It’s a banner week for local drum enthusiasts who, due to the visiting Percussive Arts Society convention, have ample opportunities to see some of the world’s best musicians. Velez will likely draw the lot of them when his Handance ensemble play Lipscomb’s Shamblin Theatre. He’s a world-class frame drummer and improvising musician and has worked extensively with Steve Reich and Paul Winter. Handance represent a collision of seemingly disparate cultures—namely Ireland and the Middle East—whose differences are resolved by exploring their similarities. Indeed Ireland and the various cultures in the Middle East all have frame drums. However, it is what Shane Shanahan, Yousif Sheronick and Velez do with their bodies and voices and how they improvise with featured melodic instrumentalists (who at times have included the likes of Sonny Fortune and Art Baron) that make this a must-see show. Call (800) 333-4358 or visit www.lipscomb.edu for ticket information.
C.D.
Thursday, 15th
John Wesley Harding/David Lewis With a fan base that includes John Prine and Bruce Springsteen (not bad, huh?), Harding is among the wittiest and most engaging of the modern troubadours. He packed The Sutler when he performed a few months ago; he’s back with friend and cohort David Lewis, whose new CD For Now he co-produced. Lewis’ moody, delicate folk-rock has drawn comparisons to Nick Drake and Al Stewart; on his new record, he covers one and sings with the other. Neither opener nor headliner should be missed.
J.R.
The Constantines/Paul Booker & the Dynamite Operators Guelph, Ontario, band The Constantines consider what they play to be soul music, albeit derived more from Joe Strummer, Bruce Springsteen and Dischord than Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Stax/Volt. Which is to say that their music is immediate and visceral and designed to make bodies move. Paul Booker & the Dynamite Operators, on the other hand, seem more likely to have you glued to your seat, sipping beer and listening as the drunken band ambles through a set of winners. “Seeing Double in a Single Bed” and “I Don’t Feel Like an Old Man (Because I’m With a Young Lady Tonight)” are some of the best song titles this side of David Allan Coe, and “Some Velvet Sunday” is a simply astounding song; it’s simple yet unpredictable and delivered with gut-level sincerity. The two bands rock Springwater with Royal City (see below).
C.D.
Royal City This Toronto country-rock quartet specializes in fragile harmonies and a haunted, archaic atmosphere that’s reminiscent of what might echo off the hills from the windows of an old country church or the porch of a woodland cabin—only more melancholy than joyous. They’ll be setting the mood at Springwater.
N.M.
Slow Bar’s New Faces Night Mike Grimes and company host their second “New Faces” night at the Slow Bar; Grimes hopes to turn this sort of open-mic gathering into a twice-a-month event that allows up and comers to play short sets in the context of a diverse lineup. This week, power-poppers Pheremone, singer songwriter Chris Crofton, jam band Trucker, and the humorously touching Southpaw Jones share the stage.
W.T.
The Features Smyrna’s new wave and indie-rock ambassadors, finally freed from the shackles of their former label, have kept delivering the spirited melodic anthems for which they’re known. Matt Pelham is obviously a more confident writer, and the group will likely crank out more songs than actually will see the light of day. The group plays most often in Murfreesboro, so take this chance to see them at The End and pick up a copy of their excellent self-released CD.
C.D.
Kirk Whalum Because tenor saxophonist Whalum has made several commercial dates for labels seeking smooth jazz hits, there’s a tendency in some circles to dismiss him as simply another pop instrumentalist. Actually, he’s a first-rate soloist, equally talented in playing bluesy soul or stretching out in a hard bop setting, and he’s managed during touring gigs with top R&B stars like Whitney Houston to demonstrate great skills in very restrictive settings. Whalum is featured in “Heart & Soul,” an event at The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road. For information, call the Franklin YMCA at (615) 591-0322.
R.W.
SCHFVILKUS This Nashville fusion ensemble celebrates this week’s national release of their Genrealization album by Paras Recordings, a Los Angeles-based label distributed by Rykodisc, with a 5 p.m. in-store appearance at Tower Records’ West End location, and an official CD release party 9 p.m. at 12th & Porter.
