band’s is rare. We introduce new songs into our repertoire Cloud 9 Twisted Martini, Ponte Vedra unless it’s moving forward–literally and philosophi- endless touring. Individually and collectively the WP and gauge the audiences’ reaction. But our main Wes Cobb Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) cally. Whatever day it is on the calendar, the WP road musicians are living their dream and love the gypsy asset is our large body of loyal fans who show up at dogs from hell are out rolling to a gig somewhere in lifestyle. Rarely, does a group of musicians gel so our shows. Many of our fans will travel with us for Battle For Planetfest Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) the USA, catering to a large countrywide fan base. well together over such a long period of time and two or three gigs on the road. Of course, we cater Cornerstone The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) The band members are a close-knit creative pow- remain close friends. to our fans and that’s the impetus to going into the erhouse that, as a group, is continually writing new Listening to Widespread Panic’s latest album, studio to record. Although we sell a fair number Ron Rodriguez Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) songs and communicating new ideas to one another. Choice Cuts, (from Rhapsody) I was struck by hear- of albums every year, it doesn’t amount to enough 3 Eddie Bahamas, Jax Beach (241-3138) The band makes its living on its sold-out shows ing the homogenized infl uences that have been so money to live on. We make our living by touring, well assimilated that one can not put the band into a playing live gigs all across the country and over- Little Green Men West Inn Cantina, Jax (389-1131) narrow interval of sound. The mighty six piece band seas.” Freeze Frame Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) features John Bell on guitars and vocals, John “Jojo” Yes, the dude spoke the truth. Having large Lions of Jah Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) Hermann on keyboards, Jimmy Herring on guitars, numbers of loyal fans drives this WP train to glory. Todd Nance on drums, and Domingo Ortiz on per- The WP force will land in Jacksonville at the Moran Open Mic w/Ron Perry Tailgaters, Green Cove cussion and vocals. This band produces a big bold Theater November 4th. Tickets are still available Springs (529-1976) sound with songs that run the gamut of blues, rock, through TicketMaster (ticketmaster.com/art- Sweet Little Ditty Spare Time, Jax Beach fusion, and R&B. ist/736451), but not for long. The band sells-out Widespread Panic’s live shows are legendary most of its gigs. Mr. Natural Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198)
The Wainwrights Ragtime Tavern, Neptune Beach (241-7877)
Stu Weaver Coffee Roasters, Jax
Blue Sage Shoes Kingfi sh Grill, St. Augustine (824-2111)
Ace Winn The Melting Pot, Jax
THURSDAY-SUNDAY, OCT. 18-21 Shrimp City Slim A1A Aleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 Dennis DeYoung Florida Theatre, Jax
Nate Holley Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955)
26 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Livid Shannons, Green Cove Springs it’s diffi cult to cover the malfunction. Of course, in a hastily organized reunion concert, Murphy’s Law Jazz on the Green-Dot Wilder Riverwood, Nocatee takes precedence. Three quarters the way through Formatta Yesterdays, Jax (387-0502) its fi rst set, a glitch in the circuitry happened, and the band took a break to fi x the problem. Amy Vickery Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) Guitarist and frontman, Jonathan Berlin, opened The Sweet Low Down 9th & Main, Jax the show with a catchy piano motif, then the band kicked in with Jonathan bowing his guitar to launch The Hives Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) one of the band’s premier pieces with strange im- Medeski Martin & Wood Freebird Live, Jax Beach ages projected on the back-screen. Loops and (246-2473) sequences wove in and out of the songs, which are Gypsy Highway St. Johns Town Center, Jax haunting cinematic suites. Many songs started with piano intros then evolved into a complex crescendo Chuck Wicks-Southern Womans Show Prime of music, fi nally returning to the piano motif. It’s an Osborn, Jax exciting audio-visual presentation. I was mesmerized Fitzroy Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) by the band’s rock symphonies and visual images. Clearly, this trio of talented and experienced Southern Wailers Spare Time, Jax Beach musicians have some progressive ideas of combin- Sugar Bear The Landing, Jax ing cinema and music in an integrated multimedia show. If they really want to pursue this creative idea, John Longbottom Queen’s Harbor Yacht Club, Jax then they will have to come to terms with their con- Conrad Oberg Hurricane Patty’s, St. Augustine fl icts. However, only the band members can decide (827-1822) whether or not their music is important enough to Ion Dissonance Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) pursue Bernard 2.0 by resolving their differences. If Bernard 2.0 blossoms, then the band will have to Nightfi re Bourbon Street, Jax (641-8777) reestablish its MySpace website and go on a promo- Mouth of Lions Rebar, Jax tional campaign and tour. Frankly, I was excited by Bernard’s music and Colton McKenna & Friends Mill Top, St. Augustine see a bright future for this trio if the band decides to (829-2329) go for it. But they need to make sure that their show Bush Doctors Kingfi sh Grill, St. Augustine (824-2111) is programmed correctly by doing live dress re- hearsals with invited audience members to test their Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine equipment and how well they know the material. (824-9317) Fusing preprogrammed music with live performance Crystal Bessels Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) is tricky to pull off with fi nesse. That laptop is an- Yankee Slickers West Inn Cantina, Jax (389-1131) other player on-stage who is not very bright and not able to adjust to changing situations. Clayton Bush Pauly’s Pizza, Jax (727-9101) One of my favorite local bands that could go on Johnny Flood Aromas, Jax (928-0515) to national prominence, Shangrala, opened the Oct. 12th Murray Hill Friday night rock show. Last April Something Distant Scarlett’s, St. Augustine (824-6535) 4, 2007, I covered Shangrala at the band’s 9th & Chris Tyler Band Jackie’s Bar, Jax swan song or reunion? Main showcase. My glowing review is printed in the th band’s MySpace website. Interestingly, Jared Chase Tri State Music Tour 9 & Main, Jax Bowser of Bernard sometimes plays with Shangrala. Jimmy Solari Latitudes, Atlantic Beach (247-6606) Bernard and Shangrala live at the Murray Hill Theatre My advice to the members of Bernard–don’t Ocean Waves Band CD Release Billy’s Boathouse, play mind games with your fans, who felt disillu- Jax Beach BY RICK GRANT [email protected] sioned when the band suddenly broke up. Either go for broke as Bernard 2.0 and make a big splash, or Self Emplyed Elixir, Orange Park (215-4400) It had been some time since I made the Murray future, but for now it is going to be one night only at make it clear once and for all that the band is defunct Cloud 9 Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) Hill Theatre scene. I was there