john vanderslice interview + TNT dance troupe

JACKSONVILLE dish fi nd out where to eat, drink and be merry nnew!ew!

i like to boogie jjacksonville’sacksonville’s dancedance scenescene free weekly guide to entertainment and more | august 23 - 29, 2007 | www.eujacksonville.com 2 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper table of contents feature I Like to Boogie ...... PAGES 20-24 Indie Dance Clubs ...... PAGE 20 Goth Clubs ...... PAGE 21 Latin Nights ...... PAGE 22 Traditional Dancing ...... PAGE 23 Kids’ Dancing ...... PAGE 24 movies Movies in Theatres this Week ...... PAGES 6-10 Mr. Bean’s Holiday (movie review) ...... PAGE 6 Resurrecting the Champ (movie review) ...... PAGE 7 Death at a Funeral (movie review) ...... PAGE 8 Nanny Diaries (movie review) ...... PAGE 9 Cuba Gooding, Jr. (interview) ...... PAGE 9 Vitus (movie review) ...... PAGE 10 The Invasion (movie review) ...... PAGE 11 at home Disturbia (DVD review) ...... PAGE 12 Californication (TV review) ...... PAGE 13 Disney’s High School Musical 2 (TV review) ...... PAGE 14 Crooked Little Vein (book review) ...... PAGE 15 Video Games ...... PAGE 15 dish Plate Design ...... PAGES 16-17 Booty Bars Pub Crawl ...... PAGES 16-17 Palm Garden (restaurant review) ...... PAGES 18-19 music Music Calendar ...... PAGES 25-29 Making Music ...... PAGE 25 Stay Turned Studios ...... PAGE 25 Chelsea Sadler (interview) ...... PAGE 26 Tony Joe White (interview) ...... PAGE 27 John Vanderslice (interview) ...... PAGE 28 TNT Dance ...... PAGE 28 Blue Man Group (Universal Studios) ...... PAGE 29 The Rentals (album review) ...... PAGE 30 kLoB (album review) ...... PAGE 30 arts / theatre / on stage MOCA: A Young Museum ...... PAGE 31 Arts Calendar ...... PAGES 31-32 Benchwarmers (Players by the Sea) ...... PAGE 32 columns and stuff Native Foreigner ...... PAGE 33 Beachwise ...... PAGE 34 The Jock ...... PAGE 34 NASCAR News & Notes ...... PAGE 35

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 3 thisweek friday AUGUST 24 Toast to the Animals Wine KORBY LENKER Tasting Toast to the Animals Wine Tasting is one of Jacksonville’s most popular wine tastings and helps care for the thousands of homeless animals that thursday AUGUST 23 pass through the Humane Society’s doors and hearts each year. In addition to more than 200 varieties of wine, Korby Lenker the evening will feature gourmet hors An award-winning songwriter (he took fi rst place this year at the d’oeuvres and desserts, and live and prestigious Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlfest, for which silent auctions. he got to open for Elvis Costello), Korby Lenker has a lilting, soulful Tickets: $65/ Premium Admission, voice, described as “cool lemonade on a hot summer day.” Sounds $40/General Admission, $30/Designated like the kind of refreshment we desperately need! Check out Korby Driver Florida Theatre- 6 - 9 pm at European Street, where he’ll play his very fi rst Florida show. Info: (904) 355-2787 European Street Café and Listening Room Info: (904) 399-1740 Shangrala and The Nobility Power-pop bands Spacebar and Rich Art & Winefest 2007 Creamy Paint will take to the Jack The Art & Winefest 2007, presented by 96.9 The Eagle and Capital Rabbits stage this Friday. Shangrala, The South, will bring together the different elements of fabulous art, Nobility, Cinema, and Luke Stephens will food, wine, entertainment and more for one very special night. This also perform. Tickets: $6 STATIC-X exceptional culinary experience has top local restaurants serving up Jack Rabbits- 8 pm Info: (904) 398- an assortment of hors d’oeuvres entrees and desserts while wine 7496 connoisseurs and novices enjoy the exquisite wine selections. As Thunder Slam Monster Truck & Extreme you eat, feast your eyes on the artwork of over 25 local artists. Freestyle MX Spectacular Tickets: $40 advance/ $45 at the door Jaguars Night at the Ballpark The Suns will wear special black, gold and teal satin jerseys For the fi rst time ever in Jacksonville, the AMP TOUR will invade The Hyatt Regency, Jacksonville- 6 pm to 9 pm with football numbers on the front and back that will be the River City with insane car-crushing Monster Trucks, including Info: (352) 733-0000 auctioned off during and after the game. The Roar of the Bear Foot, Full Throttle, Eliminator, Viper and Twisted Dragon. Throw Jaguars will be on hand, a special guest will throw out the fi rst in Freestyle Motocross and Quad Racing and it’s sure to be an Adrian Belew pitch, and there will many other fun football activities. After the AMP’ed up night! Tickets: $17 to $25 Jacksonville Equestrian Adrian Belew is a guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work as game fans will enjoy Friday Family Fireworks. Tickets: $5.50- Center Info: (904) 573-3163 a member of the progressive rock group King Crimson. He has also $19.50 released a number of solo albums and has worked with many other Jacksonville Baseball Grounds- 7:05 PM musicians. Belew is well regarded for his contributions, particularly Info: (904) 358-2846 on guitar, to various other artists’ recordings including Frank Zappa saturday AUGUST 25 and David Bowie. Saul Zonana is also playing. Jack Rabbits AUGUST 24 - 25 Info: (904) 398-7496 Fifth Annual Family Literacy Fair Florida Community College’s North Campus Family Literacy Sheryl Underwood Fair includes live performances by celebrity readers, Sheryl Underwood’s down-to-earth storytelling, age-appropriate reading activities and lists, approach, likable style, and ability free books, face painting, prizes, surprises and a free AUGUST 23 - 24 to use humor to drive home her lunch. The Northside Storytellers will do their presentation sometimes controversial point-of- at 10 am, Ritz Theatre Executive Director and Storyteller, Eat Up Downtown- Jacksonville’s fi rst Downtown view is what makes her one of the Carol Alexander, will present at 11 am, and special guest Dining Week funniest and most topical standup readers will read to children grades K-8 (in age-appropriate You have two more nights to check out the more than a dozen comics today. Check out this terrifi c groups) at 10:30 and 11:30 am followed by distribution of Downtown restaurants that have partnered to promote Downtown comic at the Comedy Zone, where free books. Free lunch will be provided at 11:30 with live as a dining destination. From sushi to fi let mignon, participating she will perform fi ve shows during entertainment and activities. This is one fun-fi lled reading restaurants provide a specially selected (prix fi xe) 3-course dinner her two day stay in Jacksonville! event not to be missed! menu for $25. There are no coupons to clip or tickets to buy, simply Tickets: $20 to 25 Florida Community College, North Campus- 10 am to 1 pm log on to EatUpDowntown.com, select a restaurant and call the Comedy Zone Info: (904) 766-6500 restaurant for reservations. Info: (904) 292-4242 SHERYL UNDERWOOD

4 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Jax 48-Hour Film Project “Best of Jacksonville” Screening Curious about how the Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project turned out? Check out the best of the best local short fi lms this weekend as the winners get their big screen moment. Thirteen shorts by aspiring local fi lmmakers will be screened for moviegoers at the incomparable San Marco Theater. Tickets: $8.50 plus tax San Marco Theater- 12 pm to 3 pm Info: (904) 396-4645

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens ZOObilee The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will host their second annual family fundraiser, ZOObilee, this weekend. All evening long, attendees can ride the train and carousel, enjoy kid-friendly food from some of the area’s great restaurants, and adult-friendly drinks, as well as enjoy music and entertainment. Kids will love playing in the Play Park Splash Ground, on the giant waterslide and bouncy house and they can play games for prizes and participate in a special Zoo Cake Walk with animal food cupcakes to feed the giraffes! The evening ends with a blast when Tony Boselli, former Jaguar star player, draws the name of the lucky winner of the Coggin Chevrolet Trailblazer. The event is open to the general public. All proceeds will benefi t the Jacksonville Zoo. Tickets: $75/adults, $25/children (children under 3 are free) Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens- 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Info: (904) 757-4463

Von Barlow’s Jazz Journey There’s nothing like hot bebop jazz performed live in a tight room, and no one does it like Von Barlow and company. Get sweaty as Barlow and his selection of players stank up Springfi eld without plugging in a single instrument. It’s a free show! Shantytown Pub (904) 798-8222

VON BARLOW sunday AUGUST 26 A Feel of the Stage Gospel Showcase Enjoy a wonderful evening of worship at the “A Feel for the Stage” gospel showcase this Sunday at the Murray Hill Theatre. Dontavies Boatwright, a gifted singer and minister of God, will be the special guest and will perform along with many more quality acts. Tickets: $7 Murray Hill Theatre- 6 pm Info: (904) 534-3099

New Jax City Rollers vs the F’ Bombers Ahh, Roller Derby. It doesn’t get any better than tough babes on skates beating the crap out of each other. Check out Jacksonville’s own New Jax City Rollers as they take on Central Florida’s F’ Bombers. This fi nal match of the season is sure to be a memorable one since the F’ Bombers are currently undefeated. Come out and cheer our girls on!! Tickets: $10/advance, $12/at the door Mandarin Skate Station- 6:30 pm Info: (904) 880-7703 or fi rstcoastfatales.com

The Hiss One of a very few bands to list garage rock and surrealist art as their inspirations, the Hiss formed in 2001. The band’s boozy brand of noisy blues has garnered comparisons to The Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground, Verve, and The Stooges. See them for yourself this Sunday when they share the stage with Lackwanna Carriage Works at Jack Rabbits. Tickets: $6 Jack Rabbits- 8 pm Info: (904) 398-7496

AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 2

City of St. Augustine’s 422nd Birthday Celebration St. Augustine, you don’t look a day over 100! Enjoy a week-long celebra- tion of the Nation’s Oldest City’s 422nd Birthday. Downtown St. Augustine Info: (904) 825-1004 wednesday AUGUST 29 Static-X Calling Static-X the Terminator of contemporary rock music may seem like an obvious comparison. The band’s blunt-force-trauma melding of industrial rock, thrash metal and futuristic disco is nothing if not cybernetic. If that sounds like your cup of tea, be sure to check them out live at the Freebird this Monday! In This Moment and Ankla will also perform. Tickets: $20/advance, $25/at the door Freebird Live- 9 pm Info: (904) 246-BIRD

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 5 it gradually builds momentum to the hilarious grand MOVIES OPENING fi nale. The question is: Is it worth sitting through the lackluster fi rst part of the fi lm to reap the reward in BALLS OF FURY In the unsanctioned, under- the second half? Die-hard Atkinson fans will say yes. ground, and unhinged world of extreme Ping- Mr. Bean is the classic dufus who leaves a Pong, the competition is brutal and the stakes path of destruction in his wake. When Bean wins are deadly. Now, this outrageous new comedy a trip to Cannes, France and a video camera, he serves up this secret world for the fi rst time embarks on his fractured adventure into the South on-screen. Starring: Dan Fogler, Christopher of France, shooting video of himself and everything Walken, George Lopez, Maggie Q, Thomas Len- else he encounters. This video is important later in nonRating: PG-13 the story when Bean goes to a fi lm premiere of artsy director Carson Clay’s (Willem Defoe) movie. But EYE OF THE DOLPHIN A young woman learns Bean’s train ride from Paris to Cannes involves many important lessons about family and commu- farcical misadventures, including being an extra in nication while making friends with a group of Clay’s pretentious fi lm. dolphins in this drama. Starring: Carly Schro- When Bean misses his train, leaving him eder, Adrian Dunbar, Katharine Ross, Christine stranded on the platform, he meets 10-year old Adams. Rating: PG-13 Stepan (Max Baldry). This leads him to a sequence of events wherein he is trying to help the boy reunite ILLEGAL TENDER After the gangsters who with his father. But the police mistakingly believe he killed his father come to settle a score, a teen- has kidnapped the boy, which sets up a whole new age boy and his mother turn the tables on the sequence of misunderstandings. The point is – Bean killers. Starring: Rick Gonzalez, Wanda de Je- means well but is the victim of a series of situations sus, Dania Ramirez, Tego Calderón. Rating: R that complicate his trip, which becomes fodder for Atkinson’s spastic physical comedy. MR. BEAN’S HOLIDAY In his latest misadven- Interestingly, Bean has no dialogue except an ture, Mr. Bean--the nearly wordless misfi t who occasional grunting sound. He’s like a retard on seems to be followed by a trail of pratfalls and drugs. Thus, his comedy is built on mime and physi- hijinks--goes on holiday to the French Riviera cal gyrations. A little of this goes a long way. How- and becomes ensnared in a European adventure ever, his supporting cast more than makes up for his of cinematic proportions. Starring: Rowan shortcomings. Sabine’s (Emma de Caunes) entrance Atkinson, Willem Dafoe, Emma De Caunes and into the fi lm in her cool mini-Cooper is a breath of Jean Rochefort, Rating: G fresh air for the fi lm.

ONCE ‘Once’ is just a simple love story about a Guy with a guitar, a Girl with a borrowed piano, hi-jinx & pratfalls and the music they make together ... and it’s one of the most heartbreakingly perfect fi lms you’ll see this year. Starring: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Bill Hodnett, Danuse Ktrestova. Mr. Bean’s Holiday movie review Rating: R

RESURRECTING THE CHAMP When a strug- BY RICK GRANT [email protected] gling reporter encounters a former boxing champion living on the streets, his journey to C+ Rated G 90 min all his shtick ad nauseam. In the beginning of this uncover the truth becomes an opportunity to Mr. Bean adventure, Atkinson goes though his mime reexamine his own life. Starring: Samuel L. Over the years, comedic actor Rowan Atkinson routine with only a few new moves and facial expres- Jackson, Josh Hartnett, Teri Hatcher, Alan Alda, has taken his nerdy character, Mr. Bean, about as far sions - ho-hum indeed. But as the story unfolds, the Kathryn Morris. Rating: PG-13 as he can go without repeating himself. We’ve seen boy-on-the-train character livens up the picture and

SEPTEMBER DAWN A love story set against the 19th century massacre of a wagon train of settlers in Utah at the hands of a Mormon group. Starring: Jon Voight, Terence Stamp, Taylor Handley, Lolita Davidovich, Tamara Hope. Rating: R

THE NANNY DIARIES A 21-year-old New York University student becomes a nanny to a family on the Upper East Side who turns out to be the Bean and Sabine are wanted fugitives, but family from hell.The story of the journey of An- Bean’s naïveté makes him oblivious to worry. His nie Braddock, a young woman from a working- total lack of social graces works out in his favor. class neighborhood in New Jersey, struggling It turns out that Sabine had a role in Clay’s to understand her place in the world. Starring: fi lm and she is invited to the Cannes Film Festival Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, premiere. Once in Cannes, the scenario’s excitement Chris Evans, Donna Murphy. Rating: PG-13 level and comedy increase exponentially as the farci- cal elements get more complicated. Willem Defoe is VITUS Vitus is a 12-year old boy who has hear- a standout as the self-absorbed director whose mug ing like a bat, plays piano like a virtuoso and is in every frame of his fi lm. That faux fi lm is a clas- sic parody of artsy-fartsy pretension.  Not surprisingly, this fi lm is a remake of an old French fi lm that Atkinson’s used as a showcase for this Bean adventure. Atkinson’s physical comedy and slapstick are borrowed from the late great Char- lie Chaplin, infused with his own trademark mugging. We can only hope that Atkinson was sincere when he said this is his last Bean fi lm. After his TV shows and countless other Bean vehicles, the character is now cliché.

6 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper could mean a chance to break out of the rat race studies encyclopedias. However, the daily pres- of daily sports reporting. Samuel L. Jackson’s sure of hours of musical practice, his over-pro- characterization of the Champ is memorable. He tective but well-meaning mother and his father’s wears the scars of his past and the grudging grind precarious fi nancial situation lead the boy to seek of living on the streets. Erik becomes his only refuge at his eccentric grandfather’s house where friend and their meeting becomes his salvation as he has the chance for a normal childhood. Rated he spins the stories of his boxing career. PG Kathryn Morris took a sabbatical from her character to deftly portray Erik’s wife Cold Case An infamous assassin, named Rogue, sets Joyce. The reason for Joyce’s alienation from Erik WAR off a crime war between rival Asian mobs. An FBI can best be explained by a line from the script. The agent is determined to bring down the killer after Champ put it succinctly, “Men never know what his partner is murdered. Starring: Jet Li, Jason they did to piss off their wife, and she will never Statham, Devon Aoki, Nicholas Elia, Luis Guzman. tell them! So it is a stalemate.” Yes, but at this Rating: R stage, they are not seeing other people, so there is hope that they will get back together before the separation becomes permanent. NOW SHOWING

ARCTIC TALE The same directors that brought us March of the Penguins are back with this tale of real animals that take us inside an icy kingdom at the very top of the earth. A polar bear cub, Nanu, and a walrus pup, Seela, are about to tackle the brave new world that confronts them. Starring: Queen Latifah, Katrina Agate, Kwesi Boakye, Mi- a memorable movie chael Huang (II), and Dante Pastula. Rated G

BECOMING JANE It’s 1795 and young Jane Austen is a feisty 20-year old and an emerging Resurrecting The Champ movie review writer who already sees a world beyond pride and prejudice. Sparks soon fl y when Jane meets BY RICK GRANT [email protected] the roguish and decidedly non-aristocratic Tom Lefroy. Starring: Anne Hathaway, Julie Walters, B+ Rated PG-13 111 min ultimately brings him closer to his family. Like all Based on a true story, Michael Boatman’s life journeys, Erik must face a traumatic event and masterfully written screenplay and the stellar James McAvoy, Maggie Smith, Jessica Ashworth. Rating: PG The raspy voice of a down-and-out boxer, somehow learn from it. acting by the cast make this a memorable movie Champ (Samuel L. Jackson), sets the dark mood Rod Laurie’s gritty mosaic and unpretentious about how to overcome disastrous situations by of this Rod Laurie film. Josh Hartnett portrays the orchestration of the scenes help to drive home the honesty and contrition. Overcoming life’s traumas BRATZ The story is about four teenage girls ambitious journalist, Erik, who is working as a emotional impact of the story. Erik is a man who is the ultimate lesson of this story. You can run but who come from different social and economic sports reporter for a major daily. His editor (Alan means well and loves his son and wife. This story you can’t hide from yourself. backgrounds and empower themselves by reject- Alda) thinks his work is mediocre and knows he ing their respective high school cliques and band can do better. Erik feels that his editor is requiring together, calling themselves Bratz. Rated PG. too many pieces from him, forcing him to crank them out without careful consideration. Erik is CHAK DE INDIA Revolves around a man who looking for a big story with which he can take his mentors a hockey team of young and feisty girls. time and make a name for himself. Their determination, ambition and skills are put This golden opportunity happens one to test in an ultimate contest with the world’s top night when Erik comes out of a boxing match to teams. witness young punks beating up an old homeless man, who turns out to be Champ. He breaks up DADDY DAY CAMP Dads Charlie Hinton and Phil the fight and talks to the old man who tells Erik Ryerson take over running a summer day camp. he used to be a big time boxer. Intrigued, Erik Armed with no knowledge of the great outdoors, seizes the moment and starts to research the old a dilapidated facility and a motley group of camp- man’s story. Clearly, this could be his big break. ers. Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr, Lochlyn Munro, So instead of going to his immediate boss, he Paul Rae, Richard Gant, Spencir Bridges. Rating: approaches the editor of the Sunday magazine PG. section about doing this documentary piece on the Champ. DEATH AT A FUNERAL A dysfunctional British Estranged from his wife Joyce (Kathryn family gathers for the patriarch’s funeral. Tensions Morris) who works at the same daily, Erik rise, old confl icts are uncovered when a man ar- desperately wants to mend fences with her so he rives saying he’s the dead man’s gay lover and can see his son every day. This subplot was never threatens blackmail. Starring: Matthew MacFady- fully developed. Viewers never find out why Joyce en, Peter Dinklage, Ewen Bremner, Rupert Graves, and Erik have separated. Consequently, it weakens and Alan Tudyk. Rated R the importance of the relationship between the two characters. Nonetheless, Erik throws himself into HAIRSPRAY A plump but vivacious teenager researching the Champ. He finds out that everyone joins a popular teen-scene TV show in the early thinks he’s dead. As Erik spends more time with 60s and teaches the show about integration by the Champ, he forges a bond with the old man. bringing back “negro day.” He-Mom, Edna (John After gathering all the information on the Travolta), who takes in laundry to suplement her ex-boxer, Erik writes his story with a photo of husband’s meager income from a joke store. the champ on the cover of the Sunday magazine. Rated PG Suddenly, Erik is deluged with offers from other media, including Showtime, to create a two-hour HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOE- movie on his story. At home, his son is bursting NIX Rumors of Lord Voldmort’s return have been with pride and his wife sees him differently. Erik is dismissed. Harry and Dumbledore are targeted on his way to fame and glory by the Wizard Authorities. And, an authoritarian At this point in the story, there is a Big Twist bureaucrat gradually seizes power at Hogwarts. that changes everything for Erik. The lessons It’s jungle of wizards out there with special effects he learns from this shock changes his life and