R.W.
Craig Morgan The rising country star hosts a benefit for Deliver the Dream, a nonprofit Appalachian facility at Laurel Falls for families of children who have been stricken with serious illness. Morgan’s guests include John Conlee, “Whispering” Bill Anderson, Jan Howard, Shelly Laine, performance poet Minton Sparks, and Shane Minor; the show takes place 6:30 p.m. at The Renaissance Center. Tickets are $15.
Thursday, 15th-Friday, 16th
Jeff Hamilton Trio Another musician in town for the Percussive Arts Society’s conference, talented traditional jazz drummer Jeff Hamilton and his trio appear at Cafe 123 for a two-night engagement. Hamilton is an original and in-demand drummer, balancing gigs with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown and his own trio, as well as co-leading the Clayton-Hamilton Big Band. Pianist Tamir Hendelman and bassist Christoph Luty are busy players in their own right, doing double-duty with the Clayton-Hamilton Big Band in addition to other projects. If you want to hear small group hard-bop executed by superb players, this is your ticket.
C.D.
Friday, 16th
THE SLOWBEATS Guitarist Kenny Vaughan gets much well-deserved praise for his inventive reimagination of classic rockabilly, country and rock 'n’ roll axmanship. But equally important to the success of this emerging musical powerhouse is the rhythm section of bassist Dave Rowe and drummer Maxwell Shauf. Johnny Cash veteran Rowe’s propulsive, bordering-on-violence upright work is a show in itself. And Shauf lays down one of the most rock-solid, doubt-free pockets in town, making him an in-demand skins man in the roots and rockabilly circuit. Together they flat-out rock. Catch 'em at Wolfy’s.
J.S.
Bruce Molsky Molsky, a native of New York City who learned to bow at the feet of the legendary Tommy Jarrell, is easily one of the finest old-time fiddle players working today. He’s also a terrific banjoist and guitarist, as well as a warm, soulful singer who’s been keeping the music of Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music, among other troves of traditional tunes, alive for decades. Molsky’s also got a strong socially conscious streak, and a fondness for African folk songs. He plays at the Station Inn.
B.F.W.
David Gross Local fans of freely improvised music have been receiving a pretty steady diet of the good stuff with recent shows by Konk Pack and the Fields-Golia-Makihara Trio reviving ruby green’s concert series. The next one is a doozy. Boston-area saxophonist/clarinetist David Gross is an excellent player who, as his bio says, is “transforming the saxophone into exactly what it is: a metal tube with keys, mouthpiece and a reed.” Which is to say that his multiphonic post-Braxton push will strike you as either as a beautiful sequence of upper-register sounds or as clawing fingernails on a chalkboard. Those who hear something compelling in this deliberate yet spontaneous style of play will be interested to know of Gross’ collaborations with the likes of Le Quan Ninh, AMM percussionist Eddie Prevost, Raphe Malik and Bhob Rainey and Greg Kelley of Nmperign. He’ll play solo and then with the ever-evolving Voight-Kampff Collective. Show time is 9:30 p.m.
C.D.
BLUE RODEO Canadian roots-pop ensemble Blue Rodeo began crafting Byrds-influenced alt-country rave-ups and heart-tugging, pedal steel-infused ballads years before a group of locals coined the term “Americana.” Last month, the Toronto-based group released Greatest Hits Vol. 1, a 13-song commemorative of their nine-album career with Warner Bros. Canada. In addition to fan favorites like “Try” and “Five Days in May,” the disc (available through www.bluerodeo.com) includes a reworking of “After the Rain” from their 1990 album Casino, and a unique rendition of the Bee Gees’ tune “To Love Somebody.” The band has been known to cover everything from the Gram Parsons-penned “Hickory Wind” to Elvis Costello’s “Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself” during their lengthy live set. Let’s hope they break out something from the disco era when they hit the Belcourt Theatre. Texas honky-tonker Jesse Dayton opens.
H.J.