to cover a promising the Murray Hill,” Jared said. One can read between forever. Amen! band that broke up a while back but decided to re- the lines of Jared’s ambiguous answer. My question unite for one night to play a fi nal concert. The preg- is: Why bother to play a fi nal concert if the band FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCT. 19-20 nant question is: Was this a ploy to test the waters wasn’t entertaining the idea of reuniting? Only the for a reunion campaign or the band’s swan song? band members can answer that. Jody & the Driveshafts Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-9336) During an interview with our Managing Editor, Jon Bernard is a band that relies heavily on prere- Bosworth, Jared Chase Bowser was cagey about corded tracks using a laptop to program the show, Skynyrd Tribute Weekend-Kymystry, Sharkey’s making a commitment to a future Bernard 2.0 when which is acceptable in today’s world. The downside Place, Orange Park (215-5890) asked by Jon, “Is the band back for good?” of this electronic manipulation is the band is a slave Barry Lee Hardwood, Skytrain, Drivin South “That’s hard to say. None of us can predict the to the technology and if something goes wrong, Dot Wilder The Brick, Jax (387-0606)
Ruckus Cliff’s, Jax (645-5162)
A1A The Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611)
Pili Pili Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940)
Mike Gottuso Seven Bridges, Jax (997-1999)
Go Ask Alice Players Grille, Orange Park (264-4633)
Freeze Frame Fionn’s, Jax Beach (242-9499)
Dueling Pianos Dick’s Wings/Tinseltown, Jax
Rathkeltair Lynch’s Irish Pub, Jax Beach (249-5181)
Beam Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999)
Martha’s Trouble Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329)
Wes Cobb Fly’s Tie, Atlantic Beach (246-4293)
The Committee Tailgaters, Green Cove Springs (529-1976)
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 27 Roger That Square One, Jax (306-9004) tb1 turn up the SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 Saosin, Norma Jean Fuel, Jax (425-3835)
Retro Kats Culhane’s, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) Robby Schenck Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) radio project Livid Jackie’s Seafood, Jax
Deron Baker San Sebastian Winery, St. Augustine
The Company Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park No Compromise Records (269-4198) Drive Shafts The Landing, Jax BY BRENTON CROZIER Jacobs Ladder Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) TB1 (The Blessed One) is a Christian hip-hop of worship. There is a valid Jim Brady Kingfi sh Grill, St. Augustine (824-2111) artist on the Jacksonville based No Compromise argument that when a person Saosin, Norma Jean, Alexis On Fire Fuel, Jax (425-3835) Records. of faith or someone whose Christian rap, and Christian music for that foundation is a spiritual one Fusion St. Johns Town Center, Jax matter, has earned the stigma of being an inferior creates music, it is inherently Rottred Fusion, St. Augustine (829-8333) imitation of popular secular music. There is always a Christian or spiritual. danger of Christian artists saturating their work to be Turn up the Radio Brian Turner & Rip Tide Conch House, St. Augustine Christ-centric, compromising artistry in the process. Project is a song by song Jah Creation Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) There have been successful crossovers and even experience. Some tracks are musical innovators that come from Christian labels well produced, well delivered, Matt Still Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) and backgrounds. This is by no means a measuring catchy and current. Other Strike A Pose, The Vow Murray Hill Theatre, Jax stick of success, but demonstrates a philosophy tracks suffer from pedestrian (388-7807) of seeing the creative process in itself as an act lyrics, a thin beat and stale Jim Brady Kingfi sh Grill, St. Augustine (824-2111) production. TB1’s voice has some of the deep tone and a Strings of Fire Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) bit of the Southern drawl of Duval Boyz Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) Ludacris, with a slight nuance of The Game’s delivery. Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine The album opens with (824-9317) ‘The Word (Intro)’ a thumping Stu Weaver Harry’s, Jax Beach (247-8855) (see thumpin’) beat that could Open Mic w/Larry Broussard St. Johns Pizza Grill, stand to be a bit more bass Jax (287-9900) heavy and a spoken word performance delivered by Reverend Tywanna Estell. TB1 has a lot of MC savvy and will benefi t from The concept is great for an opening, but simply lasts some industry submersion and innovative production. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 too long. ‘Road to Damascus’ is next, and captures His passion is obvious and, once he merges that every bit of the aforementioned Christian stigma more with his craft and artistic direction, he will be on Those Guys Sunset Grill, St. Augustine (471-5555) with trite lyrics and a stiff delivery. Although being the crest of the Christian hip-hop world. Dan Shepherd Harpoon Louie’s, Jax (389-5631) JACKSONVILLE a little Casio crazy, ‘Genesis’ gives the album hope Album highlights include ‘Genesis,’ ‘Changes (and should have been the fi rst track . . . it is called in the Sanc(tuary),’ ‘Eternal Party’ and ‘The Bait.’ Isaac Byrd Jr. De Real Ting Café, Jax Genesis after all) with layered background vocals, a Parents can feel safe that the message is uplifting Feel the Love The Landing, Jax fresh delivery and retro chorus that summons Afrika throughout Turn up the Radio Project. Support this Tarik Hassan Sahara Café, Jax Bambaataa. The rest of the album has its peaks and local Jacksonville artist at nocompromiserecords. valleys, but delivers a positive message that never com. This album can also be purchased online at both The Dollyrots Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) graphic artist gets off track. Best Buy and Circuit City websites. David Milam Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) John Winters Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) wanted. Chelsea Saddler Tiajuana Flats, Atlantic Beach (242-0234)
Bobby Flynn Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) we are seeking creative Jimmy Parrish Carib Key, Jax Beach (270-8940) individuals who are proficient
Soulo Kingfi sh Grill, St. Augustine (824-2111) in desktop publishing
Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) (specifically all the programs in
Lisa & the Madhatters Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange the adobe creative suite) and Park (269-4198) web design. must be organized 3rd Bass The Casbah, Jax (981-9966) and know how to appreciate El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) clean and neat design.
Jan Crawford & Friends Cortesses, St. Augustine experience and degree (825-6775) preferred. please send resumes with portfolios to MONDAY, OCTOBER 22 [email protected]. Joey Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Charlie Walker Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) (904) 730-3003 Sam Pacetti The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) a locally and family owned Busted & Confused-Jag Pregame Downtown, Jax business for over 25 years.