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 7 den heart attack. Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen), galore. Rated PG-13 Sandra’s oldest son, is in charge of the funeral. When the funeral home delivers the wrong body, I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY Daniel takes that as a bad omen. His best-selling Two single Brooklyn fi refi ghters, Chuck (Adam novelist brother Robert (Rupert Graves) has fl own in Sandler) and Larry (Kevin James) are best from the States and agreed to pay half the expenses friends. Larry saves Chuck’s life and he is willing of the funeral, but when Daniel reminds him of this to do anything to even the score, even masquer- obligation, he waffl es. ading as a gay couple to receive benefi ts for Lar- Meanwhile, Daniel’s cousin Martha (Daisy ry’s kids, which means they have to go through a Donovan) hopes she can use the funeral to introduce ceremony, have a honeymoon, and live together. her fi ancé Simon (Alan Tudyk) to her conservative Rated PG-13 father. But when they pick up another person going to the funeral, Martha mistakenly gives Simon LSD MARIGOLD When an American B-movie actress that was labeled as Valium. So as they travel to the is stranded in India, she is forced to accept a role funeral, Simon starts tripping his brains out. This in a Bollywood production to earn enough money guffaw-producing vehicle keeps the laughs coming to allow her to return home. as the funeral turns into a farce. Wheelchair-bound Rated PG-13 Uncle Alfi e (Peter Vaughan) becomes a problem when he needs to use the bathroom in a room where NO RESERVATIONS The story involves a chef, other events have tumbled into free-fall. Kate (Catherine Zeta-Jones), whose sister is Daniel notices a stranger co-mingling with his killed in a car accident. She inherits her sister’s friend Peter (Peter Dinklage), a dwarf who is but daughter Zoe (Abigail Breslin). Kate has no idea four feet tall. Peter bugs Daniel to have a word with how to deal with the precocious 8-year old girl. you’ll laugh til you croak him in a private place. Daniel meets him in his dad’s She takes her to work and tries to keep her busy. offi ce to hear what he has to say, and the news is Meanwhile, the owner of the restaurant hires a so shocking that Daniel freaks out. More shocking, sous chef, Nick (Aaron Eckhart), who, at fi rst, Death at a Funeral movie review the little guy is blackmailing the family. So, one thing clashes with Kate, but as time goes on a romance leads to another, and the dwarf gets tied up until they develops. Rated PG BY RICK GRANT [email protected] fi gure out what to do with him. RATATOUILLE A cheeky rat living within the walls of a famous Paris bistro longs to become A- Rated R 90 min with one hilarious revelation after another, making for a chef but is hindered by his family’s skepticism, a day that no one will soon forget. First, the wrong the rodent-hating staff, and patrons of the restau- This offbeat British fi lm could be the funni- body is delivered to the house, and things go down- rant. Rated G est movie to come out this season. The comedy is hill from there. drawn from a funeral that has gone terribly wrong Sandra’s (Jane Asher) husband died of a sud- RUSH HOUR 3 The unlikely duo is headed to the City of Lights to stop a global criminal conspiracy and save the life of an old friend, Ambassador Han’s now-grown daughter, Soo Yung. Their race will take them across the city, from the depths of the Paris underground to the breathtaking heights of the Eiffel Tower, as they fi ght to outrun the world’s most deadly criminals. Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Max von Sydow, Noemie Lenoir, Hiroyuki Sanada. Rated PG-13

STARDUST A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller), the beautiful but cold object of his desire, by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. His By now, Simon is in the grips of an acid trip journey takes him to a mysterious and forbidden and ends up on the roof naked. The pastor, who is land beyond the walls of his village. On his odys- offi ciating at the funeral, is late to his next appoint- sey, Tristan fi nds the star, which has transformed ment. So, with the dwarf tied up in the other room into a striking girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes). and Simon naked on the roof, the funeral has turned Also starring Peter O’Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rob- into a circus. To calm down Peter the dwarf, one of ert De Niro and Ricky Gervais. Rated PG-13 the guests gives him acid from the bottle labeled Va- lium. Things are spiraling into pandemonium, which SUPERBAD Two co-dependent high school guys leads to other guffaw-producing mayhem. want to hook up with girls before they gradu- Frank Oz (voice of Miss Piggy) has deftly di- ate and go off to different colleges, but, after a rected this typically British comedy with an all-star calamitous night just trying to buy alcohol for a cast of distinguished English actors. The one-liners school party, overcoming their separation anxiety are rapidly paced, which keeps the laugh-level high, becomes a greater challenge than getting the while the dialogue is innovative and funny. Just girls. Starring: Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Michael when viewers think the funeral couldn’t get any more Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Bill Hader. messed up, something else goes wrong. Rated R As we all know, funerals can be boring and depressing. This funeral, however, is brimming TALK TO ME Follows the life of African American with surprises and funny situations. By the time the ex-convict Petey Greene (Don Cheadle), who events become chaotic, Daniel has given up trying became a radio and television talk show success, to save the day, and his fi ancé sympathizes with his but couldn’t overcome his alcohol addiction. problems and stops demanding that they get a fl at. Rated R. She talks him down from the roof, but by then, other guests have taken the acid and are also tripping. The Jason Bourne is THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM versatile actor, Peter Linkage (Station Agent, Nip/ hunted by the people who made him what he is-a Tuck) steals the movie with his comedic acting. legendary assassin. Having lost his memory and The bottom line: This movie is a laugh riot the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the that delivers what it promises. It should become a  sleeper hit, based on word of mouth alone.

8 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper tepid tales from nannyland The Nanny Diaries movie review who’s your daddy? BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] Cuba Gooding, Jr. interview Grade: C Rated PG13 104 min. fi red the last nanny for the infraction. Obviously, this doesn’t last long. I have no idea how this subplot is Based on the New York Times bestseller of the handled in the book, but here it almost seems like an BY RICK GRANT [email protected] same name, is a satirical look at afterthought. Both actors did fi ne with the lines and The Nanny Diaries Cuba Gooding’s enthusiasm for acting was upper class Manhattan society as seen through the delivery, but the chemistry just isn’t there. Thank- EU: Fred Savage–wow the last time I saw him poignantly expressed in his famous line in eyes of a young nanny. Having never read the book, fully, the couple’s moments together on screen are Jerry he was a kid in The Wonder Years. Tell me what “Show me the money.” Gooding won I can’t say where the fi lm veers from the source brief, almost completely sparing the audience their Maguire, was it like working with Fred? an Oscar for that role. Since then, he has worked It was a great experience. Fred did a very material, but I will guess that given the popularity of lackluster romance. Cuba: steadily in various movie projects, including his wise thing. After and some Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus’ novel, some- Like , many of the more The Wonder Years The Devil Wears Prada highly acclaimed role in , in which he played less-than-great acting assignments, Fred went thing, somewhere went wrong. amusing parts of come from the Radio The Nanny Diaries a mentally handicapped man with such insight to fi lm school and got his degree in fi lmmaking. Annie Braddock (Scarlett Johansson) is a outrageous expectations of the villain, in this case and compassion the role became a benchmark for When we had a lunch meeting about me doing recent college grad who has dreams of being an Mrs. X, and the utter disbelief of the protagonist. Gooding. this fi lm, he had everything mapped out. I was anthropologist. Her mother (Donna Murphy), how- They simply don’t go far enough here. Sure, this Born in 1968 in the Bronx, his father, Cuba impressed by his professionalism, so I agreed ever, wants her daughter to be successful as well as hoity-toity mom is infuriating, but because she’s not Gooding Sr., was the lead vocalist in the R&B to do the picture. Having been a child actor, Fred happy and pushes her into a career in business. Torn as evil as Meryl Streep’s Oscar-nominated character, group The Main Ingredient, which had a hit song, could relate to the kids in the fi lm. The biggest between her love for anthropology and her mother’s the laughs are merely mild chuckles and are too few “Everybody Plays the Fool.” Gooding Sr. moved the problem with child actors is to get them to act expectations, Annie relents and begins seeking a and far between to count. The culture clash provides family to Los Angeles, but left shortly thereafter. like real kids. Most of them are home-schooled high powered job in New York. After a particularly di- a giggle or two, particularly when the audience wit- Despite this traumatic event in his life, Gooding and are around adults all the time. So they have sastrous interview, Annie fi nds herself in Central Park nesses the ridiculous parties Annie and Grayer are Jr. maintained a positive outlook. After graduating to be taught how to act like typical kids. He really wondering who she really is and questioning her forced to attend while the rich folk schmooze it up from high school, Gooding studied Japanese mar- worked well with them. fate. Suddenly fate fi nds her when she meets young elsewhere, but because it’s one wacky activity after tial arts for three years before turning his focus to Grayer (Nicholas Art) and his high-society Mom, another with little substance in between, the fi lm acting. Recently, Gooding received a star on Holly- known only as Mrs. X (Laura Linney) to protect the drags at a snail’s pace with little relief. EU: Yeah, he’s like Ron Howard, making the wood Boulevard and lives in Studio City, California not-so-innocent. Luckily, sprinkled throughout leap to directing after his years as a child ac- The Nanny Diaries with his wife Sara, who he married in 1994. A misunderstanding leads Mrs. X to believe that are imaginative fantasy sequences. For example, the tor. In this fi lm, you play a hapless dad, Charlie Presently, Gooding has four fi lms in the can, Annie is an out of work nanny and she practically fi lm opens with Annie taking the audience on a tour Hinton, who has no knowledge of the outdoors, the latest of which is a sequel to hires the protesting Annie on the spot despite her of a natural history museum that consists of diora- Daddy Day Camp, trying to cope with the camp experience in a to be released August 10th. More lack of experience with children. Ignoring the bad mas of high-society Moms and Dads in their natural Daddy Day Care dilapidated facility and a bunch of wild kids? signifi cantly, Gooding reunited with director Ridley I worked with Paul Rae, the other dad, who feeling in the pit of her stomach, Annie accepts to habitats (ie. department stores and spas for Moms Cuba: Scott and Russell Crowe from in Scott’s helps me run the day camp. In the story, Charlie job, thinking the foray in childcare will give her time and Wall Street and strip clubs for Dads) and the Gladiator new fi lm to be released in Sep- is up against foreclosure, and he has to call his to fi gure out what she really wants to do with her life. nannies that raise the children in their stead. Later, American Gangster tember. estranged father, Col. Buck Hinton, played by She soon gets a real lesson in humanity and hu- as she imagines what it would be like to discard her Last Friday, EU talked to Gooding about his Richard Gant. We had a blast working together man behavior when she moves into the X home and job search and become a nanny, Annie fl oats away roles in both pictures, with an emphasis on and Rae is very funny and great with the kids. The begins taking care of her attention-seeking charge. from a mob of robotic businessmen on a Citi-Group Daddy . movie deals with the problems of a father-son Mr. X (Paul Giamatti) is the ultimate absentee dad, umbrella ala Mary Poppins to a remixed version of Day Camp relationship which is the serious part of the script. spending all of his time at work and with mistresses. “Chim-Chim-Cheree” (which pops up again later as Mrs. X is completely self-absorbed and dismissive of her ringtone). These scenes are a welcome addi- EU: I see that you’ve been busy with four new her husband’s behavior, spending her days drowning tion to an otherwise by-the-numbers chick fl ick. It fi lms, including American Gangster with Ridley EU: I’m excited about Ridley Scott’s new fi lm her sorrows in shopping sprees and burying herself doesn’t completely save the show, but they at least Scott and Russell Crowe. That’s exciting. But but I know it’s too early for you to talk about it. in charity work. Both parents seem to see Grayer as make it tolerable and break some of the monotony. you probably had a ball working in your last fi lm, Maybe we can talk again when American Gang- an accessory and Annie soon wonders what in the is a sweet fi lm, one you can Daddy Day Camp. Am I right about that? ster gets closer to its release date. The Nanny Diaries Yes, we rented a real camp near Park City, Yeah, that would be great, I’m excited world she got herself into. take your mom or grandmother to during a girl’s Cuba: Cuba: Utah and spent 5 weeks fi lming there. It was so about that fi lm as well as the release of Of course, no chick-fl ick would be complete night out, but it’s not much more than that. The act- Daddy much fun. The kids were great. We’d get ‘moose without a fi rst-class love interest. In The Nanny Dia- ing is fi ne all around, but the story just doesn’t seem Day Camp. alerts’ because, as I found out, moose are danger- ries, sparks fl y between Annie and the guy upstairs, to lend itself to the screen very well. Perhaps Annie’s ous animals and kill a number of people every I picked up Cuba’s positive vibes during our known as the Harvard Hottie (Chris Evans). While tales from Nannyland are better told in the novel. In year. The weather was weird. One day it was warm chat. He’s an up person and easy to converse a romantic interlude with the fl irty neighbor may any event, those curious about this tepid comedy and the next day we had snow. The picture was with and he deserves his success. Cuba came off indeed by just what Annie needs, she keeps her will probably be better off saving a few bucks and directed by Fred Savage. as a regular guy who loves his work. distance, knowing that Mrs. X frowns on dating and renting it at Blockbuster in a few months.

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 9 barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly- trained killers. Now, in the new chapter of this espionage series, Bourne will hunt down his past in order to fi nd a future. Starring: Matt Damon, Joan Allen, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Paddy Considine. Rated PG-13

THE LAST LEGION As the Roman empire crumbles, a young emperor embarks on a perilous voyage to track down the one legion still loyal to Rome and the origins of the famed excaliber un- fl od. Starring: Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley, Aishwarya Rai, Thomas Sangster, Peter Mullan. Rated PG-13

THE INVASION The mysterious crash of the space shuttle leads to the terrifying discovery that there is something alien within the wreckage. Those who come in contact with it are changing in ominous and inexplicable ways. Starring: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Jeremy Northam, Jeffrey Wright, and Jackson Bond. Rated PG-13

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE The Simpsons fi nally make it to the big screen. In this adventure, Homer mistakenly pollutes Lake Springfi eld and sets into motion a government plot to destroy their city. D’oh! He must somehow manage to save Spring- pure genius fi eld and restore his family’s faith in him. Rated PG-13

TRANSFORMERS The earth is caught in the Vitus movie review middle of an intergalactic war between two races of robots– the heroic Autobots and the evil Decep- ticons. Both are able to change into a variety of BY RICK GRANT [email protected] objects, including cars, trucks, planes, and other A Rated PG 123 min make himself rich. Vitus’ dad fears he will be fi red. horrifying killing machines. Rated PG-13 Rarely is a true genius born whose IQ is off the To help his father, Vitus gets his grandfather scale. This is the story of Vitus (pronounced Vee- to sign a power-of-attorney document to allow him UNDERDOG A bumbling watchdog gets exposed tus), a gifted child with across-the-board genius like to be the mysterious Dr. Wolf and gain access to to a substance that gives him the powers of a Mozart. Shot in Switzerland in Swiss-German with his grandfather’s bank account. Using his fi nancial superhero. He is adopted by a 12-year old boy English subtitles, it features an international cast. smarts, Vitus plays the stock market and suddenly and uses his superpower to protect his love and The scenario avoids the typical wunderkind cliches. his grandfather is a millionaire. Then, Vitus rents a the citizens of Capitol City from the evil Simon It focuses on the boy’s early coming of age and how roomy practice fl at so he can work on his advanced Barsinister. Starring: Alex Neuberger, Jason Lee, he helps his parents and beloved grandfather as the piano pieces away from his family. Diz White (II), Peter Dinklage, James Belushi. surreptitious head of the family Now Vitus is running his grandfather’s ac- Rated PG Not only is Vitus way above average in every counts and working with a mole inside his dad’s way, but he is fi ercely independent and, at 12-years company to eventually takeover the company. The SPECIAL SHOWINGS old, he rebels against his mother’s niggling pressure mole has no idea she’s working with a child. The for him to excel at piano. As a baby, he could play story shows how Vitus’ extraordinary brain allowed Midnight Movie melodies on a piano by ear. By 12, he was already him to make a quantum leap in maturity and real life BUFFALO ‘66 In this 1998 fi lm, a deranged ex- an accomplished virtuoso, but he was also gifted in wisdom. At this point in the story, his parents are con returns to his hometown of Buffalo to revisit many other disciplines, such as math and business clueless, but wonder where he got the expensive his dysfunctional parents along with a woman fi nance. suits he has been wearing. Mom is frustrated be- he’s kidnapped to pose as his wife. While there, The fi lm is engaging as it builds momentum cause Vitus is so much slower at learning his piano he decides to take revenge on an ex-pro football through its twists and turns. As Vitus schemes to lessons than he was before the accident. Of course, player whom he blames for losing a sports bet solve his family’s problems, he is secretly practic- the kid is laughing under his breath at his grand de- years ago that led to his demise. Starring: Vin- ing to emerge the world’s greatest pianist. Vitus is a ception. cent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, Mickey special case, in that his parents have underestimated Vitus’ problems involved dealing with the Rourke, Rosanna Arquette. Rating: R. August 24th his genius. He is much smarter than his teachers child’s world into which he was forced. His mind and and 25th at The San Marco Theatre, 11:55 pm, at his school, and eventually, the school asks him emotional level were on an adult level, but his body Info: 396-4845. to leave because his teachers refuse to have him in had to catch up. When he had a baby sitter, he fell in their class. love with her at age 6. Now twice that age, he sees Summer Movie Classics 2007 So he goes to the university at age 12 and fi nds her at a music store and asks her out on a date. She You will have two more chances this summer to out he doesn’t fi t into that world either. His Mom is is fl attered but he wants to have a real relationship enjoy a classic movie from cinematic history in always on his case to practice. But Vitus escapes to with her and gives her a ring. When she sees he’s the beautiful setting of The Florida Theatre. On his grandfather’s house where he learns about being serious, she is embarrassed and leaves. Poor Vitus, August 26th, MISTER ROBERTS starring Henry a pilot through his grandfather’s interest in aviation. he’s a super-intelligent adult trapped in a kids’ body. Fonda, James Cagney and Jack Lemmon will One day, Vitus locks his Mom out of the house so he When Vitus’ grandfather dies, he sets in mo- be screened. On September 2 BREAKFAST AT can have some peace of mind. To break free of his tion a shocking series of events that right a terrible TIFFANY’S will be shown. All showings start at Mom’s oppression, Vitus concocts a plan to feign wrong, which is a most satisfying resolution, giving 2 pm. Call 355-ARTS or go to fl oridatheatre. having a head injury, which results in him losing the viewer a sense of happiness and love for this his genius and having only normal intelligence. He special boy. fools everyone and only tells his grandfather his big Skillfully directed by Swedish fi lmmaker Fredi secret. Murer, the scenario is a joyous journey for the audi- During this “normal” period, his parents are ence to experience this wonderful fantasy tale. Julia sad about the loss, but happy Vitus didn’t die in his Jenkins, an English actress speaking Swiss-German escapade of fl ying off the roof with wings he had with intermittent English, is a standout as Vitus’ designed. Yes, this kid is adult-smart and quite a longsuffering mom. Despite his trickery, Vitus had little schemer. His father’s company is in fi nancial his parents’ wellbeing in mind and dearly loved his trouble because of the CEO’s nefarious dealings to grandfather.

10 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper beauty vs. the alien Invasion movie review BY RICK GRANT [email protected] C+ Rated R 93 min consciousness. Amazingly, Dr. Bennell’s own son, Oliver (Jack- Nicole Kidman stars as a Washington psy- son Bond), is immune to the virus. This fact makes chiatrist in this umpteenth remake of Invasion of the him extremely valuable to the researchers trying to Body Snatchers. This take on the old scenario is fi nd a cure for the fi endish alien invading human- more like The Andromeda Strain in that it involves kind’s bodies and rapidly taking over earth. But time an alien virus. In this case, however, the virus pos- is running out, as the aliens are now roaming the sesses human-like intelligence and mutates inside earth infecting everyone. Even Dr. Bennell has been the victims while they sleep, transforming them into infected, but as long as she doesn’t sleep, she will an emotionless collective consciousness, sort of like not be transformed into an alien. The human-to-alien Star Trek’s Borg. metamorphosis can only happen during REM sleep. The pandemic happens when the Space Shuttle During Dr. Bennell’s encounters with the aliens, crashes and the scientists fi nd the alien virus, which she has been seeing a new man, Dr. Ben Driscoll. has spread to the nearby towns. Suddenly, people He is helping her avoid the mobs of aliens infecting are acting stranger than usual. They stand in groups the population. Before long, Dr. Benell’s ex-husband, like bad extras in a low budget fi lm. It’s a thin prem- Tucker (Jeremy Northam), goes through the trans- ise to drive a 93-minute fi lm, however, fi lmmaker Oli- formation while he has her son, Oliver. Now, Dr. Ben- ver Hirschbiegel hired high-profi le actors like Nicole nell and her boyfriend, Dr. Driscoll, must rescue the Kidman and Daniel Craig to beef up this regurgitated kid before the aliens fi nd out he is immune and kill script. him. Kidman portrays Dr. Carol Bennell, a psychia- From this point on in the story, the fi lm turns trist with a lucrative practice. When one of her pa- into a series of chases, car stunts, and escape gags. tients complains that her husband is not the man she Kidman and Craig upgrade the script with their skill- married because he is suddenly acting like another ful acting, but there is not much content to sink their person, Dr. Bennell prescribes new medications. Dr. acting chops into – just some trite lines as they track Bennell reasons that all women complain about that. down Oliver. He is the key to fi nding a cure. Once Then, Dr. Bennell’s ex-husband starts to act strange- they fi nd out why Oliver is immune they can develop ly, and she begins to notice other signs that the virus an immunization serum and reverse the virus’ effect. is taking over the bodies of many people. She freaks Sure, the world will go back to its chaos and vio- out and picks up her son from his visit with his dad. lence, but that’s better than being a walking stiff with Dr. Bennell’s status as a doctor of psychiatry no emotion and the intelligence of a gnat. has attracted a close-knit circle of friends- college As for this remake’s validity as a respectable professors, biologists, and other intellectuals. A Invasion fi lm, well it’s a cut above some of the grade biologist friend is working with the CDC to isolate the B remakes we have viewed. At least they didn’t go virus to learn about its life cycle. Clearly, there is a the zombie route. It’s like the aliens had smoked consensus among the country’s most distinguished some chronic weed and were stoned out of their biological scientists that this microbe is not from minds. And, they talked like idealistic new age jerks. this world. Victims go through a metamorphosis and Oh well, Hollywood loves remakes, and we will see emerge as alien beings – an extension of a group many more in the future.