The Psychedelic Furs Just when we start to feel like a hotshot city with our pro sports teams and revitalized downtown, we learn that the big Psychedelic Furs/Echo & The Bunnymen co-headlining tour is hitting Nashville without the Bunnymen. They’re playing together in Atlanta on Nov. 15 and in D.C. on Nov. 17; but as far as Echo & The Bunnymen are concerned, Nashville is no better than Columbus, OH or San Juan Capistrano. Depressing. We’ve also heard that the revamped Furs have been somewhat disappointing in earlier appearances this year; so rather than seeing them at 328 Performance Hall, you might be better off spending your money on their well-chosen new compilation Beautiful Chaos. You can even play the Echo box set, Crystal Days either before or after. Your choice.
N.M.
Trilobite Cafe This local experimental rock combo uses violin, piano and organ to add sinew to their aggressive, progressive, often rowdy compositions...they’re like a purposeful combination of Kansas and Camper Van Beethoven, and they’ll be shaking up Windows on the Cumberland.
Swan Dive You like Bebel Gilberto, right? You like Everything but the Girl, right? You like bossa nova and trip-hop beats and Truffaut movies and Burt Bacharach, right? So why the hell are you sitting there when Bill DeMain and Molly Felder are playing tonight in Franklin? Get off your lazy Gitane-smoking, Gainsbourg-worshipping, Georges Delerue-humming ass and go see the amazing duo’s CD release party at the cozy jazz club Bluewind at the Factory. See the story on p. TK.
Friday, 16th-Saturday, 17th
Audrey Auld A native of Tasmania, Auld is a dusky-voiced, roots-country singer-songwriter who’s enjoyed considerable acclaim down under. No wonder: Rich in fiddle, steel, and mandolin, her DIY debut, The Fallen, smacks of a cross between the self-titled, late '80s records of Lucinda Williams and Rosie Flores. Auld could also be the big sister of Aussie Kasey Chambers, whose dad and brother played key roles on her record. Auld opens for Pat McLaughlin at Douglas Corner on Friday and then for Jonell Mosser at 3rd & Lindsley on Saturday.
B.F.W.
Spout You’ve heard their slamming “Teenage Queen” and “Thirty” on The Buzz; now check out the hard-rock quartet’s live show in a late-night gig at the Old Time Pickin’ Parlor. Spout also plays 10 p.m. Saturday with Flint and Stone Daisy at The Outer Limit; look for the giant windsock stick figure.
Saturday, 17th
Fisk Jubilee Singers They were featured quite prominently recently as part of the American Roots Music series, and they are without a doubt one of the nation’s greatest vocal ensembles. They don’t do all that many concerts in the city anymore, which is truly a shame, but they’ll be performing in the auditorium at the Main Library, offering a chance to catch a group that have been a major part of American cultural history, and still remain active.
R.W.
Sam Kennedy This bassist has earned plaudits as both a busy New York session player and a versatile stylist who’s worked in bands led by Arturo Sandoval, Ray Charles, Russell Malone, and Steve Turre among others. His 1999 album Fuzzy Dreams was cut in Birmingham, Ala., and has ample doses of blues, soul and jazz. However, Kennedy’s now heading a band with a pronounced mainstream focus, and that’s the material they’ll be playing as part of the afternoon Jazz@Bellevue Center local artist series.
R.W.
Da Vinci’s Notebook OK, we’re looking at the Web site for this popular five-man a cappella group from Arlington, Va., and we find their Cool/Uncool list of movies. Now let’s get this straight: Broadcast News and A Fish Called Wanda are cool—but Joe vs. the Volcano and Basic Instinct aren’t? Oh, somebody hold me back. That said, their site is the best new reason we’ve found to waste time on the Web: check it out at www.davincisnotebook.com/cool.htm. The group performs two shows, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m., at 12th & Porter; let’s hope at least one includes Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise.”
J.R.
Abraid/Boo Boo Bunny/Feable Weiner The beasts of the 'Boro play Sebastian’s & Diana’s Brew Pub; keep an ear cocked for Feable Weaner, who could pass for your kid brother’s garage band—tuneful, bratty, fiercely rocking, and cooler than you’d ever have had reason to expect.