28 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Matt Still Gingers, Jax Beach power pop that Lary Smith Harmonious Monks, Jax (886-3040) Band of Destiny Square One, Jax (306-9004)
Nolan Neal Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) rocks (against hun- Bodog Battle of the Bands Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Goliath & Dorian Lopez Casbah, Jax (981-9966) interview with Jacobs Ladder Stu Weaver Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] Circa Survive, Ours Fuel, Jax (425-3835) UNF Jazz Allstars Ponte Vedra Library, Ponte Vedra WHAT: Jacobs Ladder with Ignatius, Wrylys, 28,000), because Jacobs Lyman and Point Blank Ladder still tries to be true Second String Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune WHEN: October 20th, 7 pm to the sound of their re- Beach (241-8221) WHERE: Jack Rabbits cordings. Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) “I remember the fi rst time I heard the phrase Their appearance ‘power-pop,’” says the bassist and back-up vocalist here in Jacksonville is Christina Wagner & Friends Mark’s Downtown, Jax for Jacobs Ladder, Sammy Gonzalez. “I was sort of part of their Rock Against (355-5099) offended when someone described our music like Hunger Tour. “At the end of Will Pearsall The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) that, and then I started really looking it up and I was each show we’re collecting Dave Massey Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) like, ‘You know something, we really are power-pop cans, because in South in a lot of ways.’… I embraced it… We’re not main- Florida a lot of people don’t Those Guys Hurricane Patty’s, St. Augustine (827-1822) stream…but we still have catchy hooks and stuff. get their Thanksgiving. It’s Recon, Bloodjin Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) For sure, we consider ourselves power pop.” a simple way for us to give With more than 250 shows under their belts, back to the community.” Scenic Void Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Jacobs Ladder has opened for national acts like the This philanthropy isn’t a Ron Perry Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Ataris, Fall Out Boy, Bowling for Soup, Between the new thing for the band. Trees, River City High, Glasseater, Unsung Zeros, They’ve donated their time Out of Hand Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach and Price. They’ve also toured on the Warped Tour, in the past at benefi t con- Bill Rice Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) premiered on an episode of the Jamie Kennedy Ex- certs tsunami victims and Mystic Dino Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) periment, and trained with multiple Grammy Winner other philanthropic causes. Richard Finch of KC and the Sunshine Band. They’ve One of the more Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax rocked it in four East Coast tours and an insane pressing questions I had Jimmy Solari My Place, Jax (737-5299) amount of mini-tours here in Florida. for Sammy Gonzalez was The band released a 6-song EP in the sum- regarding the name of the band. The phrase “Jacob’s ter.” Seth Ramsdill Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach mer of 2006 and set off on a one-month winter East ladder” can mean a host of different things, from penis This particular meaning is refl ective of both the (246-4293) Coast tour, which landed the boys their fi rst indie piercing to something you might fi nd in a mad scien- Biblical view and the scientifi c symbolism of Jacob’s Ron Perry Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) deal on JMB Records. They recently released their tist’s lab or an old toybox. There’s always the original Ladder—which was meant to represent a transfor- debut album, On a Chariot of Fire in the summer of Biblical meaning, but I was hoping that the band might mation of the self to a higher understanding and con- El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) ‘07 and have toured non-stop to support the release. have been named for a Jacob’s Ladder Total Body nection with the universe. I think the penis piercing Jacobs Ladder presents listeners with a show Climbing Treadmill that claims to provide you with the might have been more interesting, if less universal. of soaring energy, which is in contrast to their CD, “Ultimate Workout.” Hear the band in action at Jack Rabbits on the TUESDAY-WED., OCT. 23-24 which Gonzalez says is “more chill.” Most people “Jacobs Ladder has a lot of different meanings, 20th. If you want to Rock Against Hunger, make sure Gene Nordan Mackenzie’s, Ponte Vedra (543-9143) who come to see them are pleased to discover that and for us it means to continue to grow and always you bring canned goods to donate for the cause. they’re quite a bit louder than their MySpace page to aspire to higher things in life. We take that in many If you forget, at least you can have a rockin’ good promises. But they don’t get complaints from their different ways in our life, when it comes to our music, time. Tickets for the event will be $6 (21+) and $10 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24 devoted MySpace fans (of which there are about when it comes to our fans…to always try to do bet- (under 21). Silverstein, Dance Gavin Dance Fuel, Jax (425-3835)
Mr. Beam Casa Marina, Jax Beach (270-0025)
Dave Massey My Place, Jax (737-5299)
Rip Tide w/Brian Turner Eddie Bahamas, Jax Beach (241-3138)
Wes Cobb Band Square One, Jax (306-9004)
Eric Dawkins Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955)
Jesse & Leaa Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775)
Steve Plays Too Loud Cedar River Club, Jax
Jodies Fiasco Castillo de Mexico, Jax
Set Your Goals Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850)
Soulo Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515)
The Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax (396-3396)
El Toro Loco Aromas, Ponte Vedra (280-2525)
Chuck Nash Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune Beach (241-8221)
Sidewalk 65 Latitudes, Jax Beach (247-6606)
Pili Pili Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293)
Dave Massey My Place Bar & Grill, Jax (737-5299)
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 29 recently produced a solo album and an album of Beatles music called From Colorado to Liverpool upcoming which is receiving rave reviews and selling well in Great Britain and Europe, countries that do not use playlists based on narrow demographic formulas. concerts “In the 80s and early 90s the musical land- Evanescence Oct. 25, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3303 scape we had been playing on changed dramatically MagnoliaFest with Toots & The Maytals, Donna the Buffalo, underneath us. By in large, multiple acoustic guitars Railroad Earth, The Duhks, Bobby Lee Rodgers Band and and three part harmonies became a thing of the past more Oct. 25–28, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live (except in country music). There were a number of Oak, Florida, www.magmusic.com great groups and artists out there–The Police, Gen- Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Edgar Meyer Oct. 25, Florida esis, John Cougar Mellencamp, Peter Gabriel, Talk- Theatre, 355-2787 ing Heads etc.