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 11 spite the fact that the group seemed more interested new on dvd in chowing down on chicken than saying anything truly mind-blowing. Still, it’s a lot of fun to listen THE LIVES OF OTHERS (137 min.) Before the collapse of the Berlin Wall, East to. Next are four deleted scenes that were probably Germany’s population was closely monitored by best left on the cutting room fl oor. They add little the State Secret Police (Stasi). Only a few citizens to the fi lm itself beyond clearing up how a teenager above suspicion, like renowned pro-Socialist gets ahold of blueprints for his neighbor’s house. playwright Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch), A making-of featurette aptly titled “The Making of were permitted to lead private lives. But when a Disturbia” gives some behind-the-scenes footage corrupt government offi cial (Thomas Thieme) falls and talking head interviews with the cast and crew. for Georg’s girlfriend, Christa (Martina Gedeck), A very brief gag reel makes it onto the disc as well an ambitious Stasi policeman (Ulrich Mühe) is as a music video by This World Fair. The DVD also ordered to bug the writer’s apartment to gain in- boasts a pop-up trivia feature that gives production criminating evidence against the rival. Rated R for tidbits and other facts during the fi lm. It’s a nice some sexuality/nudity. extra if you’ve seen the fi lm a couple of times, but not so much if you’re a fi rst-time viewer. One can’t see , or read a review about THE ULTIMATE GIFT (118 min.) Disturbia When his wealthy grandfather dies, trust fund it, without being reminded of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear baby Jason Stevens (Drew Fuller) inherits his Window, since the premise is quite similar. While it’s grandfather’s crash course on life: 12 tasks-or hooks the viewer from a to z not as good as that classic, it’s certainly the most gifts-designed to challenge Jason in improbable suspenseful homage to the fi lm thus far. Thanks ways. The “course” sends Jason on a journey of Disturbia dvd review to my children, I was introduced to Shia LaBeouf self-discovery that forces him to reevaluate his several years ago when he was on a Disney Chan- priorities and determine what he thinks the most nel series called ‘Even Stevens.’ Even then, the kid important things in life really are. Rated PG for BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] showed the markings of a great comic actor. Here, thematic elements, some violence and language. Shia LaBeouf is the new “it” actor of the mo- Morse). After seeing the older gentleman doing LaBeouf is still funny, but he also manages to hit all ment. With his terrifi c performance in this summer’s some increasingly suspicious things, Kale joins the right notes as the lead in a thriller too. He turns in a performance that never fails to engage the viewer. PERFECT STRANGER (109 min.) action extravaganza Transformers, the young man forces with his buddy from school, Ronnie (Aaron When her friend’s affair with married ad exec has offi cially arrived and is booking some huge jobs Yoo), and Ashley to fi nd out what he’s up to. The You want to see him catch the killer, make his mom proud, and get the girl. His great acting would have Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis) ends in the woman’s because of it. But even before his Transformers suc- trio concludes that Mr. Turner may be the serial killer murder, investigative reporter Rowena Price (Halle cess, LaBeouf was bringing in audiences with his area cops have been searching for. But without proof been for naught without a truly scary antagonist and Morse certainly fi t the bill. He’s terrifying in his Berry) vows to bring the killer to justice. Suspect- star power. Case in point, Disturbia, a fi lm that far who would believe them? subtle performance as a loner with a sinister some- ing Hill of the crime, she goes undercover by surpassed expectations and took in nearly $23 mil- Disturbia seems like just another teen thriller, posing as two highly alluring women: Katherine, a lion it’s opening weekend. That fi lm is now available and maybe it is. But what this fi lm did that others in thing to hide. From his creepy cool demeanor when sexy temp who works within his agency, and Ve- on DVD. the genre failed to do this year is make a killing at challenged in public to his far more twisted side ronica, a seductive temptress he chats up online. Kale (LaBeouf) has had a rough year. After the the box offi ce. The $20 million budgeted fi lm made when alone with his potential victims, Morse suc- Its a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, both sudden death of his father, the teen has lost interest $80 million domestically during its theatrical run and cessfully makes the skin crawl with his foreboding Rowena and Hill begin to realize things may not in life and begins acting out. He soon fi nds himself managed to get a passable 66% fresh rating with normalcy. I wouldn’t want him living next door to me! be what they seem. Rated R for sexual content, getting in more and more trouble until he’s fi nally critics on RottenTomatoes.com. The fi lm makes its Disturbia is a testament to how matching a director nudity, disturbing violent images and language. placed on house arrest for assaulting a teacher. way to DVD this week, where it will no doubt so just to a story makes a huge difference. If this story had Stuck at home with nothing to do beyond staring out as well with home entertainment audiences. been in the hands of any other director, I’m not sure it would have worked. Caruso, who I’ve never been DISNEY’S LITTLE EINSTEINS- Rocket’s Firebird the window, Kale begins monitoring the comings The Disturbia DVD has a surprisingly meaty a huge fan of to begin with, seems to have found his Rescue (51 min.) and goings of his neighbors, particularly those of supplement section. An entertaining feature-length Leo, Quincy, Annie, June and Rocket travel to the pretty girl next door, Ashley (Sarah Roemer), and audio commentary with director DJ Caruso and ac- niche here. The story starts strong and the drama Russia to help save Rocket’s new friend, Firebird! the loner in the house behind his, Mr. Turner (David tors LaBeouf and Roemer makes it to the disc, de- continues to build and build until you fi nd yourself Firebird is a mysterious bird who sprinkles magic sitting upright, waiting at the edge of your seat for everywhere she fl ies. This magic brings beauty the fi lm to release its hold on you. Caruso’s care in and music to the world. But a heartless ogre fostering connections between his characters helps captures Firebird and locks her in a cage. It’s up drive the fi lm. For example, without seeing Kale and to the Little Einsteins and Rocket to set Firebird his father’s relationship in the beginning, he would free and bring music back to the world! This DVD just be another troubled kid. Instead, the fi rst fi ve is not rated. minutes show a father and son bond that’s real and touching and when that’s gone, the audience feels the loss, not just the characters. BROKEN ENGLISH (98 min.) Nora Wilder is a thirty-something Manhattanite Disturbia is not a perfect fi lm. It does have who can’t help but wonder what it is she has to some great characters, some stellar performances do to fi nd an ideal relationship. It doesn’t help that and a story that hooks the viewer from A to Z. While her overbearing mother takes every opportunity to it may not be worth owning, it’s defi nitely worth remind her that she’s still unattached. After a se- checking out. ries of disastrous fi rst dates, she meets Julien, a seemingly devil-may-care Frenchman with a pas- sion for living. Expecting another disastrous end- ing, Nora tries to avoid making the same mistakes and discovers she has to look inward before she can fi nd a new outlook on life and most impor- tantly, love. Rated PG-13 for some sexual content, brief drug use and language.

RED LINE (93 min.) A gorgeous young automobile fanatic (Nadia Bjor- lin) - and front to the hottest unsigned band on the West coast- fi nds herself caught up in illegal drag- racing competitions organized for the pleasure of a bunch of bored billionaires. Also starring Eddie Griffi n, Angus MacFadyen, Tim Matheson and Nathan Philips. Rated PG-13 for violence, illegal and reckless behavior, sexual content, language, and drug references.

12 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper david duchovny’s wild new comedy Californication on Showtime

BY RICK GRANT [email protected] In David Duchovny’s new comedy on Showtime, addicted to meaningless sex with a parade of pretty his disillusioned writer character, Hank Moody, has young women. fallen into a self-loathing hedonist lifestyle. Hank is In the pilot episode, Hank gets a visit from his drowning in sea of booze, cigarettes, and one night daughter Becca, who is used to fi nding naked women stands with a succession of loose women. He regrets in his bed and their skimpy underwear around the breaking up with his ex-girlfriend Karen (Natasha house. She loves her father and thinks his lifestyle is McElhone) and tries hard to win her back. However, cool. But Hank is embarrassed when she fi nds the every time he sees her he has a naked girl in his room aftermath of one of his all night sex parties. Karen or shows up without his pants. Hank’s only redeeming worries that Hank’s lifestyle will have a negative effect quality is his love of his bright daughter Becca (Mad- on Becca who is just going into puberty. When Becca eleine Martin) who worries about her dad. sneaks out to go to a party, Hank and Karen panic and Against the seedy backdrop of Los Angeles’ go looking for her. When they return, Hank tells Karen suburban sprawl, Hank tries to write but is severely he wants her back. Ah, but it’s too late. Karen wants a blocked. His one best-selling book was made into a mature man who will protect her and not cheat on her. movie, which he now can’t stand. So, although Hank She knows damn good and well that Hank can’t be has plenty of money, he desperately wants to practice faithful to one woman beyond one night. his craft, but his party life is too distracting. Karen is For fans of Duchovny’s Moulder character on disgusted with Hank and is engaged to a more stable the X-Files, Hank will be a shock. However, the series and mature man. She was happy with Hank when he is masterfully written with input from Duchovny who was a struggling writer, but when he went over the is Executive Producer. The snappy dialogue moves at deep end, she couldn’t cope with his frat-boy behav- a rapid pace with character-driven scenarios. Some ior. viewers will wonder how so many bare bosoms and Hank’s only friend is his agent, Charlie (Evan sex scenes could be packed into this thirty-minute Handler), who is secretly jealous of Hanks’ free- show. But the underlying tone is disapproval of Hank’s wheeling lifestyle. However, he is patiently waiting lack of a moral compass. for Hank to deliver his next best seller and get over Clearly, Hank’s endless partying is a lame himself. Meanwhile, Hank has turned cynical and uses cover-up for his writer’s block. At the end of the pilot his saber-like wit to put down women who ask him to episode he sits down to write and types one word, psychoanalyze them. To exacerbate Hank’s downward “f**ck!” Yes, it succinctly sums up his life after Karen spiral, women are attracted to his charm and the fact left and he fell out of the literary scene into a pit of his book was turned into a blockbuster movie. Yes, pleasure-seeking emptiness. But Hank’s fall from women throw themselves at Hank, so what’s a red- grace makes for some funny and entertaining scenes blooded male to do but take them to bed? of debauchery with Hank’s witty commentary. The new series fi ttingly follows the new season After watching Mary-Louise Parker’s trials and of Weeds, with an abundance of bare breasts and tribulations as a suburban pot dealer, Californication simulated sex as Hank goes wild, but he would give it is the perfect follow-up romp for a Monday night. up if he could win back Karen. Well, that’s not going Weeds and Californication run on Showtime on Mon- to happen unless he changes his ways, but Hank is day nights at 10:00 and 10:30 pm respectively.

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 13

hitting the right notes BY KELLIE ABRAHAMSON [email protected] The East High Wildcats are back! High School Musical 2 picks up a few months after the winter musical that was the basis of the fi rst fi lm. Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) are still going strong and looking forward to some summer lovin’ (or heavy handholding in Disney’s reality). They, along with all their friends, are also looking for summer jobs to help save for college (a parent’s dream!). The well-off Evans twins, Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) obviously have no fi nical worries so they’re planning on chilling at their parents’ country club. In order to break up the Troy/Gabriella love fest, Sharpay bribes the head of the country club, Mr. Fulton (Mark L. Taylor), into hiring Troy so she can seduce him. Fulton hires Troy, but he also hires the rest of the East High crew (Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Chris Warren Jr., Ryne Sanborn, Olesya quality of the performances were right on target. Rulin and Kaycee Stroh), much to Sharpay’s chagrin. Music aside, it was nice to see the main char- Unable to keep a good villain down, the sassy blonde acters again and even nicer to see some of the pop- hatches yet another plan, this time luring Troy away ular minor characters get more screen time. When I from the group with her father’s college scholarship attended the High School Musical DVD premiere in connections. Thinking of his future, Troy accepts Los Angeles last year, it was clear that characters Papa Evans’ attention and even agrees to sing with like Zeke the undercover baker (played by Chris War- Sharpay during the country club’s big talent show. ren Jr.) and Martha the secret hip-hop dancer (Kay- This, of course, puts a rift between the rest of the cee Stroh) were fan favorites in a huge way. Stroh Wildcats and Troy. garnered massive cheers each time she graced the With High School Musical 2 Disney has proven screen and Warren was as popular with fans as lightning can indeed strike twice. The fi lm managed Efron and Grabeel during the after-party. Thanks to to break basically every cable TV record ever last Fri- that kind of fan love, both of these characters had a day when it premiered on the Disney Channel. 17.24 lot more lines this time around. million viewers tuned in to see the East High Wild- A country club talent show is a decent enough cats run amok again, making it the most watched concept to center a musical around (and is certainly telecast in history, the most-watched made-for-cable reminiscent of the Kenny Ortega choreographed movie ever and the largest audience for any program Dirty Dancing), but it didn’t work for me like the broadcast on cable in the 2007 summer TV season. winter musical preparation did in the fi rst fi lm. Still, Having seen High School Musical more times I enjoyed the storyline, especially the fact that the than a grown woman probably should, I was incred- Evans family has center stage. Meeting Sharpay and ibly skeptical about the sequel. When I fi rst heard the Ryan’s well-to-do parents is a treat and seeing an- new songs from the fi lm on the Disney Channel, I other, more independent side of the male half of this was even less impressed. You see, in anticipation of fabulous drama club duo is even better. The rest of the world premiere of HSM2, Radio Disney and the the story is pretty similar to the original: Troy strays Disney Channel began airing music videos for some from the group, the kids hate him for it, Sharpay of the big numbers in the fi lm as early as May. The gloats, he sees the error of his ways, the team Mouse House also aired weekly mini-shows called forgives him, a lesson is learned. It’s a formula that “Road to High School Musical 2,” giving fans peeks works and the writers were right to stick with it. Fans behind-the-scenes along with even more new songs. will enjoy seeing their favorite Wildcats up to their What I didn’t notice until I actually sat down to watch usual antics, only this time around amped up to the HSM2 was that Disney, in all their brilliant marketing next level thanks to triple the production budget. That wisdom, had successfully programmed me into tol- means bigger musical numbers, better locations and erating these songs over the last few months. Having even a couple of big-name cameos (try to spot Miley heard them so many times, I knew the words without “Hannah Montana” Cyrus in the fi nal musical num- even knowing I knew the words. Because so much ber). of enjoying a movie like this relies on the ability to If you enjoyed High School Musical, you’ll get toes tapping, this sly campaign helped viewers certainly enjoy the sequel. With plenty of catchy get past how great the songs from the fi rst fi lm were tunes, amusing antics from likeable characters and a and allowed them to appreciate the new stuff. I still message a mother could love, this one is sure to be can’t say that I liked the second set of songs more a family favorite for years to come… Or until HSM3 than the fi rst, but they are just as catchy and the comes out!

14 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper the new noir Crooked Little Vein book review

BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected]

Crooked Little Vein might be one of the most intriguing books I’ve read in quite a while. It’s a journey through the mire of America’s sick psychosexual fetishes, end- ing in one man’s choice to save or damn humanity/America. In this case, whether he saves or damns America will depend on your opinion. The book is the fi rst prose novel by comic book writer and artist Warren Ellis. It isn’t surprising that he decided to update a classic genre like noir, since his talent in the comic business is revamping old characters from bygone eras and remaking them for the modern world, without losing all the things that made them great in the video games fi rst place. Ellis defi nitely mines the tried-and- true mythos of the hero’s journey in this al- BY NORM STOVALL [email protected] legory of American culture, packaged as a detective noir story. It’s fi tting that a genre that evokes thoughts of black and white Madden NFL 08 Xbox 360 and PS3 reviewed, fi lm and a gritty underworld would be used Also available on all major consoles including OSX and Windows as a vehicle for something so modern. Mike McGill, a detective who lives in It’s that time of year again where tens of thousands of football fans across the country enter his squalid offi ce, receives a commission game stores to utter the now infamous phrase: “Yo, you got dat Madden?” This year’s Madden is the from the president’s heroine-addict chief of Madden that we should have gotten last year. Finally, next-gen consoles have a worthwhile version of staff. McGill is given half a million dollars Madden to run up the sales. Being the most popular franchise in American Football is tough, but this to fi nd a mythic book, containing a “Secret year EA Sports really picked up the ball. All of the features that were missing from the last Madden Constitution.” This document apparently game are back, with a handful of cool new features that make the game pretty interesting. Sure, there has untold powers to reverse the depravity are some glitches that will probably be updated with a downloadable patch, but this year’s Madden of a country more interested in surfi ng the game is great, and a sure hit with football fans across the country. While I still prefer the 2k Series of anymore. As the serial killer on the airplane says to web for porn than in serving the government. football games in general, it’s good to see that the Madden series is really evolving. McGill: “Underground’ always connoted something Following the hero’s journey, McGill fi rst con- Gameplay-wise, the game features great controls that may take a while to get used to, but in no hidden, something diffi cult to see or fi nd…If it’s on sults (accidentally) with a modern Shaman, who time you will be using every single button on the controller like a pro. With the new ‘weapons’ feature, the Internet…it cannot possibly be underground.” listens to the sound of traffi c in order to tell the fu- certain players show extra special abilities that can make a normal play into a spectacular one. A lot of Most people who pick up the book knowing ture, much as Native American Shamans used to tell the fun of the game is actually learning how to use this, so I won’t rant about its awesomeness for too the author’s background in comics will expect that the future by listening to the sound of hoof beats. long here-but it is pretty danged cool. he would constantly paint a vivid, visually oriented Things get weird fast as far as Mike “the shit- One last feature I want to mention is the ability to recruit star players from your previous saves mental picture of everything, but he uses his powers magnet” McGill is concerned. When following his with . I’ve always got a kick out of this feature, and I think it’s one thing that shows sparingly, mostly on memorable-looking characters. NCAA Football 08 fi rst lead, he ends up in a porno theatre full of people that EA Tiburon is all about football. Whether you are playing online, or offl ine with friends, Madden Ellis’ characters are quick sketches, made all the who get off on the idea of having sex with large NFL 08 is a breath of fresh air. lizards. If you’re easily shocked, this is not the book more interesting by the fact that we have mostly only for you, but because McGill is so freaked by the situ- their physicality to tell us who they are. My favorite ation, I was fairly comfortable reading it. It was more description was of a drug pusher named Muppet: Bioshock ridiculous than anything, plus, once they brought in “Hair like red yarn, red eyebrows that you’d need a For Xbox 360 the monitor lizards, McGill leaves as quickly as he whip and chair to put in their place, eyes that stood can. out of his face like someone had slipped boiled eggs Bioshock is one of those It’s at this porno theatre that he picks up one into his sockets. Wearing a wifebeater so old and rare amazing games that really essential component for his journey: a girl named thin that you could practically see his heart behind shows the potential that truly Trix. She is writing a thesis on the extremes of self- his ribs. Jogging pants covered in tiny little burn talented developers are capable infl icted human experience and she’s got an ency- holes and stinking of dope and shiny new running of putting together when they are clopedic knowledge of strange fetishes. She is his shoes.” given the chance. Scoring perfect femme fatale traveling partner. Much of the book is spent in the cesspool of 10 scores in many publications, McGill travels the country on this quest, like a America, and after treading through the muck, McGill Bioshock has a lot to offer in modern hero of myth, to which unbelievable things naturally feels that this mythic Alternate Constitution many different ways. While on the always happen. Each person he meets on his jour- should be used on the populace. But the document surface it may seem like your typical fi rst-person shooter game in a dark environment, the game really ney helps him to gain a deeper understanding of also takes away the ability to choose what you want, fl eshes itself out with its moody narrative, amazing visual design and details, and emotional storytell- what fi nding the fabled book will mean and of the especially if what you want is anything other than the ing that will keep you involved. The story of Bioshock is centered on a failed utopian society beneath state of the country. He travels in a crooked little vein missionary position. McGill learns about the posi- the ocean, which was meant to be a home to all of the world’s most brilliant and talented people. Years around the nation, echoing the early “Don’t Tread on tives of our information laden no-underground soci- after the heyday of this society, people are broken, diseased, and altered by various drugs and body Me” version of the fl ag with its twisted, segmented ety, just in time to use them to his own benefi t. The supplements that have turned some into monsters. Your task is to explore this environment, and fi nd a snake, an image which can also be found on the ending of the book seems slightly implausible, but I way to help people out while you do so. cover. accepted it because of the world McGill inhabits. It Though typically I’m not a fan of shooter games, Bioshock really got a hold on me and I can’t The thesis statement of the tale seems to fi ts the world, so I bought it and was satisfi ed (for wait to fi nish the game. Hopefully, you will feel the same. Bioshock is a great game. be that what used to be underground simply isn’t the most part) with the ending.