Sunday, 18th
Lucinda Williams Williams’ Essence hasn’t garnered the unanimous critical hosannas that greeted its predecessor, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, the record that won her acclaim beyond her cult. Doubtless part of this is due to the album’s depressive/obsessive cast, part of it to the nearly inevitable backlash that follows longtime critics’ darlings who finally make headway in the cultural mainstream. Whatever the reason, ignore Essence—and Williams’ show at the Ryman—at your own peril. Steeped in languid grooves and the supplest of rhythms—and with the guitar lines of Bo Ramsey snaking all over the place—much of the penumbral, almost ambient music she and her band are making is mesmerizing, and downright gorgeous. Matthew Ryan, who also has a riveting new album out (the set features Williams on one track), will open the show.
B.F.W.
Trophy Trophy have managed to choke some life out of indie rock, a genre I’d have pegged as played-out a few years back. On their impressive self-released CD, Trophy carve out a sound that builds on a familiar Nashville blueprint. Their tendency to mix jazz deftness with rock riffs and odd time signatures certainly has a local tradition in such groups as Wishcraft, Clockhammer and Formula—only Trophy does it in the context of short songs and catchy choruses. The band also bear the inevitable influence of Louisville and Chicago indie bands, but without the predictable step-on-the-pedal tedium. They play The End with Snake Hips and Pontius Co-Pilot.
C.D.
Blue Floyd The new 2-CD Pink Floyd anthology Echoes raises interesting questions about whether there’s ever been a band that sounded quite like Pink Floyd, with their layers of folk-blues, psychedelia, hard rock and high-minded personal and social analysis. So even though this sort of concert is usually pretty dismissible, it might be worthwhile to check out the “if Pink Floyd was a stripped-down electric blues band” concept act known as Blue Floyd when they perform at 328 Performance Hall, just to see if the songs hold up when interpreted in a different context.
N.M.
Hope Research & Cure for Lymphedema Beth Nielsen Chapman, Gary Burr, Billy Dean, The Wilkinsons, and John Foster perform at 12th & Porter Playroom to benefit the Lymphatic Research Foundation.
November Nocturne The Cherry Blisters, Ann Tiley, The Limitations, and Jody Faison take over the basement stage of Guido’s New York Pizzeria.
Monday, 19th
Cheryl Wheeler The veteran acoustic singer-songwriter, whose 1990 track “Estate Sale” was at one time one of the most requested songs at local record stores to which nobody knew the title, performs 9:30 p.m. at the Bluebird Cafe.
Tuesday, 20th
Neil Diamond As Bill Murray points out in What About Bob?, “There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who love Neil Diamond, and those who don’t.” Count me in with the former; there’s something about this stoner-folkie poet/Vegas-schmaltzer that has always tickled my heart. Take away the pop culture kitsch/middle-age housewife obsessives and you’re left with a cat who has written some damn great songs, from “Red Red Wine” (before UB40 massacred it) to tear-wringers like “Shilo.” Sure, he’s cheesy as hell, like the time he went on Donahue and did a medley of “Silent Night” into “Dradle, Dradle” (an early memory for yours truly), but he’s as American as, well, “America.” Catch the grandeur at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.
W.T.
Keith Glass Melbourne’s Glass has been a mainstay of the Australian pub- and roots-rock scenes since the late '60s, where his carefully observed originals and easy mix of country, soul, and rock 'n’ roll have made him something of a homeland legend. He made his latest album, Australian Soul, with members of the Amazing Rhythm Aces; the record, a loose song-cycle about dignity and death, is a rootsy, plainspoken affair that sounds like an Ozzie update of John Stewart’s California Bloodlines. The Aces will also back Glass when he appears at the Western Beat Roots Revival at Exit/In.
B.F.W.