–but there also was a huge amount of crap. The craft of songwriting took a nose dive. Corey Smith Oct. 26, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 That’s why classic rock, and also, I think, the boom Genitorturers Oct. 26, Freebird Live, 246-2473 in country music happened. Firefall gave their old Nada Surf, Sea Wolf October 27, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 fans that and more, gaining new support from the younger crowd.” Monotonix Oct. 28, Club TSI, 424-3531 Now, the hit music of Firefall that pleased a Solid Gold Soul w/Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Billy Paul and whole generation of fans has crossed over into the The Impressions Oct. 28, TU Center, 353-3309 next generation as parents bring their teenagers to Benise “Nights of Fire” Oct. 29, Times Union Center, 632-3373 Firefall shows. Like so many of these brand name bands that are still touring, the members of Firefall Kings of Leon Oct. 30, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 make their living by performing live shows. But, they Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Plain White T’s, Cute Is also write new material and release new product that What We Aim For Oct. 30, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3309 they sell at their concerts. Today’s corporate radio Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit, Emily Lacy October 30, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 will not play new material from these established bands, only their hits from yesteryear, which is fi ne Ben Harper Nov. 1, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 with Jock. Reverend Horton Heat/Hank Williams III Nov. 1, Freebird “As you said in my book, groups that have lon- Live, 246-2473 , gevity have great songs. They’re well-crafted songs D.L. Hughley Nov. 2, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 that people identify with. I feel very fortunate to have many hit songs that people remember. Firefall’s mu- Aerial Tribe Nov. 2, Freebird, 246-2473 rock and relevance sic sounds as pertinent today as they did years ago. Chris Cornell Nov. 2, Plush, 743-1845 We have a large catalog of hit songs that everyone Widespread Panic November 4, Times Union Center, 353-3309 recognizes. The music is pervasive and part of the interview with Jock Bartley of Firefall pop culture. After shows, fans will come up to me Trans-Siberian Orchestra Nov. 5, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3309 and say that one of my songs was playing when the David Bazan Nov. 6, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 BY RICK GRANT [email protected] guy proposed to his girlfriend or a certain song was Badfi sh Nov. 6, Freebird Live, 246-2473 a couple’s favorite dance song. This really pleases me, and makes all the hard work worth it. This is not Classic Albums Live - Pink Floyd’s The Wall Nov. 7, Florida WHAT: Firefall live Theatre, 355-2787 WHERE: The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair became ingrained in the en masse public conscious- to say that I’ve rested on my laurels by any means. WHEN: November 7th at 8 pm ness. Play any of Firefall’s big hits like ‘Just Remem- I write new songs all the time, and we play them in Tallyrand Music Festival W/Spoon, Keller Williams, The ber I Love You’ and ‘You are the Woman’ to anyone concert. True, corporate radio will not play them, but Bravery, Pepper, Against Me!, The Polyphonic Spress, Jock Bartley founded Firefall thirty years ago and they will recognize the tunes as Firefall’s music. people buy the new albums at the gigs or from our Rooney and more Nov. 10, Metro Park with a notebook full of catchy songs that appealed Along with America, Poco, James Taylor, Pure Prairie website. It’s not enough to live on, but it makes writ- Dan Zanes Nov. 10, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 to a large number of music lovers. Of course, over League, and Flying Burrito Brothers, Firefall captured ing the songs worthwhile and keeps us relevant. Nickel Creek Nov. 12, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 the years the band has gone through many person- the imagination of a large fan base that liked this “When we play our hit songs today in concert, nel changes, but Jock has remained at the helm. acoustic form of pop-rock, which is a kissin’-cousin we put a 110 % into the performance and insist on Nov. 14, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Bob Weir and Ratdog Firefall’s longevity as a viable entity is a testament to country. The so-called “soft rock” or “lite rock” great sound. The songs sound as lively and crisp Cartel Nov. 14, Freebird Live, 246-2473 to Jock’s songwriting prowess–his ability to write radio demographic was born. Yeah, those terms as they did twenty years ago. We get enthusiastic Wiggles Nov. 15, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3309 acoustically-driven, melodic songs that eventually could only come from radio dunderheads who are responses from our audiences, who sing along and looking for catchphrases to market their music. make their concert experience a family affair,” Jock Nov. 15, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Slightly Stoopid For more insight into Firefall’s glorious history, said. Spill Canvas Nov. 17, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 I chatted with Jock Bartley via telephone from his Jock’s words rang true. Groups like Firefall Planetfest 8 w/ Breaking Benjamin, Finger Eleven, Seether, Sum Colorado home. He was cordial and laid-back and are driven by timeless hit music and loyal fans who 41, Drowning Pool, Operator and more, Nov. 17, Metro Park we hit it off. He said he feels blessed that he can have grown up with them. It’s all about songwriting still make a living playing his music. He is at peace excellence. Jock has proved he can crank out music Nov. 23, Freebird Live, 246-2473 ZoSo with the band’s status as a nostalgic act. However, that touches many age groups and crosses over Jucifer Nov. 23, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 that hasn’t stopped him from writing new songs generations. In the music business, it’s the platinum Zoso Nov. 24, Freebird Live, 246-2473 which the band presents in their live shows. He also standard. Lalah Hathaway Nov. 24, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 The Electric Six Nov. 24, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 Wynonna Nov. 30, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Kelly Joe Phelps Nov. 30, Café Eleven, 460-9311 Dinosaur Jr. Dec 1, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Nekromantix Dec. 4, Jack Rabbits, 398-7496 Col Bruce & The Quark Alliance Dec. 6, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Keith Urban December 7, Jacksonville Arena, 353-3309 David Wilcox Dec. 8, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 Rev. Billy Wirtz Dec. 9, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 The Avett Brothers Dec. 9, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Jethro Tull Dec.11, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Johnny Winter Dec. 14, Freebird Live, 246-2473
30 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper to see them the other day before they were even put on the walls, and there are even two sculptures in the auction. Jacksonville doesn’t see much stone sculp- art events ture, so it will be interesting to see how well received they will be. In addition to the artwork provided by new this week local artists, there will be a few pieces from Granada- donations in appreciation for the foundation’s help in Art with a Heart 2007 Fundraiser (Thursday, October 18, 7 pm – 10 pm) Stellers Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach that country. (904) 202-2689 or [email protected] Sometimes benefi t art events can be lackluster in their content. I’m not sure why, but judging from Sarah Dodd, Cris Coleman & Matthew Abercrombie (Friday, what I saw, Artscapade 2007 is sure to make every- October 19 – Friday, November 30) Opening reception one proud. 6:30 pm – 8 pm Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Here’s a list of the artists whose work will be up Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach 280-0614 or ccpvb.org for sale at the auction: Dr. Seuss: 50th Anniversary of The Cat in the Hat Green Eggs and Ham, Sam I Am Bronze Unveiling Molly Mabe (Friday, October 19, 6 – 9 pm, Saturday, October 20, 11 am Cynthia Walburn – 8 pm, Sunday, October 21, 12 – 4 pm) R. Roberts Gallery, 3606 St. Johns Avenue, Avondale (904) 388-1188 Thomas Hager Thomas Glover Beaches Fine Art Show (October 20 – 21 Saturday, 10 Carol Mehrtens am – 5 pm, Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm) Latham Plaza, Beaches Shaun Meharg (904) 541-1340 jandcoevents.com Rosamond Parrish Paul Braun ongoing Dean Kellog Marianne Lerbs Natural Visions: Recent works by John Bunker and Suzanne Joanelle Mulrain Magee (Opening Reception September 21, 6 pm - 9 pm Through October 19) Stellers Gallery Annex, 200 1st Street, Neptune Beach (904) 247-7200 The Jane Gray Gallery is located at 643 Edison artscapade 2007 Avenue near the Riverside neighborhood. It’s next to th Five JU Student Artists Gallery’s 5 Anniversary and the Blue Cross Blue Shield complex on Riverside Av- Fundraiser for JU (Through October 27) enue. To learn more about Patrons of the Hearts, visit Eclectic Galleries, 2405 3rd Street South, Jacksonville Beach art to support children with patronsofthehearts.com. 904-247-3750 or eclecticgalleries.com Tactile Art Show for Art Beyond Sight Awareness Month (Through Saturday, October 27) St. Augustine Art Association heart disease Gallery, 22 Marine Street, St. Augustine (904) 824-2310