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 15 palettes and palates booty bar crawling by the eu professional drinkers food by design by erin thursby Nothing says that you are a classy person that is really worth courting quite like grinding up Food is more than a feast for the mouth. It can also be a feast for the eyes. We against a stranger while his pal takes an upskirt shot of your too-short skirt to post on the focus here on places that do a beautiful job of presenting food on the plate, from Internet. You should go out to booty bars, because that’s where real love is lurking, waiting to neighborhood Thai to upscale continental. While these aren’t the only places to get get you into his expensive car, and out of your itty bitty clothes. None of these places promote a beautiful meal, they sure are a great start. date-rape, but anytime some dude in a ballcap and jeans wants to dance with his leg in your crotch, there are only so many ways that can end. We went to some booty bars to help you aurathai (1173 Edgewood Ave. S. Murray Hill. 904-389-8424) Murray Hill got a little swankier, with the addition of Aurathai. Try their delicious, traditionally prepared thom yum soup or Kaeng Kiew stay informed. We didn’t want to, these places just aren’t our scene. We hate cover charges if Wan (also known as green curry). The whole fried snapper, golden-brown and served with assorted there isn’t a band. But if it helps you out, we’ll go sip some overpriced cocktails. That’s how veggies has one of the most beautiful presentations. A colorfully chic décor gives Aurathai a modern, fun and classy feel. If you’ve eaten at Taste of Thai on University, Aurathai is the more upscale version. much we care about you. Justin Sellas, son of the owners of Taste of Thai, decided to open his own place with his own stamp on things. Beer, Wine & Sake. Open 11 am-2 pm Mon- Fri; 5 pm- 9 pm Mon-Thu; Fri 5 pm-midnight; Sat 5 pm- midnight; late night menu after 10 pm. $$

bistro aix (1440 San Marco Blvd. Southbank. 904- 398-1949) A favorite spot among local foodies, this Continental bistro is known as a “fancy” restaurant. They serve up bistro- style fl at bread, wood-fi red pizzas topped with ingredients such as goat cheese, elegant appetizers, including seared tuna, and entrées such as organic salmon and fi let mignon. Save room for one of their oh-so-pretty desserts, they taste as good as they look. Full Bar. Open 7 days a week; 11 am- 10 am Mon-Thu; 11 am-11 pm Fri; 5 pm- 11 pm Sat; 5 pm- 9 pm Sun. $$$$

café nola (333 N. Laura St. Downtown. 904-366- 6911) If you can fi nd the Museum of Contemporary Art on Laura Street, next to the library, you’ll be able to fi nd Café Nola. Tucked away inside the museum, with huge picture windows, it has a view of the fountains in Hemming Plaza, as well as the bustling life out on the sidewalk. Step out of the bustle of downtown for some nouveau Spanish cuisine. Selections include the aspara- gus goat cheese salads, sexy sandwiches and seasonal entrées. Full bar. Open 11 am -2:30 pm Mon- Fri; now open for Wed. dinner 5 pm- 9 pm; 10 am- 2 pm Sun brunch; Closed Sat. $$ BISTRO AIX

marker 32 (14549 Beach Blvd. Intracoastal. 904-223- 1534) With a sunset view of the Intracoastal Waterway, you’d think it would be hard to fi nd a plate to match the view. Not so at Marker 32. The ever-changing menu is always cunningly presented, with innovation and style. Though they’re known for their focus on fresh seafood specials, one artistically CLUB PARIS presented fi sh that’s always on the menu is their pan roast tilapia, served with jasmine rice and lemon braise spinach, sprinkled with toasted almonds and Spanish tomato concasse. Full bar. Open 5:30 pm ADDRESS OR DIRECTIONS: Jacksonville Landing Downtown – 10 pm mon- Thu; 5:30- 10:30 Fri- Sat; Closed Sun. $$$$ TYPE OF PLACE: Night Club ocean 60 (60 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach. 904-247-0060) One of the bistro’s trademark SERVING: Full liquor bar with plenty of tasty eye candy dishes is a whole fried fi sh, dusted in a light cornmeal, perfectly scored (so you can lift the fi sh right off the bone), and served with yucca fries, a Napa cabbage salad and a brandy citrus dipping sauce. AMENITIES: 22,000 square feet of booty shaking room, state-of-the-art light and sound Martini’s, upscale bistro fare and art are the three things they serve up at Ocean 60. If you want to peruse the art on the walls as well as on the plate, make sure you request a table on the martini bar systems and a cozy and decadent VIP section. side, where they have a rotating gallery. Full Bar. Open 5:30 pm- 10:30 pm in the main dining room and Thursdays: Jazzy Thursdays with free drinks and admission for the ladies 9 till 2 am with a limited menu at the martini bar Mon- Sat; Closed Sun. $$$$ DRINK SPECIALS: to 12, Friday Happy Hour: $2 Martinis, $2 Domestic brews, $10 Buckets of Brews mezza luna (110 North First St. Neptune Beach. 904-249-5573) Since Chef Tony Pels has won awards for his sweet confections, you might want to save room for dessert. The tiramisu is called a tiramisu tini and is served in a martini glass for a very lovely presentation. While much of the menu Poor Paris. First being born into wealth beyond most of our imagination, then the whole tape thing with her pays homage to the Italian roots of Mezza Luna, with a sure focus on Mediterranean style cuisine, there boyfriend, then there’s the whole jail thing and now her club is even denying her attachment to its walls, are plenty of dishes that make a nod toward the fusion or world cuisine that has become popular in the last ten years. Wine afi cionados ordering dinner at Mezza Luna will love the extensive wine list and claiming that it’s inspiration is more of a Paris, France, not a Paris Hilton. With enough pink trapped in those who enjoy mixed drinks will be glad of the full bar. Open 5 pm- close Tues- Sunday; Closed Mon. its walls to make even Barbie want to puke, this fancy bootylicious fantasy world is located in our plush $$$$ little paradise of the Jacksonville Landing, coming equipped with a strict dress code, great drink specials and even a teen night. John Henderson of the Jacksonville Jaguars hosts the Jazzy Thursdays with DJ chew (117 W. Adams St. Downtown. 904-355-3793 ) Putty greens, clean lines and industrial/ur- ban warmth (yes, there is such a thing) mark the décor, with oh-so New York white paper lights, green Q45 spinning top 40 all night with 40,000 watts of sound pumping through your going-to-hating-life- tiled pillars and frosted glass. Serving reasonably priced, beautifully presented soups, salads and other tomorrow physique. The weekends are fun too with the Friday “Ladies Night” with rotating DJs, and don’t breakfast and lunchtime favorites. Patrons come back for their fried green tomato BLT and their incred- ible, adorably plated croquet-Madame, topped with a fried egg. Salad offerings include the signature forget about Saturdays, KISS FM 97.9 broadcasts live from the club bringing some hip DJs and hot drink  specials. –Christina Wagner

16 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper TERA NOVA  (palettes and palates, continued from page 16) Chew salad with shitake mushrooms, the apple and goat cheese salad, fresh citrus salad, fennel and Address or Directions: 8206 Philips Hwy (corner of Baymeadows and Philips) spinach salad, black mission prosciutto and classic Caesar. Each salad on the menu is paired with its own dressing, made to complement it. Open 8 am- 3 pm Mon- Fri. $$ Type of Place: Nightclub that thinks it’s the China Room Serving: Full liquor, wine, and bottled beers sushi café (2525 Riverside Ave # 204. Riverside. 904-384-2888) Amenities: A door guy and a VIP room. Are those amenities? One of the most visually interesting things to ever grace a plate is sushi. Drink Specials: They are especially expensive For form and variety, you just can’t beat a good-looking plate (or boat) of sushi. Presentation is half the fun at I think the Russian mob owns this place. I have to give it to them, projecting their logo up onto an elevated Sushi Café. Try a gorgeous rainbow water tower is a brilliant way around the sign ordinance, and it looks so cool that I couldn’t wait to get roll, or for a real treat ask for their inside. The enormous Bosnian in the double-brested suit at the door was not nearly as excited to let dragon roll or love boat, each fi lled with their artfully arranged sushi. The me in as I was to go. He didn’t tell me why, exactly, he just held his hand out in the stop gesture and quickly classic, beloved Jax 5-Points looked around. Maybe it was the strange wire in his ear. Someone was feeding him secrets about me. sushi stop is a local favorite for a reason—quality sushi served fresh. They weren’t going to let me in. It’s because of Glasnost! Nope. At the height of my nervousness, as my Sushi Café has a very open feel, with eyes were looking from left to right repeatedly, they granted me entrance. Apparently it was a matter of blonde wood as the center of the SUSHI CAFE my attire. My collared shirt looked a little too casual. I can see why they have to be so discriminate, the décor. They’ve got a fantastic view of historic brick buildings and the leafy enormous inside had too much room to let in just any Tom, Dick or Borus. But after I spent $6 on a weak greens of Memorial Park through picture windows. Beer, Wine & Sake. Open 11 am- 10 pm Mon- Thu; cocktail, my excitement defl ated. It does have fancy couches that are awkward to sit in and you can gawk 11 am-11 pm Fri- Sat; Noon- 10 pm Sun. $$ at the people in the VIP section, which is only separated from the regular section by another bouncer in a wine cellar (1314 Prudential Dr. Southbank. 904-398-8989) The dish that draws gasps of suit and a rope. And the DJ sucks, but techno-pop has never really been my thing. –Johnny St. Thomas wonder because its artful presentation at the Wine Cellar is the Fried Lobster Tail, which is presented tail up, on their creamy potatoes. Another delectable and attractive choice is their luscious rack of lamb. Wine Cellar is the oldest wine bar in the Southbank area, making it the classic wine bar for the Jacksonville area. Their continental cuisine can be paired with your choice from their enormous wine list. Put on your evening clothes and make it a formal night. Open Tuesday- Friday 11 am - 2 pm; Mon- day - Saturday 5 pm - 10:30 pm $$$$

blue bamboo (3820 Southside Blvd. Southside. 904-646-1478) The always beautiful fusion of Blue Bamboo won’t leave anything to be desired. Take a taste of their Honey-Soy BBQ Ribs, artfully arranged over a bed of shredded oriental-style slaw. Finish your meal with their striking version of red velvet cake, presented in round form instead of the typical sliced, the rich red exposed in all its glory. Full Bar. Open 11 am- 2 pm Mon-Fri; 5 pm-10 pm Mon-Thu; 5 pm -11 pm Fri-Sat; Closed Sun. $$$

roy’s (2400 S. 3rd St. Jacksonville Beach. 904- 241-7697) For a special occasion, the fi ne food at Roy’s is great place to go and be treated well. Leave your table for a moment and a waiter will have folded your napkin before you get back. The excellent service is matched only by the incredible Ha- waiian fusion cuisine, always presented in the most pleasing way possible. Try Roy’s classic roasted Macadamia nut Amberjack fi sh, an excellent cut of fi sh, springy and tender, close to mahi in texture. Topped with asparagus, a divine and creamy Maine lobster sauce, and perched on a mixture of pota- toes, the dish is very French in its richness and presentation. Full Bar. Open 5:30 pm- 9:30 pm Mon- Thu; 5:30 pm- 10:30 pm Fri- Sat; 5:30- 9 pm Sun. $$$$

the tasting room (25 Cuna St. St Augustine. 904-810-2400) Appetizers often plate PLUSH the prettiest, and the Tasting Room plates their tapas with artistry and care. Try the Chef’s Daily Flight, 845 University Blvd. North for a trifecta of beauty and taste. Many of the ingredients that are part of the tapas selections at the Address or Directions: Tasting Room are exclusively made in Spain, like the Manchego cheese and the Serrano ham. Those Type of Place: Nightclub and sometimes Live Music Venue who haven’t had grilled romaine lettuce simply need to try this dazzling presentation at the Tasting Room. The smoky fl avor coupled with the crisp lettuce will leave you thinking about their salad for Serving: Full Liquor and Brews that make the nerd you’re dancing with look like Jesse Metcalf days. Ours was topped with roasted red peppers, onions, pine nuts, chives, a sherry cream sauce and scrumptious little anchovies. Beer & Wine. Open 1:30 pm- 11 pm Tues- Wed; 1:30pm - 12:30 am Thu- Amenities: Serving up sweet sounds you can bump and grind to. Sat; Closed Sun & Mon. $$$$.

Drink Specials: You’re special enough!

If you haven’t heard of Plush, you are probably too young or too square to be going there in the fi rst place. Everybody’s been there at least one time in their bar-hopping lives to either catch a show or to indulge in the always wildly entertaining people-watching spectacular that is Plush on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s fun and I recommend anyone out there with a sense of humor to participate; it’s my personal guilty pleasure. I stake them out like the late Steve Irwin lurks on crocodiles. First you have the always amusing slicked- back moron with enough cologne to actually permeate the entire club, then there’s the slutty girl from Oklahoma here for college wearing an outfi t that would make Lil Kim blush, and fi nally there’s the always amusing clueless-dancing-guy. You know which one I’m talking about, the guy who makes the Star Wars Internet guy look suave. If you are one of these people, get a clue. If not, join me one night and experience the world’s ninth wonder that is Plush. –Christina Wagner

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 17 dish. where to eat, drink and be merry.

new, authentic middle eastern Palm Garden BY ERIN THURSBY [email protected] Just off the corner of St. Augustine Road and University in Lakewood is a shopping center fi lled with a variety of ethnic restaurants. There’s the Athens Café (Greek), Pepe’s (Mexican) and the newest restaurant, Palm Garden, which serves traditional Middle Eastern foods. Before the entertainment started, I took the time to look around. A TV towards the back shows scenes from Middle Eastern music videos. There are a few tables situated outdoors, but most opt to sit inside, where the enter- tainment is. In one corner is a marble-topped bar next to a beaded curtain that leads to the bathrooms. Different colored streamers hang from the ceiling in front of the small stage. A mural of a sunset-silhouetted desert, with camel and riders pointed towards a palm-lined oasis, dominates the wall to the left of the stage. The tables are set up so that a belly dancer working the room can be seen by all the patrons in the place, and there’s a small area by the stage for anyone who’d like to dance. On the Saturday night I went, there was plenty of dancing. Entertainment for the evening opened with a belly dancer. As she danced sinuously to the music, in a se- quin studded outfi t, the crowd clapped along with enthusiasm. Palm Garden also brings in Middle Eastern singers. During my visit there was a woman that sang and then many of the patrons began dancing. There were also hookahs, for those who were inclined, but the place wasn’t hazy with hookah smoke and it was

page 16 - 17 plate design | page 16 - 17 booty bars pub crawl | page 18 - 19 palm garden

Aurathai

18 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper pleasant enough for the non-hookah smokers in the crowd. The hookah selections aren’t on the menu, so just ask your server. Palm Garden is family-owned-and-operated. The family also owns the Middle Eastern grocery store next door, called GTA Imports. This gives the place the advantage of being able to use purely Middle Eastern ingredients, instead of replac- ing them with easy-to-fi nd American substitutes. Many of the loyal customers from the grocery store also come to relax at the restaurant. I began my meal with a Lebanese beer called Almaza, though there are other selections on the menu that intrigued me. They also carry Mango and Guava nectar, anise tea, bold Turkish coffee and a number of wines, besides the standard soda selections. I opted for the more than reasonably priced $30 Sat- urday night special, which includes four appetizers and an entrée.

More adventurous eaters might want to give their Kibbeh Niyeh a taste. It’s not your standard, reassuring, football shaped, deep fried kibbeh. It’s raw. They mix lean beef with cracked wheat, ground onions and spices, and then use a form to lay it on the plate, so it’s easy to cut from, like a pie. They serve it with a little olive oil that you can pour over each section as you eat it. It’s served with pita bread, but I actually liked it better alone. Since I’m okay with sushi and steak tartar, I was more than willing to try it. As I spoke to Nancy Aweel, one of owners, she reminisced about how she used to eat this very dish as a child, piling the kibbeh onto slices of sweet onion. Of course, I immediately asked for sweet onion to try it this way, and it was fantastic. It didn’t do any favors for my breath, but the only romance I had in mind for that night was the romance I could fi nd on my plate. If you’re less adventurous, opt for their regular kibbeh or their kibbeh rider. Other appetizers I sampled included their Babba Ghannouj, hummus, tabouleh and labnee. The tabouleh wasn’t my favorite out of the set, and I would have liked warm pita bread to dip in my hummus and the other dips, but the rest of the appetizers were traditional Middle Eastern and dangerously delish. Their Babba Ghannouj might be enough to change anyone’s mind about eggplant, if they’re to opposed it. If you’re not familiar with Babba Ghannouj, it’s a dip made from puréed eggplant, sesame paste, lemon juice and garlic. The hummus ranks as some of the best (if not THE best) I’ve had in the area. Their Labnee is a Lebanese dip made from a special salted yogurt and mint. It’s a great intro dip, because it tastes a lot like a standard sour cream dip you’d fi nd at an American party. My entrée was a kind of combo of their chicken kabob and their kufta kabob. Each was tasty and packed with fl avor, though I will be trying some of the less standard choices on the menu, such as the quail dinner. For a genuinely Middle Eastern, entertainment-fi lled Saturday night of food and fun, Palm Garden is a great new choice.

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 19 night moves i like to boogie by jon bosworth

There are two kinds of people in the world, those that dance and those who don’t unless they were so blacked out drunk that they only dance when there is no possibility of remember- ing it. I am among the latter. I wish I could say that I was one of those people that just goes out and has fun with no regard for how I look on the dance fl oor, but I’m afraid that I’m really more like Elaine on Seinfeld. I have a dance that I think is cool, but someone with a way cooler hair- cut and far more expensive jeans is sitting across the club, rehydrating (after a dance routine of their own to some song about partying like a rockstar that I’ve never even heard) and they’re giggling it up at my ridiculous dance style. In my mind’s eye, I also see myself looking like Chunk from Goonies. So dancing is something I tend to avoid. But you shouldn’t! Grab life by the horns and live the hell out of every minute! Cut the damn rug and shake that ass! There are plenty of places to do that in Jacksonville. From booty clubs like the Ocean Club and Club Paris to more sophisticated places, such as Mark’s Down- town, to Latin nights to indie dance clubs, which Jacksonville actually has a pretty good selec- tion of, such as The Pearl and TSI Discotheque. So pick your poison, there’s a place that you can get down. Even if clubs aren’t your scene, there are plenty of excuses to shake a leg. There are plac- es to learn ballroom style dancing. Learn to tango and then fi nd some of the places where you can put it to use. Dancing is fun, good for you, and helps you rise above petty fears and social anxiety. Maybe after editing this issue of EU I’ll head straight out to the clubs and overcome my fears, but only if you come up to me and invite me to dance. I’ll probably still say no, but at least you will have done your part.

“Just by walking into the Pearl you know it’s unlike any other bar and that in itself refl ects indie music,” says Erin Lee, who DJs for the Pearl’s Mix-Tape Tuesdays. “Being its own thing, doing its own thing and hav- ing its own style refl ects the music and the movement.” Even the bathrooms are somewhat shocking; with the dj booth is their ornate mirrored patterns and a touch of funky glamour, making them one of the most attractive parts of the building. But this movement is not just about how its interior is decorated. So much of what indie stands for starts with the music. It’s not the kind of thing you can hear on the radio in Jacksonville. It’s out there to be heard, but just like any form of art, you’ve got to go searching. Sometimes that search only entails looking on a friend’s MySpace page for their newest song, or looking to Pitchfork Media to see their latest recommenda- underground tion. The search might seem ruthless at fi rst, but once you know the way, you’re there. It’s a little world all unto itself. “It’s nice to set apart the people who aren’t really into music from people who are really into music,” says Lee. “People who are really into a certain kind of music buy it, and you know people who buy indie mu- indie rock in the clubs by hilary johnson sic are really passionate about it. They go looking for it. That’s why I appreciate it. You kind of have your own community where you can talk to other people who are passionate about it.” Indie. It’s a movement with the meaning found in its own name. Short for the word independent, the This community of people who center themselves around straying from the norm can be found all over indie movement has been creeping around the outskirts of the mainstream for decades. Now, in an almost full town. And just like with the music, you’ve just got to know where to look. The best place to start is at a few force coup de grace, this sub-culture is coming out of the woodwork, literally. local bars, deceiving from their outward appearances that give no sign to the life and luster that goes on When you pull up to The Pearl in revitalized Springfi eld, the exterior looks like anything but a stomp- inside. And what really sets these bars apart are their DJs. Many of the local indie DJs rotate from one bar to ing ground for the tight jeans and ironic haircuts that visualize this movement. It’s an all brick building with the next, or can at least be spotted hanging out and dancing, when they aren’t the ones behind the turntables. wrought iron doors on the corner of 1st and Main. But through those doors is a makeshift forest, with red The Pearl hosts unique dance nights almost every night of the week. Armageddon Monday’s with DJ leather booths and sharp dressed hipster pixies dancing across the expansive dance fl oor. Paul, Mix-Tape Tuesdays with DJ Erin, Ladies Night with Spencer on Wednesdays, Thursday Nights with DJ