The Normals One of the more artful bands on the Contemporary Christian scene, the locally based Normals have their roots in Normal, Ill., where 23-year-old co-founders Andrew Osenga and Mark Lockett grew up together, playing music and staying active in Young Life. The music on the groups’ two albums reflects the tightness of the collaboration and the thoughtfulness with which these young men regard their craft and their faith. They play sweeping songs in the vein of early U2 and The Church, with smart arrangements and lyrics that engage doubt and grace on a personal level. Only the standard Contemporary Christian Radio reservedness and overproduction hold them back. They’re likely more impressive live—to find out, head to 12th & Porter.
N.M.
Cave In/The Icarus Line/Hopesfall/Scatter the Ashes The NXT Generation Performance Hall has outdone themselves in getting this lineup: The Icarus Line are madmen who walk a thin line between hardcore and straight-up, gung-ho punk. But don’t think it’s just a bunch of power chords—it’s riffy punk rock like Drive Like Jehu and The (International) Noise Conspiracy. Cave In rock in a completely different vein; their songs are often grandiose and pompous. They come across as punk all right, but there’s touches of Rush and...is that Armored Saint? It’s a big show, and hopefully it will help establish the venue for bigger things in the future.
T.A.
Tuesday, 20th-Wednesday, 21st
Denny Diamond For those who prefer their Diamond with a dose of irony or in the confines of a hipster beer-bar, we offer this alternative to Tuesday night’s proceedings at Gaylord: Neil-impersonator Denny Diamond has made four visits to Nashville this year so far, and it’s not hard to understand his popularity. This guy becomes Neil in every sense, from the gravelly delivery to the tragic leather-pants/shiny belt motif. For his current appearance, Denny will be ably backed by local Nashville pickers, who sometimes demonstrate their mastery of the Diamond songbook in an altogether too-convincing manner, but it also makes the package that more surreal and hilarious. Catch the D-man’s two-night residency at the Slow Bar.
W.T.
Wednesday, 21st
Nashville Pussy/Betty Blowtorch Sex, drugs, and rock 'n’ roll—probably in that order. This is a fantastic double-bill at the Exit/In for raunchy, powerful rock. Nashville Pussy have been offending moms and dads with their redneck Kiss riffs for years. Betty Blowtorch are a relative newcomer to the scene, though they’ve been favorites in L.A. for some time. The four women of BB play an updated version of the raunch that the Pussy pioneered. It’s '80s glam metal with a touch of '90s angst à la early Hole. And with names like Bianca Butthole and Sharon Needles, they’re not girls you bring home to mother.
T.A.
Film
Audition Yikes! We can’t improve upon the recommendation of Time Out New York critic Mike D’Angelo, who compared watching this traumatizing Japanese horror film to seeing Psycho unaware when it was released in 1960. The shocker opens Friday at the Belcourt after a wildly successful recent run in New York; see the story on p. TK.
J.R.
Waking Life In concept, content, and execution, this is the American film to beat this year. Richard Linklater’s mind-blowing existential epic follows a drowsy Austinite (Wiley Wiggins from Linklater’s Dazed and Confused) as he tries to determine whether he is awake or asleep; the film drifts in and out of philosophical discussions and a constantly shifting palette of characters and viewpoints. Did we mention the film was shot on digital video and then animated, giving every scene a constantly kinetic look and background? Now we have your attention. The movie opens Friday at Green Hills; see the interview with writer-director Linklater on p. TK.
J.R.
The Man Who Wasn’t There In their follow-up to O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Joel and Ethan Coen spin a somber film-noir mood piece about a barber (Billy Bob Thornton) in 1940s California whose life spirals into blackmail and murder. Co-starring Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini, and Tony Shalhoub, the black-and-white film opens Friday at Green Hills; so does the godawful Steve Martin noir goof Novocaine.
J.R.
Patton “No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country,” growls George C. Scott as Gen. George S. Patton. “He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.” Scott’s galvanizing performance is the highlight of Franklin J. Schaffner’s 1970 war epic, co-scripted by a young Francis Ford Coppola. The movie shows Saturday and Sunday afternoons in a widescreen print as part of the Belcourt’s month-long series of Veterans’ Day matinees.
J.R.