The Art of Dr. Seuss- A Retrospective and National Touring BY DONALD DUSINBERRE [email protected] Exhibition (Through October 29) R. Roberts Gallery, 3606 St. Johns Avenue, Avondale (904) 388-1188 WHEN: Thursday October 25th, 6:30 – 10:30 pm the United States to receive medical and surgical care WHERE: Jane Gray Gallery, 643 Edison Avenue donated by UF doctors in conjunction with Baptist The Works of Mary St. Germain & Joyce Gabiou (Through October 31) Reddi Arts Gallery, 1037 Hendricks Avenue, San Healthcare and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The doc- Marco (904) 398-3161 Art can sometimes seem self-involved and tors donate their time and waive fees, while Baptist/ decadent (and it very often is), but sometimes it can Wolfson donates their facilities, equipment and time. Collage et Plus Terese Marie Muller & Sally Cole Moyers be used to bring about great change and awareness Each year, Patrons of the Hearts raises money (Through October 31) Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 101 to something other than itself. In my opinion, art does for these children by hosting an art show and auction- West 1st Street, Downtown its job best when it is calling for awareness or inciting ing off artwork. It’s a great program because what Mikhail Baryshnikov Exhibit (Through November 2) change. Even if the sale of art brings about a change, normally costs about $45,000 can be accomplished J. Johnson Gallery, 177 4th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach then it has done more to justify its existence than for about $5,000 dollars through fundraising efforts matching with your furniture. and the donation of time and facilities by their health- Photographs by Ingrid Damiani (Through November 4) Three years ago, Jose and Hilda Ettedgui began care partners. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Avenue, Patrons of the Hearts, a foundation dedicated to help- Taking place at the Jane Gray Gallery on Thurs- Riverside (904) 356-6857 or cummer.org ing children from less developed countries receive day, October 25th, Artscapade 2007 will feature a Patrick Miko: Edifi ce Beautiful Imposition (Through adequate healthcare for congenital heart problems. live auction to help the foundation reach their goal of November 7) Alexander Brest Gallery and Museum at Although these problems occur no more frequently in $500,000 dollars. In the 3rd annual installment, a host Jacksonville University (904) 256-7345 poorer countries than the United States, stricken chil- of Jacksonville artists will offer up their work, hoping dren wouldn’t survive at all with the level of healthcare to help at least 5 children this year. So far, they’ve The Trilogy Series Featuring artwork by Leneke’, Sonya Cox, available in those countries. Louise Cruz & Jennelle Comisky (Through November 9) raised $125,000 and helped 12 children since the Village Gallery & Framing, 964 Park Avenue, Orange Park Finding them in places like Afghanistan, Zimba- beginning of the program. bwe, Morocco, Ecuador, Granada, China, and Uganda, As far as the art is concerned, there will be William Maurer show (Through November 10) Waterwheel Patrons of the Hearts arrange for children to travel to some impressive pieces up for auction. I got a chance Art, 5047 First Coast Highway, Fernandina Beach (904) 261-2535 or waterwheelgallery.com
Fogle Fine Art Gallery Presents: Regions Bank Artist Celebration of Jeanne Pelligreno (Through November 30) Regions Bank, 1461 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park graphic artist wanted. Valuistics: A printed installation by James Greene (Through January 6) MOCA Jacksonville, 333 North Laura Street, Downtown 366-6911 x210 or mocajacksonville.org JACKSONVILLE Minoru Ohira Sculpture Exhibit (Through January 6) MOCA Jacksonville, 333 North Laura Street, Downtown we are seeking creative individuals who are proficient in desktop (904) 366-6911 x210 or mocajacksonville.org
publishing (specifically all the programs in the adobe creative suite) Precious Gifts of Asian Art (Through January 2008) and web design. must be organized and know how to appreciate clean Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Avenue, Riverside (904) 356-6857 or cummer.org and neat design. experience and degree preferred. please send resumes Oh Say Can You See: American Art from the West with portfolios to [email protected]. Foundation Collection (Through January 2008) Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Avenue, Riverside (904) 730-3003 · a locally and family owned business for over 25 years. (904) 356-6857 or cummer.org
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 31 culture & arts OCTOBER 18 First Coast Wind Ensemble JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax 18 Art & Music Lecture Series-Greece & the Orpheus Project Cultural Center, Ponte Vedra 18 Author Paul Schneider JU Gooding Auditorium, Jax 18-19 Exhibit: Recent Works By John Bunker & Suzanne Magee Stellers Gallery, Neptune Beach
18-19 Beloved Brahms-JSO Performing Arts Center, Jax 18-21 Southern Woman’s Show Prime Osborn Center, Jax 18-21 Lucky Stiff Florida School of the Arts, Jax 18-21 Heartbreak House Play JU Swisher Theatre, Jax 18-27 Mystery Dinner Theatre Dave & Buster’s, Jax 18-27 Tactile Art Show , St. Augustine Art Association choirs from Eagle Academy, Jacksonville Country Day 18-28 “Frankenstein” Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine School, Oakleaf School and Orange Park Junior High 18-31 Breast Defense: Glamour Girls For Early Detection joseph and the amazing School will perform for a week at a time. Under the Gallery at Screen Arts, St. Augustine direction of Laura T. Adkison, they are a wonderful 18-NOV. 4 The Cummer Is…Photographs By Ingrid Damiani addition to the show. Cummer Museum, Jax Choreographer Conrad De’Andrea has the elev- technicolor dreamcoat en brothers dancing up a storm with a very polished 18-NOV. 7 Edifi ce Beautiful Emposition – Exhibit by Patrick Miko JU Gallery, Jax professional look. Always a hit is the appearance of “The King,” 18-NOV. 9 Tricking Fish: How & Why Lures Work Exhibit The Alhambra Dinner Theatre review Elvis, as the Pharaoh played with all the right moves Lighthouse, St. Augustine by Matthew Jay Campbell. He even passes out some 18-NOV. 17 “A Friendly Game of Death” Dave & Busters, Jax BY DICK KEREKES [email protected] of his famous scarves to a couple lucky audience 18-NOV. 25 Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat members. By the sound of the applause, the most Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jax The feel-good musical of the year opened last children’s show, they never dreamed it would go popular song of this particular evening was ‘Those 18-JAN. 6 Sculptor: Minoru Ohira Exhibit MOCA, Jax weekend at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre and will be on to be a full-length show. It has broken box offi ce Canaan Days’ featuring all the brothers, lead by the on stage till November 25th. records around the world and is in the Guinness Book incredible voice and panache of Lee Hamby as Reu- 18-FEB. 28 Oh Say Can You See: American Art Cummer Joseph and the Amazing Museum, Jax Technicolor Dreamcoat never fails to lift our spirits of World Records as the longest running