20 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Ricky, Friday Night video mash-ups with VJ Jaren, and Saturday nights Overtime with DJ Ricky make the rarely could you pick out couples or even Pearl a place to be reckoned with. Or at least a place to go for some reckoning and defi nitely for some danc- groups of friends dancing, and each dancer ing. was in their own world, creating their own The Eclipse is another local bar that promotes indie nights. Located on St. Johns Avenue, check out choreography. It isn’t just because they’re their New & Used Sundays with Christian Mendez and Chris Gibson or their POP! Thursdays with Astronau- loners. According to Epaeon, some of this is talis. Great deals on drinks and an open dance fl oor have made Eclipse one of Jacksonville’s great spots for due to the classic Goth style of dancing, which hipsters all over town. somewhat mimics medieval court grace and “You see a lot of the same people,” says Lee. “There is sort of a comradery. It’s cool to see everyone dancing. Each subculture has its own variation out at different places and having the same experience. As far as the community and the people who love the “from the rivetheads to the gravers.” music, it’s not pretentious or snobby, it’s just its own entity.” “The styles that most of them come up And within that entity is a freedom to express yourself in whichever way you like. The movement, the with and learn don’t work well with partners music, and the people relish in the fact that they are who they are, no holds barred, no strings attached. dancing close together, though you do see Jacksonville’s indie scene is almost like a living, breathing entity. Constantly evolving and refreshing its some every now and then.” bloodline, it’s keeping a tradition of independence and individuality alive and well. Most dancers don’t have an exact dance TSI Discotheque, located on Bay Street next to a string of other bars, is bringing downtown Jackson- with steps (unless you look up classic Goth ville’s nightlife back to life, although from the outside you wouldn’t even know it’s there. The entrance is down dancing steps online), so few personal styles a dark alley strung with Christmas lights, and the only major recognizable feature from the street is the Tucker work together. umbrella that sits at the entrance to the alley. That walk takes you away from the buzz of ordinary life, and into “Dancing is my release, my escape. I an atmosphere all its own. can let all my frustrations with the world out TSI also has a number of special nights every week. TSI’s Wednesday nights feature the Channel DJ’s. when I dance by expending all that pent up MDTMYB Fridays (music designed to move your butt) also offer penny PBRs and Intermission Saturdays energy, by trying to move to the music and not encourage patrons to drink-dance-sweat. fall on my ass. I honestly don’t care much for “TSI is like the f.u.b.u. of Jacksonville’s nightlife,” says Brandon V, a former channel DJ. But it makes the club scene, I don’t like being surrounded sense. For-us-by-us encompasses the attitude of this culture within our culture. by people even if I do know a good amount “This is a really pivotal time for the dance scene in Jacksonville,” says Brandon V. “Things are heading of them, but there on the dance fl oor, even if in a different direction, but no matter what direction it’s headed in, the indie dance scene is always guaran- I’m surrounded, I am in my own little world. Epaeon teed silliness, without any concern of being judged whatsoever.” If I happen to be dancing with someone, they are [in that world] too.” If you should decide to go Goth for a night on Saturday at Eclipse, you’ll be dancing to stuff from David Bowie, the Cure, Souxie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, She Wants Revenge, Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie, KMFDM, Depeche Mode, Joy Division and tracks from the Queen of the Damned soundtrack among many goths dance others. scene king and queen Max Michaels is the reason that there is a Goth Night every Saturday at Eclipse. He’s been Jackson- ville’s Goth King for about 10 years; he’s the one who gave the scene mouth-to-mouth during its near-death alone by erin thursby lulls, and he’s the one who’s made it into the scene it is today. He’s the promoter for Goth Nights at Eclipse, which he says is “the original and only weekly venue catering to the Goth culture dance scene in Jackson- Every Saturday night at Eclipse, you’ll fi nd the rake-thin Epaeon grooving it up on the dance fl oor. Some ville” and runs a scene-oriented magazine called Movement. He says he works each week to bring “the most nights he’ll let down his ass-length hair, while wearing a distressed, black shirt that seems to be made en- unique local/international live music, theme parties, movie giveaways, art exhibits and stage shows I can tirely of minuscule scraps held together by safety pins. fi nd to give our scene a diverse and memorable club experience each and every time they come to FACTORY To an outsider, Epaeon seems pretty Goth, he wears black eyeliner, has a Goth name and wears real [nights at Eclipse].” Goth clothing and shows up every Goth night at Eclipse. But if you ask him if he is Goth, he balks, saying “I Eclipse, though it does have the only weekly Goth Night, isn’t the only thing going on in the world of don’t consider myself a Goth, but if I was in a subculture, that would be the one I fi t in best – I guess.” He Jacksonville Goth. Other, less regular events go on in different clubs across the city, most notably the French knows how sensitive those who consider themselves Real Goths are to every Tom, Dick and Mary who slap Quarter where Forbidden State is held. The promoters for this event are Jeremy Craig and Onyx. on thick eyeliner, head to a club and call themselves Goth. Onyx can only be described as a Dominatrix with a Southern twang and vampire fangs. If anyone quali- Despite the seeming exclusivity of the mythological Real Goths, everyone is pretty friendly at Eclipse. fi es as the Dark Alternative scene’s reining Queen, it would be Onyx. Though she moved to Jacksonville just The Goths who stick to the shadows, peering out of the dark, mainly act as set dressing for wanabe-Goths last year, whip in hand, she’s already made waves in the local scene. She heads up the VAMPIRE meet-up (aka me, Mall Goths, Hot Topic Goths or Weekend Goths). group on Yahoo and runs the JAX Night Freaks Group on MySpace. She’s a part of the BloodFeast Gatherings Epaeon is one of the most dedicated dancers on the scene. He enjoys mid-beat songs, fi nding most of (Goth/Vampire Fetish Nights) held in clubs such as Club Fusion, Martini’s and Fat Cats. Those are just a few techno too fast to dance to and some of the older Goth tunes a bit too slow to really dance to. When asked of the groups she’s connected with. These groups sometimes go to other cities (like Savannah and Tampa) what he prefers to dance to, he says “I love dancing to She Wants Revenge, and they seem to be quite popu- but that just means that people from other cities show up to events she helps promote. lar amongst the Goth club scene. “ Sex sells, which is why events that feature Goth girls dressed up in very short Little Red Riding Hood Epaeon was taught to dance by a Dominatrix stripper, but says that his “style of dance is an amalgama- outfi ts or wearing nothing but electrical tape on their naughty bits, draws people. This is true of the Forbidden tion” of different dances he likes. “I mimic bits of each kind and throw it all together to dark-themed music. State Events, in which Onyx performs. Make friends with Onyx on MySpace (myspace.com/onyxvampyre) to I’ve learned a little classic ballroom, mainly East Coast Swing, I try to emulate a little salsa, tango, waltz, rav- get the skinny on all the local Dark Alt events, or just visit her page regularly. ing and dances I don’t even know the names for. I kind of evolved my own style.” When I watched Epaeon and his fellow club-goers dance, I noticed a pattern. Goths dance alone. Very To read more about the Goth scene and interviews Erin conducted go to eujacksonville.com.

dance clubs thee imperial (on Mondays and Wednesdays tera nova 8206 Philips Hwy. on the Southside Downtown (904-918-3999) only) 325 W. Forsyth St. Downtown (904-328-1103) indie dance mark’s downtown 315 E. Bay St. club fusion 3009 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. in the atlantic 333 N. First St.at the Beaches Downtown (904-355-5099) the pearl (Monday – Saturday) St. Augustine (904-829-8333) (904-249-3338) the twisted martini In the Jacksonville 1101 N. Main St. in Springfi eld (904-791-4499) café 11 501 A1A Beach Blvd. in St. Augustine ocean club 401 N. First St.at the Beaches Landing Downtown (904-353-8464) club TSI discotheque (every night) Beach (904-460-9311) (904-242-8884) metro 2929 Plum St. in Riverside (904-388- 333 E. Bay St. Downtown (904-424-3531) booty music deep blue In the Jacksonville Landing 8719) the eclipse (on Friday and Sundays only) Downtown (904-356-7270) endo exo 1224 Kings Ave.in San Marco 4219 St. Johns Ave. in Avondale (904-387- plush/rain 845 University Blvd. N. in Arlington club paris In the Jacksonville Landing (904-396-7733) 3582) (904-743-1845)

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 21 club christophers Club Christophers in Orange Park fea- tures a great Latin Night each Friday, hosted ¡vamos a by DJ Jose De La Sol. The club also boasts live bands each month in addition to the DJ. Club Christophers is at 1620 Wells Rd. For more information call (904) 215-4222 or visit clubchristophers.com. bailar! cuba libre bar If Café Bolero is number one with young Latinos, Cuba Libre is a close second. jacksonville latin nights by kellie abrahamson Located next to Havana Jax, Cuba Libre Bar is the fi rst upscale Latin club in Jacksonville. Each Friday and Saturday night is Big Salsa I’m about as white-bread as you can get. I do not dance. My family does not dance. “Rhythm” Night. Resident DJ Miguelito spins the hottest is simply not in our vocabulary. It’s ironic, then, that I married a Puerto Rican whose family loves to Latin sounds along with special guests from 9 pm to 2 am. If you want to brush up on your dance and does so at every possible occasion, sometimes for no reason at all. With my complete lack moves, take Salsa lessons with Debi on Tues- of dance fl oor skills, fi tting in with that group has been amusing (for them) and embarrassing (for me), days. Cuba Libre Bar is located at 2578 At- but after seven years of Christmases, New Years and birthdays set to the spicy sounds of Salsa and lantic Blvd. Contact them at (904) 399-5553 Merengue, I’ve gotten used to cutting the occasional rug, my two left feet notwithstanding. or visit them on the web at cubalibrebar.com. There are many night clubs and lounges in Jacksonville that offer people like me a chance to brush up on their Latin dance moves or, better still, watch how it’s really done each week. As many as elixir ultra lounge there are, there wasn’t a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate listing of Latin dance nights in the area--until Elixir in Orange Park has two Latin nights. Enjoy Noche Latinas Latin Night on now. EU has scoured the Jacksonville club scene to bring you a complete listing of the hottest Latin Fridays and Salsa Saturdays with Jesse James and DJ Chino each week. Both nights have great music and nights in town: decent drink specials. Elixir is located at 341 Park Ave. in the Comfort Inn. Contact them at (904) 215-4400 or online at elixir- aromas cigars, wine and martini bar ultra.com. One wouldn’t necessarily think of Aromas when looking for a place to put on their dancing shoes, but each week the upscale cigar, wine and martini bar has live entertainment from terrifi c Latin bands. Every the globe Wednesday at the Southside location Strings of Fire or the LeMonde Latin Band (they alternate) take to the The Globe boasts Latin nights on Fridays and Saturdays. With four themed rooms, expect a different stage to give cigar lovers a taste of Spanish culture. Like my own extended family, Aromas patrons can’t help style of music at each turn. but get on their feet when these musicians perform. The Globe is located at 11000 Beach Blvd. For more info, call (904) 997-2063. “A lot of people do end up getting up and dancing,” said Marshall, an employee at the Southside Aro- mas. “There’s not a whole lot of space for it, but they fi nd the room.” Strings of Fire also performs at the Ponte Vedra location on Tuesdays and Saturdays. leopard lounge and rain Aromas on the Southside is located at 4372 Southside Blvd., Suite 101. The Ponte Vedra location is at According to their websites, the Leopard Lounge and Rain, both located at 845 University Blvd N, have 880 A1A North, Suite 18-B. For more information call (904) 928-0515 (Southside) or (904) 280-2525 (Ponte two different Latin nights. Head to the Leopard Lounge on Thursdays for their Latin night and come back on Vedra) or visit their website at aromascigars.com. Fridays for Rain’s version. For more info, visit plushjax.com or call (904) 743-5272) café bolero twisted martini Many people I spoke to said that Café Bolero is the place to go if you’re looking for the best Latin nights in town. On top of serving amazing Cuban food at reasonable prices, the hot spot also has, not one, but two Another insanely popular Latin night can be found at Twisted Martini each Thursday. DJs spin the best Latin nights to choose from. If you’re in the mood for more contemporary music, the restaurant/ballroom of- Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Latin Disco while club goers enjoy authentic Latin libations and free Salsa fers Latin and American Top 40 each Friday night. Salsa night is Saturday, where you can hear live music and lessons from Pharcyde Dance Studio. Both the downtown and the new Ponte Vedra locations have “Hot Latin get some free dance lessons. Happy Hour is from 5 pm to 8 pm every night and the party doesn’t stop until 2 Nights” on Thursdays so be sure to give both a chance. am. Twisted Martini Downtown is located at 2 Independent Drive in the Jacksonville Landing. The Ponte Café Bolero is located at 8595 Beach Blvd. #318. For more information call (904) 641-3442 or visit Vedra location is at 822 N. Hwy. A1A at The Verandas. For more information call (904) 353-8454 or visit cafebolerojacksonville.com. thetwistedmartini.com.

22 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper traditional dancing how and where to cut the rug by hilary johnson

Dancing is a social tradition that has existed throughout time, always transforming and adapting to new cultures, but always maintaining. Since the cavemen and their dances around the fi re, people have used dancing as a form of expression, a means of celebration or mourning, and a physical way to experience the world around us. That tradition is no different today. Dancing is still a very large part of our culture. And while people are still dancing around fi res, just like our ancestors, we also have many more options available to us. Today, there are many different styles of professional dances that are out there for our learning pleasure. For children, dance lessons are easy to come by. In almost every neighborhood in town there is at least one dance studio, ready to pass out tutus and toe shoes. Just look in your local yellow pages under dance, and an over- whelming selection can be found, offering basic lessons in ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics and modern. It’s once we reach adulthood, inside our nine to fi ve days and families and bills and every other thing that fi lters out the rest of what we used to love, that we lose that love for dancing. Sure, we might still dance around the living room while we’re vacuuming, or at the occa- sional wedding, but most people lose their connection to this age-old tradition. For more of an Old Skool fl are, check out 57 Heaven, with special nights Wednesday through Satur- PHOTO BY GARY JONES But all hope is not lost. Outside the walls of our homes day. There you will fi nd everything from musical chairs to comedy skits, and even some free dance lessons and offi ces are endless opportunities to get back into the swing of things, literally. thrown in every Wednesday. A Social Affair Dance Studios offer a little something more in the way of adult dance lessons. They teach There are also a lot of options for those who are interested in showcasing the dance moves they’ve everything from the Samba to Swing to the Waltz and the Cha-Cha. ASA provides group lessons and private already learned. Cuba Libre is a great Latin club to do the Cha Cha, as well as the Twisted Martini in the lessons, and offer package deals for members that include a combination of both. They also host weekly Landing. 57 Heaven is good place to go for swing dancing. Dick’s Canteen hosts ballroom night on Tuesday Practice Party Sessions that are open to the public. evening and River City Brewery does ballroom dancing on Fridays. And these are just to name a few. “[The parties are] a very social evening,” says Carolyn Ignatz, an instructor at ASA. “Music plays all Club Savoy is a great place to go for those people who just like to boogie, but don’t like the bump and night and no one ever refuses a dance because we are all here to dance, but there is a very social side to it. grind of a nightclub. They have set rules in place to keep the environment all about the dancing, rules that We are all friends here.” The night is also used to make announcements about the studio, and to give custom- include No Womanizing, No Drunkards, and No Foul Language. ers a chance to show off their new moves in spotlight dances. On the fl ip side, Bourbon Street Station hosts fi ve unique bars in one easy location for those who like a There are also other places around town that offer dance lessons to adults, as well. It is possible to take little drink with their dance. Located on St. John’s Bluff, it has Crazy Horse Saloon for Country and Western a class or two at your child’s local dance school, but the options don’t end there. music, Mardi Gras for Hip Hop, Top 40 and House music, and Studio 80 and The Blue Room which feature Starting September 9, Tango Jax will begin hosting a Sunday Matinee Milonga at Avondale Dance Direc- live music, as well as visiting DJ’s. For those who like variety, this is your one stop shop. tions. Every Sunday at 5pm people can gather to get a free Tango lesson and then use their new moves im- Dancing affects everyone differently, but its benefi ts are endless. For some, it’s a form of self-expres- mediately after. sion. An impersonal work place may leave people feeling dull, uninspired and dancing is a great way to break free of the daily humdrum of life. For people who work in high intensity jobs, like surgeons or psychiatrists, it can be a great stress reliever. “Some fi nd it to be pretty much a life saver,” says Ignatz, of ASA’s students that have come to them with serious health conditions. “We also have a group of teenagers who fi nd it to be a great confi dence boost. It’s different for everyone, but everyone gains something from it.” With so many places around town to dust off your old kicks and get back on the dance fl oor, it’s about time to do so. It’s a great social outlet that lets you get your body back into a groove. It doesn’t matter how you move, just that you move. We’ve got the beat inside us. It’s time to let it out.

tango Bluff Rd on the Southside (904-641-8777) el rincon espanol restaurant club savoy (Wednesdays) 420 Kingsley Ave (904-215-6868) 6354 Arlington Rd. in Arlington (904-745-7725)

cafe spain in st. augustine (Thursdays) dance warehouse 193 San Marco Ave (904-823-8585) 365 Park St. in Brooklyn/Riverside (904-353-1748)

social dancing kaluby’s dance club Beaches (904-270-1020) or Southside (904-221- bourbon street station 1770 St. John’s 1331)

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 23 tiny dancer

dance classes for kids by kellie abrahamson My daughter has big dreams. When she grows up she wants to be a cheerlead- ing ballerina astronaut. And, of course, a princess. I fi gure it’s my job to help her achieve her goals, so, short of tracking down a royal family to marry my little girl off, I’ve been doing what I can to give her the skills to make some of those lofty dreams come true, beginning with her biggest obsession of the moment: dance.

choosing the right school With so many different dance schools to choose from in and around the Jacksonville area, selecting the right instructor for our family was a task all by itself. It’s important to do your homework before selecting a dance school. Choosing the wrong one can be like throwing your money right down the drain. Your child could walk away learning nothing and all you’ll have to show for it is a lighter wallet. Here are some tips on choosing the right dance school for your little ballerina:

CALL AROUND TO MULTIPLE STUDIOS- Never pick a school based on location or price alone. Because Jacksonville has literally hundreds of dance studios all around the city, you’re able to be choosy. Call multiple studios and interview them as you would a daycare or a nanny.

EXPERIENCE IS IMPORTANT- Even if your child is four-years old and just starting out, you want a teacher that’s been performing and teaching for a number of years, particularly with small children. The fi rst couple years lay the foundation of your child’s dance instruction and it’s very important to have someone with expe- rience in front of the classroom.

VISIT THE STUDIO- Before you pick a school, ask if you can tour the facility and observe a class. Getting a good look at the dance space and how the classes are taught will give you an idea of how serious the school is about your child’s dance instruction. If it’s a cramped space with concrete fl ooring (wood sprung fl ooring is best), your little one’s dance career may not be fi rst on the school’s mind.

MEET THE TEACHER- In addition to having dance experience, an instructor should also be personable and approachable. They should also have an interest in your child’s goals and interests. You and your little bal- lerina will be interacting with this person every week for nearly a year, so it’s important that everyone be comfortable with one another. area schools to consider As I mentioned, a Google search for “dance schools” in Jacksonville will get you nearly 700 hits, which can be a tad overwhelming. Here are just some of the great dance studios to consider when looking for an instructor for your child:

Mark Spivak’s Institute and Dance Smith helps children gain confi dence and learn Extension valuable life skills such as teamwork, respect for others, self-expression, music appreciation and the Locations: Mandarin- 3740 San Jose Place Fruit Cove- 445 N. State Road 13, Suite #13 exciting art of dance. Julington Creek- 106 Julington Creek Plaza Drive Orange Park- 1101 Blanding Blvd, Suite #118 Marta Jackson School of Dance Contact info: (904) 268-3583 or markspivak.com Location: 769-1 Blanding Blvd. Ages taught: 18 months to adult Contact info: (904) 272-2555 or mjsod.com Classes available: Creative Dance (18 month to 2 Ages taught: 2 years and up years), Ballet/Tap/Tumbling (3 to 4½ years), Ballet Classes available: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Hip- Beginning I-II, Intermediate and Advance (5 years and Hop, and Creative Movement (for toddlers) up), Pointe class and Ballet Variations (11 years and About: Marta Jackson has been teaching ballet for up with at least 3 to 5 years disciplined experience), nearly 50 years and the instructors at Marta Jackson Character Dance (9 years and up), Hip-Hop/Jazz (all School of Dance have plenty of experience too. The ages), Modern (9 years and up), Acrobatics (3 years studio has three spacious dance rooms with sprung and up), and Cheerdance (5 years and up) fl oors to reduce fatigue and prevent injuries. The About: Mark Spivak’s Institute and Dance Extension school also strives to keep class-sizes low so each was established in 1980 by Ukrainian-born profes- child gets plenty of attention and individual instruction. sional dancer Mark Spivak. The founder is a well- known Master Teacher and Choreographer and has Little Dancing Stars been a guest teacher for prestigious ballet companies Location: Preschools around the city around the country. Contact info: 655-8283 or littledancingstars.com Ages taught: 3 years to 6 years Mazza Smith Studio of Performing Arts Classes available: Beginning Ballet and Tap Location: 4150 Herschel St About: Little Dancing Stars is a mobile dance compa- Contact info: (904) 388-4838 mazzasmithdance.com ny that started in 1997. Instead of having to fi t dance Ages taught: 3 years and up into your schedule, this unique studio comes to your Classes available: Ballet, Tap, Jazz and rhythm and child’s day care or preschool (if your child happens to movement go to one of the 26 schools they Little Dancing Stars About: Focusing on relationships and character- services). Each teacher has years of dance experience building, as well as rhythm and movement, Mazza and is trained to make lessons fun for their students.