Legacy Tod Lending’s powerful Oscar-nominated documentary follows the members of the Collins family as they struggle to escape the cycles of poverty and violence in Chicago’s crime-ridden Henry Horner Homes. Wanda Collins, whose battle with alcoholism and addiction forms one of the film’s most wrenching segments, will be on hand to discuss the movie along with director Lending. The movie screens 6 p.m. Sunday, free and open to the public, at Vanderbilt Law School’s Flynn Auditorium as part of the upcoming Family Re-Union conference.
J.R.
Black Narcissus A favorite of Martin Scorsese, Michael Powell’s erotic 1947 drama concerns nuns faced with desire and temptation at a remote jungle outpost. It’s renowned for cinematographer Jack Cardiff’s still-astonishing use of full-on Technicolor—which didn’t come through in the Pepto Bismol-tinted print Sarratt showed several years ago. The film shows 7 p.m. Friday on video at Watkins Film School, though, and they’ll most likely show the beautifully restored Criterion DVD. If you can’t have a film print, this is the next best thing. It’s free and open to the public.
J.R.
Cannes 2001 International Advertising Film Festival From the Budweiser “Whazzup” variations to some pretty racy European ads—including an ingenious and thoroughly unexpected campaign for tampons—the world’s best commercials are on display at the Creative Forum’s popular annual screening of award-winning spots from the Cannes Film Festival. The event takes place at the Belcourt 7 p.m. Thursday; tickets are $5 for CF members or $15 to the general public. For more information, call 244-4220.
J.R.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Hey, what’s this?
J.R.
DVD/Video
Empire of the Sun Perhaps the most underestimated film on the résumé of Steven Spielberg, this adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s memoir about his boyhood in pre-WWII China marked an important step in the directors transition to “serious” filmmaker. This DVD edition, like the other Spielberg releases, lacks a commentary track, but it does feature what is sure to be an informative documentary featurette.
N.M.
The Remains of the Day The filmmaking team of producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory have made so many tasteful, decorative literary adaptations that their name has become shorthand for the worst aspects of the genre. But Merchant-Ivory have also been behind vivid, deeply felt movies, such as their best film, 1993’s The Remains of the Day, now available on DVD. Set primarily in the '30s, in a house where the gentleman politicians of Europe gather to hash out the role of a rebuilding Germany in the years prior to World War II, the story dwells amid layers of meaning and metaphor. The plight of a devoted butler (Anthony Hopkins) becomes emblematic of the intractable British class system, and thus for the character traits that led the U.K. to underestimate Hitler. The DVD commentary track by Merchant, Ivory and co-star Emma Thompson is full of goodwill and pertinent behind-the-scenes dish, and there are some priceless moments in the two “making-of” mini-documentaries and the 12 minutes of deleted scenes. But the key special feature is a featurette on Great Britain’s strategy of appeasement to the Nazis, which links thematically to the “Merchant-Ivory touch” of restrained performances and lavish detail—a kind of irrational propriety.
N.M.
Television
Docs to Watch Social Class in America and more 7 p.m. Thursday at NPT’s studios, 161 Rains Ave. A reception is included. To secure one of the limited reservations, call 259-9325, ext. 248, or e-mail jwickerham@wnpt.net.
J.R.
Theater
The 1940s Radio Hour The Boiler Room Theatre gears up for the holidays with this nostalgic, behind-the-scenes glimpse at live radio from the
medium’s Golden Age. It’s family-oriented fun with a Christmastime setting, the evening featuring live sound effects, comedy routines, Big Band classics, and seasonal favorites such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” If the gifted musical comedy kids in Franklin can put it all together, this promises to be a delightful show. The month-long run opens Nov. 16 at The Factory at Franklin.
M.B.