touring mu- ben. and there isn’t any better family entertainment in mu- sical production. The sets by David Dionne are campy and color- 19 Friday Musicale-Stephen Ng (Tenor) & Michael Rickman sical theater. This is the story of Joseph, the favorite son of ful and the scenery whips in and out at breakneck (Piano) Friday Musicale, Jax When Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber Jacob (Tony Triano) and the jealousy of his brothers, speed to keep this show fast paced. The designing 19 “Brown Bag” Boat Trips-The Riverkeeper , Jax The Landing partnered to write Joseph in l968 as a 30-minute who sell him into slavery and convince Jacob that sisters, Dorinda Grogan and Camala Pitts (better 19-20 2nd Annual Haunted Forest Halloween Party Catty he has been killed. Because of his ability to interpret known as The Costume Crew) have designed and Shack Ranch, Jax dreams, Joseph rises to the second most powerful constructed the costumes for their fi rst Alhambra 19-21 20th Annual Sppoktacular The Zoo, Jax position in Egypt and eventually reunites with his fam- show. The costumes are absolutely wonderful and I 19-21 50th Anniversary of The Cat in the Hat Wine Reception ily. have a feeling they will be back in the future. R. Roberts Gallery, Jax Director Tod Booth assembled a cast of out- Rounding out this strikingly enthusiastic cast standing voices to sing the nineteen snappy songs are, Adam Daveline, Nicholas Barnes, Jereme Raick- 20 UNF Fine Arts Series-Natalie Cole , Jax UNF Fine Arts Center that include almost every style of music except opera. ett, Paul Betz, Mark Mayfi eld, Joshua Edwards, Zack- 20 Dinner & Silent Auction St. Paul United Methodist One of the essentials for any successful pro- ary Bass and Maria DeSimone. Church, Jax duction of this show is the narrator, and Heather I highly recommend Joseph. It is a lot of fun, 20 MOSH Chemistry Explorathon MOSH, Jax Beirne is outstanding in this role. You may remember and has extraordinarily talented actors on the very 20 Jax Urban League Awards Gala Hyatt Regency, Jax her Maria in the Alhambra’s Sound of Music several intimate Alhambra Dinner Theatre Stage. Did I say years ago; well I am pleased to report Ms. Beirne is it was fast-paced? You will fi nd yourself on the way 20 Family River Ride-The Riverkeeper , Jax Friendship Park singing better than ever. home by l0 o’clock, thoroughly satisfi ed with this 20 Casting Call “Recount” Fall Festival, Orange Park You could not fi nd a better Joseph than Xander marvelous production that has become a classic and 20-21 Beaches Fine Art Show Seawalk Pavilion, Jax Beach Chauncey, whose marvelous voice will send shivers a must-see for everyone, especially families. down your spine. His fantastic charisma just fl ows The Alhambra is located at 12000 Beach Blvd. 21 Children’s Home Society Caring Chefs The Avenues Mall, Jax from the stage like the Nile River, and you will fall in When you call for reservations ask about the special 21 Celebration of American Art Family Day Cummer love with him like all the young ladies from La Villa ticket price for children. Call 64l-1212 or visit their , Jax Museum School of the Arts did. They are the children’s choirs website at alhambradinnertheatre.com. Go Go Jo- 21 Ensemble La Variazione Riverside Presbyterian Church, Jax performing behind the singers. In coming weeks, seph! 21 Constellation Confi guaration: Looking at the Stars & Painting MOCA, Jax 21 An Upbeat Pink-A Musical Tribute to Breast Cancer Survivorship UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 21 Composerfest Concert JU Terry Concert Hall, Jax 22-24 “e. All of the Above-Benefi t Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine 24 Picasso At The Lapin Agile JU Studio Theatre, Jax 24 Drawing Live Models with Instructor Jonathan Lux MOCA, Jax 25 Beakman Live Science Show UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 25 UNF Jazz Faculty Featuring Bunky Green UNF Fine Arts Center, Jax 25-28 “Unspoken For Time” FCCJ Dramaworks Wilson Center, Jax 25-NOV. 4 4th Annual House of Possibilities Chadwick House, Fernandina
26 “Brown Bag” Boat Trips-The Riverkeeper The Landing, Jax 26-28 20th Annual Spooktacular The Zoo, Jax
32 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Renee LaCroix and Roger Lowe
heartbreak house JU theatre review BY DICK KEREKES [email protected] The drama department of Jacksonville Uni- Miller, as Billy Dunn, does a cameo role as a burglar versity has a unique treat for local theatre folks, a who dislikes all society. Over the course of the eve- George Bernard Shaw play. It has been many years ning the characters talk a lot about love and politics, since Shaw’s most popular play, Pygmalion has been and in Act III, we hear and see the fl ash and noise of done in this area. Director Deborah Jordan brought a WWI bombs. new production of Shaw’s Heartbreak House to the The set by Ben Wilson of a home in England marvelously renovated Swisher Theater last weekend. in l9l4 is not only massive but impressive. A garden It will continue on October 18, l9 and 20 at 7:30 pm is the scene of Act III and while pleasant to observe, with a matinee on October 21 at 2:30 pm. could have used a few more plants to give a real gar- It is Shaw’s saddest and richest play about the den effect. Costume designer Allison Steadman has irrationally of mankind as seen through the eyes of the captured this period in costumes that have eye appeal British upper class just before World War I. and appropriateness. The fi rst two acts take place in the home of If my description of the characters confused Captain Shotover (Roger Lowe), an 88-year old retired you, don’t worry. Ms Jordan has an excellent study naval offi cer with two daughters. Hesione (Tatiana guide inserted in the program that is full of useful Zappardino) married to Hector (Sam Smid) for love. information about the playwright and the characters. Lady Utterword (Laura Mauldin), the second daughter, This play was challenging to the actors, all married for money, and neither of them are happy. students except for Mr. Lowe. Roger has done several The occasion is a weekend party. The fi rst to ar- award-winning performances in community theatres rive is the young and attractive Ellie Dunn (Renee La- all over North Florida. This extraordinary cast not only Croix) who has no money but hopes to marry the rich has pages and pages of lines to learn, but they also but much older businessman Mangan (Jorge Chaps). had to perfect English accents along the way. Mangan also employs Ellie’s father, Mazzini Dunn This play is also a challenge to audiences, and (Josh Cohen) as manager/supervisor of one of his you must concentrate and pay attention to fully appre- factories. The fl amboyant Hesione tries to convince ciate the British wit and Shaw’s text. I was impressed Ellie that true love is more important than money and with the timing and seamless delivery of the dialogue then learns Ellie has been unknowingly seeing her by all the performers in what is a diffi cult show to pro- womanizing husband Hector. duce. Heartbreak House is an excellent example of the Lady Utterword, who has not visited this home fi ne training and instruction offered by the Jacksonville in twenty-three years, has brought along her infantile University Department of Theatre. brother-in-law Randall (Adam Christy) who admits he I encourage you to enjoy the comforts of the is secretly in love with her. Romances pop up unex- new Swisher Theater and sample a bit of Mr. George pectedly all over the place and even Ellie proclaims a Bernard Shaw. All performances on the campus of love for the old sea captain and winds up in his arms. Jacksonville University on north University Blvd. There Two fi nal characters give us a change of pace is plenty of well lit, free parking close to the theatre. from the upper crust crowd. Darlene Stratton is Nurse Tickets are a bargain at $ l0.00, and only $ 5.00 for Guiness, a gin swigging maid/housekeeper who calls seniors and military. Call 256 7374 for reservations everybody “ducky,” regardless of their status. Alex and information.