24 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper getting the band live music shows calendar THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 together by hilary johnson and jon bosworth Pianist Tim Nold Seawalk Hotel, Jax Beach (249-9981) Open Mic w/Colleen Murphy Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) Putting together a band is something that nearly everyone thinks about, even those of us who can’t play 13th Stone Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) an instrument. But there is something inside a song that is glamorous, enticing and hard to resist, even Chuck Nash My Place, Jax (737-5299) if it is just a daydream. For many people, though, that dream attempts to wake up and become a part Big Engine Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) of daily life. When that happens, it’s important to know there is more to it than just buying a guitar and Open Mic w/Krank Shaft Overtime Sports Bar, Jax (786-5466) learning some chords. Putting a band together requires a lot of hard work, patience, and a malleable Mike Sweet & Friends Kingshead Pub, St. Augustine vision. Park Street Band Ragusa, Jax (443-7888) Korby Lenker European Street, Jax (399-1740) the idea: It all starts with the itch to make some group of random musicians becomes a band. A music that kicks in motion the creation of a band. It practice space is also necessary, of which there are Steve Plays Too Loud London Bridge, Jax (359-0001) might start small, with a simple guitar lick that just many around town. Stay Tuned Studios and Sunburst Sidewalk 65 The Twisted Martini, Ponte Vedra Beach felt right. Or, it could be an entire song or string of Studios are both good places to start. There is also Sweet Little Ditty Spare Time, Jax Beach (246-8099) songs that just need a few more people for fl eshing nothing wrong with starting on a couple of acoustic out. Whatever the case, it starts with the music. Only guitars in a quiet room, but if you want to rock, you Early McCall The Surf, Fernandina then do the musicians come. But don’t undertake will need to fi nd a place where you can rock loud Mariachi Guadalajara Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) this lofty dream just because you hope to one day during rehearsal. Boogie Freaks Square One, Jax (306-9004) trash hotel rooms, because forming a band is more David Milam Shannon’s Irish Pub, Green Cove painful than building a relationship with a mate. the show: There are two important things to Springs (230-9670) Imagine having three girlfriends/boyfriends. Only take remember about touring. 1) Know what you are do- this task on if there is a song or a type of music that ing. “No one likes to see a band stumble through a Skin & Bonz The Plaza, St. Augustine you think the world is in dire need of and you are in a set, with all those long pauses in between songs,” MySpace and give out at shows. If you go into a Wes Cobb Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) unique position to provide it. The last thing any mu- says Long. “You don’t look cool until you look confi - recording session with an objective of recording ten Adrian Belew Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) sic scene needs is another trite rip-off band. dent.” And 2) Remember who is at the microphone. songs, you will be broke and have ten half-assed Cornerstone The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) “Don’t forget that your band is only as good as your songs. Spend fi ve times the effort on two songs and the band: “Usually it’s best not to force things,” singer,” says Long. “That’s what most people key in they will represent you better. Ron Rodriguez Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) says Justin Long, a local musician and producer on. Everything else will work itself out.” Otherwise, 3 Eddie Bahamas, Jax Beach (241-3138) who has worked with many major label artists, as it’s important to fi nd places with line-ups that usu- the deal: If you’re lucky, likable, and at least Chuck Nash Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) well as being signed to Atlantic himself. “Let the right ally refl ect your band’s sound, and with a crowd that decent musicians, there’s a chance for a real re- people come together organically and you’ll all be matches your main audience. It’s probably safe to cord deal. Striking gold and becoming a rockstar Little Green Men West Inn Cantina, Jax (389-1131) happier later. Chemistry is really important.” say that if you would go there yourself, your band is unlikely at best, but it does happen, even here in Freeze Frame Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Although many great bands started by re- will probably fi t its description Jacksonville. From Lynyrd Skynyrd to Limp Bizkit, Mr. Natural Whitey’s Fish Camp, Orange Park (269-4198) sponding to a fl yer on a music store wall, the best with Yellowcard, Shinedown and Red Jumpsuit Ap- Target X Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) way is to work within the circles you already know. the record: It’s important to have a record so paratus, rockstars spring from the city’s lifeblood Who likes similar music as you? Do they play an that when you play a show, the audience can take all the time. These days, in the MySpace era, many Those Guys The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-3424) instrument? Do they know some musicians that you home with them. Otherwise, they might just bands make it to the big time without a label. Like The Committee Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Nate Ruess of The Format told EU, “Labels and ma- will be interested in your idea? Post for your dream forget all about you. In order to make an album you Matt Collins Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) player on Craigslist or MySpace. “Drummer Needed: need a studio and, if you’re smart, a producer. Not jor radio are so 1998.” Hardcore rock band. Must wear lots of black and only can a producer help develop a band’s sound, Scott Kirby Kingfi sh Grille, St. Augustine (824-2111) rock extremely hard.” If you have to go this anony- but it can also offer some great opportunities and the product: Remember, once the band leaves Neil Freestone A1A Aleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977) mous route, it’s best to utilize the places you go to connections. “Get a good producer into your career the bedroom, and that little nugget of an idea be- Duval Boyz TSI, Jax (635-3024) see or buy the music you love and fi nd people there. as young as you possibly can,” says producer Scott comes reality, the music leaves the realm of simple Big Engine Box Seats, Jax (908-7328) Fravala, owner of Vision Sounds, one of Jackson- organized sounds and becomes a product. “The the practice: Once the band has been selected, ville’s recording studios. “It will open up your career. band is a product that is meant to be bought and Steve Wheeler Band Jerry’s, Jax (220-6766) it’s time to practice. And there must be something to Being around successful people will make you suc- sold,” says Fravala. “And that is what is called the Offi cer Flossie Sante Fe Community College, Gainesville practice during practice, so songs must be written, cessful in some way.” music business.” Once you have a song that every- Scott Kirby Kingfi sh Grill, St. Augustine parts must be determined, a groove established. But don’t get ahead of yourself. Start by one loves to have on their iPod, you’re well on your This is when the magic happens. This is when the recording one or maybe two songs to post on way to trashing that hotel room. Str8 Up Ragtime Tavern, Neptune Beach (241-7877) Stu Weaver D.S. Kennedy Coffee, Jax De Lions of Jah Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) and split the monthly rent. Check out commercial rental space too, often that will be free of com- Rough Mix Blues Frisky Mermaid, Fernandina (261-3300) get your band a practice space plaining neighbors. If you can’t fi nd anything that is just right, THURSDAY-FRIDAY, AUG. 23-24 Sure, you could go storage-unit-to-stor- fee. Stay Tuned is located near the Avenues Mall at everyone in the band can pitch in to soundproof Von Barlow’s Jazz Journey Springfi eld Station, Jax age-unit trying to convince them that you won’t be 5570 Florida Mining Blvd. South, Unit 105. Call them the spare room in a member’s house, or solicit practicing there, just storing your band equipment, at (904) 292-9997 or visit staytunedstudios.com for your biggest fan to use that extra room. but eventually you will want to be a serious enough more details. The bottom line is that your band needs a FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 band that you don’t have to lie to storage unit man- When you’re done dealing with the bad acous- practice space to make serious music. Although it Nate Holley Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) agers or answer the door to police every time your tics of a garage and ready to get serious, you need sometimes seems like it, it is not illegal to play mu- band wants to practice. That’s why professional to get a real rehearsal space. Stay Tuned might not sic and rehearsing at a realistic live volume makes Ron Rodriguez & the Repeat Offenders Latitudes, Jax Beach (247-6606) bands rent studio space. On Saturday, August 25th, work for every band, since often the sound of the all of the difference when it comes to your actual Stay Tuned Studios is opening their doors precisely band comes from the equipment you use. There are performance, so expect to invest money in a space The Wobbly Toms The British Pub, St. Augustine for bands like yours. Stay Tuned has their studios less conventional opportunities. Go on Craig’s List that can accommodate your band. Use gig money Rick Arcusa Band The Landing, Jax setup so that your band can come in, plug into (jacksonville.craigslist.org) for a practice space. Rent to pay for the space or just split it among the band Julie Durden Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) their equipment and practice for a by-the-hour a garage apartment with another band (one you trust) members, but consider this a real expense. 2 Tymin Spare Time, Jax Beach (246-8099)

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 25 Spacebar Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) Linda Cole Casa Monica, St. Augustine Tony Novelly The Surf, Fernandina songwriter Gutterboy Brewsters Pub, Jax (223-9850) Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine (824-9317) Blistur The Landing, Jax extraordinaire Jager Dave On the Rocks, Jax (685-5268) David Milam Shannon’s Irish Pub, Green Cove Springs Chelsea Saddler at European Street Crystal Bessels Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) Yankee Slickers West Inn, Jax (389-1131) Matt Collins Pauly’s Pizza, Jax (727-9101) BY RICK GRANT [email protected] Ambitions Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) Last Thursday, Chelsea Saddler showcased carry on his legacy. Bound Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) songs from her debut CD, A Good Woman, at Eu- I was excited to ropean Street as part of the Songwriting Circle with fi nally witness Chelsea Dolt Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) Larry Mangum and John Longbottom. It was also perform live. From her Bayonette Shanty Town, Jax Chelsea’s 21st birthday. Before this momentous gig, fi rst song, she exceeded A Loss For Words Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) I was deluged with emails from musicians proclaim- my expectations. Chelsea ing Chelsea possessed an extraordinary songwriting is an old soul trapped in Sidewalk 65 Village Square Gazebo, Orange Park talent. This unusual praise was coming from song- a young body. Her songs General Tso’s Fury Café Nexus, Fernandina writers I respect and who rarely extol their peers. It are concise, emotionally The Impediments Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) was a love-fest that symbolically anointed Chelsea deep chronicles of her Tresa Jordan Ravine Gardens, Palatka the second coming of Joni Mitchell – the queen of life and experiences set women songwriters past and present. to catchy melodic struc- Freeze Frame Aromas, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-2525) Grizzled troubadour John Longbottom has tures. Her mature insight Southbound Trucker GQ’s, Jax played with the all-time greats of folk, including into life far exceeds her age. Although she is only Chelsea lays bare her soul, which catches the audi- Antartic Yesterdays, Jax (387-0502) Pete Seeger, Steven Stills, Don Williams and many 21, her spirit is on the fast track to enlightenment. ence off-guard in a moment of stunning honesty. bluegrass bands. John teamed up with Paul Martin More signifi cantly, Chelsea’s raw talent at writ- Her other work is equally engaging. Too Many Shoes Chicago Pizza, St. Augustine from the Ferrymen, a wildly popular East Coast ing songs that exactly express the mood and tone Recently, I talked to Chelsea about her musical Getcha Pull Fusion, St. Augustine (829-8333) Irish duo. As I found out, John is a witty and en- of her lyrical poetry is uncanny. Rarely does a talent career, which is just getting off the launch pad. Re- Wes Cobb Band Twisted Sisters, Jax Beach (241-6453) gaging performer who shows advanced chops on like Chelsea come along. Looking back over the markably, though, after witnessing Chelsea perform Str8 Up Lillians, Jax (388-4220) acoustic guitar. He has a thousand funny stories to years, she could be compared to Joni Mitchell or live, she came off like a seasoned pro. go with his thousand original songs. John’s songs Carol King, who have the knack for writing memo- “I’ve been writing songs since I was a girl, Flying South Michelle’s, Jax (353-0002) are indeed eclectic, from his Irish folk infl uences to rable songs that express joy, sorrow, love, betrayal, since my dad was a musician. I write what I know. Falling Bones Pizza Garden, St. Augustine his hokey stories of living in a small town in Ohio. and even moral turpitude without waxing gushingly In other words, I write about experiences I’ve been Battle of the Bands Murray Hill Theatre, Jax (388-7807) Indeed, John is an entertaining artist who knows his sentimental. As an interesting paradox, Chelsea’s through, so all my songs are personal. I guess you way around his guitar neck and his massive Ovation songs bring out her mature spirit, yet when she could say it’s an ongoing musical journey. Up until 12 & 6 string double-neck. speaks she comes across as age-appropriate. the CD release showcase at European Street, I had FRIDAY-SATURDAY, AUG. 24-25 Of course, Larry Mangum is an established Clearly, she was in awe of her stage partners, Larry been playing open mic nights and private events to Red River Band Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine regional folk artist whose songs are well known Mangum and John Longbottom. Remember, she is get some playing-out experience. I’ve been lucky to (829-9336) among Florida folk scene devotees. His tribute to just getting started as a professional singer/song- meet such esteemed singer/songwriters as Larry Sugar Bear Mercury Moon, Orange Park (215-8999) Gamble Rogers is one of his most popular hits with writer, so she has many years of creativity ahead of Mangum and John Longbottom, who have helped fans. I’ve been Larry’s friend for twenty-fi ve years, her. me to get my name out and line up some profes- Token Blonde Roadhouse, Orange Park (264-0611) and his exceptional songwriting talent has grown Although there have been many famous songs sional gigs,” Chelsea said. Pili Pili Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) exponentially. Today, Larry is a poised and accom- written about cocaine–pro and con, Chelsea’s Indeed, I was fortunate to witness this exem- Mr. Beam A1A Aleworks, St. Augustine (829-2977) plished artist who knows how to work an audience. haunting ballad sent shivers up my spine. It may be plary talent at the European Street in San Marco and A1A North Tailgaters, Green Cove Springs (529-1976) Since his idol, Gamble Rogers, died in 1991, Larry the most poignant drug song ever written because I look forward to seeing Chelsea’s exceptional talent is one of Gamble’s few disciples who is worthy to of its subtlety and insight. In presenting this song, propel her to great heights. Ghostrider Monkey’s Uncle, Mandarin (260-1349) Mr. Natural Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Dueling Pianos Dick’s Wings/Tinseltown, Jax Skytrain New Neighborhood Tavern, Jax (721-5087) Ryan Hamner The Grape, Jax (642-7111) Yancy Clegg Seven Bridges, Jax (997-1999) Rip Tide w/Brian Turner Cliff’s, Jax Beach (249-2777) Roger That Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) Boogie Freaks Ragtime Tavern, Neptune Beach (241-7877) Busted & Confused Casey’s Hideaway, Yulee Out of Hand Square One, Jax (306-9004) Quest Players Grille, Orange Park (264-4633) Ron Perry Castaways, Mayport Big Al & the Kaholics Cheers, Mandarin (262-4337) BayStreet Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Spade McQuade Fly’s Tie, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) Box 543 Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (249-9595) Bush Doctors Kingfi sh Grill, St. Augustine

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 Stay Tuned Studios Grand Opening Florida Mining

26 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper Blvd., Jax (292-9997) The Flow, Sadly Mistaken, C5, Blistur the swamp fox Little River Band The Landing, Jax Michael Burks Mojo Kitchen, Jax Beach (247-6636) Robby Schenck Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) interview with Tony Joe White Anastasia Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) Von Barlow’s Jazz Journey Shanty Town, Jax BY JON BOSWORTH [email protected] Gary Keniston The Surf, Fernandina WHAT: Blackwater Sol Revue TJW: Through the years, I have great Poncho Villa & the Banditos Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) WHERE: St. Augustine Ampitheatre fans in America and a good crowd I The Blue Sonics Frisky Mermaid, Fernandina (261-3300) WHEN: Sunday, September 2nd like to play for here, but my biggest “The last time [a hurricane] took everybody crowds are in Australia and France. Murphy & Murphy Pizza Garden, St. Augustine out in Mississippi, they had predicted that it would Over there you get a lot more airplay, Goliath Casa Monica, St. Augustine go straight, but it turned like an ‘L.’ It’s just like a you know? Over here they pretty well Simple Complexity Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) wild horse out there, it’s gonna do what it’s gonna stick with the top forty and the fl avor The Paradise Band Twisted Martini, Ponte Vedra do.” of the week. Most radio over there Beach (280-8810) From the moment you hear the deep, boom- just plays free, so people get to hear ing drawl of Tony Joe White’s voice, you know he’s you and they stick with you. Wishing Chair Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) always been a singer and the South courses through Menna Brenno Brewsters Pit, Jax (223-9850) his veins. As a man from Louisiana talking to a EU: What is it about the South that someway that I could fi nd people like me that got Strings of Fire Jimadores, Jax (739-5828) Florida boy while there’s a hurricane in the Gulf of the rest of the world needs to know? clutched up in that whole thing in the early days. Sly Poonce Brewsters, Jax (223-9850) Mexico, talking weather isn’t just a way to pass the TJW: (Laughing) Oh God, I don’t know. Everybody I see people right now doing the same thing. Ain’t time, it’s a serious topic. needs to know right now it’s not a good spot to Mike Sweet & Friends Mi Casa Café, St. Augustine nothing you can do until they learn the ropes and get (824-9317) Not many living musicians can claim success be when it’s a 104 degrees (laughing), but people their own thing going. My thing was that I happened Payton Page Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) that strings from the 1960s into contemporary cul- should know there’s good food, good music, and to write some good songs that, through the years, let ture. Tony Joe White is an anomaly in that regard. it’s not nearly like it was back in the early days. me fi nancially drop off on my own like that. Stu Weaver Harry’s, Jax Beach (247-8855) Before the Stones ever even hit American soil, the Back when things were really rough and dangerous. Tony Smotherman Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) Swamp Fox was making waves that reached all the It got a pretty heavy rap at one time, but I think it’s Tony Joe White will be performing a number way to France. pretty alright right now, if they can keep dodging the Open Mic w/Larry Broussard St. Johns Pizza Grill, of his legendary songs as well some of his newest Jax (287-9900) Elvis Presley recorded White’s song ‘Polk Salad storms. work on the brand new stage at the St. Augustine Cain Was Able Spare Time, Jax Beach (246-8099) Annie’ and the legendary Brook Benton made ‘Rainy Amphitheatre during the Blackwater Sol Revue con- Night in Georgia’ an enormous hit. Since that 1969 EU: Wikipedia says you started Swamp Records to cert on Labor Day weekend. Joining Tony Joe White hit, ‘Rainy Night’ has been covered more than 120 be able to produce your own music your way. What are Los Lobos, JJ Grey and Mofro and several other SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 times by artists, including Ray Charles. And that’s way is that? great musicians. “I’m looking forward to getting Those Guys Sunset Grill, St. Augustine (471-5555) just a start. Tony Joe White has worked with art- TJW: I’ve had this studio about fi fteen years, so on down there. Keep it cool and I’ll see you soon.” ists that range from Jerry Lee Lewis to Tina Turner. it’s all analog, reel to reel, and good old equipment Dan Shepherd Harpoon Louie’s, Jax (389-5631) Read the entire interview at eujacksonville.com. Southern Culture on the Skids gave him a nod on a with good tones. Jody, my son, and I, we just both Feel the Love The Landing, Jax recent album and then Tony Joe White returned the always liked a particular sound. Through the early Normal Town Ragtime Tavern, Atlantic Beach favor in his song ‘Gumbo John’ from the record One years I got tired of dealing with record companies. Hot July. EU caught up with Tony Joe White at his You’d go in and cut an album and feel really great 3 Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune home in Franklin, Tennessee, to talk with him about about it and you’re ready to get out and rock and Beach (241-8221) his infl uence on music and the infl uence music has a year goes past and they go “Oh, we’re going to Michael Funge Culhane’s Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach had on him. release it in two more weeks.” Two more months go (249-9595) by and your music is just completely at the mercy Southbound Michelle’s, Jax (353-0002) of people who run things like its McDonald’s. Boxed EU: What is a Swamp Fox? A1A North Fast Boys, Jax Beach Tony Joe White: It started back in Paris, France, burgers, you know? So to be able to write through- with the fi rst hit record I had over there; it was called out the years and get ahead of it, I consider myself Blistur The Sandollar, Jax (251-3001) Soul Francisco. Because of my guitar playing and real lucky. Especially having a son that can do a Bloodjiin Thee Imperial, Jax (475-0488) being from Louisiana they started calling it Swamp website and all that and these great studios where Tarik Hassan Sahara Café, Jax Rock and started calling me Swamp Fox, so it kinda’ I can go in there tonight and turn it all on and there kicked off over there and came back over here when ain’t nobody looking over my shoulder. I can get in David Milam Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) ‘Polk Salad Annie’ made it here, and that just kinda’ and out and when we’re through, we’ll be through. Pili Pili Ocean Club, Jax Beach (242-8884) furthered the thing. It’s a pretty cool name. Jimmy Parrish Carib Key, Jax Beach (270-8940) EU: Do you think the Internet will put the music The Hiss Jack Rabbits, Jax (398-7496) EU: Are you as appreciated stateside as you are industry in its place? overseas? TJW: (Laughing) I wish it would. I wish there was Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) Spade McQuade Fionn Maccool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) Soulo Kingfi sh Grill, St. Augustine 3rd Bass The Casbah, Jax (981-9966) El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) Busted & Confused Pastime Pub, Jax Douglas Campbell Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) Jan Crawford & Friends Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775)

MONDAY, AUGUST 27 Joey Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Charlie Walker Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) Sam Pacetti The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) Lary Smith Harmonious Monks, Jax (886-3040) Stevie ‘Fingers’ The Surf, Fernandina Band of Destiny Square One, Jax (306-9004)