ART
The Arts Company It’s been five years since Anne Brown opened The Arts Company on Fifth Avenue and began, along with the Tennessee State Museum, the Ryman Auditorium and TPAC, reinforcing the idea of an arts artery through the midst of downtown. Since then, Brown’s gallery and the others have been joined along by ruby green contemporary art center and the County Music Hall of Fame. Brown isn’t hosting the official gallery anniversary party until next month, but this Saturday, from 2-6 p.m., you can pick up a few early gifts at the preview party for gallery’s annual Holiday Arts Market. If you have a Beatles fan on your list, works by Robert Freeman, who photographed the first five Fab Four album covers, may be the answer. Also featured are 25 new pastel views of East Tennessee landscape beloved by artist Budd Harris Bishop, Bill Starke’s classic bronze sculptures and the whimsical creations of Randy and LuAnn Toy—married Clarksville artists who create story paintings and clay animals, respectively.
A.W.
Finer Things Gallery Witty canine sculptures by ceramic artist Linda Johnson, beautiful baubles by contemporary jeweler John Keunneth and functional art furniture and sculpture by wood artists Joel Urruty and Brad Sells make for an eclectic new show at this Nolensville Road gallery. Join the artists at the opening reception, 6-8 p.m. Saturday.
A.W.
Comedy
Comedy Soul Fest Comedian Bernie Mac was the surprise attraction in last year’s highly successful Original Kings of Comedy movie, and hopefully his new Fox television show will prove funnier than the promotional spots indicate. There’s no question about how good he is as a standup comic, and he’s only part of this bill. There’s also Gerald Levert, who has just issued yet another outstanding album of romantic ballads; one of R&B’s finest funk and soul bands Maze; and Mo’Nique, who has almost single-handedly kept The Parkers alive on UPN. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.
R.W.
Events
American Foundation of Addiction Research A host of talented folks sing out in support of addiction research, education and understanding at a fundraiser Nov. 15 at the Hermitage Hotel. The evening includes a reception and auction, followed by dinner and a concert with Jimmy Hall, John Kay of Steppenwolf, Mike Eldred, Hank Cochran, Danny Griego and Voices from AFAR (Stephanie Urbina Jones, Bob Cooper, Porter Howell, Paul Jefferson and Templeton Thompson). Proceeds benefit addiction programs at Vanderbilt University. A free lecture by AFAR’s CEO Dr. Patrick J. Carnes is scheduled for Friday night at the Hermitage Hotel. Carnes will also host a paid workshop on intimacy and recovery Saturday at Scarritt Bennett Center. For information, call TK.
A.W.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Kids of all ages can learn to play a few notes on the clarinet, some licks on the drums or a couple chords on the guitar at a “Musical Petting Zoo” on Saturday. The event lets kids experiment with instruments with the help of trained instructors and culminates with each child building their own box fiddle with recycled materials. The workshop is free for children and up to two accompanying adults, and also includes refreshments and materials.
A.W.
Frist Center for the Visual Arts Treat your family like royalty by taking them to “King Edward’s Crown Day” at the arts center Sunday. The event promises an afternoon of fun and educational activities related to medieval times, the era from which the Frist’s current exhibits “Realms of Faith” & “Leaves of Gold” are drawn. See the illuminated manuscripts and gold artifacts of the exhibits, watch knights battle with broadswords and learn how to embellish your own documents with calligraphy. Admission fees apply to some activities, others are free.
A.W.
BERRY HILL BLOCK PARTY AND HOLIDAY FESTIVAL Independently owned businesses near the corners of Bransford Avenue and Heather Place are getting their converted bungalows in tip-top shape for the Berry Hill area’s first neighborhood block party. Fine arts students from nearby Watkins College of Art and Design will perform music, poetry and spoken word at Sam & Zoe’s coffee shop, while emerging filmmakers debut new works at Grimey’s Record Shop. Grimey’s will also have its first ever sale this weekend, slashing 20 percent off their entire inventory. “Friends of Watkins” members can look for special discounts at vintage clothier Venus & Mars, funky gift shop Curious Heart Emporium and other area shops. Any money saved can be donated to the family of Travis Lee, a Watkins student who passed away recently. The block party takes place 12-7 p.m. Saturday.
H.J.
Picks written by Todd Anderson, Martin Brady, Chris Davis, Bill Friskics-Warren, Heather Johnson, Noel Murray, Jim Ridley, Jack Silverman, William Tyler, Angela Wibking, and Ron Wynn.