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 33 THE JOCK by tom weppel
Growing up, my understanding of sushi was basically centered around one experience. I was very young and my parents had brought me to a dinner with their friends. I remember trying the strange green discs, thinking the seaweed was chewy, and how odd it was to eat seaweed. It came from the sea. And it The Jaguars are on a nice roll now, having won challenge football fans around here, and in outlying was much like eating grass. four in a row, and now they will host the Super Bowl areas as well like St. Aug, Fernandina, Brunswick, While I lived in Tallahassee, I fi nally discovered my love for Sushi through the wonderful world of Champion Indy Colts. If you remember last season, and other towns, to check the boys out. Jasmines. When I fi rst started going there my freshman year with a few of my closest friends, the new res- the Colts came into town and the Jags beat their ass Remember! There are still NO TEAMS in Los taurant spent special time and care making our Japanese bagels and Philadelphia rolls. They introduced me 44-17. The Colts are one of only two teams left with Angeles. to edamame, the little green soy beans that squirt salty, soft goodness into your mouth, much like an Asian an unblemished record, and they come in off a bye version of boiled peanuts. week, so they should be fresh and ready to play. COLLEGE FOOTBALL But after a while, Jasmine kind of exploded with sorority girls and their masculine counterparts. The Meanwhile, Jackie Del Rio has done a good job This weekend should be pretty tasty, if you wait became excessive and my sushi intake became less and less. There were other great sushi spots of getting his thugs ready to play. He’s got a good are a fan of college football. After a bye week, the around town, but most of them were too far away or far too expensive. group of players and a coaching staff that is fi red up Florida Gators head up to the Bluegrass State to take It wasn’t until I spent a summer in California and tried San Francisco sushi, though, that my world of and ready to go each week. I will say, though, that on a Kentucky team that is jacked up after their win raw food was fi nally unleashed. And it wasn’t just the sushi in California, I discovered upon moving there, Del Rio has looked a little ragged lately, as if he’s last week against LSU. Mainly known as a basketball but much of their cuisine was like a gift from heaven to my taste buds. Everything I ever ate in California putting in a lot of hours lately, perhaps burning the school, the Wildcats have put together a pretty good was delicious. At one point my boyfriend even said, “I think you’d be hard pressed to fi nd a bad meal in this midnight oil. All things considered, this should be an squad and it will be up to Urban Meyer to get his town.” exciting contest between two very good squads. boys positioned to take care of business and beat One night, we wandered into this sushi restaurant near Berkeley, expecting the best. We sat down Now, I’m going to assume this game WILL NOT UK. Obviously, Kentucky wants this one badly. A at the sushi bar, listened to the chefs speaking in Japanese and tried to read the Japanese symbols on be blacked out, as opposed to the last two against third loss by the Gators would almost shut down the the menu, best we could. We ordered a few things and were munching on some edamame when another the Falcons and Texans. Obviously, the Colts are season. couple sat down beside us. more of a draw, and being on Monday night should Ten years ago, a Miami/Florida State game It was pretty evident that these people were regulars. They knew the chefs and sat around making joke make this a showcase game. The game can be seen would carry National Championship implications after joke while trays and trays of sushi were generously laid out before them. Then, the waitress brought on ESPN as well as Channel 4, and the folks down at without question. Here in 2007, people are wonder- out a little tray piled high with tiny little fi sh bones. I stared at the couple in freakish awe as they proceeded WJXT are bouncing off walls at being able to air this ing where the two programs have faded off to. Miami to stick skeleton after skeleton into their watering mouths and chew. one. lost last weekend at home to Georgia Tech, while the After I’d watched them go through a few good crunches, I asked the woman, “I’m sorry, what is that Last week there were all kinds of discus- ‘Noles lost their game last Thursday night to Wake you’re eating?” sions over what the deal is about Jag games being Forest. That’s the second straight year that has hap- The woman looked at me, smiling patiently and knowingly. “Oh these are sardine bones. They pull blacked-out. People were wondering why, after so pened. It is quite obvious Bobby Bowden has let this them out of the sardines before they cook them and instead of throwing them away they fry them.” I stared many years of this town saying it could support an program slide. They are not what they used to be, in disbelief, although this was clearly an obvious description of what was happening. NFL team as a passionate, football-crazy market, all even though he brought in a good coaching staff. In “Have you ever tried them?” she asked us. the tickets to these games aren’t getting sold. As a the meantime, the Hurricanes have also fallen off to “No, oh my gosh,” I said. “Where is that on the menu?” It wasn’t. They were a gift from the chef. She casual, yet educated, observer, I can place blame on being simply a mediocre squad. And so this game offered both my boyfriend and I a fi shbone, and we graciously accepted, pulling the little fi shbones off of the certain fans around here who aren’t going to games, in Tallahassee on Saturday, while carrying a certain plate. I stared at mine. Its little skeletor body and fi n, so crispy and crunchy looking. but I can also place blame on the Jaguars’ organi- degree of interest and curiosity among loyal fans, is We stuck the fi shbones in our mouths. They were good! I crunched on the thing, amazed at how simi- zation for not doing a better job of marketing their a game with no strong consequence. lar it was to a potato chip, wondering if the little bones would cut my throat on the way down. team, their franchise, and the game-day festivities. At the beginning of the season, plenty of From there on out, there wasn’t a thing in the world I wouldn’t try! That’s not entirely true, but it did Look, Wayne Weaver built his vast fortune by people thought the game between Southern Cal and open my mind quite a bit. I started eating sashimi, little strips of raw fi sh, on a regular basis. I grew to love selling women’s shoes. His Nine West retail stores Notre Dame would carry considerable weight. Now, seaweed salad, the little green, slimy tangle of underwater weeds seasoned with sesame oil. I even tried were damn successful, giving him enough money we’ll see a game between the hapless 1-6 Irish, octopus and eel. to invest in becoming the majority owner of the and a Trojan team that has stumbled in the last few When moving back to Jacksonville, one of the things I feared the most was the loss of good sushi. Jacksonville Jaguars. He knows how to sell, pure weeks. USC should be able to go into South Bend I hadn’t had a truly wonderful experience with sushi in Florida, so I was pretty certain the fun would end and simple. However, I fi rmly believe the Jaguars can and win this one, but with the way this season has there, left in California. do a much better job of promoting and selling their gone, nothing is a given anymore. Just last weekend, for the fi rst time since I’d moved back home, I went out for sushi with some games, their players, and a whole bunch of other In other games, top-ranked Ohio State will host friends. One of whom was once a sushi chef. I ordered some interesting rolls and a bottle of hot sake, and aspects of the game that would entice a lot more the Spartans of Michigan State, LSU will be hosting of course, some edamame. I felt proud of my order. I had even ordered a few pieces of tuna sashimi. I was people to WANT to go to the game. Auburn, making it a Tigers/Tigers game, and Ten- no sushi novice. Did anyone see ONE TV commercial last week nessee will head to Alabama to play a Crimson Tide When the orders came, my friend was greeted with a delicious plate of raw fi sh… and nothing else. promoting the game? Did anyone see ONE billboard squad that barely beat Ole Miss last weekend. He was already showing me up, as he gently enjoyed his friends from the sea. showing cool shots of Jaguars/Texans? Did anyone He had also ordered a salmon skin roll that had somehow ended up on my tray. He offered one to my hear ANY players or cheerleaders enticing people to OTHER STUFF boyfriend and I, and once again, I was back to being a novice. I cautiously stuck the roll in my mouth, con- come out and buy tickets? Has anyone seen WAYNE The Major League Baseball playoffs are con- cerned that fi sh skin might be wildly unpleasant. But, again to my surprise, I loved it. HIMSELF simply ASK people to come out? tinuing and the Colorado Rockies are a team on fi re, My friend then ordered a bottle of chilled unfi ltered sake. I had told him I didn’t like cold sake, but he yet not too many people are caring at all. They have told me to trust him. He poured my little sake shot worth of the cloudy drink and voila! I loved it. ANSWER: HELL NO! become the team nobody knows. Meanwhile, Jeff To top off the night, my friend had ordered some salmon fi sh roe, aka little fi sh eggs, for dessert. I Somebody inside No-Name Stadium has to Gordon has pretty much wrapped up the Chase, for stared at the oversized roe, in complete disbelief that I would even go there, but he’d been right so many come up with interesting, exciting, enticing ideas to all intents. Last week, his win in Charlotte was the times before. So, I pinched a little roe in my chopsticks and popped it into my mouth, literally. A burst of market and advertise a pretty kick-ass Jaguar squad. sixth of the year. The Boys head to Martinsville this salmonish gel coated my tongue. And although not my favorite, it was still good. Right now, that is not happening. week. I couldn’t believe it. Back in Jacksonville where I had least expected it, my mind was still opening. I If they were to do that, my guess is that more was still a novice, no matter how worldly I had felt before. But what’s important is not how much I knew people WOULD INDEED come out, show up, and Tom Weppel talks trash with Greg Larson, Lonnie about sushi, or how experienced I felt or seemed, but that I was willing to try. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s have fun, enjoying what clearly has become a good Marts, Eugene Chung, Artis Gilmore, and Ron Du- that you can’t be afraid of new things. You never know a delicious fi sh bone until you try one. team and a great experience. At that point, I would guay on SportsAvengers.com 24/7.