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 27 Steve Wheeler Band Tastings, Jax PHOTO BY PIPER FERGUSON JV: No, I don’t think it’s necessarily good or bad to be an egotist. I was fl ying the other day and there Out of Hand My Place, Jax (737-5299) was a really good interview with Larry David, and I Battle for Planetfest Jack Rabbits, Jax (98-7496) am a very big fan of him and his show, and I really Nolan Neal Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) can’t think of a more egocentric show than Curb Stu Weaver Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) Your Enthusiasm. It is, by his own admission, about who his character is and who he is and it is, in some ways, a justifi cation for his behavior and his quirks TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 as a person, so it’s a monumental construct all Billy & Vinnie Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune around. The thing with art and making things is that Beach (241-8221) anything can add value or take away value. For in- Matanzas Trade Winds Lounge, St. Augustine (829-8646) stance, talking about Dylan, that is some of the most prideful and egocentric music you will ever hear. An Christina Wagner & Friends Mark’s Downtown, Jax album like or (355-5099) Highway 61 Bringing It All back Home or especially Blonde on Blonde, he is cataloging the Blistur Rivers Edge, Fernandina slights that have been made against him in every Will Pearsall The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) song and responding with vitriol. And that really Richard Stratton The Surf, Fernandina makes for a good record. Ron Perry Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) EU: Does making your music accessible online Dave Massey Kickback’s, Jax (388-9551) affect record sales? Those Guys Hurricane Patty’s, St. Augustine (827-1822) JV: No, I would say, just from my own evidence gathering, that the more people that know about you Scenic Void Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) jacksonville’s own latchkey the more people buy your record. It’s helped me that Ron Perry Fionn MacCool’s, Jax Beach (242-9499) I’ve always tried to make albums. I work really hard Matt Still Caribbee Key, Neptune Beach (270-8940) at making albums that I feel are a coherent sort of Debra Rider Latitudes, Jax Beach (247-6606) statement, as far as I was concerned. I’ve always kid judges your dance moves believed in the pacing and digestibility of a nine-to- Out of Hand Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach twelve-song album. I think that that really helps you. Bill Rice Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) I think that if you’re into singles it can be really really Mystic Dino Lynch’s, Jax Beach (249-5181) interview with John Vanderslice different. I think that those bands that make singles have had a big drop in sales. Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax BY JON BOSWORTH [email protected] Ocean Waves The Oasis, St. Augustine (471-2451) EU: What do you miss about Jacksonville the Jimmy Solari My Place, Jax (737-5299) WHAT: 5th Anniversary Dance Party with John Although he lives in San Francisco, he is actu- most? Seth Ramsdill Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach Vanderslice ally a Florida boy. He was born in Gainesville and JV: I would say the beach. I really really miss the (246-4293) WHERE: Café 11 spent many of his formative years in Jacksonville. Atlantic Ocean. I live in San Francisco and it is beau- th When he comes to St. Augustine to play at Café tiful here, but the Pacifi c Ocean is very very cold and Ron Perry Harry’s, St. Augustine (824-7765) WHEN: Wednesday, September 5 11, he will be judging a dance competition that will you can’t swim in it. I mean, I miss my childhood. I El Toro Loco Square One, Jax (306-9004) Although John Vanderslice does not claim to include a new dance from St. Augustine’s premiere miss going to movies in Regency. It was a profound write dance music, he is playing the anniversary dance troupe TNT Dance. EU caught up with John at experience going to those matinees. TUESDAY-WED., AUGUST 28-29 show at Café 11 on their dance party night. He is his home to learn more about his music and his ego. EU: Did you go to the theatre in the mall or the not actually a Dance Dance Revolution champion, United Artist theatre that was around the corner? Gene Nordan Mackenzie’s, Ponte Vedra (543-9143) as the Café 11 website supposes, but he does admit EU: You are originally from Florida, do you still JV: Yeah, it was the really cheap one outside of the that the lack of dance-ability is a shortcoming of his have family here? mall. I think we must have had summer passes that WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 music. John Vanderslice: Well, yeah, I defi nitely have a lot were really cheap. I went there all the time. That was “I listen to a lot of hip-hop and I would love of relatives there. I lived for 8 years in Jacksonville really really important to me. But the beach was re- Mr. Beam Casa Marina, Jax Beach (270-0025) for it to be danceable, but probably only a few times in Regency Lake Apartments on Monument Drive, I ally key. My Mom took us to the beach every week- Dave Massey My Place, Jax (737-5299) have we been successful at making a danceable don’t know if those are still there. end and I really have great memories of that. Rip Tide w/Brian Turner Eddie Bahamas, Jax Beach song.” EU: They are. (241-3138) Vanderslice’s music is vaguely political, deeply JV: I kind of grew up in the mall, you know, I was EU: Are you qualifi ed to judge a dance contest? FunKtion Brix, Jax Beach personal, and often based on fabricated stories, as is kind of a latchkey kid. My parents got divorced JV: Oh yeah. Defi nitely. I’ve been talking to the Air the case with many great musicians in his genre. His when I was real young. I’m not sure if that area is Guitar Hero people about being a judge for the air Wes Cobb Band Square One, Jax (306-9004) genre being something elusive that is most closely nice now, but it defi nitely wasn’t then. I’m seriously guitar championship too. Maybe I’ll have a second Elisabeth Williamson Creekside Dinery, St. compared to a Bob Dylan or, in more contemporary Florida. career as a judge. Augustine (829-6113) terms, Mason Jennings. He is often called “indie,” JW Gilmore The Pier, St. Augustine but what non-categorical artist isn’t these days? EU: You play under your own name, you are on the Catch John Vanderslice live at Café 11 for th th Stu Weaver The Mill Top, St. Augustine (829-2329) Before going solo he was the front man for mk Ultra, cover of your own album and most of your songs their 5 anniversary dance party on September 5 . which was named after an alleged CIA mind-control Rock out with John and stick around for the dance A Cursive Memory Fuel, Jax (425-3825) are narrated from a fi rst-person perspective. Why experiment. When he went solo he tried to start a is that? party that he hosts after the set. To read what John Eric Dawkins Mellow Mushroom, Jax (997-1955) public fi ght with Bill Gates to promote his new gig. JV: Because I’m a total egotists (Laughing). Vanderslice says about some of the songs on his Jesse & Leaa Cortesses, St. Augustine (825-6775) Nowadays he runs an analog studio in San Fran EU: Is there a line between honest and ego-cen- new album, anti-folk and Bill Gates, read the entire Jodies Fiasco Castillo de Mexico, Jax called Tiny Telephone. tric? interview at eujacksonville.com. Rebecca Zapen The Casbah, Jax Soulo Urban Flats, Ponte Vedra Beach (280-5515) teryear, Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri, played Spartan impossible to watch this performance without The Mike Miller Band St. Nick’s Lounge, Jax (396-3396) Cheerleaders that weren’t offi cially on the squad but laughing hysterically. It is currently my favorite tnt dance choreographed their own dances to the traditional YouTube video to share with friends, fi nally re- El Toro Loco Aromas, Ponte Vedra (280-2525) st. augustine’s dance troupe dance troupe songs, such as C&C Music Factory’s placing the Flight of the Conchords offerings. Chuck Nash Sun Dog Steak & Seafood, Neptune ‘Everybody Dance Now.’ In a similar tradition, TNT Go to YouTube (www.youtube.com) and Beach (241-8221) Get ready to laugh in a way you haven’t Dance is a group of young adults from St. Augustine search TNT Dance. It is the fi rst return you will Sidewalk 65 Latitudes, Jax Beach (247-6606) since high school. Remember dance troupes? I that choreographed their own dance to the C&C Mu- get. But this is only a hilarious preview. Rumor Pili Pili Fly’s Tie Irish Pub, Atlantic Beach (246-4293) don’t know if it still goes on, but when I was in sic Factory hit and performed it in St. Augustine. has it that TNT Dance has been diligently working high school, football pep rallies always included To convey the humor of this endeavor in print on their next performance and will debut it at the Dave Massey My Place Bar & Grill, Jax (737-5299) football teams, silly sketches that encouraged is diffi cult to say the least, and far be it from me Café 11 5th Anniversary Dance Party with John Static X Freebird Live, Jax Beach (246-2473) “just saying no,” cheerleaders and a dance to assume that these dancers aren’t serious. Their Vanderslice on September 5th. Bring your video troupe. moves are red hot and some of the dancers are even camera, it is sure to be just as impressive as it is Saturday Night Live cast members of yes- skilled gymnasts, but I will say that it is absolutely hilarious. Something you can chuckle at for days.

28 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper upcoming shows blue man group Everybodyfi elds Aug. 30, European Street, 399-1740 Bucky Covington Aug. 30, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Stone Sour August 31, Plush, 743-1845 Musiq Soulchild Aug. 31, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 comes to orlando SpaceBop & Weed Blade Aug. 31, Club TSI, 424-3531 Shirley Caesar and The Williams Brothers Sept. 1, BY DICK KEREKES [email protected] Jacksonville Veterans Arena, 630-3900 Willie Green CD Release Show Sept. 1, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 One of the most unique shows I have ever seen is moved along, over and Blackwater Sol Revue w/JJ Grey & MOFRO, Los Lobos, Tony arrived in April at Universal Studios in Orlando. I by everyone, winding up in Joe White, The Legendary JC’s and The Lee Boys September had missed seeing “Blue Man Group” in Las Vegas gigantic piles in the fi rst 10 2, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, www.blackwatersolrevue.com. a couple of months ago, so I was excited to learn rows. Lee Boys Sept. 2, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 it was coming. I had heard so much about it from The Blue Man Group Poison w/Ratt and Vains of Jenna Sept 2, Jacksonville Arena, 630-3900 other theatre critics who saw it at our annual Ameri- started in the l980s on the The Rentals & Copeland Sept.2, Freebird Live, 246-2473 can Theatre Critics Convention. streets of New York, created Teddy Washington Follies Sept. 7, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 I know many readers have seen the commer- by Chris Wink, Phil Stanton cials for this group and wonder, “What is the Blue and Matt Goldman. Their Sarah Geronimo In Motion Sept. 7, Times Union Center, 353-3309 Man Group?” It is an hour and forty-fi ve minutes of popularity led to a full-length Lennon Sept. 7, Freebird Live, 246-2473 continuous, unusual entertainment performed by show that is still running off John Ralston, Kevin Divine Sept. 9, TSI, 424-3531 three mute and bald men with bright blue heads. It is Broadway. Blue Man Group Dave Matthews Band Sep 11, O’Connell Center, Gainesville, high-tech, vaudeville-type performance art. shows are now in Chicago, FL, (352) 392-1653 The group performs bizarre skits, between Boston, and New York. The Valencia Sept. 15, Fuel Coffeehouse playing drums drenched in colorful paint, with the Orlando show has been very Uncle Johns Band (Grateful Dead Tribute) Sept. 16, Freebird Live Blue Men wearing welding helmets. The three guys successful. I went to the 6 John Vanderslice Sept. 18, Café 11, 469-9311 are talented percussionists and play an assortment pm Saturday show and was Sept. 21, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 of PVC piping accompanied by a four-piece band, surprised at how many from Bruce Bruce all dressed in dayglow clothing while perched high the crowd were repeat visi- Queens of the Stone Age Sept. 21, Plush, 743-1845 above either side of the stage. tors. It is the kind of show Culture Sept. 21, Freebird Live, 246-2473 The Blue Men display an amazing ability to that, if you enjoyed it, you The Courtneys Sept. 21, Club TSI catch things in their mouth. One throws paint balls just can‘t wait to take your Atreyu Sept. 28, Plush, 743-1845 across the stage to another who catches them in his friends and relatives so they Strung Out Sept. 29, Freebird Live, 246-2473 mouth and then squirts them on a canvas to create a can share the fun. I would Unearth Sept. 30, Freebird Live, 246-2473 very interesting art piece. love to see it again. The Blue Men somewhat resemble aliens, and Although it is in Fusebox Funk Oct. 5, Freebird Live, 246-2473 perhaps for this reason they never talk, never smile, Universal, you can attend Angie Stone Oct. 6, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 but have a deadpan expression as they explore without purchasing park Boys Like Girls Oct. 6, Freebird Live, 246-2473 worlds new to them, like eating Twinkies with a fork. tickets since the entrance Bonde Do Role Oct. 10, TSI, 424-3531 I listened to an album of their music as I drove is right off the free City Walk attraction at the park’s Sinbad October 12, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 down to Orlando. It was interesting to listen to, but entrance. You can take the kids; it will be like a giant Thee Crucials Oct. 12, Club TSI, 424-3531 I appreciated it much more coming back to Jack- cartoon for them. October 13, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 sonville, when I could recreate in my head what was After the show the Blue Men and the band Clint Black happening with the music. came in to the lobby. No, they don’t talk. They con- Michael Franti & Spearhead Oct. 13, Freebird Live, 246-2473 The fi rst several rows in the theatre reminded tinue to remain anonymous but will graciously pose John Gorka October 13, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 me of a Gallagher show, as it is the splash zone for pictures. Gregg Allman Oct. 14, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 and patrons are given plastic material to protect Want more information? Go to blueman.com Dennis DeYoung Oct. 19, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 them from fl ying food and water. Sometime after the and you’ll fi nd all the performance times and dates. Acoustic Alchemy Oct. 23, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 midpoint of the show, the audience is showered with Don’t miss this extraordinary show, which won’t Oct. 23, Freebird Live, 246-2473 a fl ash fl ood of crepe paper and toilet paper, which leave you feeling blue at all. The Samples MagnoliaFest with Toots & The Maytals, Donna the Buffalo, Railroad Earth, The Duhks, Bobby Lee Rodgers Band and more October 25–28, Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak, Florida, www.magmusic.com Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Edgar Meyer Oct. 26, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Nada Surf, Sea Wolf October 27, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 Monotonix Oct. 28, Club TSI, 424-3531 Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit, Emily Lacy October 30, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 Reverend Horton Heat/Hank Williams III Nov. 1, Freebird Live, 246-2473 David Bazan Nov. 6, Cafe Eleven, 469-9311 Dan Zanes Nov. 10, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Nickel Creek Nov. 12, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Slightly Stoopid Nov. 15, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Zoso Nov. 24, Freebird Live, 246-2473 Wynonna Nov. 30, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Jethro Tull Dec.11, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Johnny Winter Dec. 14, Freebird Live, 246-2473

JUST ANNOUNCED Kings of Leon Oct. 30, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Ben Harper Nov. 1, Florida Theatre, 355-2787 Tallyrand Music Festival W/Spoon, Keller Williams, The Bravery, Pepper, Against Me!, The Polyphonic Spress, Rooney and more Nov. 10, Metro Park

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 29 last little life album review

Artist: The Rentals Title: Last Little Life EP Release Date: 08.14.07 Label: Boompa Performing: Sept. 2, Freebird 246-2473 The Rentals fi rst woke us up out of our stagnant grunge howls in 1995 with their infectious single Friends of P. Their debut album, The Return of the Rentals, was fi lled with synthesizer-fueled, sing-along anthems. After 8 years of inactivity, The Rentals have released The Last Little Life EP. It is a bit curious that, after such a long lull, their creative output only yielded 5 songs, but most really good albums only have 4 to 5 really strong tracks. Last Little Life is solid and engaging from beginning to end. They’ve kept the familiar blueprint of synthesizers, lush soundscapes, and dueling male and female vocals – all the things that make their music so enjoyable – the big difference is in the general feel and presentation of the songs. Where songs from the fi rst album had a slight tinge of novelty, the new EP features gorgeously layered songs with more exploratory instrumentation and rich melody. The overall sentiment of the EP is a delicate one, the perfect soundtrack for salubrious, windows down, evening drives in the fall. They have not lost any whimsicality and the choruses are as catchy as ever. The interesting balance of songwriting maturity and remaining sugary pop delicious, is well juxtaposed with the lyrical content of the songs. They deal with seemingly light topics with titles like Sweetness and Tenderness and Life without a Brain, but they are fairly refl ective, exploring ideas of aging, relationships that have run their course, and the challenges of metaphysical development. It’s fun, it’s well done, it’s synth-pop at its very best, it’s The Rentals.

-BY BRENTON CROZIER The Rentals are performing at Freebird on Sunday, September 2nd.

4 great fl avors album review

Artist: kLoB Title: 4 Great Flavoris EP

The cover of kLoB’s new release looks like the kind of CD sampler you might fi nd in stacks near the counter of your favorite record store or head shop. It looks like it can’t be any good—maybe some garage-band demo, or a young boy’s fi rst foray into Pro Tools. But appearances can be deceiving, and 4 Great Flavors is proof-positive of the old saying that you can’t judge a book by its cover. kLoB’s keyboards, harp and vocals anchor a four-piece that also includes bass, drums and saxophone. The sound is bluesy, playful yet sincere. In terms of pure entertainment value, ‘All the Time’ is the strongest of four tracks on the CD. It sounds a little like Satan himself, drunk, singing a Regina Spektor cover at a lesser demon’s wedding reception. Not bad at all! However, as a representation of the musicianship on display, ‘Tree’ is defi nitely the EP’s highlight. Overall, 4 Great Flavors makes for a pretty effective advertisement for a group we’ll hopefully hear more of. For starters, you can hear them at the Tallyrand Festival on November 10 at Metro Park. check out myspace.com/kLoBsong to hear for yourself.

- BY KIM FORTUYN kLoB is playing at the Tallyrand Festival on November 10th at Metro Park.

30 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper people are the future, and they want to teach them well and let them lead the way. MOCA can show them all the beauty they posses inside. art events You can contest my point if you like, but I’m not using the word “young” as a measurement of NEW THIS WEEK age. Young is a state of mind, and Contemporary th Art has to come from that place. Otherwise, it’s Decades of Styles Saturday, August 25 at 7:30 pm Modis Building, 1 Independent Drive, Downtown $12 just derivative of some former style. Obviously, all art will get old physically, but the ideas that inspire Jim Draper: Produce Stellers Gallery Annex, 200 1st Street, them are always in constant renewal. Particularly Neptune Beach (904) 247-7200 in Contemporary Art, new ideas and expressions are paramount, even when they’re expressed by an untrained artist. ONGOING Many art museums and galleries all over the Paintings and Sculptural Works by Todd Murphy Through globe are committed to collecting and displaying August 26th MOCA Jacksonville, 333 N Laura Street, art from the past. Usually, the older the art is, the Downtown (904) 366-6911 or mocajacksonville.org higher it is regarded, but some museums take a different approach. Jacksonville is lucky to be Impermanence: Recent Works by Andres Michelena home to a museum that is dedicated to new art Through August 26th MOCA Jacksonville, 333 N Laura Street, and new ideas. MOCA Jacksonville provides the Downtown (904) 366-6911 or mocajacksonville.org young people in our city with young artistic ideas. th Doors open at 9 pm, with the event running Tattoo Artists Art Show Through August 28 Bogda Gallery, 1253 McDuff Avenue S, Riverside until 1 am. Tickets are available at the Laura Street (904) 387-0852 entrance at the start of the event. The cost is only $10 for non-members and only $5 for current Patrons of the Heart Presents: Have a Heart, Take a Seat! Through August 31st Jacksonville Main Library, 303 N Laura moca jacksonville: Street, Downtown 904-202-2881 patronsofthehearts.com Desiree Kantrim: The Collection August 2007 Orange Park Library, 2054 Plainfi eld Avenue, Orange Park (904) 278-4750 a young art source Brian Edmond Paintings Through Saturday, September 1st Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach (904) 280-0614

Canvas of Sound Tradition in Transition: Russian Icons in the Age of the Romanovs Through September 2, 2007 Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Avenue, Riverside BY DONALD DUSINBERRE imartsyfartsy@gmail. (904) 356-6857 or cummer.org So why would a museum WHAT: Canvas of Sound th think it would be a good idea Lost & Found Through September 17 Women’s Center of WHERE: MOCA Jacksonville Jacksonville, 5644Colcord Avenue, Arlington WHEN: Saturday, September 8th to mix alcohol, art and dance 11 am - 3 pm, Monday - Friday music? It’s about youth – the Have you ever shaken your booty while energy that only the young Art at the Airport: Beginnings: Work by David and standing next to a famous work of modern art? can generate. Young folks like Kay Olson Through September 28th Haskell Gallery at Well, you’ll soon get the chance. MOCA is giving to dance and drink and party, Jacksonville International Airport, 2400 Yankee Clipper Drive us an opportunity to boogie amongst the art with right? Well, young folks are (904) 741-3546 jiaarts.org their slickest event, Canvas of Sound. Where else also the ones feeding the cre- would you be able view groundbreaking art from ative spirit of art. Why not bring all of it together? members. Admission is restricted to people 21 Elemental Atmospheres: Paintings by Princess Simpson th renowned artists with a martini in your hand? I’ll Art can change your perceptions. So can booze. Rashid Through September 30 years of age and up, so I guess it’s unfortunate to The Museum of Science & History (904) 396-7062 bet that if Warhol were still alive, he’d probably be So can music. Perhaps MOCA believes that young be too young. the first one in the door and wearing his best wig. Photographs by Ingrid Damiani Through November 4th On Saturday, September 8th, Canvas of Sound Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Avenue, IV will bring together dance music and modern art. Riverside (904) 356-6857 or cummer.org Featuring some of Jacksonville’s best DJs, includ- ing Catharsis, Odyssey and Phil Green, the evening Fogle Fine Art Gallery Presents: Regions Bank Artist will also be visually enhanced by VJ Electrolush. Celebration of Jeanne Pelligreno Through November 2007 Even if it gets too heavy for you, you’ll have all Regions Bank, 1461 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park night to shake those ideas loose with beer, wine Through January 2008 and mixed drinks from the cash bar. Precious Gifts of Asian Art Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Avenue, Riverside (904) 356-6857 or cummer.org

Oh Say Can You See: American Art from the West Foundation Collection Through January 2008 Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, 829 Riverside Avenue, Riverside (904) 356-6857 or cummer.org

Horizons Jewish Community Alliance and Vandroff Gallery, 8505 San Jose Boulevard, Mandarin

Audrey M. Stultz: I’m Alive Energy Lab Art Gallery, 137 King Street, St. Augustine (904) 808-8455

Suites of Nature: Aviary - Kingsley Plantation - St. Johns River Refl ections Paintings by Joanelle Mulrain of Great Blue Heron Studios Deerwood Frameworks, 9932 Old Baymeadows Road, Publix Shopping Center

Michael Baum Ocean 60 Restaurant & Martini Room, 60 Ocean Boulevard, Atlantic Beach (904) 247-0060

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 31 discovery and refl ection in which both adult and culture & arts teen are by turns teacher and pupil. And by helping fi rst-string performance the boys to make informed choices, Curt fi nds he is AUGUST able to establish a measure of resolution and closure 23 Family Art Fun Argyle Branch Library, Jax about his own. It comes as no surprise that the boys eventu- 23 Art & Winefest to Benefi t Shands , Jax Hyatt Regency Benchwarmers at Players by the Sea ally become intimate, but the way in which the at- 23 “Some Like It Hot” Main Library, Jax traction unfolds is refreshingly unpredictable. And 23-25 Torch Song Trilogy First Coast Theatre Arts, Jax it’s clear that the boys come to value Curt as more than simply their “gay dad”; he is the one adult male 23-26 Impermanence: Recent Works By Andres Michelena MOCA, Jax BY ALUN MONTGOMERY in their lives has actually taken the time to care about 23-SEPT. 1 Brian Edmond Paintings Cultural Center, Ponte Sometimes it’s not easy to step up to the plate sion in frustration several years before. Curt is also them and to help them traverse the minefi eld of Vedra Beach to help someone who needs it, especially when life grappling in a very personal way with mortality: he adolescence, teaching them lessons about respon- 23-SEPT. 1 Exhibit Audrey M. Stultz “I’m Alive” Energy Lab Art deals you a well-placed kick in the teeth. Sometimes is struggling to live with HIV as well as with the loss sibility, self-respect, inner strength, and compassion Gallery, St. Augustine it’s easier just to sit it out. But sometimes, the only of his lover, Mike (Juan Unzueta), in an automobile that cross all lines of gender and gender preference. 23-SEPT. 1 “Expected/Unexpected” Exhibit By Daryl Bunn way to be sure you’re still alive is to get back in the accident. Above all, they learn to love who they are. Jane Gray Gallery, Jax game. During one of his midday sojourns, an errant Despite some initial opening-night tentative- 23-SEPT.2 Tradition in Transition: Russian Icons in the Age of Benchwarmers, a new work by playwright football comes lofting over to Curt’s perch, chased ness, the production was solid throughout. All the Romanovs Cummer Museum, Jax Chris Sheppard and directed by his creative partner after by a gangly kid named Jesse (Solomon Levine). performances are warm and engaging, and the teens 23-SEPT. 2 Smokey Joe’s Café Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jax Jeff Grove, recently enjoyed a limited engagement at It’s clear right away that Jesse is an archetype we especially so. Rogers’ Curt is the story’s compass Players by the Sea. As in their previous efforts, the all recognize, and with which many of us feel a kin- rose, faded with age and wear but providing unfail- 23-SEPT 3 The Cabaret of St. Augustine-Spirits Community pairing proved a winning combination. ship: the last guy picked for any team in gym class, ing direction when all reference points fail the young School of Performing Arts, St. The play tells the story of a wounded man’s who gets picked on relentlessly, and who dreads the travelers. Unzueta’s Mike provides an infusion of 23-SEPT. 4 Hurricanes III-Dora The Destroyer Exhibit Beaches warring impulses to stay numb and insulated while locker room. And it’s equally clear that Curt feels an youthful vibrancy to the refl ective Curt, helping Museum, Jax Beach being impelled to set a confl icted teen on the right instant empathy for the kid, seeing more than a little to keep his fl ame from extinguishing altogether. 23-SEPT. 15 Exhibit: Jim Draper – “Produce” Stellers Gallery, path to self-love and acceptance. of himself in young Jesse. Levine’s Jesse is a real delight, and reminiscent of Neptune Beach As an offering of Players by the Sea’s “second Jesse has one lone compatriot: jockish Scott his turn in Players’ earlier SubUrbia: edgily goofy 23-SEPT. 17 “Lost & Found” Exhibit Women’s Center of season”—comprised largely of new, edgy, or inde- (Zack Kanner), who looks out for Jesse and brooks and clueless, becoming more self-possessed and Jacksonville, Jax pendent productions usually staged in the compa- no abuse from Jesse’s tormentors. He is as ath- confi dent as the story evolves. And Kanner, a new- 23-SEPT. 30 Elemental Atmospheres Paintings By Princess ny’s studio theater space—Benchwarmers played to letically graceful and socially fl uid as Jesse is not. comer to the PBTS stage is a revelation. His Scott Simpson Rashid MOSH, Jax a limited two-weekend run. And that’s unfortunate, Since gym class is at the end of the school day, makes a fl uid transition from a guarded survivor to 23-OCT. 14 381 Days: The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story since it is a production that deserves a longer run Jesse habitually goes directly home, avoiding the a fearless young man, as his pose of strength gives Ritz Theatre, Jax and a larger audience. hell that the locker room has become. Having seen way to a radiant inner fortitude. 23-OCT. 14 Dinosaurs & Ice Age Mammals MOSH, Jax As the story opens, we are introduced to Curt him chatting earlier with Curt, Scott runs over to the In a play such as this, the opportunities for (Karl Rogers), a man at his life’s midpoint, who is bench with Jesse’s books and clothes, hoping to missteps are ample: clichés, indulgence, and at- 23-FEB. 28 Oh Say Can You See: American Art , Jax Cummer Museum pausing from his day’s labors at a “cube farm” for a catch him before Jesse’s hasty retreat. In the ensu- tempts at rewriting personal history are temptations 24 Toast to the Animals-Wine Tasting/Auction Florida Theatre, lunch break at his favorite park bench. It’s an espe- ing confusion, Scott scoops up Curt’s gay maga- that far too many playwrights succumb to. Aside Jax cially compelling promontory for a former teacher, zines along with Jesse’s books. from one questionable plot point—the eleventh-hour 24 Gear Up For Fall Gardening Mandarin Garden Club, Mandarin as it overlooks the yard of a local high school. It’s a Wanting to remain a purely neutral and objec- exposition of Mike’s abuse as a youth, which comes 25 ZOObilee Zoo, Jax bittersweet vantage point, since Curt left the profes- tive adult friend, Curt is not pleased at the prospect off a bit contrived and gratuitous—there is nary a of being outted so quickly. His concern may be mis- wrong note in evidence. Sheppard’s characters are 25 Decades of Styles Fashion Show , Jax Modis Building taken for predation, he fears, and he risks chasing lean yet amply depicted, the arcs plausible, the tim- 25 Start Your Fall Vegetable Garden 101 Extension Offi ce, Jax Jesse away before he has a chance to help his new ing and pacing are crisp, and the intermixing of com- 25 Artrageous/Children Main Library, Jax young friend learn who he is, regardless of sexual edy and pathos is deftly crafted. And most delightful orientation. But much to his surprise, both Jesse of all, the dialogue crackles. It is honest, economical, 25 Experimental Painting with Instructor Kim Barry MOCA, Jax and Scott come back to see him full of questions and jam-packed with snappy patter without sounding 26 Andrew Bruck-violin Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax and curiosity. Both boys are starved for a nurturing precious. 26 Magician Bill McRea Jester’s Court, St. Augustine male role model: Jesse lives with his well intentioned The opening night audience was large and di- 26 New Jax City Rollers Mandarin Skate Station, Mandarin though challenged grandmother, and Scott with his verse—and gay or straight, young or old, Red State abusive Marine father. Thus begins a journey of or Blue, everyone was on their feet for the ovation. 26 Auditions for the Joyful Singers 12:30pm Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax 26 Supper With The Spirits Old St. Augustine Village, St. Augustine 27-29 Auditions: Ritz Voices 5:30-8pm Ritz Theatre, Jax 28-SEPT. 2 City of St. Augustine’s 442nd Birthday Celebration Various Venues, St. Augustine 29 Audtions: FCCJ Repertory Dance Company 6pm FCCJ South Campus, Jax 29 Go Figure: Drawing Live Models With Jonathan Lux MOCA, Jax 30 Family Art Fun Argyle Branch Library, Jax 30-SEPT. 26 Brad Silverstein Art Exhibition JU Alexander Brest Library, Jax

SEPTEMBER 1 Experimental Painting with Instructor Kim Barry MOCA, Jax 1 MactruQue Live Performance Interpretation Ocean 60, Jax Beach 1-2 Argentine Tango Workshop UNF, Jax 2 Auditions for the Joyful Singers 12:30pm Unitarian Universalist Church, Jax 5 First Wednesday Art Walk Various Venues/Downtown, Jax 5 Go Figure: Drawing Live Models With Jonathan Lux MOCA, Jax 5-OCT. 7 Steel Magnolia’s Alhambra Dinner Theatre, Jax 6-23 “Criminal Hearts” Limelight Theatre, St. Augusitne 7 First Friday Art Walk Various Venues, St. Augustine

32 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper When I arrived back in Jacksonville a week ago, my friend’s mother, whom I had just traveled across the country with, asked me what that buzzing sound was. We were standing in my mom’s back- yard, where I am sitting now. “I don’t know what it’s called,” was my response. Later, I realized it was the cicadas, a sound I had heard my entire life, but never really noticed. For the fi rst time ever, I was fully immersed in a sharp, high-pitched buzzing that fi lled the air. The gnats are bothering me now. It’s been a year since I’ve even heard the whisper of a bug. Cali- fornia doesn’t have many bugs in its severely dry, yet foggy climate. Down in Los Angeles they called it smog, but in the Bay Area, where I had been living for the past year, it was truly fog. I had even termed it the Fog Monster, for the way it rolled over the Pacifi c Ocean and up into the hilly terrain of the Bay. It seemed to swallow the entire city each day at fi ve o’clock. I made the mistake once of getting stuck in Haight-Ashbury with only jeans and a tank top, attire I was more than comfortable in as a Florida girl, but I quickly changed my ways. The fog was cold, and even on the warmest day, it could make you feel like winter. The warmth was one of the fi rst things I had missed; moving out to California fresh out of college with a degree in creative writing, ready to conquer the world. I hadn’t thought to bring jackets, because it was, after all, the Golden State, which I now assume was coined after the gold rush, and not the amount of sunlight pouring over them. San Francisco does receive an absurdly large amount of sunny days, a fact I learned recently from a random newspaper read somewhere along my journey home- possibly Denver, perhaps Santa Fe, or maybe even New Orleans. But there is a stiffness and an edge to the Bay Area that the fog seemed to trap inside the hills. Perhaps it’s a remnant from the Summer of Love, that free-fl owing summer of drugs, alcohol, hip- pies and social/political turbulence. The stragglers of that era are easy to pinpoint as they hunker down inside the numerous parks across the city that they proudly call home. The city protects the homeless there, or as I tend to think, encourages them, but that wouldn’t be democratic of me to say. Perhaps it’s the economic gap, a broken bridge between people, like the collapse of the Bay Bridge after the quake of ’89. For a city so intent on freedom and love and equality, Silicon Valley, home to some of America’s wealthiest, live just beyond its borders, if not within. Or perhaps the stiffness is just California, a state so content with itself, with its beautiful landscapes and booming economy, that people there tend to think there is nowhere else to be. I, however, knew better. I spent my life underestimating Florida. Sure, it is a huge tourist destination, but who cares? Sure, the weather is always warm, but “how annoying,” I thought. I wanted seasons. Sure, the beach is never far, but I rarely went. Sure, people wave to each other on the streets, but that’s normal. In reality, Florida is a tourist destination for a reason. And the weather being always warm is a wonderful thing. Your joints don’t ache and you can go outside in the winter. California has its amazing coastline, but it is all cliffs and usually too cold for enjoyment. It doesn’t have the soft-sanded beach that goes on for miles in both directions that I remembered from home. It seems you could walk on Florida’s beaches forever and never reach the end. But the thing I ended up appreciating the most was the people. Floridians, and specifi cally Jacksonvillians, are nice people. Generally. Sure, everyone has their day, and maybe it’s the warmth that makes us too lazy to care, but we all generally have each oth- er’s best interest in mind. I have been to many places in this world, and nowhere else have I met such pleasant people. I remember once, on my fi rst visit to California, my little cousin stood at the end of her driveway waiting for her bus to pick her up. She made a game of waving to every car that passed, something I didn’t even realize to be a game until she came to me, laughing, and said, “The only person who would wave back was my nanny.” This, she thought, was funny. I found it disturbing. And it’s not to say I didn’t meet a number of great people in California. People are people just like anywhere. You get to know them and you love them. But I do also believe in collective thought, and after getting mugged, standing on Embarcadero Street in the Jack London district of Oakland, just outside our apartment, everyone’s comment was, “Yeah, that sucks, but that happens. You shouldn’t go out alone at night.” Not even outside of my apartment, apparently. The fi rst thing I noticed were the cicadas and the lack of a need for my newly acquired edge. The fog had lifted off my shoulders and I could feel the Florida warmth again. Standing outside of my mother’s house, I saw a neighbor and I waved at him. He waved back. Same old, same old.

eujacksonville.com | august 23-29, 2007 33 Reggie Heyward, who had a nice deal.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL The Yankees have been on a real nice THE run since the All-Star break, and are now within FOUR games of the Red Sox, as play started this week. New York has most of their player healthy JOCK and ready to go, and it should be in- teresting to see how they and the Sox duke it out for the rest of the season. by tom weppel Meanwhile, the Indians and Tigers are going at it in the Al Central, and the Angels and Mariners are battling in the AL West. These races are gonna JAGUARS get nasty the next six weeks, and SOMEONE who Jacksonville fi nished their third preseason deserves to be in the playoffs won’t get in. Mean- game on Thursday, playing the Packers. Team cuts while, the Braves are doing their best to unseat the will be done very soon, and you will see some Mets in the NL East, while Phillies hang in there. One names on the cut list that will surprise you. One of clear surprise in the last few weeks has been the those seems to inevitably be WR Reggie Williams, Arizona D-Backs, who have climbed into fi rst in the the former #1 pick who seems to have fallen out of NL West, while the Dodgers went on a losing streak favor with the Jags. While Williams has been some- over the past few weeks. We’ll see if the Dodgers what productive in his tenure here, he hasn’t seemed can recover. to emerge and play as the team wanted out of a #1 pick. Add to that his competition at the position, PGA TOUR which right now seems to be healthy, and you’ll see This weekend the Tour will inaugurate their FedEx BEACHWISE by Shaun Robbins Williams hit the streetand snatched up by another Playoff, designed to bring more fan interest into team soon. tournaments after the PGA Championship has been Traveling is one of those things that certain people either enjoy or hate to do. For me, I love to travel. Another area where there is considerable played. Typically, interest and viewership in the lat- depth is at Linebacker. The Jags have all starters ter part of the PGA Tour season drop dramatically, The excitement I get from going to different places and experiencing the different things that area has to offer back from last year, plus Mike Peterson back from with more sports fans interested in the NFL, College is stimulating and I feel fortunate to have those experiences. injury in ’06. So, one or two guys will be squeezed Football, and the World Series. This deal starts with Being in Hawaii right now, I am in utter awe at the beautiful sights Oahu has to offer. While I am told out. Look for maybe Nick Greisen, Brian Iwuh, Tony 144 players involved. All are given established point- that Oahu is not the most beautiful Hawaiian island, I still enjoy riding around looking at all it has to offer. This Gilbert, or Jorge Cordova to be cut. They also could fi gures, based on their standing. Tiger Woods, the place is defi nitely not Florida with its luscious green mountains and pure blue water. start probably for many other teams. I also believe obvious #1 player, receives 100,000 points, while RB LaBrandon Toefi eld could be a casualty. The Jags Jeff Gove, ranked #144, gets 84,700. Players then While I am not here during the typical time to score great surf, I have been fortunate enough to be able will probably keep four RBs, then look for one to be a receive points as they play in the next four events, to surf almost everyday I have been here. The waves have been similar to back home for the most part, thigh special teams guy. With Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones- with elimination getting down to the fi nal 30 players high crumblers, but seem to have a little more power. The crowds at the beach are similar to back home and Drew, Alvin Pearman, and now Greg Jones back for the Tour Championship, which will take place I have not run into any localism, which stories about it run so rampant when talking about Hawaii surfi ng. In from injury, Toefi eld might not fi t into the mix. So, it September 13th. fact, all the locals I have met have been really nice, even giving me some advice on what to watch out for in will be interesting to see who the Jags list on their While the Tour has spent a huge amount of fi nal roster. time and money in marketing and promoting this Fed the water. Ex Cup, it hasn’t taken ahold of everyone the way I have a few theories on why my surf experience has been a good one over here and so many others NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE the Tour wanted. Even the players seem apathetic have had bad ones. It falls into the general rule of being courteous to others, and doing unto others as you This exhibition season to me is almost a joke. to the whole process. Tiger has chosen to not even would have them do unto you. It’s simple, you don’t, or at least I don’t, walk into someone’s home and The NFL stages these games more so to pile up the PLAY in the fi rst tournament this weekend, which, in act like you own the place. To do this you need to be either a close friend or family, and a tourist is usually cash than to prepare for the regular season. Teams a way, makes no sense. A lot of players are excited end up playing mainly second- and third-stringers about possibly winning the $10 million payout, until neither. for most of the games. Leaving fans nothing more they realize they won’t receive that amount for a long The problem with most people now a days is that they feel they have a right to everything, and that than a few wasted moments for an evening of And time, as it is to be paid as an annuity. So, the winner spills over into their ethics in the water. They paddle right into lineups that are already established, they drop of course, in a way, teams don’t like playing these won’t get the cash until maybe 2027. And so we’ll in on other surfers, and they don’t give priority when it should be. I see it mostly in the younger surfers today, games, either, especially the coaches who are pray- see how it all plays out. With professional golf over- but the older surfers are doing it as well. It is no wonder why localism pops up, and surfrage is out there ing desperately that their star elements don’t get stuffed with trophies, Championships, Cups, and the injured. Many of them sit, simply to avoid snapping like, this FedEx Cup seems like a lackadaisical stroll more often now. an Achilles or ACL, or perhaps breaking a bone or in the park. Now I am not saying that all surfers fall into this category, but it sucks that a few ruin it for all. Just tearing a muscle. Yet it happens every single pre- practice a little water friendliness while you are out there and I think you will fi nd you get a little respect back season…a key starter for a number of teams will go Tom Weppel talks trash with Greg Larson, Lonnie from those you are giving it to in the water. Remember, no one likes someone to paddle into their lineup and down during a game, then spend the whole season Marts, Eugene Chung, Artis Gilmore, and Ron Du- no one likes to be dropped in on. These are a few of the rules I have used so far on my surf trip to Hawaii, on IR, out for the season. Last year locally, it was DE guay on SportsAvengers.com 24/7. which have worked for me so far, and I will continue to use them on all of my surf adventures in the future.

forecasted conditions If you didn’t catch any of the surf last week, don’t fret, because you can still dust off your shortboard. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we should see ridable surf in the thigh to higher range, and you could always take a trip over to the Gulf Coast for some of the residuals from Dean. Going into Monday and the rest of the week, I don’t foresee any major surf, but we do have the possibility of surf with the Tropics coming to life this month. As of report time, Dean is still making its way towards Mexico. Looking more in the realm of a storm that effects us here in Jacksonville, we do have a little formation forming off the east coast of south Florida, which could translate into waves down the line. Keep an eye on this, because even if it doesn’t become a named storm, we may benefi t from it with some decent surf if it moves north. But don’t take my weekly word for it, call or log onto your local report daily to fi nd out what the present conditions are for your favorite break.

34 august 23-29, 2007 | entertaining u newspaper and get ready, what do I see? A whole fi eld of 600 horsepower racecars getting ready for the green fl ag and it’s not Michigan, it’s Watkins Glen. I just couldn’t nascar news & notes believe my eyes! Then I see on the crawler at the bottom of my new TV, “NASCAR has postponed the 3M Performance 400 until Monday at 12 pm” and I BY RICHARD TEAGUE [email protected] almost started to cry. Like I said, not having a race in Bummed. That’s what I am, Big Time. Why you either so smart that they can tell you anything about a my system for two weeks (and now one more) is bad ask? For several reasons. I feel really bummed out sports viewing monitor from 12 to 60 inches of view- on a guy. But maybe it’s just what I got to do as some about Sunday’s race. Of all things for ESPN to do, ing pleasure, or you get one that can’t turn the bloom- kind of payment to be able to catch the “Night Race they replayed the Watkins Glen race from last week? ing thing on and asks you if you know how. at Bristol,” which, to me, is one of the most thrilling Why not one of the other two races they did so far this I seem to be a lucky type of fellow, ‘cause I races of the whole season. season? Heck, I didn’t watch it last week and I’m sure tend to get the latter type salesperson when I’m out Just look at me, I’ve used all my space talking not going to watch it this week. Come on guys, ya’ shopping for those big dollar things for the home. about myself and didn’t mention anything that has shoulda’ shown another one. Yeah, I know they prob- Well I should have known, getting bummed so early gone on this week in NASCAR. Let me give it a real ably thought it was an exciting race but it was NOT! in the week, that it would go right into the weekend. quick shot right here: Junior not getting the #8 – well Pocono was a real snorer, but it wouldn’t have been Then again, I normally have a good outlook on life. we knew that was going to happen. Kurt Busch going much better. Now, Indy would have been just fi ne with After all the BS at the big three electronics stores, to Joe Gibbs Racing – even my Pomeranian, Coco, me, only cause I got to see Tony and the guys climb my lovely wife said, “Honey, how about Sam’s” and I knew that two weeks ago. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff up the fence a little ways. But to do the Glenn again? thought, now why didn’t I think about that? But then I Gordon getting their crew chiefs back – this made big Now, I’ve gone two weeks without any racing, and remembered why. To make a short story long, I went headlines on NASCAR.com, heck all of us can count that’s a bummer. to Sam’s and bought me a new 42” fl at panel HDTV can’t we? Let’s see here, Rudd Man hanging up – well On that note, I now have got to go three whole with 1080P and 75 plug-ins for all the stuff I’m going I thought he did that already, but he will maybe be weeks without a race because I have to work Monday, to run through that baby for the next 20 years. available for part time work. Oh oh, how bout NAS- and I don’t think my boss would approve of me in the Now, back to main reason for my bummedness. CAR getting a favorable judge (or rather three of them) customer’s lounge watching it, but then again I bet I’m telling everybody at work Thursday and Friday that saying that AT&T can’t run the logo on the #31 car. ya’ David will be in there, and he’s the Big Boss, so I’m going to watch the Michigan race Sunday with a OK Richard, what are you going to do about that? Or what’s Donnie going to do? I can see it now, “Tiny new 42-incher. I’ll get to watch the whole race from rather, what is AT& T going to do? what the heck are you doing in here watching TV? turn to turn with that fl at, wide-ass baby. All day Sat- See, I guess there was a lot to write about Oh, hi Mr. Hamm. Y’all enjoying the race? Tiny, when urday I’d been thinking, man it is going to be so dang besides my being unhappy this Sunday. There will the race is over, if you can, we need ya back at your cool tomorrow seeing NASCAR coming right at me be another race Saturday and a few more after that, desk.” Now you see I would never put him in that out of the corner where I put that big mama. I will got so I need to clam down. Gee, I really do hate being position, so I’ll just miss the race altogether and keep up Sunday morning still thinking about the race that a martyr. I guess I could run over in the amount of up with it online. I guess I could tape it on the new afternoon, so I started doing a few things before the words for this week to make up for last week’s shorty, 42” fl at panel TV I bought last week, but then I still race came on. I put a bunch of auctions on eBay and but I won’t, Brother Will, so I’m done. Remember you wouldn’t get to comment on it because by next Sun- I fed the dog and, you know, things like that so I could can contact me at [email protected] If it ain’t day, when I’m writing next week’s column, I’ll be talk- have the afternoon free to watch the race. I’m back NASCAR, It ain’t s**t!! ing about Bristol, and man, you know there’s always here on my computer checking the time and trying to plenty to say about the BTB (Bristol Toilet Bowl). miss the pre-race show, or getting just one more auc- So there’s two reasons I was not thrilled Sunday tion on. evening, but I still haven’t said the main reason. I’ve OK, it was 2 pm and I headed for the TV room only touched on it. Last week my trusty 35” Mit- and my new TV. By the way, I told my wife I couldn’t subishi TV decided to puke out, so I did my studying do anything with her because the race was on, so she about televisions and fi nally fi gured out which one to wasn’t real happy, but a good wife accepts it. So I see buy. I read several web pages about “How To Buy a that they still have the pre-deal on with winkin blinkin TV.” I thought I was confused before, well after that I and nod (y’all will have guess which is which on that was numb. You know I still remember when my Dad cause I don’t want to even go there for now) and I brought home our fi rst back & white back in the fi f- look behind nod, who is sitting in the middle of this ties and I would watch it for hours (like we all did). wide desk, which was the fi rst time I’ve seen it all at Then one day a bunch of us went over to some guy’s one time (ah widescreens), and behind Rusty it looks house, I can’t even remember their name, and his like Dena was coming aground in Cuber or something. family had a color TV. We asked his Dad if he would I fi gured perhaps they were at another track, not even adopt the whole gang so we could live there. at Michigan. So I go back and slam a few more auc- Well, we knew that wasn’t going to happen so I tions on and give’em a tad longer knowing the “Show” made a pact with the guys to ask our own parents to will start soon. get one, but we all lived on the poor side of the street By the time I get me some munchies and a with hardworking parents, ‘cause it was a long time cold drink and sit down on the wife’s new couch before I got a color TV. Anyway, back to my story. I fi nally made my choice between set A or set B and went shopping. Wrong move. I’ll tell you right now that shopping at C.C. or B.B. really ain’t what it is all cracked up to be by their commercials. There aren’t any helpful salesfolks, like Lowe’s or Home Depot, that help you make the right choice. These clowns are

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