34 october 18-24, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper nascar news & notes night races and caution laps
BY RICHARD TEAGUE [email protected] Well, how many of y’all watched the race at was going to start, but no sir. They burned 5 laps Lowe’s Saturday night? How many of y’all realized up before the restart. Now it might just be me, but I you were watching the end of an era? No, it wasn’t think the real race is in the last 20 to 40 laps. When the last NA$CAR race under the lights. No, Bruton ya’ get down to ten, Katie bar the door – we’re racin. Smith ain’t moving the races to another location (or Couldn’t the track have been cleaned and ready at least he hasn’t said so yet). To coin FDR’s words, before the cars moved out? Maybe one caution lap, “A date that will live in infamy.” Well at least to some but not fi ve! Just who decides how many before the NA$CAR fans. Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Lowe’s green drops? Motor Speedway was the last night race to feature a I see it all the time. Cautions are lasting longer ‘Stock Car’ in a NA$CAR Cup Series. From now on and longer for no apparent reason and I don’t the night races will have the Car of Tomorrow – the understand why. I can’t think of another sport that SS Impala, not the Monte Carlo SS. I was sitting keeps the players moving while they clean up or there at the start watching the cars get warmed up fi x something on the playing fi eld, can you? Let me and saw the #8 Bud Monte Carlo weaving around see here, if an NBA game has a player get hurt or a when it hit me: no more real racecars. Thinking piece of equipment breaks, they don’t keep running about that kinda’ brought a tear to my eye, but there around the court and neither does the MLB or NFL. isn’t a thing that anybody can do is there? The game stops and so does the clock. But not in I’ll just have to enjoy the last 3 of the last 5 NA$CAR, oh no. Keep ’em moving and burn laps. races this season with the old cars more than I usu- Heaven forbid we stop and wait for things to get ally do and try not to think of the next era of racing fi xed. Could it be that NA$CAR thinks “just get this with these dumb look-alike vehicles running around thing over with; we got the money now let’s get the the track. With their stupid-looking front splitter, the heck home?” rear spoiler where they serve hamburgers after the If one of you mathematicians out there could race, and the wider, higher, shorter bodies with my fi gure the cost per lap/per race that a fan pays to see favorite drivers at the helm. Seems like I mention it real racing and not just a bunch of cars going around in every column, and I’m sorry about that, but the at 40 to 50 miles per hour, I’d like to hear all about COTs suck and there ain’t no way I’ll ever like them. it. You would have to calculate the price of a ticket, There, I have said that for the last time. If you believe divide that by the number of laps in a race and then that then maybe you need to get some shots like that compute the caution laps that were really necessary congressman told his aids to do. Ya’ ever wonder against the ones where the guys are just sightseeing. why they call people that work for politicians “aids.” Cipher the equations for an entire season, break it Could be their bosses are a**holes. down to a track-by-track amount and total the value What do you think of the distinguished repre- that is lost by a fan when they go to a race. Yeah, I sentative from the Great State of Mississippi by the know I’m reaching here, but I am sick of the useless, name of Bennie Thompson? A committee chairman uncalled for, no-need, bogus yellow fl ag caution in Washington recommended that his “aids” have laps that seem to be more prominent these days in their shots before they go to a NA$CAR race. Seems NA$CAR. like you people at races are carriers of all kinds of There are times that a caution lap is needed, diseases like Hep A and B, just to mention a couple, but only on a restart, not while the crews are and these fi ne public servants need to be safe from working on the track. It looks dangerous when the y’all. Does he tell his people to get shots before cars are going by those guys, even if they are going any other spectator sport, or is it just the NA$CAR slow. Park the damn cars, fi x what’s wrong, get the races? It was told that Republican staffers have de- fi eld up to speed in one or (if they have to) two laps, clined the shots, but two Democrats were immunized but quit wasting all of our time. Wait a minute, I just before attending the race at Talladega last weekend. had a thought. Aren’t there commercials on when Could it be that the Democrats are afeared the caution is out most of the time? Isn’t someone of you race fans and don’t want to get what you making more money when that happens? Gee, was I have? The racing religion. What will happen if the a dummy to ask for less yellow laps and more green Democrats get back into power? Will Hillary Clinton ones, or what? ban our sport if she is elected president? I’ll save I can’t tell you what to do about how to my thoughts on politics for next season, as the elec- end a race differently, because I don’t like ending tions get closer, but for now just remember how this under a caution, but there should be another way. one guy feels about NA$CAR fans and wonder if he NA$CAR has only used two ways in the past. Didn’t is alone up there on Capitol Hill. Does Mr. France somebody say once to add laps to a race so that have friends in Washington? Can he stave off major there would an exciting ending? But then ya’ gotta’ political rules against his money maker? You better fi gure out just how many to add. Is 5 enough? know he can as long as the fi x is in and the money is Maybe 10. Who knows for sure? What if: unless out. Bill, you better make those ticket prices higher there is a major problem, just let the cars race to the and the sponsors pay more, as I’m sure you do with end. Even if there are 10 or so laps to go. Not if cars every new Offi cial Sponsor of NA$CAR. are all over the raceway, but if someone tags the wall Why so many? Can someone please tell me and there’s no harm in the way, let ’em race. There why there are so many caution laps in some races? should be a better way and hopefully an idea will be Take Saturday night at Lowe’s. With ten laps to go devised to help with this situation, because a race in the race and oil on the track, the fi eld was parked ending under caution just doesn’t make it for me. while crews cleaned up the mess. It seemed like they made a bigger mess than the oil. Instead of Well that’s it for this one and if you need to waiting to get that all off the track, NA$CAR started contact me, you can at [email protected] the cars following the pace truck. I fi gured the race and remember, If it ain’t NA$CAR, It ain’t s**t!!
eujacksonville.com | october 18-24, 2007 35